As 14th August comes to an end, and the 15th of this month dawns upon us, I look back a year and smile. So much has changed. At the cross-roads of the Pakistani Independence Day, and the Indian Independence Day, we are reminded of the year 1947. The year it happened. The year we divided. Partition. For me, this event in history has become a part of my life rather than being a boring chapter in our history books. Not because I was a part of it in actuality, because I am a part of the process called 'Remembering Partition'.
This deserves a proper introduction. This deserves a background. But I feel, that starting off from my own experience, as I narrate what happened in one week back in October, 2010, is going to be more insightful. For I only substantiated my opinion about the event AFTER attending it.
So here goes what happened with my life starting in August, 2010.
*
Remembering Partition
Venue: Indian Merchant’s Chamber.
Day: Sunday, 24th October, 2010. (World UN Day)
Pakistani Team Members:
Amna Siddiqui
Farheen Akhtar
Hamza Farrukh
Shizza Fatima
Syeda Iqra Naqvi
Alizeh Zaman
Tehreem Zaman (coordinator)
Indian Team Members:
Ria Mirchandani
Shawn Wadia
Niyati Mahimtura
Kunal Mehta
Raghav Sawhney
Zara Rustomji
Shruti Sharma
Ameera Khorakiwala
Geeta Shirole
Niyati Vakil
Maithili Goradia
Ria Lulla
Noosheen Mehta
This is no ordinary account of events. This is no ordinary journey. This will be not an ordinary affair, and this will not end. I am always sure of that.
And so it started somewhere in August 2010. The school administration had somehow selected six people from within the A2 and AS Levels to take part in this ‘conference’ being held in Mumbai, so to speak. I did not know most of the team. I knew Shizza, but only as an acquaintance. Same was the case with Farheen. My first encounter with Iqra and Alizeh: Maam had given them the handout related to the conference and I was supposed to see it. I asked Iqra who had the handout. Read it, and gave it back. I never registered, that if I was really going to go, this girl would be with me. Hamza, I only knew by face. Moreover, as one of those boys from Maam Talat’s bio class back in AS, whom she scolded once over them talking while wearing those green ribbons for Pakistan. I do not know why I remember this particularly, but yeah that’s how I knew him then. I am forever indebted to Maam Farhat for seeing that ‘germ’ in me during my Cambridge University application time, and remembering me and thus recommending me for the team.
And so we were six individuals, from a highly diverse social circle. None of us were actual friends, save for Alizeh and Iqra. And I did not know Maam Tehreem and her position in the administration office before all this began, honest to God.
Our first actual ‘journey’ as a team? To the Indian Embassy to submit our Visa applications. It had already been delayed so much. Barely knowing much about each other, we sat in the school’s crappy van one day, and headed off to Islamabad. That was our first encounter as a team. With Hamza sitting beside the driver at the front seat, conveniently sidelined from the conversation between the rest of us, he seemed like an outsider still. Because we still had not managed to have an actual conversation. The ladies at the back of the van however discussed a bit about the actual conference. What was going to happen? What were we actually debating? What would be the resources to back up our research? What would be our main stance? Questions, suggestions, and first-time jokes. I ‘figured out’ on the van trip to the Embassy, that Maam Tehreem was actually Alizeh’s older sister. And that Iqra and Alizeh were good friends. And that I had a hard time talking with new acquaintances the first time.
The on and off conversation dwindled between the debate processes and what ‘India’ would be like. What would we do, and see? I, for one, had still not realized in my inefficient consciousness that we would actually go. The thought seemed to resonate off us. The idea of the Visa actually coming through was a distant one at that moment. It had not hit me, atleast. Iqra, I noted at that time, was quite quirky and fun-loving. Fantasizing about sight-seeing and what not. Alizeh and Maam joining in. Maam Tehreem reminding Iqra constantly, ‘Iqraaa, visa lagnay do phir tum logon ko party bhi karwaoon gi, aur shugal bhi!’ [Let the visa come once, then I’ll let you guys party and have fun as much as you want!]
As we entered the Embassy on that hot day, and got ready to be scrutinized and get our travel documents submitted, the security personnel at the gate enlightened us by saying that all of us coming was not actually a necessity. Maam took all our documents, and went inside, while we stood outside and hence began talking. Alizeh and Iqra got busy on their own, as I remember. And me, Shizza, Farheen and Hamza finally started the process of ‘socializing’. High-five to Hamza for steering the conversation even at that time to RMUN ^__^ (He was the 'Chief of Staff' at our school's Model United Nations Conference).
Again. It did not hit me, that this was the start of a life-long friendship between all of us. It did not hit any of us, that this was the start of something very immense. Maybe it never hits people. It just happens.
Maam out, visa problems sorted out, we headed back. Ofcourse, I am not suggesting there weren’t any flaws in the entire process. Only I had submitted my old passport, no one else had, you losers! Anyhow. Back at the school at about noon. I could have taken Physics at 12, but I bunked. We practically ‘lounged’ in Maam Farhat’s office while I scrutinized Hamza about his classes. Then was shocked as Hamza told me he did not actually take any classes in the college. Ah well, long story there. Let’s leave it at that :P
That day, I missed all classes. One of the many days that I did because of this trip. No regrets there. Missing classes is fun, especially when you have a legit excuse, oh yeah B-).
The process finally took flight, albeit slowly at first. The details are now, ofcourse, hazy. We added each other on Facebook. We were also encouraged to add our Indian hosts on Facebook. We did. Communication started. Things started falling together into pieces.
Long emails from Farheen, whom the others did not bother reading properly. I did, okay? Hamza being seldom available for our group meetings, because he was oh-so-busy with RMUN. I remember once when we snatched Hamza out from an RMUN meeting, and one of our mutual friends, Taimur came calling after him. Shooed by Maam Tehreem, he called again on Hamza’s number, and Maam picked up the call and he never said anything. Funny stuff. Fun, on the RP team, had already begun. :)
Mock-debate sessions. Haider (another friend with experience in debating) and Hamza training me, Shizza, Iqra and Alizeh about debating techniques and holding impromptu sessions with ridiculous topics. Fighting over the research and points. Building partners. Getting dejected because no one was actually carrying out any substantial research. And then the ever famous SAT episode.
We had SAT 1 before the Mumbai trip, and our passports were at the Indian Embassy for Visa processing. Haha, how very sweet. Emergency meetings, talking to Maam Khadija (our principal), calling our Indian hosts and panicking because at that time SAT seemed like the end of the world. With Maam Khadija adamant on making us go, and me, Farheen, Shizza and Hamza ready to fore-go the trip to just get our passports for SAT, it was a muddle. Thankfully the passports came through, along with the Visa. And SATs got out of the scene as well, soon enough. Intense situation, nevertheless. At one point we were convinced that the Visa would be cancelled because of our ever efficient stunt of calling the passports in an emergency for the SAT. Glad that went well, at the end of the day.
But to be honest, it had still not dawned upon me that something was about to happen. I was basically scared to death about what would happen because I had no research in hand, being the procrastinator that I am. I was scared of embarrassing myself in-front of the supposed ‘audience’ at the conference. That was the main thing that concerned me at that time. The thought of exploring India, meeting new people, making new friendships, changing mindsets, never crossed my mind.
As the week before we left came, we focused on getting interviews from Partition survivors. That was a whole experience in itself. In came the USBs, cameras, laptops. Getting contacts from people who knew Partition survivors. Seeing the recorded stuff and deciding what to edit and what to omit. Never actually getting any work done in college and just telling each other off, and laughing our heads off on silly jokes. Sir Emmad’s halwa poori breakfast on the Saturday before we left. Staying in college till 6 o clock in the evening just to sort things out. Travel agent issues. Tickets being handed out. It seemed a bit real now. Monday before we left was the last time all of the team was together for the preparations. The interviews, except for my innocent power-point presentation, were incomplete. We had no artwork. Research, bah, what?! Plans to party, check B-). Aik tau shodday hum itnay hain bhaiiii.
So Maam Tehreem, Alizeh and Iqra left on Tuesday for Karachi. Hamza, me, Farheen and Shizza were left behind. Nothing actually happened in between. Shizza and I were to leave on Wednesday: The last ones from the team to leave Pindi for Karachi, from where we had the flight to Mumbai on Thursday morning.
Wednesday morning, Shizza and I came to college to get some artwork related to Partition done, on a highly urgent basis. We sketched, painted, coloured and freaked out. Kudos to the art teachers and AS art students for helping us out. Bless them for converting our art disasters into something passable, and okay, great :D.
Shizza left the college before me. I was to take the art pieces with me, and take them to Karachi. After I got done with thanking the art teachers, I had to report to Maam Khadija that we were finally leaving. Actually, I was the only one left from the team, so yeah, to tell her that I was leaving. The school and Maam were busy in a webchat seminar with some NYUAD officials that day. So I headed to the conference hall, dazed with the work that day, and frightened of the flight later in the afternoon. And I was tired too. I went back to the end of the hall, and sat down, thoroughly uninterested in what was actually going on in the conference. I was waiting for a break so that I could show Maam the art work and then say bye to her. Seeing none, I went up to her, at the front of the hall, and asked her if she could have a word with me or two. She excused herself, looked at the artwork, appreciated it and then said bye…INFRONT OF THE WHOLE HALL. She actually stopped the webchat, called for everyone’s attention, and told everyone that I was now about to leave for Mumbai as part of the team that was going from Roots. With the whole hall looking, and some of my close friends sitting right at the back of the hall cheering and saying goodbye in a freaky tone purposefully to embarrass me, it hit me then. It hit me then that I was going to India to represent my country and that there were people looking up to us. That this was something unique and not everyone was lucky enough to be a part of something this awesome and phenomenal.
And the final packing that afternoon: Ammi wrapping the art-pieces up with ultimate care, while I finished the last minute preparations. I was going to another country, without my family, for the first time. Of-course sentiments weren’t that high back then, but as I look back now, it must have been my parent’s prayers that brought me this far.
Reaching Karachi, and then came Thursday morning. As we waited for the flight in the lounge, excitement ran high. We were actually going to Mumbai. Facebook status updates, and the initiation of the countless picture sessions throughout the trip. Looking for Pakistani souvenirs on the airport shops, and the dawn of the Balochistan walay baba jee (inside joke, sorry :P). The fun had begun on 21st October, 2010.
It had officially started.
More later.
P.S: You might not understand some names, events and situations. Hopefully by the end of the series you would :).
P.P.S: I am writing this as an ode to my team, because I want to remember this experience forever. Being the sentimental person that I am ^_^
Read the second part of the series here, and the third part here.
Day: Sunday, 24th October, 2010. (World UN Day)
Pakistani Team Members:
Amna Siddiqui
Farheen Akhtar
Hamza Farrukh
Shizza Fatima
Syeda Iqra Naqvi
Alizeh Zaman
Tehreem Zaman (coordinator)
Indian Team Members:
Ria Mirchandani
Shawn Wadia
Niyati Mahimtura
Kunal Mehta
Raghav Sawhney
Zara Rustomji
Shruti Sharma
Ameera Khorakiwala
Geeta Shirole
Niyati Vakil
Maithili Goradia
Ria Lulla
Noosheen Mehta
 |
| The Remembering Partition team, on the conference day |
This is no ordinary account of events. This is no ordinary journey. This will be not an ordinary affair, and this will not end. I am always sure of that.
And so it started somewhere in August 2010. The school administration had somehow selected six people from within the A2 and AS Levels to take part in this ‘conference’ being held in Mumbai, so to speak. I did not know most of the team. I knew Shizza, but only as an acquaintance. Same was the case with Farheen. My first encounter with Iqra and Alizeh: Maam had given them the handout related to the conference and I was supposed to see it. I asked Iqra who had the handout. Read it, and gave it back. I never registered, that if I was really going to go, this girl would be with me. Hamza, I only knew by face. Moreover, as one of those boys from Maam Talat’s bio class back in AS, whom she scolded once over them talking while wearing those green ribbons for Pakistan. I do not know why I remember this particularly, but yeah that’s how I knew him then. I am forever indebted to Maam Farhat for seeing that ‘germ’ in me during my Cambridge University application time, and remembering me and thus recommending me for the team.
And so we were six individuals, from a highly diverse social circle. None of us were actual friends, save for Alizeh and Iqra. And I did not know Maam Tehreem and her position in the administration office before all this began, honest to God.
Our first actual ‘journey’ as a team? To the Indian Embassy to submit our Visa applications. It had already been delayed so much. Barely knowing much about each other, we sat in the school’s crappy van one day, and headed off to Islamabad. That was our first encounter as a team. With Hamza sitting beside the driver at the front seat, conveniently sidelined from the conversation between the rest of us, he seemed like an outsider still. Because we still had not managed to have an actual conversation. The ladies at the back of the van however discussed a bit about the actual conference. What was going to happen? What were we actually debating? What would be the resources to back up our research? What would be our main stance? Questions, suggestions, and first-time jokes. I ‘figured out’ on the van trip to the Embassy, that Maam Tehreem was actually Alizeh’s older sister. And that Iqra and Alizeh were good friends. And that I had a hard time talking with new acquaintances the first time.
The on and off conversation dwindled between the debate processes and what ‘India’ would be like. What would we do, and see? I, for one, had still not realized in my inefficient consciousness that we would actually go. The thought seemed to resonate off us. The idea of the Visa actually coming through was a distant one at that moment. It had not hit me, atleast. Iqra, I noted at that time, was quite quirky and fun-loving. Fantasizing about sight-seeing and what not. Alizeh and Maam joining in. Maam Tehreem reminding Iqra constantly, ‘Iqraaa, visa lagnay do phir tum logon ko party bhi karwaoon gi, aur shugal bhi!’ [Let the visa come once, then I’ll let you guys party and have fun as much as you want!]
As we entered the Embassy on that hot day, and got ready to be scrutinized and get our travel documents submitted, the security personnel at the gate enlightened us by saying that all of us coming was not actually a necessity. Maam took all our documents, and went inside, while we stood outside and hence began talking. Alizeh and Iqra got busy on their own, as I remember. And me, Shizza, Farheen and Hamza finally started the process of ‘socializing’. High-five to Hamza for steering the conversation even at that time to RMUN ^__^ (He was the 'Chief of Staff' at our school's Model United Nations Conference).
Again. It did not hit me, that this was the start of a life-long friendship between all of us. It did not hit any of us, that this was the start of something very immense. Maybe it never hits people. It just happens.
Maam out, visa problems sorted out, we headed back. Ofcourse, I am not suggesting there weren’t any flaws in the entire process. Only I had submitted my old passport, no one else had, you losers! Anyhow. Back at the school at about noon. I could have taken Physics at 12, but I bunked. We practically ‘lounged’ in Maam Farhat’s office while I scrutinized Hamza about his classes. Then was shocked as Hamza told me he did not actually take any classes in the college. Ah well, long story there. Let’s leave it at that :P
That day, I missed all classes. One of the many days that I did because of this trip. No regrets there. Missing classes is fun, especially when you have a legit excuse, oh yeah B-).
The process finally took flight, albeit slowly at first. The details are now, ofcourse, hazy. We added each other on Facebook. We were also encouraged to add our Indian hosts on Facebook. We did. Communication started. Things started falling together into pieces.
