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Research finds that majority of Indian and Pakistani youth desires peace; want a more responsible media
by Jan Sher Khan
An Independent research undertaken by Jan Sher Khan who is an M.Phil Media student at University of Central Punjab, Lahore undertook a research on the opinion of Indians and Pakistanis on cross-border peace, its potential, challenges and on social media as a tool for peace journalism. Following is the report of the research.
After almost 75 years of independence, Pakistan and India are still at bars when it comes to peace building. The hostile and mistrust relations between the political and military of both countries causes an impact on peace building process between common people. The media works as a spokesperson to the peace or war policy set by the state institutions. There are many independent platforms who are working for peace between the two countries mostly run by youth. The large part of population in both countries comprises of youth. Both countries invests a large share of their GDP on defense due to hostile relations and obviously because of Kashmir issue, the prime reason. Both countries own nuclear weapons which is threatening for the peace of the entire region. We the people of sub-continent cannot afford war because it will push us to back age. Peace is the only option we have now but media in both countries trying their best to manipulate youth minds for the establishment of state agenda. The independent peace building has many restrictions on state level because it will harm their agenda of concern. So, the independent peace builders left with only one source and that is social media. Social media is independent source of interaction and sharing information. Through social media we can have true representation of other side free of any filters and agenda.
In order to understand how the youth in India and Pakistan perceive cross-border peacebuilding, a survey study is conducted in which young population between 14 to 29 age from both India and Pakistan participated. A series of closed ended questions presented to them which they answered. They were being asked about what they think about youth capability of changing hate narrative, the peace process between two countries, the social media importance in this regard and various questions related to this. Following are few results:
| Table no 1.0: Youth Capability of changing hate narrative between two countries | ||||||||
| Responses | Pakistani | Indian | ||||||
| Male | Female | Male | Female | |||||
| Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | Number | % | |
| Yes | 24 | 92% | 14 | 82% | 21 | 100% | 12 | 75% |
| No | 1 | 4% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% | 1 | 6% |
| Maybe | 1 | 4% | 3 | 18% | 0 | 0% | 3 | 19% |
| Total | 26 | 100% | 17 | 100% | 21 | 100% | 16 | 100% |
The above table clearly shows that 92% of Pakistani males and 82% Pakistanis females think that youth is capable of changing hate narrative while 100% of Indian males and 75% Indian females think they are capable of doing that.
| Table no 2.0: Indo-Pak peace necessity for regional peace | ||||
| Responses | Pakistani | Indian | ||
| Number | Percentage % | Number | Percentage % | |
| Yes | 40 | 93% | 35 | 95% |
| No | 1 | 2% | 0 | 0% |
| Maybe | 2 | 5% | 2 | 5% |
| Total | 43 | 100% | 37 | 100% |
Table 2.0 shows 93% Pakistanis and 95% Indians think Indo-Pak peace is necessary for the integrity of whole South Asian region. This table clearly highlights the youth mentality regarding importance of peace in these two countries.
| Table no 3.0: Peace Building Platforms importance in voiding misconceptions | ||||
| Responses | Pakistani | Indian | ||
| Number | Percentage % | Number | Percentage % | |
| Yes | 31 | 72% | 26 | 70% |
| No | 6 | 14% | 2 | 5% |
| Maybe | 6 | 14% | 9 | 24% |
| Total | 43 | 100% | 37 | 100% |
Table 3.0 shows 72% of Pakistanis and 70% of Indians think peace building platforms can help in voiding misconceptions which prevails among the people of both countries. Only 5% Indians and 14% Pakistanis negates the importance peace building platforms.
| Table no 4.0: Social media as a source of Peace building | ||||
| Responses | Pakistani | Indian | ||
| Number | Percentage % | Number | Percentage % | |
| Yes | 36 | 84% | 28 | 76% |
| No | 2 | 5% | 1 | 3% |
| Maybe | 5 | 12% | 8 | 22% |
| Total | 43 | 100% | 37 | 100% |
Table 4.0 shows that 84% of Pakistanis and 76% of Indians think social can be used as a source of peace building between two nations. Only 5% Pakistanis and 3% of Indians said no to social media importance regarding peace building while other remains neutral.
| Table no 5.0: Negligence of mainstream media interests in peace building | ||||
| Responses | Male | Female | ||
| Number | Percentage % | Number | Percentage % | |
| Yes | 32 | 68% | 20 | 61% |
| No | 6 | 13% | 0 | 0% |
| Maybe | 9 | 19% | 13 | 39% |
| Total | 47 | 100% | 33 | 100% |
Table 5.0 shows that 68% of males of both India and Pakistan think that the mainstream media in both countries have no interests in peace building. On the other hand 61% females came in favor of the statement that mainstream media disinterested in peace building process of India and Pakistan. A large female proportion of 39% remained neutral on this.
| Table no 6.0: Government restrictions in people to people interaction | ||||
| Responses | Pakistani | Indian | ||
| Number | Percentage % | Number | Percentage % | |
| Yes | 34 | 79% | 25 | 68% |
| No | 3 | 7% | 3 | 8% |
| Maybe | 6 | 14% | 9 | 24% |
| Total | 43 | 100% | 37 | 100% |
Table 6.0 shows that 79% of Pakistanis and 68% of Indians think that Government in their respective countries impose restrictions in people to people interaction. Only 7% Pakistanis and 8% Indians negates it while 14% Pakistanis and 37% Indians remained neutral.
