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KOHIMA — Expounding that peace is not something external, Rev. Fr. Charles D'Souza, principal of St. Paul School in Phesama, on Saturday said that peace should begin within oneself.
He stated this during International Day of Peace as the keynote speaker on the theme "Cultivating a culture of peace" at Rivenburgs Chapel Hall of Baptist College, Kohima.
The programme was organised by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of Baptist College Kohima, in collaboration with MasterPeace Nagaland and Task Force for Music and Arts (TaFMA) as the event partner.
Fr. D'Souza emphasised the importance of keeping one’s mind free of prejudices and gossip, a heart free of ill will, hatred, vengeance and selfishness and a body free of physical violence and abuse.
Highlighting that peace involves resolving conflicts and contradictions, he pointed out the need for absence of violence in thoughts, words, deeds, attitudes and feelings, both within oneself and in one’s surroundings. He added that a person can also feel the presence of God through gratitude, grace, asking for pardon and forgiving with harmony in thought, word and deed.
He added that a person must also have deep respect for all living and non-living things.
Fr. D'Souza urged the participants to put God first, their neighbour second, Mother Earth third and themselves last.
Citing Mahatma Gandhi's quote, “Be the change you want to see in others,” and Jesus' teaching to "remove the log from your own eye before seeing the splinter in another's," he stressed the need to weed out pride and selfishness from each person’s life to make peace a way of life.
He further called for peace to be a daily practice, not a once-in-a-while effort, and urged for collective efforts to create peace.
Use Talents to Bring Peace – Imnainla
Imnainla Jamir, global ambassador of MasterPeace COOLeaders, delivered a message urging the use of talents to bring about peace and also performed two instrumental pieces.
“Today is the International Day of Peace. This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly's adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace,” Jamir said.
She expressed delight at being part of the occasion as the global ambassador of the COOLeaders programme of MasterPeace, adding that MasterPeace believes in making peace together through dialogue and co-creation.
“Each one of us is a leader. As a COOLeader, all of us have the power to make small positive changes in our lives that affect ourselves, others, society and our planet in a good way,” Jamir added.
She called upon the students and participants to come together and use their talents to spread the message of development, peace and harmony.
“As we celebrate Peace Day, let us not forget that peace also means living in harmony with nature and our surroundings. As young people, we have the energy and power in our hands to make a difference to this world – our one and only planet,” Jamir said.
The welcome address was delivered by Narola Chuba, vice principal of Baptist College, who acknowledged TaFMA for choosing Baptist College to commemorate the International Day of Peace.
Reflecting on the present context, she stated that peace is needed more than ever, owing to the prevailing situations of devastation, hunger and poverty, which are widespread.
She outlined that this year’s theme “Cultivating a culture of peace” was inspired by UNESCO’s belief that “since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed.” She added that same is relevant and important now as the world undergoes unprecedented challenges.
She further said that the International Day of Peace aimed at strengthening the ideals of peace within each individual, among nations and the world at large and expressed hope that it would inspire everyone to build a peaceful and sustainable world.
Special performances were presented by Bushem Lam and Gloria Yimchunger, while an invocation prayer was said by Tamreiming Chüsi, chaplain of Baptist College.
TaFMA project director, Dr. Hovithal Sothu, along with staff and students of Baptist College, Kohima, attended the programme.