Fetal position

"Why fetal position seems very comforting to sleep"?

"Because we all tend to regress in eternal peace of womb"

Happiness

A rich man in order to be happy, went on searching for it, travelling different countries. He was still not happy. He chased wine, women and other addictions…but his heart was devoid of happiness. Someone told him that there was happiness in a life of renunciation. So, he decided to try that too.

He packed all his wealth, the treasure stored in his house, all diamonds, precious stones, gold ….. He took the bundle and placed it at the feet of yogi and said, `Swamiji! I am placing all my wealth at your feet! I don't need them anymore. I only seek peace of mind and happiness! Where is peace?' saying thus, he fell at the feet of the yogi in total surrender.

The yogi did not seem to heed his words at all. He hurriedly opened the bundle and checked the contents. It was full of dazzling diamonds, glittering gold. On viewing these, the yogi tied up the bundle and ran with it.

The rich man was extremely shocked. `Oh, no! I have surrendered to a cheat, a pseudo Godman! What a blunder!' he thought. His sadness turned into anger and he went behind the yogi in hot pursuit. The yogi went into all the lanes and by-lanes, but finally reached the place from where he had started his run…under the tree. The rich man also reached the same place, panting hard.

Before he uttered a word, the yogi said, `hey, did you get scared that I would abscond with your wealth? Here, take it! I have no need for it…keep it for yourself!' and returned the bundle to him. The rich man was very happy that he got back his `lost' wealth. `Here is peace', said the yogi. The yogi further added, `You see, all this wealth was with you even before you came here. But you did not derive joy from them."

Moral: Be content and to enjoy all we have brings happiness. We only know when we loose them.

The 18th Camel!

There was a father who left 17 camels as the inheritance for his three sons. When the father passed away, his sons opened up the will. The Will of the father stated that the eldest son should get half of 17 camels while the middle son should be given 1/3rd (one-third). The youngest son should be given 1/9th (one-ninth) of the 17 camels.

As it is not possible to divide 17 into half or 17 by 3 or 17 by 9, the three sons started to fight with each other.
So, the three sons decided to go to a wise man. The wise man listened patiently about the Will.

The wise man, after giving this thought, brought one camel of his own and added the same to 17. That increased the total to 18 camels.  Now, he started reading the deceased father’s will.

Half of 18 = 9. So he gave the eldest son 9 camels - and satisfied he walked away
1/3rd of 18 = 6. So he gave the middle son 6 camels - and satisfied he walked away
1/9th of 18 = 2. So he gave the youngest son 2 camels - and satisfied he walked away

Wise man was left there with his own camel, and he walked away shaking his head! 

(There is a solution to every problem/situation).

Ruhi Bano

What a disturbing news!

When we start growing and watching TV, Ruhi Bano was a Pakistani icon. Read this disturbing news. Wanted to say: "Life is a Bitch" but would recite gulzar sahab!

Jeene ke liye socha hi nahi dard sambhalne honge

Muskuraye to, muskurane ke qarz utarne honge

"Roohi Bano, the half-sister of acclaimed musician Zakir Hussain, (and daughter of Indian tabla maestro Alla Rakha) was back in the news recently after thieves stole Rs 1 million and some valuables from her house in Gulberg area of Lahore.......Bano lost her only son Ali when he was shot dead in 2005 under mysterious circumstances at the age of 20...........Since then, she has lived alone, battling medical and psychological problems. Trash and old furniture lie strewn outside her home, which lacks basic amenities such as gas. The furniture inside is broken and the only working appliance Bano owns is her television."

Full news here  http://dawn.com/news/1031822/pak-born-daughter-of-alla-rakha-faces-hard-times

Pathetic!

Nothing is more pathetic than opening all newspapers in the morning and found to have headline of birth of Royal boy!

Excuse my language but WTF! What about 250 other babies born each minute.

I guess "Life is not fair, its just an affair"

Dui ki boo

Peechli post main Darzi Chacha ka zikar aaya. Woh bhi wese aik kamal ke aadmi the. Har shaks ko, har 'situation' main, aur har 'discussion' main - unhe 'Luqma' dene ki bimari thi - isi liye har jagah pehchane jaate the.

