Flashbacks from School

Radio Ceylon was one of the finest radio stations in South Asia, in fact is it is the oldest radio station in the SAARC region. Those were the great days when `radio was King` in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and we were `entertained` by some of the great announcers of Radio Ceylon names like Livy Wijemanne, Vernon Corea, Pearl Ondaatje, Tim Horshington, Greg Roskowski, Jimmy Barucha, Mil Sansoni, Eardley Peiris,Shirley Perera, Bob Harvie, Chris Greet, Prosper Fernando, Ameen Sayani....

You can read more about Radio Ceylon on the tribute site to Vernon Corea who passed away in September 2002 please see: Vernon Corea The Golden Voice of Radio Ceylon -
www.vernoncorea.info

The site has fascinating information on Radio Ceylon. You can also listen to Sri Lankan musicians on the page titled `Vernon Presents`

Radio Ceylon is now known as the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation - SLBC have their own website on www.slbc.lk

ah..............this articles has brought up old memories ................ lot of my brothers went to Petaro and i remmember how we (me and my bro`s who studied in privat schools) would surround them and listen to their stories................ i miss my school so much today.

Jang # 45, Urstruly 46

In all-boys schools or in all-girls schools, homosexulaity or lesbianism is to be expected; is natural and inevitable - to a certain degree.

I did not use these words - but I did talk about ``strong friendships, intense infatuations, fixations and jealousies.`` These were silky words to say the same ``Homosexuality``.

Romair # 36

Romair Bhai

I think we have no problem with the contents of this article. We have different perceptions outside this context - namely the Role of Military in the body politic of Pakistan & difference between a Public School Vis-e-Vis a Cadet College. There is no harm having different opinions. That is what makes this life so interesting.

You fought the system - or were a misfit in the system & had the curage to leave early. You have done great for self - good education, good money, good honest life. You are now probably better off than 95% of the retired officers. Isn`t it a bit strange that now you do not like criticism on the same system which you fought against.

For me it was just a job - not too emotionally involved till very late - and probably the system in those early days was somewhat better. Till my Flt. Lt. /Sqn.Ldr. Days, it was a fair & a professional syatem - specially in Air Force. The real rot began since Zia days.
I also think that you had more courage & guts than me. My threshold of tolerance of adversity was more - I hung on much longer. Probably was more insecure than you.

In many ways, you are a better person than me. Genuine & honest - but at times drifting off track. Just give me the credit for honestly saying what I feel.

We are getting far too personal than it is really necessary - so let this be the last one on this issue of individuals.

ofayyaz # 37, Hamidm2 # 38, Abrara # 39 Sahibs

Thanks for your valuable contributions & interactions on this boeard.

hnasir # 44

Than you for your kind comments.

warpster # 41

You are right. Every individual reacts in his own way & has his own traits, courage & insecurities.

Ys everyone jumpin on Romair? His points R all valid & he makes them politely. Mr. Nazir Khan may B the nicest guy around but hes still feeding @ the teats of the military.

#46

Its a relief that it was a she goat. I was little taken aback initially when I read this for I missed thisimportant detail.

Mr. Jang

Good observation; and that is the reason I called this write-up plain and uninteresting. And just to add insult to the injury Mr. NHK comes up with this outrageous claim that students in Cadet Colleges are ``innocent``.

I have a dubious honor of meeting two graduates of the cadet college Petaro. These two gentlemen were classmates there and claimed to have a polygmous relationship with a goat there. It was an unhappy relationship because goat turned out to be a total slut. She got pregnant and baby goats looked like neither of them. She was three-timing a he-goat owned by another chowkidar on campus.

``but its ok, despite her unfaithfulness we will live`` said one of them while telling me that story.

``we weren`t that faithful either`` added other.

``But how did you keep donkey from kicking`` I asked.

``You goddamned civilians are so innocent and stupid`` said other.

Mr Nazar,
Public schools in India (both boys and girls) are notorious for juvenile experimentations of all kinds of things, including ``intimate`` boy-boy and girl-girl relationships. Your article seems to shows a very clean-cut picture. I am very suspicious..did you skip this aspect or saragodha is much different from indian public schools? Enquiring minds need to know.

In india, there are also some ``alternative`` (sometimes called khaddar) public schools such as Netarhat in Bihar, Shantiniketan etc. These emphasize Indian culture unlike British culture and their graduates also seem to extremetly successful and influential (as are those from british remnant pulic schools). Any similar schools in Pakistan?

#36 Romair.. you come across as far more bitter

Several months back, on July 16, 2003, to be precise, I left a brief message of appreciation, for Mr Nazar on the author’s page (quoted here underneath). Thus far I really have no reasons to revise my opinion about him. Given a chance to have lunch/dinner with Nazar or Romair, I would certainly prefer the former on latter. But at the same time, it would be wrong and unfair to pick on Romair for his replies, how impolite they may sound. Not all, but several of the points raised by him are pretty genuine and fully legitimate.

