American Gandhi Bernie Meyer and KB DAV Principal Madhu Bahl
Chandigarh, 27 September 2013, Specttrum News: The World Tourism Day was marked today with the arrival of over 100 international delegates of 8th International Youth Peace Fest (IYPF-2013) of Yuvsatta, an NGO, with early morning arrival of 15-member Chinese delegation, who were later joined by youngsters from Nepal, Egypt, USA, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Tanzania, Kazakhistan, Kenya, Indonesia, Pakistan, Thailand, Bhutan, Iran, Brazil and Venezuela. But the star attraction remained the much awaited arrival of participants from Pakistan. It is to be noted that from last three years Pakistani people were not allowed to participate.
Sharing her concerns Tanzila Khan a young youth trainer associated with Art of Living, Pakistan, said that youngsters in Pakistan have a special love and concern for friendship with Indian youth. Iqbal Shergill, Director, Paragon School and President, Friends of China Society, said, “If we add China also, strong relations between the trio China, India and Pakistan will mean total peace and overall growth in whole of Asia.”
During the day time foreign delegates visited the world famous Rock Garden and were delighted to meet its creator Padam Shree Nek Chand. They were accompanied by students of The Gurukul, Panchkula. Laxman Gole - a history sheeter who remained behind bars for long and is now promoting the Gandhian thoughts in generation, as delegate of IYPF-2013, reached GurukulGlobalSchool to talk to students the relevance of nonviolence.
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American Gandhi Bernie Meyer and Nek Chand at Rock Garden |
Later at a welcome cultural evening hosted by KB DAV Sr. Sec Public School, Sector 7, foreign delegates were joined by a galaxy of dignitaries like Dr Markandey Rai, Chief, Inter-Agency Coordination, Global Parliamentarians & Trade Unions, UN Habitat, Kenya, Rajinder Rana, MLA, Himachal Pradesh, Ms Ninette Vas Sharma, Amarjit Singh Katari, Mediator, District Courts, UT Chandigarh, S K Setia, HCS, Joint Secretary, Chandigarh Administration, American Gandhi Bernie Meyer, T R K Somaiya, Secretary, Bombay Sarvodaya Mandal, Larry Kerschner, Vietnam war veteran.
At the aforesaid programme five Principals and teachers were honoured with ‘Peace Awards’ for promoting the culture of peace and nonviolence among young students by Dr. Markandey Rai. This Peace Award sponsored by educationists of repute and carrying a memento, a shawl and Rs 5100/- was presented to June Saupins, Director, Principal, Saupin’s School-32A, Chandigarh, Anupam Singh, In charge, Peace Club, Government Model Sr. Sec. School-19C, Chandigarh, Meenu, In charge-Peace Club, Bhawan Vidyalaya, Panchkula, Rashi Sethi, In charge, Outreach Programme, St. John’s High School-26, Chandigarh and Ms Aruna Bhardwaj, Principal, Gurukul Global School, Chandigarh.
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Chinese delegates at Chandigarh Airport |
Appreciating the concept of Peace Clubs started by Yuvsatta in Tricity, SKSetia said, “For the better future of mankind, the utmost importance is needed in the education of children. A child has to be educated with love and kindness to become a responsible adult in future.
Madhu Bahl, Principal of KB DAV-7 said, “People should transform themselves into peaceful citizens in thought, action and deeds and thus realizing the dream of ‘Peace-city Chandigarh’.
Tomorrow the IYPF will be formally inaugurated at GovernmentPostGraduateCollege, Sector 11, Chandigarh. The programme is supported by State Cell NSS, Oxfam India, PostGraduateGovt.College, Friends of China Society, Chandigarh, Jurists & Associates International (JAI), Chandigarh, Departments of Tourism, Education, Science & Technology, Environment, Forests & Wildlife of Chandigarh Administration, GurukulGlobalSchool, KB DAV Sr. Sec.Public School and Prakash Foundation.
Tomorrow the IYPF will be formally inaugurated at GovernmentPostGraduateCollege, Sector 11, Chandigarh. The programme is supported by State Cell NSS, Oxfam India, PostGraduateGovt.College, Friends of China Society, Chandigarh, Jurists & Associates International (JAI), Chandigarh, Departments of Tourism, Education, Science & Technology, Environment, Forests & Wildlife of Chandigarh Administration, GurukulGlobalSchool, KB DAV Sr. Sec.Public School and Prakash Foundation.