AUGUST 14 is a memorable day for all Pakistanis, but more so for those who migrated after partition from India to Pakistan.

Most of those elders who migrated along with their families have passed away, but their children, who themselves are old now, have still some vivid memories of the partition. My father also migrated in 1947-48 along with my mother and my siblings. My two elder brothers, who were teenagers in 1947, passed away two or three years back. But, before their death I asked my brothers regarding their partition experiences and migration. Their stories are breathtaking and heart-touching. I took down notes of their memories so that I might get them published some day.

What I want to stress is that some good publishers should come forward and make contacts with the surviving generation of Pakistani emigrants of 1947 and record their experiences of migration and tell how they felt when they moved to their new homes in Pakistan.

Their experiences will immensely contribute to the new generation of understanding as to why partition took place. They will know what sacrifices their forefathers have made to acquire this land where they can move with freedom and peace.

The temporarily-destroyed peace of Pakistan at the hands of some miscreants can again be restored to our new generation if they become sensitive enough to fathom the sacrifices their elders made. Thus, they can resolve to mend the loss.

Some fiction writers such as Razia Butt, Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi, Manto and Krishan Chandar have told their stories of partition.

But if the memories of some senior Pakistanis’ experiences of partition are published collectively in the form of books in English, Urdu and some regional languages, it will have a greater impact on our new generation.

Prof (Dr) Arifa Farid

Dean, Faculty of Arts,

University of Karachi

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2014