global reach book srmt

Sri RamanujaSri RamanujaMission TrustMission Trust

GLOBAL

REACH

GLOBAL

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GLOBAL

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GLOBAL

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Sri Ramanuja

Mission Trust

Sri Ramanuja Mission Trust, popularly known as SRMT was founded in

the year 2000 at Chennai, for the noble cause of organizing and

supporting projects for all round social welfare. It concentrates on

various issues like poverty alleviation, self-employment, health awareness,

rural empowerment, women empowerment and good governance, by

organizing seminars, workshops, field studies and also by 'guiding and

training' volunteers and by providing financial assistance to NGOs. The trust

anniversary is celebrated with considerable financial aid and honour to

deserving and reputed, individuals and institutions.

Regular education scholarships and consultancy, medical aid and

rural medical camps are being conducted by us. Many workshops on

personality development and empowerment like career development,

character moulding, memory booster, mind potential, emotional balancing

and stress management, are effectively conducted at various parts of the

country. The vital objective of our trust is "knowledge dissemination". It has

organized and supported more than 1000 conferences of national and

International standards on various topics like Seed breeding, Agronomy, Plant

Bio-technology, Energy solutions, Waste recycling, Environmental issues like

Climate change, Medical Ethics, Nano-technology, Bio-ethics, Education

research and Pedagogy, National Security, Inter-faith dialogue, Music,

Economic crisis, Media ethics, Jurisprudence, Consciousness studies and

many more.

The lectures and discussions are being brought out in the form of CDs

and the transcriptions of the proceedings are being published in the form of

printed and e-journals. The trust is managed by a team of committed

personalities and guided by a panel of highly knowledgeable and dynamic

dignitaries.

For more details about SRMT, visit www.sriramanujamissiontrust.info.

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SRMT - AN INTRODUCTION

Prime mover of the trust is Prof. S.A.R.P.V.Chaturvedi. Extolled as an

authority in Philosophy, ethics, logic and traditional sciences, he is also a

renowned analyst and multi-linguistic orator in contemporary and emerging

disciplines. Even though his academic qualifications are limited with

philosophy, law, language and literature, computers and management studies,

by the virtue of his meritorious erudition, he adorns several institutions as

Professor emeritus, Eminence, and distinguished professor in various faculties,

in his young age of 42. His rational, modern and energetic approach for serious

issues like rehabilitation, quality education, counter-terrorism, green planet,

pandemics, water treatment, soil erosion and flood control, has gained wider

appreciation and support for his mission.

Sri Ramanuja Mission Trust had also extended its participation,

support and impactful presence across the world.

We were represented in the "World Parliament of Religions" rd (December 3 2009)

assembly held at

Melbourne by Patrick

Nickish, Director

Global Operations,

SRMT. Our trustees

C.Krishna Kumar and

Varadan Chandar

p a r t i c i p a t e d i n

"International Consultation on Faith, Shared Wisdom and International Law"

at Malaysia (3-7 October 2010). It was a prestigious event where hundreds of

global elites and dignitaries participated. Our Chairman's speech- visual was

telecasted and Sri Ramanuja Mission Trust was one among the organizers of

this grand program.

The spirit behind

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SRMT GLOBAL

Sri Ramanuja Mission Trust

In this series, we had an invitation

from World Philosophical Forum located in

Athens, Greece for their 4th annual

Dialectical Symposium (September 30 –

October 4 of 2013) with the theme "Earth-

XXI CITIZENSHIP – from Ignorant Earth

POPULATION to Civilly Educated Earth

CIVILIZATION". Dr. D. Swaminadhan

attended the meeting on our behalf and

also addressed the elite gathering.

He was conferred the prestigious

"Earth Citizenship Certificate" along with

certificate of participation. Later the same

were issued for our Managing Trustee also.

This connection has brought the Vice

president of World Philosophical Forum

(who has now become the president) Dr.

Igor Kondrashin to our "13th trust

anniversary" celebrations at Chennai

(Oct12-13 of 2013) and has paved way for

many future ventures.

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World Philosophical Forum, Athens, Greece

Prof Dr.H C Timi Ecimovic

Paul Pissanos

Philippos Nicolopoulos

Paris Katsivelos

Dr Steven Roy

Panagiotis Angelopoulos

Em. Professor Raoul weiler

Dr Ioanna E Mastora

Marios I Damaskos

Member of European academy of

Sciences and arts

President of administrative council,

Universal Intellectual Center, Athens

Legal counsellor, associate professor,

Athens

Actor-director-professor of Higher education of drama schools and theatrical studios, Athens

Glasgow university, senior fellow, Philosophical forum, Athens

Sales consultant

Founder president EU- chapter Cor-EU

Curriculum Developer, member of Hellenic Olympic Academy

University of Reading

Igor KondarshinVice President, World Philosophical Forum

Junyan He

Stanley Sfekas

Lawer, poet, calligrapher - World Philosophical Forum

Prof of Philosophy

Dignified Participants of Symposium

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Bichev Gennady Doctorate of Philosophy

Expert , Doctorate of pedagogical scienceAlmaz Khanum S. Madjidova

Dr Avtandil V Mikaberidze President, Caucasus cultural center

Roula pollard

Dr SC SlavkoKuic

Inna Titarenko,

Consultant - Dream side Estates Ltd,

Senior Research Fellow, Institute of World Problems, Zagreb, Croatia

Doctorate of Philosophical Sciences, Southern Federal University

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GUSI PEACE PRIZE INTERNATIONAL

November 24-30, 2013

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My Wishes to all.

This is to keep you informed on the Manila trip, mainly on GUSI

PEACE PRIZE International.

I arrived in Manila on Sunday and headed to ISCKON which is Makati

city, just spent around one hour in temple and reached Hotel Peninsula

where all the delegates stayed.

As Narrated by Jyothi Nallari

We had an invitation to

p a r t i c i p a t e i n G u s i

I n te r n at i o n a l Pe a c e

Award festival (November

24-19, 2013) an illustrious

event held at Manila,

Philippines, for peace

where top dignitaries of

the world participate. This

was extended by the

same Igor Kondrashin,

who is a peace prize

laureate for this year. We

a r e r e p r e s e n t e d b y

JyothiNallari with our messages and materials. We solicit the wishes of all our

members to widen the domains and regions of SRMT as well as to increase its

service and impact.

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November 26, 2013 (Tuesday)

06.00p.m. Welcome Dinner The Peninsula Hotel, Manila

November 27, 2013 (Wednesday)

05.00 p.m. 12th Annual Gusi Peace Prize International Awarding Ceremony

Philippine International Convention Center


11.00 a.m. Exclusive lunch for the Laureates

Shangri-La Palace Hotel

Date Time Venue

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

November 24, 2013 (Sunday)

Expected arrival of laureates

November 25, 2013 (Monday)

05.00 p.m. Golden Bay Restaurant, Macapagal Ave., Pasay City

06.00 p.m. Forbes Park


07.30 a.m.

Presscon

Dinner at the Ambassador's residence

Rizal Park

12.00 p.m. Welcome Lunch at Tuloy Foundation in Alabang

Programme

Wreath laying Ceremony at Rizal Park and Awarding of the Key to the City of Manila


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Date Time VenueProgramme

Thanks giving Dinner06.00 p.m. Manila Hotel

Departure of laureates and foreign delegates

November 29-30, 2013

On Monday 25th November, I had met IGOR and Barry GUSI,Chairman, Gusi

Foundation and took the schedules of the program.

On the same night around 7 pm, we had the press meet. Media

questioned how each one of them will work for peace.


Igor representing Russia mentioned it was through education.Ex President

from Estonia mentioned how Estonia got independence in a peaceful

manner. Dr Glen Martin stated that World should have one constitution

and hence the Earth needs a World Federation.

Dr. Raoul A Weiler from Belgium emphasized on the climate,

environment changes happening and how each country needs to address the

catastrophic disasters like typhoons, earthquake Tsunami etc.

A Lawyer by profession,

Catherine D Atok from

Nigeria wanted Human

Rights and consumer rights,

in particular to African region

where the powerful nations

exploit the third world. The

M a u r i t i u s P r e s i d e n t

RajkeswarPuryag wanted

state welfare and peaceful

coexistence. Sudan Ex Prime Minister Mr. Abdel RehmanAlmahdi spoke on

Sudan's dictatorship and emphasized that peace will be obtained only if

democracy is established in Sudan.

Mr. Jermone Binde from France mentioned his contributions as UNESCO

Director, where he worked for many countries on arts and cultural bondage

and tried to minimize the cultural differences among countries.

Mr. A H M. Nouman from Bangladesh mentioned that peace can be

obtained from mother as she instills values of peace. Nouman had worked on

the cyclone victims especially on pregnant women for safe delivery giving

them shelter, food and health cards. Nouman, Secretary General and

Founder of "Development Alternative of the Rural Poor" (DARP), a national

NGO, introduced maternity allowance in 2005 for poor mothers in

Bangladesh.

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AHM Nouman said, “Mother should be given priority in a country's

development process...empowered mothers can lead a country towards

peace, progress and economic emancipation.”

Ambassador from Turkey Dr. Orhan Guvenen spoke on poverty.

Day 2

We had to leave early around 6 am to Rizal Park where a wreath was

placed for Martyrs. From there we went to Rector School which is the oldest

school in Asia and Laureates were honored with mementos. We then

proceeded to “TULOY Foundation” by Father Rocky. This Foundation

rehabilitates street

children, drug addicts,

off springs of criminals

and prisoners, and

v i c t i m s o f h u m a n

trafficking and abused.

I n T U LOY, 3 0 0

chi ldren are given

boarding and lodging

and 600 children come

from other homes. The

school does not give

formal education but train the children in music, sports and mechanics. They

are counseled by Psychologists and cared by doctors. The Foundation has

numerous volunteers working with passion. They are funded by foreign

organizations.

In the evening we attended a dinner sponsored by Gusi foundation,

followed by few cultural events. On Wednesday 27th, in the evening around

6.30 pm we had the valedictory function honoring the Laureates. There were

more than 4000 guests including local dignitaries, consulates and elite.

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About Gusi prize

The Gusi Peace Prize Foundation is Asia's foremost awarding body

and also among the leading in the world today. In recognizing the most

brilliant examples of those

w o r k i n g t o w a r d s

attainment of peace and

respect for human life and

dignity, Gusi Peace Prize

brings out the best of

human achievements,

ideals and values.

It is a charitable

foundation whose main

objective is to give proper recognition through conferment of awards of

excellence and distinction to individuals or groups worldwide, who have

distinguished themselves as brilliant exemplars of society or who contributed

in the following categories:

Academe, Scientific Research and Discovery, Physiology or Medicine,

Chemistry, Physics, Journalism, Statesmanship, Philanthropy or

Humanitarianism, Economics, Cinematic Excellence, Performing Arts, Visual

Arts, Engineering Technology, Religion, Politics, Poverty Alleviation,

Literature, Cultural Heritage, Internationalism, Architecture, Archeology,

Ecosystem and Biodiversity and Biology.

The “Board of Trustees” includes eminent persons from Philippines

and few international persons.

A total of 17 dignitaries with international repute including

President, Former Prime Ministers and Saudi Prince were honoured with the

prestigious award at the 12th award giving ceremony at the Philippines

International Convention Centre (PICC) on Wednesday, reports BSS.

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His Excellency President Rajkeswur Purryag of Mauritius in

statesmanship, His Royal Highness Prince Bandar Bin Khalid Al Faisal Al Saud

of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in social science and humanitarianism, Ex-

president Arnold Ruutel of Estonia in statesmanship, former Prime Minister

Al-Saddig Abdel Rahman Al- Mahdi of Sudan in statesmanship, former

President Prof Dr Emil Constantinescu of Romania in statesmanship, and

dignitaries from US, Russia,

France, Syria, Turkey and

Philippines were among the

laureates.

Chairman of Gusi

Peace Prize Intl, Bari S Gusi

handed over the award

among the laureates. The US

Senator Emanuel Jones,

Chairperson for Charity and

Medical Missions of the Gusi

Peace Prize, Dr Evelyn Tantamco Gusi, past laureates and members of Gusi

Peace Prize board spoke on the occasion. Bangladesh Ambassador in

Philippines Major General (Retd) John Gomes also attended it.

At the outset of the ceremony, which was attended by around 5,000

invitees, one minute silence was observed in memory of the typhoon

“Haiyan” victims. They also expressed deep shock at the deaths and conveyed

sympathy to the bereaved family members.

