Imagine this. Within the walls of a high school there are many children. Popular, ugly, short, tall, black, white. Then in midst of the crowd is one dorky guy. This dorky guy, who was born in poverty, was almost instantly orphaned as his father died because of lung cancer and his mother died later. With no support, this dorky guy worked his way through life, always being pushed and pulled. He was placed under the authority of brutal, harsh and mean step-fathers who did nothing but use and abuse him. The only step-mother he had was killed and taken away from him.
This one, dorky guy, has all the potential in the world. Only problem is this dork is picked on constantly. By all sides. His neighbor keeps accusing him of throwing muddy, dirty cricket-balls into their territory. His fellow classmate, that jock, keeps telling him to do his homework for him, or else he’ll throw him so hard, that the dork will fly back to the stone age.
Then all the other students want to take over his small house so they can party their asses off, and not worry about cleaning up.
The dork has no money, the little he has is spent on providing for his ever so greedy family members. Instead of helping him, they burden him, blame him for all the problems, and want all the issues fixed before the dawn of the new day. So, in desperate need to satisfy, he borrows some money from his classmates. Family members are temporarily happy. Only problem is, the dorky kid can’t really pay back, and his classmates start getting mad. Now they want favors from him. Their house gets robbed, and they blame that dorky kid and his family. They wanna get into his house. After all, the dorky kid is responsible for all his family memebrs.
Then there is the issue with his neighbors. He never really got along with them, why, that is a matter of discussion. But the fact is that just recently his neighbors found 10 dirty cricket-balls in their backyard which was infected with something, so it killed all their apple trees, vegetables and their dog house, shaped like a Taj Mahal.
The neighbors are devastated. But hey, they’re up for election in 6 months, and they think that either the dorky kid, or the dorky kid’s family is involved. And everyone hates that dorky kid. Politics is a nasty thing, but whatever good comes out of it, should come out of it.
This dork has all the potential in the world.
This dorky kid is Pakistan.
Before you start posting all hateful comments, give me a minute to explain.
Yes I’m Pakistani, and most likely you are not, but we can both agree that what happened in India is tragic and unacceptable. Those who did it need to be punished. End of discussion. Innocent lives have been lost, families destroyed, and fear has swept the nation (and the world)
But what is most astonishing is the fact that whenever something happens to India, the Indian government is quick to point towards their neighbours. The dorky kid. Pakistan. And the only solution that they have is to get into Pakistan and kill the terrorists themselves. Yeah, great plan. Worked in Afganistan I see.
Admitted, we got an issue with some fundamentalists. But what the world misses to see is that the one of the biggest loser in having fundamentalists in Pakistan is Pakistan. The economy has been completely destroyed, we got the world breathing down our necks, we lost Benazir Bhutto to them, and our reputation among the world has been officially categorized as negative.
Musharraf was called up after 9/11 to support the US in the war on terror of else he and Pakistan would be bombed back to the stone age. Great way to start a friendship.
The only solution that I’ve heard from the US is simply that they want to get into Pakistan. No offense, but I don’t think the Pakistani people are ready to be another Iraq or Afganistan. Once American soldiers step into Pakistan, they are not gonna leave. Same with Indian soldiers.
Also, people keep talking about democracy, and how Pakistan is a failed state of democracy. Well, just to remind you, (I mean just in case), democracy can’t be inserted in Pakistan. It just can’t so stop trying. It needs to flow into Pakistan, one piece at a time.
Pakistan is roughly 61 years old. My grandmother is older than that, you know? When it was created we had one factory, over half of the population was illiterate and the founding father, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, died after a year of independence.
Pakistan has been ruled by military dictatorship for many, many, many years. The people have suffered. The earth of Pakistan has been soiled with the blood of many, many, many thousands and millions of Pakistanis. You expect all that to go away over a single night? You expect a child to start running when it can’t even crawl?
Change takes time. Time takes energy. And energy comes from healthy, ready-to-go people. The population os Pakistanis are sick and tired of everyone, and everything. They have given up on their own government (because 62 years of failure is enough), they have given up on the world (because in their veiw, all the world is after is bombing another country) and they are tired of being puppets. But they havn’t give on Pakistan just yet. They will still guard it if necessary.
