Four years of building bridges, one step closer to peace
Sapan Newsletter | April 2025: Southasia is more than its conflicts — it's about connections, resilience, and a shared future. Sapan brings that story, with its mutlipe nuances, to life.
Dear Sapan Family,
Some journeys begin with a roadmap. Others unfold step by step, guided by an unwavering belief in a shared dream. Four years ago, Sapan was just an idea — an audacious hope for a Southasia* where people can meet without barriers, where borders soften under the weight of human connection, and where peace is more than a distant ideal.
Celebrating the fourth anniversary of the the Southasia Peace Action Network, or Sapan, recently at the end of March this year, we see not just how far we have come but how much further we are willing to go.
Sapan’s 4th anniversary: A celebration of resilience and community
On Sunday, March 30, 2025, we came together for a live anniversary event, bringing together some Sapan founders and current working group members from across the world. It wasn’t just a milestone; it was a reflection of the power of persistence, the strength of solidarity, and the courage to dream of a Southasia that is better together.
The event, broadcast live on YouTube, began with a short video montage capturing our journey:
The casual, intimate, and deeply inspiring discussion hosted by Sarita Bartaula and Khawar ‘Rani’ Mumtaz about how Sapan started, the hurdles we have crossed, and the vision that fuels us for the next five years. From our earliest conversations about peace to building a network that spans countries and causes, this anniversary reinforced one truth: At Sapan, we don’t just imagine a better Southasia — we are building it together.
#Sapan4years #SouthasiaBetterTogether #MilneDo #LetPeopleMeet
Is your name on the Sapan Founding Charter? Check existing names at this link and use the button below to endorse if you haven’t already
Sapan Spotlight: A new live series launches!
Our newest initiative, Sapan Spotlight, is a live, interactive Instagram series that puts a lens on the stories, voices, and changemakers shaping Southasia. In each episode, we engage with journalists, artists, activists, policymakers, and thought leaders, amplifying their work and diving into critical issues.
The first episode featured Sapan co-founder Beena Sarwar, journalist, filmmaker, and lifelong advocate for press freedom, gender justice, human rights, and democracy in Southasia. Hosted by Arjan Rai, a Sapan volunteer from the UK, it was a compelling conversation that highlighted experiences and insights garnered over the years and the role of media in shaping public consciousness. Missed it? Watch it here: Sapan Spotlight Episode 1. Stay tuned to the Sapan Instagram account for more updates on Sapan Spotlight Episode 2.
Upcoming events
SAVE THE DATE: Sapan webinar, Sunday 27 April
While governments stall and politics divide, the people of Southasia continue to push for peace. Sapan’s April webinar dives into a crucial conversation: How do we move forward toward regional peace and cooperation?
Seat 1C — A journey from survival to purpose by Zafar Masud
Sapaner Zafar Masud, President and CEO of the Bank of Punjab and Chairman of the Pakistan Banks’ Association, shares his powerful reflections and hard-earned wisdom in his just published memoir, Seat 1C. The title references the airline seat he was belted in when he miraculously survived the 2020 Karachi plane crash, an event that profoundly changed his outlook on life.
Join the conversation at one of the upcoming book launches and readings in Karachi:
April 12 – Arts Council (hosted by British Asian Trust & Jang Group)
April 19 – Institute of Chartered Accountants Pakistan (ICAP)
April 21 – Institute of Business Administration (IBA)
April 28 – Habib University.
Lahore Literary Festival in NYC:
The annual Lahore Literary Festival is back in New York, Saturday, May 3 at the Asia Society. More details here. In February, Sapaner Prof. Ayesha Jalal delivered the keynote at LLF Lahore. She spoke on her new book, Muslim Enlightened Thought in South Asia. Watch her lecture here.
At Sapan, our community isn’t just talking about change — we’re out there making it happen.
Sapaner scaling new heights — literally!
Dimantha Thenuwara, a Sapan supporter and IT professional based in Sri Lanka, is setting out on an extraordinary journey, aiming to summit Mt. Ama Dablam in Nepal, one of the world’s most challenging peaks, April 13 - May 9. He plans to hoist a flag with the Sapan logo. In doing so, he carries with him the spirit of our movement. This climb is more than just a personal feat — it’s a powerful symbol of resilience, determination, and the idea that no peak is too high when communities come together. Read his story on Sapan News: Promoting regional peace, one mountain at a time
Here’s more on what some Sapaners are up to:
Film, book and live concert by Fawzia Afzal-Khan
On April 9, 2025, writer and professor Fawzia Afzal-Khan presented her short documentary film and accompanying book, Siren Song: Understanding Pakistan Through Its Women Singers, at Princeton, where she is currently visiting faculty, Gender and Sexuality Studies. The film was followed by a discussion moderated by fellow Sapaner and prominent journalist Raza Ahmed Rumi and a captivating live concert by Prof. Afzal-Khan accompanied by a talented ensemble.
T.M. Krishna Named Spring Artist-in-Residence at Brown University
Celebrated musician, author, and public intellectual T.M. Krishna has been announced as the Spring Artist-in-Residence at the Saxena Center at Brown University. Krishna has been at the forefront of using the arts to challenge caste and class barriers, sparking critical conversations about cultural ownership, access, and resistance. Check out this video from the Sapan archive, where he discusses the importance of artists and activists examining our protests and their own artistic practices.
Rida Sharif’s New Production Company Takes Off
Filmmaker and storyteller Rida Sharif in the U.K. has launched her own production company, stepping into the creative space with the vision of telling stories that challenge, inspire, and redefine narratives. We can’t wait to see what powerful stories emerge from this new venture. Check it out: Rida’s Production Company
Sapaner Anish Singh’s ‘Privilege Fellowship’ Making a Difference
Anish Singh’s Privilege Fellowship, a capacity-building programme empowering girls from underprivileged backgrounds, has been recognized for its impact. By focusing on education, mentorship, and digital access, this initiative is creating pathways for young girls to break barriers, build confidence, and step into leadership roles.
Amplifying Sapaners: Share your achievements & initiatives
Have you or someone you know in the Sapan community done or achieved something that promotes understanding or cross-border dialogue? We want to hear from you!
Sapan-3000 fundraising campaign
If 3,000 supporters pledge $50 annually for five years, Sapan News can sustain its mission of delivering independent journalism across Southasia and the diaspora. Donate tax-free via the Sapan Foundation Inc., a 501 (c) (3) org. EIN 93-3105901.
Thank you!
Newsletter compiled by Pragyan Srivastava, a journalist from Lucknow, India, Associate Editor, Sapan News, and a former Fulbright-Nehru Master’s scholar at Rutgers University,
*Southasia as one word: We write it like this “seeking to restore some of the historical unity of our common living space, without wishing any violence on the existing nation-states” — Himal Southasian.