No discrimination against Pakistanis in India
By Ravinder Singh Robin, Amritsar: Samjhauta Express, often called the ‘train of goodwill’ was the first rail-link between India and Pakistan launched after the Shimla agreement in 1972. Covering a distance of just two miles, between Attari in India and Wagah in Pakistan, the service allowed families separated for decades to reunite.
For many of the passengers from Pakistan, coming to India to be with their near and dear ones was a moment they would cherish throughout their life.
Seventy-year-old Agya Kaur, who was separated from her family during the Partition in 1947, embraced Islam and converted to Rabiba Bibi in Pakistan. To be united with her family after five decades, was nothing, but a dream come true.
“When Pakistan was created, we siblings were separated. I was very young at that time but I do remember continuously, that I would be re-united with my brother. I tried for many years to come home to find him, but all in vain. Today, however that day has come,” said Rabiba Bibi from Pakistan.
Every Monday and Thursday, the scene at the Attari border in Amritsar, is one of chaos, as hundreds wait for the Samjhauta Express to bring their loved ones from across the border.
The desire to meet their near and dear ones cause long interminable queues at the immigration counter, but people never mind the trouble, after all it’s a wait worth having.
Many of the Pakistanis come to India with biased views, but after spending time here, they understand the true secular culture of the nation.
“We find minorities living happily in India. On our visit to Delhi, we never felt that Muslims are a minority. The Muslims live there as they have their own governance, and their own people. Seeing people of all religions living together gives us a nice feeling,” said Javed Akbar, a Pakistani citizen.
“The rail and bus links between the two countries are a great facility. All I request is that visa restrictions be eased,” he said.
Yes, the ‘goodwill’ train does indeed run on tracks of cordial relations between the two countries. Any conflict may put on hold, the people to people contact. But, people do hope, and believe, that such things, may never happen in future again.
“Pakistani Punjab and Indian Punjab can by using culture as a basis, build the bridge between these two countries. It’s a major contribution. So I think, once these two Punjabs start interacting more and more with each other they will be able to make the process smooth,” said Pramod Kumar, an expert on International Affairs.
The Samjhauta Express covers the shortest route travelled by any train in the world, but the journey is always full of love, expectation, emotions and brotherhood, unifying families torn by the Partition.
Every train brings Rabibas waiting to be hugged by a brother, and it’s a never-ending process.
Posted By Staff Reporter
in Punjab News
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