Click to enlarge the sketch
Friday, July 15, 2005
Prologue and the Hostlers' Tale, by Me as Chaucer
Prologue and the Hostlers' Tale has been written in 'kind of' Chaucerian language, and so would be understood only by those who have read Geoffrey Chaucer
PROEM
Whan in that September did it to me suite
That I joined hem as the goone on the same route.
Now whan this journey is about to ende
To write about my compaignye I tende.
To tellen you that in hostelrye
We were well eight in compaignye.
Now I woulde tellen you all the condicioun
Of each of hem with good resoun,
Who and in what arraye were they inne
And with a gyant wol I first begynne.
1. THE GYANT (Zubair)
A gyant ther was and that a worthy man
To tellen you of hym here my tale begynne.
To speken of his arraye,
That whan he was in hostelrye
He was alway neat and tidye.
Now to tellen you of hys habits__
Meeke he certainly was with oother
Like the ox kept awaye from fodder.
And to tellen you of hys efficiencye
A tortoise he woulde beat certainlye.
A ‘booty’ he was and woulde beat everyone,
And often with bent neck would leave anone.
And this gyant was verray healthy
Except that hys nose sniffled usually.
Now I feer the gyant may become full of wrath
So I’d telle you more of hym naught.
2. SAM (Kashif)
With this gyant, ther was another one
An ogre he was though he seemed humane.
Whan that he wore shirt, tie and pante
He woulde talk only of Englonde and Frankforte.
But whan that he was in hostelrye
He woulde weer ‘kachha’ and move freely.
Now to tellen you more about hym__
That whan he ate, he finished in seconds few
And alway left the plate almost new,
No single morsel woulde he spare,
While eating rice he looked certainly fair.
And whan that he woulde sleepe
He seemed like a crocodile woulde creepe.
Some people woulde call hym Sam
Often he behaved like a kid in pram.
A byg mouth had he,
Full round lyke the moon,
Often he woulde get angry anone
So more of hym I woulde say none.
3. BHIRA (Abu Bakar)
A Bhira ther was and that a strange man
That from the tyme whan he first began
He wanted to know every single detail
And why he woulde fall ill is another tale.
A verray goode nose had he
Hidden anything from hym you coulde never keep.
A good player of cricket he was
But beside cricketer, a player he also was.
Interest in decorum he always kepte
Though usually he was at other’s door-stepe.
A verray hospitable man was he
And guests woulde he receive usually.
And well knoon was he at college and hostelrye
A great man lyke hym you woulde find rarelye.
Now I hear a knock at my own door,
I feer its Bhira, so I woulde say na moore.
4. ADDY (Zaman)
A Sheikhupurya was in this compaignye
Hys body as slim as a daisye.
Whan that he moved, he looked an adder
To tellen you more, he was Bhira’s brother.
And whan that he woore beret__ the cape,
He looked a serpent in dense crope.
Success had he at college in final yeer
But the girl had some head injury I feer.
Often woulde he visit the hockey ground
And he was certainly well knoon around.
And whan that he was in hostelrye
He wore a neat arraye certainlye.
The same dress woulde he weer for full month
And brushed hys teeth on every tenth.
Still he sat in compaignye, I don’t know how
He used a good perfume, I trow.
A religious man certainly was he
But stick to one point never coulde he.
And he ate na moore than a crowe
Let me tellen you, we also had a Don sparwe.
5. DON (Shabbir)
A sparwe ther also was and that a byg man
That from the time whan he first began
He learnt to tease everythhyng he foond,
To tellen you more, he was an expert ‘bhoond’.
A madame he certainly lyked of Physics Department,
In hostelry he had once a byg compartment.
He woulde never go into dark in hostelrye
I trow he had some terrible childhood memorye.
And alle hys friends were byg gyants
Though hymself seemed a counsellor of ants.
In class he woulde hardly speeke
Whan that he said ‘yes’ in voice meeke.
But he spak the loudest in hostelrye
He had a byg motor in smallen bodye.
He woulde tease every oother,
But whan himself teased, woulde callen hys mother.
He went to mosque certainlye
But missed to visit anarkali rarelye.
Of everything he woulde know exact pryce
Whether shirt, pant, vegetable or ryce.
He had been into business I thynk,
Hys beloved was ‘Pynky’ and hymself pynk.
To see a smallen girl he woulde never wynk
He was just a kyd his parents woulde thynk.
A ‘kachha’ woulde he weer in hostelrye
And a Khan woulde be around hys room usuallye.
