Labor Day Rally Demands Living Wage for Workers in Pakistan

Human Rights

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May 1, 2024

Labor Day Rally Demands Living Wage for Workers in Pakistan

The policies of global lenders, especially the IMF, have made the lives of the masses a living hell.

Karachi, Sindh

Participants of a huge Labor Day rally here on Wednesday rejected the policies of government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) terming them anti-worker in their core essence, and demanded that the workers should be given a living wage instead of the minimum wage.

On the occasion of 138th anniversary of the Labor Day, National Trade Union Federation (NTUF) and Home Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF) staged a joint ‘Mehnatkash Rally’ that marched from Regal Chowk to the Karachi Press Club. A large number of workers including women, transgender and children carrying red flags and banners attended the rally, led by HBWWF leader Comrade Zehra Khan and NTUF leader Comrade Gul Rehman.

To express solidarity with the Palestinians, they also waved the Palestine flags. They also expressed solidarity with the protesting students of the US universities.

Addressing the rally, labor leaders said that the basic motive of the First May movement was to get determined working hours, raise in wages and realization of the right of making labor unions. They said that though 138 years have already passed to this great resistance movement but billions of workers in the world are still struggling for their basic rights. The working class has always took an active part in movements against the military governments but the so-called democratic governments have always failed to give them their legal due rights, they said.

They said today in Pakistan less than one percent of the eight and half Crore workforce is availing the right of making trade unions, while in the private sector the ratio of trade unions is only half of it. They said 62 percent of our labor force belongs to services and industrial sector, producing 84 percent of total national production or about 285 billion dollars. Of these workers, 95 percent don’t have even their appointment letters. Further, 90 percent of them have to work from 12 to 16 hours a day. Despite the order of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, illegal contract system fully works in our country. There are no facilities of social security and pension for these workers.

The trade union leaders said the policies of global lenders, especially the IMF, have made the lives of the masses a living hell. They face price hikes, inflation, joblessness and diseases. The electricity, gas, water, medicines and eatables have gone beyond the reach of the masses. Healthcare, education and services are commercialized. The assets of the state owned entities are being sold for peanuts in the name of privatization.

Expressing solidarity with the American students, they termed their movement a new decisive development of the international movement in support of the people of Palestine. They said the workers of Pakistan stand shoulder by shoulder with the oppressed people of Palestine. They said in Pakistan wages are too low as compared with inflation. They demanded that instead of the minimum wage, the workers should be given a living wage. She said our government instead of giving protection to workers is bent to render them jobless in the name of privatization. They said 178 entities have been privatized for 6 billion dollars and the majority of them are closed.

They further said that the labor rights are also human rights. The person who doesn’t support the labor rights could not be termed as a human rights worker. The workers in Pakistan are the most oppressed people. He stressed unity among the workers to wage a decisive struggle for their rights, they said.

The rally demand that: Minimum wage should be fixed at Rs50000 per month. Instead of the minimum wage, the workers should be given a living wage. All workers including home-based workers should be registered with the social security institutions. Wrkplaces should be made free from harassment. Labor laws should be implemented in factories and workplaces. Wages should be paid through bank accounts. The right to form trade unions should be given to workers. Contract labor system should be banned, making it a crime. Every citizen should be given healthcare, education, and housing facilities. A proper public transport system should be established. The privatization process should be stopped. All non-productive expenses should be slashed by half. Agricultural reforms should be introduced in the country. All idle lands should be distributed among the Hari families free of cost. Workers should be given the right of trade unions and CBAs. All workers should be given appointment letters. Forced disappearances should be ended and the missing people should be recovered. All anti-environment projects should be stopped. Actions should be taken to combat the dangers of climate change. ILO should share the secret agreement made with the insurance company without consulting with the Victims’ representative. State subsidies should be restored on Food, medicine, and transport.

NTUF central general secretary Nasir Mansoor, Labor leader Muhammad Rafique Baloch, Comrade Zehra Khan general secretary of HBWWF, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan vice chairman Qazi Khizr, and others addressed the rally.

Riaz Abbasi and Gul Rehman (NTUF), Anny Yaqoob, Perveen Bano (HBWWF), Saira Feroze, Ruqia Muhammad Hanif (United HB Garments Workers Union), Saeed Baloch and Fatima Majeed (Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum), Aqib Hussain and Bilawal (youth organization Alternate), Comrade Ramzan Memon and Shahina Ramzan (National Awami Party) Muhammad Siddique and Husina Khatoon (Baldia Factory Fire Affectees Association), Iqbal Abro and Himat Phulpoto (Textile General Workers Union), Dr Asghar Ali Dashti (FUUAST), Khaliq Zadran (Awami Huqooq), Wahid Baloch (Intellectual), Bakht Zameen (SITE Labour Forum) Israr Sawati (Kohi Noor Soap), Azam Kakar (Pakistan Paper union) and others were also present.

Read: May Day rallyists accuse the govt. of safeguarding elites’ interests

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United States purchased fighter jets from Kazakhstan for Ukraine

World News

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May 1, 2024

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United States purchased fighter jets from Kazakhstan for Ukraine

Kazakhstan however denies that the United States has bought Soviet aircraft from Kazakhstan, which they can transfer to Ukraine.

Astana

The United States bought dozens of Soviet aircraft from Kazakhstan, which they can transfer to Ukraine, the Ukrainian publication Kyiv Post reported.

However, Kazakhstan denies such a deal.

According to the publication, in October Kazakhstan put up 117 old Soviet-era combat aircraft for sale at auction, and now it has become known that the United States bought 81 of them through offshore intermediaries.

We are talking about MiG-31 interceptors, MiG-27 fighter-bombers, MiG-29 fighters and Su-24 bombers produced in the 1970s and 1980s.

Kazakhstan denies that the US bought the planes.

“Tenders for the sale of aviation equipment were held only for Kazakh companies with the appropriate license with the condition of mandatory liquidation. Foreign companies were prohibited from participating,” Kazspecexport said.

