The significance of the dotted line.

It is ironic that Paradise on Earth is littered with trouble. By all accounts it is a joy to behold but it rots in despair. The sights still have the magnificence, like the music out of a santoor, but echoes of sadness. Of all the places to suffer from Partition, the Subcontinent lost its Paradise. It is where the bold line (the international border) is irrelevant, and only for official records. The dotted line (Line of Control (LOC)) is more significant amplified by the presence of the Border fence.

So whose folly is it that we lost the Paradise. Indians call the other side of LOC as Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir. For us it is an intrusion into our land, non-negotiable, period. How many of us know that our Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir is referred to as India-occupied-Kashmir? Kashmir and Jammu was one of the several princely states before partition given an option to accede to either India or Pakistan. At that time the region was Muslim majority. But the then Maharajah Hari Singh decided to remain independent. Then what followed was -> Pakistan attacked Kashmir, Hari Singh  asked India for help, India obliged but set conditions, acceded Kashmir to the Union of India.

Whom to blame? Public opinion in Kashmir at that point is still unclear. India cleverly used the opportunity to bag Kashmir but Pakistan was wrong in the first place to attack. Perhaps they felt cheated that a Muslim majority region was not rightfully theirs. The conflict continues. No side wants to give up their stand. It is a matter of pride rather than the lives of the people of Kashmir.

Then came the fcuk1ing terrorists. In their quest for power they hold conflicts such as Kashmir and Palestine central to their ideology. Fcuk them! Opportunistic scum just using the stage to lure innocent people to fight for their ends. As if they care for the people of Kashmir and Palestine. It is all power and pride. John Milton would have been sad to see in reality 'Paradise Lost'. We should only hope to compose 'Paradise Regained' as an epitaph to the martyrs of the Kashmir cause.

A Subcontinental Feast!

India won the hockey gold in Olympics uninterrupted from 1928 to 1956, six in a row and a total record of 8 golds. India's cause was helped by Dhyan Chand and 10 other players. Pakistan has won the same honours only three times, but the World Cup four times. (India only once)

Strange that Pakistan have won fewer golds than India in Olympics. But India seems to keep its record, whatever may be the context. The Indian team in 1928, 32 and 36 was also fairly represented from Lahore and Karachi.

The strength of the subcontinent in hockey has been phenomenal over the years, and so has been the popularity of the game. As the skills waned, so did success in recent times. Neither country can boast of being favourites in the World Cup. As they meet again today, amidst all the rivalries, and misunderstandings, and prejudices, and terror threats, and security; a brand of hockey specific to a region will be unleashed.

Har santh kahe, sadhu kahe, sach aur sahas hai jiske mann mein, anth mein jeet useeki rahe!

Three cheers for India and Pakistan!