Human Development Index 2018 is sober readingon September 19, 2018The UN Human Development Index (HDI) 2018 has described inequality as the defining challenge of the time. Indeed, it finds that this phenomenon decreases the global HDI by one-fifth. Yet it also inadvertently underscores how it becomes all too easy to overlook its impact when considering purely economic indicators. For if taken at face value, South Asia has enjoyed the fastest growth during the … [Read more...] about Human Development Index 2018 is sober reading
Of Felipe Gonzalez, Spanish bullrings and Brexiton September 16, 2018We were mesmerised. Above all by the spectacle of Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez. Nonchalantly lighting up a cigarette. What an absolute rock star. Or so we thought. Perhaps for no other reason than neither of us could picture the decidedly un-suave John Major pulling off such rebel casus belli with just the right dash of aplomb. Relieved that we had arrived in good time, my flatmate and I did … [Read more...] about Of Felipe Gonzalez, Spanish bullrings and Brexit
Sugar in a plum, plum plumon September 9, 2018Sitting cross-legged in a small circle on the playground, we must have been no more than about seven years old. A rare English summer. In as much as the sun had been shining all day long. Which meant that we were all dressed in our PE kit: shorts and aertex top. A brief reprieve from the royal blue and grey that predominantly featured in our regulation uniform. Of course, little did I know how … [Read more...] about Sugar in a plum, plum plum
Ahmadis and Naya-Naya landon September 2, 2018It’s not easy being Kaptaan. Everyone wants a piece of him. Even when he is as happy as Larry, flourishing his magic wand, for which he will have kept the receipt, naturally, to grant overseas Pakistanis their hearts’ desire. Namely, the right to vote in Naya-Naya land. For hard currency alone is all it takes for them to be considered premiership assets. Yet the PTI chief took his eye off the … [Read more...] about Ahmadis and Naya-Naya land
The ‘barefoot colonial’ – VS Naipaul (1932-2018)on August 13, 2018Sir Vidiadhar Surajprasad Naipaul was undoubtedly one of literature's greats. That he enjoyed such an illustrious career ought to be a matter of pride for the Global South. Not least because it brought with it an authentic tale of success in the face of an ever-changing and, at times, inhospitable world. VS Naipaul was born to Indian parents in Trinidad in 1932. His father Seepersad, a man of … [Read more...] about The ‘barefoot colonial’ – VS Naipaul (1932-2018)
Tales of His Imminence and the homecoming Kingon July 15, 2018Dammit. His Imminence could stomach anything but this. Even the prospect of his former paramour, with her premature kiss n’ tell, momentarily stealing his thunder. After all, he could quite easily chomp on a cigar while the storm passed. But this. Well, this was too much. To be upstaged by a man. It would never do. And yet here he stands. With Kuggoo poised to steal his still to be anointed … [Read more...] about Tales of His Imminence and the homecoming King
Of caged lions, hidden hands and sticky wicketson July 8, 2018His Imminence shall go to the ball. Not only is he its rightful belle — he has spent the last five years so very carefully filling out his dance card. Admittedly, he did get hitched a couple of times in the meanwhile; idling away the years as he waited patiently for his heart’s desire. His Master’s Voice. And now that he has come of age — he has three polls under his belt bearing testimony to this … [Read more...] about Of caged lions, hidden hands and sticky wickets
Black-facing and the white man’s burdenon July 1, 2018Sitting with a group of women, some known others not, for a rare London meet-up in Lahore, I was surprised by the sudden turn in conversation. They were scandalised. And not in that understated way that invites mere tutting for dramatic effect. No, this was the real deal. A young Lahori woman in their circle, from a wealthy and well-connected family, was marrying beneath her. Whatever this … [Read more...] about Black-facing and the white man’s burden
Sajid Javid’s CONTEST with Islamist terrorismon June 10, 2018We were just eight-years-old. But we all knew who the grocer’s daughter was. Even the boys did. Feeling terribly important, we divided ourselves into small groups as our eyes scanned the classroom for our huddled prey. These being the last days of Spring might have meant that we were cooped up inside for a few consecutive lunchtimes due to the inevitable cats-and-dog rainfall. When the time was … [Read more...] about Sajid Javid’s CONTEST with Islamist terrorism
Who wears the Crown?on May 20, 2018There I was flumped on the sofa, having just returned to Wuhan after a summer spent backpacking around southeast Asia. I was trying to rouse myself to go over lesson plans for next semester’s teaching courses. This was before cats. Naturally. The phone in the shared corridor began ringing. It was one of the other British volunteers. Not bothering to ask how the break had been, she jumped … [Read more...] about Who wears the Crown?
