Voice of Common Pakistani !!!

Scooty…….
Yeah same Scooty that I thought could be a road to lead our women to empowerment. A means of transportation that would provide security against harassment of public transport, harassment of reaching home late after office hours and a means of family transport for many single middle class women who are bread winner for their families.
I put my thoughts in my previous post, discussed it with friends who belong to corporate sector, asked them their opinion and insight about the possibilities.
To my horror and surprise, an idea which was for middle class working women (for a start of trend in Lahore and Karachi alone) was rejected by women themselves, who are working independent, well educated, apparently confident, moderate and with updated with latest trends (in dressing atleast) desirous to help women, spokes person of women rights and above all women who have studied in best of institutes, travelled abroad and are no way conservative for themselves. Strange isn’t it? Yes my friends our women have dual standards. I do not want to discuss women and their approach here. Read more »

Hello darkness, my old friend
I’ve come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence

In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
‘Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turn my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence

And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never shared
No one dared
Disturb the sound of silence

“Fools,” said I, “you do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you”
But my words like silent raindrops fell
And echoed in the wells of silence

And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming
And the sign said “The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls
And whispered in the sound of silence

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZGWQauQOAQ

There’s an alternate universe where our alter ego lives. Sometimes this alter ego takes over our true self. We start living our fears. We act out our desires and fantasies. Sometimes we become so engrossed in this fantasized dreamworld that it becomes the real world for us.

We go in deeper and deeper. We sink and we rise. But we become oblivious of our surroundings. We become numb to feelings and sensations. We neglect our bodies. We ignore the effect on people around us. We go against the natural instinct of survival.

We become lost. We are entrapped. We cry for freedom but do not want to be free. We are in quicksand and we go in deeper and deeper. We lose ourselves. Yet we gain nothing. But we’re unable to see the obvious. We’re unable to hear the warnings. We go on. We are afraid to let go. Perhaps we feel safe in the sand glued around us, no matter how it’s sucking us in. Perhaps we’re afraid to get out and feel the fresh air. We are afraid to tread into the unknown.

So we cling to our fantasy world and we try to convince ourselves it’ll last forever. We forget time is not on our side. We forget that everything moves on and if we stand still we will be the ones left behind.

But we do not learn. We keep trying and failing and trying again. In the process we miss several other paths lying open while we keep banging about a dead end. We don’t realize life is not about ends, it’s about beginnings. We don’t realize it’s about doing, not convincing. We don’t realize it’s about accepting rather than imposing. We don’t know how to say no or listen to a no.

The hardest thing in life is quitting. Yes! Quitting while you’re ahead. Quitting while you’re still appreciated. We keep clinging on to the known till it loses all its life and charm. We don’t know how to end on a good note. We don’t know how to let go and move on. We don’t know how to retire as a champion. Being a champion is all about timing. It’s about knowing when to hit and when to retrieve. It’s about accepting defeat with grace.

We read, we hear, we observe - yet we can’t see! We learn, we teach, we preach - yet we don’t apply. We don’t believe! If we believed, we would be the first one to put it to use. But we don’t! We keep waiting. We keep procrastinating. We keep hoping for a miracle to happen. Well, it won’t! Coz we do not believe, neither ourselves nor others. Miracles don’t happen. We make things happen.

But we’d rather stay in our fantasy world…

I respectfully disagree to the visionary Multinationals vision of Economic Growth. For many years we have seen Multinationals, Banks, Cooperate sector, Industries and Foreign funded organization working with the slogan of Economic Growth, Development and Training of new generation to help our economy grow.
They have failed and they will fail again and again, because (in my short sighted vision) they are not clear in their agenda and vision themselves. These groups of companies or organizations when recruit, they recruits from the cluster of elites, when they choose to give away internship, again their vision doesn’t go beyond LUMS, IBA and equally expensive institutes. Read more »

Its cold out there just came back after my hair cut. A comfortable ride in my car no worries no tensions of the cold breeze outside. But just imagine millions out there fighting this cold with humble clothing, modest meal and weak bodies.

I wonder if it’s just the weather that is cold or we have gone cold inside too as human beings. Our society as a whole is ruthless, careless and selfish. We keep our selves warm, we protect our children, and we cater for our needs and never focus on charity. Charity that should start at the beginning of the cold weather to support who are non-privileged. I am sure no one realizes that and we keep on living and keep our eyes closed.

That’s not about it, we proudly claim to be Muslims and whenever we can we do collectively boast about our religion which we never practice. Our practices are restricted to only and only Nimaz, Roza and lectures. Humanity is totally missing in our teachings and in our society.

