Hyderabad City Networking
COVA was able to take a number of peace initiatives in Hyderabad by networking with other CSOs based in Hyderabad. (More about this networking for peace will be discussed in a later section).
In Hyderabad, COVA was one of the major actors in facilitating the Equal Opportunities Facilitation Centre (EOFC). The idea of EOFC has its roots in the Sachar Committee Report that made recommendations for an inclusive approach towards minorities. EOFC and COVA organised an Education and Career Mela for ‘excluded’ sections of society. The Mela drew thousands of students, their parents and job aspirants.
EOFC also organised a workshop on Equal Opportunities in which the guests of honour were the members of Equal Opportunities Commission of UK. In spite of the earnestness of its facilitating organizations, EOFC stands still now due to problems of resources that could not be met at the moment.
Again COVA was instrumental in getting an Advocate Commission by the Government of Andhra Pradesh to look into the illegal arrests and torture of Muslim youth in connection with the case of Mecca Masjid bomb blast. A campaign was quickly picked up on this issue and petitions filed in the High Court. COVA was among the CSOs that formed the Hyderabad Forum for Justice to fight on this issue.
Saviours of Hyderabad 1990-91
The citizens of Hyderabad honour the saviours of the city who not only saved the lives of fellow human beings but also upheld the honour of the city.
The recent riots in our city, during which many innocent people suffered great hardship, and loss of life and prope11y, have shocked and saddened all of us. A group of voluntary agencies came together to form the Forum for Voluntary Action and Relief the Forum mobilized volunteers, and distributed food, grains, blankets, and medical relief to curfew victims ill some of the badly affected and remote localities of the city. In the process of delivering relief, the volunteers saw the horror and the destruction caused by communal violence. They also came across several instances of spontaneous and selfless heroism on the part of ordinary people who risked their lives to save the lives of members of another community. There were also quite a few stories of great affection and friendship displayed by people for each other during the riots. This was a glimmer of hope in the surrounding darkness. There must be many more such tales of courage and love out there to be recognize and celebrated.
Sultan Shahi
On 8th December, Mr. Vijay Singh, provided shelter to nearly 50 Muslims. At the same time, his family bakery, Vijaya Bakery was ransacked and burnt at an estimated loss of Rs.90,000. The Hindu workers of this bakery along with the owner’s brother were protected by Mr. Mohammed Iqbal and Mr. Mohammed Mashtaq, residents of Sultan Shahi. These two men also gave shelter to Mr. Mohan Singh, Mr. Sheethal Singh and Ms.Nirmala Bai, since their houses and property were also totally destroyed. At about the same time Mr. Iqbal’s nephew was tragically killed in Musheerabad.
Laldarwaza
Mr. Satyanarayana is a resident of Gandhi-ka-putla, Gowlipura. He has been friends with Muslim families for more than forty years. Mr. Satyanarayana works. in the Drainage Section of the Central Water Works Department at Malakpet. He started by talking about his friend Mr .Mumtaz, who lives opposite the Ram Mandir. Five families -all relatives of Mumtaz have been living there -in fact when the Ram Mandir was built Mumtaz helped with the building. Mumtaz was close to him. No celebration in Mr.Satyanarayana’s house was complete without Mr.Mumtaz’s family being around.
On the evening of the attack, Mr .Satyanarayana had been to the Ram Mandir. The Pujari of the temple had not had tea since curfew was imposed. So Mr .Satyanarayana went back and asked his wife to make tea for the Pujari. He carried the flask with hot tea to the temple around 7.00 p.m. On the way he met Mr .Mumtaz who appeared apprehensive and anxious about the situation in the city. Mr.Satyanarayana tried to assure him and promised him protection but it did not pacify Mr.Mumtaz.
Mr. Mumtaz relates: Till 8.30 p.m. on the 8th December, 1990, every thing was all right at Gandhi-ka-Putla, Gowlipura. His family and three other Muslim families, in all 69 people, have lived in the locality for three generations. Satyanarayana was in Mumtaz’s house, watching television. And then all hell broke loose. They heard the commotion and shouts of an approaching mob. Mr. Mumtaz and Mr. Satyanarayana went out to investigate. They saw three armed constables who were on duty walking away. The Head Constable told them that a large mob was approaching, and that he would get reinforcements from the Police Station, hardly 400 metres away. As all the three constables walked away together, the mob had a free hand in launching the first assault.
The three policemen did not return to the scene but they sent mounted police. Hearing the sound of horses, the mob disappeared into the bylanes. But the people of the locality who were standing on the roofs misdirected the mounted police. Meanwhile Satyanarayana shifted all the muslim families into a vacant house owned by him, locked it from outside and took some 15 women and children to his own house. As soon as the police was some distance away, the mob returned and guided by the people on roof-tops attacked Satyanarayana’s house with stones. They also approached the house in which Satyanarayana had hidden Mumtaz’s family and others. Mr .Ramkoti, a tenant living in the adjacent house, pulled out the electric switch board to- disconnect power supply and deceive the attackers.
