Peace Initiatives – Hangout South Asia

Initiatives for Peace

ROUND TABLE DIALOGUE ON “SECURING PEACE THROUGH RELIGIONS: CHALLENGES FOR
RELIGIOUS LEADERS” ON 3RD MAY 2010

Introduction:

A series of incidents in December 2001, prominent among them being the terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament, set off reactions which resulted in amassing troops on the borders by both India and Pakistan. By mid January it looked that both the countries were on the verge of another full scale war, which every one feared might result in a nuclear holocaust in the sub continent.

People for Peace

At home war hysteria was being drummed. A large number of sane voices within both the countries were being drowned in the war cacophony. A still larger number of people were confused and consequently pushed into silence which was being taken by the right wing forces of both the countries as consent for a full scale confrontation. People for Peace was initiated with the idea of bringing together these voices calling for peace so that pressure is brought on both the governments to de escalate and get back to the negotiating table.

Activities in Hyderabad

• All India Industrial Exhibition is conducted in Hyderabad every year between 1st January to 15th February. The exhibition, being conducted since the last 60 years brings together artisans and industries (big & small) from across India and has about 2000 stalls. It draws lakhs of people of the twin cities as well as from other parts of the country. Endorsements for peace and the demands of the People for Peace between India and Pakistan were collected from the visitors of this exhibition.
• Peace Vigil started with a Vintage Car Rally and culminated Candle Light Vigil and peace songs. The Vintage Car Rally for Peace was flagged off from the Historic Charminar by Ms. Ammaji and Mr. Sajid, grass root workers active in the slums in the old city of Hyderabad. Passing through 12 kms of the main thorough fares of the city, the Rally culminated in a Candle Light Vigil at Tank Bund that connects the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. About 300 children, women and men participated in the candle light vigil holding Candles, Banners and Placards and signed the Memorandum of Demands. The Rally and the Vigil received extensive media coverage. 6 Television channels and all English, Telugu, Urdu and Hindi newspapers gave extensive coverage with photographs.
• Painting and Cartoon Competition for School and College students on theme of Peace was conducted on 24th February about 100 students participated in these competitions. Mr.Jagjit Singh – renowned Gazal Singer gave away the prizes. Well-known cartoonist – Mr.Shaam Mohan, Mr.Shekar, Mr.Shanker, Mr.Venkatesh, Mr.Mohan – participated drawing cartoons for peace.

2010-2011
Initiatives in Jammu & Kashmir

Kashmir Valley suffered massive unrest for over 6 months from April to September 2010 in which nearly 110 people lost their lives and hundreds more were injured. With curfews imposed by the government and Hartal (strike) calls by the Separatist groups, the people of the valley are in virtual prison- facing extreme hardships and deprivations.
COVA took the initiative and in collaboration with a number of organization in Kashmir and across the country undertook the following activities:

1. Representatives of COVA visited Kashmir in June and July to study the situation and bring together the civil society in Kashmir to engage with the prevailing situation. A group called People Initiative on Jammu & Kashmir was formed.

2. 26th August 2010: Meeting at New Delhi: A meeting of civil society groups was organised by COVA in New Delhi on 26th August 2010 in collaboration with other civil society organizations. The meeting was well attended with representation from many civil society organisations, students, journalists, professionals and different sections of Kashmiri society including Kashmiri Pandits. Representatives of Save Children, JamatUlema- Hind- Jamat E Islami, Aman Trust, Arya Samaj, FOCUS, COVA and many other national level organisations participated. Mr. Shafi Pandit IAS (Retd) and Mr. Zafar Meraj came from Kashmir to speak at this meeting. Dr. Mazher Hussain gave the introductory remarks followed by addresses by Swami Agnivesh, Mr. Kuldip Nayar, Mr. Rahul Jalali, Mr. Sanjay Kak and others. Many members of Parliament including Mr. Rattanpuri and Mr. Shaheen from Kashmir participated and addressed the gathering. Mr. S.Q.R. Ilyas of Jamat- E- Islami moderated the proceedings.
The Meeting resolved to facilitate the formation of Working Groups on Jammu & Kashmir in different cities to sensitise people and policy makers about the problem in Jammu & Kashmir and work in a consistent manner towards the resolution of the ongoing problem.

