Peace Icon on the show
Peace is indispensable for progress of human society, no matter if some take up arms for change and equality.
Arms and violence bring destruction, hatred, detestation, abhorrence, cruelty but peace inculcates love, brotherhood, fraternity, cooperation and progress.
In 1963, Martin Luther King Jr proved that change is possible through peaceful ways, while it was called an outdated means, and such change would be stronger and everlasting compared to change by mean of violence.
A day after the government and the Maoists signed the deal to begin the process of establishing permanent peace in the country; a pictorial biography exhibition began in Nepal Art Council galley on the theme ‘the power of one’.
The exhibition portrays the important events in the life of three prominent peace icons – Mahatma Gandhi of India, Martin Luther King Jr of the US and Daisaku Ikeda of Japan.
Gandhi is revered for national freedom through peace, King for upholding the human rights of blacks in America and Ikeda for promoting peace, fraternity and feelings of brotherhood propagated by the Buddhist philosophy. These three people have sought to forge an existence filled with dignity, freedom and happiness for all people around the world.
Change cannot bring progress unless it is non-destructive and the initiator has feeling of love for all. As Gandhi said, “In the moment of our trial and our triumph, let me declare my faith, I believe in loving my enemies.”
At a time we begin our peaceful transition, the stories of these three peace idols would help the people, especially the youngsters, for internal change in their perspectives to believe in peace and love, says Nabin Manandhar of Soka Gakkai Nepal, the organiser of the art exhibition.
He further said it cannot be guaranteed that violence will not re-appear so our efforts is to teach people that positive and lasting progress is possible through peace and love like these leaders did.
The exhibition is the exclusive show of the works by these three world leaders, hurdles and challenges they faced, and changes they finally brought in for all’s welfare.
The organisers attempt to exhibit the diversity of these leaders’ achievements makes it easier for the visitors to quickly know what the person did to achieve what they did. However, low quality pictures, photos dominated by texts and less information of their contribution to mankind make the exhibition not too impressive to carry its value in the present context of Nepal.
The exhibition runs through November 9 to 19.
Published in nepalnews.com