The Verdict
Flood crisis: Indian aid equals evil aid?

Flood crisis: Indian aid equals evil aid?

Are we really arguing over whether India giving us $5 million in aid was enough aid? Or that we should give it back because they are 'the enemy'?

Nadya V August 15, 2010

Seriously guys, are we really arguing over whether India giving us $5 million in aid was enough aid? Or that we should give it back because they are 'the enemy'? I have been following this growing debate on some stories circulating on The Express Tribune website and it is making me sick (I apologise in advance to all my haters if I write in too straightforward a manner, but that is what the freedom of blogging entails for me).

I know hating is not allowed on this site, but really can I hate just a little on our Pakistani folk who are commenting against accepting aid from a neighbouring country? This same country which these same Pakistani folk would be booing and hissing for ignoring the floods crisis in our country if they hadn’t responded at all? Shame on you!

I’m lucky enough to have a bed to sleep in tonight and a soft blanket and air-conditioning. And so are many of you. And then I think of the photographs I have seen in the papers showing the desperation out there as the flood aftermath sets in and I am appalled that individuals commenting online would have the gall to deny flood affectees a warm blanket, provided courtesy India.

No, I am not a RAW agent, thank you very much. But yes, I am in favour of strong, friendly mutually beneficial relations with India and I would like to say a big thank you to them for their donation, at a time when even Rs 10 donations via cell phone are making the difference needed.

And please, excuse our angy mob which shows up to destroy all progressive, positive steps (even online it seems). There is nothing that can be said of someone who is willing to say $5 million is not enough – and I am too angry to even begin to talk about those who had the sheer audacity to say we should send the money back. In times of disaster? Really? I understand the issue of receiving US funding for every little doo-hickey has major ramifications, but you simply cannot compare that to accepting aid during a crisis. Stop it now.

PS: There is a group of Indian haters out there too, who keep saying the aid should not be given to us because we plant terrorists in their country. I was going to skip this angle completely but given that people always complain about me skipping parts of the story, let me just say that I lump such accusers under the same category as the above Pakistanis who wish to see neither country progress in a mutually beneficial way. Grow up.

WRITTEN BY:
Nadya V Social critic and part-time gossip monger

The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

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COMMENTS (55)

Salman | 14 years ago | Reply For some reason the writer's repeated suggestion that somehow because we are in a "crisis", we should welcome India's aid, is more suggestive of hypocrisy. As if we should accept aid WHILE holding them as our enemies. It has currently been a very hypocritical attitude of our government too, in accepting the aid acting as if they appreciate it, but shamelessly ASKING the army if they would approve of it. Only our uniformed human-shaheeds were lucky they got Nishan-e-haiders.. we have been brutally sacrificing our education, health and well-being without acknowledging these sacrifices of the common people for the holy cause of Kashmir. Its time we either bestow Nishan-e-haider to education, health and well-being of our nation, and fight the "enemy" once and for all.. or get to our senses..

raw-007 | 14 years ago | Reply India and Pakistan are enemies - everyone knows that. but right now children are suffering hunger and illness. lets put politics, religion, and history aside and let the children survive. they might grow up to be better human beings. Or they might grow up to be terrorists. But right now they are children and they should not be suffering. India's help of $5M should be accepted, and India should send medicines and other supplies also. Remember Bachcha Khan and Gandhi were friends despite their differences. And what Gandhi said "God has no Religion". Also leave Kashmir out of this. Lets suppose for a moment that Kashmir rightfully belongs to Pakistan. The main question is: Given Pakistan's total mismanagement of its entire country, does Pakistan deserve Kashmir? Its just Paki Army's pipe dream to get even with India for Bangladesh. Other than that Pakistan does not give a damn about Kashmir or its people. So lets not kid ourselves.

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Chandrakant M. Patel | 14 years ago | Reply I like view of Mr. Waseem Pirzada. We were rule by others for more than Century. They divide us. We all fools now ready to destroy each other rather than understand each other need. Spending lots money in ammunitions whiles many of us wary about next meal. There is not a single war on there land after World War II. Mr. Waseem, I honor for your long sight view. God bless you and keep you healthy and happy.

