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It was in the year 1947 when India and Pakistan were partitioned. I was around 8 years then. When we crossed over to India, it was horrible. Both the communities Hindus and Muslims were killing each other. Millions of people were killed. Both Hindus and Muslims who once lived so happily together, were after each other's life and they became sworn enemies with in days. Had Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru, Maulana Azad not guided people to dispense away with fights the situation would have been worse.

My memory is not very sharp now but I still remember that night, it was frightening! It was a very dark night. There were dead bodies all around the place. Small children were crying everywhere; voices of despair were the only sounds that could be heard. As there was mad rush of people coming from Pakistan to India, it was decided at Pakistan that first the children and females will go; and then males will be allowed. After reaching India many people could not trace their relatives. Once they reached India they tried to find their relatives, some were able to meet but some were not that lucky. I believe there are still some families who are not united. I my self went to Punjab whereas my family came to Delhi. I was able to meet my family after 3 days. My family cried for 3 days and thought I must have been killed. When I reached Delhi and met my father, he hugged me so tightly that I still feel that hug. I still feel his long moustache touching my cheeks when he kissed me. Probably this is the only fond memory of that time.

We had a flourishing business in Pakistan. My father owned a department store and his own house but we were not able to bring any money and gold that we had kept in the safe custody, as there was madness all around. Everyone was motivated to kill Hindus in Pakistan and vice versa. So, we had to leave everything behind. It was madness all around. In a single day we were penny less. When we reached India we stayed in Refugee Camps. It was difficult to adjust for the first few days but thereafter I actually enjoyed as there were many children and we used to play. Refugee Camps were erected in large grounds and there was plenty of mischief that we could do. People in India and Pakistan even today have affection for each other. It was all politics that led to such a bloodbath. I do not understand why it was done and who gained from it. Had India and Pakistan been one today it would have been a different story. Probably our country would have

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