The world is in a state of despair. So, it desperately needs peace for growth,” said Prof CVK Joseph of the Institute of Gandhian Study, Wardha, while addressing peace practitioners of the State at a meeting here on Monday organised by the Odisha Peacebuilders’ Forum (OPF) on the occasion of the International Day of Peace.
Prof Joseph, who spoke on the theme of the day ‘Partnership for Peace-Dignity for All’, said terrorism and civil wars have created an explosive situation in many parts of the world. “Besides, unequal distribution of resources and economic discrimination, several parts of the world are facing with dangerous conflicts leading to violence,” he said, adding, “Peace is the only panacea to sort out these problems.”
Prof Radhamohan said peace can’t be possible in a vacuum. A good environment needs to be created for peaceful coexistence where a person can lead a dignified life, he added. “We are talking about religious harmony, but never initiate interface dialogue between religious communities,” he added.
Among others, three religious leaders, Bishop PR Parichha, Ven Nanda Priya Bhante, Imam Farzan Ahmed, activist Bijayananda Singh, OPF convener Abhishekh Kumar Das and Suman Rani Tripathy spoke about promoting peace through partnership.
A booklet ‘Right of Peoples to Peace- A Gandhian Perspective’ written by Prof Siby K Joseph and published by the OPF and SFDC was released in the meeting.
In the morning, participants led by the OPBF came in a procession started from Master Canteen Square to lower PMG and gathered at the Institute of Engineers’ conference hall.