Union across borders: Exploring commonalities

13 August, 2012

COVA, in collaboration with other civil society organisations, is planning to organise programs on 14-15 August 2012 as part of India- Pakistan Joint Celebrations for 'Union Across Borders: Exploring Commonalities'.

EVERY YEAR, Pakistanis celebrate Independence Day on 14th August and Indians celebrate it on 15th August. A number of organisations in Pakistan, India and across the globe, are planning to organise Joint Celebrations on 14-15 August 2012 to commemorate the independence of both the countries together, and to pray for peace and friendship in the region.

A similar program, initiated by COVA in 1997, to commemorate 50 years of Independence, had seen Joint Celebrations by Indians and Pakistanis in 40 different cities and towns of India, Pakistan and also in other countries like the US, the UK, Canada, and Middle East, etc., with Indian and Pakistani populations.

According to COVA Executive Director Mazher Hussain these Joint Celebrations contributed to bridge distances to some extent and promoted better understanding and goodwill between the people of the two countries that were experiencing very hostile relations during the period.

For over a decade, he said that a group of dedicated Indians and Pakistanis gather at the Attari-Wagah Border unfailingly every year on the mid night of 14-15 August to light candles and Jointly Celebrate Independence of India and Pakistan together and rededicate the pledge to promote peace and friendship between the two countries.

Organisations in different cities and towns of both the countries and other parts of the globe are planning Celebrations on 14-15th August 2012 to use the occasion to also promote peace and friendship between India and Pakistan.

In Hyderabad, he said that COVA, in collaboration with other civil society organisations, is planning to organise programs on 14-15 August 2012 as part of these India- Pakistan Joint Celebrations for “Union Across Borders: Exploring Commonalities’

Prominent personalities of Hyderabad from different fields who have been to Pakistan will share their experiences on both 14th and 15th August during the celebrations being organised. The Programs on 14th will have poster and slogan displays, speeches and plays by school students on the Theme of “Beyond War and Violence” and the Program on 15th August will be for college students.

Both the programs will be at Gandhi Darshan, Exhibition Grounds, Nampally, Hyderabad. Time for the Program on 14th August will be from 11 am to 1 pm and for the program on 15th August will be from 2 pm to 4 pm. Members of the public are also being invited to participate.