A warm welcome to SHANTI YATRA was accorded at Kalyanpura on its second day. The Yatra is organised by PIPFPD and people from 12 states are taking part from it, apart from hundreds of people from villages in nearby districts and areas of Rajasthan. The people of KP welcomed the Yatra with song, dances and garlands.

 

Dismissing rumours by vested interests and communal forces, Munawwar Rahi, Convener of SHANTI YATRA said, "the Yatra will not breach peace nor create any tension between the communities, but would only enhance dialogue and strengthen the relationship between communities. We are open for dialogue on any issue." He further said that the Yatra refuses to seek police protection, even when there are threats to it from communal forces and vested interest mafia. The district collector and senior police officers are appraised about these threats.

 

Expressing commitment to peace, people from different villages participated in the peace programmes, even on the second day of the three fifty kilometers long Yatra, from Jodhpur to Pak-India border town of Munabao. Rastha foundation Pune and Indian drama and entertainment academy Mumbai are performing plays with the message of peace, in the Yatra. The Urdu play, NAQAAB, played by the Rastha Foundation has won national and international claim.

 

Mr. Rahi announced at a press conference today that the Panchayat Samiti at Ramsar (Rajasthan) has donated six acres of land near the Pak India border for a BAGICHA-E-AMAN (Peace Park) to PIPFPD. PIPFPD is committed to develop it into a place mobilising peace and justice.

 

Students of Government College Barmer, will join the Shanti Yatra in cycles on December 21^st. The 'Cycle Yatra' is expected to have moiré than 50 cycles.

 

Noted film artists, Mahesh Bhatt and Suhasini Mulay would also join the Yatra on December 21^st.