9/11 -- Apocalypse there, peace here: Lanuch of historical Satyagraha on the this date in 1906
The Hindu, New Delhi, 10 September, 2005

New Delhi: 9/11 is a date that changed the course of world history for all the wrong reasons. Usually remembered for its unforgettable images of the burning towers of World trade Center-the most televised terrorist attack in the world - a bunch of peace activists are hoping to change the association with another date closer "home" that altered history forever.

Hoping to resurrect the memory of an important event in Indian history, the Gandhi Peace Foundation is commemorating the birth of satyagraha which was also coincidently launched in 9/11, 1906.

In an attempt to bring alive the spirit of peace, they are carrying on the "satyagraha" in a different form into the next century.

"History sometimes takes such turns in the life of nations that in radically changes their relationship with themselves and with the rest of the world. Representing the contrary turns of history 9/11 of 2001 and 9/11 of 1906 stand face-to-face in juxtaposition, both challenge each other. It is no ordinary coincidence that on the same date that Satyagraha was born the would is once more in the throws extremist of violence and counter violence," feels Rajiv Vohra from the Gandhi Peace Foundation.

An invitation to turn violence into Peace, Gandhi Peace Foundation believes that it can get people to claim the right legacy.

Using the message and methods of Mahatma Gandhi, Swarajpeeth will collaborate with the Non-Violent Peace Force to initiate a process of dialogue among communities.

Starting September 11, a group of men and women will promise to uphold the Mahatma's principles of peace to be trained as "Shanti Sainiks"

From training for peace to spreading the message through the written word, the "Shanti Sainiks" will propagate the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi like he wrote it in "Hind Swarag".

They will study the relevant literature. They will also work in the area of promoting communal harmony, something that was very close to the Mahatma's heart.

While these "sainiks" will be protecting the spirit of satyagraha in India the Foundation hopes that they will then take the message of non-violence to different parts of the would.

The sainiks will work in areas other than their communities and also in other international theatres of violence.

More than 25 men and women will be chosen and to go douse the fires of violence in countries like Sri Lanka.

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NOTE: Because of Rajiv Vora's long association with Gandhi Peace Foundation (GPF), The Hindu has written GPF instead of Swarajpeeth. GPF has no association with this program or Swarajpeeth.