Farzana

Ok ... Acknowledged ! Thanks for the response. Views well taken.

Zeemax:

I find it strange that mainly Pakistanis have posted responses on my Ilog when I mentioned both sides.

I refuse to get into this who is better/worse argument, but I would most certainly like to know how you have come to the conclusion: "There's no comparison and you've seen that in your numerous visits about which you have written."

Where have I written that India is the pits socio-economically as compared with Pakistan? I have stated this already: I know what is wrong in my country and with my country and I do write about it. And have to listen to some rubbish about how I would know about the poverty because I live away from those areas and drink expensive coffee. Then there are cheesy comments about visiting places that should concern me. I know these Indians sitting in the US have nothing better to do, so they flaunt their concerns...

But, that does not mean Pakistan has no problems. If you "don't need to show Indians anything. They know where they stand, but overcompensate their insecurities through copying/pasting anything they find on the web against Pakistan and Islam", then why do you show?

"That has to stop."

And it won't by your posting similar pictures.

"What really bugs me is that to score points against Pakistan, these people brandish a few billionaires, when half the population of Bombay has no toilets?"

I have written about the farce of these few billionaires, but since when has Pakistani heart started bleeding for Indian loos? Come on, don't tell me THAT is your real motive. You have posted that link about Prahlad Kakkar's short film 'Bumbay'; I saw it. It was a commissioned piece of work and the theme was a tongue-in-cheek look at the city. Different film-makers took on different subjects. I have a hazy idea about it as I was there at the opening of the festival. All I remember is the laughter. He is talking about half kilo shit per person...that man does not know his excretion. Even a normal person does not produce that kind of crap, and he is talking about almost-starving folks. This sort of exaggeration is common and can pass the creative test, but do not use it as the ultimate truth.

I have never denied the open toilets and lack of hygiene and basic facilities. From what I gather, most people have not.

"Please understand. There's NO South Asian Identity. It has been 'done away' with. Chowk still has to realize that and suitably change its motto."

I am afraid there is a S.Asian identity, simply because of geography and history. I don't know what or how Chowk wants to be recognised.

"Now there's a Pakistani Muslim Identity and an Indian Hindu Identity. That's all."

That is not all. Not for me.

"As for Indian Muslims, they unfortunartely have no identity. (Pls. forgive the statement but it is necessary)"

The Indian Muslims have an identity; it is another matter that we are facing problems. If we did not we would not be a vote bank, we would not have everyone on our case...we are most happening in India and everywhere...

To my comment, "And you call this a "conversation"?", you say, "No it is not. It is because the conversations at Chowk left when the low-middle class trailer-park mentality economic migrant code coolies entered."

Well, no comments on that.

"Regards!"

Cheers!

"(P.S. The picture is what Chowk has become. Just replace symmonds with all these trailer-park hindus)"

I don't watch much cricket these days...and do not "lurk" here either. My visits to the interiors of this region are focussed, as always.

PS: This response is because I owe you one...I only hope that new item number does not start hopping around with his medicine kit. Though it is utterly amusing to be addressed as "girl". Some men never grow up.