Lets’ grow maple this December
MAPLE leaf grows in spring between March and June. Maple leaf represents and symbolizes unity, tolerance and peace.
It is also a symbol on the Canadian flag since 1700 AD. This piece – (write up) is about an ordinary Pakistani offering to the ordinary Bangladeshi – a Maple leaf – hoping that my counterparts in Bangladesh would not drop it.
Physical wounds inflicted upon during youthful years do not ever heal with the passage of time, only the pain may subside; the scar remains as a continuous reminder.
And if the wound is one of ‘emotional injury’; neither the pain, nor the scars go away with time; the best option then is to live with it, with acceptance and no remorse.
One such wound of mine wakes up shrieking each cold December and the memories of that cold biting winter, when the wound was inflicted gives to my soul a stabbing pain that is excruciating.
I had then, just left school when my beloved Pakistan was dismembered through the active collaboration of foes, who had united to divide and undo the country.
The grievances of our East Pakistani brethren, most of which were just got exploitated against the nation.
The unnecessary war of December 1971 saw the dismemberment of the largest Islamic State and the heart-wrenching event heralded in me a new awakening – religion is not a binding force, anymore!
The 58 odd Muslim countries spread over the globe are at each other’s throats most of the time.
My youthful and emotional idealism (on hindsight delusional) of a united Ummah caved into a dismal fit of anger that was matched equally by a passionate denial.
The diabolic intrigue and political machinations of India alongside what was then called ‘The USSR’ (Soviet Union) caused the social and economic unrest in our eastern wing to become a movement of separation.
Distanced by 1000 Kms of enemy territory, which had blocked out airspace access to East Pakistan, it was thus inevitable that we would have had to end with a surrender, that happened on 16 December. A tragic day.
However, now looking through the rear mirror of life, the only relief I find is that the growing maturity, today, allows for better reasoning and an ability to dispassionately view the past.
The people who in an epoch-making verdict of 1946 had lent all their support to the All India Muslim League, which ensured a landslide victory for them, chose to separate.
East Pakistani’s sense of patriotism should never have been doubled. A series of missteps led the most patriotic segment of the country to the precipice – which led them to revolt and secede – rarely in history has the majority of the population seceded. This was a first.
The lamentations I have spread over the past many decades with contributions to various newspapers, journals and periodicals during each December, I have today decided, must end.
It is time to move forward and towards strengthening bonds through economic, social and cultural links.
Much water has flowed under the bridge. Not only was Bangladesh recognized, but also the diplomatic relations, have gained strength, in spite of the see-saw witnessed during some years.
There is today mutual respect and understanding – the aberrations were due to government changes, both at Islamabad and Dhaka.
Of late, however, there is a growing realization in Bangladesh about the nefarious Indian design of hegemonic control over countries in the eastern part of the sub-continent.
Already there is trouble brewing for Indian states of Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, etc, that are waiting to break away from the unnatural union with India. The high-handedness of New Delhi is visible to all.
It is proven without any doubt or ambiguities that if the state allows its citizen to freely undertake business enterprise through non-interference and by virtue of sensible policy-making, nations can match forward. The same population which was considered a ‘burden’ by the then compatriots of the West has done wonders for their country. The government must only provide an enabling environment for private enterprise to flourish that is exactly what the successive governments in Dhaka did. It is not the job of the government to run a business. The results in Bangladesh are extraordinary.
Bangladesh’s economy is export-oriented; their foreign exchange reserves are in excess of US dollar 46 billion; the Taka is priced at 87 to the USD. There is much learning here – our pride (mostly false with no moorings to anything substantial) will prevent us to admit that reality. Many Pakistani entrepreneurs have moved their textile production units to Bangladesh. As part of further confidence-building measures, travel should be made easy; the visa restrictions with Police reporting requirements must be dispensed with. There is a need for immediate restoration of direct flights. The economic and commercial activities must be enhanced.
Of late, PM Shaikh Haseena Wajid has met our Ambassador, in fact, two times within a fortnight – a good indication of the thawing of her own acrimony. It is best that either Imran Khan extends an invitation to Haseena Wajid to pay a visit to Pakistan or else be invited by her. A Summit meeting between the two would augur well. During President Musharraf’s era, the bonding was developing rapidly, but it went off rails, it is time to put it back.
Recently I wrote a message to a very dear Bengali friend of decades that we must contribute towards creating harmony between our respective men on the street, to this effect, we must look at business exchanges, cultural ties and above all refrain from broadcasting false and imaginary numbers or cases of atrocity from both sides. We cannot re-write history, but certainly based on knowledge and wisdom, we can surely steer its future direction, towards positivity. And that direction is only one way – of friendship and brotherhood.
—The writer is a senior banker, based in Karachi.