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Courtesy: Central Asian Light (Posted on April 29, 2024)

Maharaja Dahir – Resurgence of Sindh – Part-XIV

Books & Authors

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May 1, 2024

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Maharaja Dahir – Resurgence of Sindh – Part-XIV

The English translation of a novel ‘Maharaja Dahir’ authored by Kolkata-based renowned novelist Debasree Chakraborti in Bengali language. The novel has been translated by Rajesh Giri

Makran, Baghdad, Nerun, Debal

Year 712

This nature is divided into two channels between the light of the flambeau and the darkness of the night, at this time there is a weird chilling sensation in the air of Makran. That frigidity touches Hajjaj‘s soul with a chilling sense of apprehension. After a sleepless night, the mind is full of sadness at this time. Meanwhile, it is time for Fajr prayer, there is an invisible power in the prayer at the time of beginning of the day, through which one can establish a direct connection with Allah. The place of ablution is near the camp, he goes there to perform ablution and tried to connect with Allah.

The touch of the cold water continued to make a strong impression on his mind. Then he sat down to pray of Fajr. At the same time prayers were also started in the newly built mosques around. Hajjaj felt that there was a power in their combined prayers, which Allah could not disregard. He continued to pray fervently for the conquest of Sindh. Conquest over Hindustan is possible if and only if conquering Sindhu does happen, if the infidel idolaters of Hindustan can be brought under the umbrella of Allah, Allah’s purpose of sending them to this world will be successful.

He had just finished his prayer and opened his eyes when he saw a shadow on the curtain of the entrance of the tent. He is staring in that direction, it seems to receive a good news waiting for him on the other side of the curtain. At that time the watchman came and informed him of the messenger’s arrival. Hajjaj raised both of his hands and looked at the sky and said, “O my Lord. Give strength to me and my parents to express the gratitude for the blessings you have bestowed upon me. And may I do the good deeds that please you and that I may be yours righteous servants by your grace.”

Hajjaj stares at the entrance, supplicating to Allah, a very important moment in his life. There is only a curtain between the present and the future, which when removed reveals the stage of the future play before him. From here a new direction in the history of Islam will be determined. The torch is burning on by the wall of the room, the entrance to this room looks very dark in the light-dark environment of the torch, and from there the marching of shoes is slowly approaching towards this room. Hajjaj keeps gazing at the approach, the sound of roaring Makran Sea seems as if a terrible vortex has appeared in the womb of time, resulting in the beginning of a new era on earth. The oscillation of waves of the sea and his heartbeat are synonymous today. Finally the messenger came and entered the room. He has arrived dressed in black, his face covered with a black cloth, so he could not read his body language, the messenger greeted him and began to read Dahir’s message. Hearing this message, Hajjaj’s face became bloody, his eyes started to glow, he was eagerly waiting for such an opportunity. That day, sitting in the light-dark environment of Makran, he started writing letter to the Khalifa. He wrote a letter to the Caliph, ‘that King Dahir of Sindh has imprisoned and been torturing the followers of Allah, if Sindh is not attacked at this moment, it is an insult to Islam. Our only duty is to save the followers of Allah. Waiting for your permission.’

All the surrounding Muslim rulers, including Iraq, Syria, started helping the Caliph with troops, arms and resources. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers were dragged into this vortex and drove themselves on their horses towards the Sindh.

Then the torrent of anticipation continued to flow through the mystical drift of time. In which the sound of the Azan, the desert wind and the sound of the sea waves composed an ambient music. The coldness of the inner and outer dimensions of Hajjaj seemed to condensed into death. He felt like he was the dead body of a long-desired dream. Yet the Caliph’s envoy is nowhere to be seen.

Then one day before Fajr prayer again a shadow appeared on the curtain of his tent camp. A thousand sea waves came and jumped inside Hajjaj. The curtain was removed and the messenger arrived. The Caliph replied that at the moment the armies of Islam were all engaged in the crusade in Egypt, and that it would be a very expensive and risky undertaking to send army troops into the remoteness and adverse conditions of Sindh. So he has no intention of conquering Sindh.

Now the wheel of time started spinning very fast. Hajjaj realized that it was not possible to convince the Caliph in such simple terms, so he wrote in the letter, ‘Islam Khatre Mai Hai.'(Islam is in danger)!

This message of Hajjaj channelized the flow of time towards its destined future like flash floods. When Islam is in danger, if the Caliph sits idly by, the consequences will be dire. He will have nothing left to justify himself to the entire world of Islam. Caliph declared a vengeful war against Sindhu Naresh Dahir, which created a whirlwind in the bosom of Baghdad. All the surrounding Muslim rulers, including Iraq, Syria, started helping the Caliph with troops, arms and resources. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers were dragged into this vortex and drove themselves on their horses towards the Sindh. The dust of the desert darkened all around. People became terrified by watching this scene till the horizon. They left their houses and started to run away but these desert monsters devoured them in no time.

Hajjaj, however, did not wait for the Caliph’s troops. Before their arrival, he sent General Bazil to Sindh. (Continues)

Click here for Part-I , Part-II, Part-III , Part-IV , Part-V , Part-VI , Part-VII, Part-VIII , Part-IX , Part-X, Part-XI, Part-XII, Part-XIII

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Debasree Chakraborti is a renowned novel writer of Bengali language. Based in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, she has done Master’s in Modern History from the Kolkata University, and authored some thirty books, mostly the novels, with historical perspective and themes. Her most recent novel is ‘Maharaja Dahir’ that covers the history of Sindh from 662, the year of first attack on Sindh by the Arab armies till date.

Rajesh Giri, born in Kolkata, had his early schooling from Kolkata and then from Medinipur—a village in Bengal. He graduated from Calcutta University with Physics and Maths and Master’s from Burdwan University in 2016. Now he is associated with Adhdhyaan educational institution teaching Physics. History enthusiastic Rajesh Giri is particularly interested in the ancient civilization of India and other regions like Egypt, Mesopotamia, and North America. He loves traveling.

Defining the Poetry

Literature

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April 30, 2024

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The poetry cannot be defined, because definition means putting something in a cage, a prison. Poetry is not a bird which can be encaged. Words are prisons and we carry them like booby-traps.

