Friends sans borders
Students of Roots School in Islamabad and DPS South in Bangalore, together try to go beyond the wounds of Partition
By Arunima Rajan
A school in Bangalore feels it is time young minds were freed from the hate that has led terror to plant bombs in the bodies of kids and send them to blow up peace.
Come September, about 20 students between 14 and 16 years from the Islamabad-based Roots International School will visit their friends in Delhi Public School (DPS) South in Bangalore. They met online at Skype in April, after their school managements decided to launch "Peace Connect", a project to end the atmosphere of hatred that youngsters of both countries have been brought up in since the Partition.
The friendship kicked off on a musical note, with 40 students of the heritage club of DPS starting an Antakshari session with their Pakistani peers online. "The session melted the barriers and washed away apprehensions from the young minds," says Chithra Sharma, Vice-Principal, DPS South.
The camaraderie has gone a long way since then and now the DPS gang is all set to welcome their Pak pals. They are researching topics like Sufi music, Bollywood, textile, cricket and soccer that both Indians and Pakistanis are equally crazy about.
The preparations have brought in a world of change in their attitude towards Pakistan, the DPS students say. They have noticed many similarities between Indians and Pakistanis.
"We like same cricket stars and film stars. While doing research on history of various games and music, we realised we have so much in common," says Shilpa Bhardwaj, a Class X student of DPS.
By all these, the managements of both schools want Indian and Pakistani children to know each other as friends. "The idea is to wipe out enmity from the minds of children. Students are also doing research about topics that are common to both countries. These projects will help to break stereotypical barriers and become receptive to the perception of others," says Manju Sharma, Principal of Delhi Public School.
A website is also being launched to upload peace messages, pictures, articles, videos and projects of the schools. The project will also be extended to the other branches of DPS soon. "We hope 'Peace Connect' will strengthen bilateral relationships between two countries," said Mansoor Ali Khan, a DPS trustee.
If the projects succeed, peace between the countries will no longer just be at the mercy of diplomats and politicians.
- Deccan Herald
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
By Arunima Rajan
A school in Bangalore feels it is time young minds were freed from the hate that has led terror to plant bombs in the bodies of kids and send them to blow up peace.
Come September, about 20 students between 14 and 16 years from the Islamabad-based Roots International School will visit their friends in Delhi Public School (DPS) South in Bangalore. They met online at Skype in April, after their school managements decided to launch "Peace Connect", a project to end the atmosphere of hatred that youngsters of both countries have been brought up in since the Partition.
The friendship kicked off on a musical note, with 40 students of the heritage club of DPS starting an Antakshari session with their Pakistani peers online. "The session melted the barriers and washed away apprehensions from the young minds," says Chithra Sharma, Vice-Principal, DPS South.
The camaraderie has gone a long way since then and now the DPS gang is all set to welcome their Pak pals. They are researching topics like Sufi music, Bollywood, textile, cricket and soccer that both Indians and Pakistanis are equally crazy about.
The preparations have brought in a world of change in their attitude towards Pakistan, the DPS students say. They have noticed many similarities between Indians and Pakistanis.
"We like same cricket stars and film stars. While doing research on history of various games and music, we realised we have so much in common," says Shilpa Bhardwaj, a Class X student of DPS.
By all these, the managements of both schools want Indian and Pakistani children to know each other as friends. "The idea is to wipe out enmity from the minds of children. Students are also doing research about topics that are common to both countries. These projects will help to break stereotypical barriers and become receptive to the perception of others," says Manju Sharma, Principal of Delhi Public School.
A website is also being launched to upload peace messages, pictures, articles, videos and projects of the schools. The project will also be extended to the other branches of DPS soon. "We hope 'Peace Connect' will strengthen bilateral relationships between two countries," said Mansoor Ali Khan, a DPS trustee.
If the projects succeed, peace between the countries will no longer just be at the mercy of diplomats and politicians.
- Deccan Herald
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
The Mumbai Press Club Visit to Pakistan - I
Some of the journalists who visited Karachi and Hyderabad recently as part of The Mumbai Press Club delegation share their impressions
How journal .....more
Some of the journalists who visited Karachi and Hyderabad recently as part of The Mumbai Press Club delegation share their impressionsHow journal .....more
When people meet, they shatter stereotypes
Pakistani students visiting Mumbai voice peace plea
By Yogita Rao
"Pakistanis can feel the pain of the victims of 26/11. We have also gone through .....more
Pakistani students visiting Mumbai voice peace pleaBy Yogita Rao
"Pakistanis can feel the pain of the victims of 26/11. We have also gone through .....more
Dr Chishty's family arrives in India, appeals for his release
DrKhalil Chishty's family from Pakistan arrived in India on Nov 17, on a month-long visa, hoping Dr Chishty can go with them when they leave. They have appealed to the Go
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DrKhalil Chishty's family from Pakistan arrived in India on Nov 17, on a month-long visa, hoping Dr Chishty can go with them when they leave. They have appealed to the Go
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Istew by any other name
Long after Maseeta Meerut Wala has gone, Vasundhara Chauhan finds and shares a couple of recipes that come close to his version of 'ishtu'
I was about seven or eig .....more
Long after Maseeta Meerut Wala has gone, Vasundhara Chauhan finds and shares a couple of recipes that come close to his version of 'ishtu'I was about seven or eig .....more
"It is through dance and culture that we can connect"
Dancer, activist, and artist Sheema Kermani shares her thoughts and experiences with Muniza Agha-Fawad
Classical dance in Pakistan is closely tied with identity po .....more
Dancer, activist, and artist Sheema Kermani shares her thoughts and experiences with Muniza Agha-FawadClassical dance in Pakistan is closely tied with identity po .....more
Heart to Heart helps Indian, Pakistani children
Each of the parents and children whose surgeries were facilitated by Aman ki Asha and Rotary's Heart to Heart convey their sincere gratitude and warm wishes.
Some .....more
Each of the parents and children whose surgeries were facilitated by Aman ki Asha and Rotary's Heart to Heart convey their sincere gratitude and warm wishes.Some .....more
Page 82 of 175
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The News on Sunday Special Report: India Pakistan prisoners
We probably didn't need to do this Special Report. Newspaper stories don't matter when it comes to Indians in Pakistani jails and vice versa. In fact, 'vice versa' sums it up. We do to them what they do to us.
Except when the two countries decide to begin talking, yet again! This time a little before the foreign secretary level talks, some Pakistani prisoners were released by India (and vice versa must have happened) and some more were release....read more
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For the past 2 years the Jang Group and Geo have been working on a project of great national interest; one that we hope will help usher in an era of peace and prosperity in the country and indeed, in the region. And one that hopefully all Pakistanis can be proud of.
The Jang Group has entered into an agreement with the Times of India Group, the largest media group of India, to campaign for peace betw
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