To "celebrate" Indo-Pak Independence together on Aug 14-15, Peace Now Campaign set to begin on July 1
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Organizers of the Peace Now Campaign, to be launched on July 1 to “counter” hysteria in India and Pakistan, have asked its participants from both the countries to “come together to celebrate independence” of the both the countries – on August 14 (Pakistan) and August 15 (India), and “not on just one day i.e. 14th or 15th.”
Mazhar Husain of Hyderabad’s Confederation of Voluntary Organizations (COVA), the organizers of the event which will continue for one-and-a-half months, in an email alert to Counterview, says, the joint celebrations, says Husain, would be accompanied by all-faith prayers at different religious spots across India, Pakistan and other countries.
Among the religious places already shortlisted include a Parsee Temple in Hyderabad, a Hindu Mutt in Ayodhya, the Ajmer Darga, the Bahai’s Lotus Temple in Delhi, Cathedral in Chennai, and Golden Temple in Amritsar.
He adds, “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.”
To begin on July 1 at 3 pm (India Time) and and 2.30 pm (Pakistan Time), with partners in other countries coinciding it with choosing a convenient time on the same date, Nobel laureates Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai have agreed to be star attractions of the event.
Networks and organizations in 22 of the 29 Indian states and four provinces of Pakistan have “come forward to partner with the Peace Now Campaign”, says Husain, adding, “We expect the campaign to be undertaken in around 250 cities, towns and villages in Pakistan, India and other countries.”
The campaign is expected to begin with a signature campaign and press meet on July 1, 2017, in Hyderabad, says Husain, the event would be launched in YMCA to be led by Admiral Ramdas, former Chief of Indian Navy along with some other Magsasay, Padma and other Award Winners from different fields and prominent citizens.
Among other major events, says Husain, would be an outreach programme, in which elected representatives would be approached from July 20 to 23 in both the countries. It coincides with the monsoon session of Parliament, scheduled from July 18.
Mazhar Husain of Hyderabad’s Confederation of Voluntary Organizations (COVA), the organizers of the event which will continue for one-and-a-half months, in an email alert to Counterview, says, the joint celebrations, says Husain, would be accompanied by all-faith prayers at different religious spots across India, Pakistan and other countries.
Among the religious places already shortlisted include a Parsee Temple in Hyderabad, a Hindu Mutt in Ayodhya, the Ajmer Darga, the Bahai’s Lotus Temple in Delhi, Cathedral in Chennai, and Golden Temple in Amritsar.
He adds, “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.”
To begin on July 1 at 3 pm (India Time) and and 2.30 pm (Pakistan Time), with partners in other countries coinciding it with choosing a convenient time on the same date, Nobel laureates Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai have agreed to be star attractions of the event.
Networks and organizations in 22 of the 29 Indian states and four provinces of Pakistan have “come forward to partner with the Peace Now Campaign”, says Husain, adding, “We expect the campaign to be undertaken in around 250 cities, towns and villages in Pakistan, India and other countries.”
The campaign is expected to begin with a signature campaign and press meet on July 1, 2017, in Hyderabad, says Husain, the event would be launched in YMCA to be led by Admiral Ramdas, former Chief of Indian Navy along with some other Magsasay, Padma and other Award Winners from different fields and prominent citizens.
Among other major events, says Husain, would be an outreach programme, in which elected representatives would be approached from July 20 to 23 in both the countries. It coincides with the monsoon session of Parliament, scheduled from July 18.
In this outreach programme, says Husain, representatives from local bodies to members of Parliament/Senate would be approached and their signatures sought for endorsement on the demands in the signature campaign form.
Two cultural events have also been planned – a film and documentary festival on July 15-16 with the help of film clubs, followed by a discussion; and a cultural camp on July 29-30, in which artists and performers from different fields like painting, cartooning, musicians, singers etc. will come together to assert for peace.
Then, on August 8-9, the Peace Now Campaign would commemorate Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Under this event, to be called Young Art for Future of Humanity, under-18s from colleges, schools and out of schools would recite original poetry and writings, and express themselves through different art forms their concerns about conflicts plaguing the world.
Throughout the campaign period, says Husain, there would be “lectures on peace, including the need for cordial Indo-Pak relations in schools and colleges”. In Pakistan, for instance, 5 to 50 schools in different cities and towns have been shortlisted, where a play “Jung Chaheye Ya Aman” would be enacted or screened online.
Two cultural events have also been planned – a film and documentary festival on July 15-16 with the help of film clubs, followed by a discussion; and a cultural camp on July 29-30, in which artists and performers from different fields like painting, cartooning, musicians, singers etc. will come together to assert for peace.
Then, on August 8-9, the Peace Now Campaign would commemorate Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Under this event, to be called Young Art for Future of Humanity, under-18s from colleges, schools and out of schools would recite original poetry and writings, and express themselves through different art forms their concerns about conflicts plaguing the world.
Throughout the campaign period, says Husain, there would be “lectures on peace, including the need for cordial Indo-Pak relations in schools and colleges”. In Pakistan, for instance, 5 to 50 schools in different cities and towns have been shortlisted, where a play “Jung Chaheye Ya Aman” would be enacted or screened online.
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