The weeklong stay in India of Pakistani school students from multiple cities was all about mingling with their Indian counterparts, exchanging views on cultural, social, economic and political issues and making a concerted attempt to bridge the gap between the two nations.
At the Pakistan High Commission, there was much bonhomie and camaraderie among school kids of neighbouring nations, who kept reassuring each other that the wall of hatred will soon be razed to the ground. As a special gesture for the host country, the Indian anthem was played before that of the visiting delegation.
In a video one could see the flags of the two nations fluttering together like two long lost friends , heart rending letters penned by Indian kids expressing sympathy with the bereaved families of victims of the Army Public School in Peshawar and a child rendering Iqbal’s famous lines, “Mazhab nahi sikhata apas mein bair rakhna”.
The event titled “Exchange for Change 2013-2015” has been a joint initiative between Routes 2 Root and The Citizens Archive of Pakistan.
All mental blocks about Pakistan being a terrorist-infested and orthodox country were shattered the moment Richa Sharma, an Indian teacher, crossed the Wagah border.
“My parents were asking me why I was going there. Even I was getting goose bumps and beseeched the Principal to strike off my name from the list of the Indian delegation. The factis that people are so similar that that they look like siblings. Why seeds of hatred have been sown and misconceptions are allowed to prevail? Contrary to perception, the people are advanced. The roads, markets and restaurants were spic and span.” Areej Naveed, of Lahore Grammar School, says the ongoing trip to India has been an exhilarating experience . “I have found the Indians to be humble cooperative people. I do not feel that I am in an alien country; everything be it monuments, food, people seems so similar. My long cherished wish to visit the Taj Mahal has been realised. I offered namaz at Old Delhi’s famous Jama Masjid. We ate mouth watering delicacies like nihari, seekh kabab at Karim’s. Now I long to go to Jaipur and also see the Rashtrapati Bhawan.”
There was something pertinent that Areej said that needs to be taken note of. She says, “Indians are willing to be our friends. Misunderstanding should be removed and the bloodshed of the Partition should be forgotten. The awam on both sides does not want jung .” Before visiting India, Noor Mir, also of the same institution, believed that Hindustan was an enemy country. “All my misconceptions about India have cleared. People are genial, patient and go out of the way to make us feel welcome when they learn we are Pakistanis.”
Among Bollywood stars, Shah Rukh Khan, whose father came to India from Peshawar, has the biggest following, followed by Salman Khan. “We are also fans of Ranbir Kapoor, Varun Dhawan and Siddharth Malhotra,” says Shumaim.
According to Routes 2 Roots founder Rakesh Gupta, in the 16-month-long exchange programme, schools catering to children of higher, middle and lower income groups have been roped in. “As an NGO we act as a postman and children have been exchanging letters, capturing pictures and recording and then exchanging oral history of their grandparents who lived in cities like Rawalpindi and Lahore.”
Nikhita Kumar from DPS Gurgaon says the exchange programme has acted as a good incentive to foster peace and changing mindsets. “Only when we interact with the other side do we realise that the other nation is not as lethal as we have been told. Once people realise that they would not die if they go to Pakistan then there can be more such visits.”
Saimayya Khan, of Dev Samaj Modern School, celebrated her birthday while she was in Pakistan last month. “It was such a warm welcome that I still cherish those wonderful moments. The architecture and dome of the Badshahiya Masjid was so much like our Jama Masjid. The people there are confident and vibrant.”
Apologising for arriving late, Pakistan High Commission Abdul Basit interacted with the students, shared jokes with them and even obliged some with selfies with him.
“My generation failed to build bridges but your generation can transcend barriers. You have more exposure than we had and means available to connect. We have to dispense stereotypes and live together for millennium. Time has come for you guys to take the lead.”
