Times of India Front Page – Aman ki Asha, originally uploaded by Bombaylives.
Aman ki Asha is a great start for 2010.
Indo-Pak peace initiative by Times of India and Jang Group.
Hope this Track II diplomacy bring people together gives us the much delayed peace dividend in 2010.
I think this is great start by the Old lady of Boribunder and Jang, It surely needs some courage and guts to do something which can surely piss off many people including Right Wing & Religious parties on both sides.
More power to Times & Jang !!
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/akadefault.cms
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May there be peace between the two countries forever!
I wish aman ki asha all success. I wish and pray that we live as brothers and sisters.
I promise to extend all my support in all possible ways.
This is strange! The people of Pakistan haven’t apologised for the terror attacks in India, nor have there been any efforts from them to book the past culprits of 26/11 incident. A Pakistani terrorist (Ajmal Kasab) is still alive, and awaiting judgement. How can we rush with “Aman ki asha” at this stage!! Let justice be done first before extending a hand for friendship!
Please shelf this unwanted campaign ‘Aman ki asha’ until appropriate justice is done internationally. We do not support ‘Aman ki asha’. We do not want to invite another terrorist attack from another batch of terrorists from Pakistan.
It’s ridiculous to state: Love Pakistan. It is very funny. We can never have such a feeling for a country who have betrayed and disturbed the integration of India, for more than 6 decades.
Time and again whenever we have extended friendship, they have replied us with betrayal.
This peace process should be aborted unless and until the Pakistanis give themselves a free and fair democracy.
Unless that happens, we will set ourselves at naught, even if we extend an iota of courtesy.
In all term: “Love Pakistan” is foolhardy.
I wish aman ki asha would really bring success. I pray that we live as brothers and sisters.
I would like 2 say tht the Film Industry would do much more better than the people can do
we both are affected through Voilence & Uneducation thts the biggest problem thts created terrorism. if we see INDIA other than Pakistan, INDIA is much more n Best compared with Pakistan.EAST or WEST INDIA is the BEST.
kuch bhi ho waise pakistan Hindustan ka chota bhai hai ghar mein to tukde hote hi hain waise par dil 2 hai jo khoon ke josh marta hai.
Khuda ILM de ( GOD PLZ GIVE EDUCATION ) jis se ye do bhai fir se milke EKJOOT ho kar angrez ( GORE LOG ) ko bate de ke hum sab ek hai.
The film industry may have a few film stars who may not necessarily be good advisors for security and safety of its fans!! Aman ki Asha seeks to invite perpetrators of crimes against humanity.
Yes it can be possible if India free the Kashmir.
‘aman ki asha’ is a good step from two media giants from Pakistan n India ….. but i see no success of this slogan from my part , as Indians was justice of their 26/11 n Pakistanis want India in court for their involvement in Baluchistan n so called ‘Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’ which is funded by RAW n Afghanistan n some other international agencies.
the people of both countries want peace, but government n media fuel d fire by creating hype n hate for other country.
nyhow i wish n pray dis ‘aman ki asha’ b a success n both countries control terrorism from their part n solve Kashmir issue ………. ‘Proud to be a Pakistani’
>Danger warrior
>January 2nd, 2010 at 7:27 pm
>
>Yes it can be possible if India free the Kashmir.
And why should India do that? (what is the logic?)
And which other Indian states should be converted to independent nations?
and what about an idea to create 10 independent minute nations out of Kashmir?
And then you would say all nations should create such Indipendent states from unsatisfied parts of country? e.g waziristan and baluchistan out of Pakistan?
@ Muhammad Mubeen
you are saying that :”Indians want justice of their 26/11 n Pakistanis want India in court for their involvement in Baluchistan n so called ‘Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’ which is funded by RAW n Afghanistan n some other international agencies.”
but its not clear what you want, ‘aman ki asha ‘ is a step to combine me n you …its not about providing justice to the victims of both the country…
we know what our history is, and we also know that it should not repeat, then why dont we avoid it and look towards a brighter future…lets unite and set an example to the world that we can do anything we want…
Aman Ki Asha is a brilliant initiative by both the papers. On the Indian side, of course, TOI has always been associated with positive activities of national interest.
