Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Pardesi aur Purani Kahani

"Kiya huwa tum Pakistan nahi gaye? 6 mahine se shor machaya huwa tha, 10 baras baad Pakistan jaane ka!"

"Bhai! wahi purani kahani ho gai! Socha tha ghar walon ko surprise dunga jaane se 2 din pehle bata ke. Amma ko bataya to kehne lagiN: Choti ki shadi ki tayyari kerni hai, Abba ne kaha: ooper ki manzil banwani hai - aur ghar ke har fard ki farmaishain thi.... kisi ko iphone chahiye tha to kisi ko iPad aur kisi ko Nike ke joote... 10 hazar dollar bachane ke liye phir Pakistan jane ka program late ker diya. Inshallah agle baras...shayed....."

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Shah Vazeer

Shah Vazeer aik nahi do naam hain. Shah aur Vazeer. 
Ye dono dost hain. Aur ab bhi Karachi main kahin rehte hain.

Jab main medical school jaane ki tayyari main tha to aik tuition center main parhta bhi tha aur parhata bhi tha. Wahin meri mulaqat Shah aur Vazeer se hui thi. Ye dono aik dusre ke bachpan ke dost the. Bachpan se aik hi school gaye. Aik hi mohalle main rahe. Itne saath rahe ke naam hi 'Shah Vazeer' par gaya!

Un dono ko medical college jaane ka koi shoq nahi tha. Ghar waloN ke zor per intermediate repeat ker rahe the. Magar poora din Tuition Center ke bahir bethe rehte. Cigarette phoonkte rehte. Larkion ko dekhte aur class ka time khatam hota to bus main char ker ghar chale jaate. Main un se poochta ke jab medical college nahi jaana to kiun waqt barbad kerte ho? to hanste rehte. Saal khatam ho gaya. Main medical school chala gaya. Unhon ne science chor ker B.Com main admission le liya. 

Kuch  dino pehle Shah Vazeer ke mohalle ka aik larka America main mil gaya. Main ne Shah Vazeer ka poocha to usne bataya: "Shah Vazeer ab bhi usi mohalle main, usi makan main rehte hain. Dono ke paas ab aik aik motorcycle hai. Dono ke 3-3 bachhe hain. Shah ki aik choti si kiryane ki dukan hai aur Vazeer apni motorcycle pe supply ka kaam kerta hai. Woh ab bhi yunhi haste hain, khush rehte hain - aur jab koi unse poochta hai: aage kiya irada hai? to woh haste rehte hain"!

Pata nahi kiun? Main bohat dinoN tak Shah Vazeer ke baare main sochta raha! 25-27 baras baad bhi mujeh andar se yun mehsoos hota raha jese Main ne Shah Vazeer ke saath Tutition Center ke bahir saath cigarette na phoonk ker koi galati ker di !!!!!!

Thursday, December 25, 2014

And culture continues...

(Despite immigrants continue to move toward west, their values continue to haunt many of their new relationships. A simple story  - with my gulabi english translation below).

From uncle Saugoree Urdu blog 


میرے ایک عزیز دوست جگ بیتی او آپ بیتی  'کہانیاں' لکھتے ہیں   میں اکثر ان سے متاثّر ہوتا ہوں کبھی کبھی مجھے بھی ایسا لکھنے کا خیال آتا ہے

عرصہ ہوا میں اس وقت انگلستان میں کام کر رہا تھا اس وقت وہاں ہسپتالوں کی گروپینگ اور قسم کی تھی خیر ہمارے

 گرپ کے تمام ہندوستانی اور پاکستانی کسی اتوار کو اکٹّے ہو جاتے اور خوب محفل جمتی چنانچہ اس طرح ہم سب ایک دوسرے سے واقف ہوجاتے تھے اسی زمانے کا ذکر ہے ہمارے گروپ میں ایک نئ ہندوساتی ہائوس فزیشن آئ بڑی سیدھی سادی لڑکی تھی ہمارے سینئر لڑکوں میں ایک صاحب جو مسلمان تھے انھیں وہ لڑکی پسند آئ۔ وہ بھی سیدھے سادھے مسلمان پاکستانی تھے لڑکی کی ایک بات یاد ہے کہ اس کے وارڈ میں ایک سٹروک کا مریض داخل ہوا بچاری پریشان تھی کیا کرے کس طرح اس کی مدد کرے ساری رات اس کے سرہانے بیٹھی سوچتی رہی اور جو اس کی ضروریات تھی نرس کی طرح کرتی رہی  - اب ممکن ہے اس میں کچھ  'ذیب داستاں کے لئے کچھ بڑھا' بھی دیا گیا ہو مگر قارئین کو اس کی سادگی سمجھ آگئ ہو گی  ہوتے ہوتے ان دونوں میں - یعنی جن پاکستانی صاحب کا ذکر کیا ہے ان میں باقاعدہ محبت ہوگئ شادی کی بات چلی  دہلی میں اس کے گھر والے نہ مانے اور پاکستان میں ان کے گھر والے تیار نہ ہوئے اب یہ مجھے یاد نہیں کہ لڑکی نے ہندو سے مسلمان ہونے کا ذکر کیا تھا یا نہیں
 ممکن ہے اور بھی ایسے وقعات ہوتے رہتے ہیں ان میں کچھ اور اسباب ہوتے ہوں لیکن اکثر ایسا دیکھنے میں آتا ہے کہ محبت کو قربان کر دیا جاتا ہے میں یہ ان مغربی ممالک کی بات کر رہا ہوں اور پڑھے لکھے ہوشمند انسانوں کا لکھ رہا ہوں .
پاکستان میں جو کچھ ہوتا ہے اس کا ذکر نہیں کر رہا ہوں



One of my good friends writes autobiographies and other people's biographies. Many times I get impressed by him, and I think of writing biographies as well.

A long time ago, when I worked in England, we had different kind of groupings, and in our group, most of the people were either Indians or Pakistanis. We used to get together on Sundays, and have a good party. That's how we got to know each other better. Then, there comes a new girl from India, who was a house physician, and a very simple girl. One of our senior boys, who was Muslim, started to like that girl. The guy was also a very simple man. The girl was so simple that I remember once in her ward, there was a patient with stroke. She was new and was confused, and didn't know how to help that patient. All night, she stayed on the patient's bedside thinking, and helping the patient just like a nurse does. It's possible that, for storytelling, I may be exaggerating a little bit, but the reader should know, how simple that girl was. 

Over time, they both, meaning the Pakistani guy I described above, and the girl formally fell in love, and wanted to get married. Unfortunately, the girl's family in Delhi, India, and the boy's family in Pakistan, didn’t accept the relationship. I don't exactly remember whether the girl agreed to convert from Hinduism to Islam, but nevertheless, the marriage didn't happen. It's very much possible that these sort of events happen regularly. There may be other factors involved, but frequently we see that love gets sacrificed. And, I am talking about educated and intelligent people in the Western world, not people back home in Pakistan! 

