Rendezvous with Dr.Arfa Sayeda Zehra, Chairperson, National Commission for Women

I want to thank Dr. Arfa Syeda Zehra for taking out the time to let me interview her. She is an inspiration for many people in this country. She has been the Chairperson for National Commission on the Status of Women. Previously, she was teaching at LUMS now-a-days she is teaching Formanites and I want to thank her for taking that decision.
Me:What is Pakistani Culture to you? Why is there a lacuna between the traditions followed by different families although we live in the same country?
Dr. ASZ: It’s difficult to answer this question but culture is not made up of history or geography. You and I like to eat bhutta or rice because that is the aura of our land. I would like to recount an incident over here to explain this point, I went Mohenjodaro with my friend and while we were at the platform we asked for roti and the roti that we were provided with was made out of grounded rice! So coming back to your culture question, we are a great kill-joy-nation. We can not be happy and we can not see anyone happy! We love to see people in misery; we like to sympathize with people, why? Because we don’t know compassion, we only know pity. So for me, culture has three components, the values that you believe, the history that you share with certain someone and the geography. Have you ever heard Pashto, it almost makes the sound of stones rolling down from the mountains. If you move to North Punjab it feels that as if sersoon is blossoming when someone speaks. Whereas it feels like air is blowing in a desert when someone speaks in South Punjab. You see how accents and intonation changes with geography. Now these days, people blame Aishwarya Rai for destroying our younger generation. I like her. She is the second most beautiful face from subcontinent, the first being Madhubala. Who was handicapped in a way because in those days they did not have access to colored screen or computure techniques
Me: Then the western culture can also infuse into ours and can become a part of our culture too?
Dr. ASZ: If we don’t compromise our values! truth can also be spoken with pants and shirt on; there is no attire of the truth.
Me: Madam to what extent can we accept the western influence?
Dr. ASZ: Anything that credits your value system; we have modesty, we used to have decency, we used to have protocol. Hey dad! I am not willing to accept that but even now we call our fathers ‘Aba’ with love. I’ll tell you something very interesting. My sister’s children are trilingual. Their father, however, only responded to them when they spoke in Urdu. One day his eldest son tried to converse with him in English and he did not register him. His youngest son said ‘Bhai, Aba is very mean he will only respond when you’ll talk in urdu’. I would like to emphasize this point that language is your cultural reflection all the sophistication and priorities are reflected through your language. Two leaders of Pakistani nation Iqbal and Jinnah both were educated in the west, but did they work for the interest for the west or the interest of the Muslims? Did their western education stalled them in any way to dispose their liabilities? Hindus never got out of the subcontinent but we ruled Spain, and of course we brought bits of their culture back too. No one in Europe sleeps in the afternoons expect Spanish people. Everyone is familiar with the Spanish siestas. So, basically culture is check of the denominator for defining your values. If I am modest, I will remain so no matter what dress I wear and I can be very kitschy wearing Salwar Kameez and it can be an eye sour.
Me: It is a grim time for all of us; do you see any ray of light at the end of tunnel?
Your generation! I confess to be a failed generation and I take responsibility for it. It’s the burden of my sins that you people are bearing. If we had ever thought about you as part of our future we would have not done what we are doing right now.
Me: How can ‘we’ bring a change?
You do not have to do big things all the time to get big results. It is always very small things that give you big results. You can bring change in things by not doing wrong yourself. No matter how much the pressure is or what loss you may have to incur.

Fashion Patrol

Ok people of FC, Winter time is here and its time to bring out your scarves, jackets, sweaters, etc etc to keep you warm. Now, these days basically shirts are going slim, although the classic formal shirt never goes out of style but slim fit shirts are really in Vogue these days. The collars are getting Slimmer, no more Dracula like collars, slim and pointed collars to go with slim ties. Yes, that’s right Ties are going slim, slim ties are back, say goodbye to broad ties, its time for ties to get slim and sexy as well. Striped and printed Ties are what you will see this year although Checks are running strong (they never seem to go out!).

