ACHA Peace Bulletin 03.06.02 – Page 1
ACHA PEACE BULLETIN http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/ACHAPeaceBulletin
A publication of Association for Communal Harmony in Asia (ACHA) www.asiapeace.org
Editors: Pritam K. Rohila & Azam Saeed
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ACHA PEACE BULLETIN (Volume IV, No. 3B, March 06, 2002 (Next issue, April 03, 2002)
CONTENTS
Prayer
Asiapeace
Peace & Harmony News
Peace & Harmony Organizations
South Asian Network For Secularism And Democracy (Sansad)
Akhil Bharat Rachnatmak Samaj And Others
Inter-Community Peace Initiative
India-Nepal People’s Solidarity Forum
National Alliance Of People's Movement (Napm
Washington Dc Chapter Of Asha For Education, & Association Of Indian Muslims In America Sarvodaya Peace Secretariat
Stop The War Coalition
Cova
Feature
Religion Is No Barrier To Art
Love Blooms In The Shadow Of Gun (In Kashmir)
Spring Peace Fest. Attempts To Create Peace Awareness For Karachi Kids
Letters
Talking About Kashmir, Liaqat Ali, Advocate High Court, Lahore, Pakistan
Giving Musharraf All The Benefit Of The Doubt, Ambassador Karamatullah K Ghori, Pakistan
Jokes About Pakistanis, Bhavesh Parekh, Portland, OR, USA
Announcements
Indicorps Fellowship
Books
Zameen Ka Nauha, (When The Mountain Cried), Zamir Niazi
Children
Coexistence Resource
For info about Courses, Calls for papers, Conferences, Fellowships, Grants, Jobs & Practical Resources featured in recent issues of Coexistence Network Notice Board send a blank email to pritamr@open.org with the word COEXISTENCE as its subject
Education
Environment
Events
March 7, New York, Ny, Usa: Roots Of Sectarian Conflict In India
April 13 & 14, Ford, Nj, Usa: The Year Of Non-Violence (Ahimsa Varsh)
April 15-17, Lancaster, Uk: Annual Conference 2002 Of Basas
Human Rights
Nuclear Issues
Women
REPORTS & ANALYSES
(For a copy send a blank email to pritamr@open.org with its subject as the UPPERCASE word in the article title. Please limit your request to 3 articles)
Bangladesh
SONG of Freedom: An End to Revisionist History, By Naeem Mohaiemen, Samar Magazine
Human Rights
BHOPAL Declaration, Prof. Ram Puniyani, Feb 12, 02
India
An Indian's Epiphany in CHINA, By Manjeet Kripalani, BusinessWeek, Feb14, 2002
India & Pakistan
South Asia's Enduring CONFLICT, By Dr Ahmad Faruqui
India's Tortoise, Pakistan's HARE, By Jim Hoagland, The Washington Post, Febr 10, 2002
Kashmir
Barricaded Kashmiri PANDITS: Letting go the Right to Return? By Rita Manchanda, Sep 1999
No WAY Out in Kashmir? Few Options in a Dead-Ended Conflict, By Bernard Imhasly, Feb 08,02
KASHMIR, By Ardeshir Cowasjee, Dawn, Feb 17, 2002
Can War BRING Peace to Kashmir? By Anatol Lieven, The New York Times, Oct 21, 2001
The Kashmir DILEMMA, By Tashbih Sayyed
Nuclear Weapons
Pakistan's Nuclear FORCES, 2001, By R. S. Norris and W. M. Arkin, Jan-Feb 2002
Does India NEED nuclear weapons? By Jasjit Singh, Asia Times, Feb 26, 2002
Pakistan
STABLE deterrence and flawed Pakistani nuclear strategy, By Ejaz Haider, Feb 14, 2002
The WAGES Of Obedience, by Pervez Hoodbhoy, Feb 11, 2002
Thank you, OSAMA! By Dr Farrukh Saleem. Communalism Combat, Jan-Feb 2002
How Pakistan Responds To PEARL’s Death Will Determine the Country's Future, M Ijaz, Feb 24
Death of Reporter Puts FOCUS on Pakistan's Intelligence Unit, By Douglas Jehl, Feb 25, 2002
Pakistan's American FALLACY, By Ayaz Amir, Commentary, Dawn, Friday, 15 February 2002
Pakistan How many GENERALS can a country afford? By Ayaz Amir
Pakistan & USA
U.S.-Pakistan Affirm Commitment Against Terrorism, U.S. White House, Feb 13, 2002
Mr. MUSHARRAF in Washington, Unsigned Editorial, The Washington Post, February 12, 2002
Trying to CREATE A New Pakistan, By Husain Haqqani, The New York Times, Feb. 12, 2002
A chameleon ALLY in Pakistan, By Benazir Bhutto, Christian Science Monitor, Feb. 5, 2002
Religion
A Pakistani View of Baqar EID (Animal Sacrifice), by Syed Abuzar Rayees
HINDUISM's Political Resurgence, By Pankaj Mishra, The New York Times, Feb 25, 2002
Indian Town's Seed Grew Into the Taliban's CODE, By Celia W. Dugger, Feb 23, 2002
World's most CORRUPT countries, By Wg Cdr Fardad Ali Shah (R), Dawn, Feb 23, 2002
Secularism
SANT Yatra Or Election Yatra? By Asghar Ali Engineer, Secular Perspective Feb. 1-15, 2002
SECULARISM: A Commentary, Tehelka.com Feb 22, 2002
'Loving' to HATE, Ram Puniyani, Issues in Secular Politics, Vol.5 No5, Feb-II
DEFEAT of BJP is Defeat of Communalism, Asghar Ali Engineer, Mar 1-15, 2002
SriLanka
SRI LANKA SUN-Surf-Sex Tourism, By Shireen Samarasuriya, Samar Magazine
War on Terrorism
On the TRAIL of Al-Qaida, By Mohamad Bazzi bazzi@newsday.com, Newsday, Feb. 19, 2002
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PRAYER
*A Yom Kippur Prayer, Via ACHA member Azam Saeed
We cannot pray to You, O God, to banish war,
For You have filled the world with paths to peace,
If only we would take them.
