The travellers who need no passport
A popular song by Diljit Dosanjh has this line, “Main karda fly firda, kayi muh chakki firde ne taah nu...” (I fly high, while many people do nothing but look skyward). Gen Z often shares this number on social media to flaunt its sense of superiority.
For me, this line holds a different meaning. I realised this during my recent visit to the Hussainiwala border in Ferozepur to witness the Indo-Pak retreat ceremony. Though we stood just a few steps from the zero line, what truly captured my attention as an herbalist was the area’s rich biodiversity that brought me closer to nature. In that moment, I experienced an extraordinary connection to the natural world, feeling a profound respect for its beauty and harmony, which taught me the value of coexistence and growth. Simultaneously, the patriotic slogans resonated deeply, instilling a sense of unwavering pride in my nation, its heritage and resilience — values that intertwine to inspire a better future for all.
What left a lasting impression was a pair of birds, merrily soaring from one tree to another and seemingly echoing the sentiment expressed in the Diljit song. They effortlessly crossed over from one country to another in a split second, without having to bother about passports, visas, security checks and other formalities. I couldn’t help thinking how lucky these birds were, in stark contrast to humans, who were tied down by all kinds of restrictions.
To an outsider, crossing the border might appear as simple as passing through a gate to enter a new country. However, India and Pakistan are separated by the Radcliffe Line, a boundary deeply rooted in the history of the Partition and the bloodshed that followed. It’s hard to fathom the heartbreak of being told overnight that the land where you and your ancestors had lived for generations was no longer your home, and that you now belonged to a different country. This ceremony serves as a symbol of both rivalry and cooperation between the two countries.
There are countless borders that exist today, not just the ones between countries, but also the boundaries on personal and social levels. Most of the conflicts and wars are the direct result of the creation of boundaries and establishment of borders. But just as the ecosystem maintains its natural balance, there is a need to ask ourselves, “Like birds, can we travel freely and live in peace and harmony on this beautiful earth?”
Alas, the bitter truth is that there are a lot of borders that we, the most intelligent species on this planet, have created between ourselves, limiting people-to-people contact.
I guess this is the reason why animals and birds seem more carefree and free than humans.