Students of Blossoms School dance to celebrate International Peace Day. (Below) Children with a globe in their hands attend a cultural programme at their school in Bhubaneswar. Telegraph pictures

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 21: The International Peace Day was celebrated at the Blossoms School today. To inculcate the spirit of oneness and brotherhood among kids, the occasion was observed under the motto ‘The earth is but one and mankind its citizens’.

More than 250 students participated in the event. Each of them carried a globe from home to express unity and solidarity. The children and staff members organised ‘prayers for world peace’ in which they chanted verses from the holy books of all religions. The students performed a skit on war and world peace. Some had also prepared colourful sketches and placards that said ‘Give peace a chance’, ‘I am a peacemaker’, ‘One people, one planet’ and others.

The students voiced their opinion and offered solutions to promote world peace and unity. A student of class I, Nishtha Sharma, said peace means brotherhood and being together. Satwika Mishra, a student of class III said: “Peace is within us and we have to discover it. We should give peace a chance to grow and reflect its beauty all around.”

Her classmate Nirali Sahoo said peace could be achieved through a process of mutual understanding. “Peace is the foundation of friendship and the mother of human civilization. If only we can end the suffering of the millions of innocent people, peace will have its own victory,” she said.

The presentation was followed by a peace march in the neighbouring areas, which was participated by all the students and staff members.

Principal Touraj Moghbelpur explained the importance of promoting international peace and unity in diversity to the students by citing an example of a garden. “Irrespective of differences in religion, language, race and caste, we are the children of one nation,” he told the students. The chief guest for the day, president of Rotary Club, Bhubaneswar, B.K. Sharma, stressed on the age-old saying ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ which means the entire world is one family.

He said, “All religions teach us tolerance and peace. We have to take our country forward despite our differences.