Be Peace — International Day of Peace Anthem
On this International Peace Day, we reiterate the importance of peacebuilding - a core value at Initiatives of Change USA. It is our collective responsibility to continue impart knowledge and skills of peacebuilding.
Last year, the IofC’s Global Alumni Initiative (GAIN) alumni celebrated the International Peace Day under the theme “Shaping Peace Together.” In light of the pandemic, the series focused on dialogue and healing for people living in violent conflict. The series was a platform for peacebuilders to share their visions and work for peace.
This year, Rohit Valecha, GAIN’s Multimedia Producer, created an original song as an anthem for peace called Be Peace. Rohit says, “The pandemic deepened social disparities and the resulting political upheavals continue to ravage societies. As a lot of my personal beliefs and convictions collapsed, I thought it was necessary for me to step back a little to rethink the ways I can help create a positive difference. The hiatus allowed me to re-gather and direct my creative energy in the most unexpected yet wonderful ways. ”
Rohit and his team of artistes, who are some of the most imaginative minds in the Indian Film Industry, worked tirelessly to produce this magnum opus in a short span of time. Ratnadeep, the co-composer, is helming the music for upcoming IofC GAIN Spotlight Campaign. He shares, “Composing for IofC gives me the space to explore my love for world music. I appreciate how my vision helps in creating an impact at an international level.”
Click on the video to listen to the full anthem
About the song:
Be Peace is a call to people of the world to come together like the elements of nature. It reminds us that beyond our differences, we are one people. Through this song, we want to express solidarity with the people of Afghanistan whose voices are being silenced. We want to rekindle the hymn ‘Vaishnava Jana To’ that Mahatma Gandhi preached during his lifetime. It evokes selflessness and empathy for others as the only ornament that a soul requires, the hymn exhorts the virtue of benevolence.
The anthem is an elaborate mix of world music ranging from the Indian classical flute, sitar, and percussion to western classical symphony orchestra. It’s an epitome to show what diversity can sound like if we took the time to listen. The children in the song ask how long can those in power create boundaries to dictate to us whom to love and whom to hate. When united like the forces of nature, we will be more powerful than the power-hungry. Like nature, let’s engulf the evils of the world. Let’s become the change we desire. Let’s 'Be Peace’.
We hope that this anthem echoes with the spirits of our changemakers, and brings healing and inspiration to those who are dealing with conflicts.