Interfaith Harmony Gathering
The Chhindwara Branch of the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) organized a दिवाली मिलन (Diwali Meetup) and Interfaith Harmony event at Pensioners Sadar, Chhindwara, bringing together senior community members, youth participants, and interfaith representatives in a shared celebration of peace, respect, and human dignity.
The program included prayer recitations by young students belonging to Christianity, Hindu, Jain, Muslim and Sikh traditions, demonstrating IARF’s long-standing commitment to interfaith understanding and freedom of belief. The active involvement of the youth highlighted the role of education and dialogue in strengthening a culture of mutual respect across generations.
Mr. Aayush Soni, Vice President of IARF & RFYN representative, addressed the gathering and extended warm Diwali greetings to all present. He briefly updated the attendees on recent IARF activities at the national and international level, including developments from the EME Conference and initiatives of the Free Religion Institute, reinforcing the shared vision of continued interfaith cooperation and educational outreach.
Dr. K. K. Shrivastava, Founder and senior member of the IARF Chhindwara Branch, who served as the chief guest, emphasized the importance of peaceful coexistence, human rights, and the protection of religious freedom for every individual, which remain central to IARF’s mission worldwide.
The program was coordinated by Dr. Brown, former India Chapter Representative of IARF, who guided the flow of the event and shared his insights on the value of interfaith cooperation in contemporary society. He also underscored the growing need to expand interfaith efforts in the region and expressed support for the establishment of a North India Chapter of IARF to further strengthen grassroots engagement.
The gathering was attended by members of the Pensioners’ Association, representatives from local organizations, and students from Sony College, reflecting a meaningful blend of experience and youthful energy. The program reaffirmed the Chhindwara Branch’s dedication to building harmony through dialogue, compassion, and education.
INVINCIBLE: Peace and Conflict Resolution for Young Adults
The youth wing of the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) brought its peace and conflict resolution program to Mumbai, targeting young leaders at Pramod Ram Ujagar Tiwari Saket Institute of Management (PRUTSIM). The December 14 event, called “INVINCIBLE,” engaged participants aged 18-25 in conversations about peace-building and understanding conflict.
Janhvi Gupte kicked off with an ice-breaker that got participants talking openly about tough issues. This approach worked especially well, creating an atmosphere where students felt comfortable discussing conflict and its resolution.
Aayush Soni followed with an overview of IARF and RFYN’s work worldwide, showing students how they could get involved in peace-building efforts.
The program took a serious turn as participants explored the consequences of conflict, examining the Hiroshima-Nagasaki bombing. Gupte’s presentation on history’s deadliest wars brought home the reality of conflict, while photos of Hiroshima created a lasting impact. The story of Sadako Sasaki, a survivor who became a symbol of peace, resonated deeply with participants.
Discussions then moved to practical applications, exploring how peace affects daily life. Participants examined personal, social, and environmental aspects of peace-building, looking at concrete ways to resolve conflicts in their own lives.
The program wrapped up in PRUTSIM’s library, where participants viewed posters from Japan showing the impact of nuclear weapons. This exhibition drove home the real consequences of war.
In a spontaneous show of commitment, participants took a peace pledge, promising never to support nuclear weapons. Their engagement and feedback showed the program hit its mark.
The event ended with Immanuel Manish Daniel encouraging participants to join RFYN’s peace efforts. PRUTSIM’s support, including presenting appreciation certificates to facilitators, demonstrated their commitment to peace education.
INVINCIBLE at PRUTSIM showed that young people engage enthusiastically with peace initiatives when presented in relevant, interactive ways. The participants’ response suggests a growing awareness of the importance of conflict resolution skills among future leaders.
Empowering Foundations: Advancing Equality and Opportunity through Rural Engagement
In a significant demonstration of international interest in rural India’s development initiatives, David Moss, Senior Vice President and Head of Trading Compliance at a leading New York-based investment management company, conducted an extensive two-day visit to various IARF-RFYN projects in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, during October 19-20, 2024. The visit showcased remarkable achievements in youth empowerment, interfaith harmony, and women’s economic development.
Youth Empowerment and Skill Development
At the heart of the visit was a compelling session at Sony Computer Education centre, where Moss engaged with RFYN, aspiring professionals, sharing invaluable insights about global finance career opportunities. Moving beyond traditional accounting roles, he emphasized critical skills needed in today’s financial sector, including professional email communication, financial fundamentals, and proficiency in digital tools such as Excel and Google Sheets. Moss particularly stressed the importance of staying informed about global financial trends.
The impact of his guidance was evident in the enthusiastic response from participants, who presented him with a hand-sketched portrait as a token of their appreciation.
Interfaith Harmony and Educational Initiatives
The visit highlighted significant strides in promoting interfaith harmony through education and cultural exchange. Moss visited Anjuman English Medium school, An Urdu school which stands as a beacon of religious integration. The school’s unique approach ensures children aged 5-13 years from various religious backgrounds study together, fostering early understanding of religious diversity. Despite language barriers, students made commendable efforts to interact with Moss in English, demonstrating their commitment to global communication skills.
