We recently returned from a true reflection of the soul, a 4000-kilometre adventure where we were both the traveller and the passenger. The very fabric of Pakistan, its roads, railway tracks, and winding sandways, became our companion. We experienced it from the familiar seat of our car, the rhythmic clatter of a train, the novel comfort of a sleeper bus, and the exhilarating, bumpy perch of an auto-rickshaw. Each mode of travel offered a different rhythm, a unique window into the heart of the land.
Our journey began with a meeting of minds at Minhaj University in Lahore. There, amidst discussions on world religions and the urgent need for interfaith harmony, we planted the first seeds of thought on building resilient societies, free from the blight of extremism. It was a powerful beginning, an intellectual prelude to the profound sensory experience that awaited.
By Brig Akhtar N Janjua, S I (M)
From there, we set course for what I can only describe as a pearl in Pakistan’s beautiful tapestry… the Thar Desert. The occasion was a joyous one, the marriage of the son of my dear friend, Mr. Krishan Lal Sharma, President of the Pakistan Hindu Mandir Management Committee.
As we travelled deeper, the world outside our window underwent a magnificent transformation. Lush, endless greenery gradually gave way to a landscape of soft, rolling dunes. Yet, Thar held a surprise. Blessed by recent rains, the desert had shed its stereotypical austerity and was painted with unexpected strokes of green foliage, a vibrant carpet defying the arid earth.
Life here moves to an ancient rhythm. We saw nomadic communities in full swing, their herds of cows, sheep, goats, and camels moving like slow, deliberate rivers across the land. The air was a symphony, filled with the songs of desert birds, while the mesmerising dance of peacocks and the graceful wanderings of gazelles completed a scene straight from a living dream.
The marriage rituals were a first for us, and every moment was imbued with beauty. The ancient traditions, the feast of 32 exquisite vegetarian courses, the resonant beat of the dhol, the infectious energy of the dance, the oozing love, and the profound solemnity of the ceremonies, it was all deeply nostalgic, a timeless celebration of life and union. 
Yet, what truly left an indelible mark on our spirits was the profound sense of mutual respect and coexistence. We witnessed Masjids, Mandirs, and Gurdwaras humming with devotion, side by side. The entire area felt like one big, welcoming host, embracing everyone without a single thought to creed or faith. An enviable peace and serenity hung in the air, a civility that felt both ancient and refreshingly new. This harmony extends to the most sensitive of traditions; we were told that out of respect for their Hindu neighbours, Muslims here do not slaughter cows.
Life moves by a different ethical rhythm here. There is no concept of tying or chaining animals. Cows, goats, sheep, and even dogs roam freely. No one bothers them, and they, in turn, live peacefully alongside humans. We were utterly fascinated to learn that the cows, when it is time for milking, walk to their owners’ houses of their own accord and gently knock on the doors with their horns. After giving their milk, they calmly walk out again to graze, a perfect, unspoken pact of mutual trust.
In this serene space, the idea of theft or crime feels like a fable from another world. There is no animal lifting, no other offences. When I asked a local doctor about the dangers of the land, he smiled and said that the only real peril for someone walking cross-country at night comes from snakes. Nothing else.
Thar was a world apart, a profound glimpse into a way of life where harmony is not just an ideal, but a daily, practiced reality. We found ourselves praying that the peace, the love, and the profound respect we witnessed there could one day engulf not just the rest of Pakistan, but the entire world. It is a memory that now lives within us, a quiet, powerful force both educating and reinvigorating our spirit.
Thanks, Sharma Family. Thanks, THAR. Thanks to all those whose love and respect overwhelms us, now and ever.
Beautiful Pakistan Pa’indabad!
