A Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 1
The 2nd National Peace Convention concluded here today with the participants, more than 200 delegates from 16 states across the country, adopting a 10-point resolution. The salient features of the resolutions include the pledge to promote Gandhi’s ideals on peace and to be proactive “in situations of conflict by taking initiative for bringing the conflicting groups for dialogue and reconciliation.”
At the valedictory function, chairman of Rotary Foundation India, Ashok Mahajan, in his address as the chief guest underscored the need to “break out of the old-fashioned prejudices” and build a new image of India, one rooted in the principles of ahimsa.
“This is the right time for us to make the power of ahimsa come alive,” he told the gathering while serving a reminder that “perhaps” Gandhi is the only Indian “in whom there was no contradiction between his creed and deed.” The trend today, among the political class, he said, was to quote Gandhi’s timeless ideals “while plotting atrocious plans” in secret. “What is morally wrong cannot be politically right,” reminded Mahajan.
He remarked that the culture of intolerance, that continues to taint the democratic credentials of India today, was “rooted in the philosophy of an eye for an eye.” We cannot remain silent spectators, he added.
Mahajan shared that the true principles of Indian culture and spiritualism have always “worked together for non-violence.” He shared that for India to take her rightful place in the global standings, she must first “cast off” her old image build on prejudices.
The chairman of National Peace Movement, Varghese Alengaden informed that the next edition of the National Peace Convention would be held in Goa.
