Nandita Das on politics of identity
By Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai
The first regional Conference of SAWM (South Asian Women in Media) was held at Avari Hotel in Lahore on October 10th and 11th 2009. The theme of the conference was “Women in Media- Challenges, opportunities and Partnership”.
Nearly 200 women journalists from eight South Asian countries- Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka participated in the two regional conference. It was the largest gathering of women journalists from the region.
Award Winning Actress and Independent Filmmaker Nandita Das travelled with the Indian Women Journalists delegation, and crossed the Wagha border on foot for the first time, which is situated between the two countries- India and Pakistan. They were greeted at the border with garlands made of roses, and treated with hot tea and cold drinks by the Pakistani Border Police at the Wagha border. Wagha border is often called the “Berlin Wall of Asia”.
Pakistani media swarmed around the delegation, especially Nandita Das.
I had an opportunity to talk to Nandita Das briefly amidst her tight schedule, just before the inauguration.
“It’s a wonderful feeling to expand beyond your national boundary” and “it’s easier to find solutions when we come together,” Nandita Das says. Having faith in one’s own conviction is what is needed to overcome challenges she adds.
[Nandita Das speaks to Dushiyanthini K-03:03 mts]
Nandita Das addressing the gathering in Lahore
Nandita Das delivered the key note address on “The Politics of Identity,” on October 10th 2009 in Lahore.
[Nandita Das on politics of identity-25:13 mts]
Sharing her “own dilemma and confusions” of identities, Nandita Das says the most bothersome identity is that are thrust on us to feel either proud or ashamed of ourselves but we had no part in choosing. An ideal identity is that of a “citizen of the world,” Nandita Das says.
____________________________________________
HumanityAshore.org ~ Email: dushi.pillai@gmail.com
