Indo-Pak Peace Calendar

2016

An initiative for Indo-Pak Friendship

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Aaghaz-e-Dosti - An Introduction

Aaghaz-e-Dosti (lit. start of friendship) is a joint Indo-Pak Friendship initiative of Mission

Bhartiyam (India) and The catalyst – Tc (Pakistan). Both organisations works in the field of Peace,

Communal Harmony and Human Rights. The members are all either students or young

professionals and we are doing this in addition to our work. Besides the two organisations, Aaghaz-

e-Dosti has joined hands with several organisations in the past for specific events.

Started in 2012, Aaghaz-e-Dosti aims to create unwavering bonds of peace and friendship between

India and Pakistan. It has involved itself in peace building and conflict resolution by facilitating

people-to-people contact, challenging mutual hatred and suspicion, creating a culture of peace and

understanding among people of both countries and highlighting the issues of victims of conflicts.

Aaghaz-e-Dosti has taken several initiatives that includes interactive sessions in schools and

colleges called Aman Chaupals, discussions, seminars, peace workshops, the annual Indo-Pak

Peace calendar which is a collection of paintings by school students from both sides, a virtual

peace-building course called Friends Beyond Borders wherein we pair an Indian and a Pakistani

who engage in a dialogue over different issues for eight weeks and various virtual campaigns that

are run on our official Facebook page, Facebook group and Twitter.

Our members also write regularly on Indo-Pak issues. Their articles get published in newspapers

and newsportals of both countries. Our members write on issues ranging from the need for peace

to the core issues of conflict.

We are also working as a pressure group. We have also been continuously approaching authorities

on both sides to take steps to improve Indo-Pak relations.

With our continuous efforts since last few years, we have become one of the most prominent voices

on Indo-Pak peace. Aaghaz-e-Dosti was recognized as one of the best projects in South Asia under

“Advocacy” and “Best use of Social Media” at the 3rd eNGO South Asia Challenge 2014. Recently,

Aaghaz-e-Dosti was felicitated at the Global Peace Initiative 2015 hosted by Welingkar Institute

of Management Development and Research (Mumbai).

An initiative for Indo-Pak Friendship

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Indo-Pak Peace Calendar - An Introduction

Every year, Aaghaz-e-Dosti, an initiative of India-based Mission Bhartiyam and Pakistan-based

The Catalyst - TC, launches an Indo-Pak Peace Calendar that includes selected paintings from

students from both sides of the border. The importance of this calendar is stated by Devika Mittal,

Convener of Aaghaz-e-Dosti India, “The Calendar with the paintings of an innocent and apolitical

mind will remind us that mindsets have been constructed. Together with the beautiful dreams of

the young and innocent, the Calendar also has messages from people who have been actively

working to nurture these dreams.”

Aliya Harir, Convener of Aaghaz-e-Dosti Pakistan, remarked, “This calendar is a collection of

shared dreams of peace and friendship. It serves as a hope shared by people who are just like us,

in habit and struggle. With the turn of the pages to start a new month, the hope shall be renewed.”

The Calendar launch is launched along with a discussion or a sharing of hopes for a peaceful and

friendly co-existence.

Till now, we have launched four calendars.

Indo-Pak Peace Calendar – 2016

The Indo-Pak Peace Calendar – 2016 was the fourth calendar. Aaghaz-e-Dosti received messages

from Ms. Asma Jahangir (Pakistani Human Rights activist), Syed Salman Chishty (Gaddinasheen-

Ajmer Sharif Shrine), Mr. Ram Mohan Rai (Hali Panipati Trust India), Lalita Ramdas (Peace

activist from India), Mr. Anwer Jafri (Theatre artist from Pakistan), Ms. Sadia Dehlvi (Columnist

and Author from India), Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa (Political and Defense Analyst from Pakistan), Dr.

Meenakshi Chhabra (Lesley University, USA), Dr. Zahid Shahab Ahmed (NUST, Pakistan), Dr.

