The common capital of India and Pakistan
-Illustration by Khuda Bux Abro.
It was not just the land that was partitioned. Hearts, minds, behaviours and emotions had been partitioned long before so the final division could be made ‘smoothly’, and it went as smoothly as expected. The ground was pulled from underneath someone’s feet, while the sky was pulled away from another’s head! Millions of people neither belonged here nor there, only those who were to lead the new states remained. The new leaders had not only been involved in dividing the state but also dreamt of ruling the new countries in the name of religion and nationalism. A single announcement managed to create a border that cannot be seen anywhere except in books, files and maps.
It was as if a wall was erected in the courtyard of a large, lively house. Those who lived and played together would sulk one moment and reconcile with each other the next. Their hearts beat together as one. If they liked a certain tune, they all sang it together. If they got drunk, they danced in harmony with each other. Their souls were fragrant with the scent of the soil; their breaths were perfumed with the same culture. But the formation of the wall of hate and treachery neither divided nor affected their breaths, their heartbeats.
It doesn’t matter whether the leaders belong to this side of the wall or to that side. They have always sowed seeds of hatred within the divided hearts of their nation in order to prevent the demolition of the wall erected within their hearts and minds so that not only their rule would be established but their sustenance is guaranteed, as well as their luxuries.
What does it matter if the people on this side or that of the wall live below the poverty line? Forget having healthcare and education, what does it matter if the people are deprived of basic needs like ‘roti, kapra aur makan’? Instead, not only did they build mountains of weapons but they also filled their own homes with the money they earned from the sale of weapons.
On one hand, both countries are atomic powers. On the other hand, they have no electricity, water, gas or petrol. We line up for CNG and other fuels; there is no electricity neither here nor there. We say it’s ‘loadshedding’ and they call it ‘katoti’. At night, their footpaths are full of sleeping, homeless people. A similar sight can be seen on our roads at night. We have katchi abadis and they have slums. Piles of rubbish litter our streets and theirs. There are armies of beggar children on both sides of the wall. But we still stand amongst the developed nations with our heads held high, saying that we are atomic powers. They stand in dhotis and we in old, torn shalwars.
-Illustration by Khuda Bux Abro.
The awam here and the janta there are stuck in the clutches of the same kind of leaders. We hear cries of “Corruption! Corruption!” from both sides of the border. They are ruled by the bureaucracy, businesspeople, politicians and the army. Similarly, we are ruled by the bureaucracy, politicians, waderas, businesspeople and the army. Everyone is related in one way or the other. The pundit rules there, while the mullah rules here. They both fear love as it were their mortal enemy. Each tells his people to follow the ‘true’ path. Each considers his path as the right one.
Everyone has their own path and destination. Your job is merely to follow in their footsteps, not think and question your leaders. Just close your eyes and follow them because it is their responsibility to take you to the destination. The revolution is on its way. We have kept walking on for the last 65 years, losing generations in the process but we still hear that the revolution is on its way.
When the talks of lessening the distances begin, steps are taken to increase the distances. Firing occurs, throats are slit or sometimes you’ll hear a blast. Then all measures announced to decrease the bilateral distances are either completely withdrawn or remain as mere announcements. The nationalist politicians in both countries begin to speak in a common jingoist language. The media in both countries lets go of all control, trying to gain higher ratings. If they could, they would bring the two armies to a confrontation or blow up both nations with a single bomb.
The public of both countries breathe, smile, laugh and cry together. Their grief and happiness are the same. Films, drama and songs are the same for both; while someone from Calcutta hums the tunes of Mehdi Hasan, someone else in Peshawar is a great fan of Jagjit Singh. Their hearts beat together. Their dreams are the same. But this wall between the two countries has been elongated and heightened instead of being shortened. Those who keep fortifying it don’t know that its height cannot prevent the winds, scents and the sounds of music and laughter from travelling across the border.
-Illustration by Khuda Bux Abro.
Poetry, literature, history, philosophy, theatre, dance and music are our common capital. How are you going to stop these? What methods will you use? The people think at an equal level and are not dependent upon you anymore. Whether it is instruments, voice, art or literature, the roads have opened for them.
The world is getting closer everyday and you are adamant on not saying hello to your neighbour.
Our children would like to benefit from each other’s developments. They wish to study and learn from each other’s teachers. The fearful atmosphere spread by our leaders has greatly harmed our previous generations. For goodness sake, let the new generations familiarise themselves with their culture, traditions, art and literature. The entire world is coming closer but we are being kept apart from each other every single day.
Why are we forbidden from knowing about ourselves? Why we are not allowed to look into the mirror? We are supposed to be each other’s reflection. Why are we being forced to look into opposing directions? Who has ever been saved by weapons? Only love can save us! Please cut the crop that you have been cultivating for the last 65 years. And just let us be.
