It is commonly said that a picture can describe thousands of words and quite rightly too. I was watching the picture of two foreign ministers of Pakistan and India. They were posing for media before their meeting in India. The foreign affairs experts and media has already done enough surgery on the issues discussed and non-issues like Ms. Khar's dressing, bags and scarf. I want to discuss something different related to this picture and many other pictures where Pakistani Politicians shaking hands with female statespersons on various international events and meetings.
As a matter of unsaid moral standards statespersons have to portray their country's image and culture in such a way that their country is represented in all possible ways. Chinese only use their own language at any international gathering, many African men and women wear their traditional cloths and many use all products of their own country while travelling. All this is to create an image and give impression of their belief and love to their country, language and culture.
I personally like Ms. Khar in many regards like her confidence, her dressing and the scarf or dopatta thing. Because she portrays a true Pakistani women's image. I am sure Pakistan's 90% plus educated ladies or to be more precise educated working ladies have somehow same appearance as Ms. Khar is presenting.
However, as a matter of fact Pakistani women do not shake hands normally and it is considered very bad normally in masses. When people from other countries visit Pakistan they normally do not try to offer a shake hand for same reasons. I simply do not want to touch religious issues attached to this sensitive topic however I simply cannot digest a Pakistani statesperson giving a false message to the world that its ok to shake hand with me. In reality it is not ok for some 100 million people in this country. Even if it is considered a personal choice thing, statesmanship has nothing to do with personal lives. Personal habits, likes and dislikes are always superseded by national identities.
Interestingly before such meetings all tiny details are discussed by both countries, God knows why our responsible persons are always proved as so irresponsible.
If anyone of you get a chance to reperesent country in any capacity do take care of any trivial thing which can hurt the identity of the country. If representing a profession at any forum do ensure that you are justifying the image of same profession and so on.
We live in a world of brands now and people are brand concious.