Further emphasizing the interfaith aspect, Moss visited a local Jain temple, where Mr. Deepak raj Jain provided insights into Jain philosophy and traditions. This cultural exchange exemplified the program’s commitment to promoting understanding across different communities.
Vocational Training and Career Development
A significant portion of the visit focused on RFYN’s innovative ‘Careerfirst’ initiative, which bridges the gap between underprivileged youth and employment opportunities through government-sponsored vocational training. Moss visited several prestigious training centres, including CII (Confederation of indian industries), ATDC (Apparel Training & Design Centre), and Ashok Leyland’s training facility in Chhindwara. During these visits, he engaged directly with students, learning about their economic backgrounds and aspirations. His encouragement to complete their courses and pursue career goals resonated strongly with the trainees.
Women Empowerment and Rural Economic Development
In Bamhni village near Tamiya block, situated 95 km from Chhindwara, Moss witnessed the transformative impact of RFYN India’s women empowerment projects, which have shown remarkable success over the past 7-8 years. The village, predominantly tribal and challenged by work opportunities, has been uplifted through a collaborative initiative involving Cosmo foundation, Sony Computer Education and RFYN.
The installation of Chironji de-shelling machines has created sustainable livelihood opportunities for women’s self-help groups. This initiative processes seeds from the Buchanania lanzan plant, a high-value dry fruit with strong export demand, particularly in Gulf countries. Villagers shared how this mechanization has provided an additional benefit to their economic conditions.
Leadership and Recognition
During his visit, Moss met with IARF Chhindwara Branch members to learn about the organization’s history and development in the region. The success of these various initiatives is attributed to a dedicated team of professionals, including Mr. Manoj Soni (Secretary, IARF Chhindwara Branch), Mr. Aayush Soni (RFYN Representative and VP, IARF), Mr. Immanuel Manish Daniel (Senior Member, IARF), Dr. SA Brown (Ex. Council Member, IARF), Dr. KK Shrivastava (Founding Member of IARF Chhindwara branch), Mr. Ansari (Founding Member of IARF Chhindwara branch), Mr. Ratnesh Jain (IARF Member), Mr. Vishwesh Chandel (Member, IARF Chhindwara Branch), Mrs. Kirti Soni (Director, Sony Computer Education), and Ms. Janhvi Gupte (Ex. VP and RFYN Representative, IARF).
Future Implications
“The synergy between various stakeholders – from government agencies to educational institutions and community organizations – is what makes these initiatives truly successful,”
Moss observed during his concluding remarks. The visit highlighted how targeted interventions, when properly executed, can create sustainable change in rural communities while promoting education, women’s empowerment, and interfaith harmony.
The success of these programs, particularly in Bamhni village and through the Careerfirst initiative, demonstrates the effectiveness of RFYN’s approach in identifying and bridging gaps between job seekers and employers. This model of rural development, combining skill development, women’s empowerment, and interfaith harmony, could serve as a template for similar initiatives across rural India.
The comprehensive nature of David Moss’s visit not only highlighted the impact of RFYN’s initiatives but also strengthened the connection between global expertise and local development efforts in rural India, setting a promising precedent for future international collaborations in rural development.
Sony Computer Education and GVAN Celebrates World Environment Day
World Environment Day 2024
On the occasion of World Environment Day, the international organization IARF, in collaboration with the esteemed district institution Sony Computer Education and GVAN, a dedicated entity for environmental protection and conservation, organized a transformative tree plantation event in the garden at the district hospital premises.
This remarkable initiative was spearheaded by IARF Vice President Aayush Soni and Manish Daniel. Vishwesh Chandel, President of GVAN Samiti, underscored the urgent need to address the global warming crisis. He passionately emphasized that planting and protecting trees is not just an option but a necessity for a sustainable future. He called upon everyone to pledge to plant and nurture at least one tree, thus becoming active guardians of our planet. During this inspiring event, saplings of Amaltas, Christmas Tree, Bael, and Banyan were lovingly planted.
In light of the ongoing water crisis and the sudden increase in temperatures causing severe heat waves, Chandel highlighted the critical importance of such initiatives. Planting trees is a powerful act of hope and resilience, providing much-needed shade, enhancing air quality, and preserving our precious water resources.
The event was graced by the presence of Mrs. Kirti Soni and Manoj Soni, Directors of Sony Computer Education, along with Manish Daniel and our GVAN members.
Our collective progress empowers us to proudly say that we are no longer just planting trees or saplings; we are cultivating vibrant gardens. This transformation stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to a greener, more sustainable future. Together, we are making a profound impact, turning our vision of a healthier planet into a beautiful reality. Let us continue this journey with renewed vigor and dedication, knowing that every tree we plant today is a gift to future generations.