A doctor he was and helped every patient he woulde fynde,
What I’ve tellen of hym he woulde never mynde.
He was a worthy man with alle
‘Geendi’ some others woulde also hym calle.
Now Don giveth me an angry calle
I suppose he is in hostelrye’s mess-halle.
6. QADRIE (Afzal)
A Qadrie ther was of mini-block
Hys bodye iron and hys hands rock,
Hys eyes seemed to me a bit narwe
He was teased a lot by Don sparwe.
Ther was in hys head a hairless patch
He woulde raze the wall with head in one scratch.
A verray simple man was he atte beste
But na moore simple than sparwe’s neste.
Tried had he at college once or twice
To tellen more, he had a kyd verray nyce.
In mess he woulde never let go the supplye
He ne nast missed the notes to photocopye.
Several bottles of water woulde he drynk everyday
It was quite free in hostelrye oothers woulde say.
And whan the language of Englonde he woulde speeke
That seemed hot lyke gravy from cauldron leeke.
I wonder why he smyled to himself usually
In hostelrye we called hym Qadrie.
7. OLD MAN (Sarwar)
And ther was an old man
It’s unknown since how long he began
To liven on earth and cause feer
As he had conducted an election in final yeer.
It was strange what hys candidate did
Of the previous CR he coulde not get rid.
In hostelrye he was certainly well knoon
Once after a fight with Bhira he reconciled soon.
And hys poetry was good certainlye
But verray complex so one read rarelye.
A good writer that whan he wrote tragedye
It seemed to me a comedye.
And he plans to write a book anone
I am sure it would be dislyked by none.
A verray nice man was he to talk
And certainly elegant in walk.
A pious man also was he
And woulde move to Civil Line Hostel in adversity.
I hope I must stop telling of hym now
He is heading for oother hostelrye, I trow.
CHAUCER’S VINDICATION OF HYS REALISM
Now I have toold you in a clause
Their state, arraye and eek the cause,
And why that assembled was this compaignye
In Ewing Hall the hostelrye.
I pray you of your courtesye
That you ne nast regard it my villainye
That I toold you of hem plainly
And how they behaved actually.
Now you know how at college and hostelrye they stoned
My wit is short, ye may well understonde.
That I joined hem as the goone on the same route.
Now whan this journey is about to ende
To write about my compaignye I tende.
To tellen you that in hostelrye
We were well eight in compaignye.
Now I woulde tellen you all the condicioun
Of each of hem with good resoun,
Who and in what arraye were they inne
And with a gyant wol I first begynne.
1. THE GYANT (Zubair)
A gyant ther was and that a worthy man
To tellen you of hym here my tale begynne.
To speken of his arraye,
That whan he was in hostelrye
He was alway neat and tidye.
Now to tellen you of hys habits__
Meeke he certainly was with oother
Like the ox kept awaye from fodder.
And to tellen you of hys efficiencye
A tortoise he woulde beat certainlye.
A ‘booty’ he was and woulde beat everyone,
And often with bent neck would leave anone.
And this gyant was verray healthy
Except that hys nose sniffled usually.
Now I feer the gyant may become full of wrath
So I’d telle you more of hym naught.
2. SAM (Kashif)
With this gyant, ther was another one
An ogre he was though he seemed humane.
Whan that he wore shirt, tie and pante
He woulde talk only of Englonde and Frankforte.
But whan that he was in hostelrye
He woulde weer ‘kachha’ and move freely.
Now to tellen you more about hym__
That whan he ate, he finished in seconds few
And alway left the plate almost new,
No single morsel woulde he spare,
While eating rice he looked certainly fair.
And whan that he woulde sleepe
He seemed like a crocodile woulde creepe.
Some people woulde call hym Sam
Often he behaved like a kid in pram.
A byg mouth had he,
Full round lyke the moon,
Often he woulde get angry anone
So more of hym I woulde say none.
3. BHIRA (Abu Bakar)
A Bhira ther was and that a strange man
That from the tyme whan he first began
He wanted to know every single detail
And why he woulde fall ill is another tale.
A verray goode nose had he
Hidden anything from hym you coulde never keep.
A good player of cricket he was
But beside cricketer, a player he also was.
Interest in decorum he always kepte
Though usually he was at other’s door-stepe.
A verray hospitable man was he
And guests woulde he receive usually.
And well knoon was he at college and hostelrye
A great man lyke hym you woulde find rarelye.
