#Southasia Peace Action Network

[beenasarwar]

A passionate fighter for a fairer world bows out

Bangladeshi lawyer Sigma Huda passed away recently, at a time when her voice is sorely needed. Journalist Mandira Nayar pays tribute

Sigma Huda– 20 July 2024 Bangladeshi lawyer Sigma Huda passed away recently, at a time when her voice is sorely needed By Mandira Nayar / Sapan News The passing of Sigma Huda leaves a huge void in our hearts as well as in her country Bangladesh. The government clampdown on widespread protests by students has led to over 100 deaths. Sigma’s voice in such a situation would count. A prominent…

[bharatlivenewsmedia]

For May Day, a Call to Defeat Gender, Class and Caste Divisions Among Workers of Southasia

For May Day, a Call to Defeat Gender, Class and Caste Divisions Among Workers of Southasia

For May Day, a Call to Defeat Gender, Class and Caste Divisions Among Workers of Southasia The last Sunday of April this year marked the ninth anniversary of the Rana Plaza garment factory collapse in Dhaka. It was also the birthday of late Southasian feminist activist Kamla Bhasin who always stood for workers’ rights. The Southasia Peace Action Network, or Sapan, organised an online gathering…

[beenasarwar]

 The revival of SAARC and the larger question of regional solidarity and integration

Bangladeshi leader Dr Yunus’ call for “a summit of SAARC leaders even if it is only for a photo session because that will carry a strong message” underscores the critical need to make Southasia an effectively interconnected region. If India refuses to travel to Pakistani for a SAARC summit, other alternatives must be thought out, argues a peace studies scholar By Dr. Saeed Ahmed Rid “I am a big…

[beenasarwar]

Southasian feminist Kamla Bhasin: Still turning walls into bridges

After the iconic Southasian feminist passed away in 2021, several organisations teamed up to acknowledge individuals who take forward her mission of upholding human rights across Southasia, ensuring equality, safety and dignity for all. By Neha Kirpal / Sapan News Network “Being a woman referee doesn’t stop me from showing a red card in a men’s tournament,” beamed the pioneering Bangladeshi…

[beenasarwar]

How can India and Pakistan 'win without fighting'?

Why can't Pakistan-India ties be modelled on Aiyar's relationship with his old friend Javed Jabbar, a self-proclaimed "chauvinist and narrow-minded Pakistani" -- they disagree on almost everything "yet we are the closest of friends" as Aiyar said.

When an Indian is in the room, and it isn’t ‘bad news’ – and why can’t the relationship between India and Pakistan be modelled on the relationship between Mani Shankar Aiyar and Javed Jabbar? Thoughts on The Citizens Foundation annual gala in Boston, a discussion on ‘Improving Indo-Pak Relations’ hosted from Kolkata, cricket, qawwali, education and collaboration PERSONAL POLITICALBy Beena…

[beenasarwar]

A region rooted in resistance

A recent panel discussion highlights the key challenges facing Southasia’s social movements from modern day genocide to environmental justice. There was no shortage of ideas as activists and experts unpacked these urgent issues By Pragyan Srivastava, Sapan News Network “Bangladesh’s biggest political changes have emerged through mass movements, not traditional political channels,” said Khushi…

[beenasarwar]

Global community screenings of 'Democracy in Debt' conclude the first phase with enthusiastic engagement

The documentary has resonated far beyond Sri Lanka, with nearly 50 screenings in 14 countries across five continents. From bustling urban venues to intimate community gatherings, the screenings have sparked critical conversations on governance, transparency, and democracy. By Pragyan Srivastava/Sapan News The Pulitzer Center-supported documentary ‘Democracy in Debt: Sri Lanka Beyond the…

[beenasarwar]

A South Asia theatre festival in Boston

The last play of the festival is Laxman-er Shaktishel, based on Lokkhoner Shaktishel, an early 20th century farcical retelling of an episode from the Ramayana. The original "has been one of the most enduring children's plays in Bengal".

