Of violence, women and us II on June 16, 2014In a universal context, all violence is a means to assert power. In Pakistani and Indian cities, rapid urbanisation without gainful employment has left a large number of people economically powerless, unable to lift each other out of nose diving poverty. As a result, the weakest and most vulnerable members of society (read women and […]
Of violence, women and us I on June 15, 2014The question of why public violence appears to be so prolific in India and Pakistan is a matter that begs thoughtful debate, just as much as there is a critical need to search for solutions to it. Since 2011, India has periodically been described as “the fourth most dangerous country for women”, a reputation lent […]
Love in the season of mangoes on March 4, 2014Contrary to what a lot of people thought, ‘Love in the season of mangoes’ is not Mohammad Hanif’s new book. Stumped for a title for my session with the writer, I suggested a mix from his two books, which seemed interesting. It had the desired effect, since a large number of people turned up to […]
Bigotry in the media on October 16, 2013Writing after a hiatus of almost a year has its disadvantages. For many years, one’s weekly stabs at advocating the practice of tolerance within the body politic intent on cannibalising itself were tantamount to butting one’s head against the proverbial brick wall, so one day, I decided to go cold turkey. Despite the fact that […]
Re-reading Manto on May 13, 2012During his centennial year, one is struck by the force of his ironic prose, couched in a deceptive simplicity that remains as fresh as when it was first written. Manto’s wry, sardonic humour is aimed as much at himself as it is at the ‘establishment’ and much of what he writes takes on a special […]
The business of fashion on April 29, 2012Nightly showers have washed the 80-year-old neem visible from my window a resplendent green. Continuing to spread its largesse for pedestrian and resident alike, it appears to show no signs of ageing. The mangoes in the neighbour’s garden, heavy with the promise of eventual ripeness, brace themselves for the predictable pre-summer brutal squalls that will […]
The age of less II on April 16, 2012The past, one is constantly reminded, is another country. As such, these memories would be as remote to the present generation as tales of extinct animals are to present-day schoolchildren. Summer squalls heralding the start of the mango season, the striped hud hud pecking at the hard wood of the jacaranda, the screech of the […]
The age of less I on April 15, 2012Much has been made in the media about the distribution of free laptops to ‘deserving’ students by the Punjab government. Public opinion is divided over the need for and the fairness (read transparency) of the process of selection along with a significant rumble about the cost of the dole out. In Pakistan today, wealth is […]
The question of the arts II on April 6, 2012Legislation or the lack thereof for the arts is another core issue. As a one time member of the Board of Governors of the Lahore Arts Council, one tried in vain to raise interest in legislating for amendments to the Performing Arts Act. Based on a pre-independence document, the Act remains the official litmus for […]