Here comes the Iron Lady of Manipur

Manipur's Irom Sharmila and other civil rights activists, as well as youth from war-ravaged countries like Syria, Afghanistan and Libya, will participate in the 11th edition of the Global Youth Peace Festival (GYPF), which opens in Chandigarh on Wednesday.

"Over 200 young change-makers will participate in this unique festival to make an ardent appeal for peace. Joining them in this mission would be the Iron Lady of Manipur, Irom Chanu Sharmila. The festival will bring together peace crusaders from across the world, including the war-torn countries of Syria, Liberia, Libya, Afghanistan, Pakistan and others, to celebrate the spirit of global citizenship and universal peace," organiser of the festival Pramod Sharma, co-ordinator of NGO Yuvsatta, said.

Sharmila will address the gathering of international youth activists on Wednesday, Sharma said.

Despite heightened tensions between India and Pakistan since the last week over the issue of Jammu & Kashmir, activists from Pakistan are also expected to participate in the festival.

Young peace activist from Pakistan, Aliya Harir, who spearheads the Aaghaz-e-Dosti, an Indo-Pakistan friendship initiative; Julie Shen, Asia Representative of Good Deeds Day and Deputy Secretary-General, Taiwan Association for Volunteer Effort; and Eamonn Fahil Elbom, a medical professional from Tripoli, Libya, whose tireless work to treat patients in war-torn situations has won global laurels, will be honoured at the festival with the Global Youth Icon Awards this year, Sharma added.—IANS