Are all Women Witches? Farzana

A lot of truth in what you say. The `man`kind has been harsh on woman. Almost all holy scriptures, written by MAN, are not too kind either. God, Allah or Bhagwan are all HE. So are the Prophets, Pundits and Priests.

So I guess, woman has to just rough it out :)-.

nhk

The US Democracy Initiative and Israel Dost

I hope your last sentence comes true.

I think the Iraq blunder has cost them a lot - more in the psychological sense of infallibility in front of rest of the world.

They were going great guns since the First Gulf War. Now they will think twice before moving into another country.

The American people almost changed the course - but Kerry lost.

The Unipolar world of US is fast getting opposing contenders like the EU and China.

They can still salvage their reputation and stakes by being a little more fair towards the Palestineans. (Now Arafat has gone and even that excuse is no more there)

nhk

Who Created Pakistan? Ranjit

You have only added to my confusion on the subject.

But since you are Exective Editor of Frog Books, one must listen to you carefully.

It was bungling up by the politicians. Just like the Pakistani politicians bungled up in 71.

nhk

On the Inside Bina

I agree with you. You are an insider and are factualy correct.

`Fuedalism` is one of those cliches/slogans that refuses to die. Just like `Pakistan was created for Islam`.

Ayub reduced the land holdings to 20 squares. Bhutto reduced them to 6 squares. However, the calculations were based on the Produce Index and it was done during the British days when Sind was a desert. It was never revised. Canals came to Sind making it green. So Sind did end up with bigger land holdings than Punjab.

There are no more fuedals in Punjab. There are a few big land holders in Sind but they can be counted on the finger tips. They are certainly not the biggest problem that Pakistan is facing.

And with every generation, the cake automatically keeps becoming smaller automatically. Zamindar-Muzzarah is a centuries old system. It is a dying a slow natural death. Let it die the natural way. Or do the people prefer a cultural revolution and kill a million innocent souls?

Most of the criticism comes from the city dwellers who see a Zamindar in starched white clothes with a few servents around driving a shiny new car. These city dwellers do not realize that the car was bought through a tractor loan and those servents are the simple folks who love to move around and hang out for free. Zamindar-Muzzarah relationship is not of an employer-employee. It is more of a social relationship of obligation and kinship. The Muzzarahs get free housing or at least land to make their house. Wood for roof is provided by the Zamindar. In most cases, they get the fodder free from the Zamindar for cattle. Zamindar helps them out in their marriages. He provides them medicine. Even pays fees for their children in schools. He gets them jobs in the cities. Zamindar is a part of the social system that is value-based and not cash-driven.

The Muzzarahs in villages live a much fuller life than the city poor. They live in clean air, drink pure milk and water and eat fresh food. They live in a familiar friendly community and have a social support system unlike the lonely life of the city poor in the shanty towns.

Back to the wealth of a Zamindar. That Zamindar in starched clothes with servents can be purchased a couple of times by that small realter at the corner of the street or the Aharti in the Jooria Bazaar. Every owner of the multi-storey building along the miles and miles of the Shahrah Faisal is many times richer than these Zamindars.

The Zamindar puts all the equity into his profession unlike the industrialist who puts only 30% or less. The Zamindars have twice gone through these land reforms giving away their property for free. How would you like if the State took away 50% of your bank balance just to reduce the size of your bank balance or took away half of your shops, industry or business!

Only those Zamindars/Fuedals have spare cash on hand who are into the industry or business or lucrative professions.

As you said, it is a mindset. It is pointless beating this `fuedalism` horse again and again. The only thing they have is `Votes` provided they are worth it.

Having said all the above, there are indeed some rascal Fuedals - just as there are some rascal industrialists, businessmen, beauracrats, faujis etc etc etc.

nhk

Bunty aur Babli: The latest RSS-BJP tango FV

You are very knowledgable on Indian politics. So nothing on that.

But Advani`s untterances on `secularism` were quite theurapetic for Pakistanis. `Secularism` in Pakistan is like sex. Everyone wants it but is afraid to ask.

Not a single voice was raised against it. Even the Mullas kept silent. They were wise to know that by objecting to it, they will rake up a dormant issue.

Odd intellectuals & editors keep talking about it but it is a non-news. Advani`s utterances kept splashing on the media for days contributing well to this cause.

Maybe, at times, it is better to take things at their face value. Life becomes easier.

nhk

The Alternative Muslim Identity Zehra

Very well written. Surprised to see some criticism to it.

At the end of the day, you belong to your family, your village, your river and your mountain.

This faith & nationality are hairy-fairy stuff, all in the air and imagination. Pick & choose what you like.

nhk

Advantage, Men Malik99 # 28

I told you a true story. I used the word `in general` and not all the women.

Off course, there are plenty of dumb men. May be more. But the women tend to expect a greater allowance for their inefficiency.

I have worked a lot among women employees in Air Line. Somehow, the Eastern women (not all) do not have a concept of ``just friendship`` . Our society also does not accept such a concept easily.

