China was once divided
into three Chinas, mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Finally they, too, are striving to unite, through trade,
cultural interaction and, of course, language and
communication.
The Soviet Union, which
had risen to be a superpower along with the United States of
America, saw itself divided and cut up into 13 States.
Closer home, I feel
frustrated and distressed at the continuous media
confrontation and communications war between India and
Pakistan. Irresponsible military dictators are sought to be
outdone by irresponsible media.
As a member of the Press
Council of India, I have been seeing the challenges and
disasters posed by the media, specially by some sections of
the electronic media, both Indian and foreign. Can any
conciliatory gesture and peace offensive by leaders like Atal
Bihari Vajpayee succeed in the presence of the media and
military hawks poised in the wings on either side for the
first possible kill?
Why cannot everyone see
the simple truth that Pakistan cannot break India and India
cannot wish away Pakistan. If they cannot honestly and
sensibly talk together, no amount of foreign intervention and
guidance can save them from utter disaster. Dear friends on
both sides of the Indo-Pak border, I would like you to
understand that even God cannot save those who are their own
worst enemies. India and Pakistan, together, can be a great
force.
Is it impossible?
