A new life and a new wish

By Habib Beary BBC correspondent in Bangalore

Minutes after doctors signalled a successful heart surgery for toddler Noor Fatima, the latest celebrity from Pakistan, her mother began drawing up a wish list.

"I am very happy that Allah Mian has given my daughter a new life. It would be nice if we get permission to see the Taj Mahal," gushed Tayyaba Nadeem in an interview with the BBC.

Noor's parents phone family back home to tell them the good news

It was joie de vivre at the Narayana Hrudalaya hospital on the outskirts of the southern Indian city of Bangalore.

"This should happen more often. This shows that the public in both countries do not want another war," said a visibly moved father Nadeem Sajjad, an agronomist.

Pakistan and India have fought three wars over disputed Kashmir in the past 55 years.

"What is required is to sit and sort out issues. The reopening of the borders is a good beginning," said Mr Sajjad.

The surgery had both Mr Sajjad and his wife in a state of flux.

"Anything could have happened, so this six hours looked like six days or six months. Thank God, the operation is successful," said Mr Sajjad.

I am excited by the possibility of sending a message across the border Dr Devi Shetty Hospital chairman

The "friendship bus" that brought Noor Fatima from Lahore to Delhi has come to symbolise a new beginning in the tense and often hostile relationship between the two neighbours.

"We will go back to Lahore in the same bus," Mr Sajjad, indicating that he first hoped to see a bit of India, particularly the Taj Mahal.

But the Sajjad family has been given permission by Delhi only for treatment at the Bangalore hospital.

Border message

In addition to the symbolism of the little girl's treatment by doctors from arch-foe India, the fact that it involved the surgery of the heart has led millions to hope that hurt feelings between the two countries will be healed soon.

"I am excited by the possibility of sending a message across the border. I want this relationship to grow more between people than between political groups," said Dr Devi Shetty, a heart specialist and chairman of the hospital.

Noor Fatima is on the road to recovery

The attack on the Indian parliament by militants alleged to be from across the border in December 2001 led to the suspension of road, rail and air links, causing delays in many Pakistanis getting treatment in India.

"I feel the people should have freedom to choose the place for treatment and boundary should not come in the way," said Dr Shetty, whose hospital has so far treated 65 Pakistani patients, mostly children.

Calling the barrier "inhuman", doctors at the hospital, which is said to perform the largest number of paediatric cardiac operations in the world, want more Fatimas to come.

An average day sees about 14 surgeries, with half of them involving children.

Hope evoked

Shanjida Begum, a mother from Bangladesh, is anxiously waiting for her first child's surgery. Fahmida Kareem, just three, is due for open heart surgery imminently.

"We wish Noor Fatima well. I hope my child too gets a new life," said Mrs Begum, who works as a quality controller in a dairy farm in Dhaka.

"It is not important whether one is Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi, a Hindu, Muslim or Christian. We all are human beings. That is most important," said the mother.

Cost factor

The hospital is turning into a destination for patients from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Mauritius.

It is the cost and quality of treatment that is bringing them in droves.

According to Dr Shetty, a surgery like the one conducted on Noor Fatima costs a staggering $50,000 (£31,000) in the US.

In India, it is just over $2,000 (£1,250).

Dr Shetty said the hospital has even been receiving inquiries from patients from Britain.