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Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 28
“Join your hands, connect your hearts to make a peaceful world.” The ‘Iron Lady’ of India exhorted the youth during the 11th edition of annual Global Youth Peace Fest (GYPF) that kick-started in the city today.
Irom Sharmila, civil rights and political activist, further said she did not want honours. “I want your support, the support of the youth, to pressurise the governments to rebuild Draconian laws,” she said.
The GYPF witnessed 250 delegates from over 33 countries of the world joining hands for a more humane and just world.
“It is great to be here in the midst of peace-makers from across the globe who would like to see a world free from violence and strife,” said Sharmila, emphasising on the need for emulating nature and building strength in youth. She advocated standing up to laws that threatened the fabric of a peaceful society and emphasised the need for consciousness.
Also present on the occasion was brand ambassador of GYPF ‘American Gandhi’ Bernie Meyer who is coming to participate in Global Youth Peace Fest regularly from last eight years. His book on Mahatma Gandhi was released by Sharmila. David Caprara, international vice-president of Global Peace Foundation, USA, reminded the audience on the relevance of Gandhi in modern times.
The star attraction of the programme was presence of 19-member strong ‘Girl For Peace Delegation from Pakistan’ that brought Indo-Pak friendship cards made by schoolchildren in Pakistan.
Four exemplary people were awarded with ‘Global Youth ICON Award 2016’, by Irom Sharmila and UT Home Secretary Anurag Aggarwal. These included Dr Eamonn Fahil Elbom from Libya for Gandhian Community Work; Aliya Harir, Lead Strategist, Justice, Aid And Development (PEAD) Foundation, Islamabad, Pakistan for exemplary youth action and activism and Santosh Kumar, IFS, director, Department of Science and Technology, Director, Department of Environment, Chief Conservator of Forests, UT, for promoting sustainability thinking and action.
Countries that participated
Afghanistan, Albania, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Fiji, France, Indonesia, India, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Liberia, Malaysia, Motswana, Mauritius, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine, Syria, Senegal, Taiwan, Uganda, USA, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Student injured
The cultural evening of GYPF came to an abrupt end when Amit, a student of Shri Guru Gobind Singh College, Sector 26, got injured during a dance performance. He was rushed to the GMSH-16.
What Pak students said...
Supporting Indo-Pak war will make me anti-Pak
To hate each other is how we define our nationalism in both countries. People fail to realise that I will not become any less of a Pakistani by loving Indians. What will make me anti-Pakistani is supporting the Indo-Pak war. — Aliya Harir, Pak student
Chandigarh residents have charmed me
It is my first visit to India, and This outpouring of warmth and generosity from Indians, especially Chandigarh residents, has charmed me. I wish I could live here. — Sara, Pak student
There is lack of sincere and sensible leadership
We all are upset because of the ongoing tension between India and Pakistan. The perpetual fight between the two nations is due to lack of sincere and sensible leadership in both countries. — Alveena, Pak student
It’s like coming to a second home
Coming to India is like coming to a second home. There is no hatred at all in the hearts of general public of the two countries. I wonder why the governments can’t stop fighting. — Syeda, Pak student
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