Unki dukan ke paas aik khan sahab ka chai khana tha. Har sham hum dostoN ki wahan mehfil jamti thi. Darzi chacha aik din wahan chai lene aaye the. Hum doston main mazhab, khuda wagera pe bahes chal rahi thi (Ye umar bhi ajeeb hoti hai. Har mazmoon saher-kun lagta hai). Kisi ne kaha: "Jab har mazhab ka khuda aik hi hai to itne saare tafarqe kiun?"

Is per Darzi chacha ne luqma diya: "Khuda aik nahi. Khuda yagana hai. Aik kaho ge to 'limited'*  ho jaaye ga"^. 

Aur phir ghalib ka ye misrah apne paan bhare mun se parh ke aage chal diye: "Jo dui ki bu bhi hoti to do chaar hota".#


* He loved using english words

 ^ God is not one. God is unique. If you call him one, he becomes limited.

# Full sher is  
"Usey Kon Dekh Sakta, ke Yagana Hai Wo Yakta?, 
Jo Dui Ki Boo Bhi Hoti To Kahin Do-chaar Hota"

Tayyar!

Mujhe nahi maalum ye baat kitni theek hai (koi aurat hi bata sakti hai). 

Hamare mohalle se zara aage Darzi Chacha ki dukan thi. Main wahaN apne college ka shalwar kurta silwane gaya tha. Main parde ke peeche se naya shalwar kurta pahen ke nikla aur aaine main khud ko dekhne laga to kehne lage:

"Barkhurdar! Mard aur aurat ka yahi faraq hai... Aurat tayyar hoti hai to khud ko neeche se dekhna shuru kerti hai. Mard tayyar hota hai to khud ko ooper se dekhna shuru kerta hai"!

The Mayor of Casterbridge - 3

(An email. The previous 2 posts on 'The Mayor Of Casterbridge" are here and here )

I was unable to comment on your post - FYI

I read both posts on "The Mayor of Casterbridge." I understand every person has his own view on such so-called classic novels. I respect the opinions expressed in both previous posts in this regard. But, I think Thomas Hardy, throughout the novel, is trying to develop a portrait of a man who did something very wrong in his life. Now as a man of Conscience, he is trying, as best he can, to pay the price of his wrongful act. The novel's climax comes when he fails to win his stepdaughter ("I loved you late, but I loved you well"). I have read the last letter of Michael Henchard many times and always wind up with tears in my eyes:

 'That Elizabeth-Jane Farfrae be not told of my death, or made to grieve on account of me. 

 that I be not bury'd in consecrated ground. 
that no sexton be asked to toll the bell. 
that nobody is wished to see my dead body. 
that no mourners walk behind me at my funeral. 
that no flours be planted on my grave.
that no man remember me. 
To this I put my name. 

 'Michael Henchard.' 

 It is sad. It's tragic - and probably many good men live and die like this!

(call me whatever!)

*

Far From the Madding Crowd

I was so amazed at the flowing style of Thomas Hardy that after finishing his novel "The Mayor of Casterbridge" (here and here) I read his novel "Far From the Madding Crowd." In contrast to the previous novel, this is an interesting novel contemplating with psych of a young woman standing at a crossroads in her life.

The novel's theme revolves around the notion that a girl named Bathsheba Everdene wants to marry someone she can love with all her heart and soul. She is a woman of pride, self-esteem, and integrity. Even the slightest red flag moves her heart away from a loving person like the novel's hero, Gabriel. In the process, she makes mistakes (like sending a card to Mr. Boldwood and making him obsessed with her). She marries the wrong person, a pure jerk and playboy named Sergeant Troy. 

The novel is about a 'block' between a young girl's heart and mind and her inability to draw a line between submission and self-respect. Also, it is about Gabriel's quiet love and friendship, who stays all along in the novel as a parallel character.

If you don't have time to read the novel, watch the adaptation here or read here

After finishing the novel, it is hard to answer who was better for her: a quiet, hardworking true friend (Gabriel) or a mature, dry man of deep love (Mr. Boldwood)?

*

"that one moment"

I am posting this email, not to brag about myself but to see if anyone else had this kind of moments in life too? I received following on my personal email and when I responded, it bounced back. Probably the person has cancelled email account. My comments are after email.