Dhananjay Tripathi (South Asian University), Dr. Farzana Bari (Human Rights Activist from

Pakistan) and Mr. Nisar Ahmad Chaudhary (South Asian Fraternity – Pakistan).

This year, Aaghaz-e-Dosti also got a tremendous participation in paintings from youths of both

the countries. From Pakistan, paintings were received from Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Toba

Tek Singh district. From India, paintings were received from Baroda, Bulandshahr (UP), Asian

Fraternity – Pakistan).

This calendar was launched in India on 10th January in Delhi, on 16th January in Panipat

and on 30th January in Ayodhya-Faizabad. It was launched in Pakistan on 26th January in

Toba Tek Singh, 28th January in Islamabad and in Lahore on 30th January. The calendar

is also scheduled to be launched in Amritsar, Chandigarh in India and Karachi in Pakistan

in February.

An initiative for Indo-Pak Friendship

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INDIA

Delhi:

Aaghaz-e-Dosti launched the 4th Indo-Pak Peace Calendar in India on 10th January in India Islamic

Centre, New Delhi. The launch was followed by a discussion on Indo-Pak peace with eminent

speakers including Mr. Kuldip Nayar (Journalist and Writer), Mr. T N Chaturvedi (Ex-Governor

- Karnataka), Dr. Kavita Sharma (President – South Asian University), Mr. Satya Pal (Peace

Activist, Secretary General – South Asian Fraternity) and Ms. Shailja Kejriwal (Chief Creative -

Special Projects- ZEEL). There was also a special screening of Ketan Mehta’s short film “Toba

Tek Singh” starring actor Pankaj Kapoor. There was a gathering of about 400 persons.

Panipat:

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The 4th Indo-Pak Peace Calendar was launched in Rishikul Sr. Sec. School in Kurana village near

Panipat. The launch in Panipat was organised by Mata Sita Rani Seva Sansthan and Hali Panipati

Trust (in honor of renowned Poet Hali Panipati). The calendar was launched in Rishikul Sr. Sec.

School. The launch program consisted of a discussion on Indo-Pak Peace followed by the launch.

Ayodhya-Faizabad:

During a discussion on ‘Terrorism is the biggest threat to humanity’ organized by Manav Ekta

Manch in the memory of Mahatma Gandhi with Prof (Retd) Chauthiram Yadav (Hindi Dept,

BHU), Ravi Nitesh (Founder-Mission Bhartiyam), Yugal Kishore Shahstri (Social Activist), Hazi

Afaaq (Social Activist) as speakers, the 4th Indo-Pak Peace calendar that includes paintings of

students from India and Pakistan, was released in Ayodhya-Faizabad (India).

A delegation of activists including Ravi Nitesh, Yugal Kishore Shahstri and Gufran Khan also met

with Chief Priest of Ram Janam Bhoomi, Acharya Satyendra, presented the Peace calendar to him

and received his message for Peace.

An initiative for Indo-Pak Friendship

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PAKISTAN

Islamabad:

Aaghaz-e-Dosti launched its 4th Indo-Pak Peace Calendar in Islamabad, Pakistan on January 28,

2016. The launch preceded a discussion on "Sharing of Hopes for Peaceful and Friendly Co-

existence' with eminent speakers including Dr. Zahid Shahab (Associate Professor NUST), Dr.

Saeed Rid (Professor QAU), and Ms. Sidra Saeed (Member National Party). The discussion was

moderated by Daniyal Hassan (Youth Director Pakistan US Alumni Network).

Lahore:

On 30th January, the 4th Indo-Pak Peace Calendar was launched in HRCP, Lahore. It was followed

by a discussion with eminent peace activists. The students from Lahore who had participated in

the calendar initiative through their art were also felicitated.

