BRIDES AND BORDERS

As this Indo-Pak family’s history proves, women and brides have always been the most capable ambassadors of transnational culture

- Priyamvada Singh

This January, eShe’s Indo-Pak Peace Summit beautifully celebrated the co-existence of centuries-old socio-cultural legacies across recently drawn lines of control. As I binge-watched an interesting ensemble of women panelists from both nations discuss art, architecture and literature, I was compelled to validate the sensitivity and sensibility of the quintessential feminine. The categorical relevance of this initiative inspired me to revisit the Indo-Pak relation dynamics within my own extended family, and the journey down memory lane reinstated my belief that women have and always will be the most capable ambassadors of transnational culture.

Pakistan for me has never been a forbidden word because I have always had family on the other side of the border. I belong to a village called Meja in Rajasthan, and my grandfather’s sister Indira Kumari is married in Amarkot, Pakistan. Throughout my life, I have witnessed Indira Ba visiting us along with her family just like her two other sisters who visit us from Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. In fact, Agra and Amarkot meant the same to me until I grew up and geography lessons got the better of me!