| Table no 7.0: Peace Building is difficult in both countries | ||||
| Responses | Pakistani | Indian | ||
| Number | Percentage % | Number | Percentage % | |
| Yes | 21 | 49% | 14 | 38% |
| No | 16 | 37% | 17 | 46% |
| Maybe | 6 | 14% | 6 | 16% |
| Total | 43 | 100% | 37 | 100% |
Table no 7.0 shows interesting results as 49% of Pakistanis and 38% of Indians think that peace building is a difficult process in both countries. A majority of Indians which is 46% negates this statement and think peace building is not difficult while 37% Pakistanis also second this.
| Table no 8.0: Social media is the only source left for peace builders | ||
| Responses | Number | Percentage % |
| Yes | 24 | 30% |
| No | 44 | 55% |
| Maybe | 12 | 15% |
| Total | 80 | 100% |
Table no 8.0 shows that 55% of Indians and Pakistanis think that social media is not the only source left for the peace builders while 30% think that the social media is the only source left for the peace building. The other 15% remained neutral.
| Table no 9.0: Justification of labelling Peace builders as traitors | ||
| Responses | Number | Percentage % |
| Yes | 16 | 20% |
| No | 47 | 59% |
| Maybe | 17 | 21% |
| Total | 80 | 100% |
Table 9.0 shows that 59% of Indians and Pakistanis think it is not justified to label peace makers or builders of both countries as traitors. Only 20% said that it is justified while only 21% respondents remained neutral on this.
| Table no 10: Peace Building between the two countries is a long process | ||
| Responses | Number | Percentage % |
| Yes | 59 | 74% |
| No | 14 | 18% |
| Maybe | 7 | 9% |
| Total | 80 | 100% |
Table no 10 shows that the 74% of Indians and Pakistanis think that the peace building is a long process in India and Pakistan whereas 18% denied this statement. Only 9% remained neutral on this stance.
| Table no 11: Issues of Common man are same in both countries | ||
| Responses | Number | % |
| Yes | 68 | 85% |
| No | 4 | 5% |
| Maybe | 8 | 10% |
| Total | 80 | 100% |
Table no 11 shows that the 85% of respondents from both countries think that the issues of common man are same in India and Pakistan. 5% denied this while only 10% remained neutral to this point.
From the above findings we can say that the youth in both countries knows the importance of peace in their respective nations. They knows how government becomes barrier among people to people interaction and how this peace process become complex. The youth of both countries have clear thoughts when it comes to integrity of whole region which relies on Indo-Pak peace. Peace building is difficult in these countries but the issues of public are of same interests which can help them to coordinate with each other for better understanding and opportunities. Social media can emerge as source of peace building with its uninterrupted dimensions and independent interaction policies. Peace builders can play an important role in this regard because they know how to face criticism due to their peaceful nature which may cause problem to trouble makers in the both countries. There are high hopes that youth of both countries have capability of voiding these misconceptions through peace building and interaction with each other.
Jan Sher Khan is a Pakistan-based M.Phil student, peace activist and a researcher on social issues.
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Indo-Pak Peace Calendar 2022: List of Participants, Winners and Runner up Students
On 23 February, Aaghaz-e-Dosti will launch the 10th Indo-Pak Peace Calendar. To join the virtual launch, fill the form here
During the launch, besides a panel discussion with eminent speakers, students whose paintings were selected will be felicitated. Here is the list of the winners, runner-up students and participants.
Selected Paintings
India
- Aadhyaa Ayodhikaa, DAV Public School, Cuttack, Odisha (India)
- Aarya Prasad Sahu – Gyan Mandir Public School, Delhi (India)
- Dhunn – Police DAV Public School, Ludhiana, Punjab (India)
- Gauri Vijay Ghanwat – Kamala Nimbkar Balbhavan, Sitara, Maharashtra (India)
- Mehakjot Kaur – BCM Arya Model Sr Sec School, Shastri Nagar, Ludhiana, Punjab (India)
- Zeba Yusuf Patel – Matoshri English Medium School, Pune, Maharashtra (India)
Pakistan
- Ayesha Iftikhar, Lahore Grammar School I – Shah Jamal, Lahore (Pakistan)
- Haniya Waseem – Ismail Academy, Karachi (Pakistan)
- Mauhib Ghulam Murtaza – The AMI School, Karachi (Pakistan)
- Rida Siddique – Jamshed Memorial School, Karachi (Pakistan)
- Subbuh Shafiq – DMC East Govt Girls Secondary School, Karachi (Pakistan)
- Umm-e-Maryam Ameen – Ismail Academy, Karachi (Pakistan)
Shortlisted Paintings
India
