Connections

``Your pain is our pain, for have we not always been Siamese twins cut in two by the heaving separation of land? ``

Get it straight - it was not the ``heaving separation of land`` but religion that is the root of all our ``differences``.

Your attempts at empathizing however are appreciated.

urstruly:#10

Very well said.

Let these poor folk bask in the ``enlightenment`` of the eclipsed sun.

Where else can they use english as a language to continue to do their ``home-work``.This is what was taught by their massas and this is what they are parroting.

The young generation of muslims in Europe & America was not fed the stuff which is still causing colic to these aged(but never grown-up) Convent-iers or Saint-eers.

They have never produced ANYONE who has been an achiever in ANY field.

Keep gnawing at their stumps.

__________________________________________________

wassalaam

Dear Writer,

Thanks for the impressive contribution on the terrible quake incidence.Loss of human lives is for sure the big one.We need to help the poor lot in any way,any where.Yeah,its the time to share the ill fate of the neighbours.But

I cannot understand the words like ``Connections deeper than history `` and `` Siamese twins cut in two by the heaving separation of land``.Yes the two nation theory is a truth shinning like the sun.We need cordial relations with neighbours but never at the cost of our basic idealolgy.If u don`t believe ,its another case then.

Take care

J

Very true. ``Our tears bleed the same salt``---well said.

Urstruly (reply #6)

says: ``I object to the first line of this article.

Author should have refrained from pushing controversial and sensitive agenda at this time.

``

Objection noted. Overruled :)

You are naturally funny. Congratulations.

Peace.

Just writing to endorse the sentiments expressed by Bina. On hearing the news, I called my familiy in Bombay and Karachi to find out how they were coping. For many of us, who have relations on both sides of the divide, the absurdity of the national security ideologies that are dominant in both India and Pakistan, has always been self-evident.

Take care,

tariq

REPORT CARD: HINDUSTANI PERFORMANCE IN KASHMIR IN YEAR 2000

Following is the report card representing the performance of Hindu-stani Government in Kashmir for the year 2000. I take this moment to make an appeal to all the good people with good conscience in the world to voice against this genocide of Kashmiri people. I would also request all decent Hindus to act and stop the rabid actions of their government. It is just a matter of time when all of those who committed atrocities will be dragged in front of International Court of Justice. But before that they will have to answer to the Kashmiri people. Now that when practically each and every household has suffered at the hands of rabid Hindus, it is time that all of those with live conscience should wake up. The time to act is now:

Report Card for year 2000:

Kashmiris who gave their lives for their motherland
3401 (ave. 283/mo)

Deaths/Shahadats in Army/Police Custody
363 (30/mo)

Wounded
3844 (320/mo)

Arrested
3058 (254/mo)

Rapes by Hindu Army and police
281 (23/ mo)

Property Damaged (number)
1604 (133/mo)

A month by month breakdown is available at following site:

http://www.jang-group.com/jang/index.html

I would request all people with live conscience who value human life, to forward this link and the figures to your human rights organization.

Thank you.

Fairdinkum

Such statements have political connotations which may irk the hell out of people. That is the last thing we want at this time.

For the past three to four years Indian media and some Paki ``intellectuals`` have been sending this subtle but stealth message on people being ``one``. Whereas Indian media represents aadha titar aadha batair type characters who are confused about their identity to represent this oneness-Paki intellectuals do their ``wardaat`` under the guise of humanism.

It is unacceptable until and unless geographical disputes are settled first. Besides what the hell is common between us any way other than being human and that aint enough.

Bina,

You have this uncanny ability of expressing emotions through your words. Thank you for sharing this with us.

urstruly,

``Borders may divide us, but land connects us.``

with all due respect, i disagree with you! it is presumpteous to declare that Bina has an agenda to follow. She has done an excellent job by writing this piece. Perhaps you are reading too much into her above statement... please clarify you position!

Very well expressed sentiments!
Although I believe that this was a 7.9 earthquake
(I`ve been through a 7 in the late 80`s in San Jose), the point to remember here is that the forces of nature do not differentiate between Hindu or Muslim when they kill.


Ras

I object to the first line of this article.

Author should have refrained from pushing controversial and sensitive agenda at this time.

People of India and pakistan r in a very peculiar situation.They can`t live together because of historical aminosity between Hindus and muslims but at the same time they can`t live apart.We have common languages,cultures etc.

To me as an Indian relation between India and Pakistan can be brotherly only when 2 things happen.Firstly,Kashmir must be solved in an amicable manner(convert LOC into international border) because if pakistan feels it can get kashmir by covert/overt operations it shows underestimation of us Indians resilience.

Secondly ,Pakistans economic development and political development will make any kind of dialogue realistic.Because pakistan is under the influence of jehadis who don`t even have regard for ahmediyas,shias etc,.

Yes I know common pakistani wants good relations but system there is not allowing good people to come to power.Only feudals and army people have hold on power.I am sure again Bhutto or Sharif will be back in power after the army goes back to barracks.

Bina:

I understand, I understand...I have always called ours a sibling rivalry. A friend in Pakistan, whose letters I had not responded to, was panicky, ``Are you ok?`` and then angry, ``You just cannot take me for granted`` and finally he managed to make me feel guilty, ``Perhaps you are involved with some earthquake relief work``. I was not, am not and, although I have put my name up to be part of a group, I wonder if I will be able to take it. But here was a person across the border, a recently-acquired friend, who was concerned.

I feel guilty about this as well, an individual in a Bombay apartment safe...I only felt the tremors, but there are no cracks on the walls or my psyche. I sometimes wonder if there is a greater pain because Gujarat is where my roots are.

How can anyone, especially you temporal (#1), say that if this earthquake jolts us, then the disaster would not have been in vain? Our PM said much the same thing, that since Gen. Musharraf had offered help, this was a great opportunity to look for solutions for peace. I think it amounts to making use of a specific tragedy. The lack of peace between the two countries should be tragic enough to jolt us. I know that you are not a politician, t, but think about it...

The most sensible solution came from a member of the studio audience during a TV discussion from Ahmedabad: He said if even ten per cent of the funds and manpower that were earmarked for our ``national priority`` (temple construction) went into scientific research, we would be doing a service to the country.

As of now,we can only feel the pain of random images.

Farzana

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Dear Bina:

There indeed are moments when our humanness dominates over all othernesses. I wish such moments coincide more often with somewhat normal times. Thanks!

Sincerely, Bilal Ahmad