Page 16 - Pakistan Link -June 7, 2024

P16 - PAKISTAN LINK - JUNE 7, 2024 COMMENTARY
n By Naveen Akhund thing that we, as the youth, should
Surrey, England Exploring South Asian Identity and Diversity bring up more. We don’t know if the
politics will ever be resolved, but as the
Southasian? A versatile of the Youth, for the Youth, and by the Youth youth of today it is our responsibility to
hat does it mean to be
take our similarities forward.’
Wand passionate group of Civil rights activist Tom Johnson
young people gathered at the Southa- who teaches history at UMass Boston
sia Peace Action Network (Sapan) commented that he saw the event as a
platform last month to explore this ‘meeting of future South Asian cabi-
question. nets, Parliamentary committees, dis-
This was the 24th session of the tinguished heads of departments’.
Sapan series, Imagine Neighbors in He also suggested using the term
Peace, held on 28 April 2024, the last ‘youngers’ instead of youth, as we use
Sunday of the month as usual. Lucky Akter, a singer and activist hear their stories, there is a lot of love, has an open border with India. ‘elders’ and ‘seniors’.
What came through strongly was from Bangladesh talked about the free- and there are very minor differences. Sri Lankan historian and anthro- Prominent activist Lalita Ramdas,
their shared love of Southasian cuisine dom struggle for Bangladesh and the They are very cute and stubborn about pologist Uthpala Wijesuriya, 20, com- one of the founding members of Sa-
and cricket, an excellent icebreaker ini- crimes that Southasians have commit- it,’ said Amina Ali fondly. mented on his experiences growing up pan, shared a beautiful story towards
tiated by discussion moderator Faisal ted against each other in the aftermath Another area Southasians love to in Colombo as well as rural Sri Lanka. the end about her daughter Kavita
Lalani, founder of Thuley. of both ‘47 and ‘71. However, all is compete with each other on is cricket, He highlighted the importance of har- marrying a Pakistani, despite the fam-
Researcher and founder member clearly not lost as she talked about how of course. Sachin Timilsina, the Na- nessing our diversity and culture as su- ily’s Indian military background. Lalita
Sapan, Vishal Sharma, a PhD scholar Southasians tend to flock to each other tional Coordinator at the Youth Con- perpowers. Ramdas is the daughter of India’s first
from Shimla currently in Coventry, and unite when they are in a land for- gress of Nepal and a cricket commen- In the discussion section, Vidya Navy chief, Admiral Ram Dass Katari.
UK, hosted the event. The lineup of eign to theirs. She mentioned her time tator and enthusiast, talked about how Kakra in Boston, where she is doing Her husband, the late Admiral Lax-
speakers, all under 35 years old, and in Brazil and how she bonded with minarayan Ramdas was slated to be
event organizers is online here other Southasians which made her feel India’s next Navy Chief in the 1990s,
Mansi Chandna, joining from comfortable in her new surroundings. when Kavita told them about her rela-
Manchester, talked about her grand- She also discussed intersectionality tionship.
father’s experiences of being born and as a Southasian. Some of us identify ‘Of all the people in the world, our
brought up in present-day Pakistan, with our nationality first, our religion daughter had to find a Pakistani!’ he
and the migration to India as a result next, and finally our region and heri- told his wife. Initially, they hoped it
of Partition. She acknowledged and tage, but when presenting ourselves to might be ‘puppy love’, something that
highlighted the trauma suffered by the others, we may identify as Southasian would pass but the marriage is going
Partition generation. first and foremost. Others may identify strong 34 years later.
Originally from Jaipur, India, Mansi with their religion first, before every- Southasia is a whole civilization that
talked about how when she came to thing else. Prominent Indian activist Lalita Ramdas (bottom right) shares the story of is more than a sum of all its parts. We
the UK for her Master’s in Peace and Amina Ali, a co-organiser at Aurat her daughter Kavita’s marriage to a Pakistani - Screenshot can work together and influence each
Conflict Studies, she felt isolated being March in Lahore, Pakistan mentioned other. Above all, there will always be
one of the only visible brown people in the ‘mixed-bag heritage’ which is some- he would always side with India during her Master’s in Law at The Fletcher chai, cricket, biryani and Bollywood to
her cohort, but her best friend now is thing many of us are familiar with, our cricket matches, despite the anti-India School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts bond over and bicker over!
a Pakistani and they celebrate Diwali family trees being split up in much the political climate when he was growing University, shared that she doesn’t have As Mansi said, ‘All of this goes out
and Eid together. same way as India was in 1947. Those up. any family in Pakistan or Bangladesh. the window when there is a cricket
‘We are all South Asians and we who went through the Partition often ‘My name is Sachin for a reason.’ And yet, ‘we relate to each other be- match.’

