As much as we yearn for individual peace do we long for collective peace. Peace on earth and goodwill to men is probably one of mankind's most powerful common dreams. Here's how to make it a reality

Sixties Peaceniks

All we are saying is give peace a chance
—John Lennon

Flower Power was at its peak, tie and dye were in vogue, Woodstock happened. Yes, we’re talking of the psychedelic 1960s.

Apart from the long-haired hippies and Timothy Leary’s famous one-liner (‘‘Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out’’), the turbulent ’60s symbolized an era of peace and love.

‘‘Peace is our religion and music is our food’’ was the recurring motif in the works of some of that era’s greatest musical names, such as:

Bob Dylan: Upheld as the spokesman of his generation, Dylan made a huge contribution in spreading the message of peace with songs such as Blowin’ in The Wind and The Times They Are A Changin’.

Today, these are the favourite anthems of peace marches.

John Lennon: The man who created the Beatles phenomenon was much more than a Beatle. Lennon created quite a stir on the political front in America with his infamous ‘Bed-In’ and ‘War is Over’ campaigns.

But this musician par excellence is best remembered for the immortal Imagine and Give Peace A Chance.

Joan Baez: She stood alongside Martin Luther King Jr. to lead a crowd of 2,50,000 in singing We Shall Overcome at the 1963 Civil Rights March in Washington DC.

A Vietnam War protestor and best known for her song Let Us Break Bread Together, Baez’s dulcet voice still champions the cause of peace.

Bob Marley: This Jamaican reggae singer with dreadlocks was awarded the UN Peace Medal in 1978. Marley’s Redemption Song and One Love/People Get Ready will always shine on as evocative paeans to freedom and peace.

Pete Seegar: Aged 81 today, Seegar hasn’t lost his passion for peace. He is a living musical legend, thanks to his lyrical songs Where Have All The Flowers Gone and If I Had A Hammer.

Richie Havens: Havens sang the lead song in Woodstock ’69, called Freedom. Even now, he goes around preaching love and peace, inspiring a brand new generation of peaceniks.

- Sunit Bezbaroowa