Thursday, April 28, 2016

On "Organ donations"

(I have previously posted on this blog at various occasions advocating the issue. Following is a forwarded message. I am not sure how true is the story but it makes perfect sense).

One of the richest and most powerful men in Brazil, Thane Chiquinho Scarpa, made waves when he announced plans to bury his million-dollar Bentley, so he could drive around his afterlife in style. He received lots of media attention, mostly negative and was severely criticized for the extravagant gesture and wasting of a precious commodity. Why wouldn’t he donate the car to charity? How out of touch with reality is this guy? He still went ahead with the ceremony. But, there’s a twist.

Moments before lowering the car in the ground prepared for the burial of his Bentley,he declared that he wouldn't bury his car and then revealed his genuine motive for the drama: Just to create awareness for organ donation. “People condemn me because I wanted to bury a million dollar Bentley, in fact, most people bury something a lot more valuable than my car,” Scarpa said during a speech at the ceremony. “They bury hearts, livers, lungs, eyes, kidneys. This is absurd. So many people waiting for a transplant and you bury your healthy organs that could save so many lives!”

Think about it.

Friday, April 15, 2016

On "Adam n Eve'

Kehte hain: Saari zindagi mard apni Ma aur aurat apne Baap ki talash main rehti hai

Magar - khud Aurat ke andar ki Ma - aur mard ke andar ka baap - kabhi nahi marta!

Aurat maashuq ho to piyar neechawar kerne ke saath saath possessive ho jaati hai - aur aksar usi aag main apna sab kuch jala leti hai
- Aur -
Mard aashiq ho to saala protective hone ke saath saath haakim ho jaata hai - aur zor na chale to jabar pe utar aata hai

Aik gorkh dhandha

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

One Turkish painting


Nothing was accidental when I visited the land of Ustad Rumi! Our flight from Istanbul landed at Kayseri airport very late. It was past 12 midnight. Our Van driver in darkness lost his way and on top of it van breakdown in the middle of nowhere. It was already 3 AM. We decided to sleep in van till dawn. In the morning, we walked to a nearby village. It was a small roadside hotel. Owner fed all 4 of us free knowing we are Pakistanis and are lost. I saw this painting on the wall and it took me over. I stand there looking at it for 5 minutes. As we finished our trip and were back in Istanbul, this painting continues to occupy my mind. As Rumi said: "What you seek is seeking you"! A night before our flight, We decided to take a walk on a small street nearby blue mosque. It was a very small store. It was invisible as the store was down in the basement. I walked down stairs thinking of buying something as a souvenir and saw this painting staring right at my face. I bought it. 

This painting depicts Turkish lifestyle and culture. White and black males talking casually in simple clothing in a store sitting on a carpet, chappal, Tea, Sheesha, a sword, a gun. It is just beautiful!



Wednesday, April 06, 2016

On "Knot theory and intelligent design"

When in microbiology, I was introduced to knot theory, it was a whole new spectrum of the conceptual world. Mathematicians and microbiologists, work together to understand the untieing of the knot of DNA strings, as bacterias are way smarter than humans to tie, untie, cross and uncross DNA strings in a very organised fashion.

Whenever, I think of knot theory and DNA strings, I can not stop thinking that such an immense work of organised art of knotting at microcellular level can't be an accident. The probability of  creation as an intelligent design is way higher than an accident of fusion.

As Muzaffar Warsi famously said : koi to hai jo nizame hasti chala raha hai

In case, if you are interested in fourth dimension and knot theory etc., watch the following presentation of Mathematician-comedian Matt Parker - 13:30 to 34.30 - His whole book is worth reading.

Tuesday, April 05, 2016

On "Dish washing" - 2

Previous post here (click)

An email from a friend.

ابا جی سے ملاقات ہوئی. میں نے گزارش کی کہ کچھ 
نصیحت کیجیئے۔

انھوں نے سوال کیا؛ کاکا کبھی برتن دھوئے ہیں ؟

میں ان کے سوال پر حیران ہوا اور جواب دیا کہ جی دھوئے ہیں ۔
پوچھنے لگے کیا سیکھا ؟؟

میں نے کہا اس میں سیکھنے والی کیا بات ہے ؟

وہ مسکرائے اور کہنے لگے؛ برتن کو باہر سے کم اور اندرسے زیادہ دھونا پڑتا ہے...

Saturday, April 02, 2016

On - Hijab, Fashion and 'Issues'

(one pretty judgmental conversation with a Hijabi woman)

"Kese pata chaley Larki ne Hijab apni convication se pehnaa hai? ya phir aaj kal ka fashion/pressure hai? ya andar koi 'issue'/'conflict' chal raha hai?

"Jis Hijab ke saath chehrey pe itminaan, batoN main Therao aur lehje main sukoon na ho, samjh lo baat kuch aur hai".

Friday, April 01, 2016

"Desi Parents"

(Following was shared as discussion turned towards "success vs happiness" as goal of parenting)

"I was a typical hovering desi mother. I loved to brag on facebook and home parties about my children's achievements. 100 percent scores, music class, gym class, spelling bees, history projects, science fairs, state tests and all those competitions were must for my children to participate and win. Hell NO to Public schools!!!!!! They were not allowed to think lesser than Harvard, MIT, Stanford or McGill.

It was one regular afternoon. My son didn't come back from school!!!

He was in ninth grade by that time. When he didn't come home in the private ride we hired for him, I called his cell phone. It was off. I called his friends and classmates. He was in school until last minute - but didn't get into the van. I drove to school. It was 5 PM. The school was empty. He was quietly sitting on the side of a bench. As soon as I tapped on his shoulder, he saw me and screamed with fear. He was shaking. He started running as fast as he can from me. Not mentioning the whole drama, he was afraid as he didn't have A grade in his Art class. We came home quietly.

On that day, I canceled my facebook account".