Re: Anti-Pakistanism in India
I agree the suspicious glance is still there and the reaction would be the same on both sides to such slogans. I don’t think a pakistani politician of majority and non majority background of any party will get away with saying India/Bharat/hindustan Zindabad. That is naive to think that. Just because it hasn’t happened doesn’t mean they will get away. I just don’t think ordinary sentiment is more anti in India compared to Pakistan.its just different.
To say Bollywood fans are more in Pakistan than Pakistani drama fans in indian doesn’t say much. One is established other will soon be established .
That’s like saying Americans, English, Turkish and Arabic people are anti-Pakistani because there are more pakistani fans in Hollywood, of Turkish dramas etc. after pakistani fans the greatest section of fans of pakistani artists is not white Europeans, White Americans middle eastern people it’s Indians who go to concerts, enjoy them performing on reality shows/film nights etc. the language excuse is not valid either as many movies are released in subtitle and Pakistan has released English language movies. The comparison thing is silly because what standard do u use to compare? One’s own feelings. The fb groups to boycott Bollywood in Pakistan numbers 20 000 plus and the one to ban Pakistan artists is 95. I don’t think there is a page for banning Hollywood films. Is this valid marker? Also I type in pakistani patients in google I get the following as options (treated in India/indian hospitals). I type in pakistani employees I don’t get (discriminated by Indians employees/bosses). Is this a valid marker? Rather than all this id rather talk to average person and make up my mind.
There are pakistani students and even nationals living in India who have no issues of being attacked. Here is such a story. This is 2013. He learnt a lot about different cultures and enjoyed his time. It’s like saying indian students get attacked in Australia so don’t visit or indian/pakistani student attacked in west so everyone is prejudiced. A Sanskrit educational facility was built taking soil from Pakistan where a great Sanskrit scholar was born. Is that anti sentiment? A Pakistani student in India - thenews.com.pk
Kiron Kher a politician will voice prologue of a pakistani tv show. She is the only indian face of the channel. We know which spectrum of politics she is from , the conservative side, yet it does not matter. She says these stories are relatable either side of the border and she feels connection. In June 500 bloggers turned up to 2 zindagi meets and they were all enthusiastic about the channel some dressed in India/Pakistan painted faces. They talked to pakistani directors and actors through video link.
Processing Creativity: Monumental start to a new era : Zee Zindagi Indiblogger Meet
The Pakistani flag even features in the zee zindagi ad but I’ve not seen criticism. People are appreciating the channel and the Urdu on all channels. Even indian actors in tv and film are appreciating the dramas saying it’s better than saas bahu stuff as is much of twitter. The tag line Sahad par ki behtareen kahaniyan etc is touching.
I’ve said a lot so this will be my last post on the topic. The thing is if we’re not part of the solution I feel we’re part of the problem. I don’t think you’re a hater at all obviously but I just think as people who have encountered the other side we should bring awareness out of ignorance. If ure relatives are indifferent tell them about this channel or tell them about shows. Get them to know a bit about the culture on the other side. Tell them you have pakistani GS friends. Tell them in 2012 an indian aircraft made an emergency landing in Pakistan and people were treated hospitably. That indian sailors were helped by Pakistan gov. That way they will know reality rather than just what media says. Although I think the above was covered by indian tv channels also.
Yesterday on colors tv abroad an ad for a pakistani drama was showing. I let my parents know. They were happy to know.
My dad when he meets younger Pakistanis abroad mentions these shows to them and if they don’t watch he says ’ angrez mat bano pakistani shows dekho’ when a Lebanese guy asked us if we knew meaning of some words we mentioned that it’s mentioned in pakistani dramas. No harm promoting it.
If something is good no harm watching and appreciating it. These dramas are damn good.id recommend it to your relatives especially if they are conservative because they are family friendly. Also Before we know it we’ll be 6 feet under or floating in the Ganges/Indus River whatever the choice so life is too short to hold onto hate/grudges/past events etc