It’s the Independence Day weekend for both India and Pakistan. Both countries are celebrating 63 years of freedom from the British Raj: Pakistan on the 14th and India on the 15th. While Indians and Pakistanis in the subcontinent will be part of the freedom fever, what about those living elsewhere? How do the Indo-Pak Diaspora spend their day? South Asia Wired spoke to a few of them. For some it’s a day of Desi memories, for others it’s an occasion for a patriotic get-together.
Khawar Roshan is a Pakistani Citizen and runs a grocery store in Amsterdam.
“Back in Pakistan we would all put up tiny flags on our roofs in the morning. And then we would be off to school for the celebrations. After the flag hoisting ceremony we would take part in debates and singing competitions. But after coming here, 14th August is just like any other day of the year. My children were born here and they are more inclined towards the Dutch traditions. So their sense of Pakistan’s independence is obviously less. They don’t relate to it.”
Shankar Bharadwaj, a software engineer from India has been based in the US for over 15 years now. For him 15th August is not just about independence or the freedom movement.
“Yes, it’s fun to remember those days when I would queue up with my friends in school for chocolates after singing the national anthem. But nostalgia is not necessarily about independence. It’s about our life in India. We were so proud when India conducted nuclear tests. Every time an SLV launch succeeds, we consider that a personal achievement. Being here, we sometimes go to the local Indian Association celebration. But my kids don’t relate to all this at all. They were born here, they are Americans!”
Shoaib Mohammad, who has lived in the Netherlands for twenty years now, thinks it’s important for his children to know about Pakistan.
“On Independence Day I generally show them video clips of the national anthem and other songs on YouTube. I explain to them why Pakistan was separated from India. We also offer extra prayers on that day for Pakistan.’
Priyanka Shali moved to the US five years ago with her husband.
“Back in India when I was in college, I remember we all would dress up in tricolour. It could be a saffron coloured dupatta or a green top matched with blue jeans. Here we live close to a substantial Indian population near the University of Cincinnati with several Indian students. So, Independence Day is a very important occasion. At the university we all get together for a ceremony. We hoist the Indian flag and sing the national anthem and other patriotic songs. And among friends we have a potluck party and it’s a lot of fun.”
