By Amrit Pal Singh, District 3080 assistant governor and past president of the Rotary Club of Chandigarh, India
I was thrilled recently to help coordinate a remarkable meeting between Rotary members in India and Pakistan that promoted peace and understanding between our two countries. On 4 March, more than 100 Rotary members, friends, and family from India and another 100-plus from Pakistan met together at a sacred site in Pakistan. The goodwill meeting sought to break down some of the historic barriers of animosity between our countries and unite us in the spirit of Rotary fellowship.
Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan is a sacred site for Sikhs with immense religious and spiritual value to both Indians and Pakistanis. Guru Nanak Dev, the first Sikh guru, is believed to have spent the last 18 years of his life there. The complex on the east bank of the Ravi River is massive and well-maintained. Its beauty is overwhelming. Strict immigration and customs rules are in place for people from India making a pilgrimage to visit Kartarpur. Access is through a narrow corridor. Fortunately, we were able to secure all the necessary permissions to make it happen.
In the reception area that served as our venue, old friends hugged while new friends shook hands and got to know each other. Almost everyone was busy with their cameras, taking photos to capture the moment. Members exchanged club banners and presented Rotary pins. Some participants gifted each other with boxes of treats.
Because Pakistan is still a polio-endemic country, Rotary members from India were required to receive polio drops in the Indian immigration building before crossing the border. The person administering the drops saw my Rotary pin and said excitedly, “Rotarians have been giving these drops to the children of our country for so many years. I am so proud to return the favor today.” It was a touching moment.
The idea originated with past governors Madhukar Malhotra of District 3080 (India) and Shezad Ahmed of District 3272 (Pakistan), both directors of the Indus Peace Park Society. They proposed a meeting between members of the Rotary Clubs of Chandigarh and Lahore Garrison. But as an assistant governor, I expanded the idea to include more clubs from the two districts.
Our focus was also on creating twin club relationships before the trip so that members of the paired clubs could meet. I had help from Anil Ghai, a Rotary member from Delhi who is also an Indus Peace Park director. Our efforts resulted in eight clubs from Chandigarh, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Shimla, and Parwanoo, India, forming twin club relationships with clubs in Lahore and Faisalabad, Pakistan, in February.
On the day of the event, we had members from 16 different clubs, including many current, past, and future district leaders and club presidents. Ved Parkash Kalta, our district governor, was not able to attend due to a previous commitment to training events but supported and encouraged attendance. Twin club certificates were signed, and memorandums of understanding exchanged. We discussed future opportunities to follow up on the goodwill meeting and collaborate on future service projects.
All too soon, it was time to say goodbye. Many felt a sense of fulfillment for having made the journey as well as sadness at having to leave. Invitations were extended to visit each other in the future. Since our return, two of our clubs in India have had joint meetings over Zoom with their twin clubs in Pakistan. The Rotary Club of Chandigarh has also pledged to work with clubs in Pakistan to bring children with congenital heart disease to India for free heart surgeries.
As Rotarians, we can help make this world a better place through our actions.
Rotary Voices 
Rotarians from Lahore, Pakistan were on the same page with Rotarians from Chandigarh, India when they met in Kartarpur. Both parties extended their hands in friendship. It is such a beautiful gesture to spread a message of peace. Well Done!
Shashi Bhatia
Rotary Club of Pickering
Durham Region
Canada
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I am pleased to express my feelings regarding the fellowship trip to Kartarpur Border. It was a wonderful experience to share joy and happiness with fellow Rotarians across the border in true Rotary spirit.
I myself club president of RC Lahore Sharqi (East) along with my wife Sumaira, kids Mustafa, Khaidja, Qasim and IPP Rtn. Asad Ullah Hunain was there on this historical fellowship trip to Kartarpur under the leadership of PDG Shahzad Ahmed, supported by the Indus Peace Park Society. I witness the true Rotary spirit on this beautiful occasion as fellow Rotarians across the border exchange gifts and souvenirs with each other. I would love to mention the name with honour Rtn. Bhupinder Kapur Singh, Club President of RC Chandigarh Central (Twin Sister Club President of RCL Sharqi). He showed respect and honour by presenting the Rotary Pins with the club member names of RC Lahore Sharqi and Twin Sister Club Certificate as well.
It was a great honour to be part of this meetup as I can feel the happiness and joy on the faces of Rotarians from both sides of the border, which is unforgettable for me.
I would like to congratulate Respected PDG Shahzad Ahmed for organizing such a wonderful trip which may increase healthy partnership between the clubs in community service Projects across the border.
Rtn. Yasir Maqbool
Club President
RC Lahore Sharqi
RID 3272, Pakistan.
Twin Sister Club with
RC Chandigarh Central
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very nice. good initiative. be you.
