Religious leaders urged to work for peace

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 15 January 2003, 04:22 GMT]
"Religions have been the cause for more than seventy five percent of the wars that took place in the world. There will be no progress in this country without peace. Religious leaders should play a vital role in bringing peace," said Mr.B.K.Ramesh Bhai Shah of Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centre in a meeting at the management centre of the North East Provincial Ministry of Education, sources said.

Mr. Shah further said, "many religious leaders are now engaged in instigating violence in the name of their faith to achieve their own ends. Instead of uniting the people religions are now being used to divide the people."

Ms.B.K.Usha Shah Ben and Mr.B.K.Ramesh Bhai Shah were the chief guest and the guest of honour at the event held Monday evening and gave a discourse on the "Leadership based on value and principles" and "Challenges of Change" respectively.

North East Provincial Chief Secretary Mr.S.Rangarajah in his welcoming address said that the country has been reduced almost to ashes due to the twenty year old war and more than one hundred thousand people have been displaced. " Before us we have an immense task of rebuilding our war-ravaged province," he said.

Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centre is a branch of the Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Spiritual University, which is a non-governmental organization affiliated to the United Nations Department of Public Information and in consultative status with the UNICEF.

The university has co-ordinated several projects including "The Million Minutes of Peace Appeal," Global Co-operation for a Better World" and "Sharing Values for a Better World.

Mr. Ramesh Bhai Shah further said that politicians adopt divide and rule policy to achieve their selfish motives. Good leadership is needed to provide better future for the people.

Mr. Ramesh Bhai Shah and Ms. Usher Bhai Ben are on a tour in the island delivering discourses on various topics including how to develop leadership and promoting self-management leadership training programme



(L-R) Ms B.K.Usha Shah Ben, Mr.B.K.Ramesh Bhai Shah and Mr.S.Rangarajah, NEPC Chief Secretary