Satyanarayana’s only son was also chased by some knife-wielding goondas for harbouring Muslims. He ran to Uppuguda, hid in some fields, and saved himself.
One of the people helped by Satyanarayana, Ms. Zubeida, relates: 300 men came and knocked on the door at 7.30pm (on 8th Dec.). She and her family escaped from the back and hid in Satyanarayana’s house, beside the Ram Temple. The tenant pulled off the switch board to prevent the outsiders from finding it. The tenant’s wife stood at the door and said there was no one there. But children cried in the dark and the attackers sensed their presence. They began to break down the windows, and threw kerosene on the house so the tenant’s wife was forced to open the door. The tenants were dragged out and women and children were attacked with stones and lathis. Luckily the police came in time and the attackers fled.
Satyanarayana next rushed to get the police. The Circle Inspector came to help Satyanarayana. By that time, the mob had totally destroyed and burnt the five Muslim houses. Satyanarayana’s house was also damaged. Later the Circle Inspector and Satyanarayana helped transport the Muslims to the Moghalpura Camp by day-break. A few days earlier one Maulana had been killed in the area.
Satyanarayana does not feel he has done his friend any favour. He feels he has not really
helped enough. His wife with tears in her eyes said that the loss of their property was nothing-the fact that their friend had to leave the place was very painful to them. Her daughter used to tie a ‘Rakhi’ on Mr Mumtaz. He was so close to the family.
Now the family is socially boycotted by the neighbours, friends and relatives. They turn their faces away when they meet him on the road. Satyanarayana has stopped going to the temple (while previously he used to go everyday), since that would force him to see the ruined house of his dear friend Mr. Mumtaz.
♦ Saviours of Hyderabad (Riots 1990-91)
Initiatives for Peace
ROUND TABLE DIALOGUE ON ‘SECURING PEACE THROUGH RELIGIONS: CHALLENGES FOR
RELIGIOUS LEADERS’ ON 3RD MAY 2010
Introduction:
A series of incidents in December 2001, prominent among them being the terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament, set off reactions which resulted in amassing troops on the borders by both India and Pakistan. By mid January it looked that both the countries were on the verge of another full scale war, which every one feared might result in a nuclear holocaust in the sub continent.
People for Peace
At home war hysteria was being drummed. A large number of sane voices within both the countries were being drowned in the war cacophony. A still larger number of people were confused and consequently pushed into silence which was being taken by the right wing forces of both the countries as consent for a full scale confrontation. People for Peace was initiated with the idea of bringing together these voices calling for peace so that pressure is brought on both the governments to de escalate and get back to the negotiating table.
Activities in Hyderabad
All India Industrial Exhibition is conducted in Hyderabad every year between 1st January to 15th February. The exhibition, being conducted since the last 60 years brings together artisans and industries (big & small) from across India and has about 2000 stalls. It draws lakhs of people of the twin cities as well as from other parts of the country. Endorsements for peace and the demands of the People for Peace between India and Pakistan were collected from the visitors of this exhibition.
Peace Vigil started with a Vintage Car Rally and culminated Candle Light Vigil and peace songs. The Vintage Car Rally for Peace was flagged off from the Historic Charminar by Ms. Ammaji and Mr. Sajid, grass root workers active in the slums in the old city of Hyderabad. Passing through 12 kms of the main thorough fares of the city, the Rally culminated in a Candle Light Vigil at Tank Bund that connects the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. About 300 children, women and men participated in the candle light vigil holding Candles, Banners and Placards and signed the Memorandum of Demands. The Rally and the Vigil received extensive media coverage. 6 Television channels and all English, Telugu, Urdu and Hindi newspapers gave extensive coverage with photographs.
Painting and Cartoon Competition for School and College students on theme of Peace was conducted on 24th February about 100 students participated in these competitions. Mr.Jagjit Singh – renowned Gazal Singer gave away the prizes. Well-known cartoonist – Mr.Shaam Mohan, Mr.Shekar, Mr.Shanker, Mr.Venkatesh, Mr.Mohan – participated drawing cartoons for peace.
2010-2011
Initiatives in Jammu & Kashmir
Kashmir Valley suffered massive unrest for over 6 months from April to September 2010 in which nearly 110 people lost their lives and hundreds more were injured. With curfews imposed by the government and Hartal (strike) calls by the Separatist groups, the people of the valley are in virtual prison- facing extreme hardships and deprivations.
COVA took the initiative and in collaboration with a number of organization in Kashmir and across the country undertook the following activities:
1. Representatives of COVA visited Kashmir in June and July to study the situation and bring together the civil society in Kashmir to engage with the prevailing situation. A group called People Initiative on Jammu & Kashmir was formed.
