The Day I met Pakistan

Psst Abhi..look..look at that...there! My friend muttered..

Wow! This is fantastic..Hey..can you see some people over there?

I sounded as if we have arrived from some other planet. After all, the people on the other side of the border were humans too..But the excitement it created in me, became a moment of history!

I never knew that I was just 100 yards away from Pakistan. As a Kid, the country reminded of me of Wasim Akram and my 7th class Geography text book. In my late teens I used gossip with my friends about India's military strength, missile and most of the weapons of mass destructions being covered in our conversation, that began after the dumping of academic books was done.

The discussion included our friendship with Russia; Who will among USA and China will support in the event of a war? Somehow, we used to end the conversation with this big question being unanswered.Gradually when I grew up, I had to understand the bilateral relationship, War is not the solution..anyways.

As I reached the great Wagah border, I realized the efforts of these soldiers who guard the border day and night. And that mesmerizing moment recalled Amitabh Bacchan's words in the film Lakshya where he played the role of a Colonel- "Is desh ke sau crore insaan, jo is vishwaas ke saath sothe hain, ki main aur tum jaag rahe hain" Bacchan Saab was so true. I looked at the BSF jawans and wondered if they have time to think about their family. They appeared firecely patriotic.

The other side of the border stood the Pakistanis. I saw them only on television during cricket matches held in Karachi or Lahore. It happens with most of us, we watch Hrithik Roshan or Sachin Tendulkar, on the big screen, not getting excited. But when they appear before us, we panic, and later, lines like Arrey woh mere paas hi khada tha. I was inches away from him etc are said in an explicit manner. 7 out of 10of us will describe the So Just like that! I asked my friend " Do you have any Idea what those people on the other side are thinking? Have they noticed me? I knew how stupid those questions were, but sensible enough to covey that I was excited. I shamelessly went on thinking if the Pakistanis had noticed me in my Levis Jeans? Do they wish to come here and shake hands with us? They love our bollywood movies and perhaps want to be the part of India? I do not have the patience to write in this blog all the crap that went into my head then.So you can relax now.

However, as a kid, I had perceived a different Pakistan. I thought them conceited and arrogant. How wrong I was? They are Human beings. It's just a line that created a difference between us and them. Having said this, I would never discount the fact that I belong to a great nation! Fluttering high was our Tiranga. I stood, saluted and buried the fact in my heart that I am an Indian!

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The year that wasn't...

And there it goes! Poof! Another year..

It inadvertently hits me everytime I see a new calender. I ponder on the years that rolled. I sit back and think, where did the 90s go? I mean, its over, but when? I feel like composing a sequel to Bryan Adam's summer of 69. He had rightfully expressed his feelings in that all time great number.

I don't like to celebrate parties and welcome the brand new year. I feel, each year, it worsens my nostalgia. During my early teens, I used to get excited about new year, because it gave an opportunity for me and my friends to hang out one complete night, be it on terrace, or at someone's place, eat junk chips, burger, drink countless glasses of cool drinks- yes no correction needed there, it IS cool drink and not anything else.( even now I do not booze, if you think somethings wrong with me, maybe it is).

As years rolled by, I realized that its not the number of years that makes one grow old, its the experience that counts. I would never know if this blog will continue till 2009, but it shall certainly add one more nostalgic moment in my life.

Let me see what I go through this 2008! Will write some more thoughts later. Feeling sleepy now!

© All rights reserved with Abhishek Naini. No form of this may be reproduced without prior permission from the author.