Since the partition of British India in August 1947, which resulted in the creation of the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, there have been three major wars, one minor war and numerous armed skirmishes between the two countries, predominantly as a consequence of the dispute over Kashmir.
And over the past decade, the proliferation of nuclear weapons has created an atmosphere where relations between India and Pakistan grow more tenuous with each passing year. However, over 7,000 miles away, peace has been discovered in the Indo-Pakistani conflict on the courts of the US Open in Flushing, Queens.
Nicknamed the ‘Indo-Pak Express’, the 16th seeded duo of Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Rohan Bopanna have combined stellar play with the bond of an inspiring seven-year friendship to earn a spot in the Men’s Doubles Finals, where they will face top seeded twin brothers Bob & Mike Bryan (USA).
During their magical run, Bopanna, a native of India, and Qureshi, Pakistan’s top tennis player, pulled off notable upsets against the 2nd seeded pair of Daniel Nestor (CAN) and Nenad Zimonjic (SRB) in the fourth round and the 10th seeded twosome of Dick Norman (BEL) and Wesley Moodie (RSA) in the quarterfinals.
With their 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 semifinal victory over Eduardo Schwank (ARG) and Horacio Zeballos (ARG) Wednesday, Bopanna and Qureshi stand on the cusp of winning their first Grand Slam Doubles championship in the most successful run they have ever had as a tandem.
More significantly though, two humble men whose backgrounds should have precluded them from working together, as well as becoming good friends, have brought to light the fact that so much more can be accomplished in peace and unity than with angry words, prideful posturing and war.
And no matter the result of the Men’s Doubles Finals, Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Rohan Bopanna have proven to be a credit and shining examples to India, Pakistan and the rest of the world.
Click here to read the original article on Examiner.com, which includes relevant links and a special video presentation featuring two men who have become prominent ambassadors for peace in their respective countries.