Dr. Jernail S. Anand

You may define ‘what is lava’, the molten hot fuming stuff that bolts out of the mountains but can you determine in what shape it will spill out? Yes, after it erupts, then, you can put it in different containers, say, a glass, a jug, a bucket. But, these shapes which you determine, are not ‘lava’. Lava is the original form of the molten matter which splits the layers of mountains and flows out at will.

Are we defining poetry? It appears, but I am skeptic about calling it a definition of poetry, which, in its pristine and original form, is a hot liquid flowing from the inside of a poet, like the Ganges from the hair of Shiva.

And it is in its purest form. Only fire. Unconcerned. Uncontaminated. And its purpose is neither to give light, nor to destroy. It is the will of gods, the liquid which serves godly purposes. They determine from where it will bolt forth, to which direction it will flow and whether it will destroy something or create.

The tall claims that poetry is a spontaneous overflow of powerful feeling approximate the creation of poetry, the conditions under which poetry is created, and here too, the word ‘spontaneous’ underlines the fact that it is not in the conscious domain. Nobody can force a poem out of the ribs of a poet.

Personally, I think poetry cannot be defined. Because definition means putting something in a cage, a prison. Poetry is not a bird which can be encaged. Words are prisons and we carry them like booby-traps. Every thought we think can be trapped. But in case of emotions and feelings, all these traps may fail to pin them down. Poetry is a fleeting moment, a flying emotion, which can be described [no captured] with the help of images, it is a state of mind which can be transferred with the help of metaphors. It cannot be captured. It cannot be zeroed in. It cannot be deciphered.

If the poetry is powerful enough, it can start flowing like rain from the catchment areas among the hills, and turn into a rivulet

What William Wordsworth felt or what T.S. Eliot said, I have no feud with them. They were the masters of the word and have all authority to say what they have said. Millions of students and lovers of literature have used their definitions of poetry in their discussions and write ups. But, it will be wrong to think that the essence of poetry has been imprisoned in their words. Nothing can be said about it. I have said what I have felt. While writing poetry, we never think of William Wordsworth, or Coleridge, or even T.S. Eliot. We simply write poetry. After writing it, when we go over it again, then we can find ‘here it is like Wordsworth’… Here, it is like Keats. Before writing poetry, such ‘following’ is simply out of question. Every poet thinks in his own unique way; sifts the matter in his own personal way; what he knows and what he does not know, these too are his personal domains. Poetry cannot be an art practiced by a few people, like music or art. I have serious problems when we go to the extent of thinking that poetry can be learnt as an art form. No. We can learn the appreciation of poetry. Millions of teachers in universities and colleges are engaged in this exalted profession. It is a profession, which is far lower a domain than passion for poetry. There are examples of teachers who for forty years teach the Paper of Poetry to their Postgraduate students, who earn first class and top the university charts, but these teachers have never penned down a poem themselves. It is all about the Passion and the Profession. The passion cannot be taught, or learnt. It is an original flow, and gods choose which mountain will burst, and when, and when the ‘lava’ will flow.

A few words, rhyming or non-rhyming, scripted on a paper and collected in a book – are not poetry. How poetry is conceived and created is a job not restricted to a pen or a paper. The impulse comes from behind, from the heart of the poet, from the mind, and makes the pen work, dropping words here and there, and these words, like seeds, keep lying on the paper, until they are picked up by an eager mind. Poetry has to be considered in three domains: Before it reaches the paper, the text, and after it is licked up from the paper by the reader. I have often talked about the cloud syndrome. An impulse sets a poet’s mind astir, and it brings into motion, all that the poet has read or heard with regard to that impulse. If it is powerful enough, it can start flowing like rain from the catchment areas among the hills, and turn into a rivulet. The text keeps lying and waiting on the paper. Its function is over only when it is read out causing a turmoil in the heart of the reader. This convulsive aspect of a poem is very important. Poetry afflicts the poet, forces him to write it down, and then, it is the reader in whose mind this ‘lava’ weaves its revolutionary patterns.

Read: EQUILIBRIUM AND BALANCE: A NEUROTIC SOCIETY

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Dr. Jernail Singh Anand, President of the International Academy of Ethics, is author of 161 books in English poetry, fiction, non-fiction, philosophy and spirituality. He was awarded Charter of Morava, the great Award by Serbian Writers Association, Belgrade and his name was engraved on the Poets’ Rock in Serbia. The Academy of Arts and philosophical Sciences of Bari [Italy] honored him with the award of an Honorable Academic. Recently, he was awarded Doctor of Philosophy [Honoris Causa] by the University of Engineering and Management, Jaipur. Recently, he organized an International Conference on Contemporary Ethics at Chandigarh. His most phenomenal book is Lustus: The Prince of Darkness [first epic of the Mahkaal Trilogy]. Email: anandjs55@yahoo.com

Link Bibliography:

https://atunispoetry.com/2023/12/08/indian-author-dr-jernail-s-anand-honoured-at-the-60th-belgrade-international-meeting-of-writers/

Meet an Artist and Poet Bardha Alimeta from Albania

Art

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April 30, 2024

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Meet an Artist and Poet Bardha Alimeta from Albania

Bardha Alimeta is a “different woman” in a country where everyone has the same opinions.

Angela Kosta

Bardha Alimeta was born and raised in the city of Librazhd, Albania, where she currently lives. Bardha is an Ambassador of Peace, painter of 5 oil and acrylic exhibitions with over 200 works.

Bardha is the President of the OJF (The Different Woman) in Librazhd, as well as the Head of the Sadi Halili Palace of Culture in Librazhd. Bardha Alimeta is the winner of several prestigious literary awards as well as the author of three books of poetry: “World That I Don’t Feel”, “My Soul Belongs to Me”, “Footprints on the Move” and author of two books of prose: “Bitter Nostalgia” and “The Red Butterflies.”

To be different, where everyone is the same, we notice as we talk to the artist Bardha Alimeta, who is willing not to reject us. From the beginning of the conversation she welcomes us and the smile doesn’t go away from her face. Speaking of this artist, you don’t know where to start, as the artist says. We’ll talk about this multi-size woman.