Off-Kendrik started over 16 years ago, “committed to building a broad platform for South Asian theatre groups and the next generation of South Asian Americans through theatre and storytelling”. PERSONAL POLITICALBy Beena Sarwar I went to see ‘Madho’ last night with my mother at the Third South Asia Theatre festival, SAATh 2024, in the Boston area. A musical play set in Lahore, it is written and…

[beenasarwar]

A life well-lived and causes worth fighting for

Admiral ‘Ramu’ Ramdas (5 September 1933-15 March 2024) Remembering the late Admiral ‘Ramu’ Ramdas on his 91st birthday – someone who never gave up on the idea of India, a country he loved dearly and upheld a vision of as an inclusive, syncretic, and humane nation where diverse cultures can live harmoniously. He was a key figure in the Pakistan-India peace and anti-nuclear movements, and more…

[beenasarwar]

'It felt good to just be at the border and raise slogans for peace' - Harsh Mander

"If it's not one, it's the other" - Personal Political: Beena Sarwar's followup column on the joint Pakistan-India Independence Days celebrations at Wagah border. Indians were stopped at Friendship Memorial and not allowed to proceed to Zero Point.

This year, when Pakistani authorities granted permission after a decade for peace activists to jointly celebrate Pakistan and India’s Independence Days at Wagah border, the Indians were not allowed to reach Zero Point. PERSONAL POLITICALBy Beena Sarwar / Sapan News “If it’s not one, it’s the other,” commented Salima Hashmi with a wry smile. The prominent artist and educator in Lahore was…

[beenasarwar]

What I've learned from Noam Chomsky

As news of Noam Chomsky’s failing health makes the rounds, a journalist and peace activist from Pakistan shares some of her learnings from interactions with a trailblazing public intellectual whose moral compass has impacted the world. By Beena Sarwar I once asked Noam Chomsky how he manages to remember so many facts and figures and hold audience attention. He replied that he didn’t convey any…

[beenasarwar]

Two years of Sapan, honouring Lyse Doucet, a music competition, and more

Can you believe Sapan has been at it for two years? That’s the Southasia Peace Action Network, Sapan, ICYMI (‘in case you missed it’ for the uninitiated, helping you get with it, you’re welcome) Excited for the second anniversary event up this Sunday, hosted by the amazing Khushi Kabir in Dhaka, taking forward the legacy of our late friend Kamla Bhasin at Sangat. We’ll review what we’ve done…

[beenasarwar]

Curtain raiser: ‘The Next Wave’ - Exploring social movements shaping Southasia’s future

An online discussion hosted by the Southasia Peace Action Network on Sunday will explore the catalysts for change in the region with activists and scholars from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, and India, sharing vital insights on people’s movements. By Pragyan Srivastava / Sapan News Desk What causes a people to rise up? What makes a movement go beyond a moment and become a revolution?…

[beenasarwar]

The cross-border solidarity of Amrita Pritam and Fahmida Riaz, the student movement, and peacemongering today

A hybrid event in Delhi commemorating two iconic feminist poets of Pakistan and India reminded me of the student movement my father led, and the need for cross-border solidarity, peace, and dialogue

Poster for the event honouring Amrita Pritam and Fahmida Riaz. Courtesy PIPFPD The latest Southasia Peace Action Network (Sapan) newsletter we put out highlighted a commemoration in Delhi for two iconic feminist poets of Pakistan and India: How the friendship of two cross-border feminist poets symbolises our work; upcoming events, and more Radical love, epitomised by the late Amrita Pritam and…

[beenasarwar]

Hello, and updates from Sapan News and Southasia Peace Action Network

Hello - sharing a newsletter sent out yesterday from the Sapan Alliance on Substack. In times that can feel dark and dismal, we bring you some good news and exciting updates. Plus, how you can help Sapan News meet the NewsMatch challenge!

Sharing a newsletter sent out yesterday from the Sapan Alliance on Substack: Greetings friends: In times that can feel dark and dismal, we bring you some good news and exciting updates. Have you met Sapan News? A unique media outlet that aims to cover and connect Southasia, the Indian Ocean and diaspora. That goes behind the headlines, connects communities, academics, activists, and more.…

[beenasarwar]

A Bollywood lyricist's daughter in Pakistan and other stories

As I work on developing a new media entity, Sapan News Network syndicated features which emerged from Sapan, the Southasia Peace Action Network, SubStack seems like a good place to revive like the Yahoo-group community feel. Or is it? Feedback welcome.

Some steps in a journey sparked by India and Pakistan’s nuclear tests in 1998 Screenshot from Sapan News site, designed by Aekta Kapoor. Inspired by email updates from Isa Daudpota and Harsh Kapoor of South Asia Citizen’s Wire (SACW) after India and Pakistan tested nuclear weapons, I too had begun a bcc email list. This developed into my beena-issues Yahoo-group in 1998 but I had begun to post…