On Gadar

The Indian government has issued a one rupee stamp to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Indian sub-continent's War of Independence, termed 'Gadar' (rebellion) by natives or Mutiny by the British. Also, many other things are happening in India to remember this historic event but only a little activity on Pakistani side. Being a Pakistani, I felt that we are so much consumed in power struggle that we have forgotten the values of society, democracy, history and pride. Remember, India made most celebrations on the "Ghalib" 100th anniversary though we claim Urdu as our national language.

Khawab to sub ne mil ker aik hi dekha tha
Jis ko poochain us ko mili ta'abir alag

(We all saw the same dream together but
if asked, each found a different meaning)


Written on the stamp are 2 shers of the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar.




Lagta nahiin hai jii mera ujray dayar mein
Kis kii banii hai aalam-e-na-payedar mein

Kah do in hasarataun se kahiin awr jaa basen
Itanii jagah kahan hai dil-i daaghdaar mein


My heart is not happy in this despoiled land
Who has ever felt fulfilled in this transient world

Tell these emotions to go dwell elsewhere
Where is there space for them in this besmirched (bloodied) heart

(Translation taken from wikipedia.org)