Now I hear a knock at my own door,
I feer its Bhira, so I woulde say na moore.
4. ADDY (Zaman)
A Sheikhupurya was in this compaignye
Hys body as slim as a daisye.
Whan that he moved, he looked an adder
To tellen you more, he was Bhira’s brother.
And whan that he woore beret__ the cape,
He looked a serpent in dense crope.
Success had he at college in final yeer
But the girl had some head injury I feer.
Often woulde he visit the hockey ground
And he was certainly well knoon around.
And whan that he was in hostelrye
He wore a neat arraye certainlye.
The same dress woulde he weer for full month
And brushed hys teeth on every tenth.
Still he sat in compaignye, I don’t know how
He used a good perfume, I trow.
A religious man certainly was he
But stick to one point never coulde he.
And he ate na moore than a crowe
Let me tellen you, we also had a Don sparwe.
5. DON (Shabbir)
A sparwe ther also was and that a byg man
That from the time whan he first began
He learnt to tease everythhyng he foond,
To tellen you more, he was an expert ‘bhoond’.
A madame he certainly lyked of Physics Department,
In hostelry he had once a byg compartment.
He woulde never go into dark in hostelrye
I trow he had some terrible childhood memorye.
And alle hys friends were byg gyants
Though hymself seemed a counsellor of ants.
In class he woulde hardly speeke
Whan that he said ‘yes’ in voice meeke.
But he spak the loudest in hostelrye
He had a byg motor in smallen bodye.
He woulde tease every oother,
But whan himself teased, woulde callen hys mother.
He went to mosque certainlye
But missed to visit anarkali rarelye.
Of everything he woulde know exact pryce
Whether shirt, pant, vegetable or ryce.
He had been into business I thynk,
Hys beloved was ‘Pynky’ and hymself pynk.
To see a smallen girl he woulde never wynk
He was just a kyd his parents woulde thynk.
A ‘kachha’ woulde he weer in hostelrye
And a Khan woulde be around hys room usuallye.
A doctor he was and helped every patient he woulde fynde,
What I’ve tellen of hym he woulde never mynde.
He was a worthy man with alle
‘Geendi’ some others woulde also hym calle.
Now Don giveth me an angry calle
I suppose he is in hostelrye’s mess-halle.
6. QADRIE (Afzal)
A Qadrie ther was of mini-block
Hys bodye iron and hys hands rock,
Hys eyes seemed to me a bit narwe
He was teased a lot by Don sparwe.
Ther was in hys head a hairless patch
He woulde raze the wall with head in one scratch.
A verray simple man was he atte beste
But na moore simple than sparwe’s neste.
Tried had he at college once or twice
To tellen more, he had a kyd verray nyce.
In mess he woulde never let go the supplye
He ne nast missed the notes to photocopye.
Several bottles of water woulde he drynk everyday
It was quite free in hostelrye oothers woulde say.
And whan the language of Englonde he woulde speeke
That seemed hot lyke gravy from cauldron leeke.
I wonder why he smyled to himself usually
In hostelrye we called hym Qadrie.
7. OLD MAN (Sarwar)
And ther was an old man
It’s unknown since how long he began
To liven on earth and cause feer
As he had conducted an election in final yeer.
It was strange what hys candidate did
Of the previous CR he coulde not get rid.
In hostelrye he was certainly well knoon
Once after a fight with Bhira he reconciled soon.
And hys poetry was good certainlye
But verray complex so one read rarelye.
A good writer that whan he wrote tragedye
It seemed to me a comedye.
And he plans to write a book anone
I am sure it would be dislyked by none.
A verray nice man was he to talk
And certainly elegant in walk.
A pious man also was he
And woulde move to Civil Line Hostel in adversity.
I hope I must stop telling of hym now
He is heading for oother hostelrye, I trow.
CHAUCER’S VINDICATION OF HYS REALISM
Now I have toold you in a clause
Their state, arraye and eek the cause,
And why that assembled was this compaignye
In Ewing Hall the hostelrye.
I pray you of your courtesye
That you ne nast regard it my villainye
That I toold you of hem plainly
And how they behaved actually.
Now you know how at college and hostelrye they stoned
My wit is short, ye may well understonde.
Sunday, July 10, 2005
My College
I was travelling in a distant land
A fragrance changed my course,
A restlessness of the soul prevailed over me
And I set out to look for this rose.
When I reached the spot, I found it was you:
My alma mater, my beloved FC College.
