Hero Munjal's class act At 86, Munjal still has clear memories of his early days in Kamalia

All heart. That's the only phrase to describe Brijmohan Lall Munjal's extraordinarily moving speech at the valedictory event of Aman Ki Asha's Indo-Pak business meet in New Delhi, May 19, 2010. He may be the world's bicycle and two-wheeler king, but all the success and wealth hasn't made him forget his roots or the people of his birthplace: Kamalia in Faisalabad district of Pakistan.

In a speech laden with emotion and full of wonderful shayari, all recited in perfect diction, he stole the audience's heart. Sample this: Mitaa denae ko nafrat ek sadee ki, mohabbat kaa ek lamhaa kafee hai (a moment of love is enough to wipe out years of enmity). Mind you, this was just one of the half dozen that he reeled off to great applause. Later, he proudly showed TOI the transcript of the shayari, written in Urdu, in which he's well-versed. His enthusiasm to reach out to people from across the border was so sincere that it moved not only the guests but also the hosts in equal measure.

His delight at the Aman Ki Asha initiative was indeed genuine. He said repeatedly that while a lot of efforts had been made to normalise relations between India and Pakistan they had come to naught. He said that this would be different. He said, "It will certainly make a difference. I feel that from my heart. Fortunately no politicians are involved." He was full of praise for The Times of India and the Jang Group for this bold initiative.

Speaking to TOI, Munjal said that he still has old friends in Pakistan. "I have personally tried and helped some of the people I know when they were starting business ventures in Pakistan ," he said, narrating how he sent machinery for a cycle venture in Pakistan from his factory in Ludhiana. "And I was there when the first cycle was made," he said with a big smile on his face.

At 86, Munjal still has clear memories of his early days in Kamalia. "I cannot forget those days. When I went back there, I travelled to my school to check whether my name was still mentioned on the school board," he said.

Times News Network

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Indian students painting their own picture of Pakistan By our correspondent
Karachi

Though the Indian media often maligns Pakistan, a visiting delegation of five students from the neighbouring country say they have .....more

People for peace by Beena Sarwar

The Indian government's clearance of visas for 237 Pakistanis to attend a major peace convention in Allahabad from Dec 29 to Jan 1 is a welc .....more

Indian students visit FPCCI Our correspondent
KARACHI: A group of Indian students said that trade is the only way to promote bilateral relations and they do not see any difference between the two .....more

Students discuss ways to promote peace between India and Pakistan By our correspondent
"I never saw a Zinda Indian (real-life Indian) in my life; this is the first time I am meeting one," said Noman Khan, a ninth-grade student of the .....more

'India, Pakistan face same development issues' By our correspondent
Karachi

An Indian delegation of five students was pleasantly surprised as they attended the silver jubilee celebrations of Javed Jabbar's N .....more

Down the page of history Sidrah Roghay
A delegation of five students from India was taken down a page of history, as they received a guided tour of the Quaid's mausoleum on Tuesday.

The .....more