--- |
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Fwd: Halwa Khappay....Diesel Khappay
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jawad Iqbal <sohawian_pk@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, Aug 27, 2010 at 9:46 PM
Subject: Halwa Khappay....Diesel Khappay
To: ijawadiqbal@gmail.com
From: Jawad Iqbal <sohawian_pk@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, Aug 27, 2010 at 9:46 PM
Subject: Halwa Khappay....Diesel Khappay
To: ijawadiqbal@gmail.com
--
|
Friday, August 27, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Gadaai by Alama
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Sara Faiz Shares her Feelings with us
I like her thoughts and feelings that she has shared with all of us. A little account that gives a powerful message
My World
(Sara Faiz)
Again a hectic day is over. Though it is Ramadan but still my focus is my home and family more than my religion. Sorry to Allah G. I know He'll forgive. Before going to bed I checked the lock of the main door and looked at my clean beautifully decorated house. With a sigh of relief I went to my bedroom. I looked at my side, my cute little daughter of two, and next to her my loving husband… My wonderful little world is peacefully resting on my bed. Life is wonderful, isn't it?
I switched on the TV (with a little guilty feeling for its Ramadan) to watch a drama I used to see for the last two years. While changing the channels I came across a news channel. The caption of the news was 'The flood of water or of tears'. I stopped for a while just to see what's happening around. The TV was on mute as usual so that I may not disturb 'my world'. I was just watching the clips of the natural disaster. I saw a little girl resembling to my little daughter. I increased the volume. The little girl was bitterly crying… crying for food and for his lost father… who went back to home when the flood came, to untie his cattle free, but he never returned. I felt so bad that I switched off the TV and lay down to sleep.
At midnight my daughter suddenly moved and then asked for milk in her sleepy voice. I can't see her crying for a minute, that is why I always prepare her feeder before going to bed. I heard her crying again… I get up in a minute to see what happened. She was not on the bed but the voice of crying was still audible. My heart started pondering hard and I looked for my husband, he was not at his place. The light was gone and it was too dark and hot. I got up and looked for my mobile but it was lost. I get down from my bed and to my surprise my room was filled with water. I started calling my husband. I felt 'my world' in great danger. I ran here and there and fell down. My daughter was crying madly now. I got up and rushed towards her… but could not feel her… the only thing I felt was deadly water. I started crying… my tears were mixing in the water. It was becoming darker, hotter and horrible. I started calling 'My Allah G' to save me and 'My world'. I suddenly remembered that little child on the TV. I felt ashamed for being so selfish that I never thought about the people around me. I asked Allah G to give me another chance so I may prove myself to be a helping hand… but I think it was too late. The water has risen to my belt and I was all wet. My daughter was crying even harder. I closed my eyes in a silent prayer. I could hear the approaching death. Suddenly I heard my husband calling me… he was holding me with my shoulders and was calling me again and again…
All of a sudden I opened my eyes… and what I see was my little room… as peaceful as ever. It was a dream. I realized I was watching a night mare… my husband asked me in a worried tone, why I was not listening to the baby who is asking for milk. I give her the feeder and she was peaceful again. I thanked to 'Almighty Allah' for it was just a night mare… but I was happy to see that 'my world' was now extended from six by six feet bed to thousand miles. I left my bed to offer my prayers and then hurried out to prepare Sahri.
Today my speed is far more for I had to cut my wardrobe and my daughter's and husband's to half to send the cloths to the people who are suffering all around. I also have to arrange food and money for them… because I have to prove that I care… I really care… for 'MY WORLD'.
_______________________________
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
What We Need to Face the Disaster ... Published in National Herald Tribune on Aug14, 2020
What We Need to Face the Disaster
By: JAWAD IQBAL JAWAD
No doubt the recent tides of furious flood are high and according to some reports more than twenty million Pakistanis have been affected by this calamity; but they are not higher than our ambition, passion and courage. Only what we need is to ignite the spirit and manage our potential to prove that the altitude of our ambition and passion is much higher than these lethal waves.
Like many other parts of the world natural calamities and other emergency situations are not new to Pakistan. Right from the beginning we are facing such situations. In 1947 the world saw the largest displacement of the history. The disastrous flood wreaked havoc in 1976 but sufferings, problems and intense sense of loss faded out by the best healer - Time.
