The play circle formed by children kept expanding as people watching from inside their homes, balconies and lanes joined the young participants spontaneously, learning from their enthusiasm and positivity towards other communities.
On the 3rd of October--a lazy Saturday afternoon--Lallubhai Compound was transformed into a cheerful, colorful, open space for young people to air their views on Peace. Khula Aasman Trust Mumbai and Doctors For You organized a ‘Walk for Peace’ program to celebrate World Peace Day. Officially known as The International Day of Peace, it is observed annually on September 21st, throughout the world. It aims to strengthen and promote the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. More than a hundred young people (ages 6 to 14) came together for a one-kilometer rally to “Walk for Peace”. They marched from Lallubhai Compound Mankhurd to Market Ground, Lallubhai Mankhurd, Mumbai.
Lallubhai Compound, an example of the ‘vertical slum’, is a large residential colony located in eastern, suburban, Mankhurd. The residential colony is a cluster of 65 buildings and was created under the Slum Rehabilitation Act (SRA). It is now home to about 10,000 people, who were shifted from slums in both Chembur, Kurla, and Matunga railway stations. This motivated group of young people proclaimed their dream of a ‘World without war & violence’. Their aspirations placed on banners and placards expressed their demand for peace and development:
"A World where young people can realize their full potential" "Peace is a Family Value!" "SAY NO to Communal Violence."
The prime attraction of the rally was a ‘PEACE FLAG’ made by young children from Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist communities displaying their visions of peace and solidarity in the world, both within the country and in their neighborhood. The rally was marked by various slogans: "Chalo chaley hath badhaye, Shanti ke liye sath mein aayen" (Come, let's go and extend our hands, and come together for peace), "Sanskruti sabki alag hain, lekin hum sab ek hain" (Our cultures are different, but we are one). The practitioners and trainers of Khula Aasman Play for Peace Club (Mankhurd, Mumbai) were Archana Magar, Neelu Grover & Anup Talwar. They organized fun-filled peace games with the young participants. The play circle formed by children kept expanding as people watching from inside their homes, balconies, and lanes joined the young participants spontaneously, learning from their enthusiasm and positivity towards other communities. For the participants, the organizers kept small mementos, snacks, and group pictures at the Doctors For You office. Khula Aasman Trust Director, Sarita Ganesh, Ganesh Nochur, Founder member of Khula Aasman, Dr. Amit & Baljeet Klal from Doctors for You, thanked all for their wholehearted participation. Doctors for You, a pan-India humanitarian organization that focuses on providing medical care to the most vulnerable communities, has been providing comprehensive health services through two community health centers in Govandi and Mankhurd. Khula Aasman Trust is one of the few organizations in Mumbai using creative art and body-based programs to bring about social change. It also aims to enhance the mental health of marginalized sections of society. Both organizations assured the keen youthful group of their full support in developing Lallubhai Compound as a place for peace, harmony, and social change. [gallery ids="3640,3637,3639,3642,3638,3635,3636,3634,3633,3631,3632,3630,3629,3628,3625,3627,3624,3623,3616,3620,3622,3618,3617,3613,3612,3615"]