An initiative for Indo-Pak Friendship

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Toba Tek Singh:

On 26th January, Aaghaz-e-Dosti, a joint Indo-Pak Friendship initiative, launched its 4th Indo-Pak

Peace Calendar in Gojra, Toba Tek Singh (Pakistan). The launch was followed by a discussion on

Indo-Pak peace with Bishop Dioceses of Faisalabad Samuel, Dr. Muhammad Saleem Malik

Advocate and president of Gojra Bar Association and Aaghaz-e-Dosti District Chapter coordinator

Umair Ahmad.

Media Coverage

One India http://www.oneindia.com/india/an-indo-pak-peace-calendar-1985698.html

The Hindu http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/calendar-based-on-artwork-by-

india-pak-schoolchildren-116010800459_1.html

Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/amritsar/Efforts-should-continue-for-long-

lasting-peace/articleshow/50550329.cms

Business Standard http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/calendar-based-on-

artwork-by-india-pak-schoolchildren-116010800459_1.html

Chitral Today http://www.chitraltoday.net/fourth-indo-pak-peace-calendar-launched/

An initiative for Indo-Pak Friendship

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Indo-Pak Peace Calendar – 2015

For the Indo-Pak Peace Calendar 2015, Aaghaz-e-Dosti had collaborated with Indian Council for

Talent Search and Competitions (ICTSC) and Yuvsatta from India and Social Awareness Media

and Art Junction (SAMAAJ), South Asian Writers and Artists Network (SAWAN) and JAD

Foundation from Pakistan.

We had got a tremendous participation in our competition for paintings from youths of both the

countries. From India, we received paintings from Delhi NCR, Gujarat, Lucknow, Madhya

Pradesh, Maharashtra and Telangana. From Pakistan, we received paintings from Lahore,

Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Chitral and Karachi.

We had received messages of peace from Ms. Tara Gandhi Bhattacharjee, Ms. Shaila Kejriwal,

Admiral Ram Das, Prof. Chaman Lal and Mr. Manik Samajdar from India. From Pakistan, we got

messages from Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy, Ms. Reema Abbasi, Ms. Sheema Kermani, Dr. Ishtiaq

Ahmad, Mr. B.M. Kutty, Mr. Karamat Ali and Mr. Aamir Nawaz.

The Indo-Pak Peace Calendar – 2015 was launched in New Delhi, Chandigarh, Nashik,

Panipat in India and Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi in Pakistan.

Launch

The Calendar was launched in both India and Pakistan alongwith a discussion or “Sharing of

hopes for a peaceful and friendly co-existence”.

New Delhi:

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The launch in Delhi was organized on 28th December at India International Centre. The calendar

is launched alongwith a discussion or “Sharing the hopes for a peaceful co-existence”. The

speakers included Ms. Saima Sayed (First Secretary at the High Commission of Pakistan in New

Delhi), Prof. Chaman Lal (Presently Professor-Coordinator at Centre for Punjabi Language,

Literature and Culture (Central University of Punjab, Bhatinda), Mr. Vishwajyoti Ghosh

(Renowned Graphic Novelist and Political Cartoonist), Mr. Deepak Malviya (Secretary of

Servants of the People Society, established in 1921 by Lala Lajpat Rai in Lahore). and Mr. Manoj

Jain (Owner of Ultrawalls, one of our sponsors).

Islamabad:

The Launch in Islamabad happened on 15th January 2015 at Curiosity Junior School. The calendar

is launched alongwith a discussion or “Sharing the hopes for a peaceful co-existence”. The guest

speakers for the discussion were Marvi Sirmed (renowned journalist and activist) and Khushal

Khattak (Central President ANP, JNU New Delhi Alumni).

