On a peace mission, with Gandhi in mind

On October 2, twelve people of different nationalities set out to cover the globe on foot and do Mahatma Gandhi proud.

On October 2, twelve people of different nationalities set out to cover the globe on foot and do Mahatma Gandhi proud.

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They have a worthy purpose — to propagate non-violence and demand a world without wars. Over 90 days, this band of nomads will try to traverse 100 countries and cover 1.6 lakh kms.

Presently in India, their cause has gained prominence as the birthplace of the Mahatma, in whose spirit this World March was organised. Initiated on his birth anniversary, it aims to set a record of the greatest demonstration of peace.

Mumbai’s Bhairavi Sagar is the first Indian delegate to enroll for the journey. “A small effort often snowballs into a worldwide movement. Travelling the world for a cause is a great way to awaken the consciousness of the scores of people we meet along the way,” said Sagar (33), a market research professional involved with the NGO, The Humanist Movement that is navigating this project.

Founder Rafael de la Rubia introduced World Without Wars in 1995, an organisation that focuses on campaigns for worldwide nuclear disarmament. “Some countries that have offered to have us march through are also arms manufacturers. We want that the countries dismantle their nuclear weapons, divert the budget for arms and ammunition towards human welfare, sign non-aggression treaties and we want that war no longer be a means to resolve conflict,” Rubia said.