North east youth peace and cultural festival 2012, an annual gathering of the Peace Channel family, also commemorating the ‘International Day of Peace’ and ‘7th Peace Channel foundation day’ organized by Peace Channel commenced Friday here at Holy Cross Higher Secondary School.
The three-day festival celebrated under the theme ‘Sustainable peace for a sustainable future’ witnessed a vibrant inaugural function with president Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN) Nagaland, Nosazol Charles and president, Naga Council, Dimapur, Savi Liegise as chief guest and guest of honour respectively.
Addressing the gathering, Charles reminded the people that real peace could be achieved only when an individual was in peace within.
Charles opined “glitter of materialism” filled with greed and desire to go ahead of others as one of root cause of problems in the society, besides competition for supremacy amongst religion, politicians and law makers.
Charles also cited that religious and political parties on one hand were competing to bring up their own religion and party, while the law makers were “making law” according to their own convenience.
Asserting peace cannot be attainted amongst such diverse views, Charles said in order to spread peace to the world, an individual should first create goodwill and peace within and then spread it to others.
Savi Liegise while congratulating Peace Channel for their commendable contribution said the past notion of “Tooth for a tooth and eye for an eye” has taken a backseat with the coming of Jesus Christ who stressed on the spirit of forgiveness.
Stating that no nation can bring peace through bombing, war and bringing down other nations, Liegise said peace can be brought through peaceful negotiation, discussion and dialogue.
Liegise then said that in the present society, peace was “two way traffic” as there can be no peace unless there is respect for other communities.
“Peace cannot be promoted without entertaining the interest of the other community”, said Liegise.
Reflecting on the turmoil prevailing in the present Naga society, Liegise said Nagas should concentrate on promoting peace within the family, and lamented the fact that the family values have gone amuck, resulting in a bad state of affairs, and the closely guarded hospitality almost dying.
Liegise then called for reviving and recreating peace amongst the Nagas.
Earlier in the key note address, assistant commissioner Dimapur district, Mohamme Ali Shihab exhorted the gathering to develop reading habit and utilize the given opportunity.
Shihab said today the biggest problem faced by a student was excessive knowledge in contrast to the past where there was lack of knowledge.
Urging the students to be organized, hardworking and to follow their dreams, Shihab said proper utilization of time and right strategy would help them in achieving their goals.
Hundreds of delegates from all over the north-east region were enthralled with various cultural dances, folk songs depicting the versatility of the region.
The colourful festival was marked by songs, dances, exhortation by renowned speakers, interactions and group discussion and competitions would continue till September 23.
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