Coming over to scarves, nothing completes the winter look like a good scarf, either hanging loosely or wrapped up tightly around your neck, they provide warmth and give you that extra touch of style as well. This slim craze is getting everywhere, gone are the boot cut jeans or the baggy styled ones, it’s all about fitting and clinging to your skin. Trousers as well should be slim and straight these days preferably in darker colors for winters. You can finish your complete look by sporting on a nice jacket, preferably a two button jacket and that just completes the whole look.
Colors which designers offer for men this season are mostly dark: black, grey, brown, deep green, etc. They are practical and always look stylish. However, for those who love to stand out there are a few bright fall hues: orange, red and burgundy. And there are two tones which look exceptionally beautiful in fall and winter – white and beige (however they are difficult to wear in winters), even bolder colors, aurora red and teal, are in. Other colors which might intrigue you would include camel, leather, rust, walnut and pumpkin (warm brown and golden tones), earthy tones olive green and khaki, light reflecting colors burgundy, pale pink and beige.
Etiquettes for wearing suits:
First of all, if you are wearing a three button jacket, only the middle button has to be closed, for a two button jacket it’s the top button that you should have buttoned up, when sitting down you should unbutton your jacket and when standing button it up. Double-breasted suits are kept buttoned.. With single-breasted suits you have the option of leaving the jacket open or buttoning it. Secondly when you select the tie to wear make sure that it does NOT match the color of your shirt, it should as a rule be darker that your shirt or should be in contrast. The socks should match the leg of the trousers, yet darker than the trouser shade. If you cannot match the trouser color, match the shoes. They must be over the calf and made from cotton or wool.
Lastly, consider the accessories worn with your suit. There are a few basic considerations here. Your belt should match your shoes. The only jewelry worn with a suit should be cuff links, tie tack, and a watch. Though not very common now, some men carry a handkerchief in their upper chest pocket. That's all the basics for suit wear in today's day and age. Now you can avoid some common mistakes and blunders and look your best.
By Nabeel Hassan

China Road:A Journey into the Future of a Rising Power by Rob Gifford

Just like everyone, I thought it was simply a story about someone’s trip to China. But the more I read, the more amazed I am with how much the author knows the existing problem, or threat that government of China has to deal with in this time of big shift. We laugh at the products which are ‘made in China’, it is cheap, you might say. But there is no doubt that China is one of the strongest newly rising countries, no one will doubt about it…or will they? This book brings you the deepest report on the real China. The author, who is a British reporter, has peeled of layers of superficial glamorous, or what we call ‘Chinese pride face’. This is something you definitely cannot miss if you are interesting in the markets of China as a business student. You need to know the history, psychological mindset, culture, problem, fear and people’s needs. It feels like I am re-studying Chinese/ geography/ history/ social study class at the same time, only I can see the real pictures in my head. Thanks to the book.‘If you have only seen Shanghai, you will leave with no doubt in mind that China is the super nation’,written in chapter 2. Recently I had a chance to visit Shanghai and I had to say it is so modern that you hardly believe Taiwan’s ex husband looks like this now. ‘Since when did he become so stylish?’  I personally love Shanghai very much because people are so friendly and unusually polite. I was asking direction from a lady and she walked me all the way to the destination. When she knew I was from Taiwan, she smiled and said ‘Isn’t Shanghai beautiful?’ That was not the common over-confidence you see everywhere in China. Shanghai has class. How can you possibly think China is a ‘communist country’ when you see all the fancy cars, international brands, 5-star hotels and so many other restaurants. It is extreme capitalist. There is so much freedom! But thank God, the rest of the 1.3 billion Chinese people are as confused as I am, and plus you, who is reading this article and trying to figure out what is written in the book.
There is another paragraph from the book(chapter 4), ‘China used to be a victim, no doubt, and it was for a very long period being oppressed by western countries and Japan. However, China now has super power economically, diplomatically, and internationally. Yet it still thinks it is a victim. Most Chinese people feel in that way and I seriously don’t know how will help them change. They are confused. As a nation it has been in failure for too long and it is now lost in the current victory. It is like a fan of Boston Red Socks suddenly sees it wins the world champion. ’ It is very true. China was way ahead in technology than other countries in the history, it had its proud and suddenly when British came with cannon, all of that glory was gone for about a hundred year. Mao-Ze-dong was a good leader, who carried the hopes of all farmers, but he started to do many crazy stupid things that took away millions of people’s lives and also made a irrecoverable damage to the culture. Although it is nothing new for me but I really like the way when the author talks about KMT (Kuo-Ming-tang). Yes the revolution was done but the administration was not prepared to manage the whole big China, and Mao-Ze-Tong came and changed the status of women and improved the sanitary level. Actually it is the whole tone of the book. He is not trying to judge, but to illustrate what happened and what is happening now.
The author started his trip from Shanghai to Kazakhstan though Route 312. The book has recorded the conversations he made with the local people in every stop he made. Sometimes he had to travel in bus too and it just added so much spice to the book! It is just so real and fascinating that I feel the need to share with you about this book, if you want to know about Chinese. I saw people gave 4.5 out of 5 stars on the Amazon.com. Start your journey to China with Rob Gifford and find out where China is heading. By Cindy

