Borders are always an issue of conflict. Sometimes, due to the desire of a state to expand its territory, they are important to keep a check and maintain one’s sovereignty and being. Everywhere, we find thick physical lines. But in spite of these forced (forced because the human nature, the human “spirit” does not like such boundaries) boundaries imposed upon us, there boundaries are unable to separate us completely. Still it is true that rivers flow from one to another by crossing boundaries, mountains spread over one to another and so are the emotions of human.
In fact, these political boundaries are in a broader view violation of human rights too. It is because, Nature has made no boundaries. ‘We all are born equal and free ‘(stated Universal Declaration of Human Rights) and thus any such restrictions are against human nature. People cross boundaries legally and illegally, sometimes in search of employment, a better education, sometimes in search of a safe haven, in hope of a better life and sometimes just for the leisure of travelling. This reflects the basic nature of humans and thus the right it should have. Though, like all other debates, there will be a certain group of people who will favor the boundary and restriction, however, for a common human being, it is not important and is infact, illogical to be confined.
But there is a border of exception. In the South Asian Region there lies a boundary between two countries, but it gives the message of love, peace and mutual development rather than hate, and restrictions. It is more towards freedom rather than binding a person in a confined political boundary. It is like a bond of trust. This is the border between India and Nepal. India and Nepal are similar in many ways. There is a deep cultural bond that binds people. But the best part of our mutual relation lies in our borders that are free to citizens of both countries. On the other side, Nepal has restricted border with China. Similarly, India too has restricted borders with all other neighbors.
When it comes to movement, it is also observed that movements to/from Nepal/India are quite frequent among the citizens. This free border is not only helpful in trade and economical growth by getting benefit of two different market, but also become helpful in establishing a theme of love and understanding among each other.
At the time when all countries of SAARC are facing the same challenge of development, hunger, poverty, unemployment, illegal migration and others, we have made our borders more restricted for our people. Though, this restriction may act positively for some reasons but this positive effect is limited and affects only one country and certainly will not benefit the whole region. On the other side, if all SAARC countries can join each other towards the path of growth, together, it can definitely benefit all the countries.
Nepal and India border, in these terms, present an example that can not only bring the attention of SAARC region on any such concept but also present a live and successful example of sharing fluid boundaries.
Mission Bhartiyam, an India-based not for profit group, hopes to realize this dream. Since 2007, it has been working for an overall development of society through advocating for Environment, Education, Communal Harmony, Employment, Health, Disaster Management, Women & Child Rights, Human Rights, Youth affairs and other social issues. It has also been a partner organization in a national campaign for Manipuri poet Irom Sharmila who has been on a hunger strike for 11 years. But the mission is really to revive the values of peace, harmony and brotherhood that are revered in South Asian sensibilities, plans to help and build such ties.
We desire for a SAARC with enhanced people to people communication, with love and trust and freedom from hatred and suspicion. We want that no-one should be jailed for the desire of transcending barriers for the good.
Under our SAARC initiative, in the past, in 2011, Mission Bhartiyam was a partner organization in the Indo-pak human chain at Rajghat(New Delhi). We now plan to build stronger ties with Nepal. We would like to work on issues and challenges which are common to both countries. We would like to tell our Nepali brothers that we will always support them and fight along with them to combat similar challenges. We would like to celebrate this concept of border and also to send a message that this bond of trust can also be extended in the entire SAARC region.