- Julie Hemram – PYDS Learning Academy, Dehradun, Uttarakhand (India)
- Manharleen Kaur – DAV Public School, Amritsar, Punjab (India)
- Priyani Makasare – Late Anantrao Pawar Memorial English Medium School, Pune, Maharashtra (India)
- Siddhi Prasad – Laxmi Nagar Mumbai Public School, Mumbai, Maharashtra (India)
- Simran – Police DAV Public School, Ludhiana, Punjab (India)
- Ujefa Kivande – Matoshri English Medium School, Pune, Maharashtra (India)
Pakistan
- Akhshara – Jamshed Memorial School, Karachi (Pakistan)
- Amna – DMC East Girls & Boys Elementary School No. JT-33, Karachi (Pakistan)
- Bisma Farooq – DMC East Government Quaid e Azam English Medium School Campus-I, Karachi (Pakistan)
- Fazal Ullah – Sanjan Nagar Public Education Trust School, Lahore (Pakistan)
- Maliha Gul – Happy Home Secondary School, Karachi (Pakistan)
- Mysha – Happy Home Secondary School, Karachi (Pakistan)
List of Participants
India
| Aafiya Naaz |
| Aalfiya Irfan Maniyar |
| Aalima Zaib Suhrawardy |
| Aamna Shaikh |
| Aarav Kaushik |
| Adiba Jahangir Tamboli |
| Aditi Divkar |
| Aditi Kamble |
| Advita Mali |
| Afra Shaikh |
| Aiza Arshid |
| Aksa Shaikh |
| Akshat |
| Akshit Arora |
| Akshita Jain |
| Alisha Shaikh |
| Amandeep Singh |
| Amreen Irfan Maniyar |
| Aniket vadmane |
| Anirudh |
| Anjali |
| Anjali Chavan |
| Ankita Chechi |
| Anmol Preet Singh |
| Ansh Madaan |
| Anushka Vinod Dhamal |
| Apeksha Yadav |
| Arbeena Shaikh |
| Aribabi Faruk Shaikh |
| Arman |
| Arshia Sharma |
| Arshiya Shaikh |
| Arya Shirke |
| Asmi |
| Atiya ustad |
| Ayesha Anjum |
| Ayush Mall |
| Ayushi Arora |
| Ayushi Sharma |
| Baani |
| Bhavie Verma |
| Bhavika Sood |
| Bhumi Chavan |
| Bhumi Jha |
| Brahamleen Kaur |
| Chahat |
| Chahat Verma |
| Chaitralee DSarharankar |
| Chetan Malik |
| Chetna Sahni |
| Chhaya Varalu |
| Chuninda |
| Dakshita |
| Deepa Jha |
| Dhara Bhandari |
| Dhiraj Bagga |
| Dhvani Syal |
| Dilpreet Kaur |
| Eshwari Ganesh Mahamulkar |
| Faraziya |
| Ganesh Kachi |
| Ganesh Vijay Ghanwat |
| Garima Seth |
| Gayatri Sudhir Shinde |
| Girija Kamble |
| Gurshaan Basra |
| Himani Tuli |
| Himanshi Bhasin |
| Himanshu Sharma |
| Hinal Kumawat |
| Hitesh Rattan |
| Hunar Jain |
| Ibrahim Shaikh |
| Ilma Asif Shaikh |
| Isha Singh |
| Jai Sharma |
| Janhavi Yadav |
| Jasleen Bal |
| Jasmeet Singh |
| Jaspreet Singh |
| Jivan |
| Jumman |
| Jyoti Rana |
| Kalia |
| Kanishka Joshi |
| Karan bhandari |
| Khalid Bashir |
| Khizra. T. Shaikh |
| Khushdeep Bawa |
| Khushi Bansal |
| Khushi Bansal |
| Khushi Sharma |
| Krish |
| Kritika |
| Kritika Gupta |
| Kritika Kori |
| Laxmi Chavan |
| Manisha Sandhu |
| Matin Rashid Maner |
| Medha Naveen |
| Meenal Kumawat |
| Mehakpreet Kaur |
| Meher Khan |
| Milan |
| Misba Javed |
| Misbah Mashkoor Natnoo |
| MOHAMMAD RAFAN BHAT |
| Mohd Ali Patel |
| Mohd Modki |
| Mrudula J |
| Mukul Kumar |
| Muqadas Ali |
| Muskan |
| Muskan |
| Mustafa Shaikh |
| Nandini Barki |
| Nandini Chauhan |
| Nandni kumari |
| Navneet Kaur |
| Navya Arora |
| Navya Maurya |
| Neha Devkule |
| Neha Retawade |
| Nipun Tanwar |
| Nirmiti Ratnakar Kshirsagar |
| P Dishita |
| Pari Tanwar |
| Parth Rendalkar |
| Pearlpreet Kaur |
| Prabhkirat Kaur |
| Prabhsimran Kaur |
| Prachi Rewale |
| Prapti |
| Pratiksha Jha |
| Pratiksha Mishra |
| Prince gupta |
| Priyansh Jain |
| Priyanshu Yadav |
| Rachna Goud |
| Raj Chauhan |
| Rajpreet |
| Raksha |
| Ramzan shaikh |
| Reema rawani |
| Riddhi Chauhan |
| Rifat Shaikh |
| Rita Chauhan |
| Riya Raut |
| Rosen Sunder |
| Roshan Shah |
| Ruchita Hemant Ghanwat |
| Sachneet Kaur |
| Saddam |
| Sairam Pore |
| Sajal Vijay Kachare |
| Sakshi Chavan |
| Sakshi Negi |
| Saloni Guge |
| Samaira Paul |
| Samreet Saini |
| Sanjeev Choudhary |
| Sanskruti Pacharkar |
| Sanskruti Pacharkar |
| Sarbjeet |
| Sarthki Waghmare |
| Satyam Tripathi |
| Saya Sanjay Salve |
| Shambhavi Tripathi |
| Sharavani tonge |
| Shehnaz Shaikh |
| Shifa Amit Tamboli |
| Shifali Sharma |
| Shikha Pandey |
| Shivangi Thapa |
| Shlok Hotthige |
| Shraddha Amol Pawar |
| Shreya Suresh Yadav |
| Shubham Hanumanprasad Yadav |
| Shubhi Shah |
| Shweta khade |
| Siddhi Satish Jagdale |
| Sidharth Nagesh |
| Sidiksha Makheeja |
| Sidra |
| Sikhman Kaur |
| Simranjeet Kaur |
| Sirjan Kaur |
| Sonali Jadwan |
| Srushti |
| Suhana Parveen |
| Sumaiya |
| Sunidhi Rathore |
| Tahura Maniyar |
| Tahura Shaikh |
| Tamanna |
| Tanisha Tikhe |
| Tanmay Prakash Anbhule |
| Tanmay Prakash Anbhule |
| Tanuja Pawar |
| Tanvi Kamal |
| Tanya |
| Tanya Arora |
| Tejal |
| Tuba Khan |
| Tvisha |
| Utkarsh Thite |
| Vaishnavi Pacharkar |
| Vanshika |
| Vanshika Chauhan |
| Vanshika Dhiman |
| Varindesh Rajpal |
| Vatsala Sharma |
| Vibha M Iyengar |
