Dr. Sohan Lal Gandhi
VI INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PEACE AND NONVIOLENT ACTION
(VI ICPNA)
The Voice of Ahimsa from Children’s Peace Palace - Rajsamand (INDIA)
The two major events of the 6th ICPNA organized by ANUVIBHA on the eve of its Silver Jubilee i.e. International Dialogue on the Challenge of Violence, Hunger and Poverty and the First International Nonviolence Leadership Training Camp were a great success in that the purposes with which they were planned were accomplished. They were a part of a series of such endeavours we undertake from time to time to build a culture of peace and nonviolence in consonance with the spirit of the UN Decade of a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World (2001-2010).
Though the number of overseas participants was just 25 hailing from ten countries, those who came were imbued with deep insights into ahimsa and firm commitment to a noble cause. They not only shared their views on the problems of violence, hunger and poverty which, as a matter of fact, adversely affect mostly children of the earth, but also participated devoutly in the three-day First International Nonviolence Leadership Training Camp held under the direct guidance of the two apostles of ahimsa - His Holiness Acharya Mahapragya and Yuvacharya Mahashraman. Though they belong to a Jain tradition as ascetics, to them human religion, shorn of all labels, precedes everything else. Their sole concern is about the tide of violence and hatred, ironically enough in the name of religion, which is slowly closing in humankind and taking a heavy toll of innocent human lives. They believe that the challenge can be met only if children, youths and adults are trained in ahimsa (nonviolence) at a global level. Mere preaching will not do, so Acharya Mahapragya, the spiritual patron of Anuvibha, has introduced a practical course based on some meditational techniques coupled with yogic exercises and mudras. The course is geared towards a specific purpose to help the trainees to look within and wipe out all negative tendencies that cause violence. Apart from a few hours' elucidation of the conceptual understanding of ahimsa, the trainees at the first international nonviolence leadership training were also exposed to several physical postures and breathing exercises.
The environment at the Peace Palace was conducive to the evolution of inner peace. The scenic beauty that enveloped the hill and the backdrop of a lake only added to the intensity of the impact of the training. The trainees felt transformed and resolved to carry the sunshine to their countries and radiate the message of ahimsa. The presence of more than eighty Indian participants at the camp augured well for our country.
The six days at the Children’s Peace Palace i.e. 23rd Dec. to 28th Dec. passed off swiftly. Not only the dialogue was intensive, the three-day nonviolence training was an unforgettable experience. The last two days i.e. 29th and 30th Dec. were dedicated to the celebration of the Silver Jubilee of ANUVIBHA in the benign presence of the two most revered spiritual leaders. Anuvrat workers associated with Anuvibha looked back nostalgically and gave the audience a vivid portrayal of Anuvibha's zig-zag journey of 25 years. Both His Holiness Acharya Mahapragya and Yuvacharya Mahashraman lauded the efforts of Anuvrat workers and expressed satisfaction at Anuvibha's efforts to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence and organize a worldwide campaign to train people in ahimsa.
Acharya Mahapragya observed, "Training in nonviolence is the prime need of the day. It is the only way to create a peaceful world. Unfortunately training in killing goes on unabated in all parts of the world but no training is being imparted in nonkilling. Anuvibha has a great responsibility to popularize nonviolence training as an antidote to a culture of killing that pervades the planet. Though the task is challenging, ANUVIBHA must pursue it doggedly." With these words ringing in our ears the eight-day celebration came to a joyous end.
ANUVIBHA workers are happy that despite several difficulties the Silver Jubilee Celebration as well as its events was a great success.
Dr. S.L. Gandhi
President, ANUVIBHA
Anuvrat Global Organization (ANUVIBHA www.anuvibha.in)
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