Looking Back, Conjuring Memories

Of all those moments which helped us to learn, share and grow for a more peaceful and
happy world, together.
Mountains, myths, magic and memories….. From conferences to charismatic leaders. From
interactions to interjections …. From fun and frolic to fraternal discussions. Everything put
together sums up to the recent Kathmandu visit of the Indian Representatives in the
International Peace Conference and Leadership workshop organized by Universal Peace
Federation International. Indeed it was a memorable visit for me in many ways. First of all I was
selected to represent India on an international level where delegates from 27 Asian countries
came together to discuss about ‘The role of youth in Nation Building’. I got a chance to interact
with people from Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, Philippines, Nepal and many
more countries. I also got awarded as the ‘Collegiate Ambassador For Peace‘ by UPF and World
CARP. World CARP, as it stands for World Collegiate Association for Research of Principles, is a
worldwide organization which strives to incorporate young minds in International peace
building processes through College Peace Clubs and increased participation of dynamic youth in
the society. On the very first day we went to attend the World Carp Convention and Concert on
31st of August at Tribhuwan Army Officers’ Club Auditorium where students from all over the
world were invited and felicitated with the award of Collegiate Ambassadors for Peace. Four
students from India were selected for the award and two of them were from St. Stephen’s
College, Delhi including I , Prerna Singh and Preethish Raja. We also had the privilege to listen
to few very reputed International Leaders like Thomas J. Walsh, Dr. Chung Sik Yong, Mrs. Ursula
Mclackland and others. After that we enjoyed a very interesting and fun filled concert which
acquainted us with the culture and vividness of Nepal. After attending the concert we went
back to our respective hotels. Next day in the morning at 4:30 am we went to the hotel Yak and
Yeti to attend the “Hoon Dok Hae”, the morning prayer ritual for True Parents. Around 600
people were present there to attend the ritual. We sang holy songs and prayed for the well
being of true parents and success of the peace building mission. After this purifying ritual, we
went to the peace embassy and sang holy songs. After that we attended the International
Leadership Workshop in the Peace Embassy and got a chance to interact with Mr. Yutaka
Yamada, Mr. Kamol Thananopavern, Engr. Julius Maclicdem and Dr. Kook Jin Moon on various
topics. After that I presented my testimony on behalf of the students. I was the only student
who got a chance to present a testimony on behalf of all the student participants involved with
UPF and World Carp so it wasn’t like representing India on an International level but more like
representing the future generation in front of the Current Generation. And I can swear to the
fact that it was one of the most challenging tasks I’ve ever undertaken. I am used to addressing
huge crowds and bigwigs but this time it was definitely something else. It was a huge, very huge
responsibility. It was more of a promise. I could see billions of faces, young brilliant minds with
shining and glistening eyes which had only one dream in them- a peaceful and happy world. A
fraternal world, which is devoid of any walls, any borders and any prejudices based on caste,
class, creed, color or race. And the eagerness with which those eyes were looking at me, sent
shudders down my spine. The only thing which was hovering over my mind was that will I be
able to mould their aspirations into my words and convey it to the huge crowd sitting in front of
me, or to the delegates who are in charge of taking decisions at this very moment? Or to those
countries who are busy in building up more walls and less bridges? I honestly didn’t know. But
when I looked up and saw the shine in those expecting eyes, I was full of hope and optimism
that yes, if I am representing the youth, I shall be fearless, for no apprehensive mind can bring
down a revolution. And then it was when I delivered that speech which, I think, came straight
from the bottom of my heart because it was something which connected me to the clarion call
of humanity- building a peaceful world. I started with the words which I thought were apt for
the moment and initiated my speech with this-

“Most respected and honored guests on the dais and all the youth leaders present over here, I ,
Prerna Singh, a student representative of St. Stephen's College, Collegiate Ambassador of Peace
and a Peace Club member wish a very warm good evening to all of you on the behalf of the 1.2
Billion strong nation- India.
As I stand here to represent the aspirations and expectations of a peace loving country. I can
see billions of hands rising up in prayer, in unison to the universal, intrinsic and omnipotent
religion known as- PEACE.
Dear brothers and sisters who are listening to me right now,
as we all know that today we are living in a world which, according to Gurudeb Rabindra Nath
Thakur, is fragmented by narrow domestic walls. Chaos , selfishness, corrupt behavior have
become order of the day and in this hustle and bustle of so called notion of Modernity, we have
lost our true essence - that is being human. Isn't it? I guess everyone agrees with me. So why
are we here? We are here not because we are fighting for our survival but because we have
understood our responsibilities, as human beings, as pure souls, as messengers of the eternal
religion of mankind - peace, and above all - the supreme Lord. Yes, God Almighty. Youth is the
torchbearer of change and when the youth awakes, no one in this world can stop it. All the
young brothers and sisters who are going to be the future leaders and not only leaders but
enlightened souls, here is a promise from the land of peace and ahimsa, that the message of
love and peace was , is and will be an integral part of the conduct of our youth. World CARP,
as it stands for World Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles, has taken up the
herculean task to pioneer in such a chaotic world for such a noble cause. Our heart goes out
and bows to Father and Mother Moon, our parental figures of World CARP and yes, young
Leaders, the pledge of purity shall be our guiding angel. Peace is rather a process than a result.
Once you achieve it, you've to maintain it. So, the youth, Can I trust you? If yes, then on the
basis of this trust I can promise the current generation that the world is in secure hands. Past
can not be brought back and corrected, it is 'Now' what matters and can influence our future.
Youth is the present of the world and youth is going to change the future.
First of all I would like to thank World CARP for inviting us to participate in this historical
event. Yes, Respected guests and my dear brothers and sisters, this evolution of youth into a
completely new phase is going to be a turning point in the history of mankind. I would also like
to thank Reverend Rajakumar Clement, Vice Principal, St. Stephen's College and Mr. Krishna
Adhikari, Secretary General, UPF India for making Peace Club as a global venture , including the
most dynamic section of our society- the students. This is officially my first visit to Nepal so I
would like to thank all of you for such a warm welcome and an unforgettable experience.
Thank you so much everyone. Have a nice time.”
When I ended my speech, I could see those faces smiling. I could see a ray of hope descending
upon myself, scattering all the way in the universe. That was the divine touch which I could
feel slowly emerging from the crowd. To me, to the delegates and to the entire earth, gripping
it in its warm embrace, yes, that was hope. And I could see that the world was, indeed, in
secure hands now. After delivering my speech, we all interacted with the leaders. It was
an unforgettable experience. After that we went to our respective hotels, had dinner and
retreated to our rooms. Next day we went to attend a campaign by UPF which was titled as
Clean and Green Nepal which was a garbage separation education programme. We all gathered
in Ratna Park, one of the biggest parks of Kathmandu and started the cleaning campaign
alongwith the students from Nepal , Japan and other countries. After finishing it, we all went
for sightseeing in Kathmandu. We went to Pashupatinath Mandir and spent some time there.
After that we went to the local markets and did some shopping with whatever Nepali Currency
we were left with. After shopping and eating traditional food there, we came back to the
embassy and left for India that night, leaving behind the beautiful sceneries of Kathmandu and
taking back unlimited memories of learning , sharing and growing.
- Prerna Singh