Beyond the Borders
Beyond the Borders: Indo-Pak Storytelling
Beyond the Borders is at its heart is a platform for inspiring, diverse and unique narratives. Centred around the theme of bridging gaps and creating connections through storytelling, Beyond the Borders begins its journey by promoting and highlighting the joy, goodness and unity present in our world communities. Each of us has a story, each story brings about a new perspective and those perspectives are the foundations of our relations. Join us in exploring these narratives and taking the next step towards positive change: one story at a time! Beyond the Borders is made a reality with the support of the Melton Foundation Action Grants for projects upholding the mission of Global Citizenship and intercultural collaboration.
Beyond the Borders: Indo-Pak is a 50+ story project showcasing unique narratives of true love and tolerance from the people of Pakistan and India. The goal of this campaign is to promote unity and friendship between everyday citizens and to ignite hope for a better future through heartfelt tales and perspectives!
By presenting the positive aspects of Indo-Pak relations through the use of narratives in many art forms, Beyond the Borders brings in something for everyone. Listen to our Podcasts with special guests, read a collection of letter exchanges between pairs from each country, enjoy poetry and performances of mini stories by spoken word artists!
Take a journey through creative narratives and perspectives!
Stories
30+ Stories
Videos
10+ Videos
Pen Pals
12+ Letters
Podcasts
3 episodes
Mini Stories
Smile!
Smiles! Yes, ‘smiles’ is the word that came to her mind after reading the headline of...
From Lucknow to Lahore
From Lucknow to Lahore, I wonder if the leaves change texture; if the breeze hits...
Kites
A glittering kite soars gracefully in the air, swishing and dancing in the breeze. It is...
Our Flags, Raised
When we see flags raised, flashing in the wind: we see them blowing elegantly, carrying...
Our Mirrors
There are mirrors standing in place of walls, they reflect and refract our images atop...
Talk About It
I had always wondered what our neighbors across the borders would be like, for everyone...
Long Live Indo-Pak Friendship!
Well… Pakistan! My neighbours that are much closer than Maharashtra, Andhra and many...
Long Stories
Peace is the way for Indo-Pak
Read Lalita Ramdas’s submission for Beyond the Borders: Indo-Pak.
Water’s Story
Read Hasfa Ahmed’s story submitted in Beyond the Borders: Indo-Pak
Rekindling Lost Friendships
I grew up in UAE, a country known for its multicultural and multinational diversity. I went to...
Dilemma of Languages
I believed in many silly things as a child, but one that stood out was that if I act like a...
Poetry
Across the Border
Original version: سرحد کے پار سنا کچھ لوگ رہتے ہیں جہاں ہم لوگ رہتے ہیں وہیں سے دور زرا کچھ ہم ہی...
Spirit of Love
Original version: محوالفت میں گھل جانے کے پیمانے الگ ہیں کسی سے دل لگانے کی جسارت نہیں کرتے مغرور...
Milky Way
As the planets orbit around, the sun shaves past The order of the phoenix remains constantSpace...
Overlooking the Border
I see the tree tops In the distance, over the fence I can’t walk over yet The sherbs and...
Future Hope
Invisible stands a barrier, crafted and cracked with wires Two lands stand in ceremony, hoisting...
Uniting
The river winds down the land, but the bridge between is obscured still, The shrubs grow in the...
Pen Pals – Letter Exchanges
From Bidisha
Hello Izzah! Hope you are doing well in these difficult times. Here, the weather today is neither too cool nor too warm but while I am writing this letter, I am still recovering from a bad cold. But the thought of connecting to a sister sitting out there in...
From Izzah
Dear Bidisha, My name is Izzah and I’m from Multan, Pakistan. I hope, especially in these difficult times, that you are doing well. A little bit about me, well, I am currently an O level student who is particularly interested in pursuing Botany in the future....
From Rameesa
Hi Akshita! Hope you are doing well. I am your pen pal. Let me introduce myself, my name is Rameesa Khan, I am a PhD scholar and Founder of Menstrual Talk, I work internationally and nationally on menstrual education and breaking social taboos associated with periods....
From Ruchita
Hi Usman, Hope this letter finds you well. My name is Ruchita and I’m 20 years old. I was born and brought up in Bangalore, India. I am currently pursuing Computer Science Engineering. To say a few words about myself: I am a cinephile, foodie, a lover of...
From Usman
Hi Ruchita, My name is Usman, I'm 19 years old, and I was born in the United States but now live in Lahore, Pakistan. I'm your typical desi guy in the second year of A levels, love experiencing new things and exploring life to its fullest potential. Even...
From Padma
Hello, Tahira! They say the best of the things in life happen unplanned. I believe in the soul-touching, mind-numbing unwavering lines of faith and fate. The point is, I am a postgraduate student in Advanced Construction Management (currently in my final year)...
From Tahira
Dear Padma, Hello there! To start off with my introduction, my name is Tahira Khan and I’m almost in my final year of University here in Karachi, Sindh. I’m a Poli-sci major with a minor (and main interest) in theatre and drama. It’s exam season so I’m sure if...
From Faraya
Hello Harini! So my name is Faraya and I’m from Pakistan. I’m currently an Art & Design student and even teach arts to beginners as well as help out my fellow students as a teachers assistant! Art is one of my biggest passions and I love everything about it;...
From Harini
Hey Faraya! Since this is the first letter exchange, we have to introduce ourselves. I’m Rajharini but I prefer to go by Harini. I’m currently in my final year of college and majoring in Computer Science Engineering. I’m also interning as a Site Reliability...
From Akshita
Hi Rameesa! I am Akshita, your pen pal. Hope you are doing well, all is good over here too. A basic introduction of me- I am in eleventh grade and am studying Humanities. My hobbies include writing poetry, reading, eating and sleeping, haha! I am very excited to...
From Ananya
Dear Zeeshan, Thanks for initiating this letter exchange! Let me introduce myself, I am Ananya and I am currently in my final year of undergraduate studies. I reside in Bangalore. Coincidentally, I too like travelling and I have a deep interest in learning about...
From Zeeshan
Dear Ananya, Hope this letter finds you well, I’m Zeeshan Haider a Masters graduate from Rawalpindi. I’m hoping to finish my degree and move onto working abroad so I can gain experience and fulfill my dreams of travelling. I like touring and exploring...
Spoken Word Performances
Watch Khadija deliver a soulful rendition of ‘Our Mirrors’
Watch Tryphine’s voice bring alive ‘Our Flags, Raised’
Watch Aaditya’s expressive narration of ‘Tug of War’
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”
– Martin Luther King, jr.
Our Team

Sara Hassan

Shravani Vangur

Nickhil Sharma

Ananya Chakravarthi
