Immaturity Rocks; Hey World, Long Way To Go!

It is generally believed that Immaturity pertains to individuals, but immature individuals form immature groups and nations, and nations form immature world. If one looks at the journey of human evolution it seems we have a long way to attain maturity. To me, maturity is an age where people, groups and nations think about sustainable development, mutual respect, common goals, increasing the size of the pie, accepting the diversity and thinking win-win. Why it has been ages the world has not attained maturity, one may argue that it is in the inherent nature of human being to think win-lose, to be greedy for power, greedy to maximize economic gains at the cost of weaker segment of society. On the other hand we have witnessed that people are talking about mutual interests and common goals, people are talking about caring for environment for sustainable future, people are talking about bringing peace and justice for peaceful societies, and people are talking about equity and equitable distribution of wealth. My optimism convinces me that we are on the journey where it would ultimately take us to a level where we think win-win at global level. Every historical experiment suggests us that world experimented many assertions of self will, world witnessed cold war, an era where two systems dominated and both wanted to assert their system and impose their form of development and governance. It halted the local structural evolution as per local environment, it did not let people decide what path to follow. In Unipolar world US emerged as sole power, it started asserting his power and manipulation but all in vain, Iraq could only be governed by Iraqis, Afghanistan could only be governed by Afghans. In today’s world, there are millions of people all around, it is not easy to dominate their will, gone are the days Louis the XIV emerged as sun king to assert his will all across France or Alexander to march across globe or Ganges Khan’s brutal west ward march all the way from Magnolia or small East India Co dominating huge India. In today’s world, it is virtually impossible to control millions of people with power and impose disparity. World requires a Paradigm Shift to attain maturity, first of all we have to think win-win, focus on increasing the economic pie of the world, ensuring something for everyone, mutual respect and focus on sustainable development. If I just explain it in one sentence it is “ Thinking Beyond Self & Beyond Borders for Mutual Benefit.”

Obama Phobia & Fever Truly Engulfed Everyone 'Obama..Obama..Obama'

It was historic moment when an African American guy sworn in as 44th President of the most powerful country of the world. I had been waiting whole day to witness historic moment, it was amazing to see the way whole ceremony planned, and historic protocols were awesome. Speech was powerful; it reminded everyone of Martin Luther Jr's speech ‘I have a dream……. I am sure today that dream has been fulfilled. His speech was powerful he talked about the American journey, all the way ancestors steps enabled today’s America possible. It was interesting he talked about PEACE & MUTUAL RESPECT whereas four year back George Bush talked about Democracy & Crusade. He also warned people about challenges on economic front at home as well as war on terror esp. in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also sent a powerful double message to Muslim world, to abandon support to extremists, say yes to mutual respect and peace, if not so, dealt with power. It was a strong warning . He also pledge that US is ready to lead the world effectively. There is a lot of hope all around, lets see, time will tell.

I wish i were there to witness the historic moment live :(

I loved the precise , effective & powerful speech, one of the best i have ever heard.

Hope democrats and liberals will be successful .

Innocent Zarina Marri Sexually Abused; Her Cry Making People Sleepless in Baluchistan!!

Lately, I came across an astonishing report published by Asian Human Rights Commissions,  it says “Ms. Zarina Marri, a 23-year-old schoolteacher from Balochistan province, was arrested in late 2005, and has been held incommunicado in an army torture cell at Karachi, the capital of Sindh province. She has been repeatedly raped by the military officers and is being used as a sex slave, to induce arrested nationalist activists to sign state-concocted confessions”   Today’s Dawn also shares the same report on second page, along with a picture of protest, demanding the release of innocent girl. Again in the evening, Supreme Court Bar Association function, many speakers also protested the sexual abuse of innocent Baloch girl. Aetizaz Ahsan also protested the way daughter of Baluchistan sexually abused. I hope sanity prevails and dignity and sanctity of human being respected by civilized Pakistani society. History tells us such acts always weaken the state, nation building requires open heart; respect for all, equity is the strength rather than brutal sexual torture of innocent girl.