She writes and paints simultaneously and also runs the Palace of Culture “Sadi Halili” in The Lycea for two years. White talks passionately about everything. The work she is entrusted with is an early wish and she first-timed it. White comes from a simple bookshop family and never left her country. The art of it is breath. White “plays” with colors and words. She combines her art so beautifully that it makes her different from the others. In her paintings, the colors of the nostalgic soul of sad and loving soul appear. The same goes the magic of her lyrical verses. Prose short is also a magic of the Soul of White, which squeezes the thought to bring it focused and with clear messages to the reader. Love and pain are the main pillars where the simple but beautiful and varied art of the artist Bardha Alimeta is based. Besides her talent, she is a very positive and hardworking woman in her social life.

Bardha is a humanist, talented artist, poet, wife, and mother. If you ask about Bardha in her city, everyone talks about her with much respect and love for her, just as she really is, a “different woman” in a country where everyone has the same opinions.

Read: What should be the role of the artist and his identity in society?

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Angela Kosta is Academic, journalist, writer, poet, essayist, literary critic, editor, and translator, born in Albania and based in Italy

Observations of an Expat: War is Expensive

Analysis

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April 29, 2024

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Observations of an Expat: War is Expensive

The war is expensive. How much bang can the Ukrainians get for their American bucks? The Ukrainians were literally running out of bullets to hold back the Russian steamroller.

By Tom Arms

The $61 billion in in military aid that the US Congress voted for Ukraine this week is in the nick of time. The Ukrainians were literally running out of bullets to hold back the Russian steamroller.

But war is expensive. How much bang can the Ukrainians get for their American bucks?

Let’s start with the workhorse of the battlefield—the humble 155 mm artillery shell and the Howitzers that fire them. For the past few months a steady stream of shells from North Korean and Russian munitions factories has meant that the Russians have been lobbing five times as many shells into the Ukrainian frontline than the Ukrainians have into the Russian.

It has been working. The Russians have gradually pushed forward all the way along the 620-mile front and have captured the town of Aadvika. But the release of the American aid means that the Ukrainians can now start firing back at an anticipated rate of 8,000 shells a day.

Each basic 155mm shell costs $3,000. The all-singing, all dancing precision-guided variety can set you back as much as $130,000 a shell. The Anglo-American built howitzer that fires them costs $4 million.

Ukraine has been pressing for fighter aircraft because they can be used to defend against the increasing and crippling Russian attacks on the country’s infrastructure

The howitzers have a range of up to 20 miles, which puts them near the front and in harm’s way. The popular HIMARS (the acronym for America’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) is deadly accurate up to 186 miles. This means its mobile launcher (cost $20 million each) can be fired from relative safety. But make each shot count. The missiles cost $434,000 each.

NATO has been reluctant to provide F-16 fighter jets (price $50 million plus approximately $4 million for each air-launched cruise missile). But the Americans have given the Ukrainians thousands of Avevex Phoenix ghost drones at $60,000 a drone. These can be used for reconnaissance or to carry a high explosive on suicide missions.

Ukraine has been pressing for fighter aircraft because they can be used to defend against the increasing and crippling Russian attacks on the country’s infrastructure. But there are other means, including: the Patriot missile defense system and the shoulder-launched Stinger missiles.

The former is a complex and box-like missile system which can detect, track and destroy missiles, drones, and planes. It is a powerful air defense weapon and the price tag proves it– $1.09 billion for the unit and $4 million for each missile fired. Worldwide, there are 250 launchers in 18 countries, including Ukraine. The Patriot ground to air missile system has many billions of dollars for its American manufacturer Raytheon Missile and Defense.

The Patriot missiles have a range of 60 miles and are mounted on a specially-built lorry so that they can be constantly moved. They are therefore difficult for the enemy to locate and destroy. The shoulder-launched Stinger is an anti-aircraft ground to air battlefield weapon. It has a range of two to three miles and is effective against helicopters and attack drones.

The war in the skies is important, as are the naval battles in the Black Sea. But in the end wars are won by boots on the ground and leading the men wearing the boots are tanks. The Russians have on the one hand enjoyed a clear superiority in tank numbers, but they have also suffered severe losses. At the end of February, the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, estimated that Moscow had lost 8,800 tanks and armoured vehicles. Almost all of them were destroyed by shoulder-held Javelin anti-tank weapons. A Javelin launcher costs $200,000 and each missile is $400.

One of the main reasons that Moscow lost the Cold War was Mikhail Gorbachev’s failure to improve Soviet living standards while at the same time matching the US on defense spending

The Ukrainian tank force is much smaller and President Zelensky would love to obtain more American M1 tanks, German Leopard and British Challengers. The problem is that the NATO countries do not have a large stock of tanks, plus it takes time to build the tanks and they lag behind Moscow in their armaments industries. A tank will set you back roughly $20 million.

Putin has increased defence spending to 7.5 percent of GDP. The factories are turning out more than 1,500 tanks a year. Russia’s shell production is 5 million a year and another million are being provided by North Korea. In the past year, 520,000 new jobs have been created in the Russian defense industries and the armaments factories are operating 24 hours a day. 3.5 million Russians are currently employed in the death business and the Russian military-industrial complex is on the verge of overtaking the energy industry as Russia’s prime economic growth engine.

One of the main reasons that Moscow lost the Cold War was Mikhail Gorbachev’s failure to improve Soviet living standards while at the same time matching the US on defense spending. President Ronald Reagan exploited America’s greater economic resilience by increasing US defense spending from 4.94 percent in 1978 to 6.63 percent of GDP in 1986. But in 1980, the public was inured to increased defence spending by 30-odd Cold War years. Now we have had 30-odd years of peace dividend and the move from welfare to warfare state will be a difficult pill for democracies to swallow.

World Review

Here’s the problem facing the US Supreme Court: Should US presidents—in and out of office—have total or partial immunity from criminal prosecution for acts they committed while in the Oval Office?

Or does the failure to provide this blanket immunity expose past presidents to political vendettas by their successors or other political opponents?

Or would Donald Trump’s appeal for blanket immunity—in the words of Justice Elena Kagan—“turn the Oval Office into a sea of criminality.”

This week the Justices heard oral arguments from lawyers representing Trump on one side and Special Prosecutor Jack Smith on the other. The latter is attempting to bring the former president to trial for his role in the 6 January Capitol Hill riots.

