The Untapped Land of Pakistan !

(An article I wrote for Naidunia)

The word “Pakistan” means “pure land”. But the irony is, when one pictures Pakistan, he is forced to imagine something entirely opposite. A very conservative and strict atmosphere, an unknown lurking danger, the myth of Taliban and it’s aristocratic rule, a poverty inflicted society, and an anti-Indian government… all this sets our mind tickling about how people even survive there!

But when you step in Karachi, and take a glimpse of it’s posh well-developed infrastructure, you will be surely forced to change that mind-set. It is as developed as any metropolitan city, and is recently splurging with quality education. You look at the people there, and try to spot a trace of fear of the impending danger, but there’s none, they look as normal and indistinguishable from the Indians. India and Pakistan are like the eyes of a same person, though they can never meet or see each-other, yet they share similar vision, similar culture and similar corruption issues.

And as surprising as this might sound, Pakistanis are very fond of India, they watch Bollywood movies with equal interest, keep tabs of Indian news 24*7 and feel an inexplicit connection with it’s sister-country as if the two nations are linked with unbreakable threads. Shajar Ali, a watchman from Karachi says, “Half of my family resides in Lucknow, and India is like my other home. I keep going there once in a while. However I just wish the tension between India and Pakistan gets over, getting a visa has become even harder after the Mumbai terror attacks”. When asked what difference he sees between India and Pakistan, he said, “I’ve seen more love amongst people in India. They are warm and affectionate, everything else between the two nations is almost same.”

The Difference?

Pakistan and India are similar and different in so many ways. While corruption, scams and cricket are invariably hot topics in both the countries, many other issues such as security, freedom of expression and women empowerment vastly differ in both the nations. Indian air promises a sense of freedom and safety. But the minute you enter Pakistan, you’ll be advised to remove all your jewelleries. Thieves their follow you like a shadow, and people are scared of wearing any jewellery simply because they might get looted on gun-point. Even the police and administration can not fight that shadow. When asked how they wander about on streets wearing jewellery, Tasneem Malik, a housewife said, “Well I have almost stopped wearing gold jewelleries, mostly it’s imitation jewellery that I wear. There have been cases of loot in our neighbourhood, and sometimes robbers even kill ladies for not handing over their jewellery. It’s best we do not take any risk”. Even marriages here are held secretly without any flamboyance, since a little pomp-n-splendor can easily invite attention and lead to inevitable robbery. While Tasneem feels security is a big issue in Pakistan, Malik-ul-ushtar, a businessman, on the contrary feels Pakistan is a great country which is just caught up in international politics. He says, “Theft and robbery are issues every country deals with, the real issue with Pakistan is with particular sects of terror groups which are bent on creating havoc, and media is no help either, it has just exaggerated the situation. Otherwise Pakistan is a beautiful nation and everything is normal here.”

Women Liberty

If Pakistan has some golden points every nation should look up to, it also struggles with certain dark areas too. Gender equality and freedom of expression are two rights one is unofficially denied in this country. In the cream classes you’ll fail to notice this injustice, but the masses are a crystal clear projection of this invisible barrier that’s threatening to pull down Pakistan’s growth process. Clad in ‘burkhas’ and covered from head-to-toe are ladies living in their own protected shell, unaware of the freedom and opportunities outside their realm. You can not find even a single woman driving any two-wheeler there. Shocked? Well should be. It is not considered appropriate for women to drive two-wheelers, since of course driving openly in public without any shelter is way beyond what the society can tolerate. About this Mrs Patanwala said, “I have been to India once, watching ladies drive made me realize how much I’m actually missing. But there’s a cultural difference between India and Pakistan, in Pakistan you can not take any sort of risk, not even of driving a two-wheeler in public”. Though this observation might seem petty to the larger half, a small percentage of women hate this distinction, they feel it holds them back. Mrs Malik says the unavailability of two-wheelers for women is a definite sign of backwardness. But on the contrary, Athar, a businessman, sees no harm with the practice and explains the logic behind it. He thinks in accordance with Islam, a lady should never do anything that invites the attention of men. Driving a two-wheeler openly is dangerous as well as a risky invitation to thieves. So avoiding driving will ensure a woman’s safety. Justified or not, this practice has now been embraced by almost everyone, to the extent that they have grown happily habitual of it.

