A Friend from Pakistan

Just watched the movie "Bajrangi Bhaijaan".

Such a realistic movie depicting two pure loving souls of two different nations that is politically different and oriented with a diverse belief system, but once existed UNITED (Thanks to the "DIVIDE AND RULE" policy of the then British rulers of late 1940's with which they played a foul game - and now we are separated). The movie tells that "Love and affection needs no intelligence but compassion".

There is one my good friend Aisha, whom i met last year in UEA, England while doing our Post Graduate studies. She has a wonderful pair of shining eyes and a welcoming friendly smile that she carries always on her face. Initially i thought she must be from North India (She looks like most other girls from Punjab) or might be of Indian origin, living abroad. Only a faint guess/doubt was there in my mind at that time about her motherland, which eventually turned true in few days. Yes, She is from Pakistan. (Divided by the Brits. United in Britain) Life is always loaded with interesting surprises.

It was Aisha who approached me and enquired about me. She somehow guessed (from the language i spoke) that i must be from India. And of course the Asian looks and skin tone is pretty much enough to guess our identity and origin.I would say that the one factor that kept us separated under different borders and confined inside boundaries is the one that made us evolve a good friendship. Not sure how she felt, but i felt that way. Having a good friend who is socialistic and friendly is the best thing and our different nationality and history added fragrance and aroma to it. Especially when you know the roots and true history of your country (in this case INDIA and PAKISTAN) it is a bliss. It was fun when we were talking about the World Cup Cricket match  between India and Pakistan earlier this year. Aisha, as far as I know is unbiased of political views and not bounded by weak emotions of a layman, but approaches life and society with knowledge and wisdom and that makes her a class apart.

Of course, we all love our Mother land and are proud of it. It is indeed my pride and pleasure to say that I am an Indian and Aisha's pride would be being a Pakistani. But we don't have to possess fake patriotism. To me real patriotism is loving your country and as well as respecting people from other nations. Patriotism doesn't mean people from other nation should also follow you and your principles. It is not patriotic, but psychiatric. Watching the military parade on WAGAH border may make you feel heroic and bring goosebumps out of emotion. But curling moustache, staring at military personnel standing at the other border, wide opening the arms and chest and boasting, marching and lifting legs over heads - doesn't that look as absurd dramatic and immature. Now this is what i call fake patriotism. What part does this play in promoting a mutual relationship and friendliness between both the nations. Can you imagine the kind of fake emotion and patriotism this sows on the hearts of the one who see this? Especially on the tender hearts of the little children of both the nations.

How do you expect them to grow - with Love or with Hatred ?

Growth is always from the Grass root level. What we sow is what we reap.
Love or Hatred, it is we who should decide and act upon. The time has come.
Let us be responsible.

Nice knowing you  Aisha :)

Jai Sri Ram Insha Allah

Khuda Hafiz