Attari, Oct. 9 -- In a goodwill gesture, India on Tuesday sent home 13- year old Pakistani boy Kashif Ali, who had crossed over into India after getting annoyed with his family that had started sending him to a 'madrassa' one-year back.
Although, earlier it was learnt that Kashif had ran from his house, as he wanted to meet Bollywood star Ajay Devgan, but on Tuesday Kashif made clear that he never wanted to go to a Madrassa (a religious school) and that was the reason he ran away from home.
After spending a year on Observation Home in Faridkot, smiles surrounded the Attari Border as soon as Kashif stepped out of a bus to cross the zero line and enter his country.
Pakistani Theatre personality Madiha Gohar, who had played a key role in locating the family of the boy in Pakistan especially, came to India to receive the boy.
Feeling shy, 13 year old Ali said, "I had crossed over into India by mistake and I am happy that I am going home.
He denied that he was here to meet any Bollywood actor but certainly mentioned that his family had enrolled him Madrassa and he never liked that.
"I never wanted to go to a madrassa. I didn't like it," he added.
Kashif said that he faced no problems in India or the Observation Home but wanted to go home.
Answering a query that will he again come back to India, he said, "No, I won't come back."
The eyes of Ali lit up when theatre personality Madiha Gohar mentioned that soon she will be writing a play on the story of Kashif Ali and the boy will be part of it.
Terming this as a great gesture on part of India, Madiha Gohar said, "I had come to India sometime back and our theatre group was performing in Faridkot when District and sessions Judge there Archana Puri informed of the presence of a Pakistani Boy. For the welfare of the boy, madam Archana Puri gave me photographs and video footage of Kashif. When I went back to Pakistan and got the pictures published in newspapers it was found that Kashif belonged to village Dipalpur in Okara district."
Thereafter proceedings moved in India and finally Kashif will be going home today, she added.
Coming all the way to the border to see off Kashif, District and sessions judge Faridkot, Archana Puri said, "It really feels good that Kashif is returning to his nation now. We expedited his release once his case was decided. I think when Ajoka Theatre came to Faridkot and we mentioned about the boy to them, this really helped a lot in locating family of boy in Pakistan."
District and Sessions Judge Archana Puri also gave a set of books to the boy.
On a question, Madiha Gohar mentioned that, "Definitely, Kashif never wanted to be in Madrassa and that is the reason he ran away. We have told his mother to not to send him to Madrassa again."
As far as acting is concerned, he is fond of it and we will make him participate in a play and try bringing him to India on visa, she added.
Kashif was nabbed by BSF last year when crossed into India from the Ferozepur sector.
Published by HT Syndication with permission from Hindustan Times.
Jai Khanna
Hill Krishnan
Papa C J
