Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu, Oct 21: The 50 days Shanti Sadbhavana Cycle Yatra that was flagged-off from Kokrajhar, Assam, on September 3, reached here today.
The 15 members Gandhian delegation led by 84 years old eminent Gandhian Ms. Radha Bhatt, former President Sarva Seva Sangh and Gandhi Peace Foundation, and Sri Chandan Pal, Secretary Sarva Seva Sangh that entered Jammu and Kashmir on October 20 after travelling over 2800kms through States of Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab interacted with various sections of society including administration, common citizens, representatives of civil society organizations, political and religious leaders, Gandhians and students of various colleges and schools in Kathua, Samba and Jammu.
The Gandhian organization (Sarva Seva Sangh) that took birth in 1948 and played vital role in restoring peace in Kokrajhar and surrounding districts of Assam after ethnic violence in 2012 in which 114 people were killed and nearly half million made homeless, has to play very pivotal role to bring back peace and normalcy in troubled Jammu and Kashmir. Ms. Bhatt said that it is not only the Governments but people who can bring lasting peace in region. “People’s moral support, perhaps a missing link, should be applied to build trust and confidence”, she said.
Besides this throughout the way from Assam to Jammu, we kept talking with people about the conservation of environment, drugs de-addiction and alcoholism and other social evils, said Chandan Pal,
While welcoming the Gandhians in Jammu, Padmashri S.P. Varma, president Gandhi Global Family (GGF), J&K, the main host organization in the State of Jammu and Kashmir appreciated Ms. Radha Bhat and other members of delegation for their tireless efforts to promote peace and harmony between various section of society in country. The delegation shall meet various sections of society including youth and students during their stay in the State, Varma said. Seema Rohmetra, Co-ordnator, Gandhi Peace Foundation, another host organization, termed this peace mission a ray of hope in the times of unrest and sensitivities in Jammu and Kashmir.
Prominent among others who welcomed the Shanti Yatri were Gandhians – Sr. Gurcharan Singh, G.N. Tantray, Bimla Slathia, Rana Ravinder Singh, Yog Raj Singh, Prabha Slathia, Jang Bahadur, Kastori Lal Bangotra, Dr. Ashaq Malik, Soba Ram, Majeed Malik and Kuldeep Gupta.