Captain Sully is More Than a Hero

Coming week I am going to be in Washington DC, than to New York, Captain Sully’s heroic action truly engrossed me with the United States, the way over hundred lives were saved. On 16th Jan, early in the morning when I opened the bbc news web page, i was socked to see a jetliner with 150 passenger and 5 crew members plunged into the icy Hudson River less than five minutes after taking off from LaGuardia Airport. Capt. C.B. Sully Sullenberger and crew performed heroic actions to bring all 150 people to safety. Captain made sure that everyone is safe, and then he got out, showed true professionalism which lacks in Pakistan. I am already impressed with American society, the way they developed economically. I am eager to experience and find the understanding of the word “American Dream”, and have first hand exposure of US & to share my perception of America with Liz. Today I started thinking that English dictionary should add/invent another word for Captain Sully, he deserves to be called more than a HERO.

Corporate Feudalism & Dirty Money !!

Corporate feudalism is a term referred to unethical and irresponsible corporations, their only pursuit is to earn money at the cost of society, law, people and environment. They turn laws and rules in their favor through bribes, harass smaller players, buy lawmakers and pollute environment like a feudal lord. New media always focus on small scale societal crimes but a large scale white collar crime and dirty money making machines often hide from the eyes of media.India’s booming economic and IT scandal of Satyam sent shock waves all around, finally it is official Satyam's Rs 7000 crore corporate accounting fraud has been acknowledged to be the biggest fraud in the history of India's big bourgeoisie. While Enron, an American corporate certainly outdid the who's who in corporate crime in India in recent years, there have been many contenders for the title in the last two decades. Global Trust Bank is still fresh in our memory. In this latest instance, Price Waterhouse Coopers is implicated along with Satyam. If one looks the capitalistic greed one finds that Neoliberlism arose as a project of imperialism to counter the increased power of the working classes of the metropolitan countries on the one hand and the Third World countries on the other. Near full employment in the metropolitan countries and social welfare measures had increased the bargaining power of the workers in Europe. An anti-worker ideology was nourished by trashing the achievements of welfare states. Simultaneously, the lessons of history were negated in persuading and bullying Third World countries with semi-feudal social structures to give up those kinds of measures of state patronage and state action which had promoted industrialization in Western Europe and its overseas offshoots. Economic liberalization to comprehend also deregulation of the financial sector became a major weapon in this neoliberal imperialist enterprise. Exploitation and greed is very nature of capitalism, it is high time to change the inhuman nature of the game or face the pitfalls of capitalism which may crumble the economic empires all around. Better governance, more control , media vigilance and social democractic parties are vital to stop the wild animal called CORPORATION “the corporate feudal”. Weak state of Pakistan has hidden stories of accounting crimes, every other annual report may contain fudged data, simply because of lose controls and weak corporate governance. Pakistan can not compete if unethical white collar crime is allowed to flourish all around.

Stop Racist Slur ‘Paki-Go Home’!!

Paki is term often used in racial context; it is derogatory racist slur which has colonial legacy or history. There are so many right wing extremists and anti immigrants who often use derogatory words such as Paki Go Home. Paki is not only used for Pakistanis, however, Indian and Bangladeshi are also referred as Paki. Words are often powerful, carry emotions, may positively or negatively affect the social psyche & it is important to be careful while selecting words. Lately, Prince Harry used the word 'Paki' about a Pakistani colleague, it was caught on film three years ago referring to a comrade as 'our little Paki friend'. Similarly, he also mentioned derogatory word, while referring to Arab Harry’s apology may be sufficient but on broader scale, it seems that Britain is facing deeper social problem in the context of racist slur against the Asia origin. In London alone over 20,000 knife attacks were carried out, most of them were racial in nature. It seems that British society is moving ahead in post modernist globalized world yet lack maturity. I thought after the fall of racist regime in South Africa and end of apartheid is the path towards maturity but it seems it’s a long way to dream.

Weak Don’t Make Peace; Israel; Stop Naked Aggression!!

It was sad to read today’s Dawn; it says Israel is testing a new “extremely nasty” type of weapon in Gaza, two medics charged as they returned home to Norway on Monday after spending 10 days working at a hospital in the war-torn Palestinian territory.

