2017
Aaghaz-e-Dosti’s statements on the missing report of our convener-Pakistan, Raza Khan
Aaghaz-e-Dosti is concerned about the whereabouts of Raza Mehmood Khan, a Pakistani peace activist who is also our convener. It has been reported that Raza Khan went missing on the evening of 2nd December 2017. He was last seen at the end of a talk he organized on the issue of extremism at his office. The Lahore police subsequently registered an FIR for the missing person case on the complaint received by his family and friends there. Since then, there has been no trace of him while the investigation is still on going.
Read the statement https://aaghazedosti.wordpress.com/2017/12/06/statement-of-aaghaz-e-dosti-on-missing-report-of-raza-khan-convener-pakistan-of-aaghaz-e-dosti
Statement issued on Dec 24 https://aaghazedosti.wordpress.com/2017/12/24/aaghaz-e-dosti-appeals-to-authorities-to-find-peace-activist-raza-khan/
Letter Exchange Program between TNS Beaconhouse and Happy Hours School
In the months of October and November, students of grade 4 and 5 of TNS Beaconhouse School (Lahore) and Happy Hours School (Delhi) participated in a letter exchange program. The letters were later displayed in a school exhibition in TNS Beaconhouse.
13th Indo-Pak Classroom Connect: Water conservation connects children across borders
Environment is a global issue. Natural calamities do not see political and administrative borders. It is imperative that the states understand this, co-operate and learn from each other. With this understanding, the 13th Indo-Pak Classroom connect session connected students of Gyan Mandir Public School, Delhi and Beaconhouse School, Karachi and facilitated a dialogue on water conservation.
Read https://aaghazedosti.wordpress.com/2017/12/13/13th-indo-pak-classroom-connect/
On Global Dignity Day, Indian and Pakistani students bond over similarities, learn to celebrate difference
The 12th Indo-Pak Classroom Connect of Aaghaz-e-Dosti had connected students of Beaconhouse School System, Middle-I Gulshan branch, Karachi (Pakistan) and Gujarat Public School, Vadodara, Gujarat (India). The virtual interaction happened on the occasion of Global Dignity Day.
They chose this event for Global Dignity Day as the day is about instilling love and respect for everyone, irrespective of any difference. It is the day which seeks to build consciousness about one’s identity as a human above all other identities. They wanted to use this day to bridge the gap between Indians and Pakistanis by dispelling stereotypes, making the students aware that Indians and Pakistanis have many similarities and to also learn to respect any difference which is there. It is important that students learn to respect and celebrate difference, diversity.
Read full report https://aaghazedosti.wordpress.com/2017/11/06/on-global-dignity-day-indian-and-pakistani-students-bond-over-similarities-learn-to-celebrate-difference/
Surat, Gujarat India meets Lahore, Pakistan: Second IndoPak Open Mic
Pakistanis and Indians got a chance to come together virtually as the Aaghaz-e-Dosti organised the 2nd virtual cross-border open mic with Aaghaz-e-dosti Surat, Gujarat team and Aaghaz-e-dosti team Lahore. Open mic was held at Lowkey Lokai, a space that brings together people & community to dialogue and debate issues that are critical for building a peaceful society.
The basic objective of the open mic was an interactive session among Pakistanis and Indians through which art, music and culture could be promoted. Both sides have a notion about the people of other side as strangers and others. Aaghaz-e-dosti has an aim to abolish this ‘otherness’.
Read full report https://aaghazedosti.wordpress.com/2017/08/22/2-indopak-open-mic/
On Hiroshima Day, Aaghaz-e-Dosti organised “Chiraagh-e-Aman Jalao” at River Raavi, Lahore
Aaghaz-e-Dosti Lahore chapter organized ‘Chiraagh-e-Aman Jalao’ on 6th August 2017. Aaghaz-e-dosti believes in peace and harmony in South Asian Region and the whole world, collectively. Mainly there are two reasons why Chiraagh-e-aman Jalao was organized. Firstly, in August 2017, Pakistan and India are going to be 70 years old and still the two neighboring countries are living in conflict.
