Professional Documents
Culture Documents
By Ashish Shukla
A young Indian
researcher, met with
open arms in
Pakistan despite
tensions at the official
level, argues that
India should resume
dialogue process and
that both countries
should facilitate
people-to-people
interaction
B R I E F S
How to apply
TRAIL DETAIL
saag and makke ki roti. Topping this feast will be a freshly done
lassi. Arrive Amritsar early evening. And it is time to explore the
street food at Amritsar Beera's Chicken, Makhan's fish for example.
At the Delhi-Lahore Dhaba Trail, participants will sample the best of highway
cuisine on both sides of the border, guided by an Indian and Pakistani chef
At the panel: chair Mushtaq Soofi with Mariam Saleem Farooqi, Ashish Shukla, Rida Arif
official dialogue process. Dialogue is the only and the most effective and efficient way of resolving all outstanding disputes
between the two countries. All
other ways are too costly to consider. Secondly, India should liberalise the visa regime even if
Pakistan does not reciprocate.
These steps would have a positive impact on the overall relationship and strengthen Pakistan's liberal constituency that
advocates for peace and friendship with India.
Pakistan for its part should
give first priority to granting nonpolice reporting visas to Indian
students and scholars who want
Enjoying street food: with Sri Lankan and Pakistani delegates
to visit for academic engagements.
to meet because such interacbrother', from granting visas to
Their positive impressions of Paktions would remove the people's
students, academics, and think
istan can go a long way towards
misconceptions about each
tank researchers of Pakistan?
convincing India and the world
other. Secondly, such interacThe only official justification
community about Pakistan's
tions can lead to people questionprovided is that terrorist elemulti-faceted and positive sides.
ing the official narrative propaments could use these channels
By denying access or making it difgated by the establishments of
to create trouble for India. How
ficult for academics, researchers
both countries.
foolish this argument is; terrorand scholars to visit Pakistan, IsThere is a perception in India
ists don't apply for visas. They
lamabad only feeds the country's
that the security establishment in
cross the border according to
negative image. Additionally PakPakistan benefits from this entheir plan and convenience. It is
istan should also take measures to
mity and discourages people-tohigh time for India to take posiaddress Indian concerns.
people interactions by creating
tive measures in this respect and
hurdles through various ways.
correct the mistakes of the past.
The writer is ICSSR Doctoral
But then what stops India, as the
The first and foremost thing
Fellow, Centre for South Asian
larger country, the 'elder
India should do is to re-start the
Studies, JNU, New Delhi.
food. After participating in the langar they all head for the Beating
Retreat ceremony at the Atari-Wagah border. Guests get ready to
meet a few Pakistani friends who have crossed the border to share
a bite at the famous Sarhad Dhaba. This is truly an Aman ki Asha
setting two masterchefs from neighbouring nations, Chef Kunal
Kapur from India and Chef Mehboob Khan from Pakistan, engage
in a friendly cookout session. The emotionally charged evening
ends with more promises of friendship between the nations.
a great breakfast at a dhaba, the group comprising Indians and Pakistanis
4.theAfter
cross the border to reach Lahore. Once in Lahore, they visit the street food at
Anarkali lane and feast at the famous Cuckoo's Den.
The day in Lahore will be one big culinary shopping expedition for palates
5.Gwalmandi,
Phajje ke Paaye; Chaman ice-cream; buffet at the Village and of course dinner at
discovering the street foods.
Indian participants say goodbye to their Pakistani friends and return to India.
6.head
After a sumptuous breakfast at the Royal Palms, participants arrive in India and
home.
WEBSITE | www.timespassiontrails.com
DATES | Dec 23 to Dec 28, 2014 (6D/5N)
CHEF KUNAL KAPUR LEADS THE INDIAN LEG TILL AMRITSAR, AND
CHEF MEHBOOB KHAN, THE PAKISTANI STRETCH
OPEN TO 30 DHABA ENTHUSIASTS
Destination Peace: A commitment by the Jang Group, Geo and The Times of India Group to
create an enabling environment that brings the people of Pakistan and India closer together,
contributing to genuine and durable peace with honour between our countries.