2. 26th August 2010: Meeting at New Delhi: A meeting of civil society groups was organised by COVA in New Delhi on 26th August 2010 in collaboration with other civil society organizations. The meeting was well attended with representation from many civil society organisations, students, journalists, professionals and different sections of Kashmiri society including Kashmiri Pandits. Representatives of Save Children, JamatUlema- Hind- Jamat E Islami, Aman Trust, Arya Samaj, FOCUS, COVA and many other national level organisations participated. Mr. Shafi Pandit IAS (Retd) and Mr. Zafar Meraj came from Kashmir to speak at this meeting. Dr. Mazher Hussain gave the introductory remarks followed by addresses by Swami Agnivesh, Mr. Kuldip Nayar, Mr. Rahul Jalali, Mr. Sanjay Kak and others. Many members of Parliament including Mr. Rattanpuri and Mr. Shaheen from Kashmir participated and addressed the gathering. Mr. S.Q.R. Ilyas of Jamat- E- Islami moderated the proceedings.
The Meeting resolved to facilitate the formation of Working Groups on Jammu & Kashmir in different cities to sensitise people and policy makers about the problem in Jammu & Kashmir and work in a consistent manner towards the resolution of the ongoing problem.
3. 20th to 25th September 2010: Consultations with civil society organization in Srinagar, Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai for the formation of People’s Initiative on Jammu & Kashmir- Meetings with political leaders and parliamentarians for raising the issue of turmoil in Kashmir in Parliament and assurances by Parliamentarians in the matter. Discussion on Kashmir in the Lok Sabha on 26th August 2010 and in the Rajya Sabha during Zero Hour raised by Ms. Brinda Karat on 31st August 2010
4. Civil Society Delegation to Kashmir: COVA facilitated the visit of a Delegation of Civil Society to Kashmir from 30 August to 2nd September 2010. The delegation comprised of Swami Agnivesh, Admiral L. Ramdas, Ms. Mohini Giri, Fr. Dominic Emmanuel and Dr. Mazher Hussain. The objective of the visit was to gain first hand knowledge of the prevailing ground situation in Kashmir and to commiserate with the people for their suffering and loss of life. The Delegation found the situation to be critical and tragic and also gained some startling understanding of the scenario. A Report of the visit of the Delegation was circulated in the Peace Updates Dispatch of 17th September 2010 that reaches over 20 thousand people, .and also shared with members of parliament, political parties and media.
5. 3rd September 2010: Public Meeting and Formation of Kashmir Working Group at Mumbai: Peace Mumbai along with other civil society groups organized a Public Meeting at Mumbai titled “Kashmir at Cross Roads” inviting Sajjad Lone of Peoples Conference and Basheer Manzar, Senior Journalist from Kashmir. The Meeting passed a Resolution and formed Kashmir Working Group- Mumbai that would meet regularly to work for the resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir problem.
6. 3rd September 2010: Press Conference and Press Note: Members of the Delegation that had visited Kashmir from 30th August to 2nd September 2010 addressed a Press Conference on 3rd September at New Delhi.
7. 8th September 2010: Meeting at IIIT Hyderabad Admiral L. Ramdas and Dr. Mazher Hussain addressed the students and faculty of IIIT (Indian Institute of Information Technology), Hyderabad on the Topic “Kashmir Crises: Genesis, Current Situation and Way Forward”. After the meeting a number of students expressed a desire to visit Jammu & Kashmir to understand the issues and contribute to the peace process.
8. 8th September 2010: Public Meeting and Formation of Kashmir Working Group at Hyderabad: Admiral L. Ramdas and Dr. Mazher Hussain addressed a Public Meeting at Hyderabad attended by members of civil society, professionals, students and representatives of the Kashmir community including Kashmiri Pandits on the Topic “Kashmir Crises: Genesis, Current Situation and Way Forward”. . The gathering decided to form Kashmir Working Group- Hyderabad that would meet regularly and work to interact with and influence political parties, government and the media for the resolutionof the Jammu & Kashmir problem.
9. 9th to 14th September: Contacts and Meetings with leaders of Political Parties: Contacts and meetings with leaders of different political parties were undertaken to sensitize them to the gravity of the situation in Kashmir and brief them about the issues to be raised at the All Party Meeting convened on 15th September 2010 by the Government of India.
10. 16- 18 September 2010: Preparations for Meetings at Delhi and Cancellation: Preparations were made to organize meetings at JNU – Delhi on 16th September; St. Stephen’s College- Delhi on 17th and a Meeting for the formation of the Kashmir Working Group in Delhi on 18th September 2010. Mr. Zafar Meraj, Mr. Shujaat Bhukari, Prof. Hameeda Nayeem and others were scheduled to come from Srinagar. As the Srinagar airport was suddenly closed from 14th September 2010 all the meetings had to be cancelled.
11. 15th to 19th September 2010: All Party Delegation to Jammu & Kashmir- Lobbying with National and Regional Political Parties, Parliamentarians and groups in Kashmir: The All Party Meeting held on 15th September resolved to send an All Party Delegation to Jammu & Kashmir from 20 to 22nd September 2010 to study the ground situation and suggest way forward.