Speaking on the occasion, Mauritius President Rajkeswur Purryag

said, 'Promotion of global peace is key to promotion of social justice.

“Establishing the world peace is impossible without benefiting the common

people”, he said. “We all should work in a coordinated manner to prevent any

conflict in Africa; domestic or internal conflict or conflicts of two nations;

conflict anywhere whether in Asia, Europe or west,” said the President.

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Sudanese former Prime Minister Al-Saddig Abdel Rahman Al- Mahdi

of Sudan said five basic of human rights — human dignity, justice, freedom,

food and peace have clearly been stipulated in the Islam back in centuries

ago. “We all may join for better world to establish justice on the basis of

human rights,” he said. US Senator Emanuel Jones described peace as social

justice and freedom and said peace is satisfying the basic needs of food for all

mankind on the globe. He called upon the laureates to work hand in hand to

make the world a better place. “Let us fight against social injustice, conflict

and humiliation.”

Prof. Dr. Abdel Madjid Amrani – Algeria – Philosophy

Prof. Dr. Raoul A. Weiler – Belgium – Science and technology

Hon. Catherine Dupe Atoki - Nigeria - Human Rights Advocacy

Ex-President Arnold Ruutel - Republic of Estonia – Statesmanship

His Excellency President Rajkeswur Purryag – Mauritius – Statesmanship

Former President, Prof. Dr. Emil Constantinescu – Republic of Romania -

Statesmanship & Academe

Architect Yolanda D. Reyes - Republic of The Philippines - Architecture &

Academe

His Royal Highness Prince Bandar Bin Khalid Alfaisal Al Saud – Kingdom of

Saudi Arabia - Social Services & Humanitarianism

Dr. Glen T. Martin – United States of America (USA) - Philosophy of Human

Liberation

Prof. Dr. Igor I kondrashin – Russia - Scientific Philosophy

Mr.Malek Jandali – Syria - Performing Arts (composer & pianist) &

Humanitarianism

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The 2013 Laureates are


Ambassador Dr. Orhan Guvenen – Turkey - Economics & Strategic Research &

Diplomacy

Dr. Aboubakar Abdoulah Senghore – Gambia - International Human Rights &

Humanitarian Activism

Mr. Jerome Binde – France - International Diplomacy and Foresight

Former Prime Minister Al-Saddig Abdel Rahman Al-Mahdi – Sudan –

Statesmanship

Honorable Ferhat Mehenni – Algeria - Indigenous Rights (for The

Independence of The Berber people of Algeria)

Abul Hasan Mohammad Nouman – Bangladesh - Poverty Alleviation and

Humanitarianism

After the event, I met and discussed with the Peace prize foundation people.

They evinced their interest in our trust's participation and support for their

events. We have also invited them for SRMT events.

Jyothi Nallari (Trustee)


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SRMT Trust Board had agreed to this proposal and

had deputed its Senior Trustee to attend the

organizers' meeting on 22nd and 23rd March, 2014 at

Sarajevo, Bosnia to prepare specific action plans for

this June meeting. The time available for obtaining

the visa for Mr. Varadan Chandar to undertake this

trip was very short and it appeared difficult as their

immigration system demands official authorization

of Bosnian government to enter into their nation.

Our well-wisher and coordinator Smt. Neeru Rawal

of Utas travels, Delhi made her best efforts to

convince the embassy people about our mission and

finally suggested that Mr. Varadan Chandar should

directly meet the embassy authorities.

Visa struggle

SRMT REPORTPreparatory Meeting of Sarajevo Peace Events (June 2014) (First World War Centenary Celebrations) - March 22-23, 2014 Hotel Grand, Sarajevo, Bosnia

Sri Ramanuja Mission Trust, Chennai, India poised to play an active role in the International Peace Conference at Sarajevo Bosnia in June 2014. In the recent periods, SRMT has been closely working with International Peace Bureau (IPB), Geneva, Switzerland on the subjects of campaigning for sustained peace initiatives and mobilizing active support for disarmament and development through various specific programs. IPB has been tirelessly working with a dedicated vision of a world without war and has over 300 membership organizations in 70 Countries. IPB had proposed SRMT's alliance as a co- convener in IPB's forthcoming International Peace Convention to be held at Sarajevo, Bosnia from June 6th to 9th 2014 to commemorate the centenary of the commencement of the First World War. More than 220 world peace activist organizations are participating in this meet.


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Mr. Varadan Chandar met the Bosnian Ambassador in Delhi His

Excellency Dr. Sabit Subasic and the Counselor at the Bosnian Embassy

Mr.Momcilo Vukovic on March 19th and explained the purpose. They

extended their fullest support and cooperation for the issue of the visa within

the short time. But the formalities of the rules of the Bosnian government for

approving visa were rather tight but the timely intervention and favorable

word of reference given to their government by the First Secretary at the

Indian embassy at Budapest, Hungary Mr. J.N.Majhi IFS who is in charge of

Bosnia, made it possible for Varadan Chandar to receive his visa at the nick of

the moment.

Our Delhi host Mrs. Sudesh Sharma

and SRMT coordinator Mr. Diwakar

Mishra were also extremely helpful.

SRMT records its warm

appreciation and heartfelt gratitude

to all of these noble officials and

associates for their timely and

effective support for this venture.

SITUATION IN BOSNIA

Known previously as Yugoslavia, the country was divided into

Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina on the basis the ethnic divisions

in the nineties. Bosnia is a country in south Eastern Europe with its largest city

and capital Sarajevo. An international armed conflict broke out in Bosnia

between 1st March 1992 and 14th December 1995 as a result of conflicts

between the Bosnians, Serbians, Croatians and the republics of Bosnia.

Around 1, 00,000 people were killed during the war. In addition 50,000

women were raped and over 2.2 million people were displaced, making it the

most devastating conflict in Europe since World War II. Today, Bosnia is still a

struggling country – fighting the post effects of war, internationally enforced

peace settlements, poverty and political thaw.


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MEETING AND DISCUSSIONS AT BOSNIA

There were forty persons representing more than fifty international

and Bosnian peace organizations who participated in the pre- conference

meeting held at Hotel Grand, Sarajevo on the 22nd and 23rd March 2014.

Mr. Ibrahim Spahic, Chairman of the International Centre of Peace,

Sarajevo and also Chief Organizer of Sarajevo Winter Festival warmly

received Mr. Varadan Chandar, Trustee, SRMT and the latter was

unanimously elected to participate in the pre-conference organizing

discussions.

SRMT's Three Projects at Sarajevo

As co-organizers for the event Sarajevo

Peace Meet, SRMT has agreed to

organize the following three events at

Sarajevo.

Project 1 Objective : Reconciliation and

Sharing of Love As a token and symbolic

action, a peace demonstration will be organized at Sarajevo, on the consisting

of three groups of women and children (around 100 numbers each )

belonging to the Bosnian, Serbian and Croatian ethnic groups starting

separately from their respective worshipping places, walking with placards in

their hands stressing universal peace, amity and harmony, converging at a

common place and the women from each groups reaching across to the other

groups' children and handing over attractive gifts to all the children.

The whole group of women and children merged and unified

together with inspiring placard messages and exchange of cheers and smiles,

asserting their fundamental right for amity, harmony and peace, will be

highlight of this event. Documentation, documentary and effective media

coverage of this climax will speak to millions of hearts and create positive

ignition.


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An elocution cum speech competition amongst the college students

of Bosnia will be organized, when about ten leading colleges of Bosnia will be

requested to locally arrange a competition in front of their students on the

title "The importance of establishing peace for mankind in today's world” and

send their single best student from each college for this event as their

representative. The ten semi-final candidates will speak before a Sarajevo

college gathering, on the title "Removing the root causes of fear, anger,

hatred and greed from the minds of humanity for establishing lasting peace---

why and how?"

Project 2.

Objective : Awareness Generation and Sensitizing the Youth on Peace

Initiatives


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Five best speakers out of this will be chosen for the finals. The final

round will be at a prestigious location organized in an impressive

manner in a Sarajevo college gathering, comprising of international

dignitaries, general public as well as a large student community where the

selected ten semifinal students will speak on the title, "Planting the seeds of

compassion, cooperation and conciliation amongst strife torn sections of

humanity for establishing sustainable peace, why and how?"

The best speaker will be awarded the first prize of a gold medal and a

cash award of 1000 Bosnian Marks. The second prize will be a Silver medal

and a cash award of 500 Bosnian Marks. There will be three bronze medals

and cash award of 250

Bosnian Marks for the

other three candidates.

All the ten semi-final

candidates will be given

impressive certificates of

participation and a token

cash award 100 Bosnian

Marks each to cover their

expenses of travel and

stay for this event.

The speeches will be in English only. The duration of each speech will

be three minutes only. Students of both the genders in the age group 19 to 26

are eligible to participate in these events. The support and cooperation of the

various college principals and the professors of Bosnia have been requested

for organizing and judging these competitive events. The main person for

organizing these entire event from SRMT's side will be Maida Salkanovic,

mobile no. 00 387 61429117; [email protected] . SRMT will take

care of the gold and silver medals, cash disbursements for all the winners and

certificates for all the semifinal participants


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This will be an annual award of our Trust to identify the outstanding

performing company internationally who have maintained the same job

levels or grown to a higher level but converted to ethical civilian applications

and manufacturing redesigning from their previous unethical and anti-

human activity of armament manufacture. For this Sarajevo event, we will

institute and

c o m m e n c e

t h i s a w a r d

and hand it

over to the

best selected

c o m p a n y

w h i c h w i l l

comprise of

an impressive

gold sh ie ld

with glorifying

inscr ipt ions

o n t h e i r

nobility of action and change of heart.

This event will be followed by liberal praising of such noble actions by

other speakers explaining how these constitute the right role models for

sustainable peace and urging the rest in the unethical arms manufacturing

business activity to realize their accountability to humanity.

Project 3.

Objective : Glorifying International Companies who have converted their

armament manufacture venture into ethical civilian end-products, by

awarding them the 'Sri Ramanuja Peace Prize'.


SRMT is also planning a session to discuss with proprietors/advisers/

m a n a g e m e n t r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s o f m a j o r a r m a m e n t

research/manufacture/supply agencies, about the possibilities of

redesigning their business nature, based on factors of conscience, social

concern, cruelties of war and burning need for social reconstruction,

construction and peace.

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The acceptance speech of the receiving company will be the major

highlight of this function. The motivated other companies that agree for the

conversion either with immediate effect or in stages, will also be honored on

this occasion with encouraging mementos of peace.

Discussions are on the move in identifying the most suitable

company for this year's “Sri Ramanuja Peace Prize Award” at Sarajevo.

The following are the points

discussed by our trustee Mr.

Varadan Chandar and Mr.

R e i n e r B r a u n , h e a d o f

International Association of

Lawyers Against Nuclear Arms

(IALANA) and co convener of

t h e I nte r n at i o n a l Pe a c e

Conference, Sarajevo, June

2014.

Discussions at Sarajevo with

Mr. Reiner Braun, Co-President, IPB, Germany

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1. Convening of World Conference of Peace Activists in 2017 and evolving a

powerful movement which will include all peace associations, churches

and other religious institutions, trade unions, environment

organizations, respected ex-politicians, noble laureates, women

organizations, youth organizations and other outstanding personalities

in addition to individual peace activists, for asserting the fundamental

birthright of mankind for peace and harmony. This will culminate in

emergence of a powerful civil society mechanism that is capable of

effective enforcement of the same.

2. As pre events for this mega event, to arrange for joint programs

emphasizing peace and harmony 2016, from those places in the world

which have witnessed massive human tragedies, such as (a) Ieper,

Belgium (22nd April),(b) Verdun, France (21st February or 19th

December),(c) Hiroshima, Japan ( 6th August),(d) Nagasaki, Japan (9th

August),(e) St. Petersburg, Russia (8th September or 27th January), (f)

Auswich, Poland,(g) Baghdad, Iraq, (h)Nanking (i) Bikini Islands and (j)

African Union and South Africa – any two of the following places –

Uganda, Sudan, Nairobi , Liberia, Tunisia and Johannesburg, on their

commemoration days.

3. To carry out exhibitions and lectures on the human tragedies arising out

of the consequences of the massive armament at the centers of major

armament manufacturing cities such as Texas, Arizona and in Seattle

(Boeing's headquarters).

