Mumbai witnessed a unique celebration of peace and resilience this week as Heidi Kuhn, the founder of the global 'Roots of Peace' initiative, marked her 68th birthday by planting symbolic white roses at a city college and sharing her vision of turning weapons into tools for agriculture.
A Birthday Dedicated to Peace and Growth
Kuhn, who flew into Mumbai from California primarily to attend the ordination of Bishop Stephen Fernandes, took time on Wednesday to collaborate with the Harmony Foundation and St. Andrew's College of Arts, Science and Commerce in Bandra. The core event involved planting white rose bushes within the college campus, cutting a birthday cake, and engaging with enthusiastic students.
Her message to the young audience was powerful and clear: guns must be turned into shovels, and landmines must be replaced by grapevines. This philosophy stems from her organization's mission to convert war-ravaged lands into productive farms that ensure both peace and food security.
Earlier in the day, she also planted roses at St. Paul's Institute of Communication, an event attended by Maharashtra's Minister of Culture, Ashish Shelar.
Building Trust and Respecting Local Cultures
Dressed in a white shalwar kameez for the occasion, the former journalist emphasized that her work is fundamentally built on trust and long-lasting bonds with communities. She demonstrated deep respect for local customs, stating that she willingly wears a hijab while working in Afghanistan because earning trust is paramount.
"My work depends on trust. We create bonds that last long," Kuhn said. These bonds have enabled her to help communities from Afghanistan to Guatemala reclaim their land from the scars of conflict. A cancer survivor herself, she was inspired to start a campaign against what she calls the "cancer of landmines."
Beyond Physical De-mining: Healing Minds and Souls
For Kuhn, the process of de-mining must extend far beyond just clearing explosives from the soil. She advocates for a deeper, more profound healing. "De-mining must go beyond the soil. We have to de-mine our thoughts, our minds, and our souls," she told the gathering. She acknowledged India's rich legacy of great peace leaders who have shaped this philosophy.
Her relentless crusade, which uses agriculture and soil nourishment as instruments for peace, has earned her prestigious accolades, including the World Food Prize Laureate (2023) and the Harmony Foundation's Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice (2023).
However, she noted challenges, revealing that her work in Afghanistan and other regions has been impacted as funds from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have been cut, though support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) continues.
Expressing joy at returning to St. Andrew's College after 12 years, Kuhn said, "I am glad to see cheerful faces of young students. And today we are planting white roses which symbolise peace. The plant shows human resilience, with its flower soothing our senses." She laughingly added that she hopes to return when the roses are in full bloom.
Abraham Mathai, founder-chairman of the Harmony Foundation, highlighted the significance of the white rose campaign. "Through her philosophy of 'Peace Through Agriculture', Heidi Kuhn has dedicated her life to transforming conflict-ridden lands into thriving agricultural spaces. Her work empowers communities to reclaim their soil, rebuild livelihoods, and heal societal wounds —truly turning swords into ploughshares," he said.