But this Delegation faced serious challenge regarding its credibility and effectiveness as all the Separatist leaders issued a call for its boycott and the strict curfew declared by the state government. Realising the importance of the success of this Delegation in connecting with the people of Kashmir for mitigating the prevailing distrust and violence, COVA put into place two initiatives. First, members of People’s Initiative on Kashmir- Srinagar were requested to convince people to meet the All Party Delegation despite the boycott call. Secondly, COVA contacted members of different political parties who were in the Delegation and made three suggestions to them including that they should go to the homes of the separatist leaders to meet them and break the impasse that has been plaguing Jammu & Kashmir for over 63 years.
People from different walks of life came out in large numbers to make their Representations to the Delegation. Further, three groups from the All Party Delegation comprising Mr. Sitaram Yachuri, Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan, Mr. Gurudas Dasgupta, Mr. Nama Nageshwar Rao, Mr. Asaduddin Owaisi, Mr. T.R. Balu, Mr. Shahid Siddiqui and others did go to the homes of the separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik and created history in the annals of peace on the eve of World Peace day that is celebrated on 21st September.
The results are there for all to see! Almost instantly, the stone pelting and disturbances in the Kashmir Valley started declining and things got back to normalcy in a month.
Interventions Towards Dialogue
In order to seek a proper solution to the Kashmir embroglio, COVA is facilitating a civil society initiative that is aiming to bring together Huriat leaders and Members of Parliament of India for a dialogue to pave way for addressing the outstanding problems. In pursuance of this objective, the civil society group comprising of Kashmiri Muslims, Pandits and members from other parts of the country meet regularly. It is proposed to form a caucus of parliamentarians on the Kashmir issue who will take the dialogue process forward. Some parliamentarians have already agreed to function as a core team that could facilitate the formation of the caucus and work towards the dialogue process.
Peace Vigils
The Judgment of the Allahabad High Court scheduled on 30th October and the turmoil in Kashmir for over three months had become matters of concern. In order to propagate the necessity to maintain communal harmony all over the country and strive for a just solution for the problem of Jammu & Kashmir that is festering for over 60 years, COVA proposed simultaneous Prayer Meetings and Candle Light Vigils for “Communal Harmony in the Country and Just Peace in Jammu & Kashmir” on 2nd October 2010 from 6 pm to 7 pm in different cities and towns all over the country.
Many organizations in different cities / towns came forward to organize the event. Details of Cities / Towns where organizations came forward to organize the Prayer Meetings and Candle Light Vigils for “Communal Harmony in the Country and Just Peace in Jammu & Kashmir” are as follows:
City / Town Venue Facilitation Contact
Amritsar Jalian Wala Bagh Folklore Research 09872318484
Ayodhya Ayodhya Ki Awaz 09451730269
Banglore Gandhi Statue, M.G. Road Sahajeevan 09449070760
Bhopal Gandhi Bhavan Yuva Samvad 09424401469
Bhubaneshwar EKTA Parishad
Chandigarh Yuvasatta 09872609816
Delhi Raj Ghat Asha Parivar-NAPM 09313106745
Guntur VAN Guntur 09848090642
Gwalior EKTA Parishad
Hyderabad People’s Plaza, Nacklace Rd COVA 09346238430
Jaipur PUCL Rajasthan 09351562965
Jhansi EKTA Parishad
Kurnool COVAN Kurnool 08008663361
Lucknow Shaheed Smarak- Residency Asha Parivar 08081670595
Mumbai Azad Maidan FOCUS 09869077718
Nellore NOVA Nellore 09440309228
Nizamabad Voluntary Asso.Nzb 09010892898
Ongole VAN Prakasam,Ongole 9849212816
Patna EKTA Parishad
Raipur EKTA Parishad
Srinagar Press Colony, Lal Chowk J&K RTI Movement 09596081900
Warangal ONVA Warangal 9849366660
Collaborating Organisations:
Apsa, Aman Vedika, Apna Watan, Asha Parivar, Ayodhya Ki Awaz , CHATRI, Coalition for Peace and Harmony, CKGPC, COVA, COVAN Kurnool, EKTA Parishad, FOCUS, Folklore Research, Forum for Better Hyderabad, Guild of Service, ICAN, Indialogue Foundation, J&K RTI Movement, Mahita, NAPM, NOVA Nellore, ONVA Warangal, Phoenix, PUSH, PWS, PUCAAR, PUCL Rajasthan, Sahajeevan, Right to Walk Foundation, Sakshi, Samhita, SANSAD, SOUL, United form for RTI, VAN Guntur, VAN Prakasam, Voluntary Asso.Nzb , War Widows Association, WIPSA, World Council of Arya Samaj, Yuvasatta, Yuva Samvad
2007-2008
Kashmir Earthquake Rehabilitation Project
COVA initiated a large-scale relief program covering 6000 families in Karnah and Uri tahsils of Kashmir. The affected families were provided tool kits, nails and washers for construction of temporary shelters and bukharis and polyurethane sheets for heating and protection from rains, snow and winds. COVA also succeeded in mobilising local communities through the formation of 175 village committees and recruitment of 2400 Link Volunteers from all the 136 villages and towns of Uri and Karnah tahsils.
