The Commission on Justice, Peace & Creation of the National Council of Churches in India on the occasion of the 63rd Anniversary   the Hiroshima Day on 6th August 2008 organized a Charchaa (Discourse). It facilitated   a   contextual response of citizens on the following two grave concerns: (a) Recent terror attack with reference to Bangalore, Gujarat. (b) India at 61: Envisioning Peace(?) with Nuclear Power

An invitation to avail of “Citizens’ Voice for Peace” was extended and   conscientious citizens from Nagpur, representing different Institutions, Organizations and Faith Communities joined the program. It was an attempt to create a space in order to enable the participants for   expressing their concerns, apprehensions, hopes and aspirations- irrespective of caste, class, creed, religion and gender background . 

Prof. Vikas Jambhulkar, from Nagpur University, emphasized the need for greater transparency from the Government, with regard to matters of national security and national interest vis a vis concerns related to the Nuclear Deal and Terrorism. Dr. Subhas Patil, from the Hislop College, Nagpur  presented a historical account of the Hiroshima Day  and its impact on  the Global Conflict and Peace dynamics:  with reference to  the late  40s’ and beyond. While emphasizing  the need of  Peace with  Universal Well Being,  renowned Poet Sri Krishna Choubey  and  Prof. Kusum Patoria recited poems from their own creative collection .

Charchaa  had representatives from different Faith  Communities in Nagpur including Arya Samaj, Bahai  , Jaina , Islam, Buddhist , Christians  and others .The consensus was  for   a collective responsibility for Peace wherein with citation of relevant passages  from  respective religious scriptures along with a short exposition.

Ms Sagarika Chetty
Secretary, Commission on Justice, Peace & Creation