“Tarakki (Development) Aur (and) Azadi (Freedom),” We want Both! (A writing from my first-time visit to the UAE)

“Tarakki (Development)” is the one thing our government failed to do for us,” said the Pakistani driver who drove us through Dubai on the first day. He continued, “When bhukmari (starvation), gundagardi (hooliganism), and berozgari (unemployment) abound in Pakistan, our politicians still seek honor through revenge for their political mileage. That is why we have to work here in disrepute in pitiable conditions. If our politicians knew how to develop our country: its roads, streets, hospitals, education, and tourism, today, Insha Allah, the Arabs would seek work in my country.” His gloomy face mirrored how betrayed he felt by his leaders.

 

As I reflected on it, it seemed that our (Indian) condition was no different. We are better than Pakistan, I reasoned. Even so, our politicians have created such a mess that when we compare ourselves with the rest of the world, only one word comes to mind: shame. For the first time, I had traveled to a different country. Most of the working-class people I saw were from Hindustan or Pakistan. At first, I thought it was honorable and that we should be proud of our NRIs. However, after hearing their stories of long separations from their dear ones and a lengthy list of insults that dented their consciences significantly, I felt I was mistaken.

 

“Zillat ki zindagi (a life of humiliation)” is a phrase a Pakistani driver repeatedly used in our conversation. He pointed to some Arabs as they walked in the noonday sun clad in their glowing white gowns and said, “They don’t work. All they do is enjoy their life. The government gives them everything they need.” He went on to describe their way of life and the incentives they received just for being who they were: Arabs. He talked at length about how the seven Emirate states joined to form the UAE and how there is no terrorist from any of their Muslim families.

 

For a moment, I felt jealous of the UAE. The currency is strong, pot-hole-free roads, magnificent highways, clean streets, tall buildings, beautiful tourist locations from beaches to desert dunes, and friendly people. They transformed a deserted nothingness into a lush, green land with every facility of a first-world country. If our beloved Hindustan and Pakistan did not fight pointless wars for Kashmir and Bangladesh but stayed united (perhaps, like the Emirates as ex-British Indian territories), we would not need any nuclear weapons or huge defense investments.

 

Instead, Hindustan and Pakistan would develop their roads, streets, rails, buildings, architecture, and tourism industry. We would have been the strongest economies, and Kashmir would truly be the goddess of the Himalayas. Kashmir has everything to be the best tourist destination in the world, but peace. Even the Pakistanis I talked with felt sorry for the lives the terrorists took in Pahalgam. They were not visibly happy about India's retaliation, which is understandable. Many of them did not like their Prime Minister. They felt that he failed to develop their country or provide people jobs, but was now diverting public attention to the Kashmir issue to survive the people’s wrath.

 

Nobody likes “nafrat ki rajneeti (the politics of hatred),” said a Pathani driver from Peshawar. He felt politicians threw dust in people’s eyes using retaliatory rhetoric. Everybody wanted peace, even the Pathan, who said the first thing they do if their woman leaves for another man is looking for a gun. He shared his love story and how much he loved his wife. Because of his financial condition, his father-in-law refused to give him his daughter. He shared how, in their culture, the Pathan had to pay the bride price and marriage expenses. The Pathan fought tooth and nail and won her as his wife. Now, he works as a bus driver to earn his bread and is eager to meet his wife. I also could suggest some homeopathic remedies for his wife's health condition. He did take care of his customers well.

 

Overall, I enjoyed my stay in Dubai. Riya Travels gave me a tour package at a reasonable price. The hotel was superb, and the staff was friendly. I relished the Desert Safari (Dune Bashing, Sandboarding, and Camel ride) with Ali, our tour guide. I also enjoyed the buffet meal, rhythmic dance, and melodies of the Dhow cruise. I made four lovely American friends: three women and a young man. Delicious food, exhilarating dance and lively music, aromatic perfumes, various dates and dry fruits, exceptionally calm and lovely Jumeirah Beach, unexpectedly green gardens like the Miracle Garden, incredibly tall buildings like the Burj Khalifa, and creative paintings of the art gallery colored the trip and made it more exciting. The Grand mosque and Hindu Temple in Abudhabi added serenity to the otherwise jolly experience. In an age where people question God’s existence, the sheiks dedicated sufficient funds to honor God despite their wealth, power, and education. I felt respect for them.

 

After I saw the hardworking and determined Pakistani drivers working in Dubai despite the intense heat, I felt sorry for those who chose terrorism. Terrorism anywhere is a threat to harmony everywhere. Terrorists take the lives of unarmed, innocent civilians and create widows and orphans. If they are so keen to fight, let them face soldiers. Why attack the weaker, untrained civilians like cowards to show off their bravado? Only cowards become terrorists. The lovers become drivers and hardworking laborers. And the incredibly brave ones become soldiers who defend their citizens from the vicious monsters who come to steal, kill, and destroy. When I asked these men what they would choose, “Tarakki (development) or Azadi (freedom),” most voted for Tarakki. They asked what use is freedom if there is no room for development. “Tarakki nahi to kaisi Azadi?” We need both Tarakki and Azadi.