Hyderabad Experience: How Riots Start and Strategies to Control- Mazher Hussain with Vijay Mahajan
Politicians alone cannot roll out or sustain a Riot.
Unless common people- especially the youth- get involved with the motive to take revenge for some incidences of arson or killings, mostly with political instigation, riots cannot begin or spread. The Trick is to Prevent Common People from indulging in Violence
Second, when communal attacks are unleashed in a society, killing and arson become a celebration leading to vicious cycles of violence.The only way out is to turn the tables to Privilege Saving over Killings
The Challenge in Times of Social Media: The impact of any Fake News and concept of Flash Mobs to mobilize thousands instantly can cause havoc in our society. Are we entering an era of Flash Lynch Mobs?
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.
The District Networks
Seeing the effect of COVA programmes in the Old City of Hyderabad, organizations and individuals from different districts of Andhra Pradesh started inviting COVA to expand their network to districts and help in arresting the process of alienation of the Muslim community (which has started in rural areas also) and bring them into the process of development and integration with other communities. In 1999 COVA decided to start interventions in the districts and initiated activities to understand the issues of rural Muslims and catalyze networks along the lines of COVA strategy in Hyderabad. These initial interventions were made possible with support from Cord-Aid (at that time known as Bilance) and Christian Aid.
After initial meetings and preliminary surveys in 1999 some activities like Situational Analysis Workshops and some campaigns for literacy were undertaken in the year 2000 to establish contacts in different districts and study the possibility of forming viable district level networks to integrate the Muslim community with mainstream development initiatives and promote communal harmony.
As the formation and consolidation of district networks required large resources and as the understanding with Bilance was for limited funding support for starting the initiatives in districts and for a limited period of time, CRS accepted to support the State Network and Research programme from the year 2001.
With partnership from CRS, COVA was able to undertake Mandal wise surveys to identify credible Mandal level organizations and resource persons from the Muslim and other marginalized communities, initiate the process of the formation of district networks and organise a number of capacity building trainings for member organizations of the district network and enable them to access and implement programmes and schemes available with other networks and the Government. During 2001, network formation processes were initiated in 6 districts from March and in 4 districts from August of the same year.
By end 2001 COVA was able to realise to a considerable extent its initial objectives of identification and integration of Muslim CBOs to the development process, motivate non-Muslim organizations to start work with the Muslim community and facilitate elections in 5 district for the formation of democratically constituted networks. Elections in the remaining districts were completed by July 2002.
With the availability of officially registered, stable and vibrant networks in the districts, a number of funding agencies, organizations and other networks sought collaboration and implemented various programmes like Siksha Yatra to lobby for making education a fundamental right and Panchayat Raj Voter Awareness Campaign (PEVAC) etc. through the district networks. From 2003 onwards, the networks were able to successfully mobilize resources from the government and other funding agencies and larger NGOs and networks for the member organizations. The Network was also able to secure fellowships from Nirnaya and Action Aid for some of its activists and members.
The year 2004 was especially beneficial to the networks. Three major programs could be launched in most of the districts involving a number of member organizations. The first program is the formation of SHGs with a focus on Muslim women in all the districts involving 27 member organizations in all. The second program is the formation of Welfare Trusts to mobilize charitable and philanthropic giving for productive and empowering activities like entrepreneurship development and educational scholarships. The Department of Science and Technology, Government of India chose COVA network as a nodal agency for the implementation of the Year of Scientific Awareness Program in 16 districts.
The networks in different districts also organised a number of peace rallies and other programs to promote communal harmony and peace. In one district, Mahaboobnagar, the network was able to play a proactive role in diffusing tensions and preventing a possible communal conflict.
However, in a number of places, the members were of the opinion that it would be counterproductive to talk of communal harmony where there was no communal tension or problem in the area. In fact, in Prakasham district, the police stopped the network from organising programs on communal harmony saying that it could lead to the creation of an issue where none exists.
