In Lahore, a back-to-roots journey and a taste of gracious Pakistani hospitality

In February, I had the good fortune to participate in the Faiz Festival in Lahore. I had heard a lot about the famed Pakistani mehmaan nawaazi (hospitality) from friends who had been there. This was what I experienced too. The faces of people on the streets lit up when they found out I was from India.

The Faiz Festival is held annually at the Alhamra Cultural Complex in Lahore. It celebrates the legacy of the great poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz through a mix of performances, book launches, exhibitions and thought-provoking discussions on art, culture, history, literature, gender and social inequality.

The main organiser of the festival is Moneeza Hashmi, who is Faiz’s younger daughter and a trustee of the Faiz Foundation Trust,.

Moneeza Hashmi and her elder sister, Salima Hashmi, the chairwoman of the trust, along with the entire festival crew, were the perfect hosts, ensuring that all the Indian delegates were extremely well looked after.

The sisters hosted dinners for us that were full of love, warmth and, of course, wonderful food. Touchingly, Salima Hashmi had travelled to the Wagah border to personally welcome us to Pakistan.

As I crossed over into Pakistan, it was hard for me to control my emotions. My journey to Lahore...

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