have similar experiences.’ said Mansi, speak of “the other side”, as their home. said Timilsina, with a smile, referring cause of shared culture, shared music’. – Report by Naveen Akhund, Sapan
who works as the Monitoring and Eval- They talk about the differences in the to the famous Indian cricketer. Inter- Hailing from Bombay, she said that volunteer and freelance writer based in
uation Officer at the Forum for Discus- food (we Southasians love our food!) estingly, he also mentioned that Nepal her affinity towards Pakistan grew be- Surrey, England.
sion of Israel and Palestine. with a slight competitiveness. ‘If you is the only country in South Asia which cause of Coke Studio. ‘This is some- Sapan News www.sapannews.com

n By Saghir A. Aslam any concerns.
I believe you should stay in frequent
Rawalpindi, Pakistan Take a Spring-Cleaning Approach communication with your advisors and
(The following information is provid- to Your Investment Plan – 2 get into a regular rhythm of reviewing
ed solely to educate the Muslim commu- your plan with them. I also think that
nity about investing and financial plan- communication should extend to fami-
ning. It is hoped that the Ummah will ly. As clients age, their children become
benefit from this effort through greater more involved in the financial picture
financial empowerment, enabling the as heirs, so I believe reviewing your
community to live in security and dig- plan should be a family conversation
nity and fulfill their religious and moral and a family exercise.
obligations towards charitable activities) Your next step: Continue checking
n annual review and spring in with advisors to make any necessary
cleaning of your investment adjustments throughout the year. Find
A plan could help keep your a cadence for reviews that works for
overall plan and your long-term goals you to help make sure your investment
on track. Try these plan stays on track. Involve family in
four steps. your planning conversations whenever
Act: Update where possible and appropriate.
necessary (Saghir A. Aslam only explains
What it usually strategies and formulas that he has
means: This is when been using. He is merely providing in-
the real work begins. formation, and NO ADVICE is given.
Remember, enlisting the help of others Mr Aslam does not endorse or rec-
can streamline your efforts and provide ommend any broker, brokerage firm,
an outside perspective on the best way or any investment at all, nor does he
to complete the job. suggest that anyone will earn a profit
What it means for your finances: when or if they purchase stocks, bonds
Revising your investment plan may or any other investments. All stocks or
involve adding, changing, or removing investment vehicles mentioned are for
elements so your plan better aligns with you need to have your CPA, attorney, Regroup: Debrief after you declutter for what matters most. illustrative purposes only. Mr Aslam
your current situation or any financial and other advisors working together to What it usually means: This is about What it means for your finances: is not an attorney, accountant, real
objectives that may have changed. This develop a plan tailored to your goals. making a plan to keep things neat, Talking with your financial advisor estate broker, stockbroker, investment
could include rebalancing investment Your next step: Work with your fi- which could involve more frequent more often could mean smaller tweaks advisor, or certified financial planner.
portfolios, updating estate plans, or ad- nancial advisor to make the necessary (but smaller scale) cleanings to help to your investment plan each year and Mr Aslam does not have anything for
justing saving and spending habits. changes, and loop in other specialists make next year’s spring refresh more quicker responses to changing circum- sale. Saghir Aslam has dedicated him-
It’s important to have a team of spe- like attorneys and tax advisors when- efficient. Getting children involved in stances. Consider having a long con- self to social welfare activities since
cialists guide you through these chang- ever needed. Implement any additional the ongoing maintenance may make versation with your financial advisor 1965 and serves as the founding chair-
es, Investment plans typically have fi- recommended adjustments to your in- the work easier and provide opportu- once a year and checking in every few man of Saba Homes, honoring and
nancial, tax, and legal implications, so vestment plan as well. nities to pass along values about caring months by phone or email to discuss empowering orphans.)
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