14 August : Chandigarh, August 14, 2008: A poignant personal journey to Pakistan, in search of a lost home, takes the form of a documentary film ‘Chitti Hatia’ or White Shops by Sharad (a Cartoonist of World Comics India) and Bittoo Sondhi (a biker), which was screened today at MCM DAV by Peace Club of the College & Yuvsatta (an NGO).
In the run up of Independence Day, between August 8 to August 15 this film is also screened simultaneously at many places like Lahore & Karachi in Pakistan, New Delhi, Bikaner, Ranchi etc. in India.
The 52 minute film follows Bittoo from the time he boarded a bus in Delhi through his journey from Lahore to Islamabad and finally Rawalpindi. "Bittoo has been projected as an illustration of all those who have undertaken similar trips or shared his desire to visit the home their ancestors left at time of Partitions." adds Mr. Parmod Sharma, Coordinator, Yuvsatta.
When Bittoo Sondhi left his home in Delhi and went to locate his father’s ancestral home in Rawalpindi last year, the 42 year old only had a sketchy roadmap. All he knew was that it was in a locality called Chitti Hatia; he had no street address, forgot the house number. And had lost all the hope till he found Hazi Sayeed Hassan, a member of Jammat-e-Islami in a narrow alley and Hassan proved to most integral part of his search. He had another companion friend Sharad Sharma who followed him with a Camcorder and the result was a beautiful documentary showcasing people of the region who share thousands of years of history, heritage, traditions, but vested interests in both countries have focused on the events of the past five decades only.
Inaugurating the Peace Club of the College with this documentary show Mrs. Puneet Bedi, Principal of the College said
that the situation in both Indian and Pakistan has undergone a sea change. No longer are people willing to be mute witness to their futures being written and unwritten and destroyed by governments. They are not hesitant to stand up to be counted. They are determined to make the world a safe place for their children to grow in. Adding her views Dr. Seema Tanwar, Incharge of the Peace Club of the College said that they believe in promoting sustainable peace that counts youngsters from both India and Pakistan as members. And at MCM DAV they intend to organize more such programme and events to strengthen age-old Indo-Pak ties.
On the occasion S. Harjinder Singh Talwar alias Gianiji of Talwar Dairy also shared
his emotions and thoughts about his extended family in Pakistan, which came into their contact few years back during a Cricket match between India and Pakistan held at Mohali. And since then that Muslim family is treating them as their parents and they treat them all as their children. The high point of this beautiful relationship is regular visits to each other’s places on important occasions, sharing of gifts and cards on birthdays, anniversary’s etc. and these days Smt. Talwar is busy knitting baby woolen suits for her children in Pakistan.