IDPD for health through peace

Ludhiana, February 15, 2013: The 9th national conference for the Indian Doctors for Peace and Development started with a great turnout at the Target-X held at the Sarabha Market, Ludhiana followed by the march for “Health through peace” to Aarti chowk through the Pakhowal Road and Bhai Bala Chowk.

Medical students and doctors form the different states of the country participated in the event carrying banners and the placards demanding abolition of the nuclear weapons, check on the small arms and end to violence of all kinds, diverting resources to health, education and development.

In the Target X the medical students wearing Aprons and Stethoscope stand on a large red X marked at the busy place of the city, approaching the general public and distributing pamphlets and other information materials.

The peace march was led by Dr. L.S Chawla (President IDPD) Dr. Aun Mitra, (General Secretary IDPD), Maj. Gen (retd) Vinood Sehgal, Dr. Tim Wright, (member of the committee of International campaign to abolish nuclear weapons (ICAN), Australia), Dr. Bharti Uppal (Finance secy. IDPD), Dr. Jeetendra Singh from Nashik ( in charge Student wing, IDPD).

Various speakers addressing the gathering said that peace is essential prerequisite for the development as huge amount of resources are wasted on the arms race. Ironically, India and Pakistan which are one among the lowest in the human development index are the biggest buyers of the arms. The upcoming congress will debate on the issue for next two days and chalk out a strategy for action for changes in government’s policy framework so as to ensure quality health care to all citizens of our country which is a constitutional right of all the citizens. The student activity day was beautifully concluded with a message balloon release by the all the participants of the march.

Dr. LS Chawla addressing the gathering.