Shahzad Chaudhry Going by the response from Indian interlocutors at various forums, there certainly is some level of disconcert amongst the Indians as they exhibit a sense of bewildered amazement on hearing the general General Deepak Kapoor, the Indian army chief, is an interesting fellow. Most Indian chiefs of the army are usually professional soldiers, undoubtedly of a very high quality amongst their peers and given to playing their professional role with equanimity, confidence and quiet as per tradition of the Indian military chiefs. General Deepak Kapoor is different. He is very much a Pakistani general — given the fact … Continue reading General Kapoor’s egotistical musings

By Ahmad Faruqui Monday, 04 Jan, 2010 Jinnah thought poorly of pan-Islamism, calling it an exploded bogey. — Photo by AP Jinnah remains shrouded in mystery, hagiographed in Pakistan and demonised in India. Born just 19 years after the end of the Mughal Empire in 1857, he studied law in Britain. Within a few years of returning to India, he had emerged as one of its most successful barristers. But politics was to be his true calling. With his entirely secular upbringing and thoroughly British outlook on life, it was no surprise that he soon became, in Gopal Krishna Gokhale’s … Continue reading Rediscovering Jinnah and Dumping the Mullah

Monday, 04 Jan, 2010 This picture taken on December 4, 2009, shows Pakistani acid attack survivor Naziran Bibi (L) learning to walk down the stairs with a stick at the Pakistan Foundation Fighting Blindness in Rawalpindi on the outskirts of Islamabad. — AFP ISLAMABAD: Naziran Bibi knows exactly what she would consider apt justice for the person who hurled acid in her face, burnt out her eyes, disfigured her beyond recognition and destroyed her life. An eye for an eye, she tells AFP, her rage palatable in her small rooms at a charity’s office in Pakistan’s capital, her children scrambling … Continue reading Pakistan’s acid attack victims pin hope on new laws

Monday, 04 Jan, 2010 How are we to interpret a recent statement by the Indian army chief General Deepak Kapoor that his country can take on both Pakistan and China simultaneously? –Photo by Reuters Pakistan Pakistan has often been ruled by generals and it is no secret that our armed forces wield considerable influence over civilian administrations as well. Nowhere is the military’s say greater than in the sphere of foreign policy vis-à-vis hostile neighbours or ostensible allies that sometimes try to dictate terms to Islamabad. But India’s history is different, and it has made much over the years of … Continue reading A time for peace?

A fading symbol By Zeresh John Monday, 04 Jan, 2010 The visibility of the cross in Pakistan is now restricted to architectural elements of churches, including the prominent monument at Karachi’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral. – White Star The cross is the most widely recognised religious symbol of Christianity. Down the years, the emblem has faded from the public eye, rarely seen in the humdrum of everyday life in Pakistan. Born and raised a devout Protestant Christian and a part of the country’s largest religious minority, the increasing invisibility of the cross, despite its ascent about two decades ago, seems unsettling … Continue reading A fading symbol

Scientists say dolphins should be treated as ‘non-human persons’ // // // // // <!– Remove following to not show photographer information –> <!– Remove following to not show image description –> Dolphins have long been recognised as among the most intelligent of animals but many researchers had placed them below chimps <!– Remove following to not show enlarge option –> // Jonathan Leake <!– –> Dolphins have been declared the world’s second most intelligent creatures after humans, with scientists suggesting they are so bright that they should be treated as “non-human persons”. Studies into dolphin behaviour have highlighted how … Continue reading Dolphins are Sea Humans?

In the next decade, I hope global capitalism will end I’d like to see a new international politics, where humanitarian concerns take precedence over greed and self-interest Cath Elliott guardian.co.uk, Saturday 2 January 2010 10.00 GMT I don’t mean to sound like some wise old sage, because let’s face it, I’m not one; but if there’s one thing life has taught me, it’s that there’s truth in the adage that the older you get the faster time seems to pass. To a child, 10 years sounds like a lifetime away: but when you get to my age, you know those … Continue reading Will global greed end in this decade?

In the next decade, I hope for a spirit of ‘sharism’ Through sharing, and the use of technology, those who believe in a top-down approach will eventually lose their power Isaac Mao guardian.co.uk, Sunday 3 January 2010 12.00 GMT Feng Zhenghu, a Chinese scholar and human rights activist, has been stuck at Narita Airport in Tokyo since 4 November, unable to shower and dependent on airport staff and travellers for food. Amazingly, he seems to be becoming more optimistic about his situation. With a Twitter account and a mobile phone, he has set up a global network to support his … Continue reading Thanks to greed! This will be the decade of sharing…. 🙂

A patchwork of personality We are all imperfectly human. So how can centralised structures be imposed so rigidly on us? Peter Preston guardian.co.uk, Sunday 3 January 2010 20.00 GMT Inevitably, our justice secretary has got it in the neck from all and unionised sundry for his mild new year observation that “some police officers, whatever they say, quite enjoy being in a police station in the warm” – and therefore taking four toasted hours or so to fill out a few report forms that, for chaps in the force next door, might take an hour of their time. Cue a spectrum … Continue reading We are all imperfectly human. So how can centralised structures be imposed so rigidly on us?