4. To glorify the right role models in the international corporate world who

have converted from military to civilian end use- such as Hahan /

Schleswig / Schindler etc. in Germany

5. To involve scientists and technologists in peace activists' movements

and to identify renowned scientists who have stood and campaigned

with courage against anti-human application and usage of science and

technology.


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6. To i nv i t e t o I n d i a

Eminent Personalities such as

Dr. Peter Becker and Dr.

Earnst Ulrich von Weisacker,

for participation in the

ensu ing conference of

S R M T ' s a s s o c i a t e

organ izat ion , FOSAPAH

(Forum of Scientists Aiming at

Peace and Harmony) in

October 2014.

7. To finalize opening of an

international office for SRMT

at Brussels or Geneva in the

near future to steer the above

mega projects to their logical

conclusions.

Varadan Chandar also

visited ISKCON centre of

Bosnia, where he was warmly received by Dhira Prashant Das, local ISKCON

president. He briefed SRMT's Bosnian projects that were appreciated by the

president who assured all possible cooperation from their side. Nikhil Mehta,

an Indian ISKCON devotee residing in Bosnia also expressed his interest in

supporting us. SRMT offers its thankful wishes to them.

SRMT hereby makes an earnest appeal to all the peace loving

citizens of the world and the officials at the Indian and other

countries' embassies to extend their fullest cooperation and

support to enable SRMT in taking along all the likeminded fellow

citizens of the world towards success in the above stated objectives


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The SMRT Global Outreach Mission has been undertaken on the

initiative of Prof. S.A.R.P.V. Chaturvedi - Managing Trustee SRMT and

its Senior Advisor and Chairman, International Institute for Ethics

Analysis, Awareness and Action (IIEAAA), Dr. D. Swaminadhan, a former

Member of Planning Commission, Government of India, a former Vice-

chancelor of the earstwhile Jawaharlal Nehru Technological Uniersity,

Hyderabad and Founder President of Dr. D. Swaminadhan Research

Foundation (DSRF) and it's Research Institutes – Mahatma Gandhi National

Institute of Research and Social Action (MGNIRSA) and Jawaharlal Nehru

Institute for Advanced Studies (JNIAS), Hyderabad. He was accompanied by

SRMT Director of Global Relations and Civil Society Diplomat to the United

Nations, Mr. Patrick Nickisch, scientist of World's Religions in International

Relations (IR), Honorary UN representative of the United Religions Initiative

(URI) and the UN representative of the Global Commons Cluster, Geneva,

Switzerland. SRMT will open its first international representation in Geneva in

2016 - 2017.

Dr. D. Swaminadhan and Mr. Nickisch in their discussions with various

organizations and individuals, while exchanging briefs about each other's,

highlighted the objectives, functions and activities of SRMT and the purpose

of their visit to explore the possibilities for joint and collaborative

programmes that could be under taken for mutual benefit.

US VISIT REPORTth th

(30 January to 14 February 2014)


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The Trust has also created a 'Global Think Tank' for integrating crossfield

research and developing holistic appraoch to develop longterm initiatives

rooted in short term tangible first phase pilot projects and continues to reach

out for international experts to be associated with the Global Think Tank as

well the International Advisory Council of SRMT. During the discussions in the

US, it was informed that the project on

establishing the 'World Parliament of Faiths'

(WPF) is being offered as a personal gift to the

world by SRMT to be used by Interfaith

Organizations and Peace builders among the

religions. In addition, support is also being

offered by SRMT for joint project

development and program sponsorships undertaken in India and abroad.

The 'SRMT US Mission' was undertaken to develop formal

partnerships with likeminded organizations and initiatives which share the

objectives of SRMT, to meet with UN clusters, NGOs with UN consultative

status and noteworthy and noble organizations with global pursuits for global

peace and justice. Further objectives have been to expand the membership

of the SRMT and to pursue its application of membership and affiliations with

likeminded organizations and to increase the network of SRMT coordinators

and collaborative partners for projects on global scale.

The aim of the SRMT International Relations (SRMT IR) and its SRMT

International Advisory Council (SRMT IAC) are to broaden SRMTs activities

across the globe to support the establishment of peace, security, human

rights and development as set forth in the statutes of the United Nations

Organizations (UNO). Prior to the SRMT US Mission, a consultation took place

at SRMT Headquarters with Dr. Ian Fry, Mr.Varadan Chandar, Ms. Azadeh

Bakhtiary, Mr. Patrick Nickisch, Dr. Swaminadhan, Mr.Damodaran and Dr.

Herman Greene.

SRMT INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS


VISIT OF

NEW YORK CITY CHAPTER

The duration of the entire Mission to the

United States of America was 15 days of which 10

days had been spent in New York City (NYC) and 5

days in Washington D.C. SRMT meetings in NYC

have been held during the end of the Eighth Open

Ended Working Group of the United Nations post

2015 Sustainable Development Agenda in the

Trusteeship Council for developing the

successors to the Millennium Development

Goals (MDGs) and the Sustainable Development

Goals (SDGs).

This marked the end of the first cycle of 8

months intergovernmental negotiations along

with inputs of Civil Society organizations which

do have Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

Consultancy status. To acquire ECOSOC status for

SRMT is being pursued. First information about

the formal procedures has been gathered and

the necessary documentation on the side of

SRMT is being pursued.

Dr. Swaminadhan and Patrick Nickisch

both participated during the sessions at the UN

HQ itself at the Trusteeship Council and during a

planning meeting of the representatives of the

nine major group representatives that form part

of the sustainable development consultancy

process and which include Youth, Women, NGOs,

Indigenous Peoples, City Municipalities and Local

Governments, Business, Science, Agriculture and

Thematic Clusters such as the Global Commons.

26

26

They conducted meetings inside and outside the UN premises, and

went to several UN related events at places such as UN Foundation, UN Plaza,

UN Church Center and the Ford Foundation.

THE NGO COMMITTEE ON SPIRITUALITY, VALUES

AND GLOBAL CONCERNS, CSVGC-NY

On the first day, Patrick Nickisch was attending the general meeting

of the Committee of Spirituality, Values, and Global Concerns New York

(CSVGC-NY) conducted at the UN Foundation premise. With the Foundation,

a discussion was held for the sake of cooperation on matters of education and

knowledge dissemination. Mr. Nickisch has been further involved with the

CSVGC group since its annually conducted week of Spirituality at the UN HQ in

October 2011. Warmly welcomed by its Chair, Ms. Sharon Hamilton Getz

(right side) and MrNickisch had lively discussions with her regarding future

collaboration with SRMT. Under the notion of the Spiritual United Nations,

more spiritually oriented pursuits have been undertaken with varying

leadership and to differing degrees since the founding of the United Nations

by a great variety of organizations and movements and is ongoing. SRMT is

committed to support such endeavors and has become part of this

movement.

Dignitaries present at UN Foundation and from this group will be

attending the SRMT Global Grand Meet to be organized June, 2014 As a

further follow up with some prolonged discussions in the presence of Dr.

Swaminadhan at the UN Plaza hotel, a peace tour will be jointly prepared that

will include Pakistan, India and Bhutan and which has been approved by

SRMT after a proposal had been sent by Mrs. Hamilton Getz. The Tour will be

organized later in 2015.

After the CSVGC General Assembly, a lively discussion was held between Dr.

Kurt Johnston, co- author of the 'Coming Age of Inter-spirituality' and

member of the integral movement of mostly US based leading intellectuals

27



28

who have also formed the Contemplative Alliance under the auspices of the

Global Peace Initiative of Women (GPIW) of which we also have met its

founder and convener, Ms Dena Merriam. The informal interspirituality

cluster is interested to collaborate with SRMT for knowledge dissemination,

book writings, and scholarly conference, in India, US and elsewhere. We

conducted sessions about how to enhance the global movement of holistic

thought leaders that integrate spiritual wisdom with modern knowledge and

are welcoming SRMT as partner and supporter.

Presenting at the UN Foundation was also Mr. Ken Kitatani, Executive

Director of Forum 21 Institute, a leading knowledge hub based in San

Francisco, which is assembling the futurist thought leaders of our globe for

the sake of establishing a new spiritually awakened global civilization.

Mr.Kitatani was very much interested in cooperating with SRMT for the same

purpose and is in full alignment with its mission of SRMT and hence is being

suggested to become a major collaborate partner for long term impact in

society. Another dignitary present at the UN foundation has been Dr. Ani

Kalayjian, the Founder and President of A TOP Meaningful World. Being a

researcher, author and Professor of psychology, she has been working

worldwide in genocidal places and disaster prone areas such as former.

Yugoslavia, republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Japan, Syria, Israel and dozens of

o t h e r c o u n t r i e s h e l p i n g

survivors of trauma heal and

thrive again. She has received

many honors such as the

American medal of honor and

women of the year award among

many others, and was much

impressed getting to know

about SRMT.

29

SRMT will be pursuing further steps to conduct joint programs with ATOP for

refugees and genocide survivors for trauma healing helping those who

suffered most.

THE PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS LEARNING (PDHRE)

Dr. Swaminadhan and Mr.Patrick had meeting with the renowned

International Human Rights activist and senior development consultant

Robert Kesten, Executive Director and CEO of the People's Movement for

Human Rights Learning (PDHRE)at his office in the American Jewish Society in

NYC. He has been active in the field in many countries since more than three

decades, organizing large scale music events as we as social enterprises for

the upliftment of society.

Robert has been invited to the SRMT annual celebrations in September 2014

and follow up work regarding collaboration is being organized related to his

initiative to empower local

groups in living their Human

r ights by developmental

projects he is preparing in

Africa. It was suggested that

SRMT may join their proposed

P r o j e c t o n “ I n c r e a s i n g

Agricultural Productivity in a

Developing Country using

Modern Technology”. When

informed about this proposal,

the Chairman, Prof.SARPV

Chaturvedi felt that as a prelude to this a Project on “Compiling the

Agricultural Technologies based on the Native Wisdom“ could be taken up

for which SRMT will support a couple of experts bearing their International

travel whereas Mr. Kesten has been invited as partner and co-organizer.


30

He responded positively when informed about this in a subsequent meeting

and had put forward two more International Proposals- one on 'Music' and

another on 'Music Awards' to inspire artists and the arts for peacebuilding

and human rights implementation.

We have invited Mr. Kesten to join the SRMT International Advisory

Board which he joyfully accepted and is preparing a thorough proposal for

cooperating with SRMT for rural development and Human rights work in India

and around the globe.

SOME DAY FIRE PRODUCTIONS

During the same weekend, we had also met with the

social worker, peace activist, UN representative of

the NGO Information Habitat, and filmmaker and

founder of Some Day Fire Productions Ms. Ashley

Young. She has interviewed leading spiritual people

working at the United Nations and had been at

numerous conferences, and has been associated

with Patrick Nickisch since the General Assembly of

the United Religions held at ISKCON Headquarters,

Mayapur, India.

Ashley has been with us on numerous panels, UN events and had also

recorded our speeches during the Ethics and Spirituality Initiative for

Sustainable Development consultations held at the SukyoMahikari Center in

NYC. She is looking forward to work with SRMT with her film company to

spread spiritual wisdom via the media and has been invaluable with her

assistance in conducting some of our meetings at the UN HQ. We are both

grateful for her support and do look forward preparing a formal partnership

between her 'Some Day Fire' Productions and her spiritual pursuits to give

voice to the spiritual world leaders who are often not heard by main stream

media of materialistic society.



31

THE ETHICS AND SPIRITUALITY INITIATIVE FOR SUSTAINABLE

DEVELOPMENT ESI FOR SD WITHIN THE UN POST 2015 AGENDA

Earth Charter Commissioner and renowned Civil Society Diplomat at

the UN, Rick Clugston, together with

Herman Greene and Ken Kitatani

conveyed the 2nd official Ethics and

Sp i r i tua l In i t iat ive (ES I ) for

S u s t a i n a b l e D e v e l o p m e n t

consultation at the Sukyo Mahikari

Center NY. During this meeting both

Dr. Swaminadhan and Mr. Nickisch

spoke at the ESI meeting which has

been documented by Ashley Young

who has been also recording the

meetings in 2013 and now again in

2014.Dr.D.Swaminadhan addressed

the Gathering and suggested that

various elements of the SDGs and

their implementation should be

scanned by an Ethical and Spiritual

Standards Scanner Mechanism. In

this context he referred to the Creation of the International Institute for

Ethics Analysis, Awareness and Action (IIEAAA) at Hyderabad by Sri Ramanuja

Mission Trust of which he is the Chairman. He closed his intervention witih

the need for Creation of the Global Ethical Council.

