FESTIVAL of the SUB-CONTINENT the Prime Goal of the Festival of The

FESTIVAL OF THE SUB-CONTINENT The Prime goal of the Festival of the Sub-Continent was to facilitate understanding, goodwill, cooperation and collaborations for progress in the Sub-Continent through cultural exchanges and mobilisation of common people by active involvement of NGOs, voluntary bodies, institutions, student groups, societies which offer services like education, health care; and organizations specialized in programmes of music, arts, crafts etc. The common people were involved in the festivities not just as participants but also as collaborators and organisers, which enabled them to internalise the process of building cordial and constructive relations with their neighbours, as their own agenda and objective, and not just that of the State or the Government. Secondly, this also provided an opportunity to establish contacts, collaborations and networking between NGOs, activist groups, service organisations, student bodies, specialist groups etc., at local, national, sub-continent and international levels. Groups in different cities/towns planned and organised their own events which constituted the Joint Celebrations in that city/town depending upon the availability of resources. The most interesting outcome of the Festival of the Sub-Continent was the decision taken by group of NGOs in Canada to conduct a Festival of the South Asia every year in the month of August to coincide with the Independence Days of India and Pakistan. Hyderabad Celebrations: Phase - I In Hyderabad, many organizations, cultural and social groups came together to make the celebrations a success. This can actually be seen as an example of the enthusiasm that the idea of a joint celebration generated from the beginning in social, cultural and official circles. The idea was not just to invite cultural troupes from other countries of the Sub-Continent with a view of pure entertainment. It was to spread the message of peace through these exchange programmes. The people of Hyderabad got into the spirit of the festivity and enjoyed the programmes not just for their entertainment value, but attended them with a view of lending a helping hand in the nurturing of mutual understanding and brotherhood. The programmes that were organized attracted large crowds and enthuse them to participate by singing and dancing along with the performers. The participation of the public both in attending the function and helping to organize it shows that the dream of a peaceful coexistence with our neighboring countries is one that is close to the people of the Sub- Continent. The Hyderabad Celebrations got off to a flying start on the morning of 14th August 1997 when 10,000 children from 300 schools congregated at Lal Bahadur Stadium to participate in the inaugural run carrying the message to protect the environment and Promote Peace. The chief guest on the occasion was Basheeruddin Babu Khan, Minister for major Industries, government of Andhra Pradesh. Amala Akkineni, a noted film actress and the founder member of the Blue Cross Hyderabad was the guest of honor. Former Olympians were felicitated during the inaugural function. Two- day knockout tournaments were held by YMCA, Narayanguda, in which about 600 children took part. A valedictory function of the tournaments that continued throughout the night of 14th -15th August 1997 was held to distribute the prizes to the winners. On the evening of 14th August, 1997, a concert by the Nabapran from Bangladesh at the Quli Qutub Shah Stadium was attended by large crowds. The folk program was followed by qawwali rendered by Iqbal Hussain Khan Bandanawazi, which was received equally enthusiastically. The mushaira and kavi-sammelan that started on the evening of 16th August went on till early hours of the next day. Famous poets from India and Pakistan participated in the program. Noted among them were Himayat Ali Shair (Pakistan), Wali Aasi, Arifa Shabnam, Saqlain Hyder and Kunwar Bechain. Well known film actor Ajit presided over the function. The first phase concluded with a memorable evening with world renowned Folk Singer from Pakistan Reshma. Veteran Stalwarts - Naushad, Malika Pukhraj and Ajit were honoured for their contribution to music and culture in the Sub-Continent. The haunting melodies of Reshma along with very appropriate and thought provoking messages of friendship by Swamy Agnivesh, Jawed Habeeb, Journalist from Pakistan and Naushad provided a fitting finale to the celebrations. Serious, thoughtful discussions were held on 16th and 17th August 1997, that were led by authorities from different faiths - Swamy Agnivesh spoke on Hinduism, Moulana Rizwan-ul-Qasmi on Islam, Bishop Chandlal on Christianity and Prof. Payara Singh Padam on Sikhism. The four day festivities were a trip down memory lane for many, while