Peaceniks was organized at Peoples Convention Centre by Yuvsatta, under their initiative of Peace’s Forum for Rise of South Asia-PFFROSA. Prominent amongst those who were present on the occasion included Reeta Kohli, Member Judge, National Company Law Tribunal-Mumbai, Anil Mudgal, Founder of Arushi-Bhopal, Senior Advocate Manjit Singh Khaira, SK Setia, Former DPI (Schools), S. Rajinder Singh Rahi of Guru Granth Sahib Bhawan, writer Sukhdev Singh Sirsa, Dr. Mohd. Khalid, Senior journalist SP Singh and Hamir Singh, water expert Amandeep Singh, Advocate Gurshamshir Singh Waraich, Surinder Sharma, President, Residents Welfare Association, Sector 15, and Pramod Sharma, founder, Yuvsatta.
Welcoming the participants Mr. Avtar Singh Paul said that once South Asia used to control one-fourth of the world trade and one-fifth of the world’s poor live in this region for which along with foreign forces our own policy makers are also responsible. Learning from the European union, extra efforts should be made for open trade and travel to flourish.
Ms. Reeta Kohli added that people of this region of Asia never invaded the territories of other nations. Since ages, living amicably with man and nature was in their blood and veins, it’s only in the recent past, we have seen hatred and warmongery taking roots.
- Manjit Singh Khairawas of the view that age-old common culture, soulful music and literature can bridge the gaps and fill the divides.
Advocate Gurshamshir Singh Waraich and S. Rajinder Singh Rahi of Guru Granth Sahib Bhawan, narrated the wonderful reception they got in their recent visit to Pakistan and shared that more and more such people to people dialogues and interactions should be increased to fight back the myths and misconceptions.
Mr. Hamir Singh shared that hundreds of small-scale industries of north India, especially in Punjab got affected with the closing of trade between India and Pakistan in 2019, and nobody raised a finger on the lost avenues of trade, income, employment and resultant wage-loss and closure of factories.
Mr. SK Setia in his concluding remarks said that the common man should understand the nefarious designs of geopolitics of strong world powers, as their common interest is to keep us divided and mint dollars and exploit our natural resources and minerals.
In his vote of thanks Mr. Pramod Sharma said that in 2025 they plan to hold one such monthly discussion at Peoples Convention Centre on the last Saturday of the month. On the occasion they also presented a photo-portrait of Mahatma Gandhi to Mr. Avtar Singh Paul, Director of the Peoples Convention Centre for this all-out support for the endeavour.
