I like Mr. M. J. Akbar as an Indian, a journalist, a secularist an Indian Muslim . . . so many reasons including our geographical closeness. His article- "How Pakistan Insulates India from Terror" (Times of India, 15th june 2008) has made me to think in two opposite directoions which probably Mr. Akbar did not want readers to do.

If Mr. Akbar aims at Pakistan's present alone, he is 100% right that Pakistan as a dream land of muslims of the reason has failed measurably. Probably a simple emotional Muslim would not have expected or wished that. May be serving as a bad example, present Pakistan might be making the choice of the Indian Muslims easier in the era of confusions and misunderstandings. But if by that Mr. Akbar is aiming at demeaning the loss caused to the world humanity and civilization by bifurcation and later trifurcation of British India, he is making big mistake. In my opinion, present unrest led by "wrongly enlightened" muslims in the world is not associated with Islam, Muslim or their welfare. Yes, it is associated with the politics which is made on the name of such attractive words. And, in this regard, a unified Independent British India would have served as a stronger source of light through its socio- political and intellectual power. In that case world history would have been different. Totaly diferent. And, even now if we just understand this we can change this world.

And, in dividing British India, Britishers played pivotal role as the inducers, continuous catalysts and emerged as the only winners. That they were sad on division of the British Indian Army was a lesser and artificial truth mostly due to personal and emotional reasons if anything.

And, borders are not safe if made up of strong walls. If so, no fort would have been ever captured! Borders are unsafe only if the citizens/ security personals are not loyal or uncapable. And don't suspect the loyality of Muslims. Only short sighted and poorly informed people will do that, whoever he or she might be. Neither any one should suspect their patriotism, if some one does so, he or she should read the history again and again. And the loyality and patriotism comes through proper enlightenment. And that comes in this region naturaly due to the culture and civilisataion of this "region" which is based on knowledge, freedom and tolerance. Many examples of varied types can be seen on individual and community basis.

To finish, i would request Mr. Akbar to write another article to clarify these confusions if some one had. I think Mr. Akbar can do it in the best possible way and he is the best person to do that.