Rotarians in India, Pakistan promote peace at sacred site

On 4 March, over 100 Rotary members from India and 100 from Pakistan met at Kartarpur Sahib, a sacred site in Pakistan significant to both Indians and Pakistanis, to promote peace and understanding between the two countries. The meeting aimed to unite the members in the spirit of Rotary fellowship and break down some of the historical barriers of animosity between India and Pakistan. The idea for the meeting came from past governors Madhukar Malhotra of District 3080 (India) and Shezad Ahmed of District 3272 (Pakistan), both directors of the Indus Peace Park Society. The idea was then expanded by District 3080 assistant governor Amrit Pal Singh to include more clubs from the two districts. The focus was on creating twin club relationships before the trip so that members of the paired clubs could meet. Eight clubs from Chandigarh, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Shimla, and Parwanoo, India, formed twin club relationships with clubs in Lahore and Faisalabad, Pakistan, in February. The event included members from 16 different clubs, including many current, past, and future district leaders and club presidents. Twin club certificates were signed, and memorandums of understanding exchanged. Future opportunities to follow up on the goodwill meeting and collaborate on future service projects were discussed. Since the return, two of the Indian clubs have had joint meetings over Zoom with their twin clubs in Pakistan. The Rotary Club of Chandigarh has also pledged to work with clubs in Pakistan to bring children with congenital heart disease to India for free heart surgeries. The goodwill meeting sought to promote peace and understanding between India and Pakistan and unite the members in the spirit of Rotary fellowship.

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