We ended the day yesterday sitting in the stands on the Indian side as the special border guards from these nuclear neighbors strut their stuff.  There were many more Indian spectators cheering from the “every seat taken crowd,”  We noticed that Pakistan had women in one section and men in another.  There were quite a few empty seats but energetic singing  and chanting, nonetheless.

The atmosphere was light and enthusiastic with the air of a football or cricket match. One thing I did find uncomfortable was a chant on the Indian side of “Hindustan” which was the old name for India.It seems to me that is not appropriate as India is filled with many more religious beliefs and believers than the majority  Hindus.

I was glad to see that the Sikh members of the Border Guard were allowed to wear their Sikh turban as they are instructed in their beliefs.  And I was happy to see that women were included  marching at the beginning of the parade, at least on the Indian side.  I couldn’t see if that was true on the Pakistan side. And disappointed that the women were not kicking over their head.  The Rockets can do it, after all.

The hatred between the Hindus and Muslims roots back to Mogul times, hundreds of years ago.  It seems good to me,  that people of good faith can come together for even a half an hour ceremony. Until the partition in  1947 these people were living together more or less peacefully. I have always thought  that people could work their difference out if left to their own devices.  It seems that when governments get involved with their own agendas, and “gin-up” the masses, that the trouble escalates.

This is a heart warming video about friendship and love that knows no boarders and is a look back at India before partition.

This is the post I made  after my first visit to Wagha.

https://talesalongtheway.com/2013/03/15/wagah/

This Is Incredible India and Pakistan!