Images

The reunion of two brothers in Kartarpur after 74 years has netizens emotional

The reunion of two brothers in Kartarpur after 74 years has netizens emotional

The brothers were connected by Punjabi Lehar, a group that's "endeavouring to bridge the gap" caused by Partition.
13 Jan, 2022

Ever since its inauguration in November 2019, Kartarpur has become the point of union and reunion for many separated by Partition in 1947. Indian actors have visited the site, Sunny Deol even called it "the beginning of peace" at the opening ceremony, it has united old friends and brought together families — more recently two brothers who embraced each other after 74 years of separation.

A clip from their meeting has been making rounds on social media and it's got everyone a little teary-eyed, if not completely bawling.

Muhammad Siddique, 80, and Habib, 78, separated 74 years ago at the time of Partition. They hugged and cried and garlanded each other on the happy occasion of reunion.

According to Siddique, his brother and sister had gone to his grandparents’ house with his mother in 1947. “A civil war was raging on and my father and other family members decided to migrate immediately to save lives and we came to Pakistan,” he said.

Habib from Indian Punjab said it was the happiest day of his life.

Siddique, a resident of Phugaran village on the outskirts of Faisalabad district, said he had contacted a Sikh social worker from Canada two years ago. He said the social worker had helped reunite the two brothers.

Netizens have been curious about why it took so long for the brothers to meet. Like many others, they'd presumed each other dead and only because of a group that unites people across borders was this meeting possible. The two found each other two years ago but had to wait to unite because of the pandemic.

Punjabi Lehar is a group "is endeavouring to bridge a gap between the people of East and West Punjab, created by the partition of 1947." The full video of the reunion is posted on their YouTube channel.

The emotional moment had not only the brothers crying, but also the viewers.

The sadness of the time apart and happiness of the meeting had netizens feeling a range of emotions.

Some focused on the beauty of the present.

While others thought about all the "missed opportunities" and "grief" the brothers must be carrying.

Netizens recalled their grandparents' stories of Partition,

And how they passed away without getting the chance to see their families or ancestral homes one last time.

Some were inspired and vowed to visit their families across borders.

Others discussed the "cost of conflict" caused by Partition.

Twitter users believe Pakistan is doing its best but there is still a long way to go.

They're thankful for Kartarpur but hope easy border crossing can be extended to all of Punjab since it was most affected by Partition.

Some quoted powerful words to seal this beautiful moment that proved "imaginary lines cannot divide hearts."

This user posted a quote that talked about "an earth without boundaries" because "we are the real countries, not the boundaries drawn on maps with the names of powerful men."

It is truly heartwarming to not only have this moment happen but also have it recorded for the world to see the pain and beauty that such reunions hold. It brings to light how we need to bridge the divide and facilitate more opportunities for families and friends to come together.

