Issue 7 - December 2002
Reflections on the United States: Interrogating Dominance
The U.S. as, undisputedly, the most powerful nation in the post Cold War era, needs to play a leadership role that promotes equity, sustainability, peace and justice. Such a role is certainly undermined by the structural links between government, military and corporations. Yet it is also the case that the role the U.S. plays globally is less susceptible to critique and transformation as long as these dominant narratives have a hold over political discourse.
Veteran Athlete Lives In Penury
Here comes the story of the State Government’s insensitivity towards a 107-year old athlete, Joginder Singh, widely perceived to be one of the world’s finest veteran athlete. Joginder Singh lives in abject poverty in a one room ramshackle tenement in a run-down mohalla of the old city. A sad way to live for a man who brought laurels to his state and country.
Bird Images in Guru Nanak’s Hymns
To anyone who looks on birds as the finest creations of God, the Adi Granth would make an ecstatic reading, an experience of such an inexpressible joy in which one is literally carried on the wings of the birds, singing unto the glory of the joyous dawns. For that is the characteristic of Guru Nanak’s poetry, that is prophecy, and prophecy that is music and music that is divine.
Interview: Human Rights in Pakistan
The problem is that the government takes our observations as an assault on its status or standing. We point out an issue. That issue needs to be understood. But when we say that in some areas of Pakistan people are getting poorer, we are accused of bringing a bad name to the country. So, instead of understanding poverty and its extent, they start defending the status quo.
History of Scottish Tartan
Tartan has become the main symbol of Scotland and Scottish Culture. It is an emblem for those of Scottish descent around the world. With Scottish National identity probably greater than at any time in recent centuries, the potency of Tartan as a symbol cannot be understated.
Man From Myth: Che Guevara
Particularly after visiting quixotic, passionate Cuba last year, I find myself wondering just what Che’s legacy really is. What his memory can possibly mean today. Has his life been reduced to portraits on T-shirts and on college hostel rooms around the world? To the shining three-peso coins charming old men try to sell you on Havana’s streets, only because Che’s handsome face graces one side?
“I” of “I”
Ego or “i” is the seed of all trouble. Man is born with a sovereign mind yet our self-obsession and selfish desires prevent us from gaining higher consciousness and the knowledge that the perfect state is attained only through His grace.
The Punjab Problem And Fundamentalism
The author’s own discussion lends little support to his thesis of Sikh fundamentalism. He is, however, determined to put this tag on the Sikh struggle. Therefore, in the conclusion he formulates three new arguments, which convince nobody except himself. For our discussion we shall first take up the Punjab problem and its genesis, which the author has carefully avoided and then discuss his observations to show their irrelevance, except as an attempted cover to hide the realities in Punjab.
Babasaheb Ambedkar: A Tribute
Educate, agitate, organize and have faith in yourself. With justice on our side, I do not see how we can lose our battle. The battle to me is a matter of joy. The battle is in the fullest sense spiritual. There is nothing material or social in it. For ours is a battle not for wealth or for power. It is a battle for freedom. It is a battle for reclamations of the human personality.
Book: United We Must Stand
Just before college begins, September 11th temporarily interrupts his tranquil life. Life challenges him with new experiences that could either hamper his future, or he could choose to endure. In a novel filled with emotional upheaval, there is always a keen reminder. Never take life for granted, embrace it with a certainty to be the difference.
1984
Oh, you miserable wretches! Your brother is maltreated and you shut your eyes! The victim cries loud, and you keep mum? The bully goes around, selects his victim, and you say: He’ll spare us because we hide our disapproval (Bertolt Brecht). What struck me the most was that with the passage of time the fateful events of 1984 got buried deep beneath the daily rumble of life to the point that I had forgotten the events on this 18th anniversary of 1984.
Interview: Press In Pakistan
The answer to this question is the unwanted institution of owner-editors in Pakistan and lack of professional editors in almost 90 percent of the newspapers. Owners pursue their own financial, commercial and sometimes political interests as editors. Working journalists have offered tremendous sacrifices but they have traditionally enjoyed very little say in newspaper policies. So, self-censorship is because of policy constraints imposed by the owners.
Sikh Soldiers In World Wars
When the first World War broke out in 1914, there were six battalions of the Sikh Regiment forming part of the British Army. They were named as 14th Ferozepur Sikhs, 15th Ludhiana Sikhs, 35th Sikhs, 36th Sikhs, 45th Sikhs and 47th Sikhs. Since Sikh soldiers were known for their bravery, the British employed all their battalions, except the 35th Sikhs, for fighting at such far-away places like Egypt, Palestine, Mesopotamia, Gallipoli and France.
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