"Doc,

Granted, I felt that maybe I knew you from past life?......I have no reason to lie, it would do me no good. 

Approximately 18 years ago, I stayed with a friend in Chicago for 1 month, we visited Makki Masjid and attended few religious festivals, classes and women majalis.  I  visited masjid  daily (that is my version of heaven on earth).  And I think that's when I saw you for a very brief moment.  It was more like a tunnel vision experience, everything around us had stopped, nothing else existed, as if the time held still ... I am sure you've had those moments too, don't you?  I thought it was weird ....... I forgot all about it until .... I saw your pic with name in one Pakistani magazine, I almost fell off my chair. 

I was contemplating telling you this because I didn't want you to think that I was using this as a bait to reel you into my life.  I was actually surprised when I saw your pic, I didn't know you were a doctor and then had a flashback when for a brief moment I noticed you were alone coming out from Makki Masjid, you were looking to the side and had this big smile on your face and I thought to myself, how sweet! normally you don't see people smiling and whatever reason behind it didn't matter, it seem genuine and attractive...it put the smile on my face.

....I am just happy to be there and it's like a Light Switch, it just comes on, sometimes I have no control over it.  All I know is that I am happy, so I felt the same way about you.  I believe it was a spiritual experience......  

Therefore, believe me when I say, I did not know you then and I still don't know you but I wish I know you. I found your email via google....."  

I had such moments twice in my life. One person (a girl), I never found despite my all endeavors. Other person became my closest friend for now almost 30 years.Though we have many many long years in between  going without talking.

Suicide!

I work in a profession where I see life and death up close and front. But every time if  I hear someone committed a suicide, I feel an electric shock and remain motionless for minutes.

I don't want to create a story on someone's tragedy. In short, a woman slapped other woman in a desi party. She felt so humiliated, she went home and killed herself leaving behind 2 kids.

"........." ?????!!!

Sheer shock!

http://youtu.be/nI51ESCus1U

Correction to one common literary misconception

99% of Urdu readers think that (even in text books of Pakistan universities) famous  ghazal -

 na kisi ki aankh ka noor hun, na kisi ke dil ka qarar hun 

 jo kisi ke kaam na aa sake, main woh ik mushte gubar hun 

belongs to Bahadur Shah Zafar.

Even new couplets, wrong words and takhallus were added . But in actuality it belongs to pre-partition Indian poet Muztar kherabadi. Attached is image which is scanned to me by a very highly literate friend in Urdu literature!

Izzat!

"Tumhara shohar kitna bad-dimag aur bad-tameez shakhs hai. Phir bhi tum uski kitni izzat kerti ho. Kal us ne tum se kitna jhagra kiya magar - aaj subah - tum ne usi tarah us ka nashta banaya, aur uska 'tiffin' bandha. Kese ker leti ho?"

"Awwal to saari duniya ko kiun pata chale ke mian biwi ka jhagra huwa hai, is liye aaj 'tiffin' nahi aaya! Dusri baat, Aurat akeli ho to us ke aas paas hazar mard jama ho jaate hain. Us pe dil waarne waale, dilkash 'slick talk' kerne wale, us pe paisa urane wale - magar --- Aurat ko apna naam dene wala, izzat ki chadar aur char deewari ki 'security' dene wala, use dusre mardoN ki nazroN se mehfooz kerne ke liye anghooti daalne wala --- hazaroN main bas aik mard hota hai. Ab aurat uski bhi izzat na kare to kiya apne pairoN pe kulhari maar le?"

The Mayor of Casterbridge - 2

One email on the previous post, "The Mayor of Casterbridge" (here)

I have been reading your blog and musings but have yet to comment. On your review of 'The Mayor of Casterbridge,' I felt to say something. I was mesmerized by Michael Henchard's character because of my strong will father's addiction to alcohol. 

I tried to post a comment twice, but the comment didn't go through; I am sending an email to clarify 2 points.

1. Your review leaves the impression that Donald Farfrae was a clever, manipulative man. I'm afraid I have to disagree. I think he was just too naive or, let's say, a shallow fellow who failed to understand the depth of Michael Henchard's personality. He didn't mean harm, but due to his young, ambitious nature, he could not realize the ills he brought into Michael Henchard's life. We learned from him that the depth of character is different from living a regular superficial life!

