An interview with Saleha Rauf #KnowYourNeighbour

1. Do tell us something about yourself for the benefit of our audience. Saleha: I am a Lahore based journalist and a left party activist.

2. Tell us about your connections with India/Pakistan and what took you there? Saleha: I was offered a scholarship for post graduate diploma in journalism in India. I stayed in Chennai for 10 months and now I have friends in almost all states of India.

3. What are some of your fondest memories or any specific event that you recall often while you were traveling across the border? Have you ever been worried about the travel?

Saleha: I was not worried because i knew how governments work and I also knew that people don't hate each other unless the state or the religious extremists don't infuse hatred for their vested interests.

4. Did your travel break any stereotypes about the other country? Please share your story. Saleha: I never stereotyped Indians and I was already very positive about the people.

5. What are the commonalities that you have observed between both the nations? Saleha: I would refer to Fehmida Riaz's poem 'Tum bilkul hum jaisay niklay' for answering this question. We are very similar but at the same time I think the institutions in India are more democratic than ours.

6. In this day of modern technology, do you think social media has played an important role in bridging the gap? Saleha: Yes, it has. Many Indians and Pakistanis are in contact through internet. Some of my Indian friends are doing online projects for peace between two the countries.

7. What are your thoughts on the existing talks between the two countries? How do you suggest we ease the existing tensions between the two nations? Saleha: The only way to ease the existing tension between two countries is to turn both states into social welfare states otherwise there is no future for both the countries.

8. What is your vision for India and Pakistan in the year 2025? Saleha: I don't want to see any borders between two countries. I want to go to Himachal, Delhi, Kerala, Bengal etc. without a passport.

9. Finally what is your message for our readers, how can they know their neighbour better? Saleha: If you will understand the system and the politics of hatred then you will be able to make the right decision. Compassion is the solution for all the problems.

Thanks for your time Saleha!