We cannot pray to You to end starvation,
For there is food enough for all,
If only we would share it.
We cannot merely pray for prejudice to cease,
For we might see the good in all that lies before our eyes,
If only we would use them.
We cannot merely pray “Root out despair,”
For the spark of love already waits within the human heart,
For us to fan it into flame.
We must not ask of You, O God,
To take the task that You have given us,
We cannot shirk, we cannot flee away, avoiding obligation for ever.
Therefore we pray, O God, for wisdom and will,
For courage to do and to become,
Not only to look on with helpless yearning as though we had no strength.
For Your sake and ours, speedily and soon, let it be:
That our land may be safe, that our lives may be blessed.
May our words be pleasing in Your sight,
May our deeds be acceptable to You, Lord,
Our Rock and our Redeemer.
ASIAPEACE
AsiaPeace is an electronic discussion/action group of the Association for Communal Harmony in Asia (ACHA). In cooperation with many other individuals and organization around the world, AsiaPeace was initiated in June 2000, to explore the possibility of starting a campaign to bring about peace in South Asia.
The chief purpose of the campaign was to provide a framework for a SUSTAINED, COORDINATED AND COMPREHENSIVE campaign in South Asia until we achieve our objective. It did not intend to replace any participating South Asian peace, harmony, secularism, human rights and child, women, and minority welfare activist or organization. Instead, each individual and organization was to have MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY in setting up its specific agenda and in choice of specific methods to accomplish it But each participating activist or organization was asked to pledge to work in a non-violent manner to pursue the common mission of the campaign.
In August 2001, the AsiaPeace adopted following Mission Statement.
AsiaPeace envisions South Asia to be a region of peace and harmony, where –
1. Where individuals of all regions, religions, rational persuasions, sects, castes, and cultural and ethnic groups live in peace and harmony, and their holy books, places of worship, and founders are respected.
2. Where there are no wars or threats of wars, and nations respect each others' borders and solve their disputes through peaceful means.
3. Where governments respect the human rights of all their residents and do not engage in persecution or repression of any individual or group on account of caste, ethnic or national origin, beliefs, religious practices, or political affiliations.
4. Where girls (as well as boys), and women enjoy respect and protection.
To join AsiaPeace email a request to Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed, Co-Chair & Moderator of AsiaPeace at Ishtiaq.Ahmed@statsvet.su.se
More information about AsiaPeace is available at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AsiaPeace as well as at ACHA Website www.asiapeace.org
PEACE & HARMONY NEWS
Silent march in Ahmedabad to protest violence
Around 1,000 marchers covered a distance of 6 km in silence from Kochrab Ashram to Sabarmati Ashram. http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/mar/05train5.htm
Indo-Pak bilateral trade grows despite tensions
http://www.rediff.com/money/2002/mar/04indpak.htm
Maharashtra minority panel appeals for peace
The Maharashtra State Minority Commission said that the attack on the Sabarmati Express was aimed at triggering widespread communal disturbance all over India.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/feb/28maha1.htm
Hindus protect mosque in Bihar
During Friday's VHP-sponsored bandh in Muzzaffarpur, a group of hooligans tried to enter the Company Bagh mosque and vandalise it, but were prevented by Hindus.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/mar/02train14.htm
Indo-Nepal trade treaty renewed for 5 yrs http://www.rediff.com/money/2002/mar/02treaty.htm
Twenty-four MCC activists surrender in Bihar
The government has announced a rehabilitation package that gives compensation to those Maoists surrendering to the police. http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/feb/27mcc.htm
Afghanistan to eliminate radicalism: Karzai
Stomping out the menace is important for peace in the region, the Afghan leader said.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/feb/27afg1.htm
Govt won't hesitate to take action: Advani
Referring to the VHP's ultimatum over the Ayodhya issue, the home minister said that the outfit had embarked on a course of action fraught with danger.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/feb/27ayo2.htm
Lanka approves truce agreement: PTI
However, the LTTE is not going to be happy with the navy's demand for the right to interdict suspicious vessels to prevent the LTTE from using the truce to smuggle in arms shipments.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/feb/22lanka.htm
Sri Lanka and LTTE enter into truce pact
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe gave his consent to an MoU, which Norway prepared after holding talks with the government and the LTTE.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/feb/21lanka.htm
US reassures Sikh leaders on hate crimes http://www.rediff.com/us/2002/feb/14ny.htm
Differences with govt narrowing down: LTTE
The outfit said that differences persisted only with regard to the proposal for allowing freedom of movement to unarmed rebels in army-controlled areas and the complete removal of all restrictions on fishing off the northern coast. http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/feb/13ltte.htm
Lanka lifts curbs on travel to rebel territory
Now Sri Lankan nationals as well as foreigners, including diplomats, will be able to travel to LTTE-held areas without restriction, at their own risk.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/feb/11lanka.htm
Karzai calls for peace between India, Pakistan
'We need a kind of peace where we can begin from Kabul, stop at Islamabad, go to Delhi and come back the same way,' the Afghan leader said.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/feb/08pak2.htm
Pakistan, Afghanistan decide to bury past
'We fought our jihad (against the Soviet Union) from Pakistan. We have two million refugees here,' Afghan leader Hamid Karzai said. http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/feb/08pak1.htm
Norwegian peace delegation arrives in Colombo
Norway's Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen, in Colombo after holding talks with LTTE negotiator Anton Balasingham in London, was likely to present a draft accord for the government's approval. http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/feb/07lanka.htm
Karzai to visit Pakistan on Friday
Karzai's visit would end a sense of disquiet being felt by the Musharraf government after the fall of the Taliban regime and the subsequent visits of three top Afghan ministers to India.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/feb/07pak.htm
PEACE & HARMONY ORGANIZATIONS
*South Asian Network for Secularism and Democracy (SANSAD), 8027 Government Street, Burnaby, BC, V5A 2E1, Canada, Phone: (604) 420-2972; FAX: (604) 420-2970, E-mail: sansad@sfu.ca. President: Hari Sharma
On March 3, SANSAD and INSAF organized a Vigil in the courtyard of Roundhouse Community Centre in Downtown Vancouver, “to express our anguish, our concern and our sorrow” at brutally the brutal slaughter of hundreds of innocent people in mob violence in India, especially in the state of Gujarat.
