
Peace in Southasia beyond ideological barriers
Sapan, Southasia Peace Action Network, is a coalition of peace activists and organisations working towards freedom of trade, travel and tourism in the region, people-to-people contact especially between India and Pakistan, and for soft borders or visa on arrival for Southasians in each other’s countries.
We are carrying forward the vision of mentors and leaders like Nirmala Didi Deshpande, Dr Mubashir Hasan, Kuldip Nayar, I.A. Rehman, Nikhil Chakravartty, Asma Jahangir, Rajni Kothari, Eqbal Ahmad and others.
To see the Sapan Founding Charter and a list of the individuals and organisations already on board, and to join us, click here.
NOTE: Writing Sapan like this rather than all caps makes it a word which means ‘dream’. And, borrowing from Himal Southasian, we use ‘Southasia’ as one word, “seeking to restore some of the historical unity of our common living space, without wishing any violence on the existing nation states”.
- New York ‘MET’ catalogue linked to alleged looting and trafficking figuresOnes from Southasia include the Celestial Dancer from India, the statue of Shreedhar Vishnu from Bungmati in Nepal and 94 relics from Kashmir.
- Event, Mar 26: Two Years of Sapan – Towards Peace and Solidarity in SouthasiaSouthasia Peace Action Network celebrates its 2nd anniversary! Two years of connecting people and organisations across borders and the diaspora. We at Sapan are excited to honour acclaimed journalist Lyse Doucet of the BBC at our second anniversary event on Sunday, 26 March 2023.
- Oscars 2023: Southasia shines brightThe annual Academy Awards are a big occasion every year but this year the moment was bigger for Southasia with two wins and appearances by Southasian icons and celebrities on the red carpet and pre-event festivities.
- Why Sania Mirza is a Southasian IconTennis champion Sania Mirza is renowned across Southasia not only for her skill on the court but also as a woman who beat all the odds to emerge as a success on and off the court.
- ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It?’ Jemima Khan and Shekhar Kapur deliver a feel-good rom-com with a sturdy messageA personal take on Jemima Khan’s scriptwriter debut, ‘What’s Love Got to Do With It?’ directed by Shekhar Kapur. The film released in UK on February 24 and in Pakistan on March 3.
- Visa issues, Kashmir and the ‘new great game’ between India and PakistanThe question of why the United States does not stand up for its citizens of Indian and Pakistani origin when these citizens are denied visas because of their origins has yet to receive an answer, writes Sabahat Ashraf.
- Celebrating love: Beyond borders and boundaries of religion, caste, and nationality“In the process of suppressing individual happiness over centuries, we have encouraged agents of hate, discrimination, and violence,” comments journalist Aekta Kapoor, moderating an online discussion promoting equality and harmony.
- From Pakistan and Bangladesh to Africa, Brazil and USA: How Climate Change Impacts Women of Colour Across the GlobeOn International Women’s Day, a look at the disproportionate impact of climate change and global warming on half the world’s population, and how women bear the brunt of inequitable policies on matters of the environment.
- The magic of Faiz and the Javed Akhtar controversyIt is unfortunate that of all the art, culture and poetry at the Faiz Festival 2023 held in Lahore recently, it was mostly Javed Akhtar’s controversial comments that made it to the news. But, like the Southasian icon himself, the festival transcended borders, and allowed each visitor to engage with Faiz in their own unique way.
“There is a need for connection among countries in South Asia. We must create economic and healthcare closeness across the region.”
Dr. Amartya Sen,
Nobel Laureate in Economics
“Covid is a reminder that South Asian cooperation must go beyond SAARC meetings.”
Kanak Mani Dixit, Founding Editor, Himal Southasian
“Peace is the way, Peace is too precious to be left to the whims and fancies of leaders and governments, and we the people are reclaiming it.”
Lalita Ramdas, Founder, Greenpeace India
“To fight injustice, ensure rights, bring peace to the excluded and marginalized people of South Asia. Building collective responses and creating our own Sapan is the only option.“
Khushi Kabir, Coordinator,
One Billion Rising, Bangladesh
“Our future cannot be held hostage to the past. We have to form an alternative trajectory for our combined futures.”
Raza Rumi,
Founder, Naya Daur Media
“We will use whatever it takes – singing, poetry, literature, art, love. We will keep taking forward our fight for peace. I don’t think giving up is an option”
Beena Sarwar,
Founder and Curator, Sapan
