Pakistan and India belong to the same heritage. Nourished and inspired by the same cultural, human and spiritual flows, the people of the two countries of one land are immensely close to each other.
Pakistan and India will set an unprecedented example for the world and the humanity if they could transcend the negative aberration caused by few.
We are committed to be friends and to be together. The challenge is there.
We shall overcome – today.
“Over the years, it has been so gratifying to observe the leap of faith by Aaghaz-e-Dosti in helping create the much needed societal space for India-Pakistan peace building. Looking at borders as bridges for trade, connections and people-to-people cultural exchanges is the way to go for a stable, peaceful and prosperous South Asia.”
Kapil Kak is Air Marshal (retd) and active in advocating peace and human rights
“Peace is not just a desirable virtue, it’s a necessary condition for human progress. To strive to create peace among rival countries is therefore contributing to the project of human progress. I wish Aaghaz-e-Dosti all the very best in its noble endeavour to make peace between the peoples of India and Pakistan.”
Dr Happymon Jacob is Associate Professor in the Centre for International Politics, Organization and Disarmament at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi, India.
During these trying times, it is heartening that Aghaz e Dosti is steadfast in its resolve to bring our two countries together. Our hope now rests on our young generation which has conceived and executed this idea and on the youngest generation– the children– who are applying their minds and paint brushes to create awareness of the dividends of peace between two next door neighbors. The agony of people who cannot participate in joys and sorrows of their loved ones due to stringent controls on both sides of the border are phenomenal. While both countries are bleeding with steady drain of resources for Defense, the real issues are festering. To friends on both sides, therefore, Aaghaz e Dosti is the waasmay to go!
Dr Syeda Hameed is activist, writer, former member of Planning Commission and founding member of Women’s Initiative for Peace in South Asia (WIPSA)
“Just as a calendar starts from January and not from December, so also does friendship begins from the beginning and not from the end. Friendship is like a fully grown tree which started as a sapling. Your approach must therefore be realistic and not emotional. The right approach will take you to your destination, while the wrong approach will derail you. The right beginning inevitably leads to the right end. This is an eternal law of nature.”
“Peace between India and Pakistan is extremely important. Over the years, our states have tried to minimise people-to-people contact but they cannot eliminate hundreds of years of shared history and culture. It is essential for us to break these state-backed barriers and continue to fight for peace between the two neighbours.” – Mehmal Sarfraz
Aapsi samajh, pyaar aur Aman phailaane ke liye Aaghaz-e-Dosti me her Qadam ke liye dili Mubarak. Hamaari Janta aur nafrat aur jang naheen seh Sakti. Use pyaar chaahiye. Mujhe khushi hai hamaare donon deshon ke bachche Aaghaz-e-Dosti ke zariye kah rahe hain
Humko nafrat ki deewaar naheen
Mohabbat ke khule aasmaan chaahiyen.
In today’s world, peace is a constant struggle. It is unfortunate that when there are bigger problems like starvation and poverty, we are still caught up between religion, dominion and community. I believe that the path to peace is through education, employment and religious-cultural tolerance. “
Peace and friendship are vital for happiness and fulfillment in life. I therefore wish Aaghaz-e-Dosti’s efforts to promote peace and livelihood security for all.
” India and Pakistan share a great cultural history and I am convinced that the people of both the countries want to live in Peace and Harmony. It is our common art and cultural heritage that binds us together and therefore I am convinced that we the artists of these two countries can break down this artificially created hatred and enmity! Let us join hands and minds to create a beautiful, peaceful future together! “
The present generation of Indians and Pakistanis, while growing up under the divisive policies, need to experience the warmth of emotions in the human embrace.
In separation, we can’t be separated!
“I support peace and friendship with all our neighbouring countries, not just India. Such friendly ties are pertinent for people of all our countries. In fact, I feel travel between all the South Asian nations should be convenient and visa-free as it is in the European Union. If such measures are taken, the entire region can progress together. One reason for South Asia not progressing is that India and Pakistan have practically kept the entire South Asian region hostage.” – Husain Naqi
When countries are in pain, it is only peace and understanding that provides the healing balm. In India and Pakistan we urgently need this Balm. Let us come together to heal each other.
A very good initative Aaghaz-e-Dosti. BBPPF Pakistan appriciates your efforts. We see that people on both sides wish love for prosperity of both countries.
Love, Peace and Prosperity for both the people of India and Pakistan.
