Doda conference was being organized on 23-25 July on the topic ‘’ Need for Social Transformation’’ at Doda, J&K. An article has already been written at this blog regarding the objectives of the conference. Now, after the conference, experiences and outcomes are necessary to be shared here.
Approximately 250 social activists were invited there by Gandhi Smriti & Darshan Samiti from different states of India. People who participated from local places were from Jammu, Srinagar, Badgam etc. People of Doda participated in large numbers. It was a scene like a festival, where everyone was happy after meeting each other. We all felt that it was the best method of spreading the message of love and peace among everyone, by giving them a chance to meet each other at one place. It was a real people to people communication.
Some noted and renowned persons were also participated such as Wajahat Habbibullah (Chairman, National Minority Commission), Madhu Kishwar (Human rights activist and member Kashmir Committee), Manimala (Director, Gandhi Smriti & Darshan Samiti), Faisal Khan (renowned social activist), Prof. Rajendra Chaudhary, Ulka Mahajan, Zaheeb (SAMAR) , Jiender Choubey (Activist, bihar), Guddi Behan (YMUB), Mohammad Gandhi (better known as Comrade Gandhi), Santosh Ji (Sarvodaya leader) and many others. Shahab (Chenab Welfare & Education Society, Doda), Dr. Muzaffar (J&K RTI movement) and many other local individuals and activists participated. Sessions on role of youths, RTI, Peace & harmony, process of social transformation, Interest free banking etc were conducted and on the last day cultural programs was also organized by local artists. This was probably the first national level conference based on peace and harmony which was held at Doda, and where common people also get the opportunity to share their experience and to present their views. It was a successful conference, as the it also held an open session for better communication with people, where all exchanged their views, shared their experiences and problems and asked questions to speakers on various issues.
We all realized there the welcome nature of kashmiris, we felt what kashmiriyat is all about. Many of us had already seen the nature’s beauty of Kashmir, but the real beauty of culture, of tradition, of behavior was experienced first time by many of us. As my expectation was, it became true that we all laughed and wept for each other.
We came to know about the basic and specific issues of Kashmir. We listen the problems of being a kashmiri, as one young man told. It was all about the problems of kashmiri students, who go for higher education in different states of India and then face many problems there, just because of being a kashmiri. Sometimes people don’t allow them to have a room on rent, sometimes police humiliate them and all eyes see him as suspicious person.
Another young man shared a logical point that why there is no person from Kashmir, in any famous game such as cricket’s IPL, ICL? Are here no players who can play well?
A student of Jammu University shared his views about internal conflicts of Jammu Vs Kashmir Vs Laddakh and its political reasons and effects. People also spoke about the local issues of corruption, lack of accountability and human rights violation.
One delegation of youth including Md Tanveer, a young human rights activist from Chennai and Editor of Situation Asia Portal, interacted with students and faculties of Degree college, Doda and expressed concern over education related issues.
Chenab welfare and education society, a local NGO of Doda, supported the event at local level and arranged all facilities for activists. Shahab from Chenab Welfare and Education Society urged all other people and organizations to be involved in development related work through confidence building and people to people communication and to raise the united voice against all human rights violation in the region.
As far as the outcome is concern, it is true that one event cannot change the whole scenario; however it is a step of beginning. After this conference, we became ready to fight together.
Manimala ji announced that a collection of local songs will be made by a local team, and just after completion of work, this will be published in all regional languages of India, so that people of other parts may also enjoy and understand the tradition of Kashmir.
Gandhi Global Family, a collaborating organization awarded 20 persons from different places with Mahatma Gandhi Doot Medal for their contribution in the sector of Peace & Harmony.
The delegation, who visited the degree college, promised to give its support for career counseling. Delegation expressed its desire to organize an annual camp of film screening and documentary making to train the youths. Delegation also suggested the students to get updates with internet and to take any help online.
Senior activists became united with kashmiri people and announced to raise their united voice in case of any human rights violation there. They exchanged contacts of each other and requested to report if any issue of human rights violation took place.
A group of activists including Dr. Sandeep Pandey (Megsesay Awardee and founder of ASHA) , Faisal Khan (Peace Activist, NAPM) and Ravi Nitesh (Activist and President Mission Bhartiyam) with the help of other activists and their network at various places, announced to help all kashmiri students who are living in various places in India. They assured that their network will assist if any student seeks help.
By these announcements, we all realized that this may be the true initiatives, which may not give the political solution, but it is clear that this communication will surely help in making the way of political dialogues. People to people communication and mutual understanding will help in confidence building.
We all hope that we will work together for establishing and spreading peace and harmony.
Best wishes to our Kashmir family
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