Guest Blog by Vaneet Kundra
THE Partition of India ranks, beyond a doubt, as one of the 10 greatest tragedies in human history. It was not inevitable. India’s independence was inevitable; but preservation of its unity was a prize that, in our plural society, required high statesmanship. That was in short supply. A mix of other reasons deprived us of that prize – personal hubris, miscalculation, and narrowness of outlook.
The bare details of 1947 and its legacy are stark. The territorial partition that created modern India and Pakistan involved the internal division of Punjab and Bengal provinces, which – in unimaginable conditions of collapse of authority, flight, and massacre – resulted in the forced movement of 20 million people (Hindus and Sikhs to India and Muslims to Pakistan) and approximately 1.5 million deaths.
My grandfather used to tell me stories of partition and the emotions attached to it. I was quite interested to know, why the same sons of soil were detached by our founding fathers. He read a small article, which he had preserved.
“This feeling of disbelief is best summarised in the words of an officer in charge of refugee rehabilitation in Punjab, who said: “we in India were only vaguely familiar with the word ‘refugee’ and used to wonder why people should be compelled to leave homes. Even our refugees expressed surprise at the strange phenomenon of exchange of population and were heard saying, we used to hear about the change of rulers but for the first time the ruled are also changing places”.
The partition of 1947 was far more than an abstract line across administrative maps; it sought to create separate enclaves for different religious communities. In August 1947, when the “Radcliffe award ” partitioning Punjab and Bengal was announced, millions of Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs now found that they no longer “belonged” to the place they were born in and had lived in forever.
But some questions remain unanswered, even if dwell deep into history to know the real reasons. It was a master stroke developed by British rulers on the policy of ‘ Divide and rule ‘. But the fact remains, that we are two different countries in territory, but not different in our culture, history, values, emotions, ancestors, language, food and jokes, specially the people of undivided pre-partition Punjab.
The imperialists never forgot to play their game of ‘ Divide and rule’, inspite leaving our land in 1947. They kept on pumping arms and ammunition to both us with a double benefit. Their economy thrives on this particular industry. We both pay them for arms to fight one another. They have a win-win situation all the time. Then we give them all the importance to mediate between us all the time. They have become our Super- Rulers again without any cost.
There was a photo published in several Delhi newspapers during the nuclear stand-off of 1998, when popular media discourse was spiced with comment about how the Indian nuclear-tipped warheads could reach all the way to Lahore and Islamabad.
The photo showed a crowd of Hindus and Sikhs dancing in patriotic celebration of India’s momentary advantage over Pakistan in the race for regional military supremacy. What intrigued me was that the revellers were the descendants of Hindu and Sikh refugees from Pakistan; in hard logic, they were cheering the capacity to annihilate the land of their parents and grandparents. Such nationalist intoxication too is the fruit of partition.
After doing my B.A. ( Hons. ) from St. Stephens College, Delhi University, I came down to Amritsar to assist my brother in business as we had a business in Delhi and Amritsar both. For many years, I did not get the chance to visit Wagah border. Our business friends from Rajasthan had come to Amritsar with their family. They were quite eager to go there and see the retreat, as they had heard a lot about it in Rajasthan So me and my wife drove them upto Wagah, one fine Sunday in winters. This was during the time when Gen. Mushraff’ was the President of Pakistan.
While driving past Amritsar upto Wagah, we had thought, specially our Rajasthani friends, we would experience all that should be different. People, food, dwellings, crops, etc. Also, we’d thought everything should look, as between worst enemies, torn and divided: Culture, Community, Ancestry, History and Religion. But that was not to be. It was as if it were an extension of India into Pakistan, with nothing noticeable that tells one from the other.
We had heard about the Drill at Wagah and the sentiments attached to the event. A colleague in my office had once told me, “One is very enthused and enough prepared to die for the country at that moment, Sir”. The Indian side shouts “Vande-Matram, Bharat Mata ki Jai and Hindustan Zindabad”. The other side says, “Pakistan Zindabad, Paaindabad.” Lowering of the flags on both sides is followed by a common drill in which the Border Security Force Men and Pakistani Rangers ‘out step’ each other with overt and aggressive, macho display of strength.
Well we reached the Wagah Border with barbed fencing leading from both sides. The strong iron-gates were painted in tricolor scheme on ‘our’ side and green & white on ‘theirs’. Crowds of people having patriotic blood flowing through their veins had gathered on both sides. Each half was charitable but only to itself in shouting slogans. It was here that I felt there existed two countries, two people, two communities, two entities.
But still carried away by my fondness and respect for our mutual bonhomie with Pakistan, the tales of which I had heard from my father and grandfather, I began cheering even the ‘other side’ when they sought response to their sloganory exhortations. Suddenly then, I felt a tapping on my shoulder by ‘someone’. I turned back and looked someone with whom an argument ensued reflexively.
