‘Friends of SAARC’ forum launched at a Seminar on ‘Indo Sri Lanka Relations & SAARC Unity’ At Gandhi Bhawan, Panjab University November 15, 2013 08:25 PM Chandigarh, November 15: While today the CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting) was in progress in Sri Lanka a large number of youth met at Gandhi Bhawan, Panjab University, Chandigarh at the call of Yuvsatta and Department of Gandhian and Peace Studies of the University to launch a new forum namely ‘Friends of SAARC’. Speaking at the occasion Chanchal Manohar Singh, Editor-in-chief, Punjabkhabar, shared his experience with the Pakistani people and their longing for their Indian roots. He emphasized the linguistic roots of east and west Punjab as a strong cementing force between India and Pakistan which can give credence to SAARC too. He also said that there is no justification of not attending CHOGM meeting by the Prime Minister of India and the decision was influenced from the political expediency keeping in view the forthcoming parliament elections. Another panelist Sanjay Sharma, Resident Editor, Sunday Guardian said that India needs to orient its foreign policy in such a way that we have cordial relations with our neighbors. And Indian Government has to be extra cautious of not mixing regional issues with diplomacy & dialogue at international level. He mentioned that India & Sri Lanka enjoys age old relations and the same are bound to grow more with passage of time. Dr Vandana Shukla, Assistant Editor, The Tribune highlighted the problem of refugees which India faced during the course of internal conflict of our neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. While India is duty bound to extend humanitarian support to the people displaced under the war torn conditions, said Dr Shukla, it is also important to help our neighbours how to hold onto the peaceful political solutions to their respective internal conflicts. People to people bond across borders can go a long way to establish regional peace and unleash prosperity, she added. Prof Manjit Singh, Panjab University, Chandigarh also spoke at the occasion and showed how all the eight SAARC countries are from the same civilizational stock. National boundaries cannot hold the emotional and cultural outpouring among the people of south Asian countries. Before the colonization of this region by the West the regional cultural and intellectual mosaic was flourishing. The Western politics of control and rule unleashed identity based animosities and conflicts resulting into the weakening of the peoples’ power. It is time to forsake our across border squabbles that weaken our regional power and provide space for the intervention of global powers inimical to the regional peace. Earlier Prof. M.L. Sharma, Department of Gandhian and Peace Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh introduced the speakers. Pramod Sharma, Coordiantor, Yuvsatta-an NGO empowering youth for peace, based on his experience of a series of International youth Festival, highlighted the urgency of mobilizing people to strengthen the relationships between SAARC countries and announced formation of a “Friends of SAARC” forum for the purpose. Yuvsatta volunteers plan to hold regular cultural exchange programmes, quarterly meetings and use of social networking sites to spread the message of people’s unity at SAARC level. A new logo of ‘Friends of SAARC’ forum was also released on the occasion.
Posted on: Sat, 16 Nov 2013 12:52:07 +0000