We had met with a variety of allied organizations and faith traditions

on this occasion like the Baha'i representative for sustainable Development

based in DC, Baha'I representative to the United Nations, Daniel Perell, and

the Temple of Understanding (ToU) representative to the UN, Grove Harris.


32

To U is one of the earliest interfaith organizations in the world and the

first one at the UN. ToU and its chapter in India are interested to pursue

further cooperation with SRMT, and ToU in New York is already linked with

SRMT via a joint partnership within the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance

(GIWA) and the GIWA chapter in India. Patrick Nickisch has been part of the

organizing team since its inception various organizing partners including the

Soetendorp Institute for Human Values and Ganga Action Parivar (GAP),

United Religions Initiative (URI) and Temple of Understanding (ToU).

THE MEETING WITH STAKEHOLDER FORUM

We had some further meeting with Farooq Ullah at the Ethics and

Spirituality Initiative consultation and had met at other occasions with the

Stakeholder Forum Executive Director, based in London, and Patrick Nickisch

has been working with Mr. Ullah earlier in 2013 as part of the Friends of

Water group among governments, NGOs and UN agencies at meetings in

Geneva and New York city. Mr. Ullah is also conducting futurist science

meetings that are relevant to SRMT innovative approaches to science and

technology and Farooq had given an open invitation to work further along

these lines. He has invited Patrick to come over to London to his office later

this year to discuss more about the kind of cooperation and partnership to be

pursued. It was mentioned it would be good to create more reference on the

ground to help lobby governments and convince them of the sustainable

development agenda with a human rights approach and a strong value based

and ethical foundation. The later, paired with the element of justice for future

generations was also his main point during his presentation during the Ethics

and Spirituality Cluster of the UN meeting which SRMT delegates attended.

The Stakeholder Forum itself can be a major ally for SRMTs impact across the

globe, especially on policy and advocacy levels which is their main focus.


33

We had met Farooq at several occasions during the UN Sustainable

Development Open Ended Working group and during some strategic

consultations about next steps forward on the 27th top level floor of the

United Nations Headquarters and during the Ford Foundation at an event - on

good governance where we had met with several governmental diplomats,

UN representatives and high level Civil Society officials, like with two young

diplomats on their way home and Jan Gustav Strandenaes who is very keen on

opening up more the UN system for innovative approaches to global

governance and an advocate for active and meaningful civil society

participate on in intergovernmental processes.

CIVICUS-WORLD ALLIANCE FOR CITIZEN PARTICIPATION

One of the largest NGO coalition in the world, CIVICUS and its UN Main

representative Jeffrey Huffines, who has been presenting along with Mr.

Ullah at ESI for SD meeting as key note speaker, have been meeting with

SRMT delegates at several occasions and Patrick Nickisch could build on the

last three years of working with him to pursue more strategic partnership

with CIVICUS in the future. They are conducting a major CIVICUS world

assembly in late 2015 and we have been warmly invited as SRMT to

participate and build further on the relationship to determine meaningful

and impactful long term collaboration.

Jeffrey has been a high level leader in international relations of the

Baha'i Faith which is, besides the Vatican, one of the best represented and

organized faith communities which are active at the UN since its inception

after World War II. A deep discussion had been conducted with one of their

representatives to the UN, to conduct future programs with the Baha'i on UN

level and worldwide and an open invitation for SRMT to pursue this further.


34

THE ROLE OF RELIGION ON THE PREVENTION OF ATROCITY CRIMES' TO

COMMEMORATE THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RUANDA GENOCIDES,

ORGANIZED BY THE UNITED RELIGIONS INITIATION

Dr. Swaminathan and Mr. Nickisch have been invited by his colleague

from the United Religions Initiative, Monica Willard, URI Main representative

to attend the event at the UN Headquarters where high level UN officials,

Genocide survivors, and religious experts presented about the role of

religions in peace-building and building up its capacity for preventive

measures. Present for the panel discussion have been the Ambassador

Adrakhmanov from Kazakhstan who shared the importance of Interfaith

harmony in his country. The Keynote address was given by Mr. Adma Dieng

the Special Advisor for the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon on the

Prevention of Genocide. She spoke about the necessity to engage religions in

conflict prevention and resolution and to end the growing violence in many

countries of the world. Sharing her story was Rwuanda Genocide survivor and

peace advocate Ms Consolee Nshimwee who spoke also to the Rwuanda UN

ambassador and addressing the assembled to keep the people who suffer the

most in their minds and hearts when we pursue our peace building work at

the United Nations and else where.


35

SRMT delegates also met and discussed further with one of the

panelists, Rabbi Roger Ross, URI Member and Board Chair and teacher

at the International Seminary for Interfaith and Interspiritual Studies

ISISS, NY.

The SRMT project to make an Interfaith scripture was warmly

received by Rabbi and it could be used for his interfaith ministers to study in

NY and around the globe. On advocacy, UN peace building, interfaith work

and interfaith education,

Rabbi Ross had been very

much interested to pursue

such efforts further with

SRMT and we look forward

for more joyful meetings

together.

To further pursue

this missing dimension of

peace-building regarding

the role of religions in International Relations and more specific within the UN

system is a great opportunity that has been opened up by URI with high level

UN officials and SRMT

as URI supporter and

member has been

asked to take a leading

r o l e t h r o u g h i t s

efforts. This is already

in the grand agenda of

SRMT to create an

i n t e r f a i t h p e a c e

pilgrimage to Israel in

2015.


36

Here, Dr. Swaminadhan ringing the UN Peace Bell, which is being done by the

UN Secretary General annually on

the International Day of Peace (IDP)

on 21st September. The bell was

gifted by the Government of Japan

t o t h e U n i t e d N a t i o n s , a

Government that has peace-

b u i l d i n g e n s h r i n e d i n i t s

constitution since the end of World

War II.

UNIVERSAL PEACE FEDERATION (UPF)AND WANGO

We were meeting at the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) in New

York office with the Director of the office of marriage and family, Lynn Walsh

which is one of priority areas of UPF besides Peace and Security Service and

Interfaith. Education. Educational programs that promote the same and

cooperation for program development has been discussed and more detailed

follow up is being prepared. Originally, we had scheduled a conversation with

UPF New York President and of WANGO but he was unable to attend due to

severe weather conditions. SRMT as member of WANGO will be pursuing a

special status in WANGO due to SRMT's vast network and status. Further, a

leading member of UPF has been invited for the SRMT Global Grand Meet in

June,2014.

PEACE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT : A TWO WAY RELATIONSHIP

During the Open Ended Working Group on Sustainable

Development, side events of UN Missions and Civil Society Organizations

been conducted and the SRMT delegation had attended some of them like

the panel organized by the UN Mission of El Salvador , Peace Islands Institute

and the Journalists and Writers Foundation. During the Discussions.


37

Dr. D. Swaminadhan suggested that the UN and concerned organisations

should support a project on building a mechanism of Brain Mapping and

Tuning of the brains of decision makers for adopting a positive approach to

prevent the perpetuation of crimes against humanity as the inner

transformation is an often neglected dimension to lasting peacebuilding

efforts.

T h e a m b a s s a d o r o f

Salvador responded that such

reserach is in progress in a certain

University and the status could be

find out on the INTERNET. After the

panel, discussion took place with

the Writers Foundation on how to

collaborate regarding peace and

media and documenting both peace-building efforts as well as sharing of

information for knowledge and news related to knowledge dissemination to

cultivate peace in society. Further, we did meet with the Director of the

Center for Global Affairs of the Peace Islands Institute, Mehmet Kilic and

follow up steps are in preparation.

The Global Commons deals with an approach to promote the

commonality of a wide range of natural and other types of resources such as

health, wealth, water, air, food and various other such common goods to be

shared within an all-win approach among all nations and sovereign peoples of

the world. The Commons Cluster is led by its main Coordinator This

approach has a wide support of NGOs who formed the Common Cluster

within the UN Sustainable Development Agenda. Allied movements SRMT

met with have been the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) leading Member

Rob Wheeler whom we have met to pursue further cooperation with SRMT in

the future.

GLOBAL COMMONS ACTION FOR UNITED NATIONS

Sri Ramanuja Mission TrustSri Ramanuja Mission Trust

38

We had been also invited to attend the Global Commons Panel organized at

the UN in New York where UNEP advisors, ocean experts, and the Bolivian

Ambassador, Dr. Rene Gonzales Orellana Halkyer had been present.

With His Excellency Dr Orellana Halkyer, Patrick Nickisch had a lively

discussion about the rights of Mother Earth which Bolivia is championing as

first country at the UN due to the leadership of the first indigenous President

and leader of the country since the colonial period in the Americas, His

Excellency Evo Morales.

A joint project under the patronage with SRMT had been proposed to

work more with the indigenous leaders of Bolivia and the government of

Bolivia to empower these people who have kept their traditions and are

becoming new leaders on the global stage representing already and ethical

and spiritual approaches to national governance which can expand to a

global level if such approaches receive the appropriate international support.

Later, at the UN plaza, we had prolonged meetings with Dr.Lisinka Ullatowska,

(second left), the Chief Coordinator of the Commons at the United Nations

and UN representative of the Institute for Planetary Synthesis who welcomes

the vision to create a global commons cluster among NGOs in India by SRMT

and has requested SRMT delegates to take a lead to implement the commons

approach in business and among Civil Society, thus creating healthy cells

within the body of humanity and the earth.

Such implementation of a commons approach, which is being done

for example by cooperatives and women circles as Dr. Swaminadhan was

mentioning as a positive reference for the UN Global commons cluster when

they lobby the high level governmental leaders, policy makers, on diplomat

level, and the UN agencies. SRMT is being invited to also join the Global

Commons cluster and to give advice and knowledge inputs when strategic

papers are being drafted and are being circulated at circles of influence at the

United Nations.


39

Patrick Nickisch is one of the Global Commons representatives to the United

Nations in Geneva and had been asked to further facilitate such

collaboration. Dr. Swaminadhan has also been invited to give strategic advice

and to involve his Research Foundation in adopting a commons approach.

One of the dignitaries attending the Global Commons Cluster

meeting was the renowned peace advocate Dr. Delois Blakely who is good will

ambassador to Africa and working much on Women Empowerment across

the world. She is the community mayor for Harlem, a district in northern

Manhattan and much active to work with local communities and across the

world where she is being invited as speaker and chief guest. She sees a good

potential between African and Indian women to cooperate on Human rights

issues, rural development, and water issues. Dr. Blakely was much interested

to come and visit India for SRMT related functions and projects. Along with us

have been Ashley Young who had also accompanied us on this occasion

sharing in the discussions.

Global

Reach


40

At the end of our NYC mission, we were invited by Interfaith Minister

Janet Weber to a meeting of Native American spirituality practitioners at the

Hudson valley upstate New York in a way

continuing what has been birthed at our

discussion with the Bolivian ambassador to

the United Nations in New York. A

prophecy was shared of the seven fires that

predicted the arrival of the light skinned

race and the havoc that would bring but

also the potential for the creation of a new

global civilization based on the fusion of ancient spiritual wisdom and

modern knowledge. The Native American wisdom tradition are slowly

reviving themselves from the massive genocides committed by the invaders

of North America and deep spiritual exchange between India and Red Indians

has been called for by the assembled.

Dr Swaminadhan and Patrick Nickisch

have spoken of the ancient Traditional

Vedic wisdom and the desire was firmly

expressed to continue such spiritual

exchange for the empowerment and

revival of the almost lost and largely

hidden sacred knowledge of the Native

Americans. An invitation has been

extended for SMRT to attend the World

Peace and Prayer Ceremonies by Chief

Arwol Looking Horse and other Red Indian shamans and Priests during the

summer solstice June 21st in the state of New York at Hudson valley.

LAST DAY NYC MISSION

WASHINGTON D.C. CHAPTER WORLD FUTURE SOCIETY

The World Future Society since more than fifty years has been

gathering leading thinkers and futurists as a knowledge hub to work on global

trends and to research what effects modern technology can have on society.


