But we didn't do anything: Pakistani kids

Thirty students and 20 teachers from Pakistan were in Delhi this week, as part of ‘Student Exchange for Change’ programme organised by city-based NGO Routes2Roots, which works to develop peace between India and other countries.

On Tuesday, the team went sight-seeing, visiting the Lotus Temple and Qutub Minar. But on Wednesday morning, they were asked to pack their bags and return.

The NGO stated that it was done “due to prevailing conditions and respecting the sentiments of the people of our country.” Plans to visit the Taj Mahal and Pakistani Embassy were cancelled.

Asked for more details, Rakesh Gupta, co-founder of the NGO, told us, “When the team was touring the city, we could sense trouble. Also, visuals of the martyred soldiers were being shown everywhere. We ourselves were feeling very low. So, for the dual reason of security of the delegation and respecting the sentiments of fellow countrymen, we politely asked them to return, cutting short their trip. Instead of bolstering peace, we would have ended up creating a controversy, which we didn’t want.”

But why wasn’t the trip cancelled when the attacks happened? “They had already arrived before the ceasefire violations took place,” Gupta said.

He added, “The kids were visibly upset. None of them knew about the brutalities. The children were asking me, ‘What can we do? We haven’t taken these decisions. Nobody listens to us.’”

For a long time the NGO has been organising events and running programmes to promote peace but often finds itself in the middle of a controversy. Gupta, who believes that there is no alternative to peace, said, “Even after 70 years, India and Pakistan are still fighting. But these kids will be the leaders of tomorrow and will be in positions of power and taking decisions. Their decisions, I’m sure, will be more humane. I say give us 20 years and see the change we bring in.”

Shazia Iqbal, principal, Lahore Grammar School International, told us, “It was unfortunate that such an incident took place in India. We were shocked when we were informed that we had to go back. All my schoolchildren were very unhappy at having to go back. Inshallah, we shall soon come back in a more friendly atmosphere.”