Early this year, an Indo –British girl married to a native Englishman
had arrived to her parental home in Dehradun for an Indian (Sikh)
ceremony. It was attended by an English marriage party “baratis” - some
35 cousins, uncles, step –brothers, step-fathers and step-uncles along
with their partners and soul-mates. That day as we were showering
blessings with rose petals on the newly wed couple- I realized: how far
have we come in these post-Independence 50+ years. We were embracing,
with open heart, our extended families from all the way from the source
of the Thames to the source of Holy Ganga. Indo-British relations have
taken a new turn. We have embarked on a futuristic collaborative journey
to make this world a better place for the generations to come.
Once at London University Students Union I volunteered to give blood
donation. “What is your blood group?” I am Indian, but… The scientific
knowledge of the blood group became important against narrow confines of
national or racial identities.
Admittedly, when England invaded India, it acted from purely selfish
motives. We had to defend ourselves and Gandhi was right to oppose the
Empire. We shouted, “ Quit India, the British go back.” But neither
India nor the English could foresee that the final outcome of the
historical conflict would be gloriously so unifying– for both of us, and
leading towards Global World Order. Churchill was wrong in opposing the
Indian Freedom. But Gandhi was prophetic in saying: “ We are opposed to
Empire, but English are welcome.”
“Panchi, nadiya, pavan-ke-jhonke Koi sarhad inhne Na roke. . Kya paaya
tumne! Sarhadon –ko rokke?”
No territorial limit can stop the flights of birds, flow of rivers
(waters) and winds. What do you humans have achieved by constructing
political fences?
