Seeds of Peace

May 2009

Mumbai Scrapbook Project: For the last couple of weeks, the Seeds have been filling in all the gaps to complete the Mumbai scrapbook project that has been a long time in the making.

Civic Engagement Discussion: With Election Day upon them, Seeds held a mock poll at their fortnightly meeting on April 25. The Seeds talked about what is required for good governance and the need to be responsible and exercise one's franchise.

April 2009

Indian Seeds Peace and Community Workshop: On April 27 & 28, the Seeds had a two-day residential workshop at Vasind. 20 Seeds participated in the workshop titled "Peace and Community Work-Part I", and "Recognizing the Other." Developing empathy was the key to all of this. One of the highlights was a walk into the village and interaction with the local community in which a lot of stereotypes of "villagers" were proven false.

March 2009

Pakistani Seeds Discuss Details of April Drama Competition:  During the Pakistani Seeds’ monthly meeting on March 28, details were revealed for the upcoming Drama Competition.  The topic will be Utopia, and participants will be divided into teams, each of which receives 10-15 minutes to perform on the given topic.  At the end of the competition, prizes will be distributed to the winner, runner-up, and best individual performer. 

Indian Seeds Gather to Remember and Do Good:  On March 29, Seeds in Pakistan gathered to remember Mehzabeen (Mehzu), a Seed who passed away a year ago in a car accident.  Seeds shared their memories of Mehzu and, in remembrance of her passion for music and religion, performed prayers and hymns from different religions.  Mehzu’s friend Shaili Muzoomdar performed a beatifut santoor (stringed instrument) recital in her honor.  The Indian Seeds also spent a few moments in silence to honor deceased Seeds Asel, Omar, and Aleigh. 

After the ceremony, several Seeds traveled to Maharashtra Nature Park to participate in the Eco-Festival organized by Acorn Foundation.  Seeds learned how to reuse and recycle waste and make carry bags from newspaper at stalls manned by various environmental NGOs.  Later they visited a photography exhibition, participated in a nature walk, and attended a concert.

February 2009

Indian Programming:

Indian Seeds Meet to Discuss Mumbai Attacks: On February 8, Indian Seeds discussed the importance of coming to terms with the Mumbai terror attacks and putting the issue in perspective in order to look ahead. Two articles by Pakistanis (one by a journalist and the other by a group of activists) were shared with the Seeds, illustrating how there are many across the Pakistani border who do acknowledge and understand the horror of what has happened and that Pakistan is also a victim of terror. SOP discussed the fact that, instead of the two nations joining forces to combat this and other social problems that India and Pakistan share, the two nations have unnecessarily been drawn into a near-war situation. As a response, the Seeds wrote/drew messages for “Postcards to Pakistan,” a campaign that has been organized by a group called Fightback that works on socially-relevant issues. These works will be displayed at the ongoing Kalaghoda Festival (an annual arts and literature event in Mumbai) and later in the year will travel to Pakistan.

Martin Luther King III Visit: On Febraury 18, Martin Luther King III visited India to retrace his father’s footsteps and commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dr. King's ‘pilgrimage’ to India. He came with a delegation of more than half a dozen Congressmen and many musicians. Seeds were invited to a jazz concert with Herbie Hancock, Chaka Khan & Dee Dee Bridgewater, who teamed with local artists and were wonderfully backed by students from the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz.  This was harmony at its best, in every sense of the word. 

The next day, 14 Seeds attended a speech and brief Q&A with Mr. King at the Mani Bhavan (the Gandhi Museum). Seeds presented Mr. King with a compilation of the Seeds’ poems, essays and drawings. He and the accompanying Representatives were also given some SOP literature, the latest Olive Branch and a postcard booklet.

In keeping with the theme, for Sunday’s meeting, the Seeds watched an hour documentary film on the life of Dr. King, followed by a discussion on the man and his profound message of peace, equality, justice and humanity.

Pakistani Programming:

Sports Gala: A Sports Gala held in Pakistan on February 15 brought together Seeds and educators in one event for the first time. Twelve Seeds and eight educators spent four hours playing badminton, table tennis and basketball, as well as friendly cards game. Trophies were awarded to the winners and runners-up, and SOP wristbands were given to all participants.

11th Speaker Series: On February 21, the SOP office in Pakistan held the 11th annual speaker series for 110 Seeds, friends of Seeds, students, parents, and school administrators.  Because the original speaker could not make it from Islamabad, the format was changed and one of the Delegation Leaders and two older Seeds spoke about extremism and its impact on Pakistan. The event turned into an interactive discussion between the speakers and participants.

January 2009

Indian Programming:

Seeds Meet to Watch and Discuss “Salata Baladi”: On January 25th, Indian Seeds watched the film “Salata Baladi” by Egyptian film-maker Nadia Kemal.  The director intended to use the film to acquaint her nephew with the history of his maternal grandmother Maria (Naela): “Incorporating footage of visits by Maria and her husband to relatives in Italy, Israel, and Palestine, this documentary tells the story of a remarkable woman who is part Jewish, part Christian, part Muslim—and all at once a feminist, a communist, an Italian and an Arab. Her history poignantly reveals the tensions and disfigurements brought about in a culture forced to accommodate the arbitrary boundaries of politics. This was a tale of humanity, tolerance, and diversity.”

The Seeds discussed relationships and human bonds that transcend the narrow limits of nationality and religion and observed that patriotism and nationalism can come in the way of forging deeper human interactions.

Pakistani Programming:

Bring-A-Friend Workshop: Twenty-five Seeds and three educators attended the first day of a two-day workshop on terrorism in war and peace.  On the second day, twenty friends of Seeds, along with two more educators, joined the workshop. Activities were conducted by the junior Seeds (with the help and guidance of senior ones), and the group watched the film, “No Man’s Land.”  The film, about a Bosnian soldier and his Serb enemy stuck in a trench together, set the stage for a very serious dialogue followed by the skits on the theme of the movie.