A tale of two cities Besides the culture and language that bind the people on both sides of the border, architecture too makes Pakistani visitors feel at home in India.
Chandigarh and Islamabad in particular share striking similarities that have left not just the Pakistani traders, but also their Indians hosts, awestruck.
Indians were most intrigued by a video of Islamabad brought to the fair by a Pakistani organiser that highlighted the similarities between Pakistan's capital and Chandigarh.
Traders from across the border for the "Made in Pakistan" exposition found themselves at home, thanks to the common culture, language and architecture.
Developed at the same time, both cities share same architecture and resemble each other socially and culturally. Parts of Islamabad have striking urban planning similarities with Chandigarh, as Khurshid Barlas, convener fairs and exhibition committee, Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce points out.
"When I show this video of Islamabad to the people in Chandigarh they get amused as the parks, artificial lake, roads look similar to Chandigarh's and the name is same as well - "City Beautiful"," he said. "It is only now they have replaced the roundabouts and small buildings with high rises. The architecture is exactly the same."
People in the two cities also have a similar lifestyle. "Just like Chandigarh, Islamabad has more of working class," Barlas added.
"Just as Chandigarh is surrounded by mountains and a hill station, Shimla, just a few hours away, Islamabad, too, is geographically similar," said Mansoor Ahmed, a Pakistani trader. "Architecturally, India and Pakistan, have a lot more in common than Chandigarh and Islamabad. Karachi looks like
Mumbai and Lahore resembles Delhi and Punjab in all manners."Peter Massi, another Pakistani trader at the exhibition said, "It does not feel as if we are in some other country. When we step out of here there feels no difference as the outlook of the cities match and since habits, language, culture and traditions are same too, it makes us feel at home."
Like Chandigarh's Open Hand Monument, Islamabad has a monument representing it and parks in both cities look similar.
- Kamini Mehta, TNN

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

A process of learning to love Aliya Salahuddin wonders whether the absurd idea that worked would have succeeded if George was Jagjeet from India, or if there was a show called Aliya ka India? Or would .....more

Aman belongs to the strong and independent Message from Tarun Vijay, Director, Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation, BJP Head Quarters, New Delhi

Peace belongs to those who are powerful and indepe .....more

Trade best option for Pakistan-India peace: business leaders ISLAMABAD: Trade is the best option to build confidence, improve relations and create new opportunities to uplift people from extreme poverty. Pakistan and India should t .....more

Congress leader urges weekly Indo-Pak talks at Wagah Karachi: Former Indian minister Mani Shankar Aiyer on Saturday called for uninterrupted dialogue between India and Pakistan at the Wagah-Attary border on weekly basis to .....more

Women's Chamber attends exhibition in Delhi KARACHI: A 12-member delegation of the Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sindh is attending an exhibition organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerc .....more

Easing barriers to unlock S Asia's potential: FICCI, ADB ISLAMABAD: Reducing visa restrictions and non-tariff barriers and improving customs procedures, are among a host of steps South Asian countries can take to boost private .....more