3. 20th to 25th September 2010- Consultations with civil society organization in Srinagar, Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai for the formation of People’s Initiative on Jammu & Kashmir- Meetings with political leaders and parliamentarians for raising the issue of turmoil in Kashmir in Parliament and assurances by Parliamentarians in the matter. Discussion on Kashmir in the Lok Sabha on 26th August 2010 and in the Rajya Sabha during Zero Hour raised by Ms. Brinda Karat on 31st August 2010

4. Civil Society Delegation to Kashmir: COVA facilitated the visit of a Delegation of Civil Society to Kashmir from 30 August to 2nd September 2010. The delegation comprised of Swami Agnivesh, Admiral L. Ramdas, Ms. Mohini Giri, Fr. Dominic Emmanuel and Dr. Mazher Hussain. The objective of the visit was to gain first hand knowledge of the prevailing ground situation in Kashmir and to commiserate with the people for their suffering and loss of life. The Delegation found the situation to be critical and tragic and also gained some startling understanding of the scenario. A Report of the visit of the Delegation was circulated in the Peace Updates Dispatch of 17th September 2010 that reaches over 20 thousand people, .and also shared with members of parliament, political parties and media.

5. 3rd September 2010- Public Meeting and Formation of Kashmir Working Group at Mumbai: Peace Mumbai along with other civil society groups organized a Public Meeting at Mumbai titled “Kashmir at Cross Roads” inviting Sajjad Lone of Peoples Conference and Basheer Manzar, Senior Journalist from Kashmir. The Meeting passed a Resolution and formed Kashmir Working Group- Mumbai that would meet regularly to work for the resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir problem.

6. 3rd September 2010-Press Conference and Press Note: Members of the Delegation that had visited Kashmir from 30th August to 2nd September 2010 addressed a Press Conference on 3rd September at New Delhi.

7. 8th September 2010- Meeting at IIIT Hyderabad Admiral L. Ramdas and Dr. Mazher Hussain addressed the students and faculty of IIIT (Indian Institute of Information Technology), Hyderabad on the Topic “Kashmir Crises: Genesis, Current Situation and Way Forward”. After the meeting a number of students expressed a desire to visit Jammu & Kashmir to understand the issues and contribute to the peace process.

8. 8th September 2010 – Public Meeting and Formation of Kashmir Working Group at Hyderabad: Admiral L. Ramdas and Dr. Mazher Hussain addressed a Public Meeting at Hyderabad attended by members of civil society, professionals, students and representatives of the Kashmir community including Kashmiri Pandits on the Topic “Kashmir Crises: Genesis, Current Situation and Way Forward”. . The gathering decided to form Kashmir Working Group- Hyderabad that would meet regularly and work to interact with and influence political parties, government and the media for the resolutionof the Jammu & Kashmir problem.

9. 9th to 14th September- Contacts and Meetings with leaders of Political Parties: Contacts and meetings with leaders of different political parties were undertaken to sensitize them to the gravity of the situation in Kashmir and brief them about the issues to be raised at the All Party Meeting convened on 15th September 2010 by the Government of India.

10. 16- 18 September 2010 – Preparations for Meetings at Delhi and Cancellation: Preparations were made to organize meetings at JNU – Delhi on 16th September; St. Stephen’s College- Delhi on 17th and a Meeting for the formation of the Kashmir Working Group in Delhi on 18th September 2010. Mr. Zafar Meraj, Mr. Shujaat Bhukari, Prof. Hameeda Nayeem and others were scheduled to come from Srinagar. As the Srinagar airport was suddenly closed from 14th September 2010 all the meetings had to be cancelled.

