Challenge lies in talking to each other, says Pak envoy

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 24

“The purpose is not only to reach the academia but also to reach the youth for improving the perception,” said Pakistan High Commissioner to India, Sohail Mahmood, on his visit to Panjab University here on Tuesday.

The High Commissioner said the challenge was to talk to each other, rather than talk at each other, for the smooth flow of communication. He exuded optimism that negative impact between the two nations can be neutralised by exchanging ideas and addressing concerns.

He urged to bring about a paradigm shift in the framework of South Asian nations through researchers, academicians and public intellectuals. They could be instrumental in bringing about a change of mindset to help interact in a better way despite the constraints, he said.

Panjab University Vice-Chancellor Arun K Grover emphasised on the establishment of a soft link between the two namesake universities through video conferencing, discussions and lectures on Skype etc.

Members of the faculty and students provided insights into steps that can be taken to bridge the gap between the two countries, both culturally and academically. Suggestions regarding the student and faculty exchange programmes were put across the table.

Various research journals, literature platforms and film festivals were discussed so that they could be chosen as a platform for the students of both universities.

The session concluded with an understanding that the utopian ideas will take their own pace to set up an institutional framework.