Speakers said terrorism was in fact the beginning of the third world war and all countries in varying degrees were facing the threat from extremists.

Prof. Devendra Shukla who taught Hindi in China for several years, said the UN should be more proactive in enforcing human rights as enshrined in its charter.

The consensus that emerged was that the world body should play an active role in resolving disputes promptly and independently without being pressured by the US. Prof. Keshri Nandan, head of the mass communication department said the UN had definitely brought the world together in a common brotherhood and helped bridge the communication gaps among nations, but its democratisation was long overdue.

Rajnish Verma and Prashant Pachauri asked why only a handful of nations should exercise the Veto power. "This august body needed to be democratised and all nation members should enjoy equal rights."

Speakers wanted the UN to float a world body of sports and an international university where talents from all countries could pool in their intellectual wealth for common good.

With the world being reduced to a global village due to communication technologies, new problems have cropped up. The world must be made safer and egalitarian through effective measures including hassle less travel between nations, speakers said.