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Indian youth delegation leaves Pak after friendship visit
Karachi, July 13: A 15-member delegation of Indian youth headed home today after a 10-day visit to Karachi that included the premiere of their documentary film `bus,` about bringing peace to the South Asian neighbours.
Karachi, July 13: A 15-member delegation of Indian youth headed home today after a 10-day visit to Karachi that included the premiere of their documentary film "bus," about bringing peace to the South Asian neighbours.
"It was a very successful visit and we look forward to further exchanges," said group coordinator Ragni Kidwai, a 17-year old Pakistani student.
The trip was funded by youth initiative for peace, a year-old organisation promoting sustainable peace on the subcontinent that counts young people from both India and Pakistan as members.
The group came up with the idea for the trip during a 2002 meeting in Singapore, where they realised the need for greater interaction by the youth of the two nations.
"The visit has changed my opinion about Pakistanis," said Harmus Masani, a student from Nasik.
"Before coming here I hated them. I thought all men would have beards and women in veils. But today, I can say Pakistanis are my best friends," he said.
"After meeting Pakistani students for the first time and knowing them, I feel differences should be understood and not fought," added Rashmi Bhure, a young student from Mumbai.
The students spent 10 days together discussing the tensions that stretch across the borders of the two countries and what the implications of warming ties between New Delhi and Islamabad could mean for future generations.
The trip was funded by youth initiative for peace, a year-old organisation promoting sustainable peace on the subcontinent that counts young people from both India and Pakistan as members.
The group came up with the idea for the trip during a 2002 meeting in Singapore, where they realised the need for greater interaction by the youth of the two nations.
"The visit has changed my opinion about Pakistanis," said Harmus Masani, a student from Nasik.
"Before coming here I hated them. I thought all men would have beards and women in veils. But today, I can say Pakistanis are my best friends," he said.
"After meeting Pakistani students for the first time and knowing them, I feel differences should be understood and not fought," added Rashmi Bhure, a young student from Mumbai.
The students spent 10 days together discussing the tensions that stretch across the borders of the two countries and what the implications of warming ties between New Delhi and Islamabad could mean for future generations.
They also participated in dance, music, film and arts projects in an effort to overcome decades of mutual acrimony.
Bureau Report