Greetings and Jai Jagat!
Education can serve as a transformative force in today’s world fragmented by conflict and fear and drive a higher purpose beyond academic achievement. Yet, amidst this, education stands as our greatest hope, with classrooms filled with multifaith students initiating dialogues for peaceful coexistence. At CMS, we believe interfaith harmony in schools is the antidote. Our Curriculum for Coexistence introduces students to the beauty of diverse faiths—Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Sikhism, Islam, the Bahai Faith, and more—through stories, discussions, and shared celebrations. This educational culture driven by the 6 C’s approach cultivates critical thinking and problem-solving skills, empowering students to deconstruct stereotypes and champion mutual respect. Our motto, Jai Jagat (Victory to the World), embodies this vision, guiding students from the school gates to roles as change-makers in a diverse world.
As the Manager of CMS Schools, I’ve observed countless young minds transform from curious learners within our school gates into confident global citizens who carry the torch of understanding wherever they venture. This journey of inspiring interfaith harmony in India requires more than an academic curriculum; it’s a profound metamorphosis that equips our youth with the critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and unwavering commitment to peace that our world desperately needs.
Unlike superficial observances, interfaith harmony must go deeper. It needs to instill curiosity, empathy, and respect. It is then that students learn to listen across differences and act from a shared moral compass. Through classroom activities, student-led interfaith assemblies, and international exposure, CMS nurtures this deeper connection. Our pedagogical model views diversity not as a challenge, but as a resource—essential to building global peace education. We nurture critical thinking, empathy, and a commitment to global peace education, empowering our students to build bridges across faiths and cultures and become informed, purpose-driven global citizens.
Planting Seeds of Unity in the Classroom
The heart of transformative education in India especially lies in personal transformation. I recall the story of Priya, a CMS student who once hesitated to join an interfaith prayer session, fearing it might conflict with her beliefs. Through guided dialogues, she learnt to appreciate shared values across religions, like compassion and justice. Today, Priya leads peer discussions on unity, embodying youth peacebuilding. Her journey underscores the vital role of peace education in formal schools, highlighting its capacity to cultivate caring, compassionate, critical thinkers who actively contribute to cultures of peace (Brooks & Hajir, 2020).
Dr. Jagdish Gandhi, CMS’s Founder Manager, has long championed this vision: “Education must unite hearts, teaching children that all religions lead to the same divine truth.” His words align with the Bahá’í Writings, which state, “The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.” We believe that schools today must not only deliver knowledge but also shape values. They must build bridges where society builds walls. And they must equip students to ask not just “What can I become?” but “Whom can I serve?” By encouraging commitment to interfaith harmony, CMS ensures students like Priya grow into advocates for peace, equipped to navigate a pluralistic world with confidence and compassion.
We truly believe that students are not just beneficiaries of peace; they are its architects, and in this light, our students co-create peace clubs, organise interfaith dialogues, and participate in global youth summits. They learn that identity is not a wall but a window to see others more clearly.
From School Gates to Global Stages
The impact of transformative education in India is vividly illustrated by our CMS alumnus, Astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (SHUX), the pilot in the recent Axiom-4 spaceflight mission to the International Space Station (ISS), who shared a powerful message from orbit: “I do not see borders.” His words echo the Jai Jagat spirit, reflecting the borderless worldview instilled through CMS’s Global Peace Education. Shukla’s journey from a CMS classroom to the cosmos showcases how appreciating the true spirit of interfaith harmony prepares students to serve humanity on a global scale.
This spirit of unity extends beyond Shukla’s words. Another CMS alumnus, Manish Tripathi, a designer with an arts background, crafted the mission patch for Axiom-4, proudly worn on Shukla’s spacesuit. Two alumni, from science and arts, united in a shared mission—this is the Jai Jagat spirit in action. Their achievements highlight how school leadership peace at CMS fosters diverse talents, empowering students to contribute to society in unique ways. As Dr. Gandhi notes, “Every child carries the potential to shape a better world. Our role is to nurture that spark.”