 [And, that surprises me a lot.]

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Nuqsan

Hazrat Ali ne kaha tha: "Duniya ka sab se chota nuqsan daulat ka hota hai"

Zindagi ka aik lamba arsa guzaarne ke baad mujhe samjh aaya ke kitna sach hai ke - asal nuqsan kisi dost ka kho jaana, kisi ka aitmad kho dena, apna waqar - apni izzat kho dena, apne kisi piyare ki judaii, apni sahet ka nuqsan, apne iradoN ka past ho jana aur apne khawaboN ka nabood ho jana hai.

Aik dafa phir se ye sab parhiye aur sochiye - kiya daulat in cheezoN ka madawa ker sakti hai?

Saturday, December 20, 2014

A Quote

"Women might be able to fake orgasms. But men can fake a whole relationship." ~ Sharon Stone

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Dilip Kumar's Advice to Actors

I was reading Dilip sahab's newest interview. What he advised to new actors and actresses in one line, is itself the deepest philosophy and a book on acting in one line! - "Invest your emotions wisely"


You can read whole interview at
http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrities/features/type/view/id/7622

Tuesday, December 09, 2014

Sunday, December 07, 2014

On 'Hobby' and 'one labor of love'

One important lesson I have learned in life is that every person should have one hobby and one labor of love in their life aside from their usual responsibilities of family, children, friends, and career.

A hobby can be anything you thoroughly enjoy writing, reading, movies, playing golf, traveling, gardening, or knitting - to soothe and numb yourself. (No, Facebook and Twitter are not a hobby)

One labor of love is something that requires dedication, affection, time, and effort. It could be any project like volunteering at any homeless center, teaching at church/mosque, part of any fundraising for a good cause, going to a cancer hospital to act like a clown for kids, or any reason which is dear to your heart.

darde dil ke waaste paida kiya insaan ko

*

Saturday, December 06, 2014

On "bare arms"

Someone asked me: "What attracts you most in the woman beside usual busts and bums"!

I replied: "I find sleeveless bare arms extremely attractive".

I got an interesting comment: "Did you know, Homer in Iliad refers to certain goddesses as white-armed. So this was almost their identification. So you are not the only one who is fan of bare arms. It happened a few thousand years ago:-)"


Tuesday, December 02, 2014

on "Vision"

A blind person asked a sage: "Can there be anything worse than losing one's eyesight?" 
He replied: "Yes, losing your vision!" 

.

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Gran Torino

It was pluto who first said that: ""The purpose of Philosophy is to teach us how to die". Making extension of it, I believe, the purpose of life itself is to teach us how to die.

The best explanation of above statement can be view in Clint Eastwood's movie Gran Torino. I saw this movie some 5/6 years ago but message of movie was so powerful that it is still stuck to my mind. It is a story of a "man" who is trying to teach a growing teen how a "man" should live and eventually die! - when life presents to you nothing but odds.

Trailer here (youtube) or here  (IMDb)

Monday, November 17, 2014

Consumed!

In the last few years, Turkey has become a major vacation destination in the USA due to its affordability, direct flights, extremely tourist-friendly atmosphere, safety, rich history, and beauty. One of my friends just came back from Turkey. I asked him what did he like most about Turkey. He replied:

"I came back with the enlightenment of Rumi's words. 'The summary of my life is these three statements: I was immature; I became experienced; I was consumed.'  - baqi sab to bus khel tamasha tha".

*

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

On Domestic violence / A woman's perspective

(One email)

I came across your blog recently and realized you make fun of women and their influences on their men. Husbands and wives and their stories are all very amusing. You think love is there when the diamonds are bought and the trips are arranged and the money is being generous. But there is a flip side to it. When a man pushes and grabs a woman in his anger. 

When the woman tries to leave as she does not want to increase the tension, he stands in his way and grabs her throat. But when the woman says please do not touch me, he twists her fingers and grab her wrists and tell her that he can touch her when ever he wants to. When he drags her to 'talk' to her. Because he is angry. Because he is the man. Because he can take away to car keys and tell the woman to walk if she wants to go out because it is his car and he can have it and she will not have it. And the woman is thankful that he did not pull her hair out as it would be supremely painful and did not hit the blemish free face as it will leave a bruise and she will not be able to tell the world what happened.

This is where the other side of picture is obvious. A woman with kids and family, a woman who is so independent and well educated, a woman who is the most cherished one by many, that woman is just a commodity behind the close doors. Because that woman went to the gym in the morning and the man did not want to give breakfast to the kids. Where as normally, it would not be a problem, but what if the man is stressed because of work? And as a man, he can make his woman the victim of his wrath and treat her as a animal because he is a man and she is a woman.

Monday, November 10, 2014

One nostalgia

Meri zindagi main kai aesi 'funny' aur 'humorous' larkian aai hain, jin ki batain soch kar aksar bethe bethe ya drive karte huwe mere laboN pe hansi aa jaati hai.

(Sochta hun - bas insaan ke lafzon ki yaad dilon main reh jaati hai - Baqi sab maya hai)

Sunday, November 09, 2014

Donor

When I married her, everybody thought I was an idiot. She did not bear a good reputation in our strong-knit Jewish community. My mom thought she was a gold digger. Please make no mistake; our marriage was not very smooth either. Sometimes, we thought of divorcing each other but stuck together for the sake of kids. And then, I was diagnosed with kidney failure. As my creatinine kept rising, I lost control over my life, my career, and myself. My nephrologist suggested I look for a donor - instead of waiting on the national registry. It may prevent the agony of dialysis and its complication. All of my siblings looked away, but she had no second thought about giving her one kidney to me. What she did, requires an immense depth in one's soul to be comfortable with donating a live organ. I was wrong all my life trying to judge my wife through people's eyes. Yes, I am an idiot!

*

Saturday, November 08, 2014

The Judge

The Judge is one of the finest movies I have seen in recent months. Absolute Oscar performance by Robert Downey Jr. Movie revolves around the relationship between a conscientious father and a street-smart son, who are at odds with each other. And one turn of the event brought them face to face, igniting their hate and love relationship.

But at the core is the metamorphosis of a materialist and corrupt attorney to an honest human being by observing the strong commitment of his father to values in the weakest moments of life.