For information about launch in other places, visit https://aaghazedosti.wordpress.com/our-

initiatives/indopakcalendar/

Media Coverage

The News International, Pakistani Newspaper http://amankiasha.com/detail_news.asp?id=1498

Deccan Herald Newspaper http://www.deccanherald.com/content/450498/building-bridges.html

An initiative for Indo-Pak Friendship

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Express Tribune, Pakistani Newspaper http://tribune.com.pk/story/822503/pakistan-india-ties-

call-for-collective-efforts-to-achieving-peace-prosperity/

ANI News http://www.aninews.in/videogallery4/31972-calendar-launched-to-promote-peace-

between-india-pakistan.html

Zee News http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/calendar-launched-to-endorse-peace-between-

india-pakistan_1521714.html

ABP Live http://www.abplive.in/india/2014/12/28/article463833.ece/Calendar-launched-to-

endorse-peace-between-India-Pakistan

Business Standard http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/calendar-launched-to-

promote-peace-between-india-pakistan-114122900293_1.html

The Samaja http://www.thesamaja.com/home.php

Yahoo News https://in.news.yahoo.com/calendar-launched-endorse-peace-between-india-

pakistan-132403634.html

Free Press Journal http://freepressjournal.in/calendar-launched-to-endorse-peace-between-india-

pakistan/

Indo-Pak Peace Calendar 2014

For the Indo-Pak Peace Calendar - 2014, in India, Mission Bhartiyam had invited three schools in

Delhi. The schools selected were those where Aaghaz-e-Dosti had also conducted “Aman

Chaupal” sessions. The motive was to assess the change brought by the Aman Chaupal initiative.

In total, we had received about 75 paintings from these three schools. From these 75 paintings,

Mission Bhartiyam had shortlisted 15 which were then released online for voting. In India, the

entire initiative was supported by Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

In Pakistan, The Catalyst - TC and Centre for Youth Development & Activities (CYDA) had

invited three schools - two from Islamabad and one from Rahim Yar Khan (near Lahore). They

had also got about 80 paintings from these three schools. Out of these 80 paintings, the two

organisations together had short-listed some 15 paintings which were then released online for

voting.

The calendar included messages from India and Pakistan invited by the people who are working

for Peace. This year Aaghaz-e-Dosti included messages from Kuldip Nayar (Well-known author,

An initiative for Indo-Pak Friendship

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columnist, human rights and peace activist), Pramod Sharma (Coordinator, Yuvsatta-an NGO

empowering youth for peace) and Satya Pal (Secretary-General of South Asian Fraternity) from

India and Raza Rumi (Director of Jinnah Institute, Senior Journalist and author), Shakeel

Wahidullah Khan (President of Pakistan Chapter of BBPPF) and Kiran Nazish (Journalist) from

Pakistan.

Launch

The Calendar was launched in both India and Pakistan alongwith a discussion or “Sharing of

hopes for a peaceful and friendly co-existence”.

The Calendar was launched in New Delhi (India) on 21st December. It was launched by the Indian

organisation Mission Bhartiyam at India International Centre, New Delhi.

For the discussion or a ‘Sharing of Hopes for a peaceful & friendly co-existence’, the panel

included some eminent personalities who worked to improved indo-pak relations through different

mediums. The Panel included Sh. Pankaj Singh (Eminent Hindi Poet, He has extensively written

on art, literature, cinema and international politics. His poems have been translated into Urdu,

Bengali, English, Japanese, French, Russian and Polish. He is a member of Foundation of SAARC

Writers and Literature), Ms. Sonya Fatah (A Pakistani filmmaker and Journalist. She is a

columnist with Times of India), Sh. Jawed Naqvi (Correspondent of Dawn Newspaper (Pakistan)

in Delhi), Prof. Dr. D.S. Rana (Chairperson of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi. Sir Ganga

Ram Hospital was originally established in Lahore in 1921. He is also a recipient of the prestigious

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Padma Shri) and Sh. Satya Pal (Senior Activist. He is the Secretary-General of South Asian

Fraternity).

There was also a Pakistani student studying in South Asian University (Delhi), Kulsum Khan who

had also shared her experience of living in India.

The three students from India whose paintings were selected to be included in the calendar were

also present. They talked about the concept of their paintings and the importance of peace and

friendship between India and Pakistan.

