Date:02/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/02/stories/2008120250530200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Pakistanis empathise with Mumbai victims

Kalyan Ashok

BANGALORE: If anyone nurses the notion that all Pakistanis are gleeful over the Mumbai carnage, he is horribly wrong on that count.

Pakistanis, as everyone else around the world, are shocked and angered by the senseless mayhem. Sunil Yajaman, director of Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association’s High Performance Academy here, now travelling in that country for the ITF women’s tennis tournaments, vouches for the genuineness of anguish felt by our neighbours. They too have suffered repeatedly at the hands of terrorists.

In an email, Mr. Yajaman spoke about the warmth of the people and whose hospitality was only matched by their love for India and things Indian.

Changing perceptions

“To tell you frankly, my perception of Pakistan has changed after coming here. I feel at home. The people here are so nice and warm, especially to Indians.

This country shares all the sufferings we Indians go through as a result of terrorist attacks…

They share the concerns and are equally pained at what has happened in Mumbai.”

The feeling of the common man across the border is that there are forces which do not like to see India and Pakistan shake hands and living in peace as they wish to create a permanent market for arms.

Moreover, the Pakistani public is hugely disappointed that Indian cricketers are unlikely to tour in January, Mr. Yajaman says.