Human Rights Day Observed by the Visakhapatnam Branch
On Saturday, December 10th 2022, the BV Foundation for Peace and Harmony and the India Chapter of the International Association for Religious Freedom Visakhapatnam Branch organized a special meeting to mark World Human Rights Day. The event was held at the SVVP VMC Degree and PG Courses seminar hall in MVP Colney, Visakhapatnam. The purpose of the meeting was to educate degree and PG students about human rights and their role in protecting them.
Prof. Narava Prakasa Rao, International Council Member of the IARF, presided over the meeting. He emphasized the need for young people to be aware of various issues and to act responsibly in safeguarding their rights. He also emphasized that today’s youth are not useless, but rather their potential is underused. If they are motivated and their potential is utilized properly, they can make significant contributions towards building a just society.
The chief guest of the event, Prof. A. Rajendra Prasad, former Vice Chancellor of Nagarjuna University, called on the students to become change agents and work towards protecting human rights. He also emphasized the need for stronger enforcement of the Human Rights Act of 1993 and for the framing of rules under the Act to make it an effective law. He pointed out that the most vulnerable sections of society, such as children and women, often have their human rights violated and therefore there is an urgent need to increase awareness of human rights among these groups.
A debate competition was also held among the students on this occasion. Other attendees at the event included Dr. K. Rajesh, Principal of the Degree college, Sambasiva Rao, Principal of the Junior college, Dr. Appa Rao, NSS Coordinator, Dr. Ganesh Babji, Mrs. Syamala, and others.
International Peace Day 2014 celebrated in India
21 September 2014
International Day of Peace
Visakhaptnam
IARF member group Bala Vikas Foundation for Peace & Harmony observed International Peace Day at the Gandhi statue near GVMC.
Students attended from A.P. Indian Student Parliament, Karuna International, New Trenz, Society for Good Governance, Indian Youth for Society, and Nirmal Jyothi Foundation, plus the social worker Ramadevi .
Earlier a Walk for Peace was held, from the Ambedkar statue near LIC buildings after garlanding the Ambedkar by Prof. V.Balamohan Das, former Vice-Chancellor of Nagarjuna University, who said that violence was prevalent all over the world and even developed countries were not free from the problem.
Later the walkers stopped at the Gandhi statue where a peace meeting was held.
Before the meeting the Gandhi statue was garlanded by EAS Sharma (IAS, Retd) from Forum for a Better Visakha, and pigeons were released to mark the occasion.
The peace meeting was presided over by Narava Prakasa Rao, Chairman of Bala Vikas Foundation for Peace & Harmony, who said that everyone should strive for world peace.
EAS Sharma read the peace pledge which was followed by students’ speeches.
Sri Sharma in his peace message said that Sept. 21st serves as a reminder that hope and peace are not just a possibility, but also a reality, even in times of great despair and violence.
International Peace Day serves as a call to action for all who are committed to a vision of a world in which the values of compassion and kindness, justice and mercy, and friendship prevail, and love is the guiding force in our thoughts and actions towards one another.
Bengaluru
International Peace Day was celebrated in grand manner at Seshadripuram Institute of Commerce & Management (SICM), Bangalore.
More than 200 students, faculty and guests enjoyed the deliberations.
Dr Mallaprabhu Venkatesh and Dr W.P.Krishna spoke, covering human values and the relevance of peace within and without.
Young adult representatives 34th World Congress Ms Meghana Belavadi and Ms Fareena Maria were introduced to the gathering and thereafter shared their experiences and how it has impacted them, and invited the youngsters to get involved with extracurricular activities for all-round growth. The Chief Guest gave them mementoes.
Launch of Human Rights Education Resource Centre (HRERC)
6th November 2013
Launch of Human Rights Education Resource Centre (HRERC)
@Sri.Venkateshwara College of Engineering & Technology Tiruvallur District, TamilNadu
Following the launch of the HRRC at Hindupur in August this year, a second centre with the same objectives has been opened.
Please see the report here (PDF 4 pages, illustrated)
RFYN new News Bulletin
In August, IARF’s India-based young adult network RFYN launched a new headquarters outside Bangalore.
See the reports here.
The first edition of their newsletter was released as a follow-up:
- RFYN July-Sep 2014 News Bulletin (PDF 38 pages, illustrated)
SACC role in Kochi first
11 March 2013
The campaigning body of one of the world’s leading peace organizations, Mayors for Peace, known as the “2020 Vision Campaign“, has chosen the city of Kochi as its first Associate Member in South Asia.
SACC chairman Thomas Mathew was instrumental in this choice being made, in reciprocation of the generous help given toward the successful organisation of IARF’s 33rd World Congress held in Kochi in 2010, by Kochi Corporation and the then Mayor.
Please see the report here.
HRE workshop in Mysore
27-28 June 2011, @Vidhyavardhaka Pre-University, Mysore.
132 participants. Mr H P Sandesh, Principal District Session judge, inaugurated…
See photos here (launches Flickr tab).
Peace Day 2011 observed in Chennai
On 8th August, 2011 between 03 & 05pm.
@Ethiraj College for Women (Autonomous), Egmore, Chennai
As per the direction of IARF (SACC), Kerala & IARF India Chapter), the Peace Day was observed in memory of Victims of Hiroshima & Nagasaki, Japan on 6 & 9th August, 1945
The program started as per the Invitation schedule with Prayer by Ms. Swathi, Department of Human Rights & duties Education, Ethiraj College for women followed by Welcome Address by Dr.Mrs. Sri Ranjini Siva Subramanian, Head, Department of Human Rights and Duties Education, Ethiraj College. Mr. K. Ramachandran, Facilitator, IARF – HRE, Chennai has given introduction about IARF – HRE & its Activities briefly for the past years.
The power point Program was prepared by selecting various suitable & relevant photos about the incidents occurred on those Days by Mrs. R. Nithya IARF Young Adult & Lecturer, Department of Human Rights & Duties Education, Ethiraj College and the same was presented by Ms. Hemalatha, Young Adult IARF – HRE Facilitator, Chennai and P.G. Student, Department of Human Rights and duties Education, Ethiraj College has narrated the presentation with clearly and understandably by the audients. (The PPT is enclosed for information)
Then two minutes silence was observed by one and all in the Hall. Afterwards, Mrs. R. Nithya, Delivered the Message and addressed by Prime Minister of Japan on 6th August, 2011 received from Consul-General of Japan, Chennai (Copy enclosed) followed by Vote of Thanks.
The program was conducted by Department of Human Rights & Duties Education, Ethiraj College, Chennai. All other department staffs and students were also attended and encouraged the program. Ms. Purnima, IARF Young Adult & PG. Student of Anna Adarsh also attended with her college students.
– K. Ramachandran, Facilitator