*Akhil Bharat Rachnatmak Samaj, All India Democratic Women’s Assocaition, Arya Samaj, CPI(M), Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament & Peace, Delhi Forum, Indian Social Institute, Institute of Objective Studies, Jagori, JMS, Movement in India for Nuclear Disarmament, Muslim Women’s Forum, National Minorities Council , NPMHR, Pakistan-India People’s Forum for Peace & Democracy, Pravah, Sama, Sampradayakta Virodhi Andolan, Saheli, VMAP. Contact person: Sonia Jabbar
These organizations, March 1, launched a Satyagraha at Rajghat, to condemn the Godhra incident and the VHP for creating the flash-point. Also they issued a press statement to this effect and decided to hold candlelight peace vigil from 5-7 p.m. at different places in Delhi (March 3-India Gate, March 4-Delhi University, March 5-Dakshinpuri, March 6-Jantar Mantar). Besides, as a preventive measure, they encouraged people to set up aman and ekta committees in their neighborhoods and workplaces.
*Inter-Community Peace Initiative, 20 Jaswant Apartments, Okhla, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi
110 025, India. Convenor: Iqbal A. Ansari, Email iqbalansari2001@hotmail.com Telephone 6324452
Several noted peace activists issued a statement of “concern and dismay” at the declared intention of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) for construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya “in a manner which defies principles of fairness, justice & rule of law.” “Such an approach is fraught with danger leading to social and political turmoil, the kind of which had manifested itself in the wake of Dec 6, 1992,” the statement warned. The statement urged VHP and related groups “to desist from any unilateral move in the interest of peace and harmony in the country.”
The statement encouraged the Government of India “to urgently take adequate steps to prevent any such move” and all political parties “to play effective role in maintenance of peace and tranquillity.”
It appealed to every one “to refrain from making provocative statements that may arouse passions” and reminded all that “Every citizen has a right to live in peace and security”
*India-Nepal People’s Solidarity Forum, C/o. 302-303 Elite House, 36, Community Centre, Zamrudpur, New Delhi 110048, India, Phone 647 6580/643 5441 Fax 647 3425, Contact Person: Anand Swaroop Varma
At a meeting held on February 26, adopted a resolution to “condemn the extension of emergency by another three months in Nepal on February 22, 2002 by the Nepalese Parliament to fight Maoist insurgency” and pointed out “armed conflict increases the chances of outside intervention which cannot be in the interest of the people of Nepal who cherish their sovereignty.”
The resolution called upon the Government of Nepal “to remove all curbs placed on people's right to free speech and assembly, restore freedom of the press to cross verify charges and counter-charges of killings of non-combatant civilians by the government or the Maoist forces, and release the 36 journalists detained under the emergency laws along with all those detained without filing of chargesheet against them.
It appealed to the Government of Nepal “to return to the negotiating table by resuming dialogue with the leaders of the Maoist rebellion on the issue of establishing a constituent assembly in order to let the people decide whether they want the continuance of the constitutional monarchy or want sovereignty of the people restored under a Republic.“
Finally, it demanded that “the Government of India strictly maintain a policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of Nepal.”
*National Alliance of People's Movement (NAPM), 9/982 Indira Nagar, Lucknow 226016, U.P., India, Phone 347365, 342435, e-mail ashain@sancharnet.in
“To contain the hositlity of Sangha Parivar” NAPM announced a Padyatra (Peace & Harmony March). It will starti March 5 from Asha Ashram, Village Lalpur (Hardoi district), enter Lucknow in the evening of March 6, proceed on Faizabad Road on March 7, and enter Ayodhya on March 10. In Ayodya the March will join a Peace Vigil being organized by Nirmala Deshpande, a peace activist, near the disputed site from March 8-10. The contact person in Faizabad is Hausala Prasad Tripathi, Gram Swawalambi Vidyalaya, Acharya Narendra Dev Nagar, Faizabad, Phone: (05278) 47754 (h), 45089 (o).
The program has been endorsed by Healthwatch , INSAF , Lokayan, Movement in India for Nuclear Disarmament, Delhi Movement Against Nuclear Weapons, Chennai Pakistan-India People's Forum for Peace and Democracy, and West Bengal PVCHR
*Washington DC Chapter of Asha for Education, and the Association of Indian Muslims in America presented, February 26, a talk on Activism in South Asia: Peace, Literacy, and Democracy by Admiral and Mrs. L. Ramdas at George Washington University, Washington, DC.
