Celebrations are a reminder of a rich and shared history

Both Indians and Pakistanis need to be aware of their common roots

This week, Indians and Pakistanis lit up the night sky with fireworks, sang patriotic songs and remembered their national heroes as they marked their respective independence days. Hidden behind the celebrations was the fact that the 70th birthday of the two nations was a grim anniversary of a painful separation that led to death and displacement. Across the subcontinent, communities that had coexisted for a millennium attacked each other in a terrifying outbreak of sectarian violence.

The pain of Partition has stubbornly lingered. Yet each year’s anniversary has allowed both countries to recall their shared history and this newspaper has highlighted some of these stories over the past few days. It’s these common roots that enable Indian and Pakistani expatriates in this country to connect effortlessly despite supposed hostilities. There is no rancor. There is only the familiarity that comes with shared social and cultural similarities.

This feeling has given birth to a song – a combination of Indian and Pakistani national anthems featuring artists from both nations – that recently became a social media hit. More importantly, it highlighted how important it is for the people of the two nations to know and cherish their common story. These narratives will serve as a reminder for the future generations of India and Pakistan that they secured independence from colonial rule, not from each other and that they ought to look back to look forward.