About Sapan

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”. 

“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