TCF - The New Experience

I like volunteering and have bit of voluntary social working experience as well. I’m one of those guys who are still learning a lot about it. I have always believed it’s an art, almost like a duty to people out there and one has to master it to make a difference. So In order to make a rather more ‘constructive’ difference, I decided after some ‘pushes’ from a very dear friend ( :P ) that it may just be the thing for me. So I ended up volunteering for the first time at TCF, 'The Citizens Foundation'. I volunteered for their Rahbar program which is basically a mentorship program. Yesterday was the first of 6 Saturdays that I spent with some brilliant and very interactive kids.

First I would like to thank three people, Maham, Tuba and Ehsan bhai. Maham is a personal friend of mine and along with Ehsan saab has been volunteering for quite some time. Tuba though works at TCF and she has done an outstanding job so far, seriously. These three are great and they completely made it easy for us ‘mentors’ because doing it for the first time, I was initially quite jittery and all but they have been so helpful.

 

Personally I hate waking up early because I am very lazy. The only thing I’m never lazy about is perhaps sports especially football but I was actually looking forward to being there on the first day this past weekend. The administration at TCF have divided every Saturday in 6 parts known as ‘Milestones’ because whatever we achieve with kids is nothing short of a milestone in itself. So waking up at 6 and being there at a designated campus with other mentors especially your co-mentor is somewhat tiring but we made it to our designated campus in ‘Nurpur’ near Border. Yes NEAR BORDER! My co-mentor is Raza bhai who’s a cool person too, very chill and in a way like me.

Okay now let’s get to ‘real business’ .The ‘interaction’ with Kids. So around 9:30 or perhaps at 10, we were at the Nurpur campus. So the very first thing we did was to go into the class where our groups of kids, 6 of them were seated. I entered and was bit irked when all of them called me ‘Sir’ and I was literally shocked because for all I know, I’m student myself like them kids. So for the next two hours I was with these kids who were great.  This day we had to know about each other as the designated milestone was divided into different activities completing the two hours. First we had to play the game called ‘Web of yarn’ which I remember, I played last time when I very little, even younger than these kids. It was fun because my co-mentor started with the yarn and from him, each and every student started to introduce themselves one by one. They told us about their homes, their parents, siblings, what they like to become, what sport they like, what subjects they love and hate and I personally believe this was the most interesting part because I wanted to know more about them. They all had one thing in common and it was the continuous use of ‘Bhainsein’ or ‘cows’ because they’re all rural so they all talked about cows so that’s exactly what I did when I introduced myself. ‘Merey paas bhi gaoon mein bhainsein hein’ and I could see in their eyes being all awe-struck, perhaps they thought I’m one of their own but then they were smiling and I think that matters more.

First We had to create a name of our group but they had already chosen it for themselves and it was ‘Sunshine’ and well they liked it and they rejected my suggestion of ‘Red devils’ so in a way I’m stuck with the name. We moved on to another short session where we had to make a distinction that we’re not their teachers and I personally wanted to make sure of it because they called me ‘Sir’ so it was in a way great telling them that we’re like them. Today they are students, yesterday we were in their position and I could relate still because technically I am a student so two or three of them kids opened up to me, asking me how did I reach university. They wanted to know how they can become Doctors, Engineers, Airlines pilots and even bankers. 

Next week we’re hoping to visit their community around us. Hopefully it’ll be great. The whole experience for that day for me at least was great and I’m looking forward to more time with them. I bet it’ll be great.

Lucas goes Disney

'I sense a great disturbance in the Force'

Yes we all remember this quote by our dear Obi Wan Kenobi in Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope. And yes that was my first reaction to Disney buying Lucas Films and rights of Star wars along with it. But unlike many I am actually quite happy about it and to be honest, really ecstatically excited.

So far we've heard that Disney have bought Lucas Films for $ 4.05 Billion and have announced new Star Wars Episode 7 for potential release in 2015.  I remember George Lucas telling he wont make a new film but I guess deep down he needed to watch new trilogy again himself and well no wonder he handed over the reign to co-chairwoman Kathleen Kennedy and subsequently Disney. 

I am sure majoirty of the die hard Star wars fans right now are excited and then we do have some fans who are worried. Of course in a way I'm a little worried myself but Disney cant be that bad now can it? The reason I say that is because Disney already control Marvel and Pixar and without little or no interference these two companies are doing pretty well so Lucas Films wont do bad either.

For now, Im excited and can only say that Star wars still matter. I cannot wait for Episode 7.

Cheer everyone.

