India and Pakistan

CHICAGO: This is with reference to Farzana Versey’s “The expatriate’s angst” (June 29). I think her article is based on flawed assumptions. The opening line, “nothing bothers young Pakistanis more than being identified as Indian” is in bad taste. While it is true that many Pakistanis do not like identifying themselves as Indians, an overwhelming majority of Pakistanis are enthralled by all things Indian. From the rickshaw drivers who love watching Indian movies to the middle class housewives who religiously watch Indian soap operas and the teenagers who emulate Bollywood dance moves, everyone likes Indian culture.

Most Indians, on the other hand, like believing that all Pakistanis hate them because that is what their government — in need of a bogeyman to instigate nationalist feelings — wants them to believe. While Pakistan allows Indian channels to operate and Indian films to be shown, India has banned Pakistani televisions channels from its airways to prevent Indians from developing a soft corner for Pakistanis.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2010.