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A flame for peace

SPIRITED LOT
Last Updated 27 January 2015, 16:03 IST

These days, children are exposed to a host of visual influences from a very young age. They have become nonchalant when it comes to watching violent videos because it has become a part of their routine lives. And they have long-winded debates about what peace truly is because they have become indifferent.

Recently, the finale of ‘The Bangalore Peace Project’ was held in the Amphitheatre of UB City. Hundreds of kids, parents and visitors thronged the terrace and the energetic lot raised the spirits of everyone around. They gathered for the lighting of the ‘World Peace Flame’ by the principals of 14 reputed schools and national guests in India.

‘The Bangalore Peace Project’ is a unique attempt to unite schools and professionals to join hands in a series of events to achieve the special and common goal of peace. This is not a global conference or a demand for ceasefire, but rather a means to reflect on something more important – inner peace.

The project is an attempt to help students discern what is right and wrong, to help them deal with peer pressure and act calm, no matter the external conflict.
 This way, the project aims to deliver a practical and workable means of implementing peace at an individual level, especially for students. It also saw the launch of the ‘World Peace Flame’ in India for the first time. Guests were flown in specially for the event – Ryan Currans Andreas from The Netherlands, Dadi Ratan Mohini, Joint Chief of ‘The Brahmakumaris’ and Sister Gopi Patel, International Forum Director of ‘The Brahmakumaris’. The guests talked about the importance of peace and how to spread love.

The first part of the show opened with seven schools participating with over 200 kids, performing  songs of peace from across genres. It was followed by various other dance forms, plays and musical treats throughout the day, all performed by students. The schools have been making an effort towards bringing peace in their environment by hosting drawing competitions, street plays and more. One of the participants, Mithil Patwardhan, said “These kind of events give so much energy and strength to the young ones that it will become a basis on which they would think forward and grow to become better individuals in this world that has so much abuse, anger, and hatred. It is such a pleasure to see so many schools participating in this event in order to promote peace. The words on peace from Dadi were so inspiring that I hope the kids present here will take home something from it.”

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(Published 27 January 2015, 16:03 IST)

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