President's Message - RAC Lahore

                                                                  Rtr Omar Farooq
                                                                President 2012-2013

During my tenure as president my top most propriety was to participate in building local communities through projects that would empower them in the long haul. Although this approach may seem parochial but we had our eyes set on some substantial international projects as well. When Rotaract club of RUPG approached us we could not have been happier. 

The history of Pak-India relations has varied from very hostile to diplomatically tolerant. It seems quite unnatural for two countries that share so much in common to harbor enmity for each other.  But when I finally got to interact with Rotarct club of Mumbai, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that we shared similar views on increased people-to-people contact from both sides of the border.  We discussed disparate issues and future projects, and the conversation proved to be highly productive and refreshing. We hope continue such projects regardless of political environment in the hopes that someday Pakistan and will learn to live with each other in peace.

President's Note: RCUPG

Rtr Binjal Shah

President 2012-13

This was an initiative that has always been a dream of sorts, ever since I came to terms with the actual magnitude of the platform provided by the Rotaract Movement's network. This organization has an unmatched reach, and if capitalized on adequately, it can indeed make a difference, in the true sense of the term.

I decided to do just that, as a project with a club in this country was atop the check-list I had prepared for myself, when I prepared the blue-print of my year on assuming my term as president. World Peace day came along, and connecting with a club in Lahore seemed like a project that would epitomize 'promotion of peace'. Various clubs were contacted, and we were lucky enough to seal the deal with a club with people who are as friendly, enterprising, ebullient as ourselves. We have the same wavelength, and the chemistry has been crackling so far!

However, the Indo-Pak issue remains to be  a sensitive one, and I knew we were treading on thin ice on the eve of the day the video conference was scheduled to happen. We encountered stiff resistance from authorities who even feared for our safety, if the word was out.

But our resolve was unbending. We went ahead with it, and it was one fruitful session that I am and will remain to be immensely proud of this year! It was one of our most applauded initiatives, and the consequences are going to be more and more apparent and felt by the day.

Message From the Clubs

RCUPG Says...

The India-Pakistan relationship has been strained for years and years. Today’s youth largely believes that these communal differences should not be used as a base for any conflicts. Why not put aside our differences and explore similarities between the two countries? (And yes, there are many!)

And so, what we aim to do through this sister-club agreement of RC UPG and RC Lahore is bring to the fore concepts, ideas, vehicles for change that are in our capacity. This blog is only a part of it. But what we’ll explore in the blog will be matters pertaining to the youth of both countries, who have more things in common than they might have thought! We’ll address issues and more importantly, talk about the overlapping culture of the two countries.

Along with our thoughts and ideas and interpretations, we’ll be also talking about any upcoming joint events. We hope to pass a message of goodwill and peace. This is a big issue that we wish to take a small positive step towards. In our own way, we could make a difference. After all, it’s an India-Pakistan thing!

RAC Lahore Says......

Pakistan & India are sibling countries, who share a rich culture & history. Unfortunately, since partitions the relations between the two countries have always been difficult. This is the exact opposite of what the founding fathers had in mind. The result has been the suffering of the people on both the sides. 

The past cannot be changed, but the future can be & it is high time that the future of the relation between the two countries be set in the positive direction. Youth from both sides of the boarder want change & are involved in activities that are aimed at bringing the people on both sides closer.

This joint blog by RCUPG & RAC Lahore is one such small contribution in the direction of a peaceful & prosperous future. The motto of Rotary/Rotaract is ‘Service above self’ & this forum will be used to look for innovative solutions for our problems, which are so similar. The people have the same issues but their causes are ignored because all the energy is wasted in dividing the people.

Let’s revisit our shared roots & build a better future!