Women's Federation for World Peace International (WFWPI) for UN Relations (New York) Director Merly Barlaan stressed the need for 'working together' in our pursuit of world peace. "Art can play a seminal role in connecting with people across cultures and continents," she added.    

Speaking as the Guest of Honour online as a part of the Art for Peace programme, a cultural evening in support of Asare, the special home for specially-abled children at Manipal, hosted by the Gandhian Centre for Philosophical Arts and Sciences (GCPAS), MAHE, she lauded the services and courses being offered by the GCPAS. It clearly demonstrates how art could be connected with peace-building exercises, she felt. 

Presiding over the function, MAHE General Services Director Col Prakash Chandra said India inherits the tradition of peace with Buddha, Tagore and Gandhi at its back."We should speak of peace from the position of strength," he stressed. Sri K S Jai Vittal, President, Asare Governing Council, thanked GCPAS for organising this event in support of Asare in particular. The GCPAS Head Prof Varadesh Hiregange explained how art could build bridges among countries when violence is writ large in every walk of life. 

The students and faculty of ecosophy, aesthetics, peace and art media held the 'art for peace' programme, essentially dance and music concerts, in order to support Asare. Vid Bhramri Shivapraksash of Nadanritya School of Dance, Managluru, vocalist Shravya S Basri, Ramya and Raksha Udupi of Darpana Dance Academy, GCPAS students Shikha Rana, Shravan Basri, Apoorva KN, Chinmayee V Balkar and Sagar Ada presented dance and music concerts.

Watch this event on youtube: https://youtu.be/i4ojr7Si3C0