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While many Pakistanis are said to be apprehensive of Hindu nationalist and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s projected win in the 2014 general election, there’s an inconspicuous village called Pakistan in India which will gladly welcome his victory, said a report published in The Times of India.
Over 250 inhabitants, including more than 100 voters of the village called Pakistan, located in Bihar’s Purnea district are set to vote on April 24 for the Gujarat chief minister who has promised a tougher stance against Pakistan if he wins the election.
"We want Narendra Modi to become PM," said Hira Hembrum, a middle-aged villager.
Steeped in poverty and deprived of basic facilities, other residents of the village echo her view. Another villager Haldu Mumu was quoted in the local media as saying that “people in Pakistan are keen to vote for BJP to see Modi as PM”.
He said they wanted to see Modi in power in order to oppose what he said were neighbouring country Pakistan’s efforts to derail peace, adding that only this candidate could do it.
Government documents have recorded the name of the village as Pakistan.
Elderly people in the village said it was named soon after the Partition.
An elderly villager said Muslims, who lived in the village earlier, chose to relocate to Bangladesh after its secession from Pakistan, following which they decided to name the village in their memory. Notwithstanding the poverty and low literacy rate in Purnea, anti-Pakistan sentiment runs deep in the village. Mumu was recounted as saying that in the wake of 26/11, the inhabitants of the village had considered changing its name.
Villagers were in a celebratory mood – distributing sweets, singing songs and dancing – after the sentencing of Ajmal Kasab, the lone Pakistani survivor of the Mumbai 2008 attacks, he added.
Interestingly, in 2012, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had informed a visiting Pakistani delegation in India that there was a village named after their country.
The astounded delegates told Kumar that they were unaware of this village, upon which he showed the map of Purnea and explained that when Muslim residents relocated to Bangladesh, the villagers had decided to name it “Pakistan” as a tribute to their memory.
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On DawnNews
Comments (54) Closed
Apr 15, 2014 03:12pm
That will make their lives better how? No wonder peopel in India and even Pakistan suffer, its because they dont use their brains when voting, and these so called leaders take advantage of this fact..
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Apr 15, 2014 03:13pm
Pakistanis and Indians may consider themselves different from each other in many ways YET the pettiness is far too common among the residents of this subcontinent.
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Apr 15, 2014 03:37pm
Pakistani's need not fear of Narendra Modi as he is a man who is pro business and development. He would no doubt make efforts to increase trade with Pakistan. Pakistan will have to curb terrorism.
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Apr 15, 2014 04:11pm
Had heard there was a village called Pakistan somewhere in India, only now know where it is. Since Bihar is likely to go the BJP way it is very unlikely that Pakistan will be voting differently.
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Apr 15, 2014 04:51pm
And this makes news?
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Apr 15, 2014 04:56pm
@Atlantes:
India will have to curb terrorism (viz a viz interference in Balochistan), if it wishes to enhance trade ties with Pakistan
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Apr 15, 2014 05:07pm
They should rename the village 'Bangladesh' as that's where their Muslim neighbours migrated too.
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Apr 15, 2014 05:23pm
A village named "Pakistan" in India ! Really wonderful and lovely. Thanks to Dawn for sharing this info
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Apr 15, 2014 05:27pm
I am just wondering why dawn is making everyday news between India and Pakistan?
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Apr 15, 2014 05:48pm
@Salahuddin:
Agreed... India has to curb terrorism and epicenter of terrorism.
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Apr 15, 2014 06:07pm
"EAST PAKISTAN" still exists?
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Apr 15, 2014 06:37pm
@Feroz:
Surprised to know that India has a mini Pakistan in Bihar. If Modi comes to power, the size of Bihar Pakistan in all probability will grow & gain strength.
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Apr 15, 2014 06:53pm
This can happen only in India!!!
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Apr 15, 2014 07:13pm
@Hamid Ali Tabatabai:
Absolutely True LOL!
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Apr 15, 2014 07:15pm
@NHM:
But surprisingly without Terrorists !. In today's world the word "Pakistan" is considered as synonym of the word "Terrorism".
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Apr 15, 2014 07:24pm
@Atlantes:
This is a well understood stance of extremists in all religions - they support extremist leaders. Oh yes Modi will be as great for Pakistan as probably Syed Munawwar Hassan of JI would be for India if elected to power in Pakistan, God forbid.
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Apr 15, 2014 07:39pm
Lovely. Named a village in the honor of those who departed for a new homeland. Pakistanis have big heart.
