World Wide Support for Article 51 of the Constitution of India

CORRESPONDENCE WITH UN SECRETARY-GENERALCopy of letters sent to UN Secretary-General in pursuance of the direction given in the Lucknow Declaration 2007H.E. Mr. Ban Ki Moon,Date : 02-02-2008UN Secretary-General,The United Nations,1st Avenue & E 44th Street,New York, N.Y. 10017, U.S.A.Subject : 8th International Conference of Chief Justices of the world(7 to 10 December 2007) - Request for action on the resolution.YourExcellency,We are enclosing herewith copy of the Resolution, entitledas the “Lucknow Declaration-2007', passed by the Hon'ble ChiefJustices and Judges, representing their Chief Justices, fromvarious countries of the world, at the 8th International Conferenceof Chief Justices of the world convened by the City MontessoriSchool (CMS), Lucknow (India) on 7th to 10th December, 2007.The aforementioned Resolution was passed in the closing'Interactive Session of the Conference after detailed discussionsby Hon'ble Judges. A list of Hon'ble Justices who have assentedto and signed the said Resolution is also enclosed for yourExcellency's kind perusal. A list of Hon'ble Chief Justices andJudges who attended the Conference is also attached for yourkind perusal. Since many Judges had to leave Lucknow before orat the time of the 'Interactive Session', to attend to their courtwork, they could not partake in the session and sign theResolution but had expressed their views in their speeches whichare reflected in the Resolution. The Hon'ble Justices have resolvedthat the aforementioned Resolution be sent to your Excellency forkind consideration by the United Nations Organisation and havealso requested the UNO to forward it to all members of theorganization.The City Montessori School, popularly known as CMS, isimparting value – based quality education to children right fromMontessori classes to Graduate level and has on its roll over32,000 students in the City of Lucknow. According to theGuinness Book of Records, it is the largest school in the worldby pupils on roll in a single city. The vision, philosophy andmission of CMS is to inculcate in the young impressionable mindsthe concept of world unity and world peace, oneness of religionand oneness of God. This concept is inculcated not only in theminds of students of CMS but also in the minds of thousands ofstudents of other schools of India and abroad who come toparticipate in about two dozen international academic eventsorganized by CMS every year. The philosophy, vision and missionof CMS has been appreciated by UNESCO also which hasawarded to CMS 'The 2002 UNESCO Prize for Peace Education''in recognition of its efforts to promote the universal values ofeducation for peace and tolerance at a time when these valuesare increasingly being challenged'. The mission of CMS is tocreate world-wide awareness for world peace and world unity inthe interest of humanity. With this end in view, CMS organizes theInternational Conferences of Chief Justices of the world on Article51oftheConstitutionofIndiawhichrelatestointernationalpeaceandsecurity.ThesaidArticle51actsasabeaconforus.This has unequivocally been acknowledged that children,who are common denominator for all nations, have to be provideda safe and secure future. The world belongs to them; and it is ourbounden duty and obligation to preserve this world for the sake ofchildren and future generations. They have a right over us, and onthat foundation we have got to be acting as trustees and to seethat no more destruction and wars take place and other problemswhich threaten the very existence and survival of humankind aretackled so that we are able to pass on to our children a brighterinheritancethanthatwhichwasbequeathedtous.The prevailing situation creates a sense of insecurity andfear in young minds. Large stockpile of Weapons of MassDestruction (WMD), trans-national network of terrorist groupshaving global reach making common cause either on grounds ofreligion or ethnic disputes and environmental degradationresulting in global warming and climate change will have veryserious repercussions and are cause of serious concern. Future oftwo-billion children and future generations is at stake and it is ourbounden duty to create conditions so as to assure them that theywill survive and that we are honestly and with dedication tryingto bequeath to them and future generations a better, united andpeaceful world. We have also to provide for their shelter, food,potable water, education and health services. And this is possibleif the huge resources spent on weapons, defense preparedness andon research of new and more destructive weapons and theirdelivery systems are consecrated to the welfare of humankind,especially children.The U.N.O. has, through its various organs and agencies,brought about many changes and has taken commendable stepsin various fields. The U.N.O. was established in 1945 and now itrequires to fit in the present world scenario and reflect our hopesand aspirations. However, since the U.N.O. is working for humanemancipation more than any other single organization, it isnecessary to strengthen the authority, prestige and power of theU.N.O. for ensuring a safe future and safe ecology by suchamendments in the U.N. Charter as may be considered expedient.This view has been expressed by Hon'ble Justices at the 8thInternational Conference of Chief Justices. Besides, they havealso strongly supported the idea to empower the InternationalCourt of Justice. In the present world scenario it appearsimperative to extend jurisdiction of the International Court ofJustice to all nations for resolving all international disputes andconflicts peacefully and legally.All the participants expressed their sentiments against thehuge expenditure being incurred on wars and on manufactureand maintenance of weapons of mass destruction andrecommended that this expenditure should be consecrated forthe welfare of humankind.Need for creating awareness among children and alsoamong all sections of society by giving priority to peace educationin educational curricula was considered of primary importance.Besides, creating awareness about international law andfundamental human rights, human values and economic andsocial rights was also emphasized. Emphasis was also given toimparting of training about international law and various human,social and economic rights to lawyers and judges in the interest ofhuman welfare and emancipation.Hon'ble Judges have, on their part, undertaken, wheneverthe occasion arises, to take effective steps to protect and promotethe best interest of children, to promote respect for the dignity ofhumankind and to promote true respect for all religions.Excellency, the Hon'ble Judges with their dedication tojustice, impartiality and regard to universal values and law arehighly esteemed and trusted by all sections of society becausetheir minds are conditioned towards justice. They are theconscience keepers of humankind and custodians of the welfareof humanity's silent masses. Therefore, we hope that their viewsas expressed in the attached, Resolution – 'The LucknowDeclaration-2007', will be given due weightage in the interest ofhumanity in general and children in particular because childrenare wealth of every nation and are loved by one and all, and assuch their interest and future should not be ignored. As yourExcellency may be aware, Henrik Tikkanen had said 'Because wedon't think about future generations, they will never forget us.' Itis our bounden duty to bequeath to our children a better, moreunited and peaceful world than that which was inherited by us.Now, therefore, we request that the Resolution – TheLucknow Declaration-2007 be placed before the U.N.O. andconsidered for taking such steps as may be consideredappropriate in the interest of children and future generations. Themembers of World Judiciary who will assemble for the nextInternational Conference of Chief Justices proposed to be held inDecember 2008 shall definitely be awaiting your Excellency'sviews and that of the U.N.O. As desired by the Hon'ble Justicesthe Resolution may kindly be sent to all member nations so thatthey may take such steps in their own countries as has beenstated in the resolution.Withkindestregards,(RatanChandraGupta)GeneralSecretaryoftheConferenceGeneralSecretaryofCMS, LucknowYours sincerely,(Jagdish Gandhi)Convener of the 8th InternationalConferenceofChiefJusticesoftheWorld,Founder-ManagerofCMS,LucknowIt is spirit, determination, faith and devotion, which bring victories into being, one after another and not luxury and leisure.– CMS, Laureate of 2002 UNESCO Prize for Peace Education24