Women Beyond Borders:
Women of India & Pakistan
Embracing for Peace & Harmony
A closed-door session related to the Amritavarsham50
Women's Initiative:
Embracing Universal Motherhood for Peace & Harmony
Amma's
unique expression of boundless compassion can never be bounded in
by difficult circumstances or the borders of nations. She is the bridge that connects, that brings people together. Amma
feels that Her children exist everywhere, like petals of a
one-world flower. It was this vision of Amma's that inspired "Women Beyond Borders," a discussion between three women from India and three women from Pakistan during Amritavarsham50.
Participants from Pakistan: Dr. Saleha Mahmood Abedin, Ms.
Nasira Iqbal and Ms. Begum Surayya Jabeen. From India: Dr.
Poornima Advani, Smt. Mridula Sinha and Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan.
Moderator: Dr. Shrikant Jichkar. M.A. Math representatives:
Swamini Krishnamrita Prana, Bri. Abhirami,
Ms. Bhavani Bijlani, Ms. Ramya Fennell, Ms. Versha Kaushal
and Ms. Kamalam Demetrakopoulus.
Dr. Jichkar opened the meeting by describing Amma as unlimited bliss. He said that She is spreading love throughout the world,
and wants selfless service to cross borders. "Amma gives energy to the moon; the moon becomes pervasive
light all over the world and that moon is seva [selfless service]," said
Dr. Jichkar.
The discussion among the women of India and Pakistan was
an even exchange of wisdom, laughter and love for Amma. All
agreed that we must go beyond what occurs on both sides and
work together. Many needs for cross-border seva were discussed
revolving around issues of common concern. These issues include
working towards the elimination of child prostitution and child trafficking,
assistance in the form of counseling for families in crisis
and applying pressure on the media to end the objectification
of women. Suggestions were made for cross-border networking
between NGOs addressing women's issues and governmental organizations.
Subtle problems and strategies were also discussed among
the group. For example, it was suggested that everything starts
with the family. So we have to ask ourselves basic questions
like, "How are we treating our daughters in front of
our sons? Our wives in front of our daughters?" The way
families interact can be promoted through positive media images.
Media can also be used to spread positive images of each country's
people to its neighbour to help establish empathy and respect
for diversity.
After the meeting's conclusion, Dr. Jichkar said that he felt overwhelmed by the
motherhood expressed. "We have to go beyond the idea that
motherhood is related to gender," he said. "Universal
motherhood is a balance of both."
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