Listen to this blog in Urdu
The author has dabbled in every form of the visual arts. An activist to the core, Abro’s work deals with social themes and issues ranging from human rights to dictatorial regimes. He is currently working for DAWN as an illustrator.
India is secular(means everyone can practise their faith without fear), Pakistan is Theocratic(Anything except a particular version of Islam has to be eliminated). India is a shining example of living and let live, pakistan is a shining example of a warped mind. India’s population is 120 crores and pakistan’s is close to 1/6th of India’s. The only established fact out of partition is, If Muslims are allowed to manage any country, that country is going to be a disaster. Period.
It was first pakistanis who seperated from India saying that hindus and muslims are two seperate nations and that they can’t live together.. we agreed.. and now they say we should come closer..If we had to come closer then why the hell did pakistan get seperated from India.. I think it is better for both the nations to live their own life without bothering and comparing
Foundations of both countries are different, India practices religious equality while Pakistan do not, in fact religious minorities are prosecuted in Pakistan, even the law is against them. India is governed by politicians and the army has limited role, while in Pakistan it is just reverse, the real power is with army while politicians are mere puppets who can be overthrown at any time.
india and [akistn is quite different, in behaviour,food,culture ect,
pakistn have some similarity with indian punjab/haryana delhi ect but that is not even 5% of indiaa population
our thinking in terms of attitude towards life religion is so different,
u havee mentioned common taste for music but then a english song which is a hit in the west is also hit in india that does not make us similar, good things are appreciated everywhere, some arabic song are very popular in india bec of its catchy tunes
what should be the point is though we are different, we can live togather that should be our motto,
Richie
It is easy to say I am better than you. The question is not who is better than whom (Childish..eh like meri tumse badi hai…) the point is what can be ! It is easy to hate, give your ego a massage – but is it so difficult to empathise ? It is easy to become a “SHER” (tiger) , but is it so difficult to be a HUMAN BEING? Humans are the only animal who can watch their thoughts. Have we stopped analysing our thoughts ? Have we stopped being human ? We want to live in the world with a false sense of bravado without ever achieving anything individually in life. We have individually not been able to conquer our dark side (of hatred, lies, jealousy, violence, will to put others down…….) but we want to conquer others to prove that we are stronger ? What is that strength which ridicules another human being but is not able to help him ?
Mitti se aaye hain, Mitti mein mil jayenge, Chale the Hawaon ko nam dene;
Why are pakistanis so obsessed with India??? You guys mingle with your central asian brothers and become like them.
What useless article. If trade, economy, science, and technology cannot be the biggest common element between India and Pakistan, nothing can be. Trade and cooperation in education and technology is what is needed much more. Wake up visual art people. Live in world of reality.
Enjoyed listening to the Urdu sound bytes. May your tribe increase Abro!
Just do not under stand how this author compared a secular democracy to a mere religious society. Such a sad state of lack of communication…
The article is an intellectually extravagant and depicts the true picture on the both sides of the border in a very convincing manner. Thanks to the writer that he dealt the India Pakistan Relation outside the purview of the Kashmir, siachen, sir creek, water disputes and gave a humanistic perception of the relation. The article is worth cherishing and a lovely read for all times.
Thanks – wonderfully written and said, heard many times and still cant get over it. I wish in my lifetime if we could remove the man made barrier (LOC), it will be the greatest achievement of India and Pakistan, why cant our people move freely just like the birds, winds and animals. Why cant we both be tolerant and accept each others. See the Berlin Wall gone forever and Germany is a great power and stronger than any other Euro country. Respect Khuda Bux Abro.
Peace.
Mr. Abro Sahib, your presentation here in “Dawn” made my day. I wish the walls of hate between India and Pakistan come down for our present and future generations as it happened to the wall which existed between East and West Germany.
I like your almost poetic take on India and Pakistan relations. I wish it was that simple to mend the ties. Don’t be under the impression that you are alone who feels that the two countries should be closer to each other. Many people have shared your pain for years. We, the people, of the two countries know very well how similar we are. India had extended the hand of friendship many a times before. I wouldn’t blame Indian leadership for not trying. I think Pakistan needs an open minded and visionary leader like Jinnah, who will guide Pakistan in the 21st century.
Is this an article of seriousness or a story board of a possible bollywood flick.Damn funny narrative.It is pitiable that the author and many of his likes are still in the hangover of partition.For Indians they hardly care anything from that time,if they are bothered at all about Pakistan it is the possible terror threats from there.Behave maturely in words and deeds and have a healthy relation with India.And for God’s sake if Pakistan wants to improve,stop comparing with India as there are hardly any similarities.