Personally, I think that one of the most important traits we have acute shortage of in Pakistan is the spine to call spade a spade when there is a risk of personal loss. I mean how many military officers refused to fire on Bengali demonstrators in East Pakistan. Ok, leave that complicated issue aside, was there a single captain, major, colonel, brigadier, general who refused to implement or to pass down the orders to quell pro-democracy, anti-military MRD movement in Sindh during mid-80s. See, in MRD case, we are not talking about any insurgency but civil struggle regarding basic most human rights.

To be honest, hypocrisy is the most prominent feature as a nation. Most of the pro-democracy generals today were the leading beneficiaries of yesterday’s lootmar of military dispensations. General K M Arif, Talat Masood, to some extent even disgusting Hamid Gul and many more, none of them had balls to disapprove what to talk about condemn the transgressions of the military in every single field. Actually they all partook in the drama as vigorously they could. All of them “realize” the wrongness long after securing their bank accounts, plots, perks and privileges.

In short, what we desperately need is at least a handful of refusniks ala Israel both in civil and military who have the moral uprightness and courage to say No, when it matters.

---

… “I must admit that although of late I have started disliking everything affiliated with the military, I really have developed a special type of respect for you. No doubt, you are one of the few sane voices over here at chowk. I am sure that most of the readers enjoy your down to earth, sympathetic, broad-minded, humble, honest and friendly approach. Please, accept my respectful best wishes. Hassan Nasir”

#2 by hnasir on July 16, 2003 4:52pm PT
http://www.chowk.com/show_writer_page.cgi?pen_name=Nazar%20Khan

[You are a retired motivated junior military officer - I am a retired disgruntled mid-level military officer.]

In my opinion, Nazar`s above closing thought can also be misread for a belittling remark. Well, then I may be under the influence of something strange in the air.

Romair#36:
That was brutal, impolite, uncalled for and uncanadian!

Interjection Guys ( Sorry to intrude in this showdown between Romair and NHK )

Anyone saw ARY`s New on views week about the 1971 War. People Interviewed were

General Rao Farman
General Niazi
General Aurora
And a few other players in the 1971 War

General Niazi lived upto his reputation. This program was a revelation. Any views?

A pleasure to read your memoirs.

In india there are probably some cadet schools but they are very few and not well known. At least I cant name one off the top of my head.

officers are either directly recruited after graduation or after high school via a common entrance exam (NDA). thankfully the military keeps its hands off civil affairs and it is (usually) not a way to amass wealth and property or cushy postings. politics and the civil service is (for those who choose that path). yet we do have very conscientious civil servants and their tribe is growing.

regarding courage or the lack of it.. a lot of it depends on individual personalities. some leave; others choose to wait to be let go.

I am pretty sure that NHK was not intended to present a collection of strictly verifiable facts of public school life. It is quite obvious that this piece is based on fond personal memories of an observant young lad who many years later impart his observations, experiences in a relaxed, nostalgic manner. Hence it should be treated thereafter.

Perfection of an academic thesis or accuracy matching a mathematical theorem, according to my humble opinion, is beyond the scope of this article. And as probably Farzana wrote, there is actually nothing particular to discuss about in this article.

Romair, NHK was quite right when he said that all writings are in one way or the other biased. 100% objectivity is extremely difficult -- if not outright impossible -- to guarantee at least as far as non-fiction accounts discussing socio-political issues are concerned. Not always but it would be difficult to deny that author’s perceptions, grudges, interests and several other factors do not play a part. To which extent, it varies from individual to individual.

Then, except some scientific constants, few things in this life/world are absolute true. Almost every concept, every assertion, every issue can be interpreted and analysed in a number of distinct ways. Occasionally, with the passage of time, in different reference frames, some well-established facts turn out to be farce.

Romair, quite often, definitely not always, your replies are of good quality, informative and worth reading. Normally, you add decent stuff to the subject matter, your obsession with self-grandiose and fixation with fiscal promotion notwithstanding. However, this time, your tirade directed towards NHK in person was bit unnecessary, despite truthfulness of your points.

To me it sounds more that same traditional GDP- Engg envy/tussle than article specific discourse. Even otherwise, I think, that we all should confine ourselves to discussing ideas (or events) in non-personal terms totally avoiding religious, ethnic diatribes. Just a pointer to make chowk a friendlier space to interact.

PS.
I myself am honoured and privileged to be a Sargodhian. Came there after my matriculation in mid-80s, did F.Sc from there, moved on to Risalpur and then finally to Sweden.