On Terrorism

Just like a snake coiled tightly around it’s enemy, terrorism has established it’s tentacles firmly in Pakistan. It has converted the pure land into a draconian state ready to swallow any one standing against it. And as shocking and disgustful as it might sound people have grown numb towards violence; bomb blast and firing are scenes they confront daily. And you can’t even blame them. The environment itself is so soaked with terrorism, that a person learns to live with it. You’ll never fail to notice armed policemen guarding important areas prone to threat. However according to the locals, recently the situation has drastically improved and the rate of terror strikes has marginally reduced.

Cricket: Game or Shame?

The recent verdict on spot fixing brought some very famous cricketers like Salman Butt, Mazhar Majeed, Mohammad Aamer and Asif in limelight. In a nation where cricket is religiously followed, these incidents shake people’s utmost interest in cricket. While for some this is small news, but passionate fans got a huge blow after hearing this revelation. Murtuza Ali, an avid cricket fan said, “I was and still am a huge fan of cricket. I always believed in our team, but the spot fixing incident has disappointed me a lot. The country has given these players so much, and in return they betray us with spot fixing. It’s very unfortunate”.

Do you smell corruption? India and Pakistan after all have something in common!

Marks of Progress

Amidst the dark episodes comes a brighter chapter, that of progress and broader vision. Many schools all over the country have now turned co-educational, which was an unlikely scenario few years back. Another scenario you are unlikely to find anywhere else is the transport system. Speaking of Karachi in particular, you can neither ignore it’s butter-like roads nor it’s ultra-unique buses. It flaunts beautifully adorned buses with paintings and colourful designs. And you just can’t take your eyes off those attractive buses (if you have watched the movie ‘Bol’, then you know what we’re talking about!). Although most of the buses have been irreparably damaged by bomb blasts, yet their beauty beneath the charred surface is still visible. Gazala Sabir, an Indian says, “I loved the buses in Karachi. Although they were as congested as the ones you find in Indore, still they had a special charm about them. I was so impressed I purchased a tiny model of the bus”.

The land of Pakistan is an untapped and hidden domain, which is just hooked up in the claws of international politics and terrorism. The people live and think the way we Indians do. And there’s absolutely no difference between the two nations. It’s time we follow the famous phrase, “Make love not War”.  

ANARCHY over DEMOCRACY?

A brief check into the past >
August 15th, 2011: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said at the Red Fort, “Everyone should know that quick action will be taken against the corrupt and punishment meted out to them. We want a strong Lokpal to prevent corruption in high places. We have recently introduced a Bill in Parliament to achieve this. Those who don’t agree with this Bill can put forward their views to Parliament, however, I also believe that they should not resort to hunger strikes...”

August 16, 2011: Anna Hazare was deterred early morning on grounds of apprehension of breach of peace.

August 23, 2011: PM expresses his worries over Anna’s health and asks him to end his Anshan.

August 24, 2011: Government plainly states that Anna’s Anshan is not their problem ‘anymore’ and the civil activists have to handle him.

The government has played its cards well and can not be more explicit in showing its ‘double-standards’. In his speech, the PM allows freedom of expression but the very next day government arrests a non-violent almost-Gandhian man so that he cannot protest against corruption. The same government later voices its worries over Anna’s health, but the following day it makes a flat statement, “Anna ka Anshan ab aapki pareshani hai”. What do you call this multi-faceted behavior…? Well in my books it is called double-standards.
Too much has been said and done. I may add nothing new.
But I do want to say this.
The fact that PM throws a royal ‘Iftar party’ with ministers enjoying various delicacies, and this being shamelessly broadcasted on national channels at a time when Anna Hazare is fasting, is a sad and despicable act. Further the top honchos of government first agree with four points of Jan Lokpal bill, but the very next day they refuse to corporate with even a single point of the draft, this is pure mockery of people’s sentiments. And party spokesperson, Rashid Alvi casting doubts towards foreign role in this raging campaign is all the more symbolic of government's clueless and helpless political stance. Yet of all, the most pathetic fact is Manish Tiwari referring Anna as a person drenched in corruption. How can a person who has already made Ralegan Siddhi a prosperous and rich village, or a person who has played a crucial role in the RTI bill be referred as ‘corrupt’? He has in fact adopted peaceful and impactful means to address this issue, some may differ in principle that his methods are unconstitutional, but think about it. What constitutional method would have turned fruitful? Joining the government? Or patiently waiting for the bill to get addressed in the parliament? Wake up, this draft has been in waiting list for 42 long years, and patience would have added 5 more decades and nothing else.
The government is in deep shit, ‘shit’ here is corruption. And creating a powerful medium to execute their red-tapism and malpractices is a threat to their survival. Naturally, it will try its best in shelving this draft. And so it has introduced it’s own convenient version of Lokpal bill in the parliament, which is the worst case of anarchy over-powering democracy. For those still confused about the core points of Jan Lokpal bill (not Lokpal bill), here’s a summarized version:

1. Cases against corrupt people will not linger on for years anymore: Investigations in any case will have to be completed in one year. Trial should be completed in next one year so that the corrupt politician, officer or judge is sent to jail within two years.