“Why are you cheering them?”
“There is nothing wrong in that”
“Are you one of those?”
“And are you someone different?”
“Don’t know they’re separate now?”
“Do Rivers stop entering this side?”
“Political rhetoric is long dead”
“So will be peace-willing generations!”
“Khushwants, Nayyars, Asma Jahangirs?”
“Yes. Precisely. So let’s cheer each other.”
“Don’t hear they swear by Allah?”
“Large number among us also does that.”
“They’re under seize and are tensed.”
“That’s why they deserve our cheers!”
“Emotional fool! Go your way”
Having been thus ticked off, I realized that ‘Someone’ was none else than my own flawed self. But what I had been looking in that crowd, even after the event of retreat drill, was the face of a child called Noor. Remember she had a successful heart surgery in Hindustan some years back. I am sure the likes of her would be the new generation of peace-willers in Pakistan. The retreat left me more hopeful. Emotional fool. Did you say that? No. Now it is ‘someone’ again at it. Damn him and hail peace!
Comments
183 responses to “The Partition of Territory, Not Hearts”
Well this is my blogg
http://pakistaniwomen786.wordpress.com/
Just working on it,I will create a thread on India Pakistan tomorrow.
Let us see……….where it takes us.
Dear Farrah ji, Mumbai is the most cosmopoliton city in India but unfortunately, some elements like Shiv sena are trying to break that fabric of a cosmopoliton Mega-city. Just for a few petty votes, they are trying to disturb the peace of Mumbai, but ultimately they will fail. india is a vibrant democracy. A dalit called Mayawati, current CM of UP, the largest indian state, shows that even a poor person can reach the top and she is a force to reckon with in indian politics today. This is the miracle if Indian democracy. Everyone has a free right to vote for any candidate or party, one wishes to without any coercion or force, leaving aside a few isolated cases, which happens in USA also. Regarding delhi. Mostly dominated by north indians, but now turning more cosmopoliton like Mumbai, is gearing for commonwealth games in 2010. Lot of flyovers, roads, stadiums and infrastructure is being created, but there is no escape from corruption like in Pakistan. We are quite similar that way. The best of India is, that inspite of being a global meltdown and lakhs of people loosing jobs all over the world, India is still better off than all these western nations due to strict regulatory controls of the govt. When all the mega banks in the western world have fallen and gone bankkrupt, there is not even a single bank in India, which has gone bust. But there are lot of weaknesses too, which have to put on track. We have hope in the coming young generation, which is educated and awakened. I wish both our countries good luck and i hope there wont be any terror attacks any more, which destroys the trust of Aam admi. let the candle of peace burn forever and good sense prevails upon our govts. to resolve the pending issues but that should not come in our way for building a friendship from one common man to another common man in both the countries. Let the govts. have their own agenda. We should pursue ours, not to allow to be hijacked by our respective govts and media bashing. You are invited to india. I am just staying 40 kms away from Lahore, in Amritsar. Be my guest. Me and my family would me most delighted to have you here with us.
@ one Dalit is CM of UP, what about 450 millions
of Dalit all over India ?
one muslim as President, what about 200 millions
of muslims all over in India
one Black (1/2) is President of US, what about
a hundred million of blacks, nearly, Dalits of US.
Fatimah Jinnah fought for Pakistan side by side with
his brother The Greatest MAJ since 1940.
In 1963 she was about to become first muslim Head
but elections were rigged By Ayub and his " son "
ZA Bhutto.
Begum Raan Liaqat Ali Khan ruled the whole West
Pakistan as Governor in 1967 untill her artheritus.
Benazir Bhutto inherited the Gaddi forever, they
had to use her pajero to get rid of her.
Shamshad Baji Governor State Bank of Pakistan, but
Pak-rupee is still there ! with effigies !!
Few female Generals, Cols, Majors, jet fighters,
airborne beauties. The Greatest Army is still there.
another Lady is Speaker of NA, believe me NA is still
there! though I wish she should send them all home !!
We never saw in Arabo-Islamic history such role played
by ladies.
Farrah K Raj will soon have her own blog.
But what about 53 % of Pak population = womenfolk ?
apart from showbis illusion crap
@Vaneet Kundra,
are you native of Amritsar ? or staying there since
recently ? are you in contact with the local birth
registration and do you have access to Darbar Sahib
of Amritsar Golden Temple's museum ?
first your media told that kasaba may be dead now your government is trying to linking 26/11 to bangladesh when the whole world is pointing towards pakistan,
I just want to ask people who say we should have friendship ,peace and love,does this people know the meaning of it?do they deserve it?
had been their so called great kings been tolerant to other religion ,other religion would have been tolerant.