Twitterature

Great reviews of books on Twitterature only in 140 characters! Now that is what I call terseness.Really fuuny. 

Review: Shot down and stranded, a group of boys try to play nice... but boys will be boys.

Read more at: http://bit.ly/4ow1C4

Constant Dreamer

I dream of thousand dreams
Dreams yarn together by fibers of day and night
When a new day dawns
I dream about mundane reality
When the sun sets
I dream about a magical place
Yonder north
A green meadow with rills and spills
And In my dream
I fall asleep under a rustling tree
As the night advances
I am surrounded by thousands of ghost and ghouls
They dream of vileness and destruction
And want to sell their dreams to me
But I dream away from these nasty beasts
To the morbid dream of reality again
To find 115 people with shattered dreams
That will never be dreamt again

Candy Floss; Your ultimate follow-up on the college gossip

After starting oh-so-controversial novel, one wonders why I need to start this segment on my blog. After spending a complete one year at Forman I feel obliged to spread out the word of gossip-al which enlightens everyone’s soul from within and gives a reason to live another day. For instance it’s completing daunting to learn that E is infamously known for ‘Poondi’! How could have I completely overlooked it? I mean one year is long enough! Well, no need worrying, I’ll get over it soon enough! Besides, learning this information is no good to me, it gives me no advantage over the others. So, if you’re a ‘Kool’ guy and a happening ‘Doll’, I guess you know the right places to be at. That doesn’t mean that I have not come across the HIP crowd. I may look like a ‘bum’ now days, but I have had my share of ‘socializing’! So here is a how-to, in case, you’re trying to climb the social ladder. Get to know a ‘Doll’; I am extremely sorry did I not give out definition of a ‘Doll’. The girl all the ‘Phond’ follow around all the time, make passes, try to please her. But doll has an entourage of girls and guys around her, called ‘the Pack’. The members of a pack vary from girls who work as stooges to guys who act flamboyant; they can be divided into sub-dolls or fatsos. Sub-dolls are not as attractive or powerful as dolls; however they hold strong position in a pack. Fatsos are fat and not-so-attractive girls who are eager to make a statement that they hang around with the ‘dolls’. Another way to spot a doll is if you hear these words’ Oh my God, that guy is so hawt’ or ‘Oh my god, there are no hawt guys around here’ FYI, sub-dolls and fatsos can also act like dolls. Spot that girl, try get to know her and boom you get entry into the hip cycle.
PAY HEED, DO NOT HANG AROUND with people who are considered weirdos by the hip-crowd! If you are having difficultly getting to know the dolls, try sub-dolls or fatsos. They will eventually get you to know the dolls. On the flipside, if you wanna be a part of the kool guy circle. Here are few tips; DON’T study at all, being laid back is the first rule, and smoking adds few more points. Act like you have dated 15 girls, all dolls. Generally kool guys do go out ‘phondi’, not in a tradition way. So, what is their modus operandi? They’re usually followed around by the dolls and they are always on a look out for fresh meat. So when they see a new doll enter the premises, they make their move,‘seen you around, find you interesting, wanna spend some time?’ Of course the dolls show some nakhars and eventually give in. Kool guys are also further divided into sub branches. The supporters, a Kool guy needs someone to support him, someone to laugh at his jokes, someone to tell everyone one how notoriously bad he is. Getting to know a kool guy requires that you act kool with a K, and hop on the bandwagon of koolness. These words are heard around Kool guys, ‘yar koi bachi nazar nahi aa rahi’ I hope this how-to will make your social life more interesting. If it helps; don’t forget to thank yours truly.

