Compassion and rule of law are intricately interlinked: Dalveer Bhandari

MUMBAI: Far from war torn, conflict ridden areas of the globe where human rights are crushed daily, a dozen torch bearers of humanity’s foremost quality, compassion, were recognized and bestowed with Mother Teresa Memorial Awards, 2017, in Mumbai on Sunday evening. In Mumbai, for the first time since his historic election as Judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at Hague, Justice Dalveer Bhandari, as chief guest at the event underlined the importance of compassion in today’s times.
“Concepts of compassion and related human values and the rule of law are intricately interlinked and fundamentally inseparable,’’ said Justice Bhandari.
Noting how Mother Teresa in 1979 after wining the Nobel Peace prize reminded the world that the “poorest of poor are our brothers and sisters’’, Justice Bhandari — former Chief Justice of Bombay high court — said,“In a world riddled with unimaginable terrors, violence and blatant attacks on the rule of law, as well as the human values that underline it, it is imperative that we focus on the core values of compassion and human resilience…The rule of law aims to protect such values of humanity, equality and inclusiveness…which drive service to humanity.’’
Vice-President of Afghanistan Danish Sarwar, also a guest of honour at the event organized by Harmony Foundation and its founder Abraham Mathai, listed the horrors including poverty, migration, oppression that decades of war and conflicts can wreck on populations . “I and my people have felt the bitterness of war…Therefore as a citizen of Afghanistan, I have a deep appreciation of the humanitarian support and the assistance of our International allies to my country for achieving peace, security and development.”

Vice-president of Afghanistan Danish Sarwar.
“I would like to thank the great country of India as one of the closest friends and allies of Afghanistan that has significantly supported the Afghan government in different arenas…I hope hope these friendly ties are further strengthened and lead to more progress and welfare in our country.’’
Abraham Mathai said, “Let us disarm radicalization and terror by uniting countries and religions by connecting its children..we need to break barriers and make space for children including those of refugees to connect and create unbreakable bonds in the face of humanitarian crises.’’
The theme for 2017 was “compassion without borders.’’
Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, who is currently helping build 25000 houses for refugees in Yemen; Michael Roy of Caritas Internationalis, a confederation of 165 national organisations; Fr Tom Uzhunnalil from India, who while helping with Missionaries of Charity “displayed stoic resilience in the face of imminent death after being held hostage by ISIS terrorists in Yemen for a year and half’’; Khalsai Aid, Zakat Foundation, Isra Aid and Mercy Corps, all work tirelessly to ensure human rights of refugees are not destroyed.
Dan, the humanitarian architect said, “natural disasters are no longer natural but man made.’’
“The goal to live by is that everyone is responsible for their neighbor’’. Dan, who works for the Rohingyas’ rights, said “their (Rohingya) future is in Myanmar, not outside.’’
Fr Tom said, "Terrorists are created by communities. If our communities can be forgiving...We should learn to forgive each other and ourselves. We should forgive ourselves first, then our hearts and mind will be at peace."
On his 18 months as a hostage he said, "I didn't feel any fear...Do the right thing at the right time."