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
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
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
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
Saturday, March 6, 2010
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!
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
Sunday, February 28, 2010
HABIB JALIB- A POET of ALL SEASONS
BY MAHTAB BASHIR
ISLAMABAD
Remembering HABIB JALIB on his 82nd Birthday today (February 28, 2010)
Muhabbat golion sy bo rahay ho/ Watan ka chehra khoon' sy dho rahay ho/ Gumaan' tumko ky rasta katt raha hay/ Yakeen' mujhko ky manzil kho rahy ho
Habib Jalib (1928 - 1993) was one of the most renowned Pakistani revolutionary poet of 20th century. A left wing activist and politician. He was a staunch democrat who opposed martial law, authoritarianism and state oppression.
After Nazir Akbarabadi, Jalib is perhaps the finest poet labeled as poet of masses. Like Akbarabadi he is truly a man of the people — his way of life is like that of the common people. His style of loving, thinking and feeling is like that of the common people, and his aspirations are those of the common people. And he expresses the sadness, the pain, the voice and the desires of the common people in their language. And if thousands and hundreds of thousands love Jalib so much, and lose control over themselves on hearing his verses, then this love, this infatuation, is not without cause.
While reading his classic collection of poetry, 1 am missing his words badly, as it is a time ripe enough to a voice like of Jalib to filled the air of this country. Here are few extracts from his master pieces…….
Har Shakhs meray des ka karzay may hay jakra
Mehngai ki afriyyat nay logon ko hay pakra
Soobay bhi hain biphray huay markaz bhi hay akra
Allah he cbaJata hay meray des ka chakra.
His poetry was a true reflection of Awami (public) feelings and aspirations. Jalib, never failed to lose direct, vibrant and strong contact with the masses in any regime till the last drop of blood running through his veins.
Farzi mukaddamaat hain jhooti sha-hadatein
Hum phjrbni likh rahein hein junoo ki hikayatein
Mujrim ki abb nishaan-dahi kon kar saky
Abb tak hein band ahle kalam ki adalatein.
Pakistan ki gheirat kay rakhwalo!
Bheek na mango
Tor kay iss kashkole ko aadhi khalo
Bheek na mango
Dosto jag-hansaai na mango
Maot mango, rehaai na mango
Ghaasibon say bhalaai na mango
Maot mango, rehaai na mango
Unfortunately, today there's no such person alive in these critical juncture of affairs, who can fight against evil and insist on truth. None is willing to sacrifice his personality and poetry for the common good of the people in modern days.
Yeh dharti hay asl may piaray
mazduron dehkano ki
Iss dharti par chal na sakay gi
Marzi cand gharano ki
Today, everyone is afraid of the power and wealth of the oppressors; Habib Jalib was the one who unmasked veils of those who massacred at night. Today, we need such person like Jalib, who can put life in the fading pulse of the nation.
Amreeka say maang na bheek
Matt kar logon ki tazkeek
Roke naa jamhoori tehreek
Chore na aazadi ki raah
Pakistan ka matlab kia
La Ilaha Illal Lah.
Sometimes I think, how did this earthly mendicant get his power to say ‘No’? What is this power that makes this gentle person fight against evil and insist on truth? In fact this power is due to the love of the people and the animal spring which lends bravery and enthusiasm to Jalib comes from the people. Habib Jalib has sacrificed his personality and his poetry for the common good of the people.
Deep jiska sirf mahellaat hi main jalay,
Chand logon ki khushyon ko lay ker chalay,
Wo jo saay main har maslihat kay palay;
Aisay dastoor ko, Subh e bay noor ko,
Main naheen maanta, Main naheen jaanta.
Main bhee kha’if naheen takhta e daar say,
Main bhee Mansoor hoon, keh do aghyaar say,
Kyun daraatay ho zindaan ki divar say,
Zulm ki baat ko, Jehel ki raat ko,
Main naheen maanta, Main naheen jaanta.
Phool shaakhon pay khilnay lagay tum kaho,
Jaam rindon ko milnay lagay tum kaho,
Chaak seenon kay silnay lagay tum kaho,
Iss khulay jhoot ko, Zehan ki loot ko,
Main naheen maanta, Main naheen jaanta.
Tum nay loota hai sadyon hamara sakoon,
Ab na hum per chalay ga tumhara fasoon,
Charagar main tumhain kisttarah say kahoon?
Tum naheen charaagar, Koi maanay magar,
Main naheen maanta, Main naheen jaanta.
