Campaign aims to break down barriers between Indian and Pakistani expats

Tanya Daud, whose father is from India and mother is from Pakistan, has launched Baat Karain, a Hindi-Urdu term meaning 'Let's Talk,' to help dispel myths and stereotypes about each other's communities.

Tanya Daud, whose father is from India and mother is from Pakistan, has launched Baat Karain, a Hindi-Urdu term meaning 'Let's Talk,' to help dispel myths and stereotypes about each other's communities. Courtesy Tanya DaudShow less

ABU DHABI // An entrepreneur has launched an initiative to promote goodwill and understanding between expatriates from Pakistan and India, ahead of the two countries' independence days this week.
Baat Karain, a Hindi-Urdu term meaning "Let's Talk", has been launched by Tanya Daud, whose father is from India and mother is Pakistani, to help break myths about each other's community through communication.
Pakistan's Independence Day is on Thursday; India's on Friday.
Ms Daud, who was raised in the UAE, said she was proud of her mixed heritage.
"Many people consider having cross-border parents as difficult circumstances but I feel lucky," she said. "I am one of those fortunate people who have experienced and lived in both worlds."
Ms Daud said both countries had a lot in common but had become disconnected.
"Over the past few years I have noticed how several communities have become dehumanised and stereotyped," she said.
"There is a lot of curiosity and not everyone has access to each other. So why not go ahead?
"I think what is lacking is nuanced narrative about each other, especially when it comes to Pakistan."
Ms Daud wants Indians and Pakistanis, those living in the UAE and at home, to wish each other happy independence days, post short video clips, share old photos and discuss ways to dispel stereotypes.
She said that so far, the campaign had been well received.
"Overall response is very positive," Ms Daud said. "But I think lot of people are waiting for the conversation to happen.
"I really want that those who are supporting the campaign should also start conversation, share and even raise an issue.
"Converse with people across the border and understand each other and have a better picture about each other.
"I hear Indians and Pakistanis speaking about each other. An Indian Muslim girl told me that her Pakistani friends were surprised when they saw her practising her faith the same way as they did.
"I remember a few years back an Indian guy who visited Pakistan said that when he was entering Pakistan he was expecting people to carry AK-47s in their hands.
"Likewise, many Pakistani people think that all Indian Muslims are oppressed. These are all stereotypical impressions which are very far from reality."
Ms Daud hopes both country's embassies and diplomats in the UAE will get involved.
"Officers working in embassies are also people who have questions, curiosity and biases. If these confusions end, then I am sure they will help make things easy for others," she said.
Ms Daud said that the UAE is a perfect place for Indian and Pakistani communities to talk about their misunderstandings and curiosities.
"We should not miss the opportunity that this beautiful country has given us and share both sides of the story," she said.
Expatriates said they thought Baat Karain was a good idea.
Faraz Waqar, a Pakistani who lives in Abu Dhabi, said: "Most Indians have an impression that all Pakistanis would have an animosity towards them.
"A lot of my Indian friends expressed surprise when I showed an interest in their cultural and religious festivals.
"I also feel that Indians in general think that Pakistanis hold an aggressive attitude towards India, but once you become close friends then you realise that we all hold common values as regards to family and society, enjoy the same food and movies and music."
Maanasa Kumar, an Indian living in Dubai, said: "Back home, school books and media gives a wrong perception about Pakistan.
"These things create problems in the mindsets of Indian people right from a school level and can affect chances of friendship with Pakistanis. There are many qualities I admire in my Pakistani friends. One of the qualities is hospitality.
"All Indian and Pakistani citizens need to understand is that all our ancestors belonged to the same
nation and our cultures are very similar."
Those wanting to get involved should log on to alephcollective.tumblr.com, follow twitter.com/alephcollective or email [e-mail].
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