The following activities were conducted as part of this project during the year 2007-2008:
- 195 houses were constructed and handed over to the beneficiaries
200 foldable stretchers were distributed to Village Committees on diffi cult terrains in Uri, Karnah and Boniyar tahsils to facilitate access for patients to the nearest hospitals.
Two awareness melas in each of Uri and Boniyar tehsils on schemes and policies of departments of Employment, Agriculture, Social Welfare, Animal Husbandry. 250 people participated in these melas.
Disadvantaged families, physically challenged people, unemployed youth, mentally challenged children benefi ted from these melas, which built linkages between these people and the government departments and NGOs concerned.
Need Assessment was done in 29 villages in Boniyar and 20 villages in Uri tahsils. Bad roads, irrigation and drinking water scarcity, and lack of health care centers emerged as the major concerns. The members of committees at various levels were given individual responsibilities to explore ways to resolve these issues.
COVA’s Lobbying with J & K Bank resulted in sanction of house building loans at reduced interest rates, and with government agencies concerned resulted in sanctioning grants for a Water filtration plant, a road and a hospital.
540 students were provided career-counseling service.
Halla Sheri, an age-old practice, was revived to provide a community problem-solving forum. An irrigation channel and two roads were made functional as a result of collective community action arising out of this system.
Environmental Awareness Program at Noorkhah and Chandanwari villages of the block Chandanwari in collaboration with Noor-Ul-Uloom High School, Noorkhah, Boniyar, sensitized people on environmental pollution.
A health camp benefi ted the children of Bagna village.
A Volley Ball Tournament was organised at Kamalkote and Jhula Blocks of Tehsil Uri from the 8th of Sept.2007. 20 teams from various villages participated.
Ten training camps were organised in collaboration with NCPDP at Chandanwari Block of Tehsil Boniyar for 32 masons and 100 local people.
Committees at village, block and tahsil level have been reconstituted through electi
2006-2007
COVA and VAN Kashmir took up construction of 200 houses for the most vulnerable victims of earthquake in Karna and Uri tehsils ensuring partnership of communities in the process. As part of Operation Salvage, 5383 households in Karnah and Uri were saved from dismantling and the owners were helped to opt for retrofi tting. With support from GMR Varalakshmi foundation Bangalore washrooms and toilet facilities were constructed for two schools of Gabra village in Karnah Tehsil. Signature Campaign and Lobbying A signature campaign demanded that the government provide tax-free construction material and long-term interest free loans to the people for reconstructing their houses in the earthquake affected areas of Kashmir. In response a number of government depots opened for supply of wood at different locations COVA lobbied for issue of compensation for victims the government. Training programmes Staff of COVA, engineers, engineering students, link volunteers, VRCC members, teachers and representatives of other NGOs were trained on various aspects of NGO management, disaster management and construction of seismic resistant houses. Community Empowerment Programmes In Uri tehsil 240 women link volunteers were mobilized from 35 villages. Besides a workshop on hygiene these woman link volunteers also participated in the training programmes conducted by NCPDP Gujarat on earthquake resistant features. COVA distributed sports material in communities and also in schools, with a preference to Girls Schools, to promote Sports Clubs. COVA intends to enlist the services of the members of these Clubs for various future initiatives in rehabilitation and community empowerment programs in Uri and Karnah Tehsils.
On 8th October 2006 in the Earthquake Anniversary, the Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir presented a memento to COVA in appreciation for its services to the earthquake victims.
Activities in other cities of India
Vigils were also organised in Kolkota by PIPFPD – Kolkata Chapter & Obsession Orchestra, Thareek Samajik Association, Saharanpur, Play for Peace, Bangalore, Coalition For Peace and Nuclear Disarmament, Panjim, Goa, Rastriya Ekta Samiti, Gas Peedith Mahila Udyog Sangh, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, All India Peace and Solidarity, Vishakapatnam, MARI, Warangal, NOVA, Nellore, Mother Teresa Social Service Society, Mahaboob Nagar, COVAC, Cuddapah, CYRD, Bhootpur, Mahabob Nagar, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Memorandums were signed by participants of these Candle-Light Vigils, urging the governments of both Pakistan and India to:
1. Open up all communication and travel links between the two countries.
2. Immediately sign a No War Pact.
3. Set up a Permanent Dialogue Process for continued and uninterrupted negotiations to settle all outstanding issues (including the issues of) Kashmir, by involving people of Kashmir on both sides of the border, and cross border terrorism, etc.