*Sarvodaya Peace Secretariat, “Damsak Mandira,” 98 Rawattawatte Road, Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
email sarpeace@slt.net.lk & Commonway Institute, P. O. BOX 12541 , Portland, OR 97212. Contact Person: Sharif M. Abdullah
On March 15, Sarvodaya is organizing a Peoples’ Peace Operation (SPPO-2002) on the grounds of an ancient Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka. The site is being prepared to receive up to 1,000,000 visitors on that day. The Sri Lanka Railway is commissioning a special “Peace Train” to take 5,000 meditators up from the southern tip of the island, through all the major cities, to arrive at the meditation itself. The Sri Lankan television stations will carry the event live throughout the island and Sarvodaya will webcast the event live. Tax deductible donations to help fund this event can be sent to Sarvodaya USA, 2616 Mason Street Madison, WI 53705, sarpeace@sltnet.lk
*Stop the War Coalition, PO Box 3739 London E5 8EJ, UK, 07951 235 915 www.stopwar.org.uk
office@stopwar.org.uk
A deputation led by Asad Rehman of Stop the War Coalition, Rajiv Menon of Newham Monitoring Project, Dr Gayasuddin Siddiqui of Muslim Parliament), and Iqbal Singh of Punjabi Human Rights Internet, February 14, presented an appeal to the High Commissions of India and Pakistan in London for peace between India and Pakistan, in front of a specially prepared banner incorporating flags of both countries. The appeal was signed by a wide cross-section of individuals and organizations.
“As people from South Asia or of south Asian descent in Britain,” the appeal read, ”we view with alarm the current crisis in India-Pakistan relations.” It urged the governments of both countries “to exercise the maximum restraint, and to seek a peaceful resolution to the current crisis.” “The urgent need today is to reduce hostilities among the people of the region,” it said.
*COVA, Hyderabad, AP, India covahyd@hd1.vsnl.net.in
As a part of the Global Vigils for Peace, on February 24, Yakshi - Antara and Political Cartoonists Association of Andhra Pradesh organized a program, at Pandit Jasraj International Institute of Culture and Aesthetic Studies, Department of English, Nizam College, Hyderabad. Organized in collaboration with Anveshi, COVA, CORRD, Divya Disha, Koshish Theatre Group, Mahila Sanatkar, Mahita, Hyderabad Council of Human Welfare, Play for Peace, Pudami Streela Abhinaya Vedika, Roshan Vikas, Youth Trac and many other Hyderabad and Secunderabad groups and organizations, included a competition for street children, working children and school and college students in drawing War and Violence cartoons and in making Peace slogans. Also cultural groups presented Peace Songs, Skits and Plays.
FEATURE
*Religion is no barrier to art
Coimbatore, India (PTI) – Tazuddin, a 46-year-old Muslim artisan, who inherited the traditional art of gold foiling from his father Amirjan, has given finishing touches to a 30-feet tall concrete flagpole with gold foils at a Lord Ayyappa temple here. The Coimbatore Sree Ayyappa Seva Sangham, which runs this Hindu temple, organized a festival to coincide with the installation of the golden flag mast February 24.
*Love blooms in the shadow of gun (in Kashmir), Fayaz Bhat, Rediff.com, Feb 14, 2002
http://www.rediff.com/news/2002/feb/14jk1.htm
Under the shadow of guns and fear of war, youth in the Kashmir valley are ready to celebrate Valentine's Day. Some years back most of the youths were unaware regarding the importance of the day, but now everyone wants to celebrate it.
Shabir Ahmad, a student who recently developed a liking for a girl, says, "In my life it is the second time that I am celebrating Valentine's Day. I had no idea about it."
"Apart from V-Day cards we share chocolates and other gifts. I am always waiting for the moment," he says.
"In the absence of proper clubs and restaurants, we cannot celebrate the day according to our wishes," he adds.
Shaista Ali, a medico whose fiancée is abroad, always waits for February 14.
"Last year, along with my friend, I had a party arranged at the botanical garden. But this year my friend is away, so I will spend the day by sending cards and gifts to my fiancé," she says.
Another teenager, Feroz says said that he will celebrate the day by throwing a party at his tuition centre. "Due to fear and turmoil the hotels are not arranging special parties, so we will celebrate the moment at our tuition centre," he adds.
Even the shopkeepers who are selling special valentine cards say there has been a surge in sales in the past few years.
"Now, people come to our shops and ask for Valentine's Day cards and gifts. No one cares about the prices," says Pamposli, a shopkeeper.
*Spring Peace Fest. attempts to create peace awareness for Karachi kids, By Tayyaba J. Khan, The News, Feb 17, 2002, Via Harsh Kapoor aiindex@mnet.fr
'Peace is life', 'amn', 'We want peace' and several similar words were the messages conveyed through drawings made by school children at a fun-filled colourful activity organised by the Joint Action Committee for Peace (JACP) on February 11th at the Arts Council to highlight the message of peace through Basant Amn Mela.
Though these young children were not artists, neither they had taken any formal art lessons, but the way they were using their imagination, sketched the idea of peace on a piece of paper, seemed as if some expert artists were involved in their work.
Basant, the festival of kites, is said to have originated in India. In cities of Punjab such as Lahore, Faisalabad and Rawalpindi, basant is considered as a traditional and cultural event. Now in Karachi this event is gaining popularity.
The Basant Amn Mela at the Art Council turned out to be a children’s show more than a Basant Mela. It provided them with an opportunity to sit together, have fun and share their views on peace.
Unfortunately, children in our country are seldom provided with an opportunity to exhibit their talent through such activities, and get encouragement in return. The mela provided them with a good chance to show their talents. Over 200 schools of Karachi participated including, Happy Home, Habib Public School, Shaheed-e-Liaqat School, Khan Cambridge School, Cosmo Public School, Kiran School, Aisha Secondary School etc. Not only private schools but government schools also took part in the activities.
The programme was divided into two parts. A children art workshop was held in the first session, from 2 to 5pm, and a stage show, including tableau, singing and poetry reciting, kite flying and slide show were arranged for the participants in the second session.
Art workshop was conducted by noted artists such as Feica, Rumana Hussain, K. B. Abro, Moeen Farooqui and others who were there to facilitate young artists. The young ones seemed happy to work under the supervision of renowned artists. School children were asked to
bring their own water bottles and paints, markers and water-colours. However, students from low-income areas like Landhi, Korangi, Orangi, and Lyari were provided with art materials by the organisers.
