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My parents are from Delhi, and my wife's from Hyderabad (Deccan). They settled in Lahore and Karachi respectively, and I was brought
up in Pakistan (mostly in the Himalayan North
West Frontier, and Lahore for medical education).
Recently we took our 2 children to India and Pakistan (the first time back for me
after 18 years in the U.S.). We went to India first, and stayed at
a bed-and-breakfast with a wonderful Indian family; it felt like
home! Our driver in Delhi and Agra was from Nepal, and the cook from Bengal (he prepared delicious
meals for us!).
I made a special point to visit my father's old house in
Old Delhi, and also paid a visit to Gandhi Samadhi, in addition to various
sites in the city. We had the best time. The people were so friendly,
especially the schoolchildren whom we saw walking everywhere in their uniforms
in a disciplined fashion. We then proceeded to go to Karachi to stay with family and meet my
aging parents. Again, we were struck by the affability and welcoming attitude
of the common people (in spite of the unfortunate Benazir Bhutto event that
happened while we were there). Needless to say our children were thrilled to meet
their cousins as well.
It was a life-changing experience for us; one that I had
never expected would impact us so much. I think broadening our visit to include
both countries was the key. What I took away from our trip was this: the people
of the subcontinent have so much in common: a shared heritage of land,
history, language, culture, traditions, music, food, dress,...yes!
even our thoughts and goals......I could go on and on.
Our common themes are stronger and more numerous than our differences (even the
latter are merely a manifestation of our richness and diversity, as I see it).
It is sad that at times we have chosen to accentuate our presumed differences
to the extent of going to war, launching an arms race, and fan the flames of
hatred.
Yet, when I reflect upon our recent first-hand interactions
with the "men (and women) on the street", and as long as the
spirit of our common humanity is alive, I see cause for hope. I wish
ordinary citizens could change things....and perhaps they can, by refusing to
bow to fear, ignorance, and prejudice. I am reminded of these lines by
Omar Khayyam,
"Ah
love! Could thou and I with fate conspire
To
grasp this sorry scheme of things entire
Would
not we shatter it to pieces, and then
Re-mould
it nearer to the heart's desire"!
Acknowledgement : http://www.asiapeace.org
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