The Pakistani Spectator

Mr. Saddrudin Hashwani does not need any introduction. He is Chairman of the Hashoo Group, one of Pakistan’s largest Industrial groups, with extensive interests in tourism, travel, real estate development, pharmaceuticals, IT, and oil and gas sectors. Inspite of the tremendous losses suffered by him, with great courage and patience, he put all his might in rescuing those trapped inside his hotel, The Marriott which was in flames after the terrible bomb blast on 20^th  of this September. His complete faith in God and  dedication towards the welfare of the families of his men who lost their lives make him stand apart from the rest. He said after the blast -”I am not worried about the hotel, but I am only anxious for the lives of the people”.  

In an exclusive interview with Mr. Chetan Upadhyaya who is a journalist and the secretary of Satya Foundation (a social-cultural-spiritual organization), this humble visionary Mr. Hashwani  talks about the similarities between India and Pakistan, and at the same time said that as and when the time comes, he would love to ‘feel’ Banaras- the city of Lord Shiva & the Capital of Hindu religion.

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Question: What was going on in your mind on that fateful day when your hotel was burning in flames?

Answer: I was not worried at all about the monetary losses. Money comes & goes and losses can always be made good., but life can not be brought back. I was very shocked to see the human blood all around. I felt very sad that there has been so much loss of human lives and also the humanity. Our 30 employees sacrificed their lives in this blast. And just imagine the sense of loss of grief in the families of those innocent people who died in this incident.  After all, what was their fault? This is unfortunate that this kind of bloodshed is going on in both India & Pakistan. But I must salute our brave security guards who stopped the vehicle loaded with the explosives, otherwise the loss could have been much more. I would like to put it on record that taking care of the families of all those brave employees is now our responsibility. Mr. Chetan, this is very unfortunate that just few terrorists are destroying the whole fabric of the society, resulting in so much of despair and loss.

Question: Even after such a massive destruction at your Hotel, people could see tranquility and grace on your face. To whom would you   give credit  for this?

Answer: Only to Khuda, Only to Bhagwan! (God), because everything is by his grace only. Nothing belongs to us. Not even this body. Everything here is subject to change and is actually changing, every moment.  So I always bear in my mind that we all are the passengers or travellers in this world. We are passengers today and will be so even tomorrow. And everybody has to go, sooner or later. Everything is his and when ‘his’ will is there, person does not feel any physical or economical misery. But I feel pity about the innocent persons who get killed for the pleasure of few destructive minds. So many people loosing their lives due to terrorism throughout the world. After all, they all are human beings having the same spirit, made by the same God… After all, we all are children of the same God. And this type of death and warfare is not in the interest of anyone.

And Mr. Chetan, when you say that there was tranquility on my face even amidst so much of bloodshed and chaos, you are hundred percent right, because I never fear for my life. The thought of death never scares me.

We will never allow the terrorists to succeed in their mission and with God’s will and blessings, this hotel shall be operational again in 3 months from now. At the same time, I promise that all those bereaved families will never feel the loss of guardian or the lack of support system to sustain their livelihood. We will support all those “yateem’ (fatherless) daughters till they are educated & married. We will support and care for all those distressed children as our very own.

Question: Though India & Pakistan got separated  61 years ago, but there is lot of compatibility and emotional bond between the people. We have common relatives in each other’s land and even if we want, we can’t get separated. What is your opinion?

Answer: Even I feel the same. Our Rooh (soul) is made only by the God. The same rooh is inside me and inside you. It was decided by him who will take birth in which family and city, but actually there is no difference amongst us. 

Chetan ji, No religion preaches hatred or war. Tell me the name of religion which asks people to be ruthless and kill the children and other innocent people. All religions ask us to be peaceful and loving. We all are made up of the same five elements.

Every person must think about the origin and destination of this soul.

As for the compatibility between the two countries, there can be no doubt about that. I personally feel very much drawn to India. Just a few days ago, I visited Ajmer to offer my prayers. And let me tell you, as and when the time comes, I would love to visit Banaras (Varanasi) and ‘feel’ the pulse of the religious capital of Hindus, which is also called the city of Lord Shiva.

Question: What can be done to end global terrorism?

Answer: I think that people must out of their shells and intermingle with each other. Actually, in the present scenario, we must share each other’s sorrows and good moments. Instead of giving each other the fights, bombs and bullets, we should focus on education and food for all.  We can have different nationalities and religions, but we should give each other hope and light. I think the first and foremost religion of any person is to maintain peace and harmony. Our actions should generate hope & prosperity all around us, including India & Pakistan.

Question: Majority in India & Pakistan wishes to have friendly relations and combat terrorism together. What is your take on it?

Answer: I fully agree with this view that we must live in harmony with each other. For this to happen, I think the citizens of both countries must visit each other’s places more frequently. And at the same time, people must understand and be made more aware of the common heritage. We have many historical places of common interest. We have many temples here in Pakistan. People should come, see, learn and feel the warmth, so that there is greater understanding and love between us & terrorism can not raise its ugly head.

Question: What message would you like to give to our readers?

Answer:  I have just one message: If the God has sent us to this earth, there is a noble purpose behind his wish. This gift of life is invaluable and it is a sin to destroy it. I have only one prayer: Let peace, peace and only peace prevail all around.

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Contributed  by:
Chetan Upadhyaya
Journalist & Secretary, Satya Foundation
Mobile: 91-9212735622 (Delhi)

ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE:

CHETAN UPADHYAYA

B-14, VIRAAT VILLA

D63/12, MAHMOORGANJ

VARANASI- 221 010 (INDIA)

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