Even after 70 years of birth, Pakistan and India needs to resolve all the contemporary conflicts including border conflict. We are gathering at river Ravi, which symbolize that future of India and Pakistan must flow together like waves of river and with the virtue to serve humanity.
We gathered on 6th August as 6th and 9th August 1945 has been one of the darkest days in world’s history when during the final stage of World War II, the United States dropped nuclear weapons on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The two bombings, which killed at least 129,000 people, remain the only use of nuclear weapons for warfare in history. We hope that despite being nuclear empowered nations, India and Pakistan will take all steps to resolve their conflicts and to provide future generation a better region that will be free from any kind of violence, hatred, conflict and war. Our future must grow together.
Read full report https://aaghazedosti.wordpress.com/2017/08/09/on-hiroshima-day-aaghaz-e-dosti-organised-chiraagh-e-aman-jalao-at-river-raavi-lahore/
First Indo-Pak Open Mic: Delhi meets Lahore
Pakistanis and Indians got a chance to come together virtually as the Aaghaz-e-Dosti organised the first virtual cross-border open mic with Vijay Kumar and friends of Ideal Youth Health & Welfare Society of Delhi. Youth from both the sides participated in open mic virtual event through internet video call from Delhi and Lahore.
The basic objective of the open mic was an interactive session among Pakistanis and Indians through which art, music and culture could be promoted. Saad Hafeez and Hassan from Qade Band of Lahore initiated the event by singing an Indian song Teri Deewani with outstanding vocals and voice.
Read full report https://aaghazedosti.wordpress.com/2017/07/02/first-indo-pak-open-mic-delhi-meets-lahore/
Aaghaz-e-Dosti appeals to Governments of India and Pakistan to Restore Peace across LOC and Stop Ceasefire Violations
Read the appeal https://aaghazedosti.wordpress.com/2017/05/15/appeal-to-stop-ceasefire-violations/
Published at
Rising Kashmir http://www.risingkashmir.com/news/stop-ceasefire-violations-restore-peace-across-loc-aaghaz-e-dosti-to-india-pak-
Only Kashmir http://onlykashmir.in/aaghaz-e-dosti-appeals-indo-pak-to-restore-peace-across-loc/
11th Indo-Pak Classroom Connect
Indo-Pak Classroom Connect session between students of 11th Indo-Pak Classroom Connect, brought together students of National School and College of Modern Sciences (Mandi Faizabad, Nankana Sahib in Punjab, the birth place of Guru Nanak) and Ecole Mondiale World School, Mumbai (India)
Read https://aaghazedosti.wordpress.com/2017/04/11/11-indo-pak-classroom-connect/
10th Indo-Pak Classroom Connect
Indo-Pak Classroom Connect session between grade 8 students of Ecole Mondiale World School, Mumbai (India) and Ghouri Wisdom School, Lahore (Pakistan)
9th Indo-Pak Classroom Connect
In the 9th Indo-Pak Classroom connect that had connected students of Gujarat Public School (Vadodara, Gujarat, India) and SMB Fatima Jinnah Government Girls’ School (Karachi, Pakistan), students did dance performances for each other. The Karachi students showcased a Sindhi dance form and also danced on a popular folk song “Lathe ki Chadar”. The Gujarati students from India did a garba.
Read https://aaghazedosti.wordpress.com/2017/05/27/9th-indopak-classroom-connect/
20th Aman Chaupal
On 14th February 2017, Aaghaz-e-Dosti India conducted the 20th Aman Chaupal in KIIT World School in Pitampura in Delhi. The guests from Pakistan were Bharat Makwana and Suneel Nand. Both are pursuing masters in Sociology from South Asian University in Delhi.
