Yesterday, wrestlers from both India and Pakistan participated in a one-day competition called Mission Dosti (“Mission Friendship”), which aimed to promote better relations between the two countries. The event, held at Katra in Jammu & Kashmir [Indian-administered Kashmir], was part of a nine-day religious festival, known as Navratra. Mission Dosti has occurred annually since 2005. Abdul Rehman, a Pakistani wrestler from Lahore, told a news agency, “There is no difference between Pakistan, India and Jammu and Kashmir. The governments (of both countries) should unite and the people should come together.” Wrestling star Sushil Kumar, who won the bronze medal for India during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, asserted, “Wrestling is a game of love and Pakistani wrestlers are equally happy when we win medals… I believe it (the wrestling competition) has made a new beginning.” Tariq Mir, another wrestler from Pakistan, echoed, “I think sports are a great means to boost friendship between the two countries leading them to the path of peace.”
The Indian and Pakistani participants engaged in kushti, a form of wrestling that is thousands of years old. Also known as pehlwani, the sport is a combination of the ancient form of wrestling indigenous to the region and a Persian form of the sport brought to the Indian subcontinent by the Mughals, [the Mughal court officially patronized Persian culture]. Wrestling is a sport popular in both India and Pakistan.
This blog has previously explored alternate avenues of Indo-Pak diplomacy, including the use of film, music, and sports to strengthen ties between the countries, [see past posts on the release of Khuda Kay Liye in India, and Junoon’s performance in Jammu & Kashmir]. I have been a major proponent of such kinds of citizen diplomacy, and feel they are instrumental in bolstering understanding and goodwill. Although much work needs to be done at the government level, incidents like these are nevertheless significant and important. [Image above from Dawn]
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@ A Pakistani wrestler from Lahore told ” a news agency” ?
probably Indian ” There is no difference between, Pakistan
India and Jammu & Kashmir ” (Red zone continues)
” The Govts (of both countries) should unite and the people
should come together”
Oh la lal la la ! he must be having a Gawalmundian
Politico-fantasmic orgasmic secular hallucinations, he was
probably thrown out of PPP joined later PML-Q, and voila !
the aftermath is delivered . My suggestion to him,
” you better win or else you will be subjected to the
dérobade “. I was just listening to the late Frank Sinatra’s
” send in the Clowns “
@ last time they imposed a united ” mission Dosti ”
Pakistan was forced to loose Ravi, Bias and Sutlaj (rivers)
then in 70s Pakistan’s split, creation of Bangladesh
sponsored by India’s Indira Gandi & Bhutto/Mujib
traitors.
then the Simla sell out by Bhutto ! including Kashmir,
then another one where India was authorised to turn
her cultural and showbis drainage towards Pakistan
India started building illegal high Dams on Chenab river,
Having Mushairah together, (my reserve on Indian talents)
or even Music ( what horror, indian ‘talents’)
Indian planing to dry Punjab is still active, even smiggling
of Atta, rice is done thru Pak Punjab
Failure of Kargil’s remarkable attempt.
Mr Abdul Rahman is either a simple ninkumpoop or an
Indian agent, in either case, I suggest Lahori children to
throw heavey round big pumpkins on him.
I am against this regular meeting which is nothing but
miskinary and a maskarade.
I do agree with Rafay Kashmiri. Let india be on its own and so be pakistan. let there be war. i totally hate these peace processes. let us live on our own