ISLAMABAD
Remembering HABIB JALIB on his 82nd Birthday today (February 28, 2010)
Muhabbat golion sy bo rahay ho/ Watan ka chehra khoon' sy dho rahay ho/ Gumaan' tumko ky rasta katt raha hay/ Yakeen' mujhko ky manzil kho rahy ho
Habib Jalib (1928 - 1993) was one of the most renowned Pakistani revolutionary poet of 20th century. A left wing activist and politician. He was a staunch democrat who opposed martial law, authoritarianism and state oppression.
After Nazir Akbarabadi, Jalib is perhaps the finest poet labeled as poet of masses. Like Akbarabadi he is truly a man of the people — his way of life is like that of the common people. His style of loving, thinking and feeling is like that of the common people, and his aspirations are those of the common people. And he expresses the sadness, the pain, the voice and the desires of the common people in their language. And if thousands and hundreds of thousands love Jalib so much, and lose control over themselves on hearing his verses, then this love, this infatuation, is not without cause.
While reading his classic collection of poetry, 1 am missing his words badly, as it is a time ripe enough to a voice like of Jalib to filled the air of this country. Here are few extracts from his master pieces…….
Har Shakhs meray des ka karzay may hay jakra
Mehngai ki afriyyat nay logon ko hay pakra
Soobay bhi hain biphray huay markaz bhi hay akra
Allah he cbaJata hay meray des ka chakra.
His poetry was a true reflection of Awami (public) feelings and aspirations. Jalib, never failed to lose direct, vibrant and strong contact with the masses in any regime till the last drop of blood running through his veins.
Farzi mukaddamaat hain jhooti sha-hadatein
Hum phjrbni likh rahein hein junoo ki hikayatein
Mujrim ki abb nishaan-dahi kon kar saky
Abb tak hein band ahle kalam ki adalatein.
Pakistan ki gheirat kay rakhwalo!
Bheek na mango
Tor kay iss kashkole ko aadhi khalo
Bheek na mango
Dosto jag-hansaai na mango
Maot mango, rehaai na mango
Ghaasibon say bhalaai na mango
Maot mango, rehaai na mango
Unfortunately, today there's no such person alive in these critical juncture of affairs, who can fight against evil and insist on truth. None is willing to sacrifice his personality and poetry for the common good of the people in modern days.
Yeh dharti hay asl may piaray
mazduron dehkano ki
Iss dharti par chal na sakay gi
Marzi cand gharano ki
Today, everyone is afraid of the power and wealth of the oppressors; Habib Jalib was the one who unmasked veils of those who massacred at night. Today, we need such person like Jalib, who can put life in the fading pulse of the nation.
Amreeka say maang na bheek
Matt kar logon ki tazkeek
Roke naa jamhoori tehreek
Chore na aazadi ki raah
Pakistan ka matlab kia
La Ilaha Illal Lah.
Sometimes I think, how did this earthly mendicant get his power to say ‘No’? What is this power that makes this gentle person fight against evil and insist on truth? In fact this power is due to the love of the people and the animal spring which lends bravery and enthusiasm to Jalib comes from the people. Habib Jalib has sacrificed his personality and his poetry for the common good of the people.
Deep jiska sirf mahellaat hi main jalay,
Chand logon ki khushyon ko lay ker chalay,
Wo jo saay main har maslihat kay palay;
Aisay dastoor ko, Subh e bay noor ko,
Main naheen maanta, Main naheen jaanta.
Main bhee kha’if naheen takhta e daar say,
Main bhee Mansoor hoon, keh do aghyaar say,
Kyun daraatay ho zindaan ki divar say,
Zulm ki baat ko, Jehel ki raat ko,
Main naheen maanta, Main naheen jaanta.
Phool shaakhon pay khilnay lagay tum kaho,
Jaam rindon ko milnay lagay tum kaho,
Chaak seenon kay silnay lagay tum kaho,
Iss khulay jhoot ko, Zehan ki loot ko,
Main naheen maanta, Main naheen jaanta.
Tum nay loota hai sadyon hamara sakoon,
Ab na hum per chalay ga tumhara fasoon,
Charagar main tumhain kisttarah say kahoon?
Tum naheen charaagar, Koi maanay magar,
Main naheen maanta, Main naheen jaanta.
