Pride and Parochialism; Only in the sub-continent!
Written by Usama Majeed
Saturday, 24 November 2007
I read with interest some of the contributions on this site. Being of Pakistani Muslim background, I can understand some of the resentment I note in the language in a few comments of articles. I have struggled with contradictory emotions myself in the past until a voice from deep inside came up with the answer; "Ask what you can do for humanity not what humanity can do for you" (I am sure Kennedy won't mind!). I understand that there may be (mostly perceived I might add) grievances on both sides of the border, but the cause is by no means unilaterally instigated.
Unfortunately, (and I say this with a great deal of regret), the "experiment" (as Maulana Azad described it) has failed miserably. When people can't be allowed to have an open discussion on this subject in my country, I am afraid no progress in any fruitful direction is possible. When we are denied the right to be a part of OUR HISTORY going back thousands of years of human civilisation, how can anyone be expected to rise above silly parochialism. When there is this inherent tendency to shun the "other", regardless of who it is, having a strange sense of national pride (what nation!) based on hatred of the "other" (whoever that might be), what sense could come out of it. I say this in the Pakistani context as that is the reference closest to me; I am sure the Indians have similar tendencies of their own to be equally ashamed of!
In this 60 years history, based on denial of the past 5000 years, what exactly do we have to be proud of; that we are both "nuclear"! Is that our best achievement as the inheritors of an ancient civilisation. Is this the best we could do! Is there a human dimension to this all! Now we have the capacity to destroy one another and we have joined ranks with the handful of nations around the world who possess this "distinction"; what a shame! Shame indeed for what could have been and what has become of us; ancient parochialism reborn; well done!
How can an Indian or Pakistani be proud of the sheer blatant poverty we have in our part of the world. How can we tolerate the images of the young children rummaging through rubbish in the streets of Karachi, Bombay, Calcutta or Dacca, with no access to education or the minimum of human decency, and still be proud; proud of what for crying out loud!
If my sentiments are felt to be confronting by some who log on to this site, I empathise but refuse to apologise. I plead all those with rationalistic minds to please help put an end to all the non-sense that has plagued our world for so long; let us help each other pick up the pieces and make something for our future generations that they can really be proud of.
Write Comment
Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article.
Personal verbal attacks will be deleted.
Please don't use comments to plug your web site. Such material will be removed.
Just ensure to *Refresh* your browser for a new security code to be displayed prior to clicking on the 'Send' button.
Keep in mind that the above process only applies if you simply entered the wrong security code.
1. We need a common enemy Written by FD, on 24-07-2008 15:28 How about this. We identify a common enemy of ours and pledge to beat them at their own game (ie, Economic Superiority).
Let's join hands to become more powerful and economically superiour than the one who is responsible for putting us in the position we are in (ie, not-so-great britian)
2. Excellent thought Written by KK, on 03-05-2008 19:06 We require more & more people like Usama...yes we are human first....Thanks for your excellent thoughts...
Hope good sense continues....
3. why should we be ashamed!!!!!!!!!? Written by Anu T. Thomas, on 09-04-2008 16:04 hi usama... am new in this group and this is first time doing any activity in this...so if any mistakes come,dont mind.. now..what i was saying is that i dont understand y we should be ashamed of our countries...yes i agree that the development is slow, there are so many things we should have achieved by now...but why dont we see the +ve sides...if you have an attitude like this, i dont understand how you are going to help ending this( as you've asked everyone)... I believe that you need +ve to neutralise he -ve.. With regard to 'nuclear', my opinion is that having achieved the nuclear power is a great thing for our countries as they are so younger than the others..u cant just close your eyes against the changing global nature...u've to change with it..dont u think so??... I would like to stop saying that i am very very proud of my country in spite of all its defects....
4. correctly said Written by moldy, on 10-02-2008 18:26 hi usama... i loved ur articles n comments..veryyy truly saidd that both of our nations have been just busy in fighting...we hv nvr evr cared abt what we r frm inside..wht is d standard of living of people.. n yeah regarding tht sania mirza case...u must b knowing tht nw she has refused to play in india fr one yr..she denied a contract of a huge amount of money to play in banglore as she was always included in controversies.. tht flag one n thn another was tht some islamic gropus have warned her as she was playing wearing tht short skirt...so she has decided nt to play in india fr at least one year..n thts obvious..inspite of getting applause tht girl is always been a part of controversies..nyone would hate tht aftr such a hard work...i thnk wht she did was right...a good way to teach these kinda people..
a girl always playing fr indian pride n who has raised the nations flag high by winning many tournaments is offended fr dis-respecting the flag.. its sadddd....
