Humanity and Peace are the fundamental need of human beings and each individual strives for establishing the same to live a happy and peaceful life. Media is the most significant channel of information and communication in various formats – print, electronic and digital content. Due to the enhanced role of media in the society, promoting humanity and fostering a culture of peace also becomes an integral responsibility for media.

Peace is not something that has to be talked about only for the world, but it is the most fundamental basic utmost inner need of every human being. It is not the subject of mind but of the heart. It has not to be defined or put into the golden box of philosophies. Heart wants experience of the truth. Truth provides contentment and then you are at peace. Who will take the initiative to let one and all know about the inner kingdom where peace dwells in everyone’s heart?

Youth Peace Foundation took the responsibility of creating the ‘Culture of Peace’ amongst each and every individual. On the occasion of Lohri (13th January, 2015) YPF organized an event competitions on ‘Art for Peace’ and ‘Write for Peace’ at St. Stephens Community (NGO), Sunder Nagari, East Delhi which provides facilities like food and education to nearby slum kids. About 60 students participated and their write-ups and drawings were very unique as well as inspiring and meaningful.

The event was inaugurated by Dr. Amod Kumar, MD, St. Stephen Community and Mr. Dev Raj, MD, Emmanuel Seva Group. They stressed how important are food, education, and Peace as the basic necessities for a human being. Best four students were awarded certificates by YPF.

At the end Mr. Dev Raj introduced a revolutionary concept and encouraged all to introduce oneself as “I am Peace”.

Peace is not a relationship of nations. It is a condition of mind brought about by a serenity of soul. Peace is not merely the absence of war. It is also a state of mind. Lasting peace can come only to peaceful people.

Youth Peace Foundation believes to accomplish great things by spreading the culture of peace to every corner of the world to make the idea of “lasting peace” come true. A sign up for peace campaign was organized by East Delhi YPF Team at V3S Mall Nirman Vihar on Wednesday, 26 November 2014.

More than 100 people participated in this activity and took a pledge by signing the pledge board with some enthusiastic thoughts like “Peace begins with me” …“Peace is not an imagination”… “Peace is from within not without” etc

Among the Participants many of them were even interested in Joining YPF as a volunteer to spread this beautiful message of peace.

Major attractions of this activity were Face sketches offered by Known Artist and Youth Peace Fest Introductory Videos. The activity was made successful by the dedication of nearly 20 volunteers.

Because as they say, to accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.”

Although the fragrance of flower is within itself but it cannot be seen. The only way to enjoy it, is to feel it. Water have the quality and capacity of quenching thirst but it is also not visible. It can be felt only by drinking it. Similarly Peace is with in us but it needs to be felt.

Youth Peace Fest (YPF), with the power of youth, have taken the responsibility to spread awareness about the Peace, so that each individual on this earth can realise the need of it. An event was conducted by East Delhi team of volunteers, on Sunday 16th November, 2014 at Elite International School, Sonia Vihar.

Around 72 students (12-30 years) participated in ‘Write for Peace’ and ‘Talk for Peace’. Students from nearby institutes like IIPL, WINDIAZ, IIAT and ADARSH INSTITUTE also participated.

Chief Guest Chaudhary Surendar Singh, Vice President , Agriculture Produce and Marketing Committee and Mr. Rohtash Kumar, SHO, Sonia Vihar inspired the students to follow the culture of peace and thanked the YPF team for all the efforts for such a noble cause.

Three best students for each activity were given awards. It was a successful activity aimed towards recognizing the power of love to recognise Peace.

“Yeh Diwali Peace Wali” 

With this motive YOUTH PEACE FOUNDATION started a No Crackers this Diwali Campaign to connect to Society and aware people, especially today’s youth about the fact that “fire crackers may bring momentary joy to people but will also produce a lot of noise and air pollution”. Volunteers from all over INDIA participated in this campaign to make this Diwali Peaceful and Pollution Free.

The campaign was initiated in Delhi on 21^st October for this various stalls were arranged at City Centre Mall; Rohini to educate people about the harms caused by fire crackers, not only to environment but also to old people, asthma patients, infants and hospitalized patients.

Then a pledge ceremony was organized in which people took pledge not to burn crackers and wrote it on the pledge tree / wishing tree. The main attraction of the campaign was offering a free sketch on the spot from a well known sketch artist, which was offered to those who made a commitment for this cause. A separate stall was arranged to display the introductory of video of YOUTH PEACE FEST to those who were interested in knowing about the movement.

The campaign was continued on 22^nd October also where a walk for awareness for a pollution free Diwali was organized in Bahadurgarh, Haryana. The MLA of that region Mr. Naresh Kaushik and many other local people participated with the aim to light up their Diwali with Diyas & sweets and not fireworks. Many media houses also covered this activity/campaign and showed their enthusiasm with their presence.

The 2 day campaign was concluded with lighting up the lantern balloons which was an effectual way to say that Diwali can be peaceful and without Noise and Air pollution, if we are committed.

YOUTH PEACE FOUNDATION this time took a valuable step for a Green future and a sustainable environment.

