© XPRESS / SANKHA KAR YOUNG PATRIOTS: Children enjoy Independence Day celebrations.
Published: August 16, 2007, 09:48
Independent: Celebrating 60 YearsBy Faisal Masudi, Staff Reporter
Historic rivals India and Pakistan turned 60 this week. They celebrated their independence from British rule in 1947 with cultural and diplomatic activities.
XPRESS talked to young people of both nations to find out what they believe their homelands have accomplished so far, and what lies on the road ahead. College students and budding professionals seemed to share a common dream, that of a peaceful future of co-existence.
Young adults from the two countries had a lot to say about their respective countries’ accomplishments, their aspirations and the "two-nation theory", the idea that different people need to stay separated, which perhaps forever parted the once singular subcontinent.
Wahab Naveed
Pakistani Student, 20 Pakistan had a very problematic birth — people were migrating in hordes, there was violence everywhere. Now our economy is strong and education is spreading to rural areas.
I expect more charity from the rich. This will help erase animosity between various social levels and will reduce crimes. The public needs to shun sectarian conflicts and work together for a common future.
As far as the two-nation idea is concerned, I’m against it. Two heads are better than one, so why not join forces? Whether it’s business or culture, we’re getting more and more interdependent. That’s what the leaders need to understand too.
Mohsin Ali
Indian Student, 20 India started out mainly as an agricultural country with few manufacturing or service industries. But now it rivals China in heavy industry and I believe it will soon compete with nations like the US and Japan in the service sector.
I hope poverty is removed. We have the resources but these are spent unwisely. Of course, corruption and bureaucracy also play a part. That’s another aspect that needs to be rooted out.
You know, Indians and Pakistanis have always been one people. The British played the "divide and rule" card, in my view, because they felt threatened by a strong Asian bloc. I have friends from both the countries and that should tell you how I feel about the isolationist "two-nation theory."
Naveed Hussein
Pakistani Student, 21 Pakistan has developed a lot economically over the past few decades. The nation is now a major international political player. Its nuclear weapons capability, I think, is part of the reason for that status. It is also now exporting a lot of fashion and culture.
I hope both the rich and poor people of Pakistan can find a common ground to share our resources in a just way. I also dream of a secure Pakistan, where people can stroll late in the night, for example, without the threat of violence.
The two-nation theory has failed, if you ask me. They have only fought wars with each other so far. Where is the peace that politicians have promised us while the citizens on both the sides are already reaching out to one another?
Sarabjit Kaur
Indian Student, 21 India has become a main outsource zone in the world, especially in the information sector. Our defence capabilities have got a shot in the arm with nuclear weapons. This year also saw the first woman president in India. This clearly shows Indians are becoming less and less gender-conscious, which is a plus point because it leads to equality.
I hope this trend continues with more and more women taking up leading positions. Moreover, there should be a smaller gap between rich and poor. As for the two-nation system, people of the pre-colonial Indian subcontinent were happy. What good has this new set-up done for the peoples of India and Pakistan?
Nafeesa Hussain
Pakistani, insurance industry, 25 Frankly, Pakistan could have achieved a lot more in every respect since independence because we have the talent for that. Unfortunately corruption got the better of most of us. Also, we’re too dependent on foreigners for investment and trade. I don’t recall seeing a lot of "Made in Pakistan" labels.
The whole system needs to change, especially our leaders. If they show integrity, people will look up to them and follow suit. What we need are heroes and role models.
I think Pakistan got the short end of the stick during the partition, which was based on the two-nation theory. Geographically, a lot of our resources, especially water, are intertwined with that of our neighbour’s.
This is not good from a strategic point of view. Had Pakistan got more land, the situation would have been more favourable.
Malika Amna
Indian Student, 19 India is a diverse country. There have been some clashes between different communities but we’ve all come out stronger; learnt from our mistakes. Indians are dedicated professionals, and this is reflected in its growing economy.
I hope the poor don’t lose out on this trend. The rural areas need to be included in this boom. For that, the government should reach out to the masses and educate them.
Regarding the theory that two separate entities divided along religious lines would have been the solution in the post-colonial period, I disagree. History is witness to the fact that everybody minded their own business, even if they weren’t exactly friends. Now, politics has ruined a lot of good-spirited people on both sides of the border.
Ali Mohammad
Pakistani Student, 19 Pakistani has attracted a lot of overseas investment since its birth. Even Gulf countries are mulling over pumping millions of dollars into our domestic economy. This is a sign of a more stable Pakistan.
I think what we need is security, both internal and external. People from different ethnicities should socialise more because we’re all Pakistanis at the end of the day. External relations with India, especially over Kashmir, should be ironed out as soon as possible.
I think the British Empire messed up the situation in the 1940s more than it already was. What was the two-nation proposal based on — sectarianism? They always left the Kashmir question unanswered so we would keep on fighting each other.
Harpreet Singh
Indian Student, 19 Over the years, India has become a major business and tourism hub. This has been done on the back of cooperative and professional people. We also have elected diplomats from different cultures and genders. I think it is a sign of a secular, stable country.
Having said that, there is a lot of corruption in India — that needs to end right away. Rich people and monopolies are deliberately curbing competition because they’re greedy.
There will always be population and poverty-related problems unless we have honest people in the government and at the grassroots level.
I mix and celebrate with Pakistanis which goes to show we can get along. The two-nation divide is an old concept that doesn’t need to be addressed any more.
Sobia Khan
Pakistani, Human resources industry, 25 Even though we’re not perfect, Pakistanis have made strides in all areas from education to military might. What I value the most is that more and more girls are being sent to school, even in the rural areas. This will have a knock-on effect on the economy and improve social ills.
I believe what the country needs most is a change in attitude, both at the leadership and common man levels. We need to have a vision first, then a mission. Nothing beats honest and hard work; you can overcome any hurdle with these tools.
I think it was sensible to have separate countries for Hindus and Muslims. This prevents one group from abusing the other. Historically, minorities have been exploited in almost every case. So it’s better to keep the lines clear between two sides, so differences can be sorted out from a safe distance.
Arva Shabbir
Indian Student, 22 India has now become a superpower politically and is currently an economic powerhouse. True, there’s a lot of room for improvement, especially at the social level, but we are definitely getting there.
I would like to see a change of heart in Indians in the coming years. Discrimi-nation, whether based on money or who your parents are or what your gender is, should be eradicated as much as possible. The same goes for corruption in politics and business. Pollution is another area that needs some work.
We should celebrate what is common between us and Pakistanis and not focus on the differences. I think in this light, the idea of separate nations makes sense.
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