5. Thanks Written by Usama, on 27-01-2008 23:00 I thank all the contributors for your comments; I wish we could change the status quo highlighted by Sayantika. I want us (Pakistanis and Indians) to be able to not just live together in peace but also with dignity amongst the nations of the world. The only solution, and believe me I have been thinking about this all my life, is an eventual con-federation between the two and possibly all three countries along the lines of the EU. It has to start somewhere, and if we can at least put the word out, who knows!
For Pakistanis who may get paranoid about my "Akhand Bharat" concept, we have to make a decision as to which era in human history we want to live in; the middle ages or the twenty first century. There is not an argument anyone can present that I haven't heard before! They are all based in an unfounded pride with no substance. I grew up in Pakistan and know the psyche inside out, probably not much different to the other side of the border; I am sure there would be similar negative sentiments in India too but I am not qualified to speak on their behalf.
I was so annoyed at the noise made at Sania Mirza during the Australian Open; here is a 21 year old, extremely talented girl, who every Indian should be proud off. Instead, she is accused of dis-respecting the national flag! Go to England, even Australia, and you can buy slippers and underwear made out of of the Union Jack and the Aussie equivalent; mature nations allow the substance behind their pride speak for itself!
6. Written by sayantika, on 27-01-2008 19:40 hi usama...i fully agree with u on this ... our nations have been developing for the last 60 years and are still developing...and i doubt whether they will ever be developed if we continue taking pride in building nuclear weapons instead of using our resources for the betterment of poverty
7. Written by Usama Majeed, on 18-01-2008 22:29 Unfortunately, there have been no victors, contrary to the insinuation in the comment. There have been partitions all over the world and the results haven't always been acrimonious. Historically speaking, borders as we know them now, existed with a lot of fundamental differences to the current concept. There used to be "small" kingdoms, based on clans, with parochialistic allegiances; every now and again, this concept was challenged by invading empires that almost always had a technological advantage to account for their successes. India was one such country; small parochial states all over with own Rajas (Maharajas if they felt flush!) and later Nawabs etc. The only concept of a unified India came initially under the Moghals, and more recently under the British. So just shedding tears on partion is of no practical use; I wish it hadn't happened but its not a calamity in the greater schemeof things. It is how it has been handled historically what creates the problem.
The partitian was never meant to be what transpired afterwards. Even the "victors" on the Pakistani side, were secular muslims who never invisaged a theocratic institution within the new country; that concept came much later. A lot of the people at forefronts for religionising the politics were fundamentally against partition as they saw no reason for it. It was simply an appehension of, perceived rather than real, economic disadvantage of the muslims in that part of the country. The madness that followed was totally unnecessary and the worst possible example of barbarity in modern history. I still fell much more culturally and linguistically aligned with my Punjabi brethren on the other side of the border than I do with the arabs for example.
Question is simply this; do we now move on or carry on splitting hairs? There are not just two but three countries that have emerged from this non-sense; I believe not one of them can "progress" independently. There may be "the apparent hope" for India but with instability at its doorsteps, it can't go that far. Besides, a significant proportion of the population in India lives in abject poverty; a situation, at least for the people concerned, is not changing at a rapid enough rate, despite the efforts to create this "progressive image" for the country. I am not talking about becoming the worlds next sweatshop/call centre Mecca (after China) but something more profound! I hope I am getting that message across. The situation in Pakistan is no different, worse with the added political turmoil.
As`for "self-doubt" is concerned, I wish it were true. At least self-doubt can make people think about their plight and perhaps, with some pondering, a way out; I see no evidence of that in Pakistan; I let Indians speak for themselves. I still find this a difficult subject to discuss openly in Pakistan but if there are like-minded Pakistanis, I would urge them to come forward.
The future for the two, possibly all three, countries is to have a regional economic block, along the lines of the European Union, which in time would mean that boundaries would become less formal and possibly evolve into something even more; I am all for re-unification of the sub-continent but, with all the water under the bridge it would be foolhardy to ignore it! All we have to do is keep working in the only direction there is, forward.
8. Written by aquaris, on 17-01-2008 23:11 The Problem is the Mindset
One Victors, still squabling for dominance in their own Land , who won a Land not the people...and when the intial euphoria evaporated , has created a dis-conect.
the Other defeated, who have after the initial shock, picked themselves up and started a healing process...which if not now, but will bear fruit in the not so distant past.
we can already see the self-doubt and self-assurance thats creeping in both the partitions.
Period.
9. applauses Written by Jash Jacob, on 09-01-2008 22:40 Hey Usama... nice article...
Also, the points put down in all the comments below. With more people thinking on this lines, the dream of a better indo-pak relations and of better developed nations will come true. Hopefully soon...
10. Written by Usama Majeed, on 28-12-2007 22:44 Thanks Rajeev. I am not proud of anything ancestoral; to me, Indian civilisation is sacred not because it is Indian, but that it is one of the oldest known to man and has a respectable place in human history leading up to where we are today.