I would definitely and fervently hope that this brings in a new dimension altogether to the relations between the two nations. The synergy and the benefits will both be immense.
@sandeep banerjee
January 3rd, 2010 at 10:42 pm
…………..
ya i know its a step to combine both nations ……. my point is just that who will initiate this …….
I hate TOI for doing this. We are opening the doors to Pakistan’s state sponsored terrorism exactly at the time that they are being hunted and killed in their own country. I dont think TOI wants peace as much as it wants ‘Hot news’ by acts of terror on the Indian soil, so it can sell ‘masala’ to the people on the street.
TOI’s have sold their spirit to publicity scams. It started with a daily feature of page3 culture, It went on to scantily clad women being featured everyday (I welcomed that). But, now Its sad that TOI have sunk to an all time low. They are compromising Nationalistic feelings and wounds by getting to bed with the peretrators of Terror. Shame on you TOI. Its not peace you want, sales – thats what you want, and at any cost.
I am a very patriotic Indian, and my wounds from the 26/11 incident haven’t yet healed. TOI, can you please wait before going all out with publicity gimmicks that harm us?
Is this Times of India or Times of Pakistan? As everybody in India know since last 62 years there is no “Aman” in India. All the terrorists are Pakistani. They are acting with the help of Indian terrorists. There are serial bomb blasts, firing killing Innocent Indians. They have destroyed our Kashmir and now destroying other states. They are making riots in India. And how can we expect “Aaman”? This all is bullshit and no real Indian should support this.
Nice effort but it will fail miserably due to a number of reasons. This being a privately run campaign being one. Some other valid reason have been pointed out here:
http://www.pakool.com/featured/aman-ki-asha-a-shot-in-the-dark-bound-to-fail/
If America, Canada , Germany and France can be good neighbours why on earth can’t India and Pakistan be? History can be changed but not geography, friends can be changed but not neighbours.
So let’s (Pakistan & India) join hands to fight our mutual enemies like poverty, illiteracy. The money that is spent on defence budgets if transferred can make hospitals for the sick, schools for the illiterate and roads for the commuters. Let’s see together the vision of a free and prosperous South Asia.
“We have flown the air like birds and swum the sea like fishes, but have yet to learn the simple act of walking the earth like brothers” (Martin Luther King Jr)
We can never be friends. Pakistan separated on basis of religion and they have perpetually wanted to convert all non muslims. This is basis of islam… no peace with pakistan… they are pain in neck for us & will remain so… they snatch lands, rape people & bomb innocents… basis of this country is in terror & so they remain…
alas we can be good neighbors only when India captures whole of it & makes it a part of india like it always was…
My ancestors come from that land.. look what have they made of peace loving, affluent hindu majority, aryan Lahore & Karachi…
sad!
i like this step taken by times of india group….i hope that u…i mean we indians succeed in this aman stuff achievement…
AMAN KI ASHA is the proof that there are saner people on both sides of the border who can boldly accept or say that enough is enough. At least for now. Let bygones be bygones. Letus work, it whatever measures we can or afford, towards ushering in a new era of peace and stability. Let’s now accept the fact that was once mentioned by the former Prime Minister of India-”You can chage history but you can’t change your geography”.So, Pakistan and India have no other option but to remain in peace. It’s a welcome move by the Times of India and Jung group. That too on the New Year Day. Let’s pray that they succeed in their efforts. I’m ready to contribute in whatever capacity I can, towards this noble cause.
I wish to undertake the mission of disseminating Aman Ki Asha amongst all the Pakistani bretheren.
I would like 2 thanks both of news agencies(TOI & Jang) those who take step for peace.
