As a schoolchild raised in Delhi, Devika Mittal always wondered why neighbours India and Pakistan continued to be enemies. Her grade-12 history textbook and its chapter on Partition made her aware of the human cost of the conflict, and how much people from both sides suffered immensely. While doing her higher studies at Lady Shri Ram College and then South Asian University, she took up the cause of Indo-Pak peace and joined youth-led peace organisation Aaghaz-e-Dosti as its India convener.
Ahead of eShe’s Indo-Pak Peace Summit Led by Women where she is a panelist, we spoke to the 30-year-old assistant professor at University of Delhi about the initiative and what drives her to stand up for peace. As a student, what memory stands out for you about Pakistan and the people of that country, and why did you decide to take up peace-building? While in college, I attended the retreat ceremony at Wagah Border. I looked at the flag waving on the other side and my school textbook chapter on Partition came back to me. I wondered if the people sitting across the gate would wave back if I waved at them?
Denne historien er fra January 2021-utgaven av eShe.
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Denne historien er fra January 2021-utgaven av eShe.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
God On The Tip Of Our Tongues
The pandemic has normalised spiritual discourse and religious references
A NEW APPROACH
Malayalam film actor and Oxford graduate Santhy Balachandran used her anthropology background to conceptualise an avantgarde music video
LOOKING OUT FOR THE BIRDS
Bird steward Karen Mason on why she wants to save the birds on Florida’s coasts and her viral photo of a bird feeding her chick
SORAYA CHEMALY: RIGHTS AND RAGE
Washington DC-based author and feminist activist Soraya Chemaly believes women’s anger can be a powerful force for social justice
A MYSTERY IN HISTORY
We review two novels set in the 20th century with fabulous, flawed female protagonists out to investigate strange goings-on
A MOM'S LIFE
Photographer Debalina Bhatta’s photo feature following her mother’s daily routine is an ode to mothers everywhere
THE RAGA OF LIFE
Mahesvari Autar’s events platform showcases Indian classical music and mantras to audiences in Holland
WOMEN FIRST
Michigan-based artist and entrepreneur Svitlana Martynjuk is determined to facilitate fair representation of women in the global art scene
UNLOCKING CREATIVITY
If the Covid pandemic affected each part of our lives, can art be far behind? Two young Indian painters Aditi Purwar and Shivangi Kalra take us through the ups and downs of their artistic journeys through the pandemic and how it has shaped their personal and creative vision
WORKPLACE WELLNESS
Management consultant Seema Rekha on why employee mental health is vital for company growth and why women make better leaders