You gave me the identity of 'Formanite';
While I was just like a grain of sand.
Taught us: 'By love serve one another',
Thus we stand with hand in hand.
Since founded by Charles Forman;
You have served several generations.
Sinclair Hall and Ewing Library are your jewels,
And grand are your traditions.
You have enriched my very being,
Where you dwell like evergreen spring.
You have enlivened my soul like that tender air
Which brings the news of coming spring
To leaves made dry by the autumn wind.
You have given me something of great value:
Confidence, courage and fortitude;
But it's a pity I can't pay you in return,
So please accept when I shall leave,
The tears that I would shed
As a token of gratitude.
Composed February 2004.
Last Morning
The world seems so beautiful
As I look out of this window, lying on my bed
I try to imagine how fast the time passed,
Burnt like a small candle so fast.
I remember the beautiful dawn;
Though full of fog and mist,
Yet the day was golden and warm,
I enjoyed it at my best.
But still I think I missed so much,
Though I never set myself to rest.
It's a pity I cannot go out now__
The world outside is dark,
The night fell so sudden,
But it had to fall somehow.
I think I must go to sleep now,
An everlasting day is ahead,
Someone has closed the window,
And I lay on my bed.
Composed January 2004.
The Poor Tree
The axe of death proved sharp,
The murdering hands didn't spare
This tree__ the last one of the forest.
It stood here for centuries,
With their names engraved on it
A silent historian of someone's memories,
A shady dwelling of the birds,
A good shelter in sun and rain.
A center of attraction for the birds it was,
Always enriched with their melodious songs.
But everything is calm and quiet now__
The storm is over; still no bird sings!
My soul bleeds,
And shreiks to stop this all,
And I wish
That my voice may echo
Through seven seas and continents.
But I guess,
It will be a cry in wilderness.
Composed December 2003.
Dreams
The dreams that I have seen
O God!
Will they ever come true?
I've been just waiting and waiting,
And this wide sea seems to have no ending,
But there is an end to everything,
Shall I ever reach the shore?
The life that I live
Is a nightmare,
And I need Your help
To wake up from this sleep.
The success is there now,
In wait, for me,
Now I wonder
Why I never sought Your help before.
Composed December 2003.
Motorway Police
Apropose of Ms. Sadia Abid's letter (October 10). Ms. Sadia has praised the performance of the Motorway Police. But as a matter of fact, the performance of Motorway Police is not flawless. A few days back I was returning from Lahore on a bus. The driver exceeded the speed limit specified for the HTVs. The cops on on duty signalled the driver to stop the bus. But instead of following their instruction, the bus driver pointed at the name of the of the company written undre the windscreen. The cops didn't object to it and the bus was not interrupted anywhere else.
From this experience I concluded hat corruption had taken roots in this sector too. It is high time the authorities look into the matter and nip the evil in the bud, otherwise it may be too late.
Readers Column, The Nation October 23, 2004.
Unsuitable Programme
On September 4, Geo TV, in the memory of late Hassam Qazi, arranged a musical show 'Yaadain Mitti Nahi.' I wonder if it was a proper way to pay homage to the great actor. The kind of programme that Geo presented only resulted in hurting the feelings of his fans. I wonder what would be the feelings of the bereaved family if they had seen the programme.
Fund raising or whatever was the cause of the programme, it could have been arranged in a more cultured way. In my view, a more appropriate programme would have been with clippings from his famous dramas. Actors and close friends of the late actor could have been invited to share their memories of Hassam Qazi. Now when Ashfaq Ahmed, the great legend, has passed away, I wish Geo or any other channel does not repeat this mistake.
Readers Column, The Nation September 2004.
Better Future
With referance to a news item that appeared in your esteemed daily (Friday 20), "Prime Minister designate Shaukat Aziz on Thursday pledges to serve the nation with 'renewed' commitment and vigour to ensure a better future for the country and its people."
It tends to arouse the curiosity that Mr. Aziz is likely to take certain measures for the betterment of the country. Since the time of freedom, we have been quite unfortunate as far as having a loyal leader is concerned. Now it will be interesting to see how the combined efforts of the President and Prime Minister work to bring a change to the country.
Moreover, Mr. Shaukat Aziz's remark, "We will make all-out effort to make Pakistan a modern, progressive and enlightened Islamic welfare state", makes me wonder what exactly he meant by the term 'modern', 'progressive', and 'enlightened'.
Readers Column, The Nation September 2004.