This placed COVA in a very paradoxical situation. While the core objective of COVA and the very purpose of any of its interventions in any areas was communal harmony, it was asked to desist from openly talking about the communal issues and the need to work for harmony for fear that it might unnecessarily open up issues that were not there. Hence COVA was compelled to address issues of communal harmony in subtle and muted ways, as COVA believes that communal harmony is indeed an issue that needs to be addressed even if it is not recognized as an overt problem. COVA had the firm conviction that communalism might not appear on the surface but exists covertly. Later this apprehension proved correct, as there occurred communal riots in Anantapur district, where they had been thought unthinkable.
The Peace Alliance Partners (PAP) perspective-building programme was designed to address the lacuna. It is also born out of the learning that working on issues with larger organizations is much more effective than working within geographical limits with smaller organizations.
‘Bandhan’ the new form of the District Network Programme of COVA is going to implement an HIV/AIDS Awareness Programme in 9 districts through religious leaders of all communities from 2009 onwards.
State Networks
It is during 2000-2003 that COVA initiated networks in Kolkota, Jammu & Kashmir, Gujarat, and Saharanpur (U.P.) on the same lines as the District Networks in Andhra Pradesh. The focus was on small and Muslim-headed NGOs and the objective was to strengthen them so that they would be able to function independently. ICANID (Inter Community Alliances for National Integration and Development), a national network was also formed during 2003-2004 though this effort was to prove short-lived.
COVA implemented a major project in Kashmir Valley in collaboration with VAN-Kahsmir entering a new area of intervention, that is, disaster management.
National Collaborations
COVA collaborates with other national networks on different issues. On the issue of facilitating conducive atmosphere for voluntary sector it works with VANI, and for promotion of accountability and transparency in the voluntary sector, with Credibility Alliance. COVA has been the State Secretariat for networks like Pakistan India People’s Forum for Peace and Democracy (PIPFPD) and Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace (CNDP). With Muslims for Secular Democracy and All India Secular Forum, COVA fights religious fundamentalism and communalism and for the rights of minorities.
The Peace Now Campaign between Pakistan and India is being launched on 1 st July 2017 from 3 pm India Time and 2.30 pm Pakistan Time. Partners in other countries will also launch the Campaign to coincide with this common time. The Peace Now & Forever Campaign will be from 1 st July to 15 th August 2017 and will be organized in Pakistan, India and at least 10 other countries where Indians and Pakistanis live.
The Peace Now & Forever Campaign is conceived with the objective of addressing the deteriorating relations between Pakistan and India by the day. Common people and even Civil Society seems to be getting increasingly scared to take a stand and soon no space may be left to talk of peace and questioning war hysteria could be branded downright antinational and blasphemy.
In such a situation it becomes an urgent requirement to provide platforms to enable common people and civil society to demand peace and condemn attempts at war mongering without feeling apologetic or guilty about their stand.
Hence this Peace Now &Forever Campaign- between Pakistan and India!
In 2008 also, after the terrorist attack on Mumbai when the relations were at a nadir between India and Pakistan, civil society organisations in Pakistan and India had initiated a Joint Signature Campaign in both countries in collaboration with a large number of organisations and over 100,000 signatures (including that of Mr. I.K. Gujaral, the former Prime Minister of India) were collected and the Campaign had some success for creating space for peace in both countries.
We are happy to share that Networks and Organisations in 22 of the 29 States of India and the four Provinces of Pakistan are coming forward to Partner with the Peace Now Campaign and we are receiving good response from other countries also. We expect the Peace Now Campaign to be undertaken in around 250 cities, towns and villages in Pakistan, India and other countries.
Apart from a Joint Signature Campaign, many other simultaneous programs in different cities and towns are being planned during the Campaign period and especially on seven weekends that will be available during the course of the Campaign like Lectures on Peace including need for cordial Pakistan India Relations in Schools, colleges and universities, Young Art for Future of Humanity: through Platform for Children and Youth – Film and Documentary Festivals, Culture Camps, Interfaith Prayer Meets, Peace Caravans, Rallies and Marathons, Outreach to Political Parties and Elected Representatives etc.
