I have just returned from Pakistan. This was my seventh visit. May people raise eyebrows when I mention this to them. This includes my batch mates from IIT and some highly respected professionals working with renowned firms.
There is lot to learn from the response that I receive from the above set of people. It shows how prejudiced and uninformed we are about that country. It shows how, over the years, media and its selective truths has brainwashed us into false notions or opinions.
This is what I respond when people stare with awe at me.
'Pakistan is exactly like India. Fifteen minutes after getting out of airport, you will not even remember whether you are in India or Pakistan. The roads, building, cars, traffic, hotels, people...all look the same'
On the positive side, I have come to appreciate some of their qualities which stand out. Pakistanis are definitely more polite and courteous in greeting, talking, discussing, debating etc than most Indians (especially North Indians) are. Politeness is built into their language. I also found people flexible to change and more receptive to new ideas than most of our Indian clients. Over past one year, I have made some very good friends in Pakistan, a friendship of a lifetime.
In this visit, I had the opportunity to experience the month of Ramzaan. During this month, people fast (no food, no water) for 28-29 consecutive days. The fast is broken at 'Iftar' (around 7:30 PM). This marks a celebration time. All hotels and restaurants displaying huge buffets with up to 60-70 dishes. During Ramzaan, people can eat from 'Iftar' to 'Sehri' (till 5:45 AM, before sunrise). Needless to say I thoroughly enjoyed the 'Iftar' dinner where we also won a domestic ticket in the lucky draw contest. The atmosphere at 'Iftar' is nothing short of an Indian wedding celebration. Families, friends, relatives come out together to break the fast.
I also discussed the concept of Ramzaan with one of senior members at client side and could not stop marveling at philosophy of it. It is meant to unite rich and poor by making both of them undergo the pain of spending the day without food and water. The idea is to make the rich feel the pain of staying hungry and hence inspire them to donate to the poor.
However, I believe that there are other economic benefits which were considered while conceptualizing Ramzaan . Firstly, it reduces the consumption of food in the country. In a country reeling under 15% inflation and shortage of staple food, a month of Ramzaan can fill some demand and supply gaps by reducing the demand. It is quiet similar t0 'one meal a day' concept promoted by government of India during emergency days. Secondly, month of Ramzaan gives a boost to economic activity as people come out at 'Iftar' to break their fast, shop and celebrate.
If not one month, we all can personally resolve for one week of fasting. Who know that apart from detoxing our bodies, it may solve India's inflation problem which is largely due to spurt in demand!
There is lot to learn from the response that I receive from the above set of people. It shows how prejudiced and uninformed we are about that country. It shows how, over the years, media and its selective truths has brainwashed us into false notions or opinions.
This is what I respond when people stare with awe at me.
'Pakistan is exactly like India. Fifteen minutes after getting out of airport, you will not even remember whether you are in India or Pakistan. The roads, building, cars, traffic, hotels, people...all look the same'
On the positive side, I have come to appreciate some of their qualities which stand out. Pakistanis are definitely more polite and courteous in greeting, talking, discussing, debating etc than most Indians (especially North Indians) are. Politeness is built into their language. I also found people flexible to change and more receptive to new ideas than most of our Indian clients. Over past one year, I have made some very good friends in Pakistan, a friendship of a lifetime.
In this visit, I had the opportunity to experience the month of Ramzaan. During this month, people fast (no food, no water) for 28-29 consecutive days. The fast is broken at 'Iftar' (around 7:30 PM). This marks a celebration time. All hotels and restaurants displaying huge buffets with up to 60-70 dishes. During Ramzaan, people can eat from 'Iftar' to 'Sehri' (till 5:45 AM, before sunrise). Needless to say I thoroughly enjoyed the 'Iftar' dinner where we also won a domestic ticket in the lucky draw contest. The atmosphere at 'Iftar' is nothing short of an Indian wedding celebration. Families, friends, relatives come out together to break the fast.
I also discussed the concept of Ramzaan with one of senior members at client side and could not stop marveling at philosophy of it. It is meant to unite rich and poor by making both of them undergo the pain of spending the day without food and water. The idea is to make the rich feel the pain of staying hungry and hence inspire them to donate to the poor.
However, I believe that there are other economic benefits which were considered while conceptualizing Ramzaan . Firstly, it reduces the consumption of food in the country. In a country reeling under 15% inflation and shortage of staple food, a month of Ramzaan can fill some demand and supply gaps by reducing the demand. It is quiet similar t0 'one meal a day' concept promoted by government of India during emergency days. Secondly, month of Ramzaan gives a boost to economic activity as people come out at 'Iftar' to break their fast, shop and celebrate.
If not one month, we all can personally resolve for one week of fasting. Who know that apart from detoxing our bodies, it may solve India's inflation problem which is largely due to spurt in demand!
3 comments:
Regarding politeness I totally agree with you. A little bit of that can be seen in Lucknow as well where people mix Hindi with words from Urdu.
I think the saving on food due to fasting is offset by wastage at the elaborate buffets during 'iftaar'.
You feel the same when you meet Pakistanis in US. They are very courteous, I try to learn Urdu words all the time and they are just like us.
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