Waseem Pirzada, UK | 14 years ago | Reply Dear All Pakistani and Indian fellows, Reading all of your comments here really made me sad. I often wonder what society we are living in, and I can see from your comments "THE SOCIETY" we are in. Why do we have to make such a bid deal about India giving aid to Pakistan. The way I SEE IT, aid is needed to help the poor as its only the poor people who have lost their homes, their means for any earning and their loved ones, these poor people are not politicians nor terrorist, they are just humans. These people do not even have clean drinkable water let alone some food. At times like this, are we really going to argue, what happen between India and Pakistan. Ask a Pakistani, as I am, or any Indian living outside the Pakistan/India and they will tell you how we see Indian or Pakistani, and the answer will be, just like our country man. I have lived with Indian people under the same roof as they have lived with me, we have shared the food and good times and often ask question why people living in India and Pakistan don't feel the same way as we do living abroad and we could not answer it. The reality is at all times, in the past and in the future as well, there will always be some ELEMENTS in our society who for their benefit will always create an atmosphere where someone has to hate some one and that's the only way these elements will benefit. These atmosphere are created by media or our so called religious Muslim or Hindu parties, who brain wash our young one and our nations. The question is are we going to let them or one day finally we will say, no we don't have to hate any one, we all can live in peace. I know all of you have different view, but for a minute imagine this. "What if the flood was at your home, what if you have lost you son,father,brother,sister,mother,daughter or wife. What will you feel, you need help?, YES, and how would you feel towards those who are trying to help you. Let us forget the past and create a better future for ourself and for our generations to come so they can live in a SOCIETY where hate is note more.

Sathasivam | 14 years ago | Reply Listen Indian dudes You did your job now stop beating about the bush. You really don’t have to suggest all the solutions to our problems. We can deal with em.. Thanks for your offer and stop this political debate and at the time of natural tragedy trying to prove that Pak is nothing but a failed state. You guys need to grow up…. And about your Kashmir phobia … kashmir belongs to the kashmiris dear!!!! stop living in a fools heaven.. alright…. PEACE if you want it :) Hello Facebookia, Indians need to Grow Up ??? We Indians are not trying to prove that Pakistan is a failed state. It is sadly ,indeed a failed state and the whole world knows about it, except yourselves. Wake up atleast now. The first course to self correction is to do a complete diagnosis and then proper treatment. We wish you well in what is truly the darkest hour in the history of Pakistan. Irrespective of whether you take or refuse the aid being offered from our side.

Facebookia | 14 years ago | Reply Listen Indian dudes You did your job now stop beating about the bush. You really don't have to suggest all the solutions to our problems. We can deal with em.. Thanks for your offer and stop this political debate and at the time of natural tragedy trying to prove that Pak is nothing but a failed state. You guys need to grow up.... And about your Kashmir phobia ... kashmir belongs to the kashmiris dear!!!! stop living in a fools heaven.. alright.... PEACE if you want it :)

Praveen Kumar | 14 years ago | Reply first of all get this thing out of your heads that India donated 5 million dollars and china didn’t, so it will make us think what is wrong with China or why have they changed there attitude .. lol seriously.. We know whats the status of our relations with china. There is nothing wrong with China. Wrong is with Pakistan, and thats what i am trying to make you realize. Chinese have not changed there attitude, Chinese are consistent in there approach. You better know status of your relations with China. And about Balouchistan one your country men commented ridiculously. but anyway.. seriously. no need for a political debate. Better be careful in Kashmir or else your nemesis might take away Baluchistan. Make good use of Aid though.

Chandrakant M. Patel | 14 years ago | Reply Pakistan Government should ask for all help from India at once to save life. India has a unique geographical position for help. Pakistan Government has obligation to their people’s welfare and safety. They should keep their different aside and look at present situation. Pakistan Government should have to grow up and without any ego ask for the help. I believe they will certainly help. This is natural tragedy.

SKChadha | 14 years ago | Reply “What YOU think should happen does not matter. It’s your government and the army that matters” @ Natasha – Either you are checking my wits or too much obsessed with your childhood school curriculum? Removal of my post from your blog also suggests propagation of your obsessed feelings per force? What Indian government think is clear from their initial offer of Aid and thinking of Indian Army is not different from government, as you see in some other countries and obsessed with that. When Indians express their feelings, differences apart, at least they have faith in their elected representatives. May God bless you.