4. End and reverse the nuclear weapons race; actively engage in Global Nuclear Disarmament initiatives.
5. Immediately establish trade and commerce links.
These Demands were also endorsed by Participants of Vigils organised all over the world. These documents of endorsement were collected and sent to Governments of India and Pakistan as well as the media and other world leaders.
Peace Vigils
Vintage Car Rally and Global Vigil for Peace
Hangout South Asia
Virtual Connect for Real Friendships across Borders
Ideas Welcome!
The Concept
Challenges of Exchange Programs
South Asia as a region has a history of shared heritage and culture and an important element of this has been the interconnectedness of its people as a whole. Exchange programs have been an ideal vehicle to bring the people of South Asia together all through history, but due to a range of factors in present times, including severe visa restrictions and travel costs etc. direct people to people contact between the South Asian countries has become difficult.
An Option: The Google+ Hangout
Google Hangout platform is being used to bridge this gap and bring together people (mostly youth) from all the South Asian countries for virtual interactions on issues of common concerns and interests once every month. These interactions will help South Asians to connect with each other to understand commonalities, appreciate differences, identify and address points of conflicts, analyse problems, evolve solutions, share interests, seek hobby partners, establish personal friendships, sing and dance and do much more together … all online to begin with and perhaps also take it into the realm of the real world subsequently! Possibilities are just limitless!!
It’s Simple
All that is required is a computer / laptop with an internet connection. Even mobile phones with android versions would enable you to view any Hangout Session from anywhere and even when you are on the move! If your computer or mobile has a camera, then you can also participate in a Hangout Session!! Just click on www.hangoutsouthasia.org to view and participate in Hangout South Asia Sessions.
Hangout South Asia would go live once a month for 90 minutes. One hour for Panel Discussion on an issue of interest in the South Asian context and the next 30 minutes – titled Culture Connect- for sharing about cultures, traditions, cuisines, interests, hobbies, singing, dancing and the works!!
Online Voting for Topics for Panel Discussions and Culture Connect
Themes and topics along with specific questions to be streamed live would be selected through on line surveys to ensure participatory flavour and provide space to issues of maximum interest to the people. Hangout South Asia Portal has special sections for suggestions/ voting for topics and specific questions for each Session. Anyone could suggest any topics or a question/ comment for a topic shortlisted or vote in favour of a topic or a question proposed by someone else. Topics and questions with maximum votes will be featured in the Hangout Sessions. Similar procedure will also be followed for the Culture Connect Time also. To propose or vote for a topic or question or share your views please visit: www.hangoutsouthasia.org
Panel Discussions
Each Panel Discussion will be of 60 Minutes duration
Eight Panelists will be invited from each of the 8 member countries.
In order to provide space for a wide range of perspectives, 2 to 3 panelists from each of the following fields will be selected for any Panel Discussion comprising of a total of 8 Panelists :
Diplomats / Politicians / Bureaucrats /Armed Forces Personal
Academics
Media
Business
Activists / Civil Society
At least two of the Panelists will be below 30 years along with provision for appropriate gender and minority representation.
Each Panelist will get 3 minutes for Opening Remarks and 1 Minute for Closing Remarks (total of 24 minutes for the Panelists). Remaining 36 Minutes will be available for discussion between Panelists and Online Participants.
Online participants will be selected on the basis of endorsements received for their questions and it may be possible to provide space for 15 to 18 Online Participants during each Live Hangout Session. At least one Online Participant from each of the 8 SAARC Countries will be given space to participate in any Live Hangout Session. (For details please see Selection on Topics and Questions given below)
Two Celebrities (One from India or Pakistan and one from the other countries) will be invited as Special Guests for each Live Session to give their message /opinion on the Topic under discussion.
Messages by 2-3 renowned personalities / experts on the topics under discussion could be carried during the Live Sessions
Culture Connect
Thirty Minutes after the Session on Panel Discussion will be devoted to culture time around one select theme every month.
Themes could be singing, dance, poetry, jokes, comedy, mimicry, amazing acts, marriage customs, fashion, traditions, cuisine etc.
Events that could transcend language barriers would be preferred
Selection of themes and participants / artists for the Culture Connect will also be done through online polling as in the case of Panel Discussions.
Moderation
Every Session of Hangout South Asia will have two Moderators- for Panel Discussion and for Culture Connect.
Moderators will be selected from different South Asian countries by rotation.
Anchor Organisations
One organisation in each of the eight South Asian countries with an extensive network within their own countries and a track record of promoting cooperation in South Asia will be the Anchor Organisations for Hangout South Asia and facilitate organisation of Panel Discussions, Culture Connect and Mass Actions in their respective countries. Anchor Organisations of different countries are listed in “Contact Us” on the Portal and appended below as Annexure I
Core Partners and Partners
All Networks- National, South Asian and International- collaborating for implementation of Hangout South Asia Project will be the Core Partners. Organisations, institutions and groups will be enlisted as Partners.