2. Michael Henchard's character is all about intensity. He is a good man but of intense emotions. He loves, hates, and acts with intensity. Intensity is a double edge sword. Intensity brings massive depth in character and the strength to do the right things irrespective of consequences. Still, it rattles and rocks own and many lives around—many geniuses, as we know in history.

Portraying the complex interaction of these two characters from everyday life in conjunction with three different women, like, innocent Elizabeth-Jane, womanly as a woman can be Lucetta, and motherly Susan, makes this novel a classic.

Ashaar
UK

*

The Mayor of Casterbridge

(I am lucky to have kids who allow me to read while I am on vacation)

'The Mayor of Casterbridge' is said to be Thomas Hardy's best work, first published in 1886 and later had subsequent editions.

'The Mayor of Casterbridge' revolves around the controversial character of Michael Henchard, whom Thomas Hardy continues to argue as a man of character despite his horrible mistakes in life.

Michael Henchard is an emotional man addicted to alcohol and, one day, under the influence of alcohol, sells his wife and an infant child in an auction for five guineas. That's how the novel opens. Later in the story, he tries to reincarnate into a respectful man, intervening with many twists. Cruel destiny challenges him as his wife and child appear again! - but was it all clear as it appeared?

Thomas Hardy is trying to say that any human character is tangled between many things like emotions, addictions, intelligence, relationships, fate, innate good nature, hidden truths, etc. The prime time of seeing the balance of this prism is in middle age. Some people pull through successfully with a fine balance,' and some just drop down the cliff!

One interesting thing I noticed but didn't read in any other reviews was the constant duel of 2 characters in the novel. Michael Henchard is an emotional and anxious man prone to act on his reflexes, and Donald Farfrae is a man of good nature, mature and intelligent. But beneath the layers is Henchard, whom Thomas Hardy thinks of as a man of character, despite all his faults. It is just that Farfare knows how to play his moves. It appeared to me that many readers miss the point that - many, though they seem perfect outside (like Farfare), may have more material objectives than achieving unseen values.

This novel reminded me of many human beings around me - and the final take was - not to be judgemental about any human.

If you don't have time, you can watch tele adaption here Part 1 and Part 2. The full print novel is here

*

Saman (Ashfaq Ahmad)

I don't agree with everything Ashfaq sahab says but I have to agree with this one. I tried to translate below in my FOB english!

Men love things of his personal use. Women feel satisfied by things which she can show to others. As far as woman stays as a man 'thing', he continue to pour his heart on her and stays her kosher! But as soon as woman becomes free and independent, he starts respecting her as a free and independent individual. - And between them, instead of love - a feeling of mutual respect gets born.

A quote

The last "Thank You"

I was in 3rd  year medical school. During my very first clinical rotation through medical ward, I was ask to take 'history' from a very private /VVIP/paid patient. Later, I was told he was one of the richest tycoon in the city. I learned a lot about him after he died, from newspaper. He left most of his estate to the nurse who was taking care of him. Wife, children and family were furious. Legal actions and stories were published in newspaper. But what he told to a naive, young medical student on that sunny day in a private hospital room made all sense to later parts of events which remained incomprehensible to many.

"Jab insaan maut ke bister pe para hota hai to sab kuch be-maani ho jaata hai. Ma thori thori yaad aati hai. Biwi, bachhe, bhai bahen, sab dost rishetedar be-maani ho jaate hain. Paisa, daulat, izzat, shaurat bhi bekaar lagti hai. Kaun zindagi main mila, kaun kho gaya - kuch yaad nahi rehta. Log kehte hain, achhe amal yaad rehte hain - sach poocho to woh be be-maani lagte hain. Maut ki dehleez pe khare - sirf aik hi jee chahta hai - ke - jo zindagi main aap ke kaam aaye, jinhoN ne aap ke dukh baante, jo bure waqtoN main aap ke saath khare rahe - aap sirf aik dafa unhe 'Thank you' keh sakain - werna baqi sab kuch aur baqi sab log izafi lagte hain"

"Gallery"

(Cartoonist name is unknown)

Ma!