Freedom of will

Just as existence of God and the life hereafter are the postulates of morality, so freedom of will too has basic importance for moral actions. In order to declare a person responsible for his actions and in order to make him deserving of the reward or punishment for his doings, it’s essential that he should be believed to be free in the performance if his actions. Moral freedom means that a person has two or more alternatives before him out of which he is capable of making, and in most of the cases does make a choice of the alternatives and then behaves accordingly. If a person has only one way of action before him or out of the many ways he is compelled to adopt only one particular way, we can’t pass a moral judgment on that person or his behavior. Actions of animals are not moral actions on that account. Similarly, the actions performed by an insane person or by one who is completely swayed by some emotions are not moral actions. Only those actions are declared to be morally good or bad which have been consciously, deliberately and freely chosen. There are three kinds of determinism based on free-will. But, I want to specially write about the controversy between the Jabarites and qadarites.
The sect of jabarites in Muslim theology specially was the upholders of this kind of determinism; it asserts that God is powerful over everything; they argued that nothing can happen against His will. Not even a leaf can move without His decree. The sovereignty of the God extends to he actions of men as it extends to everything else. On the contrary, qadarites or free-willists uphold freedom of man and justifiability of the moral judgment. Both sides have strong arguments in their favor, Thus I fail to pass a judgment of my own :P. I know we love to pass a moral judgment on people; it’s become a kind of habit as a nation. But, try exercising your freedom of will and look things from others’ point of view. (Excerpts from elements of philosophy)

SHUT UP!

With freshman’s arrival and intermediate’s infestation of the campus, it’s very hard to even stand in the cafeteria, I wish the administration won’t allow the inter students to enter the S-block café. During my freshman, I came across rather a grave problem; I was not sure whether to write about it or to not. But, finally, I thought it’d worth writing about something that’ll makes people think. I am rather a traditionalist when it comes to ethics, so I let people be, and don’t appreciate when they tend to get too nosey and personal. But the times have changed, and so has the vocabulary of the intelligentsia (smirks). Gone are the days when people used to say may I, and please let me, and to be honest it does get annoying when people use such archaic expressions. Being direct can be good, it saves you time and sometimes you don’t have to be pleasant to the people you don’t like a lot. But, when a faculty member uses expressions like ‘she’s a bitch’, ‘that’s all bullshit’, ‘shove to a place where the sun never shines’, I have issues. We all know that the B school is buzzing with all kinds of isms but its fun to see it from a distance and not get involved. We may not be a match to American technological developments but we can at least copy their lingual degeneration. Of course, one now comes across more expressions like shut the fuck up, she is a cunt, she is such a bitch or that guy is a faggot. I even heard a girl say, I‘d love to fuck that guy behind the bushes, who ironically claims to be pristine. At first it’s disturbing and eventually it gets annoying. Being direct is one thing, but being kitschy and downright obscene is another. So, I didn’t know, how to act initially when around being people who swore a lot, and eventually I learned two magical words, SHUT UP! And walk away. Of course the desired results ensued; you have to try it to believe it.