A common Indian looks at pakistan in the same way a doctor looks at a septic wound. Sorry Pakistani’s but this is how we look at you folks. And who in his right mind would like to have a septic wound on his body??? We are good the way we are, lets build some better borders.
Everybody from both sides of the wall should read this article which really is HISTORICLE FACTS. Politicians from both sides of the wall are the REAL ENEMIES of the people.
Please keep spreading this message and help all of us to live in peace.
they should allow hazaras to leave for india
Pakistani passport of the author should be taken away and he be deported to India as a gift with one way ticket. May be he will then realize the value of pakistan
Mr. Bux, how many Indian authoers, writers, journists and tv host are singing your song? The answer is none, on the contrary they are all playing war tunes. In Pakistan you guys have your heads in sands and body in the air that does not exists. You better start believing in gravity as a physical force or it it will hit you when you land on the ground of reality. Love hate relationships are the biggest strains on one’s emotions and Indian and Pakistanis need to learn how to be indifferent as far as
Mr. Khuda Bux Abro, if you like India this much than why don’t you just shift there? Have you forgotten the basis of “TWO NATION THEORY”? Do you consider MUHAMMAD ALI JINNAH” less intelligent than your own self? have you forgotten the many lives lost both by the PAKISTAN ARMY and our nation in the last many years?. Please wake up from your sweet dreams and come to normal.
Tariq:
The Two nation theory was demolished a long time ago when Bangladesh was created. And now you have the Sindhis and Baloch’s fighting for a separate country. And then India probably has more muslims than you guys do (or very close). And when Pakistanis (and Indians) show up in the US and beg for Citizenship, what happens to the two nation theory. By that logic you should stay put in Pakistan.
But the truth is that the world is moving away from religion and people want love, peace, development, etc. Not some jingoist solgans about God and religion to divide people. May Allah have mercy on your miserable soul and show you some light.
Anush
Ok that is one side of the story. Let me tell the other side. Indians think their cultural root exists in their soil. Pakistanis believe their cultural root comes from Arabia and Persia and the very idea that they are different from Indians in every aspects forms the basis of the formation of their beloved mother land.
Homeless people, poverty, beggars are common in most of the world nations especially Asian nations and to some extent in developed countries. But ambition of a common Pakistani is to avenge for Bangladesh and settle score in Kashmir. Common Indian on the other hand aspires to earn respect among the peoples of the world and become a leader of the world despite his short comings. Speaking of electricity, mid night satellite picture of India is far brighter than Pakistan’s and is on par with developed countries.
Father of Indian atomic and thermo nuclear bombs was made president of the country. The father of Pakistan atomic bomb was put under house arrest for selling technical know-how to foreign countries – forget holding his head high. In India pundits say what is right, mullahs issue fatwas and Christians preach love, while the people are free to follow their own path. In Pakistan Mullahs rules period. Want evidence?In India population of minorities is growing since independence. In Pakistan the population of minorities is reduced next to nothing.
In India army is mostly non existence in politics and Indians gather behind Anna to fight corruption by politicians and bureaucrats while the people of Pakistan is ruled absolutely by Army directly and indirectly since its independence. Laughter, cry and smile don’t go together for Indians and Pakistanis many a time. Crowds of Chennai and Kolkata are grief stricken seeing their national cricket team go down against Pakistanis bowlers’ attack where as People on the roads of Karachi and Lahore are celebrating the same event.
Indians tell stories to their children as far as 5000 years back. Pakistan’s history stops at 600 AD. Indian music and dance reach international platforms and win honors like Oscar. Whereas parallel governments of Taliban destroy music and dance in Pakistan.
Very good realistic unbiased comparison indeed.
just loved the article
hei,
this article catch sensitive attention and tried to explain feelings of hidden minds with sypathy and care,,its hardwork ,naturally writer have a point,,so so butt on the other hand
i m very surprised to read comments butt congratulate Dawn news taht make every effort to bring facts in the form of news and articles,and also congratulations that ,,,
all hindustan/bharat/india read Pakistani news paper(deniel or accep dont care reading Pakistani news papers) and posts comments or discuss its really amazing.
((really proud that Dawn news paper is the first news paper of Pakistan,now ))
This is an excellent article. We should have good relations. It will be good for both countries. Kashmir issue should be sorted out, which is a thorn in the peace process. Congress Party in India is very diplomatic in dealing this issue but it is not reciprocated by the Military and sussequent pakistani Governments. Most of the time, Pakistani Government and Military plays the role of hardliners as BJP of India. Peace will benefit Pakistan more than India in terms of trade and help them boost their economy. Pakistan will have a much bigger market for their products and better educational instituitions for their kids at much lower tuition.