Virtual Session at Carmel Convent, Chandigarh

M.K. Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world!”

India and Pakistan have been allegedly at daggers drawn since 1947. Politically and through various news, it has always been the impression at both sides that a war is about to break between the two. So thinking of a peaceful conference with so many international delegates from more than 30 countries, at one platform, seems quite impossible.

This impossibility was given a blow by the India-based NGO named Yuvsatta, led by Mr. Pramod Sharma, that has been working for youth empowerment within and even outside India. Aliya Harir was the delegate and GYPF coordinator for Pakistan. They provide the youth across the globe with various chances to interact and work towards their leadership goals. This was where I got the opportunity to attend the 10th Global Youth Peace Festival at Chandigarh. Not only numerous stereotypes were broken especially between the two countries, as well as all the participant nations, but the delegates also got a golden opportunity to represent their country to the fullest.

Through the very platform of Yuvsatta and GYPF, I got a chance to conduct a Virtual Session on Peace-building and discussion of women’s issues across the borders between KIPS, Lahore, and Carmel Convent School, Chandigarh. The purpose of the session was

Ø Peace building and friendship across borders
Ø Discussing issues of the women across borders
Ø Creating a think tank to present solutions for the prevalent societal problems

I couldn’t sleep all night thinking of the event, and couldn’t wake up in the morning because of the lack of sleep! But thanks to Sampuran Ji, who almost broke the door while knocking at it, trying to wake me up for the event.

So I reached Carmel Convent at around 9 and met Ms. Ritu Sharma who was there to receive and welcome me. The Principal of the School Ms. Mary Swati also supported me throughout the session. I went to the hall where the session was to be conducted. Everything was set on both sides of the border. Ma’am Saima, Ms. Saira, Ms. Zahida and Ms. Anam worked on the session’s arrangements in Pakistan. Even on my part, all was planned but live events never go completely as planned. The event was to begin at 11:30 am.

Initially I was the only foreigner at the school, accompanied by the worthy school staff, the respected principal and the very supportive event managing team; but then we were even more honored (and I, motivated) by the arrival of the American Gandhi, Mr. Bernie Meyer; two young inspirational ladies from Deepshika for Elderly Women’s Education, namely Namrata and Sarita; Pakistani GYPF Delegates and my friends Umar Shuja Qazi and Vishal Anand; the Indian GYPF delegates Ankit, Vikas, Arshdeep, Rajat and Karamjit (now friends J ); the press reporting team of Yuvsatta Mr. Kannan, Mr. Abhinav and Ms. Shelley. All of them illuminated the event.

Then came in the 42 young ladies from grade VI to XII, who were super-excited to interact with their Pakistani sisters. Adding and deleting a lot many portions and segments in the program schedule, I finally wrote one complete program format. There were slight malfunctions like mic disruption, camera positioning and eventually internet disconnection. But I tried to utilize that time in energizers. I had asked only the girls to stand up, but I felt really supportive of the people around me when the teachers and faculty of Carmel Convent and my friends Umar and Vishal joined in. Ms. Swati and Ms. Ritu appreciated that part the most. :)

I grouped the KIPSian and Carmelite girls so that they could better present their solutions. It was my very first session, and it happened to be across the border, without any prior training or guidance…But all thanks to Allah Almighty, who made it easy for me.

The girls from KIPS and Carmel Convent were all so thrilled to meet and greet each other. And once the session took to commencement, it sailed smoothly.

The girls on both the sides were active and made me feel proud of them. The little angels had such high level of awareness, such strong ideas, visions, and practical solutions to the women’s issues that making them a part of the Women Empowerment Conference among the GYPF delegates from across the globe would not have been wrong.

It was great to see the girls taking the initiative without the teachers’ push. The issues were pretty much the same on both the sides of the border, and the initiatives by the governments were much appreciable. But I want to talk only about solutions here. Some of the strong recommendations by the girls were as follows:

>Implementation of acts/ laws
> Balanced gender ratio
> Vocational training
>Women’s sports
> Establishment of high standard educational and vocational institutes in rural areas
> Self-defense training
> Empowering the girls to take the initiative
> Provision of better health facilities to the women
> Spreading awareness regarding women’s rights and how they can get help

In the end, the Pakistani delegates were presented with the Carmelite School Magazine and many beautiful “Thank you” cards. Photo session had to be a part of the event and the hi-tea was really good (mine was hi-Limca though!)

The press coverage for the event was highly commendable (Times of India, Indian Express, Hindustan Times, Punjab Outlook, ) through the news report only, did I come to know that it was the first of its kind virtual session in the Indo-Pak interactions, which made me feel even more humbled and honored that I had been chosen for opening the window between the two schools …

Thanks a lot once again to each and every person who stood by me and supported me in one way or the other.

Let the peace prevail! <3

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/... http://indianexpress.com/article/ci...

http://www.hindustantimes.com/punja... http://www.punjaboutlook.com/wp/exc... http://lockerdome.com/6617851771629...