11. 15th to 19th September 2010- All Party Delegation to Jammu & Kashmir- Lobbying with National and Regional Political Parties, Parliamentarians and groups in Kashmir: The All Party Meeting held on 15th September resolved to send an All Party Delegation to Jammu & Kashmir from 20 to 22nd September 2010 to study the ground situation and suggest way forward.

But this Delegation faced serious challenge regarding its credibility and effectiveness as all the Separatist leaders issued a call for its boycott and the strict curfew declared by the state government. Realising the importance of the success of this Delegation in connecting with the people of Kashmir for mitigating the prevailing distrust and violence, COVA put into place two initiatives. First, members of People’s Initiative on Kashmir- Srinagar were requested to convince people to meet the All Party Delegation despite theboycott 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:

Collaborating Organisations:
Apsa, Aman Vedika, Apna Watan, Asha Parivar, Ayodhya Ki Awaz , CHATRI, Coalition for Peace and Harmony, CKGPC, COVA, COVAN Kurnool, EKTA Parishad, FOCUS, Folklore Research, Forum for Better Hyderabad, Guild of Service, ICAN, Indialogue Foundation, J&K RTI Movement, Mahita, NAPM, NOVA Nellore, ONVA Warangal, Phoenix, PUSH, PWS, PUCAAR, PUCL Rajasthan, Sahajeevan, Right to Walk Foundation, Sakshi, Samhita, SANSAD, SOUL, United form for RTI, VAN Guntur, VAN Prakasam, Voluntary Asso.Nzb , War Widows Association, WIPSA, World Council of Arya Samaj, Yuvasatta, Yuva Samvad

2007-2008
Kashmir Earthquake Rehabilitation Project

COVA initiated a large-scale relief program covering 6000 families in Karnah and Uri tahsils of Kashmir. The affected families were provided tool kits, nails and washers for construction of temporary shelters and bukharis and polyurethane sheets for heating and protection from rains, snow and winds. COVA also succeeded in mobilising local communities through the formation of 175 village committees and recruitment of 2400 Link Volunteers from all the 136 villages and towns of Uri and Karnah tahsils.

The following activities were conducted as part of this project during the year 2007-2008:

• 195 houses were constructed and handed over to the beneficiaries
• 200 foldable stretchers were distributed to Village Committees on diffi cult terrains in Uri, Karnah and Boniyar tahsils to facilitate access for patients to the nearest hospitals.
• Two awareness melas in each of Uri and Boniyar tehsils on schemes and policies of departments of Employment, Agriculture, Social Welfare, Animal Husbandry. 250 people participated in these melas.
• Disadvantaged families, physically challenged people, unemployed youth, mentally challenged children benefi ted from these melas, which built linkages between these people and the government departments and NGOs concerned.
• Need Assessment was done in 29 villages in Boniyar and 20 villages in Uri tahsils. Bad roads, irrigation and drinking water scarcity, and lack of health care centers emerged as the major concerns. The members of committees at various levels were given individual responsibilities to explore ways to resolve these issues.
• COVA’s Lobbying with J & K Bank resulted in sanction of house building loans at reduced interest rates, and with government agencies concerned resulted in sanctioning grants for a Water filtration plant, a road and a hospital.
• 540 students were provided career-counseling service.
• Halla Sheri, an age-old practice, was revived to provide a community problem-solving forum. An irrigation channel and two roads were made functional as a result of collective community action arising out of this system.
• Environmental Awareness Program at Noorkhah and Chandanwari villages of the block Chandanwari in collaboration with Noor-Ul-Uloom High School, Noorkhah, Boniyar, sensitized people on environmental pollution.
• A health camp benefi ted the children of Bagna village.
• A Volley Ball Tournament was organised at Kamalkote and Jhula Blocks of Tehsil Uri from the 8th of Sept.2007. 20 teams from various villages participated.
• Ten training camps were organised in collaboration with NCPDP at Chandanwari Block of Tehsil Boniyar for 32 masons and 100 local people.
• Committees at village, block and tahsil level have been reconstituted through electi

