Grassroots leaders from across India join forces for peace and social justice

By A Representative

A nationwide campaign titled “Together for Tranquillity” has been launched to bring activists, organisations, persons with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ communities, Tribals, Dalits, and grassroots networks across India onto a single platform committed to peace, equality, and collective action. The initiative aims to build a support and vigilance network working toward a world free of violence, hatred, and conflict, while strengthening efforts to safeguard the planet.

A national online programme marked the formal launch of the campaign on November 14, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Representatives from women’s groups, child rights organisations, disability collectives, LGBTQIA+ networks, and Tribal and Dalit communities participated in the event, calling for renewed efforts toward peacebuilding and social justice.

The programme featured 36 speakers from 24 states and Union Territories and brought together more than 350 grassroots leaders, activists, networks, and organisations. Speakers highlighted persistent challenges faced by women’s movements globally, noting that entrenched patriarchy and gender inequality continue to limit women’s participation in decision-making across many countries.

Participants drew attention to rising violence and discrimination against women, children, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ communities, often rooted in gender, caste, religious, and social biases. They also discussed the deepening impact of conflict and humanitarian crises on marginalised groups in regions including Manipur, Kashmir, Ladakh, Assam, Gaza, and Ukraine.

Discussions underlined the need to view peacebuilding through the lens of gender rights, socio-economic and political realities, and the growing threats posed by climate change. Speakers also explored the intersections of peace, sexual and reproductive health and rights, environmental vulnerabilities, and identity-based discrimination.

Grassroots representatives from across the country shared lived experiences of violence, displacement, stigma, and climate-related challenges, reinforcing the campaign’s call for urgent, collective response.

The event concluded with a national pledge for unity, peace, environmental protection, and a future free from hatred, war, and discrimination. Organisers said the shared energy and solidarity demonstrated during the programme would drive continued advocacy and collaboration under the Together for Tranquillity campaign.

Neville Cardus: The man who turned cricket writing into poetry

By Harsh Thakor* Neville Cardus was one of the most remarkable literary figures of the twentieth century. A prolific English writer and critic, he achieved distinction in two vastly different fields: cricket and classical music. Entirely self-taught, Cardus rose from humble beginnings to become both the cricket correspondent and chief music critic of The Manchester Guardian . His achievements in these contrasting disciplines earned him widespread acclaim and established him as one of the foremost critics of his generation. In February 2025, the cricketing and literary world marked the fiftieth anniversary of his death, which occurred in February 1975.

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