Trailer here 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBvK6ni97W8

*

Friday, November 07, 2014

Qaziye-shehar ka matha chumo

After a long time, I heard this poetry of Mustafa Zaidi when someone posted after gruesome killing of Pakistani Christian couple - Pakistan ke naam



meri palkon ko mat dekho 
inka uthna inka chapkna 
jism ka na-mehsoos amal hai 

meri ankhon ko mat dekho 
inki auT main shaam e gareebaN
inki aaR mai dashte azal hai 
meray chehray ko mat dekho 
iss mai koi wada e farda 
iss mai koi aaj na kal hai 

ab us darya tak mat aao 
jis ki lehrain toot chuki hain 
uss seenay sey lo na lagao
 jis ki nabzain choot chuki hain 

 ab meray qatil ko chaho
 mera qatil, marham marham darya darya sahil sahil 
Qaziye-shehar ka matha chumo 
jis ke qalam mai zehray hilahil, jis ke sukhan mai lehle salasil 

ab uss raqs ki dhun per nacho 
jis ki gat per lut gaya qazi 
ji ki ley per bik gaya qatil 
bik gaya qatil, bik gaya qatil

Thursday, November 06, 2014

On Books and Women

"I treat my books the way I treat a woman I love. I read them so immaculately it is hard to tell they have been read."  ~ Mustansir Hussain Tarar aka chachaji

Saturday, November 01, 2014

Der Ker Deta Hun Main

Karim 'Missile' - bus yahi naam uski Pehchan ban gaya tha. 
Shayed is liye ke Taxi bohat tez chalata tha.

Bachpan se hamari mohalle ki yaari thi. 
Kuch saath saath hi America aaye the. 
Kabhi yahan mil jaate, kabhi wahan mil jaate. 

Ajeeb yaaron ka yaar aadmi thi - Mehfilon ki jaan tha.

April main, main Chicago gaya to 'Devon' pe mil gaya. 
Kehne laga: "Chal yaar Nihari kha ker jaana".. 
Main ne kaha: "Nahi yaar! abhi to dusre dostoN ke saath hun, phir kabhi.. Main tumhe phone karun ga".. 
Usne kaha: "Zaroor kerna. Zamana ho gaya gup lagaye. Kaun jaane! kal ho na ho"

Main ne phone hi nahi kiya. Jab milta, apni biwi ka dhukRa rota rehta. Wapas aa ker apne kaam kaaj main lag gaya. Aik hafte pehle pata laga Karim Missile ne biwi ke jhagroN se taang aa ker khud-kushi ker li.......

aaj 8 din guzar jaane pe bhi us ke alfaz mere kaan main gunjte hain: "kal ho na ho"

Choti si baat thi - aik phone call ki - 
jis ka malal mujeh saari umar rahe ga. 
Shayed woh dil ke baat keh paata. 
Shayed us ke dukhoN ke 'venting' ho jaati. 
Shayed main use bacha paata



Monday, October 27, 2014

On "Art of Sex"


"Yes, Sir! Sex is an Art. If a woman knows, she can bring an animal out of any man, anytime. - we all know that. But, if a man knows where to push buttons! He can bring slut out of any woman, anywhere, anytime! No wonder I often loved to fuck in public places, more than in a room of a luscious 5-star hotel".

*

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Kala Dhaga, Dadi Amma aur 'Middle Child Syndrome'

"Ye tum har waqt seedhe pair (right leg) pe kaala dhaga kiun bandh ke rakhti ho?"

"Main 'middle child' thi. Mujhe yun lagta sirf dadi mujh se piyar kerti hai. Sab se pehle bhai paida huwa. Beta tha aur pehla tha - saare ghar ka raj dulara tha. Mere foran baad choti paida ho gai. Ghar main sab ki aankhoN ka taara ban gai. Ghar ki princess ban gai...... Main kahin nahi thi. Yun lagta Abbu Ammi adhura piyar kerte hain....bas aik dadi thi jis ke paas main apna har dukh le ker paunch jaati...Dadi ke saath soti, Dadi ke saath khana khati..... 16 baras ki umar main pehla rishta aate hi abbu ne shadi ker di. Jis din meri flight thi, main Dadi ke gale lag ker bohat roii.....Dadi ne seedhe pair pe aik kala dhaga bandh diya.. ...

20 saal baad peechle saal Pakistan gaii to dadi ki umar 90 ke paas ho gaii ho gi. Kisi ko nahi pehchanti thi..main paas ja ker bethi to to mere pair ke kale dhage ko dekh ker, mujhe gale se laga liya..baar baar kehti jaati - 'meri bachii aai hai'.....Bus usi piyar kerne wali dadi ki nishani liye phirti hun."

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Behkawa, Sureh-Falaq aur Macbeth

One of our Islamiat teacher, Sir Aleem (here, here, here) used to say: "Behkawey, waswasey aur shar (evil) ki taqat ko samjhna chahte ho - aur chahte ho ke Sureh-Falaq ki gheraioN tak utar pao to Shakespeare ki Macbeth parho".

Few nights ago, as I was reading Surah Falaq to my kids - my son asked me the same question about the true nature of "shar" (evil). I bought him the children's version of Macbeth and as I read with him, I recalled my one blog post from 9 years ago (here) - : "Mujhe waswase or Behkawe ki taqat ka andaza us waqt hua jab main ne shakespeare ki Macbeth parhi !!


Sunday, October 12, 2014

On 'human life span'

As I was listening talk on Ted.com (here) on Human Genome and its effect on treating human diseases etc., it reminded me of Surah Baqarah in Quran. I believe that a one-day human life span will roam around 1000 years. And that is purely from scientific research available to date. But, If you read Surah Baqarah ayat # 94 to 96, it indicates that.


Personal note: It was a bizarre interpretation almost 20 years ago when I first started reading the Quran. Over time I concur with Umar bin Khattab that: "This book cannot be human writing." Nothing makes me believe in Islam except the Quran; otherwise, the history and deeds of its followers often make me puke! 


*

Wednesday, October 08, 2014

On 'Pretty wife"

Jab insaan jawai main naya naya qadam rakhta hai to dostoN main ajeeb ajeeb 'discussions' hote hain. Aik din hum dostoN main ye bahes cheeR gai ke biwi kesi honi chahiye?

Aik dost ka khayal tha: Biwi bohat khubsurat honi chahiye, taake ghar aane ka dil kare

Dusre dost ka kehna tha: Ab biwi itni bhi khubsurat na ho ke aadmi insecure ho jaaye

Aadhi zindagi guzar gai -  magar maloom nahi kaunsa dost theek tha?

(Not debating here - girl's 'saleeqaye amoore khana daari')


Tuesday, October 07, 2014

On "Shadi"

"Kiya Shadi mohabbat ke liye kerni chahiye?"
"Gadhe hain jo shadi, mohabbat ke liye kerte hain"
"Phir?"
"Shadi mohabbat se nahi, 'Respect' se chalti hai. Mian Biwi main muhabbat se ziyada zaroori hai, aik dusre ki izzat ki jaaye"

Monday, October 06, 2014

Sunday, October 05, 2014

One morning Text

Life is an interesting thing! We get small things unexpectedly and they bring smile to our face. I received this text, first thing in the morning from a friend in far far land - and it brightened my day - just thinking of his state of mind.

"I just realised there is nothing better in the world than good coffee, sex and a book."

