That Unconditional Love...

Human is a human because it is bound by emotions. These abstract feelings are of various types, but among them love reign supreme, which is the epicenter of human existence. Love can be felt and given in many ways and its intensity can differ from person to person. Ask any person about love in their life and they would reply, yes, they are surrounded by it; love for the family, friends, soul mate, life partner, pets and even inanimate objects can be listed.

This feeling thrives on give and take relationship. One has to give it to receive in return, your siblings, friends and even your life partner love you back if you give them in return. Here the fine equilibrium is maintained by giving and receiving. Yet, that unconditional love, the supreme type, superior than others, where you are on receiving end, enjoying and basking in its glory is only given by your parents. Their love is unbeatable and unconditional; no strings attached. They would love you day in day out, without any demand of receiving the same from the other end.

Often our efforts to be equal to that unconditional love fall short. It's impossible for a child to fully comprehend the love of his parents for him. But the great sense of joy and peace of soul and mind is only achieved when the source of that unconditional love is happy with you. Similarly, Allah's love is also unconditional. He does not want anything from human beings, his creation, only the betterment.

Our parents only wish us to be successful and happy in our life and hereafter. Their scolding, anger and teachings are all due to that love they harbor for you. We should value this quiet emotion unlike other louder ones the demanding ones. For one day when we won't have this beautiful superior love for us then we would be left with the lesser type where you have to give and maintain.

Moth Smoke.

This review is of my one of the favorite books. I have written this review few months back. I am posting it here with couplet by Meer Taqi Meer which compliments the story of Daru...

The flame it saw,

But thereafter nothing besides the curving, leaping

tounges of fire.

By the time its eyes were on the flame,

The moth was in the fire.

Moth Smoke is the apt name for the story in which protagonist is like a moth circling the fire which eventually took him down and there was nothing left only diffused smoke and ash like existence .... useless heap of the burned out life.


Darashikoh Shezad or Daru in novel is the classic example of the Greek hero who has downfall from prosperity to adversity. On the onset of story, writer introduces a short fact from the history about the mughal prince Dara Shikoh who was sentenced to death by his youngest brother Aurangzeb on committing a crime which goes against the morals of Islam.


Mohsin Hamid has artfully drawn parallel with the mughals and the characters of his fiction world. ‘Daru’ is like a cheap wine...toxic and easily disposed. That’s what happened to Darashikoh Shehzad, he turned toxic over time meddling with drugs and infidelity he lost the honour added to this is his status of being jobless accelerated his downfall. He falls for Mumtaz his best friend Aurengzeb’s wife and then she became the key who brought him down.


She used him for her satisfaction which gave her liberation with no strings attached i.e no commitment and left him in the lurch at the end because she couldn’t possibly leave her son....whom she never loved. Mumtaz was an invisible partner in Daru’s crime of passion while Murad badshah another side characher was the visible one. He also like Mumtaz used Daru, high on drug and disillusioned he accepted the partnership with Murad badshah in his robbery plan and in his rage of being ditched he shot dead an innocent boy because somehow he symbolizes Mumtaz son.


Setting is of the posh society of Lahore, Hamid weaves the story which is compelling, engaging and audacious. He opens the world where drug abuse, alcohol and infidelity prevail; the contempt of the writer of this diplomatic world is seen in his sarcastic, harsh and raw language. Darashikoh is a well rounded character, he has good as well as bad side his conscience is active throughout but the circumstances drew him towards the pit where he was left to rot. Aurangzeb or Ozi is a pasteboard character rich, spoiled and cuckolded husband he represents the high society and the corruption. Mumtaz and Murad badshah were strong side characters who contributed in shaping the events in Darashikoh’s life.


Narration is descriptive; one can feel the heat of Lahore as well as picture its bazaars and towns perfectly. Hamid’s subtle touch on political scenario is uncritical however the effect of politics is seen on the people of the Moth Smoke world. This book no doubt is a good read, witty and realistic and finishes with poetic justice.

 

It's a White Lady Bird!

In the daily drudgery of life there are few moments which draws yout out of your dull, dreary routine. It makes you contemplate something so ordinary which later becomes a part of your happy recollection.