I hope Aman ki Asha Will Be Come b/w Pak & India…..
i wish n pray dis ‘aman ki asha’ b a success n both countries control terrorism from
I Love Pak & India
Agar ye 2no Country me unity Ho tu koi Maai ka laal Kuch nahi karskta….
plz ab hum sub ko milkay is terriosm ka khatma karna chaye…
aoooo sub aik hojaooo…
dikhado in terroist k hum me unity hai…
Allah Pak … Pakistan & India Me Aman Ata Farma
Ameen
i like this step taken by of JANG GROUP
GEO OR GEENAY DO
Like one of you said, there definitely are saner people on both sides…people who are above all this violance and insanity, I have deep sympathy for the families who lost loved ones but whats lost once can’t come back, u have to gulp that truth no matter how painful and the revenge can only be got by punishing the one’s responisile….the terrorists…and they have no religion, no nationality, no humanity…they are worse than animals and do not belong anywhere…it is unfair to keep hatred in our hearts for people like us accross the border who understand the pain of our people just as much…
For years altogether political parties and rulers in pakistan have been playing games with their own people, if they need our help in giving themselves a fair democracy and true freedom we should definitely give them a helping hand of friendship…after all that solves our problems as well… and the first step to that could be AMAN KI ASHA…its baby steps like this that make the baby learn to walk and then run to victory.
Call it business or an unsuccessful attempt, steps such as this can only start the process gradually…their is no point in holding grudges against each other…thats what the terror makers want and unfortunately are getting. If the hands of the government are tied up, then the wiser and braver private parties like the TOI and Jang have to do what they’re doing and I’m proud of this initiative. Every attempt brings us a step closer, makes a difference. It can never get failiure…its a good and important step in the long process of peacemaking between indians and pakis!!! Way to go!
I hope “aman ki asha” will do something from my heart
But I think it will not be able to do anything.
There are many institutions living on the present condition of both the countries.
Till the people of both side will not be educated with real knowledge there will be no hope.
One of the solutions is make a structure where we can unite like European Union and face with real problem.
I feel proud full to be an INDIAN
And I love PAKISTAN as well
YES, THIS IS THE POSITIVENESS WHICH PEOPLE 4M BOTH SIDES WANT. BUT UNTILL WE HAVE SUCH POLITICAL INTERFERENCES IT WOULD REMAIN JUST AN ASHA. “POLITICS DIVIDE AND PEOPLE FIGHT”
HI, MR. PUNEET ARORA,
WHAT DO U THINK OF PREVIOUS WORLD WAR FOUGHT
HI, MR. PUNEET ARORA,
WHAT DO U THINK OF PREVIOUS WORLD WAR FOUGHT
HI,
MR. PUNEET ARORA,
WHAT DO U THINK OF PREVIOUS WORLD WAR FOUGHT
@ Muhammad Mubeen
may be this is the step……..”AMAN KI ASHA”…
its a grt step towards peace..if it is successful evry one wl b benefited……hope it reaches grt hts
May this project bring peace between the 2 countries….
like summone in this thread said
“WE CAN CHANGE HISTORY FOR A BETTER FUTURE BUT NOT GEOGRAPHY”
We can have a better view of the future if this really succeeds.. n even if it does not .. i wud still appreciate the efforts of TOI n Jang Gp …
n for those who don’t wanna support this….let others unite and convinve them that this really is for our own betterment ….
since the majorty wants it to succed the results will take of da rest of the non-believers that both countries really want “aman ”
hope people who alwayz try to create differences btw both the nations see this & pray for aman
why we are into a fight?
why ?
?
?
?
?
the success of this project is the best thing that will happen to people on both sides….. its not the common people who started all this non-sense but i hope it is the common people who end it…..
Aman ki Asha is a bull shit program by major publicity seekers. What aman are they talking about ? the three wars declared by Paki ? the kargil war ? the POK ? the khandhar incident ? ajmal ? What ? One should destroy their families and their houses and then let them kiss the bloody ass of the killers we don’t mind . But please stop any more of these peace solutions without understanding any aspect of our neighbours !!!!!!
its not d media doing all that bullshit,but its us.
its is surely d media initiative but d actual intiative has to b taken by both d country’s citizens who v r
aman ki asha won’t get successful until d people actually take d initiative and forget all d past n start a new bigining towards the aman of both d nations.i know india wants the justice first on d 26/11 act but as i mentioned before its d people who get d change done n not the media.
n those of u who think this is a bullshit pls stay away from this,may b its not ur cup of tea………..
its not d media doing all that bullshit,but its us.
its is surely d media initiative but d actual intiative has to b taken by both d country’s citizens who v r
aman ki asha won’t get successful until d people actually take d initiative and forget all d past n start a new bigining towards the aman of both d nations.i know india wants the justice first on d 26/11 act but as i mentioned before its d people who get d change done n not the media.
n those of u who think this is a bullshit pls stay away from this,may b its not ur cup of tea………..
