The Hindu : National : Divided families meet via video link

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Friday, Jun 25, 2004

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National

Divided families meet via video link

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR, JUNE 24. They spoke to each other for the first time after decades of separation through a satellite video conferencing facilitated by BBC's Urdu service in Srinagar and Muzaffarabad. Six families took part in the three-day programme.

It was a scene of sobs and shrieks as two brothers Ashraf Jan and Irshad Ahmed could see each other for the first time in 35 years. There are thousands of Kashmiris whose families are split, in two parts of Kashmir. "How are you, brother?" said Ahmed through webcam in the Pakistani side sending his family members sitting in a local hotel here into tears. He consoled him saying, "Please don't cry. Have confidence in Allah. A day will come when we will meet again."

"You look weak and old," Jan said as he saw his brother on the video screen. "Yes, we grow older with each passing day, but don't worry, I will not die before meeting all of you," said Irshad Ahmed whose last visit to Srinagar was in 1969.

Fahmida was another dejected woman who has not seen her brother for decades. "Please come soon. I don't know how long I will live," she told him with tears rolling down her cheeks.

The opening of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road which otherwise is seen as a "mere slogan" also came up during the conversation. "There are rumours the road will be opened; please take the first bus," she told her brother. The reply was consoling, "Don't cry ... don't cry ... let's talk." He perhaps did not want to loose the opportunity.

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