Pakistan, a nation heavily reliant on international loans, has often found itself the subject of global scrutiny due to its continued borrowing. Recently, the situation has reignited social media humor, particularly among Pakistanis themselves.
Currently, the President of the World Bank is visiting Pakistan, none other than Ajay Banga, of Indian descent. Interestingly, Banga's father, Harbhajan Singh Banga, served as an officer in the Indian Army. To mark Ajay Banga's visit, the song 'Mera Piya Ghar Aaya' plays in the background, a moment captured in a viral video. Many found humor in this, commenting that the same Banga family once advised to move to India is now warmly embraced as their 'beloved.'
Source: aajtak
Near Sargodha Lies the Ancestral Home of the World Bank President
Ajaypal Singh Banga, also known as Ajay Banga, is currently on a visit to Pakistan. On Tuesday, he toured Khushab district in the Punjab province, visiting 'Gali Sikhan Wali,' where his ancestral home rests. Before the partition, Banga's family resided here, and his father, Harbhajan Singh, was born and raised in this very place. The town of Khushab lies between Sargodha Airbase and Mianwali, along the river Jhelum. It is also known as the 'Town of Soldiers.'
Reports suggest that Ajay Banga was welcomed as a 'son of the soil' in Pakistan, receiving a notable gesture of being presented with a copy of property documents as a token of respect from the very house his family had to vacate.
In Khushab, Banga's welcome resembled that of a grand celebration, complete with a cavalcade led by horsemen and bands playing tunes like 'Mera Piya Ghar Aaya Aur Ram Ji...' Streets adorned with his portraits and praises written in Hindi and Punjabi openly welcomed him. These visuals have since gone viral on social media.
Netizens Say 'Flattery Knows No Bounds'
Interestingly, the satire mainly comes from Pakistani users. The first notable reaction appears from user Shakeel Khokhar, who calls this 'Flattery at its best,' identifying himself as a Lahore and London resident. Another Pakistani user, Shoaib, questions the excessive protocol for someone whom he calls an ordinary bank employee, inquiring why the impoverished population is being troubled with worthless gestures.
Nadia, another user with strong words, commented how some Pakistani individuals are almost pleading to a Sikh for financial forgiveness, believing Banga might waive their debts. Additionally, users mock the entire scene, dubbing it as a 'new way of begging.'
Ajay Banga: Leading the World Bank Since 2023
Ajay Banga has been World Bank President since June 2, 2023, commencing a five-year tenure. His mission is clear: to modernize the 80-year-old institution into a more effective, faster-paced development partner. Born, raised, and educated in India, Banga aims to infuse his spirit into the World Bank's initiatives.