| Vivana Bharucha |
| Yasir |
| Zaafira Muneer |
| Zainab Shah |
| Zameer Quadri |
| Zara Shaikh |
| Zeel Anil Karne |
| Zikra Shaikh |
Pakistan
| Abdul Rashid |
| Ahmed Raza |
| Akash |
| Alishba Ashiq Masih |
| Anshara Naeem |
| Anshara Younus |
| Areeku |
| Awais Ahmed |
| Bernica |
| Bisma Tariq |
| Fabeha Khan |
| Javeria Waqas |
| Kiran |
| Laiba Khan |
| M Akbar |
| Madiha Gul |
| Maham Wazeer |
| Meerab |
| Mehak Sadiq |
| Muzamil |
| Pakeeza Fatima |
| Sameer Tanveer |
| Shiza Muhammad Ali |
| Syed Ali |
| Zuneera Sagheer |
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Selected and Shortlisted Paintings for 10th Indo-Pak Peace Calendar
The Indo-Pak Peace calendar is an annual initiative of Aaghaz-e-Dosti. It brings together beautiful artistic
expressions of the youth – the leaders of tomorrow – and inspiring words of those who
have been actively engaged in nurturing a more prosperous subcontinent. The calendar
aims to work as an everyday reminder of the similarities among people across the
barbed wires– in habit, struggle, and the desire for peace.
This is our tenth calendar. Like every year, we received thought-provoking expressions
from students of several cities in India and Pakistan. And like every year, it was a
challenge to select only twelve paintings, as we firmly believe that each and every
expression is precious. However, in addition to these 12 paintings, we also shortlist 12 more paintings.
Selected Paintings:
India
- Aadhyaa Ayodhikaa, DAV Public School, Cuttack, Odisha (India)
- Aarya Prasad Sahu – Gyan Mandir Public School, Delhi (India)
- Dhunn – Police DAV Public School, Ludhiana, Punjab (India)
- Gauri Vijay Ghanwat – Kamala Nimbkar Balbhavan, Sitara, Maharashtra (India)
- Mehakjot Kaur – BCM Arya Model Sr Sec School, Shastri Nagar, Ludhiana, Punjab (India)
- Zeba Yusuf Patel – Matoshri English Medium School, Pune, Maharashtra (India)
Pakistan
- Ayesha Iftikhar, Lahore Grammar School I – Shah Jamal, Lahore (Pakistan)
- Haniya Waseem – Ismail Academy, Karachi (Pakistan)
- Mauhib Ghulam Murtaza – The AMI School, Karachi (Pakistan)
- Rida Siddique – Jamshed Memorial School, Karachi (Pakistan)
- Subbuh Shafiq – DMC East Govt Girls Secondary School, Karachi (Pakistan)
- Umm-e-Maryam Ameen – Ismail Academy, Karachi (Pakistan)
Shortlisted Paintings:
India
- Julie Hemram – PYDS Learning Academy, Dehradun, Uttarakhand (India)
- Manharleen Kaur – DAV Public School, Amritsar, Punjab (India)
- Priyani Makasare – Late Anantrao Pawar Memorial English Medium School, Pune, Maharashtra (India)
- Siddhi Prasad – Laxmi Nagar Mumbai Public School, Mumbai, Maharashtra (India)
- Simran – Police DAV Public School, Ludhiana, Punjab (India)
- Ujefa Kivande – Matoshri English Medium School, Pune, Maharashtra (India)
Pakistan
- Akhshara – Jamshed Memorial School, Karachi (Pakistan)
- Amna – DMC East Girls & Boys Elementary School No. JT-33, Karachi (Pakistan)
- Bisma Farooq – DMC East Government Quaid e Azam English Medium School Campus-I, Karachi (Pakistan)
- Fazal Ullah – Sanjan Nagar Public Education Trust School, Lahore (Pakistan)
- Maliha Gul – Happy Home Secondary School, Karachi (Pakistan)
- Mysha – Happy Home Secondary School, Karachi (Pakistan)
We thank all the participating schools/institutions and students for contributing to this
initiative.
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Call for Stories of Friendship, Love and Nostalgia: “Beyond the Borders” Initiative by Lighthouse South Asia
Lighthouse Storytelling’s South Asian chapter is starting it’s open call for contributions to their Indo-Pak campaign ‘Beyond the Borders’: a project aimed at promoting friendship, love and unity between the people of India and Pakistan. They wish to showcase these stories in the form of creative narratives: whether written, visual or spoken, in an effort to celebrate our connections across borders.
As an official collaborator to Lighthouse South Asia’s campaign, Aaghaz-e-Dosti invites you to contribute to this initiative through submitting your story via the form https://forms.gle/G5SN2UY2xuQru8AD9
If you wish to contribute in a different way, apart from written submissions, we also look forward to spoken word presentations (audio or video), interview/podcast sessions, video documentary/story and other art forms centred around the same theme of unity between the two countries. If you need help in documenting your story, we are here to help! (Write to us at aaghazedosti@gmail.com)
The only area to exclude is going in depth about political, religious or other controversial topics as that is not the only side we are trying to portray, otherwise engaging and insightful discussions are welcome.
