Jash-e-Sangam at UW-Madison
A video report by Heidi M. Pascual
A video report by Heidi M. Pascual
The South Asia Forum and Indian Graduate Student Association celebrated
"Jash-e-Sangam" on Aug. 21, 2008, a celebration of friendship and solidarity between Indian
and Pakistan students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It was also a celebration of
the Independence Day Anniversaries of the two nations. The South Asia Forum-madison
(SAF-M) was founded in 2004 by concerned UW students from South Asia due to growing
hostility among Indian and Pakistani students in the aftermath of the Gujarat Riots of 2002.
SAF-M has become committed to peace by getting together to conduct dialogues, know one
another, talk out differences, and embrace similarities.
The Indian Graduate Students Association (IGSA) has been producing cultural events
and scholarly lectures/presentations about India for many years with the goal of sharing
Indian cultures with the Madison community. Its members also help Indian students feel at
home in the academic setting, especially those away from home.
The Asian Pacific Dance Study Group provided dance numbers from India, Pakistan,
and Afghanistan, and members of both SAF-M and IGSA entertained through songs and
dances, traditional and modern. Performers stressed unity and harmony among people.
SAF-M leader Ayeshah Iftikhar read a beautiful poem which she composed, totled "Wagah,"
which she called "a border of peace." After the performances, there was an open mic and the
members of the audience were encouraged to speak their minds.
"Jash-e-Sangam" on Aug. 21, 2008, a celebration of friendship and solidarity between Indian
and Pakistan students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It was also a celebration of
the Independence Day Anniversaries of the two nations. The South Asia Forum-madison
(SAF-M) was founded in 2004 by concerned UW students from South Asia due to growing
hostility among Indian and Pakistani students in the aftermath of the Gujarat Riots of 2002.
SAF-M has become committed to peace by getting together to conduct dialogues, know one
another, talk out differences, and embrace similarities.
The Indian Graduate Students Association (IGSA) has been producing cultural events
and scholarly lectures/presentations about India for many years with the goal of sharing
Indian cultures with the Madison community. Its members also help Indian students feel at
home in the academic setting, especially those away from home.
The Asian Pacific Dance Study Group provided dance numbers from India, Pakistan,
and Afghanistan, and members of both SAF-M and IGSA entertained through songs and
dances, traditional and modern. Performers stressed unity and harmony among people.
SAF-M leader Ayeshah Iftikhar read a beautiful poem which she composed, totled "Wagah,"
which she called "a border of peace." After the performances, there was an open mic and the
members of the audience were encouraged to speak their minds.