-Muhammad Mahtab Bashir
03335363248
Islamabad
Sunday, February 21, 2010
INTERNATIONAL MOTHER TONGUE DAY- A Tribute to the Greatness of Punjabi People
MAHTAB BASHIR
ISLAMABAD
mahtabbashir@gmail.com
03335363248
ISLAMABAD
mahtabbashir@gmail.com
03335363248
Language is the most powerful instrument 
of preserving and developing tangible and intangible heritage. All moves to promote the dissemination of mother tongue serves not only to encourage linguistic diversity and multilingual education but also to develop fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions throughout the world and to inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue.
Though an Islooite’s by birth, my Mother Tongue is neither Urdu nor English or any other but Punjabi. My parents hailing from Lahore & Gujranwala, made me a built-in Punjabi regardless to caste and creed and obviously transforming it.
According to Wikipedia Encyclopedia, Punjabi is the most spoken language of Pakistan. It is spoken as first language by over 44.15% of Pakistanis. Punjabis comprise the largest ethnic group in the country. Punjabis are dominant in key institutions such as business, agriculture, industry, government, army, navy, air force, and police, which is why about 70% of Pakistanis can understand or speak Punjabi.
Today (February 21) is the International Mother Language Day- a day that was proclaimed by UNESCO's General Conference in November 1999. The International Day has been observed every year since February 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.
On 16 May 2007, by resolution 61/266, the General Assembly proclaimed 2008 as the International Year of Languages, to promote unity in diversity and international understanding, through multilingualism and multiculturalism.
Marking this day, I would love to share few of Punjabi lines written by few of my all time favorite poets. This wont be a bad idea to give gratitude to all Punjabi people for their sacrifices, and services they rendered over the centuries to make Punajbi a language of International repute. I’m also indebted to all Punjabi mothers for their contribution in nurturing their children for the welfare of society and country!
Rabba Sachiya tu tay Akhiya si 
Ja Oye Bandiya Jug Da Shah hain Toon
Sadian Naimtan terian Doltan Nain
Sada Naib tay Alijah hain Toon
Aes Larey Tay Tor Kud Puchiya Iy
Kee Iss Nimanay tey bitiyan nayn
Kadi Saar wi layi O Rab Sayin
Teray Shah Nal Jag ki Kitiyan nayn
Kithay Dhons Polis Sarkar di ay
Kithay Dhandli Patwar Di ay
Enwain Huddan ich Kalpay Jan meri
Jeewan Phahi ich Koonj Kurlaondi Ay
Changa Shah Bnaya ei Rab Sayian
Polay khandiyan War na Ayondi ay
Mainu Shahi nai Chahidi Rab meray
Main tay Izzat da tukkar mangna han
Menu Tahng nai, mehlan mnarian di
Main tay Jeewan di Nukkar Mangna han
Meri Mannain tay tairian main mannan
Teri Sohn Jay ik wi gal moran
Jey Ayeh nai Pujdi tan Rabba fair
Main Jawan tay RAB Koi Hor loraan
-FAIZ AHMED FAIZ
Mera Tay Bus aina e kujh ay
Hissa Apnay Aap dy which
Jinna Raat day sunan walay da
Paar ay paer di chaap dy which
-MUNIR NIAZI 
Jay tu chad ky tur jana si
Pyaar di khed rachai kio si
Dy ky kaol jy phir jana si
Dil di baazi lai kio si
Menu jisda dar si channa
Orak o gal ho kay rai
Paanway hun may moyaan wargi
Jeenwan gi par teray lai
Khoray meray ronday dil tay
Tenu taras kadi aa jaway
Khoray kich meri yadaan di
Tenu aithay kich liaway.-AHMED RAHI
Charsi naal meil sharabi da, nahi ho sakda, nahi ho sakda
Koi Sunni yaar wahabi da, Nahi ho sakda, nahi ho sakda
Sao sabun bhaway wartan pay, kanwaan nay baglay nahi hona Tappar to laththa chabi da, nahi ho sakda, nahi ho sakda
Buriyan nay kaar bhalaai da- na karna aay, na honi aay
Bhaliyaan to kam kharaabi da, nahi ho sakda, nahi ho sakda
Gharian which koh mukanday nay, jo banday udham walay nay
Sustaan to pandh shataabi da- nahi ho sakda, naho ho sakda
O baal Obeira, rul janday, jinna diyan Maawan mar jawan 
Maa warga saaya Bhabhi da- nahi ho sakda, nahi ho sakda.