Some major networks of India with a national reach who have agreed to partner with the Campaign are: Aagaz e Dosti, COVA, Ekta Parishad, FANSA, MSI, PIPFPD, WNTA and others collectively having a combined membership of over 3000 organisations. In Pakistan some organisations that are on board are PILER, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. Actin Aid, Now Communities, PIPFPD, Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, Aurat Foundation, Pakistan, SPO, Urban Resource Centre, AHUNG Pakistan, IPCN, National Organisation of Working Communities, Pakistan Medical Association/Pakistan Doctors For Peace and Development (PDPD), Tahrik-e-Niswan, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Democratic Students Federation. Many other networks and organisations of India and Pakistan are expected to start partnering with the Peace Now and Forever Campaign shortly.
We urge you to Partner with the Peace Now Campaign by organising programs in your cities and towns or by participating in the programs being organised by others. Please fill the online forms given below to register as Networks, Organisations or Individuals.
Partner Enlistment Form- For Networks
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSckoGTb1IC- MNElOHEqV5HPSeBi3rdW6Breqy3l4pkMbS4NSw/viewform
Partner Enlistment Form- For Organisations
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScBwnB_W82RBoM-IeunI4h0w2LMlQ0NbZhcRGt-JKZPuolS5Q/viewform
Partner Enlistment Form- For Individuals
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdv1VfXIM_jNYHHrDJvNOL5WC9Q8iHS89abs11V3TNp8
Partners in Pakistan
PILER, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. Actin Aid, Now Communities, PIPFPD, Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, Aurat Foundation, Pakistan, SPO, Urban Resource Centre, AHUNG Pakistan, IPCN, National Organisation of Working Communities, Pakistan Medical Association/Pakistan Doctors For Peace and Development (PDPD), Tehrik-e- Niswan, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Democratic Students Federation.
Partners in India:
Peace Now and Forever Campaign between Pakistan and India- Simultaneous Launches on 1st July 2017 in Many Cities and Towns of Pakistan and India- Interesting Programs Planned till 15th August 2017
Friends,
The Peace Now Campaign between Pakistan and India is being launched on 1st July 2017 from 3 pm India Time and 2.30 pm Pakistan Time. Partners in other countries will also launch the Campaign to coincide with this common time. The Peace Now & Forever Campaign will be from 1st July to 15th August 2017 and will be organized in Pakistan, India and at least 10 other countries where Indians and Pakistanis live.
The Peace Now & Forever Campaign is conceived with the objective of addressing the deteriorating relations between Pakistan and India by the day. Common people and even Civil Society seems to be getting increasingly scared to take a stand and soon no space may be left to talk of peace and questioning war hysteria could be branded downright antinational and blasphemy.
In such a situation it becomes an urgent requirement to provide platforms to enable common people and civil society to demand peace and condemn attempts at war mongering without feeling apologetic or guilty about their stand.
Hence this Peace Now & Forever Campaign- between Pakistan and India!
In 2008 also, after the terrorist attack on Mumbai when the relations were at a nadir between India and Pakistan, civil society organisations in Pakistan and India had initiated a Joint Signature Campaign in both countries in collaboration with a large number of organisations and over 100,000 signatures (including that of Mr. I.K. Gujaral, the former Prime Minister of India) were collected and the Campaign had some success for creating space for peace in both countries.
We are happy to share that Networks and Organisations in 22 of the 29 States of India and the four Provinces of Pakistan are coming forward to Partner with the Peace Now Campaign and we are receiving good response from other countries also. We expect the Peace Now Campaign to be undertaken in around 200 cities, towns and villages in Pakistan, India and other countries.
Apart from a Joint Signature Campaign, many other simultaneous programs in different cities and towns are being planned during the Campaign period and especially on seven weekends that will be available during the course of the Campaign like Lectures on Peace including need for cordial Pakistan- India Relations in Schools, colleges and universities, Young Art for Future of Humanity: through Platform for Children and Youth – Film and Documentary Festivals, Culture Camps, Interfaith Prayer Meets, Peace Caravans, Rallies and Marathons, Outreach to Political Parties and Elected Representatives etc.
