Another Iraq!!
There is another Iraq. It is village situated in Ludhiana district of Punjab India. The village which is 30 kilometers from Ludhiana shares its name with West Asian country, presently torn by strife. People are being killed brutally by the terrorist outfit ISIS which some say is backed by Sunni Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia. Iraq is dominated by Shia Muslims. 
The Iraq in Punjab is just the opposite.
It is peaceful. No crimes in many years. People live in perfect harmony. The 800 people strong village is at pains that the namesake country is going through the most horrific days. In two years, here only one crime has been reported. Village near here take pride in the fact that they live in a peaceful Iraq. Villagers here want this Iraq to be recognized as a role model for peace in the state
Genesis of the name Iraq is like this. Earlier name was “Irakh” which is Arabic name for wild bull or pony like animal. During the periods when Muslims ruled Punjab, the people here used this animal to cross the small river which was in spate during rains.
After the partition, Muslims from here left for Sialkot in Pakistan. Presently there is not a single Muslim family. People mostly work in Ludhiana factories.
This name many a times, caused problems to its residents going abroad. Their passport is checked thoroughly. One of the passport officer even began locating it on the Google maps.
