Islamabad: For Indian Sikh Sardar Harbhajan Singh, who returned to his hometown Okara, in Pakistan’s Punjab province, the homecoming was an emotional dream which came true after 71 long years.
The 84-year-old Indian national, along with his wife Mandeep Kaur and nephew Sardar Devinder Paul Singh, has been on a visit to his ancestral home in Okara, Pakistan, which his family left in 1947.
Sharing fond memories of his 14 years life in Okara before the partition, Harbhajan Singh told local media that he felt as if he had come back to his own house and people. Okara was Singh’s hometown before he had migrated to India in September 1947 and settled in Chandigarh after British India was partitioned in 1947 to create two new nations – Pakistan and India.
His arrival was announced on Twitter on March 26 by his son and retired Indian army officer, Amardeep Singh Bhatia, who shared the sweet moment on social media.
Overjoyed at the response by Okara residents, he said: “My father visited after 71 years. Look at the enthusiasm of Okara people who gave him a warm welcome and love. Hope to see free movement of people and peace and harmony for all.”
“The memories of the partition are still fresh in the minds of the people who witnessed the 1947 events in India and Pakistan,” Bhatia said.
Bhatia had dreamed of coming back ever since. When he finally arrived in his hometown and visited the childhood home, he had no words but the tears of joy said it all.
The visit brought double joy for Bhatia as the locals eagerly welcomed the Indian guests by showering them with rose petals and celebrating Punjabi-style with drums.
“The warm welcome to an old friend of Okara shows that despite political difference at government level, the people of Pakistan and India have all the respect and love for each other” a local resident and business in Okara, Sajid Ali, told Gulf News.
The family was greeted by the business community of Okara who held a reception in their honour at Piracha Traders (former Durga Das Commission Agents which was owned by father of Mr Bhatia) on March 25.
The Piracha Traders’ proprietor, Hafiz Imtiaz Raza, also presented an old ledger book to Mr Bhatia which belonged to his father’s company. The businessmen also presented shields to the visiting family.
Bhatia and his wife Mandeep Kaur thanked the business community and expressed their wish to come back again along with their children.
His nephew, Sardar Devinder Paul Singh, said his uncle would get tearful whenever he recalled his Okara home.
Bhatia’s son also praised the people of Okara for their generosity. “
Our ancestral house at Okara, Pakistan still exists after 71 years though there are no Sikhs at Okara. [It’s the] greatness of local people to give respect. Can it happen in India!” he remarked on Twitter.
This comment, however, sparked off some negative remarks which Amardeep later clarified saying: “Neither I was praising Pakistan nor demeaning anyone. I was praising the humanity and people who love each other.”
Responding to his tweet, Ravinder Singh, CEO of Khalsa Aid, said “I was welcomed with warmth and respect in Pakistan too. Few Indians hate Pakistan for no reason and same for few Pakistanis. There is lot of respect for each other.”