The Justices will now go away and ponder the arguments and issue a decision several weeks from now. Court-watchers are split on what the decision is likely to be. Quite often one can determine the outcome from the questions the Justices ask. Not so, this time as the Justices are painfully aware of the impact of their decision on the actions of future presidents as well as those of Donald Jesus Trump.

Many observers think the Supreme Court will issue a split decision. This would please the Trump team as it would mean referral back to the lower courts and delay, delay, delay.

As the Justices ponder, they may consider the words of pamphleteer Thomas Paine, whose 1776 “Common Sense” had a major impact on the American War of Independence and the constitution which the Justices are sworn to protect. “Where,” wrote Paine, “is the King of America? In America the law is king. For as in absolute governments the King is law, so in free countries the law ought to be king; and there ought to be no other.”

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The British government has declared itself the final arbiter of reality. It has decreed that if it says that a country is safe then it is safe, regardless of whether it is or not.

Most everyone–except for the government of Rishi Sunak– agrees that Rwanda is not safe. Freedom House judges it as “not free”. Human Rights Watch says that protesting refugees have been fired on by Rwandan police. Others have simply disappeared. The Rwandan government is supporting the M23, a violent faction in the Democratic Republic of the Congo which has been accused of war crimes.

For all of these reasons—and others—the UK Supreme Court in November ruled that the Sunak’s plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda was “unlawful” because Rwanda is not a safe country.

So the government passed a bill which decreed that Rwanda is safe and the UK Supreme Court cannot say otherwise if the UK government say it is. A clear blow to the traditional independence of the British judiciary and its much vaunted respect for the rule of law.

Fortunately the legal story has not ended. The Rwanda Bill is expected to face more legal challenges. The first is based on Britain’s Refugee Act. The next one could be related to the International Refugee Convention which commits its signatories—of which Britain is one—to provide refuge to those in need.

There is also the Convention Against Torture which prohibits the return of any individuals (including refugees) to countries where there is a risk of torture or inhumane treatment. Finally, some human rights lawyers think that there are gaps in the recently passed Rwanda Bill.

In danger is not just human lives. The independence of Britain’s judiciary and the rule of law is also under threat. These have been at the core of the British political system for centuries. Britain, in fact, has been responsible for exporting these values around the world. That it is now undermining them is an ultimate sad irony.

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China is up in the see-saw politics of the tropical Indian Ocean paradise of the Maldives.

Normally the 500,000 residents of the low-lying archipelago of 1,192 sun-soaked coral-reef islands are more absorbed with mixing mai-tais for wealthy tourists. Or, if they want something to worry about, rising sea levels.

This week, however, their focus shifted to regional super power politics as the Maldivian electorate voted overwhelmingly to oust a vehemently pro-Indian government for a passionately pro-Chinese administration.

China and India have for decades competed for control and influence in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea. India because it is that country’s maritime backyard. China because it is an important link in the sea route that carries oil to China and its manufactured goods to Europe. The Maldives straddles both the equator and those sea lanes.

To protect what they perceive as their vital strategic interests, both countries have lavished billions of dollars on schools, hospitals, roads, airports and defence projects in an effort to win friends and influence voters. They have also assiduously courted the islands’ politicians who have predictably divided into a pro-Chinese camp (The People’s National Congress or PNC) and the pro-Indian camp (The Maldivian Democratic Party or MDP).

The PNC’s leader, Mohammed Muizzi, won the presidency in September. But his attempts to move the Maldives away from India and towards China were blocked by an MDP-controlled parliament. All that changed this week when the PNC won a super-majority of 66 out of 86 seats in parliamentary elections.

President Muizzi’s first post-parliamentary election act was to announce the immediate expulsion of an Indian team of pilots and technicians who had been providing air and maritime security for the islands. India, said Muizzi, is “a bully.” China, the president added, would replace India with “free military assistance.” Muizzi also announced the award of several infrastructure projects to Chinese companies and the arrival of 12 Chinese-built ambulances.

The shift to Beijing is unlikely to be the end of the story. The pro-Chinese faction were also in power from 2013 to 2018 when they joined the Belt/Road Initiative and signed a free trade deal with China. Then the MDP claimed that the government was leading the Maldives into a Chinese “debt trap.” The result was that from 2018-2024 the pro-Indian faction took command and the security deal was signed with Delhi. In most countries, foreign policy is a distant also-ran in elections. In the Maldives it is the only-ran.

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Tom Arms is foreign editor of Liberal Democratic Voice and the author of the “The Encyclopaedia of the Cold War” and “America Made in Britain.”

Read: Observations of an Expat: Poor Bibi

EQUILIBRIUM AND BALANCE: A NEUROTIC SOCIETY

Psychology

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April 29, 2024

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EQUILIBRIUM AND BALANCE: A NEUROTIC SOCIETY

The crime, the corruption, the unrest, the disturbance, and distraction, and despair that we find in our society is the result of this dangling equilibrium of the society

Dr. Jernail S. Anand

Equilibrium and balance are the characteristics which relate to the internal balance which keeps something afloat. What happens when a running bus loses its balance? Similar is the fate of man when his equilibrium is disturbed and he loses his balance. In fact, if we are floating, it is simply because our balance is intact, and our equilibrium is not affected. Both these words depict a state of mind which shows the absence of mental disorder and psychic disruption which disrupt the even flow of thought.

Whenever there is an earthquake, the earth shakes, causing damage and destruction here and there, but soon, it regains its balance. Winds flow for some time, often causing tempests, but after some time, they return to normal. It is often said nothing is permanent. Things are in a flow, and they know how to keep themselves in balance. The point at which the negatives and positives compromise, is the point of balance, which ensures life of a system.

Now, the question is how this idea of balance or equilibrium influences our life. If you want men to stay in a happy mood, and do their work to the maximum of their abilities, they need to remain in a state of mental and physical balance. Physical imbalance affects the mental balance, and mental imbalance affects the physical balance of a person. In other words, if the conditions outside are not good, how can a man remain happy? And if the man is not happy, will he let the things around him stay in harmony?

