PEACE in South Asia
Dear friends
South Asia Peace Alliance (SAPA)
was formed with an idea that the peace process can be strengthened within the South
Asia region. We realized that it is important to have peace builders group
in every country of Asia but it was also important that they come together at
the regional level to deepen their understanding about conflict and peace
building. The Quaker friendship from England was able to give us initial
support to shape this forum. As a result we were able to organise meetings and
trainings in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. Friends from Afghanistan,
Pakistan and Bhutan also participated in some meetings and workshops. I
remember that many trainings and meetings were held in India along with Ekta
Parishad inorder to showcase how peace building can go hand in hand with the struggle
for Justice.
I think this is also time for us to recognize the contributions
made by Shobha Gautam, Nasir Bhai, Thayaparan, Karamat bhai and Tassin and many
others. From the side of India contributions by Babulalji, Rita Roy and Vijay
Bharati were also very important. Of course there are many others who made
significant contributions to take this process forward. To a great extent the
entire credit goes to our dear Stuart Bhai, that he brought all of us together on a platform and helped
us to create a process like SAPA. Our
dear friends Nasir Bhai and Babulal ji have left us in the meantime. Both of them were great souls and were always
available to strengthen the South Asia Peace process.
I believe that we are now faced with too many conflicts related to
land and livelihood resources across Asia. We are also facing conflicts related
to Climate and Poverty. Covid-19 has also brought new challenges that we need
to address without losing time. What we now notice across the globe is that the
state is becoming dictatorial and oppressive. This is going to create new type
of conflicts between the people and the state.
May I take this opportunity to suggest that we should come together as
early as possible to reflect on the Asian situation and plan for future course of
action.
As far as I remember the original idea was that we will identify
at least one peace activist in every district of South Asia. This may look like
a big task, but we need to begin in a small way. All of us put together I am
sure we may have contacts at least in three hundred district of the region. We
were also keen to bring together some seriously minded peace leaders of the
region to address some of the major conflicts that we are facing in the region.
CESCI Madurai, Tamil Nadu will be organizing the Maja Koene Award
Program on the 21st of February 2021. CESCI is willing to host a South
Asia peace meet along with the Award program. We are invited for the 18-20th
of February and also participate in the award program. I will be happy to know whether you can find
resources to travel to Madurai and back in the month of February 2021. It will
be good if we can accept this invitation and come together
With warm regards
Rajagopal.P.V
|
Subhash, Ganga, Jagat, Taya Goswamy |
Vijay, Yogesh, Jill, Aneesh Debasis, Scaria/Satish |
Ashok, Inamal, Biju Balakrishnanji, Calicut |
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