it was a pure celebration of freedom for others. It brought together a large number of people from all walks of life into a context where the possibilities of nurturing unity and friendship among the countries of the Sub-Continent were ardently considered during the course of the Festival. Phase - II As a part of the second phase of the festival of the sub-continent, COVA in collaboration with YMCA conducted Inter-School and Inter- collegiate Literary Competitions in essay writing, elocution and quiz between 2nd and 4th February 1998 at Hyderabad, India. The theme of the competitions was “Our Vision of the Sub-Continent for the next 50 years”. The essay writing and elocution were conducted in Urdu, Hindi, Telugu and English languages. With the theme of the competition in mind, the topics selected for Essay Writing were: 1. Achievements and failures during 50 years of Independence. 2. Role of common man in promoting peace and progress in the sub- continent 3. Expectations of freedom fighters and our present society. 700 students from High Schools, Jr.Colleges & Degree Colleges participated in the Essay Writing Competition. Prizes were won by 12 of the participants. The topics selected for the elocution contest were: 1. Can the sub-continent become a world power? 2. Are politicians alone responsible for the present crisis in the sub- continent? 3. Understandings / misunderstandings in the sub-continent: Role of Media. 40 students spread over the categories (3 age categories and 4 languages) took part in the elocution contest. The themes were chosen so as to stimulate national not regional thinking, and judging from the maturity of the views expressed, the beginning of a sub-continental thinking process has certainly been made. In the quiz contest a record number of 120 teams participated. 6 teams were chosen as finalists out of 71 teams from 25 schools, 8 out of 22 teams from 10 Jr. colleges and 6 out of 26 teams from 22 degree colleges. The winners of all competitions were give cash prizes and shield, at the valedictory function held on 4th February 1998 to coincide with the celebrations marking 50 years of independence of Sri Lanka. The function was inaugurated by Mr. Jaya Prakash Rao, Chairman, YMCA Hyderabad and commenced with choir singing by students of various schools. Sri. H.J. Dora - IPS - DGP, Chief Guest in his valedictory address lauded the choir for its beautiful rendering of inspiring songs. He called for inculcating a spirit of unity among the people of the sub- continent, and urged communal and sectarian tolerance and harmony. He called upon NGOs to persevere in their efforts towards this end. Mr. Ayub Ali Khan, Editor, Saudi Gazette, Saudi Arabia who was the Guest of Honour also spoke on the ocassion. The prize winners of the elocution competitions from all categories gave presentations on the topic “Need for Friendship and Co-operation between the countries of the sub-continent”. Phase - III. COVA organized the 3rd Annual Mahila Sanatkar Mela as part of the Festival of the Sub-Continent Phase III on the occasion of the International Women's Day on 8th and 9th March at Minar Garden Function Hall near Salar Jung Museum Hyderabad. The objective of the mela was to provide opportunity to women enterpreneurs, specially form the Old City to display and sell their products, and also to enable women to express their creativity and talents through competitions, demonstrations and cultural programmes. Display and demonstration of products made by the Micro-Enterprise Centres of COVA were the major attraction of the Mela. In adittion stalls of different food items from Maharashtra, Karnataka South India and Rajasthan were setup by Maharashtra Mandali, Kannada Mandali. The mela wa inaugurated by Ms. Arjuman Wahabuddin Ahmed veteran freedom fighter and social activist. A delegation of social activists from Bangladesh representing an NGO - UBINIG demonstrated and exhibited handicrafts from Bangladesh. They also demonstrated the art of making paper from waste generated in handloom units run by women. The delegation from Bangladesh interacted with members of C O V A, other NGOs and the common people at the mela as well as at the Holi Get Together, public meeting and at University of Hyderabad. SAHMAT of Delhi held a special exhibition of photographs on the 1st War of Independence and had on sale a number of publications around the life and works of Safdar Hashmi. Legal literacy and medical aid and stalls of Government Departments relating to health, women and child welfare were also a part of the mela. A host of competitions in Cookery, Hand-Embroidery, Fabric Painting, Mehendi, Rangoli, Hair-Styling, Mono-Acting, Singing, Fancy Dress and Sports for women over thirty marked the occassion. A Mushaira/Kavi- Sammelan was also held. .

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