At the Mumbai Festival forum, held in partnership with Hindustan Times, talks on forging a culture of peace converged with the looming issue of climate change.
Aroon Tikekar, chairman of the Asiatic Society, initiated the debate with Mumbai’s example of resilience. He eulogised city’s
history, diversity and grit in the face of calamity.
Seminar’s most stirring appeal was made by eco-feminist, physicist and author Vandana Shiva, who raised the issue of our ongoing assault on Earth, farmer suicides, violence of genetic engineering and economics of food warfare.
“We didn’t listen to nature’s silence, her songs and we are ignoring her screams. The great wars maybe over but there are small wars including in our homes,” said Shiva.
Sanjay Chaturvedi, professor of political science at the Punjab University, defined peace in the context of environmental justice. “Peace will be ensured once everyone has security and access to resources,” he said and then proceeded to discuss threat of climate- induced migrations.