Wednesday 31 July 2013

Lost spirit of Lahore or 'DAWN'?




Lost Spirit of Lahore or 'DAWN'?
- by S Roman Ahsan

I wish I did not have to include this post in my blog. But sometimes when I read articles like the one discussed here which has been published in a leading English newspaper like DAWN then I feel I have to say something. The concerned newspaper is supposed to give mature thought to our English reading audience in Pakistan. Nobody is condemning good fun activities here but The DAWN newspaper of yesteryears carried the right spirit. It used to educate the masses and mobilized them in the right direction. Came 9/11 and the related global events. Things have drastically changed. The focus is increasing on such issues as if the intent is to promote decadence in the society. The overall quality of the newspaper is still great but the thought floated in articles sometimes lacks responsibility on the part of the editors and the team in general. 

We all want progressiveness but not in clash with our own cultural and religious heritage. Ideas and conjectures that are at war with our beliefs only serve the enemies of our country. Just to emphasize, 'westernization' is not the evil. The evil is in getting carried away and promoting godless or atheist philosophies at times (other than this article also). I hope the management of 'DAWN' would grow up one day and would stop trying to compete with THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE. The time has come to dig into our own values and revive them. Enough damage has already been done to our country in the educated circles as a whole. We have to especially worry about our youth as well. We are not expecting an English Daily like 'DAWN' to leave 'everything'. But it can have a moderate policy compared to its current trends! We all freak out sometimes but we don't have to publicize it openly.

The link below is from the article in DAWN "Profile: High life, Lahore" and two comments on the article are also being given which further throw light on the issue. Of course, these comments are my own choice from the many given there. What do you think about this? Feel free to share your views below. 

- S Roman Ahsan.


COMMENT NO. 1: Baaji ,Aapa ya Aunty, with all due respect, this reality of Lahore remained restricted to privileged and not much has changed since your time. I think people at LGS, LAS and Beacon celebrating Halloween, Holi and all the other festivals seem pretty much in sync with trends of their times. I am trying my best to avoid sarcasm but this reality seems completely oblivious to lives of waiters in Gymkhana serving at your dances or those other deep realities of servants and housemaids. This unfortunately seems like lamenting of an old lady from American south reminiscing about how things were awesome and trendy during those Ball Room dances made possible by help of slaves and maids. People like you certainly make me sick because they tend to dwell in glorious aspects of past without pausing to think about the surrounding help which made it possible. Dawn of Quaid is becoming more like a "She" magazine by publishing such unnecessary nostalgia from socialites.

COMMENT NO. 2: To me this article reeks of snobbery rather then nostalgia. Paradise created and enjoyed by hundreds at the cost of millions are doomed from the beginning. Reminds me of similar account of comfort and cozy memories by Egyptians as shown in "The ten commandments". No wonder Pakistan is bleeding today due to decades of indifference of self serving and self indulgent elite.

Valley in Pakistan


This is Pakistan, NOT Christmas scene - Unbelievable.
How can we preserve the beauty of our country when our challenges are growing day by day? We have vested interests and are divided into different groups (religious, political, social). Our goals are self-centered and little common values. It is the responsibility of media and sincere groups/individuals in the government & private sector to make efforts in this connection and create harmony between different mindsets. Let's listen to the little voice that screams from inside us. That is the voice of conscience. 

Let's not kill it!

A child along with her pets in winters in Chitral valley Pakistan 

Video: Criminal Silence on Kashmir during Ramadan


VIDEO: Pakistani Media criminal silence on Kashmir Atrocities during Ramadan. Live Call Syed Ali Shah Geelani, political leader from Jammu and Kashmir. From Farah Saadiya (No need to sign into Facebook, just click on the link below):
 

Monday 29 July 2013

Friday 26 July 2013

Free Aafia ASAP




JUSTICE FOR AAFIA - AN ACTIVE CAUSE FOR ALL OF US HERE - We have a case here. It's not a matter of taking sides of any religion, caste or creed but humanity. There was a post by someone on Facebook about a Norwegian woman who was assaulted in Dubai yet instead of being accorded justice, she has been imprisoned for 'sex out of marriage'. I have posted that story in different Facebook groups including one named "International Human Rights Observer" with a note.

