Passover, or ‘Pesach’ in Hebrew, is a Jewish holiday commemorating the liberation of Jews from enslavement in Egypt. The holiday commemorates God ‘passing over’ the houses of the Jews in Egypt during the 10th Plague, when the Pharaoh refused to free the Israelites. The 10th plague killed all firstborns of Egyptian families. As a result, the Pharaoh demanded an exodus of all Israelites from Egypt.

The holiday is celebrated for eight days and seven nights, from sunset of the first day to nightfall on the eighth day.

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Today marks Mahavir Jayanti, which is the most important religious holiday in Jainism. It celebrates the birth of Mahavira, who is a contemporary of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha). Lord Mahavira, known during his life as Vardhamana, gave up his worldly possessions and comfortable life and eventually became enlightened. He then travelled across India and many countries in Asia to spread Jainism and its essential messages, such as the concept of non-violence.

This holiday is especially popular in India, where many people follow Jainism, but also in other countries with large Jain populations, such as Nepal and the United States. Celebrations take the form of praying and fasting, and those celebrating consider this day to be one of humility and happiness.

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The second National Roundtable Discussion on Nurturing Values and Spirituality in Early Childhood for the Prevention of Violence just concluded in Coimbatore, India.

For two days 140 participants from 59 organizations and 18 states in India including religious leaders, religious communities, faith based and civil society organizations, academia, pediatricians, educators, young people and experts on children’s issues, met to discuss the importance of early childhood, the impact of violence on children, how to nurture values and Spirituality and to challenge social and cultural norms that condone violence in early childhood. On the first day 250 participants joined the opening ceremony, including 100 students from Avinashilingam University for Women.

Participants discussed the role of religious communities, how different stakeholders can work together, challenges in their communities as well as strategies that work to prevent and address violence in early childhood and that help creating nurturing spaces for children where ethical values and spirituality are fostered.

The Roundtable was organized by Ashanti Ashram in collaboration with many local and international partners, in the framework of the Consortium on Nurturing Values and Spirituality in Early Childhood for the Prevention of Violence, that was launched by Arigatou International in 2018.

Many thanks to Shanti Ashram for the excellent coordination and convenership.

All Photos by Satish Kanna - Thank you for the amazing photography

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We just concluded a Facilitator Training Workshop on the Learning to Live Together Programme for 64 teachers from Baringo and Marakwet Communities in Kenya.

The workshop was organized by World Vision Kenya, National Commission for UNESCO and Arigatou International.

The Programme will be implemented for a one year period by the teachers in the communities that have been affected by violence and divisions. Follow up workshops will take place during this year to provide teachers with additional skills and tools to support children-led initiatives.

It’s our hope that the Programme will contribute to enhance dialogue, empathy, interconnections and ethical reflections that can ultimately help building bridges and contribute to peace building processes.

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We are glad to share with you that the second Roundtable discussion on Nurturing Values and Spirituality in Early Childhood for the Prevention of Violence - INSPIREd Faith Communities, in the framework of the work of the International Consortium on the topic, will take place in Coimbatore, India from 11 to 12 April.

The Roundtable is organized by Shanti Ashram in collaboration with other international and local partners, including Arigatou International, World Vision International and the participation of more than 80 participants including religious leaders, experts on early childhood, pediatricians, representatives from the government, civil society organizations and UN agencies.

Stay tuned for the developments.

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