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Chota

Every house, mohalla, village, town, city, society and country usually have a chota. Everybody abuses him, curses him but he is likes an oil of the system. Everybody thinks he is useless and low life but he carries the burden and soul of the whole system. Aese hi aik chote ki kahani

"A bus full of passengers was traveling while suddenly the weather changed and there was a huge downpour and lightning all around. They could see that the lightning would appear to come towards the bus and then go elsewhere. After 2 or 3 instances, the driver stopped the bus about fifty feet away from a tree and said - "We have somebody in the bus whose death is a certainty today. Because of that person everybody else will also get killed. I want each person to go one-by-one and touch the tree trunk and come back. Whomsoever death is certain will get caught up by the lightening and will die. But everybody else will be saved". They had to force the 1st person to go and touch the tree and come back. He reluctantly got down from the bus and went and touched the tree. His heart leaped with joy when nothing happened and he was still alive. This continued for rest of the passengers who were all relieved when they touched the tree and nothing happened. When the last passengers turn came, everybody looked at him with accusing eyes. This passenger was also very afraid and reluctant. Everybody forced him to get down and go and touch the tree. With a fear of death, the last passenger walked to the tree and touched it. There was a huge sound of thunder and the lightning came down and hit the bus - yes the lightening hit the bus, and killed each and every passenger inside the bus. It was because of the presence of this last passenger that earlier, the entire bus was safe and the lightning could not strike the bus."

Monday, September 29, 2014

Makafate-Amal

Ye aik ajeeb kahani hai. Yaqeen se nahi keh sakta - sirf ittifaq hai ya koi bud-dua?

Jab main America naya naya aaya to paise nahi the. Kai 'odd jobs' ki. Aesi hi aik 'odd job' kuch dinoN ke liye aik desi grocery store pe ki. Desi grocery store aik Pakistani mian biwi aur unhi ke rishte ka koi bhanja chalate the. ...

 Woh grocery store ajeeb bai-maani ki dukan thi.......... Logon ko bagair ring kiye, sales tax bachane ke liye, cheezain bechna.....logon se udhar pe maal le ker paise wapas na kerna... credit cards ke fraud kerna .... Gangs se chori ka maal khareedna... aur aese kai kaam hote the ...Bhanje ko bhi us haram ki kamaii se barabar ka hissa milta

Aik din aik shaks dukan main daakhil huwa aur us ne kaafi hangama khara kiya. Baqol uske, uske 25 hazar dollar un mian biwi pe nikalte the... Koi 'writen contract' nahi tha....jaate jaate woh shaks kehta gaya: "Nahi aaunga yahan ab kabhi apne paise lene! Nahi chahiye mujhe ab ye 25 hazar dollar - magar khuda kare tum teeno kutte ki maut mare jao"

Aik mahine baad, unho ne mujh pe 50 dollar chori ka ilzam lagaya aur bagar koi salary diye farig ker diya. Mujeh wo shaks bohat yaad aaya!

Baat guzar gai, mujeh residency mil gai. ...Is baat ko koi 14 baras guzar gaye. Main kisi kaam se us shahR wapas gaya to socha purane logoN se mil lun. Pata laga

Basheer Bhai Lahore apne rishte-daaroN se milne gaye the, wahan kisi ne purani dushmani ki aag main unhe goli maar ke laash kuttoN ko daal di....... Waheeda Baji ko stroke huwa aur phir heart attack main faut ho gain... aur bhanje Hamid ke peeche koi Mafia wale aese lage ke aik raat usne khudkushi ker li.

ye Duniya bhi ajeeb jaaye-makafate-amal hai




Saturday, September 27, 2014

On one 'Irresponsible comment'

A few days back, I was watching the desi channel with one of my uncles. As we watched news of horrific floodings in Pakistan, my uncle said: "Kiya tabahii aayi hai." I irresponsibly commented: "Such country deserves to be drowned."


That night I dreamt that my hometown in America is in flood, and our local community is trying to put sandbags. Despite their warning, I drove my car - with my two kids in it - into standing water, and now my car is submerged into standing water. As I can see the sky from my sunroof, I try to open it, but now all doors are locked. I see myself freaking out and panicking. Fear was so intense; I woke up from the dream with sweats and a heartbeat going into atrial fibrillation. Suddenly, I recalled my irresponsible comment.


I sat on the bedside, drank a glass of water, and sincerely asked for forgiveness from all mighty. I felt some peace in my heart, went to bed, and slept for ten more hours.



Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Ducklings vs. Stairs

In this era of the internet and "devices," we get bombarded with tons of info and videos every day. I received the following video couple of days ago. As I forward it to my friends, one friend responded by saying: "I am surprised how mom didn't help anyone n they all struggled n succeeded." I replied: "That is the whole point. Mom was calm. Nature is amazing. Mom knew in her heart, that's the way ducks learn. Note: she stayed till the last one climbed the stairs".

We don't appreciate, but we live, breathe and exist in the infinite world of wonderful mother nature.

 

Monday, September 22, 2014

Honesty in everyday life

As I pulled out of the parking area in packed downtown, my change was 10 dollars and 3 cents.

Lady at the counter was about to hand me over the change, but at the last moment, she pulled her hands back and said: "Hold on! I think I am wrong. I am 2 pennies short."

"Does not matter, ma'am", I said

"It does matter to me, Sir," she replied.

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Mard aur Aurat - 2

"Mard ki zaat but-parast hai. Kai chote bare but (idol) nikalte hain us ke dil main se. Aurat tauhid-parast hai. Uska dil chaq karo, to Allah ke baad aik hi kuda nikalta hai, uske lahu main ranga huwa"!

Man is an idol-worshipper. He carries many small and large idols in his heart. Woman is Monotheist. If you dissect her heart, you will find only one lord after All Mighty, soaked in her blood).

(Ashfaq Ahmad in "sona mila na pi mile" = neither found gold nor beloveds)

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Mard aur Aurat

(Following sentiment is expressed to me by a man while in travel. I don't agree with it in its entirety but have seen this happening often in my life).

"Agar Mard ghar main aurat se ziyada kasab kerta ho to kafalat ke saroor main zindagi guzarne lagta hai - Aur agar aurat ghar main mard se ziyada paise kamana lage to garoore-hakmiyat main mubtala ho jaati hai".

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Ease

Jab zindagi main pehli dafa main 'bar-dikhawwe' yani shadi ke liye larki dekhne ja raha tha to bohat sehma huwa tha - (right word is 'nervous'). Meri pareshani dekh ker meri aik bhabhi ne mujh se kaha:

"Girl always like to see a man again only if he does not intimidate her and if she feel at ease. Try to make her feel at ease and she will look forward to see you again".

Larki ne to mujeh reject ker diya magar ye sabaq yaad reh gaya - aur zindagi main bohat kaam aaya.

