FATHER at 74 says BANANA responsible

Gerry Burke has been reported to have become the oldest father in Great Britain, having fathered a boy at 74 with wife Dawn Burke who is 35.

The proud father attributes his love for bananas as responsible for his virility.

"I eat lots of bananas and always have done. Maybe that's what's kept my body healthy. But I think the love of a good woman, my Dawn, has a lot to do with it, too. I'm just doing what comes naturally," thesun.co.uk quoted him as saying.

Courtesy TOI

MALADY OF A CRIPPLING NATION

By Anum Raza Hasan

Structural flaws, leadership vacuum — the blame game knows no end. Self-reflection offers riveting counsel to overcome self-defeating phrases. Maybe one should stop relying on state authorities to show willingness for change. Perhaps change begins from within by paying testimony to the power and outreach of self-initiative.

Human development entails an earnest attribute of placing people at the heart of development. It presents the idea that perhaps people are entitled to realising their potential, increasing their choices and enjoying the freedom to lead lives they value. Because women comprise more than half of our human resources and are central to the social as well as economic wellbeing of societies, development goals cannot be fully reached without their participation. Women and development thus becomes a holistic concept wherein the goal of one cannot be achieved without the success of the other. But has Pakistan realised yet that ignoring 51 percent of its population — its women — and keeping them in oblivion will only debase its already crippled framework of existence and face of civil society capacity to survive, let alone progress? The gap between male and female literacy that ranks Pakistan 127th out of 130 countries surveyed last year by the Switzerland-based World Economic Forum forecasts an imminent disaster.

The report titled ‘Power Voice and Rights: A Turning Point for Gender Equality in Asia and Pacific Asia’ reveals almost half of the adult women in South Asia are illiterate, a higher proportion than in any other region in the world. It chronicles that Pakistani women’s participation in the labour force is less than 20.8 percent of the female population and in parliamentary representation, women hold only four percent of ministerial positions. Although the net primary school enrolment for girls is 57.3 percent, the secondary school enrolment is 25.8 percent with tertiary enrolment as low as 4.2 percent. Lifting the veil on gender discrimination in Pakistan as the world looks to the region for breakthroughs in marked development, to restore global economic growth and geo-strategic stability, one must finally wake up to half its people that may still be left out, to the disconfigured smokescreen — its women.

One of the notable advancements in the development debate had been the move to consider gender equality as a key element on its agenda. Disappointment over the trickle-down approach paved the way for the adoption of the basic needs strategy, which focused on increasing the participation in and benefits of the development process for the poor, while the women-in-development initiative recognised women’s needs and contributions to society. We must realise that development requires more than the creation of opportunities for people to earn sustainable livelihoods; it also requires the creation of a conducive environment for men and women to seize those opportunities. Development should translate into sustained improvements in the well being of the individual — men and women alike. Development implies not only more and better schools but also equal access to education for boys and girls and governments that give men and women equal voices in decision-making and policy implementation.

If one were to check Pakistan’s scorecard on gender sensitive literacy initiatives, this is how it would read. In 2003, the Punjab government with assistance from the World Bank implemented the “Girls’ Stipend Programme”, which provided a cash stipend of Rs 200 to families to ensure their daughters attend school. As a result girls’ enrolment in secondary schools in the 15 poorest districts in Punjab increased by 60 percent from 175,000 to 280,000 since 2003. This project was extended to include high school girls as well. During the past decade, several policy initiatives were undertaken, each with a strong component for improving girls’ education in the country such as the National Education Policy 1992 and 1998-2010, the Social Action Programme (SAP) in 1993/94, which focused on improving the social indicators for girls and women. The common provisions endorsed by all the policy initiatives included universal primary education for girls and additional funding for women’s literacy programmes. This may seem satisfactory; however; these could be a square peg in a round hole or simply insufficient for the structural problem remains largely unaddressed.