Mango man | 14 years ago | Reply first of all get this thing out of your heads that India donated 5 million dollars and china didn't, so it will make us think what is wrong with China or why have they changed there attitude .. lol seriously.. We know whats the status of our relations with china. Lets not create a big deal out of this if this aid is intended for HUMANITY and not just another chance to pounce on an opportunity. I respect the decision by India for the love of humanity. I think we can have a heated debate on some other issue but not here. Its a weird world floods are a cause of concern in your country too. And about Balouchistan one your country men commented ridiculously. but anyway.. seriously. no need for a political debate.

An Indian | 14 years ago | Reply @Mango man "i wish any Indian would reply chona’s comments. no, they can’t" Oh really my dear! The @chona man has commented in response to the @Anoop's post and he did not reply to him, and I think rightly so. You cannot argue with someone who is not receptive to the facts & figures of the ground realities. we, for that matter don't teach our children to hate Mogul Empire as implied by your beloved chona man, in fact Indian text books do glorify Mogul era as a great one. Contrary to the British, Moguls were Indians to the core. They never exported India's wealth to any foreign land and India's GDP of the times was highest of the world. All I am trying to say is that, I a semi-literate Indian cannot respond to the commentators like @I_M_India. I responded to you because I think you are receptive enough to understand my post.

Praveen Kumar | 14 years ago | Reply @chona I am a patriot Pakistani and a compassionate humnatarian worker as well. I welcome aid from India. But I did not like the “authoratative” and “Look we gave you alms” sort of comments by you…. I quote you for the harsh words e.g. Listen, not every donour wants to be anonymous, and some do like to say "hey we helped you". well an army is an army and it is created to ward off dangers from all enemies…so don’t be self centered and think that Pakistan Army was created just for India… This is a classic example of your own thoughts regarding Pakistan…full of venom that is… so far your army has picked fight with India only, and i don't think Anoop is venomous. why do you forget that your own text books,films,dramas,novels and history books spill more venom against people living on this side of border than what you have tried to claim here…??? and how can you forget the Gujrat and Babri mosque and other episodes while saying such venomous things… Hollywood makes lots of movies where they show Vietnamese, Japanese etc as there enemy, but nobody hates Vietnamese or Japanese in USA. I think it would be fair to say India does not have madrassas where kids are brainwashed against Pakistan. My point is aid is aid…it is not for point scoring …it is for help…if India is trying to score points then ….we are better off without it…if it is for aid only then ok…. but remember $5 million can not erase what wrong India has already done in past or will do in future… about point scoring well not much of a choice there, India has faced point scoring by developed countries for long time too. You might have to get used to it. and may i know what wrong India has done to Pakistan? We did not start a single war. or does your text book says something different.

Amit Kumar | 14 years ago | Reply @Mango man Let me respond.. Indian goverment express sympathy and offered help, Pakistan (Army) is not willing to accept.. waiting what will gora masters will think. Now who is scoring points here?? I think it depends. India thinks thats it can improve relationship if it give some aid in hour of need. Pakistan think it means it has accepted that India as big brother. So Its licking the boots of all western and Arab friends.

Mango man | 14 years ago | Reply i wish any Indian would reply chona's comments. no, they can't.. if its for aid then fine. But kindly no point scoring as many indians comments here suggests.

Amit Kumar | 14 years ago | Reply @asma riaz I totally agree on the issue of self respect. Where is your self respect when your Army selling your citizen for the sake of dolars.. facilittaing killing of your people against the wishes of your own people. Begging all around the world to the same people you hate so much. I did not understand is this concept, is self respect means only holding guns on the head of kaafir India, which was also your land not long ago. In 1965 with war with Pakistan, USA, as always a close ally of Pakistan threatened to cut off food aid to India. India those days was a food deficient country and dependent on America. Then Prime Minister of India Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri appealed to his country that we will not eat one day in a week and solve dependence on America. Thus in the following months India including prime minister went hungry to the bed for one day in a week but did not bow down to America. I guess this is called self respect. I was expecting a better from the land of pure.

An Indian | 14 years ago | Reply @asma riaz 'There are times when self respect is above everything else.' Ask a mother about self respect who is sitting beneath the open sky holding a hungry and crying child.

Amit Kumar | 14 years ago | Reply @Natasha, Our Army is not different from our government and government represent US. They are duly elected by we the people of India. Please don't apply the your yardsticks to India. I noticed you guys got angry at David Cameron's statement, watch out for Obama's visit to India in coming November. What will do then?? OK.. India is very bad.. very very bad.. we are starving and poorest among the poor. but we don't go around the world and begging to the same person we HATE. The same person bombing and killing your citizen.