Its was sad that the partition happened,but come to think of it now its really good,pakistan is a sinking ship ,it would have drowned us also.
Dear i love porkistan, If you are so full of hatred, why do you write comments on this blog ? Nobody goes to a door of an enemy. Then why are you knocking this door ? You always go to your friend's house. Please tell me, are you knocking the door of a friend, as enemy does not need a knocking on the door. For an enemy, you stay miles and miles away, not to see his face. We all know, we are friends but have got lost due to lot of darkness all around us. Let us light a candle of peace to see each other's faces as in darkness you cant see a thing, beyond fear. Let that flame burn.
Dear Jairam, I have the same question for you. Stop knocking at the doors of an enemy, which you always do regularly. I am not a mahatma, as you said. If at all i can become a human, i will thank my god for it. Humans do not talk of hatred as this word is not in their dictionary. Let us strive to become humane first. I am trying to become one. Whether i succeed or fail, i dont know. But i will never stop trying as there is already too much hatred in this world in the name of religion, region and castes etc. The cup of hatred is full now. If you pour more hatred in that cup, it will spill down. No need trying for it. The cup of peace and love is empty. Let us try to start filling it, drop by drop. It may take lot of time. But once it has a few drops in it, try to drink it. You will get salvation. I am not lecturing you. I have done lot of hatred before and seen the results. They are devastating, where you, me, our children, our family, our country and total human race will be drowned for ever.
@ Vaneet Kundra,
I think there is only one cup, the one of peace,
but no "Amrit Dhara " it can be visibly empty,
I would be ready to put my drop !
AT LEAST THE COMMON CITIZENS WHO KNOW THE DEEP TRUTHS ARE MAKING PEACE…………..GOOD GOING BROTHERS……..
….OUR COUNTRIES NEED US MORE THAN FUNDAMENTALISTS AND POLITICIANS WHO HAVE ONLY PLAYED THE LOVE-HARTED DICE IN THEIR FAVORS…..
….LONG LIVE INDO-PAK RELATIONS…..
@ asad ali
great yar.now you are in full form.
keep it up
Asad bhai, Please put your drop of peace. Past is going to lead us nowhere. Look for the future…
wow!! its very good to read such imaginative lines."@ one Dalit is CM of UP, what about 450 millions
of Dalit all over India ?".
I will tell our government to make all the dalits as CM ,
may be ours is a democratic country ,where majority of them have elected a dalit or a muslim to lead them ,but as they are saying I will tell our government to make every dalit and amuslim a president.thanks for the wonderful feed back.it was really very good and it as to be appreciated ,you are in full form please go ahead.
some people have verdal diahorea (verbal loose motion its best that we leave them alone )good job keep it up.
vaneet you speard what ever you want ,i give a dam,you do u r work and i will do mine no matter what people say .thank you for you feed back.have a great time.bye
dear jaram @ pork!
some time your stupid remarks make me laugh.you said that "i will do mine" would you please tell me what is your work?
to irritate the people you do not know?
vaneet gave you good piece of advice,"do not knock the door of enemy" but it seems that your primitive brain wont allow any advice to be processed.
again i shall ask you "why don't you leave the computer for your elder brothers and play out side like a good kid.
thanks dr for your advice ,I will knock as well as kick them if I want ,You asked what is my work is to know why u people fell proud of u r country and your religion.I dont want to reply on this he is trying to spread peace tell him try ,I believe that pakistan is a sinking ship,and its good that India was separated for it,its like a parasite.after reading the comments here I really feel that it was good that we were separated.
jaram @ pork!
pakistan has a disturbance a turmoil but have a look at india.
http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/ind…
” At least 231 of the country’s 608 Districts are currently afflicted, at differing intensities, by various insurgent and terrorist movements. Terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir (affecting 12 of the States 14 Districts), in different States of the Northeast (54 Districts) and Left Wing extremism (affecting at least 165 Districts in 14 States, estimate based on end-2005 data) continue to pose serious challenges to the country’s security framework. In addition, wide areas of the country appear to have ‘fallen off the map’ of good governance, and are acutely susceptible to violent political mobilization, lawlessness and organized criminal activity”
you chickenshits couldn't deal with 12 warriors.
our fighters have already kicked your monkey butts.
and you chicken couldn't take the revange of that.shame on you….
doob maro agar thorhi si bhi sharam hey to.
@ Dr. Jawwadkhan,
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha you really got
the pork by its ugly Ham, please don't forget to
wash your hands ! after finishing with it !!!!!
vaneet did you read the comments above ,those 12 terrorist are warriors form them ,and you want me to spread love ,peace and friendship?