THE CHEMICAL BALANCE

Men depend on the chemical balance in their bodies, which keeps them in an even state of mind. If you disturb it, they will fall ill, and need remedies [read medicines], which will restore their balance, and declare them healthy. How much is it in your hands to keep the chemical balance intact? Eternal vigilance is the price of this happy mental state, in which we often falter.

How we attain this balance is the central issue of this article. One important thing is: sometimes we feel like having tea. Sometimes, we feel a strong wish to have coffee. There are people who find themselves in dire need of a cigarette. Sometimes, you feel like going for a walk. What about your desire to talk to a particular friend. There are moments when you want to have sugarcane juice. Sometimes, you feel like having grapes.

Men depend on the chemical balance in their bodies, which keeps them in an even state of mind. If you disturb it, they will fall ill, and need remedies

What happens when you have what you have desired? It restores your balance which was disturbed as a result of which, the impulse to have this item cropped up in your blood.

THE NERVOUS UNREST

We wish to have sugarcane juice, only when our blood stream sends a message to our mind, that something is missing or some chemical change is taking place, and to supply the deficiency, the juice is needed. It is never said in so many words. Only you start feeling its need. If you don’t take sugarcane juice, and instead, go for tea, it can only distract your blood stream, it will not satisfy that need. And in this way, you will have a disturbed calm in your nerves. Now, we can extend this logic to other things also. You want grapes. Take them, and your body will feel upbeat. You need coffee. Take it, and you will feel highly attuned. Don’t you think how tea works on our nerves and after taking a hot cup of tea, we are able to work better? If you don’t get tea when your nerves want it, and instead, somebody suggests you to take ‘lassi’ [curd shake] can you imagine what will happen? Now, go a bit farther. You want rest, and you do not go for rest. Your body needs sleep and you keep it awake. And now the final question. You love Gita, and the society says, you can’t marry her. And, now you go for Sita. Will it still the unrest of your nerves? Or aggravate it? This is how we find nervous unrest in our society, because people are not getting, what they want, at the time they want, and in the quantity they want. And here we are: a society, whose balance is in jeopardy? A society without equilibrium. Even saints who consider themselves stoics, cannot escape this fate. The social factors affect them too and we can see its impact in their lives.

CRIME AS NERVOUS BREAKDOWN

The crime, the corruption, the unrest, the disturbance, and distraction, and despair that we find in our society is the result of this dangling equilibrium of the society. All these evils which bring misery and pain are the earthquakes which shake human psyche, and are then, converted into social upheavals. At the center of all crime and disturbance, is a disturbed mind, which tries to settle itself in ways which are mere distractions. Just look at criminals. After committing the crime, they start taking wine, or they are found watching high decibel dances of bother-not dancers. They take drugs, and then, only then, they have some semblance of sleep. Such minds, when become active, gain their spurious balance, only by looking for more pleasure, by inflicting more pain on the society. Otherwise, how can we justify killings, kidnappings, rapes and deceptions? People, whose minds are lost to the balance which nature provides, the equilibrium that comes from a sedate sobered mindset, often find the Birname wood coming towards them, to silence their inhuman pride. [An allusion to Macbeth’s last moments, when the Birname forest started walking towards him].

Animals and birds live in comparative peace, simply because no animal, unless it is domesticated, dies of starvation, physical or sexual

Lustus, the great cousin of Satan, in Lustus: The Prince of Darkness sets out to disturb the mental balance of mankind, so that they act out his evil commands. He believes that for disturbing mankind, he has to disturb their sexual balance. Animals and birds live in comparative peace, simply because no animal, unless it is domesticated, dies of starvation, physical or sexual. Lustus wanted to humanize nature also, and bring disruption in the lives of animals, birds, trees and waters. When your thought stream is poisoned, you fall into the hands of Evil. And, one step amiss, you cannot regain your balance. This is what has happened to our society. Our balance has been disturbed by the Corporate Evil, and they have a ready market for the heady solutions they provide.

PEACE, LOVE AND HAPPINESS: TADI PAAR*

Peace has left the portals of human society. Love is on the way out. Happiness, finding no suitors, has followed suit. All the things which gods had for us aplenty, are turning stale on their shelves in the absence of demand. Gods are wondering why there is no footfall in the Reception Hall of Heaven. The Receptionists are mostly sleeping and dreaming of the long queues in front of the counters of Hell. Is hell such a prized place for the people from the Earth? They only find some birds and animals coming to them, for onward treatment. But men? En masse they were heading for Hell.

Peace has left the portals of human society. Love is on the way out. Happiness, finding no suitors, has followed suit. All the things which gods had for us aplenty, are turning stale on their shelves in the absence of demand

Finally, what we have lost is our equilibrium. We have forgotten the past when men were able to strike a balance between nature, mankind and divinity. Now, men have thrown nature out of their system, replacing it with plastic. Mankind is no longer kind as it is being increasingly replaced with humanoids. And divinity? If they can create artificial men, can’t they create artificial gods living in artificial clouds?

Here we are. Disturbed minds in search of Peace and Pleasure from Artificial Saints. Good luck!

[*Tadi Paar is a legal term which is used for a criminal who is ordered by the court not to enter a particular city].

Read: All about the Evil

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Dr. Jernail Singh Anand, President of the International Academy of Ethics, is author of 161 books in English poetry, fiction, non-fiction, philosophy and spirituality. He was awarded Charter of Morava, the great Award by Serbian Writers Association, Belgrade and his name was engraved on the Poets’ Rock in Serbia. The Academy of Arts and philosophical Sciences of Bari [Italy] honored him with the award of an Honorable Academic. Recently, he was awarded Doctor of Philosophy [Honoris Causa] by the University of Engg and Management, Jaipur. Recently, he organized an International Conference on Contemporary Ethics at Chandigarh. His most phenomenal book is Lustus: The Prince of Darkness [first epic of the Mahkaal Trilogy]. Email: anandjs55@yahoo.com

Link Bibliography:

https://atunispoetry.com/2023/12/08/indian-author-dr-jernail-s-anand-honoured-at-the-60th-belgrade-international-meeting-of-writers/

Maharaja Dahir – Resurgence of Sindh – Part-XIII

Books & Authors

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April 29, 2024

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Maharaja Dahir – Resurgence of Sindh – Part-XIII

The English translation of a novel ‘Maharaja Dahir’ authored by Kolkata-based renowned novelist Debasree Chakraborti in Bengali language. The novel has been translated by Rajesh Giri

Dr. Iqbal said, I fell asleep after Maghrib prayer, meanwhile it is time for Isha prayer. Will talk to you after prayer. Dr. Irfan went to pray, but Abu Talib did not. At nine o’clock night they are having their dinner, at that time Dr. Iqbal asked, “Abu Talib, I thought you were a good Muslim, don’t you pray?”