I_M_India | 14 years ago | Reply Please Mother India I am very hungry in southern India,,help me 1st,,,,My Janum Bhumy plz it seems funny to me that you are so generous to your enemy, which we always wanted to recaptured as the united India,,,,I want your generosity for many poor Indians living below poverty line,,,,plz my mother India,,,I don't want Kashmir because u r spending my money over there on Muslims,,,,stop politics my Mom,,,,N finally Mom we have friendship with our every neighbor,,,,China is our Bosom's friend, Banladehs is cool with us,,,Sirilanka is our Gigree and at the top of them Pakistan is our heart please get rid of there friendship my dear Mom,,,I am sick of you decision making skills,,,plz come back to me my forth largest Economics Mom

asma riaz | 14 years ago | Reply I share my feeling of not accepting Indian aid with some of the likes. After reading all the comments I got down to thinking as to why is it that I feel this way-a feeling that never was there before. I think, at a personal level, it is the rhetoric and constantly accusing statements made by Indian politicians against Pakistan and the negative role played by the Indian media that has contributed to this effect. The hateful way that they comment and project Pakistan was seen after the Mumbai attacks as well as at several other times. Their unprofessional "tone" boils one's blood and sends waves of hate across. It is okay to say 'stop playing politics at this time' but does anyone realise that Bollywood films are targeting Pakistan in their films frequently to give 'josh' to the Indian viewers against Pakistan! Films are a source of leisure and light entertainment! I think we are living in a false world thinking that if the people of both sides have mutual feelings of love for one another then all is fine. Nothing matters if the state, and the government of the day has no such desire. Having said that this by no way means that enmity is the way forward but at least, as a nation, have some self respect. There are times when self respect is above everything else.

Natasha | 14 years ago | Reply SK Chadda, What YOU think should happen does not matter. It's your government and the army that matters.

Sathasivam | 14 years ago | Reply It is one week since the offer of USD 5 million has been made and the Pakistan Govt has yet to decide. This is supposed to be a "grave crisis". If the Pakistan Govt does not want the aid it should say so. When the UN Sec Gen visited the Flood Relief camps all heads of mission except India were invited ! In spite of the insult, the India Govt has offered aid magnanimously because of the gravity of the situation in Pakistan. When the earthquake hit Pakistan a few years back, India donated a number of tents. Pakistan removed the "Made in India" label before distribution!(What else can explain this but a congenital hatred of India taught in school - even the best ones - leave alone Madarassas) And a lot of foodgrains donated by India rotted at the border. And aid of 25 million USD from India was refused ! India has been a country which has gone through a lot of crises but when the Tsunami struck , India held its held high and refused international aid . It was self sufficient to organise relief not only in India , but also for Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia. It is truly a regional power. The people of India work hard, pay taxes and do not export terror. It is time Pakistan learns from India and concentrates on its economy and country. Blind Hatred of India will lead it nowhwere

Shaheen | 14 years ago | Reply Nadiya, well said. People sitting in comfort with a computer in front of them to rant about rejecting India's aid should maybe try living without food, clean water and shelter for a couple of weeks. After that they can talk about rejecting aid from where ever it comes!!

SKChadha | 14 years ago | Reply “Would India allow Pakistan army aircrafts and helicopters to land in IOK?” Natasha – To my opinion, Yes India should allow it, if it in any way helps the Kashmiri in such disastrous situation. After all we are all human beings. And by the way we are living in 21st Century where every inch of the land is mapped from skies. What a plane or helicopter can do more if it is laden only with relief material? What advantage India derived when it made supplies to earthquake victims in PHK or for that matter advantage made by Pakistan while supplying relief material at the time of Gujarat earthquake? Voices denying humanitarian aid are not doing it out of trust deficit, but these are their expression of animosity. Let us forget it for the time being in better interest of humanity.

Tayab Alvi | 14 years ago | Reply Madam, I waMadam, I was just trying to put a bigger picture. Since last two weeks I am trying to convince Pakistani guys that the biggest problem for Pakistan is its enmity with India. but failed miserably. I am not an Indain Muslim , but a Indian hindu (name - Amit Kumar). Thought may be my pakistani friends will pay little more attention if i say i am an Indain Muslim. Anyway I looked at your web page. You are well read. I knew very little about Pakistan, but after Mumbai attack read lots of books and tried to understand. I have read all the books you have mentioned. will share some of my thoughts if i get a chance. Certainly Pakistan is currently most happening country in the world. My best wishes are with the common people of Pakistan. I donated $100/- to american red cross through my company. s trying to put a

Natasha | 14 years ago | Reply Tayab, let's not get into the 'how evil you are and how innocent we Indian holy cows are' arguments here please. It's about charity.

