A Shared Vision of South Asia

by Syed Atiq ul Hassan

Whereas the hi-tech innovations turned this globe into a village, the earth has also been maltreated by the invention of weapons of mass destructions by the big powers on the name of security of the State. In the fear, the smaller nations started to follow the super-nations and jumped into the race sacrificing of their huge public funds (tax-payers money) on the development of deadly weapons. The money which could be spent on human development or to maintain better environment has been spent on building nuclear armaments and ballistic missiles.

Unfortunately, South Asia relatively has been the most unfortunate region. The geo-political and territorial issues between the neighbour countries, particularly between India and Pakistan and the political instability in many states are the major causes of regional instability. The major stumbling block, which is also destabilizing the regional peace, is the unresolved issue of Jammu and Kashmir. Then India-Pakistan border skirmishes, the Muslim-Hindu riots in India, similarly the Sinhala - Tamil ethnic violence in Sri Lanka are also the major obstacles in bringing peace in South Asia.

The corruption in these countries is another factor of failing progress. The Indian Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee once stated at a public rally that political and other forms of corruption can be termed as one of the most significant and pressing problems in this region. He has in fact described corruption as a "national disease" in India. The situation is not that different in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Many South Asian nations readily agreed to Mr. Vajpayee’s assessment as accurate and even endorsed it as a ‘regional disease’. Now, the question is who do you blame for this disease? The leaders always talk about the problem but have never done anything to eliminate the root causes. The illiteracy is the main root causes of most of the problems.

Except some temporary growth periods in the individual countries, the region is gradually lagging behind. Almost 450 million people live below the poverty line of one dollar a day in India. Its budget deficit is high at 6 percent of GDP, but the country still aiming to spend about $14 billion a year on defense, feeling proud to test ballistic missiles every now and then. In Pakistan, the budget deficit is similar to that of India, with almost 48 million poor people. Pakistan spends more than 70% on defense. The situation of Bangladesh is not different either.

Instead of making efforts for the welfare of the people by improving the quality of life, accelerating economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region the ruling forces of the individual countries spend money for territorial safety.

Despite all myths of poverty, backwardness, filth & economic under-development as a matter of fact South Asia is geo-economic region with more superlatives than any other area in modern world. The South Asia is a home to the most ancient civilizations, beautiful cultures, age old traditions, an important market, a major agriculture cultivation area, a significant industrial center, pool of some of the most talented people and also very attractive tourist locations.

Some of the key areas in which such common and coordinated programs could be worked on include areas such as the industry, trade, banking and financial services, technology, arts & crafts, cultural affairs, shipping, fishing, agriculture, education, health-care, air and sea transportation, pollution control, natural disaster recovery, construction, irrigation, livestock development, fashion, TV and film industry, research, crime control, drug control, control of smuggling, prevention of terrorism, infrastructure development, telecommunications, housing, public service, tourism and information highways. In each of these respective areas, one or two countries in the region may be found ahead of the others. If the policy makers can get together, common platforms can be built on common agendas and strategies sharing resources that may lead to states of free market zones with favourable relations.

There can be areas of information and media where the South Asian countries can share the resources and gain benefits. There is hardly any qualitative information on the neighboring countries of South Asia; the people have to depend on foreign agencies like Agency France Presse, BBC, and Reuters. A South Asian press and news agency can also be launched. Internet technology is changing the world. Internet may bring the neighbors closer – an effective knowledge and information based in South Asia network can also be established where the people can share the information in variety of fields. The awareness of human safety is more questioned than promotion of wars, the need for co-operation and political stability has never been realised to such an extent as it has been the matter of concern, today. The intellectuals, writers, poets, human rights activists and journalists always have found solicitous on peace and stability in the region. Regrettably, the people of South Asia have not been provided an extent of freedom of speech by the ruling forces in their respective countries so that they could work freely for promotion of friendship and neighbourly relationship among the regional countries particularly between India and Pakistan. The political and geo-political issues have never been addressed in the light of regional peace and stability. At the same time, the voice of those who wanted to promote friendly relationship between the countries in the interest of the common people of the region has been oppressed. Now the world is changing and the need is being realised and valued. South Asian Association of Journalists (SAAJ) having its head office situated outside the region (in Sydney) while the branches located in South Asia will provide more freedom to the journalists, writers and other media associates in their work and in establishing relations among the media professionals from different countries of South Asia like India and Pakistan. This would also maintain neutrality and impartiality of SAAJ which otherwise always be in questioned.

SAAJ’s aim is to bring the media associates of South Asia together, share and talent and promote the healthy journalism by focusing on friendship between South Asian countries particularly between India and Pakistan through write-ups, forums and other media activities.

In addition to focus on regional stability and peace, SAAJ will also promote through write-ups, workshops and other media activities the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in the internal affairs of the regional countries.

Moreover, today’s generation is not interested in receiving excuses from their leaders for the difficulties and/or the shortcomings. The people need and indeed demand results. They are not prepared to sit back, listen to impressive speeches and wait patiently while leaders and policy makers struggle to get their act together. Time is ripe to put meaningful regional co-operation into practice, in a purposeful manner to achieve positive results. SAAJ will also act as an ethical force on the ruling powers on South Asians countries to work for the common future for the people of South Asia. For any further details on SAAJ can be obtained by contacting the writer on [email protected].

(The writer is a Sydney-based journalist and Chairman of South Asian Association of Journalists)