From the time Pakistan was carved out of India till date, not a single political dispensation in that country has made earnest attempts at unifying the two
Dr Manoj Sumati R. Borkar
The collective heartbeat of India stopped, and its brain numbed in mixed feelings of desolation, anger and vendetta in response to the continued attack on its sovereignty by the hostile and rabidly radicalized neighbour last week. The dastardly terror strike self admittedly by Pakistan based Jaish e Muhammad (JeM) on the convoy of CRPF in Pulwama killing 40 of our brave men, has once again brought into focus the incorrigible politician-terrorist nexus that thrives in Pakistan and serves as a fulcrum for all anti-India sentiments and action. That country whose genesis and subsistence rests on a historical hatred for India, has consciously and consistently cultivated an anti-India sentiment in its public psyche, and brazenly uses international forum for chest-beating and rhetoric falsely suggesting its victimization by India.
From the time Pakistan was carved out of India till date, not a single political dispensation in that country has made earnest attempts at unifying the people of the two countries. On the contrary, on countless occasions India has offered an olive branch for reconciliation and peaceful coexistence, in the interest of regional stability and peace.
Having experienced humiliating defeats in the 1971 war and Kargil misadventure of 1999; and anticipating an agonizing assault by the Indian armed forces in event of any further conventional conflict in present times, the Islamic state of Pakistan now invests in proxy war with India. Their modus operandi for fomenting unrest not only in India but also Afghanistan and Iran; is typical of their deceit, chicanery, and desperation to divert the attention of their chronically regressive and socio-politically subjugated citizenry.
Burdened with radicalization, collapsed economy and international debts, chronic war psychosis that saps much of their budget, and corrupt and volatile polity; Pakistan is surely and actively walking the path of self destruction. Open patronage and asylum to at least five globally designated terror groups on its soil , besides organizing training camps in Pakistan occupied Kashmir for dissident groups with subversive and terrorist agenda have been the cause of concern for quite some time now.
The ‘Naya Pakistan- Nayi Soch’ is yet another delusion peddled by the cricketer turned Prime Minister Imran Khan to impress his benefactors , who may mesmerize his former Indian Cricketing colleague Navjyot Singh Siddhu with personal invitations; but is too raw to heal the festering wounds inflicted by the treacherous country that he heads. That the ISI and the army calls the shots in our neighbourhood is no secret. The elected cabinet is only a ceremonial doll collection in the rickety parliament of Islamic Republic of Pakistan infested by the terror elements, radical clergy and their ‘itching to strike ‘ army.
This is the time for consolidation of our patriotism and national obligation. There is a difference between patriotism and nationalism, and conventionally we Indians have been patriotic in our feelings and conduct. However, I notice that in Goa the latter is often confused with the former and used as a prop to push for our unique identity as Goans.
I increasingly hear the lament that ‘Goa is no longer Goa, Goa is India now’, implying that Goemkarponn as a virtue sets us apart from being Indians first. There is very clearly a segment of population which finds it difficult to identify socio-culturally with mainstream India, willfully reminiscing in the historical 450 years of European connect.
While there is nothing wrong in acknowledging our history, what is worrisome is that we are low on our national pride and prestige, mistaking it to be a way of resenting the allegedly orthodox nationalist policies of the governing dispensation in the country!
It is not enough to watch republic day parades on television and feel proud and secure seeing our marching contingents and defense arsenal, nor does it suffice to stand while the national anthem plays on the cinema screen. It is a sign of sensitivity if you experience a lump in the throat, teary eyes and adrenaline gush seeking revenge when you hear of our martyred soldiers in terror attacks. But emote and empathize is all that we can do? Drawing room solutions over cups of steaming coffee while watching India’s defense experts debate, anguished tweets and romanticizing sacrifices of our brave soldiers in cyber space and sporadic candle light processions of the socialites are just enough to rouse the public sentiment. Giving a Thumbs-Up to Uri the film and heaping cinematic praise on the cast of the film does little to avert terror attacks and protect our porous borders.
Sentiments alone don’t win wars against enemy, for that we need commitment and recruitment. Currently the Indian armed forces need recruits and Goan civil society must be encouraged to look seriously at Defence, as a career option. This will require a systematic sensitization drive across educational institutions; mandating guided visits by students to Naval Aviation Museum in Dabolim, National Hydrographic School in Chicalim, Naval War College in Betim and other Military Training establishments. The officers of the armed forces must make time to visit educational institutions and encourage youth to respond to recruitment drives. I have done my bit by taking my adolescent son recently to the Indo-Chinese border at Nathula Pass in Sikkim to witness the hardship and frosty weather endured by our valiant soldiers while guarding our borders. And he certainly is grateful and enthused by the Indian Army!
