KNYSNA NEWS - Six people with minimum resources and money started a "peace walk" two months ago in South Africa – on 2 October, the anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi in 1869.
Two of them, Nitin Sonawane of India, and Buddhist monk Kanshin Ikeda visited Knysna last week as part of a break where they stayed with friends and took a bus to Cape Town where they will end the walk and tour Robben Island.
"Walking is a great way to connect with local people, nature (all living and nonliving things) and most importantly, for oneness. We followed the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela along the way to show the world that peace is possible and these two people are our hope," said Sonawane.
In June 2017 he walked for one month with Buddhist monk Nipponzan Myohoji, and one month alone from Tokyo to Hiroshima in Japan.
"This is how I met reverend Kanshin Ikeda. At the end of the first day of the peace walk he saw me suffering because of my worn shoes. He gifted me new pair which I used until Colombia. I called him for peace walk in South Africa and he accepted my request… He is a great blessing for all peace walkers.
His commitment for peace through walking and praying was so inspiring, and all meals and water he served us with love and care," he said.
In the tracks of great men
Sonawane said in their quest to follow in the tracks of Gandhi and Madiba, they visited places where Gandhi took "larger identity of himself", such as when he was thrown out of a train in Pietermaritzburg, the place where he spent an entire night to ponder what actions should be taken against injustice and inequality. "His commitment and belief in nonviolence gave hope to the world, and I slept in that waiting room which keeps inspiring me a lot."
They also visited the site where Madiba was captured before his 27-years' imprisonment.
"When we arrived in Johannesburg all people I met said it's not safe to walk outside, but during the last 60 days no one touched us and showed no intention to steal anything from us. It was a very safe and lovely journey, we bowed and waved with love to every person on the street and we got much more love from people."
Sonawane said they would never forget these 60 days in South Africa as each day provided new hope, love and inspiration.
"On my last waking day, I was so emotional remembering all the people who supported us and showed love to us. What we received from South Africa is much more than what we gave.
My belief in humanity is now much stronger. It was a life-changing experience for me, it makes me more committed to keep exploring, sharing, walking and giving the hope of peace to the world through truth and nonviolence".
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