I must say, this dude is a creative writer!
This is to wish the citizens of Pakistan happy elections for choosing a new set of leaders. May God bring happier days and happier relations between India and Pakistan for the common people of the two neighbours.
The present generation of leaders in both our countries has inherited the Kashmir problem. Time has come to cut this Gordian knot. It is no use following same attitudes and policies which the past leaders left us in legacy. Fresh ideas with some compromises may help.
I was born in Hyderabad, Sindh, first taught at Malir near Army Ack Ack School by a Maulvi and later in Karachi by many Hindu, Muslim and Christian teachers. In the Indian army I have had as my superior who were Muslim officers, each of whom I have held in great esteem. I have had many Muslim colleagues and Jawans, each of whom I have respected for his competence, discipline and loyalty.
**I have always held Islam as a compassionate religion (I was brought up by a Muslim wet nurse because my mother could not breastfeed me). **
How I have wished to visit Karachi and Hyderabad once again and walk through those places which are so deeply embedded in my memory. But I cannot until relations improve and suspicions are put behind us.
Let us first keep our hard stances on the Kashmir issue on the backburner. **Let Kashmiris on both sides carry on with their daily chores as they have for the past 50 years, but without interference from outside. **
Open all means of communication. Permit more people from both sides to visit each other and enjoy each other’s hospitality. This will generate strong bonds. Open up trade and commerce. Economic ties will hold our common destiny more effectively.
Strengthen South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation and include Afghanistan in it. If sworn enemies of each other only 60 years ago are now aligning themselves into a strong European Union, why can’t we make our part of the world a force to be reckoned with? Let us begin a new chapter in our history with a trust in each other.
**COL (R) RAM JASHANMAL GULRAJANI
Chennai, India **