Muthi Bhar Mitti/مٹھی بھر مٹی

by Umera Ahmed

In Muthi Bhar Mitti (English: Fistful of Dirt), the main character, Jamaal, recounts to himself the events that led to him leaving India and migrating to Pakistan after The Great Indian Partition.
It is available in Main Ne Khuwabon Ka Shajar Dekha Hai as part of a collection of stories. It was first published in Shuaa digest under the title 15 August 2001.

24 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2001

About the author

Umera Ahmed is one of the most widely-read and popular Urdu fiction novelist and screenplay writer of this era.
She completed her Masters in English Literature from Murray College, Sialkot. Later she became an English language lecturer for the students of O and A levels at Army Public College, Sialkot. However she left the job a few years back in order to devote her full attention to writing.
She began her writing career in 1998 at a quite young age. Her initial stories were published in monthly urdu digests and later came out in the form of books. She has written about 16 books , comprising of complete novels and compilations of short stories. However it was her novel "Peer-e-Kaamil (S.A.W.W)" which became her identity.

Reviews

[Ayesha]

"پاکستان کو تمہاری قبروں اور تابوتوں کی ضرورت نہیں ہے. پاکستان کو تمہاری جوانی اور وہ گرم خون چاہئے جو تمہاری رگوں میں خواب اور آئیڈلزم بن کر دوڑتا ہے۔ اگر پاکستان کو اپنی جوانی نہیں دے سکتے تو اپنا بڑھاپا بھی مت دو۔۔۔ جس ملک میں تم جینا نہیں چاہتے وہاں مرنا کیوں چاہتے ہو۔۔۔ باہر کی مٹی کی ٹھنڈک مرنے کے بعد برداشت نہیں ہو گی تب اپنی مٹی کی گرمی چاہئے؟
ہر شخص کے مقدر میں باوطن ہونا نہیں لکھا ہوتا۔ بعض کے مقدر میں جلاوطنی ہوتی ہے، اپنی خوشی سے اختیار کرنے والی جلاوطنی۔"

یہ بہت قیمتی سرزمین ہے۔۔۔ قربانیوں کے لہو سے سینچی ہوئی۔۔۔

[Madeeha]

If I were Pakistani, I would have given it 5 stars but as an Indian, it kind of triggered me because of the national bias. Still the story was very good and so was the moral.

[Maham Akram]

I read this book when I was on my way back from Germany after an official trip. before this, I was one of those people who are whole heatedly impressed by the German culture and country and curse their own country for being a failure.
When I finished reading this, I was a changed person. Its not like the issues in my country magically disappeared. They still exist. But my view about it changed. Rather than seeing the poverty, litter, corruption and lack of basic services as a curse and thinking of moving out, I started thinking of changing this. By not littering out on the road, by telling people in my neighborhood not to do this. by teaching my nephews that its bad.
This book taught me not to feel bad about the problems of my country but to be brave and face them and play my part in fixing them. no matter how small, but this is my MITTI. and you dont change the house because the light bulb isnt working, You fix/replace the bulb.
Thankyou for writing this @umera ahmed.

[Adiba]

This is a short story which has been written on the topic of Partition Ind&Pak. It has been classified beautifully, the pain, the traumas, shahadaten every thing, it was perfectly written. And how the main lead carries that weight of (muthi bhar mitti), beautifully described. This is why she is a phenomenal Writer.

[Erum Naeem]

This book made me feel truly patriotic about Pakistan. As a Pakistani, I had never felt this deeply connected to my country, nor did I fully understand the sacrifices people made for it. The writer explained everything beautifully. I absolutely loved it!🫶🏻😭

[Wordaholic]

It is extremely well written short story with full of little messages that can bring big changes in life.

[Dua]

ہر ملک زمیں کا ایک ٹکڑا ہوتا ہے، اصل چیز اس زمیں کے ٹکڑے پر بسنے والے لوگوں کے اندر ہوتی ہے.

Loved this Story, best one of all what I read for Umera So far.

[ف]

Good booklet, based on partriotism.

[Maryam]

Great although it's a sad read.

[Laiba]

This book felt like someone slapped me on the face and I totally deserved it

[Hina]

Something every Pakistani should read and reflect on!

[The Running Malang]

A thought provoking story!

[Nazish Islam]

Amazing Patriotic Story ! Umera Ahmed has done heroic here. Pakistan Is our real asset. Stop complaining, start doing.
Long live Pakistan <3

[Sarah108]

:(