AMAN KI ASHA CAN BRING THE CHANGE IN THE HUMANISM OS HIDUS AND MUSLIMS.DUE TO BRITISHERS WHO RULED 200 years,WE R FACING SUCH PROBLEMS!.WE MAY HOPE THE INDO-PAK PEACE PROJECT SHOULD WORK!-_- *_*
!
i don’t know why people can’t think positive bout this intiay\tive by TOI AND JANG GROUP……..
Peace between India and Pakistan has been stubbornly elusive and yet tantalizingly inevitable. This vast subcontinent senses the bounties a peace dividend can deliver to its people yet it recoils from claiming a share. The natural impulse would be to break out of the straitjacket of stated positions and embrace an ideal that promises sustained prosperity to the region, yet there is hesitation. There is a collective paralysis of the will, induced by the trauma of birth, amplified by false starts, mistrust, periodic outbreaks of violence, suspicion, misplaced jingoism and diplomatic doublespeak. Hypnotized by their own mantra, the two states are reluctant to move towards normalization until certain terms and certain promises are kept.
In this perennial season of inertia and zero-sum calculations prejudices continue to fester, stereotypes are entrenched and myth replaces reality. Tragically, opportunity knocks unheard on doors bolted on the inside. Opportunism, that appeals to atavistic passions, elicits an instant response to every single knock. It is one of history’s ironies that a people who share so much, refuse to acknowledge their similarities and focus so avidly on their differences. We believe it is time to restore the equilibrium. Public opinion is far too potent a force to be left in the hands of narrow vested interests. The people of today must find its voice and force the rulers to listen. The awaam must write its own placards and fashion its own slogans. The leaders must learn to be led and not blindly followed. Skepticism about the given is often the genesis of faith. This skepticism has been brewing. It can be unleashed to forge a new social compact between the people of this region. A social compact based on a simple yet powerful impulse – Aman ki Asha. A desire for peace.
The media in India and Pakistan speaks directly to the hearts and minds and stomachs of the people. It can help in writing a final chapter, adding a happy twist to a story that seemed headed for tragedy. It can do so by shaping the discourse and steering it away from rancour and divisiveness. It has the maturity to recognize the irritants and obstacles to peace and will not take a timid stance towards the more intractable and contentious issues – whether relating to Kashmir, water disputes or the issue of cross-border terrorism. It can offer solutions and nudge the leadership towards a sustained peace process. It can create an enabling environment where new ideas can germinate and bold initiatives can sprout. The media can begin the conversation where a plurality of views and opinions are not drowned out by shrill voices. It can cleanse polluted mindsets and revive the generosity of spirits which is a distinctive trait of the subcontinent. It can help cool the temperature and wean away the guardians from fortified frontiers. It can argue the case for allocating scarce resources where they are needed the most. It can begin the process of converting swords into plough shares.
The Times of India Group and the Jang Group have come together to energize the process of peace between our two countries. We believe that this is an intervention whose time has come. We recognize that set backs will occur but these should not derail the process. We will need to reach out and pluck the low hanging fruit in the beginning before we aim higher. Issues of trade and commerce, of investments, of financial infrastructure, of cultural exchanges, of religious and medical tourism, of free movement of ideas, of visa regimes, of sporting ties, of connectivity, of reviving existing routes, of market access, of separated families, of the plight of prisoners, will be part of our initial agenda. Through debates, discussions and the telling of stories we will find commonalities and space, for compromise and adjustment, on matters that have bedevilled relations for over 60 years.
When the two neighbors meet they move almost seamlessly into the shared cultural and human ethos. They talk to each other about food, about music, about poetry, about films, about theatre and about the prolonged absences spawned by lost years. They share anxieties, discuss rising prices, seek advice on their children’s education, gossip about their in-laws, trade anecdotes and laugh at the foibles of politicians. We want to lower the walls so that the conversation continues. We have to nurture the seeds of peace that have nestled, untended, for decades in hostile soil.
