Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Some 40 years ago, I was working in London. The recent blasts jogged my memories of a city in which I have had some extraordinary experiences.
I remember, for instance, one Christmas eve shopping expedition at Selfridges. On returning home, I discovered that I had lost 100 pounds sterling. I wrote a letter to the lost and found department of the store. It was closed for two days. On the fourth day, I received a response on a postcard. I was to get in touch with the department. At the counter I was asked the denominations of the notes. Fortunately I remembered it. I was then handed over an envelope containing the full amount. The clerk also gave me the name and address of the finder and suggested that I may wish to send a thank-you note. She happened to be a Muslim and her reply was direct: 8220;It was my duty to return what does not belong to me!8221;
There was an Indian restaurant very close to our home. The very first weekend after moving into the locality we paid it a visit. Inquiring of the waiters their country of origin is something of a habit with me. The waiter explained that he was from Azad Kashmir and that the restaurant belongs to someone from that place. We said we were from India. He was extremely cordial and called the owner who warmly greeted us. We got excellent service and the dessert was on the house on that occasion. It became our favourite restaurant.
I also remember the time when I did my postgraduate studies in London. I had made close friends with four people 8212; an Englishman, a Pakistani, an Arab and a Bengali Muslim from East Pakistan. We used to study together for the examinations and we continue to correspond with each other to this day 8212; now, of course, through e-mail.
Recently, when I commiserated with my friends over the London bomb blasts, the Arab wrote back: 8220;Heaven has now been turned into hell!8221; The Pakistani observed, 8220;May Allah punish the guilty!8221; The Bangladeshi commented: 8220;London was a fair, safe and an exciting city!8221; The Englishman simply said: 8220;We will get over it8221;.
London will always remains a special place for me.