First this people were not accepting those terrorist and know they have become warrior and you want to speard love,friendship and peace?
see after seeing this i feel they deserve the haterad ,things like gujrat ,and gaza will be happening ,they are bloody animals how does not know a thing about others all they know is their bloody religion a outdated book.
you spread what ever you want i give a dam ,and please dont lecture me on what to do .
and you pakistani the things like gaza will be happening ,till the time u respect others and other.you are digging u r own grave you people dont understand the lauangage of love all u understand is sucide bombing ,killing ,and that is what you get.
u idiot ,if that 12 terririst were u are fighter and if u r pround of it ,i am very proud of gujrat and the demolision of that babri masid.atleast u agreed that 12 islamic Mother F$%ers were from u r country and u expect people to stop killing in gaza ?
Vaneet Kundra let me tell you in plain simple words ,stop lecturing me on what to do ,u want to sperd ,u please spread i am not telling you to stop spreading ,may be u have got a chance to write a article and u r thankful and u want to be faithfull I admire that,PLEASE DONT LECTURE ME ON WHAT TO WRITE.
dr and mr ali this a very nice site and I dont want to use unparlimentry words here.I respect the editors view and i am not using the language ,if you want to know what your country come to this site and dare to answer question ,I think dr can answer but the person woth verbal diahorea can not answer
here is the link come and see we india talk in u r language http://www.topix.com/forum/world/india/TMR4ABQCSK…
vaneet its not for you,the editor may give you one more chance to write a article so keep spreading love ,friendship and love?who cares.
hahahhahaha
pork!
you are a perfect "chinaal". bhus men chingaree dal kar tamasha dekhtee ho? …..bee jamalo ka moot.
vaneet came with the message of peace with reason and maturity.
while you indulged yourself in a monkey business all the time.
naturaly our response for vaneet is entirely different from you.because we believe monkey should be treated like a monkey……yes,of course they must be kept inside the zoo.
Calling terrorists warriors is not acceptable. These terrorists have no religion. Killing innocent people in the name of religion is a henious crime and i would request the Dr., please do not try to provocate, as this thing, is not going to work. All sane pakistanis condemn this henious crime and using a word as warrior is a bigger crime. Please stop all this. Provocations do not work for people who would like to work for peace. I would request Awab, not to publish these kinds of comments naming terrorists as warriors. We have taken a mission of peace. Some people are bent upon destroying this endevour. Moderation of comments is very important.
Jairam, i am not lecturing you. I am trying to build bridges and some people want to destroy it, which is going to be a futile exercise. I am sure sane voices like Farrah and Awab, will answer that as they also stand for peace. I am not going to comment on insane voices.
Vaneet,it seems we never learn from history,unless we give them a kick on their butt they wii never straighten out.Even after the last two wars these jokers still have their tail high.We should not have released the 93000 prisoners ,rather we should have made them build our infrastructure like roads ,toilets etc.etc. We couldnot get better cheap labour,what a lost opportunity!!
There is absolutely no need to to build bridges,I am giving Pakistan just five years within which their "brave warriors" will demolish and disintergate this country into pieces.We just have to watch from the gallery!!They are a bunch of psychos and only fit for "paggal khannas".
So ,u are wasting your time and energy in trying to propagate something impossible!
@jaram @pork @krs sobti!
lolzzzzz.lag gaee kia??hahhahahhaahhaha
janoo apni adaon se mar do na!
kick marney ki kia zaroorat hey….
hahahhahahahhahhahahhaah
"So ,u are wasting your time and energy in trying to
propagate something impossible!
the message of vaneet was successfuly delivered and widely appericiated.every body felt really bad on the killing of innocent civilians in mumbai.the slightest possiblity of war between india and pakistan scares a lot of people on both sides because there is potential of nuclear holocaust.
no body wants nuclear holocaust.
i am optimist and i believe in the good relations inspite of horrible past.in spite of our differences and religion we can be friend if we start practicing real justice as a nations.
right is right we have to support the right,wrong is wrong we have to stand against the wrong no matter what the cost it takes.if we simply can do that we can do any thing.
justice,peace and freedom should prevail otherwise there is no future for any of us.
@krs sobti,
in the meantime stay in your Malaria and TB infected
Mumbai's chaalli
alongwith your porcupine chanting jai jai ramji ki.
my neighbour adores the above combination.
Dear Awab- good to hear from you. While you have been staying away, i had to do all the explaining ( jokingly ). Never mind. The atmosphere is conducive. Some misconceptions have been removed, but a lot has to be done to get rid of all the other misconceptions, which we still have. I am optimistic, once we start a joint blog, the other misconceptions, will be taken care of. When many voices from both the countries, will exchange their views, darkness will give way to a new dawn. Lets dive together to find a treasure of peace, lying beneath us. It just has to be explored. It is lying deep down somewhere. We will find it someday. Since you are good in creating a blog, i would request you to start it immtly with a good name and let voices from both the countries be heard thru that blog. It may take sometime to get rid of our doubts, but i am sure, they will be a new horizon. Please create the blog without waiting… inshallah, if we have the will, nobody can stop us. Not even our govts.
