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We sang it so much that we even sang it at home: Saleha Channa on Pakistan's national anthem

We sang it so much that we even sang it at home: Saleha Channa on Pakistan's national anthem

Remembering 70 years of Pakistan: The Muslim League member tells CAP about her respect for the anthem since her youth
14 Aug, 2017

The national flag and anthem have long awakened every Pakistani's patriotic side.

Muslim League member Saleha Channa shares her childhood memory of putting together the national flag of Pakistan and hoisting it atop her house, and the respect she's had for the national anthem since her youth.

She also shares her experience of listening to the anthem on radio and standing up for it out of respect.

"When we used to go to the functions organised by the Muslim League, they wouldn't have Pakistani flags, instead, they would have the flag of the Muslim League. accompanied by a banner that said, 'We will have Pakistan!'," she said.

"We sang it [the national anthem] so much, that we even sang it at home. Such was the case that if it played on the radio, at a function or even at home, my siblings and I would immediately stand up for the national anthem."


This article is part of a week-long series on Partition and the early years of Pakistan, run collaboratively by Images and The Citizens Archive of Pakistan (CAP).

CAP is a non-profit organization dedicated to cultural and historic preservation. It seeks to educate the community, foster an awareness of our nation’s history and instill pride in Pakistani citizens about their heritage.

Comments

Mohammad Baig Aug 14, 2017 03:57pm
Pakistan is our home and we have to fight for its respect and dignity having no corruption.
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Zak Aug 14, 2017 06:24pm
Made me proud to read that respect was shown on their own out of love for the nation. Salute to such great public people.
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Master ichi Aug 14, 2017 08:02pm
We should not act to be patriotic one day a year but be patriotic all days of all years.
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A PakistanI Aug 15, 2017 09:45pm
Thank you for being part of my development, everyone from Jinnah to the person who gave their home to a refugee played a part in giving me my country, so today I can say, I have a home where I am free to be who I want. Thank you again and again.
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