Writing about Khushboo gets really special. So far, my only little friend from Pakistan. The only one among my little adorable sisters who calls me “api” and not “didi”. A growing bud with eyes full of hope and heart full of hope.
I met Khushboo on Facebook while trying to know more about Indo-Pak Peace Project, an initiative by two school-students; respectively from India and Pakistan, which aims to engage youth of both countries in the process of peace making.
For those who missed the previous write-up on IPPP where I interacted with Arsh Arora, the Indian Peace agent, here’s the brief. The two of them are committed to knit the knots of peace and harmony between students of both nations. They both are optimistic for Indo-Pak Peace and want to contribute their role as a change maker by involving other students across borders.
Through Face To Faith Online Community platform, two of them across the border discussed how can they promote Peace between two nations. They asked their respective schools, the City’s school Bhit shah, Pakistan & St. Mark’s School Meera Bagh, New Delhi, India, to permit them to introduce IPP in the schools. The school authorities encouraged and appreciated them as well.
A girl. Only 15 years in age. Belongs to Pakistan. Socially, each is very likely to go against the movement Khushboo is trying to initiate. If she’s so brave to still stick to her point, how could we not ask to accompany her on her journey?
Keep reading.
Why Indo-Pak Peace Project?
I and Arsh (Arsh Arora, Khushboo’s fellow peace agent from India in Indo-Pak Peace Project) encountered with each other on FACE TO FAITH online community, where we had lots of discussion, clashes regarding with Indo-Pak relations. Meanwhile, I also realized that conflicts and past can only lead both nations to BREAK UP and Rivalry. We have experienced the same message from the separation that divided one subcontinent into 3. I have also observed indulgent and attachment between people of India and Pakistan, that seems more than friendship and brotherhood.
So, I decided to not to repeat the same mistake again, that occurred 67 years ago. I pledged to contribute my role as an ‘’Indo-Pak Peace Agent’’, to improve ties between both nations.
You must have found out the biggest obstacles in the path of Indo-Pak peace by now. What are they?
Currently, India and Pakistan both have been undergoing a dreadful period. Thousands of innocent people from both nations, are victimized due to Firing and Tension at LOC. This tension on LOC has created rifts among the minds of people from both nations.
The foremost obstacle is false and partial knowledge about partition, provided in our syllabus. To be frank, I have observed that our syllabus contains fractional information about partition. The information that we get from our books is not that genuine and authentic, that it was at the time of Partition. Same reflects to the Indian side. Most of my Indian friends also observed the same fact in their syllabus.
So, I would say that this wrong and baseless knowledge leads young students towards negative perception that can really depreciate their positive reflections from their friends across the border.
One thing we all wonder about. How Pakistanis feel about Indians in general?
I hope, you must have heard the song of BORDER, ‘’Mere DUSHMAN, Mere bhai, Mere hamsae’’. Indians have multiple identities in the minds of Pakistan. There are categories among Pakistanis. Some of the Pakistani’s treat Indians as ‘’RIWAYATI DUSHMAN’’, some love them as ‘’DIL KE BOHAT QAREEB’’ (Core of the heart), while the rest of them are neutral for them. They have neither any feeling of love nor hate for Indians. They are simple and peace loving.
And how to change the negative notions?
Although there are many people from both nations, who are optimistic and in contact with each other, there are also people who are opposite to this notion. This exists in both nations. But this is not a good sign for peace process.
We can change this notion by encouraging youth to work in this joint project, have Video-conference session, exchange visit, interaction on social networking sites and sports exchange festivals.
Trend where people generalize Pakistani’s as terrorists, How to address this issue
‘’MY NAME IS KHUSHBOO & I’M NOT A TERRORIST’’
I really feel worse, when people address Pakistanis (Whole nation of Pakistan) as terrorists. Why? I accept that these terrorists may belong to Pakistan, but this doesn’t state that all Pakistanis are terrorist. It’s really sad to know that people make such false remarks only by seeing the one side of coin. What about the other side?
Why don’t they take a look on positive aspects of Pakistan. Malala, brave daughter of Pakistan, who fought against terrorists and got victory in her mission.
I also want to share my example, I’m a simple teenage girl of Pakistan, but look at my dedication, optimism and spirit to work for PEACE. I’m not bragging, but I just want to say that, Pakistanis are not terrorist and negative. They are also peace loving. Kindly change your perception and everything will be clear to you.
Being a Pakistani citizen who’s fighting for peace, your message to the world:
Pakistani’s are alike you. They are human beings like you. They do have a feeling of peace and love. Then why do people treat us as ‘’Terrorist’’. Why do people only criticize us on the basis of Taliban, Osama and bla bla. Why do they react with such a partial attitude on the basis of misdeeds by few Pakistanis. Why does the whole nation of Pakistan suffer due to these criminals.
I want to say that we Pakistani’s are also peace loving. We are human beings, we have heart in our self too. So kindly don’t take us negative. Please change your attitude towards us. Join your hands with us for better and sustainable peaceful earth.
The Kashmir issue..
Kashmir dispute should be resolved with appropriate solutions. I don’t want to raise any point related to this issue, because I’m only a teenage student, I’m still in my learning process. Even, I was not present at that time, when this Kashmir scenario took place, then why to raise baseless points. All what I know is that the Kashmir issue is a dispute, that is an obstacle for Indo-Pak peace process. Governments of both nations should consult with citizens of Kashmir and try to find out a solution for this issue, that suits to both governments and residents as well.
People across the border who inspire you when it comes to bringing peace..
From India, I’m inspired by Sir Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former PM of India. I think his role was really positive for peace process, as he introduced, “DOSTI BUS SERVICE” and he himself took a ride in this and he was warmly welcomed by Nawaz Sharif, (Present PM of Pakistan) at the Wagah border. This ‘dosti bus service’ is also a step to move forward for making our ties healthy and strong.
From Pakistan, I’m highly inspired by Ma’am Beena Sarwar. She is currently the Pakistan Editor of the Aman ki Asha. She is a well-known journalist, film maker and artist. She also directed a remarkable film,’’ MILNE DO, Let Kashmiri’s Meet ‘’. She is passionate to work for improving ties b/w India and Pakistan and this spirit of her has hugely inspired me to work for Indo-Pak peace.
