About PEACE Foundation
PEACE Foundation stands for Promotion of Ethics and Continuing Education. We work to address unethical behavior, lack of integrity, and dishonesty by building values, character, and lifelong learning through chapters and community programs.
Why PEACE Foundation began
Two factors inspired us
- We realized that unethical and immoral behaviour, lack of integrity, and dishonesty are among the top problems our society is facing.
- As professionals (and especially in medical science), to serve with the best available options we must continue to learn the latest developments. This is true for every profession, job, and service.
Two objectives we try to achieve
First, we should transform the world into a place of joy, peace, bliss, and delight. Second, we should view life as a continuous learning process — in other words, schooling should never end in life.
Through the activities of PEACE Foundation, people learn to choose right over wrong and good over bad. We hope these activities will have a positive impact — and in turn, each person will bring change in society.
Early encouragement & chapter model
The whole concept received blessings of Former President of India, Late Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (Bharat Ratna). Catching them young was the mantra in our mind to make society ethical.
The NGO soon established young chapters in 50 schools in and around Nagpur where monthly activities are conducted. Two PEACE Marshals are appointed in each school-young chapter to promote and monitor PEACE activities.
The concept
PEACE Foundation began with a clear observation: unethical and immoral behavior, lack of integrity, and dishonesty are prominent challenges in society. Our vision is to transform our world into a place of joy, peace, bliss, and delight — by strengthening ethics and values through consistent practice.
The second foundation idea is equally important: life is a continuous learning journey. Education does not end with schooling; it continues through life as we grow in knowledge, skills, and judgment.
“Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value.”
— Albert Einstein (as referenced in PEACE Foundation Overview)Formation & registration
Registered organisation
PEACE Foundation is a registered organisation under the Society Registration Act – 1860 and the Bombay Public Trust Act – 1950.
Registered on: 14/05/2013
Started at Nagpur
PEACE Foundation was started on 6th October 2013 at Nagpur. On this occasion, six eminent citizens (role models from different professions) were felicitated.
Tagline
The tagline of the PEACE Foundation — “Practicing Righteousness” — was created in April 2014.
Key milestones
31 Oct 2013 – First Young Chapter of PEACE Foundation started.
18 Dec 2013 – President PEACE, Dr. Varun Bhargava met Hon. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam at Nagpur and introduced PEACE and its objectives.
Today – PEACE Foundation has 60 Young and Youth chapters.
PEACE Foundation Pledge (excerpt)
I, most solemnly pledge: To conduct myself truthfully, fairly, responsibly, and with integrity. To be honest in my thoughts and actions to myself and my country. To act as a true and faithful student and gain knowledge through continuing education. To speak the truth, support the right of free expression, and work for the upliftment of society. To respect all opinions, treat others with dignity and respect, to be fair and impartial. To practice ethics, and abide by the laws of the land.
Moral dilemma guidance
At times one may be confused and not able to take a right and ethical decision. The following questions help in making the right decisions and clearing doubts:
- Can I look into my eyes in the mirror with compassion (liking, common love)?
- Would my mother be happy if she came to know of this?
- Has God sent me to the earth for this?
Programs conducted
PEACE Foundation conducts programs in health, ethics, and professional integrity.
Nutritional survey
A nutritional survey of 11–13-year-old children was conducted in July 2014 across various schools.
Teacher training (Lifestyle modification)
Teacher training for NMC school teachers was organised at Sane Guruji Urdu School, Reshim Bagh, Nagpur on 19/01/2016 (135 teachers attended). Four more sessions followed, with about 900 teachers attending.
“Violation of Ethics” photography contest
Held on 20 April 2014 at the Art Gallery of Chitnavis Trust, Civil Lines, Nagpur.
Traffic rules awareness
Talks on obeying traffic rules were arranged in schools including Dinanath High School & Junior College, CIPS Kapsi, Modern School, and Ganga CARE Hospital.
Vigilance Awareness Week
Dr. Varun Bhargava delivered a talk on ethics during Vigilance Awareness Week at the office of the Chief Commissioner, Customs, Central Excise and Service Tax on 4 Nov 2016.
Service to Humanity — session by Dr. Yagnesh Thakar on 28 Jan 2020 at BVM, Koradi for 5th and 6th standard students.
“Moral Dilemma – How I Solved It” — arranged for teachers and principals on 29 Aug 2019, and since then continued as a regular annual activity.
“Purpose of Life” — session by Dr. Varun Bhargava on 3 Feb 2020 for Std X at School of Scholars, Hudkeshwar, Nagpur.
Imbibing ethics in professionals
“Muzhe Doctor Ban-na Chahiye? Haan ya Na” — Elocution competition on 26 Aug 2016 at J R Shaw Auditorium, IMA, Nagpur.
“Bridging the gap – Doctor–Patient Relationship: How can I help?” — program on 24 Feb 2017 at Chitnavis Centre, Nagpur (with IMA Nagpur).
“Is society forcing Doctors to change?” — program on 12 Aug 2018, Chitnavis Centre.
“Where has the joy of practicing medicine gone?” — program on 17 Mar 2019.
Ethics in Journalism — arranged on Saturday 13 Nov 2021 at IMA Hall, North Ambazhari Road, Nagpur.
Awareness rallies
A rally is taken out every year. Seven rallies were conducted between 2015 and 2023. A skit on healthy lifestyle is also conducted to promote cardiovascular health awareness.
School children, teachers, PEACE Foundation members, and youth chapter volunteers participate.
A rally was held on Friday 15 Nov 2019 to create awareness about diabetes mellitus and to promote exercise, diet, and medicines.
Mother Chapter (Signature activity)
Parents are the child’s first role model and teacher. Mother Chapter workshops build stronger communication between children and parents during adolescence. This is a unique session where the child and parent sit together and align on issues of nutrition, hygiene, and ethics.
Training sessions/workshops are conducted for either 3 hours or 1 day. Mothers with children of class 6th to 8th sit together. Topics are selected as per class teacher recommendations.
Topics covered
- Adolescent health (separate sessions for boys and girls taken by doctors)
- Mental health and values: grooming, self-awareness, gender respect, good parenting, single parenting
- Nutrition and hygiene; alcohol/tobacco/drug de-addiction and harmful effects
- Screen time reduction; POCSO and child safety; improving academic performance
- Question and answer session
Road ahead
- Organize annual meetings of school/college principals to review what worked, what did not, and plan future activities. Tools are being evolved to measure change through activities.
- Workshops on ways and means to impart ethics and values through respective subjects in day-to-day teaching (example: Saraswati Vidyalaya teachers’ workshop on 30 June 2015).
- Principals meetings to gather ideas for spreading ethics among children (example: Chitnavis Centre on 3 July 2016).
- Enroll more schools in PEACE Foundation and conduct activities across those institutions.