KARACHI - The two-day second Pak-India Social Media Mela 2012 began here on Friday with a discussion to further enhance interaction among the people of two countries through this new phenomenon of social media. The social media mela is being hosted by the US Consulate General of Karachi and Lahore in collaboration with a NGO ‘Peace Niche’.The Karachi-based Consul General William Martin’ who was the chief guest on the occasion’ inaugurated the conference. With more than 200 participants, about a dozen social media celebrities from India and 13 from Pakistan are taking part in the event as key note speakers. The social media activists hail from the cross-sections of the society, including media, show-biz’ media’ communication’ entrepreneurs’ education’ literature’ sports as well as government departments and the United Nations Development Programme. Martin expressed hope that the internet connection and computer would greatly help in demonstrating sophisticated communication skills in speaking out against corruption’ human rights violation and violent extremism.He appreciated the mela and called it a ‘Model of Citizen Democracy’ and expressed hope that its participants will play their effective role in further strengthening peace and prosperity in the region.A festival of idea and action, the 2012 Pakistan-India Social Media Mela will nurture dialogue and critical engagement with entrepreneurs, journalists, activists, writers, comedians, musicians and others, US CG said, adding the event will encourage the practitioners and novices alike to explore the creative arts, contemplate the changing face of media and politics, marvel at pop culture, highlights activists’ success, gain insights on crowd-funding, debate the virtues of slacktivism, and demystify the business of social media.US CG further says, ‘in many ways, it was only natural that this year’s event would be focused on India and Pakistan. I have been heartened to see a strengthening of ties between the two great countries, between business people and ordinary people. As the exchange of physical good through trade has steadily increased, a corresponding increase in digital and virtual exchange is also happening’. He opined that internet penetration rates are roughly equal in both the countries, most internet users trend to be young and urban, with tremendous room for growth rural areas. There are countless common interests and opportunities that support social media bridges among the people of two countries.The US CG further said that his country also support stronger ties, people-to-people contact, commercial ties, political ties and blogger ties are absolutely essential for the long term peace and prosperity of not just India and Pakistan, but for the entire region. The world need an economically thriving and stable Pakistan just as much as an economically thriving, stable India, he concluded. He said that despite the disregard in policies, but it was the power of social media, which connects the people of two countries.  Meanwhile, various interactive sessions on different topics ranging from media, music, comedy and education to success stories of social media were highlighted by the speakers with question-hour sessions.During the session ‘Pakistan and India- Bridging the trust deficit’, she talked through Skype and underlined the need for bringing easiness in the visa regime between two countries.She said that people of two countries share common culture and problems, so they must had freedom to meet and interact with each other.Pakistani journalist Beena Sarwar highlighted different initiatives taken for bringing the people of two countries together. She said that a social media petition is being prepared, which through which people of two countries will press on the respective countries to bring softness in the visa regime.Speaking in a session ‘All the world’s a stage: The rise of Viral Video’, Ali Gul Pir, a comedian and writer said that the Sindh’s culture was represented by the Sindhi topi, it was in our hearts. He said that the song ‘Waderay ka beta’ was not aimed at disregarding the Sindhi culture but to expose the feudal mindset. He further said that Sindhi had no any connection with terrorism as there is no any Osama Bin Chandio in the province. Ali Aftab, who created Begherat Birgade, said that he is preparing a video song, which will create upheaval in the country soon.Saba Haji, who has come from India Kashmir, highlighted the power of social media, through which she has been running a public school.