The bright morning of 8th October, 2005 brought the darkling and devastating earthquake in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa (NWFP at that time) and AJK. Earth quake horribly shook the earth, but devotion, dedication and courage of nation remained unshakable. Aid caravans from every nook and corner set for the affected areas to rescue, help and rehabilitate the grieved brethren. It was high time of our ambition and spirit. There were uncountable trucks and vehicles going to the quack-hit areas. Then rehabilitation activities took an unending period of time for completion.
Fire of terrorism and anti terrorism operations caused displacement in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa (NWFP at that time). People of other areas revived the spirit of Ansar (RA) by welcoming and helping the IDPs.
Now comes another disaster at large. Destruction rather devastation brought by earth quake was limited to Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa and AJK only. But the recent flood is not limited to one province or to a specific area of the country. From Khyber to Sindh it is making our people homeless and depriving them of their household, properties, cattle and peace of mind. More than fifteen hundred people have lost their lives.
People are collecting donations for their affected brethren and going out to help them, but still there is a lot to be planned and done because this flood is going to leave after effects severer than the aftershocks of the earth quake. Earth quake brought destruction at once and then there was time to save the injured and provide the affectees with food and shelter. But, now, flood is involving us in more challenges and tasks with every coming day. It started its ill journey from one part of the country and, now, going to other parts. The people who were there to donate the earth-quake affectees are, now, flood effectees themselves.
If we see carefully all the disasters hit Pakistan proved that we are blessed with original spirit, ambition and courage, but we lack the art of management. We have sense but lack sensibility. No doubt, we need donations for rescue and then rehabilitation, but the more important thing is disaster management. This is the art we do not know exactly. Actually we are not properly trained for this.
When our air plane got destroyed in Margalla hills we were unable to go to the place of accident at night. No doubt that place was in the hills, but those hills were in the surroundings of our capital city. In 2005 when the earth quake hit Islamabad we were unable to rescue people stuck in destroyed Margalla tower for we had not proper equipments and training to handle the situation.
If there is an institution named National Disaster Management Authority it should be an active institution. Students of colleges, universities and other volunteers must be trained for disaster management properly. In addition to this our rehabilitation authorities and institutions must play an active role to help the people settling back in their native areas. Our ambitious and spirited youth from colleges and universities who is collecting donations for their affected brothers and sisters must be given opportunity to prepare themselves for disaster management. In this way we will have a large workforce to handle such incidents.
It has been observed that the donations and aid meant to be utilized for the benefit of the affectees is misused by the authorities. For tackling this situation there must be a strict check and balance by the government. Natural calamities cannot be stopped but human lives can be saved if we utilize the great gifts of nature - our mind and intellect.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Nero is still fiddling!
Nero is still fiddling!
By: JAWAD IQBAL JAWAD
Rome burnt, but Nero thoroughly enjoyed fiddling during the disaster occurred. He was totally devoid of sense of responsibility and even his heart was barren and there were no human emotions. His own luxury and comfort was more important than saving the poor city and the unfortunate people living there.
Nero left the world centuries ago, but his spirit is still living and is still fiddling. But now, instead of Rome and Romans, Pakistan and Pakistanis are facing the music. Pakistan is stricken by a variety of disasters. Terrorism, target killing, stormy prices and, now, flood and heavy rains are attacking as a battalion of bad spirits or destruction. But coldness shown by our rulers and especially by our ruling party proves indifference with the people who have elected them.
Our respected president has turned either cynic towards the reasonable suggestions or he is committed to following the historic tradition of indifference and senselessness . Leaving his people in complete chaos he flies to Europe with band of his companions or flatterers. They are not ready to advise him wisely and he himself is totally allergic of wisdom and reason.
Heads of states who live in the hearts of their people stand by and among their people when they are in their sighs and tears. These great leaders prove that they are the support and cushion for their people in the catastrophe. Then such nations cannot be defeated even by the natural calamities. Such leaders and rulers are not living in our neighboring planets, dbut they play their role on this very planet where our beloved Pakistan is situated.
Recent flood and heavy rains have deprived more than fourteen hundred people of their lives and thousands of others of their homes and their possessions. They are living under the open sky where the burning sun makes them realizes that they are homeless and black watery clouds prove them helpless.
