While returning home to Australia after nine months with Action for Life, a nine month programme of IofC in Asia, I said this during the inevitable discussion on men that occurs amongst young female passengers on long plane trips. My fellow traveler's reaction was to burst out laughing, “A man of integrity – you can’t be serious – do they even exist!”

Twenty of us met the President on December 3, 2004 at Rashtrapati Bhavan to present my book 'Mahanta ka Chap' (A Touch of Greatness – encounters with the Eminent).

Sushobha Barve, militante indienne pour la paix et directrice du Centre pour le Dialogue et la Réconciliation (CDR) de Delhi, s’est exprimée à Caux le 14 août, veille du soixantième anniversaire de l’indépendance de l’Inde et du Pakistan. Elle a retracé son parcours hors normes.

As I begin the New Year with AfL III, it is hard to believe that I only left Vancouver two months ago. This time in India has been so challenging and so rich and I am full of hope as I realize that there are still seven months to go with AfL.

Santosh’s small size is no indicator of her gutsy fight for justice. Nor of the mammoth task she’s taken on in her resettlement colony in Delhi’s north east.

"In 1998, I came across this idea of building toilets. It is amongst the lowliest of businesses to be in. It of course is the business of filth. But I can truly say that I enjoy my work."

Gandhi was born rich, educated abroad, was a qualified lawyer, and had a dutiful wife – basically the works. But he admonished all of that and instead practised simple living – high thinking, non-violence, celibacy, vegetarianism, abolishing all foreign stuff – boy! That's a tall order, I must say.

It is among the most challenging tasks to be called upon to explain the role or influence of an inexplicable presence in your life.

I almost share a birthday with free India and Pakistan. I was born exactly a month before the two countries gained their freedom from British rule. Even more important than economic growth, can India, Pakistan and China become known as models of trust, integrity and good governance?

Jose Carlos Leon Vargas (right) during 'Action for Life 3'

José Carlos Léon Vargas looks back on nine months in Asia with an unusual training programme.