Sunday, September 07, 2014

Gareeb ki lori

"Gangs of Wasseypur" (almost 6 hours long) was one of the finest movie ever made in Bollywood if it comes to crime cinema. How poverty, ego, self respect, greed and power mix with crime is beautifully depicted in the movie. Following song from movie touched me deeply as it says poor man's lullaby. This movie is very near to my heart as growing up in lower middle class neighborhoods of Karachi, I have seen many young lives succumb to gangs of political parties. Many lunar months when moon is getting near its glory, I think of this song

"Ek bagal main chand hoga, Ek bagal main rotian
Ek bagal main neend hogi, Ek bagal main lorian
Hum chand pe roti ki chadar Daal ker so jaayain ge
Aur neend se keh dain ge, lori kul sunane aayain ge"

In one armpit carrying moon, and in other armpit bread
In one armpit carrying sleep, and in other lullabies
We will spread bedsheet of bread on moon and would sleep (soundly)
and would tell sleep, lets do lullaby tomorrow"

Link for folks who don't have access to youtube:
http://tune.pk/video/3836612/ek-bagal-mein-chand-hoga-gangs-of-wasseypur-2

Wednesday, September 03, 2014

5 Quotes on War

War does not determine who is right - only who is left. ~ Bertrand Russell 

I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy.
~ John Adams

Only the dead have seen the end of the war.  ~ George Santayana

Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime. ~ Ernest Hemingway 

Patriotism is the virtue of the vicious. ~ Oscar Wilde

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Dilemma of woman in 'love triangle'

Many (and many) love stories have been written as 'love triangles.' It is interesting how sometimes things happen in succession, bringing the same message in life. While I was re-reading Charles Dicken's 'A Tale of 2 Cities', I watched Woody Allen's "Magic in the Moonlight" (here) - and had two episodes in my own life of people I know - where women were caught in the dilemma of choosing between 2 men!


In love triangles, I found one man is usually a handsome, logical character but of dry nature- while the other man carries the trait of juicy 'bad boy.' It is undoubtedly the truth, though, beyond comprehension, that woman's heart usually feels attracted to a bad boy, but her brain and social pressure pull her to the other.


No wonder in Woody Allen's movie, the girl finally chooses the 'bad boy.' And, for me, alcoholic Sydney Carton, at last, remained the hero of Charles Dickens, not Charles Darnay.


(Critics think that Charles Dickens portrayed himself as Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton as two shades of his own. And there was an 18-year-old girl in his real-life whom he wrote as Lucie in the novel).

Friday, August 29, 2014

Dusra Kutta


(I wish, I knew the author)
(Beautiful audio- total time 8 minutes)

Thursday, August 28, 2014

House and Woman (Wajoode-Zan)

(Following email is from a dear friend and I think its worth sharing)

"....Every house needs a woman. A woman can survive without a man if she has kids but a man cannot survive without a woman even if he has kids. I checked out a house when I was house hunting and there was this guy with three kids. And the house was perfectly fine but it was obvious that no woman lives there. It was almost grey and I am not even kidding. And I told the owner that as well. With all the headache woman brings to one's life, she also brings all colors to life. As Iqbal said: Wajoode-Zan se hai tasveere kaainat main rang..."

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

On "Dickens' Opening Statement"

I first read 'A Tale of 2 cities' by Charles Dickens almost 25 years ago and have read some parts in between. But nothing ever sank and fluttered my heart simultaneously - and has been universally accepted as the best opening line of any novel ever written in English literature. It remained so true for any individual at any given moment of Life. Indeed! life is nothing but 'A Fine Balance".

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way--in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Shumaila

Shumaila aik aesi larki thi - jo meri zindagi main sirf aik raat ke liye aayi thi magar saari zindagi ke liye ghere naqoosh chor gai. Shumaila Chicago main aik 'Pakistani escort' thi. 

Meri teesweeN salgirah (30th Birthday) pe mere doston ne mujeh surprise dene ke liye shumaila ko book kiya tha. 

Masood (here) ki dosti khatam hone ka dukh bohat taaza tha. Main ne apne birthday pe poora din hospital main kaam kiya aur sham ghar aa ke so gaya. Abhi Amma ko Karachi phone ker ke receiver cradle pe rakha hi tha ke mere apartment ke darwaze pe dastakht hui. Main ne darwaza khola to Shumaila thi. Main samjha koi galati hui hai, magar us ne mera naam le ker andar aane ko kaha. Woh andar aa gai aur aram se sofe pe beth gai. Kehne lagi: 'Main aap ki salgirah ka tohfa hun'.  Jab sari haqiqat aashkar hui - to main ne shumaila se kaha; "mujeh afsos hai ke aik Pakistani larki America main ye kaam ker rahi hai". 

Shumaila ki majboorioN ki aik lambi list thi. Chicago aa ker mian ne ghar se nikal diya tha. Peeche Pakistan main 4 bahenaiN thi. Boorhe Ma Baap the. Sach poocho to mujeh Shumaila ki story main koi interest nahi tha. Un dino har Pakistani apne saath aik kahani liye ghum raha tha. Main ne Shumaila se kaha: "Dekho larki! main nahi chahta ke, koi larki apni majboorioN ke baais mere saath hum-bistar ho. Tum jab tak chaho yahan ruko - aur jab chaho ja sakti ho".

Meri mez pe Faiz sahab ki nuskha-haaye-wafa pari thi. Kehni lagi: 'Aap Faiz ko perhte hain?' Ye woh waqt tha jab mujeh Faiz sahab ka aadha kalam az-bar tha. Main ne Chai banate huwe use Faiz Sahab ki 3/4 nazmain sunai to woh khil si gai. Kamre ka mahol thora 'halka' ho gaya. Hum batain kerne lage

Shumaila Panjab University se Urdu literature main masters thi! Urdu shayeri pe us ki khub dastars thi. Kehne lagi: 'Bohat dinoN baad shayeri ka maza aaya hai. Aur sunain na?" Main ne kuch aur nazmain sunai. Magar jab main ne use Nasir Kazmi ki nazam: "Woh sahiloN pe gaane wale kiya huwe" sunai - to Shumaila bilak bilak ke rone lagi. Kehne lagi: "Pakistan bohat yaad aa raha hai".....

Woh poore chaand ki raat thi. Kehne lagi: "aap please light off ker dain". Chicago ke chand jesi chandni shayed duniya main kahiN nahi hoti. Poora kamra chand ki chandni se bhar gaya. Hum dono  chai peete rahe aur subah 5 baje tak batain kerte rahe. 

