Saturday, August 22, 2009

Give Peace a Chance

News Editor, *Barodian gets communal harmony award* - The Times Of India - India
Tuesday, August 18, 2009

It was a case of exemplary courage. If not for Abdul Qureishi, Kalpesh Pawar of Vadodara might not be alive today. Pawar can't thank Qureishi enough for saving his life from a rioting mob on June 26, 2007, risking his own.

Last week, Qureishi was conferred the Kabir Puraskar by the Central government for communal harmony. He displayed rare physical and moral courage in saving the life of Pawar and two Hindu families during the 2006 communal riots in Vadodara.

The award is named after Kabir, the Sufi saint instrumental in promoting communal harmony among various sects.

Till now, four individuals from the state have got the award. The national award recognizes acts of physical or moral courage displayed by individuals who, at great personal risk, protect life and property of a member of another caste, community or ethnic group during communal riots, caste conflicts or ethnic clashes.

Pawar had gone to Reshamwala Khancha in Yakutpura where he found himself surrounded by a violent armed mob that would have hacked him to death.

Says Qureishi describing the ordeal, "I got to know about Pawar's plight. I barged into the mob facing blows on my body and was nearly lynched. But, I was able to rescue him from the irate mob."

It was a gratifying experience to save a life. He also realized the futility of communal tension which serves no purpose but creates enmity among people, he adds.

"After all these years of senseless violence, it's time to give peace a chance. There are differences everywhere but violence is not the solution to deal with them. It's important to have regular dialogues among all communities on all issues to bring about harmony," says Qureishi.

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Saturday, August 22, 2009

Give Peace a Chance
News Editor, *Barodian gets communal harmony award* - The Times Of India - India
Tuesday, August 18, 2009

It was a case of exemplary courage. If not for Abdul Qureishi, Kalpesh Pawar of Vadodara might not be alive today. Pawar can't thank Qureishi enough for saving his life from a rioting mob on June 26, 2007, risking his own.

Last week, Qureishi was conferred the Kabir Puraskar by the Central government for communal harmony. He displayed rare physical and moral courage in saving the life of Pawar and two Hindu families during the 2006 communal riots in Vadodara.

The award is named after Kabir, the Sufi saint instrumental in promoting communal harmony among various sects.

Till now, four individuals from the state have got the award. The national award recognizes acts of physical or moral courage displayed by individuals who, at great personal risk, protect life and property of a member of another caste, community or ethnic group during communal riots, caste conflicts or ethnic clashes.

Pawar had gone to Reshamwala Khancha in Yakutpura where he found himself surrounded by a violent armed mob that would have hacked him to death.

Says Qureishi describing the ordeal, "I got to know about Pawar's plight. I barged into the mob facing blows on my body and was nearly lynched. But, I was able to rescue him from the irate mob."

It was a gratifying experience to save a life. He also realized the futility of communal tension which serves no purpose but creates enmity among people, he adds.

"After all these years of senseless violence, it's time to give peace a chance. There are differences everywhere but violence is not the solution to deal with them. It's important to have regular dialogues among all communities on all issues to bring about harmony," says Qureishi.

No comments: