Kuldip Nayar’s Biography-A gift on Independence Day
Zulfiqar Halepoto
Kuldip Nayar’s Biography- A gift on Independence Day On 13th august evening I buy ‘Beyond the Lines’ An Autobiography by Kuldip Nayar from Liberty Books Park Towers Karachi- I felt glad to see that Kuldip Jee has sent a gift on the eve of independence of Pakistan for the readers and people who are interested to understand Sub-Continent- Partition of India and futuristic view of stable, prosperous and sustainable South Asia like EU. Indeed it was a gift for me on the even of independence day of Sub-Continent from British colonial rule from Nayar Jee is a widely syndicated journalist of South Asia, a well-known peace and human rights activists, columnist, a veteran journalist, former Indian High Commissioner to UK and former Member of Parliament is known as sing of AMAN KEE AASHA between Pakistan & India. Book has reached Pakistan last week and it is a hot cake in India and Pakistan and I also felt glad to know that Aitzaz Ahsan was key speaker of the launch of book in New Delhi. It was another sign of alignment of peace-lovers and well-wishers of a stable South Asia. It is a 19 chapter eye0opner account with one Epilogue and three Annexures with a lovely start of preface by the author himself and a rare and elegant photo gallery. Both literature and photo gallery carries a history of the author and his nation and land from childhood till date- Some chapters are very interesting as we were unaware of the facts. Like what the then Prime Minister narshema rao was doing when the Hindu fanatics were demolishing Babri Mosque. Or the myths of BJP rise. Kandhar Highjack Drama, The Kargil Drama and Gujraat Riots (chapter 18th). I like preface and annexure one on Indian media- He is very critical on the hacks of Indian media, call them so-called and self-imposed savors of national integrity and interest’ Annexure Three on Pak-India Relations and peace efforts by non-state stakeholders was a good chapter but not suffice for readers like us who want to know more about the silent soldiers (civil society activists) who are restlessly doing their best to reduce un-natural fate of hatred and announce against each other at both sides both people from both sides want to join hands to get rid of poverty, unevenness, socio-economic vulnerabilities and fake political tensions and want to make this region (full of unprecedented and enormous human and financial and natural resources0 a region of sustainable growth, prosperity and peace. There is little on nuclear issue and Indian mindset. Childhood and Partition chapter is amazing and touches every body’s heart when we read the pains and terror of divide and partition. Though his eye-opener account on Sikh Independence movement was very critical and there was hue and cry and Kuldip Jee was forced to delete some of the portions of his writing on Sikh movement and Sikh politics but it is a fact that how worldwide the movements of independence got in filtered by vested interests and hijacked by establishment and finally several moments were failed due to several reasons. Photo gallery is impressive but lot of good photos could have been part of it. Like during his last visit to Pakistan we went to the house of martyr Salman Taseer for condolence. Meeting with former PM Gillani was very exclusive in which more than 50 activists were present and many more. He should have focused more on the recent efforts of peace building between two nuclear states. He also mentioned little about global power's role to make this region hostile so that a peaceful sub-continent should not challenged their global strategic, political and economic interests in Indian polity. Any ways it is a must read book for all. I enjoyed reading during 14th and 15th august time and film of partition was reeling in my mind. I felt like I was screening history of sub-continent till date. Zulfiqar Halepoto Political Analyst, Lobbyist, Community Development & Media Practitioner Research Associate SupportingTransparency, Accountability, and Electoral Processes Programme
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