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Youth of Mumbai takes the 'Pledge of Peace' on the outset of 26/11 [/b]
"Today and every day, I will bring peace to the world by respecting the dignity of life in myself and in everyone I meet"[/b]
Mumbai, November 22, 2013: The youth of Mumbai today vowed to spread peace & forgiveness by taking the 'Pledge of Peace' along with survivors of one of the most tragic incidents witnessed by Mumbai and the nation. The oath was administered at Welingkar Institute by Ms Kia Scherr, founder, One Life Alliance and Prof Dr Uday Salunkhe, Group Director, WeSchool, along with students from various city colleges and children from St Mary Shelter Home. The students from the International Universities attending exchange programs at WeSchool had also joined the ceremony, adding the global touch to the event.[/b]
The 'Oath of Peace' ceremony was part of the CSR initiative initiated by WeSchool students titled, 'We Wish You Peace' to celebrate the resilient spirit of Mumbai at the outset of the 5th anniversary of the 26/11 terrorist attack. [/b]
The evening culminated into a star studded fashion show where prominent celebrities did a peace walk to celebrate the relentless spirit of Mumbai and spread the message of peace along with the children from the St Mary’s Shelter Home, whose education for a year will be sponsored by WeSchool. [/b]
Talking on the occasion Ms Kia Scherr, Founder, One Life Alliance said, "After my husband and daughter were killed in 26/11 attacks, I am determined to create the opposite of terrorism - to love like an extremist so that we can increase the power of peace in as many ways as possible. The time has come to join together as one. Together we can make a difference.[/b]
"This is a mutual choice - I chose Welingkar and Welingkar chose me after I spoke to 200 students last year about my response to 26/11. The students came forward with so many creative ideas to increase peace around the city. I knew this would be an ongoing collaboration. This is just the beginning." added Ms Scherr.[/b]
"WeSchool’s core value "we link and care" has been our guiding principle. Understanding, empathy, compassion and peace have therefore become central to WeSchool's vision and agenda. Terror in any form be it the attack such as the one on 26/11, or the numerous attacks on women is sad. We need to study root cause and address it. Every individual has the power to make a difference and we must play an active role at our homes, in society and the nation at large to assimilate this. We strongly believe in initiatives such as "We Wish You Peace" and Kia Scherr's mission to spread the message of peace can help unite people, communities and nations. It is indeed our privilege to support this cause and help spread the message of peace." said Prof Dr Uday Salunkhe, Group Director, WeSchool.[/b]
WeSchool [/b]
Established in 1977, Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research (WeSchool) features among the premier Business Schools in India. Run by charitable Trust S.P. Mandali, Pune, all across the state of Maharashtra, WeSchool is ranked 10th among the top private B-Schools, 8th in international linkages by Forbes India in their best Business School survey in July 2011 and ranked 16th in Economic Times - India Inc’s Preferred B Schools survey 2011. [/b]
Mumbai, an urban business agglomeration sadly, has been the soft target of terrorists and thus, the onus is ours as academic cogs driving Mumbai, to send a message of peace to the entire world.[/b]
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One Life Alliance [/b]
It is an international NGO, co-founded by Kia Scherr, whose husband and daughter lost their lives in the terrorist attack on 26/11/2008. Kia is working towards a mission to reach youth, business, and government with the message of honouring life believing that, even those whose acts are based in violence and fear are worth saving. [/b]
Kia was brought to India for the first time, when President Barrack Obama introduced her to the city of Mumbai, where her loved ones were killed. Kia has been living in Mumbai for six months in a year and spearheading the Peace Initiative in association with the Government, Business Houses, Academic institutions and the Bollywood fraternity to spread the message of peace and goodwill by uniting people transcending nationalities, geography, race and caste. [/b]
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