Dear NSREED,
Welcome to JB Family....
Few of your views are not satisfying to me. Please allow me to clarify some aspects.
RELIGION:You said " something as silly as religion divides us"....I completely disagree with this. Whoever has really a religion and is in practice, knows very well that its not a silly thing. Yes Religion is one of factors which aparts us. But the main thing is we should respect eachother's religion. We can ask questions to know more in a positive way. But No comments.
Being togather doesn't mean we should "MERGE" our Values and forget about the basics. Being togather is to respect eachother, know about eachother. It means Keep your belief and dont comment on others.
Country with the same CultureI love that song from VEER ZARA Movie
"Aisay hee des hay mera, Jaisa Des hay Taira"
We are almost near to each other. But Not Exactly the same. This is thing which attracts us both to know about eachother. We are different in religion but clos eto cultural values. We are different in Written Language. But almost the same in Speaking. We are Different in Words but almost same in expression of the feelings.
Knowing More about each otherAs you said that Pakistanis Know more about India and Indians than Indians know about Pakistan & Pakistanies.
The reason is education system and the way you get it. In Pakistan, We do read 1965 & 1971 & Kargil War Stories with a pakistani point of view. But Our education system doen't tell us to hate. It teaches us a VALID REASON to understand and convince that why We made PAKISTAN. Why the biggest migration in the history of Humanity happend. Why the Noble Mr. Gandhi & the Noble Mr. Jinnah was unable to reach a decision to undivide Indian Sub Continent.
Where as (as per my personal knwoledge gained from my Hindu Friends and colleagues), Indian Education System starts from THE ATTACKS OF MAHMOOD GHAZNAVI. From the start, It tells the stories of AFGHANIAN, IRANIAN & IRAQI Warrior's stories. Whom came to India several times to attack and to LOOT the treasures of India. (As per Indian School Books). After creating these scenerios in the mind of a school boys, Then the story of Pakistan comes. So the result is there what you know.
LIVING ABROADLiving in the Middle East, Uk, Europe, Usa or Canada is different. I have many good friends from India, Hindu, Muslim, Paarsi, Budhist etc. Few of them were with me in Saudi Arabia, Few are still with me in Dubai.
We always discuss all issues including Kashmir. We never get annoyed from each other. Because we always lood into all matters, Wars, Culture, Relgion and all other with a realistic aspect.
We do go for eat out togather. we do respect the Vegetarian and Non Vegetarian Colleagues.
In short, Its all about respect, Getting Togather doesn't mean Merging Togather.
""""Few Last Lines from one of my Poems""""""
"Vinay Kumar Verma kay Janam Din Per";;;Last Lines;;;;
Apnay aap ki hamainn Pehchaan rehna hay
Tumhainn Jeena ho ga, ban kay Bharat
Aur mujh ko Pakistan rehna hay
Insaniyat ki magar hamainn Jaan rehna hay
Hamainn Insaan rehna hay
Hamainn Insaan rehna hay......