The recent trip and the confound surprise

Okay so I was out of the picture for quite sometime. My spring semester is going on and two weeks back, I was hell busy in my Mids but oh well they went real well, like always. but after that, I went on a trip worth more than 1000 Km's, perhaps 2000 Km's .Initially with friends and then with my folks. I needed this trip because its been such a long LONG time that nothing would have stopped me from going this time around. I seriously had fun during my trip to Islamabad. I didn't stay there for long, in fact went and came back on the same day. But soon I had to be in Arifwala in district Pakpattan in Sahiwal division since I had to attend my uncle's "Chehlum" so It was Lahore to Islamabad, then back to Lahore, then off to Arifwala, then to Khanewal further South then back to Arifwala and again back to my great Lahore. Man,this has been one long, extensive and very tiring trip.

...But this does'nt stop here, i mentioned the word 'confound surprise' in title for a reason. No, no its not because I found some long lost brother or friend or girl for myself, but because almost all of my relatives from Southern Punjab AKA Seraiki belt were gathered in Arifwala and since i am politically current in a very Apolitical way, I had to ask them about views on present government and most importantly Seraiki province.  Well I'll say it again that Seraiki belt continues to baffle me. Well over my adventure at the last stop of Central Punjab, from what i can gather is that most in young generation prefer Imran Khan and his party "Pakistan Tehrik e Insaaf while older generation loathe him. The reason is that they think since the likes of Hashmis, Qureshis, Legharis etc have joined him in Southern Punjab, they feel as if the commoner is betrayed but I have to agree with them because they are not the only one's to think like that. Young generation are no less than PTI trolls who are always hell bent on defending Imran Khan. Yes Seraiki youth is no different from youth from the rest of Pakistan. As for Seraiki province, the young generations want it but purely on Administrative basis as for most in older generation, They are against it. The reason they tell me is that they believe Seraiki-Balochs along with Gillanis, qureshis and Hashmis control Seraiki belt while local and migrated Rajput and Jatt tribes are in minority when it comes to control, they think they will completely be left at the behest of people they think who came from 'outside'. They think Southern Rajput and Jatt tribes like Hirajs,Dahas, Rana, Raos, Daultanas, Khichis, Maher etc etc MUST unite and promote their interest. Yes the Southerners like others too fight within themselves but their point is genuine. Another reason is that with Seraiki enforced, the likes of Ranghars and Upper Punjabis will be thrown out since many from North and even from Pashtun belt come here to conduct business. The hate shown especially for Gillani and Baloch clans is way too much, in fact not much different from Balochs showing hate for Punjabis, its pretty much the same thing.

Okay whatever Ive mentioned is specifically the view of my 'maternal family' from Southern Punjab, in fact it is the view of the 'MOST' in maternal family and it does'nt mean everyone in Southern Punjab will agree with them. Also my blog is not about Punjab or Seraiki belt, its just that Ive been very busy lately and i will continue to talk about general topics so people wait up and you will read more Insh'Allah....

Seraiki right; The administrative way

Few days ago, I came across an article on Tribune’s blog page which in my opinion was poorly constructed. I respect the writer’s opinion since it talked about half-truth and I being someone who has seen and witnessed the life in Upper and Southern Punjab, feel the need to make my argument as well. 

Firstly what is ‘Alien ethnicity’ according to writer? Punjabi is not an alien ethnicity. Punjabis are equally part of Pakistan the way others are. Second, How come Sikhs invaded Punjab? They are from Punjab. They are locals who grew strong and established their empire. Guru Nanak was not from any other place. Ranjeet Singh was not from somewhere else. They were from Punjab, they were Punjabis. No one should discredit his Muslim Punjabi brothers just because of Sikhs. The writer should know that Punjab, Seraiki belt and Sindh are remnants of age old Indus Valley Civilization. Seraiki is a different language but remember that it is influenced by Punjabi and Sindhi both. If any Seraiki is called Punjabi then it only takes a simple act of good etiquette to tell you’re not Punjabi but Seraiki. Punjabis are not some ‘untouchables’ of Pakistan. Every Pakistani no matter from any ethnic or religious background must be respected at all costs. I am a person who loves Southern Punjab and Lahore, also love Punjabi and seraiki equally. After all, I am a local lad from both places, having roots in Lahore as well in Khanewal with family in both places supporting ‘Seraiki Province’. Both places are my homes.