“There’s a very strong suspicion I think that Gaza is now being used as a test laboratory for new weapons,” Mads Gilbert told reporters at Oslo’s Gardermoen airport, commenting on the kinds of injuries he and his colleague Erik Fosse had seen while working at the Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza.The two medics, who were sent into the war zone by the pro-Palestinian aid organization NORWAC on Dec 31, said they had seen clear signs that Dense Inert Metal Explosives (DIME), an experimental kind of explosive, were being used in Gaza. “This is a new generation of very powerful small explosives that detonates with an extreme power and dissipates its power within a range of five to 10 metres,” said Gilbert. In 17 days 919 Palestinians killed by Israel including 284 children & 100 women, 4260 injured. It seems no body is listening, states are blind, deaf and dumb against ghastly act of WEAK ‘Morally, Politically’ state of Israel against the innocent civilians. Aggressor always misses out one think, military move may bring temporary respite but long term peace is the product of justice. Revenge of history is brutal.

Beer is the Liquid Bread …….Ultimate Healthy Drink! Go for Budweiser…

Lately I was having talk about beer with few friends, they call it Zahrein AAp “water with terrible taste”….unfortunately we do not have many choices only left with Murree Classic along with regular, available in can as well as in bottle. Few of my friends are badly hooked to beer and they justify why all of us should drink, let’s read what they say; It is source of vitamin B, Barley & hops used in production, further, study suggest two drinks per day ensures greatest longevity. It aids against coronary heard diseases, reduces cholesterol, reduce risk of kidney stones, helps in reducing chromosomal damage from radiation exposure. Heavy drink may promote beer belly, abdominal obesity, increase heartburn, increase blood pressure, dehydration and hangover. Through this blogpost I just want to communicate to all my beer loving buddies, dude, it is probably good for you as long as its done in moderation….. Dude, also develop your taste and get hooked to best available brand, I would suggest, always go for following; Apart from Murree Classic, if you are abroad, do try Budweiser, Corona Extra, Heineken, Guinness, Coors Light, Miller Lite, San Miguel Pale Pilsen, Yuengling, Sam Adam or Sarajevsko Pivo…….any above would make your drinking special…. Have nice drinking day….

Elusive Love, Romance or Chemical Cocktail!

Whenever I think about my past love encounter, it makes me think, is it deep inner spontaneous feeling for girl or just a chemical cocktail driving the love forward. There are people who believe that love is a drug, hmmm yes it makes people do all kind of crazy things, its sort of intoxication…..hmmm when I look back, yeees I lament how stupid I were, bending the knees for love, to pamper & make love happy, treating her activities above mine…. At least I have learned one thing, no more stupidity, no more love, enough……let me try to find answers behind my stupidity: P i.e., falling in LOVE ;-) Lately, I came across an article in prestigious scientific journal Nature, Professor Young argues that love can be explained by a series of neurochemical events in specific brain areas. If it is true, he says, people will no longer have to rely on oysters or chocolates to create a loving mood.

All my friends, get rid of spending money on calorie filled unhealthy chocolate for love, listen to the love chemistry, am sure the owner of Zamzama, chocolate parlor would curse me :P

Study says, in future, it will be possible for scientists to develop aphrodisiacs - chemicals that would make people fall in love with the first person they see. Wow….falling in love with Kareena Kapoor, hmmm what about Katrina Kaif, hot Piryanka ;-) if you like BBW Big Busty Women, what about falling in love with Fat Lollywood babe SAIMA :P And for those who have fallen in love with someone they shouldn't have fallen in love with, an antidote to unrequited love, would be available…Hmmm if you think…oooops wrong person, let chemistry come to rescue….i was hooked to wrong person, I lament, there was no chemistry to rescue me hmmm one can hope for future ‘rescue chemistry: P”

There is even the prospect of a genetic "love test" to assess whether two potential love birds are predisposed to a happy married life. Guys, go through love test, before signing marriage contract “i.e., NIKAH” :) On the other hand, Poets would have us believe that love is one of those things that are beyond understanding…to me they are CRAZY….. There are scientists they believe that oxytocin is responsible for love, “It may actually enhance our ability to form relationships, and so it is a very real possibility that something like oxytocin could be used in conjunction with marital therapies to bring back love spark."

