– M Rafi Ahmed
It is imperative to educate parents, teachers, law-makers, policy-makers and most importantly the politicians and leaders of the country on how to run the country peacefully, said Nawabzada Mohamed Asif Ali, Heir Apparent and Dewan to the present Prince of Arcot Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali. Addressing the 19th International Human Rights Summit held under the aegis of United for Human Rights at United Nations headquarters, New York in the US on the theme “Education for Peace”, he made it clear that education has a great impact on the younger generation who are leaders of tomorrow.
In his opening remarks, he greeted the galaxy of dignitaries and delegates drawn from 38 nations with ‘Assalamu Alaikum’ (Peace be to you) followed by ‘Vanakkam’ in a touch pride that he belonged to the State of Tamil Nadu under the dynamic leadership of chief minister M K Stalin who gives thrust to education.
Referring to Harvard University’s statistics which brings peace of mind, he said that over a period of 80 years that first in the list is health and second is relationship with colleagues, classmates and friends and other things comes next and called upon the younger generation to develop friends based on character and not on what faith or background which is vital. He went on to speak on the concept of communal harmony.
Underlining the need to include the stories of earlier rulers and the contributions of Nawab of Arcot in the history books, he said that this is really missing now as more emphasis is given for world wars while neglecting the details of peace and togetherness since there is only one life. He concluded by saying, “We should be thankful to God, the parents, teachers and most importantly the life partner.
The global summit witnessed youth delegates from 38 nations besides distinguished veteran human rights advocates at the United Nations Headquarters and gave power-packed speeches on the indictment of global injustices – from state-sanctioned discrimination and human trafficking to nuclear threats and systemic violence. The participants were awestruck to get vital info on various topics.
The three-day event, held under the theme, “Education for Peace,” was hosted by United for Human Rights and Youth for Human Rights International, and sponsored by the Permanent Mission to the United Nations of Timor-Leste.
The event was co-sponsored by the Permanent Missions to the United Nations of Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas and the Plurinational State of Bolivia. Timor-Leste Ambassador Dionísio da Costa Babo Soares welcomed the International Youth Delegates, followed by welcome addresses and messages from ambassadors of co-sponsoring nations and the ambassador of the Permanent Mission of St. Kitts and Nevis.
[The author is former Indian Express and Deccan Chronicle chief]