-OBEIR ABUZARI
Ajj da Din wi awaien e langiyaa, koi wi kam na hoya
Purab wallon’ chariya Suraj, Pachchim aan khaloya
Naa milya may khalqat nu, na yaad Khuda nu keeta
Naa may parhi Namaz tay naa may Jaam Sharaab da peeta
Khushi naa gham- koi kol na aya, naa hasya, naa royaa
Ajj da Din wi awaien e langiyaa, koi wi kam na hoya-MUNIR NIAZI
Thursday, February 18, 2010
A PILL TO FALL IN OR OUT OF LOVE!
After the passion of Valentine’s Day, here is some so
bering news for lovers. Pop a love pill, and you are on. And pop an anti-love pill, you are done - without any lingering emotions.
Scientists say it will soon be possible to fall in and out of love at whim - just like hopping into a bus and then getting off two stops later.
They say that since falling in love is merely a chemical reaction in the human brain, a love pill may be invented soon to trigger this chemical reaction to make people in love.
And then there could be an anti-love pill to make people fall out of love.
According to an American neuro-scientist, researchers may soon find the right kind of chemical mixture to help people fall in and out of love.
Larry Young of Atlanta 's Emory University School of Medicine told a television network at the weekend that researchers may soon be able to show that emotions such as love are directly triggered by biochemical events in the human brain.
He said his research into prairie voles - which are short-tailed, mouse-like animals found in the prairies (fertile plains) of the US and Canada - has shown that sexual bonding can be triggered and blocked by the addition or subtraction of certain chemicals to the brain.
“(The voles) are monogamous. That is, they form a life-long bond with a partner. We have been studying the chemistry behind that,'' he said.
But when Young injected the chemical (hormone) oxytocin into the brain of a female prairie vole, she quickly abandoned her monogamy and fell for the nearest male. But when the chemical hormone to her brain was stopped, her bonding with the new mate was over.
According to Young, “The hormone interacts with the reward and reinforcement system driven by the neurotransmitter dopamine - the same circuitry that drugs such as nicotine, cocaine and heroine act on in humans to produce euphoria and addiction.''
The happy news, said Young, is that his research has shown that ``there is an overlap between the brain areas involved in vole bonding and those associated with human love.
“What's more, the chemical oxytocin, which was observed to trigger bonding in voles, also changes human behaviour.
“People who inhale oxytocin become more trusting ... They engage in more eye contact ... (It) tunes them into the social world. Dopamine gives us a reward, so you feel good.''
Creating a cocktail of these two chemicals (oxytocin and dopamine) in the form of a love pill could create an attraction between two people, he said.
But if attraction could be chemically induced, he added, the opposite was also possible in the form of anti-love pills.
“You could block those chemicals when you're around this person. All drugs are just mimicking or blocking our own natural brain chemistry,'' Young said.
He said these chemical cocktails could help countless couples who spend huge amounts of money on marital therapy in future.
bering news for lovers. Pop a love pill, and you are on. And pop an anti-love pill, you are done - without any lingering emotions.Scientists say it will soon be possible to fall in and out of love at whim - just like hopping into a bus and then getting off two stops later.
They say that since falling in love is merely a chemical reaction in the human brain, a love pill may be invented soon to trigger this chemical reaction to make people in love.
And then there could be an anti-love pill to make people fall out of love.
According to an American neuro-scientist, researchers may soon find the right kind of chemical mixture to help people fall in and out of love.
Larry Young of Atlanta 's Emory University School of Medicine told a television network at the weekend that researchers may soon be able to show that emotions such as love are directly triggered by biochemical events in the human brain.
He said his research into prairie voles - which are short-tailed, mouse-like animals found in the prairies (fertile plains) of the US and Canada - has shown that sexual bonding can be triggered and blocked by the addition or subtraction of certain chemicals to the brain. “(The voles) are monogamous. That is, they form a life-long bond with a partner. We have been studying the chemistry behind that,'' he said.
But when Young injected the chemical (hormone) oxytocin into the brain of a female prairie vole, she quickly abandoned her monogamy and fell for the nearest male. But when the chemical hormone to her brain was stopped, her bonding with the new mate was over.
According to Young, “The hormone interacts with the reward and reinforcement system driven by the neurotransmitter dopamine - the same circuitry that drugs such as nicotine, cocaine and heroine act on in humans to produce euphoria and addiction.''
