In the midst of conflicts of different kinds in our society, peace is not only we should wish for but seriously work for it,” said Kanupriya Gupta, Class XII student from Carmel Convent school and editor of the children’s newspaper.
The Peace Gong stressed in her welcome address in a workshop on Children and Peace building being organised by Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, New Delhi, Arushi, Bhopal and The Peace Gong.
Kanupriya called upon the children to be peacebuilders and contribute to resolve conflicts in their families, schools and the society at large. As Mahatma Gandhi had said that it was important to reach out to each and every individual to establish peace. Kanupriya said, “We are all peacebuilders. We need to be sensitive to reasons of conflicts and then engage ourselves to resolve in our own small ways.”
A major highlight of the workshop was the release of the Braille Edition and Talking Edition of Mahatma Gandhi’s seminal book, Constructive Programme. It was done by Kanupriya and her team of the Peace Gong, Arushi under the guidance of Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti.
Eminent lyricist Gulzar in a message to the children talked about the importance of taking each and every child including children with disabilities in their mission for peace.
During the workshop, the children are being trained about importance of peace, the nature of conflicts and violence in the society and the world, the art of communication for peace, negotiation and mediation, using creative arts for peace building and the techniques of conflict resolution. More than 60 children are taking part in the workshop. Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, the national memorial of Mahatma Gandhi organizes workshops on children and peace building in different parts of the country.
During the two days the children will be developing a Manual on Peace building. The children’s manual will reflect their views on peace and how to resolve conflicts through non-violent action.
The Chief Guest on the occasion KC Dhillon, retired DGP of Punjab, shared his experiences of partition and the violence that resulted from it. There is no alternative to peace and non-violent actions, he said while exhorting the children to leave aggressive behaviour.