Divided by nationality, united by love and family

Dubai: An Indian accountant finds it a bit difficult to meet his relatives in Pakistan. Their reunion takes place in Dubai.

"There are no hassles when we meet in Dubai," said Ghanshyam Rochiram Kundani, 55, who had last been to Pakistan in 1984 on an invitation from his cousins who live in Sindh.

"Before partition in 1947 we were landowners. I just had one glimpse of the grand ancestral home of 17 rooms owned by my grandfather while I was there. My father used to tell us a lot about the house. My father along with my grandfather migrated to India after partition," said Kundani.

"They landed at the gateway of India in Mumbai and sustained the family by selling match boxes and textile on the roads," he said.

He is not alone, scores of Indians and Pakistanis meet here.

Vikram from India and Sara from Lahore in Pakistan have made their home here. It took them three long years to convince their parents and get all the necessary paperwork processed to get married at the Indian consulate in Dubai.

Marriage

"When Sara and I decided to get married we had a tough time making our families understand. Their main worry was the legalities that would be involved. I am an Indian and Sara is from Pakistan. Their fear was justified," said Vikram who has lived in Dubai all his life.

"But both Sara and me had decided that the marriage will only take place if we had the blessings of both our families," added Vikram.

Both Kundani and Vikram said UAE provides both Indians and Pakistanis a venue to meet relatives.

Kundani said: "I went on a 15-day visa to Pakistan but stayed there for about four months. My visa got extended. Everywhere I went Pakistanis were so eager to get to know me more because I had come from India. I was treated as if I was one of them.

"I did my schooling in Dubai and most of my schoolmates were Pakistanis. We still meet up, and have Iftar together. It is amazing that how people from both the countries mingle and connect with each other when they are outside their respective countries," said Vikram.