Madeeha Gauhar remembered for her contribution to peace

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 13

Hind Pak Dosti Manch, Punjab Jagriti Manch and Folklore Research Academy initiated the Independence Day celebrations with a special commemoration meet at Punjab Naatshala for late Pakistani peace activist and theatre thespian Madeeha Gauhar. Eminent writers, scholars, artistes and patrons of peaceful relations between the two hostile neighbours remembered Gauhar as someone who propagated peace and love till her last breath.

Kewal Dhaliwal, who used to consider her as his sister and had worked closely with Ajoka Theatre over the years, said that with her death, one of the bridges of peace between the two countries is snapped. “She was a very courageous woman in life and death. She had contributed tremendously in fostering peaceful relations between the two countries through theatre. She had been planning to dedicate a theatre festival, just like many of her endevours, to the friendship between the two countries.”

Senior actor and theatre artiste Jatinder Kaur too remembered Madeeha as a people’s champion. “Her demise has left a gaping hole in our hearts and dented the process of cultural exchange between the two Punjabs, the two countries.”

The meet was also addressed by Satnam Manak, general Secretary, Hind Pak Dosti Manch. Madeeha Gauhar and Asma Jahangir were two Pakistani women, who became the global face of their countries due to their brave and openly expressed views against the policy of religious exploitation and political suppression. They were peaceniks, who worked towards opening channels of cultural dialogue and exchange between India and Pakistan as political channels closed.

MP Gurjeet Aujla also commended the all round cultural and literary efforts to foster good relations between the two sides.

The forum will also hold a seminar on the current issues of both the countries and the future of their relations on August 14.