As the Youth Peace Fest initiative becomes global with more Countries joining the Campaign, a meeting was held on 12th and share both global and local perspectives with Mr Paul Bloomfield, an International PR persona. 80 people involving many members of YPF Delhi Event Team, YPF core Team and GPI Team, participated in the meeting. The Meeting was hosted by YPF Director Mr Anjan Pandey, who started with a welcome note and then put the agenda of the day before the attendees which included YPF future plans, sharing thoughts on putting YPF on a global platform in a better way and planning for YPF Grand Festival together with other Countries. Then, a brief video on Peace Day Report was shown. It was followed by a brief Presentation about YPF given by PR and Media Team member Smrita Parmar. The Presentation showed YPF Vision, activities it is involved in, big events organised by it, its achievements so far and future Plans. The Presentation was quite informative as it gave a picture of how YPF has been able to reach to lakhs of People spreading a culture of Peace among the Youth. It was followed by some videos shown by Mr Paul revealing the wonderful work on Peace being done by Mr Prem Rawat , which was appreciated by all those present in the Hall. Afterwards, Mr Paul was invited to share his thoughts with the participants. Mr Paul said that he was amazed by the excellent effort being put by YPF india to connect to the people in its quest to spread peace. He also appreciated the YPF India videos shown during the meeting. He shared many wonderful ideas like how YPF could play even greater role by involving in humanitarian activities like Clean City and open defecation free Villages , Clean River campaigns etc. He further added that apart from hosting big events, small campaigns with different themes could be organised regularly. YPF should emerge as a platform where people can come and enjoy peace without any restrictions and compulsions.

On global perspective he said that YPF teams are being formed in many more Countries and expert team involving members from different Countries could be formed to establish YPF on global level. He further said that YPF india is doing a good work and experienced members from the team could go to newer Countries to share their experience and train people there. Participants also asked their queries from Mr Paul. The idea of YPF Team members taking part in Disaster Management in coming time was also discussed. This was followed by an Open House Session about future plans of YPF and strategy to be adopted. The meeting ended with the responsibility being taken by participants to keep continuing to spread the message of peace among the people.

The environment in the rural area is much simpler than the urban places. So are the rural people. Certainly the facilities and amenities are not of that urban standards but the simplicity inspires.

This school is situated in a village. Proper lighting system was not there. But the Principal and staff  were very cooperative and they easily understood the importance of our mission Art for Peace.

86 students participated in Art for Peace competition and showed their creativity and imagination. One of the teachers requested, “You should conduct such an activity for teachers also.” A wonderful response, we could ever think of.

Mrs. Sunita Gaud, Principal appreciated the YPF team and this campaign. One of the caretakers told about this activity to her daughter a college student and she also participated in it. The whole programme was wonderful experience.

As rightly said by one of the Students “Peace begins within me.”

This is the school I completed my primary education from. This helped me a lot in seeking permission for the event. This school is situated a bit away from the main road in RWA society. It helped us having a peaceful environment in the school. The school had a very good ventilation system, nice blackboards, and many more plus points. Above all the place was fully education oriented.

90 students participated in Art for Peace competition. Many new ideas were presented by the students. Few painted the figures of Mahatma Gandhi and Shaheed Bhagat Singh. The principal and teachers never imagined such type of a campaign which is totally for the inner peace & basic welfare of the children.

The Principal was so impressed that he permitted the YPF team to organize such events in other branches of this school also.

Truly said “ Peace begins in the heart of each person”.

A walk for Peace was organised on the occasion of International Peace Day, 21^st September. Around 3500 people, mostly youth came together to be a part of the walk for Peace, which took place on the 3.5 km stretch around Yamuna Sports Complex, Delhi. It took place peacefully, enjoyed and appreciated by all the participants. Aim was to make people realise that Peace is possible whatever may be the conditions in our lives. All the Participants were then escorted to the Show Court of the Yamuna Sports Complex, where 120 minutes programme was held to celebrate the Peace Day. It opened with a scintillating Live performance of musical band Ghumakkad enjoyed by one and all. A Video showing how today Youth think about Peace is was then shown. Mr Mahesh Chandra Saini, CEO, Lansdowne Cantonment Board was the Guest of Honour,  who spoke of realizing the importance of peace  and how one can excel in this Life. Two Video presentations revealing the good Work being done by Mr. Prem Rawat and Geremy Gilly were then shown. Mr Prem Rawat, also known as Ambassador of Peace across the world, has been committed towards bringing peace to people’s life. Geremy Gilly, founder of Peace One Day, has a vision of achieving Peace for one and all. Participants seemed appreciating their good work.

Mr R. K. Rai, Rtd. IG, was the Special Guest. He talked how today Youth can plays a great role in bringing Peace to everyone’s life. He then asked everyone present to take three vows of Listen, Respect and Learn, which was promptly accepted.

The whole Show Court was filled with great Zeal and spirit.

The event ended with once again a mesmerizing performance of Ghumakkad. People were so awestruck that they didn’t want to leave. Everybody left with a cheerful smile on the face and a wonderful message of Peace in their heart.