India,Pak youths join hands for ‘balanced’ history

“We are compiling a balanced book; sort of a comparative study with all the major events during the period. We don’t have to propagate which version is correct. The seeds (members) will read it and question it themselves,” said Qasim Aslam,the oldest seed from Lahore,who is among the group now visiting Mumbai.

Aslam said events like Direct Action Day and formation of the Muslim League are entirely different in history books of the two countries. “We have come across glaring omissions during our interactions,” said Rishi Razdan,an Indian seed.

The 26/11 terror attack was among the topics of interaction,besides Partition and terrorism in South Asia. “Dialogue forms a critical part of the process. We get both sides of the story,” Aslam said. “During 26/11,there were strong statements from both countries against each other. But it was never mentioned that Pakistanis too were as hurt as Indians.”

A history workshop will be conducted on Saturday.

Pachauri releases fiction,announces next
MUMBAI: Dr R K Pachauri,prominent researcher on climate change,on Friday launched his debut fiction,Return to Almora,with the support of his friend and RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani. The launch,hosted by HSBC country head Naina Lal Kidwai,saw actor Rahul Bose and Mumbai Sheriff Dr Indu Shahani read its excerpts. Dr Pachauri saw writing as an escape from his work. “When I was eight years old,I wrote my first poem. The next few years were spent hoping that I would become a poet.” After poetry,he devoted time for cricket and even acting,before becoming an engineer. The environmentalist also announced that he plans to complete his second work of fiction in a year.”