Abu Talib smiled and said, “A good Muslim should only pray? Not at all, I think the security of Muslims must be protected, as the attacks on the Muslim community are coming from all around, we must also make arrangements to counter the attacks, so that Muslims like you can pray safely.”

—So you went to make that arrangements for these two days?

Abu Talib’s forehead fold in anxiety, he said, “the condition of Pakistan is not good, friend. Now Sindh province is also demanding independence. The people of Sindh are joining forces and being united against the local jagirdars and the government of Pakistan. They have not yet become as powerful as the Balochs, but if somehow they get India’s assistance, then the situation will go out of our hands.

Dr. Iqbal raised his head from the plate of chicken tikka and said with a very worried face, “Oh Allah, so much is happening, and we know nothing! Tell me what to do to keep Sindh under Pakistan’s control.”

Abu Talib said, “I am supplying arms to the jagirdars of Sindh, besides sending some fidayin of the Islamic State to Sindh.”

Dr. Iqbal said, “Islamic State is a banned organization right? You send them to Sindh, if they are caught by the Pakistan army at the border!

Dr. Abu Talib put his two hands on the table. Leaning towards Iqbal he said, “You are saying you will work for the protection of Islam, but you do not have this little knowledge. Just staying at home and praying to Allah wouldn’t work? The external circumstances have also to be considered. In these few years, we have built madrassas in each and every alleys of Sindh, from where the process of radicalization into children of every lane has been started. They are being trained to become fundamental Muslims and be bound for the holy (Pak) land forever.”

—What are the identities of these Islamic State fighters?

—Afghan refugees, Yemeni refugees these are their r identities.

—Pakistan government is hosting Yemeni, Afghan and Syrian refugees in Sindh province. Phew! Keep all these aside, tell me how the kebabs turned out.

He wrote that fifteen militants are sheltering in Darparkar in Sindh. Suitable accommodation and jobs should be arranged for them. They are going to launch an attack on the rebels of Sindh

Really, the more I see you, the more I am surprised, I am blessed to have such a virtuous person as a friend. Listen, I want to offer some gifts to these refugees.

Abu Talib was very excited and said, “Friend, what gift do you want to give?”

Dr. Iqbal said, you just tell me where these warriors are taking shelter in Sindh province, I want to arrange their accommodation, so that they can complete their work more safely. Not only that, I also want to arrange some work for them. So I want their names along with their photographs.

Abu Talib kissed Dr. Iqbal’s palm and said, “I am blessed to have a friend like you by my side in this crusade. Fifteen of them are going to Darparkar. The jagirdars certainly provide their accommodation, but those are very unhealthy arrangements. See if you can do anything.”

Dr. Iqbal said, Amen.

That night when the entire city of Raqqa, including Abu Talib, was in a deep sleep. Iqbal started sending secret messages on WhatsApp from his mobile phone. He wrote that fifteen militants are sheltering Darparkar in Sindh. Suitable accommodation and jobs should be arranged for them. They are going to launch an attack on the rebels of Sindh, so they must be kept under observation as soon as possible. And let arrange my visit to the city of Rohri, otherwise an important landmark in the history of Sindh will be lost. Dr. Iqbal hears a thud.

When he finished sending the messages, he immediately removed the SIM, destroyed it and flushed it in the commode. (Continues)

Click here for Part-I , Part-II, Part-III , Part-IV , Part-V , Part-VI , Part-VII, Part-VIII , Part-IX , Part-X, Part-XI, Part-XII

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Debasree Chakraborti is a renowned novel writer of Bengali language. Based in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, she has done Master’s in Modern History from the Kolkata University, and authored some thirty books, mostly the novels, with historical perspective and themes. Her most recent novel is ‘Maharaja Dahir’ that covers the history of Sindh from 662, the year of first attack on Sindh by the Arab armies till date.

Rajesh Giri, born in Kolkata, had his early schooling from Kolkata and then from Medinipur—a village in Bengal. He graduated from Calcutta University with Physics and Maths and Master’s from Burdwan University in 2016. Now he is associated with Adhdhyaan educational institution teaching Physics. History enthusiastic Rajesh Giri is particularly interested in the ancient civilization of India and other regions like Egypt, Mesopotamia, and North America. He loves traveling.

Maharaja Dahir – Resurgence of Sindh – Part-XII

Books & Authors

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April 26, 2024

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Maharaja Dahir – Resurgence of Sindh – Part-XII

The English translation of a novel ‘Maharaja Dahir’ authored by Kolkata-based renowned novelist Debasree Chakraborti in Bengali language. The novel has been translated by Rajesh Giri

Dr. Iqbal finished his supper, now he cleaned the table, washed his hands and face and went to bed and started reading again.

Surya Devi writes, “Arab bandits have been eyeing our Sindh country for a long time. The security of Hindustan was based on our civilization, culture and religious foundation. They understood that only if they could break this barrier would their greatest victory be achieved. They were just waiting for an opportunity.

Once upon a time, an inauspicious cloud appeared in the western sky of Sindhu country, hundreds of thousands of black horses rushed towards Aror, blowing yellow dust, and the people of Sindhu became alarmed at the rhythm of clanging swords. Bani Asama, a warrior of a tribe of Arabs named Alafi, entered the political arena of Sindh country.

