Re: We are the problem
True. What the hawks in both media and government lack is made up by the ordinary person. Especially our Film Industry and the arts/written establishment. They always promote peace between India and Pakistan. A number of movies are made around this sentiment not to mention numerous books are written. The Jaipur Literary festival features many Pakistani writers who also win awards. So to paint one aspect as being war mongering and so everyone else is as well is quite sad. I can not speak of Pakistani films but definitely many Bollywood films emphasise this similarity when set overseas they show Indians and Pakistanis as similar and like family. Maybe it wasn’t always like this but it is now. As you can see all players have flags of both countries painted on their faces in Namastey London. Then you see facebook groups like Ban Bollywood in Pakistan which has 25000 likes and one that says ban Pakistani artists in India which has 93 likes and you think even film/creative arts is not spared this rivalry by hardcore people. My parents watch Pakistani dramas and there is no issue. I think we should be the change we want to see. I think we shouldn’t respond with dislike/hate if there are Pakistanis who dislike/hate Indians. We shouldn’t fall into that trap. The best way to respond is with love. If there are Indians who dislike/hate Pakistanis we should likewise instead of reacting similarly to them explain to them why they are wrong with many examples. We should treat everyone as individuals because as humans we have that ability to differentiate. I’d rather a Pakistani friend with similar thoughts to me than a hate filled Indian. Hate can never win against hate and it can only melt away with friendship/love. I have a Pakistani friend and I let her know if I learn something new about Pakistan or watch a new Pakistani drama and she updates me on Bollywood. I always congratulate her when Pakistan wins, especially against India, and she always tries to bring up Indian team wins. It’s a tough time to be open about advocating peace in the media when there is tension all round but the majority is definitely peaceful. On India-forums, an entertainment site, there is a whole section dedicated to Pakistani dramas and there was an 11 page thread on Pakistani independence day wishing people happy independence day. There are attempts to reduce visa issues between both countries. Petition · #Southasia Ease visa restrictions, let people meet #MilneDo - Vereinigte Staaten · Change.org In the last year there have been much exchange during the border with Indian/Pakistani poets meeting Poets from India, Pak come together to relive pain and pleasure - Indian Express with cricketers playing together etc and beautiful words spoken by Saurav Ganguly about the love he received in his trip to play in Pakistan in 2004-05.