And now, here's the case of the world's most aggrieved and wronged woman, a Pakistani lady Dr. Aafia Siddiqui (a PhD from MIT) who has been imprisoned for 86 years in USA on the false charges of 'the world's most dangerous woman'. You can read her story done in comic book style (artwork by a Westerner) in the given link here. She has been sexually assaulted and tortured continuously over the last many years. You are not being compelled to believe me but just visit this link and read the comic book, and then make up your own mind. Many Westerners are themselves campaigning for her. If you get convinced about her innocence, then please become a member of the Facebook page on this website and also spread the word by sharing this story (link of this website) with others. Ladies and Gentlemen, the story of Dr. Aafia Siddqui: http://aafiamovement.com/comic-book/

Wednesday 24 July 2013

Edmund Burke Quotes




Some words of wisdom which can help us in these times - SERIOUSLY!!!

EDMUND BURKE QUOTES:

Edmund Burke (1729 – 1797) was an Irish statesman, author, orator, political theorist and philosopher, who, after moving to England, served for many years in the House of Commons of Great Britain as a member of the Whig party.

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
-     Edmund Burke

No one could make a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.
-     Edmund Burke

When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.
-     Edmund Burke

Never despair, but if you do, work on in despair.
-     Edmund Burke

Better be despised for too anxious apprehensions, than ruined by too confident security.
-     Edmund Burke

What ever disunites man from God, also disunites man from man.
-     Edmund Burke

But what is liberty without wisdom, and without virtue? It is the greatest of all possible evils; for it is folly, vice, and madness, without tuition or restraint.
-     Edmund Burke

If you can be well without health, you may be happy without virtue.
-     Edmund Burke

No passion so effectually robs the mind of all its powers of acting and reasoning as fear.
-     Edmund Burke

Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it.
-     Edmund Burke

Good order is the foundation of all things.
-     Edmund Burke, 'Reflections on the Revolution in France,' 1790

He who wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper.
-     Edmund Burke

We must all obey the great law of change. It is the most powerful law of nature.
-     Edmund Burke

A spirit of innovation is generally the result of a selfish temper and confined views. People will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their ancestors.
-     Edmund Burke

If we command our wealth, we shall be rich and free; if our wealth commands us, we are poor indeed.
-     Edmund Burke

Flattery corrupts both the receiver and the giver.
-     Edmund Burke

The most important of all revolutions, a revolution in sentiments, manners and moral opinions.
-     Edmund Burke

Sin has many tools, but a lie is the handle which fits them all.
-     Edmund Burke

Education is the cheap defense of nations.
-     Edmund Burke

To read without reflecting is like eating without digesting.
-     Edmund Burke

Kings will be tyrants from policy, when subjects are rebels from principle.
-     Edmund Burke

Trade With India



TRADE WITH INDIA:

The article below is not from DAWN or THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE but an Urdu newspaper. Still the insights are worth it!

SOME SUMMARY POINTS FOR ENGLISH READING AUDIENCE (DO READ THE WHOLE URDU ARTICLE IN ANY CASE - DOWNLOAD IT)

- India’s final decision on the project Iran, Pakistan, India Gas Pipeline 
- Pakistan to buy 1000 Mega Watt Electricity from India in spite of this
- Consider the stance of one of India’s largest organization TATA Group. TATA issued one of the biggest tenders in its history for the renovation of its hotels across the world

