Students' celebrate World Peace Day in Jammu

Jammu, Sept 21 : Hundreds of school children lighted candles and sang hymns to mark World Peace Day in Jammu on Sunday.

In 1981 the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution declaring September 21 as 'World Peace Day'.

The students and their teachers prayed for peace in strife-torn Kashmir valley and the world at large.

Sister Phyllis, principal of a public school in Jammu stressed the need to maintain peace.

"It is very important to understand meaning of peace. It is a divine gift given to every one of us. Peace is within each one of us and on this day we want to give the message of peace to every person in our State, in our homes, in our society and the world at large," said Sister Phyllis.

Children appeared concerned about tensions in the Kashmir valley.

"In the current scenario need for peace is of utmost importance in the Jammu region and I would pray to everyone that normalcy returns to the valley soon. I hope that the issues between the Hindus and the Muslims are resolved peacefully and the region of Jammu and Kashmir once again moves ahead on the road to progress," said Harleen Kaur, a student.

A simmering land dispute has polarised Jammu and Kashmir and split it between the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley and the Hindu-dominated Jammu.

ANI