What we need: trust and peace

BANGALORE: M Awais was just walking out of a workshop on Mahatma Gandhi on the IIM-B campus when The Times of India caught up with him. He was the quieter among the lot sitting in a circle on the floor in the institute auditorium discussing the issue, but was ardently listening to everybody in the team speak about the great leader.
Awais is from Pakistan and is attending the South Asian Youth Conference.For this youth representing the Youth Advisory Panel of UN Funds for Population, it's his first time in India. "It took me two days to convince my parents about my visit. They are still so scared. But, I am so much at home here. I don't feel I've stepped into another country. We are so similar," he said.
"There's some anger in the people in Pakistan, but more than that it's a hope that both countries will become friends one day," he said, when asked about the people's perception of India in his homeland. "We watch Bollywood movies. Hindi songs are very popular. Our cultures are so similar. For many like me, it was our childhood dream to come to this land," he added.
"I personally don't think there will be an end to strife without solving the Kashmir issue. And to solve it will require time. Conferences like these will help. The common man will get a chance to bust the misconceptions we have about each other," he added.
Like him, members of other countries also feel that youngsters have a huge role to play in building bilateral ties between countries. "Youth can be a great power. Afghanistan, for instance, has a youth population of 60% but it is not represented in the government. We have SAARC but it is not functioning the way we want it to. We need a powerful organisation with a representation of youngsters which can bring about a change," said Maeed Zahir from the Maldives.
"Each country in this region has its own problems. But sometimes, the problems are common to all of us. But we are bonded by barriers. This needs to change. We need a platform to share ideas that can be replicated by other countries which face similar problems," said Saunak Bhatta from Nepal.
"Like how people from Afghanistan are now looking at meditation as one of the means in police and justice reforms in their country," added Rahul Nair from India.
Agreeing with him, Bhagya Senaratne from Sri Lanka said, "It need not be only trade and economy. We can share our music, food and other cultural factors to strengthen the bond."
"I will go back and create a strong network of youth who are ready to volunteer to bring about a change," said Mohammed Jan from Afghanistan, on his plans after going back.
That a helping hand exists is appreciated, but more needs to be done. "There is a negative peace in our country now. We need a lot of things to be done. 68% of the girls are still out of school. There are no schools or teachers for them. India is lending a hand with scholarships. My brother is studying in Allahabad University on one such scholarship. But the public perception remains that we are from a dangerous country. All this needs to change," said Leema Ahmed from Afghanistan.
"We are tired of war. We are fed up. We need to work unitedly" was the overriding sentiment which echoed from all the countries facing conflict, in the SAARC region. "There's no point blaming each other, our governments are already doing it. What we want is solutions," said Pradeep Bashyal from Nepal.