Why Not Adopt I think today`s Pakistani society is more averse to the concept of adoption than our grandparents. I know of a good couple of cases of adopted boys and girls around the time of partition and beyond... even cases of servant`s children being raised as their own and later being given a share in the family wealth too. Raising your brother`s/ sister`s/ relatives`s children was all too common also. Did we have bigger hearts then? I dont think it was as taboo then as it is now. Are we scared of legal implications now? Maybe it all stems from the ``joint-family`` system of yester years in which everyone was just enveloped into one large family - no questions asked. Today`s nuclear set up means deeper financial implications coupled with our increasing class consciousness and stupid prejudices which is making adoption in our society more and more difficult.

So ghazal it will be tough to raise such a child today... but do set an example and share it with us.

Why Not Adopt Ghazal... mashallah you have thought about this long enough and I hope you adopt a child soon. One of my good friend, later your classmate at KGS was also adopted... I always admired the fact that the parents had told her since the beginning that she was adopted and I feel that is the right thing to do. About your article... I am sure it is written more with the intention of mirroring society`s reaction and I hope it in no way points to your self-doubt. You are lucky to have found a husband who shares your view... so whats stopping you? Its destined... Good Luck!

Somebody’s Done For I`m glad that the book donation incident has reached out to many becuase we need to be sensitve to the needs of people spiralling down the suicide stairs. One of their last give-away signs is utter resignation to things they love. Contrary to what we expect, insteading of ``willing`` their favourite items they simply just give them away before ending their lives. Anyways, its just too big a tell-tale sign for any of us ever to ignore.

Thanks again Rahul, Obeid and t.

Somebody’s Done For Re Rahul: Many thanks for the detailed explanation. Now I understand what you are saying. For my part, I included the ``dead end`` for that this is one thing the character had control over... her crowning glory time... the one thing she will actually manage to accomplish midst all her emotional troubles. In addition, I love ``stories`` that have have the proper plot-character-climax structure. The traditionalist in me could never have `not` given the ending! But I see what you are saying is equally exciting.

Also, the inspiration for the style of writing was a minimilistic piece I had read once titled ``Fat``. No sentence in that story was unnecessary or repititive. Know anything about such styles of writing?

Somebody’s Done For Re Rahul: thanks. I will appreciate it if you can elaborate a little please. Thanks!

The Last Leaf Wow! Old school feel and charm, yet so fresh! Very Frost. Very Brilliant!

SoulMate kamlani jee... atleast respect the poor guy`s emotions if not his writing prowess...

Meeting Sattar Edhi This man prevents riots on roads... when accidents or carnages happen... his team is there within minutes whereas our civic agencies turn up hours later (remember Latifabad?). In a cosmopolitan city like Karachi no hospital has a decent ambulance service... when my dad was suffering from cancer and had to be shifted to Aga Khan which was only 10 mins away, it was always the Edhi Ambulance that came to help. Ras I wish you had visited the home for destitute and mentally challenged children... if there is anything in the world that can make YOU feel small and useless thats the place... Yes he can be rude and caustic but if there`s anyone who is entitled to his opinions its him!

Isphahani sahib, dont think you realize that you are talking about a man who is not shy of bathing maggot-eaten days-old corpses; however I dont blame you and your views because....
Jin kay rutbay hain siwa
Un say siwa mushkil hai

Ras, how does one initiate his nomination for the Nobel?

Btw, as we read, Edhi Sahib is in AKUH undergoing treatment. Please pray for his quick recovery.

Punching Bag Do women really talk like that? Like that Fozi and Maria? Do men actually make such elaborate efforts? Like that Adnan? Do these things happen outside of fantastical stories?

Still in Love thanks buddy. The hug is being qualified. Why doesnt it go with `peppered` and `innocent`? What would be more appropriate? ``sheltering``???

Still in Love I ain`t no poet either but you got me thinking... does a poem at the back of a bus make it less of a poem? or one with lesser intensity and honesty of emotions?

*Kya gareeb ka dil nahin hota?* ;)
*If you prick us do we not bleed?....* (sorry yaar if the quote is off.... havent read M. of Venice since grade 8)

Still in Love tee hee :)

Pocket Days I just read the poem today and I just HAD to congratulate you! beautiful juxtaposition. Lovely on every other count.

Still in Love Everyone: Wow... thank you... for once... am at loss for words...

Big Brother is Watching What I am really interested in knowing is that why does my NIC have an ``expiry`` date. And why does this ``expiry`` period vary from person to person? (ranging from 3 years to 11 years). Is Pakistan actually going to choose who can remain citizens of this country or not????

E-Notes V ji. Am from karachi. What do you do with the karachi-types?
Yes had abt 4 visits to India around 2001 and after that the dear border was closed! Had to then conduct business thereafter with Indian friends in SriLanka and Dubai (not that I am complaining!). However, would love to visit Delhi again. Btw, was thrown out of one of the hotels because it happened to be in Gurgaon and I had a visa for Delhi... and I thought I was just making a right turn from the airport!!!!

Re suchetapotnis: thanks for the praise and the offer... am looking forward to the ambience and food already...