Praise for a cause

Here is the local version of Nobel Peace Prize. City- based Sarhad foundation is all set to launch Bhagwan Mahavir World Peace Prize,inspiration behind which is the current unrest in Kashmir. The prize will consist of a cash prize worth Rs 11 lakh and memento. “Bhagwan Mahavir’s philosophy,though explored in religious manner has not yet been applied in common societal concerns. Gandhiji’s ideologies behind movements were drawn from those of Bhagwan Mahavir and that is exactly ehat we want to project. In order to promote his conflict management and peacekeeping theories,we have come up with this prize,” said Sanjay Nahar, founder,president,Sarhad Foundation.

With Southeast Asia as the targeted area,the prize will be given to people who have given immense contribution in the field of solving conflicts and maintaining peace. “We have a selection committee that consists of journalists,bureaucrats,justices and so on who would be selecting the nominees for the prize. The prime reason behind targeting Southeast Asia is because that is where his work is spread. Not only that,having peaceful neighbours is the key to ensuring the progress of our country as well,” added Nahar.

Expected to be declared next year onwards,this is the first of its kinds initiatives named after Bhagwan Mahavir. “We are in fact working on a conflict management centre called- Sarhad Research Centre for the Management of Counter Terrorism Conflict and Peace. One of the key aspects of the project is establishment of a huge library dedicated to the cause and over a lakh books have already been procured regarding the same,” Nahar said.

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