On its cover, below the insignia of the Ashoka Chakra is written: “India-Pakistan passport (east zone)”. I imagine it as a narrowing path, one my father and his brothers took often in the years following 1947, from an old country to new, from India to East Pakistan — and back. My grandfather remained on the other side in Mongolpur village, Sylhet, adamantly rooted to the land of his birth. On his last visit to Karimganj, my grandfather grew anxious about returning, even as he was surrounded by his children. That is the history of my family, some of whom have thrived in India, some of whom have struggled.

Source: Indian Express January 26, 2020 00:36 UTC