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In a tragic or a light-hearted vein literature has demonstrated an unusual capacity to alter human perception, refine feelings and ways of thinking and believing. It occasionally encourages the reader to laugh at his own vanity and reflect on prejudices and follies “Why oh why are my intellectual horizons not being expanded?” asked a man […]

 The nation can go ride a camel and have ‘sattoo’ — a more nutritious way of travelling. The farmer can eat their ‘gurh’ if they can afford it. All is essentially well The patter of rain against the tin roof has stopped rather abruptly. I can hear a faint growl of the clouds somewhere in

 Bashir got unusual media coverage, more than the athletes who proceeded to win gold medals. He was on the front page of almost every newspaper porting several suitcases including sporting gear packed in an indigenous metal trunk that rested on his bare head. The manager of our wrestling team had imperiously ordered Bashir to collect

“Muslim” countries pursue their own respective state interests. An ummah run by the clerics as a theocracy with Samuel Huntington as their Caliph is the last thing, which the Muslims of the world deserve or need I am one of those who saw Pakistan’s birth. I belong to the generation, which was later raised on

 In the good old days people on horses, elephants or palanquins used to be arrayed on one side and the commoners on foot huddled together on the opposite side. Everyone knew who was who, what was his station and where he stood. There was martial law or just the law. The generals were either in

In my village I often see people riding a bicycle on a frosty morning, with their head and torsos wrapped in a blanket, paddling away in beach slippers. The hairy legs are virtually naked and other essential endowments are exposed to piercing drafts, because the dhoti has been tucked up to keep it clear of

 I must admit that it is often not easy to get the substance of a thought across as easily it is presumed. ‘Talking’ in this instance is like wading through a stream in spate. In his present mood he is given to glossing over (on some occasions misconstruing) the text that makes the slightest dent

The four minarets of the Taj, which should recede inwards towards the dome of the royal mausoleum, remain adamantly perpendicular. This is achieved by constructing the minarets to lean away from the dome so they appear straight Once you are through defiles of the Karakorams, car engines have to be revved up to make the

A friend had taken the precaution of having a few parathas and shamis packed for the journey. These came to our rescue when the car broke down. It took almost an hour for the car engine to cool off. The moment the radiator stopped coughing steam it was replenished with three large bottles of mineral

 The state that traditionally represented the citizen or at least a privileged section of the citizenry now represents none but itself. Instead of protecting the rights, providing for needs and addressing the concerns of the citizens, it is engaged in protecting, promoting and preserving itself. This may seem harsh but it is true I learnt