Greetings!!
Today, on my way back home from university by public transport in the peak hours of the day, I was excessively exasperated when the driver refused to drive any faster than 40km/hr and repeatedly braked horrendously, sending commuters thrown to the front of the vehicle. Tired with the day at the university, and unexplainably upset with some occurrences, I mused myself for sometime by envisioning a road accident, probably caused by a brake-failure. I imagined the windscreen shattered into a million pieces thrown towards the inside. I imagined screams, despair, pain and blood. I stopped for a minute and realized I was imagining depressive images which were not at all good for the brain. I immediately diverted my mind to other things like the newly paved roads and the cars that overtake so close to the gigantic vehicle that an accident not occurring is purely by luck! Through the rest of the journey, I had forgotten my imagination.
With only about 3kms left till my drop-point, the bus stopped at one of the bus stops for the driver's sip of life. Everyone was waiting for the driver to get back to his job when a horrific jerk sent all the commuters toppling over one another. My first instinct said the driver had released the clutch while the gear was not neutral. However, almost immediately, I was confirmed this was not the case. Everyone seemed suddenly worried gawking at the back of the bus. Following their stares, I found out the jerk had resulted from another bus bumping in from behind. Taken aback, I remembered my imagination. I immediately repented for imagining disaster and quickly thanked the Almighty that my vision was not completely true.
Sometimes, what one thinks and thinks really hard, does become the reality. One should be careful even with their thoughts because even though they are not audible, they can become reality.
Peace.
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
The Dreadful Night
Greetings!!
I can still remember that dreadful night in the beginning of this year. It was the semester break from the university. As it is with college and university students, a break of even two consecutive days is sufficient to disrupt our daily schedules. It had been almost a week since the university was off and my schedule was badly disrupted. It was just another one of those troubled nights when I found it hard to sleep even though the time was considerably past midnight. My eyes were forcefully shut, trying to make my active mind go to sleep. I felt my cellphone vibrate suddenly on my side. It was not the normal time for me receiving messages and I was surprised who would be messaging me at such a time at night.
Opening my eyes with difficulty while shielding them from the seemingly blinding light of the cellphone, my curiosity peaked when it turned out to be an exclusively "day" friend's message. However, only three words constituted that message, yet they were so unbelievable and frightening, I can still remember the shiver than ran up my spine when I read that message.
The three deadly words were, "My dad expired". I thought I maybe misread the message. I read it again, at a complete loss to contemplate it. I read it again, feeling the sinking sensations of the reality while still trying hard not to understand the direct meaning. I thought it might be a bad joke - a really bad joke to be pulled at such a time. Knowing this person, I knew he would never deliver such a bad joke. Fighting the impulse to write swear words in reply and rebuke him for such a pathetic message, I shut the message and went back to my futile attempts to sleep which were now distinctly more feeble. Through shut eyes and darkness, I could see the message emblazoned on the inner side of my eye-lids, burning into my eyeballs. A few long seconds passed by the same way. The next minute, I had rolled over to my cellphone, weirdly breathless, eyes wide open in spite of the light penetrating my dilated pupils, typing out my apologies at the loss while still praying he would reply back with a laugh and an early "April Fool". This reply, however, did not come.
I remember spending the night disturbed, awake, faking sleep so that my family members did not barge into my room criticizing me for late night commotion and praying the morning will have a miraculous reversal of this message. The miracle I was asking for was too big. I bugged a mutual friend in the early morning hours the same day about this happening, she also admitted being equally disturbed at the news. The whole day passed in a senseless frenzy and chaos, with some uncanny excerpts of our friendly moments reverberating in my ears.
The "gang" at the university had decided that the semester break would involve a visit to this friend's place. At that moment I couldn't help wishing we had never said that. This is definitely not what any of us had in mind. On an earlier occasion, this friend had talked about his family - his parents and a sweet sister constituted his family. On a certain random topic, I recalled him say, "we are four. When my sister gets married, I too will get married. So we will still remain four!! :)" After this dreadful loss, I was completely lost at how that count will ever be completed again. The loss was irrevocable - no number of people could ever fill that place. No one could even approach that space left empty. And no amount of words can express that loss to the fullest.
Do remember everyone and especially the departed soul in your prayers.
May Allah Bless Us All,
Peace.
I can still remember that dreadful night in the beginning of this year. It was the semester break from the university. As it is with college and university students, a break of even two consecutive days is sufficient to disrupt our daily schedules. It had been almost a week since the university was off and my schedule was badly disrupted. It was just another one of those troubled nights when I found it hard to sleep even though the time was considerably past midnight. My eyes were forcefully shut, trying to make my active mind go to sleep. I felt my cellphone vibrate suddenly on my side. It was not the normal time for me receiving messages and I was surprised who would be messaging me at such a time at night.