A True Leader
In the past it once happened that a slide show, intended as a joke , was presented on the cinema screen before the start of a movie. At first, there appeared the photograph of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, with 'Father of the Nation' written below.
Then appeared the photograph of Dr. Allama Iqbal with the statement, 'Philosopher of the nation.' Next appeared the photograph of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto with the statement, 'Socialiser of the nation.' The next slide showed the picture of a donkey with the statement, 'Nation itself.'
Had this slide show been presented today, it would have also contained General Musharraf's photograph with the statement, "Nation's true leader', who thinks for the nation's larger interest. We should be ready to face the tide before it engulfs our unstable boat.
Readers Column, The Nation June 2004.
A Lesson to Learn
Ms. Sonia Gandhi's recent decline to accept the post of Prime MInister rather surprised me when I compared it to the politicians and politics of our country. Her decline presents her as a true leader of the nation. The situation in our country is quite the opposite; our politicians are always in a pursuit of toppling up the government, and thus prove a hinderance to the country's progress. The episode of Shahbaz's return to the country (though he had to leave the country again) is one such example. The easiest task is to criticise others when you yourself are a failure. This is what our politicians are in the habit of doing.
Readers Column, The Nation May 39, 2004.
Iraqi Prisoners
Bertrand Russell, the great philosopher, in his essay 'The Future of Mankind' mentioned the possibility of a unification of the world under a single government, possessing a monopoly of all the major weapons of war. Today we can assume that we are heading almost towards the same end. He talks about one world government which should be formed by the United States.
Russell's views could have been agreeable and correct about the United States of his time. But today the proceedings show how values change with the passage of time. How power corrupts is clear from America's invasion on Afghanistan and Iraq. I wonder what would have been Russell's views if he were present today.
Readers Column, The Nation May 27, 2004.
Return of the Native
The great deal of hulaballo being created by the members of PML-N these days about the expected return of their exiled comrade is beyond one's understanding. What surprises me is the fact that he has been labelled as a hero. The fact is that there is nothing extraordinary about Shahbaz Sharif to enable him to be called a hero. The way the Sharif family left the country is a story known to all. The way Sharifs escaped the imprisonment was a miracle. They left the country with a pledge not to return within next ten years, but perhaps time runs fas for a free person.
Readers Column, The Nation May 2002.
F.C. Underpass
The complition of FC underpass, inaugurated by Ch, Pervez Elahi, is a credit that goes to the government. But at times, one is wonderstruck at how the governmet works. The road that connects FC College to Ferozepur road is in a very bad condition, but since it is of no concern to Pervez Elahi, authorities did not bother to allocate funds for the construction of this road. However, it is being repaired and patches are being placed at a few places, definiltely to save the labour charges that it would have cost to take the surplus material back to the required place. Well done Punjab government!
Readers Column, The Nation April 21, 2004.
Formanites' Plea
The students of FC College already enrolled under the PU thought the denationalisation would provide them with the facilities they could never enjoy when the college was under government's control. But to their disppointment the new administration is treating them like step-children. It is strange that the old students were not allowed to attend the convocation on Decmber at which General Musharraf was the Chief Guest. They were told that it was for security reasons as some of them might have been involved in politics in the past. May I ask the administration why all of them should suffer for the follies of a few?
Readers Column, The Nation December 2003
M.A. English Result
This is with reference to the news item that appeared in your esteemed daily (April 10). I would like to further clarify as to what is the main reason behind such a bad result showed by most of the governmet colleges. It is a fact that MA English result has always been tight, obtaining first division is out of question. In the previous years, majority of students would pass in third division and some few in second division. What PU did last year caused a havoc. It changed the whole criteria: introduced semester system for its own students while other government colleges were to follow the same annual system. The result was that some of PU students passed the first semester even in first division.
The reason that university started semester system in its campus was simply to avoid the shame that it had been facing in the past. Previous MA English results show that university showed a bad result as compared to other colleges. Thus introduction of semester system did the remedy.
Another reason for the bad result is the new sourse. I do not understand why the course selectors go for literary works such as poetry of Sylvia Plath and Jazz by Toni Morrision. University must realsie that that there are not too many teachers competent enough to understand and explain such works to the students.
Readers Column, The Nation April 18, 2004.