Tayab Alvi | 14 years ago | Reply Natasha, Extraordinary situation demands extra ordinary solution. As per one book i read about Pakistan one gentleman advised Ayub Khan that Pakistan should send some troops to fight along with India against Chinese in 1962. Had this happened could you imagine the kind of world we would have been living? I am 100% there would have been no Taliban etc. When i read Pakistani newspapers i feel depressed, its still mired in partition politics. While India has moved on Pakistan has become a client state for US and Saudi. Its preparing itself do the same for China. For what?? so that it can sustatain its enmity with India. Its not going to help. Pakistan should give up its enmity with India. Indian muslims can become a big asset in this quest. India is simply not interested in any conflict with Pakistan. It just do not want any terrorism from Pakistan. forget about others..Just think how many muslims lives have been lost becz of Pak Army's anti india ideology.

Natasha | 14 years ago | Reply Tayab, Let's be fair , would India allow Pakistan army aircrafts and helicopters to land in IOK? There is a huge trust deficit between the two countries. Unfortunately , it's the common lot that bears the brunt of this enmity esp in the time of need.

Tayab Alvi | 14 years ago | Reply I am indain Muslim.. and a well wisher of Pakistan.. For those whose think that this was a non - issue.. - http://worldmeets.us/thenationpk000112.shtml India, which offered $500 million in aid during the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, the offer was refused by Pakistani authorities in the first place and whatever was allowed in was let to rot at security checkposts on the border. This was reported by Dailytimes a pakistani new paper. That time relation was far better and India wanted to send Army helicopter for rescue. They were near the J&K border. but was refused. Pakistani Army has all the power but no accountability and civilan govt has no power but are accountable. Democratic government will be continue to demonized and will be discredited. Media and Judiciary is now on the military side. They are not independent. How ever Paksitani public has to understand that Democracy is their only hope and civilian govt without complete control over army is no democracy. Once Pakistan will give up its anti India policy and they can focus on its people, but will military allow civilian to let this happen??? Pakistani Army has no love for the suffering of its people and sadly they are the only one that counts.

An Indian | 14 years ago | Reply @Khadija Your compassion for Kashmir people is understood. But, how do you explain the situation in Baluchistan where struggle for freedom is going for decades now. Thousands of Baluchies have just vanished into thin air. Hundreds of their women have been abducted and turned into sex slaves by your security forces. I am not quoting above information from the Times of India, which you may like to describe as an evil tabloid, but it there in Pakistan's most reputed newspapers including the esteemed Express Tribune. Regards.

Khadija | 14 years ago | Reply It's true as Manmohen Singh's condition on pakistan-India future peace talk. Mind you this aid is just an eye wash for the world community to show India's philanthropy. Look how Mr. Singh tries to domesticate the Kashmiris in the Indian held Kashmir. They are perpetrating genocide in Kashmir and alleges Pakistan for their wrong doings. Mr. Singh the terrorist allegations are an old and obsolete atempt. You'd better give the Kashmiris their rights for independance.

Natasha | 14 years ago | Reply Hypocritical on their part though , but sitll , we NEED aid right now no matter where it comes from. No ifs and buts.

pparashuram | 14 years ago | Reply dear my lovely friends The debate about accepting aid to feed poor and happless is unneccary, it human gesture to attend for , at the time of their need, we feel in india the plight of our pakistani friends facing tsunami like situation, whatever aid coming there is no wrong in accepting irrespective of any country, i understand you the only people in the world, understand us better than any other people, at the time of crisis single penny count like thirst people in desert drop of water saves their life any how its small gesture lets our relation grow better

chona | 14 years ago | Reply @Anoop I am a patriot Pakistani and a compassionate humnatarian worker as well. I welcome aid from India. But I did not like the "authoratative" and "Look we gave you alms" sort of comments by you.... I quote you for the harsh words e.g. Wont it be a slap on the face of the army which is being forced to accept it under extreme economic circumstances from the very enemy it was created to fight against? well an army is an army and it is created to ward off dangers from all enemies...so don't be self centered and think that Pakistan Army was created just for India... This is a classic example of your own thoughts regarding Pakistan...full of venom that is... You say that India has always been according to popular myth,Text books,TV,news,media,etc the ultimate bad guy. The country which broke Pakistan into two. A country filled with violent,un-manly Hindus who practice torture against innocent Muslims why do you forget that your own text books,films,dramas,novels and history books spill more venom against people living on this side of border than what you have tried to claim here...??? and how can you forget the Gujrat and Babri mosque and other episodes while saying such venomous things.... My point is aid is aid...it is not for point scoring ...it is for help...if India is trying to score points then ....we are better off without it...if it is for aid only then ok.... but remember $5 million can not erase what wrong India has already done in past or will do in future...

