60th year of Indian independence, a reminder of partition too

New Delhi, Aug 24 (UNI) The 60th anniversary of Indian independence is also a reminder of the 60th year of partition that witnessed large-scale violence and honour killings -- a practice of killing one's own family members to safeguard family honour.

During partition, hundreds of womenfolk were killed by their family members fearing attacks on family honour, said noted writer Urvashi Butalia here yesterday at the launch of a publication ''Crossing Over: Partition Literature from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.'' 'Crossing Over,' a special issue of 'Manoa' journal of Hawaii University to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Indian independence, is co-edited by Sukrita Paul Kumar, University of Delhi and edited by Frank Stewart, University of Hawaii.

This special issue, a partition saga, is a collection of stories depicting the sufferings of people during partition and their struggle to safeguard family dignity.

'Crossing Over' includes literary compositions of some eminent writers such as 'Toba Tek Singh' by Saadat Hasan Manto, 'Lajwanti' by Rajinder Singh, 'How many Pakistan' by Kamleshwar among others.

Partition was a period of violence and bewilderment that shattered the faiths and beliefs of the people, said Gulzar, noted writer and filmmaker. Gulzar, a witness of partition, feels the phobia of those days continues even today.

The programme was also a part of the American Center's programmes celebrating the 60 years of US-India relation.

UNI