Joining Centre for Social Justice and First Survey on Educational Needs
After three and a half years of dedicated volunteer work, I joined the Centre for Social Justice as a professional. During my tenure, I conducted a comprehensive survey titled "Educational Needs of Religious Minorities in Punjab." As part of this research, I interviewed 300 families from the Hindu community to assess their access to education, identify gaps, and understand the barriers they face in pursuing academic opportunities. The findings contributed to evidence-based advocacy for inclusive educational policies.
Event Organized: Iftar-E-Aman – Promoting Interfaith Harmony
Organized by Lala Chaman Lal
In collaboration with Samaj Sewa Foundation and Shaoor Foundation
As part of my commitment to peacebuilding and interfaith dialogue, I organized the Iftar-E-Aman event in Lahore—an initiative designed to foster interfaith harmony, social cohesion, and religious tolerance among diverse communities.
This unique gathering brought together individuals from different religious backgrounds, including Muslims who were invited to break their fast at a Sikh Gurdwara—a powerful symbol of mutual respect and inclusivity.
The event aimed to:
- Promote interfaith harmony and understanding
- Foster community building among diverse religious groups
- Encourage empathy, social cohesion, and peaceful coexistence
- Celebrate religious tolerance by showcasing shared values across faiths
The Iftar-E-Aman event served as a meaningful platform to build bridges between communities and inspire collective action toward a more inclusive and united society.
Motivational Session at Khuwaja Fareed University – Career Counseling for Minorities
I conducted a motivational session for minority students at Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology (KFUEIT) in Rahim Yar Khan. The session brought together students from various departments and focused on career counseling, government scholarship opportunities, and professional development pathways. I also created a safe space for open dialogue, where we discussed the specific challenges faced by religious minority students within academic institutions and explored strategies to overcome these barriers through collective awareness and support.
Cultural Celebrations Organized: Holi & Nowruz
Organized by Lala Chaman Lal
Youth Leader – Shaoor Foundation
As part of my efforts to promote cultural inclusion, diversity, and social harmony, I successfully organized two vibrant and meaningful community events under my leadership:
- Holi Celebration – March 12, 2023
- Nowruz Celebration – March 2023
These events were designed to honor and celebrate the cultural and religious festivals of minority communities, creating a space for shared joy, understanding, and unity.
Objectives:
- To celebrate the rich traditions of Holi and Nowruz, fostering respect for cultural diversity.
- To bring together individuals from various communities in a spirit of inclusion and harmony.
- To provide a platform for cultural expression, engagement, and community participation.
- To promote peaceful coexistence and recognition of minority identities within the broader societal fabric.
Both events received strong community participation and were documented with attendance records, event photography, and detailed reports, highlighting their success and positive impact.
Engagement as Project Officer in SEEM Project – Centre for Social Justice
After successfully completing the education needs assessment survey, I was engaged by the Centre for Social Justice as a Project Officer for a new initiative titled "Social and Economic Empowerment of Minorities (SEEM)." In this role, I am responsible for disseminating information about various government schemes and programs to religious minority communities, with the goal of increasing awareness and enabling them to become direct beneficiaries of these opportunities for social and economic upliftment.
Appointment: Member, National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) – Punjab
On 29th January 2024, I was officially appointed as a Member of the Provincial Advisory Committee at the Regional Office Punjab of the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), Pakistan, representing religious minorities.
This role reflects my ongoing commitment to human rights advocacy, particularly in the areas of minority rights, education equity, and inclusive policy reform. My contributions have focused on addressing systemic issues and promoting justice through evidence-based engagement with state institutions.
First Educational Conference: Empowering Minority Youth through Educational Awareness
The First Educational Conference on "Empowering Minority Youth through Educational Awareness" was successfully organized under the leadership of Lala Chaman Lal, in collaboration with Samaj Sewa Foundation, Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering & Information Technology (KFUEIT), Amritsar Seed, Lok Sujag, and Shaoor Foundation. The conference aimed to raise awareness among minority students about academic opportunities and to strengthen their capacity through guidance on national and international scholarships.