Phir usne kaha: 'Ab main jaun gi, werna meri fajar ki namaz nikal jaaye gi". Main ne hairat se uski taraf dekha to woh kuch nahi boli bulke apni bari si bag se jaa'namaz nikali aur kehne lagi: "Layi to apne liye thi magar aap meri taraf se rakh lain". (Allah jaane, main kahan se use namazi laga)

Shumaila khud to chali gai mgar main aaj bhi us ki jaa'namaz saath liye liye phirta hun. Kehte hain pehla sajda sab se ziyada qimti hota hai. Agar zindagi main kabhi namaz parhi aur apne rab ke huzur hazir huwa to mera pehla sajda shumaila ke naam hoga!

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

On "Nirvana"

“Yes, there is Nirvana; it is in leading your sheep to a green pasture, and in putting your child to sleep, and in writing the last line of your poem”.  ~ Khalil Jibran

(That's also explain, why I write blog)

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

A quote on old age

"Being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable". ~ Annonymous

.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

RIP Robin Williams

One fine artist and man, Robin Williams died. One lesson which I learned and tried to teach many youngsters around me is the following scene from 'Dead Poets Society".

(See the youtube clip below and try yourself standing on table and look around the room)

I stand upon my desk to remind myself that we must constantly look at things in a different way. You see, the world looks very different from up here. You don't believe me? Come see for yourself. Come on. Come on! Just when you think you know something, you have to look at it in another way. Even though it may seem silly or wrong, you must try! Now, when you read, don't just consider what the author thinks. Consider what you think. Boys, you must strive to find your own voice. Because the longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are to find it at all. Thoreau said, "Most men lead lives of quiet desperation." Don't be resigned to that. Break out! Don't just walk off the edge like lemmings. Look around you. There! There you go. Yes! Dare to strike out and find new ground.


Monday, August 11, 2014

Maryam Apa

Meri umar shayed 10 baras ki thi, jab Maryam apa biha' ker hamarey mohalle main aain. Jab pehli baar main ne Maryam apa ko dekha to dekhta hi reh gaya. Is qadar khubsurat chehra! Main ne Maryam Apa se kaha: "Aap bilkul us Shehzadi jesi hain, jinhe Kohkahaf ka jin utha ke le gaya tha". Meri baat sun ker woh hans di aur mera gaal thap-thapa diya, magar aankhoN main aansuoN ki aik halki si lakeer teyr gai, aur main sochta raha: meri baat per Apa rone kiun lagi.

 ....Aur phir kuch arse baad Maryam apa hamara mohalla chor gain. Magar unka khubsurat chehra hamesah mere saath raha. Jahan Shehzadi ki koi kahani parhi, Maryam apa yaad aa gain.

Phir main America aa gaya. Aahista Ahista un ki yaad mehv ho gai. Barson beet gaye. Zindagi main phir aik mor aaya, jab main ne apne bachhon ko shehzadi aur Jin ki kahani sunana shuru ki. Maryam Apa ka khubsurat chehra phir aankoN main cha gaya.

Peechle December, aik shadi main Maryam apa ki bhanji mil gain. Main ne Maryam Apa ka haal poocha, to usne bataya: Maryam Apa ke saath bohat buri hui. Yake baad degre 6 bachhe paida kiye. Barson se shohar unhe maarta peetta hai, dande se kutai kerta hai - aur aksar ghar se nikal deta hai. Korangi ke kisi be-haal chote se mohalle main guzara ker rahi hain. Us ne apne phone pe tasveer dikhai to yaqeen nahi aaya, ye wahi Maryam apa hain. 35 baras main unho ne 100 baras ke safar tey kiya tha. Chehre pe jhuriaN ubhar aayi thiN. Un ki tasveeer dekh ker mujeh laga shayed hawa main 'oxygen' ki kami ho gai hai. Mera dum ghutne laga tha. Main taza hawa ke liye hotel se bahir aa gaya.

35 baras lag gaye mujeh ye baat samjhne main ke, jub main ne un se kaha ke: "Aap bilkul us Shehzadi jesi hain, jinhe Kohkahaf ka jin utha ke le gaya tha" - to kiun unki aankhoN main aansu ubhar aaye the!

Ye hamari kesi zindagiyaN hain, jahan koi shehzada nahi aata - aur kai Maryam ApaiN maut tak, be-haal mohalloN ke barzakh main jhulasti rehti hain!

Friday, August 01, 2014

An extended meaning of "Halal"

I have an interesting maulvi friend. He has one foot long beard. But comfortably, he can sit in a bar with all gora friends sipping orange juice, discussing cirrhosis. (Not to mention, once he tried to convince a stripper to consider hijab while taking a lap dance!)

Few days ago, we went to a restaurant. I ordered my favourite 'medium done rib eye steak". My maulvi friend informed me that in restaurants steaks taste very yummy because in farms they castrate bulls (cutting testicles), which make bulls chubby and end result is yummy steaks due to high fat. And then he made an interesting statement: "Halal does not only mean to eat an animal who is koshered with God's name but also include animals who are properly and rightfully reared and grazed before Qurbani".

Aur main sochta raha - is defination se kitne log Halal khate honge?

Saturday, July 26, 2014

A little story of forever moment - 2

A week ago, I posted a little story of a friend (here). Since that day, I had in my head (rather iPad), one of the finest song written almost 40 years ago by Tasleem Fazli (I think) - and was made immortal by Mehdi Hasan Sahab.

I have my own share of  nostalgic forever moments like any other human - and - often wondered in the middle of the night.

Itna puchuN kahin, mil jaye jo woh parda-nasheeN
Main bhi aata hun tujhe yaad, kabhie ya ke nahin

Friday, July 25, 2014

3 wishes of Alexander the Great

Following story of Alexander may not have any authentic historical documentation but anecdotally attributed to him all over. This was my father's one of the most favourite story.

Alexander, after conquering many kingdoms, was returning home. On the way, he fell ill and it took him to his death bed. With death staring him in his face, he had to accept the fact that his sinking health would not permit Him to reach his distant homeland. So, the mighty conqueror called his generals and said, "I will depart from this world soon; I have three wishes, please carry them out without fail." 

With tears flowing down their cheeks, the generals agreed to abide by their king's last wishes. "My first desire is that," said Alexander, "My physicians alone must carry my coffin." After a pause, he continued, "Secondly, I desire that when my coffin is being carried to the grave, the path leading to the graveyard be strewn with gold, silver and precious stones which I have collected in my treasury. " The king felt exhausted after saying this. He took a minute's rest and continued. "My third and last wish is that both my hands be kept dangling out of my coffin." 

The people who had gathered there wondered at the king's strange wishes. Alexander's favourite general kissed his hand and pressed them to his heart. "O king, we assure you that your wishes will all be fulfilled, but tell us why do you make such strange wishes?" 

At this Alexander took a deep breath and said: "I would like the world to know of the three lessons I have just learnt. I want my physicians to carry my coffin because people should realize that no doctor can really cure anybody. They are powerless and cannot save a person from the clutches of death. So let not people take life for granted. The second wish of strewing gold, silver and other riches on the way to the graveyard is to tell people that not even a fraction of gold will come with me. I spent all my life earning riches but cannot take anything with me. Let people realize that it is a sheer waste of time to chase wealth. And about my third wish of having my hands dangling out of the coffin, I wish people to know that I came empty handed into this world and empty handed I go out of this world." 