I am unwritten,
Can’t read my mind
I’m undefined
I’m just beginning
The pen’s in my hand
Ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten, yeah

Oh, oh

I break tradition
Sometimes my tries
Are outside the lines, oh yeah yeah
We’ve been conditioned
To not make mistakes
But I can’t live that way oh, oh

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
drench yourself in words unspoken
live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
the rest still unwritten

(Gospel)
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open *****
Today is where your book begins

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open *****
Today is where your book begins

The rest is still unwritten

The rest is still unwritten

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jloQ6xsx3bE

[by Syed Roman Ahsan - Dec. 25, 2009]

Dedicated to Truth-Seekers

On Birthday of two great men Jinnah & Jesus (pbuh)

Two men who carried a great cause

The truth lost its face,
The shepherds forgot to pace

Dark clouds stained the sky,
Honesty hid behind lies

The waves ruined the sand castles,
The soldiers laughed at the imprisoned mortals

The tears soaked the young man’s pillow,
While nobody cared for the weeping willow

The garden was left with little colour,
The fortress guards lacked any vigor

The pain was too overwhelming,
And the little girl needed some pampering

Gentlemen and ladies could nowhere be seen,
The curtain dropped without any clean scene

The island offered not any comfort,
The marching ants could not make any effort

Suddenly a voice was heard from the East,
Some hope revived against the spite of the ‘beast’

A silent man emerged from the barren valley,
Trying to balance on the horse of courage

Suffering has made him wise,
Pain has brought him respite

Gold and silver excite him not,
They are only a means to help the have-nots

This world is ever dangerous, he says,
Selfishness and pride rules the mind

Ego and hate decorate the winds,
The air sheds its innocence

Souls are hurting everywhere,
The beauty of woods is no more there,

The flowers have lost their smile,
What can you say about the Poor’s plight?

The difference lies in knowing the truth,
What is required, just some purpose from youth

The forces need to be gathered,
All strength needs to be mustered

Life does carry a greater meaning,
Justice needs to be prevailed

Minds need to be nurtured with knowledge,
The message has to be floated in a carriage

Evil has carried on too far,
Everything seems too bizarre

One should know the use of an arrow,
It’s very necessary to free the sparrow

Food has to be equally shared,
The villain must never be spared

Compassion needs to be upheld and flourished
Spirituality has to be nourished,

God loves everyone amongst us,
But who in the crowd loves him sleepless?

Have to challenge the tides of the night,
Should not get scared of the fleeing knight

People are not good in this world,
Friends & foes, all are without remorse

The winds seem a little too sharp,
The winter carries its own ache

The darkness needs the help of a candle,
We need not rely on the wings of the angel

With others or alone, I have to proceed
The task is never-ending, it is agreed

The journey begins right here,
Don’t panic, with strong faith nothing should be feared!!!

As I walked out one evening,
Walking down Bristol Street,
The crowds upon the pavement
Were fields of harvest wheat.

And down by the brimming river
I heard a lover sing
Under an arch of the railway:
‘Love has no ending.

‘I’ll love you, dear, I’ll love you
Till China and Africa meet,
And the river jumps over the mountain
And the salmon sing in the street,

‘I’ll love you till the ocean
Is folded and hung up to dry
And the seven stars go squawking
Like geese about the sky.

‘The years shall run like rabbits,
For in my arms I hold
The Flower of the Ages,
And the first love of the world.’

But all the clocks in the city
Began to whirr and chime:
‘O let not Time deceive you,
You cannot conquer Time.

‘In the burrows of the Nightmare
Where Justice naked is,
Time watches from the shadow
And coughs when you would kiss.

‘In headaches and in worry
Vaguely life leaks away,
And Time will have his fancy
To-morrow or to-day.

‘Into many a green valley
Drifts the appalling snow;
Time breaks the threaded dances
And the diver’s brilliant bow.

‘O plunge your hands in water,
Plunge them in up to the wrist;
Stare, stare in the basin
And wonder what you’ve missed.

‘The glacier knocks in the cupboard,
The desert sighs in the bed,
And the crack in the tea-cup opens
A lane to the land of the dead.

‘Where the beggars raffle the banknotes
And the Giant is enchanting to Jack,
And the Lily-white Boy is a Roarer,
And Jill goes down on her back.

‘O look, look in the mirror,
O look in your distress:
Life remains a blessing
Although you cannot bless.

‘O stand, stand at the window
As the tears scald and start;
You shall love your crooked neighbour
With your crooked heart.’

It was late, late in the evening,
The lovers they were gone;
The clocks had ceased their chiming,
And the deep river ran on

- Wystan High Auden

Care, affection, love are all small words easy to spell and pronounce. But are heavy in the meaning. They are life with in. Each word so heavy that it can out weigh the entire humanity.

