Day of reunification

Exactly 34 years ago on October 3, 1990, East Germany and West Germany ended their differences and emerged on the map of the world as the Federal Republic of Germany. The day of German Unity is the only public holiday in Germany to celebrate the reunification of east and west.

Germany, famous for a nation of poets and philosophers, has a vibrant and rich cultural heritage, based on a variety of lifestyles and ethno-cultural diversity. During the ancient Roman era, the region was known as Germania. Interestingly, Germany seems to be the only country in the modern world which has more than 100 different names in various languages. The Kingdom of Germany is also considered as the largest territory of the Holy Roman Empire.

After World War II, Germany was divided into two separate states, whereas German people on both sides were forced to live as strangers to each other. During the cold war, East Germany, officially known as the German Democratic Republic (GDR), was under the influence of the Soviet Union, while West Germany (Federal Republic of Germany) became an active part of the US-led Western bloc. Due to strict restrictions of daily interaction, the desire of unification of two German states was an unbelievable dream.

The military aggression of the Soviet Union in the neighbouring country Afghanistan started to have several impacts on various Soviet states and countries under the influence of the Soviet Union. In the late 1980s, when the Soviet Union began to take its last breath, the people residing in both German countries became ambitious to be reunited again.

Cable television broadcasting was newly introduced at that time and rapidly gaining popularity around the globe. During a public demonstration on November 9, 1989, the fall of Berlin Wall dividing East and West Germany was broadcast live on TV channels. The emotional celebration of Germans on the occasion was declared a remarkable event in modern history.

As the Soviet grip weakened, a series of developments happened rapidly to demonstrate East Germany’s struggle for unification. Next year in March, the holding of elections in East Germany paved the way for German reunification. In July, East Germany adopted the currency of West Germany for economic transactions. Finally, the Unification Treaty was signed on August 31, 1990 and then on the unforgettable historical day of October 3, 1990, within one year of the fall of the Berlin Wall, East Germany (German Democratic Republic) formally merged with West Germany (Federal Republic of Germany).

In my view, the German Reunification Day reminds that despite the forcibly separation of German families, friends and a nation for more than four decades, the firm determination of the German people to reunite could not be defeated and eventually the people’s power brought down the Berlin Wall, a symbol of hatred and separation.

German Unity Day is also seen as a ray of hope for world peace, stability, democracy and peaceful resolution of conflicts. The day emphasizes that mutual cooperation and the promotion of common values ultimately lead to peace and prosperity. It further highlights the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and reconciliation. The Germans proved that humanity, love, truth and justice always win at the end of the day.

While heartily congratulating the German people on this historic day, I believe that the reunification of both parts of Germany, which had been forcibly separated for forty years, is a proud achievement of humankind that has left an indelible impact on world history. The unification of Germany also motivated the rest of the European countries to come closer under the umbrella of the European Union. Today, the Federal Republic of Germany, the key founding member of the EU, has become not only the fourth largest economic power in the world but also a role model for world peace.

The writer is a member of the

National Assembly and patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Hindu Council.

He tweets/posts @RVankwani