Sikkim, India—UPF-India observed the UN International Days of Peace and Non-Violence 2023 with programs held in several states on September 24.
The program in Sikkim state was the first large event the chapter has convened there since the COVID-19 pandemic and was attended by nearly 200 people, including the wife of the head of Sikkim and other distinguished guests. During the program, winners of the online Poetry Competition and My Dance Universe and My Voice Universe - the Dance and Singing Reality Show were also congratulated.
The theme of the competition was “Peace and Nonviolence” and more than 50 video submissions were received, of which around 30 were selected to be posted to YouTube. The submissions were evaluated based on their content and number of views. The top three winners were awarded with a cash prize of 7,000, 5,000 and 3,000 rupees, respectively. Six thousand was the highest number of views of a video, and altogether, more than 20,000 people watched the videos.
In Delhi, a celebration took place in a prominent school founded by a renowned woman spiritual leader in India, Amma – Mother Amrita. Around 100 students; the vice principal and other staff of the school; and Hon. Ajay Dutt, an assemblymen of Delhi attended the program.
In Patna, the capital city of Bihar state, the Peace Club initiative was launched at a program that was held at the MLA Residence of Bihar. In attendance were Hon. Arun Kumar Sinha, a member of the Bihar Legislative Assembly; Mr. Ashish Kumar Sinha, the son of an assemblyman; social activist Prem Bahi ji; and district youth officer of the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangthan (NYKS), Patna Mr. Pamir Singh. More than 50 youth participated in the event.