Indian Medics for Peace Health and Development

Jammu and Kashmir, 21^st May 2005. The Indian doctors and medical students held a seminar on “PEACE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT – SOUTH ASIAN PERSPECTIVE” on 21st May 2005 at Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences (ASCOMS), Jammu. They resolved to work for peace, disarmament and harmony in the region. They demanded complete elimination of nuclear weapons from earth, south Asia to be declared nuclear free zone, check on proliferation of small arms & end to arms trade, end to all kinds of violence, resolution of pending issues between countries of south Asia through mutual dialogue and diversion of funds from arms race to health, education and development so that health as fundamental right is ensured to all citizens. The Seminar was organized by the Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD) as a part of its campaign ‘Abolish Nuclear Weapons – Give Peace a Chance’.

Speaking on the occasion Justice R.P. Sethi, former Judge Supreme Court of India the Chief Guest at the function pointed out that the US, as a sole superpower is trying to become global policeman and is dictating its terms defying all the norms and forms of international law and justice. It is therefore essential for people and governments all developing countries that only a peaceful atmosphere can help ameliorate hunger and poverty prevailing in their countries. One billion people die of disease every year and 40,000 infants are dying every day. Eradication of poverty, hunger and disease are essential for a lasting peace. Peace, prosperity and security are complimentary to each other. The subject is most relevant to south Asia as this is one among the most deprived region in the world. It is therefore necessary that both India and Pakistan give more attention to the basic needs of their people rather than falling prey to arms race and nuclear weaponisation. He lauded the role of IDPD for its efforts in promoting peace.

Dr L S Chawla, President IDPD said that doctors all over the world have been concerned with health of the society. History is witness to the unprecedented destruction caused by the atomic bombing by the USA on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. More than 200,000 people had died in those attacks. Present day weapons are several times more deadly that those, which are now a days termed as Toy Bombs. With present stockpile of 30,000 nuclear warheads life on earth can be destroyed 12 times over. World spends about Rs.16000 crores of rupees on arms every day. USA alone spends about Rs.7000 crores. The US is trying to be global policeman as is evident from its aggression on Iraq. This aggression was opposed by the IDPD. It is unfortunate we have also fallen trap in the arms race including nuclear. All along the border there are landmines, which cause loss of human lives due to accident and also loss of cattle. The land fertility is adversely affected. We need to address to the problems of hunger and poverty, which are the agents of mass destruction.

Dr Mahesh Maskey, the Vice President IPPNW South Asian region pointed out that almost all countries of the region at this moment are under the effect of violence. This is causing serious effect on health and education of the people. Referring to the situation in Nepal he said that human rights violation is at its peak in the country. Maoist violence can not be solved with force but by full filling basic minimum needs of the people. Restoration of democratic rights is the essential pre-requisite for peace in Nepal.

Earlier introducing the purpose of the seminar, Dr. Arun Mitra, General Secretary IDPD said that the 21st May has been chosen to hold this seminar because it falls between 11th and 28th May when India and Pakistan carried out nuclear tests in 1998 respectively. The IDPD has since been campaigning for complete denuclearization of the South Asian Region. Perpetual tension between India and Pakistan, terrorism in Sri Lanka, Maoist Violence in Nepal and increasing fundamentalism in Bangladesh have adversely effected, the development process in the region. This region is already one amongst the poorest as per the UNDP report, but it spends huge amount on the arms race. It is therefore essential that mutual cooperation among the countries of the region is strengthened; the issues/disputes are resolved through bilateral dialogue. Only a lasting peace-not the weapons is a guarantee for security. He also informed that whereas the IDPD carries out public awareness campaigns on the question of peace and health, we also lobby with the decision makers. One such Dialogue with Decision Makers (DWDM) was held in February-March 2004 in India and Pakistan.