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Apr 15, 2014 07:45pm
Whether we are Hindus or Christians or Muslims or Sikhs.. we are proud Indians!! Dawn.com or People of Pakistan, refers people in India by their religion. You won't find this kind of references anywhere in Indian media. If you want to justify your job.. write about the issues about the common man faces everyday.. either in India or Pakistan. not about issues of people belong to one particular religion. Since majority of Pakistan follow one religion - The Islam, there should have been more harmony, unity and peace compared to India... But I don't see that exist within yourselves. So.. religion can't buy you that..ONLY people's rational thinking and respect for others can bring good things to any society. RESPECT EACH OTHER!!!!!!!!!
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Apr 15, 2014 08:31pm
This guy is a war mongerer. Pakistan will need to be very careful OF modi comes to power. He hates Pakistan to the core and already has his hands dipped in innocent blood.
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Apr 15, 2014 08:38pm
He is good for India, and will be probably the India's next Prime Minister. Pakistan should also produce its own Nationalist leader. Just look at the people who are running Pakistan, and compare their performance, for the good of Pakistan.
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Apr 15, 2014 09:49pm
@DK: Good lecture. We the Pakistanis are better than that. Come and visit Pakistan, particularly my hometown, Karachi. You will not find any distinction in Hindu, Muslim, Parsi or Christian. We treat each other with respect. We do not need any civic lessons. We are Pakistani.
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Apr 15, 2014 09:49pm
" Notwithstanding the poverty and low literacy rate in Purnea, anti-Pakistan sentiment runs deep in the village".
Isn't that a case with most of the modern India. Blame Pakistan for their poverty and illiteracy. What a sad moment..
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Apr 15, 2014 10:10pm
@DK:
why wasn't this practiced in Gujarat?
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Apr 15, 2014 10:18pm
Narendra Modi
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Apr 15, 2014 11:03pm
Wonder how can people of countries like pakistan question India's secularism. you need big heart when u do so. Yes we have had chaos in gujrat, meerut, mujjafarnagar but we also have had numerous days of joy together. Well pakistan wont understand that ever who havnt seen people in their territory beyond islam. Nothing can give more joy den celebrating Diwali, Eid, xmas together but only if people can think that wise out there.
Anyways God bless pakistan and its people and i pray they start arranging there house atleast now(which is quite late already) then concentrating on their neighbour and its secularism, which is quite capable of handling its issues.
#peace
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Apr 16, 2014 02:21am
It is a misnomer, Pakistan does not do terrorism, Pakistan has been victim of terrorists attacks, since joining American so called war on terror against Mullah Omar & taliban of Afghanistan. These are facts.
There is no substitute for honesty to ourselves & honest thinking, if we are all interested in long lasting peace in India & Pakistan, over a long haul.
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Apr 16, 2014 02:26am
It seems to be propoganda by times of India, which is understandable, but what is more bizare is that,Dawn is actually reporting about this propoganda piece. Mean while, 1000s of muslims are homeless in udher predesh because they were kicked out of their homes in their villeges by Hindus. These Muslims are hoping modi is not elected PM, or else they would be killed next time. This is the reality of India. Something times of India, or indian media does not want to report, nor even Dawn wants to speak of this.
This makes me question the credbility of dawn.
Is dawn being lazy and bizarely naieve? This only brings a question mark on our media, really.
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Apr 16, 2014 02:51am
@Nizamuddin Ahmad Aali:
except burn churches and temples frequently
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Apr 16, 2014 03:43am
@Atlantes:
Afraid!!!!! Happy to see MODI right man for right people.
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Apr 16, 2014 04:28am
@DK:
You really need to read this from another Dawn article - it will open ur eyes to India's true "democratic" treatment of its poor people:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1084655/rip-nido-taniam
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Apr 16, 2014 06:55am
@a:
He might be hateful of pakistan, but without good reason?
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Apr 16, 2014 07:04am
@Sufi Mateen:
It is actually true that Pakistan is to be blamed for the poverty in India as India has to spend a large portion of GDP to keep the terrorism from Pak at bay. In retalliation Pakistan too had to up their armed forces and see where it led you. Wide spread poverty and an Army that is far powerfull than the democratic institutions which can userp the power any time. India with one of the largest economies of the world just manages where Pakistan is broke. Time, leaders of both countries realise this and work together and constructively to reduce the millitary spending by co-operation. Think of an India which helps Pakistan to manage western border and a Pakistan which support India when there is problem with China. Any way coming of Modi will be good as he is a leader who delivers what he promises whether it is war or peace and doesn't keep a hidden face. He openly says he is a Hindu nationalist and his country comes before any thing else.
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Apr 16, 2014 08:06am
@a:
no body is a war monger. but in any case you should be careful of every one and it holds true for all nations.
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Apr 16, 2014 08:20am
@DK:
And don't forget the Jains and the Buddhists.
All in all - considering the diversity in religion and language - a remarkable accomplishment by the Indians.