 

Few days back we had the Sports Day in our school. Under the sizzling heat and dry winds we have to practise for the upcoming event. In such a weather, making children practise for their race was tiersome and bothersome. All the students were exhausted and drained out of energy as they are so pampered that one practise of March Pass was too much a exercise for them. Though they were sitting on a mat but their lolling heads and fatiuge on their faces was enough to foretell that it will be hard to give them instructions as the dazed mind collects nothing.

 

Amidst of this all there was a sudden short wave of excitment among some boys in my class. They were looking at something and were on each other to observe the thing which fancied them. I checked them and asked what is so interesting. One said, "Miss it's a White Lady Bird,"

 

I said, "It's just a bug sit down now,"

 

He looked at me and full with excitment told me again, "It's a White Lady Bird!"

 

with him other also peeked at that bug and so the whispers circulated full of excitment and amazment, "Its a White Lady Bird!" then there was some movement as they made way for the royal lady bird. One said "Its coming near me," then I think out of curiousty he touched it.

 

"Ouch! it bit me," the one who touched shouted, with that the bug was not so interesting any more. everyone settled back and an instant forgot about their White Lady Bird. It happened for few moments but was very amusing. It changed my mood for better and I wondered that how small a thing could matter and can make an effect which last longer and stays with you for life.

 

 

 

Cakes, cookies and coffee.

For some winters are here when they touch their nose and its cold, for some when they see snow covering the ground its winters, but for me the smell of strong coffee and urge to eat freshly baked warm cookies from the oven means winters are here.

As the cold starts the natural pull towards the comfort food gets greater and in dreams or fully awake you wish to eat morsel of the sweet delight. If you are keeping check on your weight then its a torture to resist the temptation of cake and cookies. However, to satisfy that sweet tooth sinfully indulging in this delightfull treat is not a crime. A good scientific reason that you burn more calories to keep yourself warm in winters is a good excuse to keep that nagging feeling of, "Oh, you are going to gain weight' safely behind the bars.

Once a chocolate lover said, 'Why God has made good things fattening?' very interesting question indeed the counter question could be, 'Why a person likes to eat things which are fattening or unhealthy?' and there are many similar questions. The guilt of eating such food takes half the enjoyment away. So, I think one should not be bothered by such questions instead one should savour the moment when eating such fine sweet treats.

I especially enjoy baking and then eating what I made, for that I always look for books of baking and survey the websites. Not only that utensils and gadget needed are often added in my collection to master this art. When you sift, mix blend and fold the batter and finally it sits in the oven the anticipation is great for the outcome. The appetizing warm aroma of the baked cake and cookies gives satisfaction and finally when its ready, cut a piece and eat it and enjoy it when it melts in the mouth and spread its delightfull totally engrossing flavour. A sip of strong coffee to wash it down is enough to bring that satisfied smile on your face.

Questions, students never get tired of asking.

Teaching is a profession where you need to have patience larger and bigger than anything. At times you feel guilty that, you are the one who is not teaching well enough. My guilt was gone later on, when I asked the other teachers about the students repetitive habit of asking questions or instructions again and again. especially when you are giving an assessment the list of interrupting questions get even more silly that you feel  like banging your head on the wall.
I thought I am teaching Juniros thats why it happens. I was surprised when my mom, who teaches senior classes, told me that how silly questions the grade nine or ten students can ask, like this one;
"Mam, can I use the back side of the page as my front side of the page is finished," and I thought this only happens in my class. there are few more in my class;
"Should we leave a line or not a leave a line," as a rule I ask them to leave a line in their work everyday. In assessment I allow them not to do that but anyways, each and every child has to ask the same question.
Simple instruction like, 'Write the answer directly in your copy,' welcomes still few more questions, "Miss, can we only write the answer?"
 or
"You mean to say we dont have to write the questions?"
or
"So, we only have to answer the questions.... directly?"
and so on, each time I have to repeat the same instruction in other words, for that you have to be very patient, oh well after five times its ok to yell out, I suppose.
Here there are more;
"May I use colour pencil to underline the answer in a blank?" If I say yes as they are allowed to do that though its not compulsory, still every time they will ask and then to counter that few students will ask, "Miss, I dont have the colour pencil, May I do without it?"
The list of such questions is longer and believe me these kids dont get tired of it.

Winter's Morning.

Just before the dawn breaks, the city seems to be sleeping in the darkness of cold night. Hudled in the warm blankets its hard to step out of the bed and stand in the cold room. Amidst of this the fajr azan (morning prayers) rings the air. This call for the prayers breaks the stillness, welcoming warmly for the obligatory first namaz of the day.