2. The loss that a corrupt person caused to the government will be recovered at the time of conviction.

3. How will it help a common citizen: If any work of any citizen is not done in prescribed time in any government office, Lokpal will impose financial penalty on guilty officers, which will be given as compensation to the complainant.

4. So, you could approach Lokpal if your ration card or passport or voter card is not being made or if police is not registering your case. Lokpal will have to get it done in a month's time. You could also report any case of corruption to Lokpal like poor quality roads been constructed or panchayat funds being siphoned off. Lokpal will have to complete its investigations in a year, trial will be over in next one year and the guilty will go to jail within two years.

5. But won't the government appoint corrupt and weak people as Lokpal members? That won't be possible because its members will be selected by judges, citizens and constitutional authorities and not by politicians, through a completely transparent and participatory process.

6. What if some officer in Lokpal becomes corrupt? The entire functioning of Lokpal will be completely transparent. Any complaint against any officer of Lokpal shall be investigated and the officer dismissed within two months.

7. What will happen to existing anti-corruption agencies? CVC, departmental vigilance and anti-corruption branch of CBI will be merged into Lokpal. Lokpal will have complete powers and machinery to independently investigate and prosecute any officer, judge or politician.

8. It will be the duty of the Lokpal to provide protection to those who are being victimized for raising their voice against corruption.

9. Most importantly, the Lokpal would scrutinize judiciary as well as the lower government officials from where this chain probably starts (or ends). This would make sure that no one would be spared from this body’s gambit.

These salient features have been logically and intricately designed to make sure this bill works to the best of its capabilities. Although it would be foolish to expect the word ‘corruption’ to altogether vanish away from everyone’s dictionary, but again is’nt this a step towards the greater good? It will surely stir your conscious to step out of this deep shit (since after all we all are corrupt!) and though the process will drag at an insignificant pace, but it will utterly walk in a positive direction.  Will this not make the corrupt officials more alert? Will your conscious not retaliate the next time a traffic policeman hints for a bribe? And will not our taxes, instead of going into personal pockets, be better utilized for development?
The answer may waver between may be…who knows…or I don't care, but for me the answer is a solid ‘yes’.
Our country will take a step forward towards cleaner India.

THAT WEEK: An Eternity

Picturing a house all to myself and imagining scene by scene the fun 
and frolic awaiting for me, I could not be more eager for the 22nd of 
June to arrive. Late night movies, sitting by the window sill and 
reading novels for hours, plus a car available 24*7 at my disposal.

I was sure this would feel heavenly, though it all turned 
a mess pretty soon, to be accurate it turned a mess as 22nd was about 
to get changed into 23rd of that month…midnight that is.
Confused?
Well should be.
Let me be more specific. My parents were due to leave for Kerela on 
June 22nd. It was their Silver Jubilee. Since they were to enjoy their 
anniversary together, I was to guard the house for a week in their 
absence. The idea seemed grand, I could hardly contain my excitement 
about the fun I was about to have. But when I stood on the station watching the train roll away from the platform, a strange feeling unnerved me, was I happy? Or was I terrified by the idea of sleeping alone that night?

I spent the evening outside my house, determined to loiter around until sunset. When I returned home, believe me the house seemed lifeless. There was no mummy asking me to have milk and no papa to fight with for watching Television. Today the T.V set was a discarded piece of technology for me.

By midnight, a giddy sensation oozed through my nerves. I regretted not calling my sister to sleep over with me. Worst of all, I had spotted a lizard on my terrace earlier, and now I was sure it would be a nightmare for me (I’m a little…no extremely scared of lizards).

The next day I sweated over the infinite house-hold work lined up for me, and by afternoon I was completely spent. This was something I had never anticipated… no books, no fun and worst…no parents! :(

Though over the next three days I had my siblings coming over for night-stays, it never ever filled the void, that space could only be filled by my parents. And even though I started having fun, and had no one to answer about my whereabouts, life seemed ‘aimless’ and ‘bleak’.