Comments

nouman Jan 13, 2022 03:20pm
I hope they are able to stay meet more times
Recommend
Citizen Jan 13, 2022 03:38pm
Lot of such reunions are still awaited
Recommend
SMI Jan 13, 2022 03:52pm
Khan sb your decision to open Kartarpur help many families to unite with their love ones !
Recommend
Nads Jan 13, 2022 03:54pm
I hope one day the whole of India and Pakistan too become brothers and embrace each other in peace. The partition was a painful experience for everyone let’s hope we can find love in our hearts again for one another !
Recommend
Tanvir Khan Jan 13, 2022 04:36pm
Colourful secular India, black and white theocratic Pakistan!
Recommend
Fastrack Jan 13, 2022 04:59pm
Imran Khan, generations will pray for you. My leader.
Recommend
D’Souza Jan 13, 2022 05:11pm
Good. As that generation passes away, soon they’re will no contacts like these between the two countries.
Recommend
Zak Jan 13, 2022 05:19pm
Pakistan Zindabad. Our gratitude to Qaid e Azam, forever.
Recommend
Zak Jan 13, 2022 05:20pm
Never forget rhe Kashmiris in IOK, awaiting reunion with Azad kashmiris, free and liberated.
Recommend
Farhan khan Jan 13, 2022 05:34pm
We wants to meet with our old petrol price, old grocery items price, old vegetables, meat, mutton and chicken price. Old Daily commodities price. Thank You Imran Khan Sb for making kartarpur but please give us the chance to meet our old life to us.
Recommend
Aiza Jan 13, 2022 05:44pm
It took one leader with a heart and courage who made this possible! Love you PM Imran Khan!
Recommend
Mirza Ghalib Jan 13, 2022 05:55pm
Jinnahs political ambition caused suffering for millions.
Recommend
LAHORI KID Jan 13, 2022 05:59pm
This was very emotional to say the least, look at the two men, if you were to stand them next to each other, you couldn’t tell which one was Indian and which one Pakistani, that’s the reality, we need peace between our countries, stop the petty differences, and treat each other like the separated brothers we are, make sure we hold our blind and deaf leaders accountable when they want to start a war, the leaders will be safe, it’s the people who suffer.
Recommend
Nair Jan 13, 2022 06:01pm
Let the brother in India and his family migrate to Pakistan. Let them take as many of fellow Muslims from India as possible to Pakistan making it win-win for all the stake holders.
Recommend
Ibrahim S Jan 13, 2022 06:06pm
Please tear down the iron curtail , the mother of all evils
Recommend
Reader Jan 13, 2022 06:44pm
Open the borders so anyone can visit both our countries whenever they want, enter 2022 and believe in humanity, not in morbid myopic politics, live as free people, free to travel, free to meet, free to breath, free to experience the warmth of each others countries. This is the way to move forward we must decide, how do we wish to spend the coming 74 years???
Recommend
jag kang Jan 13, 2022 06:47pm
...wonderful!
Recommend
Old Warty Toad in Well Jan 13, 2022 06:53pm
Who was responsible for the Partition? Did Partition separate man break up families? Who will compensate the victims?
Recommend
Hawk Jan 13, 2022 06:54pm
All Punjabis love each other, Great work done by punjabi Leher.
Recommend
Old Warty Toad in Well Jan 13, 2022 06:54pm
@Citizen Thank Jinnah for the Partition and Pakistanis' great good fortune!
Recommend
Old Warty Toad in Well Jan 13, 2022 06:57pm
For PM IK, Kartarpur was a tourist industry opportunity. Reunions are a bonus!
Recommend
Old Warty Toad in Well Jan 13, 2022 06:59pm
@Citizen Very long family separations created by Partition! Was it worth it to the broken families?
Recommend
Salman Jan 13, 2022 07:19pm
This is a slap on the face of forces like the BJP/RSS who want to divide us. The power of love is stronger than hate. Love trumps hate. May God bless them and all who are trying to unite people.
Recommend
prasannakumar Jan 13, 2022 07:23pm
I feel very sad. May god bless them.
Recommend
Nora Jan 13, 2022 07:37pm
Whenever Indian Hindu wants to meet his brother or sister in Pakistan separated in 1947, he finds them as converted one.
Recommend
Dev Jan 13, 2022 07:49pm
@Fastrack Generations are praying for his ouster in Pakistan. Unfortunately, many more are praying for him across the border so that he can stay in power as long as possible, since he is doing such a fantastic job that even the Indian armed forces would have found it difficult to achieve, and mind you he is doing it for free.
Recommend
HAJI Jan 13, 2022 08:22pm
Pakistan and India should open border for 24 hour at certain points so separated can reunite for a whole day.
Recommend
