Bengaluru-based Art of living Foundation has brought together the people of conflict-ridden Jammu & Kashmir to heal their pain.
In a programme organised at the Art of living centre on the outskirts of Bengaluru on Friday the initiative was to bridge the mistrust, heal the hearts, and bring about a reconciliation among people, who have directly suffered in the long-drawn conflict in Jammu & Kashmir.
The Art of living under the guidance of spiritual Guru Sri Sri Ravishankar organised a programme called Paigham-e-Mohabbat (Message of love) which brought together family members of slain terrorists, families of victims of cross-firing from across Kashmir and families of defence and security personnel from across the country who have been martyred in the Valley. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, hailed this as a landmark beginning to foster the spirit of love, forgiveness and reconciliation, and is likely to play a historic role in creating an ecosystem for peace-building in the troubled Valley.
The programme brought together family members of slain terrorists and victims of cross-firing from Kashmir and families of defence and security personnel from all over India who have been martyred in the Valley. Representatives from over 200 affected families, including 60 women, travelled all the way from remote places in Kashmir to attend the programme. It was a heart-touching moment for everyone to see the families share the pain they have gone through and renounce the culture of militancy, which has claimed their dear ones.
Sri Sri said, “When the families affected by violence come together in a spirit of forgiveness, a new vision for a non-violent society will emerge. I am confident that this would inspire many youths to take that path.” “Unless and until we put a balm to heal the hurt and give a new vision, the chain reaction of violence will continue,” he added.
“Deep inside, there is compassion in every heart. Such events will enliven that aspect and make one realise that neither violence nor blame game lead anywhere,” he hoped.
A softening of hearts was very apparent when a former terrorist Abdul Majeed said, “Youth must drop their guns and follow the path of peace. We have come here because Gurudev (Sri Sri) is a big personality who does big work. We hope that he will get us a solution through talks.”
“We have come with a lot of hope. We didn't expect that we would have the chance to come to a space like this. We have lost a lot. Now we want to spread a message of love to the nation,” added Ajaz Ahmad Mir from Ganderbal.
“Nobody listens to us. Something should be done for people like us. That's why we came here. We want to tell Gurudev this,” shared Naseer lone of Bandipora.
We have nothing against each other. Our anger is against the circumstances that are making us kills each other in Kashmir. We hope Gurudev will address this," said a widow of an officer martyred in Kashmir.
“People of both sides have been killed whether they are from the Army or the other side. We are unable to sleep at night, can’t go out in the day. We want peace. He have come to Gurudev with the hope for peace,” added Ghulam Hussain, a former militant. last year Muzaffar Wani, father of slain Hizbul Muzahideen leader Burhan Wani, met Sri Sri to seek his intervention in peace building.
The Art of living has been working in Kashmir since 2004 to heal the trauma of militancy, facilitate dialogue, reform those who are lodged in prisons, de-stress Army and police personnel and channelize misguided youth towards constructive pursuits. Eom/blr