Visakhapatnam Commemorates Hiroshima and Nagasaki
by Prof. Narava Prakasa Rao, IC Member, IARF and Chairman, BV Foundation for Peace and Harmony Member Group
VISAKHAPATNAM, INDIA – From August 6th to 9th, 2023, the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) in collaboration with the BV Foundation for Peace and Harmony conducted a series of commemorative meetings at various schools and colleges across Visakhapatnam. These meetings marked the somber anniversaries of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atom bomb explosions, aiming to educate and inculcate a quality mindset among the public, with special emphasis on the student community.
Under the guidance and coordination of Prof. Narava Prakasa Rao, IC Member and chairman of the Foundation for Peace and Harmony, these annual meetings have been successfully held to shed light on the tragedies of August 1945. This year, it commemorated the 78th anniversary of the devastating nuclear attacks which took the lives of at least 129,000 innocent individuals, marking a dark day in global history. This stands as the sole instance of nuclear weapons being employed in warfare.
Speakers at the commemorative meetings highlighted the peaceful applications of atomic energy. Through comprehensive PowerPoint presentations, the importance of nuclear power, application of non-conventional energy resources, and the necessary safety measures were emphasized. Attendees were informed about the potential benefits of nuclear energy in societal development, such as cost-effective methods to desalinate seawater, medical uses like MRI scans and radiotherapy, among other treatments. However, they also emphasized the essential need for proper nuclear waste management to prevent the severe hazards posed by radiation and toxins.
A strong message resonated across all sessions: while nuclear energy has the potential to propel societal advancements, the devastation caused by nuclear bombs and the consequential radiation cannot be ignored. To reinforce this message and promote peace, a PEACE pledge was undertaken by students at every meeting.
Complementing the series of meetings was a powerful photo exhibition, which offered attendees a visual journey through the tragic events of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Documentaries depicting the historical events and their aftermath were also screened, making the significance of the incidents even more palpable.
In these trying times, initiatives like these underscore the importance of peaceful coexistence and the prudent use of powerful resources. The dedicated efforts of organizations like the IARF and BV Foundation serve as a beacon of hope for a world aspiring for peace and harmony.
by Prof. Narava Prakasa Rao, IC Member, IARF and Chairman, BV Foundation for Peace and Harmony Member Group
VISAKHAPATNAM, INDIA – From August 6th to 9th, 2023, the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) in collaboration with the BV Foundation for Peace and Harmony conducted a series of commemorative meetings at various schools and colleges across Visakhapatnam. These meetings marked the somber anniversaries of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atom bomb explosions, aiming to educate and inculcate a quality mindset among the public, with special emphasis on the student community.
Under the guidance and coordination of Prof. Narava Prakasa Rao, IC Member and chairman of the Foundation for Peace and Harmony, these annual meetings have been successfully held to shed light on the tragedies of August 1945. This year, it commemorated the 78th anniversary of the devastating nuclear attacks which took the lives of at least 129,000 innocent individuals, marking a dark day in global history. This stands as the sole instance of nuclear weapons being employed in warfare.
Speakers at the commemorative meetings highlighted the peaceful applications of atomic energy. Through comprehensive PowerPoint presentations, the importance of nuclear power, application of non-conventional energy resources, and the necessary safety measures were emphasized. Attendees were informed about the potential benefits of nuclear energy in societal development, such as cost-effective methods to desalinate seawater, medical uses like MRI scans and radiotherapy, among other treatments. However, they also emphasized the essential need for proper nuclear waste management to prevent the severe hazards posed by radiation and toxins.
A strong message resonated across all sessions: while nuclear energy has the potential to propel societal advancements, the devastation caused by nuclear bombs and the consequential radiation cannot be ignored. To reinforce this message and promote peace, a PEACE pledge was undertaken by students at every meeting.
Complementing the series of meetings was a powerful photo exhibition, which offered attendees a visual journey through the tragic events of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Documentaries depicting the historical events and their aftermath were also screened, making the significance of the incidents even more palpable.
In these trying times, initiatives like these underscore the importance of peaceful coexistence and the prudent use of powerful resources. The dedicated efforts of organizations like the IARF and BV Foundation serve as a beacon of hope for a world aspiring for peace and harmony.
EME Conference 2017
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EME Conference 2016: Report
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IARF Kenya Chapter: Mission to West Pokot
Below you will find a short report from our Kenya Chapter about their recent activities.
Our two-day travel for the interfaith, peace and human rights education program to West Pokot, Kenya began on 1 June. West Pokot lies almost 700 km or about 400 miles away from Nairobi, the Capital city of Kenya.
