Kalam, Dalai Lama launch new initiative to span civilisational clash

New Delhi, Jan 22 (UNI) A new global initiative to propagate the Indian method of conflict avoidance was today launched in the presence of leading spiritual and religious leaders and ex-President A P J Abdul Kalam.

The Global Foundation for Civilisational Harmony (India), a brainchild of media moghul Subhash Chandra, Intelligence Bureau's ex-director Ajit Doval and Delhi's former Lt Governor Vijai Kapoor, terms the ''clash of civilisations'' as a Western construct and monologue and its prevailing conflict resolution mode -- based on use of military hegemony -- unable to ensure lasting peace, and instead seeks to enhance the hitherto meagre Indian/Eastern contribution in the global debate on civilisational issues.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Dr Kalam stressed the importance of giving and generating enlightment as the most important duties, and necessary for avoidance of conflict.

Citing his address to the European Parliament in Brussels, the former President and distinguished scientist highlighted the importance of three things -- education with a value system, transforming religion into a spiritual force and removal of poverty.

In his address, Nobel Peace prize laureate and Buddhist leader the Dalai Lama noted that the start of the 21st century was not very healthy, with the same bloodshed and use of force to solve disputes that marked the previous century persisting.

''We must learn from the previous era. The destructive capacity of weapons has increased so much and with human emotion being what it is and liable to get out of control, the smallest issue can lead to great repercussions,'' he said.

Terming war 'the worst kind of violence' and ruling out it leading to any solution, the Dalai Lama noted that problems and conflicts were bound to happen, but should be resolved peacefully.

''Everything in the world is interdependent...the way is to have compassion for each other,'' he added.

Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha's Swami Dayananda Saraswati, who presided over the function, said eastern civilisations could immensely contribute to peace and it was time they were heeded to.

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