Aaghaz-e-Dosti
| Founded | 2012 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Ravi Nitesh |
| Type | An Indo-Pak Friendship Initiative |
| Headquarters | New Delhi, India |
| Location |
|
Key people | Founder – Ravi Nitesh & Co-Founder – Devika Mittal |
| Website | https://missionbhartiyam.com/aaghaz-e-dosti/ (defunct) |
Aaghaz-e-Dosti (English: "Beginning of friendship") is an India–Pakistan peace initiative started in 2012 by the Indian organisation Mission Bhartiyam and founded by Ravi Nitesh. The initiative aims to promote interpersonal engagement between people of the two countries and facilitate greater understanding by providing platforms for individuals to learn about conditions and perspectives across the border. It urges Pakistan and India to reopen diplomatic channels,[1] and supports movement on ceasefire commitment.[2]
Aaghaz-e-Dosti has undertaken initiatives to foster connections between people in India and Pakistan. Its activities include creating opportunities for cross-border interaction and promoting pen-pal exchanges among young people in both countries.[3][4]
A delegation from various parts of India arrived in Attari at the conclusion of the Delhi–Attari road trip, "Aman Dosti Yatra 2018," which aimed to promote India–Pakistan peace and friendship.[5] The 40-member group was flagged off in Delhi by journalist and former diplomat Kuldip Nayar and proceeded to the Wagah border under the banner of Aaghaz-e-Dosti.[6]
Aaghaz-e-Dosti launched its 7th Indo-Pak peace calendar on 20 January 2019.[7]
History
Aaghaz-e-Dosti was established in 2012 by young professionals from India and Pakistan, led by Ravi Nitesh.In March 2016, Aaghaz-e-Dosti became a joint initiative of India-based Mission Bhartiyam and Pakistan-based The Catalyst of Peace. In May 2017, Hum Sab Aik Hain[8] also joined as a collaborator from Pakistan.
Aims
The main aims of Aaghaz-e-Dosti are to challenge mutual animosity and to create bonds of peace and friendship between people of India and Pakistan. It seeks to enhance people-to-people communication and to provide a platform to people of both countries where they can learn, talk about peace and they can exchange their ideas. Through this initiative, the Aaghaz-e-Dosti team serves as an avenue for friendship conducted through exchange of letters, greeting cards and cultural and open mic nights via video conferencing.[9] It has a defined working structure consisting of Founder, Conveners, Core Committee and Team Members – city co-ordinators and task-based coordinators. Initiatives of Aaghaz-e-Dosti are Aman Chaupal,[10][11] greeting card exchange between schools,[12] Indo-Pak Classroom Connect,[13] Indo-Pak Peace Calendar,[14] Indo-Pak Peace Workshop[15][16] etc.
Awards
- Social Media for Empowerment Award 2016 by Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF)[17]
- Felicitated as Laureate of Public Peace Prize 2017[18]
- Felicitated at the Global Peace Initiative 2015 hosted by Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research (Mumbai, India)[19]
References
- ^ "Aaghaz-e-Dosti urges Pakistan, India to reopen diplomatic channels". The Nation. 2 March 2018.
- ^ "Aaghaz-e-Dosti hails move on ceasefire commitment". Daily Times. 2 June 2018.
- ^ Bhanushali, Aarti (24 October 2016). "Letters across the divide". The Asian Age.
- ^ "Aaghaz-e-Dosti facilitates 30 people to make friends beyond the border – TwoCircles.net". 22 May 2015.
- ^ "'Aman Dosti Yatra' reaches Attari, backs Indo-Pak peace | Chandigarh News – Times of India". The Times of India. 17 August 2018.
- ^ Times, Nepali (13 August 2024). "Peacemongers at India-Pakistan border". nepalitimes.com. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ^ "'Aaghaz-e-Dosti' to launch 7th Indo-Pak peace calendar on January 20". National Herald. 19 January 2019.
- ^ "IndoPak ChiraagheAman, Lit the Lamp of Peace". allevents.in. Archived from the original on 11 April 2019. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
- ^ "Pak-India peace calendar launched with inspiring artwork | Pakistan Today". www.pakistantoday.com.pk. 28 January 2018.
- ^ "Aman Chaupal - CYDA Pakistan".
- ^ "Indian peaceniks hold 'Aman Chaupal' in Pakistan | India News – Times of India". The Times of India. 10 November 2014.
- ^ Alire, Jacobo. "send greeting cards to india greeting card exchange between schools aaghaz e dosti printable – Mieken.info".
- ^ "First Indo-Pak Classroom Connect between Mumbai and Karachi". SabrangIndia. 9 December 2015.
- ^ "Indo-Pak peace calendar released – Wion News". Dailyhunt.
- ^ "Aaghaz-e-Dosti (an indopak friendship initiative)". Peace Insight.
- ^ "Aaghaz-e-Dosti conducts Indo-Pak Peace Building Workshop with Centre for Social Equity and Inclusion(CSEI) in Delhi". PCDN. Archived from the original on 11 April 2019. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
- ^ "Aaghaz-e-Dosti is forging friendship across border". 16 March 2016.
- ^ "Aaghaz-e-Dosti". 11 January 2017.
- ^ "Contact Support". paperplane.pk.