Loud Thinking December 08, 2013 at 05:50PM

Who wants India and Pakistan to be eternal enemies?

Hindus and Muslims in India Unite for a Pakistani Family.

A lesson for the politicians of the sub continent.

Pakistan family indebted to Godhra’s gesture of love

Sachin Sharma, TNN, Dec 3, 2013, 07.23AM IST

VADODARA: Iqbal Bhatuk’s family was hoping to strengthen its bond with long lost relatives in Godhra when they arrived from Karachi in Pakistan on October 28 for a month. But in the process they built a lifelong bond of love with the town itself as residents, both Hindus and Muslims, stood by them in their moment of crisis.

It started when midway through the trip, Iqbal’s son, Touseef, 15, was diagnosed with dengue. Even as the boy with battling for life at a hospital in Vadodara, their visa expired and their finances ran thin, making it difficult to meet medical bills.

Not wanting to add to their troubles by ending up on the wrong side of the law, Iqbal and three other relatives returned to Karachi leaving his wife Tahira, her brother Tahir Kharadi and Touseef in India. “In desperation we asked the district superintendent of police (SP) S K Gadhavi to extend the visa,” said Kharadi.

Tahira broke down in Gadhavi’s office as she narrated her woes. Touched by the tale, Gadhavi not only extended the visa by 15 days but also helped them financially. “Touseef was unconscious and his condition serious, but eventually he responded to treatment,” Gadhvi said.

Soon, word spread about the family’s condition and many people came forward to help them clear their bills. Among the donors was Suresh Derai, a prominent businessman of Godhra. “The boy was almost on his deathbed when I came in contact with the family,” he says. “On hearing the story and the initiative taken by the police, we decided to help them. People from all communities have come forward.” The hospital where Tauseef was admitted also gave them a concession in the Rs 2.5 lakh bill.

Even Godhra police helped the family financially. Touseef was given Rs 50,000 that was raised by both Hindus and Muslims to take care of the remaining medical expenses and other needs. “We will never forget this loving gesture from the police and the residents of Godhra,” said Kharadi.

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