Building peace in troubled times

A five-point Action Plan was drafted to promote peace and goodwill through State-level committees which will be formed to organise peace conventions. Besides, students and youth will be exposed to places of worship for better understanding of religions through regular visits.

This was the main takeaway at the three-day National Peace Convention held recently at ­Gurugram that saw participation of over 30 Rotarians from three districts. DG Gustad Anklesaria, DGE Dhiran Datta, DGN Gajendra Narang, RID 3040, along with PDGs chaired the sessions. Anklesaria congratulated Rtn Fr Varghese Alengaden, President, National Peace Movement, for his “tireless efforts” in organising the convention each year.

Drawing inspiration from poet Rabindranath Tagore, Alengaden said that we have to “walk alone and work for peace with the right attitude.” Rtn Pradeep Wagh from Pune highlighted Rotary’s role in peace building and conflict resolution.

DGE Kiran Lal Shrestha, RID 3292, suggested that the next year’s convention be organised in Nepal and assured full support from his district. During the valedictory session, chief guest Dr Jill Carr-Harris, a peace activist from Canada, called upon the delegates to be “inclusive in their approach and work for the empowerment of weaker sections of the society.”