Over 6,000 children from India, Pakistan in exchange programme

Kolkata, September 29: Attempting to bridge borders and scale boundaries between school children in India and Pakistan, a private initiative has roped in 6,200 students from 37 schools and seven cities for an exchange programme.

Christened "Exchange for Change 2013-2015", the programme aims to create awareness about cultures, similarities and diversities, encouraging sustaining relationships among the children for a peaceful tomorrow. During the 14-month programme, activities planned include letter exchanges, charts, posters, postcards, and visual and oral histories exchange as the students have heard from their elders. "It will finally culminate in a visit of select children and teachers from all the schools to both the countries," said New Delhi based non-governmental organisation Routes 2 Roots founder Rakesh Gupta.

The NGO has planned and is now executing the campaign. The age group of participating children is 10-14 years. This year, Dehradun has been added from India in this programme in addition to Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi. The Kolkata schools taking part will be Modern High School, Lakshmipat Singhania Academy, La Martiniere for Boys, Abhinav Bharati, Saifee Hall and Chowringhee High School.

IANS