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750 Pakistanis in Delhi, fashioning way ahead in ties
Saturday April 14, 2012 05:51:52 PM,
IANS
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New Delhi: Glasses
clinking, but not with champagne, perfume wafting in the air,
glamorous, high-heeled women and plenty of air kissing… it was a
slice of an evening in Pakistan in the Indian capital where
hundreds of Pakistanis and Indians mingled for an evening of
fashion, food and music.
An estimated 750 Pakistanis, many of them women, were in the
capital for the four-day Lilfestyle Pakistan Expo that ends
Sunday, the first time in recent years that so many Pakistanis
have come here together in these continuing days of visa tensions
and restrictions on movement.
Lifestyle Pakistan reciprocates the Made in India show this
February in Lahore where 250 Indians participated. The high
profile ministerial delegation was led by Commerce Minister Anand
Sharma. His Pakistani counterpart Mohammad Amin Fahim was here as
well.
Both ministers said Saturday that the two countries were exploring
the possibilities of opening more routes to deepen economic
engagements.
As trade and fashion segued to make for better atmospherics, an
agreement for liberalising a visa regime is also expected to be
signed when the two home secretaries are likely to meet in
Islamabad May end.
The estimated 750, whose visit comes soon after their President
Asif Ali Zardari's daylong trip to New Delhi and Ajmer, included
the business delegation and the cream of the Pakistani business
and fashion world.
If not the city, they had certainly taken over the Taj Palace
Hotel Friday evening when the Pakistanis hosted a fashion show and
a concert by Sufi singer Sanam Marvi and current heartthrob
actor-singer Ali Zafar, most recently seen in the Bollywood film
"London, Paris, New York".
As the models strutted down the ramp and the strobe lights flashed
red and blue, a few hushed voices could be heard asking whether
this was how it was in Pakistan as well. And for many of those
with little insight into life in Pakistan, it was instructive to
see the creme of Pakistani society partying in their city.
Long flowing robes worn over tailored pants, chiffon and georgette
over lace fringed palazzos, asymmetrical hemmed, immaculately
tailored kurtas over cigarette pants, the evening was also a
lesson in high fashion - Pakistan style. Quite far removed from
the salwar kurtas as most Indians know them. Add to it, stunning
jewellery pieces, designer clutches and impossibly high heels.
And these were not the models on the ramp, showcasing the designs
of 11 Pakistani designers, but the many Pakistani women watching
them.
As Indian designer Madhu Jain said: "It is good move by both the
countries and for me fashion is the first non-political step which
will help in bridging the gap between both the countries... Also
the thing which I like about them the most is they are promoting
their own culture and tradition in India without getting inspired
from anywhere else.
Most Pakistanis were overwhelmed with the response of the people,
and how their products were being snapped up - be it the famous
Pakistani lawn or jewellery or the old favourite green and white
onyx.
"Indians are so warm loving and I am amazed to see the response
which I got from people here. We share the same culture and
traditions and I think my collection struck the right chord in
their minds," Karachi-based Pakistani designer Sahar Atif told
IANS.
Faizaa Samee, also from Karachi, added: "It's good to meet our
brothers and sisters here and receive love from them."
The goodwill flowed. And it is being fervently hoped that the
visas will as well with more such initiatives.
Surely, the way ahead in the troubled equation between the two
countries.
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