Caritas India Samvaad Peacebuilding program partner Meerut Sewa Samaj and Agra Dioceses of Social Service was involved in harmonizing minds and cultivating peace by engaging children and adolescent girls by observing International Yoga Day. This was done in a school, Madrasa, and respective communities. The auspicious occasion of Yoga Day served as a platform to disseminate the message of peace and inter-communal harmony.

Yoga was practised by scholars and students of Sarwat Mahmoodia Madrasa in Muzaffarnagar to demonstrate inclusiveness and inter-religious harmony. Meerut Sewa Samaj and Agra Dioceses of Social Service were lauded for this notable initiative in engaging with children and adolescent girls in discussions of peace and harmony. The idea behind the initiative was to provide youngsters with the required space for discourse on important values. Such an action would in turn help in nurturing a generation that values peace and encourage a harmonious society.

It was only befitting to promote the message of harmony in the city of love, Agra. Here a peace rally and a life skill training exercise were organized in Novari Village. Children and adolescent girls of different ages were actively involved as key participants in promoting peace and harmony for the development of society. The efforts of Caritas India and its partner Agra Diocese of Social Service to create awareness and sensitize communities on peace is a goal worth striving for. By organizing events like peace rallies and life skill training, they are actively engaging the community members, especially the youth, in understanding the importance of communal harmony in elevating overall development. Peace is a fundamental aspect of any society, and by instilling the values of peace and conflict resolution at a young age, we can help build a more harmonious and inclusive community. Such initiatives not only create awareness but also empower individuals with essential life skills that can contribute to their personal growth and the betterment of society.

The children from different schools marched in a rally to create awareness and sensitize the communities to live in peace and harmony. The engagement of adolescent girls was materialized through mehndi contests which were held in five villages of Baroli Ahir block of Agra. This contest aimed to develop the skills of young girls and foster unity among the community people.

Mehndi contests invited girls between the ages of 12 and 25, and the theme of “Peace and Harmony” was chosen to convey a deeper message to the participants and the community. By focusing on this theme, the Samvaad Program aimed to encourage the community to live together in peace and harmony, regardless of their differences. It served as a reminder that unity and cooperation are essential for building strong and peaceful communities. The success of the contest was seen in the enthusiastic response from the participants and the overall impact on the community. More than 120 girls took part, showcasing their creativity and originality through their mehndi designs. The designs varied in complexity and style, reflecting the unique personalities and artistic abilities of the competitors.

The community was highly impressed by the level of skill and effort demonstrated by the young girls. The competitions provided a platform for these girls to display their talents and express their artistic visions. It was evident that they had dedicated significant time and hard work to create their designs, resulting in beautiful and intricate patterns. Beyond promoting the art of Mehndi, the competitions conveyed a powerful message of unity and peace.

At the end of the event, it was realized that this initiative was highly successful in multiple aspects, which not only promoted the art form of Mehndi but also developed the skills of young girls. These events showcased the power of art to bring people together and create a positive and inclusive environment.