Kolkata: Taking a cue from the white rose movement, the non-violent intellectual way of opposing the Nazi regime, Apne Aap World Wide joined hands with 14 other NGOs, colleges and universities from Kolkata to spread the message of love and peace.
Like the rest of India, Kolkata too joined hands to condemn the Pulwana terror attack and the recent racial discrimination that the Kashmiri students, traders and tourists are facing across the country.
The participants from the various universities, women right activists and members of various non governmental agencies assembled at the Kolkata Press Club on Saturday to launch the #Red Rose campaign to spread the message of peace and harmony. The campaign aims at gifting a red rose to someone who is from a different religion, caste, sexual orientation and region to pledge love and friendship.
Talking to eNewsroom, Ayush Sarda of Ek Packet Umeed, “I was talking to Ruchira over the phone stating that the red rose is a symbol of love globally and at the same time it is a non-political symbol. So this is why ‘rose’ was selected,” said Sarda, the brain behind the campaign.
Journalist-turned-social activist Ruchira Gupta, added, “The students community need to be more proactive as they can bring in the change that the society needs. Hate cannot conquer hate, love alone can conquer hate.” Quoting Rabindra Nath Tagore, she said, “Humanity above everything so let humanity be our new religion. Let’s move ahead to foster friendly and humane relations with our fellow beings.”
Shaneena Javed, the feisty woman right activist from Raja Bazaar narrated one incident of her school days that has left an indelible mark on her psyche. “One day a friend of mine from school casually asked me whom will I support in a play off between India and Pakistan?” She then rhetorically, with a choked voice answered, “Like our forefathers we would be buried in this soil still people will question our love for India.”
When asked what she thought about the Red Rose Campaign, she said, “I think that this campaign should travel to every nook and corner of Bengal. A dialogue needs to be fostered so that people understands and supports us and in turn spread the message of love and harmony across society.”
Student activist of Presidency University, Rimjhim Sinha who participated with her team, narrated, “A 17-year-old boy was handed over to police because of his comment about the current political disturbance. He said that he doesn’t support war and stood firm in his conviction. He didn’t give into the adverse situation. The boy was granted bail, later.” Economist and women right activist Saswati Ghosh, chairperson of West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights Ananya Chakraborti, Reeta Chakravarty of Bangladesh Bharat Pakistan People’s Forum were present to support the campaign. Members of Syaam, Gender Bender, Know Your Neighbour, Yeh Mera India, students of Calcutta and Jadavpur Universities were also present at the occasion.
Taking a cue from the white rose movement, the non-violent intellectual way of opposing the Nazi regime, Apne Aap World Wide joined hands with 14 other NGOs, colleges and universities from Kolkata to spread the message of love and peace.
Like the rest of India, Kolkata too joined hands to condemn the Pulwana terror attack and the recent racial discrimination that the Kashmiri students, traders and tourists are facing across the country.
The participants from the various universities, women right activists and members of various non governmental agencies assembled at the Kolkata Press Club on Saturday to launch the #Red Rose campaign to spread the message of peace and harmony. The campaign aims at gifting a red rose to someone who is from a different religion, caste, sexual orientation and region to pledge love and friendship.
Talking to eNewsroom, Ayush Sarda of Ek Packet Umeed, “I was talking to Ruchira over the phone stating that the red rose is a symbol of love globally and at the same time it is a non-political symbol. So this is why ‘rose’ was selected,” said Sarda, the brain behind the campaign.
Journalist-turned-social activist Ruchira Gupta, added, “The students community need to be more proactive as they can bring in the change that the society needs. Hate cannot conquer hate, love alone can conquer hate.” Quoting Rabindra Nath Tagore, she said, “Humanity above everything so let humanity be our new religion. Let’s move ahead to foster friendly and humane relations with our fellow beings.”
Shaneena Javed, the feisty woman right activist from Raja Bazaar narrated one incident of her school days that has left an indelible mark on her psyche. “One day a friend of mine from school casually asked me whom will I support in a play off between India and Pakistan?” She then rhetorically, with a choked voice answered, “Like our forefathers we would be buried in this soil still people will question our love for India.”
When asked what she thought about the Red Rose Campaign, she said, “I think that this campaign should travel to every nook and corner of Bengal. A dialogue needs to be fostered so that people understands and supports us and in turn spread the message of love and harmony across society.”
Student activist of Presidency University, Rimjhim Sinha who participated with her team, narrated, “A 17-year-old boy was handed over to police because of his comment about the current political disturbance. He said that he doesn’t support war and stood firm in his conviction. He didn’t give into the adverse situation. The boy was granted bail, later.” Economist and women right activist Saswati Ghosh, chairperson of West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights Ananya Chakraborti, Reeta Chakravarty of Bangladesh Bharat Pakistan People’s Forum were present to support the campaign. Members of Syaam, Gender Bender, Know Your Neighbour, Yeh Mera India, students of Calcutta and Jadavpur Universities were also present at the occasion.