 Soon he let death conquer him and breathed his last. . . .

Thursday, July 24, 2014

5 options

Talking to a friend about different options for dealing with an unhappy relationship, we concluded that there are five options for an unhappy relationship.

1. Stay unhappy and in constant torment. (Should not be an option, as nobody deserves continuous unhappiness)
2. Accept it - as our parents' generation did with arranged marriages. 
3. Create a parallel life - with something else as the source of happiness like a hobby or a charity and ignore other person's nuisance.
4. Leave the relationship - often it's hard due to other factors involved like kids, religion, society, etc.
5. Commit suicide (I will never advise this to anyone)

Sunday, July 20, 2014

On "Mir Taqi Mir"

Even Mirza Ghalib acknowledged Mir Taqi Mir as a bigger poet than him. Reason? He conveyed deepest emotions in simple language and in small baher. Following shyer of Mir Taqi Mir mesmerized me for days. What a beautiful way of conveying the haal of a lover. Not widely known but Mir Taqi Mir was a son of a sufi saint and his poetry was a disguise of Malamati Sufism - and was commonly sung by faqeers on Dilli's lanes.

Note - This shyr is controversial. This couplet has also been referred to a relatively unknown poet: MUNSHI ANWAR HUSAIN TASLEEM


Saturday, July 19, 2014

A little Story (of a forever moment)

Har insaan ki zindagi main kuch lamhe aese hote hain, jo saari zindagi pe bhari hote hain - Kuch lamhe jo saari zindagi insaan ke saath saath chalte hain, jinhe shayed kabhi maut nahi aati..... Kabhi subah brush kerte, bus main charhte, purhajoom dawat main ya yunhi akele chai peete - aik dum se yun saamne aa khare hote hain, jese bus kal ki baat ho. Us lamhe ki wahi taazgi, wahi khusbu, wahi vibration ......Aese hi aik lamhe ki kahani

There was a time when there was a guy who I truly, deeply, madly loved. We were in a forest, no really, we were in a actual forest, somewhere deep. It was early night time. And I was sitting beside him and we were talking. I cannot tell you how lovely I felt at the time. I was in 2nd year in medical school. He was a year senior. And then it got really late and we lost the way back and he picked me up in his arms (difficult to believe but I was around 50 KG at that point in my life) and it was the most romantic thing ever. I literally felt I was like a feather. To this day, if someone passes by wearing the similar kind of perfume that guy used to wear, I stop in my tracks.  
Oh doctor, aatish tab jawaan tha.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Diamond(s)

Kehte hain Heera (Diamond) agar aurat ki ungli main ho to, jitna qeemti ho, utni hi aurat ki zindagi barh jaati hai - Aur - agar mard ki ungli main ho to, utni hi uski umar ghat jaati hai.

Shayed aesa is liye hai ke - aurat "heere" ke saroor main goom reh ker har gum bhool jaati hai - aur - mard is gum main ghul jaata hai, ke itne qeemti heere ki heefazat kis kis tarah karun!

Saturday, July 05, 2014

Four Teachers

I always tell my kids, there are 4 teachers in life. Indeed, I was lucky to have all 4 in my life

1. Books
2. Travel
3. People (log)
4. Poverty

Read book everyday, even if its your wedding day. Travel if time and money permits, even a short day trip excursion to nearby places. Aur, insaan is kaainat ki sab se bari kitab hai. And I wish my kids get their share of days in life without a penny in pocket, scratching head to find a way out.

Wednesday, July 02, 2014

Story of a Cherry tree

Once there was a large cherry tree next to a house. 

A little boy who lived in that house loved to come and play around it every day. He used to climb the tree , ate the Cherries, played around and took a nap under the shadow…He loved the tree and the tree loved to see him play. Time went by…The little boy grew, and he no longer played around the tree. 

One day, the boy came back to the tree with a sad look on his face. “Come and play with me,” the tree asked the boy. “I am no longer a kid, I don’t play around trees anymore.” The boy replied, “I want toys. I need money to buy them.” “Sorry, I don’t have money…but you can pick all my Cherries and sell them so you will have money.”     

The boy was so excited. He picked all the Cherries on the tree and left happily. The boy didn’t come back. The tree was sad. 

One day, the boy grown into a man returned. The tree was so excited. “Come and play with me,” the tree said. “I don’t have time to play. I have to work for my family. We need a house for shelter. Can you help me?” “Sorry, I don’t have a house, but you can chop off my branches to build your house.” So the man cut all the branches off the tree and left happily. The tree was glad to see him happy but the boy didn’t come back afterward. The tree was again lonely and sad. 

 One hot summer day, the man returned and the tree was delighted. “Come and play with me!” The tree said. “I am sad and getting old. I want to go sailing to relax myself. Can you give me a boat?” “Use my trunk to build your boat. You can sail far away and be happy.” So the man cut the tree trunk to make a boat. He went sailing and didn’t come back for a long time. 

 Finally, the man returned after he had been gone for so many years. “Sorry, my boy, but I don’t have anything for you anymore. No more Cherries to give you.” The tree said. “I don’t have teeth to bite,” the man replied. “No more trunk for you to climb on.” “I am too old for that now,” the man said. “I really can’t give you anything… the only thing left is my dying roots,” the tree said with sadness. “I don’t need much now, just a place to rest. I am tired after all these years,” the man replied. “Good! Old tree roots are the best place to lean on and rest. Come sit down with me and rest.” The boy sat down and the tree was glad and smiled. 

 The tree in the story represents our parents. When we are young, we love to play with them. When we grow up, we leave them and only come back when we need help. Parents sacrifice their lives for us.

Tuesday, July 01, 2014

On 'Mortality' & 'Simple Joys of Life'

Few days ago, someone asked me about mortality. Since that day, I wanted to share one finest thing, I ever read on mortality. Its from a well known American novel "Water for Elephants" authored by a Canadian, Sara Gruen. 


"I am ninety. Or ninety-three. One or the other. 
When you're five, you know your age down to the month. 
Even in your twenties you know how old you are. I'm twenty three, you say, or maybe twenty-seven. But then in your thirties something strange starts to happen. It's a mere hiccup at first, an instant of hesitation. How old are you? Oh, I'm-you start confidently, but then you stop. You were going to say thirty-three, but you're not. You're thirty-five. And then you're bothered, because you wonder if this is the beginning of the end. It is, of course, but it's decades before you admit it".

and

"Sometimes I think that if I had to choose between an ear of corn or making love to a woman, I'd choose the corn. Not that I wouldn't love to have a final roll in the hay-I am a man yet, and some things never die-but the thought of those sweet kernels bursting between my teeth sure sets my mouth to watering. It's fantasy, I know that. Neither will happen. I just like to weigh the options, as though I were standing in front of Solomon: a final roll in the hay or an ear of corn. What a wonderful dilemma. ...."

