Hindi-Paki-Bangla bhai bhai

A Time to Mend & Reach out - FB

We ought to open our borders 

For past one decade or more, the agenda of establishing peaceful relationships between India and Pakistan had been on the top of my agenda as an Indian, and as a Christian citizen of this country, with the promised gift of 'peace' by Christ - happy the peace makers, they shall be called the children of God! 

This was further enhanced during my 'discovering trust-green-peace on Indian Roads' trip in 2021, especially as I passed through the border states of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. I treid to find people interested in this and avenues for the same. For every election, when the political leaders approached people like us while setting their manifesto, even though in the 'remote' south of India, I still appealed to them that peace with neighbours, especially, with Pakistan be on their agenda, which has been hardly ever there., on such agenda. 

I got in touch with Fr. Joseph Kalathil SJ, former Jesuit provincial, who has been actively promoting such initiatives, meeting 'people of good will' across the borders and linking them. I was contemplating a visit to Pakistan to explore these possibilities. Though I had lived for a month with a catholic priest from Pakistan, I had not been able to maintain that relationship.  In Doha, our PRO is a Pakistani, and I indicated to him that I would like to visit Pakistan when he would go to his home town Peshawar; but so far that has not happened; and of late,  he has not been keeping all that fine as well. In my travels abroad, whenever I met a Pakistani, I tried to establish a contact and speak with him, but so far, nothing has clicked into a friendship. 

Then on Nov. 4th, it so happened that a sailing trip at the Doha bay was arranged for us - arranged by SH alumni Qatar chapter president Mr. Johny, when I mentioned that Dr. Thomas (Thomman), the HR trainer was going to be here and that I would like to take him around.  Facing Qatar national Museum, is the jetty for Qatar Sails with around 10 sailing boats, for this great sport of exploring the sea relying totally on sails.  The boats are small with capacity to accommodate four or five.  It has two sails (main and jib), which are to be installed properly.  For those who are familiar, it is a matter of 10 to 15 mts to have both of them unfolded, tied, and attached to the mast. Johny informs that the boats come from Florida, and just one sail is worth USD 7000!  The key elements in the control of the boat are the Tiller to guide the rudder, and the sails, with 'sheets' (ropes/lines) attached to it, when they are loosened or tightened, they hold winds better to take the vessel further. 

We had a unique experience of this wonderful human invention of tapping the nature's gift of wind to forge ahead on he water surface.  Amazing power, awesome experience.  Remember the adventure of great sailors, especially Abhilash Tomy, who went around the whole world in such a vessel. I had the satisfaction of having the 'tiller' under my control for a good time of the 2 and half hour trip - tilting it left and right, up and down, to give direction to the boat. We had good company of heartians - Johny in the lead, Alan and also Thomman as our guest. A small motor boat reaches the jetty to pick us and drop off at the sailboat which is anchored about 200 mts away as its keel is at a greater depth. 

But the experience was amazing thanks to the combination of people involved and the conversations that emerged. The young man who took us to the sailboat was Abdurahim, a Bengali (Bangladesh) and our skipper was the outspoken Pakistani (a friend of Johny, in his company), Muhammed Ayaz Muhammed Khan.. He is a retired Pakistan navy soldier.  He is in charge of the sailboats.  His expertise apart, he was found to be a person concerned about the 'unity' of the region and all unnecessary strife and propaganda against each other, especially between India and Pakistan.  

He feels there should be regular contacts among the Indians and Pakistanis, borders should be opened, poeple should visit Islamabad and New Delhi, trade relations should be promoted.  He believes that a large section of Pakistanis would favour this stand. I am not sure, how the Indians would feel.  I think it is taken for granted that we are enemies, that borders are to be secured... and it is 'manly' to crush the enemies by muscle and military power! To seek other means is looked down upon as cowardly, 'womanly'(or unmanly? stereotypes persist in spite of many women being recruited to the forces).  Steps beyond border security are raerly attempted at, though Atalji had indeed initiated some very significant steps in this regard.  I had written to the Prime Minister, requesting that channels beyond the military and political parties be utilised in this regard, but received no reply (though the email id still displays Mr. Narendra Modi's DP).  The one directly addessed to Sri Narendra Modi, bounced. 

I was thrilled to hear him passionately advocating unity between Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis, where he believes people love to have peaceful and cordial relations.  I was pleasantly surprised to find such an enthusiastic response from him and got his message recorded. But while parting, he expressed his apprehension on posting this on you-tube.  I said 'no you tube, only FB'.  We have agreed to explore the possibilities of my visiting Pakistan to find people of similar good will - insah allah! 

He says, 'human beings on earth will have to go; So each one should do something good'.   Fighting with each other we all - India, Pakistan, Bangladesh - are losing our power.  Whenever we meet Indians, Pakistanis or Bangladeshis... we should respect and help each other. 

Yes, Fr Joe and I are on the look out for a 'flight to Pakistan' (if not the age old 'train'), to seek out 'people of goodwill' as did find our Bajrangi Bhaijan on his undaunting but illegal mission of good will - sure, only to find hundreds awaiting for the least indication of friendship and goodwill to reciprocate manifold. 

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