Read https://aaghazedosti.wordpress.com/2017/02/19/20-aman-chaupal-delhi-school/
8th Indo-Pak Classroom Connect
In Aaghaz-e-Dosti’s 8th Indo-Pak Classroom Connect, two organisations – Project KHEL (Lucknow, India) and Zindagi Trust (Karachi) striving for quality education for underprivileged students connected. Project Khel had conducted the session in Modern Madrasa in Bhikampur while the Karachi session by Zindagi Trust was conducted in one of its adopted government schools – SMB Fatima Jinnah Government Girls Secondary School.
Read https://aaghazedosti.wordpress.com/2017/03/17/indopak-classroom-connect/
7th Indo-Pak Classroom Connect
In Aaghaz-e-Dosti’s 7th Indo-Pak Classroom Connect, two organisations – Pathshala NGO (Surat, Gujarat) and Street to School (Karachi) striving for quality education for underprivileged students connected. The session connected students of Navnirman Vidyalaya (Surat, Gujarat) and Street to School Organisation.
Read https://aaghazedosti.wordpress.com/2017/03/10/7th-indopak-classroom-connect/
Panel Discussion: Revitalising Indo-Pak Peacebuilding Efforts & Peace Exhibiton in Delhi
On February 16, 2017, Aaghaz-e-Dosti in collaboration with India International Centre organized a Peace Exhibition and a discussion on the theme- Revitalising Indo-Pak Peace Building Efforts.
The panelists included- Former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Dr. TCA Raghavan, Major General (Retd.) of the Indian Army and Convener (India Pakistan Peace Process), Mr. Ashok K. Mehta, Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) of the Indian Air Force, Mr. Kapil Kak, and Senior Journalist and Former President of the Press Club of India, Mr. Rahul Jalali. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Medha Bisht, faculty, Department of International Relations, South Asian University.
The programme began with the inauguration of the Peace Exhibition by the Director, India International Centre (IIC), Air Marshal (Retd.) Naresh Verma. Peace Exhibition displayed the many paintings, greeting cards, letters and peace messages of school students from India and Pakistan.
News Published at
Business Standard http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/citizens-drive-will-provide-alternative-narrative-in-indo-pak-ties-117021601309_1.html
India Tomorrow http://www.indiatomorrow.net/eng/exhibition-of-expressions-for-indo-pak-peace-held-in-delhi
Rising Kashmir http://risingkashmir.com/news/aaghaz-e-dosti-holds-discussion-on-revitalising-indo-pak-peacebuilding-efforts
Indian Muslim Observer http://indianmuslimobserver.com/2017/02/19/voices-diplomacy-defence-media-gather-indo-pak-aaghaz-e-dosti/
Aman Ki Asha http://amankiasha.com/?p=6329
6th Indo-Pak Classroom Connect
“The 6th Indo-Pak Classroom Connect” of Aaghaz-e-Dosti connected school students of Gyan Mandir Public School (Delhi, India) and Evergreen Schooling Systems Fatima Jinnah Campus (Lyari, Karachi in Pakistan).
Read https://aaghazedosti.wordpress.com/2017/02/07/6th-indo-pak-classroom-connect/
5th Indo-Pak Classroom Connect
In the fifth Indo-Pak Classroom connect, students of Gujarat and KPK interacted through video conferencing. On 26 January 2017, Aaghaz-e-Dosti conducted its fifth Indo-Pak Classroom connect involved children of Vicharata Samuday Samarthan Manch (VSSM), an organisation based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat (India) to children. These children hailed from different tribes and nomadic groups of Gujarat. In the connect, they were connected to students of Bacha Khan School of Nauthia, Peshawar – KPK (Pakistan).
Read https://aaghazedosti.wordpress.com/2017/02/06/fifth-indopak-classroom-connect/
5th Indo-Pak Peace Calendar (2017) launched in multiple cities in India and Pakistan and in Kyrgyz Republic
Aaghaz-e-Dosti’s 5th Indo-Pak Peace Calendar was launched in Delhi, Dehradun, Mumbai, Chandigarh and Kolkata in India, in Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi and Toba Tek Singh in Pakistan and in Kyrgyz Republic.
Aaghaz-e-Dosti 