COVA
Peace Alliance Partners (PAP) Program
Concept Note
Initiated by COVA (a national network of voluntary organizations working in India to promote communal harmony, peace and social justice), the Peace Alliance Partners (or the PAP) Program aims to bring together community based groups, development organizations, academic institutions and professional bodies into a nationwide network to secure communal harmony and social integration through the involvement of all sections of society.
Unlike most programs of NGOs that target only the poor and deprived sections of society, PAP Program seeks to also involve the middle classes and the rich, including the educated and professionals -as our present education system does not have the provision to sensitise people to social issues, especially those of communal harmony and national integration- even if it turns out world class technocrats and professionals. This is leading to a paradoxical situation where our ever growing educated and professional classes are becoming more and more sectarian leading to increasing communalisation of society that could soon degenerate into perpetual conflicts amongst different sections and social groups if not checked in time and effectively.
The PAP program consists of quarterly Learning Sessions and a variety of field activities that enable members of the partner organisations to understand the nuances of sectarian conflicts and the necessity of social integration. Further, PAP program equips the partner organisations and participants to secure community harmony and social integration through their ongoing activities and programs in their areas of operations by inculcating new attitudes and skills and without the need for starting any new programs.
The Issues
Biases and Prejudices:
No individual could claim to be totally free of all biases and prejudices. All of us are plagued by biases and prejudices formed on grounds of religion, caste, race, gender, language, region and other such differences. These hidden biases and prejudices influence our behaviour and lead to discriminatory practices, social conflict, violence and even genocides.
Development: The Double Edged Sword
Development interventions could be used to integrate and also to alienate different communities or social groups living in the same area or locality.
Of late, many development interventions are becoming exclusive and seek to target only one specific community. While such targeted interventions may indeed help in addressing the issues and problems specific to the community and accelerate its development, they also result in alienating other communities in the vicinity. Such alienations could lead to mistrust and hatred eventually resulting in violence that may destroy in two days all the achievements of decades of development interventions.
Conflict Management:
A number of trainings, drills and elaborate manuals are available to equip individuals and organizations to deal with natural disasters like floods, cyclones, typhoons, earthquakes etc. However, very few such trainings or manuals seem to be available to deal with man made disasters like social conflicts, riots and genocides.
Deconstructing and Setting Political Agendas:
It is found that all social conflicts arise due to some political issues that are exploited by politicians to divide people for electoral gains. Even though India is proclaimed a democracy, it is the politicians and not the people who are setting the political agendas in our country. And when politicians set the agendas, it is not for the development of the people but rather for their division or exploitation (through offers of freebees like colour televisions, subsidised rice etc.) for quick and easy electoral gains even if this leads to social disintegration and generates sectarian conflicts. There are many instances both at the regional and national levels where some political parties have deliberately engaged in divisive politics and instigated violence for electoral gains- and have also gained remarkable successes through these devious designs to repeat such stratagems again and again.
The PAP program also aims to equip people to deconstruct and expose the political agendas underlying any social conflict and enable people themselves to set the political agenda through the Citizen’s Assertion Campaign. (Note on the Concept and Practice of Citizen’s Assertion Campaign is available). With people- instead of politicians- setting the agenda, it is expected that divisive and identity politics (that invariably leads to social tensions and violence for electoral gains) will give way to politics of ideology and integration that alone can provide peace and development – the desire of all sections of society.
The PAP Program
PAP Members and Sessions:
Development organizations, academic institutions, mass movements, professional bodies etc. could enlist in the Peace Alliance Partners network. Each group would be offered 8 one-day Perspective Building and skill development programs, once every three months to bring about the required attitudinal transformation amongst the participants. The PAP program spans two years. Organisations can also take one session every month and complete the program in a year. Citizen’s Assertion Campaign is a separate program that could run concurrently and requires two days of orientation and training.
Learning Celebrations:
Each program would be a day long occasion that aspires to broaden the perspective and develop skills of the participants on issues of communal harmony, social integration, conflict management and gaining control over political processes in an atmosphere of celebration and participative learning.
Who could be the learners?
Any person or group of any background interested in fostering human values, promoting national integration and practicing social harmony could participate in the program. It is suggested that the group size for each program should be 25 to 30 members.
What would you learn?
The Modules are designed to address the four issues listed above viz. biases, prejudices and how to over come them; using development interventions as a strategy for social integration; acquire the necessary skills and capability required for conflict management and riot control and finally enable people to set political agendas to take governance to the grassroots to ensure inclusive development and social integration..
Under riot control measures the participants would learn to recognize the signs that precede any social conflicts or violence, action to be taken to prevent the eruption and spread of violence, measures for relief, rehabilitation and trauma counseling and finally, dealing with the police and preparing proper legal ground for the conviction of the perpetrators.
How do you learn?
