Aman Ki Asha

Aman Ki Asha
(Should Peace Be Given A Chance?)

A tryst was made with our destiny on the midnight of 14/15^th August, 1947. We became a free nation. But one of our limbs was cut off from our body. The wound of that broken limb is still giving us pain, our blood spills on the roads & in the war fields. Our leaders who could have prevented the severing of our limbs & the bloodshed consequent to it, had they applied a little restraint on their ego & listened to the lone but sane voice of the Father of the Nation. In stead, they chose to opt for the division of the country into India & Pakistan & became the instruments in sowing the seeds of ceaseless hostility, suspicion & unrest between the two countries, the fruits of which we are reaping today by way of four wars, innumerable skirmishes along the border & a spate of terrorist attacks on our soil. We grew up hating one another & the hatred has become so strong & so great that it veiled our visions to see the consequences of our animosity.

Subsequent governments in Pakistan successfully created an atmosphere of hate & hostility in the minds of their people against India, by making Kashmir their bone of contention. Kashmir became an anchor & a magic word for their survival in the turbulent ocean of Pakistan’s power politics. Subsequent governments in India also failed miserably in creating favourable world opinion in its favour & against Pakistan’s terrorist activities. Our diplomatic loss became their gain as foreign aids came pouring into Pakistan from the nations who have a stake in keeping their interest intact in this region.

In this atmosphere of hate, hostility & suspicion, it may appear foolish to plead for or talk about peace & reconciliation. It is natural for one to say, when the relation between two brothers gets sour, they can not see eye to eye & become sworn enemies, thirsting for the blood, of one another & here, we have suffered so much due to the cross border terrorist attacks on our soil & are yet to recover from the shocks of 26/11, it is nothing but nonsense to talk about peace. It is difficult to extend a hand of friendship to a nation, whom we hither to considered as our enemy number one. But the reality is, in the prevalent circumstances, it is the sanest thing to talk peace.

We both share a common heritage, a common culture, we speak the same language, our food habits & our way of living are also the same. Even we share a common history till the partition. We struggled side by side to win our freedom from the British. Our relatives & friends still live in both sides of the border. How long can an artificial border be able to stand as a barrier between our hearts to mingle or keep us apart?

Is it not a fact that we enjoy listening to the songs of Nusarat Fateh Ali Khan or Rahat Fateh Ali Khan as much as we enjoy listening to Mohd.Rafi or Kishor Kumar? Whether the ghajals of Ghulam Ali or Mehdi Hassan do not enthrall us as much as we are enchanted by the ghajals of Jagjit Singh or Pankaj Udhas? Do the people on the other side of the border not enjoy a Bachhan or Shahrukh starrer movie like us? Are we not fans of cricketers like Zaved Miandad or Wasim Akram? Is it not a fact that in the event of India’s ouster in the world cup series, we pray for Pakistan’s victory? Even, a majority, of the common people, on both side of the border, do not believe in hostility between the two countries & want to live as good friendly neighbours.

Why should we give peace a chance?

We should give peace a chance because -----

--- Violence & hostility will lead us nowhere & will always end in destruction, whereas peace will bring prosperity with it.

--- We can not bequeath a legacy of suspicion, hatred & violence to our progeny so that their future will be sealed between the crossfire of internal & external terrorism.

--- Pakistan as a peaceful & friendly neighbour on our side, we can concentrate more on developmental activities having to divert our resources less on security, both internal & external.

--- The evil intentions of some foreign powers that have vested interests in keeping the Indo-Pak strife alive, as a rapidly growing India, which is becoming economically stronger & on its way to achieve the status of a superpower, may become a threat to their hitherto unchallenged supremacy over this region, will be foiled by friendship between India & Pakistan.

--- China, who is also rapidly developing & is also a likely superpower, has sinister designs on Indian territories. At this stage, a weak Pakistan’s leaning on China, may place the latter in an advantageous position.

--- A strong & stable Pakistan is needed in India’s own benefit, because the people of a weak & unstable Pakistan, may feel jealous of India’s progress & prosperity & drive their youth to adopt terrorist activities as a career. If Pakistan can live in peace, India will also live in peace.

--- In the event of America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, it will be difficult for Pakistan to contain the Taliban onslaught on them. Then India can not remain untouched from its repercussions.

--- One can not ignore the fact that Pakistan is a nuclear power & is also unstable. There is every possibility of its nuclear arsenal falling into wrong & rogue hands, which may use it against India. It is in India’s interest that it should help Pakistan in restoring its stability.

What should be done?

--- As people on both sides want peace & to live as friendly neighbours, we can by our sustained efforts, try to remove the clouds of suspicion from the minds of the people through people to people interaction.

--- Resumption of trade & commerce between the two countries will go a long way in creating good will.

--- Making it easier to visit friends & relatives across the border.

--- Cutting across party lines, politicians must unite in their effort to bring an end to 62 years of strife.

--- The government must show its astuteness in diplomacy in making its counter part in Pakistan see the realities & act in a manner to create an atmosphere of faith & sincerity of purpose by its actions & public declarations.

--- Kashmir issue has remained a bone of contention between the two countries. It needs consummation on the parts of the think tank of the government of India to tackle the tricky question & find an intelligent solution.

--- So far Pakistan’s response towards cooperation in the investigation of 26/11 & other terrorist activities have been in negative. The government’s efforts must be to convince them to evoke a positive response.

The Role of the Media.

Media can play the most important role in bridging the hearts of the two people. The efforts of the Times of India & the Jang group of newspapers of Pakistan are commendable & definitely the steps taken in right direction. It may be a good thing to invite big public figures to forum discussions for a positive impact on public mind. But unless & until, common people are encouraged to give vent to their feelings on such platforms, it can not generate the desired effect on public mind. And the media, while highlighting on the facts that not all, those who cross the border, are terrorists, it must also show its concern for those Indians who are languishing in Pak jails. It should generate pressure on the government to arrange for their early release.

Cautions & precautions

--- At no stage, in our zealousness, we can compromise with the internal or the external security of our nation.

--- We must remain alert at every step till the atmosphere is being cleared of hate & suspicion & hostility. Every step taken towards the normalization of relation must be cautious & gradual.

We have lived in an atmosphere of mutual hate & suspicion for sixty two years. If we don’t want to live in this poisonous atmosphere any longer, it is the perfect time to think about peace. We must ask ourselves, whether we should leave a legacy of hatred, violence & fear of terrorist attacks for our future generations or gift them an atmosphere of peace & prosperity & a friendly neighbour who believes in peaceful coexistence? One day the great German wall had to fall. Who knows a day may come when there will be no artificial barrier to divide the two nations. India & Pakistan may become one reunified nation. But it is premature to think such thoughts. Till then we may give PEACE a chance.

What do you say my friends?

Please feel free to express your genuine thoughts by way of your valuable comments.

I am also conducting a sort of poll on this issue. Please write yes or no to give peace a chance.

Thank you all my friends.