Opening my eyes with difficulty while shielding them from the seemingly blinding light of the cellphone, my curiosity peaked when it turned out to be an exclusively "day" friend's message. However, only three words constituted that message, yet they were so unbelievable and frightening, I can still remember the shiver than ran up my spine when I read that message.
The three deadly words were, "My dad expired". I thought I maybe misread the message. I read it again, at a complete loss to contemplate it. I read it again, feeling the sinking sensations of the reality while still trying hard not to understand the direct meaning. I thought it might be a bad joke - a really bad joke to be pulled at such a time. Knowing this person, I knew he would never deliver such a bad joke. Fighting the impulse to write swear words in reply and rebuke him for such a pathetic message, I shut the message and went back to my futile attempts to sleep which were now distinctly more feeble. Through shut eyes and darkness, I could see the message emblazoned on the inner side of my eye-lids, burning into my eyeballs. A few long seconds passed by the same way. The next minute, I had rolled over to my cellphone, weirdly breathless, eyes wide open in spite of the light penetrating my dilated pupils, typing out my apologies at the loss while still praying he would reply back with a laugh and an early "April Fool". This reply, however, did not come.
I remember spending the night disturbed, awake, faking sleep so that my family members did not barge into my room criticizing me for late night commotion and praying the morning will have a miraculous reversal of this message. The miracle I was asking for was too big. I bugged a mutual friend in the early morning hours the same day about this happening, she also admitted being equally disturbed at the news. The whole day passed in a senseless frenzy and chaos, with some uncanny excerpts of our friendly moments reverberating in my ears.
The "gang" at the university had decided that the semester break would involve a visit to this friend's place. At that moment I couldn't help wishing we had never said that. This is definitely not what any of us had in mind. On an earlier occasion, this friend had talked about his family - his parents and a sweet sister constituted his family. On a certain random topic, I recalled him say, "we are four. When my sister gets married, I too will get married. So we will still remain four!! :)" After this dreadful loss, I was completely lost at how that count will ever be completed again. The loss was irrevocable - no number of people could ever fill that place. No one could even approach that space left empty. And no amount of words can express that loss to the fullest.
Do remember everyone and especially the departed soul in your prayers.
May Allah Bless Us All,
Peace.
Sleeping Beauties
Greetings!!
Early morning journey to the university is often adventurous in its own sense.
Today, during my travel to the university, I observed two sleeping beauties on board belonging to two very different classes. One of the lady in her early thirties was dressed in a heavily embroidered dress with the classic white coat - the symbol for Doctor here in Pakistan. Nothing from her persona said she was a doctor except her coat. The second sleeping beauty was clad in a black gown, her face hidden behind a veil. I realized the second lady's slumber only when I occupied the seat next to her and she continuously drooped on me in her over-whelming sleep. All through my hour's journey, I saw both these women occupied in troubled sleep like they were deprived of the night. The jerks of the public transport seldom allows peaceful sleep, but if the sleeper is pure, even accidents are insufficient to wake them up!
If I had seen this yesterday, it would not have been so hard to digest since the day before was the religious event of "Shab-e-Baraat" where many occasional Muslims pull an all-nighter in prayers for the hope of getting their sins forgiven. But today, it seemed a little out of place to see two sleeping beauties together in the same bus.
I believe the culprit for this lack of sleep, other than the deteriorating economic conditions forcing people to do multiple jobs, is because of the electricity shortage the authorities claim proudly while justifying the load-shedding. Shameful though it is, with the abundant resources Pakistan is blessed with, electricity shortage is actually a question mark on Pakistan's talent and capability.
Peace.
Early morning journey to the university is often adventurous in its own sense.
Today, during my travel to the university, I observed two sleeping beauties on board belonging to two very different classes. One of the lady in her early thirties was dressed in a heavily embroidered dress with the classic white coat - the symbol for Doctor here in Pakistan. Nothing from her persona said she was a doctor except her coat. The second sleeping beauty was clad in a black gown, her face hidden behind a veil. I realized the second lady's slumber only when I occupied the seat next to her and she continuously drooped on me in her over-whelming sleep. All through my hour's journey, I saw both these women occupied in troubled sleep like they were deprived of the night. The jerks of the public transport seldom allows peaceful sleep, but if the sleeper is pure, even accidents are insufficient to wake them up!
