‘Peace begins from within’ – The Hindu

Hyderabad

Archbishop Prince Antony Panengadan said that peace begins from within and that it was not merely a passive state.

The Archbishop was speaking at “Heal the World – Voices of Peace” programme at St Francis College for Women, on Friday, where pointed out that God is the source of peace. The closer one comes to God, the deeper is the experiencing of peace within.

Quoting the Telugu laureate Gurajada Apparao, “Desham ante matti kadoi, Desham ante manushuloi”, he drew upon the ancient Indian thought of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”- the vision of the world as one family, as an enduring message of peace that India can offer to the world.

Telangana Christian Minorities Finance Corporation Chairman Deepak John underscored that love and peace are contingent upon each other. “Where there is love, there is definitely peace,” he said. He encouraged students to spread the message of peace and understanding. “Young minds have a responsibility on their shoulders, to talk about and practice love,” he said.

Encouraging young people to become peace-makers, T. Uma Joseph, principal of St Francis College for Women, underscored the importance of reconciliation, hope and healing. She encouraged young people to look beyond differences. She emphasised on the need to build bridges instead of walls. She emphasised that “the world does not need only words about peace, but people who can live in peace, practice peace and become agents of peace.”