My days were consumed by cooking tasteless food and cleaning the house and the nights were unwanted dark times I was keen on sleeping through quickly. The only cheerful moments were visits from my siblings and friends and frequent phone-calls from my parents… And alas when the seven day deadline ended, and I went to pick them up, an involuntary natural smile lit up my face when I spotted a sign saying “Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport”.

Finally, I’ll not sleep alone, not today and not in the coming days!

In the seven long days I realized one irrevocable fact, life without parents has little charm in it. For me, I’m like a flower and they are my roots. If we are connected well, I can blossom, stay nourished and transform from a bud into a beautiful flower. And in the absence of those very roots, I might as well droop and lose my charm. I never fully realized their importance until now.

And so, for the ones who have their parents invisibly supporting them from behind, cherish their company and appreciate their care. Don’t wait too long to express a word of gratitude. Some who are unlucky enough have no parents and can not fully experience their warmth.

A Sorry State of Affairs…

(The confused mind of Indian politics)

The Indian netas never fail to surprise me. Politics is a game for them and they are absolutely flawless in playing it. Our democracy is like a game of chess, the politicians and the opposition are the master players. Each move that they make is a counter attack at the opposite party, but in the process we Indians like pawns are trashed mercilessly.

The current scenario is quite similar; in between the accusations and counter allegations involved in the Jan Lokpal bill, where in BJP supports spiritual guru Ramdev baba and Congress key members like Kapil Sibal try to maintain their poise, the common man is being kicked, manipulated and romped around.

An even more ‘sorrier’ fact is that a certain minister gives supari to murder Gandhian philosopher Anna Hazare and what is ironical is the fact that the Maharashtra government promises to provide the man full-fledged security. The government threats and protects the same person! Seriously what games do these netas play?!

And during times like these I wonder what Prime minister, Dr Manmohan Singh gains from keeping absolutely mum when his ‘team of warriors’ are out there brandishing police crackdown in the middle of the night on innocent people. Remaining silent about the Rajghat folly is undermining democracy itself. The time and the scenario are both ripe when we Indians must neither encourage corruption nor its practitioners.  Following suit of Egypt, Tunisia, Syria, Yemen et al, it is quintessential that corruption is nipped in the bud. And irrespective of what political gains Ramdev baba hopes to seek, I salute the man for his endeavour because ultimately his success in ending corruption will benefit the common man as well.

Well anyway, among the infinite series of plotting, backstabbing and conspiracies I gain solace with a small silver lining… Atleast the government has nailed down some big corporate players involved in 2G and CWG scam. But yet again, while they intend to curb corruption they also want to make sure that their occupied corrupted seats do not slide away from them and so a bill intending to check on their practices is the last thing they want.

Such a sorry state of affairs!

Just one line:
I wish God created more men like DALAI LAMA...
He has all that he wants...Power, Prestige and Politics...and yet he's ready to abdicate it all!

Beyond those walls...

It has been a year and a half now. And I feel stupid enough, no not stupid but acutely unobservant to have failed to notice the thin discreet line of huts (commonly known as zhoparpattis) across our college campus.
It struck me today, when I casually glanced towards my right and saw the dilapidated shanties crumpled next to one another. A group of small kids played outside one of those huts, their feet naked, hair messy, and clothes hanging loosely off their shoulders…Their fathers were getting ready to start their day…some by setting up the tools which they would use to repair vehicles, others by cobbling shoes. This was how they earned their living...

I entered the university gates of DAVV. Inside those secured walls, the world was entirely different! We had a grand university sprawled amongst immense greenery and fresh air, this world somehow promised to bring out a bright future ahead of us. It bestowed on us an institute for education, a canteen to fill our stomachs, and freedom to roam about carelessly, yet we utilized it less and coveted for more and more.
But on the outside, just as you cross those walls, you find homeless kids working hard but with no future, playing with full energy even though their hungry stomachs were empty, gaping at us in awe when they deserved no less and being deprived of a bright future with no fault at all.
This is, what I call an “Irony”…
Indeed how sad it is that a wall can set apart two different futures for people belonging to the inner side and the outer side. 
And if you can read my blog, that surely means you belong to the inner side! Be happy for what you’ve got, we never know when the ‘sides’ are exchanged and along with that our futures!