Barriers to girl child education require an integrated approach where poverty and household income of the family that affects parents’ choices to prioritise expenditure on the education of their children need to be tackled. Patriarchal structures of Pakistani society that assign men the dominant role and hence preference for sons’ education need to be challenged. Low status associated with women generally participating in income generating activities that are said to lead to neglect of their husbands, children and families needs to be rethought. Socialisation of girls that remains inferior to that of their male counterparts while growing up needs to be questioned. Gender-sensitive policies officially claimed to be the guiding principle — enshrining them in the millennium development goals which the government has signed — will not be enough. One needs a multi-pronged attack on the structural challenges of gender inequality for female literacy to be given a chance to flourish. It is while keeping this picture in mind that the government must set about improving educational facilities for girls. However, such an action would only be cosmetic unless accompanied by a strong effort to change existing mindsets that currently see women as unequal to men.

In a nation plagued by multiple ailments, be it the threat of terrorism or deprivation of basic supplements, each citizen has high stakes in making gender equality work. The structural repair cannot be managed without the support of men themselves as they should realise that educating and empowering their female counterparts would only elevate the positive returns from life and reduce misgivings. Notwithstanding the breakthrough with legal frameworks protecting women against harassment and domestic violence, the woman is again pegged as a victim rather than a free individual. Let’s not bury the pervasive need to liberate women from the restrictive jacket of narrow societal prejudices and emerge as agents of a change that spells equal opportunity.

Structural flaws, leadership vacuum — the blame game knows no end. Self-reflection offers riveting counsel to overcome self-defeating phrases. Maybe one should stop relying on state authorities to show willingness for change. Perhaps change begins from within by paying testimony to the power and outreach of self-initiative. May I suggest an inkling of reawakening to the dearest reader of conscience to extol options beyond pragmatism, to do whatever it takes but acknowledging, establishing and nurturing the female genre as critical to leave some sort of vestiges of ‘progress’ and equality our generation can process. Pakistan must not leave us behind because if it knew most maladies eventually prove unforgiving to the lives and existence of humans and nations alike.

Anum Raza Hasan is a freelance journalist and human rights activist with an academic specialisation in International Development. She can be reached at anumhasan@dailytimes.com.pk

Courtesy Daily Times, March 27, 2010

Fatima Bhutto charges 'uncle' Zardari, says my father's killers leading nation!

KARACHI: March 31 Former Pakistan President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's grand daughter, Fatima Bhutto, has charged 'uncle' President Asif Ali Zardari for orchestrating the murder of her father, Mir Murtaza Bhutto, saying the killers of her father are 'ruling the country at present'.

Speaking during her book 'Songs of Blood and Sword' launch function, Fatima described in detail her father's murder, which took place 14 years ago.

Without taking Zardari's name, she said 'the man, who orchestrated the crime of killing her father, is presently leading the nation.'

"The streetlights went off and roads leading to 70 Clifton were blocked by heavy contingents of police who were waiting to kill my father," Fatima, a noted political commentator, said.

She said it was evident who killed her father, and added that those police officers who were arrested in connection with Murtaza Bhutto's murder case were set free later and were even awarded national medals.

"Some of them are travelling to foreign countries as dignitaries," The Nation quoted Fatima, as saying.

Fatima and her step-mother Ghinwa Bhutto have often hinted that they believe Benazir or her widower Asif Ali Zardari had a hand in the killing of her father Murtaza Bhutto.

Though Benazir made several warm references in her autobiography, 'Daughter of the East', to her niece, Fatima believes her aunt tried to split the Bhutto family.

Fatima, who already has two books to her credit, did her Master's degree at London's School of African and Oriental Studies. Instead of heading a debating society like her aunt at Oxford, she wrote her dissertation on the resistance movement to former president Ziaul Haq.

She published a book of poetry, 'Whispers of the Desert', at the age of 15, followed in 2006 by a collection of stories about the 2005 earthquake that killed 73,000 people in Pakistan.

-ANI

MIRZA- MALIK MARRIAGE: where did it all begin for them?

It’s an Indo-Pak love match that has created ripples on both sides of the border but no one seems to have a clue about just when and where did love blossom between Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik. A day after shocking almost everyone, except family, by announcing that they will tie the knot in mid April, speculation continues as to where exactly the romance began.