The 10th International Interfaith Conference 2025: A Catalyst for Change
CMS’s commitment to creating platforms for student engagement in interfaith harmony finds its pinnacle in the 10th International Interfaith Conference, a transformative three-day event from 11th to 13th August, organised by CMS Rajajipuram Campus II on the theme of Together in Faith to Shape a Better World. This gathering will unite religious leaders, academics, policymakers, and students in thought-provoking discussions, collaborative exchanges, and insightful deliberations. Aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals, the conference explores sub-themes addressing pressing global challenges on:
- Religion as a Force for Unity
- Religion as a Force for Gender Equality
- Religion as a Force for Climate Action
For students, this conference offers a transformative opportunity to engage directly with pressing global issues. Let me share the experience of our CMS student Ananya, who attended the previous year’s conference and, inspired by the discussions with global leaders, launched a school campaign to reduce plastic waste, rallying peers to adopt sustainable practices. His story powerfully exemplifies our educational philosophy: to cultivate in students an informed awareness, sensitivity, and a proactive blend of curiosity and problem-solving skills. This approach aims to equip them as changemakers who recognise the urgent need to address complex societal challenges (Hoover and Douglas 2018; Bhatia and Pathak-Shelat 2019). The conference empowers CMS students to become informed champions of society, whose vision and purpose in life will transcend mere career excellence towards world-embracing agents of positive change in society, truly guided by a quote I personally draw inspiration from as well, that says, “So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.”
Through thought-provoking discussions, collaborative exchanges, and global deliberations, students will witness firsthand the power of peaceful discourse. By participating in the conference, students witness firsthand how interfaith harmony in schools translates into global solutions. They learn to move beyond tolerance to active collaboration, fostering a world where differences are celebrated. As Dr. Gandhi says, “When children see leaders of all faiths unite, they learn that peace is not a dream but a possibility.” We aim to ensure that every student who attends this conference gains a more expansive global outlook and a deeper commitment to their individual purpose.
Transforming Lives Through Purpose-Driven Education
Building a curriculum for coexistence is more than a teaching tool—it’s a roadmap for transformation. By integrating interfaith dialogue into daily learning, we encourage students to question biases and build connections. For instance, during a school project, students from different faiths collaborated to create a mural depicting shared values like kindness and justice. This hands-on experience taught them to value diversity while working toward common goals, a cornerstone of transformative education.
This approach prepares students for real-world challenges. Another example that comes to my mind is of our CMS graduate, who now works with an NGO promoting gender equality in rural India. She credits her appreciation for interfaith harmony for giving her the empathy and problem-solving skills to bridge community divides. Her journey illustrates how student engagement programs organised by the World Unity Education Department (WUED) at CMS empower students to lead with purpose, creating ripple effects of positive change. The 10th International Interfaith Conference amplifies this impact. Through workshops and keynote addresses, students engage with global issues like climate crises and social inequality, learning to apply ethical principles across contexts. This conference provides an inclusive platform, empowering participants to become confident advocates for global peace education. They will emerge ready to shape a unified world, actively embodying the inspiring vision of CMS Founder Manager, Dr. Jagdish Gandhi, that “the future rests in the hands of our children. Let us teach them to build a world of love and unity.”
A Call to Unite for a Better World
On behalf of the entire CMS family, I invite educators, students, and leaders to join the 10th International Interfaith Conference organised by CMS Rajajipuram Campus II and held at CMS Kanpur Road Campus from August 11th to 13th. Together, let’s harness the transformative impact of interfaith harmony to shape a future rooted in respect and collaboration, rooted in a beautiful quote I was recently reflecting on that said, “The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established.” At CMS, our dedicated school leadership and a curriculum intentionally focused on global peace education are actively shaping a brighter future. We achieve this by empowering each student’s journey in youth peace-building initiatives, fostering understanding, appreciation, and commitment to the spirit of interfaith harmony. To all parents, educators, and alumni: we invite you to witness this transformation. Join us as we continue to move from school gates to global citizenship, guided by the enduring light of Jai Jagat.
References:
Brooks, C. and B. Hajir (2020) Peace education in formal schools. Why is it important and how can it be done? International Alert.
Hoover, Kristine, and Maggie Douglas. 2018. “Learning Servant Leadership and Identifying Community-Based Strategies in Times of Divide: A Student, Faculty, and Community Partner Interfaith Collaboration.” Journal of Leadership Education 17 (2): 83-91. DOI:10.12806/V17/I2/A1
Bhatia, Kiran Vinod, and Manisha Pathak-Shelat. 2019. “Using Applied Theatre Practices in Classrooms to Challenge Religious Discrimination among Students.” Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy 62 (6): 605-613. DOI:10.1002/jaal.950.