CHANDIGARH, Feb 18 (Agencies): Two Pakistani boys who underwent successful surgery here for correction of holes in their hearts say that the misconceptions they had about India have been cleared and they would take the message across the border that people here cherish friendhship with their neighbours.
"Before coming here we were apprehensive how we will be received here and how people will treat us, but on coming here we found we are one people separated by a big wall (borders)," 12-year-old Afzal from Kota in Balauchistan said.
His sentiment is shared by ten-year-old Rohit, a Hindu boy from Sind province.
His father Ramesh Chander says they are simply overwhelmed by the affection and respcet which they have received here.
Afzal, who is the youngest of the six brothers, was accompanied by his elder brother Gazi Khan and a maternal uncle.
"Both boys are hale and hearty now.
Rohit was operated on February 10 for a hole near the lower chamber and valve replacement while Afzal underwent surgery on February 5.
Both are recovering and are happy", said,Dr R S Dhaliwal, head of cardiothoracic department of PGIMER hospital here, who performed both the surgeries.
Afzal and Rohit were brought to Chanidgarh on January 30 through the effots of Rotary Club of Chandigarh which reached out across the border offering free cardiac surgery for five needy children from Pakistan under its "Gift of Life" project, says the Club's president Vijay Wadhawan.
"Under the project, we have helped perform 97 surgeries so far and we are expecting three more children from Pakistan by the month end," she said.