Sources say the two first met in Australia in January where Sania had just crashed out of the Australian Open and Pakistan had suffered yet another embarrassing defeat at the hands of Ricky Ponting’s men. Not a trip to remember professionally but personally it was to be a life-changing one at least for Sania, who broke off her engagement with childhood friend Sohrab Mirza at the end of that month, citing incompatibility.

The break up was stunning because their lavish engagement just six months earlier was still fresh in everyone’s mind. Neither Sania nor her family gave the exact reasons for the split but given Monday’s announcement, speculation is rife that the 23-year-old Hyderabadi’s meeting with Shoaib may have contributed to the break up. Shoaib too had been luckless in love before meeting Sania and that incidentally also had a Hyderabad connection. The all-rounder was accused of marrying and dumping one Ayesha Siddiqui but Shoaib denied that, insisting that he was merely engaged to the said girl. Both seem to be controversy’s favourite child with Shoaib, a former captain of the Pakistan team, currently serving a one-year ban for indiscipline on the Australia tour and Sania battling a wrist injury besides warding off queries about just why she ended her engagement with Sohrab.

Sania’s career has veered off towards the uncertain after a breakthrough 2005. She rose to a career-high 27 in the WTA rankings in 2007 but poor form and never-ending injury battles have seen her slide to 92 currently. Ironically, the two would be getting married at a time when India-Pakistan diplomatic ties have frozen following the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. But they are certainly not the first cross-border couple. Former Pakistan Test opener Mohsin Khan had tied Indian actress Reena Roy in the 1980s but the marriage didn’t last. Marriage casts a shadow over Sania’s career but given the support Shoaib is promising, the Hyderabadi seems set to continue her on-court life as well.

“I fully understand what it takes to be an international sports person and I will support Sania in her career as long as she wishes to play. Representing India at the 2012 Olympics is very important for her and I will be the proudest husband if she can win a medal for her country,” said Shoaib. He said the exact date and place of his marriage have not been decided yet. “It is (marriage) happening next month somewhere and I think parents will decide the dates. It’s entirely up to our parents wherever they will decide,” Shoaib said. Shoaib said both the families were happy with the development, as was Sania. “Well Inshallah, we are getting married soon and our families are very happy. We both are also happy,” he told ARY TV channel.

Sania, who has lived in media glare ever since rising to stardom as an 18-year-old after moderate success on the WTA circuit, has pleaded for privacy. “My wedding is inshallah going to be the biggest day of my life. I have been in the constant glare for too long and would appreciate the privacy at this very personal moment in my life,” she said. But given the massive interest surrounding her new relationship, quote-hungry journalists are unlikely to leave her alone. Meanwhile, Sania flew to Delhi on a brief visit to get her visa to Pakistan where a post-wedding reception is scheduled next month.

Accompanied by her mother, the 23-year-old Mirza, went to the Pakistan High Commission and completed the formalities. “We have got the visa. We are happy. Now that we have got the visa, we will be travelling to Pakistan”, her mother Nasima Mirza told reporters. Sania herself declined to comment on the impending marriage. “I am not answering any questions,” she told reporters. Nasima said the family was very happy with Sania’s decision. “We are very happy about her decision. We are all with her and Inshallah we wish all the best to her,” she said.

Her mother refused to talk about Sania’s previous engagement with childhood friend Sohrab Mirza. “I don’t want to comment on what all happened in the past and we should all look ahead,” she said. While the marriage is likely to be held on April 11 or 12 in Hyderabad, the ‘Walima’ or reception is expected to be held in Lahore on April 16 or 17. Six members of Shoaib Malik’s family have also applied for visas to travel to India but Shoaib himself hasn’t submitted his application so far. But he is expected to do it soon,” official sources said.

AGENCIES

GOODBYE BAJI GUDDO

By Mahtab Bashir
ISLAMABAD
mahtabbashir@gmail.com

She was indeed a brave lady, a down-to earth character, a hospitable to the core, well-versed and learned with jolly attitude. She was an educated lady with a good taste of dressing.

