Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Versus

I, like many Indians and Pakistanis, am looking forward to a great match tomorrow. May the best team win. May we avoid the cynicism of match fixing and staged excitement. May we all indulge in healthy banter which befits a sporting rivalry that goes much beyond cricket.

Most of all, may we not stop with the game tomorrow.

May we remember that India is facing a country tomorrow that is being roiled by violence and anarchic incidents and is in real danger of becoming a failed state. May we remember that on certain indicators, India doesn't seem too far either.
(Those who wish to refresh their memory can take a look here: http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/pakistan/database/majorincidents.htm)

May we realise that ultimately India will not prosper unless Pakistan is stable.

It is not about Aman ki Asha and cross-border bonding. We may not love, but let us not hate.

I remember as a child, listening to the quarrels that would take place in a neighbour's house. The screams, the sounds of glass breaking. Ugly. And terrifying. No family can be completely happy if its neighbours are not peaceful.

I refuse to believe that the common Pakistani seeks violence and terrorism. I believe most of them desire a stable livelihood, freedom, justice and equality. The principles are common everywhere.But the greatest dangers come from within.

May we remember that the real match is not India versus Pakistan. It is India & Pakistan versus India & Pakistan...

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