Osama's Arrest
This is with referance to the question that appeared in your esteemed daily's e-poll section (March 2004). The question, "Will Osama be caught in the ongoing operation?" seemed pretty ridiculous to me. It would have been better to ask, "Has Osama been caught?" As it appears to me, Osama is already under the custody of the US. His arrest would be brought to the limelight near the US presidential elections, an old trick to take the credit. The way Saddam came to the publkic gaze clearly revealed that he too had already been aught. Bush's visit to Iraq is a clue that leads to such a suspicion. Possibly, news of Osama's arrest would soon be in air and his photographs would be clear enogh to suggest the whole story.
Readers Column, The Nation March 15, 2004.
Praising Musharraf
This is with reference to the letter captioned 'Praising Musharraf by Mr. Saeed Tiwana'. I would like to tell the writer that he completely misunderstood my letter captioned 'Musharraf's Address'. In fact, I wrote that letter through through, what we call in literature, the ironic technique. An ironic statement suggests one thing and means another. I would request the fellow writer to read that letter once again. To put in plain words, General Musharrf's stance on the Kashmir issue at present clearly reveals how brave he is., and presents him, ,ore or less, as a yielding army officer.
With reference to Mr. Talat Mehmud's letter, my message for the writer is that to enunciate something in plain words does not mean denegration of someone. We all know the reality, though some do not have the courage to state it.
Readers Column, The Nation February 8, 2004.
Traffic Nuisance
A very common practice to be observed on the highways these days, which is quite a nuisance for the traffic, is the parking of trollies loaded with sugar cane by the side of the road. I would like to mention, in particular, the Jauharabad-Sargodha and Sargodha-Pindi Bhattian road, where this prctice is quite common for years. Would the authorites take the trouble to look into the matter?
Readers Column, The Nation January 2004.
Musharraf's Address
All praises to our general who is a leader in the ture sense of the word. In my view, our general in behaving the way an ideal leader should do, as Machiavelli stated in 'The Prince" that a leader should be brave like a lion and cunning like a fox.
In his address to the nation, General Musharraf's decision regarding the LFO issue rather surprised me. In his speech, without mentioning an exact date, General said that he would shed his uniform by December 2004. However, in one way I do not agree with the general, i.e., the performance of the local bodies government, since in my view the previous system was doing a lot better.
Readers Column, The Nation January 2004.
Well Done NAB!
Congratulations to NAB on yet another success i.e., the arrest of one of the directors of Naya Daur Motorrs. Almost nine years have passed since the company did the fraud, followed by the escape of culprits. It is good to know that one of the accomplices has been arrested. The company had promised to provide the applicants with the cars at quite a reasonable price, but all ended in vain. I request the authorities that the issue be resolved quicly.
Readers Column, The Nation December 2003.
Jealous PTV
The failure to telecast the first one-day match between Pakistan and New Zealand proved a nasty blow for the cricket fans.
Geo president Imran Aslam's statement shows that PTV is jealsous of its gradually increasing popularity. The telecasting of the match with the Geo logo sign instad of PTV's sign was unbearable for the PTV authorities, resulting in the suffering of the cricket fans.
Readers Column, The Nation December 2003.
Champions Trophy
Pakstan's performance in their last pool match against India was disgusting. It is now clear that Pakistan cannot play well in the second half, and once its rival gets the lead, our players can't handle the situation. Saqlain's attitude in the closing moments when an Indian player injured him, revealed frustration and lack of sportsmanship. No Indian showed such childishness, though several were injured. Our team needs much improvement.
Readers Column, The Nation August 30, 2002.
Power Breakdown
The power breakdown in Canada and America is not a routine. It is common in our country and the credit goes to us for getting used to such nuisance, but it is incredible for Americans and Canedians. Astoundinglym the breakdown has not been associated with Al-Qaida or terrorism. But this does not mean that Bush has started thinking logically.
Readers Column, The Nation August 23, 2003.
CS at Services
Two doctors and a nurse of Services Hospital Lahore were suspended because they mistook the Chief Secretary and his daughter for ordinary citizens and left them at the mercy of the staff'd routine dealing. This action is obviously justified.
Those negligent of their duties have no right to remain in service. But it is shocking that while incidents like the one chief secretary faced are common for ordinary people, in their case no action is taken against anybody. Otherwise news of hospital staff being suspended wouild be routine. Doesn't this show the authorities' ruthlessness?
Readers Column, The Nation June 1, 2001.
