Asian senior citizens jointly celebrate India, Pakistan I-Day in Chicago

CHICAGO: While bilateral relations between the two countries leave much to be desired, senior citizens of India and Pakistan came together in a rare display of bonhomie to celebrate the 69th Independence Day of India and Pakistan under the aegis of American Association of Retired Asians (Aara) and DuPage Senior Citizens Council (DSCC) in Chicago.
A musical band played traditional melodies.Everyone swayed to the Bollywood number ‘Dil diya hai jan bhi denge, aye watan tere liye’. Senior citizens gave in to the festive mood, took to the dance floor, matched the expert dancers, step for step, and had a great foot-tapping time.
Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, consul-general of Pakistan said that the common culture between the two nations would pave the way for stronger friendship. “The two countries should strive to develop cooperation on the lines of friendship between USA and Canada,” added Tirmizi.

Michael Noland, Illinois state senator said that spirit behind the hoisting the flags of India and Pakistan was a welcome proposition. He said India and Pakistan are undergoing multi-dimensional transformation; however, the pleasant surprise is the emergence of women in leadership positions in all walks of life.
Talat Rasheed, planning commissioner, and Bolingbrook, said: “Merely loving one’s home country is not enough; one should translate his love for the country into participation in nation-building initiatives”.

“Youths should learn from elders the importance of patriotism and look for opportunities to sacrifice for collective good of the nation,” said a young Indian student.
“Attending today’s function was a double delight; it provided opportunities to salute our flag and also to find new Indian friends,” said a Pakistani student.
Earlier, Moneek Khan of DSCC welcomed the gathering which included American citizens as well. Eminent dignitaries attending the function included Eira Corral, village clerk, village of Hanover Park, Illinois and Marylin Krolakm, executive director of DSCC, among others.
Dr Talat Khan, president, Aara, said growing older brings in its wake innumerable obstacles that make daily life challenging.
“Aara touches the lives of senior citizens in both their homes and in their communities in order to ease these challenges,” she added. She said that the mission of AARA is to facilitate access to the senior population in the South Asian community to the services offered by different agencies of the government and voluntary organizations in order to meet their growing needs.
Tasneem Matthis of Aara conducted the programme which was attended by 250 senior citizens.