People
Competetion is good ,but we have to moniter it ,is it healthy or unhealthy.
Is it crossing the lines.How West tried to portray China as a Communist opperessor, poluter and child labour ,torture,abuse ,etc but the World particularly West and USA were shocked and surprised to see spectacular display of discipline, and organising of Chinese Olympics.
China responds rarely but this response was the best response.It was a true shock and awe for people,an inspiration at spiritual,mental and physical level.
Let us do something like that,by saying Pakistanis are Terrorist ,we would not become Terrorist,even if the whole World says so.
I think this Bombay Blast was a major event ,a lot has changed since than……in a better way for Pakistan,we are trying to find new friendships in the region .We have a better and stronger bond with Iran,China ,Afghanistan,we should work on this.
This is the real divide or the fruit of divide,Pakistan is free of Indian influence.
We are neighbours ,good will and peace should prevail.
Pakistanis like me have no doubt though,Persian and Urdu is the language of future at least for another two decades.
It would be good to see the revival of acceptability and expression of culture,art and celebration of humanity.
The biggest bond among all Muslims is we do not have to explain our faith and we are not branded as Terrorists.
Do not waste your words and energies on mud throwing on each other,India and Pakistan.
Let us start building …with positivity and hope for peace and acceptability.
Dr jawwadknan & Farrah ji, I am grateful for your comments. They are very encouraging and now i can feel the warmth building us between us. We are neighbours and have to live with each other. Let us start a new chapter and rejuvenate our peace process from one to one. Let the respective govts. have their own agenda, where we both have no say. Yes, one thing is certain and if i can forsee, If we both develop a kind of mass movement on unprecented scale and thousands of people from both the countries, start making a Dharna, a protest, around our respective parliaments and tell them in plain, simple words " Just shut up. No more war-hysteria. Talk peace, otherwise get out of our way." The govts. will have no choice, but to listen to these peace loving citizens. Just imagine, the prosperity of the people of both the countries in the atmosphere of peace. The poor people of both the countries will be the biggest beneficiaries. Let us start, creating mass awakeing, by involving more and more people in this peace movement. Though it will take time and energy, but today i feel, we have both taken the the first step to cover thousand miles. It is onle the first step, which takes time. " Aur phir caravan banta chala jayega ". Hail peace. Pakistan and India, Zindabad.
I must thank Awab. It was his initiative, which has started bearing fruit now. I would like to have Awab's comments regarding this effort, which both of us started. Credit goes to Awab for his large heartedness and the article he has published. He had taken the risk of a backlash but his efforts have started paying off. Awab, where are you ? My heartiest congratulations to you that we have started talking as ONE. May god bless us both.
Vaneet – im sorry for the protracted silence – I must agree with you wholeheartedly – we must move forward. Its no use to get stuck in age old rivalries as the past 60 years it has gotten us no where and I don't expect the next 60 any better. I believe we can move forward – and your idea of an India-Pakistan friendship blog is probably one step to try and heal those wounds. Lets dive in and create change – after all it has to start someplace …..
Vaneet
I am extremely uncomfertable though.Living in Lahore I was very privileged to see the working of various NGO’s ,many of them were close friends with India.
I liked the way NGO’s worked and questioned the set norms of society and to be honest I was quite disappointed to notice they did not want real change.
I have to admit I saw some people who were really committed to bring chnage ,Asma Jahangir is one of them.
Rest of all strongly lacked the core nationalism in them.
From discussing women freedom and gender issues,to Amrita Preetum and Ajeet Kaur and Sufi poets ,they quickly switched over to we should study in Gurmukhi and we should write in Gurmukhi.
Well I am a lazy queen so I was not ready to do that.
Than they started to discuss things like Punjab has suffered in Independance ,it has stopped Punjabi culture from flourishing,Punjabi people cannot do well in schools because in houses they speak Punjabi in schools they read in Urdu .As per them it was an extra burden on child as the child had to study Arabic as well for Quran.
SO they thought after 1947 the whole Punjab has suffered and lost the charecter.
It should be re-instated,we need to strengthen our ties with India ,Punjab should be united.
They also condemned Persian language ,they thought Pakistani Tarana is not in Urdu.
I thought this is whole loads of crap.Uniting with Indian Punjab ,who is going to protect me from what was happening in India at that time.Babri Masjid incidence .
So of course I was not fitting in well and I was not hungry for fame or recognition so I withdrew.
In my personal experience there are huge number of people who are extremely friendly towards India.
