INDO PAK- A SINGLE LIFE APART

WRITTEN BY: ANURAG SAHOO

The year was 1947 when thousands of Indians faced an identity crisis after the BRITISH RAJ decided to divide INDIA and form another new Muslim Dominated nation named as PAKISTAN. This decision was followed by mass protest somewhere and was welcomed somewhere. Further blood was added to this boiling issue by HINDU-MUSLIM and SIKH-MUSLIM riots. This was well portrayed in the blockbuster movie GADDAR.

The following years saw this issue reaching more heights of tension. The subsequent wars in 1948,1965,1971,1999 wars are testimony of how the two countries and also the entire international community are unsuccessful in resolving the main cause of the dispute i.e. KASHMIR. But have we questioned ourselves who are the persons from both the countries hating each other. Is it the government or is it the people of these two large dominions?

These two countries have great potential to emerge as powerful economies. KARACHI COMPOSITE 100 is one of the largest stock exchange index of the entire world. KARACHI and LAHORE are becoming the investment darling for the cash strapped CORPORATIONS from the ARAB WORLD. Pakistan has a rich culture just like INDIA when it comes to food, clothes, manners or lifestyle in general. The ONE KM. LONG FOOD STREET in Lahore is a symbol of culinary choice the PAKISTANIS have. The ever rocking music bands from Pakistan are a continuation of the great PAKISTANI MUSICAL LEGACY.  But lately talk shows featuring individuals like war strategist ZAEED HAMID who is a regular feature in the Pakistani media increases the friction of hostility between the two nations.

From the Indian side, efforts like SADAA-E-SHARAD bus service from DELHI to LAHORE or SAMJHAUTA EXPRESS train from ATARI to LAHORE acts as a catalyst in the relations. The sharing of culture in entertainment field is a melting point of hatredness in the relation between these two nations. The successful operations of many Pakistanis in INDIAN HOSPITALS are gesture of friendship towards Pakistan. But still everyday rockets and mortars are being exchanged from both the sides on the FRONT.

This issue can be resolved by promoting bilateral trades as there are many anti social parties who are benefitting from this hostile standoff between these two nations. Education in both these nations will ensure the eradication of poverty and in a literate society it is difficult to create dangerous ideologies which would harm the nations in a potentially great magnitude. We, the people should realize that boundaries are drawn but human spirit is above all. Let’s hope that both the countries go hand in hand in the peace process and the white dove fly peacefully around the world.