Now I have to discuss the ‘ethnic’ side of it since that is exactly the reason Seraiki Nationalists and PPP want new province for. Fact remains that the likes of Gillanis, Hashmis, Qureshis, Qaiseranis, Mazaris, Legharis etc who make up the heavy weights of Political arena in Seraiki belt were not here forever and they are the one’s who are pushing for Seraiki Province. Unlike Nationalist Punjabis and Sindhis who claim their land is at least 5000 years old and rightly so, are right when they claim that. Fact remains that Heavyweights mentioned earlier were NOT in seraiki belt for 5000 years but at most 500-1000 years, mostly after Islam came to Sub-continent. They either came from Arabia,Persia or Balochistan. The real people on the other hand, the actual Locals of this entire area, The descendents of people of original Indus Valley Civilization, the like of Rajputs, Jatts, Gujjars etc have been living in Southern, Central, Northern Punjab, Sindh and surrounding areas ever since the Aryans arrived in Sub-Continent and they have been living there a lot before when Gillanis,Hashmis etc came to live there.

Some of the Rajput,Jatt, Gujjar tribes in Seraiki belt are known as Khars,Hirajs, Berahs, ,Kanju,Kamboh, Toors, Daultana, Khichis, Rao etc and they are the original locals of the land and yes, many of them want Seraiki province as well and rightly so. But we must remember that they have been there since a lot longer. Not just this you will find them not just in Southern Punjab but Central and Upper Punjab as well. I would like to ask How are Rajputs and Jatts of Seraiki belt ethnically related to Qureshis,Gillanis etc ? How is a Kharal, Kanju, Berah, Rao any different to person of same tribe and caste residing in Upper and Central Punjab. What about the likes of Qaiseranis, Mazaris, Legharis etc who are Baloch tribes living in Seraiki belt? For me they are locals as well just like others and since most of them speak Seraiki as their mother tongue so they deserve equal rights. I would like to ask how many of the Baloch tribes would still like to mingle with Gillanis, Hashmis, Raos, Berahs etc who are not Balochs? Would they consider them equally as Seraikis? The point im trying to make is that Seraikis majorly are a linguistic group where many nations and different tribes resides.

I ask Seraiki Nationalists how they make a distinction. How will they guarantee Non-Seraiki speakers a safe life in new province when we know Punjabis and Urdu Speakers are brutally murdered in Balochistan just for their ethnicity? How will Seraiki-speaking areas in Sindh and Balochistan cope? I for one want an answer.

Punjabis and Seraikis must also be told the truth. Truth that Seraiki politicians like Ghulam Mustafa Khar , Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Sardar Latif Khosa, Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa, Sardar Farooq Leghari,Yousaf Raza Gilani and many more ruled Punjab as Governors, CM’s and even went on to become Presidents and PM. There is no doubt that more money is spent on Upper Punjab but why should onus lie all on upper Punjab? They must know that their leaders spend most of their time in Upper Punjab. Here in Lahore, they prefer to live in posh localities of DHA, Gulberg and Model Town while their own people suffer in Southern Punjab. Why they never did anything? Why Seraiki nationalists have chosen cursing Lahore as their solution? I have no idea. The people of Khanewal, DG Khan, Bahawalpur etc are equally slaves of “Takht e Multan” if they are of Lahore.

In the end, only Seraikis have the right to choose what is best for their land. I for one would love a new province carved from my beloved Khanewal to all the way to DG Khan but would not like it being named on Ethnic or linguistic basis. This in my opinion may lead to blood shed. Southern Punjab and perhaps divided Punjab must not become Balochistan or Bangladesh.

Your Life. Your Choice. Live it!

So I watched “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy again after some time. I think I’ve watched trilogy more than 5 times already and why shouldn’t I? It is one of my favorite movies of all times. I’ve also read the book by J.R.R Tolkien and if there is one quote from the book and of course the movie that have always struck me as absolute, real and something that is undeniable and it states:-

“How do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go on, when in your heart you begin to understand there is no going back. There are some things that time can not mend. Some hurts that go too deep... that have taken hold.” - Frodo (The Lord of the Rings – J.R.R Tolkien)

It’s idealistic if not pessimistic. I like it. According to me it tells me I must move on because that is a better option.  But not everyone is like me  because some of us have to learn the hard way and the hard way is better in my opinion because it leaves a long lasting effect on you, it tells you “Get ready to fight me as I’ll soon face you again” and that is exactly the catch, isn’t it? How do you learn to fight another day? Life is indecisive, it is tough, full of misery and we’re not successful most of the time but we try still, hoping we can get back up and just move on. Moving on is a hard part because it is not exactly tangible as we want it to be. It of course is my opinion and the cliché may not be as agreeable as I want it to be but I do believe with all my heart that it is you ALONE that has the sole ability to get out of any doodle you’re currently in. Everyone will keep telling you they’ll be there and yes ‘some’ will come to help but not everyone is like those ‘few’ but generally you’ll end up alone having to deal with you’re problem and I think that is brilliant because in a way, it gives you a head start on what Life actually is, what it is all about and how it’ll deal with you.

