Hectic days in school. Tuitions. Exams. Football matches sometimes. Pressures, preparations, and ambitions. That is how life usually is, for a 17 years old school going boy. But what happens when he thinks out of the box? Thinks beyond becoming an IITian and getting a job which pays fat? Yes, he kindles up a lot of hope. Harps hard on the ‘this generation is so self-centered’ concept.
Arsh Arora. 17 years, New Delhi. Goes to St. Mark’s School, Meera Bagh, New Delhi; class 11. Text books couldn’t cage him. The continuous bombing of hatred, religious violence which lead to loss of innocent lives, and mutual distrust got him worked up; and he did what all of us should have done. That is, to stand up for friendship and peaceful co-existence. This is how the Indo-Pak Peace Project came into being.
I remember chatting with Arsh over Facebook regarding “Indo Pak Peace Project” which started with his innocent question to me -“do you eat fish?”, knowing how fond of fish we Bongs are, and ended with this super serious conclusion that both India and Pakistan must have two “Peace Ministers” from both ends! In between there were questions, answers and discussions. (and silly jokes, nonsense talks and some real bad sarcasm that I’ve excluded!)
Q: Your Facebook Profile states “Lives in Taliban, Salad Ad Din, Iraq”, “From Isamabad, Pakistan”. Why so? Knowing that you belong to Delhi!
Arsh: Haha. Funny, I know. These are the two countries I want to visit and know better someday, you know? That’s the sole reason why I have mentioned them!
Q: Al right. So, a little brief about the Indo Pak Peace Project?
Arsh: It is an initiative by me and my fellow friend Khushboo (Khushboo Danish, Pakistan, Pakistan’s ambassador in “Indo Pak Peace Project”). We two are committed to knit the knots of Peace and Harmony between students of both nations. We both are optimistic for Indo-Pak Peace and want to contribute their role as a change maker by involving other students across borders.
Through Face To Faith Online Community platform, two of us across the border discussed how can we promote Peace between two nations. We asked their respective schools, The City’s school Bhit shah, Pakistan & St. Mark’s School Meera Bagh, New Delhi, India to permit us to introduce IPP in the schools. The school authorities encouraged and appreciated us as well.
Q: You’re just 17 I see. What made you take this initiative?
Arsh: What made me take this initiative was my dream to unite India and Pakistan and to create an Indo-Pak Peace aura among youth of both the nations as it is high time that now youth shall come forward and work not only for Indo-Pak peace, rather World Peace !
Q: Talking about peace between India and Pakistan, we have already witnessed the Manmohan era, and now it’s Mr. Narendra Modi who has taken up. Who would be your first pick in handling Indo-Pak relationship?
Arsh: Ahh..let me not answer this! My main motive to work for Indo-Pak Peace and connecting youth was to eradicate the Political obstacle between the Path of Peace.. Whether it is Manmohan Singh , Modi or Nawaz Sharif, the commitment for Peace shall be strong from both sides !! According to me, the commitment which youth of India and Pakistan are inculcated with, it is much stronger than Modi , Manmohan Singh or Nawaz Sharif !!
Q: Yes I agree that political bars shouldn’t be there. But do you think you’ll be able to work without active co-operation from the Government’s end?
Arsh: I mean that’s what we want. If a strong and powerful commitment is made by youth, I am 100 % sure no Government whether it is of India or Pakistan, can ignore that. It will also make Governments take on practical steps for increasing trust and peace between two nations!!
Q: What do you say about America’s role in this entire peace process?
Arsh: I don’t understand why America is expected to lead the world whether it is Trade or Peace!! When we talk about World Peace, whole world should come forward and work together without hatred and bias … Specially in case of Indo-Pak Peace, the channel of Talks should be from New Delhi to Islamabad . Not via Washington DC !
Q: Brave words! What do you want to become in life? Doctor? Engineer?
Arsh: Naahh, a politician!
Q: Really? Why so?
Arsh: Because I want to work for people!
*And ouch, it hurt!*
Q: Ever told this to your parents?
Arsh: Haha..yes yes. 4 years back. Of course they were in great shock. But gladly, they don’t quite stop me from doing what I like. At the end, what all they want from me is to be established well in life.
Q: What do they have to say about this project?
Arsh: My parents are very supportive for this! Though I sit hours on computer for my project but they understand what I am doing; it is for the sake of Humanity, Peace and Love. They very proudly tell everyone about my initiative of bringing two nations closer!!
Q: Coming back to where we were, What do you have to say about terrorism in Pakistan? It is a fact that the administration in Pakistan is not quite strict about it and innocent people have to pay with their lives for this.
Ans: Yes, I accept this fact of terrorism In Pakistan and the Government’s negligence towards it … We shall also be aware of another fact that there is a political instability in Pakistan!!! This has stopped their growth & ruined their image!! Where as it has given a boom to terrorist groups!! In order to eradicate this issue both the nations shall work together. If Pakistan can seek help from China or America, why not from India??
Q: Did you ever communicate to the youth of Pakistan? What do they say about India? Do they feel how important it is to bring in peace between two of us?
Arsh: “India and Pakistan are facing similar problems then why can’t we work together?? Why always UN??”-this came from a 14 years old boy. & I was shocked! Even the Pakistani journalists send me messages on Facebook asking, how can they help us! One fact which is very clear is, common people from any country DO NOT want wars. They just want peaceful lives.
Q: All right Arsh, my last but one question to you. Imagine yourself standing in front of a Taliban and he’s about to kill you. What you want to tell him?
Arsh: Nothing. I’ll just give him a hug! Jadoo ki jhappi. Who sochega,yeh kaisa banda hai bhai! He’ll think twice before killing anyone again.
Q: I swear this was innovative. Ok, my last question to you. Any new crush from the new Pakistani friends?
Arsh: No! Right now only a Bengali crush!
*And, both interviewer and interviewee break into laughter!*
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[…] those who missed the previous write-up on IPPP where I interacted with Arsh Arora, the Indian Peace agent, here’s the brief. The two of them are committed to knit the knots of […]
[…] those who missed the previous write-up on IPPP where I interacted with Arsh Arora, the Indian Peace agent, here’s the brief. The two of them are committed to knit the knots of […]