The trip was initially scheduled for three months ago, but we were curtailed by heavy downpour as a result of which the roads were damaged and some bridges linking this area cut-off.Poverty and illiteracy are alarmingly high in this region. There are no houses, no shopping centers, only scattered mad houses / shanties in bushy surroundings. It’s a densely populated region and people here solely depend on cattle and goat rearing. They dress by wrapping themselves in special cloth garments of a particular color.
It’s a very volatile region experiences a lot of fighting and inter-tribal clashes, cattle rustling being the main problem. There are only a few religious organizations which are heavily traditional, speak only the local dialect and are very weary of strangers, particularly vehicles. They are used to wars so when having a meeting women sit at a separate area while men scatter themselves standing each with a weapon in hand as you will see in some of the pictures here. Pointing a camera at them is not tolerated but we managed to take some shots surreptitiously.
We found agreement, however, and had a good time with them. Our message was well received and we managed to get hold of opinion leaders and key people in peace building and human rights awareness program who, we hope, will continue to propagate the message to many.
The launch of our peace programme in these community shown how powerful IARF can be in bringing people and communities together.
We are working right now on a new idea for interfaith and human rights education days all over the 47 counties, especially where different religions coexist, as the crucial time for this country 2017 election is approaching.
We natured the community with a slogan “where there is peace, there is food, good school, good health facilities and there is a development”
Peace is about you. By marking the day you can make a real difference. Now is the time to start acting!Lawrence Adera, Chapter Secretary
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Training of Trainers in Human Rights and Interfaith Peace
On the 24th and 25th of October the Kenya Chapter of IARF held a training event concerning human rights and interfaith peace. Here you can read the full report (PDF, 1MB).
Independence Day Event in Pakistan
IARF Pakistan strives to promote peace and harmony among Islam and minority religions, including many Christians, Bahai, Sikh and others. Bahai and Sikh have proper relations and coexist well with Muslims, but there are tensions between the Muslim and Christian communities. We organize peace meetings with representatives of all faiths to discuss and promote tolerance and peace.
Please direct your inqueries to Dr. Jefferson Tasleem Ghauri at iarfpakistan[at]yahoo.com.
On August 14 2015, Pakistan Independence Day, the Pakistan Chapter of the IARF held an all-day programme for women and children. IARF Pakistan staff members, Robson Ayub and Hanook Yasir, delivered several presentations and moderated a discussion with the participants. The topics taken up included issues of vital importance for the people of Pakistan, such as religious coexistence, tolerance and mutual respect among various faith communities and groups in society, matters of key significance to the mission of IARF. The event met with much interest and was well attended. Below you can see several photographs taken at the meeting.
Kenya Chapter – Training of Trainers for Human Rights Education
Jerusalem Centre, Kitale, KENYA
10-12 April 2015
Host: Kenya Chapter President Bishop Michael Wafula
Facilitator- Mrs. Joyce N. Wamalwa
Co. Trainers- Sister Irene
Rev. Lawrence Adera
Bishop Martin Mwambu
Duncan Magero
There was a warm welcome from the participants. For few hours we were given sermons by the Chapter President, Bishop Michael, who introduced his team to the congregation.
There were about 33 people who were interested.
They were divided into two categories. This was done according how they have been participating on chapter event training for HRE that has been held all over the country.
The senior class had 15 students and the junior class had 18 students.
The first class was trained in Mt. Zion hall by the chapter lead trainer Mrs. Joyce. The materials she used in the training were from The Human Rights Education Handbook (Effective practices for learning, action and change)
The second class had 18 students. The majority has idea about HRE but had not gone a thorough training like the first class. They were trained at Jerusalem hall. They got their training in support of the book called Many Faiths, One Humanity.
The class was mentored by the other trainers under the supervision of the President and the secretary.
The training ended well with a ceremony awarding the first class with a participation certificate.
The training took two days. There were a few suggestions before it ended. The second class requested to have their final training on June this year, which shall be communicated later and shall depends on the availability of the funds.
The participants enjoyed a group photo at the end.
Rev. Lawrence Adera, IARK Kenya chapter Secretary
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Kenya Chapter – Human Rights event, Bungoma
Human Right Sensitization Meeting
@Prayers Warriors Ministry Center, Bungoma, Western Kenya
1st March 2015
BUNGOMA IARF REPORT (PDF illustrated, 8 pages)
HRET-RFYN St. Anne’s PU College, Bangalore
Human Rights Eduction training
St. Anne’s PU College, Bangalore, INDIA
18 & 19 Nov 2013
Facilitators : Janhvi Gupte & Bro. Albert Xaviour
Report (PDF 5 pages, illustrated)
HRET Baba Institute, Vishakhapatnam
Baba Institute of Technology & Science (BITS), P.M. Palem, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
28th December 2013
Facilitators: Prof. N. Prakasa Rao & Prof. E. P. S. Bhagyalakshmi
Report (PDF illustrated, 5 pages)