For further questions you may contact the heads of the campaign at: sara.hassan.lighthouse@gmail.com or shravani.lighthouse@gmail.com or contact Aaghaz-e-Dosti at aaghazedosti@gmail.com
We look forward to receiving your stories!
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Result of the Painting Competition for 9th Indo-Pak Peace Calendar
The Indo-Pak Peace calendar is an annual initiative of Aaghaz-e-Dosti. It brings together beautiful artistic expressions of the youth – the leaders of tomorrow – and inspiring words of those who have been actively engaged in nurturing a more prosperous subcontinent. The calendar aims to work as an everyday reminder of the similarities among people across the barbed wires– in habit, struggle, and the desire for peace.
This is our ninth calendar. Like every year, we received thought-provoking expressions from students of several cities in India and Pakistan. And like every year, it was a challenge to select only twelve paintings, as we firmly believe that each and every expression is precious. However, in addition to these 12 paintings, we also present here the 12 runner-up paintings.
WINNER PAINTINGS
INDIA:
1. Mahip Singh Saini, Swami Sant Dass Public School, Phaghwara, Punjab (India)
2. Sachneet Kaur, Swami Sant Dass Public School, Phaghwara, Punjab (India)
3. Priyanshu Yadav, Police DAV Public School, Ludhiana, Punjab (India)
4. Simran Saini, Police DAV Public School, Ludhiana, Punjab (India)
5. Arshdeep Kaur, Swami Sant Dass Public School, Phaghwara, Punjab (India)
6. Prabhnoor Basra, DRV DAV Centenary Public School, Phillaur, Punjab (India)
PAKISTAN:
1. Ariba Fatima, Punjab Group of Colleges, Muslim Town, Lahore (Pakistan)
2. Jazil Abdullah Qazi, Lahore Grammar School, Sabzazar Branch, Lahore (Pakistan)
3. Areeba Sajid, Rawalpindi Women University, Rawalpindi (Pakistan)
4. Ayaan Nasir Malik, Lahore Grammar School, Karachi (Pakistan)
5. Noor Ijaz, Lahore Grammar School, Paragon, Lahore (Pakistan)
6. Wajiha Anwar Ali, Rana Liaquat Governments Girls Sec. School, Ibrahmin Hyderi, Karachi (Pakistan).
SHORTLISTED PAINTINGS
INDIA:
1. Neha Maniar, Delhi Public School, Bangalore, Karnataka (India)
2. Sirjan Kaur, Swami Sant Dass Public School, Phagwara, Punjab (India)
3. Manan Jain, Kundan Vidya Mandir, Ludhiana, Punjab (India)
4.Subhashini, Notre Dame Academy, Patna, Bihar (India)
5. Priyanshi Jain, Delhi Public School, Ludhiana, Punjab (India)
6. Taranpreet Kaur, Swami Sant Dass Public School, Phagwara, Punjab (India)
PAKISTAN:
1. Daim Samuel, Sanjan Nagar Public Education Trust Higher Secondary School, Lahore (Pakistan)
2. Sadia Khan, Sanjan Nagar Public Education Trust Higher Secondary School, Lahore (Pakistan)
3. Hannia Rehman, Lahore Grammar School, Muslim Town, Lahore (Pakistan)
4. Syeda Daania Ally, Lahore Grammar School, Karachi (Pakistan)
5. Iraj Hasan, Lahore Grammar School, Karachi (Pakistan)
6. Syeda Zoha Ahmed Gardezi, Lahore Grammar School, Karachi (Pakistan)’
We thank all participating schools and students. The certificates will be sent to all participants and winners by the end of this month. Around 20th of this month, the calendar is set to be launched in a virtual event. The participants will be contacted.
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Indo- Pak teacher-student duo collaborate on dance for peace
DUBAI: A dubai-based teacher-student duo have collaborated over a dance to promote peace among Indians and Pakistani’s across the globe. The artists, along with their team, urge nationals to celebrate the unity in diversity between both nations and call for netizens to be kind in their choice of words when dealing with members of the neighbouring country.
The “Dance for Peace 2020” is being released ahead of the 74th Independence Day of both countries. The idea was conceptualized by Desiree’ Francis, a former Pakistani radio presenter and marketer In Dubai. She has been closely related to Indo-Pak peace projects since 2008, with dance for peace being the second-of-its-type initiative in Dubai.
“Due to the Covid-19 scenario, I was a little apprehensive about the idea, however, when I approached my dance teacher Akshay for this, he was all up for the idea and took it up whole heartedly and suggested ways to do it limiting the number of people and keeping safe distancing and protocols in mind,” she said.
Akshay Dhoke is the co-founder and Head Choreographer of The Buzz Dance Studio (TBDS) in Dubai. He along with his partner Preeti Gadkary took up the cause of Dance for Peace the moment it was discussed with them.
“We welcome children and adults of all nationalities at our dance school. Music and dance for us is about an emotional connection that we aim to build in our students with the art. We don’t support any form of discrimination and inculcate values of kindness and tolerance, which I believe, is a must for any artist,” Preeti said.
The initiative The team also comprised editors Rocky Panesar and Sohail Khan of Super Dancer and The Kapil Sharma Show fame from Mumbai, India along with Majo Joy (performer) , Abul Basar (vlogger), Jasmine Saroia (makeup) , Ishan Modi and Sarfaraz Ahmed (support team) and Lenu Thomas (digital artist).
