FOLLOW US
Peace Education
New Delhi Program Promotes a Vision for Peace in India
Written by UPF-India
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Delhi, India - Over 500 leaders representing 11 nations, 12 states of India, all major faith traditions, and all walks of life convened for a common cause at the Global Peace Tour event at the beautiful and prestigious auditorium of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, Delhi University on April 2.
Dr. Shrivatsa Goswami, Acharya, Sri Radharamana Mandir, blessed the occasion with an interfaith invocation. “Peace must come through ethical and moral principles,” he said. Ambassador K.V. Rajan, Executive Vice-Chairman of UPF-India, explained in his opening remarks that UPF is all about service and education and that the family is the center of UPF’s educational philosophy.
The guest of honor, H.E. Murlidhar C. Bhandare, Governor of Orissa and distinguished Ambassador for Peace, applauded UPF-India’s efforts for peace. “The course of human history is determined not by what happens in the skies, but what takes place in the human heart,” he said. “UPF-India is playing a very important role in giving strength and support to the movement of peace. We have to transform our thoughts into action to build a better and peaceful world for us and also for generations to come.”
UPF-India’s partners and Ambassadors for Peace responded with great enthusiasm. Dr. Sudershan Pathak, Director (Sports) at Delhi University, invited faculty and students from all the 83 colleges of the university. The delegation of the illustrious St. Stephen’s College was very impressive: Principal Dr. Walson Thampu, Chaplain Rev. Clement Rajakumar, and members of the Social Service League brought teachers and students and promised to make their college a “Peace Laboratory.”
Dr. C.S. Pran, Director of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangatham, gathered 50 youth leaders and volunteers for appointment as Youth Ambassadors for Peace. A large delegation of UPF-India’s longtime partner, the National Service Scheme Jamia Millia Islamia, under the leadership of Dr. Abid Hussain, crossed the entire city to reach the venue despite the onset of their final exams. Dr. S.A. Ali, UPF-India Trustee, was delighted to meet with many students of his own university, Jamia Hamdard, who were motivated by their professor Dr. Harleen Kaur to become peace volunteers. Mr. Birendra Yadav, Principal of Mount Olivet School, brought 80 students and teachers to benefit from the event. Crossing the Yamuna River, Dr. Abha Singh led the delegation from Amity University.
Other esteemed partners such as UNESCO New Delhi and the Guild of Service as well as the Principal and staff of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur College rendered their wholehearted support to make the event a resounding success. It was only befitting that UPF-India Trustee Dr. Mohinder Singh represented our host community on the dais.
Rev. Hun Suk Lee, UPF Special Representative to India, introduced the UPF Vision and Principles of Peace, and Mrs. Ursula McLackland, Secretary General of UPF-Asia, inspired the audience with the wide range of activities and projects carried out by UPF-India during the last year.
Dr. Walson Thampu, Principal of St. Stephen’s College, highlighted the need for peace education in today’s society. As God’s children, he said, we should manifest God’s nature within us, not the hatred and violence that come to us so naturally.
Dr. V. Mohini Giri, Chairperson of Guild of Service, powerfully endorsed the words of the previous speaker and asked all to join hands in building a peaceful world.
After a lively video presentation about programs in the year 2008, in his keynote address Dr. Chung Sik Yong, Chairman of UPF-Asia, explained the significance of the three core elements: family, service, interfaith cooperation.
At the end of the program, Dr. Yong and UPF-India trustees presented 17 Ambassador for Peace certificates to distinguished educators and peace workers, while 39 youth and student leaders were appointed as Youth Ambassadors for Peace.
For the keynote address and more information about the peace tour, click here.
If you find this page helpful and informative please consider making donation. Your donation will help Universal Peace Federation (UPF) provide new and improved reports, analysis and publications to you and everyone around the world.
UPF is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization and all donations are tax deductible in the United States. Receipts are automatically provided for donations of or above $250.00.
|
Donate to the Universal Peace Federation: Your donation to support the general programs of UPF. |
Donate to the Religious Youth Service (RYS): Your donation will be used for service projects around the world. |
Donate to UPF's Africa Projects: Your donation will be used for projects in Africa. |
Related Articles
Australia
UPF-Australia Convenes Mutual Prosperity Summit
Melbourne, Australia—The Mutual Prosperity Summit focused on “Rethinking Our Economic Models.”