Although we celebrate independence of Pakistan and India from slavery of the British, we continue to be slaves to threats of war, secessionist movements, terrorist acts and communal violence.
It does not take much to move us from the edge of peace to the brink of war, from celebrations of harmony to declaration of hostility.
This state of affairs continues to divert resources away from the real problems of our peoples, like the poor state of educational and health facilities, continued abuse of women and children, and massive poverty. It is time we face reality.
Whatever role the Western imperialists, international conspirators, our own political leaders, bureaucrats, military establishments, vested interests, and terrorists are playing, just blaming them is not productive.
Let's be truthful and admit that the real culprits include us. We, the peace activists of and from the region, have not done enough to change the status quo.
For the money and other resources consumed, we do not have much to show for. If we were employees of a private corporation, we would have been fired a long time ago.
Doing just something is not enough. We need to do more than occasional protests, petitions, conventions, marches and vigils. It is not sufficient to measure success in the number of posters put up, handbills distributed, emails sent, events held, or resolutions passed. Whatever we do, it must be effective. What we need is an organised, co-ordinated, and sustained mass movement.
We need to enlist active support of people who stand to benefit from peace and harmony - families divided by borders; businessmen who are forced to trade through third countries; artists, writers and sportsmen, who are humiliated by visa and registration formalities.
We need to convince men and women on our streets and in our neighbourhoods, why peace and harmony are in their interest.
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