TODAY -- Young Professionals - Conflict in South Asia: A Frontline Perspective and a Personal Story Tuesday, Nov. 5th Registration & Food: 6:30 - 7:15pm Program: 7:15 - 8:30pm The last decade brought dramatic growth and substantial change to many parts of South Asia. Yet, there are two long-standing and deadly conflicts, in particular, that are likely to have a long-term impact not only on India or the Indian sub-continent, but on the world as well. First is the phenomenon of Maoism. In the heart of India, large swathes of land are left untouched by governance. Though their acts are rarely reported by international media, violent Maoist rebels are the world’s largest communist insurgency that Prime Minister Singh has called India’s ‘greatest internal security challenge’. The other is Kashmir where the conflict between India and Pakistan has made the headlines for many years. Yet, the onslaught of extreme violence against the minority Kashmiri Pandit population has gone largely untold and even denied. This brutality led to the exodus of the entire community of about 350,000 people. How could this have happened so recently in a pluralistic, constitutional democracy such as India? Why did the government fail its primary duty to protect its citizens? And how could the world have remained silent? Rahul Pandita is a best-selling author and award-winning journalist. He is one of the foremost authorities on the Maoist insurgency in India and is the recipient of the 2010 International Red Cross award for conflict reporting. Pandita has reported from many front lines of conflict, including Kashmir, Iraq and Sri Lanka. He was born in Kashmir Valley, and when he was 14, he and his family were forced into exile. Pandita has previously worked with the Indian Express group, Aaj Tak and Zee News. Rahul Pandital will also discuss and sign his latest book: Our Moon Has Blood Clots: The Exodus of the Kashmiri Pandits. Heavy appetizers served. Please be sure to register with this link: wachouston.org/wac/Upcoming_Programs.asp
Posted on: Tue, 05 Nov 2013 20:11:38 +0000
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