Pakistanis are deluded and misguided for the most part in thinking and believing that they are somehow different to the Indians. I take every opportunity to talk about it, be it everyday conversations with friends or more serious discussions at different levels. We are the same; not similar, not resembling in appearances BUT the same. We are all Indians in that sense. And yes I am from Pakistan, and some of this may appear contradictory, but if I am successful in getting my opinion across, I think people would start to understand what I mean by that!
Now, to me Islam is another religion in the great fabric of Indian civilisation. At times violent, at times complimentary and at times indifferent. Do I believe the stories of atrocities in the name of Islam in India? for the most part I do. But seen in the right context (historical rather than presentist), the net result had been more complimentary and enriching than otherwise. There has been atrocities all over the world, be it christian, Jewish, atheistic, pagan or even within Hinduism! There has been destruction, rape and pure barbarism in India by the likes of the Aryans (many of us still boast having aryan blood!), Alexander the Macedonian (referred to as Alexander the Great and part of our folklore in many parts of Pakistan and Iran!), invading arabs/persians and not to forget, most recently by the British. Point I am trying to make is that do we treat these historical experiences in the allegorical sense as "part of growing up as a nation" or do we fixate with individual aspects and start trying to settle old scores by Hindus killing Muslims and vice versa. Not to mention, the greatest of these atrocities in recent history were not by non-Indians on Indians, but Indians butchering one another in 1947!
There was an interesting programme I saw on TV some years ago, presented by an Oxford academic (in the English context)called "What the Romans did for us". Now Romans, for years, ravaged the land called England today, their soldiers making there mark on every inch of English soil with killings, rapes and outright humiliation of the then english tribes. Yet here was this academic talking about the infrastructure, language (including Roman alphabet, in which the language to this day is written), military structure, architecture amongst other things. Can anyone deny that the present day culture in India (or Pakistan for that matter) isn't a cumulative result of centuries of different influences leading up to today?
Yes there were atrocities by some Muslim invaders, no different to there predecessors or successors in my opinion. During the middle ages, 5 million women were burnt at stake for alleged wichcraft; that is part of human history and it all happened in the name of Christianity. Spanish Inquisision, that eventually wiped out the Muslim and Jewish population of Spain is another example. Ofcourse they are nothing to be proud of but they still have to be acknowledged as part of human history; these events, I have no doubt, played a major role in defining our thinking as civilised humans today.
Coming to the arguments about the current state of affairs in the sub-continent. All I am trying to say to my Indian and Pakistani friends is that we need to move on. Why is there poverty, poor sanitation and a general sense of disappointment? Because since independence, the two countries have left no stone unturned in competing with one another in building military mights at the expense of having to look after their citizens' needs. The billions of dollars worth of military tecnology, including nuclear weapons, that we have, just what exactly is the purpose of it all? If the two countries forfeit their tit for tat desires in favour of peace and friendship, most of these issues can be resolved in a quarter of a century.
The pride I refer to is not what most people make of it. Of course I am "proud" to be part of the great Indian civilisation; but it is a pride based in the place it has in the greater scheme of things, in human history; the same as the ancient Egyptians or Greeks or Romans. At the same time realising that none of these civilisations, in modern terms, could be described as humane or compassionate; some of the worst massacres were committed by these people BUT they are still important landmarks in human history and have shaped our lives today in one way or another.
The concept of "a common Indian heritage" is important to me as this is my way of making the peoples of the two countries think before they get on their high horses. There has been too much madness about so far and I wish we can put an end to it as soon as possible for both our sakes.
There are those who'd say that my dream is a fool's dream; so be it! At the end of the day, I am a human being first and the greatest achievement of the human species I regard is not its apparent intellectual superiority over other members of the animal kingdom, but the ability to have a sense of compassion for its fellows, the ability to do good and an inherent sense of right and wrong independent of upbringing, religion, creed or caste. I would uphold humanity over any caste, creed, religion, sense of national pride, even God anyday.
11. Pride and Prejudice Written by Rajeev G, on 28-12-2007 17:14 If the first one pairs with second, we can call ourself as an Indian. I have no much knowledge abour Pakistanis. Yes as you told, more than anyone else, we talk about our ancestor's achievements and our thoughts and ability to make opposing ideas inclusive to the nature become impossible with prejudices. I agree with you. If any Indian is proud on his ancestoral achievement, I can say he is one among many fools. What are we today? A corrupt nation, with 60 crore BPL people, Polluted air and water, No enough power, employment for educated, no fair price for farmers, Lakhs of pending cases in courts etc etc. Are we a failed nation sitting on past laurels? If not now, that is there in horizon.