Long emails from Farheen, whom the others did not bother reading properly. I did, okay? Hamza being seldom available for our group meetings, because he was oh-so-busy with RMUN. I remember once when we snatched Hamza out from an RMUN meeting, and one of our mutual friends, Taimur came calling after him. Shooed by Maam Tehreem, he called again on Hamza’s number, and Maam picked up the call and he never said anything. Funny stuff. Fun, on the RP team, had already begun. :)
Mock-debate sessions. Haider (another friend with experience in debating) and Hamza training me, Shizza, Iqra and Alizeh about debating techniques and holding impromptu sessions with ridiculous topics. Fighting over the research and points. Building partners. Getting dejected because no one was actually carrying out any substantial research. And then the ever famous SAT episode.
We had SAT 1 before the Mumbai trip, and our passports were at the Indian Embassy for Visa processing. Haha, how very sweet. Emergency meetings, talking to Maam Khadija (our principal), calling our Indian hosts and panicking because at that time SAT seemed like the end of the world. With Maam Khadija adamant on making us go, and me, Farheen, Shizza and Hamza ready to fore-go the trip to just get our passports for SAT, it was a muddle. Thankfully the passports came through, along with the Visa. And SATs got out of the scene as well, soon enough. Intense situation, nevertheless. At one point we were convinced that the Visa would be cancelled because of our ever efficient stunt of calling the passports in an emergency for the SAT. Glad that went well, at the end of the day.
But to be honest, it had still not dawned upon me that something was about to happen. I was basically scared to death about what would happen because I had no research in hand, being the procrastinator that I am. I was scared of embarrassing myself in-front of the supposed ‘audience’ at the conference. That was the main thing that concerned me at that time. The thought of exploring India, meeting new people, making new friendships, changing mindsets, never crossed my mind.
As the week before we left came, we focused on getting interviews from Partition survivors. That was a whole experience in itself. In came the USBs, cameras, laptops. Getting contacts from people who knew Partition survivors. Seeing the recorded stuff and deciding what to edit and what to omit. Never actually getting any work done in college and just telling each other off, and laughing our heads off on silly jokes. Sir Emmad’s halwa poori breakfast on the Saturday before we left. Staying in college till 6 o clock in the evening just to sort things out. Travel agent issues. Tickets being handed out. It seemed a bit real now. Monday before we left was the last time all of the team was together for the preparations. The interviews, except for my innocent power-point presentation, were incomplete. We had no artwork. Research, bah, what?! Plans to party, check B-). Aik tau shodday hum itnay hain bhaiiii.
So Maam Tehreem, Alizeh and Iqra left on Tuesday for Karachi. Hamza, me, Farheen and Shizza were left behind. Nothing actually happened in between. Shizza and I were to leave on Wednesday: The last ones from the team to leave Pindi for Karachi, from where we had the flight to Mumbai on Thursday morning.
Wednesday morning, Shizza and I came to college to get some artwork related to Partition done, on a highly urgent basis. We sketched, painted, coloured and freaked out. Kudos to the art teachers and AS art students for helping us out. Bless them for converting our art disasters into something passable, and okay, great :D.
 |
| One of the art-pieces we took from Pakistan |
Shizza left the college before me. I was to take the art pieces with me, and take them to Karachi. After I got done with thanking the art teachers, I had to report to Maam Khadija that we were finally leaving. Actually, I was the only one left from the team, so yeah, to tell her that I was leaving. The school and Maam were busy in a webchat seminar with some NYUAD officials that day. So I headed to the conference hall, dazed with the work that day, and frightened of the flight later in the afternoon. And I was tired too. I went back to the end of the hall, and sat down, thoroughly uninterested in what was actually going on in the conference. I was waiting for a break so that I could show Maam the art work and then say bye to her. Seeing none, I went up to her, at the front of the hall, and asked her if she could have a word with me or two. She excused herself, looked at the artwork, appreciated it and then said bye…INFRONT OF THE WHOLE HALL. She actually stopped the webchat, called for everyone’s attention, and told everyone that I was now about to leave for Mumbai as part of the team that was going from Roots. With the whole hall looking, and some of my close friends sitting right at the back of the hall cheering and saying goodbye in a freaky tone purposefully to embarrass me, it hit me then. It hit me then that I was going to India to represent my country and that there were people looking up to us. That this was something unique and not everyone was lucky enough to be a part of something this awesome and phenomenal.
