Peace calendar launches
The third Calendar for Peace and Love published by the cross-border youth group Aaghaz-e-Dosti has been launched at three more cities – Panipat, Karachi and Lahore — following earlier launches in Delhi and in Islamabad. An annual project of Aaghaz-e-Dosti (AED), a joint Indo-Pak initiative of Mission Bhartiyam, India, and The Catalyst, Pakistan, the calendars feature selected artworks by students from India and Pakistan and messages from well-known personalities. This year’s calendar was supported by Justice, Aid, and Development Foundation; Social Awareness Media and Art Junction; South Asian Writers and Artists Network from Pakistan, and Indian Council for Talent Search and Competition and Yuvsatta from India.
At the Panipat launch, held at the Hali Apna School (named after the renowned Urdu poet), Mission Bhartiyam founder Ravi Nitesh shared his experiences of visiting Pakistan. Eminent personalities participated in a discussion at the Mata Seeta Rani Sewa Sansthan office later; some shared their experiences of partition. Everyone agreed on the urgent need to establish peace for a better future.
In Karachi, the calendar was launched at a local government school, coordinated by AED’s Suraiya Islam. The Lahore launch took place at the Punjab Institute of Language, Art and Culture, presided over by the eminent lawyer Reza Kazim, with well-known actor Nadia Jamil as chief guest. Compered by the writer Saeed Ahmed, the seminar featured several prominent intellectuals and poets.
The calendar will also be launched at Nashik and Chandigarh. For more information, email: [email protected]
For APS: Kids Beyond Borders
“I am hurt”: Ved Kartik, Los Angeles
To express solidarity with children in Pakistan following the dastardly attack in Peshawar, non-resident Indian Samay in New Jersey, USA, started Kids Beyond Borders to send letters, drawings and poems to children in Pakistan with the theme, “Pens not guns, Words not bullets”.
Many children of Indian origin participated in the activity, facilitated by Aaghaz-e-Dosti (AED), a cross-border youth initiative. One school sent 20 letters. Students from Los Angeles also sent messages of love and hope.
Abdur Rauf Yousufzai, AED Peshawar coordinator, met the brave Army Public School students and shared the messages. “Don’t be scared be brave, it’s good to be brave. It’s okay to be scared though. Face your fear,” wrote Marissa.
“Dear friend! Go to school, keep learning and make the world a better place. Don’t be afraid,” wrote Damian. “Please say thanks to the friends who sent the letters. I am not scared. I will go to school every day,” responded an APS student.
“All I can send back is blessings and love to all little angels in the world,” said a parent who lost a child in the attack.
