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प्रश्न
Shweta noticed that her Nana (maternal grandfather) would get very quiet whenever anyone mentioned Pakistan. One day she decided to ask him about it. Her Nana told her about how he moved from Lahore to Ludhiana during Partition. Both his parents were killed. Even he would not have survived, but a neighbouring Muslim family gave him shelter and kept him in hiding for several days. They helped him find some relatives and that is how he managed to cross the border and start a new life. Similarly, there are many examples of Hindu families and others who helped, sheltered, and saved the lives of Muslim families during the times of crisis and violence caused by Partition. It shows the importance of compassion and solidarity on religious grounds in both communities.
Have you heard a similar story? Ask your grandparents or anyone of that generation about their memories of Independence Day, about the celebration, about the trauma of Partition, about the expectations they had from independence.
Write down at least two of these stories.
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उत्तर
Story 1: My grandmother lived near Lahore in 1947. Her family had to leave their home suddenly and travel to India in a crowded train. They carried only a few clothes and some family photographs. At a refugee camp, an unknown family gave them food and shelter. Although Partition brought great suffering, the kindness of strangers helped them rebuild their lives in Delhi. She remembered Independence Day with both joy and sadness because freedom came along with the loss of her homeland.
Story 2: My grandfather lived in Kolkata during the riots. He recalled that Hindus and Muslims in his neighbourhood formed peace groups and protected one another. Muslim families sheltered Hindu neighbours, while Hindu families helped Muslim families reach safe places. On Independence Day, people celebrated freedom but also mourned those who had been killed or displaced. He believed that India should remain democratic, secular and equal for citizens of every religion.
These stories show that Partition caused violence, migration and trauma, but compassion, solidarity and mutual help also survived during the crisis.