And the final packing that afternoon: Ammi wrapping the art-pieces up with ultimate care, while I finished the last minute preparations. I was going to another country, without my family, for the first time. Of-course sentiments weren’t that high back then, but as I look back now, it must have been my parent’s prayers that brought me this far.
Reaching Karachi, and then came Thursday morning. As we waited for the flight in the lounge, excitement ran high. We were actually going to Mumbai. Facebook status updates, and the initiation of the countless picture sessions throughout the trip. Looking for Pakistani souvenirs on the airport shops, and the dawn of the Balochistan walay baba jee (inside joke, sorry :P). The fun had begun on 21st October, 2010.
It had officially started.
More later.
P.S: You might not understand some names, events and situations. Hopefully by the end of the series you would :).
P.P.S: I am writing this as an ode to my team, because I want to remember this experience forever. Being the sentimental person that I am ^_^
Read the second part of the series here, and the third part here.
Amna :) You make me speech less! Its like I am reliving those days again. Continue writing!
ReplyDeleteP.S You didn't know me and my post because i HAD JUST joined ROOTS :P
Wow you write with conviction and passion. Really commendable :)
ReplyDelete^ that was from me….Shawn :)
ReplyDeleteTehreem Baji: Your motivation and 'teacher-wali-aadatein' keep me going :) :P
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I will keep writing about it :D
Shawn: Thank you SO much! :D It really means a lot to me that you guys appreciate this :)
Amna RP sounds like a wonderful experience, now that I'm actually reading about it =D. I'm really glad you got to do this and I love how you're actually putting everything you learned to good use!<3
ReplyDeleteAmna I have to say I simply love your telling the tale of our epic, mountainous journey xD
ReplyDeleteMakes me wanna write an account on RP too haha :P
From the "debating sessions" in school to the actual conference, the baba jee tales to the epic "patta" cuttings xD, Ma'am, Iqra and Alizey shopping like crazy in Cosway Colaba to my getting the farewell saari with Farheen :D, and ofcourse our visit to the bollywood stars' houses and the awesome dinners and the ferry ride, oh and the Gola Gandaas! and the lemon shots haha xD RP sure was one hell of an epic journey that is engraved in my heart and mind forever! I surely miss the time we spent there!
Looking forward to the next chapter of Tales from Mumbai :) :) :)
Sounds like an AMAZING experience and I can't wait to read more!! Seriously, the whole anticipation's been built up now, the nervousness, excitement, the energy.. Leaving home for the first time.. And the friendships that come from shared experiences <3. Real life diplomacy :D.
ReplyDeleteLoved this post!
I can't wait for the next chapter like the 55 others. ;) Write. Type. Publish Post. Jaldi. Forun. Shoo.
ReplyDeleteOn a serious note, this is awesome! It seems to be like a wonderful experience. Don't tell you were willing to let go because of SAT! Was it scary? I mean to leave home and travel alone for the first time? I don't know what else to say since I have already jabbered tons about it since yesterday. Also, yesterday Maheen and I were talking about how pretty this new blog looks. Like, really really pretty.
THIS IS SO AWESOME!!!
ReplyDeleteAwaiting the rest of the story. :)
Sauleha:
ReplyDeleteIt feels awesome that you guys are getting to read about it :D. This should have been done earlier. But its never too late, right? :D
Shizzaaaaaaaa:
Yaar apne tau meri series kay suspense ka pata kaat dia hai -____-
THANK YOU FOR THE APPRECIATION :D And yes, you write your story too :P
Maha:
You are awesome, you know that? :P You managed to get what I was trying to put out. The excitement and the origin of friendships :D And I love your blog o.O
Deeja:
Acha na, danto tau nahin na :O.
Yes, I can't believe it myself, but we WERE ready to let go of this because of the stupid SATs. How very lame of us. Oh and thank you about the blog looking prettier :) Love you two.
Mehwisky:
I KNOW, RIGHT?! :D
Sure thing, coming up soon :D