We urge you to Partner with the Peace Now Campaign by organising programs in your cities and towns or by participating in the programs being organised by others. Please fill the online forms given below to register as Networks, Organisations or Individuals.
Partner Enlistment Form- For Networks
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSckoGTb1IC-MNElOHEqV5HPSeBi3rdW6Breqy3l4pkMbS4NSw/viewform
Partner Enlistment Form- For Organisations
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScBwnB_W82RBoM-IeunI4h0w2LMlQ0NbZhcRGt-JKZPuolS5Q/viewform
Partner Enlistment Form- For Individuals
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdv1VfXIM_jNYHHrDJvNOL5WC9Q8iHS89abs11V3TNp83GRyw/viewform
Database Link:
We are sharing the Form for Signatures along with a Pamphlet that can be downloaded and printed or photo copied by you to organise the Peace Now Campaign. More publicity material will be shared shortly.
In Hyderabad, India, the Campaign will be launched at the YMCA and is to be led by Magsaysay Awardees Admiral Ramdas, former Chief of Indian Navy and Dr. Jaiprakash Narayan along with some other Padma and other Award Winners from different fields and prominent citizens at 3 pm on 1st July2017 at YMCA Narayanguda.
Details of programs in other cities will be shared in a day.
Seeking your Partnership and lets collaborate to craft a Great Campaign together to secure peace for the sub-continent.
In Solidarity
On Behalf of Peace Now Campaign
Mazher Hussain Mahnaz Rahman Tapan Bose Karamat Ali Ravi Nitesh Jatin Desai
COVA AURAT Found. SAFHR PILER Aagaz e Dosti PIPFPD
India Pakistan India Pakistan India India
The programs / activities on weekends along with the common dates proposed are:
1. 8 th – 9 th July: Community Outreach for the Signature Campaign:
Though the Signature Campaign will start on 1 st July 2017 with the Launch of the Campaign and will continue through the whole period till 15 th August 2017, a whole weekend in the beginning is proposed to be dedicated to organise programs with the communities to enlist greater involvement of the people and galvanise the Campaign and provide the required momentum for success.
2. 15 th – 16 th July: Film and Documentary Festivals– about 7 to 8 films and documentaries will be collected and shared online with Partners after taking screening permissions from the makers. Collaborating with Film Clubs would make it very easy to organise this program. The screenings could be followed with discussion.
Requesting everyone to share information about any films / documentaries they think could be appropriate.
3. 20 st to 23 rd July 2017: Outreach to Elected Representatives: A Combined Campaign in India and Pakistan to reach out to all the elected representatives from local bodies to members of Parliament / Senate and secure their endorsements on the demands in the Signature Campaign Form. In the Joint Signature Campaign between India and Pakistan in 2008 after the Mumbai Terror attack, more than 100,000 signatures were collected in both counties including that of Mr. I.K. Gujral, the former Prime Minister of India.
The Monsoon Session of Indian Parliament is scheduled from 18 th July and it may also be possible to organise a joint meeting of political parties on the deteriorating India Pakistan relations.
4. 29-30 July 2017: Culture Camps: Where artists and performers from different fields like painting, cartooning, musicians, singers etc. can come together to assert for peace.
5. 8 th and 9 th August 2017: Commemorating Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Young Art for Future of Humanity- Under 18s from colleges, schools and out of school reciting original poetry, writings and expressing themselves through different art forms their concerns about conflicts plaguing the world and their assertion for peace. Announcing the event through media and school communications could enable the students and others under 18 to prepare for the program properly.
All outstanding contributions and performances could be up linked to the website for the Campaign.
6. 14 th and 15 th August 2017- Festival of The Sub- Continent: Joint Celebrations for Union of Hearts- 2.0 Along with All Faith Prayers: The First such Festival was organised on 14-15 August 1997 to commemorate 50 Years of independence of the Sub- Continent from colonial rule that saw enthusiastic participation from organisations from India, Pakistan and other countries across the where Indians and Pakistanis live.