I remember, Over the years, whenever I visited her place, her favourite questions put up to me were, “Way, Ajkal ki kar riyan ain?” and “Teri Shadi kado ho rai ay’? & I being done homework about the same repeated questions, in particular to handle the second question - kept on saying… “Jadu Allah nu manzoor hoya, Baji”. And she smiled back at me going straightaway to kitchen making something for me.

She was Baji Guddo - who left us forever for Heaven, at the wee hours of March 18, 2010 after battling gallantly against the deadliest disease of cancer.
….. continued

AJOKA GAINS- PNCA, ActionAid PAINS

By Muhammad Mahtab Bashir

ISLAMABAD: A string of scuffles, and heated arguments between fundamentalists and enlightened was witnessed on Thursday night, when a professional dishonesty presented by Ajoka Theatre, forcibly managed to produce a different stage drama, contrary to display at invitation cards.

Shocking the twin city audience at National Art Gallery (NAG), when at the eleventh hour Ajoka Theatre started staging one of the most controversial musical stage drama ‘Burqavaganza” instead of scheduled “Kala Meidha Bhes”, without informing the administration of Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) neither its collaborative partner, ActionAid- Pakistan.

ActionAid in collaboration with Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), arranged the drama night, and penal discussion, on Thursday night to mark the International Women’s Day (IWD).

As soon as the announcer grabbed the attention of 412- seated packed auditorium of PNCA, Ajoka Theatre Director, Madeeha Gauhar, rushed on the sage and announced that it was mutually decided by the organizers, ActionAid and Ajoka, to perform ‘Burqavaganza’. However, ActionAid official denied this statement, saying till the last minute, no such agreement was made between us. PNCA higher ups also were ignorant of the switch till the last minute as few of the officials had to rush back office to look after the matter.

PNCA was the worst victim in such scenario; far its property was on stake as no security arrangements were arranged on the occasion for staging of ‘Burqavaganza’. Sensing the dramatic change, and to counter any untoward situation, PNCA administration immediately called Islamabad Police, who cordoned off the building and internal security was put on red alert. However, few rioters burned the banners inscribed about the stage play and its organisers. People also shouted shame, shame inside auditorium. And later physical brawls were also witnessed beacuse of few controversial discourses which the 'extremists' termed a mimickery of Islam.

In April 2007, a month after its premiere, five women MNAs of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) raised the matter in the National Assembly and the culture minister immediately slapped a ban without any of them having watched the play. However, the play was performed in defiance of the ban and eventually the government had to step back.Written and directed by Shahid Nadeem, the play is an outrageous musical extravaganza with dubious satirical dialogue, which explores Burqa as a dramatic device and uses it as a metaphor. Breaking the third and fourth wall repeatedly, the play remained divisive till the very end because of its strong spoof on Burqa-clad females through some illicit discourse, parody of different Indian songs and question-answer segment in which two Muftis received telephonic calls and resolved the problems and disputes amicably according to their knowledge.

Sumaira Kanwal, a veil-clad viewer, said that the play was good as far as exposing the social realities was concerned; but using Burqa as a tool for committing crimes with mala fide intentions was just larger than life concept of the play. “Making a mockery of a good number of women wearing Burqa is just a plain bad idea. And ridiculing them through different Indian and Pakistani songs like ‘Burqay Mein Rehnay Do, Burqa Na Uthao’, ‘Ye Jo Burqa Hay, Dushman Hay Hamara’, ‘Burqay Kay Peechay Kia Hay, Burqay Kay Peechay’, and ‘Aye Watan Kay Sajeelay Jawano Meray Burqay Tumharay Liye Hain’ is something I could not easily digest,” she said. Attiya Imdad, a schoolteacher, said that the play was hilarious – a non-stop fun.

“But the thing I dislike was ambiguity in questions and answers in which callers from all over places contacted the two Maulana to seek solution to their plight. Questions like ‘How much a women should hide her body’, ‘Which material she should use to hide it?’ and ‘Why she should hide it?’ are few of the many questions in the play that put me in trouble to decide whether it’s an Ajoka production or just another ordinary play which families refuse to watch,” she said.

