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| Visit to J&K: An eye opener, says PoK visitor | | Abhishek and Aijaz Kazmi | | Jammu , Mar 21—Eye opener : This is how Pakistan occupied Kashmir resident, Tasleema Akhtar defines her recent visit to Jammu and Kashmir, where she is visiting her uncle’s family in Poonch.
While crossing the border there were lot of apprehensions, but every thing has turned out perfect during our visit to Jammu and Kashmir, says Tasleema, with happiness visible in her eyes.
All the stereotypes that were impressed in the minds have been cleansed and the fear has turned into respect for culture of secularism and brotherhood practiced here.
“When coming to India all our relatives told us about the atmosphere of fear and terror pervading in Jammu and Kashmir. The media there is talks about full of atrocities on muslims”, she said adding that what is told there is completely different from the ground realities here in Jammu and Kashmir.
Once back in Pakistan, “ I will tell every one that Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs are living in peace, harmony and share perfect brotherhood in Poonch, Jammu and even in Kashmir”, said Tasleema.
When asked about what was her perception regarding people here, she said that she was educated only upto class fourth but text books even at that level are full of propaganda and false information.
A Kaida of class first students in PoK has the picture of a Sikh depicted as ‘J or jer for Jalim in Urdu”, she informs adding that this type of examples are numerous in Pak text books.
She said that they were overwhelmed by the reception they got from the long lost relatives in Pooch, who greeted them with open arms despite the fact that they are Sikhs.
“ What has impressed us the most is love and brotherhood shared by Muslims Sikhs and Hindus in this border province”, says Akhtar, adding that this was totally against what is perceived in Pakistan.
Another scene which greatly impressed the visitors, she said was the fact that Hindu, Muslims and Sikh alike were present during the ‘Mayyat of a muslim’ and they were united in grief.
“There people are told that an atmosphere of oppression exists and once we cross the border we will be killed”, she says with a smile admitting that coming to Jammu and Kashmir has been an experience of a life time.
“I had never expected that my visit to Jammu and Kashmir would be so successful and
coming to Jammu and Kashmir has forced me to drop all pre-conceived notions about India” adds the visitor with a smile.
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