The five Indian students who were in Pakistan as part of the groundbreaking initiative Youth Exchange programme left for home yesterday, taking warm memories and rich experiences that counter public perceptions about relations between the two countries.
Their ten-day trip emerged from a Rotary International and Aman ki Asha partnership aimed at initiating programmes that promote better understanding between India and Pakistan. The programme was agreed upon at the Rotary and Aman ki Asha Joint Working Group meeting in July 2011.
Rotarians took care of the hospitality and expenses of the visit, including hosting the visiting students at their own homes. The Indian students also had the opportunity to meet people from the business and development sectors, interact with Pakistani students – and of course, shop and party. A group of Pakistani students next visit India under this programme to stay with host families. Family exchange programmes are also planned.
– aka