Building bridges of friendship: Streets of SAARC

by Aditha Dissanayake

"I should be seated on a rocking chair, reading a book" says Mano Candappa, sighs (with satisfaction?) and continues "But I'm here because I believe in sharing. I believe one must always share everything one knows".

"Here" means the SAARC Women's Association Sri Lanka Chapter of which she was the founder President. When the association was formed in 1996 many had declined to shoulder the responsibility of spearheading this new movement, but Ms. Candappa had taken the challenge and gone ahead to build the strongest bridge of friendship ever built between the seven countries of the South Asian region.

Not too difficult a task, according to Ms. Candappa because these nations share similar cultures. "When we see a painting we admire its beauty. We don't admire it for being painted in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh etc."

Believing that the cultural similarities between the nations could help to strengthen the ties between the countries, she had organized the first project of the association showcasing the authentic wedding attire and jewellery of the SAARC region. The event was praised to the skies, was seen as "something amazingly beautiful", and looking back, she regrets it had not been televised. "We ourselves didn't realize how beautiful it was until the then Cultural Minister, Lakshaman Jayakody asked us why we had not broadcast it on TV".

Explaining the events lined up for this year, Prabha Nair Nagalingam, President 2006, says the funds raised from this years project will be used to help the most uncared for and neglected segment of the society, the elders in the south, north and east of Sri Lanka. "We need their wisdom, we have a lot to learn from them. We must not neglect the elders among us, because...without them we will not be here".

Elaborating further, Ms. Candappa raises the following points "In the past the old folks lived with the children. But now the children lead separate lives. Simply having enough to eat and drink is not enough.

What matters most is "company". With the hope of giving them a better quality of life several Homes for the elderly have already been identified and the members of the Project committee hope the funds raised from this year's project could be used to provide optical supplies, hearing and walking aids, wheelchairs etc, for the residents of these homes.

Moving onto describe this year's project Prabha who is a Keralite living in Sri Lanka for the past thirty years and who believes she would never be happy living anywhere else in the world says "Streets of SAARC" will depict the exotic food and entertainment encountered on the streets of the seven countries.

Held on Sunday, Novermber 12, 2006 at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo, the guests at the event will also be given the opportunity of buying traditional handicrafts made in each region.

Confident the project will raise enough funds to support the elderly in the homes selected by the committee, Prabha goes on to say she is immensely proud of the achievements made by the SAARC Women's Association Sri Lanka Chapter during the past ten years and adds that "Women are the peace makers. Women are the ones who can set the way for peace."

The fifteen members of the committee vouchsafe that women of the SAARC region have strongly embraced the vitality of being female and championing their conectiveness in order to provide fulfilling lives and self-assurance for those who need it the most in our society.

From the betel seller to the soothsayer who will predict astounding fortunes by reading your palm, to the stilt walker and the rabban player, together with the smell of frying samosas in the air, "Streets of SAARC" on the night of November 12, 2006, is bound to make one feel one is in Male, Delhi, Karachi, Katmandu...all at once.

****

SAARC Women's Association Sri Lanka Chapter formed in 1996 is an organization established for the promotion of cultural integration, friendship and harmony, and better understanding between the women of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Association also undertakes to raise funds through cultural activities for a charitable cause.

The Association consists of members from different SAARC regions now resident in Sri Lanka.