Meerut: Although, the political relationship between India and Pakistan remains largely stretched, the latter has recently shown its generosity by allowing a 91-year-old Indian to fulfil his long cherished dream of visiting his ancestral home in the neighbouring country.
According to a 'Times of India' report, 91-year-old Krishna Khanna still cherishes sweet old memories of his childhood in the 1930s when as a boy of five he had played along with his grandfather at their home in Udhoke, Pakistan.
However, in a strange twist of fate, during pre-partition riots in 1947, his family was forced to flee from Udhoke to Sheikhupura, a city considered much safer.
He still remembers how his family, which was cowering inside a Gurdwara then, was saved from a blood-thirsty mob that had converged outside its gate by the army.
"But I have no bitterness... "Both our countries suffered. All I want to do now is see my ancestral village in Pakistan one more time. It's my last wish," Khanna was quoted as saying.
Khanna, who had been relentlessly trying to obtain a visa for 10 agonizing years, got the news - which he had waited for long.
The Pakistan government had finally granted Khanna his wish – he was allowed to visit Udhoke and Sheikhupura with permission to three others to accompany him.
An over-joyed Khanna will soon be visiting his ancestral home along with his 80-year-old brother Jagdish.
Manzoor Ali Memon, Press Minister at the High Commission, was quoted as saying, ''We believe in positive action. Issuing visa to the senior gentleman is a gesture which is purely from our heart."