A large drawing sketched by Feica was set in the background, which exhibited the message of peace and harmony. One could expect a lot of noise in the presence of hundreds of children, but surprisingly they exhibited discipline and they remained composed throughout the function.
Humaira Ahmed, a student of Class Nine in Aisha Secondary School, while expressing her views on peace said, "Peace is possible on earth only when there is no bloodshed and enmity among the peopleof all races."
Abdul Quddus, a student of Habib Public School of Class Five, highlighted the use of modern technology in spreading the message of peace. He drew the picture of a computer and wrote his message of peace on its monitor. "I am so happy to find children involved in spreading the message of peace. Art is one possible way of speaking the truth," commented Feica.
The Basant Amn Mela was part of a series of peace activities organised by the Action Committee for Peace, a coalition of pro-peace NGOs, anti-war political groups, concerned citizens, professionals and working class organisations. JACP has organised a number of protests and vigils since December 31, 2001 to create awareness on the importance of peace. Sadly, one of JACP's peaceful demonstrations at Hasan Square on January 7th this year was dispersed by a heavy police force.
"We continued our peace vigils despite police brutality," said Beena Sarwar. She said that they also condemned the incident of Qilae Jangi when US bombing killed hundreds of helpless prisoners in Afghanistan. She thanked the people for their cooperation and their continued support in the cause of peace.
These activities were aimed at reminding the governments of both India and Pakistan that war is not in their interest and it would cause more harm than any good to their peoples. "India and Pakistan should resolve their problems through peaceful dialogue, withdraw forces from the border, and work out mechanisms to de-nuclearise," is the clear-cut message of JACP to India and Pakistan.
"We want peace between two neighbours," said Beena Sarwar, the organiser of the activity. "We think war can be stopped but not struggle for peace," she asserted.
Interestingly, paper crane-making appeared to be a new experience for the children. They made paper cranes in memory of Sadako Sasaki, the courageous 11-year-old Japanese schoolgirl who died of cancer several years after being exposed to radiation from the nuclear bombing of
Hiroshima.
Amber, a student, narrated the touching story of this Japanese girl who survived nuclear radiation when she was only two. Sadako developed Leukemia at the age of 14 due to exposure to radiation.
According to a Japanese fable, God fulfills wishes through making of paper cranes. Sadako made thousands of paper cranes with each passing day. Since her death, this trend has become a symbol of hope.
According to the organisers, these paper cranes strung together and a plea for peace from Pakistani children would be sent to the head of states of India and Pakistan as a symbol of destruction nuclear weapons could cause.
"We asked these children what peace means to them? And I am surprised to see that they not only understand its meaning fully but they have the capability to turn their thoughts into a meaningful drawing,"
Roomana Hussain expressed her remarks over their work. Artist K. B. Abro commented that he was more than happy to see the awareness among young children. "We should provide them with activities of these kinds that could flourish their talents," he added.
Beena Sarwar informed that they would like to keep these drawings as a record or may plan to exhibit this work in the near future. "After a long time people and children are brought together through such activity," said Anis Haroon, a member of JACP.
Perween Rehman, director Orangi Pilot Project was also present at the event, and felt happy and appreciated these activities designed for children. "I think these are positive and healthy activities which are necessary for young kids," she said.
Fehmida Riaz, a renowned poetess, recited one of her poems, which she wrote during her visit to India. Atiya Dawood, another poetess, also entertained the audience with her poem. School children and stage artists staged a tableau with the moral of peace and brotherhood. Young children came upon the stage and sang peace songs, which brought a wave of unity among the audience.
Other young boys and girls also joined the bandwagon by displaying their talent of singing. Latif Kapadia, a veteran TV artiste and comedian, stressed on the need of the resumption of peaceful talks between India and Pakistan. "We should think positively and work out, irrespective of religion and language," he opined. "Give-and-take applies in every matter of life. We should talk like human beings and should respect each other in the first place."
LETTERS
*Talking about Kashmir, Liaqat Ali, Advocate High Court, Lahore, Pakistan & member Asiapeace, ACHA’s electronic discussion/action group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AsiaPeace
The debate on Kashmir is good, useful and informative. Talking about Kashmir in objective and dispassionate manner in Pakistan is difficult and creates problems. There exists a forced consensus on Kashmir in Pakistan. Just as writing about Iqbal is an Industry rather than an intellectual pursuit, same is the Kashmir issue. It is all politics and business, nothing else. No body knows what the problem is? Once an ex foreign minister and general of Pak army remarked that the Kashmir problem is the problem between north India and Punjab. Muslim League,
which claims to be the creator of Pakistan never took interest in it. The people of smaller provinces show no interest in it. It is Punjab and particularly northern Punjab that is keen and emotional about it. MQM, the most effective organization of urban centres of Sind has no Policy
on Kashmir. This is a problem that has given the army a pretext to rule the country. It is incorrect to suggest that Jihadi outfits accelerated the process of jihad; on the contrary it was the army that has initiated and perpetuated this Kashmir jihad for its own ends. The solution of Kashmir neither suits the ruling establishment of Pakistan nor does it want its solution. It knows fully well that if this problem is resolved, it would not be able to remain at the centre of Pakistan ruling elite. Pakistani media, never gives coverage to the "Hurriyat" stand on Kashmir, because Hurriyat projects it as a secular forum irrespective of religious belief whereas in Pakistan the Kashmir
problem if it is any problem is an article of faith. In Pakistan it is painted as a struggle of religious revival and glory of Islam instead of struggle for self-determination. Kashmiri political leadership should try to solve these problems while living within Indian Union, any other solution of this so-called problem would be disastrous for the people of South Asia.
