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Dear friends; As you have already come to know, SANSAD is holding a special evening on November 6 to mark twelve years of its existence. Over the years we have been inspired by, and have benefited from the support from, very many personalities and people's organizations working in all the countries of South Asia, in the South Asian Diasporic communities in North America, Europe, and elsewhere, who have been upholding and struggling for the principles of social justice, pluralism, democracy, secularism, peace, anti-racism, anti-sexism, anti-castism, anti-colonialism, anti-imperialism. We know that you would not be able to join us on this occasion, but we will be very appreciative if you could send us a few words of support and solidarity, to reach us before Saturday, November 6. We will read them out at our event. And we will get the valuable inspiration and encouragement to carry forward our work. We started soon after the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992, as "Non Resident Indians for Secularism and Democracy" (NRISAD); but as our work in the local community expanded we had to rename ourselves as "South Asian Network for Secularism and Democracy" (SANSAD). Today, the 24 members of the Board of Directors of SANSAD include women and men from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. There are also people of South Asian origin who came to Canada from Africa and South-East Asia, as well as young men and women who were practically born here from parents of South Asian origin. Among us are people born/raised in every religious faith practiced in the sub-continent, as well as people with Dalit identity. The age-spectrum of our Bd. members is from mid-twenties to late-seventies. We are a small bunch, but filled with energy, dedication, and strong resolve. We look forward to receiving your words of solidarity, support and encouragement. Hari Sharma President SANSAD, [EMAIL PROTECTED] SANSAD completes 12 years ******** Twelve years of struggles for secularism, democracy, social justice, economic wellbeing, peace in the sub-continent, friendship between the peoples and countries of South Asia Twelve years of defending the rights of women, dalits, workers, peasants, religious and other minorities Twelve years of building bridges between diverse sections of South Asian Diaspora living in the Vancouver area And twelve years of solidarity with the people of the world fighting colonialism, occupations, aggressive wars and economic domination ************ Come and join us for an evening of togetherness To celebrate our past, to consolidate our present, and to resolve for our future Saturday, November 6, 2004, 6 p.m. India Abroad Restaurant 3075 Kingsway (one block east of Rupert), Vancouver poetry, songs, a full-course gourmet Indian dinner, and a no-host bar Key-note Speaker: Mr. Harsh Mander from India Harsh Mander's name should be familiar to anyone who has closely followed the political scene of India, especially after the Gujarat genocide of 2002. As a senior IAS Officer (Civil Servant), he witnessed the carnage carried out with the full support of the state machinery. He resigned from his coveted post, and became an activist, a campaigner, for saving the democratic and secular fabric of the country. He is currently the National Director of ActionAid India. He has authored numerous articles and two books: Cry My Beloved Country (Rainbow Publishers) and Unheard Voices: Stories of Forgotten Lives (Penguin). He was the recipient of M A. Thomas National Human Rights Award in 2002. ************************************* SOUTH ASIAN NETWORK FOR SECULARISM AND DEMOCRACY phone: 604-420-2972, fax: 604-420-2970, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED], website: www.sansad.org
