April 5: The longing for peace has never been stronger than in these times of discord. After criss-crossing several countries, ?The Gandhi, King, Ikeda: A Legacy of Building Peace? ? an exhibition of important documents and photographs of three peace leaders ? Mohandas K. Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr and Daisaku Ikeda is coming to the city.

The exhibition will be held at Pragjyotika, centre for performing arts, from May 1 to 8. The photo exhibit, which displays the non-violent philosophies propagated by the three personalities, was organised by Morehouse College, USA, Martin Luther King?s alma mater. The college passed on the photographs and documents to the Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Smriti.

Viewed by over 100,000 people across Germany, Jordan, New Zealand, Taiwan and the US, the exhibits are now in India. Organised by Bharat Soka Gakkai, the Indian affiliate of Soka Gakkai International, an organisation formed to promote peace and spread culture and education based on Buddhist teachings, the exhibition will stress on all three aspects.

?The life histories of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr and Daisaku Ikeda are filled with unstinting and varied efforts aimed at empowering individuals to gain control of their destinies,? said Sharmi Chakravarty, one of the organisers. The three personalities from three different cultures and continents have followed a common path of profound dedication and achievement to improve the lives of people.

Mahatma Gandhi, who led the country?s struggle for independence, is revered as the father of the nation. Martin Luther King Jr, an African-American Christian, infused non-violent principles with love and broke the iron-grip segregation in the American social systems. He was also honoured with the Nobel peace prize in 1964. Daisaku Ikeda, a Japanese Buddhist thinker, author and educationist, has contributed significantly to modern-day democratisation of Japan?s feudal social structures.

?The exhibit traces common influences in the lives of the three leaders such as Leo Tolstoy and Henry Thoreau. It also displays their efforts to improve human conditions by practical application of the principles of peace and non-violence,? Chakravarty said.

The exhibit panels feature colourful photographs, inspiring quotes and factual information about these three great men. The parallels between these three leaders are discussed in varied themes like forging destiny, humanity at the heart, principles into action, non-violence and adversity and resistance.

?While walking around the exhibit panels, viewers can take in the wondrous lives of these individuals. The exhibit was created with the hope that by examining the lives of these great figures, viewers will find these lofty ideals and principles within the grasp of their own daily existence,? she added.