9th Grade students of KIPS at Kerala Agricultural University, Sadanandapuram for practical training

 Smt. Ruby Babu giving practical training for soap making

Sri. Babu Oommen giving a lecture to KIPS students on bee-keeping

KIPS 12TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION NEWS IN MALAYALA MANORAMA

12th Anniversary Celebration of KIPS

Great Moment

Great Moment

It was great to be at the URI  global Support office again, to be greeted by so many warm hands and faces. Core group meeting of Traveling Peace Academy was very rewarding. Meeting with a few members of the President's Council was exciting and so was the encounter with all our GSO staff. 

We have come a long way from 1993 when the Bishop got a phone call from  the UnitedNations and the year 2000 when URI charter was signed. There was a time when 1000 CCs were a distant dream. Now we cannot stand the pressure of CC applications. ( Last month I received a bundle of 20 applications together from one of our Indian States, and we were at a loss what to do). We are in about 80 countries of the world and we have co-hosted the World Parliament of Religions. Our global staff travel around the globe and Regional coordinators head to distant countries to gain more learning and experience. Monica and others give us instructions from the UN and our president and Executive Director make speeches at the floor of the UN ( Victor is at the UN Today). Bishop and his team dream of a world free of the 17600 nuclear weapons that are threatening our very existence and former American Presidents and such other dignitaries acknowledge his commendable achievements. Bards sing praises about the glorious journey of a unique grass root experiment that is URI.

Our traveling Peace Academy has trained more than 200 peace builders and CCs around the world undertake hundreds of different projects. Millions of people watch our TV programs spellbound. We have a Peace Research Institute and different conflict transformation centres around the world. Global Council and regional staff shoulder greater responsibilities and National Assemblies gain attention of respective governments.

Dr. Abraham Karickam

Reflections From Africa

We had a wonderful meeting with friends of URI at the Cedar School in Cape Town. I was talking to them in the beginning and then there came a flurry of questions. We didn't know how two hours elapsed. It was academic, serious and enriching. Most of the questions turned around URI philosophy, religions, holy books and peace building.And today when We came to this point where the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans meet, something suddenly dawned on me.   

Two great oceans meet and embrace. Do they lose their identity? There is much give and take. They are one and they are separate. Do the fish know the difference? Maybe the taste differs, but water may be the same. At least the elements are the same. We have three seas converging at Cape Comorin in India, where Swami Vivekananda meditated before leaving to Chicago for the Parliament.

What happens when two or more religions meet? There is much give and take. They are one, they are separate. Essential elements are definitely the same. Do the followers know the difference? The taste may vary, yet water maybe the same. It is an oxymoron-- union and separation together. Nothing can prevent it. It is a law of nature. A universal law. Who can prevent the oceans from embracing one another if they are destined to meet? 

The United Nations and Bishop William Swing maybe instruments in such a birthing, but there is destiny at play. 

Karen, Berry and myself will never forget the Cedar School event. The discussion will long reverberate in our ears. Thank you URI Africa. 

Abraham Karickam 

Basket Ball Championship Finals

10th Grade students of KIPS (2016) presenting an ever rolling trophy to be awarded to the best class every year

5th Grade students of KIPS receiving a special prize from the Principal for highest amount in coin collection (Nallapatam Project)