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India-Pakistan Friends Forum, an idea
- Ms. Prasanthi Uppalapati

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Whatever we think of our neighbours, it is only through media. We frame our ideas based on that. From my childhood itself, I dreamed of going to Kashmir and Pakistan and talk to people there, know their feelings, make them friends etc. After I started posting in authorsden, one day I saw an article naming India and Pakistan. So I wished to know what it is about. I thought some Westerner might have written that. When I read about the author, I came to know that she is a Pakistani(Shezray Tanwer). Immediately I opened all her articles and poems. Read them all. Read the comments also. Immediately I mailed her to read the articles which I wrote about Pakistan. Then I got the idea to search for the Pakistani authors in this site and mail them inviting them to be my friends. I mailed to Chander Keswani and Abdul Hakeem(I forgot this name. It might be something also. He has written 'Rainbow' story). Both Shezray and Chander responded. After that I got the idea, why shouldn't we all combine and discuss on the issues that are bothering us. It will help us to know the feelings of both the sides. I shared this idea with few of my Net-friends and others too. To my surprise, most of them refused and opined that there will be no use of such things. And some have even were apprehensive that I may have to face trouble in future! Some of my Net-friends who are working abroad cited some incidents also, which reveal the hatred attitude of some of the Pakistanis they met with. Some of the views expressed by them subscribe to the following: Should we talk to them and be friends? How many people are being killed in Kashmir? Is it not true that on the occasion of Independence day celebrations they try to create havoc in Kashmir and Delhi? They even kill Amarnath Devotees. If they change with discussions, which we have been doing all these years, but of no use. It is better to think of our own country, how to develop and try to work and help in that regard, instead of wasting time like this which will not yield any fruit. (These are the actual feelings of the friends which I got at first. Ofcourse later some people positively responded and said they also will join any such thing if it ever delivers fruits.) These allegations may be true.(My own feeling). But two feelings flashed in my heart. 1) Vajpayee said: We can change our friends, but not neighbours. 2) Lincoln stated: If I make my enemies as my friends, it is also winning over them. Even if we discuss things with them, even if we wage war, then also they will have the same hatred towards us.(Which is mostly due to adverse propoganda of their successive governments so far.) Hatred can also be defeated by love. If we are sincere and truthful, we can make them understand that atleast they can start thinking in a different way. Though I do not have any illusions of a change or a good result, I am confident of the usefulness of this forum(if it can be established). My reasons are: 1) Authors means they have feelings. They respond to the situations. 2) Since we are educated, being youth, we can think positively and rationally. 3) After reading the articles of Tanwer and the comments thereon,(now Xaniab's), my confidence was strengthened that there are some people atleast who can think differently. My Ideas for this forum: Only to introduce ourselves, to know the other side of the coin, to work to create a good feel for us in the neighbouring people. The Rules: 1) No Harsh words. No abuse. No arguments. 2) Instead of blaming each other, instead of discussing the past incidents, we should try to analyse what we can do in future for the good of both of us. a) What ideas or plans we can suggest for the betterment of relations between the two countries. b) What do we think are the proper steps. c) What we as citizens can do to create harmonious relationship among ourselves. d) The main intention is only to find the ways for better communication among the people in both sides. 3) Every member should clearly introduce themselves, what they think of the other country at the beginning, how do the people in their vicinity feel about this, what do they think of this idea? is it good or bad? etc. First of all whether they wish to have such a forum or not. If atleast few people agree on this concept. How to continue the discussions? : 1) We try to manage a website for this forum. 'Campaign for Peace' or IPFF or Bridging the Gap or anything else. It should contain the details of our freedom movement(how we together fought to gain Independence) It should have the columns to post Poetry and Articles(only indicating or wishing peace and the ways to achieve it) A discussion board, to discuss. A Guest book, whoever visits to sign and express their feelings. A profile column, wherein we invite famous people who are working for this cause from both India and Pakistan, to share their views. (This is because, if we all can come to a consensus on a particular issue, we can bring this to government's notice through these people.) A Poll issue: We should conduct a poll regarding various issues and should store these results. These are all my views. Ofcourse, first of all we need to maintain a sit. There must be a site administrator. There must be a representative from both sides. (Please express your feelings regarding this idea. Please comment. People from any other country also can visit this site to share their ideas and to contribute opinions). Last but not the least, I express my wishes for the coming Independence day of our two countries. LET US BE FRIENDS.

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