Aman Ki Asha: A shot in the dark bound to fail…
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As soon as one starts reading the introduction (see below) of this campaign, it is realized that “Aman Ki Asha” is going to make little difference, in any. The purpose of this article is not to suspect the intentions of The Times of India and the Jang Group, but to state obvious reasons why this effort will not change anything. We’ve seen numerous Indo-Pak peace drives during our lives, and almost all have met the same fate.
ABOUT AMAN KI ASHA
The two leading media houses of India and Pakistan – The Times of India and the Jang Group – have come together to develop a stronger Track 2 in the diplomatic and cultural relations between India and Pakistan. “Aman ki Asha: Destination Peace” looks beyond the confines of a 62-year-old political boundary to the primal bonds that tie together the two peoples.
No doubt both TOI and Jang are media giants in their respective countries, but this is exactly why other newspapers and channels are totally ignoring this peace drive. Five days into the campaign, only Geo, Jang, The News and TOI are propagating about it. Others include non-commercial sources such as internet forums and blogs, many of which are against this campaign.
Now one important question, will both TOI and Jang soften their stance on Indo-Pak issues? It is common for press on both sides of the border to further intensify the tensions, and these media giants are not different. Surely their strategy would still remain aggressive for important issues concerning terrorism and national security. This could prove to be a very tricky situation indeed. And even if they do take a U-turn, what about hundreds of other channels and newspaper that constantly promote extremism and religious intolerance?
You may call is it co-incidence, but I’ll call it fate! Just two days before the official launch of “Aman Ki Asha”, Indian Army chief, General Deepak Kapoor renewed tensions with Pakistan by telling that his country is focusing on a two-front war against Pakistan and China. Gen. Kapoor’s remarks remind us of the overall mindset of the key players in both countries. “Aman Ki Asha” or for that matter any other independently run peace campaign cannot succeed without sincere efforts from people in power on both sides of the border.
Do you think “Aman Ki Asha” will make any difference in Indo-Pak peace process?
I know it might be difficult task, but I have more faith on the people of India and Pakistan than our governments.
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The problem is the ppl of IndoPak are very emotional and no doubt they are driven by media. For example one bollywood movie depicting a bad Pakistan can spill water over Aman Ki Asha effort. The governments dont want peace it seems. Specially the armies cos they want to keep enjoying the importance they get.
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It wont make any major differences but I dont agree to the point that armies do that to enjoy their importance, giving their lives for country’s security is not a joke or a fun thing to enjoy!!!
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@ Sarah
Well the ppl who enjoy the importance and the perks that come along are Generals and mostly senior officers. The ones who lost their lives are mostly lower rank officers.
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Everytime it has started one or the other thing has stopped it. Only because of the Kashmir issue it has blown apart. Recent statments from Pakistan President make it clear that their government is not ready for any peace talks. GOD save kashmir.
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@ Vikram
But what about the comments by Indian army chief on fighting Pakistan and China simultaneously? this will go on and on… The govts needs to be serious!
Btw, I would be interested in hearing you point of view on Kashmir issue? What is the common perception in India on this issue?
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@ Satish & Vikram
Can you give us an insight on TOI’s approach? Have they gone soft on Pakistan? Or are they still aggressive? What about other channels and newspapers? Have they given any coverage to Aman ki Asha?
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@ Hamza and Author,
Where I live I see hoardings wherever I travel and in the newspaper the pront page is with the Aman – Ki – Asha pics from both the countries right from the children to youth to aged.
I should tell you, the first thing I felt reading your comment to me was that I had made a fault which is being done everyime and that is pointing fingers and I apologise for that.
I don’t deny that only some organisations are a part of Aman – ki – Asha but in one or the other way everyone want this war to get over. For silly reasons we read people dying on border. By everyone not only hindus but even a small child who is just trying to understand what is being flashed as breaking news in the Television.
And what I feel about the Kashmir issue is that, it was the greatest mistake and the beginning of an horrible future for the people of the two country that were split on basis of religion. When we read of what happened when people were moving from Punjab to Lahore and vice versa we always wish it never happened.
Instead of fighting for Kashmir there should be a treaty of some kind where there is a win win situation for both. It should be done soon, as we now are in 2010 and still fighting for the things that happened in 1940′s and 50′s. In the era where we should be setting DO’s we are setting DON’Ts.
I wrote a comment on your site as there are some like minded people here wanting peace for all. Hope we make some contribution in that process. I was fed with some sites where people from your country are just using slangs against each other involving mothers and sisters. So cheap people are in their mindsets.
Want I want you to do is set an example of a site where it does not happen. I will boast of it over here.
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@ Vikram
I respect your peaceful point of view. Although in my opinion you didn’t make a mistake by pointing out what Pakistan President said, but you are still regretting it, this is a very noble mindset and we (Indo-Pak) have been lacking this kind of attitude overall since past 60+ years. We fight on small matters and dont accept major blunders even.
I guess you would have heard of this Urdu proverb: “Taali dono haathon sayy bajti hai” which roughly means “Both hands are needed for clapping”, in other words both parties are needed for a dispute to arise. Same is case for IndoPak, both sides are at fault. Same was case in 1947 when people were slaughtered on both sides
You are absolutely right that its time to move on and forget past events.
Rest assured we wont let hate and disgusting slangs prevail on this site
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[...] politics of hate. Aman Ki Asha? One can always hope for peace. And commend the attempt. Links: http://www.pakool.com/featured/aman-ki-asha-a-shot-in-the-dark-bound-to-fail/ [...]