You have not the slightest idea on how much potential there is in the people of Pakistan. Growing out of nothing, they manage to survive. Thats what Pakistan has been doing the past 60 fucking years. Survive.
I was watching CNN yesterday and their coverage of the attacks in Mumbai. Two indian journalists started accusing and getting all fired up (I don’t blame them) on the PM of Pakistan. The PM, simply said what I think I’ve been trying to say.
Its not a Pakistan problem,its a global problem. Stop jumping to conclusions, and if there is any guy in a suit who needs to kill or hunt down some out-of-order dude, it’s going to be a Pakistani. And if I was the PM, I would have told the journalist to stop fucking shouting.
Election in India is 6 months away. I don’t mean to be a superstitious bitch or anything, but how do you win an election in India? You blame Pakistan. It works. Simple. You win. And if journalists can jump to conclusions, so can the government and the public.
I understand there are issues about security in Pakistan. No doubt, there are terrorists, and yes we need to do something about it, but give Pakistan a break. He’s got shit loads of crap to deal with, and don’t underestimate Pakistan’s work in the war on terrorism. It’s higher on the agenda plan than any other thing. He’s trying.
And quit that democracy talk okay? It’s going to take time, and by the time my kids have kids, there will probably be democracy (that is, if Pakistan hasn’t been bombed off the map).
I mean look at it this way. The USA has JUST elected a black man for president. If it can take you guys so long to elect a black man (with 47 precent disagreeing) then give Pakistan a chance with democracy.
So world, give the dork a break, and stop flushing his head down the toilet. He’ll help you if you let him. He’s got the potential.
Until next time,
Mamashaal (( desi diva ))
PS. Here is a song, called Azadi (Freedom/Independence) from the movie “Jinnah” which is a movie about the independence of Pakistan. My all time fav. The start is one of the most talked about events in the independence of Pakistan. When the first train, filled with soon-to-be-Muslim-Pakistanis, arrived in Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Jinna walked into the train, and found all of them slaughtered. You can’t blame me for being a pit patriotic, can you?
ppp said,
November 29, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Pakistan as you said is a Kid in international affairs. It does a dirty thing and then when fingers are pointed at it then it doesn’t agree to that.
In India there might be tensions between Hindus and muslims but they are not to the level where people are ready to kill hundreds of people at a go. And If Pakistan and its ISI bastards were never present then there wouldn’t have been a notion of terrorism in India.
Who created the Jaish… who created the LET… who routinely train, brain wash and send terrorists to India? Who prepared the groundwork for all this? Who the hell trained the Indian Mujahideen… who the hell funds it? Is it Indians within india? Nope…
It is always someone from Pakistan who keeps some chelas in india and drives the operation. Pakistan is the biggest cancer of this world and it was nourished by the failed policies of US… which has always seen a friend in the actual foe…
Cancer in Pakistan has reached such a stage that it is ready to engulf the entire of Pakistan and is spreading its tentacles and the disease to every other nation in the world.
Your politicians just deny the facts and don’t do anything else… not because they cannot do anything… but because they identify with the same ideals as the terrorists…
mamashaal said,
November 29, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Firstly, I would like to thank you for your post and since I have the decency of accepting this comment and publishing it on my blog, you should thank me.
Secondly, I wish you had the courage and well…balls….to write your name or at least your nickname along with a URL of your blog so I could respond to you, but I guess, posting hateful and untrue comments is much easier and safer when it is done without any possibility of feedback.
Now, let me get to your post.
The first mistake you make is in your very first sentence. I never called Pakistan a “Kid” in international politics. Perhaps you are referring to the term “You expect a child to start running when it can’t even crawl?”. PPP, its not meant to be taken literally. Its an example, a metaphor as such. Its like saying “Don’t expect to sing before you can talk”. Its about stages. I suggest you read my post carefully through, and then book some English classes.
