Peace events are being planned by South Asian communities across the USA in solidarity with the peace march that threads its way across India and Pakistan.

In DC, a march is being co-organized by the Association for India’s Development. It will start from the Pakistani Embassy and make its way to the Indian Embassy. Indians, Pakistanis and peace lovers are invited to join the march at 3:00pm on Saturday, April 16, in front of the Embassy of Pakistan. One of the organizers of the DC march is Prof Mohan Bhagat who is of Kashmiri Origin and knows the pain of the hostilities between India and Pakistan. He says “Our march will assert that:

BOLO SALAAM AHIMSA, LIKHO PYAR-O-SHANTI
SAB HATHYARON SE BADH KAR YEH DHANUSH HAI HAMARA

PAISA BURI BALAA HAI JAB BER AUR BADHAYE
INSAN HAIN HUM JAGAT HAIN, IK QUNBA HAI HAMARA”

Another organizer, Priya Ranjan, said “Working together, assuring mutual security through non-violent collaboration, reducing conflicts and generally building trust and understanding are the most effective ways to demonstrate our respect for our Sanjhi Virasat.”

In Madison, the South Asia Forum has planned an evening of expressions and dialogue, titled Aman-o-Shanti, on April 9th, between 5-8pm at the Union South, UW-Madison
Organizers are requesting participants to bring and share experiences, readings, poetry, music and art in solidarity with the ongoing peace marches at the India-Pakistan border.
Chai, Pakoras and Kheer will be served.

In Minneapolis, the Association for India’s Development is co-organizing the screening of “Crossing The Lines: Kashmir, Pakistan and India”, a film by Pervez Hoodbhoy and Zia Mian. There are two shows on April 13th and April 16th, at 4:30 PM at Moos Tower at the University of Minnesota. The screening will be followed by discussions.

In Austin, the local AID chapter is organizing the screening of the same movie on Friday, April 15, at 6.30pm, in RLM 4.102 at UT campus. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion including Dr. Kamala Vishweswaran, (Associate Professor, Dept. of Anthropology), Dr. Shama Gamkhar (Associate Professor, LBJ School of Public Affairs), Mr. Mubbashir Rizvi (Graduate student, Dept. of Anthropology), Mr. Anjum Khurshid (Graduate Student, LBJ School of Public Affairs).

Related Links
Motorbikers Invite Marchers Home
Route of Peace March
South Asian communities to organize peace events
Pakistani Organization Working for Needs of Indian Prisoners