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I see this initiative as a very encouraging step taken in a long time. I do believe that the duty at hand is a very tedious and very critical one. It is indeed a stiff ropewalk, when extremists at both sides are looking for their moment of fame.
Having said that, it doesn’t mean we should stop trying. If it is a tough job to do, we need to try it all the more. I believe there are only two kind of people, Good and Bad and there is simply no justification behind being Bad. Civil society of both the countries comprises of people belonging to more or less similar mindset. I just don’t buy the point that just because a person resides in a particular country, he can be tagged. But the point is to have an environment where civil society can be empowered enough to react to statements made by the politicians and Army chiefs of its country.
If we think Army or politicians enjoy their moments of fame, it is because neither we react nor condemn loose talks. Though everybody is free to express their views in democracy, sanity check is still required. It is really embarrassing to see the kind of language used at times by people belonging to even highest ranks. It is applicable to both countries.
Even I have seen shallow people jumping into a serious discussion and turning it into a non-sense argument with their outbursts of slang. We don’t need people to do it and make it worse. Only healthy discussion may lead us to a solution, but argument even if it succeeds, will always leave one with a feeling of having lost his face.
If we become the best of friends, it will be like a dream come true, but we can at least become well behaved neighbors who may not shake hands but won’t break each other’s windows as well.
I just wish that sanity prevails…
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[...] frequent incidents is far greater than good done by these independently run peace campaigns. The lesson learnt is same, peace cannot be achieved until and unless the key players in both countries are serious about [...]
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Why are you ranting about what the Indian chief of army said. What about Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (or maybe some other President) – didn’t he declare that he’d wage a 100 year war against India? Rhetoric has to be taken in that spirit and doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s for real.
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@ Abrar Merchant
Bhutto’s statement coming in the 1971 is something which the people on both sides expected at that time. When an army chief says it, the impact is totally different. Bhutto was a politician after all. This is not an attempt to defend Bhutto, we all know people from both sides give irresponsible comments from time to time and it has to stop.
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@ Pakool
Actually the moment we start this blame game of who said what in past, we are demolishing the agenda. You cannot do much about what somebody said, rather focus on empowering the local public to an extent that they don’t pay heed to any such rubbish. Politicians provoke populist sentiments always and it is prevalent around the globe.
But unlike in the west, where extremists are taken head-on, we all need to ignore these motor mouths and rather strengthen our respective weaknesses.
I believe people with a stable livelihood are less likely to pay heed to extremism. Poverty is prevalent in both the countries and needless to say that It is a bit easier to distract people off their sufferings with these lame adventurous remarks than to actually do something to comfort them.
Don’t know about fanatics, but in general sane people love to live and let live. Assuming the claim that a 100 yr war will actually bear any result, Do anyone of us actually believe their politicians to an extent that they will be able to perform/govern any better than they are doing now. What’s the point of such a war? Do the Army people believe war will solve it all? Is it really possible to wipe out an entire population and govern a country? I am skeptical of such a devastating experiment.
I think we all require schools more than we need bunkers..
Again repeating the same plea,
“Why can’t we just behave like nice non-intrusive neighbors?”
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@ Nishant
Both of your comments are very deep and accurate. The peace process must continue no matter how many people and forces on each side oppose it. Not only we have negative forces on both sides of the border, but we also have the problem of heavy involvement of World powers in this region. Due to geo-strategic location of subcontinent, we’ll always see the West taking interest in our local matters and influencing them.
Please don’t think that by mentioning Gen. Kapoor’s statement in the article I mean to point any fingers. Had there been such a statement by Pakistani officials immediately after launch of Aman ki Asha, I would have surely mentioned that as well as an example.
The majority no doubt wants to live and let live
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I am feeling this Aman-ki-Asha project is just becoming a business venture for the leading news papers involved in it. The music concerts, the album being sold is a live example hidden behind the big banner.
No one is ready to go for the peace talks and the politicians are making the most out of the rift. YES, the politicians I think, do not want this to happen as they are using this to impress their followers by commenting on the opposite side.
I was a frequent visitor to the recently attacked ‘German Bakery’. It was one place I could see there was no nationality or any other barrier. Everyone would enjoy their time and sometimes make friends from other nationality. I say the attack was nothing else but a threat to the world which believes in friendship and peace. Those killed were utterly innocent. I would like Pakistan government to make the most of it by giving a helping hand and improve their image of the common man in India.
What i saw, was there had started a blame game again and no one really cared of the attacked. It is sad that being a human being no one is thinking of the fellow human being in this hour of sorrow.
I hope the terrorists think of their family before targetting the innocent. This is really a sad momnent for us.
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@Pakool
I find it amusing that you accord a army chief’s word more importance than that of a head of state. Grow up man – a PM or a President speaks for his/her country. I agree with you however, these rants should stop.
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Having gone thru all d comments…I’d say ‘Aman Ki Asha’ is a definite success n d way ahead… it got us talking like sensible people – did’nt it
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Pakistan and India have no choice but to live in peace and harmony. Qauid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah had said it in so many words that once Pakistan became stable enough to stand on its own, he would go back to Bombay and work for Hindu Muslim unity. Mahatma Gandhi had made his intention clear and had even announced to come to Lahore to work for Hindu Muslim unity. Both great leaders died before realizing their intent.
What we need to do is to create friendship and understanding between human beings that is Muslims and Hindus. When we talk of aman ki asha between India and Pakistan we talk of two very complex entities and two abstractions whose perception in each mind is of different emotional intensity and this always happens to the exclusion of oneself. That is why we do not move forward because we expect the two complex abstract entities to move.
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