At this most difficult times for Indian subcontinent, messages of peace and prosperity remain one hope that can cut accross the hate lines drawn by religious fanatics. Religious fundamentalism is gaining strength within different religious formations accross the region. We need to find ways to counter this menace. Publishing of peace calendar is one effective way to do that. Our best wishes for those continuing this initiative despite the survival issues. We will be hand in hand with you spreading the message of peace through whatever possible means.
I hope and pray that this calendar, consisting of paintings by youth, will encourage governments of India and Pakistan, to take substantial steps, to bring about peace, not only BETWEEN, but also WITHIN, the two countries, and inspire people to commit themselves to help their governments, to make it happen. I wish you and sister groups a resounding success!”
It was an unfortunately partition of United India in 1947 but bigger misfortune is that we have yet to learn the art of living together as good neighbours. Only initiatives of brining people together from both sides will help us to bridge this partition. Aaghaz-e-Dosti in this regard is doing an admirable work.
Peace between India and Pakistan is crucial for promoting peace and prosperity for the region. It could and will also lead to a solution of the Kashmir dispute so that Kashmiris of both sides of the line of control can live with dignity. Together the governments and the people of these two countries can bring peace in Afghanistan and fight religious intolerance that has plagued the world of today.
We want to see India and Pakistan as the leadership at SAARC, and create a SAARC regime world where we can travel without restriction. Hoping coming years to be a historical year for nonviolence and peace.”
Although geography and identities have changed, we have a shared history and we must build upon
this, focussing on greater trade and exchange of people to people visits for a better future. This would be helped by an easier visa regime between our two countries.
For too long the people of Pakistan and India have suffered due to their state-policies. It is time that we change it and reshape our region for all the young people who want peace instead of war; seek opportunities and not bombs.
The established interests of both the countries have fought with each other for the last more than four decades, now we need to give a chance to common people to establish Peace, Friendship, Understanding and Co operation. Let them demolish the walls and build the bridges.
I am happy that now younger nation has picked up and with a new name of Aghaz e Dosti with the same mission has started. My best wishes and prayers are with you, the torch bearers.
Very happy to know about Aaghaz-e-dosti. It is indeed a time to create an atmosphere conducive to peace and brotherhood and better understanding between the two neighbouring countries of South Asia. They should bury the bitterness of the past and start living like good neighbours. This was the message given to Mahatma Gandhi and Quid-e Azam Jinnah at the time of partition.”
Peace begins with knowledge. I learnt this when I came to India. Each student, teacher, journalist, police man, shopkeeper, Government official I met, taught something to me about myself, whenever they spoke of themselves. I realized we are so similar, that its impossible not to inspire each other.We cannot find peace, if we avoid each other. Pakistan and India are a natural romance. I learnt this from Indians.
Each person contains that special ‘spark of hope’ that can build bonds of friendship with former strangers, rise above differences, sectarianism and conflicts and find common ground, and work together to create a vision of a future without violence.
I am very happy to know about Aaghaz-e-dosti. India and Pakistan countries share a common culture and socio-economic challenges. We need to have amicable relations so that out industries, trade, education, sports and culture can benefit from each other. This is what will see a better dawn for people of both the countries.”
“Both countries are geographically apart, but culturally closest to each other than any other country. Both have common languages, living style, literatures and music. Indians and Pakistanis abroad are best friends to each other, same should be asserted at home as well. Hope Aaghaz-e-Dosti’s initiative shall move in the directions of India and Pakistan as best friends not only at people to people level, which they really are, but at political and governmental levels too!”
“May the year usher in an era of tension-free relationship between Pakistan and India, based on a firm commitment on both sides to seek the resolution of inter-state differences and disputes through peaceful dialogue and dialogue alone! May the year see a steady expansion of people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and India and the introduction of a liberal pro-people visa regime!”
“HUM JO AMAN PE YAKEEN KARTE ……..
Peace between our people and lands will happen if more and more of us believe in it and walk the same path together.
Dharti Baanti, saagar Baanta, math baanto Insaan ko”
“Solutions, to the present level of animosity between India and Pakistan, demand creativity from peacemakers. I see Aaghaz-e-Dosti calendar as one such initiatives aiming to build confidence across borders. In an environment in which hatred is spread through the media and schools, there is a dire need of peace education that spreads the message of peace through humanizing literature.”
One of the biggest hurdles in the friendship between India and Pakistan is the condition of acquiring a visa to cross the border. This should be removed immediately.