Syed Bilal Mehdi | 14 years ago | Reply All those using the fact of the aid being meager as an argument against accepting it should remind themselves that there is nothing more precious than human life. Even if one life is saved through the aid, it will be worth listening to all the crap India throws at us after the aid.

Another Indian | 14 years ago | Reply @Absar I thought there is too much water in Pakistan now and you are complaining about India withholding water??? @Saad Farook - Please also remember, UAE gave only about $20,000 (yes just twenty thousand) and Saudi Arabia and Iran didn't give any aid.

Priya Rathore | 14 years ago | Reply We were never meant to be neighbours...we were a single nation...one people. In times like these we would do well to remember that

Hussain | 14 years ago | Reply Stop writing. Please, for God's sake, stop writing. There's still some respect left for the craft in this world, and I can't bear to see the written art form murdered and raped in such a way. You stubbornly refuse to take criticism, and refuse to just not write. Why do you do this to yourself? Masochistic isn't it?

SOORAJ KOCHUVILAYIL | 14 years ago | Reply Dear Brothers and Sisters, I am an indian, who loves my country along with all the manhood who is creation of the god. Let me share my view on the aid promised by our goverment. Please find the aid as the love and care of people of india... The money is from the pockets of tax payers of grater India. This money is from our hardwork and labour. This is not from a richer india, this is the love and care which we are sharing from our small income and effort. We will be blessed, if it helps to feed at least one soul or if it helps to build at least one roof.... Jai Hind.. to all my brothers in Pakistan... Sooraj Kochuvilayil Dubai

Absar | 14 years ago | Reply Why is that the Indians don't never pop in to tell Pakistanis that their government is wrongfully stopping the water share of Pakistan by building dam. The aid may show that how compassionate and concerned India is about flood in Pakistan, but there's no sincerity when things are taken into consideration on more bigger scale!

An Indian | 14 years ago | Reply Thank you lady for writing such straightforward article. This writing do not make you pro-Indian in any way as some comments here are implying. In fact, you are a true patriot who is worried about the plight of millions and millions of flood victims of your country. I appeal to the Pak Government to accept the offer, without playing politics, because floods have wrecked such a gigantic devastation that it would have been impossible for even a cash rich government to cope with it. I as an Indian still find it difficult to forget traumatic event of 26/11, but at times like this we must set aside our hate and prejudices, so that we can work together to help fellow human beings,who are in such miserable condition. @Saad Farooq, what are you talking buddy? You dub Indian offer of 5 million dollars as peanuts? Yes, I agree that being world's fourth largest economy ( in terms of PPP ) Indian govt. should have been more generous and I would be very happy if it announces additional aid, but expecting 500 million is too much. The world's largest economy, the US has so far pledged just 75 million and your taller that Himalaya friend China has pledged a paltry 1.5 million!

Anoop | 14 years ago | Reply Here is the dilemma, India has always been according to popular myth,Text books,TV,news,media,etc the ultimate bad guy. The country which broke Pakistan into two. A country filled with violent,un-manly Hindus who practice torture against innocent Muslims. Now, the same country is offering $ 5 million aid,which translates to about 400 million Pakistani rupees as goodwill gesture. Should Pakistanis reject the Satan's money? This is a classic ego clash. Will Pakistanis let the ego come in the way of innocent people getting food,shelter and water? Wont it be a slap on the face of the army which is being forced to accept it under extreme economic circumstances from the very enemy it was created to fight against? Lets wait and watch.

parvez | 14 years ago | Reply Lets be realistic. Do you see our leaders giving money back to anyone ?? Never happened and never will.