Sohail says, “I joined hands with Desiree aka Dj Dez on this because as an Indian, I am very loyal to my country but that in no way means that I should be unpleasant in my dealing with people of any other country. Respect for other human beings is important.”
It is also supported by Aman Ki Asha and Aaghaz-e- Dosti.
Aman Ki Asha is a campaign jointly started by two leading media houses, The Jang Group of Pakistan, and The Times of India in India. The campaign aims for mutual peace and development of diplomatic and cultural relations between the two nations in South Asia. It was established on 1 January 2010.
Aaghaz-e-Dosti was started in 2012 and it encourages volunteers to work for peace, particularly through peace education in both countries.
No entities charged any money in collaborating for this video.
Watch Video HERE
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Maana hain, lakeerein sarahad par…..
(Pic- Hand imprints by a 4 year old Pakistani child named Eilyeah Ahmad, presently living in Seattle, USA)ना खींचो उनको, इन दिलो पर, इन्हे, लकीरे ही रहने दो…
बहने दो, प्यार की जेहलम, इन्हे बांधो ना, सरहद पर
बनने दो, सुगम पंजनद, इन्हे बांटो ना, सरहद पर
इन अमन के, परिंदो को, गगन में, उड़ने दो
ना रोको, इनकी हवाएं, इनको ना, सरहद दो…
माना कटे, हम भी , और कटे हो, तुम भी
चल मिटाये, वो दूरिया, और अब ना, इन्हे बढ़ने दो…
कभी आये, तू मेरे सावन में, कभी जाऊ, मैं तेरे आँगन में
खेले तू, मेरे संग, मैं खेलु, तेरे संग
अमन का लगा के रंग, इन रंगो को बिखरने दो…
सत्तर बरस, क्यों हम पाले ये बैर
अब तल्ख, क्यों हम बने बैठे गैर
एक दूजे को, एक दूजे से मिलने दो
करवाहट को मिठास में बदलने दो…
मजहब की आग में, और ना अपनों को, जलने दो
अब और, राजनीती की रोटियां
इनपे, ना सखने दो…
माना बंटे हम, मजहब पर
पर हम में एक रंग, लहू बहने दो
ना तोको इन्हें, हम में बहने से
इन्हें एकदूजे में घुलने दो …
मैं चखु, तेरी सिवई की मिठास
तू चखे, मेरी गुजिया की मिठास
इस ओर भी, उस ओर भी
ना रोको उसे, सतलज से मिलने से
ना तोको इन्हें, एकदूजे से खेलने से
एक सी हवा, बहने दो
आग़ाज़-ए- दोस्ती को
मुकमल होने दो…
पैगाम-ए-अमन ,
अब तो, इन हवाओ में
इन परिंदों को
देने भी दो…
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Peace Calendar 2020 Released by Aaghaz-e-Dosti
11 JAN/2020/ New Delhi
Aaghaz-e-Dosti launched the 8th Indo-Pak Peace Calendar at New Delhi. An Indo-Pak Friendship Initiative, Aaghaz-e-Dosti works towards fostering people to people relations between India and Pakistan. This calendar is a collection of selected paintings of Pakistani and Indian school students along with messages from 12 renowned persons from both countries who favor Indo-Pak Peace. This year, peace calendar carries messages of Ela Gandhi (Peace activist, granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi), T. C. A. Raghavan (Former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan), Swati Parashar (Professor in Peace and Development Studies in University of Gothenburg, Sweden), Fr. Jospeh Kalathil S. J. (Peace activist, better known as postman priest), Jayesh Patel (Peace activist), and Sagarika Ghose (Senior journalist) from India along with Azra Talat Sayeed (Activist, Chairperson-International Womens’ Alliance, Pakistan), Salman Rashid (Writer), Farhatullah Babar (Former senator and member of HRCP), Bushra Gohar (Human rights activist and former parliamentarian), Raoof Hasan (Founder and chief executive of Regional Peace Institute) and Nida Kirmani (Feminist, Faculty at LUMS) from Pakistan.
At a time when Indo-Pak relations are turbulent and facing an ebb and tide journey between the political establishments on both sides, students of Pakistan and India have expressed their desire for peace through this calendar. We need to recognise this demand from the young community of both countries, where youth forms majority of the population, and their secure, safe, and peaceful future should be a prime agenda of both governments.
Devika Mittal, convener of Aaghaz-e-Dosti in India explained the importance of the calendar as a collection of shared dreams and hopes for friendship which we will be reminded of every day. This year, Aaghaz-e-Dosti received paintings from schools from Phaghwara, Ludhiana, Lucknow, Mumbai, Dehradun, Delhi, Bangalore, Vadodara in India and from Karachi, Lahore and Khyber Pakhthunkwa (KPK) in Pakistan. Besides these 12 winners, Aaghaz-e-Dosti also shortlisted 12 paintings as “runner-up paintings”.
As part of the program, a panel discussion on the topic ‘Sharing of hopes for a peaceful co-existence’ was also. While speaking on the occasion, Swami Agnivesh, said, “You will be a Hindu or a Muslim that is not pre-decided. What has been pre-decided is that you will be a human and humanity is what your religion shall be. I hope you stay away from all hatred and get all the happiness you deserve.”
Joseph Kalathil S J said, “What exactly Aaghaz-e-Dosti is doing by publishing this calendar is removing the ‘barbed wire fencing ‘ from the hearts of people. Students who drew these pictures remove the barbed wire fence of prejudices and enmity from their hearts, the parents and teachers who encourage the students, remove the separation from their hearts, hundreds of well-wishers who appreciate the pictures remove the separation from their hearts, thus slowly paving the way for peace and friendship between, the peace loving people of India and Pakistan.”