Distinguished speakers, including representatives from the U.S. Consulate General Lahore and academic experts, delivered informative sessions on fully funded foreign study programs such as UGRAD and SUSI. The Vice Chancellor of KFUEIT, Prof. Dr. Suleman Tahir, announced scholarship support for minority students, further reinforcing the commitment to inclusive education. This initiative marked a significant step forward in expanding educational access and empowering minority youth across South Punjab.
Field Engagement in SEEM Project – 4 Districts
engaged a team of community motivators from four districts—Rahim Yar Khan, Khanewal, Gujranwala, and Sargodha. These motivators are tasked with raising awareness among religious minority communities about various government socio-economic schemes, ensuring they are informed and empowered to access the benefits available to them.
Interfaith Diversity Tour: Safeeran-e-Aman ka Karwaan
Organized by Chaman Lal and Team
In collaboration with Samaj Sewa Foundation – Pakistan, Shaoor Foundation, and the Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Department, Government of the Punjab
Chaman Lal and his team organized a meaningful diversity tour titled "Safeeran-e-Aman ka Karwaan" under the project Youth for Humanity. The initiative brought together youth from various religious backgrounds to visit a Church, Gurdwara, Mosque, and Temple—creating a unique opportunity to experience the spirit of peace and harmony embedded in all faiths.
The tour aimed to foster mutual respect, clear misconceptions about different religions, and encourage youth to embrace diversity with wisdom and freedom. Participants pledged to uphold interfaith harmony and promote cultural inclusion as ambassadors of peace in their communities.
Introductory Session of SEEM with Community Leaders
As Project Officer for the SEEM (Social and Economic Empowerment of Minorities) initiative, I delivered an introductory session to community leaders, providing a comprehensive briefing on the objectives and work of the Centre for Social Justice. The purpose of this session was to equip these leaders with the knowledge and tools necessary to actively engage minority communities and connect them with relevant government socio-economic schemes.
Nuwroz Celebration – Honoring Cultural Diversity
Organized by Chaman Lal and Team
In collaboration with Samaj Sewa Foundation – Pakistan, Shaoor Foundation, and Bazm-e-Alam
Chaman Lal and his team organized a vibrant Nuwroz Celebration in Lahore to honor the cultural heritage of the Ismaili, Shia, and Baltistani communities. The event was held in collaboration with Shaoor Foundation for Education & Awareness and Bazm-e-Alam, aiming to promote cultural understanding and unity among youth from diverse backgrounds.
Youth from various faiths participated in the celebration, gaining insights into the traditions and significance of the Nuwroz festival. The event featured traditional music and dance, where participants joined together in joyful expressions of cultural pride, dancing to the thaap of the dhol and symbolizing harmony across communities.
Guest Speaker at Consultation Meeting on Peaceful Coexistence
Chaman Lal – Chairman, Samaj Sewa Foundation Pakistan
Invited by Ecumenical Commission for Human Development (ECHD)
On December 4, 2021, Chaman Lal was invited as a guest speaker by the Ecumenical Commission for Human Development (ECHD) to address a consultation meeting focused on Peaceful Coexistence. During his talk, he highlighted the key hurdles in the peace-building process and brought attention to the pressing issues faced by religious minorities in Pakistan—emphasizing that resolving these challenges is essential for building a harmonious and inclusive society.
In his address, he reminded the audience that Pakistan was founded on the principles of rights and representation for all communities. He noted how members of the Pakistan Movement belonged to various religions and how the first Foreign Minister was an Ahmadi, while the first Law Minister was a Hindu. Chaman Lal called on people of all faiths to unite in raising their voices for justice, equality, and the protection of minority rights. He expressed his gratitude to Sir James Rehmat for the opportunity to speak on such an important platform.
Motivational Session During Holi Festival – Awareness on SEEM and Scholarships
I delivered a motivational session to the Hindu community during a HOLI festival gathering, as part of the SEEM (Social and Economic Empowerment of Minorities) project. The session focused on raising awareness about government initiatives, emphasizing the importance of education and informing participants about available scholarship opportunities. The goal was to empower the community with knowledge that can help secure a better future for their upcoming generations through education and access to socio-economic resources.
