Peace Conference-South Asian Perceptive
27- 29th December, 2013
Delegates from Allover India, Pakistan, BanglaDesh,, Afghanistan and SriLanka participated.the list of participants is enclosed.
At the inaugural session Ms Manimala, Director, G.S.D.S. welcomed the delegates at Gandhi Darshan, and said that Mahatma Gandhi always stressed the need for communal harmony % integration.
Shri Satyapaul, Secretary General, Saouth Asian Fraternity while welcoming the delegates read his welcome speech in which he outlined various problems like visa, trade restrictions, restricted flow of cultural artists, Absence of Education / Tourist visa, And unrest over water sharing between India- Pakistan, India - Bangla Desh, India- Nepal etc. He hoped that during theconference some way out shall be found out.
Shri T.N.Chaturvedi, Former Governor in his inaugural speech emphasized the need of developing mechanism between the countries of the region, so that lives of the people are made much easier/ happier , and the delegates would discuss how to make improvements in the quality of life, so that there should be stable Peace & prosperity in the region.
Dr Ved Pratap Vaidik, noted Journalist, spoke about the development of regional Languages among the South Asian countries. He stressed the need of inclusion of Myanmar, Mauritious,Iran, Tajikstan, Uzbekstan etc in the fold of this Fraternity, and we should plan a larger people conference next year, so that we may be able to counter the balance with Western countries, and have a louder voice in the world.
Remembering his experiences from the interactions with the leaders of Bangla Desh during the making of the constitution of Bangla Desh Justice(Retired) Rajinder Sachar appreciated the inclusion of a provision of Interim Govt in that country. He suggested the same for Indian states, if not for the Union.. He emphasized the need of further promoting the people to people friendship.
Shri A.R..Shervani, Treasurer of S.A.F.while proposing a vote of thanks congratulated the delegates for coming& sitting to gather to discuss about Peace.He traced that his forefathers might have come from the bank of SHERU, a river in Afghanistan, that is why they are called Shervani, so he welcomed his clan brothers.He wished all success to the conference.
After that there was lunch break.
After the lunch session started at 3.00 p.m,and took up VISA problems.
Satyapaul read his niote about the visa problems, which has been published in the souvenir, outlining various problems faced by the delegates of Peace conference. He pointed out that miscreants/ terrorist seldom apply for visa,but they come and strike. He said that as law abiding citizens they understand the concerns for national security, but donot understand the un necessary delays. While computor technologyhas advanced and provide us the speed, then why the government machinery use it. He stressed that when we apply, our applications should be forwarded to all the agencies/ and respective High Commissions simoultaneously, and not one after the other, it may cut short the time of scrutiny. He also advocated the the advance booking of rail reservation of the Pakistani/ BanglaDeshi friends after getting Visa, rather a rail reservation window be opened in the respective High Commissions.He also advocated the demand of the people of Jaisalmer, who are not granted Visa for Pakistan to join with their friends/ relative s in their sorrows/ happy occasions.
Delegates explained their difficulties in getting visa for India. They demanded that S.A.A.R.C nations should have one visa like European union, and South East countries. It may weed out the mistrust, promote trade, friendship etc.
Next session was presided by Prof Dr. Anisuzzaman of Bangladesh, in which Trade Problems were discussed. It was pointed out inspite of various agreements reached by S.A.A.R.C summits the S.A.F.T.A has not been enforced, visa is not being granted to traders, M.F.N status is not granted to all the nations within S.A.A.R.C ..It was pointed out that to promote trade there is need to allow Advertisements in each other countries, more banks be opened for clearances, Representative to promote sales, and persue for payments be allowed to appoint with multiple entry visa
Third session was presided by Shri Satyapaul. He read his note about the common culture of South Asia, We have to re unite the threads of our common culture, common traditions, customs and languages. It was suggested that I.C.C.R should be requested to have M.O.U with its counterparts in S.A.A.R.C countries so that artists and others could pay exchange visits easily. It was also suggested that at the Retreat ceremony the picture of animosity should be avoided, and people should be allowed to cross the border and sit / watch the ceremony with their friends on each side. It may increase the friendship. Of course necessary security measures may be taken by issuing token and closing the gates to avoid infiltrators. .
