THE TRIBUNE EDITORIAL DATED 27.10.2015
A LITTLE girl, with no identity papers, is
found in a train entering Lahore from India. Both hearing and speech
impaired, she is handed over to the Edhi Foundation charity. She is
extended love and care at a shelter in Karachi, allowed to grow up as a
Hindu and given a familiar name: Geeta. A happy outcome considering the
circumstances, and a reflection of the innate humanness that man-made
boundaries have little control over. Bajrangi Bhaijaan, a Bollywood
film, depicts a similar tale, but of a Pakistani child being taken care
of by gracious Indian hosts and being reunited with her family despite
odds. Geeta sheds a tear watching the movie, and her Pakistani family
vows to help her find the Indian one.
Away from the photo-ops and props for a “responsive” and
“responsible” government, there is huge symbolism in Geeta’s story. A
powerful message as well, if only allowed to play out for what it means.
One, disengagement between neighbours can never be a permanent state of
relationship. Two, prejudices, long held and being actively reinforced
now, can only be confronted with people being allowed to meet,
deliberate, perform and play fearlessly.
Third, and the most important, that it is the duty of the State to
protect if not honour guests, not allow them to be hounded by a fringe
minority. The tamasha of hurling out threats to Pakistani artistes and
performers has to be challenged upfront. The bold stand taken by the
organisers of one such show in Gurgaon, by driving away the disruptive
elements, needs to be commended.
Geeta identified her family from one of the many photographs sent
to her, but could not recognise them after landing in India. She can
live with the family from Bihar only once the DNA tests confirm
parentage. Both New Delhi and Islamabad need to seize this rare moment
of goodwill. The big differences can take their time to sort themselves
out, but the small acts that make a huge difference in ordinary lives
must not be discouraged.
