Dear Friends,
Right from the nuclear arms race at the global level to increasing crime at the local level, all kind of violence is a matter of serious concern for anybody interested in the establishment of a just human order on this earth. The bargaining to attain a balance of stockpiles fo weaponery in which the politicians of the world are involved in the name of 'peace processes' is simply unacceptable. We dream of a completely arms free world. For a peaceful world order it is necessary that all nuclear weapons should be immediately destroyed and all nations of the world should reduce their defence budgets and start putting their resources in developmental activities. Simultaneously at the micro level violent tendencies would have to be given up.
The basis of an equitable society where systems of education, health, production, exchange and justice are accessible to all can only be human relationships based on trust. The narrow concept of security based on armament and an economy which primarily sustains on arms industry cannot be the basis for prosperity of society.
To express faith in the principle of non-violence, to assert that security can be derived form human relationships based on trust and not from any weapons, and for the establishment of a completely arms free society it has been decided to organize a 'padyatra' (march on foot). This march will be taken out between 11 May and 6 August, 1999, from Pokhran to Sarnath (via Delhi) in India. On 11 May 1998, Government of India conducted nuclear tests at Pokhran. 6 August is the Hiroshima day. Sarnath is a place connected with Buddha who stood for peace. The distance from Pokhran to Sarnath is 1500 kms.
We expect that people and organizations which essentially believe in the principle of non-violence will participate in this march in big numbers so that this program doesn't reduce to being mere opposition of Indian or US government's nuclear arms policy. A message should be strongly conveyed from this yatra that even now most of the people on this earth would like to live in a peaceful, non-violent and friendly society. People from different parts of the world are invited to participate in this march according to their ability and express their commitment for human values.
On 3rd january, 1999, a preparatory meeting for the march was organised at Lucknow. Click here to view the minutes of this meeting.
We seek your support for this march and request you to become part of its organization to make it a success.
Arundhati Dhuru
Vishwambhar Vidyarthi
Sanjay Rai
Bobby Ramakant
Arvind
Shanti Rai
Geo Jose
Suresh Khairnar
Sandeep
For more info. contact address:
Lok Abhiyan, Upkaram Karoti, Dayanand Sewa Sansthan,
Moti Nagar, Lucknow - 226004, U.P., India.
Phones:
91-522-347365 (Sandeep, Arundhati)
91-522-230819 (Vishwambhar Vidyarthi)
91-522-387509 (Sanjay Rai)
Click here to contact: asha@lw1.vsnl.net.in