Let me remind you, sir/madam, that the population of India is what, a billion? Do you really expect me to believe that the entire population is angel and holy-like? Do you remember the riots in 2002, between Hindus and Muslims? I don’t think you do. Initially started by Hindus who claimed that the train burning with 60 hindus was a work of Muslims. Like your accusations,that claim was never proven, and as a result, over 1000 people lost their lives, many being Muslims. I suggest you get your facts straight, and as help, I want you to go watch “The Final Solution” , which is a documentary on that issue. Which btw, was called for a ban in India for being “provocative”. Half of the Bollywood films produced should be banned.
And PPP, you are clearly very lost. I don’t blame you, many people are. Firstly, where is your evidence sir?
And as for cancer, Pakistan, nor India qualify for that term. If there is any cancer in the world, it is the mind, the way of thought and the view that people like you have. YOU are the cancer that create diversions, YOU create hate and YOU accuse and point without any evidence. So just cut it okay?
“It’s always someone from Pakistan”,. Great. Evidence please? Oh no wait, you don’t have any! WHAT a surprise. Please take your generalizations and shove them…no. I promised myself I wouldn’t say that
Politicians and politicians PPP. Indian politicians are no better. Heard of bribery? Politics is a very disgusting business, doesn’t matter if its in Pakistan, India or the US. I suggest you do some reading, you obviously need some catching up to do on politics in India.
Mark my words though. I have many Indian friends, whom I absolutely love from the bottom of my heart. And I watch Bollywood movies, so I’m not on any strike mission either. However, people like you really make my blood boil. You’re no better than the narrow minded Pakistanis either. All you can do is be all hateful and biased. Look at both sides of the coin PPP. BOTH. I do that, I’m not saying Pakistan is holy, but you have forgotten what it means to see both sides of the story.
So, please get yourself a book, and educate yourself. I’m amazed that I even spent time and bothered writing this knowing that you might not read it. But I guess I had to. Immaturity, ignorance and hate really pisses me off, and Im tired of it. If i get a chance to stop it, I will. Period.
Best of luck, and quit being all hateful.
Mamashaal
Ankit Agrawal said,
November 30, 2008 at 7:38 am
Its no use blaming countries for it.. The Indian politician will try to do his best to start the blame game which is all that he can do.. Agreed, that some terrorists hail from Pakistan, but so do they hail from other countries.. What we need to understand is that these terrorists dont have any religion or homeland. The blasts in JW Marriot and fighting at Khyber province bears testimony to that fact that the situation in Pakistan in terms of terror is no better. What we need here now is strong co-operation from neighbouring countries and help weeding out such terrorist outfits who are not just spoiling the name of Muslims but from the country whom they belong to.
These terrorists have a monarchist rule in mind and they would go to any extent to achieve that.. kill, bomb, abduct.. Its not the war between countries my friend but a war between ideals!!
mamashaal said,
November 30, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Ankit Agrawal, thank you.
I couldn’t have put it better myself
Raheel Lakhani said,
November 30, 2008 at 2:34 pm
USA, India, Pakistan. All have weaknesses and hidden agendas which are similar. Blame Game khel khel kar logon ki baja rahe hain =s To understand terrorism, first one needs to see the basic motive or else you’ll become myopic.
NeYawn said,
November 30, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Terrorism might not have a religion, but definitely it has a home. Or at least that’s what we in India have come to believe, after having survived a million attacks – all of them masterminded in Pakistan.
I don’t blame Pakistani people for it. In fact, after reading this blog, and a few more like minded blogs, it was a relief to know that people in Pakistan, maybe the regime in Pakistan, but definitely not the people in Pakistan (do not )see India as an enemy, or a reason why Jihad should at all be there.
And hey trust me, you can not do much about the perceptions and images we as a nation have about you. But yes the great thing is that YOU, by taking pains to write a post, ARE creating awareness about your country and your people. ( I always thought the Internet would be banned in your country). You have no idea how much you could be improving your country’s image through this blog. To begin with, its nice to know you have sensible people in there across the border too, who think alike.
