Hyderabad: India is home to many cultures that coexist and many foreign nationals have also made the subcontinent their home for decades. Afghanistan, which lies in our northwest, is such a country in which its citizens have been coming to India for years as people on both sides like Bollywood and even cricket.
The shared culture between the two countries is something that many people may not be aware of, but Afghanistan has been known for decades as a strong and friendly ally of India. Both countries also have a very strong relationship based on historical and cultural ties.
“Hyderabad is a great destination for the people of Afghanistan because our culture is known for it,” said Samiullah Ahmadi, an Afghan student currently studying at Nizam College. Like him, much of Afghanistan actually holds sway in the capital of Telangana, as the city has historically settled many Afghan Pathans here in India before independence.
M. Haroon Kohi, another Afghan student promoting here at the University of English and Foreign Languages (EFLU), said that although Biryani is a bit picky about him, he still loves it. “Compared to the rest of India, the weather over and over again is something that distinguishes Hyderabad from India, the food,” he said.
Both Afghan students were in fact participants in the ten-day Afghan food festival inaugurated on April 1 at the Trident Hotel, Madhapur, in Hyderabad.
Hamid Bahraam, an MA student at EFLU, said that people from Afghanistan have a common culture with Indians, especially from Hyderabad. ‘We had some Afghan friends who said it’s a big city with a lot of opportunities. I did not know before I came here, but people here (Hyderabad) are very friendly, “said Bahraam, who was part of the dance group at the event. siasat.com. Of the approximately 900 Afghan students studying in India, about 200 apparently live in Telangana alone, mostly in Hyderabad.
In fact, last year when the COVID-19 pandemic, many Afghan students were also worried about their future.
Mariam Samit, another Afghan student from EFLU, said she preferred to live here instead of flying back home. ‘After we finished the first semester here, the pandemic started and we had three options (including one to stay back). I generally love India because we grew up watching movies from Bollywood. I know Hindi completely more than English because of movies, so I wanted to live out my dreams and I chose here, ”she added.
Source: The Siasat Daily