Getting a little intimate in the East, women (IN GENERAL) invariably expect this to lead towards a marriage. I have seen numerous examples where the initial green signal from the woman became an albatross in the neck of man - ruining the peace of the family as well. Sex is straightaway considered as a natural lead towards marriage.

This is not so in the West - at least not to that intensity. Obviously, women do not like to share men in almost all cultures - only the degree of reaction varies.

nhk

Advantage, Men I have had a bad experience with a woman in the working environment. Since that day, I vouched never to keep a woman as secretary or in the staff.

I never used to smoke in my office. I used to go in the adjacent computer room to to have a smoke.

Then a woman got positioned there who did the computer job. I continued my smoking pattern of going there and smoking.

One day she went to our Mulla type admin incharge with tears in her eyes telling that `I go to her room to smoke` infering as if I was philandering with her in my easy recreational moments.

Anyway, I was furious and got her removed immediately and vouched never to get another woman in the staff.

Maybe such is not the case in the sophisticated Multi-national environment but in the Government Departments, the women, in general, have a very low productivity and create many such social problems. These are usually from low middle class unlike in the corporate sector.

(now plz don`t blame me for smoking in another`s room. I expect the subordinates to get used to my bad habits or on the onset state that they can not stand smoking)

nhk

Advantage, Men Sameena

Enjoyed it.

I was in Abu Dhabi for a few years in 70s. I had a Doctor friend who worked in a nearby hospital.

May be it was frustration of the local Beduin women. He told me that when he asked them to uncover a part, they invariably dropped all their clothes quickly even if it was something only to do only with breasts.

nhk

The Sugar Coated Shaft Romair # 7

(The day all that land is brought under taxation, is the day Pakistan will start filling its coffers, considering the fact the Pakistan is an agricultural country............. )

Agriculture is taxed in Pakistan. I can show you the Tax receipts of the Agriculture Tax that I have been paying. I do not know why this misnomer exists that Agriculture is not taxed.

Full Marks to Ishrat (State Bank Boss) and Shaukat for their last few years of work.

Musharraf may be blamed for many other evils but these two guys have bailed him out at least on the economic front.

nhk

Acting Under Orders Wade

The old Singapore, when it was a little more dirty, a little poorer, a little messier, it was an enjoyable Singapore to visit. It was more human, natural and easy.

Then, somewhere along the line, they became completely commercial and mechanical - with $ 70 billion exports, they started to take themselves a bit too seriosly. And lost the human touch.

Their official policy became ``Singapore is expensive, so be it. We only want rich tourists``. The city state Regulations became like the Regulations of a hospital.

I tried to pick up conversation with the Taxi Driver and asked his name. He replied ``You do not need to know my name``.

Not trying to make a generalization but the Singapore Chinese are mechanical, commercially driven and rude. There is a big contrast between them and the Chinese who live on the mainland in the countryside like the Shinjan province.

I agree with you.

nhk

Advani in Karachi
Romair

A politician of Advani`s stature moving in Pakistani cities and speaking is quite a novelty. My views about him are in the context of a `politician` - not really concerned with the internal Indian Politics.

When compared with our Chaudhries, Nawaz or Musharraf who have absolutely no sense of history, he comes out with high marks. Not to speak of his experience in the trade as compared to our novice politicians or generals. Incidently, Benazir thinks right but does not have the same inner strength of action.

His health is indeed very good - take the humour in the same lighter vain.

nhk

Last Rites in Kashmir or a New Journey? HP # 15

Have you noticed a strange Paradox in the present situation -

The Pakistani Government and the general Public are receiving Both the Indian Politicians and the Hurriyat members with same gusto and enthusiasm - SIMULTANEOUSLY. They do not seem to find any contradiction between the TWO.

This is an inexplicable display of maturity.

NHK

Last Rites in Kashmir or a New Journey?
HP

What is the definition of `Solution`. It is mostly a state of mind.

The latest batch of Indian Kashmiris have travelled to not only Pakistani side of Kashmir but to Pakistan without any Passport. 50% of the solution has already been achieved.

If the Kashmiris can move across freely, mix freely and do trade and business freely, what difference does it make whether they are in Muzafargar or Srinagar?

The Kashmir Border which was reduced to LOC will further get reduced to just a legal jurisdiction. Not any different than the Board we see while entering from Virginia to Tennnessee or from Punjab to Sind.

This is not something new. For the last 57 years, the people in Pakistani Tribal areas have been moving across Afghanistan without any document and Pakistanis of settled areas only required a `Red Pass` to enter Afghanistan.

So the `Solution` does not always have to be as complicated and painful as the Partition. It could simply be a Board that changes the legal jurisdiction of place.

The ideologies as such have already died a natural death. The Borders are becoming Soft and peoples, regions and communities now look towards mutual peaceful coasling for the good of an ordinary citizen.

Let this melting pot melt for some time. The actual piece of paper will come in due course.

nhk

Old Neighbors And Old Memories F R Khan

Thanks for capturing these moments.

nhk