The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : A day to remember: Interacting with Pakistani children

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 15, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

A day to remember: Interacting with Pakistani children

By R. Sujatha

CHENNAI, DEC. 14. For the Adi Dravida children who came for a cultural show in the city it was certainly an experience to remember -- interacting with 10 Pakistani school children via video- conference.

The 45-minute cross-border interaction was facilitated by English translations at both ends.

After exchanging greetings and introducing themselves, the children discussed their experiences. The Indian children wanted to know what was taught in Pakistani schools.

Usman (13) from Pakistan replied: "We networked with about 40 schools and held a HIV/AIDS awareness programme on World Aids Day."

"We learn about value education," explained Neena, a Pakistani schoolgirl.

Tamizharasan wanted to know if there would ever be peace between the two countries.

A student from Pakistan said, "We are holding discussions and we can resolve disputes by continuing our discussions and interacting with each other."

Through such cultural interactions, the two countries would be able to improve relations, the girl said. Keeping communication channels open and allowing school children to interact would help, she stressed. Hearing this, the Indian children burst into applause.

Human rights

The Pakistani children had assembled at Islamabad along with Naeem Sarfraz, the chairman of the Human Rights Institute of Pakistan.

The interaction was part of a daylong cultural meet held in the city to mark a decade of the United Nations' Human Rights Education.

Over 200 children from schools that teach human rights as part of the curriculum, shared their experiences with Paolo Fontani, Programme Specialist of the Division for the Promotion of Quality in Education, UNESCO, headquartered in Paris.

A book — "Urimai Pookal" — a collection of experiences of the Adi Dravidars, was also released.

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