Leaders Urge Students to Promote Peace at St Francis College in Hyderabad

Archbishop Prince Antony Panengadan addressed students at the “Heal the World - Voices of Peace” programme organised at St Francis College for Women in Hyderabad on Friday, stating that peace begins from within and is not merely a passive state.

Speaking at the event, the Archbishop pointed out that God is the source of peace, noting that the closer one comes to God, the deeper the experience of inner peace becomes. Quoting Telugu laureate Gurajada Apparao’s words, “Desham ante matti kadoi, Desham ante manushuloi”, he drew upon the ancient Indian philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”—the vision of the world as one family—as an enduring message of peace that India can offer to the world.

Telangana Christian Minorities Finance Corporation Chairman Deepak John underscored that love and peace are contingent upon each other. Pointing out that peace is always present where there is love, he encouraged students to spread the message of harmony and understanding. He noted that young minds carry the responsibility to talk about and actively practise love.

Encouraging youth to become peace-makers, T. Uma Joseph, principal of St Francis College for Women, stressed the importance of reconciliation, hope, and healing. She urged the young audience to look beyond differences and emphasised the need to build bridges instead of walls. She highlighted that the world does not need only words about peace, but people who can live in peace, practise peace, and become agents of peace.