2006-2007

COVA and VAN Kashmir took up construction of 200 houses for the most vulnerable victims of earthquake in Karna and Uri tehsils ensuring partnership of communities in the process. As part of Operation Salvage, 5383 households in Karnah and Uri were saved from dismantling and the owners were helped to opt for retrofi tting. With support from GMR Varalakshmi foundation Bangalore washrooms and toilet facilities were constructed for two schools of Gabra village in Karnah Tehsil. Signature Campaign and Lobbying A signature campaign demanded that the government provide tax-free construction material and long-term interest free loans to the people for reconstructing their houses in the earthquake affected areas of Kashmir. In response a number of government depots opened for supply of wood at different locations COVA lobbied for issue of compensation for victims the government. Training programmes Staff of COVA, engineers, engineering students, link volunteers, VRCC members, teachers and representatives of other NGOs were trained on various aspects of NGO management, disaster management and construction of seismic resistant houses. Community Empowerment Programmes In Uri tehsil 240 women link volunteers were mobilized from 35 villages. Besides a workshop on hygiene these woman link volunteers also participated in the training programmes conducted by NCPDP Gujarat on earthquake resistant features. COVA distributed sports material in communities and also in schools, with a preference to Girls Schools, to promote Sports Clubs. COVA intends to enlist the services of the members of these Clubs for various future initiatives in rehabilitation and community empowerment programs in Uri and Karnah Tehsils.

On 8th October 2006 in the Earthquake Anniversary, the Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir presented a memento to COVA in appreciation for its services to the earthquake victims.

Activities in other cities of India

Vigils were also organised in Kolkota by PIPFPD – Kolkata Chapter & Obsession Orchestra, Thareek Samajik Association, Saharanpur, Play for Peace, Bangalore, Coalition For Peace and Nuclear Disarmament, Panjim, Goa, Rastriya Ekta Samiti, Gas Peedith Mahila Udyog Sangh, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, All India Peace and Solidarity, Vishakapatnam, MARI, Warangal, NOVA, Nellore, Mother Teresa Social Service Society, Mahaboob Nagar, COVAC, Cuddapah, CYRD, Bhootpur, Mahabob Nagar, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Memorandums were signed by participants of these Candle-Light Vigils, urging the governments of both Pakistan and India to:
1. Open up all communication and travel links between the two countries.
2. Immediately sign a No War Pact.
3. Set up a Permanent Dialogue Process for continued and uninterrupted negotiations to settle all outstanding issues (including the issues of) Kashmir, by involving people of Kashmir on both sides of the border, and cross border terrorism, etc.
4. End and reverse the nuclear weapons race; actively engage in Global Nuclear Disarmament initiatives.
5. Immediately establish trade and commerce links.

These Demands were also endorsed by Participants of Vigils organised all over the world. These documents of endorsement were collected and sent to Governments of India and Pakistan as well as the media and other world leaders.

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

1. Each Panel Discussion will be of 60 Minutes duration
2. Eight Panelists will be invited from each of the 8 member countries.
3. 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
4. At least two of the Panelists will be below 30 years along with provision for appropriate gender and minority representation.
5. 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.
6. 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)
7. 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.
8. Messages by 2-3 renowned personalities / experts on the topics under discussion could be carried during the Live Sessions

Culture Connect

1. Thirty Minutes after the Session on Panel Discussion will be devoted to culture time around one select theme every month.
2. Themes could be singing, dance, poetry, jokes, comedy, mimicry, amazing acts, marriage customs, fashion, traditions, cuisine etc.
3. Events that could transcend language barriers would be preferred
4. 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

1. Every Session of Hangout South Asia will have two Moderators- for Panel Discussion and for Culture Connect.
2. 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.