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Heartiest accolades and congratulations to Rtn AP Singh , Past President, Rotary Club of Chandigarh & AG , Rotary Distt 3080, who along with other Rotarians, took a lead in a wonderful initiative in bringing about a momentous meeting at Kartarpur Sahib between members of some of Rotary Clubs in and around Chandigarh and Rotary Clubs in and around Lahore , Pakistan. The said visit to Kartarpur Sahib culminated into the said momentous meeting which, after a long hiatus,brought back bonhomie and camaraderie amongst the members of the said Clubs. This largely is a step in right direction in meeting with the Rotary objective of International Peace & Harmony.
May the ilk of such a far sighted and inspiring group of Rotarians thrive and we remain ever proud of them.
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Thank you Rtn. Prabhjot Kaur for your kind words. It encourages us to do more.
Rtn. AP Singh
AG Zone 4
District 3080
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My Rotary Family world wide,
I am a Proud Rotarian, Rotary is the expression of intellect, humanity, and fellowship.
The present example is
the International Goodwill Meet at Kartarpur Sahib, Pakistan on 4th March 2023.
Congratulations to Rtn.
participants from 18 clubs, who successfully left the impact of their glorified precence,which was not an easy task.
Presence of each Rotarian is an effort
of strong team work behind the show.
This meet was thoughtfully planned, implemented and successfully executed leaving footprints for many Rotary clubs.
Special congratulations to Rtn. Amritpal Singh, Assistant Governor Zone 4, District 3080 India,
who worked hard with his team to make succes in return.
With regards and best wishes to all,
Dr. Prabhjot Kaur
Ex. President, 2016 -17,
RCD Sainik Farms,
New Delhi
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Thank you Rtn. Prabhjot Kaur for your kind words. It encourages us to do more.
Rtn. AP Singh
AG Zone 4
District 3080
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Heartiest accolades and congratulations to Rtn AP Singh, AG, Rotary District 3080 and
Past President of Rotary Club of
Chandigarh along with other Rotarians, for their momentous efforts in arranging, after a long hiatus, a meet between members of some Rotary Clubs in India and Pakistan which reflected the Rotary spirit of International Peace and Conflict Resolution. This brought back the spirit of bonhomie and camaraderie which existed between them.
Hats off to ilks of such Rotarians. and of course, we are proud of them.
Rtn. DC Mehandru
Past president
RC Chandigarh
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By the blessings of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji,Kartarpur has become a Gateway to PEACE between two hostile countries India and Pakistan.
PEOPLE OF INDIA AND PAKISTAN LOVE EACH OTHER AND WANT PEACE.
Kartarpur is a place where when people meet each other Love is spread all over.A lovely place to visit and neet.
I was awarded with Kartarpur Peace Award in recognition of my peace efforts between to nations.
Rtn.Saleem Ahmad Khan
Lahore
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So true…., look forward to peace in the subcontinent
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It was great to meet you at Kartarpur Sahib.
Hoping for more interaction and positive exchange of ideas.
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A great initiative taken by RC Chandigarh to bring two rivalry nation at one platform fulfilling one of the Rotary’s seven focus areas “ peace building and conflict prevention.” It started with new initiative taken by our Dist by twinning the Rotary Clubs of RID 3080 India and RID 3272 Pakistan. I am great full to President Vinod kapoor, Project coordinator AG APS Dhiman convener Twin sister club Rtn Anil Ghai . Looking forward to meet our counter parts again at Kartarpur in 14th May 2023.
Rtn VP Kalta
Dist Gov -3080
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Initiative by rotary club of Chandigarh, Idistrict 3080 India, to establish peace between two neighbours India and Pakistan, is commendable. Its need of an hour. Club president n team planned and executed the project diligently. Rtn AP SINGH AG District 3080 managed to penned down this project in a very impressive manner. Description of the holistic meeting of Rotarians from the two different countries sharing same platform is praiseworthy.Felt so blessed to be a part of this meaningful event.
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Thank you Rtn. Lalita Grover for your kind words. It encourages us to do more.
Rtn. AP Singh
AG Zone 4
District 3080
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In 2007, our former Prime Minster Dr. Manmohan Singh stated, “ I dream of a day when, while retaining our respective national identities, one can have breakfast in Amritsar, lunch in Lahore and dinner in Kabul. That is how my forefathers lived. That’s how I want our grandchildren to live.”
It is the same vision of many of us Rotarians in India and Pakistan that no
political boundaries should come in the way of extending warmth and friendship.
Such meetings at Kartarpur corridor generate an atmosphere of trust between each other that the two nations will one day agree on a treaty of peace, security and friendship… and the borders will become just lines on a map.
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Very well expressed sentiments Rtn. Param Saini. Nice to know you are involved in Indus Peace Park society also.
