President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday went out of his way to make visiting Bihar Chief Minister feel at home by hosting a Diwali dinner for him; turning a conventional “call on” into a full-fledged meal at the eleventh hour.
As expected, news of his hosting a Diwali dinner for Mr. Kumar set off a debate on the significance of the gesture from the highest office of the land at a time when minorities are feeling particularly threatened across the country. In fact, the President this year used his traditional Diwali greetings to the Hindus to assert that these were more than just good wishes for the festival but a bid to partake in the celebrations also.
“We partake in Diwali celebrations also for promoting interfaith harmony as a means to fight religious apartheid and those who seek to impose their ideological agenda on the people,” Mr. Zardari said in his Diwali greetings.
For the Chief Minister and his delegation, Diwali in Pakistan was otherwise a day filled with meetings that included experience-sharing first with diplomats and opinion-makers and then with cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan's Tehreek-e-Insaf Pakistan. So, when the Diwali dinner at the Presidency was confirmed towards the latter half of the day, it came as a bonus for the Chief Minister's entourage.
(Imran Khan's party name has been corrected)
When the world leaders of China, Japan, Britain and USA are identifying Gujarat as number of one state in terms of development and growth and shown interest to replicate the Gujarat model of development and inclusive growth and praising the leadership quality of Narendra Modi, it is a solace for Nitish Kumar that a lawless and failed state like Pakistan has chosen him as a role model for development and good governance. Perhaps after the Lalu era of anarchy and lawlessness, the visible impact seen in Bihar due to the sustained efforts taken by Nitish Kumar in areas like law, education, health care and investment might have thought Pakistan that they can also rejuvenate Pakistan from the shambles. The visiting other countries on invitation by the elected representatives is not a new phenomena. However, it is surprising to note that Nitish Kumar has not the chosen to broach the core issue and bone of contention between the two Nations, i.e. cross border terrorism and action against the masterminds of Mumbai attacks who are languishing in Pakistan and cross master terrorism including Dawood Ibrahim and others. This would have in fact helped to usher in a new beginning in the strained relationship between the Biharis settled in Mumbai and the locals. Also, it appears for obvious reasons he has not made any mention about the Pakistani teenager Malala, who is convalescing from the Taliban attack, an issue which has got world attention.
All this is because Pakistan is considered a "Human Rights Violator" and denied entry into Human Rights Organisation by more than 55 countries for the fact that minority are treated like pests.
I have already made my mind to vote for Kejriwal's party in next elections. I am
asking for others also to vote for the guy. I am too bored with these goodwill
meetings which will not change anything on ground. I come from a generation which
has been hearing that something is going to change on a positive note but half my
life is over and nothing changed much.
The name of the political outfit of cricketer-turned-politician Imran
Khan's party is not Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.It's Tehreek-e-Insaf
Pakistan.
In the haste to publish "Breaking news", proof reading often takes a
back seat.
President Zardari needs to be complimented for the kind gesture. It is in the true spirit of tolerance for other religions and respect for the visiting Chief Minister of Bihar who has been a Role Model Chief Minister of an Indian State who proved that one man can make a huge difference to the lives of poor citizens.
Perhaps zardari realises that pakistan has no future unless it reconnects with its history and civilization. A democratic, secular , undivided and non -aligned Hind is best.
This must be done in a pragmatic manner over time.
A welcome gesture and we welcome it. But then there is a 'but' to these
gestures because our neighbor has a tendency to blow hot and
cold.Anyway, our Diwali greetings to him and the people of Pakistan--
specially to the Hindus there who are caught on the hop!
About time that Pakistanis embraced their real history and culture. Also the protection of the minorities and fighting terrorism should be of the utmost importance to Pakistan.
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