41

It is a vast global network but mostly based on US. Dr. Swaminadhan and

Patrick Nickisch meet in their Headquarters at Bethesda near Washington DC

and had a prolonged conversation with its President Timothy Mack. SRMT

Representatives have been invited to attend the next Annual Conference in

July 11th to 13th 2014 in Florida USA as a testing ground for future

cooperation so that SRMT can get to know this longstanding futurist

community. The offer was to be more actively involved as co-organizer for

the annual conference in 2015 and to expand its network further into India

over the course of time. Many renowned intellectual and thought leaders are

a part of the World Future Society and they can be accessible via this

organization for SRMTs future programs. Varying degrees of membership

details and ways for SRMT to become a partner with WFS have been

discussed so that SRMT can become an official Member to start contributing

to its publications called 'The Futurist' and of which we got some sample

copies with us to bring back to Chennai, India. The Aims and objectives

between SRMT and World Future Society are much aligned hence both sides

expressed their sincere desire to work on a long lasting and deep partnership

in areas of knowledge dissemination, networking and consultancy work

related to the peaceful development of the future society.

The Global Peace Foundation (GPF)has welcomed us at their new

Headquarters outside of Washington D.C. and we have meet with the

President, Mr. James P. Flynn, the Director of Organizational Development,

Ms. Cat Lockman and Chief of Operations, Mr. Joseph N. Wakaria to discuss

about SRMT and to listen to their main aims and objectives so as to assess

how we can work best together. GPF is part of the community of the Universal

Peace Federation and allied to UPF in New York City.

THE GLOBAL PEACE FOUNDATION (GPF)


42

We have found a remarkable alignment with the core values our

respective organizations and they have shared their deep commitment to

their three main areas, which are Interfaith and Peace building, the family,

and service projects.

GPF will be conducting major regional conferences and programs in

America, and developmental programs on Water in African countries. SRMT

has been also invited to

participate and work on the

Youth Leaders Assembly

which is being planned in

August, a major assembly in

Guatemala in September,

one assembly in Paraguay

late November. The major

conference of great strategic

importance is their Global

Peace Leaders Summit in

October. A warm invitation for support and collaboration on these and the

like in the future has been offered by SRMT and more detailed follow up for an

impactful partnership, is being prepared.

The Open Gov Hub is a confederation of around two dozen

organizations who created a hub by coming together in the America House in

Washington DC. The remarkable expertise and synergy assembled in this way

can be of great use for participatory democracy development. We had meet

with the Christina Crawley of Global Integrity and Coordinator of the Open

Gov Hub and discussed more about the nature and complexity of their

operations in US and on the global scale and how this knowhow and

technological advancement could be used to empower and create similar

hubs in India and around the globe.

OPEN GOV HUB


43

It was decided that more research about the respective organizations

within the hub would be necessary to determine how project specific

collaboration can be initiated which will be done throughout 2014 so that a

more impactful and dynamic partnership with the respective organizations

can be pursued with a long term perspective.

Global Integrity is active in 150 countries and works for more

transparency and accountability of governments which hence become more

open so that Civil Society can be empowered by a deeper interaction with

local and national governments. SRMT and its Members, its present and

future projects can benefit

much from the association with

this group of expertise based

NGOs that are very open to

work with SRMT to develop

p r o g r a m s a n d j o i n t

collaboration based on the aims

and objectives of the many

organizations under this hub

which is now open to interact

and is looking forward to work more in depth with SRMT for the overall

welfare of society and the strengthening of its democratic capacity of citizen

engagement.

Normally, a foreign national has to apply at one's embassy in

Washington D.C 6 months in advance to be able to either visit the Whitehouse

or to enter the Senate or Congress at the US Capital. However, we could

witness a Documentary about the White House presented at Reception. Later

due to some special arrangement, Patrick Nickisch could get some entry pass

and after he completed the regular visitor tour, witnessed the US senate

debate also.

VISIT TO US CAPITAL


44

WORLD SERVICE SOCIETY

SRMT delegates' last meeting of this US Mission, just before the great

snow storm Pax reached the D.C. area and have visited World Service Society,

founded by Garry Davies, who renounced his US citizenship after World War II

where had served the US army as a bomber pilot. Today, World Service

Society as an NGO issue Passports, give marriage certificates and related

documents, and have a special service department for refugees, who, being

stateless, can gain some status with their World Citizen passports.

We had a long

conversation

a b o u t t h e

Global Citizen

educational

programs and

a w a r e n e s s

r a i s i n g

c a m p a i g n s

S R M T i s

C o n d u c t i n g

like the Global

Grand Meet

in 2015 with

the explicit

theme of global citizenship. SRMT is welcomed to partner more substantially

with World Service Society so that SRMT Members can get World Citizenship

Passports and that the Human Rights based approach to citizenship

sovereignty can become a strong point of future collaboration. The vast

network of this NGO along with their outreach to broadminded exceptional

visionary individuals is of particular interest for the international relations of

SRMT.


45

Patrick Nickisch had the chance to visit some of the memorials of

historically significant places of the US capital city like the Abraham Lincoln

Memorial, where the spot is situated where Martin Luther King had given his

famous 'I have a dream' Speech during the March of Freedom . At that time,

US society was deeply segregated based on a racist approach between white

and blacks.

Such citizen mobilization based on a non violent approach that Dr.

King has been inspired from Mahatma Gandhi are historical precedence that

changed course of history, first in India, and later in US. Both Mahatma

Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King have struggled to bear fruit of their efforts

to bring freedom and justice to all of the people of India and of the US. May

their example of courage and faith to speak truth be followed by the millions,

so that peace and justice will prevail on Earth.

'I HAVE A DREAM'


46

Based on the merits of SRMT's activities since its formal creation in

the year 2000, and due to the tireless efforts of its Founder, Prof. S.A.R.P.V.

Chaturvedi Swami along with his devoted volunteers across India and the

globe, the next phase in the Trust development has been drawn. Having first

established a firm base in India, the original vision to affect a global all

encompassing renaissance of our emerging world civilization has taken an

important further step by sending Dr. Swaminadhan and Patrick Nickisch to

the main - power hubs of the world, the United Nations Organization (UNO) in

New York City, and the capital of the United States, Washington D.C. which

marked the official beginning of the SRMT Wing of International Relations.

The groundwork had been prepared for years, and Dr. Ian Fry along

with Patrick Nickisch will be leading this effort under the guidance of Seniors

and Experts. Partnerships will be further pursued based on this outreach to

NGOs, Faith Based Organizations (FBOs), the UN system, and noteworthy

global initiatives such as the Sustainable development Agenda of the United

Nations, which is the largest global effort undertaken by the UN,

Governments, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). The world is in crisis,

and the greatest experts and most able Organizations in the world have been

approached, and SRMT is now joining these efforts in becoming a leading

agent of change on the global scale.

CONCLUSION


47

5. TRAVEL TO GENEVA & ZURICH - April 11, 2014

Geneva is the second most populous city in Switzerland, the first

being Zurich. Situated where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva, it is the capital of

the Republic and Canton of Geneva. Geneva is a global city, a financial centre,

and worldwide centre for diplomacy due to the presence of numerous

international organizations, including the headquarters of many of the

agencies of the United Nations and the Red Cross.

Geneva is the city that hosts the highest number of international

organizations in the world. It is also the place where the Geneva Conventions

were signed, which chiefly concern themes about treatment of wartime non-

combatants and prisoners of war.

Geneva can be considered as the peace capital of the world.

Numerous peace institutions have been functioning with Geneva as their

headquarters for over a century.

About Geneva

SRMT and Peace

Sri Ramanuja Mission Trust has been vigorously and assertively

pursuing peace activism since its inception in the year 2000. It has organized

around hundred seminars and conferences on the various dimensions of

peace establishment in cities such as Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai

where distinguished scholars and experts have participated.

As an extension of these activities, SRMT was invited by Colin Archer,

Secretary General, IPB, Geneva to attend an international seminar at Geneva,

which was organized by International Peace Bureau on the April 11, 2014,

which was also the Global Day of Actions on Military Spending (GDAMS). The

function was organized at the venue, 'Center International', Rue De Verembe,

Geneva. Mr. Varadan Chandar, senior trustee at SRMT had represented SRMT

in the seminar. Around forty leading scholars had attended this meeting.

48

The context of the meeting was set by

Mr. JarmoSareva, Deputy Secretary General of

the Conference on disarmament and Director

Office for Disarmament Affairs, Geneva, who

moderated the meeting. He shared the data that

the armament budget of all the Governments of

the countries put together stood at US $1730

Billion per year as on date. He highlighted the

urgency with which these budgets have to be

reconsidered during the current days and

diverted for constructive end uses.

Ms. Helen Wilandh of Stockholm

International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)

shared the specific data on the region wise,

nation wise trends of expenditure for armament

purposes in which the trends and data

presented caused severe concern on the whole

issue for all of us.

Mr. Colin Archer, Secretary General, IPB,

Geneva explained that the other priority areas

for human survival such as climate change

mitigation, humanitarian relief, environmental

care, sustainable development etc,.deserve far

larger investment, which could be possibly only

if government are willing to reconsider their

polices and reduce the budget on armament. He

also mentioned about his campaign, “Move the

Money”, which involves drive for shifting the

expenditure of 1700 billion dollars from arms

manufacture to climate change.


49

Prof. Alfred De Faya, UN Human Rights Council Independent Expert

on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order came

with some forthright and critical scenes on the existing situations. He urged

the nations to view the whole subject from a longer humanity's point of view

rather than from their narrow national interest considerations alone.

Mr. Varadan Chandar of SRMT gave a brief introduction about his

Trust's past work in India. With respect to disarmament, he advocated a

unified assertive voice of all NGOs united together from across the continents

pressing their respective government to reduce their arms budget. This alone

could move the mighty powers to take concrete corrective actions he

emphasized.

To urge more impactful actions for mobilizing and unifying the peace

activists, he proposed some specific strategies and actions plans. These

included. Organizing peace marches consisting of women and children

belonging to the families of war victims of the previous year's urging for

reduction in arms budgets.

Involving and energizing the youth community on the urgency of the

effective disarmament measures by organizing speech and essay

competitions amongst college students, why such vital resources need to be

wisely utilized for constructive end uses.

Identifying and rewarding the role model companies who have

effectively migrated from unethical armament manufacturing to ethical

civilian application products. This type of rewarding can have spreading effect

on the messages that sustainable pro-humanity policy shifts are essential

from these corporate who phase out earning their profits and livelihood from

the anti-humanity blood soaked money of arms manufacture.

He also narrated in greater details of the specific plans of action along

these three strategies by which, at Sarajevo, Bosnia from June 6, 2014 to


50

June 9, 2014, how SRMT is planning the three projects for

enhancement of interfaith reconciliation, youth awareness and rewarding of

conversion projects.

The responses for SRMT's inputs were very warm and encouraging in

this august gathering.

The other persons contacted during this meeting are as follows :

1. Mrs. Delia Memon, President, Grains of Peace, Geneva - Grains of

Peace is a humanist NGO profoundly respecting human beings and life,

focusing on developing human relations of peace and avoiding harm-

doing. It encourages a culture of welcoming, helps children and adults

develop peace skills, invites interested persons to take part in its activities,

encounters, debates and workshops.

2. Dr. Enrique Sierra, Representative of Pax Christi to the U N in Geneva-- Pax

Christi International is a global Catholic peace movement and network

that works to help establish Peace, Respect for Human Rights, Justice and

Reconciliation in areas of the world that are torn by conflict. It is grounded

in the belief that peace is possible and that vicious cycles of violence and

injustice can be broken. Pax Christi was found in Europe in 1945 as a

reconciliation movement bringing together French and Germans after

World War II. Today, the movement has more than 100 Member

Organizations active in more than 50 countries and five continents

worldwide.

3. Dr. Mukesh Kapila, Aegis Trust, London -Aegis Trust works actively for

preventing crime against humanity. Kapila's background is in medicine,

public health and subsequently, international development and

humanitarian affairs.

51

He has qualifications from the Universities of

Oxford and London. As a mid-level civil servant

in 1994, he was part of the first British teams to

see the aftermath of the Rwandan Genocide

after entering Rwandan Patriotic Front-

controlled Kigali. He was the Deputy Director of

the National UK AIDS programme during the

1990s.He was Head of Confl ict and

Humanitarian Affairs unit of the British

Department for International Development

from 1998 to 2002. From 2002-2003, Kapila was

a Special Adviser to the United Nations, first to

the Special Representative of the Secretary

General in Afghanistan and then to the High

Commissioner for Human Rights. In 2003-2004

Kapila was the United Nations Resident and

Humanitarian Coordinator, and the UN

D e v e l o p m e n t P r o g r a m R e s i d e n t

Representative for the Sudan. While stationed

in Sudan, he was outspoken in his

condemnation of the human rights abuses

being committed in the western region of

Darfur.