Aman Arneja said,
December 1, 2008 at 4:40 am
See, what the people of pakistan need to understand is, that when any1 says pakistan did it, its a convenient yet a loose phrase. Now we did not immediately say pakistan did it, the captured terrorist squeeled like a parrot and said that they came from karachi, this was substantiated by the fact that a call was made to karachi. But we do not know if the ISI or the govt was involved, when we say pakistan was involved we dont mean that the ppl of pakistan are convening all ppl meetings and deciding how do we wreak havoc in India or something, we simply in simplistic terms mean that a pakistani hand was involved, which there was and has been there in terrorism in our country for the past 50 years. Now the problem comes in , usually with the attitude of your govt to terrorist strikes in our country, you have never suported or believed us despite the fact that the terrorist organisations hv themselves been jumping up and down and saying wedunnit. We, the people of India, do not have any ill will against pakistan or the people of pakistab, our blood boils when India’s patience is taken for granted. Do not forget your country has stabbed us in the back multiple times, the wounds of Kargil are still fresh even within the ranks of us young indians.
As we speak, Dawood Ibrahim lives happily in Karachi, terrorist camps are located within pakistan, Osama and al qaeda in all probability might be in pakistan. I hope you know that ISI had been using Afghanistan to create a breed of fundamentalists in their own rights.
One last thing, I have asked all my muslim friends from India this, What do you exactly mean by Jihad, do you personally think u have been wronged enough to perpetuate or support what is happening, is this a revolution to u or an act of terror cox as history has shown us, one can ver often be mistaken for the other
I do hope you understand our position and how complex our relationship is with your country, we have always wanted to love you but as soon as we get too close something happens. We are tired, we are angry right now.
I will wnd this with the words of Bertrand Russel
“I am not willing to die for my beliefs. I may be wrong”
shaaakspsyco said,
December 1, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Thanks for your comments on my blog http://shaaaks.wordpress.com
I visited Ground Zero yesterday.. the pics are on it..
envisagedlife said,
December 1, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Desi Diva, I read your blog and all the comments. i have only one question to ask you. You say foreign military should not be allowed to step into pakistan for whatever reason, i ask you this? Why is the need there? Its because what pakistani govt. wont do? They wont weed out terrorist camps from THEIR OWN COUNTRY.
You say india is plagued with internal problems, riots, religious and otherwise, I agree. I hate the single-mindedness of half the population. I dont like their narrow-minded attitude. But god i witness you dont find terrorists being trained here, now do you?
So i ask you this? is it wrong for others to take the mantle to do something that your govt will neither accept nor do? I will not be so simple to say that allowing foreign military is the right approach, it undermines the security of your country.
But what should happen if the next terrorist attack also has a called being made to karachi. Think about it…
mamashaal said,
December 1, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Thank you, Aman for your post, I think having such an amazing dialogue is very healthy for the future of Pakistan-India relations.
I agree with you, Aman, that the government of Pakistan has failed and mis-handled many issues especially when it comes to the subject of India.
Regarding the rest of your comments, I feel your pain when you say that the blood of India is boiling. Do remember, Pakistan is not safe from these terrorists either. We lost our economy, Benazir Bhutto to terrorists and Islamabad has completely been destroyed because of terrorism (you remember the issue of Mariot Hotel in pakistan?) Pakistani terrorists are aiming at Pakistan too. We have as much to loose as you do and our blood boils when we see OUR name being tarnished by the hands of people who do not share the majority view of Pakistan, and instead harm Pakistan.
Secondly, I think it’s interesting you point out the issue of Kargil, because as Indians look at that, many Pakistanis, here among myself, look at BJP and the religious riots in 2002.
We don’t need to get into who, or what they are, but it is evident that the spread and influence of the BJP fuels the hatred among many radicals in Pakistan. Muslims in India are known to be discriminated in the work force and the BJP for many years has worked towards to halt the education of the Muslim population by working against several propositions to improve living standards of Indian Muslims (article found in the international newspaper MetroXpress) Much of Pakistan doesn’t want a war with India, because enough blood has been spilled. But they defiantly have a negative view on the hindu nationalism that exists in India widely, even today. THAT makes their blood boil. Ironic how both India and Pakistan point at each other..
As for the riots in 2002, I don’t need to say anything. People can just watch “The Final Solution”. It will explain why many Pakistani’s go a bit sour once in a while.