Sushobha Barve said, “I consider myself a South Asian. I am committed to building bridges of trust and friendships with all our neighbours including Pakistan. We must reject the vocabulary of hate and distrust and adopt instead winning friends through open minds, hearts and love as our national motto.
Radha Bhatt said, “Peace is a common desire and with these paintings by students from both sides one can see that how beautifully they see our tomorrow. We should reach out to these students and we should make our best efforts to achieve their dreams and to contribute in making this world more peaceful.”
Air Vice Marshal (retd) Kapil Kak asserted the need for initiating constant efforts to create a culture of peace and democracy among the people of both the countries.
While moderating, Pragya Narang, a regional coordinator of Aaghaz-e-Dosti, talked about the other activities of the initiative during the last seven years, emphasizing on the need to create a culture of democracy and faith in dialogue among the people of both the countries.
Talking more about Aaghaz-e-Dosti, Ravi Nitesh informed that Aaghaz-e-Dosti has given peace trainings to more than 10000 students and youth through Aman Chaupals (peace sessions), video conferencing sessions connecting classrooms of India and Pakistan (Indo-Pak Classroom Connect) that facilitates interaction between students of the two countries. Aaghaz-e-Dosti also conducts exchange of letters and cards between students of India and Pakistan and had exhibited these letters at the renowned Faiz Ghar (house of Faiz Ahmed Faiz) in Lahore.
Many eminent persons like educationist C. Raja Mohan, Supreme court advocate Ram Mohan Rai, Secretary General of South Asian Fraternity Satyapal, Activist Khurshid Reshi, NYP Coordinator Sanjay Rai, Youth activists Mushtaq ul Haq, Akhtar Hussain, Mubashir Malik, Suresh Yadav, Neelanjan Chakraborty and others were present.
In previous years, Aaghaz-e-Dosti received messages from Dr. S. N. Subbarao (veteran gandhian, founder NYP, Kamla Bhasin (renowned feminist activist) Dr. Syeda Hameed (former member planning Commission), Major General Ashok K. Mehta, Dr. Shashi Tharoor (Member of Parliarment), Air Vice Marshall (Retd.) Kapil Kak, Sudheendra Kulkarni (former aide to late PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee), Dr. Kavita Sharma (President- South Asian University) Late. Shri Kuldip Nayyar , Shailja Kejriwal (film producer) Tara Gandhi (granddaughter of mahatma Gandhi) Admiral Ramdas, Prof. M. S. Swaminathan (Father of Green Revolution) from India and Dr. Pervez Hoodhboy (scientist, activist), Raza Rumi (senior journalistand author) Beena Sarwar (filmmaker and activist, editor- Aman ki Asha), Sheema Kermani (founder Tehreek-e-Niswan), Dr. Salima Hashmi (renowned artist, daughter of Faiz Ahmad Faiz), Lt. Gen. Muhammad Masood Alam, Dr. I. A. Rehman (activist, Magsaysay awardee), Khadim Hussain (Bacha Khan Trust), Dr. Mubashir Hasan (Veteran Politician) Dr. Mubarak Ali (Pakistani historian), and Imtiaz Alam (Secretary-General, SAFMA) from Pakistan.
By: aaghazedosti@gmail.com
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Results Announced: 8th Indo-Pak Peace Calendar
Aaghaz-e-Dosti is glad to announce results of selected and shortlisted paintings that will be displayed in this year’s peace calendar.
8th Peace calendar is now scheduled to be released on 11th January 2020 (Timing 6 to 8 PM) at India International Centre (Seminar Hall II & III, Kamladevi Block), Lodi Road, New Delhi.
Like every year, this was again a very difficult year to decide best paintings among all available beautiful paintings. You would believe that expressions of students in all paintings were quite emotional and colors of love, imagination, peace were filled in those. This selection was done through a process wherein primary screening was made by group members through providing points on each painting without letting them know name, class and schools. Secondary process was done where public votes were also invited. Both results made combined and put with core team members who decided final selections. Names and class and schools are being announced here now.
Aaghaz-e-Dosti also express its sincere thanks to all the schools and their faculties who motivated students to participate in this painting submission. We are also thankful to parents and families who definitely create an environment where their children can learn things that can contribute in making them as a more responsible citizen and in creating a more peaceful society.
We would also like to inform that as we receive many paintings and we use only total 24 paintings (12 selected and 12 shortlisted) in peace calendars, Aaghaz-e-Dosti team also intends to utilize all other paintings too to provide an opportunity and visibility to expression of other students also and in the year 2020, we would bring few such innovations.
Keep participating and keep expressing your thoughts through paintings, poems, stories etc. if it can foster Indo-Pak Peace and strengthen people to people relations. Aaghaz-e-Dosti is all yours and its platform is always available for all of you to write, share, create, participate and lead for Aaghaz-e-Dosti.
All the best and see you all in our scheduled peace calendar launch.