His activism began after a Darfuri

woman came to his office to tell him how she,

her daughter and 200 other women in the

village of Tawilla had been gang-raped and

mostly murdered by government soldiers and

paramilitaries. His reports about the Darfur

conflict were at the time dismissed by the

Government of Sudan as a "a heap of lies",

though they succeeded in bringing Darfur to the

attention of the world's media for the first time.


52

MEETING WITH DR. CHRISTOPHER STUCKELBERGER

Dr. Stuckelberger is the founder director of Globethics.net, a Geneva

based organization that is relentlessly pursuing ethical approaches in all

walks of public life such as religion, business, education,

politics, etc,. SRMT shared with him its specific

programmes of CIFOVIG (Citizens Forum for Vigilance and

Good Governance) and NAPVEL (National Programme of

Value Education and Ethical Leadership) under which, the

various seminars and conferences organized so far by us in

India. As a future programme from his side, Dr.

Stuckelberger shared the plans and they are now proposing for a new

Globethics Leadership Center. The SRMT's proposed Institute for Ethical

Analysis and Leadership was also briefed to him. In view of the similarities in

objectives and approach towards both these institutions from both sides, we

suggested if we can pool all our resources and have a single institute, which

draws strength from both the sides on its respective bases and gets

empowered to grow with greater synergy. It was agreed to hold further

discussions and interactions to develop on this theme in the coming

period.

Dr. Clare Amos is the programme executive, Inter Religious Dialogue

and Cooperation at the World Council of Churches, Geneva.

Our main purpose of meeting Dr. Clare Amos was to brief

her about the specific programme, we are now planning to

organize on the at Sarajevo, Bosnia, comprising peace

march of about 300 to 400 ladies and children belonging to

the Bosnian Muslims, Croatians, Christians and Serbian

Catholic Christians group. We requested Dr. Clare Amos to

get us contacts of NGOs working in Sarajevo who can support and cooperate

with us for this specific inter-religious event.

MEETING WITH DR. CLARE AMOS


53

Further, we also shared with her the major interfaith meetings, SRMT

had organized / participated in India in the last five-six years, which are as

follows:

12/6/2009 Interfaith Conference Shanmukhananda

Hall

Mumbai

13/6/2009 Rally - Interfaith Dialogue St Mary's Auditorium Mumbai

11/7/2009 Interfaith Dialogue Anna University Campus Chennai

26/8/2009 URI National Assembly -

Lectures on Interfaith

Shantigiri Ashram Cochin

28/8/2009 URI National Assembly -

Spiritual Unity

Shantigiri Ashram Cochin

8/9/2009 Interfaith And Its

Practical Complications

Somaiya Vidya Vihar Mumbai

17/3/2010 Dalai Lama Meeting Bhopal Bhopal

23/4/2010 Inter-Religious Synergy Surya Shibir Pune

25/4/2010 Religious Challenges And

Capacities- An Action Plan-

URI Asian Conference

Surya Sibhir Pune

25/9/2010 Role of Spiritual Leaders In

Social Development

Harshal Hall Pune

27 /9/2010 Agenda For Faith Summit Art of Living Centre Bangalore

Programme Venue PlaceDate

5/1/2008 Interreligious Dialogue

For World Peace

Bharatiya Vidya

Bhavan

Hyderabad

54

27/8/2011 Conference on Interfaith;

International Peace

Research Institute

Karikam International

Public School

Karikam

27/8/2011 Conference on Holy Book MAR Thoma Jubilee

Mandiram

Karikam

9/12/2012 National Conference of

United Religions Initiative (URI)

Shantiniketan Tourist

Cottege

Kolkatta

5/3/2013 Religion And Human Values Azad Plaza Cochin

22/9/2013 Gobal Peace Maker

Conference - Interfaith Peace

Royal Orchid Hotel Bangalore

30/9/2013 Holybooks And Life After Life Internationa Public

School

Karikam

(Kerala)

16/11/2013 Bridging Cultural And

Relegious Difference

Sarvodaya St Plus

College

Mumbai

1/10/2013 sInauguration of 5th

International Holy Books

Conference

Karikam International

Public School

Karikam

(Kerala)

1/4/2014 Sri Lanka zonal Assembly Dharmaram College

(Deemed University)

Bangalore

Religion And Marginalized

Society

We conveyed our appreciation to the great work WCC has been

rendering for inter faith harmony under her leadership and hoped that with

the World Council of Churches, Geneva, also a joint programme of SRMT

could be organized very soon in the coming periods.

Programme Venue PlaceDate

9/12/2010 Franciscan Centre Cochin

3-7/10/2010 International Consultation

on Faith, Shared Wisdom

And International Law

Conference Hall Malaysia

55

Ms. Sandrine Burel went through all

the literatures of SRMT regarding its activities in

the past thirteen years and expressed a broad

opinion that it more than qualifies for inclusion

as a member of the Economic and Social

Council (ECOSOC) of the UN. She gave all the

details of the forms to be filled for this purpose

to us and asked us to expedite the applying

process before 1st June 2014 to be able to

become a member of ECOSOC by mid June

2015.

Ms. Leticia is an UN trained Economic

Consultant who specializes on women

entrepreneurship. Women empowerment

worldwide being one of the stated objectives of

SRMT, how do we work together for these were

the points of discussions with her. It was

concluded that in collaboration with World Bank

as well as IMF, joint programmes will be

organized in the countries of Spain, Germany,

France and UK. The main themes of these

programmes will be 'Development of Women

Entrepreneurships' .It was agreed that SRMT will

act as a co-organizer and catalyst for these

programmes.

Meeting with Ms.Leticia Gennes Beltran,

Economist & Founder Chairperson, LGB

Projects, Geneva

Meeting with Ms.Sandrine Burel, Liaison

Officer for NGOs, United Nations

Offices, Geneva


56

A very warm reception and meeting awaited us at the above temple where

the Krishna devotees throughout

Switzerland assemble and carry out

devotional services with great vigor

and piety. The scope and possibilities

for further joint working in association

with this institution was discussed in

detail. A very large gathering of Swiss

tamils many of them hailing from Sri

Lanka congregate and regularly

worship at this temple on all Sunday afternoons.

Meeting with Krishna Prema RupaDasa, Hare Krishna Temple,

ISKCON, Zurich


57

The scope and opportunity for

SRMT and IPB working together on a wide

p l a t f o r m o f

activities for the

common cause of

establishment of

peace and harmony

amongst mankind were discussed in detail. As an

outcome of the understanding of this discussions,

subject to getting proper approvals, indicatively it is

expected to include

(a) SRMT supporting IPB in their Internship

programmes, covering the costs for the aid, stipend

or scholarships costs of one to three interns from the universities who come

to work at the IPB for a specific duration, (b) Setting up of SRMT Annual

Chair at IPB for development and growth of education and training on

subjects related to peace establishment and (c) Organizing SRMT annual

endowment lecture at an impressive gathering in Geneva by inviting a

distinguished international authority which will also be jointly addressed by

our two sides. In addition a substantial grant of about 10,000 US $ to IPB will

also be offered for supporting their peace establishment endeavors.

Met Umais Ahmed and his brother Khuais Ahmed on the Geneva

Doha return flight on the 20th April. They both run a garment export company

near Fiasalabad, Pakistan under the name 'Ecowork Wear'. We conveyed our

interest in worshipping at the Sharadadevi temple situated in POK province

where thousand years ago, Saint Ramanuja accompanied by his ardent

disciple Kuresa, had received the sacred scripture 'BhodhayanaVritti' directly

Other Persons Met

Meeting with Mr. Colin Archer, Secretary General

International Peace Bureau, Geneva

58

They said they will help us to identify this

temple and facilitate our worship when we go to

this temple sometime later in the coming years.

In turn, they too wanted to worship at the Ajmer

dargah and we offered necessary assistance for

the same.

At the IPB's office, Met Mr. David

Atwood, Counceiller at the Small Arms Survey

Geneva. He is an active member of the Quakers

Movement whose belief emphasize that the

"Light of Christ" lies in every person. Quakers

have been a significant part of the movements for

the abolition of slavery, to promote equal rights

for women and peace. They have also promoted

education and the humane treatment of

prisoners and the mentally ill, through the

founding or reforming of various institutions.

Quaker entrepreneurs played a central role in

forging the Industrial Revolution, especially in

England and Pennsylvania.

Also met at the IPB's office was Mr.

Younis Ahmed belonging to Ethiopia, Africa.. He

has been a patriotic nationalist whom the military

junta ruling his country disliked. He was

imprisoned for a number of years for asserting

the rights of freedom of speech and campaigning

for democracy after which he left the country as a

refugee. He was critical of the super powers that

controlled their country by proxy by encouraging

and backing the adjacent Eritrean rulers to

control his land as well and deriving numerous

from the hands of the goddess, on the basis of

which he could finish his 'magnum opus', 'Sri

Bhashyam'.


59

business benefits for gold mining and mineral sourcing rights in return.

Further met Mr. Didier Bolozi who represents the diamond miners of Africa in

Geneva. He belongs to the independent

tiny country of Monaco on the Italian

border and a native of Congo. He too

was very critical of the super powers

who had been controlling all the gold

and diamond mines in their land.

He was all praise for their ex head of

Zaire, Mobutu after whose death in

2005, the adjacent Rwandan tribes are

now instigated by the super powers to

control his country he said. Enormous number of lives has been lost in these

Power struggles for controlling the land and its huge mineral wealth he

regretted. He wondered at the hypocrisy of big nations who preached

sovereignty, democracy and human rights to others while themselves

trampling them down and creating massive human tragedies in their lust for

natural wealth and mineral resources.

Even though there were plans to visit few organizations like CIVICUS,

CONGO and Swiss peace, we could never meet them because of Easter

holidays. Further journey to proximate countries like France, Austria and

Germany was also postponed to mid-June due to the same reason. As Geneva

is the right place to put our views and broadcast our voice for global reach and

impact, we have initiated the process of fixing a centre for SRMT global

operations and a responsible and capable administrator-representative for

us.

As a beginning, we are preparing an annual schedule of series of

conferences and lectures on Human rights, peace, education, ethics,

environment and many more, in partnership with leading international

organizations and institutes based at Geneva. As usual, we solicit your

earnest wishes and cooperation for accomplishing the same.

60

The first days event consisted of a

huge cultural show at the Olympics ground

at Seoul where about two lakhs young men

and women had collected supporting the

cause of world peace. It was addressed by

many leading political and religious heads

across the continents followed by a

dazzling show of crackers and a colorful

field cultural show involving hundreds of

brightly dressed youngsters Mr. Varadan

Chandar, Trustee SRMT who attended this

grand meet spoke on the televised byte in

that occasion expressing SRMT's objectives

and actions in the last fourteen years. He

also expressed the support of SRMT for an

unified worldwide movement for uniting

all peace aspiring NGOs for establishing an

world order of peace, commitment for

resolving all disputes only by dialogues and

peaceful means, shedding of war, violence

and militancy as tools for asserting ones'

position and commitment for sovereignty

of the rule of international law.

6. Inter-religious Peace Summit

Seoul (South Korea)

17th to 19th September, 2014.


61

On the second day of the conference close to 2000 delegates from all

continents, representing political, religious and youth sections ,

womens' movements, environment activists, secular and human

rights movement participated in technical sessions which was again

addressed by many leading political and religious heads across the nations.

There was consensus in the discussions that followed that the control

of effective peace maintainance needs to be given higher priority and the

capability of the United Nations Organization must be strengthened to serve

this vital cause.

Immediate reforms in the Charter of U N was recommended to

ensure that some of the most powerful countries, the Security Council's

permanent members, due to their veto privilege do not over use their

dominance to bulldoze the concerned majority opinion of the other

members.

This outright contradiction of the Charter between two basic

provisions of equality for all members and special overriding veto powers to a

selected few on the basis of the 1945 power equation, not only hampers the

effectiveness of the world organization, but undermines its legitimacy as

guardian of peace and guarantor of the international rule of law.

To be consistent in one's commitment to the norms of behaviour is a

basic moral duty, at individual as well as at state level. One cannot outlaw

violence in general and, at the same time, introduce rules that make the

exercise of violence, under their own self justifying grounds, permissible. The

human commitment to honesty and truthfulness means that one has to be

consistent in the profession of basic norms of behaviour aligned to the

acceptable moral conscience of the mankind.


