The India Post, Chandigarh 29th September, 2008:On a white sheet of paper, peace was inscribed in two different scripts, ‘aman’ in Urdu and ‘shanti’ in Devnagri. Two flags were drawn in a corner, and a white pigeon took centre stage, larger than the flags that identify nationalities.
On the second day of the Third International Student’s Peace Festival, participating students invoked different symbols of peace and harmony. Many students already exemplified the motto of the festival, in their approach to work. Pankaj Tiwari, a student from Bhopal whose visibility is impaired, gave the idea of a painting while Aaashma, Ashita and Dolly of AKSPS, sector- 41, sketched it and filled it with colours. All the participants tried to put diversities of their cultures and approaches in harmony. Perspectives were different, but, the motto was same. One student from Pakistan had his palm painted as a flag of India, while the other palm had flag of Pakistan. These were fresh, innovative symbols for peace.
Senior artist, Ignatius Xavier Joseph, from Hyderabad, who has been working on the concept of peace for art for the lat 25 years, gave them a few tips to aim their art at peace and non-violence. Joseph puts two different kinds of pigments on canvas to make a point, oil on canvas takes two weeks to dry while acrylic takes just five minutes, yet, they harmonize on canvas. His approach of India’s Ahimsaism in visuals, which require no language to be understood, is well received by the art world.
In the morning session students exchanged their cultural values and beliefs with each other. Barriers of faith, language or region were not visible when students from Nepal and Tamilnadu presented invigorating dances. Each one was carried by the rhythm.
The day ended with One Sky One World Kite Flying at Gurukul, Mani Mjara. Kites of varied colours filled the sky, participants vied with one another to share the fun. As one girl participant said, " I always wanted to fly kites, never had the opportunity, now I can learn." There were many offering to help her explore a new sky. Shri BC Gupta, IAS, Principal Secretary Home, Punjab was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Addressing the students he recalled his past initiatives of forging Indo-Pak ties and asked the youth to further intensify and augment such efforts with full zeal & zest. To counter the growing instances of terror with more & more peace initiatives. Mrs. Rajni Thareja, Director of the Gurukul School presented a vote of thanks to all the participants.
The festival is organized by Yuvsatta, a city based NGO promoting Gandhian Values, Education Department, Gurukul School, KB DAV-7, CYP Asia Centre, NSS Unit of DAV College and a group of 17 other peace loving institutions of India, Nepal & Pakistan.
In the evening the visitors enjoyed the shopping at Sector 22 & Sector 17, Chandigarh.