As news of Chomsky's failing health makes the rounds, a journalist and peace activist from Pakistan shares some of her learnings from interactions with a trailblazing public intellectual whose moral compass has impacted the world.

The legendary actor, orator and writer had once shared his disappointment at how bureaucracy and bigotry have combined to oppress the arts in Pakistan. 

Never didactic, the journalist's discourse was characterised by humility and wit. While fiercely patriotic, he refused to give into a flag-waving culture to prove himself.

As tensions between the two countries simmer over Kashmir, the annual Aman Dosti Yatra seeks to normalise relations.

For every heartwarming story, there are instances of silly and tragic bureaucracy which hurts ordinary people.

The writer, most noted for 'Meatless Days', would always identify herself as Pakistani – “never American-Pakistani”.

Members of the Rajput Sodha community in Pakistan have matrimonial linkages across the border in Rajasthan. While special provisions had been in place to allow them to visit their families, visas to India have become difficult to obtain of late.

As long as such people are with us, “dreams will remain alive, hope will remain alive. We will fight, we will win”, Kamla had said.

Amir Hamza died of COVID-19 while imprisoned in India, far from his family in Karachi. What drove him to cross the invisible border might well be discussed at COP26.

After the passing away of his wife, Nagdev just wants to go back to Usta Mohammad in Pakistan, where his extended family lives, so his children can be looked after.

Ajeet Kumar Nagdev wants to return to Balochistan and his extended family. Diplomatic red tape has delayed their 1,700 km journey by more than a month.

The virologist's release from the Ajmer prison shows what is possible and what India and Pakistan need to do to help their people.

That a poor man ends up spending years in jail due to bureaucratic delays points to a larger issue. But Ismail Sama's repatriation also gives cause for some hope.

"My hope with the film is simply that it makes people realise the abject stupidity and the cost of the hostility between India and Pakistan. It is an open secret that the people of both nations don’t hate each other," says filmmaker Vikram Gupta.

Prisoner repatriation, claim experts, is a ‘low-hanging fruit’ that can counter the dominant belligerent narrative in both the countries.

There are no photos of Mubashir Hasan and Dr Bernard Lown together, but their mutual affection and respect is apparent when they speak of each other.

Two demonstrations involving Indians and Pakistanis in Massachusetts once again foregrounded the common issues that the people of the two countries face.

The award-winning journalist's recent talk also holds the key to the unceasing hate received by the organisers of the Aurat March in Pakistan.

The founder member Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and former judge of the Pakistan Supreme Court had gained respect early on in his career when he refused to take oath under the military dictatorship of General Ziaul Haq.