62

The discussions pointed to the need for emphasizing the duty of all

states together to eliminate the normative contradictions concerning the use

of force in the UN Charter in addition to reforms in the educational syllabi for

the coming generations which emphasizes spiritual values to be imbibed into

the minds of children in addition to enriching them with the knowledge and

skill for material progress.

Together with a coalition of NGOs from all around the globe, the

speakers at the

opening ceremony

and the subsequent

keynote sessions

i n c l u d e d H . E .

HarisSilajdžićember

of the Presidency of

the Republic of

Bosnia-Herzegovina

( 2 0 0 6 - 2 0 1 0 )

Gaudencio Cardinal

Rosales, Archbishop

emeritus of Manila

(Philippines); H.E. Emil Constantinescu, former President of Romania; H.E.

Bertie Ahern, former Prime Minister of Ireland, the Venerable Dr. Ashin

Nyanissara, founder of Sitagu Buddha Vihara (India); as well as leaders of Sikh

and Jewish communities. Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu

(South Africa) sent a special message to the participants.

Upon conclusion of the proceedings, the political and religious

leaders assembled at the conference adopted an appeal to the United

Nations Organization for an amendment of the rules of international law so as

to effectively criminalize wars as means of foreign policy.


63

The religious leaders assembled at the Peace Summit jointly signed a

call for unity among all religions in the pursuit of peace – so as “to leave

a world at peace as a legacy for our future generations.”

On the sidelines

of the conference, Mr.

Varadan Chandar also

met with manykey

dignitaries including Dr.

Hans Koestler, President

of the International

Progress Organization,

Austria, Prof. Yong-Bock

Kim, Chancellor of the

Asia Pacific Center for

Integral Study of Life (South Korea),Dr. Teresa Langle de Paz, representative of

t h e F o u n d a t i o n

“Culture of Peace”

(Spain)and many other

notable dignitaries.

The third days' event

involved an open air

meeting at the Peace

Arch of the Olympic

Park at Seoul followed

by a 'Peace March'

where thousands of

young and enthusiastic

men and women had

participated asserting their aspirations for a lasting reign of world peace in

the coming century.

Messages of Prof. S.A.R.P.V. Chaturvedi

65


Being different is the essence of global system. Following classifications

are very much evident in the world.

1. Disparities between special structures and functions

2. Ethnic, caste, linguistic and religious barriers.

3. Extreme ends of poverty and richness, nescience and knowledge and

power and vulnerability.

Boundaries in the forms of continents and nations.

The first classification is decided by innate patterns and immutable.

However a bio-harmony is fashioned by symbiotic bondage and the system as

a whole is preserved as nature. But environmental abuse has considerably

harmed this harmony. Building blocks of nature are shattered in the pretext of

building nations.

Ethnic and caste divisions, formed and fostered by social conditions

are fortified as rigid identities that serve as barricades for fraternity and

collective action. Language and religions are tools for culturing love and

peace but misused as weapons for separatism and extremism. Avarice and

social anaesthesia fuelled by these differences have produced strong and

detrimental divide of the third kind.

Space divided into continents and nations for organizing and focused

administrative purposes have initiated hunt, accumulation, misappropriation

and endless wars for the sake of power and resources. Every nation should

absorb developmental opportunities from the world and contribute more for

nourishing the global balance and well-being. But national growth now

means a monopolized version of progress by neglecting and exploiting

others. There is no room for supremacy and sovereignty in the global system

which needs only service and empowerment.

Message to 4th Annual Dialectical Symposium of World

Philosophical Forum Held at National University of Athens,

Greece (Sep 30-Oct 4, 2013) Difference and Unity

67


Divisions of nature and organizational structures are converted into

resorts of discrimination and are retained by humanoids. Immature and

infected mind sees distance, envy, hatred and hostility everywhere, whereas

mature mind searches and sees only opportunities for affinity, compassion

and benevolence.

We are in emergent need of a salient technology that can nullify

senseless divisions, synthesize the beauty and brilliance of systematized

divisions and bring out a common minimal binding and action in sensitive

divisions; A technology that can engineer integration and productivity from

the same factors of conflict and calamity. This technology can spring only

from a strong philosophical spirit.

Philosophy is complete and active knowledge ignited by zeal and love

towards knowledge and its subject and objects. Many systems and solutions

emanated in science, society, polity and economy have failed, turned adverse

as well as could not sustain due to lack of a comprehensive philosophical

vision. They were designed by hastened decisions and hasty generalization,

considering mind setup and benefits of a selected section of society and

aiming at immediate and interim relief without impact analysis. Fool proof

measures and strength test are neglected and most of the solutions reflect

personal convictions rather than public need and welfare and on many

occasions serve as social retaliation. This hollow and half vision could never

bring action and charge to withstand social changes and repulsions.

Philosophy of progress always links and locks all elements, denizens and

generations together and emphasizes the need for incessant monitoring and

fixing an unbroken lineage of social architects for sustainability.

Philosophy - The solution

Neighbourhood viewed as sources for competition and extraction should be

reviewed as centres for collaboration and sharing of power, resources,

knowledge and technologies.

68


We, a very limited group of members have congregated to bring the

dawn, a philosophical awakening for universal betterment. We hope that this

rise will create clusters of committed teams that shall facilitate mass reach

and reaction. In every level and angle of functioning, need of philosophical

zeal, vision and verve, pursuit and insight should be imparted and

implemented. We are exhausted with enormous trials and errors and we

have come to the stage of initiating 'applied philosophy' program.

Philosophy is knowledge with vision, force and transformative ability and

hence much more than mere learning, mastery, expertise and innovations.

Education, science and social thinking should accommodate this foundation

and proceed ahead. Syllabus, system, teaching and learning ambiences and

pedagogy of this philosophy are all distinct from conventional methodologies

and we should work for defining, drafting and crafting the same.

Modern science has many achievement records but still lack in

benefaction. Space exploration and exo-biosis become meaningless as the

entrusted planet has already become abode of dirt and danger. Prosperity is

futile as the expected enjoyers are insecure. Extension of longevity is absurd

as standards, value and purpose of life have become immaterial. One side of

knowledge deciphers subtlest elements like nano, D.N.A and boson and on

the other side intelligence has no concern and impactful action on most

tangible issues like poverty and corruption. I feel elated that World

Philosophical Forum has rendered special attention on creating a 'literate

earth'. The knowledge mentioned here is not subject like linguistics, history

or technical study but 'planetary literacy', the art of making this planet

secure, salubrious and peaceful. All other sciences are its devices and

derivatives.

We should be hopeful in the power of positive thoughts, action and

mission and never should under estimate the efficacy of this silent and puny

stream of awareness amidst colossal global unrest.

Epilogue

69


A thorough decade action plan shall certainly bring a century impact. We may

not be over confident about the total literacy of the entire mankind but we

are sure that a qualitative strength of committed activists shall lead the major

mass and silence forces of disruption, in the near future. The day is in our

hands as the decision, determination and dynamism are the products of our

individual and collective responsibility. Let us advance the day by joining our

minds, voices and hands. Like Athens, India has the glory of being the cradle

and throne of philosophical evolution apart from secreting and hosting

religious and spiritual systems. Known for Her plural fabric and magnanimous

appreciation of merits, She is also specially endowed with rich sense of

tolerance. It would be our privilege to host our 'fifth annual dialectical

symposium' in 2015 in India with our fullest patronage and cooperation.

While congratulating the sincere and serious thinkers of 'Earth welfare', I wish

and bless the event a great success and impact.

70


Message to the Sarajevo Peace Preparatory Meeting, Bosnia

22nd and 23rd March 2014.

Cultivation of peace

In this busy world, where many are relentlessly fighting for survival,

sustenance, wealth and power, very few are engaged in bringing solution and

change. Their venture can be made successful only through the collective

work of courage, commitment, wisdom, vision, perseverance, inspiring spirit

and resources. Round the clock, throughout the year, in every corner of the

globe, this force should permeate and function.

As a part of this serious universal transformational program, highly

sincere socio-centric members have assembled here, in this preparatory

meeting, representing the call of nobles and cry of needy across the globe. As

a strong antidote to weapon and war cultures, message of 'fraternity and

unity' for peace is planned for cultivation in the same land, Sarajevo of Bosnia,

which produced the First World War and its by-products as wars, clashes, ruin

and unrest.

Learning from Sarajevo - 1914

Among the worst moments recorded in the earth's diary, 'First World

War (1914-1918)' and Second World War (1939-1945) remain unparalleled.

Already existing power greed and war mania reached a monstrous shape as

the outburst of First World War. Creating colossal loss of resources and lives, it

was a severe blow on the face of humanism and threat to fashion of peaceful

coexistence. This cruel war staged by so called developed and civilized

countries served as a solid proof for their lacking of concern about welfare of

their subjects, neighborhood relations and global peace. Revisiting these war

moments is a potential source for all of us to imbibe, inculcate and inject

values of pluralism, liberty, equality, tolerance, relations, united action and

peace education. Even after the First and Second world wars, still countless

battles in the forms of civil, cold, defensive and pre-emptive wars are eroding

global peace and progress. 71


A new trend of inexpensive and smart wars through aid-lock, trade-clutches,

infiltration and local networking is becoming more prominent. All peace

loving denizens should ensure by their vigilance and diligence that the

Second World War should be the last world war and last war on earth should

be their upcoming 'peace-war to end all forms of ongoing wars'. As 1914-

2014 is experienced as a 'war century', we should initiate all necessary steps

to announce and activate the beginning of 'century of peace' from 2014. If

this is not achieved and made sustainable, there won't be anybody to name

and call the next century.

Plan and action

When power mongers and peace killers ignited wrath and wars,

disarmament and anti-war missions and movements were simultaneously

started by peace-lovers. But voices of victims and wise were often trampled

by sociophagus power entities. Now it is our prime duty to raise our volume

and vigour to demonstrate the power of peace to those who are after and

against it.

This mission and responsibilities are not only exclusive for Sarajevo or Bosnia

or concerned few nations. Every global citizen and nation are receptive to

impacts of war and benefits of peace and hence should engage actively in this

glorious and the most needed task. Apart from the major ruling powers and

global public, we, the activists have the force to mobilize the social change.

We speak for people to Governments for their rights and resources and speak

to people about their strength, weakness, challenges and solutions. It is the

right time for us to start the following measures to invigorate our peace

action.

Z A customised and comprehensive report for conflict resolution, positive

engagement, disarmament and relation building should be drafted for

every needed nation, by a team of local and global analysts and activists.

It can be fine-tuned by further study, survey and scrutiny and submitted

for enforcement.72


Z Disarmament should be the prime focus of UN millennium development

goals, sustainable development and all other projects, as armament is

the major diverter of development funds. All global N.G.Os should insist

on this and accelerate UN disarmament program.

Z This obnoxious situation where no nation can be safe without wars and

weapons, is created by weapon maniacs and nourished by negligence of

society. Public spirit should be kindled by global signature campaigns,

awareness programs and opinion polling, against military spending and

war motives. Public demand should reach paramount heights so that

'military expenditure limits and reduction' occupies first place in election

manifestos of all parties.

Z Peace advocates should pressurize governments to land on any of the

following steps to peace; military budget restriction, elimination of

excessive weapons and expansions, gradual disarmament, complete

disarmament and relation building.

Z Extended celebrations of this peace event should be conducted

throughout the year 2014 in all parts of the world and the next year, we

should assemble back with fool proof, practical and most efficacious

action plans and vision models. We should be able to display the

reflection of our protest in the consecutive defence budgets of 'weapon-

sick' nations.

Peace for Bosnia

Z In every station of unrest, on one side, there will be a limited number of

peace-crackers clouded by dilly sentimental and smart political reasons,

causing chaos. The other side is comprised of innocent peace-seekers

and victims of misleadership, who are trainable and corrigible. If the

second side is streamlined and reinforced, peace will be at our doorstep.

Forming the federation of peace-loving citizens will be the gateway for

peace.

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Z Values of peace and harmony should be taught and trained in living,

learning and working environments through stories, discussions,

dialogue, social interaction and common engagements.

Z Culture, arts, language and literature are potential devices that can

bridge between diverse members of the society by developing

understanding, concern, amity and bondage. A common club of

Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats with prime agenda of national welfare and

social empowerment will certainly be impactful.

