dbo:abstract
- S. P. Varma (Jammu and Kashmir) is a social worker and a peace activist from Jammu and Kashmir who has made exemplary contribution by spreading the message of peace in trouble-torn areas of the Kashmir valley. He met Nirmala Deshpande, an eminent Gandhian, at Jammu in 1990. Inspired by her work and dedication, he left his government job (Civil Engineer) and dedicated himself to Gandhism. He organised local communities for inter-faith meetings to re-establish the shattered trust in the Kashmir valley. He spread the movement to other disturbed areas of Doda, Udhampur, Rajouri and Poonch. The success achieved motivated him to gradually take the movement to other parts of the country especially in North East India and Naxalite hit areas of the country. S. P. Varma organised National Integration Camps, Aman Melas, Peace Marches, All-faith prayers, Seminars, Conferences, Workshops, Gandhian quiz competitions and cultural-Sports events in various pockets of the State as well as country in collaboration with various agencies during 1990–2015. He also became associated with Sunil Dutt, Union Minister and noted Bollywood actor in organizing and spearheading the work of Sadbhawana ke Sipahi in Jammu and Kashmir as chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir chapter. In 2005 he led the Gandhi peace mission to Europe where he delivered lectures on implementing Gandhian ideology in Jammu and Kashmir. He is active in peace padyatras and covered entire India to spread the message of peace, harmony, integration and creating awareness against social evils prevailing in the society. In 2015, he introduced UN-GGF Peace Trophy under the name Gandhi Mandela Cricket Series for the special children of J&K State who lives in orphan homes. In 2018, he collaborated Gandhi Global Family with Department of Higher Education, J&K Government and introduced the SDGs in all the colleges located in Jammu & Kashmir. Today over hundred thousands of youth of the State have come in direct touch with the SDGs. The purpose of such initiative is to enable the younger generation to join hands towards community welfare and thereby promoting global goals. In 2020 & 2021, during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic crisis, Dr S P Varma with the help of GGF volunteers formed in Jammu and Kashmir and has organized more than 350 Relief & Covid-19 Awareness camps and distributed grocery kits, immunity booster kits & hygiene kits to migrants and local needy families of Jammu and Kashmir. On 5 August 2020, Dr S P Varma reported Covid positive and was hospitalized along with 4 members of his family including three years old granddaughter Nmami Varma. From hospital, he announced to organize 150 relief camps in J&K as a perfect tribute to Mahatma Gandhi during his ongoing 150th birth anniversary year. After completing 150 camps on 2nd Oct 2020, he has continued the efforts in helping needy people by organising more relief & covid19 awareness camps in Jammu & Kashmir. In 2012 Govt of India recognized his selfless services towards country with Padma Shri award. In 2017, De Montfort University, England has conferred Honorary Doctorate (D Lit) on him for his peace work in India.Since 2016, he is the NGO delegate for Gandhi Global Family to UN Department of Global Communication (DGC), New York. (en)