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Mission of Spreading Peace Hosted by Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya

Writer's picture: GPF IndiaGPF India


- Shaivya Pathak



The Foundation Day of the Central University at Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar, on January 15, 2025, marked the beginning of a series of significant events focused on peace, leadership, and youth empowerment. The Foundation Day celebrations, which were the first program conducted, began with the signing of a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Dr. Harisingh Gour University and the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) India. This partnership is aimed at promoting research and training in various fields, including science, technology, peace-building, and leadership development. The MoU was signed by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Neelima Gupta, and the Chairperson of GPF India, Dr. Markandey Rai. In his keynote address, Dr. Rai emphasized the importance of youth in shaping the future and highlighted India's role as a peace-loving nation, offering a global message of unity and cooperation. He spoke passionately about India's rich philosophical heritage and the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – the world as one family – as a guiding principle for peace and leadership. 


The Foundation Day celebrations continued with addresses from Chancellor Kanhaiyalal Berwal and Vice Chancellor Prof. Neelima Gupta. Prof. Gupta highlighted the university’s role in innovation and education, particularly in promoting inclusive education, environmental protection, and the empowerment of women in leadership roles. Dr. Rai also launched a book titled Prajwalit Deepshikha, which was edited by Prof. Laxmi Pandey, exploring the personality and vision of Vice Chancellor Prof. Gupta. Dr. Rai’s own book, co-authored with Prof. Surendra Pathak, was also released during this time, offering valuable insights into peace and leadership. 


Following the formal proceedings, the students of the university presented a colorful cultural program, showcasing folk dances that conveyed the theme of unity in diversity. The day also saw the inauguration of the community college by Dr. Rai, who along with Dr. Surendra Pathak, addressed the youth, encouraging them to embrace leadership roles in building a peaceful society. This was followed by a Q&A session where the students had the opportunity to engage with the leaders, further enhancing their understanding of leadership and peace-building. 


Simultaneously, Ms. Priya Raghav, a trainer from GPF India, conducted the PeaceHub Campaign at the Government High School in Bamori, Sagar. This initiative reached out to students, teachers, and school principals, spreading the message of peace and community-driven peacebuilding at the grassroots level. On January 16, the Peace and Leadership Training program officially began, led by trainers Ms. Shaivya Pathak, Ms. Anjali Tyagi, and Ms. Priya Raghav. The training provided participants with a deep dive into universal principles, conflict resolution, and the role of youth in promoting peace. While Ms Shaivya explained the concept of peace through various exercises like mindfulness, introspection and retrospection,


Ms Anjali explained different types of conflict and how they can be dealt with at the local level through the art of dialogue and negotiation. She engaged groups of students into three different groups and gave them a conflicting situation between environmentalists and industrialists who wanted to set up a factory in a rural area. While a group of students were negotiators. Then, at last, the two groups facing conflict stated their concerns and opinions, and through negotiation of the third group, mutual consent was formed, and a comprehensive plan of holistic development was decided.


After this, Ms. Priya Raghav took a session titled “From Local to Global”, introducing PeaceHub and Global Peace Leadership Corps. She shared with the students the significance and impact of conflict resolution locally. Through an exercise, she gave the students the opportunity to practice and discuss solutions to local issues and problems.  She formed five groups of participants; gave them scenarios containing the problem statement; and initiated the participants into discussing simple but effective solutions to conflicting situations.

After the training, students received an orientation about the purpose, functions and structure of the ‘Youth Peace Club’ by Ms. Anjali Tyagi, and altogether, everyone present at the program pledged to become peacebuilders and changemakers for a peaceful future and many centuries to come. 


Simultaneously, the Chairman of GPF India, Dr. Markandey Rai, also recorded a special lecture on Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam based on the book Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: The Way Forward for Global Peace for publication on the UGC channel so that the message could reach countless learners and educators. The lecture shared insights on global harmony and leadership. 


On January 17, Dr. Markandey Rai, accompanied by Dr. Surendra Pathak, Professor L. J. University, Ahmedabad, and other members of the GPF team, visited Sanchi University of Buddhist Indic Studies. Their visit focused on exploring the peaceful teachings of Buddhism and fostering interfaith understanding as a tool for promoting global peace. There, they met with Prof.  (Dr.) Naveen Kumar Mehta, Registrar of Sanchi University of Buddhist-Indic Studies, who shared his understanding of the message of peace behind the emergence of Buddhism in the city of Sanchi. The group also paid homage to the Sanchi Stupa, a historical monument symbolising non-violence and the peace message spread by Emperor Ashoka. 


The series of events culminated in a powerful message of collective efforts needed to build a developed and peaceful India. Dr. Rai emphasised that India’s youth, fuelled by the values of peace and cooperation, play a crucial role in achieving this vision. The initiatives launched during the Foundation Day have laid the foundation for a long-term commitment to leadership development and peace-building, aligning with the university’s broader goals of creating a peaceful, inclusive, and progressive society. Through these efforts, Dr Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya has determined its key role in collaborating with GPF India to spread peace and foster leadership among the youth, contributing significantly to a harmonious and developed global community. 







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