by NOREEN SHAMS
Finding a ‘didi’ abroad: the writer with Moni Basu.
A young Pakistani journalist bonds with the Indians she meets on an exchange programme at the CNN headquarters in Atlanta.
I had no idea who I would meet in October 2012 when I stepped into the huge world of CNN (Cable News Network) headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. I was on a three-week fellowship under the U.S.-Pakistan Professional Partnership in Journalism run by the International Center For Journalists (ICFJ)…..
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This was my first encounter with an Indian abroad. Before meeting her, I had misconceptions that she would think of me as her archrival or would not be concerned about me. Contrary to my preconceived notions she was absolutely way beyond what I had thought. I actually discovered home in her company, so kind and so comfortable.
Since the day we met, I would greet her with a ‘namaste’ while passing by her desk and she would introduce me to people with her wonderful grin. And I loved how magnificently she combined the conventional with the contemporary in her daily wardrobe.
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One day, while chatting with Moni at work I asked her, “Why don’t you visit Pakistan, and Karachi my hometown?”
She replied that she would love to visit Karachi and Pakistan for that matter, and had applied twice for a visa, but both times it did not come through.
I asked her why, and she said she thought it was because of her Indian origin.
I couldn’t help feeling sad, and told her I hoped she would keep trying. Maybe she would get the visa and we would be out dining out in Karachi one day.
Moni’s desire to visit Pakistan was particularly surprising for me because some Pakistanis I met in Atlanta told me they do not want to come to Pakistan because they are worried about security. But Moni, despite being Indian, really wants to visit.
On one of my last days there, Moni introduced me to Ram Gopal, Executive Producer at CNN broadcasting, who is also of Indian origin.
Like Moni, I found Ram to be extremely pleasant, and very happy to meet a Pakistani. We talked about politics, and he talked about the ‘Aman ki Asha’ (hope for peace) between two nations. Ram and I both had a laugh at the thought that there we were, discussing matters as if we were not competitors but best buddies.
Aman ki Asha for more
(Thanks to Pritam Rohila)