New Delhi: The inaugural session of the Global Peace Symposium, organised by Akhil Bharat Rachanatmak Samaj (ABRS) under the leadership of Bibhuti Kumar Mishra, Rajendra Deshpande, and Ramesh Jain, was held on 1 May 2026 at M.P. Club, South Avenue, New Delhi. The event marked the 18th death anniversary of Dr. Nirmala Deshpande and coincided with the occasion of Buddha Purnima.
Dr. Nirmala Deshpande (1929–2008), founder of Akhil Bharat Rachanatmak Samaj (ABRS), was a distinguished Gandhian and peace activist closely associated with the Bhoodan Movement, during which she walked nearly 40,000 km with Vinoba Bhave. She was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan and received several international recognitions. She led peace missions across multiple countries and played a significant role in peace efforts in Kashmir from 1990 onward.
The programme was conducted in two sessions. The first session, from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM, featured a ‘Creative Workers Meet’ along with a tribute to Dr. Nirmala Deshpande. The second session, from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM, focused on discussions on world peace, Tibet’s freedom, and India’s security.
The event began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by distinguished guests, followed by a welcome address and tribute. Speakers emphasised the importance of peace, non-violence, and communal harmony in today’s global context, drawing inspiration from the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and Gautama Buddha.
Dr. Sandeep Marwah, Director associated with Noida Film City and Founder of Marwah Studios, also reflected deeply on the life and legacy of Dr. Nirmala Deshpande. He described her as a tireless peacebuilder whose work transcended borders, communities, and ideologies. Emphasising her unwavering commitment to Gandhian values, he highlighted her grassroots engagement with marginalised communities and her exceptional ability to bring people together through dialogue and empathy. He noted that her contributions to national integration and international peace efforts remain highly relevant in today’s conflict-ridden world, underscoring her compassion, humility, and dedication to non-violence, and urging participants to carry forward her mission in their own work and lives.
Tashi Dekyi, Coordinator of the India Tibet Coordination Office (ITCO), spoke about the ITCO’s role and objectives. She paid tribute to Dr. Deshpande, remembering her as a lifelong advocate of peace, compassion, and non-violence, and highlighting her strong support for Tibetan humanitarian concerns. She described her as a sincere friend and well-wisher of the Tibetan people who consistently promoted dialogue, justice, and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
The significance of Buddha Purnima was also reflected upon, reinforcing the universal message of compassion, harmony, and inner peace. The inaugural session concluded on an inspiring note, encouraging participants to follow the path of peace, unity, and non-violence, and setting a meaningful tone for the rest of the symposium.
ITCO staff participated along with ITCO Coordinator Tashi Dekyi, and contributed a souvenir to the programme.
– Report filed by ITCO, Delhi
