“That was the strangest day of my life. We all were sitting in a group and listening to Radio. It first announced, “Stay posted. We have news for you.” and later Yeh Radio Pakistan Broadcasting Service hai. Hum Lahore sey bol rahy hein. Apko Pakistan Mubarak ho”. (This is Radio Pakistan Broadcasting Service. We are speaking form Lahore. Happy Pakistan to you.)
After that there was hustle and bustle everywhere as we packed our bags to migrate. I couldn’t understand if it was a day of joy or mourning. We stepped over dead bodies to board the train to Pakistan.
I was very young but I remember all those faces, the blood stains on the walls, and the atmosphere of what had been our home previously.
I think you value your country if you have witnessed or been a part of the sacrifices made to attain or sustain it. Maybe today people don’t value it so much because they haven’t seen how it was made and what it means.”
‘Independent state’ sounds so easy but throughout the history, it can be seen that the road towards building a new state is always paved with sacrifices of lives of millions. Gaining independence from British Raj wasn’t an easy task. The night sub-continent was divided with a stroke of a pen was not a simple night. It haunted millions for many years who actually paid prices in many ways for Pakistan. After the announcement of creation of a new independent state, the dawn of the next day wasn’t easy as people migrating to Pakistan in trains were crucified, looted, women raped and children were mercilessly killed. A holy with blood of millions of innocent people was played. It wasn’t easy! People who were lucky enough to make it to Pakistan valued and loved their land. They actually witnessed what it was like to get independence. Thinking of that time and coming to how we celebrate Independence Day now a days, is what needs our serious attention. Merely displaying the fireworks, waving the flags and running wildly on motorcycles with loud speakers and silencers do not show our love for Pakistan. We all need to value the sacrifices of our people. We, as citizens of Pakistan, have a responsibility on our shoulders. We need to make our country great by following the teachings of the founders of land. Everyone can make a change by playing their part. So instead of doing things which cannot benefit us in way, we must act as true patriots and responsible Pakistanis!