If I had seen this yesterday, it would not have been so hard to digest since the day before was the religious event of "Shab-e-Baraat" where many occasional Muslims pull an all-nighter in prayers for the hope of getting their sins forgiven. But today, it seemed a little out of place to see two sleeping beauties together in the same bus.
I believe the culprit for this lack of sleep, other than the deteriorating economic conditions forcing people to do multiple jobs, is because of the electricity shortage the authorities claim proudly while justifying the load-shedding. Shameful though it is, with the abundant resources Pakistan is blessed with, electricity shortage is actually a question mark on Pakistan's talent and capability.
Peace.
Changing Interior Trends
Greetings!!
A recently as just a few years ago, I remember seeing the public vehicles' interiors here in Karachi decorated like a bride fresh from the beauty parlor. With numerous handicraft hanging on the windscreen and the sides, it was horrendous to sit on the benches beside the driver's seat; the hangings continuously poked on the head and the eyes. I remember once the hangings were so dense, the interior was actually suffocating to bear through the journey. More often, the hangings hung so low, it would block vision for the innocent first-timers craning their necks to look through the windscreen.
Recently, however, an abrupt change in these "interior-decoration" styles have become evident. Often now, I see the hangings have disappeared or significantly lessened. More of the windscreen is viewable now. The hangings are now restricted to the front with no handicrafts fixed above the benches and their occupants. Thankfully, this recent change has reduced the suffocation - with the sun pouring in through the windscreen during the morning time, it is much more bearable to travel in buses.
I believe much of this change is attributed to the recent increase in buses-related terrorism - almost above 50 buses have been burnt during the tensed times. Although the bus bodies are more or less "recoverable", these decors definitely aren't! These decors have moved into the category of luxury and with the current fluctuating moods of the city, luxury is something one cannot afford. Nevertheless, this current state of the buses is more appreciable since it allows women to sit more peacefully, less bothered by unnecessary things that cannot be moved.
Peace.
A recently as just a few years ago, I remember seeing the public vehicles' interiors here in Karachi decorated like a bride fresh from the beauty parlor. With numerous handicraft hanging on the windscreen and the sides, it was horrendous to sit on the benches beside the driver's seat; the hangings continuously poked on the head and the eyes. I remember once the hangings were so dense, the interior was actually suffocating to bear through the journey. More often, the hangings hung so low, it would block vision for the innocent first-timers craning their necks to look through the windscreen.
Recently, however, an abrupt change in these "interior-decoration" styles have become evident. Often now, I see the hangings have disappeared or significantly lessened. More of the windscreen is viewable now. The hangings are now restricted to the front with no handicrafts fixed above the benches and their occupants. Thankfully, this recent change has reduced the suffocation - with the sun pouring in through the windscreen during the morning time, it is much more bearable to travel in buses.
I believe much of this change is attributed to the recent increase in buses-related terrorism - almost above 50 buses have been burnt during the tensed times. Although the bus bodies are more or less "recoverable", these decors definitely aren't! These decors have moved into the category of luxury and with the current fluctuating moods of the city, luxury is something one cannot afford. Nevertheless, this current state of the buses is more appreciable since it allows women to sit more peacefully, less bothered by unnecessary things that cannot be moved.
Peace.
Sunday, 17 July 2011
Commemorance of religious events
Greetings!!
Religious events, especially here in pakistan, are celebrated with utmost fervor. Not to mention the forehead cracking worships muslims indulge in and their intensity in the form of long drawn tiring hours, usually late into the night, more recently, these religious festivities are accompanied with FIREWORKS!
Though the connection between the two does not remotely exist, this recent development has rapidly gained popularity with firework artists now flogging each residential area in pakistan. Not only does this imply endless ordeal with the sound of the blasts attacking everyone's ears present in the vicinity, these firework artists are significantly skilled in multiplying this ordeal by not only increasing the sound of the blasts, but also by igniting these fireworks right at the moment when people least expect it - like in the dead of the night.
Yesterday, a similiar religious event was celebrated with the aforesaid religious fervor. People were caught off guard when these miniature bombs went off to create noise pollution. With the current conditions of this region, these mischief mongers do not realize their innocent acts of terrorizing are not well suited and can easily be misunderstood!
I believe parents are to be blamed for these actions by their wards, because they are financially and morally responsible for their upkeep. If parents can exercise some control over their children, i think religious events can be commemorated with pure religious fervor and our environment saved from this unnecessary polluting factors.
Peace.
Religious events, especially here in pakistan, are celebrated with utmost fervor. Not to mention the forehead cracking worships muslims indulge in and their intensity in the form of long drawn tiring hours, usually late into the night, more recently, these religious festivities are accompanied with FIREWORKS!
