From Kerala to Islamabad (A Journey of Nine Decades)

These are some nice reminiscences, especially for people who those are close to. But from a reader’s point of view, it probably would have been more interesting if you had instead focused on the experiences that your grandparents underwent in arriving at and settling down in and meeting the challenges of a new place. Good effort, though!

Ref nazarhayatkhan #4

[As I understand, very few South Indians migrated.]

A few months back, there was a story in Indian newspapers about Pak citizens of Kerala origin (numbering less than 100) who had come on a visit to Kerala who were trying to get back Indian citizenship.

I have met the grandson of a Tamil Muslim who had migrated from Trichy to Karachi. He told me that he grew up in the so-called Tamil Colony in Karachi where his grandfather had settled with other Tamil speaking immigrants.

Re: # 8

Harimau, My grandparents immigrated to Karachi from Madras and I have never in my life heard of Tamil Colony. Most of the Tamil Muslim immigrants from what my grandfather told me were government officers who came to Pakistan because they were getting better positions. Whats the situation of Muslims in Tamil Nadu these days? Have they been bitten by the islamo-fascist bug, it would be a shame because I heard things were pretty good as far as the communal situation goes.

Nice Article kuttu(as we like to call all Malloos fondly).

Why dont you take your daddy to Trivandrum?
Of all the places in India, Kerala is probably the most tolerant and friendly places to Muslims. I used to know one Moplah Taj Mohammad, who hated Muslims from N India and moved back to Kerala after living 4 yrs in Delhi.

Keep writing.

The writting style is pakka malayalee!!!!

The family story is in line with any other family`s from Kerala.

It is unfortunate that you are not elligible for an Indian ``dual citizenship`` as you are not a Pravasi Bharatiya unlike score of Keralites worldwide, and can return to ``Gods own country``.

``Home is where the heart is`` and very often the heart resides in the place where one spent one`s childhood. I know a couple of Keralites very well. He grew up there but left after school and never lived there, thereafter. He wants to retire and live there for the rest of his life. She grew up in cities all over India and is proud and appreciative of ``God`s own country`` and all its natural beauties, but cannot imagine living there for the rest of her life. So they compromised by settling in a totally different state but resolved to visit Kerala whenever the urge took them to recharge their batteries; and this is working out very well. Visits are precious and open windows to the world especially the past world of nostalgia and childhood with remembered faces, traditions, familiar tastes and smells.

Tariq

As others have suggested, make a visit to Kerala with your parents. Enjoy a link up with your past with your parents.

As I understand, very few South Indians migrated.

nhk

your parents should go back to see Kerala!

``About twelve years ago one of those old ordnance colleagues from Calcutta told me with some pride that he was responsible for bringing Daddy to Pakistan. ``

I would suggest that you let them go back to the country of gods than letting them live painfully each day ruing the day when they were seduced by the lure of a pure land........

Interesting reading, thank you.