*Giving Musharraf all the benefit of the doubt, Ambassador Karamatullah K Ghori & Member Asiapeace, ACHA’s electronic discussion/action group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AsiaPeace
Both Praful Bidwai and A.G. Noorani are to the point in giving Musharraf all the credit that he rightly deserves at this sensitive crossroads in Pakistan's history. They are right and earnest in holding out the example of Musharraf, a military man with no claim to political thought or intellectualism, to their own countrymen who are being consumed, increasingly, by the kind of fundamentalism that devoured the Pakistan society under Zia. Painful as it is, but the portents are that India is sliding down into obscurantism of the kind that Pakistan is desperately trying to put behind it. This isn't a good sign for peace in South Asia, which would remain elusive as long as India and Pakistan remain marooned in conflicting social and political orbits.
It also seems to me that our Indian friends are, obligingly, giving Musharraf all the benefit of the doubt, some deserved, some not so well-deserved.
The problem of Islamic radicalism is much deeper and broad-based than is being comprehended in this elan to paint Musharraf into Ataturk's colours. This ignores the fundamental difference that Ataturk's revolution was entirely self-induced whereas Musharraf's is a product of compulsion from forces beyond Pakistan's control.
The problem is not the Jehadis but the power that spawned the Jehadis. Islamic political parties have been there since Pakistan's birth but they never spilled into the realm of militancy. The odd digression was that of the Jamaet-e-Islami pitching in with the Pakistan army in its battle against the 'muktibahini'. That was a militancy induced and inspired by the army. So, in this case too the Jehadis are indeed being whipped as they deserve to, but the hands that fed them and whetted their appetite for adventurism, both inside and outside of Pakistan, are not being touched at all. We've an old Urdu saying : 'Chor ko na maro chor ki man ko maro' ( don't punish the thief; punish his mother). Removing the top guy of ISI is not enough; making him a fall-guy is not going to end the mischief that has been so deeply ingrained in that body for well over two decades.
The real test of Musharraf's intent would come at the polls for which the ground-work is now in action. ISI's activity in the election will determine whether Musharraf is wedded to ushering in genuine democracy in Pakistan or merely going through the motions for yet another military version of sham democracy. ISI has had a hand in every election since the mid-80s. It has always doctored the process to achieve "positive results"-- a euphemism for political puppeteering. The liberal Pakistani press is already talking of a full-swing ISI operation to tailor the election results to suit Musharraf's convenience. His election objective would be a supine prime minister and an assembly teeming with toadies.
The reform agenda, of which not much has yet been seen since the ground-breaking Jan. 12 speech, may well be put on the back burner to give primacy to doctoring the election. Let us all hope the doctoring is kept to a bare minimum, because a massive operation may spawn a still-born baby.
*Jokes about Pakistanis, Bhavesh Parekh bhavesh.parekh@pacificorp.com
You know...Jokes are funny and all but I hope and wish that we could all be a little sensitive to the underlying sentiments in these jokes…
14 million Pakistanis are 14 million human beings. They are people - just like you and me...they have parents, spouses, children, friends.. .
Most of these 14 million people have done nothing wrong to the 1 billion Indians AND vice versa.
If these 1.014 billion people saw each other and treated each other as human beings and not as Pakistanis or Hindustanis, a lot of pain and suffering may be eliminated...
Please, let us do what we can to reduce the hatred in this world.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
*Indicorps fellowship: Indicorps offers competitive fellowships for Indian-Americans interested in spending a year (September 2002 - August 2003) on unique social service projects in India. Fellowships are designed as one-of-a-kind transformational experiences, emphasizing both public service and personal growth.
Indicorps, a new non-profit organization, will provide a stipend to 10 fellows who are willing to commit a year to implement service projects established with partner organizations in India. All fellows will participate in a four-week orientation program, share experiences through regular retreats, and are actively supported by Indicorps and partner organizations. Prospective fellows must be at least 50% of Indian origin with a college degree or five years equivalent work experience. The application and more information is available online at www.indicorps.org.
Applications are due April 26, 2002. Email info@indicorps.org or call (858) 483-0933 for more information.
BOOKS
*Zameen ka nauha, (When the mountain cried), Compiled and edited by Zamir Niazi Scheherzade (B-155, Block 5, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Karachi E-mail: scheherzade@altavista.com
375pp. Rs100Zameen ka nauha (When the mountain cried), From a review by Akhtar Payami, published in Dawn, February 12, 2002 Via Harsh Kapoor <aiindex@mnet.fr>
Zameen ka nauha is a rare anthology in many respects. Besides Zamir Niazi's exhaustive and informative treatise on the rise and expansion of nuclear devices, the first part of the book contains articles by Khalique Ibrahim Khalique and Asif Farrukhi. They have discussed implications of a nuclear war and its aftermath for the entire humanity. Though the literary excellence of the writings by various writers and poets included in the book cannot be judged and properly evaluated at this stage, comforting is the fact that all of them felt and realized the horrors of a nuclear conflict between two states (India & Pakistan).
Along with the elder writers and poets a sizable number of them belonged to the younger generations. Apart from Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi's memorable short story, the stories by Saadat Hasan Manto, Hasan Manzar, Intezar Husain, Zahida Hina, Masood Ashar, Firdaus Haider and Fatima Hasan are quite poignant literary pieces.
Two new additions to the edition under eview are Hijab Imtiaz Ali and Ibne Saeed. The latter has captured the images of Hiroshima after its total destruction. He is instinctively a fiction writer. It's a pity that he has stopped writing in Urdu. Manto's masterpiece "Chacha Saam ke naam panchwan khat" embodies the frustrating helplessness of a people who are condemned to live at the mercy of a big power. Besides original writings several short stories and poems written in other languages and translated into Urdu have also been included in the book.