Though the connection between the two does not remotely exist, this recent development has rapidly gained popularity with firework artists now flogging each residential area in pakistan. Not only does this imply endless ordeal with the sound of the blasts attacking everyone's ears present in the vicinity, these firework artists are significantly skilled in multiplying this ordeal by not only increasing the sound of the blasts, but also by igniting these fireworks right at the moment when people least expect it - like in the dead of the night.
Yesterday, a similiar religious event was celebrated with the aforesaid religious fervor. People were caught off guard when these miniature bombs went off to create noise pollution. With the current conditions of this region, these mischief mongers do not realize their innocent acts of terrorizing are not well suited and can easily be misunderstood!
I believe parents are to be blamed for these actions by their wards, because they are financially and morally responsible for their upkeep. If parents can exercise some control over their children, i think religious events can be commemorated with pure religious fervor and our environment saved from this unnecessary polluting factors.
Peace.
The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho
Greetings!!
I happened to read this book a while back. With its easy language and smooth flow, this book is definitely a must read for all those looking for good stories in understandable language!
As a kid, I remember hearing this same plot-line in Urdu with slightly different setting and characters. Though this book was first published in 1988, I doubt whether the Urdu version was actually an adaptation of The Alchemist.
The story is centered on a shepherd who is foretold in his dreams that he has a bigger cause to fulfill. On the search for this "cause", this shepherd travels around half of the world. What happens next is written in the book.
It has a beautiful message engraved in the story - whatever happens, happens for a reason we may not be able to see while it is happening, but will realize to appreciate it when we look back at it. So when we challenge the Almighty by saying certain way could have been better for reaching the same goal, we are actually challenging His wisdom - which I believe is pure idiocy seeing we are nowhere comparable to Him!
Peace.
I happened to read this book a while back. With its easy language and smooth flow, this book is definitely a must read for all those looking for good stories in understandable language!
As a kid, I remember hearing this same plot-line in Urdu with slightly different setting and characters. Though this book was first published in 1988, I doubt whether the Urdu version was actually an adaptation of The Alchemist.
The story is centered on a shepherd who is foretold in his dreams that he has a bigger cause to fulfill. On the search for this "cause", this shepherd travels around half of the world. What happens next is written in the book.
It has a beautiful message engraved in the story - whatever happens, happens for a reason we may not be able to see while it is happening, but will realize to appreciate it when we look back at it. So when we challenge the Almighty by saying certain way could have been better for reaching the same goal, we are actually challenging His wisdom - which I believe is pure idiocy seeing we are nowhere comparable to Him!
Peace.
Formal Dresses
Greetings!!
The topic of contention between the students and the authorities at the university has often been the case of formal dressing. With the scorching sweltering heat prevalent in Karachi, wearing a three-piece suit is far from possible for men - unless we want strong brave macho men fainting in the heat like bowling pins fall when hit by the ball.
In most organizations, central air conditioning keeps the environment pleasant and the coat-suits tolerable. But in the university, where the males seem to spend most of their time on the field work, with no "boys common room" to relax their worked up muscles and no air conditioned classrooms available apart from the scheduled course classes, imposing three-piece suits on them seem to be very harsh.
But the authorities do not deviate from their reasons - men need to learn their grooming from the university-level. If they can not bear wearing suits in the university and they continue to dress rashly, they will most probably end up giving their job interviews of massive organizations in Bermudas and muscle-grip sleeveless shirts!!!
In my opinion, grooming should be taught at the universities - but in a more polite manner. Men, though they possess immense strength and valor, can get strokes and sun burnt too!
Peace.
The topic of contention between the students and the authorities at the university has often been the case of formal dressing. With the scorching sweltering heat prevalent in Karachi, wearing a three-piece suit is far from possible for men - unless we want strong brave macho men fainting in the heat like bowling pins fall when hit by the ball.
In most organizations, central air conditioning keeps the environment pleasant and the coat-suits tolerable. But in the university, where the males seem to spend most of their time on the field work, with no "boys common room" to relax their worked up muscles and no air conditioned classrooms available apart from the scheduled course classes, imposing three-piece suits on them seem to be very harsh.
But the authorities do not deviate from their reasons - men need to learn their grooming from the university-level. If they can not bear wearing suits in the university and they continue to dress rashly, they will most probably end up giving their job interviews of massive organizations in Bermudas and muscle-grip sleeveless shirts!!!
In my opinion, grooming should be taught at the universities - but in a more polite manner. Men, though they possess immense strength and valor, can get strokes and sun burnt too!
Peace.
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