Unfazed by the dominant narrative focusing on conflict, a small group of teens and young adults convened by by the Southasia Peace Action Network or Sapan, is quietly working together across borders to share their vision for peace in the region and beyond
By Southasia Peace Action Network
“We are brothers and sisters on different sides of a border. Peace is not only possible, it’s natural — if we can talk, listen, and treat each other with sincerity.”
Shazain, a teenager in Karachi, speaks from the heart about the deep similarities between Indian and Pakistani people, lamenting how political divisions have kept them apart.
He is among the nearly dozen or so young people between 17 to 25 years of age from around the region who have come together in an inspiring display of cross-border solidarity from across Southasia* at a series of powerful dialogues organised by the Southasia Peace Action Network, known as Sapan.
Having dialogued amongst themselves for nearly two weeks, the group also created a collaborative poster titled ‘A Moment of Peace’.
They also came together for a Sapan last-Sunday-of-month online event on May 25 titled “What does peace mean to young Southasians?” where young speakers from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka shared personal narratives, political reflections, and ideas for building peace in the region.
The session opened with moving remarks from Sapan founding member and senior activist Lalita Ramdas, 84, who shared the Sapan Founding Charter that calls for governments across the region to let people meet, trade, and travel. Speaking with a photo of her late husband, former Indian Navy Chief Admiral Ramu Ramdas behind her, she said that his dearest wish was for India and Pakistan to have good neighbourly relations.
Senior journalist Namrata Sharma in Kathmandu led the ‘In Memoriam’ section commemorating legendary departed figures whose vision Sapan aims to take forward, like Kuldip Nayar, Asma Jahangir, I.A. Rehman, Nirmala ‘Didi’ Deshpande and others. Participants also paid homage to Leila Kabir, the Bangladeshi origin rights activist who passed away in Delhi last month, whose cousin Khushi Kabir in Dhaka is a Sapan founder member. Leila Kabir’s late husband was the respected Indian politician George Fernandes.
“We cannot talk about peace and prosperity in Southasia unless we meaningfully include its youth, who represent nearly half of the population,” said event host Sarita Bartula, a Nepali-origin Sapan founding member and twice former President of Youth Initiative Nepal. Her words underscore the urgency of listening to and empowering the region’s future leaders.
From Bangladesh, student and activist Prapti shared a passionate reflection on the 2024 “Monsoon Revolution” that led to the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. She called for linking peace with justice. “There is no peace without justice,” she declared, drawing attention to the ongoing struggles of Bangladesh’s indigenous communities and youth activists.
From Delhi, Amber added a deeply personal perspective, reflecting on her family’s migration from what is now Pakistan and her dual religious identity as the daughter of a Muslim mother and Hindu father.
“I am my grandmother’s granddaughter, a listener, a bridge between many stories,” she said.
Her words captured the spirit of the gathering: rooted in memory, hopeful for change, and committed to unity beyond borders.
From Nepal, Arya drew the attention to how peace is freedom and simple acts like banding together over music and art are also manifestations of peace. To her” Peace is not just personal. It’s shared. It’s connection.”
Onali from Sri Lanka recounted how ordinary citizens merely reached out to one another during conflict and established a dialogue with each other which provided a huge boost to the recovery process in Sri Lanka.
Providing historical context, Kabir from Delhi reminded participants that “Peace and power are bed fellows”. He emphasised that the definition of peace is well known but “frequently violated” by powerful interests.
From Lahore, Noor expressed her growing concerns over the role of the media while highlighting how vulnerable the public is to propaganda when triggered or emotionally aroused. She highlighted the need to bring stories from Kashmir to center stage.
Sher in Islamabad underscored the importance of bringing young people together to discuss the role of climate change and spoke about how crucial it is to collaborate with each other to confront the universal problems.
All participants emphatically expressed that their power is in their numbers, their choices and above all in their own individual and collective voices.
Moderated by peacebuilder Ranjini, a consultant in Delhi, the event created a safe, open space for young voices to be heard and respected by elders and peers alike. Participants spoke of generational trauma, the meaning of trust, and the need for demilitarisation and people-to-people dialogue.
The 60 or so participants who joined the call to hear the young Southasians’ views was the acclaimed artist and Sapan founder member Salima Hashmi.
“One often speaks of the ‘perspective of youth’ but how often does one actually hear them? It was elevating to listen to multiple young people speak of their vision of peace – their views were diverse, thoughtful and often inspiring,” she commented later, adding: “Southasia is in safe hands is what I was quietly thinking to myself!”
The event reaffirmed the belief upheld by Sapan members that young people are not just the future, but active agents of change. As tensions across Southasia remain high, the voices of its youth offer not only critique but also the vision for peace that is just, inclusive, and transformative.
These young Sapaners from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka are holding a special interactive session of ‘What Does Peace Mean to Young Southasians’ Sunday 15 June 2025, with climate activist and environmental lawyer Ahmad Rafay Alam. Today’s session will take place at 11:00 a.m. ET / 2 p.m. BST / 8:00 p.m. PKT / 8:30 p.m. IST / 8:45 p.m. NPT / 9 p.m. BST.
Lead Image : Salima Hashmi: ‘Zones of Dreams’ 1996. Triptych, 152×306 cm. Acrylic, tea wash , collage, gold leaf, pigment and ink on handmade paper. Acquired by Cartwright Hall, Bradford City Gallery, U.K., the work is “based on the dreams for the promise of a future Southasia – a fabled fabric of shared histories and enriched by its many peoples, and their collective hopes”. Image supplied by the artist.
For more information, contact: southasiapeaceactionnetwork@gmail.com
Dear Sir / Madam ,
I read the recent communique with great interest . SAPAN is a great organisation.
The recent On line meeting was exclusively for young people . Good . The future should be in the hands of young people.
I as a 78 year old feel excluded and left out . You do publish “ Comments “ . Thanks a lot . But I would like someone like Ms Beena Sarvar to answer my Questions in my Comments .
How can I participate in On line discussions where age is not a bar.
There are many nations participating in SAPAN . It is not just about India / Pakistan .
Presently ,India and Pakistan are laughing stock of the whole World . They are behaving like 2 naughty children in a Class full of decent kids . Time these 2 nations grew up and behaved more responsibly and respectfully towards each other . They should be the best of friends .
It is unlikely to happen in my lifetime.
Dear Ranjit ji, thank you so much for your comment and support. We are delighted to have you with us.
Age is no bar at Sapan. Our oldest participants are well into their late 80s and early 90s. Please endorse the Sapan Founding Charter at http://www.southasiapeace.com/founding and add a comment about how you would like to participate.
Agree entirely about how these two are behaving, and yes, it is not just about the two of them.
p.s. Apologies for having missed some of your emails. Will respond at the earliest.
Sincere regards