Indian youths keen to discover the real Pakistan
our correspondents
"I want to know Pakistanis first-hand," says Karan Raghav, a student of finance at the University of Delhi. He believes that the best way to know a country is to know it personally, and "that's why I opted to come here".
Karan, who landed in Karachi Airport on Monday, is a member of a group of five Indian students and one team leader visiting Pakistan on a 10-day trip from India as part of an exchange programme.
The tour is part of an ongoing initiative taken by the Rotary Club and Aman ki Asha - a collaboration between the Jang Group and Times of India-to improve relationships between India and Pakistan by encouraging people-to-people contact between the two historically estranged neighbours.
During their stay in the city, the students will be living with Pakistani families, "so that they can have a feel of the daily lives of Pakistanis which is usually not shown in the mainstream media", said Irfan Qureshi, district chairman of the India-Pakistan peace committee, Rotary Club.
The all-expense-paid tour is being hosted by the Rotary Club, which includes a comprehensive tour of the city of Karachi and a cruise on the Arabian Sea, among many other cultural programmes especially arranged for the guests for the next 10 days.
Parth Singhania, a student of chartered accountancy, who loves cricket and music, considers himself lucky to be here. "Only a few people get this opportunity to go to Pakistan and learn about its culture, also to understand its beliefs and values," he says, explaining why he jumped at the idea to visit India's neighbour.
He looks forward to making friends with "some of the most hospitable and awesome people", and believes the programme will be a good learning experience. He dreams to impact the life of millions of people, join the Indian Administrative Service and make South Asia a better and safer place.
Tanima Narang, a national level badminton player, who also has an interest in ikebana, the Japanese art of flower decoration, considers herself an ambassador of peace and love from India.
Sachi Bhuttani, a theatre lover, would love to explore Pakistan more, and take "the real picture" back home. She aims to work with Rotary in the future as well.
Karan is someone who likes to keep an eye on the socio-political happenings in both India and Pakistan. "I want to promote the idea of Aman ki Asha by motivating people to encourage regular interaction with people across the border and understand their perspectives and opinions."
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
A group of young Indians arrive at the Karachi airport on a 10-day visit — The News photo by Naqeeb-ur-Rehman
"I want to know Pakistanis first-hand," says Karan Raghav, a student of finance at the University of Delhi. He believes that the best way to know a country is to know it personally, and "that's why I opted to come here".
Karan, who landed in Karachi Airport on Monday, is a member of a group of five Indian students and one team leader visiting Pakistan on a 10-day trip from India as part of an exchange programme.
The tour is part of an ongoing initiative taken by the Rotary Club and Aman ki Asha - a collaboration between the Jang Group and Times of India-to improve relationships between India and Pakistan by encouraging people-to-people contact between the two historically estranged neighbours.
During their stay in the city, the students will be living with Pakistani families, "so that they can have a feel of the daily lives of Pakistanis which is usually not shown in the mainstream media", said Irfan Qureshi, district chairman of the India-Pakistan peace committee, Rotary Club.
The all-expense-paid tour is being hosted by the Rotary Club, which includes a comprehensive tour of the city of Karachi and a cruise on the Arabian Sea, among many other cultural programmes especially arranged for the guests for the next 10 days.
Parth Singhania, a student of chartered accountancy, who loves cricket and music, considers himself lucky to be here. "Only a few people get this opportunity to go to Pakistan and learn about its culture, also to understand its beliefs and values," he says, explaining why he jumped at the idea to visit India's neighbour.
He looks forward to making friends with "some of the most hospitable and awesome people", and believes the programme will be a good learning experience. He dreams to impact the life of millions of people, join the Indian Administrative Service and make South Asia a better and safer place.
Tanima Narang, a national level badminton player, who also has an interest in ikebana, the Japanese art of flower decoration, considers herself an ambassador of peace and love from India.
Sachi Bhuttani, a theatre lover, would love to explore Pakistan more, and take "the real picture" back home. She aims to work with Rotary in the future as well.
Karan is someone who likes to keep an eye on the socio-political happenings in both India and Pakistan. "I want to promote the idea of Aman ki Asha by motivating people to encourage regular interaction with people across the border and understand their perspectives and opinions."
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
'Bridging' the divide
They have never met, but Amin Ansari and Jawahir Mulraj, who came together
at an online bridge forum four years ago, are 'close friends'
Laleh Habib
.....more
They have never met, but Amin Ansari and Jawahir Mulraj, who came together at an online bridge forum four years ago, are 'close friends'
Laleh Habib
.....more
A prayer for peace
Ghazi Salahuddin
We, in Pakistan, have rang out 2010 with a general strike and noisy rallies by religious elements in defence of the blasphemy law. We also rang ou .....more
Ghazi SalahuddinWe, in Pakistan, have rang out 2010 with a general strike and noisy rallies by religious elements in defence of the blasphemy law. We also rang ou .....more
Bridging a tiny geographical but huge political - distance
Mohsin Hamid
"When you fly from Lahore to Delhi, as I did last February as part of the Aman Ki Asha initiative, you realize how close these two places are. .....more
Mohsin Hamid"When you fly from Lahore to Delhi, as I did last February as part of the Aman Ki Asha initiative, you realize how close these two places are. .....more
The power of compassion - and aman
written for Aman ki Asha
Karen Armstrong
In these troubled times, it is not often that a news story lifts the heart but when I read about the Aman ki Asha quest .....more
written for Aman ki AshaKaren Armstrong
In these troubled times, it is not often that a news story lifts the heart but when I read about the Aman ki Asha quest .....more
Pakistanis, Indians want peace, friendship, says poll
By Amir Zia
KARACHI: Despite a history of conflicts, mistrust and estranged relationship, an overwhelming number of Pakistanis and Indians want peace and friendsh .....more
By Amir Zia KARACHI: Despite a history of conflicts, mistrust and estranged relationship, an overwhelming number of Pakistanis and Indians want peace and friendsh .....more
'Love Pakistan' ? I agree
By Semu Bhatt
The first morning of 2010 brought with it a pleasant and very welcome surprise. I fetched the newspaper still half asleep, and the next moment .....more
By Semu BhattThe first morning of 2010 brought with it a pleasant and very welcome surprise. I fetched the newspaper still half asleep, and the next moment .....more
Page 123 of 177
Special Editions
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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
Blog
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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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