Tonight at this hour, I feel sleepless, restless and find it hard to put my mind in peace. This migrane thats giving me company for past 2 days is not letting me in peace. I some how have started enjoying this pain, may be I am becoming saddest. More over I have perfected in the art of keeping a normal face and not letting anyone know, whats happening inside.

Talking of the world around, I see us becoming selfish, self centered and cruel. We deliberately hurt, give pain and become blind to see what we do to others. We demand selfishly, we seek our desires with cruel hearts and we never pay attention to what price others may be paying to keep us happy.

We expect, demand and want a lot for us. But when its our turn to give and share love we are miser. We live within families where we share our love with parents, siblings, spouse and friends. My question is does love dry by giving? Does it evaporates by sharing? Does it’s flow stops if we care for others?

No it doesn’t rather it come back multiplied as we let it bloom and flourish. We become victim of our selfish desire, fears and jealously and we start destroying the world around us. We hurt those we love. We give pain to our dear ones and we get jealous from those who infact at times live because of us.

We have changed so much. We donot believe in sharing and caring, although we proudly teach our kids. But we never practice it our selves. We prefer breaking the hearts than keeping our hearts open. Yet we expect happiness from Allah. How could we live happily without any guilt. How cheap we are? How brutal we have become? How stuborn our so called love is?

We hurt, we give pain and we break hearts and we never try to look at the other side of the picture. Where by wiping of tears, by supporting and loving others, by giving and sharing love, how much love and affection we might get back. Love never dries, if its tied with chains either it breaks the chains or break the one tied up.

We want everything for us, as we want and as we see. We are becoming machines, machines that lack emotions, love, romance, affection and joy of life. We breathe, walk and live. We have a life thats empty. We have smiles on our faces which are empty, we have eyes without passion and dreams. We cry over our situations but we never bother to realise what made it happen.

Questions, questions and questions. No answers as answers cannot undo whats done, the eyes that once laughed have tears, the laughters once roared are silent, the loved once shared in missing. We are materialist society, where we use humans as commodity. We are keen, lean and mean. We cannot blame anyone for what life we have, as we never tried to improve anyones when it comes to us to make a difference.

I feel bad, hurt and sorry for what is happening around. I want to live my life full of love, but if I am turned into a machine, will I have a life? Why we can’t live in harmony and peace together? Why do we have fears? Why this number game? Why this jealousy and hatered? As all these attributes only bring back dryness. But……….. Again as I said we are selfish, self centered and cruel and with our narrow approach we not only kill others, we close ours doors aswell to love.

Well choose to live by sharing love and in return get multiplied return or be selfish, self centered and narrow and close the doors that bring love to you.

In the end I would ask ‘My Lord’ help me to protect the ones I care and love and give me strength to share my love. As thats what you expect us to do.Ameen

Once long ago, my grand father, who was a very soft, kind hearted and sweet person. Advised me and asked me to remember one thing. ‘what ever you do in life, remember one thing, never hurt any one. Do not be a source of pain and discomfort for a living soul’

I still remember his kind voice and his words. I kept them close to my heart and tried all these years to be helpful and kind to everyone.

I firmly believe that ‘words and tone’ one uses can either make a relation or break a bond. I always try to be a source of comfort for atleast those who are near and dear.

If I look back, I can see myself being used, absued and targetted many times by friends and family. But I am happy even if I was a reason of discomfort, I changed or adjusted myself to the situation. I donot want to end and depart with a heavy heart.

But…….. now it seems a dream far fetched. I have a burden and I am a reason of pain for my dear ones. I am stuck in between, where I am the reason of discomfort. The guilt, shame and its pain uninvitedly haunts me. Kills me with in. I believe Allah always has some secrets and He always has a master plan. But I wonder if in that master plan I will end up with guilt or He will bring back me, my honor and dignity.

Despite all the negativities, darkness, pain, loss of hopes and discomforts. I have always entrusted in His Kindness and his Powers.

I am forgetting how to laugh, my laughters and smiles are empty (I know it), my discomforts and uneasiness is within, I shed my tears secretly, I look at the skies for a ray of light and blessings un noticed. I am trying to keep my soul alive, which is drying and dying gradually. I am fine and I am good is the mask I have mastered on my face.

But am I fine???? With the guilt I have? I never wanted to hurt, I never wanted …….. this…….

I cannot forget and I cannot forgive myself.

All I can say is O’Lord help me. I am not sorry as sorry cannot undo whats done. Yes one thing for sure, I will not forgive myself and will keep on reminding myself so that I live in pain, shame and discomfort.