 The
Indo-Pak relationship has been so enmeshed in political
issues - mostly disputes - that often both countries tend to neglect
important developments which facilitate cultural cooperation
between them. Foreign ministries in both countries are engrossed
in thinking of CBM’s, though if one were to look, not much
progress has been made with regard to educational and cultural
exchanges. Meanwhile, a Washington-based non-profit organisation
named APNA, (Academy of the Punjab in North America) has taken a
significant step — publishing a quarterly Punjabi magazine by the name
of Saanjh (which means commonality in this context) in both Gurmukhi,
the Punjabi script used in East Punjab), and Shahmukhi, the script
used in West Punjab.
APNA’s project actually reiterates two facts: first, the contribution of the diaspora to the improvement of relations between the two countries and, second, the need for non-government actors to think out of the box on issues related to culture, education and sports. |
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publishes from both Lahore and Ludhiana. The thrust of all articles is on
the cultural commonalities between the two Punjabs and the potential for a
harmonious and mutually beneficial relationship between the divided
province and the two countries. This thrust is quite evident
from the line inscribed on the cover of the magazine: “Bulle
Shah asaan marna naheen (Bulle Shah, we are not destined to
die.”) This development may not be earth shattering for many. But
for those who understand the indelible loss to Punjabi culture and
literature as a result of the division of Punjab and the use of different
scripts in the two provinces, it comes as a breath of fresh air.