Indus Heritage - A Journey of Peace Across Borders

Students of Khaldunia Islamabad with half painted mural which was completed by Delhi students.

Funkor Child Art Center was invited to "Peace readings on writings of Pablo Neruda, Saadat 
Hassan Manto and Indus valley and Harrapan civilization' under the travelling literature festival initiated under UNESCO's donate-e-book initiative. To develop Peace across borders among the young adults, Nivesh in partnership with the National Museum Institute organized sessions of interactive Peace readings for school students in the age group of 15 to 17 years as part of our travelling literature festival. The readings included sessions to calibrate the writings and work of Neruda as well as Manto and had students from India and Pakistan. Two girls from Swat Kohistan were chosen as well as students from Lahore but they could not make it due to visa problems.14 students from Khaldunia High who were able to participate in the workshop started a mural "Indus Heritage" , under the guidance of painter/author Fauzia Minallah. Their mural depicts river Indus, the famous dancing girl' from Mohenjodaro holding a peace sign with colours of India and Pakistan's Flags. This mural was finished by Indian students in Delhi. 
The Indian students painted an ancient city of the Indus Valley Civilisation with the river Indus flowing through the canvas. Throughout the workshop students participated in several enriching sessions . The most popular was the 'drumming' circle'. Pakistani students read Pablo Neruda;s poems and performed Saadat Hasan Manto's play 'Aakhri Salute'. They also danced to the folk music of Pakistan.
The certificate distribution ceremony was held at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Museum Mr. Anil Shastri was the chief guest. In his speech he told children that the hatered between India and Pakistan is created by the vested interests of Politicians young generation should work for PEACE. Fauzia Minallah also spoke on occasion, she said that "I was in Delhi last year with a group of Pakistani students. It was an amazing experience for me as well as for the students. It was our very first visit to India. The Pakistani students had useful interaction with Indian students. I pray every Pakistani child has this exposure of interacting with Indian students. This is very important because the borders between India and Pakistan have become so high and so wide that we have to work for Peace. I am glad to be a part of this peace process initiated by Ghummakhad Narain, National Museum Institute, UNESCO, NIVESH AND HHACH. For us in Pakistan the whole process of applying for visas is a long painful process. One only wishes it is easier for the next generation and the next generation of India and Pakistan learn to co exist in peace with eachother." .

Fauzia Minallah explaining the concept of 'Indus Heritage'

Opening Ceremony in Delhi

Introductions with Ayush

Nature walk in Lodhi Gardens with Jaya Iyer and Alok

Art workshop with Neha Juneja

Mural painting for peace with Fauzia Minallah. Completing 'Indus Heritage'

Group photo of Indian and Pakistani students with Fauzia Minallah

Osama and Taha giving a presentation on the 'Indus Valley Civilisation'

Osama and Taha giving a presentation on the 'Indus Valley Civilisation'

Tour of the National Museum with Praneet

Conflict resolution workshop with Ayush

Zainab, Xenia,  Areeja and Haleema reciting 'The Lost Child' by  Pablo Neruda

Faizaa and Wadaan reciting 'The Birds' by  Pablo Neruda

Zainab abd Dua giving a presentation on Saadat Hasan Manto

Yawar giving a presentation on Pablo Neruda

Osama and Abdullah performing 'Aakhri Salute' by Manto 

Dances with folk music from Pakistan

Shaguna Galihote's address during the closing ceremony at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Museum.

Delhi students singing 'Dosti barhi haseen hai'

Delhi students singing 'Dosti barhi haseen hai'

Shobhani expressing her views on the 'peace workshop'

Shobhani on behalf of all the Indian students presenting a gift to Osama and other Pakistani students.