I do not see there is any particular sort of hatred between the two neighbours.
I mean every year Sikhs come to Lahore and once I went to visit Badshahi mosque and I decided to get to Gurdawara,tehy told me Muslims are not allowed.
No offense the young Sikh guy was smilling and I was not embarassed,so I said ok and left .
So this is tolerance.I work with Indians and we get along fine.I do not see any hostility.
So I am extremely skeptic when you are asking for mass protest of people joining together ,mass protest against what and when?
India is a booming economy I am sure you are not a Marxist and hence are not asking for a mass protest against the FActory owners or Imperialists.
So why Indians and Pakistanis would need to protest against ,and what?
Do not you think Kashmiris are suffereing more?At present if we want to get them freedom or security that is more important.
India and Pakistan are two mature,secure Nations.Pakistan government send pupils to India for studies what happened to them after Bombay Blasts?
They were beaten swearly.Pakistanis by and large do watch Indian films,songs and in every Shaadi there is huge dance festivity as per Indian films.
Leave the governemnts aside and people together for what ?
We do not want to be re-united.At least not me.
Muslims are not Terrorists.We do not go on killing people.
The biggets show of our patiance is Palestine.
We are extremly caustious and I am sorry at present at least myself cannot trust India ,the war planes they sent over my country is not easy to forget.
I may have forgotten the past but present is extremly dangereous and we have to be extremely causious what are we aiming at.
If we want people to open up,human to human relation should improve than you must work on Indian people first.
What ever happens in India we are not responsible for that?
War rehoteric was started by Indians?
We had Marriot we didnot turn around and said it is Raw doing it?
India has recently landed on Moon we have not said we are threatend .
So dear friend,on one side we are being attacked verbally,emotionally,Internationally on the other hand ,we are offered friendship.
We are not friends with USA ,they never supported us.
Remove the causes and in so doing you have to work in India.Zardari contracts lack public support,that support would not be ensured to India from the blogs.
I have nothing personal against you but this is how I feel regarding the future of India Pakistan.
@ Farrah,
in groso modo, these Ngos and " dance delegations "
" Bhangra intellectuals" are naive preys to cunning
scruplous tactics of Shudhi movement.
Yes, as you said " Loads of crap "
we have to be on our alert, we have to discourage
and remove "Bholay Badshas ".
Farrah ji & Assad bhai, Good you asked these questions. First of all, this peace movement is no NGO. It does not involve religion at all. We both are entitled to follow our own religions. Our core issue should be how to talk peace and bring peace between common indian and common pakistani. We should only talk about Indo-Pak relations. The core issue. There are many misconceptions as i said, last nite, which have to be removed and it can only be resolved thru exchange of views and removing misconceptions about each other. Peace is one issue, which is a great binding force in itself. Peace does not mean religion, caste or region. In india we have many religions, languages, regions and whole variety of people, but still we are part of India. This is called " Unity in Diversity ". We should work only for peace and nothing else. No NGO business. Peace means exchanging pleasant views, talk of our poor people, how to uplift them, talking of micro-finance for poor, its methods. We should be a group of opinion makers, standing as One, if there is any conflict. We should sooth our people, not to talk of war, explain to them, what repurcussions will be, if there is war. Peace movement basically means soothing of minds of AAm admi. Giving them reason, not to hate and explaining to them what our govts. hidden agenda is. Try to expose our respective govts. Try to tell them, start trade. More and more people should visit each other's countries. We have to learn from Madam Asma Jehangir. She was my inspiration in Amritsar. I have sent her many mails, but she seems to be busy. We have to develop our own mechanisms and ways. These can be built, only thru regular dialogue as we are having just now. Are you not feeling peace in your mind reading all, what we have discussed so far on Awab's blog ? Harsh and abusive voices from both sides have mellowed down. Is it not the first step towards peace ? We are humans and humans have emotions. We have to introspect, each one of us, from inside. We have to prove that humanity thrives on peace, not wars. We have to talk of nice things of life, love, properity, brotherhood, nature, etc. There are so many things we can discuss. We should become pressure groups within our own countries, who can tell our govts. to mend their ways. Let truth and only truth prevail. No double facing should be welcomed. If we are wrong, we should be prepared to admit it and if we are right, we should stand for it and convince the other side. Educated people can do a lot as education gives reasoning of mind, which we both have. Let us start. We have miles to go and we will keep on removing our doubts on the way forward. As i told Awab initially, only patriots can talk to each other, not hypocrates. Patriotism means conviction to understand each other in a better way, otherwise i would not have written an article and Awab would not have published it at all. We have taken the first step. Let us take another. We have to climb, step by step to reach our goal of peace.
What is Peace?