As for the meaning of Jihad, it is very tragic that a beautiful word like that has been misused, misinterpreted and abused. Jihad is not about killing people. Jihad is not forcing people to believe in the same things that you do. Jihad is about standing up to wrong-doing. Jihad is about sacrificing your temptations in order to do what’s right. And again, not killing people, because killing is one of the biggest sins. If there is anyone you kill, it is your ego, the satan within you. Sadly, radicals teach young children by misleading them, and I find it a pity that such an amazing idea, to kill your own ego, has been left in the dark.
Let me put it this way…you know Harry Potter right? Read the last book? Well, in there, he decides to sacrifice himself so he can kill Voldemort and thus save everyone. That is a form of Jihad. Or know the Hollywood movie, Transformers? The part where one robot takes up the challenge to fight the bad robot to save the world…that is a form a Jihad. Or lets take real people. Martin Luther King stood up against a whole nation, promoting peace and equality, despite the harshness and his eventual death. That is jihad. Or Mohatma Gandhi for that matter. What he did is Jihad. You get my point?
And I think it is interesting, because it it had been a Saudi terrorist, would India have reacted the same way? Plus, I have a hard time believing that the Pakistani government is behind this. Because, honestly, they are not going to get anything out of it and I have no idea why on Earth they would do such a thing. Not saying they are not behind it, but rather, saying that they are most unlikely behind it. Pakistan cannot take down India, and that’s a fact, and everyone knows it. So this blame game is really getting old and conspiracy theories make me gag..
I do understand, and I do know the complexity of this relationship. Wounds have yet not been healed, from both sides. India looks back at the terrorist attacks, while Pakistan looks back at the Independence of its nation, the brutality that it suffered, the treatment of Muslims within the border of India (especially in the southern and west india) and defiantly Kashmir. Blood is boiling from both sides, and both nations are guilty at different times, in different ways. India is mad, and I understand. You have been just hit by a terrorist attack, and I expect you to be mad. But it is within this madness that we must remain calm. Acting on feelings brings greater pain. Look at Iraq. Look at Afghanistan.
Pakistanis are tired too and they are mad. I cannot stress enough on how sick and tired WE are. Believe me when I say, it’s no fun being a Pakistani these days. The world has its eyes on us, and its finger pointed to us. It’s not fun when you have to constantly defend your country because a couple of jerks decided to take over a hotel.
India has suffered enough, and so has Pakistan.
Brilliant quote, btw. However, I have a song in mind. The one from Veer-Zara…
” Tere desh ko maine dekha, tere desh ko maine jaana
Jaane kyun ye lagta hai mujhko jaana pehchaana
Yahaan bhi wahin shaam hai wahin savera…
Aisa hi desh hai mera jaisa desh hai tera
Waisa desh hai tera haan jaisa desh hai mera “
mamashaal said,
December 1, 2008 at 8:38 pm
And now to envisagedlife..
Thank you for your comment, as I said to Aman earlier, it is vital that we have this dialogue. It is necessary and very crucial for the future of Pakistan-India relations.
Now, to your question. I’m not in the government, nor in the army. I’m not an official and nor am I a PhD in pakistani history. Im a regular, lassi drinking, paan eating Pakistani.. So here, I will give you why I personally think I don’t want foreign soldiers in Pakistan.
The first is simply because it is a national security thing. Very ironic and hilarious to one point I know, but the fact is, once American soldiers step into Pakistani, there is no (or very slow) turning back. We have seen this in Iraq and Afghanistan. Once they arrive, they don’t leave and Pakistan has enough issues already. We’re not ready to be occupied I guess would be more true and we are not ready to become an international battleground (although in many ways we have)
Secondly, I DO want foreign countries to help Pakistan, and through military as well, just not human force. The Pakistani force needs to learn how to tackle these issues themselves, as we cannot keep asking for soldiers to help us fight. Plus, the Pakistani people living around those areas need to gain trust in the pakistani anti-terrorist team/army/squad. Weaponry (since it’s bound to get bloody) and medical help/care for the wounded would be appreciated, and so will tactic strategy help from abroad.