Eccentric Turn
Soldiers being captured and killed, spies arrested, etc., all this is part of war, but not the kind America fights against a helpless enemy. America has the upper hand, but we should not jump to conclusions. However, BUsh says, "No matter how long the war continues, victory is ours." But Churchill once said, "No one can guarantee success in war but only deserve it." Bush has now started threatening Syria. As Israel's Moshe Dayan once said, "If we lose this war, I'll start another in my wife's name."
Readers Column, The Nation April 2003.
Disgusting Cricketers
The heart rending defeat of the Pakistan team shows that most of the players are not willing to play under Waqar's captiancy. It has been happening in the past that whenever the players felt a need for the change in captain, they started giving bad performance. History repeats itself, it is igh time the PCB realsie that the team needs a new captain. They do not deserve to qualify for the Super Six round and the way they are performing shows soon they will be home. A happy change is that at least they have become consistent: they are continuously giving bad performance. I wonder what would have happened if we had Hitler.
Readers Column, The Nation March 3, 2003.
Good Captaincy
Pakistan's defeat against Australia clearly revels Waqar's inability as captian. He is an experienced player and must have kept in mind that his batsmen are not competent enough to bat secong. Pakistan lost half of the match after Waqar's decision to ball first on a good batting pitch, any without any extra baller. His bringing in Younis Khan to balling showed that he had got disgusted with the other bowlers.
The way Youis Khan balled was impressive for a non-regular baller; he should do regular balling practice and and balllers like Wasim should do batting practice. It will improve our team's standard and the team will also strat performing consistently.
Readers Column, The Nation Fevruary 2003.
Basant
Basant in Lahore was finaly declared to be a social festival. The government declared it would be celebrated under its patronage, which is unbelievable. Nowhere did the government mention that the Eid festival would be celebrated under its patronage. It is most obvious that the Eid of most people would also be merely flying kites. It appears that the government is giving more importance to festivals that are not even a part of our culture.
Readers Column, The Nation February 2003.
Pakistan Cricket
World Cup 2003 is approaching, yet the feats of Pakistan team are disgusting. Their performance in the one-day series and then the Tests in South Africa has really disappointed the fans. It seems we'll have to watch this World Cup the way we watch World Cup Football, by having sympathy with different teams, because we do not expect anything from our cricket team, other than inconsistency, the only thing in which they are very consistent.
Readers Column, The Nation December 2002.
Blasphemy
Ramadan is a holy month for the Muslims, full of blessings. But a few of us do not care for its sanctity, and cannot avoid indulging in evil ways just for one month. I happemed to witness an incident which made me think as to what level we have fallen. A young man was walking on the road when when two other young men on a motorbike came from behing and snatched away his cap, leaving him quite stunned. It reminds me of what Bernard Shaw once said, "Whereas Islam is the best system, Muslims are the worst people."
Readers Column, The Nation November 2002.
PTV's Injustice
PTV claims to be an entertaining channel for people of all ages, but it is strange to note that the Test series between Pakistan and Zimbabwe is not being telecast on PTV, but on Channel 3. This is unfair to PTV viewers, since Channel 3 is not active in most cities. It is also injustice with the cricket fans, especially when they arre bound to watch sports like 'Karate', of which they don't have any know-how.
It is also to be mentioned that PTV in the past has never bothered to telecast any series of Pakistan held in Zimbabwe, and the present one is also of great importance , since at present both Pakistan and Zimbabwe are of the same calibre, so fans would enjoyed watching this series.
Readers Column, The Nation November 2002.
Indian Economy!
The tension between Pakistan and India has increased for past few months, and it surely has a bad influence on the economy of the two countries. But it is quite surprising to note that in PTV news, we are told time and again about the Indian economy getting worse day by day.
It makes one think that perhaps the present hazards of war have not put any influence on the economy of Pakistan. In my opinion we should take a notice of our own economy first, the oil prices and different kind of bills are increasing day by day, and the rupee has also devalued.
It is high time that we pay attention to the plight of our own economy, rather than the Indian economy. It sometimes make me feel that perhaps we are more curious about the Indian economy.
Readers Column, The Nation June 17, 2002.
Cricket Commentry
This is with reference to Mr. Enaam E. Hanid's letter of above caption (May 14). He said, "I wonder why we are shy to air commentry inour national language Urdu so that everyone could understand and to enjoy or is there any dearth of Urdu commentators?"
The problem is that the Urdu as well as English commentators of Paksitan do not know the art of commentay, in my opinion people do not like that sort of commentary. Firstly there is no talented Urdu commentator who may provide entertainment through his commentay; secondly Pakistan even does not have any talented English commentator excpet Rameez Raja who is also seen in the commtentary box in the international matches.