Mujh se pehli si mohabbat..Fiaz par execllencce

Mujh se pehli si mohabbat meray mehbub na maang
Don't ask me for the love I once gave you, my love
mein ne samjha tha kay tu hai to darakhshaan hai hayaat
I had thought if I had you, life would shine eternally on me
tera gham hai to gham-e-dahar ka jhagdra kya haiIf
I had your sorrows, those of the universe would mean nothing
teri surat se hai aalam mein bahaaron ko sabaat
Your face would bring permanence to every spring
teri aankhon ke sivaa duniya mein rakkha kya hai
What is there but your eyes to see in the world anyway
tu jo mil jaaye to taqdir niguun ho jaaye
If I found you, my fate would bow down to me
yun na tha mein ne faqat chahaa tha yun ho jaaye
This was not how it was, it was merely how I wished it to be
aur bhii dukh hain zamaane mein mohabbat ke sivaa
There are other heartaches in the world than those of love
raahaten aur bhi vasl ki raahat ke sivaa
There is happiness other than the joy of union
anaginat sadiyon ki taarik bahimanaa talism
The dreadful magic of uncountable dark years
resham-o-atalas-o-kamkhvaab mein bunavaaye huye
Woven in silk, satin and brocade
jaa-ba-jaa bikate huye kuuchaa-o-baazaar mein jism
In every corner are bodies sold in the market
khaak mein lithade huye khuun mein nahalaaye huye
Covered in dust, bathed in blood
jism nikale huye amaraaz ke tannuuron se
Bodies retrieved from the cauldrons of disease
piip bahatii hu_ii galate huye naasuuron se
Discharge flowing from their rotten ulcers
laut jaati hai udhar ko bhi nazar kyaa kije
Still returns my gaze in that direction, what can be done
ab bhi dilkash hai tera husn magar kya kije
Even now your beauty is tantalizing, but what can be done
aur bhii dukh hain zamaane mein mohabbat ke sivaa
There are other heartaches in the world than those of love
raahaten aur bhi vasl ki raahat ke sivaa
There is happiness other than the joy of union
mujh se pehli si mohabbat meray mehbub na maang
Don't ask me for the love I once gave you, my love

Reminiscing

I was amazed in my Islamic Education's class , when I came to know that students did not know much about the legend of Islam and his philosophical contributions, so here is a breif introduction about of Imam Ghazali. Abu Hamid al-Ghazali is one of the great Muslim jurist, theologian and mystics of the Muslim world. He lived in the 12th Century. He was a polymath who wrote on a wide range of topics including jurisprudence, theology, mysticism and philosophy. In the west he is famous for his devastating attack on philosophy specifically metaphysics in his tahfut al-falasifa, Incoherence of the philosophers. He is also the author of the famed ihya' `ulum al-din (Revival of Religious Sciences) a book that combined mysticism with practical everyday life actions by emphasizing the underlying psychology of daily life practices and its ramification on life in this world and the hereafter. AKA: al-Ghazzali , Algazel (450-505 AH/1058-1111 AD)

