Ravi Nitesh , Daily Times( https://dailytimes.com.pk/224313/why-razas-return-is-important/ )
Raza’s actions were not a crime, neither a threat to anyone who believes in peace, plurality, diversity, equality, humanity and other noble values that religions and constitutions teach us.
Pakistan is a beloved country to me and the reason behind is its people who helped to introduce me with real Pakistan. It was not the same when I was unaware about people of Pakistan. When I was young, I knew very little about Pakistan and this little information was primarily constructed by the people around me, namely my family, friends and society and then by the secondary media of newspapers and televisions.
I only knew that Pakistan is an enemy country and military fights have been taken place with it. Gradually, more information like ‘terrorism’ entered in the knowledge sphere and ‘Pakistan’ was responsible for it. Pakistan was an enemy country for me and was always in my curiosity. I did not get answers of many things as no one around me could guide me. Sometimes, I kept questions till myself only.
But with the time, when I learnt more from my own experiences, more about diversity, equality, communalism and secularism, I started knowing little more about Pakistan and realized that there is hatred about Pakistan because of the lack of communication and ample of miscommunication. I started believing that people around the world are almost same and all deserve and desire love and peace. I started believing that peace is a common need.
With the time, I understood more about society, politics, culture and conflicts through my interest in subjects of human rights, peace and development. I found that conflicts between India and Pakistan have affect upon common people because heavy expenditure upon arms and defence budget of both countries (major portion to secure against the other) actually diverts fund that could have been used to address basic issues of common people. But another affect, that is probably more dangerous is that the long sustained Indo-Pak conflict, mixed with misinformation have created hatred and stereotypes against each other and hence a disadvantage for any society that desires to evolve itself as civilized society.
To my curiosity, I also found many persons and initiatives who advocated Indo-Pak peace. I found people who though did not know much about Pakistan and had never met with a Pakistani, but had hated them. I also met with people who knew everything bad about Pakistan but still they thought that people there are not bad and I found some who even wanted to go to Pakistan once. During all these years, I also met with people who had travelled to Pakistan and even with Pakistanis who had travelled to India. All such collective experiences and my individual passion towards peace building and human rights built a strong conviction within me that we may ‘clear’ the doubts, stereotypes of people just by becoming a bridge between the two sides. With the time, this conviction became a full-fledged voluntary initiative named Aaghaz-e-Dosti that works mostly with school children to provide them peace education, to connect them with their mates across border via video conferencing. In this journey, I met so many Pakistanis, online and offline, but did not find even a single enemy yet.
Raza Khan, a Pakistani who became a very good friend and was voluntary working with Aaghaz-e-Dosti as its convener has contributed much in bringing younger generations of two countries closer. It was due to his work for Aaghaz-e-Dosti that many students in Indian and Pakistani schools found an opportunity to break their stereotypes, to ‘clear’ misunderstandings and to convert ‘hatred’ in to ‘love’. Whenever I think about these young students, I think about myself as I did not get these beautiful sessions during my childhood to break my stereotypes and to clear my misunderstandings.
Raza is missing since December 2, 2017 and there is no whereabouts still after four months. Few students even sent paintings about him, prayed for his soon recovery when they got to know about him through media. Children from Pakistan, India, Japan and other countries also sent their art works in solidarity with Raza. Civil society in Pakistan, family and friends of Raza are raising their voice to appeal with government of Pakistan to do serious efforts for bringing Raza back. His admirers and friends from India, like us praying for his return and have their trust upon the government of Pakistan.
Raza’s return is much required for his family and friends for the reason that they are attached with emotionally, but his return is much needed for Pakistan because society needs him. Raza’s actions were not a crime, neither a threat to anyone who believes in peace, plurality, diversity, equality, humanity and other noble values that religions and constitutions teach us.
I know that there would be many persons like Raza who would keep this flame of friendship and peace alive at all times, but Raza’s return would ensure the larger society, common people that peace wins and justice exists. It would ensure that peace building is a noble service and not a crime. His presence would not only be an asset for Pakistan, but would be helpful in larger cause of society, specially to younger generations who are future of our nations.
The writer is Founder, Aaghaz-e-Dosti, an Indo-Pak Friendship Initiative
Published in Daily Times, April 6th 2018.