So in my view, there should be English commentary of foreign commentators in cricket as well as in the hockey matches. So if if Mr. Enaam really wants to enjoy Urdu commentary, he should watch Kabbadi matches.
Readers Column, The Nation May 2002.
Dangerous Practice
I would like to draw the attention of concerned authorities towards a problem, which can prove serios if proper attention is not paid to resolve it. Threshers are seen at work in the fields these days, which causes the smoke of dust to cover the whole atmosphere. These threshers are at work even at night, particularly in field by the side of Motorway.
The traffic on the Motorway travels at a high speed and thus the dust in the atmospehere can prove dangerous as the driver becomes completely bling while passing through the cloud of dust. It can also result in an accident and a single accident will surly lead to more accidents. I would request the authorities to look into the matter.
Readers Column, The Nation May 2002.
It is Bizarre!
Mr. Syed Abdulhaq in his letter 'It is not Bizarre' said, "The idea is to alert the day-dreaming driver about the incoming traffic" (February 19). But the concept of 'incoming traffic' is not right in case of Motorway because both the roads are separated by a continuous sturdy block of cement, and its hight can be imagined by t he fact that a driver of a car with average height cannot see the headlights of another car coming from the other side.
Readers Column, The Nation February 27, 2002.
Bizarre Rules
A few days back I went to Lahore. As I entered the Motorway, I saw the traffic coming from the other side with headlights on. It was quite surprising because the time was 11 in the morning and the weather was also lear with sun shining brighly. I could not understand why it was so. I stopped at Sukheki to enquire about it. I was told that due to the foggy weather in the recent days, the authorities had implemented the rule that even in day time, headlights of the vehicles should be on.
Now the foggy weather has come to an end but still no orders have been given to annul this rule, as a result everyone has to travel with the headlights on even in day time, because otherwiase they would be fined for breking the law. I wonder what a foreigner would take impression of such a bizarre sight.
Readers Column, The Nation February 13, 2002.
No Suicide Pilots?
This is with reference to Leo Pretty's letter of above caption (November 27). Leo says, the report 'September 11 attacks without suicide pilots' (November 22) was ridiculous, that there were no suicide pilots in the planes that crashed, but perhaps Leo has not enough knowledge about it. This information is available at URL http://www.itn.co.uk/news/20010424/worls/05robotplanes.htm.
It seems that Leo does not believe in robotic technology, but this is what Rod Smo\ith, the Australian Global Hawk manager says, "The aircraft essentially flies itself, right from takeoff, right through to landing, and even taxxing off the runway".
Readers Column, The Nation December 3, 2001.
Role of a Friend
The US is providing Pakistan with aid, but the reasin is its own interests. The US has been demanding different things and now they have asked Musharraf for Mianwali airbase.
Colin Powell calls Musharraf his friend, but the government should not blindly trust the US. We have not yet forgotten 1971, when we kept waiting for its help against Indian, in the process we lost half the country. A firend in need is a friend indeed.
Readers Column, The Nation November 14, 2001.
Poor IT Centre
This is with reference to Raja Asad's letter of October 6. I agree I agree with him as I took the same course. The administration of the institute is not good, the lab in-charge is not fit for this post as he does not know how to deal with the students, nor does he pay any heed to the Principal. Some more courses are to be offered, but I think the lab in-charge should be replaced first.
The students were not taught the three month course fully, with Internet Application left out completely, the papers were also held before complition of the course. The students kept on requesting the teachers to teach the course but to no avail. In my opinion, the institute should not start advance courses until they learn to run the institute better.
Readers Column, The Nation October 22, 2001.
Poor Show
A few days back I was going to Lahore. I entered the Motorway from Pindi Bhattian interchange. The fuel in my car was enought to reach Sukheki, I decided to fill the petrol tank from a Shell petrol pump, but to my surprise I was told that the light was out and when I asked whether there was any generator, the sales man of the petrol pump told that they had got the generators which had not been installed and were placed in a separate room. Now it meant that I would have to wait for the light. On further confirmation the sales man of the petrol pump told me that the light was out since 12 o' clock and at the time it was 4:15 pm. He also told that Shell authorities had not paid the electricity bills to the Daewoo company, as a result of which they had turned off its electricity.
I wonder what is going on between Daewoo and Shell authorities, and why the government is not taking any notice of it. I request the government to take a notice of it immediately.
Readers Column, The Nation September 2001.
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