Thirdly, who will send soldiers into Pakistan? USA? UK? India? Going back to my first point, Pakistani people do trust these three and many more nations, however, maybe not enough to let their soldiers in.
You have to understand, envisagedlife, that it has something do with with the mentality as well. Pakistani’s believe that letting foreign soldiers in will result in a semi-occupation. I mean, lets flip the coin around and say that this attack happened in Karachi, and the ones behind it were in India. Would the Indian people, and government, be ready to have many Pakistani soldiers, armed, sent from the Pakistani government, in their country? And not only Pakistani,but soldiers from around the world?
It is very easy to point at Pakistan, but what people don’t seem to understand is that the situation is more complex than “search-and-destroy”. Pakistan is a split nation. You have a province like Punjab which is highly-educated and open-minded, controlled and influenced by the government. Then you have a province like Balochistan, which is an area of tribes, and outside the major influence of the government. Taking in soldiers from other countries will only worsen the situation. The people at the borders will strike back, harder, stronger and much more harsh than they normally would. You see the picture?
I know a terrorist attack will hit Pakistan again, and this is me, a Pakistani saying this, yet, even with this in mind, I do not think sending in foreign soldiers will benefit in any way. It will, as I have said earlier, only worsen the situation. The only way to solve this problem is get the Pakistani people and the worlds’ governments behind the Pakistani government, and give them the strength to finally penetrate these areas and bring Pakistan together and as a whole again.
Aman Arneja said,
December 2, 2008 at 2:58 pm
hey ur sentiments are shared by me too … i totally get that ppl from pakistan are tired and angry too … and i completely agree with the point that pakistan govt is not behind this, i am not saying they are behind this i am saying we need to collectively hole out the terrorists from pakistan because all said and done dawood is living there … but y i asked u abt jihad is that killing of the terrorists is not enough we need to somehow heal these ppl who seem to have been somehow so hurt that they are resorting to kill… more than trained assasins they are misleaded young men … we really need to explain this to them the same way as u explained it to me …. anyways really nice entry and an even better reply
surya2cents said,
December 2, 2008 at 9:20 pm
I appreciate your point of view. And it makes perfect sense. Of course, by now you would have guessed that I am Indian. My initial knee jerk reaction was to blame the Pakis of course. But then, so many of my Pakistani friends called me to check if my family was ok. How can I not stop to think?
No country is immune to these attacks. And the right approach for any government to take would be to beef up its own security.
Btw, I guess some of my posts might be offensive from your perspective. Especially the one about Ayatollah’s Blue Book. I dont even know if that is true. But I sorta found it funny.
Aman Arneja said,
December 3, 2008 at 1:10 am
one point about J&K in particular did u know
The Government of India has been keen to economically integrate Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of India. The state is one of the largest recipients of grants from New Delhi, totaling Rs. 9,754 per capita per year.[37] In an attempt to improve the infrastructure in the state, the Indian government has commenced work on the ambitious Kashmir Railway project which is being constructed by Rites Limited of India at a cost of more than US$2.5 billion.[38] The Jammu & Kashmir Bank, which is listed as a S&P CNX 500 conglomerate, is based in the state. It reported a gross income of Rs. 1,840 crores in 2005.
Plus
“Jammu and Kashmir is the only state in India which enjoys special autonomy under Article 370 of the Constitution of India according to which, no law enacted by the Parliament of India, except for those in the field of defense, communication and foreign policy, will be extendable in Jammu and Kashmir unless it is ratified by the state legislature of Jammu and Kashmir.”
The amounts of provisions, grants, help India is giving in J & K is phenomenal compare the above figure of per capita help to that of bihar which is 800 something.
Our nationalist interests our pure …. but implementation goes lacking at times … the seeds of discord were planted by Brits as early 1911 when they divided bengal .. my generation and atleast my friends truly dont care if sm1 is muslim or hindu …. the indifference of religion is spreading hope it engulfs some of the extremists too ….
There really is no solution till every1 wants peace …. wish there was a way to reverse brain wash the extremists to become peace loving hippies or stn ..