Runner-up Paintings: India
Medha Naveen , Class 6, Sishu Griha High School, Banglaore
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Vikas Pal, Class 12, PYDS Learning Academy, Dehradoon
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Avnee Singh, Class 11, Ecole Mondiale World School,Mumbai
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Shrey Thaper, Class 7, Swami Sant Dass Public School, Pahwara, Punjab
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Sirjan K., Class 7, Swami Sant Dass Public School, Phagwara, Punjab
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Nisha Khandelwal, Class 10, Gujrat Public School, Altadara, Vadodra, Gujrat
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Runner-up Paintings- Pakistan
Mahnoor Yousuf, Class 7, The Smart School (Al-Hasan Campus),Karachi
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Fatima Imran Malik, Class 8, Lahore Grammar School, Middle Section for Girls,
Johar Town, Lahore
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Muhammad Abdullah Amin, Class 7, Lahore Grammar School, Middle Section for Boys, Johar Town, Lahore
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Syed Ali Bukhari, Class 8, Lahore Grammar School, Middle Section for Boys,
Johar Town, Lahore
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Ashkab Zaman, Class 7, Bacha Khan School, Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunwa
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Quratulain, Class 6, Bacha Khan School, Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunwa
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Selected Paintings: INDIA
Kamaldeep Kaur, Class 11, DRV DAV Centenary Public School, Phillaur, Jalandhar- Punjab
Anjna, Class 12, Gyan Mandir Public School, Delhi
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Ananya Agarwal, Class 12, The British School, New Delhi
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Jasleen Kaur, Class 11, Police D A V Public School, Ludhiana, Punjab
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Shefali Dash, Class 10, Sishu Griha High School
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Vikhyat Singh, Class 10, Hoerner College, Mahanagar, Lucknow
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Selected Paintings : PAKISTAN
Areeba Akbar, Class 10, The Smart School (Al-Hasan Campus),Karachi
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Aliza Asif, Class 8, Lahore Grammar School, Middle Section for Girls, Johar Town, Lahore
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Hassan Amiruddin Ansari, Class 8, Lahore Grammar School, Middle Section for Boys, Johar Town, Lahore
Ebaad, Class 7, Lahore Grammar School, Middle Section for Boys, Johar Town, Lahore
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Uzair, Class 6, Bacha Khan School, Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunwa
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Raja Muhammad Wajid, Class 7, Lahore Grammar School, Middle Section for Boys,Johar Town, Lahore
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Students and faculties from Indian side are invited to attend the event and to receive their certificates and token of appreciation during the program in Delhi.
Students and faculties from Pakistan side will be informed to attend the event in Pakistan as soon as schedule will be fixed for program. They will receive their certificates and token of appreciation during the program.
All students/faculties are requested to check spellings of their names and other information such as class and school. In case of any correction, please bring this to our notice as soon as possible as your certificates and all other reports, media release etc. will carry the above details.
All students/faculties from Indian side are requested to reach on time and in case of any query, kindly contact with Mr. Ravi Nitesh at 9958907799.
Delhi Calendar Launch: 11 JAN 2020, 6 PM, India International Centre
Issued by
Aaghaz-e-Dosti | aaghazedosti@gmail.com | www.aaghazedosti.wordpress.com
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Pakistani girl’s dreams turn into reality – with some help from Indian company
Shifa is like any other girl – a life full of joy, dreams, goals and a passion for doing something. After the death of her grandmother (dadi ammi) whom she loved a lot, she would often see her in her dreams where her dadi would talk to her and share a few memories of India.
In 2018, Shifa, who was a chemist by qualification and loved to indulge in social welfare, thought she should try her hand at a small business. This is where her real journey started – she learnt that establishing a business is always more difficult than the daily routine of a job.
But since she was ready to take on the challenge, she started exploring ideas based on her own observations and calculations such as the risks involved, cash flow, need for a certain type of business, capital involved etc. Like any other entrepreneur would do.
The idea of opening her own laundry instantly clicked and she started working towards it. When she talked to her friends and family, most of them rejected the idea, mainly because she had no experience of a washing business. Shifa narrates:
Shifa (Founder-WashHub, Pakistan)
“In 2018, mujhe business ka junoon tha. Laundry start karney ka idea aya. Hoon to mein chemist and social worker. Par ek dam sey yeh idea aya to bas sab ne bohat sunai, guide karna to door ki baat hai. Mein subha se raat tak laundry companies ko mails bhejti thi. But no response.”
But Shifa did not give up hope and instead became ever more determined to take up the challenge and make all the effort she could to bring her idea to life. She looked up all the laundry businesses on the internet and started writing them e-mails for guidance. She did not even count the number of emails she had sent. While she didn’t receive any response to her mails, she did not feel defeated and sent more emails to more companies.
Her effort bore some fruit when she received a surprise response to one of her emails. But wait! This reply was from an Indian company! And they were ready to guide her on how to open a laundry business. Shifa started taking tips from WashApp, the Indian company, collected resources locally and, finally, succeeded in opening her own laundry in Faisalabad, Pakistan.
She says, “Ek din meri aankh khuli and I saw an email from India. One of the biggest companies in India. After that daily unn se baat hoti thi and they guided me at every single step.”
Washapp Team (India)
While narrating her story to Aaghaz-e-Dosti, she says that the entire process sounds like a dream and makes her so happy. She believes that people living on the other side of the border have a good heart and we just need to stretch our hands towards each other to become united. She said “I wish ke mein sab ko bata sakoon ke border key uss paar bhi hum jaise log baste hain jo hum se pyar karty hain bas hath barhanay ki dair hai. Ek bar koshish to keejiye.”
Aaghaz-e-Dosti learnt that her business started with providing laundry services initially to domestic users and students, but after positive feedback and trustworthy relationship with customers, it has grown significantly into a firm, called WashHub, and now provides services to industries, hospitals, restaurants and many other commercial users.
She never forgets to say thank you to the Indian company that guided her about how to set up her own laundry.
Her message to young entrepreneurs is:
“Never give up on what you really want to do. Anyone with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts.”
(Send your Indo-Pak stories, experiences, poems, travel blogs, articles etc at aaghazedosti@gmail.com to publish with us)
Aaghaz-e-Dosti 