The Ring

Liked your character. I really thought he was real. The only point it began to sound unreal was when he found himself as an inmate next to a Harvard-inmate. The story then became cliquish, if you know what I mean. No offense. And while on the subject of rikshas, I rememebr reading once a children`s event sponsored by PACC or something in Pakistan, where kids were asked to draw their dream career. Girls drew nurses and teachers; when they were instructed to be free and draw what they really wanted to be, many girls drew rikshas!

For the record, I was a Taxi wallah in NYC for my first semester as a grad student at Columbia University. I have a lot of sympathy for my fellow brethren Riksha wallahs in Karachi.

temporal:

Yes, I did intentionally leave out a disclaimer for physicians driving taxicabs in NY. It seems that every single time (without exception) that I have ridden in a taxi in NY, the driver does two things. Firstly, he tells me he is really a doctor but can`t find a job. And secondly (possibly to reinforce the first point) he waives my fee because I am a fellow Pakistani. While it is quite possible that out of the 100 or so taxicab drivers in NY that have told me they are doctors, 90% are (ahem) fabricating. That leaves a remaining 10% who may actually indeed very well be physicians.

Saeed:

If my memory serves me correctly, you once had a desire to spend a summer driving a taxi in New York City. It is amazing how such a distant obscure memory has resurfaced, probably since you are yourself a doctor AND an MIT graduate. Just for the irony it would lend to my story, I would like to humbly request you to consider returning to Karachi next summer to drive a riksha. Regards to Kishwar.

Ras:

I am sorry to hear about your inability to secure a rikhsa permit in Sacramento. Although CSU may be no MIT in the eyes of some, in my book you are the best darned South Asian journalist on the planet (so you don`t need a ring).

Khan:

Since the writing of this short story I have been forced to go underground (yes at this very moment I am hiding in some subterranean location) due to death threats by that terrorist organization known as PAKSMIT. It has come to my knowledge that while you were at MIT and actively affiliated with this group, you and your cohorts made several clandestine trips to Wisconsin to partake in the ``cow tipping`` ritual.

P.S. You never did get back to me on that offer I made on your ring...

Rad:

If you haven`t already spent the money, you may want to get in touch with me for information on a better bargain. I know an MIT Alumnus who has THREE rings and is selling them for $10 a pop.

To All Other Critics:

If you didn`t like this piece I think it is because you can personally relate to the rancid gastoral excesses of the protagnist and were offended at my mockery of him.

hahahhah - that was wonderful.
Such Tongue in Cheek. I say.
And just as my beloved was contemplating spending 500 hard earned bucks on one - now we know the true worth of it.

I especially like the last line. I suppose that karachi rikshas will soon become as hazardous as NY taxis

Rad

Very nice script but I envy Mr. Javed Imanullah. I see nothing wrong with him making the Lakhoon rupees on behalf of his MIT education cuz I am sure he might have spent quite a few ``Dollars`` himself on getting educated at MIT as most of us do.

We MIT wallas are a generous and emotionally secure lot and so I laugh at your absurd wit - Ha Ha. No this story does not disturb me - Ha Ha Ha - as it is so far from reality. Ha Ha. Ha!

In fact I am quite willing not to activate the old MIT boys club to crush Crestech and repossess your 4Runner, as long as you immediately compose a contrite apology and take out a banner ad on Yahoo publicizing the apology.

Otherwise there will be little else for you to do but move back to Wisconsin, Cheese Boy.

Umair Khan

PS: For MIT students and alumni unnecessarily alarmed by this Satan`s unholy writing, rest assured: you can of course buy another MIT Ring any time. In fact some of us have 2 or 3 rings as a precaution against just such a fate as Mr. Imanullah`s. I have three; one in white gold and two in garish yellow. And I have had U. of Wisconsin graduates offer me exorbitant amounts for one.

Very entertaining Monis. But unfortunately I
could not completely relate, since California State University campuses do not have the same ``ring`` as an MIT.
In Karachi I was not able to impress anyone, so I had to come back here to the US but could not get a permit to import or drive a Rickshaw in Sacramento.

Ras

Excellent writing Monis. Wish you had more time to write/submit more stuff. I bet it would be grand.

Kishwar was rollicking in laughter. She especially liked ``Seth Hazar Paysaywalla``.

Monis:

Loved your tongue in cheek humour.

Did you intentionally omit taxis in your disclaimer?

regards

Par Excellence! The central character depicts well those of us who cannot relate to a few things in our culture. Also a lesson for those who live their lives on image and not on substance!