In Islamabad, the Calendar for Peace & Love 2014 was launched on 23rd December at Quaid-e-

Azam University by the Catalyst – TC. For the discussion or the “Sharing of hopes for a peaceful

and friendly co-existence”, the panel included Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, head of Department

School of Politics and International Relations, Quaid-i-Azam University, Mr. Raza Rumi

(Director of Jinnah Institute, a senior journalist and author of the book “Delhi by hear: Impressions

of a Pakistani Traveller), Mr. Pervez Hoodboy (A nuclear physicist, defense analyst,

documentary maker and author. He is also a renowned social and peace activist. He is a recipient

of several prestigious awards) and Mr. Hassan Raza, majoring in Media studies, is a blogger, an

emerging journalist, and a social media activist.

The three students from Islamabad and Rahim Yar Khan whose paintings were selected to be

included in calendar were also present. They talked about the concept of their paintings and the

importance of peace and friendship between India and Pakistan.

An initiative for Indo-Pak Friendship

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Media Coverage

*The Hindu (India) Print edition 24th December 2013

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/india-pakistan-ngos-create-peace-

calendar/article5496615.ece

*Navbharat Times (India) Print edition 24th December 2013

http://epaper.navbharattimes.com/details/11683-49452-1.html

*The Express Tribune (Pakistan) Print Edition 24th December 2013

http://tribune.com.pk/story/649680/kiss-and-make-up-lets-be-good-neighbours-urge-speakers/

*The News International (Pakistan) Print Edition 2 January 2014

http://amankiasha.com/detail_news.asp?id=1267

*South Asia Mail, an independent internet weekly

http://www.southasiamail.com/news.php?id=112924

Indo-Pak Peace Calendar - 2013

Mission Bhartiyam had collaborated with two Pakistan-based organisations, Center for Youth

development activities(CYDA) and Imov Humans. In India, paintings were invited from schools

in Delhi and Lucknow. In Pakistan, paintings were invited from 2 schools in Sadikabad and Rahim

Yar Khan(Punjab province).

The calendar included message from Beena Sarwar (Editor, Aman ki Asha & documentary

maker), Rahil Yasin (freelance journalist and researcher) , Awais Sheikh (advocate of Sarabjit

Singh case in Pakistan), Saeeda Diep (Peace activist, Chairperson of IPSS),Ram Puniyani (Peace

activist), Sirish Agarwal (Founder IPFSA) and Dr Pritam Rohilla (Executive Director-

Association of communal harmony in Asia) from USA.

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On 27th January, Mission Bhartiyam had launched the calendar in Gandhi Peace Foundation.

Along with a discussion or Sharing of Hopes for a Peaceful and Friendly Co existence. The

Speakers included Pankaj Singh (poet, part of foundation of SAARC writers and literature

forum), Pankaj Chaturvedi (popular columnist with hindi newspapers), Sirish Agrawal

(Founder, IPFSA), Prof Dhananjay Tripathi (Prof of IR at South Asian University) and

Shivendra Singh (Journalist, author of 'Ye jo hai pakistan'). There were also some student

speakers. Some students from Pakistan who are studying in India had also shared their views.

Media Coverage

*The Hindu (India) http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/call-to-empower-peoples-

voices-to-foster-indopakistan-peace/article4352842.ece

*The News (Pakistan) http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-14-155910-Aaghaz-e-dosti-

calendar

*Lahore Times (Pakistan) http://www.lhrtimes.com/archive/2013/01/29/aaghaz-e-dosti-raises-

voices-for-peace-and-friendship-between-india-pakistan-138841/

*Yahoo News http://in.news.yahoo.com/calendar-peace-love-between-india-pakistan-

162602359.html

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Contact us

For participation (individuals and schools are invited), collaboration (organizations are invited)

sponsorship or any other queries, email us at aaghazedosti@gmail.com

or call us at

India:

+91 9582129927, +91 9958907799

Pakistan:

+92 3335343756, +92 3235680055

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