Our disaster management has been proved disastrous. People who have lost their homes, properties, cattle, and all other valuable possessions are waiting for help and government support. But, unfortunately, the stoned eyes and emotionless faces are not seen by the president and his fellows who are enjoying their royal trip to Europe.
David Cameron, after uttering his venom, has declared that he will neither take his word back nor he has any regret on his statement. But our president is going to meet him in his country. We do not know whether he is going to appreciate his statement or quarrelling with him. The president has humbly been advised by his people to abandon the plan of taking plane to UK. For it will be totally destructive for Pakistan's foreign policy if, at this time, Pakistani president meets with David Cameron.
Putting aside each and every thing Mr. president anxiously flies to the one who openly speaks against his country and nation. While his people are facing one of the worst calamities ever occurred in Pakistan.
Now, he is in Paris and, yet, he has time to redesign his plan and instead of spoiling the national image completely he must fly back to Pakistan and must leave the message that, as the president of Pakistan and Pakistanis, he is annoyed at the statement fired by Mr. Cameron. Otherwise history may rephrase the idiom and the Name of Nero may be replaced by the name of……………………………….!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Deadlock Or Wedlock?
DEADLOCK OR WEDLOCK?
BY; JAWAD IQBAL JAWAD
In every religion and society, marriage is an occasion of festivity. But in Islam, it is more than sheer celebration and enjoyment. It is moreover fulfillment of a sacred obligation. According to Hadith, it is the path of perfection in belief that leads to submission before the will of Allah Almighty. Without a concrete justification, living life as a bachelor is not permissible. And it's all based on reason and logic. At its core, Islam leads to a life of modesty and contentment. Straying away from the noble path of Islam has made our lives complicated, to be more precise, it has disfigured the beauty of life. Late marriages have become more of a trend these days. There is no denying the fact that many of such cases are the fallout of the prevalent circumstances. But honestly, these circumstances are made by the society itself.
Our educated youth seems preoccupied to acquire the status of their ideals and achieve their over ambitious targets. In the struggle, not only do they invaluable years that make up their prime age but the regard for moral values as well. Idles of cost, creed and class let the beauty of young age wither away. Moreover, the curse of dowry plays its own repulsive role in the lives of our sisters and daughters. A simple festivity has been turned into a complex web of intricacy. Difficulty in finding just the right match is a common issue among middle class, especially in urban areas. I have personally met over a dozen of such parents and youth who are waiting for suitable partners, according to their perceptions.
A lady of 33 waits for a man who is taller, older, highly educated, shares the same cast/sect and speaks the same mother tongue. Big ask, isn't it? Here the lady is herself the cause of her perils and nobody else. Trying to live a contemporary lifestyle and then doing whatever it takes to meet the growing demands of such a standard of living has also played its due role in adding up to the problems. Girls and boys certainly have much more opportunities to interact with one another than what they had in the past. They study in groups, work in equal opportunity organizations and are blessed with the facilities of open communications through mobile phones and the internet. Technology speaks their language and in turn they do not have to fear the misdirection of their love letters anymore.
Remedy for this state of disarray is neither strange nor surprising. If educated youth segment of the society is adorned with wedlock in time, these mounting moral evils and social problems can be dealt away with to a greater extent. After completing their graduation, boys and girl can get married and from there on they can well proceed to complete their higher education and embark on their professional careers. At the same time the Government must take radical measures to educate and motivate them in issues pertinent to maternal, newborn and child healthcare issues. Wedding must not stand for heaps of dowry, sparkling jewelry and a grand Walima feast that may put both of the family under heavy debts.
An educated boy with a good moral character and an adequate way of income should be accepted by the parents of an educated girl. An unending list of demands put forth by either side does not guarantee a happily ever after. Now is the time for the youth of Pakistan to stand up and against these vindictive customs traditions imposed upon them by the society. This is the way to happiness, reforms and righteousness. This is the way that we will have to adopt for ourselves and for our children. This is the way for a good today and for a better tomorrow.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Wailay di Kook ... A Punjabi Poem by Jawad
Wailay di Kook ... A Punjabi Poem by Jawad
Wailay di Kook means,"the voice of hour". The poem speaks for the on going situation in Pakistan and the ultimate solution for the problem.
Wailay di Kook .... A Punjabi Poem
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)