Chandigarh, September 30, 2012: Commemorating the 150th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda on the third day of the 7th International Youth Peace Festival, discussions on building a peaceful world with contributions of the youth was held today at GGD SD College, Chandigarh. Key note speakers on the occasion were Sr. Gandhian activist and youth motivator Dr SN Subba Rao who is also known as living spirit of Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Das Gupta, Director, People’s Institute for Development & Training & Dr. Lingam Raja from Gandhi Gram University. Pawan Kumar Bansal, Union Cabinet Minister for Parliamentary Affairs & Water Resources was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Organized by Yuvsatta and GGD SD College, Chandigarh with support of Oxfam-India & Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in this Peace Fest young people from around 35 countries are participating.
Appreciating the initiative, Pawan Kumar Bansal, said, “There is ever increasing threat today of diminishing natural resources, especially water. And we must judiciously use even a single drop of water. He further said that over the years the rising populations, growing industrialization and expanding agriculture have pushed upon the demand for water. Appreciating the unique Peace Fest organized by Yuvsatta annually in the city, he said that it’s worth noticing that in seven years from just two countries this year participants from over 35 countries are participating. And this number is further increasing with each passing year”.
Pawan Kumar Bansal also released a manual on Peace Trainer’s Training programme developed by Commonweath Youth Asia Centre, Chandigarh.
Giving the message of ‘One World-Once Voice all the participants from China, US, Spain, Malaysia, Philippines, Germany, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Philippines, Sudan, Kenya, Bangladesh, Bhutan and many more nations plus different state of India sang together ‘Jai Jagat’-victory to the world song along with Dr. SN Subba Rao-the legendary gandhian peace activist.
Pramod Sharma, Coordinator, Yuvsatta, said, “I am highly thankful to Pawan Kumar Bansal for patronizing their humble efforts and supporting the Peace Fest for last so many years. He also expressed his gratitude to all international and national delegates for joining in their endeavour of uniting young people beyond barriers of race, religion and nationality”.
Yuvsatta is a youth led organization working in variety of areas to steer the young people towards implementing Gandhian ideals of Constructive Programme based on voluntary effort and individual & community action. Yuvsatta first started as newspaper in 1990 by like minded youngsters studying in various Colleges and University of the city, slowly and steadily it took shape of an non-profit organization which was formally got registered in 1996 in Chandigarh city of India.