Journeys to democracy

Sharing below the press release of an event we’re organising this weekend. Free and open to the public. Registration required. Scroll below for details.

Sunday April 25, online event

An international squash player, a former test cricketer, an eminent South Asian political commentator, a cricket star and well-known sports journalists will come together this weekend to bat for peace at the online event ‘Khelne Do – Imagine! Neighbours in Peace’. 

Organised by the recently launched South Asia Peace Action Network, the Khelne Do (Play for Peace) discussion is the first of curated monthly events themed Imagine! Neighbours in Peace, a title borrowed from an unpublished volume by Chowk, 2005.

The South Asia Peace Action Network formed on March 28 is a coalition of individuals and organisations joining hands to take forward the principles and ideals of peace, justice, democracy and human rights that mentors and leaders like I.A Rehman, Asma Jahangir, Dr Mubashir Hasan, Nikhil Chakravartty, Nirmala Deshpande, Kuldip Nayar, Rajni Kothari and others envisioned and worked for.

The event takes place at a time when there is hope that visas will be granted to Pakistani players and touring media for the T20 World Cup scheduled in India later this year. 

It is also a time when the region is beset by extraordinary challenges, including those thrown up by the coronavirus pandemic. The way forward lies in greater socio-economic cooperation, resource-sharing, and a visa-free SouthAsia or confederation of nations with soft borders believes the SAPAN coalition.

Prominent SouthAsian commentator Kanak Mani Dixit from Nepal and environmental, peace and rights activist Lalita Ramdas will kick off the event by providing an overview acknowledging the shared grief of those impacted by the pandemic while looking ahead. 

The event also brings the best, brightest and veterans to discuss sports — an obsession in South Asia — and its power to bring people together.

A star-studded panel moderated by Rajdeep Sardesai, one of India’s most credible TV anchors, includes former Pakistani test cricketer Jalaluddin, international squash player Nooreena Shams, and Fidel Fernando of CrickInfo, Sri Lanka. The other panel brings together ace journalists Afia Salam, Zainab Abbas, Sharda Ugra and Bangladeshi analyst Nazneen Firdausi talking sports, spilling locker-room secrets, and their cross-border experiences. 

From Bangalore Lakshmipathy Balaji makes a special video appearance with journalist Mehmal Sarfaraz. Currently the bowling coach for Chennai Super Kings, Balaji is remembered for being cheered by all of Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore during the Indian team’s 2004 tour of Pakistan. 

The panel discussions will be followed by small, moderated group discussions focusing on the way forward and action items.

IN BRIEF:

EVENT: #KhelneDo Panel discussion with Kanak Dixit, Rajdeep Sardesai, Lalita Ramdas, Zainab Abbas, Sharda Ugra, Fidel Fernando, Jalaluddin and others

DAY: Sunday April 25, 2021

TIME: 8 pm PKT, 8.30 pm IST, 11 am EDT,  4 pm GMT

Free and open to the public. Registration required. 

To register please click this link.

Follow SAPAN on social media:  @southasiapeace on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

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Filed under: Progressive politics, Southasia |