The nuclear explosions in India and Pakistan also stirred up the imagination of the poets of the two countries. Inspiring poems were written by Sheikh Ayaz, Habib Jalib, Ahmad Faraz, Sehr Ansari, Parveen Shakir (new entrant to this edition), Zia Jalandhri, Mohsin Bhopali, Kishwar Naheed, Fahmida Riaz, Hasan Abidi, Muslim Shameem, Saeeda Gazdar, Saba Ekram, Azra Abbas, Attiya Dawood, Hilal Naqvi, N.M. Danish, Zeeshan Sahil and host of other equally gifted poets.
Zameen ka nauha will be regarded by the future generations as a proud legacy handed over to them by their ancestors. This is a valuable document that records the feelings and fears of bewildered people who were once alive to witness the horrors of the atomic blasts. It also
serves as a reminder to humanity to be on guard against the designs of self-centred and ambitious rulers who are ever eager to dominate the world through nuclear terror.
CHILDREN
Child Slavery in the Third Millennium
According to the International Labour Organisation, at least 1 million children are made prostitutes, with the greatest numbers in Thailand, India, Taiwan and the Philippines. On the Asian continent, alongside the millionaires of Bangkok and Hong Kong, live two-thirds of the world's extreme poor- 790 million people earning less than $1 a day. In the race to escape their deprivation, whole villages are sometimes complicit in the sale of their children. Thailand and India in particular serve as hubs of the flesh trade as exporters and importers of children and adults on a massive scale. An estimated 7,000 Nepalese children are smuggled into India each
year to join the sex industry. In the age of AIDS, children as virgins increasingly earn the biggest profits. Up to 60,000 child prostitutes work in Taiwan. In countries like Bangladesh, Indonesia and Pakistan, child domestic workers toil an average 15 hours a day. About 61% of the world's 250 million working children are in Asia. Some 300,000 children are fighting in armed conflicts worldwide. (Time, Feb. 4 Via India News christianpatriot@mantraonline.com
EDUCATION
Education policies must strive towards empowering multicultural societies, by strengthening diversity and, as a corollary, by discouraging competition and mono-culturalism. Unless we recognise this connection between education policies and development we will not be able to address the real issues in education policy.
http://www.indiatogether.org/education/opinions/btree1.htm
ENVIRONMENT
Rich Returns
Nepal's forestry scheme of leasing out of degraded forestland to the poor has surpassed all other development projects, saving the country's environment and the economy.
http://www.cseindia.org/html/dte/dte20020228/dte_srep.htm
Wings of Change
Migratory birds stage a comeback after a long hiatus as Kashmir wetlands get a fresh lease of life thanks to the efforts by the state government and wildlife authorities to clean up small patches of wetlands. http://www.cseindia.org/html/dte/dte20020228/dte.htm
Plastic Purge
Chittaranjan township sports a new look as its residents say no to plastic carry bags.
http://www.cseindia.org/html/dte/dte20020228/dte_grass.htm
Miracle River
How rainwater harvesting created a river. See and experience this miracle in the video Arvari: A late twentieth century folk tale, produced by the Centre for Science and Environment. Details at
http://www.cseindia.org/html/extra/arvari.htm
Rainwater-Harvesting in Chennai
The Akash Ganga Trust popularizes rainwater-harvesting in Chennai, a traditionally water-starved city. The group runs information campaigns and helps install RWH systems. The group intends to set up an independent unit installed with various methods of RWH to act as an educational exhibit-cum-research facility for water table studies.
http://www.indiatogether.org/environment/articles/waterharvest.htm
Catchwater Dec 2001
The bimonthly water-harvesting newsletter is now available at
http://www.rainwaterharvesting.org/catchwater/dec2001/initiative.htm
Pani Yatra in Chennai and Pondicherry
The Centre for Science Environment, a New Delhi based non-governmental organisation (NGO) and the Tamil Nadu State Unit of National Water Harvesters Network invites you to witness the dramatic impact of water harvesting in urban and rural areas through a Pani Yatra (water pilgrimage) in Chennai and Pondicherry.
http://www.cseindia.org/html/cmp/cmp43_invite20020204_3.htm
Pine culture and Himalayan ecology
Pine culture has transformed the Himalayan landscape with disastrous affect on its fragile ecology. http://www.cseindia.org/html/dte/dte20020215/dte_life.htm
Eco Queez
If you think you know your environment, try this months eco queez.
http://www.cseindia.org/html/eyou/envedu/ecoquiz.htm
Environment Education Workshop At Jaipur
The environment education team of CSE joined hands with the Jaipur chapter of INTACH to organise a media workshop for schools students of Jaipur from February 6 to 8. Students from classes VI to VIII of five schools (St. Xavier's, Sawai Man Singh, Maharani Gayatri Devi, Holly Hocks and Mahavir) became investigative reporters, photographers, editors and designers, or rather, were trained on those lines during the three-day workshop.
http://www.cseindia.org/html/eyou/envedu/env_happening20020213.htm
EVENTS
*March 7, New York, NY, USA: ROOTS OF SECTARIAN CONFLICT IN INDIA, a talk by Atul Kohli, Professor of Politics and International Affairs, Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University, a presentation of Asia Society and the Center for Religious Inquiry, resolution at 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., at St. Bartholomew's Church. Admission is free. To register call the Box Office at (212) 327-9276.
*April 13 & 14, Ford, NJ, USA: THE YEAR OF NON-VIOLENCE (Ahimsa varsh), a celebration presented by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan of USA in association with JAINA and other US-based Jain organizations featuring speeches, cultural events, art and book exhibition, and an essay contest for youth on “What Ahimsa means to me,” at Royal Albert’s Palace. Registration including breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and one dinner $160 ($130 advance) per family of 4 and $45 ($35 advance) per individual. More info from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 305 7th Ave, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10001, Telephone 212.989.8383.
