Since the origin of the Vedas, the Upanishads, we have learned of the old rite Atithi Devo Bhavah, a continuous sharing of culture which we have been doing over time. Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa civilizations were named as “India and Pakistan” in the “Two-Nation Theory”. The dream of a United Hindustan about which sages thought, Akbar lived, and Dara Shikoh sacrificed himself for, was shattered. With changing religious and political conditions, we have been following the civilization and culture of the ‘West’ blindly. Condition and circumstances molded us, and we got transformed. A straight line, a shared way of life, and morals diverged; we got estranged from our loved ones.

India and Pakistan, two countries, are not only carriers of a common culture rather also a sign of an inherited tradition. It is not that the condition has been good after the partition. Disputes and mutual competition grew; attempts were made to embarrass each other. India merged the smallest states, and Pakistan occupied Kashmir as POKashmir. Corruption and genealogy in governance, sustainably increased in its last absolution. Both are already the victims of terrorism. Pakistani troops have been battling the Taliban, and India, with its internal Naxalism. There exists such a thing; the two countries have grown wildly, earning a name and money, cricket. Cricket is at par with religion in the two countries. What to say when the two countries are face to face in this competition? The tragic aspect beyond the adventures is that both sides understood the game as much as a battleground. Pakistan wins, it makes more sense because it could not win on the battlefield, and hence, puts its whole life to win it. However, why India considers it so is beyond comprehension.

The sad fact is that the two countries advocate ‘conversation’ to solve every problem and remain mute on such occasions. We learn what we are taught. I remember as I read my Textbook, it presented division as a ‘tragedy’, but there is nothing like that beyond the border. The Partition is depicted as a symbol of victory to them. (Though this victory is against ‘Evil Hindus’) Well! Indian history kept mum on Jinnah and Allama Iqbal, and the Pakistani book plotted Gandhi and Nehru as ‘Villains’. In fact, there is no point in comparing the crimes of the past. Yes, an intimate relationship can be made on the grounds of positive thinking. ‘Birkin bags’ addict Hina Rabbani Khar took several steps in this direction. Pakistan gave India ‘Most Favored Nation’ status, and India smoothened the path to Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, applied visa rules concession. Whatever the circumstances may be, both countries have one thing on which they can be proud, their army. The military instituted a new ideology. The military has been established in the minds of the general public. The army in time saved the honour and prestige of the country.

However, a few days ago, there was an accident in the Army. Two Indian soldiers were mutilated near the border. Martyr Hemraj’s head is also missing. This changes the situation. Union Minister of External Affairs Salman Khurshid and the central cabinet were sitting in the same niche. Khar put India as a war-mongering nation. Charge – counter that spell. PM Dr. Manmohan Singh has already been famous in the cyber world with “#TheekHai”. The Delhi rape scandal has initiated the government to respond at a sudden jerk. The Pakistani cultural group was immediately sent to their homeland. India Hockey League players were also cut visas. A few days ago, the statement of the Union Home Minister Shinde put him in the ‘favourite’ of the nationals.

Seeing more police on the streets of Bhubaneswar this evening, I was surprised. A cop told me it was all deployed for the safety and security of the Pakistani women’s cricket team. It was shocking to see such a great host foster thinking. Thought I should wait a while. They came and had military equipment, decorated, and kept looking at the cover. But sorry! The Desire to have a look remained incomplete. A question is hidden in the womb of all: how long will these kinds of unpleasantness prevail? For political expediency, parting the mother’s milk is not a clever thing. May wisdom prevail.

Jai Hind.