Uncovering Roots in Two Landscapes: The Quest for Identifying Home
In the bustling city of Delhi, columnist Vernika Awal finds herself pondering the concept of home. At a recent gathering, she sought solace in a quiet corner, where she engaged in a heartfelt conversation with a petite woman named Padma Makhija.
Padma, originally from the Swat Valley in Pakistan, fondly recalls the aroma of mote chawal ki khichdi cooked with desi ghee, a scent that evokes memories of home. Despite living in India, her heart moves between her current home and the Swat Valley, a testament to the enduring connections that families often maintain with their places of origin.
Padma's story is not one of displacement inherited from an earlier generation. She moved to India in 2004 when she got married, settling in Delhi with her husband, Anil, who is originally from Mardan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Anil's family, like many others, was affected by political and military conflicts, forcing them to seek refuge in India.
Despite the geographical distance, Anil and Padma have managed to preserve their cultural identity by cooking dishes that are shared across the border with Pakistan. One of the dishes Anil describes is kadhai mutton, a common dish in the region he left.
The Swat Valley has also been severely affected by natural disasters like flash floods and conflict, causing displacement and hardship in recent years. While no specific family migration story from Swat to India was found, such events contribute to cycles of migration and connection to original homelands in the broader region.
The Makhija family, though small, represents a Hindu community that remains in Swat Valley. Padma's parents and siblings still live there, and despite the political and social challenges, Padma states that people are not bad, but situations shaped by politics push them apart.
In a world where political and environmental upheavals often force families to leave their ancestral homes, the concept of home becomes a complex and nuanced one. For Padma, it seems, home is not just a place, but the people who make it familiar. As she navigates her life between India and Pakistan, Padma's story serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring ties that bind families across borders.
