Representatives from 18 countries took part in the Meet and took a Peace Oath
Alive News Service
Faridabad: Peace and youth power came together at a unique initiative held at Manav Rachna Educational Institutions (MREI) campus. The 3rd APR NSO Messenger of Peace Meet, a five day initiative of the Asia Pacific Region (APR) National Scout Organization (NSO) was organized by Bharat Scouts and Guides in association with its Haryana Chapter at Faridabad. The Meet was inaugurated on April 20, 2016 by Ms Seema Trikha, Haryana Government Secretary to Parliamentary Affairs.
The third day of the Meet was held at MREI. Participants from 18 countries including Australia, India, Mongolia, Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Korea, Hongkong, Fiji, Philippines, and Kenya took part in the Meet. The Meet supported by the Haryana Government was attended by a host of dignitaries including Dr. Krishna Swamy Ramamurthi, Joint Director, Bharat Scouts & Guides; Mr. B I Nagarale, Chief National Commissioner; Mr Peter Blatch, World Scout Committee member; Mr Prasanna Srivastava, Director, Support & Finance Development, World Scout Bureau, Asia Pacific Region, Miss Cynthia Marques, Global Manager, Messenger of Peace, Mr S. Verma, State Organising Commissioner, Bharat Scouts and Guides, among others. Several senior dignitaries from MREI including Dr N.C. Wadhwa, Vice Chancellor, Manav Rachna International University (MRIU); Professor I.K. Kilam, Director, Radio Manav Rachna and Dean Students Welfare; Mr Sarkar Talwar, Director, Sports, MREI were among those present on the occasion.
The aim of the Meet was to empower the youth to spread the message of peace worldwide. As the name itself signifies, Messenger of Peace (MOP) is an initiative which fosters world peace by enabling Scouts and Guides to create a better world around them. Launched in September 2011, Messengers of Peace inspires millions of young men and women in more than 220 countries and territories to work toward peace. Using state-of-the-art social media, the initiative lets Scouts from around the world share what they’ve done and inspire fellow Scouts to undertake similar efforts in their own communities. The initiative is inspired by the World Scout Committee, administered by the World Scout Bureau, and driven by youth volunteers worldwide. It also has the support of the King of Sweden, King of Saudi Arabia and World Oganisation of Scout Movement
On the third day, Representatives from APR NSO Messenger of Peace made a presentation and interacted with over 350 students from Manav Rachna Educational Institutions. As part of a Field visit, the team set up several Stations at the campus for students to get glimpses of the many facets of Messenger of Peace. While one Station gave an Introduction to MOP, yet another reverberated with the ‘Ale le Song’. A third Station denoted the significance of ‘What Peace means to me?’ The fourth Station showed students on how to register on Scout.org and post projects hands on. There was yet another Station which focused on Network Game and last but not the least; the eighth Station showcased MOP Beat Dance.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Prasanna Srivastava said: “We decided to connect with Manav Rachna as part of our initiative to support in creating a better world. Our Scouts movement contributes to the non formal education of the youth through a value system which helps them in playing a constructive role in society.”
Addressing the gathering, Dr N.C. Wadhwa, Vice Chancellor, MRIU, said: “Manav Rachna’s philosophy of creating better human beings is in consonance with the Messengers of Peace movement since only better human beings can create a better world and make a meaningful contribution to society and the world at large.”
The program culminated on April 24 at the Badhkal Tourist Complex. Dr. K.K. Khandelwal, Addl. Chief Secy, Govt. of Haryana was the Chief Guest on the occasion.