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Apr 16, 2014 08:39am
@Nizamuddin Ahmad Aali:
You may want to check the fact that 1000 minority women(under reported number) gets converted and married to muslim men every year in Pakistan. How many of them are in karachi/Sind area. I can bet you you will not find a single incident where minority women in India is abducted/converted/married against her wishes in India to Hindu men.
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Apr 16, 2014 09:27am
@Hussain:
Just an oddity. Can Pakistanis create a place called India and respect it? NEEDS COURAGE,though!
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Apr 16, 2014 09:29am
@Sufi Mateen:
Some of your Jihadis show up and shoot up India, and you expect Indians to love you?
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Apr 16, 2014 09:43am
@Muhammed Ali:
what do you mean by India and 'even Pakistan' ? in spite of such a large population India is doing much better than pakistan.
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Apr 16, 2014 09:58am
@Suhail Ahmed:
Comapare oranges with oranges.
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Apr 16, 2014 10:00am
@a:
As if you are not hated India & Indians. Recollect your comments earlier, you may get a hang of it.
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Apr 16, 2014 11:14am
If anyone around is thinking that Mr. Modi would be the next Indian PM just because he is anti-Pakistan, you are absolutely wrong. Inflation, jobs, water, power, security ......... Pakistan does exist in the list. Neither are any other countries as well.
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Apr 16, 2014 12:37pm
@FIZA:
yes absolutely. Just like other sub continent people , we interfere only when there is something in it for us . NE States have less than 25 Lok sabha seats . So not much significance is being attributed . Thats the reason we are inviting MODI to take care of this ! We know about our problems and we are addressing it . Its time you do it too before you point at some one ! Thank you !!
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Apr 16, 2014 12:38pm
@Nizamuddin Ahmad Aali:
yes no distinction at all . Force conversion and all are equal! Free and fair !
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Apr 16, 2014 10:31pm
@Ahmad Gharib Nawaz Khan:
I bed to differ because Mr Sharif's extended hand of friendship comes with backstabbing.
Did you forget what happened after Mr Vajpayee went to Pakistan and then you attacked India for the 4th time? Do I need to remind you of your own track record?
Namaste.
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Apr 17, 2014 09:04am
@Salahuddin:
Boss, who started first in terrorist activity..
Pakistan openly supports Kashmir and it is proven in battle field many times
Whereas Pakistan just complaints India helping Baloch unrest but is it really true..
Even we do not know. Actually in India we do not have time to look at whats happening in Pak , we are quite occupied.
We will be happy if Pak prospers. We will be happier if Pak abandons terror instrument and be part of developed, civilized society.
Kamal
India
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Apr 17, 2014 02:40pm
The report seems false. There is no logic for the sentence "Notwithstanding the poverty and low literacy rate in Purnea, anti-Pakistan sentiment runs deep in the village.". Report is only to misguide people and to further increase enemity between 2 regions, please do not trust.
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Apr 17, 2014 04:01pm
Interesting news story. I never knew that there is a Pakistan in India. Thankful to Dawn for this news story. The fact is India and Pakistan have so much in common but unfortunately it is only the differences that come into play in their day-to-day interactions, and not commonality. Some day history will rectify its own mistake.
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Apr 17, 2014 04:30pm
@Nizamuddin Ahmad Aali:
what about Shia Muslim minority who are treated as second class citizens by your country men and genocide of shia muslim by your dear sipah e sahaba and your poor govt hand in glows with this tughs cant even arrest and punish guilty and no one in pakistan raise a voice against shia killing... and u say that you treat all minority with respect.Jinnah created Pakistan to save Muslim from Hindus and i want to know who will save muslims from muslims in pakistan .modi is far better than your radical groups..same injustice is done with christains and hindus in pakistan..
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Apr 17, 2014 06:31pm
@GA:
Their neighbors migrated in 1947.
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Apr 17, 2014 08:14pm
@San:
Read carefully dummy. It says all the Muslims Moved To Bangla Desh.
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Apr 17, 2014 08:22pm
@Nizamuddin Ahmad Aali:
Visit Karachi ?
yes visit Karachi and get shot. A dead person can't tell his/her religion.
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Apr 18, 2014 12:23am
Hm.. OMG - wonder why DAWN.com hasn't splashed this important headlining news on the main page? **Pakistanis hack Modi's campaign website**
So now it's a cyber war people, and Pakistan Zindabad! If we can't shut down Modi and his anti-Pak propaganda then this is the next best thing .. hip hip hooraaay for Pak hackers!
Keep up your good work!
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Apr 18, 2014 04:26pm
@Ali:I am sure you must be knowing that this is because of a conspiracy.
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Apr 18, 2014 05:52pm
@Nizamuddin Ahmad Aali:
thats why conversion rate is so high in pakistan,people from minority are running from pakistan
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