The Hindu : Lahore, Chandigarh Press Clubs to work for peace

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 04, 2004

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Lahore, Chandigarh Press Clubs to work for peace

By Our Staff Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, FEB 3. The Press Clubs of Lahore and Chandigarh, based in the capital cities of the states of Punjab in Pakistan and India, respectively, have agreed to share a "sister club'' status. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the presidents of the clubs in Lahore recently. The clubs have agreed to organise an international conference of journalists working in Punjabs in Chandigarh in the beginning of March, a communication from the Chandigarh Press Club said here this evening. This would be the first initiative of its kind since Independence in 1947. The clubs would also mediate with the Governments and news establishments in their respective countries for initiating an exchange programme.

It was felt that scribes should gather basic understanding of issues at the people's level across the border. A group of journalists, including the president of the Chandigarh Press Club, visited Lahore to participate in World Punjab Conference organised last week.

At a meeting in the premises of the Lahore Press Club, it was decided in principle to work out a vehicle that could facilitate the flow of information between the two sides. It was agreed that media had a major role in the Track- two diplomacy, initiated to improve the Indo-Pak relations.

The meeting was unanimous in understanding the need for disseminated "pro-people'' information, without digressing into "meaningless political rhetoric''. The meeting agreed to work for creating awareness about possible common solutions for identical problems in both countries. There was a consensus that tension between India and Pakistan could only ease, if the stakes of the people in maintaining peace were raised.

At the March conference, media professionals would get together to work out a broad outline for themselves to guide the reportage of developments in manner that provides a fillip to any pro-people initiative from any section in the society. Both clubs shared similar views regarding the challenges being posed by the process of globalisation.

The Chief Ministers, Pervez Elahi and Amarinder Singh, of Pakistan and Indian Punjab respectively, assured "every possible help'' to the endeavour initiated by the media organisations. While they also assured to take up the matter with the Central Governments in their respective countries, both the Chief Ministers were hopeful that the initiative by the media organisations would help smoothen many rough edges.

Capt. Amarinder Singh directed the Principal Secretary for Information and Public Relations, D.S. Jaspal, to liaison with the Chandigarh Press Club, in preparing for the March conference. Led by their president, Arshad Ansari, and executive member, Zaheer Babar, members of the Lahore Press Club, extended a warm welcome to the Indian delegation.

The presidents of the Lahore and Chandigarh Press Club also exchanged mementoes on the occasion. The Lahore Press Club bestowed Honorary Membership on the president of the Chandigarh Press Club

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Lahore, Chandigarh Press Clubs to work for peace