Let’s have our chai and samosas ...
Let’s sing and dance ...
The world around us can burn ...
Thousands of people will die ...
Some who deserve to ...
Others as collateral damage ...
This is all politics ...
We love each other ...
Let’s have our chai and samosas ... ...
Who will listen to us anyways ...
Let’s have our chai and samosas ....
Let’s sing and dance ...
I, stupid me, I call myself a human ...
My liberal friend in whose blog I have started writing my stories says:
Nasir your soul is still Pakistani ..
I say NO ...
We are human ...
My wife says why can’t you be a little nationalistic ...
Defend the country you were born and raised in ...
I say NO ...
We are human ...
My Indian sister says she wants peace but when war begins she is Indian ...
I say NO ...
We are human ...
I will not be a Pakistani,
I will not be an Indian ..
My humanity does not permit me to take sides ...
I will stand for what is right ...
I will fight injustice ...
I will march for humanity ...
I will walk alone if need be ...
I will be human
In a chat group, I suggest to my IndoPakistani American friends:
Let's all write to the leaders of India and Pakistan ...
Hey guys ...
Just a thought ...
Only if everyone is agreeable ...
Let's send a message to New York Times Op-Ed or wherever saying:
Dear prime ministers Narendra Modi and Imran Khan,
We implore both of you to take immediate steps to:
Deescalate the conflict between the two countries
Avoid the loss of any life
Discuss and resolve all outstanding issues including terrorism through dialogue and peaceful means
Usually someone responds quickly and then others follow ...
Hours go by ...
The silence is deafening ...
It actually speaks volumes ...
I ask three friends (of Pakistani and Indian origins) separately about their views ...
These are people I have known for sometime ...
One supports, one demurs and third is silent ...
So what are the sentiments:
Pakistan harbors terrorists who killed Indian soldiers ...
Pakistan must be punished ..
War and strikes is the only response they’ll understand ...
The time for talks is over ...
---- my impression of a common Indian view point
India acceded to the maharaja of Kashmir's wishes and occupied Kashmir
India has suppressed and tortured the majority Muslim population ...
India denied the people of Kashmir a plebiscite for self determination ...
Many of the so called terrorists who resist Indian army’s atrocities are freedom fighters ...
Pakistan will defend itself and respond in kind ...
--- my impression of a common Pakistani viewpoint
Drums of war beat ..
Drums of war pound ...
Nationalists thump their chests ...
People will die ...
Countries will burn ...
People's back breaking poverty will increase ...
Millions rely to survive on daily wages ...
These countries will be further impoverished ...
If the war goes nuclear at least 2 billion people could die ...
Many more starved all around the world due to contamination of atmosphere ...
Oh but this is all politics ...
Let’s love each other ...
Let’s have our chai and samosas ...
Let’s sing and dance ...
I cry inside ...
I cry
Voices of peace .. voices in the wilderness:
