A Revelation: 9/11- 9/11 A Centuary Apart
National Herald, New Delhi, 8 September, 2005

Herald News Service

New Delhi: Two time- changing events targeted similarly but in totally dissimilar ways. Happened on the same date: 9/11, reveal the ultimate choice between violence and non-violence.

9/11, 1906 the story of the birth of Satyagraha in South Africa forms an extraordinary illustration of a battle of the human soul against overwhelming material force.

9/11, 2001 the day of terrorism and counter-terrorism, sanctions the cycle of violence and counter-violence; 9/11,1906 is the day of the birth of Satyagraha, breaking of the vicious cycle of 'an eye-for an eye', which can only render the whole world blind.

Soul force of the power of truth can never be terrorized, much less could it be 'smoked out'.

The 'Advent of Satyagraha' as Gandhiji calls, it was a combined action of Hindus, Muslims and others.

In order to carry forward the spirit of Satyagraha, 'Swarajpeeth'and 'Non violent Peaceforce' initiated a process of dialogue amongst communities. With an interactive public meeting in Delhi on 9/11-2003 and a yearly, commemorative programme and action plan for organizing Nonviolence Peaceforce, (Shanti Sena) to solemnize the agonizing event and its aftermath.

This year's programme on Friday will feature Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, Maulana Anzar Shah Kashmiri, Sheikhul Hadis, Dr Syed Hamid, Nirmala Deshpande and Atif Hameed (Pakistan) among others.

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