Haroon Khalid
As Pakistan and India commemorate 70 years of their existence as independent nation states, what is striking is the people’s desire for peace and how those who govern them continue to thwart these aspirations. As media highlight the tensions what goes largely unreported is people on the ground continuing their efforts to push for peace. Below: a few on-the-ground upcoming happenings that seek to further understanding between the two nations. At the very least, they are all expressions of the desire for normal relations.
- Thu. 3 August 2017, Karachi, Pakistan, 11 am — Feminism and Regional Peace
Pakistan India People’s Forum for Peace and Democracy, Peace Now and Forever Campaign present a discussion on Feminism and Regional Peace with activists Anis Haroon, Rubina Saigol, Abira Ashfaque, and Lalita Ramdas.
Venue: Jinnah Medical and Dental College Auditorium, Shaheed-e-Millat Road, Karachi.
- Fri-Sun. 4-6 August 2017, Mumbai, India — Museum of Memories: Remembering Partition
The Godrej India Culture Lab hosts Remembering Partition: Museum of Memories, on August 4|5|6. The three-day event schedule is online at this link, featuring a range of discussions, performances, screenings, exhibitions and much more, all united by the common thread of Partition.
“Museum of Memories: Remembering Partition is a collaborative pop-up museum that marks 70 years since the Partition of the subcontinent into India, Pakistan and Bangladesh (then East Pakistan)”, say the organisers.
The event is a deconstructed museum split into two attractions:
– Exhibitions across The Trees and the Godrej One campus
– Performances, discussions, showcases, screenings and more in the Auditorium at Godrej One.
Admission is free and open to the public but those interested are requested to RSVP here.
- Fri. 4 August 2017, Karachi, Pakistan, 4 pm — India-Pakistan Relations and Role of Media
Pakistan India People’s Forum for Peace and Democracy, Peace Now and Forever Campaign present a discussion on India-Pakistan Relations and Role of Media, with well known journalists Wusatullah Khan and Mazhar Abbas, and writer/poet Zaheda Hina.Venue: Human Rights Commission of Pakistan office, Karachi
- Sat. 5 August 2017, 4.30/5.00 pm IST/PST till 7.30/8.00 pm IST/PST, Surat/Lahore — 2nd Indo-Pak Open Mic
Youth groups Aaghaz-e-Dosti and Hum Sab Aik Hain are organising the 2nd Indo-Pak Open Mic in Surat and Lahore connecting participants virtually, with music, dance, writings and discussions.
More information at this Facebook link. At the 1st Indo-Pak Open Mic, youth from Delhi and Lahore met and interacted virtually.
- Sun. 6 August 2017, 6:30 – 7:00 pm, Bengaluru, India — Poems on peace and hope, for India and Pakistan
The session on ‘Poetry as Angst’ at the Bengaluru Poetry Festival features Kolkata-based activists Ruchhita Kazaria and Saira Shah Halim reading poems on world peace and against the forces of communal hatred, and in the context of India-Pakistan relations.
Venue: The Leela Palace, Bengaluru, India
- Mon. 7 August 2017, 6 pm PST /6:30 pm IST (9 am ET) — Walking with Nanak: A bond across borders
On the festival of Rakshabandhan, which falls this year on August 7, 2017, commemorating sibling bonds, activists in conjunction with the Peace Now and Forever Campaign present an hour of bonding for sibling nations.
Anthropologist and travel writer Haroon Khalid, author of In search of ‘Shiva: a study of folk religious practices in Pakistan’, and ‘A white trail: a journey into the heart of Pakistan’s religious minorities’, will conduct an hour-long Q and A on his latest book ‘Walking With Nanak’, that fictionalizes Nanak’s journey with his Muslim companion, Bhai Mardana.
“No better topic could we have to unite the souls of these nations than through the legacy of a figure like Guru Nanak which lingers in both”, says organiser Swati Sharan.
The discussion will be streamed live on Youtube at this link, and will also be made available for later viewing. Participants are advised to send their email address or WhatsApp contacts to [email protected] well beforehand to prevent technical issues.
- Wed. 9 August 2017, Hyderabad, India, 8.30 am-5.00 pm — Praful Bidwai Memorial
The Peace Now and Forever Campaign hosts the Sambandh program featuring entries from school and college students for the Praful Bidwai Memorial event on Preventing Wars, Securing Peace. Open invitation especially for students.
Venue: COVA, # 18-13-8/A/508/B, Bandlaguda, Chandrayangutta, Hyderabad- 500 005 Telangana, India. Phone: +91 40 24442984, Fax: +91 40 24444527. E-mail: [email protected]
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