The Footprints of Partition: Narratives of Four Generations of Pakistanis and Indians [Paperback] Zakaria, Anam Paperback – 25 June 2015

The accuracy is amazing. A no holds barred depiction of both sides of the border. We certainly need more books like this and raise the awareness of peace and live in both Punjab’s.

This book reflects a sense of longing among characters, who have had a connection with India or Pakistan. The sense of longing, as believed by the author, is felt much more in the older generation, while the newer generation mostly wants to move on, despite having a deep curiosity about the life of their forefathers back then.There is hardly any mention of the historic realities happened on the ground during the partition. The book doesn't focus on the causes but rather on the impact it had on lives. Being my first book on partition, I would have rather read something else. The author also mentions her own longing about seeing her hometown, Batala, but she never went there due to loss of connections, despite visiting India several times. Sometimes, she brings facets of her own life, and blends it with the narrative. This makes this book an emotional read, but not informative.Zakaria talks about the cumbersome bureaucracy that halts visa decisions, the love-hate relationship partition survivors have with India or Pakistan, the resentful mentalities, the unity and animosity of different communities, the cultural disparities of cities where people moved, the social taboos that come along in being an Indian or a Pakistani, the biased school history books, and the importance people give to discover their roots - the part of inherent human nature.The author has compiled the book by making direct interviews with people. Infact, it was one of her interviews that prompted her to write this book. Not a bad read, but it doesn't talk much about the history, just narrates blurring memories of people who suffered due to partition, years after.

Good read!! Given 5 stars for the honesty that the book reflects and the research (amount of interviews) that author has conducted over a period of 3 years to write the book. Concept of interviewing people over 4 generations on the same topic is unique. Another eye opener is how school education unconsciously builds a persons biases. I will recommend this book for everyone who is in favor of increase in people to people contact across border and wishes that both the governments should soften their political stand towards each other.

This book forces us the indians and Pakistanis to get over our past which had scarred our consciousness. Not many were told about the good work done even in the frenzied times.We must have a look at our history books and if there is any fabricated element,we must get rid off.Indian history books are by and large away from these biases.We must give the correct picture of the past to our future generations and learn from the mistakes done.I am worried about the content of the pakistani history books,where in, it is being taught against the hindus and sikhs,that they are infidels and evils. No wonder such children lean towards jihad and harbour animosity towards indians. I remember the book "murder of history" by k k aziz.

Book was good.written nicely by anam zakaria. She covered vivid aspects of stories of partition.but i expected much more than that. I dont felt so much connected as i expected.

Anam has done commendable work for humanity in this part of the globe by analysing the relationship between people of India and Pakistan objectively, and bringing out the better sides of our shared past. The narrative of partition has been presented in a highly distorted frame in both the countries that suit the respective establishments and Anam's work will go a long way in correcting this narrative provided it is followed up appropriately by all others who claim to wish well for the people of both these countries. Well done ! God bless Anam !!

Good one. Written from heart.

This is an interesting book regarding people's memomory of life togther of Muslims and Sikhs/Hindus prior to partition which is essential for people of the sub continent to know so as to see a life of peace in future. HOWEVER a major weakness is there is no discussion as to how such close bonds were snapped in wink of an eye and those responsible for it.