Samudra Jan 13, 2022 08:22pm
Fully understand the pain here. But those who are saying that they may not even know of each other's presence are wrong. Partition was evil, people could not meet face to face. However people did interact via post cards, simple letters and phones. After this generation, partition will be forgotten. The generation that was born either in India or in Pak will never understand this pain and never care about it.
Recommend
Samudra Jan 13, 2022 08:23pm
@Reader Nah!, we are fine in India. Borders were opened several times, buses and trains were run. But eventually it has lead to bad experiences. We can keep pointing at each other but the reality is that a lot of extremism has surfaced from Pak. So we are fine being sad, as long as we are alive. Thank you!
Recommend
gt Jan 13, 2022 08:43pm
Now he should take his brother to live in Pakistan
Recommend
Shaun Jan 13, 2022 09:12pm
India and Pakistan is like water and oil, they will never mix. Have the borders closed and no trade. Live separately is best for all.
Recommend
Vijay Jan 13, 2022 09:37pm
Leaders of Pakistan and India should meet this way for better relations !
Recommend
Tuhin tarafdar Jan 13, 2022 09:50pm
@LAHORI KID well said sir..
Recommend
Sai Jan 13, 2022 10:57pm
@Farhan khan Kudos to your sense of humor.
Recommend
Observer101 Jan 13, 2022 11:41pm
Pakistan should try friendship for a change. With open borders and free trade all disputes will be resolved.
Recommend
JND Jan 13, 2022 11:58pm
@Reader We are not Europeans.
Recommend
Truth Jan 14, 2022 12:29am
Converted!
Recommend
Globalbaba Jan 14, 2022 01:52am
I thought Indians and Pakistanis didn’t have anything in common? Either one of those brothers was a non resident of the country I guess.
Recommend
china Jan 14, 2022 02:26am
@SMI It joke,, it is family then they should have remian sikh
Recommend
Aftab Jan 14, 2022 04:57am
What about two nations theory? Is this applies here? How come a Muslim so happily lived in India.
Recommend
Henchi Jan 14, 2022 04:59am
They were 6 and 4 years old respectively when separated. Was DNA conducted to ensure they were lost brothers?
Recommend
Punjabi Pashtun Jan 14, 2022 06:03am
@Nads after Kashmir joins Pakistan
Recommend
Raj kumar Jan 14, 2022 06:54am
@Shaun fully support your thought.It is better we go our own ways.
Recommend
Raj kumar Jan 14, 2022 07:11am
@Aiza that courage was planned with money in mind,20 USD per visitor.
Recommend
Sam Jan 14, 2022 10:54am
What a beautiful story. Had me in years too
Recommend
ABU TALIB Jan 14, 2022 02:34pm
Very eye teasing moment,every one getting emotional after seeing the picture 's of two brother got united after 74 years.
Recommend
Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Jan 14, 2022 03:44pm
Why can't they understand that what happened on August 14, 1947, in South Asia was independence, freedom and liberty and not partition?
Recommend
Punjabi Pashtun Jan 14, 2022 04:56pm
@Farhan khan inflation is global right now
Recommend
GhabranaHain Jan 15, 2022 07:46am
Didn't understand the story.
Recommend
Hi 5 Jan 15, 2022 08:27am
@Nora because they have found a true faith. Pakistan has given this opportunity.
Recommend
Hi 5 Jan 15, 2022 08:28am
@Dev keep dreaming.
Recommend
Hi 5 Jan 15, 2022 08:37am
@Samudra ask this question from your armed forces, why they do false flag operations and kill their own country men only to put blame on Pakistan and fear among general population. If you find it unconvincing then disband your army as they don't perform. Simple isn't
Recommend
Sabondani Jan 15, 2022 01:24pm
And yet we encourage Durand Line Why? I wonder Why?
Recommend
Aziz Jan 16, 2022 06:08am
One brother is Sikh and other is Muslim ?
Recommend
Aziz , Pakistan Jan 16, 2022 06:11am
@Nads Partition was the best solution and we are very happy , please stop this nonsense and accept the reality ! All beautiful things and great achievements come after sacrifice! Being Pakistani is the most beautiful thing of my life !
Recommend
Aziz Jan 16, 2022 06:12am
@Sabondani Durand line is an international border and we need borders as good fence makes good neighbors !
Recommend
Aziz Jan 16, 2022 06:16am
@Raj kumar Yes Pakistan survives on your USD 20/- , grow up and chill !
Recommend
Warty OLd Toad Jan 17, 2022 11:14am
Why did the. brothers become separated ? Whose call was for Partition? M<ANYmore were HURT by the Partition while you people CELEBRATED that you. got 1/3 of British India! Ever LOST a beloved sibling?
Recommend
Amit Chunnilal Jan 18, 2022 09:01am
What caused the two brothers' separation? Why?
Recommend