Atithi Devo Bhavah

Since the origin of the Vedas, the Upanishads, we have learnt of the old rite Atithi Devo Bhavah, a continuous sharing of culture which we have been doing over time. Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa civilization got 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, shattered. With changing religious and political condition, we have been following the civilization and culture of the ‘west’ blindly. Condition and circumstances moulded us and we got transformed. A straight line, shared way of life, morals diverged; we got estranged from our loved ones.

India and Pakistan, two countries are not only a carrier 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, genealogy in governance, sustainably increased in its last absolution. Both are already the victims of terrorism. Pakistani troops have been battling the Taliban; India with its interior Naxalism. There exists such a thing; the two countries have grown wildly, earned 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 holds more sense because it could not win on the battlefield and hence puts its whole life to win it. However, why India considers so it is beyond comprehension.

The sad fact is that the two countries advocate ‘conversation’ to solve every problem and turn 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 ‘Villain’. 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, India smoothens 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 of, their army. Military instituted a new ideology. The military has been established in the minds of the general public. Army in time saved the honour and prestige of the country.

However, a few days ago there occurred 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 was sitting in the same niche. Khar put India as War mongering nation. Charge – counter that spell. PM Dr Manmohan Singh has already been famous in the cyber world with “#TheekHai”. Delhi rape scandal has initiated the government to respond at a sudden jerk. Pakistani cultural group was immediately sent to their homeland. India Hockey League players were also cut visa. A few days ago by the statement of the Union Home Minister Shinde put him in the ‘favourite’ of 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 can foster thinking. Thought I should wait a while. They came and military equipment – decorated and kept looking at the cover. But sorry! Desire to have a look upon 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.