How can devp take place without peace, harmony?

 Media Coverage  |  09-04-2025

Asks Maha guv C P Radhakrishnan during Lokmat World Peace and Harmony Awards ceremony

Lokmat News Network

Mumbai

Stressing the indispensability of a peaceful and harmonious societal atmosphere for the ongoing process of development, Maharashtra governor C P Radhakrishnan asked, “how such progress could otherwise be achieved?”

On the eve of Bhagwan Mahavir Jayanti, Lokmat Media Group in association with Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti organised ‘Lokmat World Peace and Harmony Through Interfaith Dialogue’ and Lokmat World Peace and Harmony Awards ceremony in Mumbai on Tuesday. The governor was addressing the gathering at this event.

He said, “God did not create divisions between human beings then why should we? All religions are equal. Our country has a rich diversity of cultures and students should be introduced to this diversity from an early age. Schools and colleges should celebrate festivals of all religions. The contribution of saints to Maharashtra’s cultural and social development has been significant. Knowledge is not the monopoly of a select few and it were the saints who helped spread knowledge to the grassroots.”

Religious harmony and development are the need of the hour. People who come into Dr Vijay Darda’s life get attached to him like Fevicol. With just one phone call, many renowned personalities come to meet him. This rich network of people is highly valuable. He has achieved this success because he lives his life according to the teachings of Bhagwan Mahavir.”

— Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Maharashtra minister for Skill Development, Employment & Entrepreneurship.

Did the first human, who appeared on Earth 2.3 million years ago, bring a religion with him? When nature brings rain, does it differentiate between religions? If nature does not discriminate, then why should we? All religions promote good values and those are what we should embrace.”

— Dr P S Pasricha, Former DGP,

Maharashtra & chairman of Takhat Sachkhand

Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded.

We are plagued by problems such as divisiveness, violence and poverty. That is why the teachings of Bhagwan Mahavir, given 2,600 years ago, are still highly relevant today. In today’s context, we must acknowledge the existence of others just as we acknowledge our own. This is where non-violence begins.”

— Acharya Dr Lokesh Muni, Jain saint, social reformer & founder of World Peace Centre & Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti.

“The same affection that a mother has for her child should be extended to others in society. Religion teaches us non-violence, love and compassion. These values must be cultivated as we engage with society. Even within a household, four siblings often don’t agree. We must accept this natural tendency and learn to live together in harmony.”

— Dr Bhadant Rahul Bodhi, President of All India Bhikkhu Sangha.

‘Embrace humanity for world peace and harmony’

In 2001, the Lokmat Media Group had organised a National Inter-Religious Conference, the first such national initiative by a media house to promote peace and harmony in the country. We must understand our own religion properly and also understand other religions well. If we do this, social harmony will naturally flourish and then programmes like this may no longer be necessary. Unfortunately, we not only differentiate between religions but also within religions. This leads to unrest. Many forces are actively spreading this unrest to establish dominance. To overcome this and bring reform, the only path is to embrace humanity. Sadly, humanity is being left behind today. If spirituality and culture are deeply rooted, unrest will not survive. No religion teaches us to fight one another. Today, India is emerging as the world’s third major power. At such a time, religious conflicts are not acceptable. The answer lies in all of us staying united.”

— Dr Vijay Darda, Chairman of Editorial Board of Lokmat Media Group, former member of Rajya Sabha and founder president of Sakal Jain Samaj.

The award recipients

Distinguished individuals were honoured for their dedication to spreading peace and harmony through their social contributions alongside professional excellence:

nPradeep Rathod (Chairman & Managing Director, Cello World, Mumbai)

nPrithviraj Kothari (Director, RiddiSiddhi Bullions Ltd. and President, JITO, Mumbai)

nUjwal Pagariya (Managing Director, Pagariya Group, Nagpur)

nVishal Chordia (Director, Strategy & Marketing, Pravin Masale, Pune)

nNitin Khara

(Chairman & Managing Director, Confidence Petroleum India Ltd.)

nPrakash Dhariwal (Chairman & Managing Director, Manikchand Group, Pune)

nAnil Jain

(Refex Industries, Chennai)

nC C Dangi

specially honoured (National president, Bharat Jain Mahamandal)

On the eve of Bhagwan Mahavir Jayanti, Lokmat Media Group in association with Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti organised “Lokmat World Peace and Harmony Through Interfaith Dialogue” and Lokmat Global Peace and Harmony Awards ceremony in Mumbai on Tuesday. (Seen from left) Former DGP, Maharashtra & chairman of Takhat Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded, Dr. P. S. Pasricha, Jain saint, social reformer & founder of World Peace Centre & Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti Acharya Dr Lokesh Muni,  chairman of Editorial Board of Lokmat Media Group, former member of Rajya Sabha and founder president of Sakal Jain Samaj Dr Vijay Darda, governor of Maharashtra C P Radhakrishnan, governor of Bihar Arif Mohammad Khan, Maharashtra minister of Skill Development, Employment & Entrepreneurship Mangal Prabhat Lodha and president of All India Bhikkhu Sangha Dr. Bhadant Rahul Bodhi. The award winners (standing) are also seen.

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