Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies: India- Pakistan initiative

Dear Reader,
In October 2009, the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies facilitated two Track II dialogues between India and Pakistan. While the first one, organised in collaboration with the Delhi-based Public Policy Research Group (PPRG), focused on the status of the Indo-Pak Dialogue, the second one, organised with support from the Ploughshares Fund, aimed at Peace Building and Conflict Resolution. These events, which received attention in the national Indian dailies as well, were very significant given that they were organised at a time when official talks have broken down between both the countries following the terrorist attack in Mumbai in November 2008.

It gives us great pleasure to share the executive summary of both these very
important and timely initiatives that took place in October 2009.

Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies developing alternative approaches for peace and security in the region.
Executive summary links:
Conflict Resolution and Peace Building: India Pakistan Dialogue
Conflict Resolution and Peace Building: Seminar Report

Mahatma is Obama’s hero

Power Profiles showcase successful people who you can learn from. If there is any golden rule to follow, take advice from people who are already there.
The Hindu: Thursday, Sep 10, 2009
WASHINGTON: United States President Barack Obama has said if given a chance he would like to have a meal with his “real hero” Mahatma Gandhi, although the apostle of peace did not eat a lot.

Mr. Obama’s response came to a question from a ninth grade student at the Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia, who asked him if he could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who it would be.

“Dinner with anyone dead or alive? Well, you know, dead or alive, that’s a pretty big list,” he said amidst laughter. “You know, I think that it might be Gandhi, who is a real hero of mine,” Mr. Obama said. “Now, it would probably be a really small meal because he didn’t eat a lot.”

He said Gandhiji was someone who has inspired people across the world for the past several generations. “He [Gandhiji] is somebody whom I find a lot of inspiration in. He inspired Dr. King [Martin Luther], so if it hadn’t been for the non-violent movement in India, you might not have seen the same non-violent movement for civil rights here in the United States,” he said. — PTI
Mahatma is Obama's hero

Remembering the Mahatma

In today's world filled with acts of violence and intolerance under the guise of faith and community, Gandhi's principles of restraint and understanding stand out as the only voice of reason. Gandhiji had an unwavering belief in peace over war and a tolerance towards all men. Many of his quirks, like using a pencil down to a small stub to prevent wastage, reusing envelopes, and walking whenever possible are perfectly understandable today when we are all trying to be 'Green'.

He believed that we all have a choice. You can choose to help the needy, choose to be tolerant of others' beliefs and a choice of peace. Live a good, healthy life, free from chains of slavery, prejudice and hate.
Visit webpage for Quiz: Remembering the Mahatma