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Itis very creative and inspiring
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It was a wonderful trip to Kartarpur Sahib coordinated by our Rotary Club 3080 & its leadership. Visiting the holy Gurdwara, meeting Rotarians from Pakistan and experiencing their love and affection was greatly cherished by all of us. Grateful & blessed to have been part of this peace and goodwill mission which Rotary made possible.
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The Kartarpur visit was an overwhelming experience. It was the realization of the deep desire that fused the spirit of Guru Nanak Dev’s lived life and teachings with the spirit of Rotary goals. Rotarian AP Singh has aptly evinced the nitty gritty of the cherished moments, and the flow of compassion and goodwill across borders. May the feeling of brotherhood spread en masse.
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Very nice initiative for promoting goodwill and peace with a religious visit to the most auspicious of places in Sikh history ..keep up the good work Rotary
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This event is so important to maintaining open conversations at least among Rotarians from two of the nine nuclear weapons states. I hope that you will continue these meetings, expanding them along your borders and to similar exchanges among the other seven nuclear weapons states.
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May the blessings of the Holy Guru Nanak Saheb ji bring peace, brotherhood and prosperity to our lands and people.
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Peace should prevail in our homes. This is a great initiative spreading love and peace on both sides. Being a part of this has been a great honor for my club from District 3272 RC Lahore Izmir and for myself as the president 2022-23 and the twinning with the great club of District 3110 RC Bareilly Magnet. It was a great event of love and fellowship that is still a memory as a fresh breeze of friendship and love.
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Visiting kartarpur Sahib was an awesome experience – Being at a place where Guru Nanak ji spent his life filled my heart with devotion and love which was further increased my meeting the rotarians from Pakistan . It was a perfect example that humans are all one inspite of where we are from . All are working towards creating peace and harmony .
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Felt so overwhelmed at the poignancy of the meeting
Wonderful initiative
Rtn Dr Chitra Iravatham
President
Rt club of SMART Hyderabad
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A great initiative by Rotary to bridge the relationship and exhibit the love of human beings is beyond boundaries and political arenas.
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Fabulous! A spectacular event worth all the coverage. An all out effort towards world peace, happy co existence of neighbor nations. A step towards no conflict. Keep it up Rotary!!!!
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Rotarians in India, Pakistan promote peace at sacred site Is a wonderful initiative of Rtn.AP Singh. The initiative keeps growing with his efforts as more and more clubs join the twin club program. Hoping this program will bring peace and better understanding between the two neighbours .It is covering one of Rotary’s area of focus. Great work and a wonderful Write up Rtn AP Singh, keep up the good work.
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Thank you Rtn. Parikshat Mehdudia for your kind words. It encourages us to do more.
Rtn. AP Singh
AG Zone 4
District 3080
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Commendable project collaboration with the religious/ spiritual visit.
Very well organised & executed.
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PDG Shehzad from D3272 is my batchmate and we bond very closely. I called him to request come with his club members to meet our members at Kartarpur Saheb to promote friendship and work for Peace in the subcontinent. AG A P S Dhiman who is a member of my club requested to include members of our zone clubs and then other requests followed and we agreed to keep the numbers manageable at about 100 from each side . There was enthusiasm and great anticipation from rotarians both from both sides of the border. It was truly a meeting of friends you had not met before exchanging notes, twin club certificates, club flags which were restricted by customs but some could make it. A great experience for all and bodes well for possible peace in the subcontinent
The members want a repeat and we will coordinate another meeting in the fall/winter . Thank you PDG Shehzad Ahmed for coordinating at your end and making it a memorable successful visit
Rotary regards to all
Madhukar Malhotra
DG2010-11 rid 3080
RC Chandigarh D3080 India
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It was a wonderful event meeting Rotaians of Lahore n Darshan of Kartarpur Sahib. There was tremendous bonhomie n similarities of ideas amongst us all. Our Club too was a part of this historic venture. Hope it’s a start point of generating a permanent peace between our two Countries
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This is really a great exciting news!!
2 Countries, divided from 1 existence on base of Religion, one progressed well on base of Communal Brotherhood and another left behind due to communal hatred and rivalry!! Today they are again coming together on the platform of Rotary showing Love, Harmony and Brotherhood!! This is most significant step by Rotarians of both countries,,
Congratulations!!
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Very nice initiative to promote goodwill and peace in the region
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I went for this Goodwill meet in Pakistan. It was a wonderful experience. Meeting Rotarians from Pakistan made me realise that at a person to person level there is immense love. We saw pleasant exchanges and conversations. We should try to follow up on this initiative to make this world a better place and more so our neighbourly countries.
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Wonderful thought Rotarians .Peace prevails on earth . CREATE PEACE THAN HATE .
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