Some of the journalists who visited Karachi and Hyderabad recently as part of The Mumbai Press Club delegation share their impressions 'Increased interation between the people is necessary'
Although I've been living in Mumbai for over twenty years, I still can't fully understand or speak Marathi - a gap in the linguistic sphere that is visible between any two states in southern India. But I felt none of this discomfort while conversing with Pakistani senator Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo for about an hour during my recent visit to Karachi. The reason: he spoke in pretty much the same language as over 70 per cent of Indians. Except that while Pakistanis term it Urdu, we call it Hindi. Mutual awareness can increase somewhat only with increased interaction between the people of both countries. This is necessary, at least between journalists and writers, who can record news and developments in each others' countries and help reduce mutual suspicions and animosity. This will

become possible only if the ruling establishments of both countries want it to happen.

- Om Prakash Tiwari, Special Correspondent, Hindi daily Dainik Jagran


'For a book lover, Karachi is pure bliss'
Whatever little apprehensions I had about Karachi and Pakistan melted the moment we landed in Karachi to a rousing welcome. Despite my Marathi-laced Urdu, communication was never a problem. I was struck by the fact that the common Pakistani seems to know more about India and its politics than the common Indians do about Pakistan. I was even asked questions about the political dynamics of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra!

The common people of Pakistan and India share the same concerns and aspirations. People to people contacts are essential for the creation of a 'constituency for peace', and for debunking stereotypes that we have about each other. Both governments must be pressurised to take conflict de-escalation measures. Exchange of journalists between the two countries must be encouraged.

For a book lover, Karachi is pure bliss. Regretfully, while Mumbai is fast losing its reading culture to a creeping anti-intellectualism, Karachi has managed to hold its own in this regard. I bought books by Arthur Koestler, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn etc at bargain prices at Frere Hall; Liberty too had its gems.

- Dhaval Kulkarni, Special Correspondent, The Indian Express


'So much like India and that famed hospitality'
Ididn't feel like I was in a different country, till the police security guards told me that I couldn't walk in the morning wherever I pleased. We had high security as an Indian press delegation. In Gulshan-e-Maymar where we stayed, the roads were deserted except for people who left very early for work. One of them, ten-year-old Afzal decided he would race me and show off that he was faster! Afzal has never been to school. Every day he walks 40 minutes to work at a bakery. So much like India. Everywhere you see children working, carrying bags, in hotels serving tea.

By now it's a cliche to speak about Pakistan's famed hospitality but I have to mention it. People gave us so much time, affection and warmth, ajraks and gifts - it was unforgettable. In Karachi you realise that people themselves are under a siege of sorts - co-ed schools are attacked, mosques are bombed, landgrabbers and extortionists are sending the crime graph spiralling. In Karachi we were warned not to speak on our mobile phones in public - you can be

robbed at gunpoint! There were two bombing incidents while we were there but no one seemed to mind except my taxi driver who was upset that these frequent incidents didn't seem to disturb anyone.

Yet you have flourishing art galleries, defiant university teachers and a society that is opposing all forms of religious extremism and violence. Few mentioned Kashmir; those who did, didn't seem to think that it was the hitch in Indo-Pak relations. Not a single person we met had anything other than nice things to say about India.

"When you go back to India hug Salman Khan for me," said a researcher fervently. Most people are gaga about Indian soaps. During serious political discussions, journalists would break off to ask about Aishwarya Rai and her baby. One TV channel asked us to offer our reactions when the baby was born - which we declined!

- Meena Menon, Deputy Editor, The Hindu

'Pakistan is not a monolithic entity'
I feel that Indians have to see Pakistan and understand that it is not a monolith entity, opposing India. Anyone who visits will easily understand and experience the difference between common Pakistanis and their ruling class. I saw great interest in India... People were always happy to talk about India. I felt many were comparing these twins and their present health. I have great confidence about our democracy. If Pakistan had also had democracy throughout, the situation and progress parameters could have been much better...

- Sarang Darshane, Assistant Editor, Maharashtra Times, Mumbai

Thursday, December 08, 2011

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