Z People's attention should be directed more towards strengthening of

human rights and democracy and building economic progress. Welfare

prioritization and social action will eventually nullify the possibilities and

evil effects of unruly engagements, victimization, lethargy and inaction.

Z To eradicate poverty, unemployment and other ills, affected individuals,

centres and organizations can be adopted by local corporates,

philanthropists and welfare agencies for talent developing, micro

financing and self-employment schemes. Apart from locals, great

business houses and international N.G.Os can initiate and intensify such

ventures.

Z Every bit of deep and soulful prayer rising from every participant of this

august alliance will be a great source of peace for this land.

Our Wishes and prayers

India, known for its civilizational splendour and energetic democracy

is still carrying the deepest sense of global brotherhood and dedication for

peace, even after facing several invasions and intrusions. We, from India

represent the nerve of our heritage and culture, 'peace' and fortify your zeal

and trials with our commitment and contribution.

We believe that it is the power of prayers of good hearts that charges

philosophers, leaders and soldiers who fight for peace. We irrigate this most

needy land of Bosnia by our unalloyed prayers.

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We also offer our earnest prayers for this congress to succeed in its

meritorious and laborious task of redesigning Sarajevo, the' native land of

global war' as the 'homeland of global peace'. While congratulating all

organizers, associates, partners and patrons of the peace event, we, the

members of Sri Ramanuja Mission Trust (SRMT), assure all possible supports

for the events and our peace-mission. To put it brief, WAR, in our context

means 'We Are Ready'.

Let this gathering convey our strong message-'Those who ignite and

carry the flame of war are misfits for earth'.

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Religious dominance

Globe is filled with all forms of conflicts and unrest. Peace,

development and happiness are either interim or fragmental and are mainly

held by the smartest and fittest. Advocates of global order and well-being

suggest political reforms, social change and economic progress as solutions

to these issues. We can never deny or underestimate these remedies. At the

same time, the power of positive force and productive role of religion(s) in

shaping, serving and safeguarding the society should be considered as a more

impactful device. This idea is still under suspicion and dispute as the world is

yet to see many conspicuously constructive performances of any religion or

alliance of religions.

In spite of advancements of technology, and increasing members of

skeptic, rational, atheistic and faith-free communities, still religions directly

or indirectly dominate the major global functioning. Through faith and

sentiments, religions form a strong social network. Great corporates and

leaders either emerge from or affiliate with these communities, empowering

religions to extend their social voice in economic and political domains. There

are even nations ruled by religious laws and robust associations of religious

Few Quotes:

“Man wants God to send peace and God wants him to end war.”

“Vengeance quashes immediate possibility of bringing peace whereas

weapons nullify even the remotest possibility.”

“The new definition of 'super power' is the ability to administer and

safeguard the nation without weapons.”

“Weapons are the play-toys of devil. “

Message for “The summit for World Alliance of Religions

for Peace” (September 17-19, 2014, Seoul, South Korea)

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affiliates living in many nations. Thus religions are all powerful bodies that

influence much on 'others' and common society.

Present religious stuff has three ingredients; sense, sentiments and

sensations. If the right sense of religions associated with rationale, social

concern and commitment are injected in this influential range, it will fashion a

prompt and effective welfare model. If weaker sentiments and unruly

sensations are fed, the worst magnified version of danger and disorder can be

seen.

Peace and disaster can be created from any system. The result

depends upon the intention, ability and will of the person dealing with it.

Religion being a very powerful system, anything that emanates from it will be

extremely forceful. Due to the uncertain and volatile nature of religions, the

necessity of religions and possibility of substituting religions with theoretical

ethics are much debated. Religions serve as source of moral fear, service,

satisfaction, solace and solution to millions of believers.

Their necessity cannot be underrated by assessing evils that come

from its misuse. They cannot be substituted by baseless dry ethical formulae.

Purpose, process, practices and object of ethics are all well-explained only in

religions. This conclusion directs us to define and refine religions and enforce

the enriched version in the society.

Coalition- The right solution

Even though the domination of religious systems remain irrefutable,

relying on the same religious structures for rectification and restoration is not

easily believable for many.

Few opine that religious disaster emanate from improper

understanding and handling, and proper comprehension and application are

the right remedies.

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Second theory emphasizes that religions with faith, service and

surrender unto Supreme has the best positive force that can resurrect and

rejuvenate the society.

Third view says that religions dealing with sensitive sentiments have

fuelled conflicts, clashes and calamities and they only have the responsibility

and ability to function as an antidote and delete the ill-effects of its own

misuse.

Fourth theory states that using religions for rescue will bring new and

additional peril, and prescribes launching of pro-social and anti-religious

crusades for bringing peace. Fifth and final verdict is a coalition proposal, the

best solution and immediate need. First version of coalition is that of a

spiritual association. Second emerges from social consensus, comprising all

divisions, which is designated as holy alliance.

Holy alliance is the name for the association of all those who love and

distribute peace and in peace language, 'holy wars' are our battles for peace,

initiated against micro, macro and mega wars. The synergy of this holy

alliance, if manifested properly will be thousand times stronger than the

collective energy of all warmongers and weapon stocks of the entire planet.

Spiritual association and renaissance

A great spiritual renaissance only can rectify the errors of religious

misunderstanding and misdirection. This spirituality is a culmination stage in

religious accomplishment where God and scriptures (his messages) are

understood in the right sense;' the peace mode' rather than a blind and blank

spirituality. This religious spirituality will install a meaningful and mighty

inner-faith, without which internal faith between members of different sects

of the same religion and interfaith alliance between members of different

faiths, can never be achieved.

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Different faiths remain as a part of global set-up and creator's design.

He who has fashioned different languages, arts and sciences has also

provided us different angles and stages for viewing the primary cause and

ultimate purpose of world and life. Reaching religious consciousness and its

various stages of evolution are based on maturity and grace factors and God

never expected a sudden jump or long jump in accepting a particular form of

God or scripture. So pluralism and progression theories form the foundation

of religions. As differences cannot be ruled out, spirituality prevents those

mere differences from imposing inferiority and inducing enmities.

Religions are now functioning as ware houses of 'hatred', the basic ingredient

of all religious explosives. This 'hatred' either remains as a substance of

scriptures or in the sense of readers and interpreters or in the spirit of

receivers who have an inbuilt urge for fight and destruction. Saintly reformers

are entrusted with the laborious duty of handling sensational contents of

scriptures and their social impacts. Recent moderate trends of branding

them as 'not for application-records', spiritual metaphors, excessive sense

loads or extraordinary contexts are too fragile in changing conventional

rigidities and in charging followers with amity and peace potential. History

also carries the flame of hatred to every ongoing decade and century to see

that the hostile vigour is maintained. Every bitter bit of history should be

neglected, diverted or duly settled based on their seriousness and sense

quotients and a movement for peace based relearning of scriptures should

be started.

Countering evil products

Conversion and terrorism are the two major maladies of religion. First

exploits and second extirpates their targets. Even though they are carried out

by few individuals and institutions, the blemish embraces the entire system

and such religions are viewed by others as fatal threats to their culture,

heritage, religion and peace.

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Hence peace-lovers of every religion should federate together and

demonstrate their transparency and courage by disowning such aliens of

peace residing in their own religions and by evincing maximum dissent and

agitation to create an affirmative counter-threat.

Liberal religious propaganda is allowed in some nations where as even

individual practices and citizenry are restricted for other communities, on the

other side. In the pretext of religious freedom and secularism, temptational

marketing, trade and derogation are promoted in the former and in latter

religious freedom and equality are curbed.

Every religion is in some way, afraid of existence, growth and expansion of

other religions. This insecurity can be erased only by a solid 'assurance for

non-intrusion' that religious industry can provide to their neighbor religions.

Inter-faith era

It is surprising and painful that men who are gifted with the talent of

converting toxins into lifesaving drugs and waste into energy are producing

only wrath and wars from the most auspicious and beneficial message of

God. Philosophies that divulge and sentiments that follow the secrets of

world before creation and life after death should never disturb flourishing

world and hopeful living. Traditional practices advise that faith systems need

to preserved and distributed only to qualified or qualifying recipients and

wealth should be distributed for all as charity and empowerment.

On the contrary, we witness only imposition of religions and exploitation of

wealth everywhere. Globalization agenda of religion is meaningful and

applicable only if it is in terms of benefaction and positive inspiration to the

world and never through indoctrination, conversion and destruction.

'If conversion and terrorism are executed with a strong scriptural

endorsement, organized by growing groups with vehement zeal, nourished

by patrons, applauded by dominant fanatics and silently watched by majority

of followers as acts of pride and dignity, then the blame infects the entire

religion and establishes a strong global opinion accordingly.'

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Analyzing 'right and wrong' of religions create chain of disasters in an

intolerant and wild society. All religions should be placed in a common

platform of 'processes in pursuit of creator, His service and a purposeful

complete life'. To discuss which religion is correct or senior, and to decide

'what should be the religion of others' are cradles of calamity.

God has launched faith systems in order to make us understand the program

and purpose of His creation and gifted us with interfaith spirit to filter

extremism, eccentrism and other ugly and deadly instincts that could emerge

in the carrying and conveying process of His message and to maintain

peaceful coexistence and collective social action.

Global action

Peace loving members of every religion should join with all like-

minded multi-religious and social brethren to ensure reforms in and

remediation by religions. The major force that can bring the needed change is

'global action'; consolidated action of simple people all over the world. The

action referred here is 'vigilance'-close monitoring of every sensitive incident

and issue, 'pressure'-demanding needed intervention by repetitive

campaigns of all forms and finally 'aid'-extending all promising supports for

the movement and mission.

Global action of holy alliances need four forces to gain power and momentum

for succeeding in their trials. Quantity- Mass participation of students,

housewives and common public. Good rulers can be supported by such

civilian strength for enthronement as well as peace administration and unruly

heads can be dethroned. Quality-participation of celebrities who can impress

and mobilize public participation. Dignity-participation of administrators,

military heads, scientists and revolutionary leaders to intensify the outcome

and finally divinity-involvement of realized visionaries that shall accelerate

action and success of the mission.

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We have today attempted our level best to assemble all socio-sensitive and

pious souls here, for the noblest cause of peace restoration. Not only in

religious issues, but in every issue that disturbs global order like corruption,

pandemics, poverty, environmental degradation and violations of human

rights, justice and democracy, productive attention and action of religions are

essential.

Religious persons should use sentimental communication for alluring

the fragile and misled, advisory calibre for educated and semi-mature,

transformational prowess for the impenetrable and incorrigible, and velocity

of prayers to connect the unmentioned and for the triumph of all the above

said endeavours. A person may not be in a religious followers' list but

certainly will be in the victims' list of religious abuse and the list of

beneficiaries, in case of any prospective control, settlement and amity. Risk,

time and resources spent on transient pacification of disputes can be diverted

for national and global progress. So intervention of civilians and

administrators in religious issues is very important.

Appeal

Z There are myriads of channels for sports, adventure, entertainment and

religious propaganda. It will be more educative and enlightening to have

an international channel on Interfaith that can tutor conflict resolution

and senses of fraternity, brotherhood and harmony.

Z There should be a comprehensive interfaith manual that can assist

everyone with right understanding of their own religion and right

association with others.

Z An exclusive ministry and department for 'peace and inter-faith

amity' should be constituted just as we have divisions of defense, home,

finance, environment and others.

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Z A permanent 'Parliament of faiths' should be established with needed

resources and affiliation strength. It should also have a clear pro-social

agenda and action plan.

Z To resolve religious disputes, there should be centres for counseling and

negotiation, along with an international court of religious justice. All

these three bodies should have members from influential and

authoritative sectors, and should have enforcement abilities, instead of

mere advisory and suggestive statuses.

I appreciate this herculean task of organizing such a magnificent gathering

and laudable mission of peace revival, undertaken by 'Heavenly culture,

World Peace and Restoration of Light' (HWPL) and personally congratulate

Mr. Man.H.Lee, the chairman and Mr. John Hwang, regional coordinator of

Melbourne office and finally Mr. Ian Fry, Inter-faith scholar, who has linked us

with HWPL and WARP summit-2014. Their mediation in Mindanao region of

Philippines is a source of hope and encouragement of all peace-workers and

we certainly believe that there will be an increasing number of resolutions

and settlements in many burning parts of our earth.

While offering our best wishes and sincere prayers for a grand success

and great social impact of this event, we assure all possible supports from our

organization for future peace-ventures.

Prof. S.A.R.P.V. ChaturvediFounder & Managing trustee


India

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