12. Written by Usama Majeed, on 20-12-2007 16:06 Many thanks for your comments. I, just like yourself, don't like having online discussions with people I don't know, but I feel very strongly on this subject and felt I had to voice my opinion.
History is History as they say and that is where it belongs; IN HISTORY! Otherwise, how could the western Europeans have brought rival factions, prepared to kill each other for centuries, under one flag; The EU. There is lot to be learnt from this example alone.
Many thanks for ending your comment by quoting one of the greatest souls to ever walk the face of this planet(borrowing from Einstein!); the parallels of whom are few and far between in modern history.
13. The Solution Written by anonymous, on 18-12-2007 08:54 Dear Usama,
I agree 110% with your article and I must admit that I don’t normally enter into online debates but the truth in this article has led me to share my opinion.
I believe that the experiment has terribly failed and the fault lies with our Leaders who had a blurry vision of what the wanted and underestimated the power of religion. I guess nobody is perfect apart from the god all mighty. But it makes me wonder how generations can fail constantly for more than 60 years.
I guess to find out one has to dig a lot more deeper…..The cause of the conflict doesn’t lie in 1947 but a time long before that – The 8th century AD when Muslim invaders from Iraq and Persia (Iran) conquered India killing unprecedented amount of Hindus in Human History more than the amount killed in Holocaust or any other similar and shameful events the thought of which still Haunts many people who are aware of what happened.
One can still blame the times of that era where barbarian revolts were prevalent and was acceptable and reasonable means of expansion but whats happening in this day and age in India where Muslims are being killed in Gujarat, Kashmir or elsewhere just on the name of religion makes me feel ashamed as Indian.
I guess those who blame the past and the present do not get anywhere and it can’t be as evident as in the last 60 years of our Independence. We (Humans) need to have the vision for the future we want for our children. The choice has to me made now….do we need to leave a legacy of hate war and conflict or do we want to teach our children the lesson of Peace & Love.
I must admit having been born and bred in India we were never told about the truth, many of my friends till date are not aware of the causes of the Kashmir issue, however they do know that Pakistan send terrorists to India in fact all they know is that they hate Pakistan without ever asking themselves a simple question WHY?
I believe the problem lies in the education system be it at school or at Home. Ignorance has caused many years of pain, sorrow and grief and only education can help us put the peaces together. We (Indian) are taught how the freedom was achieved after years of struggle and led to respect great JIHADISTS such as Gandhi, Nehru, Maulana Azaad, Bhagat Singh and countless more……YES JIHADISTS!! That’s what they were - revolutionaries - some took the path of violence and some the path of non violence.
I am in no way encouraging the kind of JIHAD we see today which is more about revenge rather than fighting for a cause and even if there is a cause then the so called JIHADISTS do not go about it the right way!.....I believe we can revolutionise this beautiful part of ASIA by teaching our children the truth and nurturing a generation of peace loving human beings……
In my opinion this has always been our (People of the sub-continent) problem………we have always been ignorant and let the world influence and play with us the way they want and since independence this role has been taken by corrupt politicians and the media……..I call upon all readers of this article and visitors of this website to educate themselves of the issues surrounding the two great nations – India and Pakistan and then pass on the education to our friends, family and anyone who is ready to listen and god willing one day we will achieve the blurry vision conceived in 1947 the vision of peace and prosperity because after all that’s what we have always wanted to be…..leaving our villages to go to towns from towns to cities and from cities to countries…….we have always wanted a better life so why are we depriving ourselves and generations to come what we hold so close to us and our lives…….
Just remember my friends…..an eye for an eye with leave us all blind (Gandhi)
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 19 March 2008 )
Free Email Account
Get your own email account @ indo-pak.org having more than 6 GB of storage space and integrated with Gtalk.
I read with interest some of the contributions on this site. Being of Pakistani Muslim background, I can understand some of the resentment I note in the language in a few comments of articles. I have struggled with contradictory emotions myself in the past until a voice from deep inside came up with the answer; "Ask what you can do for humanity not what humanity can do for you" (I am sure Kennedy won't mind!). I understand that there may be (mostly perceived I might add) grievances on both sides of the border, but the cause is by no means unilaterally instigated.
Unfortunately, (and I say this with a great deal of regret), the "experiment" (as Maulana Azad described it) has failed miserably. When people can't be allowed to have an open discussion on this subject in my country, I am afraid no progress in any fruitful direction is possible. When we are denied the right to be a part of OUR HISTORY going back thousands of years of human civilisation, how can anyone be expected to rise above silly parochialism. When there is this inherent tendency to shun the "other", regardless of who it is, having a strange sense of national pride (what nation!) based on hatred of the "other" (whoever that might be), what sense could come out of it. I say this in the Pakistani context as that is the reference closest to me; I am sure the Indians have similar tendencies of their own to be equally ashamed of! 
Comments (13)
its sadddd....