A favorite story that Grandfather liked to tell us was the story of an ancient King who was obsessed with the desire to find the meaning of peace. What is peace and how can we get it and when we find it what should we do with it were some of the issues that bothered him. Intellectuals in his kingdom were invited to answer the King's questions for a handsome reward. Many tried but none could explain how to find peace and what to do with it. At last someone said the King ought to consult the sage who lived just outside the borders of his Kingdom:
"He is an old man and very wise," the King was told. "If anyone can answer your questions he can."
The King went to the sage and posed the eternal question. Without a word the sage went into the kitchen and brought a grain of wheat to the King.
"In this you will find the answer to your question," the Sage said as he placed the grain of wheat in the King's outstretched palm.
Puzzled but unwilling to admit his ignorance the King clutched the grain of wheat and returned to his palace. He locked the precious grain in a tiny gold box and placed the box in his safe. Each morning, upon waking, the King would open the box and look at the grain to seek an answer but could find nothing.
Weeks later another sage, passing through, stopped to meet the King who eagerly invited him to resolve his dilemma. The King explained how he had asked the eternal question and this sage gave him a grain of wheat instead. "I have been looking for an answer every morning but I find nothing."
The Sage said: "It is quite simple, your honor. Just as this grain represents nourishment for the body, peace represents nourishment for the soul. Now, if you keep this grain locked up in a gold box it will eventually perish without providing nourishment or multiplying. However, if it is allowed to interact with the elements – light, water, air, soil – it will flourish, multiply and soon you would have a whole field of wheat which will nourish not only you but so many others. This is the meaning of peace. It must nourish your soul and the souls of others, it must multiply by interacting with the elements."
Come on Vaneet
We are at Peace ,you recieved quite a warm welcome.We listened to your story empathetically.
There are hundreds of blogs people keep registering there thoughts.
You know what let us start Peace really:
1.I want INDIA and PAKISTAN cricket matches to be re-started.
It can be started with a friendly match ,mixture of Cricket stars retired and present with some Show Biz people .
2.We want people to help us to restore free flow of water from the Rivers to Pakistan.
3.We want International Journalists and memebers of Amnesty etc should be allowed in Jammu and Kashmir.To meet people,to listen to their stories.
To make some film there .I miss the scenery .Kashmir needs revenue,trade and business.
Can we work on any of above.I like to commit to work to achieve goals.
Regarding friendship ,I can assure you we India and Pakistani are on extremely cordial level.
If we do not meet each other at a Sunny Deol film premiere and after any political rally.
Listen to my story now.A wise man was walking by the river side ,he came accross a young man leying on the grass ,fish catching and sunshine.
So the wise man says ," What a waste of time,you should be working hard,earning money,building home,having wife and children"
The young man asked,than what?
Old man:than you will gorw old and sit by the river bank,catch fish and enjoy sunshine.
The young man:That is what I am doing the young man replied.
@ Farrah dear,
11 feb, 4.33 pm
I don't agree with your Nos 1 and 2
they have just ruined the potential and brought
nothing to contribute to a " Good Neighbour "
formula Principles of civilized people on this earth.
Showbis and accompanying alcoholism, sexual bordelic
freedom, immorality promotionalism, consumer's selfish
policies and anti-ecology wastage of wnvironment.
We are not interested in converting all the Hindus &
Sikhs to Islam, myself as a muslim have no such
obligations, but I do not tolerate any other religion,
culture, language or rituals to impose on me and my
people. We must all resist against such "Shuddhi".
agree with your no.3
we Pakistanis want to live quietly and peacfully,
we must not be bothered with other's damned craps.
I am reproducing the email received from Asma Jehagir :
Aghs to me
show details 1:59 pm
Thanks and hope the blog keep going.
Regards,
Asma Jahangir
Dear Farrah ji, Please allow me to ask, If we are running the govts. ? Do we have any control or participation in the running of our respective govts ? If the answer is yes, i agree with you. we should lead, such a peace rally as suggested by you.
Please guide me how i can prevail upon my govt. Can you prevail and ask your govt. to do what you want ? We have got together to start an initiative which unfortunately does not yield results overnite. Rome was not build in a day. For such kind of movements, it takes years of sincere hard work and determination on both sides. Asma Jehangir is a known personality in both our countries and she has been working for many many years on peace. Has your govt. listened to her ? If i can remember, it was only through Awab's blog, i came to know the story of harassement of her daughters by Pakistan govt. There is no short cut to anything. You have to put in lot of hard labour to achieve something. Should we stop working on peace, if it takes years to build a momentum ? Our relations after Mumbai terror attack, reached the lowest ebb. As on today, our relations are at their worst. Should we people start abusing each other for that ? Or should we find out ways to improve the relations ?
