Beyond the Border: An Indian in Pakistan

by Yoginder Sikand

Beyond the border, based on two journeys that yoginder sikand undertook to pakistan, covering lahore, multan, hyderabad (sindh), moenjo daro, bhit shah, islamabad, among others, is a strikingly unconventional account of what life is like for ordinary pakistanis the pakistan he discovers only remotely resembles the stereotypical muslim nation of the hindu imagination from shiela, the daughter of a feudal lord, named after her mother s indian best friend to a rundown, local eatery owner who offers the author free food because sikand is the first indian to visit his stall, encounters with pakistanis from all walks of life draws up a very different picture that pakistan is a country as diverse, paradoxical and rich in narratives as india departing from the fiercely polemical rhetoric common in indian and pakistani accounts of each other, yoginder sikand, not only gives lie to the strategist s view of the india pakistan divide, but dispels the myths that have filtered into the indian psyche about pakistan being the terrible other in this brilliantly perceptive and quirky travelogue, he illuminates the pakistani side of the story, while telling his own tale of exploration and self-discovery

Genres: Pakistan

332 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Tariq Mahmood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its a very long travelogue of a Indian leftist trying to visit Pakistan fascinated by his grandmothers stories about her family near Gujranwala in Pakistan. The book starts from building Pakistani perceptions in India and than comparing some of those perceptions when the author finally makes it to Pakistan. I found the book pretty balanced narrative, written in simple Hinglish/Pinklish (Hindi English/Pakistani English) when the author visits various sites authorized on his visa. I especially found his experiences with the Haris, and Dalits in Pakistan pretty revealing. I also tend to agree with the treatment or no treatment of the ancient ruins of Moenjedaro, Sindh pretty spot on. It is a great dis service to Pakistan to neglect such a rich heritage and ancient site like Moenjedaro for any reason.

I wish such courageous travels are taken up by more Pakistani and Indian citizens as they help bridge the gap between two completely different ideological states, one based on religion and the other on secularism.

[samitha m · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rarely pick a non-fiction as part of my reading list. This one was interesting. Learning that the caste system exists in Pakistan and the inevitable discrimination of Dalits was an eyeopener. It's a tale of squalor, filth and zero governance. The only saving grace being the generosity of the common people he encounters, shows people are the same everywhere.

[Sumedha]

FINALLY! It took a lot of time to finish it because I kept losing attention. There were a lot of things that I wouldn't have come to know otherwise! Finally, I'd say that it's an important book.

[Vikas Datta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I had come across this book before I wrote an installment of my column on the deplorable lack of India-Pakistan travelogues by Indians/Pakistanis. This echoes the story of thousands of north Indians and offers a most readable account of a trip most of them would be quite eager to make... Offers quite many valuable insights into prevalent mindsets in both countries and how some of the ancient ills of the subcontinent have got more entrenched, rather than dissipating. One feature of the book which is not very welcome is the frequent, rather graphic description of squalor - which though a shameful fact of civic realities of the subcontinent - is rather off-putting...

[Yogi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read, especially for those who are interested to know more about Indo-Pak relations (sociology-cultural aspect). Good descriptions of less known places and castes like Koli, dalits from Rajsthan or Sindh living in Sindh province. Some moving accounts from people's lives, Author tried to depict picture of dalits in Pakistan and their real life. Some facts about history regarding Muslim Saints (Mia Meer) Dalit Saints ( Goga pir, Ram Pir). I liked stories about sufi saints like Jhooley Lal, Lal Shahbaj.

[Arun Batra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best thing about the book is that the protagonist tries to know about the real Pakistan, about its average citizens, their day to day lives, far from the messy politics and related stuff. I, too having my roots in today's Pakistan, am satisfied with what has been offered in this book. I wouldn't hesitate to say that it is delicious!

[Khizar Syed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Journey of an Indian leftist journalist to Pakistan. easily the first of its kind about the ground level situation of Pakistan society, culture and people. thou the journey rely mostly about the people and society he observed than the monuments and architecture. pleasant to read and observe much likely a trip to India. Though it is simply a "Safarnama" it lacks tangy stories, myths of that place.

[Maya · Rating 2 out of 5]

the author is a confused soul who was not callign a spade a spade. kept talking only about the hygiene of the place and had nothing more to add.

[Usman Ahmad · Rating 4 out of 5]

EXCITING, at times very boring especially when he starts describing the physical details of surroundings, people and places. Otherwise a good and interesting read. Worth the money.