Pak Zero Point rly station named after Marvi, a symbol of courage
BARMER: The Pakistan Railways renamed the Zero Point station after Marvi, a woman considered a symbol of women empowerment in the country.
The Zero Point station is located at Indo-pak international border in Khokhrapar in Paksitan, connecting India’s last railway point at Munabao in Barmer. The two stations were functional until August 2019 when Thar Link Express, a weekly train ran between the two countries.
Umar Marvi is a famous folktale of Sindh province in Pakistan and is story of a beautiful village woman, Marvi, who turns down the proposal of ruler of Amarkot, Umar, to be his queen. The ruler imprisoned her in Umerkot Fort after the refusal for several years. For choosing prison over a ruler, Marvi is regarded as a symbol of courage and women empowerment in her country.
Historian Tejdan Charan, who came from Pakistan in 1991 and settled in India, said that in Sindh, Marvi is considered as symbol of women empowerment. “Marvi chose prison and suffered a lot but didn’t give in to the temptation to live in the palace as a queen. Her sacrifice made her a symbol of women empowerment in Pakistan. Even today whenever a woman fights for her rights, people call her Marvi,” he said.
TEJDAN CHARAN, Historian
Ashok Suthar, a researcher who also works for Pakistani immigrant community, said that in Pakistan, Marvi is considered a symbol of patriotism. “For her homeland, Marvi refused a royal life,” he said.
The story appears in Shah Jo Risalo, a poetic compendium of famous Sindhi Sufi poet Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai.
The decision to rename the Zero Point station was taken in September 2019, a month after the train service between India and Pakistan stopped following Pulwama attack and Balakot air strike. Currently, both countries use the stations – Munabao and Mavri – for local trains.
The change of name was requested by Mirpur Khas local administration and recommended by divisional superintendent Pakistan railways Karachi Shaukat
Ali Shaikh, deputy chief engineer (South), according to an order of the Pakistan Railways, a copy of which is with HT.
Thar Link Express resumed between the two countries on February 18, 2006, after 41 years. The Zero Point railway station was built after this within 100 metres of the international border, which is disallowed. However, India registered its objections to the construction several times but Pakistan ignored the objections.
Marvi chose prison and suffered a lot but didn’t give in to the temptation to live as a queen. Her sacrifice made her a symbol of women empowerment in Pakistan.