There are already perfumes on the market containing oxytocin; in future love drugs would also find en-route to body….jump off, you all LAILA & MAJNOOOs. Professor Bostrom believes that it will become increasingly possible to manipulate the neurological mechanisms that play a role in romantic attachment. Wow, go on a date use oxytocin perfumes or get girl oxytocin related drink, wow ready made love…………..forget about poetry….its chemistry….

I have learned one thing, dude its material world, love has to have a price tag, to be bought through using right chemistry……

It’s Bloody Power That Reign Superior!!!

In my International Relations classes at university I was constantly reminded of morality in world politics, 14 points of Woodrow Wilson. Peace, justices, human rights all were the words I used to hear everyday. Practically, it seems after the cold war, it is only power that matters ‘it had mattered in the past too’, weaker has to face the wrath and world is always with powerful. Be it small local politics or regional to international, world is Machiavellian. When I look at poor Palestinian kids, just look at their eyes, they ask one question ‘why us???’ does anyone has any answer???

Religious Confusion; Are You Shia or Sunni? Muslim; a True Muslim?? Hindu, Jew or Christian??

Uff there is so much religious complication, so many sects and groups; one may wonder which one to follow. It is so common that follower of one Muslim school of thought may not attend religious congregation in the mosque where followers belong to other/different school of thought. You may find the difference in the color of turban, and rituals. This all makes me wonder, its one religion and so many complicated minor difference making people disintegrated rather than united. However, someone lately asked me one question; either I am Shia or Sunni? My reply was that I am a Baloch. Guy was taken aback to hear my reply, frankly it has been 5,000 years we are Baloch, just 1,400 years, we are Muslims . It may take me one minute to change my religion but I can not change from a Baloch to a Dutch, Irish or Chinese. On broader sense my understanding of all Semitic religions “Islam, Judaism & Christianity” has basic similarities. When someone bogs down into rituals than small differences pop out and make everything complicated. I am completely off as far as rituals are concerned; to me it is important to follow religious crux or core that is to be good human being. Frankly when I look at Jewish Ten Commandments I don’t think any follower of Semitic religion would disagree ‘except to remember Sabbath’. Here are Ten Commandments, God handed over to Prophet Moses on Mount Sinai; “I am the Lord your God, You shall have no other gods before me, You shall not make for yourself an idol, You shall not make wrongful use of the name of your God, Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy, Honor your father and mother, You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor, You shall not covet your neighbor's wife & You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor….” We as Pakistani society are too much bogged down into rituals and confused in small self created superficial differences, we are hypocrite, we lie, we don’t pay taxes, we love backbiting, we are dishonest in our conduct, we disrespect women……… I see mosques full of people yet on the other hand social values are crumbling down…..making me more skeptic of Pakistani society. We are an emotional, irrational and illogical society living in dark ages; I can easily relate Pakistani society with European dark ages. I can only hope for a renaissance…….

Slumdog Millionaire; Visually Dazzling Movie; Hardship, Triumph and Love...

I was surprised to see a British Director Danny Boyle came up with awesome Mumbai slum stuff, using the underdog tale cast. I would recommend to all my friends, it’s visually dazzling hmmm thematically conscious both entertaining and powerful. It is an audience-pleaser with a story arc right out of the Arabian Nights. An impoverished orphan through pluck and determination fights for a fortune and the woman of his dreams. But this fable unfolds in a very real place — the mean streets of modern India — and the obstacles of greed, lust, cruelty. Young Jamal handcuffed to a chair in a police interrogation room where a detective tortures him with fists and electric shocks. The cop believes that Jamal, the longest-standing contestant on India’s version of the “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” has been cheating. He cannot believe that this uneducated “slumdog” could have answered all those tough questions without help. So Jamal tells his story, illustrating how coincidences in his life have providentially come together to provide the answers he needed. He also gets his lost love, never gives up, it is destiny that he had to reach….i wonder, is life all about written destiny, hard work, money or luck.

Movie was released by end Nov 08, hardly in one month, overall business on box office was USD 19.5 mill, also chosen one of the top ten best movies of the year 2008. Prestigious critics "Rotten Tomatoes" rated it 8.2/10. Its worth watching……..strongly recommended.