Around Lahore, in four hours

On the faithful morning of Saturday, I was told by my friends that we’re supposed to visit four different corners of Lahore in four hours. My adventurous and nomadic sense was yearning for some amusement of such sort. So, we started our journey from the center of Lahore the Food Street, notorious for its hors d’oeuvres. Of course, one can not just be there and not eat. So, our first stop for eating was the Paradise Hotel, apparently it’s not very hygienic so if you happen to be a high maintenance freak, I would not recommend that place to you. The environment is dull and there is not much to enjoy expect for the spinning sound of the fan, or every now and then, some woman asking her children for more roti(bread). With such nauseous surrounding, we were finally provided with the menu card. People, who know me, are aware that I prefer vegetables to chicken anytime. But, I was thrilled to my bone to see all the chicken dishes on the menu card. I finally made my mind about what I was going to have with apprehensions, why choice for the day was chicken Karahi, Chicken Boti, with Nan and drinks. Finally, after much waiting the viands arrived. And contrary to my expectations, the food was scrumptious. Any connoisseur of food would agree to it, the food was perfectly cooked; the spices were just about right. However, the fat (the ghee content) was a little over the top. The second stop was Lahore museum art gallery. The gallery was exhibiting oil, pastel, and glass paintings, along with trinkets such as wax candles and vases made by the fresh graduates of National College of Arts. I was very impressed by the work of the students; some of the abstract landscapes and oil paintings were out standing and that too, for a cheap price. My recommendation to all the avid art collector is this; instead of buying printed paintings, buy the original, it will not only look good but also encourage the upcoming talent. The third stop was a distant area of canal, but it was beautiful. The fourth destination, a high tea at Nandos, which was not at all that special, but nevertheless we stayed there for an hour or so. The fifth destination, Islampora’s bazzar, interesting place if you want to buy stuff on cheap price, I recommend it highly. And my adventurous expedition finally came to an end.

Brotherhood of Islam!

We are the members of the brotherhood of Islam, in which all are equals in rights dignity and self respect. Consequently we have a special and a very deep sense of unity. But make no mistake about it Pakistan is not a theocracy or anything like it.These were the words uttered by the man, who is now considered to be the father of Pakistan on February 19, 1948. Who is revered and celebrated by all Pakistanis, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, but I am sure people will think twice before citing this statement. Pakistan was supposed to be a haven for the Muslim community from the prejudice of a predominantly Hindu society. Pakistan was never supposed to be a Theocracy. Had it been the case, it’d not taken 25 years for the political forces to decide its name. But, I can vouch that this is not the Pakistan, Jinnah had envisage. Pakistan has seen many forms of governments from dictatorships to pseudo democracies. But, nothing has worked; we need to re-evaluate our way to approach things. This by no means a secret, that the cause of Pakistan has been high jacked by the clergy. And the political forces manipulate people under the grab of religious doctrines, whenever they deem it suitable. Consequently people only respond to authoritarians. People who hold secular views are always considered to be subversive and incendiary agent of hell. People are incited to do things because they are told that it is God’s decree. I am by no means, suggesting that religions are to be blamed for the adverse state of Pakistan. However, a state should never endorse any religion and try to be as impartial as possible. If Pakistani Government can become more tolerant to the different opinions and different school of thought, this can instill a very good example for general public to follow.The greatest right in the world is the right to be wrong. Harry Weinberger.

Pakistani Political Doldrums

With exacerbating political circumstances on the political front, one wonders, why Sharif brothers choose such a bad time for a popular agitation? Yes, yes I know they have had a history of toppling toddling governments before, but considering what’s going on in FATA and Swat where is general political prudence in burning tires and cars? As we all saw Nawaz making rhetoric in Sheikhpura, I wondered why all the promises for electricity and economic prosperity sprouts up when they are canvassing or inciting people to ‘Sarkoon pay nilkaanien’? I know that Zadari is not the man we want as president; he is corrupt, unpopular and lets be honest the guy doesn’t deserve to be a president of some obscured company, let alone a President of a nation! But, having said all that, do we really want yet another coup de tat? followed by a so-called ‘struggle for democracy’? followed by an ass finally becoming the next president of Pakistan? Considering the circumstances, if the Sherifs really did care about Pakistan as they say they do, ‘I am not here for my personal objectives, I am here to save Pakistan' said Nawaz in reverberating voice , then they would look for middle grounds and not ‘the Sarkain’.

Birth

The strife of soul with; with my flesh
Eevery tendon my body shackles its rush
What consummation does it yearn?
That I have yet to learn
The embryonic cord that links them
Feeds my soul; bit by bit
Like an infant, born from her mother's womb
So will my soul
After my body's dome