The festival at the National Museums of Kenya addresses the growing plastic pollution crisis by demonstrating practical, culturally rooted solutions that create jobs, reduce environmental harm, and cut the billions governments spend on clean up, incineration, and health costs associated with throwaway plastic culture.

KEY EVENTS:

1. MEDIA BRIEFING

Date: Friday, November 14, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Venue: National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi

2. REFILL AND REUSE FESTIVAL DETAILS

Day 1 – Policy Dialogues
Date: Friday, November 14, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Program Highlights:

• Media Briefing
• Panel Discussions
• Refill and Reuse Exhibition

Day 2 – Public Festival: “Experience, Refill, Reuse: A Sustainable Lifestyle for All”
Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Target Audience: General public, families, schools, artists, innovators

Program Highlights:

• Hands-on refill stations and zero-waste exhibitions
• Children’s upcycling art competitions
• Live music performances and poetry sessions
• Storytelling circles and interactive refill challenges with prizes
• Demonstrations of traditional African reuse practices

Admission: Free and open to the public

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Organized by the International Religious Freedom Secretariat, the two-day forum brought together individuals and institutions working to promote religious freedom and mutual understanding across communities and cultures. The award recognizes individuals who have made meaningful contributions at the intersection of business, education, and interfaith peacebuilding.

This prestigious global honour places Dr. Karad in the distinguished company of past awardees, including the CEO of Intel, Chair of Tyson Foods, CCO of American Airlines, Chairman of Godrej Industries, and other global business leaders. The award has previously been held in Rio de Janeiro, Seoul, Tokyo, New Delhi, and Washington D.C, and was instituted in 2016 in partnership with the UN Global Compact and former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Business for Peace initiative.

Dr. Karad was recognised for his work at MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU), particularly his efforts to advance peace education through initiatives that combine values, dialogue, and practical skill-building.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Karad said: “This is my motherland — the sacred land of Mahatma Gandhi and Gautam Buddha. I thank you for recognizing me, but it is my father who is the true champion of world peace. Inspired by Swami Vivekananda’s timeless vision — that the unification of science and spirituality alone can bring peace to mankind — he devoted his life to this cause. His monumental creation, the World Peace Dome, stands as a global symbol of unity, housing statues of 54 spiritual and philosophical leaders from all faiths.

At MIT World Peace University, we have embedded this ethos into our academic framework through a six-credit Peace Studies program. Over 85,000 students are engaging with the teachings of all religions, fostering interfaith harmony from a young age. I invite you to visit the World Peace Dome and join us in this ongoing journey.”

Since 2016, the Global Business & Interfaith Peace Awards have recognized leaders from across the world, including from companies like Intel, Tyson Foods, Godrej Industries, and American Airlines. The awards originated in collaboration with the UN Global Compact and former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s Business for Peace initiative, and have been hosted in cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo, Seoul, New Delhi, and Washington, D.C.

For Dr. Karad and MIT-WPU, this recognition is an opportunity to further conversations around peace, ethics, and education, both in India and beyond.

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Rtn. Suhas Dhamale, President of the Nigdi Rotary Club, welcomed the gathering and highlighted how Didi Krishna Kumari has inspired countless individuals to grow and evolve.

DGN Rtn. Nitin Dhamale remarked that while Rotary engages in numerous humanitarian efforts, cultivating ambassadors of peace stands at the heart of its mission.

Peace Director Rtn. Ranu Singhania then introduced Didi Krishna, describing her as someone who exemplifies both a deep Emotional Quotient (EQ) and a profound Spiritual Quotient (SQ). She spoke of Didi’s ability to inspire peace not just through words, but through the compassion she embodies.

Then, Didi Krishna Kumari was felicitated and presented with the citation.

In her acceptance speech, Didi humbly stated that her Masters—Sadhu Vaswani and Dada J.P. Vaswani—were the ones more deserving. She described them as ‘true prophets of peace.’

Didi addressed a common misconception: “Many believe they cannot contribute to world peace as mere individuals. But what causes wars? Jealousy, selfishness. If these begin within us, so too must peace.”

Peace is a Birthright and a way of life, said Didi Krishna.

She shared six simple ways to cultivate peace: choose moderation, live in the present, be grateful, learn to forgive, love unconditionally, and begin each day with God, spending the first moments in silence.

The evening concluded with a guided meditation by Didi, where attendees experienced moments of transcendental stillness.

A 62-year-old woman, previously uninterested in meditation, said that Didi’s words had brightened her thoughts.

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PUNE: VIBGYOR Group of Schools, a leading chain of K-12 schools, recently organized the 13th Edition of VIBGYOR Model United Nations (VIBGYOR MUN), a conference that brings together young leaders from various educational institutions to engage in an impactful diplomatic simulation. Over 700 students from more than 35 schools in India participated in the event, which was held at the Hyatt Regency in Pune. The theme for this year’s conference was ‘Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.’

The grand inauguration was graced by none other than Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet, the esteemed Consul General of France in Mumbai, India. His presence paved the way for a remarkable voyage of cooperation and cross-cultural encounter.

The delegates debated a range of subjects including, examining the effectiveness, limitations, and role of veto powers and their impact on world peace, Corporate Human Rights Abuse, Addressing the issue of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, Forming a plan of action to address the situation of women in Africa, the Middle East and South Asia with special reference to Female Genital Mutilation and Sexual Trafficking among many others. The highlight of the conference was The MUN Colosseum, a grand debate in which a select group of Chairs and Executive Board members presented their arguments on the topic of ‘Media Trials Adversely Affect the Delivery of Formal Justice in India’.

Commenting on the successful event, Ms. Kavita Kerawalla, Vice Chairperson of VIBGYOR Group of Schools said, “As future leaders, we urged the students to embrace unity, seek understanding and work towards harmonious and sustainable solutions for all. Leadership is not just about leading but also about listening, learning, and serving. Recognizing students’ potential in shaping the future, we encouraged them to come up with practical, long-term solutions to significant challenges. Celebrating the event’s great success, we proudly acknowledged the dedication of the committee members and students. A remarkable celebration of passion and determination at VIBGYOR Group of Schools”

The school also launched the VIBGYOR anthem at the closing ceremony which holds a special place in the heart of every student, teacher, and staff member, serving as a musical representation of the school’s vision, mission, and aspirations. Composed by leading professionals from the music industry, the anthem’s inspiring tune resonates within the halls of our schools, instilling a sense of pride and belonging. Its powerful lyrics, carefully crafted, inspire unity, empathy, trust, and integrity and urge the VIBGYOR community to work toward the betterment of the nation. When sung, the anthem aims at fostering within our students, faculty members, and staff a collective spirit that transcends individual differences and encourages everyone to strive for growth and excellence. The school anthem is a constant reminder of the VIBGYOR Group’s philosophy, guiding and inspiring our students toward a brighter future as they sing the anthem with enthusiasm and school pride.

VIBGYOR MUN was a success and served as a testament to the power of education, fostering diplomacy, empathy, and critical thinking among future leaders. It helps the students nurture their potential and prepare them to address global challenges.

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