The happy news, said Young, is that his research has shown that ``there is an overlap between the brain areas involved in vole bonding and those associated with human love.
“What's more, the chemical oxytocin, which was observed to trigger bonding in voles, also changes human behaviour.
“People who inhale oxytocin become more trusting ... They engage in more eye contact ... (It) tunes them into the social world. Dopamine gives us a reward, so you feel good.''
Creating a cocktail of these two chemicals (oxytocin and dopamine) in the form of a love pill could create an attraction between two people, he said.
But if attraction could be chemically induced, he added, the opposite was also possible in the form of anti-love pills.
“You could block those chemicals when you're around this person. All drugs are just mimicking or blocking our own natural brain chemistry,'' Young said.
He said these chemical cocktails could help countless couples who spend huge amounts of money on marital therapy in future.
IANS
WOMEN TAKE MORE TIME TO UNDERSTAND JOKES
Women take little extra time to understand jokes but they der
ive more pleasure from a good punchline compared to their male counterparts, according to a new study.
The study conducted at Stanford University in California found that women use more parts of the brain than men to process jokes and have less expectation that they willfind them funny.
The research, which was aimed at unravelling the mystery of how our sense of humour works, suggested that women preferred more sophisticated humour and used more complex brain functions to process it, The Sunday Times reported.
"Our findings fit the stereotype of how men and women react to humour," said lead researcher Prof Allan Reiss, director of the university`s Interdisciplinary Brain SciencesResearch Center.
"We found greater activity in the prefrontal cortex in women, indicating women are processing stimuli that involve language areas of the brain. The interpretation of that finding is that women tend to respond more to word play and narrative than slapstick."
For the study, researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technology to monitor how men and women respond to humour differently by observing their brain activity.
In one of the experiments, 10 women and 10 men were placed in an fMRI scanner and shown 70 black-and-white cartoons on a screen. They pressed buttons to indicate howamusing they found each joke.
The scanner measured the subjects` brain activity as they viewed both funny and unfunny cartoons, as well as timing how long it took them to respond to a joke.
The experiments found that women displayed more intense activity than men in the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which controls language interpretation and in-depthanalytical processes.
Researchers said that women participants of the study took slightly longer to react to jokes that were funny, but enjoyed the punchlines more. They, however, said the timedifference was marginal."
The scans also indicate that women have a lower expectation that they will find jokes funny but when they do, they experience a greater degree of reward," said Reiss."
Men have the opposite response. They show more activation of nucleus accumbens (the part of the brain involved in reward and pleasure), indicating they expect to get the joke but when they don’t they get more depressed."
Reiss is now conducting similar tests on children to determine whether gender differences in humour are biological and genetic or nurtured through experience.
ive more pleasure from a good punchline compared to their male counterparts, according to a new study. The study conducted at Stanford University in California found that women use more parts of the brain than men to process jokes and have less expectation that they willfind them funny.
The research, which was aimed at unravelling the mystery of how our sense of humour works, suggested that women preferred more sophisticated humour and used more complex brain functions to process it, The Sunday Times reported.
"Our findings fit the stereotype of how men and women react to humour," said lead researcher Prof Allan Reiss, director of the university`s Interdisciplinary Brain SciencesResearch Center.
"We found greater activity in the prefrontal cortex in women, indicating women are processing stimuli that involve language areas of the brain. The interpretation of that finding is that women tend to respond more to word play and narrative than slapstick."
For the study, researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technology to monitor how men and women respond to humour differently by observing their brain activity.
In one of the experiments, 10 women and 10 men were placed in an fMRI scanner and shown 70 black-and-white cartoons on a screen. They pressed buttons to indicate howamusing they found each joke.
The scanner measured the subjects` brain activity as they viewed both funny and unfunny cartoons, as well as timing how long it took them to respond to a joke.The experiments found that women displayed more intense activity than men in the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which controls language interpretation and in-depthanalytical processes.
Researchers said that women participants of the study took slightly longer to react to jokes that were funny, but enjoyed the punchlines more. They, however, said the timedifference was marginal."
The scans also indicate that women have a lower expectation that they will find jokes funny but when they do, they experience a greater degree of reward," said Reiss."
Men have the opposite response. They show more activation of nucleus accumbens (the part of the brain involved in reward and pleasure), indicating they expect to get the joke but when they don’t they get more depressed."
Reiss is now conducting similar tests on children to determine whether gender differences in humour are biological and genetic or nurtured through experience.
Agencies
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