Chandigarh, September 28: A tranquil silence enveloped the auditorium as 9th International Youth Peace Festival delegates from over 30 countries were guided into a deep meditation by Phra Parsura, a Sr. monk from ‘World Peace Initiative Foundation’, Thailand. “We cannot give inner peace to others if we don’t have it within ourselves,” Parsura said, addressing the audience at SD College in Sector 32.

His wisdom set the tone for the Inaugural day of the 9th International Youth Peace Festival – a day of music, connections and honoring those who are working to create a more peaceful world. The message that starts with the individual, and daily actions, was powerfully communicated during the first full day of the weeklong program, hosted by NGO Yuvsatta along with RGNIYD, GGD SD College, Oxfam India, Svayam-​an initiative of Sminu Jindal Charitable Trust​ & State cell-NSS, Chandigarh.

Another speaker, Ms. Sminu Jindal, also pushed people to think beyond their usual comfort zones. Sitting in her wheelchair on stage, the MD of Jindal Saw Limited and Founder of Svayam, an organization that works to make the country more accessible for disabled citizens, reminded participants that peace requires inclusion and thinking of people who face difficult situations. “Life is too beautiful to sit in one room,” she said.

Her talk inspired people to ask questions about how to create a better world for disabled people, and how to change attitudes toward this issue. Later in the day the participants were able to try simulated exercises and visualizations to understand the reality of accessibility for disabled people.

Sminu Jindal was honored along with gandhian youth peace leader Indra Udayana, from Ashram Gandhi Puri in Indonesia with ‘Global Youth ICON Awards’ constituted by Yuvsatta to recognize the services of young people who are real role model for others to follow suit.

After a delicious Indian lunch, speakers from various countries had the opportunity to speak about their work. Mr. Anthony, who works in Taiwan, spoke about Garden of Hope Foundation, an organization that empowers women, and Russian young ladies Irina and Daria spoke about the power of active citizens in their country. Also on the stage was Ms. Nageswery from International Youth Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Nepal’s human rights activist Tilottam Paudel. “I’m hoping to come out of this conference with an action plan,” Anthony said. “I want to connect with people and see how our work is relevant to Asia.”
Participants in the crowd were inspired and focused throughout the sessions. Whether from Pakistan, Iran or Afghanistan, everyone found common ground for conversations and bonded over the issues that brought them to Chandigarh.