*April 15-17, Lancaster, UK: ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2002 of BASAS (British Association for South Asian Studies) including the following Panels & Convenors: Diaspora-Stacey Burlet, University of Bradford) s.d.burlet@bradford.ac.uk; South Asian Migration-B Rogaly (UEA) b.rogaly@uea.ac.uk; Globalisation and South Asia-J Harriss, Johncharriss@aol.com; The Condition of Democracy in South Asia-K Adeney (University of Oxford) katharine.adeney@balliol.ox.ac.uk; India's Decade of Reforms-K Sen (UEA) k.sen@uea.ac.uk; South Asian Economies-V Balasubramanyam (University of Lancaster) v.balasubramanyam@lancaster.ac.uk; South Asian Development Geography-Graham Chapman (University of Lancaster) g.chapman@lancaster.ac.uk; Security in South Asia-Graham Chapman (University of Lancaster) g.chapman@lancaster.ac.uk; Historical Development of Vernaculars-Jeffrey Diamond (SOAS) jd20@soas.ac.uk. BASAS PRIZE 2002 of £100 will be awarded for the best paper presented by a post-graduate student. There are also a limited number of bursaries of £50 for registered postgraduate students who present a paper. More info from BASAS Secretary Dr Graham Chapman, Department of Geography, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YB, UK. Telephone +44-(0)1524 593737, email: g.chapman@lancaster.ac.uk. and www.basas.ac.uk
Apurba Kundu <a.kundu@Bradford.ac.uk>
HUMAN RIGHTS
Indian President calls for Rights of Dalits
President K. R. Narayanan, in his address to the nation on the eve of Republic Day, said it was necessary for the private sector to adopt social policies that are progressive and more egalitarian for the deprived classes especially the Dalits, to be uplifted from their state of deprivation and inequality and given the rights of citizens and civilised human beings. He said the Bhopal Declaration had charted out a new course for Dalits and the tribals for the 21st century. (Deccan Chronicle, Jan.30 Via India News christianpatriot@mantraonline.com
Hope or Hype
Scepticism hangs over Kerala's Tribal Rehabilitation and Development Mission (TRDM), and its master plan. http://www.cseindia.org/html/dte/dte20020215/dte_srep.htm
NUCLEAR ISSUES
Nuclear Safety, Nuclear Stability and Nuclear Strategy in Pakistan
A concise report of a visit by Landau Network Centro Volta, Como, Italy January 2002 [ with updated note on 11 February 2002] http://lxmi.mi.infn.it/~landnet/Doc/pakistan.pdf
WOMEN
The Women's Movement in Pakistan
An Interview with Hina Jilani, an Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and a human rights
activist, about the women's movement in Pakistan, its involvement in peace and security issues, as well as Pakistan's policy towards Afghanistan.
http://asiasource.org/news/special_reports/jilani.cfm
Dowry laws are being misused
Laws relating to dowry are being misused by some in India who take undue advantage of
certain clauses and foist false cases against men. Often, men are victimised under the dowry harassment cases. According to Secunderabad Mahila Court district judge, in more than 90 per cent divorce cases, men were booked under Section 498 IPC and added that almost all the cases result in their acquittal as they are false. (Deccan Chronicle, Feb.17) Via India News christianpatriot@mantraonline.com
Female Suffering
About 5,85,000 women, one every minute, are dying from pregnancy related causes nearly all in developing countries according to the 1997 UNFPA Report on World Population. In India the rate of crime against women is one rape every 54 minutes, molestation every 26 minutes and one reported dowry death every 100 minutes and one act of cruelty every 39 minutes. Some 5,000
dowry related deaths were reported in 1993, and many go unreported or are attributed to accidents. It is reported that at least 755 million pregnancies each year are unwanted. They result in 45 million abortions. 20 million of which are unsafe resulting in 70,000 women dying and unknown number of women suffering infections. (The Pioneer, Feb.16) According to the
Human Development in South Asia report, the poor, uneducated women in the informal or agriculture sector in South Asia were the hardest hit by the globalisation process. South Asia is the home of the largest number of poor people in the world, 515 million, half of whom are women. (Deccan Herald, Feb.16) Via India News christianpatriot@mantraonline.com
Female Foeticide: Supreme Court Asks States to Crack the Whip
The Supreme Court has directed state governments to "seal and seize" unregistered ultrasound machines as part of its drive to put an end to female foeticide. Utrasound machines are often used for sex determination of the foetus. The determination of the foetus' sex leads to female foeticide across the country. Doctors maintain no records of cases of ultrasound use (or abuse), in contravention to the law. (The Pioneer, Jan.30 Via India News christianpatriot@mantraonline.com
Bonda Women
In Bonda society women are highly respected and valued. They are most often the final decision makers within the family, even though the community is neither matriarchal nor matrilocal. This is not only due to their greater participation in and contribution to daily economic activities but also related to a number of deeply rooted Bonda cultural practices and customs. http://www.indiatogether.org/manushi/issue127/bonda.htm
Trafficking in Women
Trafficking in human beings is more lucrative than trade in arms or narcotics. A lifelong exploitative situation is established when a woman or a girl is trafficked: she is forced into prostitution and thus begins a vicious cycle of paying the brothel owner for whom she works. Even if she is rescued, her plight does not improve because she is not accepted
either by her family or by society. http://www.indiatogether.org/women/opinions/traffic.htm
Curbs on Illegal Abortions
After allowing quacks and unauthorised abortion clinics to mushroom for over two decades, the government is now tightening the screws on quacks who have been carrying out abortions in backroom clinics without even the pretence of following safety norms. The Cabinet gave the go-ahead to amend the 28-year of Medical Termination Pregnancy Act to check the growing number of unsafe abortions that account for more than 10 per cent of the country's
maternal deaths. (The Telegraph, Feb.23)