I think youthfulness mixed with a sense of nationalism is the cause for such language. It's OK to disagree, however let's not dehumanize or degrade each other. Unfortunately this does happen here and seems to be firmly fixed within this community. Maybe I am a wishful thinker, but here's hoping that we can bury our nukes and ensure we lift people from the subcontinent out of poverty some day. All these young 'guns' shouting the loudest need to calm down and go read history books for a change; nothing good has ever come out of warmongering and senseless hate.
Sir,
I think I managed to convey the wrong nuances with that complaint that was intended to be largely humorous. Let me hasten to make amends.
First, within the forum itself, we are blessed with an administration and a moderation team that is very balanced on all but one issue, and that issue is not the issue of balancing a sense among Pakistani members that this is after 'their' forum, and the sense among the better-inclined Indian members that they are equally entitled to all the privileges of any other member, that nationality should not come in the way. Balancing these sometimes contrary impulses is something that this team has managed well. I say this even as a responsible person on another forum, committed to institution building in that forum.
Second, on the grey areas beyond the literal text of our posts, the portions where a human side comes out, however much some of us struggle to suppress it in the vain hope of seeming and of being more calm and dispassionate in our discourse. The rational and lucid language and terms used are fine; these are the skeletons, and it is our additional flourishes and embellishments that make these conversations worthwhile, beyond the mere attraction of the well-argued thought. So there are many friendships that have developed, through these very conversations. Very many of them, and they did not develop out of cold, pre-planned intent, they developed out of our instinctive warming up to another personality very well obscured behind the anonymity of the internet. The few clues you have bestowed on us through your posts make it clear that those of us who seek you out, respond to your posts, and put up sensible and humane answers may very fairly expect to be rewarded.
A brief aside before going to the really big thing: you must have noticed - apparently you have been with us formally for eighteen months now - that there are eminences, the Holy Trinity of the forum, and, in addition, there are warm and affable, measured and judicious people among your compatriots. It is their attention and approbation that we all aspire to, and it is sometimes forthcoming. Those are good days. I am deliberately refraining from singling out any of my own countrymen (and a possible countrywoman) as any brash and foolhardy attempt at doing that may result in my pitiful remains being found in condition suitable for the preparation of any keema dish. Be assured that there are significant numbers of good people on both sides - on all sides - and that they will become apparent to you as you keep posting, if they have not already become apparent.
What is really important is that you should have no doubt whatsoever that the cut and thrust of daily diplomacy and daily military interactions between two neighbouring countries have ABSOLUTELY no inhibiting effect on people from either side gaining a respect, almost an affection for each other. You may find less of it on this forum, because the milieu here is combative. In real life, I have ample evidence that these national affiliations and ties, while they have an effect on our basic stand and posture, do not hold back understanding and pleasing exchanges. This is now beyond questioning or doubt.
So, please, Sir, do not misunderstand my schoolboyish mischief for a real obstacle, and trust that you will find the right kind of people on this forum. Even more, this is to assure you from personal experience that you will definitely also find such people outside the Internet.
I look forward greatly to reading your future posts.
@Solidify
Please see #126. Aal ij wale.