Non-Violence takes centre-stage as Mumbai nears the fourth anniversary of the tragic 26/11, celebrating World Compassion Day this November 28, 2012, an afternoon for global icons to take stage and share their ideologies, values and principles on methods to make the Gandhian ideals of Ahimsa and Compassion relevant to our times.
World Compassion Day hosted in Mumbai by Pritish Nandy and the Humane Society International (the worldwide partner of The Humane Society of the us) will see the honorary presence of keynote speaker, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama along side Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor, with the point of interest this year being on animal welfare.
Speaking about World Compassion Day, The Dalai Lama says, "Today, greater than ever before, life need to be characterized by a way of Universal responsibility, not just nation to nation and human to human but additionally human to other kinds of life."
Anil Kapoor says, "Mahatma Gandhi said, 'The greatness of a nation may also be judged incidentally its animals are treated.' Compassion goes beyond shaking our heads and sighing, 'oh that's too bad'. Compassion means, understanding the suffering of others, and desirous to do something positive about it. We must first wish to change the circumstances of others after which we must try our greatest to switch these circumstances."
PNC Chairman Pritish Nandy says, "Eventually, WCD might be a world forum for uplifting and supporting change across social, political and environmental platforms to make the worth of compassion actionable in our times. Unless we believe in ahimsa, we won't make the sector a greater place for future generations."
Andrew Rowan, President and CEO of HSI says, "Over the centuries, leading thinkers have noted that kindness to animals and concern for humans are different sides of the similar coin. More recently, science has shown that folks who abuse animals also are often found to be abusive towards their fellow humans. Humane Society International is worked up and proud to be a part of an initiative that celebrates the virtues of ahimsa and compassion for both animals and humans. The more you give, the more you must give."