For the first time this campaign urged Pakistanis and Indians to come together to celebrate independence on both days- 14 th and 15 th of August and not on just one day ie. 14 th or 15 th . The response to this call was phenomenal and scores of organisations in India and Pakistan and other countries organised remarkable programs with some original ideas and far reaching impact in developing positive public perception.
All Faith Prayers
We are planning to have it in a Parsee Temple in Hyderabad, a Hindu Mutt in Ayodhya, Ajmer Darga, the Bahai’s Lotus Temple in Delhi, Cathedral in Chennai, Golden Temple in Amritsar and so on where leaders of different faiths will come together to read from their scriptures and pray for peace collectively. Friends in Pakistan, Canada, America and other countries are also planning in different religious places. This program can be organised very easily in any city / town.
This will also be a fitting conclusion for the Peace Now and Forever Campaign between India and Pakistan where most people are religious!
7. Through the Campaign Period: Lectures on Peace- including need for cordial Pakistan India relations in Schools and colleges. These lectures can be arranged by enlisting people who have been to the other country (Pakistan or India) to share their experiences with students of schools and colleges and by contacting school chain s (like in Pakistan, we have chains managing 5 to 50 schools in different cities and towns. This could be a very potent way to reach out to the young with correct perspectives. It is also proposed to screen the Play Jung Chaheye Ya Aman before initiating discussions. All it requires is an LCD project that most schools have now a days.
In Hyderabad, we plan to have these Peace Outreach Programs in 50 schools and 20 colleges.
8. Peace Caravans, Rallies and Marathons: Some organisations have also suggested organising Caravans, Rallies and Marathons. We request all those who can to take up these and other activities as possible- and also share with others so that they can also organise.
Though it may not be possible to organise all the programs in all locations, we request Partners to organise as many of these programs as possible in their areas of operations and also any other programs that they would like to undertake. Partners are also requested to share information about the programs they propose to organise in a Template to be provided shortly for information to all others involved with the Campaign and for consolidated reporting and for sharing with the media.
We also request Partners in different cities and towns to form a Coordination Committee of all Partners of the Campaign in their areas to plan collective activities. Details of organisations who have enlisted so far from different cities and towns will be shared shortly.
Pamphlets and Signature Forms are available below in English, Telugu, Urdu and Hindi languages along with Campaign Poster and Format for Program Banners.
English Version
Signature Form:
Pamphlet:
Telugu Version
Signature form:
Pamphlet:
Urdu Version
Handbill:
Hindi Version
Signature Form:
Pamphlet:
Poster and Banner
Peace Now and Forever Campaign between Pakistan and India- Simultaneous Launches on 1st July 2017 in Many Cities and Towns of Pakistan and India- Interesting Programs Planned till 15th August 2017
Friends,
The Peace Now Campaign between Pakistan and India is being launched on 1st July 2017 from 3 pm India Time and 2.30 pm Pakistan Time. Partners in other countries will also launch the Campaign to coincide with this common time. The Peace Now & Forever Campaign will be from 1st July to 15th August 2017 and will be organized in Pakistan, India and at least 10 other countries where Indians and Pakistanis live.
The Peace Now & Forever Campaign is conceived with the objective of addressing the deteriorating relations between Pakistan and India by the day. Common people and even Civil Society seems to be getting increasingly scared to take a stand and soon no space may be left to talk of peace and questioning war hysteria could be branded downright antinational and blasphemy.
In such a situation it becomes an urgent requirement to provide platforms to enable common people and civil society to demand peace and condemn attempts at war mongering without feeling apologetic or guilty about their stand.
Hence this Peace Now & Forever Campaign- between Pakistan and India!
In 2008 also, after the terrorist attack on Mumbai when the relations were at a nadir between India and Pakistan, civil society organisations in Pakistan and India had initiated a Joint Signature Campaign in both countries in collaboration with a large number of organisations and over 100,000 signatures (including that of Mr. I.K. Gujaral, the former Prime Minister of India) were collected and the Campaign had some success for creating space for peace in both countries.