Waseem Elahi, an advocate said that he came to watch “Kala Meidha Bhes”, but the performance of "Burqavaganza" scared him. “The theme of the drama was indeed a controversial and a security risk for the lives of the audience but also for the government property as well. The panic engulfed the whole audience when panel discussion started,” he said.

He said the taunting dialogues of this drama are a mere disgrace to the women on the eve of "Woman's Day". Financial gains are overlapping the social pains and the very bases of our society are witnessing tremors. He further said the play itself is a violation of basic human rights. One should be free to adopt the way of life which he/ she likes but without causing any harm to the peace and accepted norms of the society, he added.

Talking to Daily Times, Hassan Abbas Raza said that this play was performed in Drama Festival last year at PNCA and at that time we were reluctant to stage it, because it was of a bad taste. “When ActionAid contacted us to mark IWD and they would show Ajoka theatre’s play- Kala Meidha Bhes’, we agreed upon. Since the last minute, neither PNCA nor ActionAid were aware that Ajoka would change its mind and suddenly they did it- showing moral degeneration,” he said adding last night, Ajoka manager, Uzair came to our office, and told that Ajoka is ready to perform KMB but inside auditorium, Madeeha Gauhar switched to controversial play ‘Burqavaganza’, that took people by storm.

Raza said PNCA would devise a strategy in few days not to show any controversial drama on PNCA premises.

When contacted ActionAid, the official of NGO refused to talk over the matter, saying that ActionAid would soon hold a media briefing and exposed the matter publicly. Daily Times, when repeatedly contacted Ajoka Theatre Director, Madeeha Gauhar at her personal cell , it remained shut till the filing of this story.

For edited (published) story in 'Daily Times' (March 13, 2010)

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C03%5C13%5Cstory_13-3-2010_pg11_1
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\03\13\story_13-3-2010_pg11_2

HUMOUR is the Biggest TURN-ON in Bedroom

You know it’s time to sex up your... umm sex life, when the passion goes out of fashion and action between the sheets is more about yawns than yearning. And no, we aren’t recommending aromatherapy or aphrodisiacs, candles or cushions, toys or technology. Just a healthy dose of laughter, which can take your sluggish sexual chemistry from agony to ecstasy.

How does laughter engender romance and love? “Laughter does not mean you’ve got to clown around or play the joker,” says Dr. Prakash Kothari, one of India’s most renowned sexologists, “The whole idea is to lighten up and treat sex as a journey where the pleasure is in the travel rather than the arrival. If you use your partners as sleeping pills, sex will eventually cease to hold any interest. Get adventurous and innovative. Like placing mirrors imaginatively and checking yourselves out while you warm up to the act. Be creative, not kinky.”

Laughter, say studies, is a definite mood upper for intimate moments. Media professional Sharmila Gupta*, who recently celebrated her twentieth marriage anniversary, says, “Laughter revs up the relationship and takes that special moment into the fourth gear immediately. Teasing smiles, uproarious shared laughter or muffled giggles are the stuff bedroom moments are made of.”

But while laughter could be the bind that strengthens sexual bonds as one grows into the marriage, does it perform as much when hormones and horniness are, anyway, high? Responding to this is the just-married emcee and popular TV personality Craig Gallyot, who says: “The biggest high of being married is that you don’t have to hide your kinky fantasies from society anymore. They’re all yours to experiment. We pick and choose our positions, and then double up with laughter as we struggle, contort and distort! Jokes and banter give way to sexual flirting and then it’s action time, folks!”

Even those in a relationship declare that cackles and chuckles heat it up for them. “Who wouldn’t like some sexy humour in bed?” asks Alistair Mendonca. “It definitely helps relax and get into the mood. Jokes and games increase the time spent together instead of just getting down to the job and then hitting the sack. It also gets the blood rushing to all the right places,” adds the 29-yr-old IT engineer, who’s in a steady relationship.

For young corporate executive Reshma, even the brush of a feather against her skin amps up the “sack session”. “Bedroom humour”, she declares, “is one of the biggest turn-ons.”

So, if you’ve hit some kind of a dead-end in matters physical, may we suggest a good roll on your sides before that roll in the hay!

Courtesy TOI