Heidi Kühn, the visionary founder of Roots of Peace, and Dr. Abraham Mathai, founder-chairman of the Harmony Foundation & Former Vice-Chairman – Minorities Commission, joined forces to plant the seeds within the soil of SEAL Ashram. Inspired by Heidi Kühn’s compassionate vision, this symbolic initiative aimed to inaugurate the Roots of Peace Global Garden, aiming to inspire people worldwide to kneel down and sow the ‘deep roots’ of peace. Together, they joined hands to plant peace through agriculture—calling upon the world to join them, in planting a flower, a tree or a garden in contrast to the guns of war raging on multiple fronts.
Heidi Kühn is the World Food Prize 2023 Laureate who undeniably deserves the title of “World Ambassador of Peace” for her commitment to catalysing positive change in the world, particularly in war-torn regions, through her humanitarian organisation, Roots of Peace. Roots of Peace supports the world’s most vulnerable farmers and traders, removing the remnants of war and restoring agricultural productivity and prosperity, and is dedicated to the removal of landmines and the subsequent replanting and rebuilding of war-torn regions since 1997.
This significant event took place at SEAL Ashram, located in New Panvel that, since 1999, has been dedicated to rescuing the destitute, sick, and homeless individuals found on the railway platforms and streets of Mumbai regardless of their ethnic background, gender, age, or severity of ailments. Through years of tireless work, SEAL Ashram has successfully reunited approximately 504 people with their families.
Heidi Kühn made a personal visit to SEAL Ashram, where, alongside Dr.Abraham Mathai, she inaugurated the Roots of Peace Global Garden. During this momentous occasion, children from SEAL joyfully sowed seeds of passion. The seeds that were sown were the seeds of passion that would blossom into ‘Passion Fruit Trees,’ nourishing the generations to come. Amidst the presence of other destitute individuals from SEAL Ashram, they collectively witnessed the symbolic act of sowing seeds of passion, echoing Heidi Kühn’s vision to propagate peace globally, particularly in the context of our current challenging times.
This 2023 Season of Peace is like none other, as landmines are actively being planted to maim and kill the innocent footsteps of children—long after the guns of war have been silenced. In a world that is overshadowed by such tumultuous times, and echoes with discord, violence, and strife, the inauguration of “Roots of Peace Global Garden” by Heidi Kühn on Indian soil was a transformative event wherein seeds of passion were sown, symbolising a collective commitment to foster peace and harmony across the globe. This compassionate vision of Heidi Kühn reflects the mission of Mother Teresa, encapsulating her legacy of selfless service to humanity and fostering kindness worldwide.
Heidi Kühn and SEAL Ashram are also the recipients of the Harmony Foundation’s prestigious Mother Teresa Memorial Awards for Social Justice 2023, among others, exemplifying the truest embodiment of “Humanity in Action.” The Harmony Foundation is a non-profit organisation based in Mumbai that is very active and effective in the advancement of social justice in India through civil society initiatives.
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