F. Alam | 14 years ago | Reply Creating issue out of nothing... Even Jamaat e Islami hasn't criticised India!!!!

khurram Nizami | 14 years ago | Reply I agree with what you mean

Shahid Javed | 14 years ago | Reply We must accept all aids from any country in the world. It is the time when people in Pakistan are facing the worst conditions. They need food, water, shelter, clothes, medicines and above all love. If India has offered us aid in this tough time, we must accept that for the sake of those who are suffering.

Ghausia | 14 years ago | Reply I get the feeling that Tribune accepts this writer's articles just to increase readership. Even bad publicity is publicity after all. I agree with all the other comments, this is simply a non issue. I think the author must be reading one of those ridiculous I hate India/Pakistan Facebook pages where people with no no lives and little minds spew vitriolic bile. They're normally ignored by intelligent minds. PS: Freedom to blog= Freedom to be a crappy writer? You do learn something new every day.

dhanya | 14 years ago | Reply In India, no one has said against giving aid to Pakistan. I have a request, at least this time, please not make stories out of nothing.

Yasser | 14 years ago | Reply Let's imagine Pak accept Indian aid? Now here is a QUESTION? how much percent are you sure that India will stop criticizing Pakistan on every level and keep reminding them on every penny spent that don't spend that money on feeding terrorist and the blame game. Though Sharm-elShaikh joint declaration clarify us that it is India who is meddling in Balochistan which was accepted by not any tom,dick and harry but by Prime Minister of India Manmohan singh. In my opinion Author has completely missed the diplomacy game played by India and both sides of the picture in this post. Regards

Saad Farooq | 14 years ago | Reply Pakistan and India are a special case study for country behavior vis a vis each other. I, along-with a lot of people would not have even thought of complaining had India looked just the other way, so no point writing that. The thought simply could not have crossed our minds that India should help us but again the assistance offered was peanuts, had it been $ 500 million or $ 50 million even that for a country the size of India is not much, a notion of seriousness may have appeared and a better public and government response could have been seen. The blogger after writing about non issue topic is trying to create a martyr of herself by perceiving that she will be targeted for her loud mouth. Yes I am criticizing her but for being lame mouth rather than loud mouth. ET you people need to get some better blogs.

Abdul Rahman Khan | 14 years ago | Reply The humanitarian aid should not be refused altogether. However, Indian government should be politely asked to spend that money on behalf of the pakistani people on the survivors of 26/11 mumbai incident and that India should not read too many meanings on pakistan's gesture.

Abdus Sattar | 14 years ago | Reply Author is making an issue from nothing. I have yet to see anyone who objects donation by Indian government. I think writing this kind of column is not worth.

Taimoor Hassan | 14 years ago | Reply I absolutely agreed with your thoughts. I must say that those who are refusing to have relation with India, want to isolate Pakistan from the rest of the world. Just have a look at European neighbourhood policy says it has strengthened trade and other ties between the EU and countries to the east and south. These Policies is more successful in driving economic reform than in bringing about democratic change. For those who are raising these types of issues are colour blinds in our society. They can’t deny the ground reality. Whether they like it or not contacts between people on both sides of the border have been increasing day by day. The Journalists, Lawyers, Civil Society, Cultural shows, musics, film and TV artists, Politicians all are in liaison on so many issues. I am sure every social person who know the importance of this Unipolar world will not oppose.

F. Alam | 14 years ago | Reply The author has been very direct about an issue that is not very serious. I have not seen any serious objection. Sadly we are not good neighbours and hesitation is quite ok when meeting someone we don't have good relations with! I remember Indian government even rejecting Pakistani aid offer in Gujrat and later it accepted when public pressure grew. Overall, we Pakistanis welcome this gesture from Indian people and we understand that it will not go down well with some hate mongers on both sides.

F. Alam | 14 years ago | Reply Majority of people welcome aid. It is only a few silly people (some of them are not even Pakistanis and pretend to be but it is obvious when they mistakenly write 'our government's offer of 5 Million'. Lets overrule all the hate filled comments coming from ANY side. As far Pakistan using that 5 million for terrorist activity, that claim is rubbish. Having that money may develop positive feelings for India. If someone wants to harm India, they wouldn't be waiting for that money to start something!

Absar | 14 years ago | Reply No problem with that. Still I believe, by and large, that it's the time we get to learn how to stand on our own feet! But I have a question pretty much relevant: why still a faction of Pakistanis raising their eyebrows at Islamic political parties like the JI and as well the extremists -- the JUD we call -- who are more active than many others in the relief work?

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