I write to
you today because I was proposed the question, “what
does the European Union mean to you”? First, I brushed
off the question with a chuckle. I was born and raised
in Jaipur, India. Why would I care about this “European
Union”? It has nothing to do with my country or
me. But I was wrong. Sanjeev, you and I both know that
generations of our families have suffered the consequences
of the ongoing disputes between India and Pakistan. They
were forced to abandon their homes. Homes they spent all
their lives devoting love and care to create. They were
forced to surrender their belongings. They were forced
to catch the first train out of Pakistan in order simply
to preserve their lives. Because of the hate and fighting
manifesting from both sides for years, many have suffered.
And still today, many are killed in various bombings such
as the recent devastation of a financial center in Mumbia,
India. Throughout my research I found that the EU stands
for peace and unification, as well as maintenance of individuality
and culture. Through “intergovernmentalism”
and “supranationalism”, Europe is able to
escape extreme nationalism, which had at many times in
the past proved devastating, and prosper as a strong power
in our world today. The common currency shared between
15 members, the free zones of movement, the single market,
the common agricultural, energy, and environmental policies
created have all proved to be affluent for Europe. The
common policies have, as well, restricted increasing nationalism.
As a result there have been a dramatic decrease in disputes
and rivalries among European countries. However, the European
Union does not restrict the cultural and uniqueness each
nation flourishes with. Policies affecting religion do
not exist. Policies affecting culture and sport are the
responsibility of individual member states so that they
can continue to celebrate their individuality. Sanjeev,
our countries strive for a union such as this. A union
between Pakistan and India, as well as bordering countries
that will demolish the extreme nationalism each country
maintains that is causing despair and destruction rather
than a celebration of uniqueness. The day when an Indian
or Pakistani can cross the border for family, rather than
commercial reason, without struggling through the barbed
wire and military forces, will be the day the European
Union has impacted my world. These are our brothers and
sisters fighting, bombing and killing. Europeans are able
to travel freely among their countries. Why can’t
the Indians and Pakistanis do the same? Why can’t
we look to the European Union as an example of the way
we should live among each other as a family? Sanjeev,
our nationalities separate us. We live different worlds
now. We live among hate. But can our countries abandon
that hate and unite the way the European countries forgot
the tragedies of World War Two and created a union? But,
even If our countries cannot look at the Union as a precedent,
why can’t we?
Sincerely,
Juhi
