Subscribe
Archive for the ‘Journalism’ Category
Egyptian Blogger Sentenced
Blogosphere faces another question - is it “free” enough?
An Egyptian court has sentenced a blogger to four years’ prison for …. read here for more
Admittedly, Soliman was a little harsh in his verdicts on Al-Azhar and the President, but then neither are Divine and infalliable.
“Seeds of peace on cricket field”
Â
Saw this insightful piece by a Pakistani researcher in the Baltimore Sun.
Lies, Half Truths and Deceit
There is talk of war again. There is a familiar web of lies, half-truths and deceit. As if the smouldering cities and dying civilians in Iraq were not enough to quench the blood-thirst, the global war machine now wants another victim. Full entry here >>
“Globalization in the Time of Poverty”
This is how a picture has been captioned by Mayank Soofi, a talented writer in Delhi.
Mayank’s photo-blog contains some interesting images. The photo below, taken recently in Delhi, highlights the contrast between the symbols of consumerist globalization and the have-nots..
 I also found a related post with an apt title: Malls, Multiplexes and McDonald’s - The New Communist World Order.
This is a challenge of our times. How do we reconcile the world of statistics with poverty and inequality as a real human condition. Â
A friend also emailed me this piece arguing the need for putting aside “pride” about a growing economy and focusing on “the lives of average citizens”. I am not making a political statement given the “otherness” that comes with my citizenship of India’s much loved-hate[d] neighbour. I am more intrigued by the image and the tale it spins. If Scheherzade were alive, she could easily use digital images to save her life!
Again, thanks to Mayank, I also saw this photo with his thoughtful comment.
“ Morning rush hour in a busy east Delhi intersection. … Commuters in confusion. A man, covered with a sheet, lying on the pavement. Sleeping? Dead? Who knows, who cares! ”
A single picture can tell a thousand stories.
This moved me to tears - Suspect Paki’s anguish
The last time I cross-posted a piece from Suspect Paki, it was about the ‘political’ and the alienation of British Muslims. However, this time I was moved by the sheer pain of Shahid’s personal anguish not to mention his illness. His post is direct, lyrical and very touching.
I wish him a speedy recovery..My prayers are with him.
Amazing how we don’t know some people and still care for them.
Shahid at 41.
No place like home: inventive [homesick] Pakistanis
The popularity of Internet as a medium and the personal space it provides to the diaspora is evident from the growing number of Urdu related websites outside Pakistan.
I receive regular emails introducing new online sources of news and views related to Pakistan, Urdu and Islam. I am listing a few below.
First, is the Iqbal Academy based in Europe. That Iqbal is being seriously debated or even considered relevant and that too abroad is quite encouraging.
The website states:
Iqbal Study Group was formed by young Muslim students of various universities in Copenhagen. They sought our patronage, to which we agreed. Since then we have been helping them to know Iqbal as much as possible and attending their each and every session. During the month of November 2005 two historic events were organized by us, in which The Director Iqbal Academy Pakistan personally participated. His report in Urdu published in Pakistan and Denmark.
Iqbal Academy Scandinavia was formed in 2002 and formally inaugurated on 30th, August, 2003.
There is another news-site Inqelaab, that is based in Italy. Inqelaab brings together news from Pakistan as well as Europe (on Pakistanis there).
And news from the Gujrat district in the centre of Punjab province are carried by Gujratlink. Given that most of the Pakistanis in Norway are from a particular sub-district of Gujrat, this is not surprising. There is surely a readership, I suspect a thriving one.
Mr Chohan from Greece publishes a news-site called the Ujala. This site covers news from Pakistan, local (Greece-related) events relevant for Pakistanis and also reports from the diaspora in Austria.
Finally the London based Al-Qamar, edited by a well known writer Safdar Hamdani. On this site, Safdar Hamdani writes a column on various issues and I trust has a wide readership on the Internet.
Not bad…
P.S. Totally unrelated, but the readers might like to visit this link to a Lucknow based Urdu e-newspaper called Lashkar. This information appeared on the same email list…..
No place like home: inventive [homesick] Pakistanis
The popularity of Internet as a medium and the personal space it provides to the diaspora is evident from the growing number of Urdu related websites outside Pakistan.
I receive regular emails introducing new online sources of news and views related to Pakistan, Urdu and Islam. I am listing a few below.
First, is the Iqbal Academy based in Europe. That Iqbal is being seriously debated or even considered relevant and that too abroad is quite encouraging.
The website states:
Iqbal Study Group was formed by young Muslim students of various universities in Copenhagen. They sought our patronage, to which we agreed. Since then we have been helping them to know Iqbal as much as possible and attending their each and every session. During the month of November 2005 two historic events were organized by us, in which The Director Iqbal Academy Pakistan personally participated. His report in Urdu published in Pakistan and Denmark.