We owe our unborn generations the right to rise out of the depths of poverty, and squalour. It is embarrassing to read the statistics confirming our resistance to positive change in the fields of education, health and poverty alleviation. All social indices are stacked against us and will remain so unless we scatter the war clouds that menace our skies. There are external elements at work in the region that thrive on the animosity between the two neighbours. They have a stake in keeping the region in turmoil. We need to combat them by making them irrelevant.
A surge of goodwill and flexibility on the part of civil society and the media will push these forces back by denying them the raw material that manufactures hate.
Our subcontinent needs to follow the footprints left behind by the great poets, sufi saints and the bhakts who preached and practiced love and inclusiveness. This is the land of Tagore and Ghalib, of Bulleh Shah and Kabir, of Nanak and Moinuddin Chisti. It is their spirit that will guide us in this journey. The one and half billion people of this region await the dawning of an age where peace, equality and tranquility prevails. This will happen when every heart beats with Aman ki Asha.
For the past 2 years the Jang Group and Geo have been working on a project of great national interest; one that we hope will help usher in an era of peace and prosperity in the country and indeed, in the region. And one that hopefully all Pakistanis can be proud of.
The Jang Group has entered into an agreement with the Times of India Group, the largest media group of India, to campaign for peace between the two countries. This huge initiative by the two largest media groups of India and Pakistan – appropriately called Aman Ki Asha – will advocate the many benefits of peace while also discussing core and non-core issues that have resulted in a state of hostilities and mistrust between the two countries for the past 60 years. Both groups have agreed to honestly and forcefully articulate issues such as Kashmir dispute, the water dispute, issues relating to terrorism and all other obstacles to peace. At the same time, Aman Ki Asha will promote the economic, educational and cultural benefits that an honorable and durable peace between the two neighbors will bring.
We have held detailed consultations with many stakeholders, including the government, the establishment, major political parties, the civil society and a large number of businessmen and corporate leaders. We have been delighted and encouraged by the endorsement and support we have received from all these quarters,
Aman Ki Asha been launched today, on New Year’s Day. We hope that through Aman ki Asha the New Year will herald a wonderful change in Pakistan, in relations between Pakistan and India, in our lives and the lives of our future generations. This is a paradigm shifting initiative in which all segments of society – the civil society, students, the business community, artists, politician, and academia – will be involved. Over the next few weeks and months many events will be held; thousands of people involved in a campaign championing the cause of peace. We hope that the initiative receives the pro-active support of all Pakistan and India – indeed, we are banking on it as the fruits of the endeavour will be reaped by the people of the 2 countries.
“Aman ki Ashah” is a project that might bond india and pakistan togather.If this project suceed we will be thankful to TOI.
i wish aman ki asha is a great succes and we all can live without fear and in harmoy
Aman ki Asha is the heart voice of millions of people. I have been Indian for 20 years and am Pakistani for 25 years. I believe that majority of people in this country is misguided by hawk politicians and media.For patriot Indians and Pakistanis it has become pre requisite to be enemy of other country.It is quite wrong and malicious notion which need to be reversed. Some of our friends who bullshit Aman ki Asha are under this impression. They need to come out of that. We all should believe that FOR INDIANS AND PAKISTANIS NOTHING IS MORE BENEFICIAL THAN FRIENDSHIP OF OTHER COUNTRY.
Read TOI’s child abuse at http://mediacrooks.blogspot.com/
my view is that” you should be the change you expect in others”
the initiative is a start and it may be liked or disliked but at least it creates awareness among the people. aman ki asha will work with time. love pakistan may not be possible for many of us at this stage but at least we can stop the hate pakistan campaign.
obviously the people under the judgement should be convicted and not aquitted and this would be a major turning point for the initiative. people dnt just listen take a step forward for a better india free of terrorism.
while pakistani government and army is skillfully fighting with these so called islamic jihadies ,who want to implement islamic sharia in the that country killing inocent people of pakistan ,are not muslims.these are just terrorists and dont have any religion, are destroying peace in that region .to stop them ,both the nations have to unite through aman ki asha to get rid of these terrorists for the amman in the subcontinent.both the groups the jang and the T O I are doing efforts to bring the nations and government close to each other for the future peace in the continent.great job and good luck in that great effort.