Following the Pakistani government’s announcement of Dilip Kumar’s ancestral Peshawar home as a national heritage site, there’s a festive mood at the Kumar residence. The news was delivered to the veteran actor by his wife Saira Banu. “It is the highest tribute and a reward for his work. He was very happy and his broad smile manifested his gratitude. I could see tears of joy in his eyes,” she said, reported the Hindustan Times.
According to reports, the Pakistani government will be organising an event in Peshawar, where Kumar’s ride from there to Bollywood will be showcased. “No one has approached us yet, but we would extend our help if needed,” Saira said.
Reportedly, this is an effort by Pakistan to strengthen relations with India and the government is planning to invite ‘Bollywood’s first couple’ to Pakistan. “We shall go if the occasion arises. It’s a huge honour for Sahib and he should be there personally. There are so many memories attached with that house,” Saira added.
Kumar has visited Pakistan twice since leaving the country as a child. “The first time was when former President Zia-Ul-Haque had invited him as a state guest, and the next time, when he got Pakistan’s highest civilian award, Nishaan-e-Pakistan, in 1998. That was also when we visited his ancestral home,” Saira shared. “Every year, his birthday is celebrated in that house by thousands of his well-wishers, and Sahib talks to them on call. They also visit us in India with stories from his birthplace. Those are his only connects with his childhood.”
Hinting on how the actor hasn’t been conferred the Bharat Ratna yet, which in India’s highest civilian award, Saira said: “It’d be wonderful if our government, too, would acknowledge his contributions.”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 16th, 2014.
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