On 28thDecember fourth session was presided by Prof Wadir Safi, of Afghanistan.
He read his paper ---Afghanistan and S.A.A.R.C, and gave inside story of Afghanistan tracing from the origin, to the present conditions. He said that Taliban are not recognizing the present President Hamid Karzai, as they feel that he will loose the election in April,2014, so they will talk with new regime.
Afghanis have more love for India than Pakistan,who wants to dominate, and is more engaged in reconstructing Afghanistan. The war in Afghanistan is more for oil. America could not succeed because he could not understand the psyche of the Afghanis, who never accept domination of others.
The fifth session was presided by Prof Mrs Hema Goonatilake, formerly of the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
H.E.High Commissioner of SriLanka was welcomed by Ms Manimala, Director, and said that Sri Lanka and India has long ties in Cultural , EducationaL, Religious fields. She also offered Angvastra, Coconut, and bag full of the litrature of Gandhi Darshan. Shri Satyapaul welcomed the high commissioner and said that when Shri I.K Gujral became the Prime Minister of India he adopted the polcy of non interference in other nations internal matters, and tried to improve the relations. He adopted the policy ---Look to the East.
The High Commissioner spoke at length about Sri Lanka and its relations with India. He informed that education is free upto graduate level for all. Sri Lanka does not like any interference in her affairs from any body may be from U.S.A OR Belgiam or India. He thinks that every nation should solve its own problems. Regarding Jafna he stated that no country can afford separatism, we are ready to hear anybody's genuine demands, and to redress it. Now there is no problem, and people have understood the false propaganda, and returning to their homes.
Mrs Hema in her presidential remarks said that India should be an elder brother, and not big brother, as the elder brother in a family takes care of younger brothers, and some time sacrifices for others to keep the family in tact.
After the Lunch break sixth session started at 3.30p.m,which was presided over byMr Nisar Ahmed Choudhry of Pakistan.We took up Education to promote friendship.It was pointed out that modern technology has broken the barriers of nations,through internet you can reach anywhere, and study any thing in the whole world. Therefore it is advisable to open the doors of Educational institutions to everybody. It was pointed out that in India I.C.C.R provides facilities to about 40,000 foreign students every year, but its doors are still not opened to Pakistani students. It was a welcome step, but this university with limited seat cannot meet the aspirations of larger number of students.
It was pointed out that certain text books still contains some paras/ chapters spreading hatred against each others, which should be deleted.
On29th December Seventh Session was presided by Prof Dr Anisuzzaman.
We took up the subject of water sharing. It was pointed out that about 50 years back agreements were made,but now this problem has cropped up, and leading to many disputes. It was noted that due to increase in population more water is consumed for drinking, for enhanced areas under cultivations, more house constructions/ industrial complex buildings and so on. On the other hand we are polluting water by throwing our sewage,, industrial wastes into our rivers/ ponds, we are encroaching the lands under our ponds and other sources of water.
We have to think over how to increase the water by re charge, and think over the alternative uses of water.
It was felt that we are not expert in this matter. So it was decided that we should seek the opinion of the experts. Therefore it was agreed that weshould request our friends to find out experts in 4 catagories--
1. A Retired govt officials who has worked in water deptt,
2. A legal person, who can under stand the existing agreements,
3.A university person who can provide data through internet
4. A humanitarian person who can coordinate on human basis
It was agreed that S.A.F should write to friends in Pakistan, Bangla Desh, and Nepal
At the end Valedictory session was held.Souvenir of the conference was released. Certificates of participation, Bags of G.S.D.S with litrature of the Samiti were distributed by Satyapaul ,Prof Dr Anisuzzaman, Prof Wadir Safi,Prof Hema Goonatilke, and Mr Nisar Ahmed Choudhry..
The conference was concluded with good wishes for New Year for Peace.
Satyapaul