You have the answers and i am not here to receive any medal. If you think, we cant find out ways and status quo should remain, be it like that. I wont be writing in future. But history will remember us as failures, who tried but never succeded. Choice is yours. I leave it on you to decide.
Vaneet
Sorry if I am frustrating you.I am definitely Pro-Peace and Anti War person.If you just want communication and discussion accross borders ,that is no prblem.
Surely we are human enough to do that.
vaneet,farrah I am sorry to say are living in a idealistic,fantasy world.Peace with whom !Zardari,the playboy alias Mr.Ten Percent or Kayani ex ISI chief or the heads of various terrorist groups like LET etc. etc., is there any creditable,recoganised body representing Pakistan ?? I empathise and pity the people of this country.Instead of modernisation , devlopment and most important removal of poverty these jokers want to see whether a woman"s dress covers her ankles or not otherwise shoot her dead!!This country is doomed !!
I am not in favour of mud-slinging and I wish the people of Pakistan well,but u cannot ignore the stark naked reality
Please go thru this article, what determined man can do.
http://www.school-for-champions.com/character/det…
@krs sobti,
your reaction is classical outdated,
how old are you ?? why are you wasting your
life with such baseless hatred.
krs sobti
I agree with your comment 100% on Zardari.
Regarding the other half how women are treated in Pakistan
is a generalisation.Women do not want o do anything for themselves the one who want they are doing it.
I know many business women,journalists ,writers ,poetess etc.
The phenomenon of hijab is not so much in Pakistan but around the world in Muslim women is they want to wear Hijab.
What can we do it is their choice.Twenty years ago we the woman had big issue of not weraing a hijab or Chadder but now it is the opposite.It is not the men.
VAneet
Dialogue is definitely powerful than bullets.
Congratulations !! You have convinced me.Before we decide that conflict is the answer we must exhaust all forms of communication and use it for Peace to pervail.
Definitely ,Human life is too precious to be asked to given up for a land be it a soldier or ordinary person.
If we can teach that to our governemnts that will be great all conflicts must be resloved on tables.
Dear Friends, Just go thru this website. Seems interesting.
http://www.indo-pak.org/
Mr Assad, I donot hate Pakistanis I pity them.After 2 months of denial and lies from the highest echelon of your Govt to the lowest level, these terorists were disowned but today yr minister has suddenly realised they are Pakistanis!!Good Morning !! Shameless , totally unethical and hypocritical these are the values ingrained in yr character.
Secondly,what are trying to convey by using words like pork,
ham, crap? If you think u are being aggresive u are mistaken.Rather it seems u are stooping down to the intelligence level of a imbecile!!
@krs sobti,
don't exaggerate to such length ! so you won't be able
to retreat later on, mate !!!
The CIA sponsored PPP's Govt is pure traitors, with
Indian agenda hidding in their undergarments, every
one knows now !
Malik the donkey, has only repeated what is relatively
confirmed from day one ! in simple words,
– Indian involvement is clear !
– RAW's involvement is obvious & crystal clear,
– Indo/Israeli Army's trained Takfiris,Tehrikis,
Kharajits got their terrorist training in
India and inside 21 Indian consulats in Afghanistan,
– Indo/Israeli agents are destroying schools, murdering
citizens,in Sawat, Bajaur,S.Waziristan etc. etc.
the same scenario as IN IRAQ !!
You have'nt understood any thing boy, !
go and play outside with the kids !
@Farrah,
we have to sort out with India,that she should
behave like neighbours and not colonials !
– India must respect all the International laws
and obligations to respect sovereignty of all
the neighbouring countries !
– India must respect all minorities and their
Human Rights.
– India must release all Pakistani river waters
immediately,
– Withdraw her 700.000 troups from Kashmir and hold
Plebesite, resting international laws !
– Withdraw her troups from Afghanistan and close down
all her 21 or more consulats in Afghanistan and stop
recruiting terrorists.
i think we all agree to the above points.
@ krs sobti,
you can be surprised but, in reality, all ordinary
Pakistani citizens have demanded where were those
proof pertaining to the famous "wanted list" ? annexed
with 69 pages of Ram-leela " Mumbai dossier"
DNA particulars ?
Finger prints ?
Valid Identities ?
and proper wherabouts in Pakistan
and the languages they spoke !!!
of all 9, including " survivor" Kassav, probably
already dead in his cell (hanged himself),
will they be ready to handover Kassav or just intend to
place him in their National Museum ?
what a Hollywoodian episode !!
Mrs Sobti @ jaram!
what is your problem ?
why you are sucha pain in ass?
don't you have some thing positive in life beside taunting like women?
dear asad plz ignore him.
@ dr.jawwadkhan,
thanks for your wise advice !!
BTW, I was told that PPP's CIA stooge
Govt's Interior Minister is a Qad ?