After sometime, the view from the window changes dramatically. First, the soft crimson glow illuminates the clouds and the sky line. Then it slowly starts to spread, just like the blush on someody's face, which creeps up on the cheeks after an affectionate kiss. This is followed by the warm glow that takes over the darkness, and throws away the blanket of night. The cityscape gets all its colours back as soon as the dawn in its wake, paints the whole city with its luminous light.

As to applaud the play performed by the dawn all the birds of the air cheer and welcome the morning. After the azan the happy twitering of the birds seems to be like a music of nature to celebrate the start of the day.

Lahore seasons....

Shalimar Bagh (Garden)

Lahore ...



“How much I love thee, let me count the ways......”



Spring



Spring is the best time in Lahore. When warmth of the day is pleasant, blue sky and light breeze accentuate the blooming blossoms of the season. Colours of the nature get so luscious that painter just wishes to dip his brush in the warm melting hues of nature's palet and create an art piece in which all the shades are only created by God.....



While colours dazzle you the sweet perfume of the flowers tease your senses. Breeze gets ever so light that scent of the nature hangs in the air, pure smell of the wet earth mingled with the sensuous scent of the roses is the feast for the human senses.



No wonder love is in the air....God’s love for his mankind. Everyone can feel it, appreciate it and admire it.....one memory of Lahore which I treasure.....



Heat...



Heat rise and fall like a high fever in Lahore. It continues rising till the andhi tries to cool it down and afterwards it rise again never backing as if it’s essential to raise temperature of the city just to kill the diseases it is infected with..... Nature’s way to clean the air. After the heat scorched the land, heavy showers cool it down, similar to what humans do to subside the high fever. Dampness and numbness follows......afterwards this purgatory procedure the land is left healthy and fresh.



Summer means it’s time to bake the king of fruits. Mango the sweet delight comes with the grandeur in market that it seems obligatory for every cart to be piled up with this amazing yellow fruit. So syrupy and sweet that mouth waters without even tasting it. A gift again from god for all those who can notice the small wonders he bestows on mankind. When the heat burns he give us a taste from heaven reminding us that everything is there for a reason.....heat is blessing.



Fall...



Autumn is windy, mild and dry.... greenery starts to pass away; natural phenomena life gives way to death. It’s the twilight time of the year when one season is giving way to another one. Sombre and beautiful ... leaves turn into orange crisp dead heap on the ground, ready to be buried and decay.... to become one with the soil which nourishes it at first place.



Winds blow so strong, swirling clouds of dust with it and stripping the trees barren with the little foliage clinging to its branches. Sweeping away the reminders of the former season...but spreading of its own in its wake. The grounds look like rich tapestry of orange, yellow and green shades mingled and dispersed in interesting patterns. Winds cool the temperature down...so human change the same way, anxiety and anger gives way to calmness and tamed temperaments.



Inventory is done of the clothing and of rations storing away the last season’s essentials and making space for the upcoming cold weather. It’s twilight for everyone... a change in which everything and everyone bid farewell to heat and awaits the chilling comforts of the winter.... it is the perfect expression of the sweet blend of sorrow and joy..... A message from the God, nothing stays forever.....



Cold...



Mist, chill and shadows cast the city in its magic at the end of the year. The blanket of fog floats in the air, entwining playfully with the dark branches of the barren trees. It looks magical, mysterious and solemn... certainly it’s the time to contemplate what we have done all year round, to let the self assessment hover like the fog on the mind’s landscape where everything has to be left barren to be judged and assessed...



It’s also the time in Lahore to gather and to enjoy the warmth of human companionship at home and out in parties and gala’s.... a season of nightly festivities. People enjoy huddling together in front of heaters, eating popcorn, drinking coffee and enjoying a family show or a movie....and some like to gather around a huge bonfire and listen and dance on the tunes of latest songs. Concerts and bonfire parties ring the night air of Lahore, while nature plays its own music....when everything is quiet one can hear the song of the cricket and the whispers of the wind, soothing and comforting, a lullaby for the keen ears to hear and enjoy.



Winters meant for hibernation, ants hibernate so do humans...hiding in a hole and preserving the energy to rejuvenate for the coming New Year. A time to rest and to make plans for the future...