Day 165

I know that I’m not writing continuously these days. Actually I was thinking about what to write. Well, I got a theme. Actually it’s about the new cultural programme going to be conducted by The Times of India in collaboration with The Jang Group of Pakistan. The programme is named Aman Ki Asha. A peace project to improve the harmony and peace between the two countries. There are various cultural programmes being arranged to bring the people closer. They are calling it a new chance to the bond of humanity to the citizens of both the country outside the battlefields of politics, terrorism and fundamentalism.

But I don’t think that it’s going to work for us. Indeed both the media publication houses have raised a good question. They have asked that shouldn’t we say no to giving peace a fighting chance? Should we condemn our children, grandchildren and the generations thereafter to a life of strife? Indeed the answer of these questions is no. Any sensible and civilised person would say no. But I want to know whether we are ready for this change? I don’t think so. There are many things which we can’t neglect.

History is full of treachery by Pakistan whenever India has done anything to increase the peace, harmony and friendship. I’m not going far back. Just a decade back. The then Indian Prime Minister, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, took a bus ride across the Wagah border to the Pakistani side. His counterpart, Mr Nawaz Sharif, welcomed him. It was called a good move to reduce the tension. But what we get in return. Kargil War. We haven’t forgotten the Kargil War then we got attack on Indian Parliament in 2001 by the terrorists coming from Pakistan. There had been countless cross fires from Pakistani side to Indian side. And lastly, we have seen terrorists coming to Mumbai and attacking it on 26 November, 2008. I wonder that how can a sensible media house of India like The Times of India forgets this and starts peace programme like Aman Ki Asha? How can it forget the sacrifice of so many Indian soldiers, who died on the border while fighting with the Pakistani army? This is really ridiculous.

If the media house like The Times of India really wants to do something for the country then it should tell the Pakistani government and Pakistani army to be honest in their intentions. I know that it’s really easy to say Hi than to say Sorry but we don’t want to do easier job. We need assurance from the Pakistani side that they won’t do anything else. We need to have trust on them. And trust doesn’t come from having any cultural programmes. Who knows that Pakistani army won’t do anything destructive in India, taking advantage of this Aman Ki Asha? Is there any surety that there will be peace, harmony and prosperity at the both side of the borders? There is no surety.

In my view, if there is any way to increase the trust on Pakistan then there should be commitment from the Pakistani government that they won’t attack India again. They should destroy all the terrorist camps in their territory. They have to refuse giving shelter and security to all anti- India agents. Then only programmes like Aman Ki Asha will work.