We are happy to share that Networks and Organisations in 22 of the 29 States of India and the four Provinces of Pakistan are coming forward to Partner with the Peace Now Campaign and we are receiving good response from other countries also. We expect the Peace Now Campaign to be undertaken in around 200 cities, towns and villages in Pakistan, India and other countries.
Apart from a Joint Signature Campaign, many other simultaneous programs in different cities and towns are being planned during the Campaign period and especially on seven weekends that will be available during the course of the Campaign like Lectures on Peace including need for cordial Pakistan- India Relations in Schools, colleges and universities, Young Art for Future of Humanity: through Platform for Children and Youth – Film and Documentary Festivals, Culture Camps, Interfaith Prayer Meets, Peace Caravans, Rallies and Marathons, Outreach to Political Parties and Elected Representatives etc.
We urge you to Partner with the Peace Now Campaign by organising programs in your cities and towns or by participating in the programs being organised by others. Please fill the online forms given below to register as Networks, Organisations or Individuals.
Partner Enlistment Form- For Networks
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSckoGTb1IC-MNElOHEqV5HPSeBi3rdW6Breqy3l4pkMbS4NSw/viewform
Partner Enlistment Form- For Organisations
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScBwnB_W82RBoM-IeunI4h0w2LMlQ0NbZhcRGt-JKZPuolS5Q/viewform
Partner Enlistment Form- For Individuals
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdv1VfXIM_jNYHHrDJvNOL5WC9Q8iHS89abs11V3TNp83GRyw/viewform
Database Link:
We are sharing the Form for Signatures along with a Pamphlet that can be downloaded and printed or photo copied by you to organise the Peace Now Campaign. More publicity material will be shared shortly.
In Hyderabad, India, the Campaign will be launched at the YMCA and is to be led by Magsaysay Awardees Admiral Ramdas, former Chief of Indian Navy and Dr. Jaiprakash Narayan along with some other Padma and other Award Winners from different fields and prominent citizens at 3 pm on 1st July2017 at YMCA Narayanguda.
Details of programs in other cities will be shared in a day.
Seeking your Partnership and lets collaborate to craft a Great Campaign together to secure peace for the sub-continent.
In Solidarity
On Behalf of Peace Now Campaign
Mazher Hussain Mahnaz Rahman Tapan Bose Karamat Ali Ravi Nitesh Jatin Desai
COVA AURAT Found. SAFHR PILER Aagaz e Dosti PIPFPD
India Pakistan India Pakistan India India
Reported This Week India Paper
CELEBRATION OF INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2017 @ GFGC K.R.PURAM, BANGALORE
Posted On: Sep 23,2017
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.
Overview
Soul Stirring Insights from
Admiral L. Ramdas (India)- General Humayun Bangash (Pakistan)- Major General Sikdar (Bangladesh) Radhika Coomaraswamy (Sri Lanka)- Ramendu Majumdar (Bangladesh – Sima Samar (Afghanistan)- Neel Kantha Upreti (Nepal), P.V. Rajagopal (India) and Others
Theme Painting and Joint Story Reading by Artists of all Countries
POETRY-PLAYS-SONG -DANCE
Deliberations on Economy of Peace by Leading Economists of South Asia
24 Hour Peace Wave started in Ireland on 25th June 2022 at 2 pm CST (6.30 pm IST)
Concluded on 26th June 2022 at 4 pm CST in Oslo (8.30 pm IST)
South Asia Segment was on 26th June 2022 from 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm (IST)
Links:
View! Share!! Partner in Large Numbers!!!
Make the Peace Wave
A Tsunami for Global Demilitarization and Cooperation
Facilitated by:
COVA Peace Network- Jai Jagat- SAPA
South Asian Ensembles
The Last Salute: A Short Story by Sadat Hasan Manto
Set in the first war between India and Pakistan for Kashmir in 1948 immediately after Partition
A Joint Narration by five South Asian Countries
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.