A variety of tools and techniques would be used to enable participants to acquire fresh perspectives and new skills in a participatory manner. PAU (Participatory Analytical Understanding) is a new method developed by COVA to deconstruct the apparently irreconcilable ideological conflicts and generate an understanding of the bases and causes of social differences. This would enable participants to overcome biases, obtain an objective understanding of contentious issues and work towards substantive and productive community integration.
PAP Newsletter
It is proposed to start a quarterly e-newsletter for the PAP network to enable members to share experiences and ideas regarding communal harmony and social integration through development interventions. The newsgroup would also facilitate the national network to initiate collaborative interventions in times of emergencies and conflicts
The Learning Celebrations at a Glance
Program Designation: Perspective Building on Communal Harmony and Conflict Resolution
(Focus of this Module is on addressing conflict between different religious communities- adaptable to caste, regional. linguistic or any other conflict).
Learning Plan for the First Year:
How biased are you?
The first Module will help participants to identify and understand their sub conscious communal and social biases and enable them to establish the link between their personal biases, social conflict and communal / caste violence. The Session will also enable participants to acquire a graphic understanding of the hardships and destruction caused by communal riots and caste conflicts.
Redesigning Organisations and Reading Conflicts
The second Module will help in recognizing the communal/ sectarian biases inherent in organizations. It will equip participants to redesign organisations so that they become vehicles to secure social integration through their ongoing development interventions. Secondly, participants will also learn to read the onset of any sectarian conflict and learn about measures that could reduce tensions and prevent the outbreak of violence.
Guarding Against Myths and Mischief
This Module will enable participants to understand the dynamics of stereotyping and myth creation regarding different communities. The participants will also learn the techniques to contain riots and prevent the spread of violence.
Cleansing Within and Without
The last Module of the first series will assist participants to overcome biases and stereotypes. It would also introduce them to the techniques to deconstruct the politics of social conflicts
Action Commitments:
After each Session the participants pledge to undertake one action commitment of their choice in the three months before the next session. Some of the Action Commitments undertaken by some participants of the program on promoting communal harmony included reading the scriptures / sacred texts of another faith; visiting places of worship of other religions to understand their rituals and practices; making friends with followers of other religions; engaging with members of other communities to understand contentious issues from their perspective etc. Appropriate Action Commitments can be devised for Modules dealing with other forms of conflicts like caste, race, ethnic, language etc. also.
Other Details
Program Duration:
Two years. Four sessions per year – one session in three months. Each session to be of one day duration – from 10 am to 5.30 pm.
For programs outside India, two sessions can be organised together to save costs. In all 4 sessions will be conducted in two years once every six months.
Location and Arrangements:
The sessions will be conducted at the office or the field area of the host organisation requesting the course, according to the convenience of the organisation concerned. The host organisation should make all arrangements for conducting the sessions.
Pot Luck Lunch: It is requested that all participants of the sessions bring their own lunch packs and share it together. This promotes fellowship and bonding.
Discourse by Religious Leaders: The host organisations are requested to invite one religious leader to speak about a religious festival celebrated / to be celebrated around the time of the program. The religious leader should be requested to speak about the history and reasons behind celebrating the particular festival and also the activities and functions involved. Representatives of different religions should be invited for each of the sessions to enable participants to know about the festivals and traditions of different religions.
Festival Sweet: All festivals have some sweet dish associated with them. The host organisation is requested to arrange for the preparation of a sweet dish associated with the festival about which the discourse is being arranged for a particular session. The sweet is to be served to the participants during lunch.
Participation Certificates: All the participants who attend at least three of the four programs offered in a year would be given a Participation Certificate detailing the courses attended.
PAP: Aiming at Attitudinal Change:
Changing the mindset of the people to make them understand and accept the “other’, become inclusive and advocates of equity and social justice needs going beyond awareness generation and perspective building and requires attitudinal change. Though the PAP Program is based on 8 One Day Sessions, it is recommended that they are not conducted continuously but ideally with a gap of three months between each session. This will enable participants of the program to internalize the learnings and undertake Action Commitments to connect with the culture, traditions and belief patterns of the other communities as well as to explore and deconstruct the myths and misconceptions surrounding the “other”.
Feedback from Participants of Earlier Programs:
“Training on communal harmony is necessary for NGOs and their staff. The tools used in PAP training viz. group discussion, role play and charts, are very useful, as is the assessment mode of self on communalism. The role plays and other methods helped to elicit information and draw out biases.” – E. V. S. Naidu, DRUSS, Nellore
“Very interesting and innovative. This program enhanced my perspectives with regard to communal harmony and peace. The tools used are very interesting and revealed how much secular / biased I was.” – Ch.Yekambaram, MARI, Warangal
“The program used various methods to drive home the point on secularism and communal harmony effectively. Verbal narrations and visuals enhanced our learning.” – P.Jyothi, Good Shepherd Convent, Mangalagiri, Guntur dist.
“The methodology was effective. Quiz competitions and group discussions enhanced our knowledge, which we will pass on to the grassroots.” – Mahesh, CRSD, Madakasira, Anantapur dist.