The Footprints of Partition by Anam Zakaria

 

My inclination towards Partition stories have filled me with sadness and left me a little more knowledgeable about what really transpired. Last couple of months, I chanced upon such wonderful books - The Night Diary, Train to Pakistan and of course, this one - The Footprints of Partition.

This book was extremely moving and a thoughtful account of a young Anam Zakaria searching, understanding the true meaning of "who the enemy was" and the journey of "accepting the other side with equal affection"

I have not read too many Partition or political books for me to comment on the history of the 1947 divide. But, reading through Anam Zakaria's work, fills me with affection for her. If I was older, I would reacted more motherly towards her and would have hugged her for her courage and fairness. I as me, would probably just pat her hand and leave everything unsaid with a smile, knowing she would understand where I came from. It is very difficult to sit on some other soil... supposedly the enemy soil, and interviewing a generation who lived through Partition. Who would say this was her first book!

What beautiful stories. Heart-touching, sad, some angry...but all true. So many families involved in this great migration and divide. So many families hurt and so many families sad and yet have moved on. So many had the opportunity to visit a new India post Independence. So many stopped by because of diplomatic visas...and their only wish was not to go shopping but to go see their old home. The homes of their parents or uncles and aunts or relatives. To drink water from the old borewell or touch the walls that saw much bloodshed and movement.

I realize that we have a choice to be good human beings and we have a choice to harbor hatred and spew poison. It is what we choose that makes us, US. Attached is also a picture of Wagah border from my 2018 travel to Amritsar. Do the roads look alike? Yes. Do the people look similar? Yes. Do we probably have the same feelings? Yes. Do we get angry and hurt and yet love through it all? Yes.

Do read this book at leisure. It is hard hitting and yet will leave you with a sigh. Some stories could be shortened, but I guess Anam wanted every word documented from what she heard from her interviewees. She may not have been in a position to choose what to exclude. What may have not been so important to her, may have struck the families with some recognition or feeling of the past. And here we are, sitting in the comforts of our home, reading what transpired.

Have a good mid week, people.