Although India and Pakistan share a long history, the two countries did not have, until recently, any common icons. Emperors Ashoka and Akbar ruled over both the territories, but Pakistan never eulogised either of them. But in Karnataka, the Congress and writer Girish Karnad seem to have discovered one in Tipu Sultan: the state government celebrated the monarch's birth anniversary while Karnad said the Bengaluru airport should be named after him. They are probably not aware that Tipu Sultan is considered a hero in Pakistan although he might never have visited the areas that are part of the country now.
I had lived in the famous Christian mission hostel, Ewing Hall, in the heart of Lahore city from 1944-47. Political stalwarts like Inder Kumar Gujral had lived in that hostel before me. When I visited Lahore in 1999, I found that the government had taken over its ownership and named it Tipu Hall. The reason for Pakistan's admiration of Tipu Sultan may be totally different from or opposite to India's. But that is another matter altogether.
R C Mody New Delhi
Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201
E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number
