Pangs of an Indian Pakistani

On departure at Indira Gandhi Airport, New Delhi her father, a man with steel nerves, exclaimed with a mask face, in a matter of fact manner, “Now that you are going across, own the place, own the people, and own the problems the way you have owned the man from there.” Without a trace of [...]

Baisakhi in Kashmir~ a tryst with nature.

“Woken up with the slightest of hint, we jumped out of our warm beds excitedly and got ready without much fuss. Ammi packed food in a four tiered brass tiffin carrier, placed plates, spoons, a stove, Samovar and other needful in a cane basket, and by 8:00 AM we were heading for the Hazratbal end [...]

Please pray for us too, Mr President !

Just a few weeks ago I was moved to hear an ex Indian Chief Election Commissioner say to Najam Sethi: “Hamara Makkah Medina to aap ke paas hai.” (Our Mecca and Madina are with you). After retirement he had come to visit the holy places of Sikh in Pakistan, the Nankana Sahib and other holy [...]

O’ the wandering mind ~Kabir

Kabir has hardly spared any animate and inanimate examples to ridicule the bigots who have great illusions about their self image and through their beliefs repeatedly,  make a fool of themselves. In the same spirit, I came across yet another simple yet interest verses. Poem 1:  Apanpo aap hi bisaro. Says Kabir, they  fall prey [...]

Horse ‘art’

Horse and man has been friends and companions since time immemorial. It is said that their association dates back to almost 5,500 years ago. Initially used to carry loads, was later used as the main means of transportation, for wars and then for recreation. The horse when used in wars needed protected gear like the [...]

Beautifully meaningful

These are colourful bits with each of a unique shape, size, yet so purposeless, resembling a pile of multicoloured rubble, until…. ..magic happens. And they all   find their right roles in the right places. Which piece fits best next to the other isn’t necessarily of the same shade or same shape. What is worth [...]

Leaving your heart prints

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about expensive gifts, teddy bears, chocolates or red roses to girlfriends. It’s about  making any of your loved ones ( whosoever they may be)  feel that they matter. And to make anyone feel  that you care, fortunately does not take loads of money. In fact it does not  cost anything but  a [...]

Sights and Sounds May Disappear, but Smell Shall Linger.

Published in TheNewsBlog February 7, 2012. http://blogs.thenews.com.pk/blogs/2012/02/07/sights-and-sounds-may-disappear-but-smell-shall-linger/ “When I miss her, I go to her closet to sense my daughter’s fragrance.” Arfa Karim‘s Mom said on her 17th birthday. The words from the teary eyed mother gave me goose bumps. She was certainly not talking about the perfumes that Arfa adorned, but the odour that she [...]

Basant, a festival beyond beliefs

On 27th January, 2012 India celebrates Basant panchami. In Pakistan, it is celebrated towards the end of February.   Towards the end of January till early March, the golden harvest of wheat stand tall ready to be harvested sometime in early April.  And wheat is our staple crop. At the same time in Januray February [...]

Amir Khusrau, the disciple

Listening to the stories and anectodes of Mehboob-e-Ilahi( Beloved of God) was a norm as kids. A Mamoo, an ardent follower of Sufism, who lived in Jaipur was the source. If he ever happened to pass by Delhi, visit to the ‘Dargah’ was a mandatory.  And when in Delhi, he had to visit his sister too [...]