Sorry, I may sound depressing at this very moment but it’s just my view, just another perspective that I want to share. Most of us and definitely the one’s who are reading this blog post will know that certainly they are in a better position than thousands and in fact millions out there and if you all were in their position, you perhaps wouldn’t be judging every other person for some reason, correct, plausible or stupid, who cares? But we all have an opinion that turns into a judgment which in turns loses its purpose. 

You my friends should know that the sole responsibility to lead your life lies with you. The onus is all on you. You are the leader of yourself, your destiny lies with you and your actions so just live it the way you want to. Don’t be a cynic because I was one once and some times I still am but I always move on from time to time.  Just don’t let anyone else dictate you or judge you. Get back at them every time you feel they’re judging you because they’re like you’re relatives from ‘Duur daraaz’ who show up once a year and say stuff just to make you feel sad , in fact next time when you feel they’re about to show up after carefully witnessing their “arriving pattern” over the years then tell them before hand that you’re going to have simple ‘daal’ instead of Biryani that day, coupled with on hand ‘juggats’ you learned from watching ‘Babu babraal’ stage shows so that you don’t ever have to see their stupid faces or have to listen to their stupid judgments, again.

So don’t care what other says, hold on to what you have most dear around you; the things and the people and just have fun and chill out for once. Be a hippie, smoke weed and live your life. If someone asks why you’re smoking so tell them you’re Rastafarian dude or dudette who’s just completing his or her religious obligation. So, you matter, you’re choices matter.  Just smile :D

P.s: This blog is dedicated to all my wonderful friends who're amazing. Small friend's circle i have and I love them so much.


P.s.s: Especially to a friend who goes 'bonkers' from time to time. This particular friend usually looks like this when shocked!

New Year, New Semester - Life goes on..

My spring semester starts from Monday and hopefully I can do a lot well this time around than previous semester. Which reminds me did I tell you folks my grades from previous semester? I guess no. I scored all 5 A’s and perfect 4.00 gpa and my cgpa still is 4.00. People one thing that you must know that I am not a nerd, I swear but in fact one of the most stupid, chilled out, almost hippie sort of guy you’ll ever meet ever. Seriously, no kidding!

I don’t know how I do it but I am almost sure that it is because of nerdy friends that I made last year. They have definitely rubbed that charm over me and some of my older friends hate it considering they now see a total stranger who gets good grades, does social work, blogs (YES I blog – Allah di qasmay) and still finds time to blurt total bullshit that they always knew “Khan saab” wouldn’t ever get rid of. Yes, how can I stop blurting total non-sense from time to time? This new blog post flaunting about my grades is perfect example of it but I do it nonetheless because I love it. Yes I have finally decided that in order to increase my blog posts and viewership, I will at times talk blog bullshit as well because I am good at it. Its an art, I tell you. It really is.

But oh well New Year just has started and my classes will commence from Monday and I am already thinking to take part in usual uni-stuff that most students wouldn’t do. Let me correct, most ‘wailey’ students wouldn’t do but I will because I am inaccessibly cool and able to do shit that is worth doing. That epitomizes me folks, that really does. My new friends will agree, I’m sure 

So who wants to see how i look like when my new semester starts. Its pretty much the same when i sneeze, think, shit, play PES on xbox, get a crush, shit and God knows what else. Toodles everyone.

P.s : No i don't exactly look like Mr.Mackey from South Park. I just didn't get to find any good meme. My bad!

Aloha 2012: Happy New Year, people!

It’s already December 31^st and we’re about to step into year 2012 so I would like to wish Happy New Year to all of you out there. Hopefully, this New Year turns out to be a year where we can finally learn to end our differences, finally move on, accept new people in our lives, accept Pakistan as it is, finally see 'Altaf Bhai' returning back but above all do not witness the Mayan Prophecy coming true regarding world ending in 2012. God forbids if that happens ever. We must continue to live and being ever so ‘Dheet’.

I know I have not been actively blogging over some months but one of my many New Year resolutions include me being regular this time around. It was just that I was seriously very very VERY busy in last semester so I had to work really hard. But on the bright side, I got A grade in every course I took so I am very thankful still.

Before I wish you all again, I would like to tell how year 2011 went for me. It actually went real good except the end which was very tough but over all it was great. If I were to describe year 2011 in one word then it is “Change” because the year brought so many changes in my life. I have to admit that past two years did not at all go so well but finally it ticked for me this year. My friends left for new places so I also made new friends who are just truly brilliant. Though most of them are nerds but perhaps they have been successful in rubbing that ‘nerdy’ charm on me too but who am I kidding? I love it.

So,Happy New Year again people. May God bless us all, our country Pakistan and our selfish world. Som toodles 2011 and Aloha 2012. I am so ready for you!