Monday, June 30, 2014

On "Caller ID"

2 months ago, I decided to go bare on my home landline features (get rid of all features including caller ID). For a while, I felt like back in 1980s, when home phones were way of life without caller IDs. Where ring of phone in house will turn every head in house with an emotion of curiosity, anticipation and I guess little tachycardia of unknown! (My parents always believed and taught me of picking up phone if we are there).

I realized, how precious is that feeling of unknown expectation, excitement and suspense - and more importantly for human bonding, as people hear you in your voice!

Indeed, technology beyond certain limit is a curse and come with its own price.


Saturday, June 28, 2014

Insaan Aur Gadha

Pakistani film star Kamal ko Pakistan ka Raj Kapoor kaha jaata hai, is liye ke un ki shakal aur andaaz Raj Kapoor  se milta tha - magar Pakistan jese bad-naseeb mulk main ye baat bohat kum logoN ne 'appreciate' ki ke Kamal sahab ne Pakistan main 'art films' banane ke 'risky' tajarbe kiye.

Meri umar shayed 7 baras ho gi, jab unki banaii hui film 'Insaan aur Gadha' release hui. Main ghar pe shikayat na ker dun, is dar se cousins mujeh bhi Sunday ka matinee show dikhane le gaye. Us film ne mujh pe bohat gehra asar chora. (since that film  - Film star Nisho remained my all time crush)

Film aik Gadhe (played by Rangeela) ke gird ghumti hai, jo logon ke zulm se taang aa ker khuda se dua kerta hai ke mujhe insaan bana de. Uski Dua qabool hoti hai. Woh insaan ban jaata hai. Magar insaan ban ker use jo tajarbaat hote hain, woh khuda se phir Dua kerta hai - "ya khuda mujeh phir gadha bana de!"

(Kehte hain, Bhutto sahab is film pe kaafi naraz huwe the - kiun ke aik scene main rangeela sahab bhutto ke andaaz main gadhoN ke jalse se khitab kerte hain)

Mujeh insaanoN ki is duniya  main, kabhi kabhi woh film bohat yaad aati hai

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Aik French kahawat

Kabhi kahin kisi kitab main parha tha ke - France main aik baat kahi jaati hai:

"Duniya main saare masle tab shuru huwe, jab se aurat ne sex ka maza lena shuru kiya" *

Aksar apni thoRi khujate huwe sochta hun - shayed theek hi hai!

* Life's all problems originated since women start enjoying sex

Monday, June 23, 2014

On 'Forbidden Sin'

Today I had an interesting conversation with a friend about "Forbidden Sin". It reminded me of following poem of Fehmida Riyaz (read it loud to feel the actual depth of this poem)


Tuesday, June 17, 2014

A quote

(You may agree or may not! - I do)

“Religion is excellent stuff for keeping common people quiet. Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich.” ― Napoleon


Tuesday, June 03, 2014

Con Artist

(Heard this story while at reading and book discussion of Dr. Mubarak Ali's Taareekh, Thug aur Daacu)

Main to 35 baras aik 'Con Artist' ki biwi rahi - magar khuda na kare kisi ghar main koi 'Con Artist' paida ho.  

Kuch log paida hi 'Con Artist' (Dhoke baaz / thag) hote hain. Ye unki sar-sasht main peenha (embedded in Genes) hota hai. Ye waqt aane pe ma-baap, bhai-bahen ya khud apne biwi bachhon ko bhi dhoka dene se nahi chugte. Inka pata tab chalta hai, jab ye aap ki zindai ka hissa bante hain. Ye jhoot bole bagair, logon ko 'cheat' kiye bagar zinda hi nahi reh sakte. Aik nafsiyati marz hai jo aas paas kai logon ko barbad ker deta hai.

Mere shohar ke paas kai 'shankhti card' aur darjano 'passport' the. Us ne Pakistan, Dubai, aur Europe main kai logoN ko chuna lagaya. Mere Ma-baap ke paas kafi daulat thi. Usne mere ghar waloN se jhoot bol ker mujh se shadi ki. Mere baap ki daulat hatyane ke baad us ne  'investment company' banayi - aur aik ke baad aik, kai logoN ko lootta gaya. Kabhi Dubai main construction ki jaali company banaii. Kabhi apne hi business main aag lagwa ker 'insurance' ko loota. Kabhi 'credit card' ko fraud kiya. Pakistan main aik hi makan 4/5 logon ko bech ker farar ho gaya... Khud apne bhai behno ko loot liya. 2 dafa pakra bhi gaya magar wahan se heart attack ka bahana ker ke hospital gaya aur doctor ka roop dhar ke farar ho gaya.

Woh saari zindagi bhagta raha. Mujeh aur hamare do bachhon se barson  dur raha.  Saalon guzar jaate, koi khabar na aati aur phir dheroN paise le ker namudar hota aur wese hi saari daulat le ker gaib ho jaata. ....Aakhri baar jaate mere saare zewar bulke bachhoN ke paise bhi le gaya. Ajeeb baat ye hai ke use na to bare makan main rehne ka shoq tha, na gaari ka, na kapron ka. Har cheez ko thori der 'enjoy' kerta aur phir chor deta.

Akhir kaar aik accident main maara gaya. Us ki mayyat pe na to koi roya na hi koi been hui. 

Main ne Karachi University se nafsiyaat main 'Masters' kiya tha. Main ne 'pathological liars' ke bare main to parha tha, magar 'pathological con artists' ke baare main nahi. 

Allah jane un ki is 'Mental Thrill' ke peeche kis nafsiyati mehroomi ka haat hota hai.

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Your love language?

Lately I was very busy working and travelling. One friend complaint that I am not answering his calls, texts and emails - and I am not that old friend as before! It reminded me of famous book by Gary Chapman "The five love languages". Every human eventually fall into one category

  1. receiving gifts, - You feel loved by getting gifts
  2. quality time, - you feel loved if someone spend time with you
  3. words of affirmation, - you like to get acknowledgement 
  4. acts of service,  - you feel loved if someone do stuff for you 
  5. physical touch - you feel loved by hugs and cuddling
My love language is 'words of affirmation'. My friend's love language is probably 'quality time'. You can check your love language here or here

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Breakfast

(A story came in a forward email)

It was a busy Morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an Appointment at 9:00 am. I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, Knowing it would be over an hour before someone would be able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound.

On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the Doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound. While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry.

The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's disease. As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.

 I was surprised, and asked him, 'And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?'

 He smiled as he patted my hand and said, 'She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is.'

 I had to hold back myself as he left, I had goose bumps on my arms.