Iqbal Academy Scandinavia was formed in 2002 and formally inaugurated on 30th, August, 2003.
There is another news-site Inqelaab, that is based in Italy. Inqelaab brings together news from Pakistan as well as Europe (on Pakistanis there).
And news from the Gujrat district in the centre of Punjab province are carried by Gujratlink. Given that most of the Pakistanis in Norway are from a particular sub-district of Gujrat, this is not surprising. There is surely a readership, I suspect a thriving one.
Mr Chohan from Greece publishes a news-site called the Ujala. This site covers news from Pakistan, local (Greece-related) events relevant for Pakistanis and also reports from the diaspora in Austria.
Finally the London based Al-Qamar, edited by a well known writer Safdar Hamdani. On this site, Safdar Hamdani writes a column on various issues and I trust has a wide readership on the Internet.
Not bad…
P.S. Totally unrelated, but the readers might like to visit this link to a Lucknow based Urdu e-newspaper called Lashkar. This information appeared on the same email list…..
Indian Muslims - “A Story of Betrayal”
Sachar Committee Findings: A Story of Betrayal
by Sadia Dehlvi
The findings of the Sachar committee report on the status of Indian Muslims are being termed  as explosive and shocking. They come as no surprise to me or anyone else who is in touch with Indian realities and  have been troubled about the condition of Indian Muslims. These  facts have been staring at us all these years but the country has chosen to ignore them. However, the committee’s findings has awakened the nation’s conscience to the marginalization and plight of the Muslim community.
A major objective achieved by the report is that  it demolishes the minority appeasement theory forever. Be it the Congress, Left or any other political party, the truth is that their secular rhetoric has not translated into economic realities for the Muslim community. The Muslims have been the victim of vote bank politics and the genuine will to improve their lot has been lacking. The figures in the reports tell a very sad story of victimisation, neglect and discrimination. The story was not the  same  at the time of partition and we must accept that something has drastically gone wrong in free India. It is a betrayal to those Muslims who chose to remain in India and had faith in the secular ideals enshrined in our constitution. Â
We must acknowledge religious discrimination just as we should  acknowledge caste oppression in Modern India for only then can we seek remedial measures. I firmly believe that reservation has the potential to bring about a new face of India .The great Indian dream cannot lie in a handful of IIMs, some glitzy malls and multiplexes but in giving the children of those who toiled to make those structures a chance to change their lives and the lives of those around them. Whatever caste or religion they belong to, the underprivileged  have every right to claim a stake in education, governance and employment.  The nation needs its privileged  citizens to make some sacrifices and  take the higher moral ground. India’s tale of freedom is laden with sacrifice and the youth need to be cautioned against the I, me and myself syndrome which is a morally bankrupt Western doctrine.   Â
Â
Sadly, battle lines on the basis of caste are already drawn and we can only hope the debate on reservations for Muslims does not turn communal. It is therefore necessary to emphasise  that the Muslims are not asking for reservations on the  basis of religion but to be measured on the same scale as the other backward classes in the country. The demand for reservations is hardly a matter of pride for the Muslim community but a humiliating admission of backwardness stemming from helplessness.
A percentage reserved for Muslims within the OBC quota could vary from region to region according to the percentage of Muslim population and according to the level of their backwardness. We need to broaden the concept of reservation beyond caste and have an economic classification. Some states like Kerala, Karnatka and Tamil Nadu have reserved jobs for Muslims resulting in a qualitative difference between the north Indian and south Indian Muslim. In Kerala the Muslims constitute 22 of the population and there are 12% jobs reserved for them. These jobs are available to families earning less than two and a half lac rupees annually. In Karnataka the Muslims are able to avail of 8% of jobs from three different categories including general, community and profession.
Reservation is just one corrective measure but if the issue is used to play divisive politics, it will result in a communal backlash which will hurt and further alienate an already bruised community.Â
A specific multi layered program upliftment program is what the Muslims need. Primary education must be made available in Muslim ghettos, coaching classes for Muslim graduates to enable them to take part in the competitive exams for government employment is another necessity. A large number of India’s artisans are Muslim and they need help in creating contemporary  designs  with their craft which can cater to the high end market since the low end market has been taken by China rendering thousands jobless. Vocational training workshops will help the uneducated youth to get employment. Muslim entrepreneurs should be able to avail of small loans with ease. Corporate India should be sensitized to the minority’s  problems and could help in the form of scholarships and employment. The private sector could be given some incentives to encourage providing jobs for Muslims not necessarily in managerial positions, but as drivers, guards, peons and at other such positions.