  • Few Pakistani companies also stepped forward and showed interest in it
  • Two billionaires from Pakistani arrived at TATA’s head office in Mumbai India
  • They were told to wait for a few minutes but after 3 and a half hours of waiting, a message from TATA’s chairman Ratan Tata came via his secretary that he is very busy and hence cannot meet them.
  • The Pakistani businessmen requested for appointment for some other time as they would still be in Mumbai, but they were told the Chairman is very busy.
  • After being disappointed, the Pakistani traders went to New Delhi and narrated their story at the Indian High Commission.
  • For the High Commissioner, these two entrepreneurs were very important, so he contacted India’s Trade Minister Anand Sharma and apprised him about the whole story.
  • Anand Sharma called RatanTata and requested him to allow the Pakistanis to participate in Tender. He said the whole affair will not leave a good impression in the trade circles of Pakistan and will be a matter of shame for Indian government. Ratan Tata just snubbed the Trade Minister in return that it was not a matter of shame for him and terminated the call.
  • The TATA affair is just one example of the LOVE in the hearts of Indian Traders for Pakistan and Pakistanis.
  • On the other hand, there are some “Patriotic” Pakistanis as well who are getting thousands of power generators from India and are becoming millionaires by putting the label of “Made In China” on them.
  • The story of TATA does not end here.  The two Pakistani traders returned to country and made more efforts by contacting various departments in India but they were not entertained. The government of Pakistan also made several requests but they were turned down.
  • In spite of this degrading attitude from TATA, Pakistan government still pursued TATA group and made an order for vehicles TATA SUMO’s from the group. But TATA group refused to give them any vehicle.
  • The whole Indian nation congratulated TATA group for being so patriotic and this line started being circulated in Social Media, “Awake Indian Countrymen, Nation is above everything else…”
  • Still Pakistan rulers say that they will buy electricity from India and will take help from India otherwise also, because we are ALL ONE on both sides of border. And that it is those wearing military uniforms who are not making all of us ONE!

Tuesday 23 July 2013

Also Happening !!


THIS IS ALSO HAPPENING!!

Why the shooting of Malala Yusufzai was condemnable but not the shooting of this little girl in Egypt? Malala survived but not this child! Why are supporters of Morsi government given a tough time? If democracy is what we want then why has been Morsi government toppled by a military coup?



Monday 22 July 2013

Quote for Tuesday - July 23, 2013


QUOTE FOR TUESDAY – JULY 23, 2013

“An activist is someone who cannot help but fight for something. That person is not usually motivated by a need for power, or money, or fame, but in fact driven slightly mad by some injustice, some cruelty, some unfairness – So much so that he or she is compelled by some internal moral engine to act to make it better.” – Eve Ensler

Sunday 21 July 2013

Congratulations Pakistan - July 20, 2013


CONGRATULATIONS PAKISTAN !! - [July 20, 2013]

Watch these videos…

This is a very blessed Ramadan Al-hamdulillah. Truth is diluted in these times. To recognize truth, one has to be riding the horse of courage oneself! The truth that Mumbai attacks in 2008 were an inside job has come out. Our media people have been blaming Pakistan all along, relaying stupid programs like AMAN KEY ASHA. But now the traitor media funded by imperial powers that has been presenting Pakistan as a failed and terrorist state has been exposed. Kudos to patriot Pakistanis like Mubashar Luqman, Zaid Hamid & others who were the very first ones to expose the truth at the outset of this event. And shame on Asma Jehangir, Nawaz Sharif, Hamid Mir & others for siding with our enemies.

1-   ‘KHARA SUCH’ – MUBASHIR LUQMAN ON MUMBAI TRUTH (30 min.)

2-   Another video which describes the whole truth (17 min.)

Saturday 20 July 2013

Tribute on 9/11




* ~ A TRIBUTE ON 9/11 ~ *



 On 9/11 - A tribute to the founder of Pakistan, Quaid (Muhammad Ali Jinnah) on his death anniversary (1876-1948) & in the loving memory of those killed in the collapse of the ‘three’ towers of World Trade Center in 2001 as well as for millions of lives taken afterwards during the wars (direct & ‘funded’) upon Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Lebanon, Palestine, Libya and now Syria…

Universal truths supersede languages and cultural relevance…could you be the knight as described in this poem (in your own domain)?

THE TRUE KNIGHT…

It is the mission of each true knight...
His duty... nay, his privilege!
To dream the impossible dream,
To fight the unbeatable foe,
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go;
To right the unrightable wrong.

To love, pure and chaste, from afar,
To try, when your arms are too weary,
To reach the unreachable star!

This is my Quest to follow that star,
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far,
To fight for the right
Without question or pause,
To be willing to march into hell
For a heavenly cause!

And I know, if I'll only be true
To this glorious Quest,
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I'm laid to my rest.

And the world will be better for this,
That one man, scorned and covered with scars,
Still strove, with his last ounce of courage,
To reach the unreachable stars !!