The singular place where Muslims are over represented and constitute nearly 35% of inmates are the jails. It is an indicator of the Muslim reality and is a direct result of poverty, illiteracy and social depravation. The problem is serious and leaves no space for political games. A vision  coupled with the courage and will to act is what is required for damage control. If urgent affirmative action is not taken  the situation can only get worse. Gandhiji held that a nation be judged by the way it treats its minorities. If the Muslims are unable to join hands with their other Indian brethren in Indias glorious march to progress, History will read it as the failure of the Indian secular state.
The writer can be contacted at sadia@vsnl.com
Indian Muslims - “A Story of Betrayal”
Sachar Committee Findings: A Story of Betrayal
by Sadia Dehlvi
The findings of the Sachar committee report on the status of Indian Muslims are being termed  as explosive and shocking. They come as no surprise to me or anyone else who is in touch with Indian realities and  have been troubled about the condition of Indian Muslims. These  facts have been staring at us all these years but the country has chosen to ignore them. However, the committee’s findings has awakened the nation’s conscience to the marginalization and plight of the Muslim community.
A major objective achieved by the report is that  it demolishes the minority appeasement theory forever. Be it the Congress, Left or any other political party, the truth is that their secular rhetoric has not translated into economic realities for the Muslim community. The Muslims have been the victim of vote bank politics and the genuine will to improve their lot has been lacking. The figures in the reports tell a very sad story of victimisation, neglect and discrimination. The story was not the  same  at the time of partition and we must accept that something has drastically gone wrong in free India. It is a betrayal to those Muslims who chose to remain in India and had faith in the secular ideals enshrined in our constitution. Â
We must acknowledge religious discrimination just as we should  acknowledge caste oppression in Modern India for only then can we seek remedial measures. I firmly believe that reservation has the potential to bring about a new face of India .The great Indian dream cannot lie in a handful of IIMs, some glitzy malls and multiplexes but in giving the children of those who toiled to make those structures a chance to change their lives and the lives of those around them. Whatever caste or religion they belong to, the underprivileged  have every right to claim a stake in education, governance and employment.  The nation needs its privileged  citizens to make some sacrifices and  take the higher moral ground. India’s tale of freedom is laden with sacrifice and the youth need to be cautioned against the I, me and myself syndrome which is a morally bankrupt Western doctrine.   Â
Â
Sadly, battle lines on the basis of caste are already drawn and we can only hope the debate on reservations for Muslims does not turn communal. It is therefore necessary to emphasise  that the Muslims are not asking for reservations on the  basis of religion but to be measured on the same scale as the other backward classes in the country. The demand for reservations is hardly a matter of pride for the Muslim community but a humiliating admission of backwardness stemming from helplessness.
A percentage reserved for Muslims within the OBC quota could vary from region to region according to the percentage of Muslim population and according to the level of their backwardness. We need to broaden the concept of reservation beyond caste and have an economic classification. Some states like Kerala, Karnatka and Tamil Nadu have reserved jobs for Muslims resulting in a qualitative difference between the north Indian and south Indian Muslim. In Kerala the Muslims constitute 22 of the population and there are 12% jobs reserved for them. These jobs are available to families earning less than two and a half lac rupees annually. In Karnataka the Muslims are able to avail of 8% of jobs from three different categories including general, community and profession.
Reservation is just one corrective measure but if the issue is used to play divisive politics, it will result in a communal backlash which will hurt and further alienate an already bruised community.Â
A specific multi layered program upliftment program is what the Muslims need. Primary education must be made available in Muslim ghettos, coaching classes for Muslim graduates to enable them to take part in the competitive exams for government employment is another necessity. A large number of India’s artisans are Muslim and they need help in creating contemporary  designs  with their craft which can cater to the high end market since the low end market has been taken by China rendering thousands jobless. Vocational training workshops will help the uneducated youth to get employment. Muslim entrepreneurs should be able to avail of small loans with ease. Corporate India should be sensitized to the minority’s  problems and could help in the form of scholarships and employment. The private sector could be given some incentives to encourage providing jobs for Muslims not necessarily in managerial positions, but as drivers, guards, peons and at other such positions.
The singular place where Muslims are over represented and constitute nearly 35% of inmates are the jails. It is an indicator of the Muslim reality and is a direct result of poverty, illiteracy and social depravation. The problem is serious and leaves no space for political games. A vision  coupled with the courage and will to act is what is required for damage control. If urgent affirmative action is not taken  the situation can only get worse. Gandhiji held that a nation be judged by the way it treats its minorities. If the Muslims are unable to join hands with their other Indian brethren in Indias glorious march to progress, History will read it as the failure of the Indian secular state.
The writer can be contacted at sadia@vsnl.com