He killed a representative of the Caliph named Abdur Rahman, fled to Sindh with five hundred Arab warriors. My father’s policy was to help the helpless, so he sheltered Bani Asama. And the entire people of Sindh had to pay for this blunder. My father pursued Sadhana as indifferently as before, and conspiracies arose all around him. Some mysterious shadows starts to float in the heart of Sindh, whispers of conspiracy and laughter combined to compose a magic circle. During this time Parimal and I used to worship Mahadev every day, my father used to say that by worshiping Mahadev, the power of self-control increases and life become enriched. A girl from Rohri village used to supply our puja flowers, her name was Sheetal. All of Sheetal’s family served in the army of our Sindh country. She used to bring flowers every day and watch our puja, then eat prasad (connected food) and go back to his village. Our two sisters loved talking to her. She used to tell us about his village. The blue Indus river flows between the rugged yellow mountains, a small Shiva temple made of white stone by the river and their Rohri village on one side of the temple. I heard from her that her grandmother was a devotee of Mahadev, by her wish, her family established this Shiva temple. Sheetal was a very cheerful girl. One day when I went to give her prasad, I saw her sitting very upset.

I have never seen her like this, so I was very worried, I sat in front of him and put my hand on her shoulder and asked, Sheetal, what happened to you? If you share your anxiety, the mind calms down, share your thoughts with me, you will get a lot of peace.

Once upon a time, an inauspicious cloud appeared in the western sky of Sindhu country, hundreds of thousands of black horses rushed towards Aror, blowing yellow dust, and the people of Sindhu became alarmed at the rhythm of clanging swords

Sheetal looked at me for a long time and said, Princess, all my thoughts are about your father. We are common people, we don’t have sense of intelligent judgment like you. But my grandmother says, Maharaj has fallen into their trap.

I could not understand anything of her at first. So I told her, “I don’t understand anything, please explain to me clearly.” Then she said, “My grandmother’s house was in Kikan of Sindh. They had a happy family with father, mother and two brothers. His father Pratap was a Jath warrior. Arab bandits had their eyes on their village for a long time. When they could not conquer Kikan after twenty years of continuous attacks, they resorted to deception. In these 20 years, they trick the citizens of Kikan and slowly took control of themselves, thus took refuge in the city of Kikan in disguise. Then in one night they attacked Kikan and destroyed the entire city. Only those who sheltered them survived, the rest were killed indiscriminately. No man, woman, child, or old man was alive.

I learned from her that her grandmother’s father, anticipating the attack, had given her a bag and hid in the basement under their house. He said that Kikan’s history is hidden in that pouch, this treasure she has to protect. If this city get destroyed, she must run away somewhere else with this bag. After the destruction of Kikan, her grandmother left the city in hiding.

While she was running perplexed away from the Kikan, father of Sheetal’s paternal grandfather was returning that way. He worked as a mercenary. He rescued her grandmother and gave shelter to her and later she married his son, Sheetal’s grandmother named her granddaughter Sheetal after her mother’s name.

Dr. Iqbal thought for a while, in the pages of history he read that in 712 AD Mohammad bin Kashem first invaded the country of Sindh. If this information written by Surya Devi is true, then Kikan was invaded and conquered by the Arabs long before this period. How falsehood is established by concealing the truth! If Kikan’s past is hidden in the bag given by Sheetal’s father, then it is possible to discover many unknown facts of history if the bag is somehow found out. But where is this bag hidden? Has Surya Devi written anything about this? Iqbal could not patient anymore, he started reading again.

Surya Devi wrote, I became very scared after hearing Sheetal’s narration that day. Knowing that Keekan’s past was kept secret by Sheetal’s family, I was curious to ask him how that past was hidden! How is it possible to conceal the past of territory simply in a bag!!

When I asked, she showed me our Mahadeva and said that Mahadeva is entrusted with the responsibility of protecting that terrible past.

Dr. Iqbal fell asleep while reading the diary of Surya Devi. He does not know how much time has passed since then. In his sleep he smelled chicken tikka, with chicken tikka there is sweet memory of Bapida, rehearsals and Delhi’s Karolbagh. On days when there was a twelve-hour long rehearsal, Bapida served hot tea and tikka. Sipping a cup of tea in the evening with tikka had a different taste, which made me forget the tiredness of the whole day’s rehearsals. Panchajanya is also feeling very tired while playing the role of Irfan. So maybe God was providing an end to his fatigue. As soon as the smell enters his nose, he woke up. Opening his eyes, he saw that the light was on in the living room outside, turning on the light of his mobile phone, he saw that it was eight o’clock at night. He came out and saw Abu Talib standing in front of the dining table wearing a black silk gown. Seeing Iqbal, he said with a smile, “I thought arranging everything on the dinner table I will call you. But an archaeologist is sleeping in Raqqa, Syria, this cannot be accepted at all. (Continues)

Click here for Part-I , Part-II, Part-III , Part-IV , Part-V , Part-VI , Part-VII, Part-VIII , Part-IX , Part-X, Part-X!

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Debasree Chakraborti is a renowned novel writer of Bengali language. Based in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, she has done Master’s in Modern History from the Kolkata University, and authored some thirty books, mostly the novels, with historical perspective and themes. Her most recent novel is ‘Maharaja Dahir’ that covers the history of Sindh from 662, the year of first attack on Sindh by the Arab armies till date.

Rajesh Giri, born in Kolkata, had his early schooling from Kolkata and then from Medinipur—a village in Bengal. He graduated from Calcutta University with Physics and Maths and Master’s from Burdwan University in 2016. Now he is associated with Adhdhyaan educational institution teaching Physics. History enthusiastic Rajesh Giri is particularly interested in the ancient civilization of India and other regions like Egypt, Mesopotamia, and North America. He loves traveling.

Too good to be true!

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April 25, 2024

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A golden heart that is too good to be true!

Heba Hendawi

Once again, she knocked my door with a heavy heart and wet eyes. “It’s me and my voluntarily deeds again,” she said to me as soon as she saw my face. I know I have a friend who is always misunderstood for his kindness and self-denial. Looking at her, I realized that she was troubled and the trigger was from within herself. We spoke a lot before about her built in traits that people did not appreciate but rather manipulated for their own good.

She started telling me the whole story: I saw one device that I needed for a long time but was reluctant to buy because of its costly price on sale in one of the reputable sell and buy Facebook groups. The owner was asking a good price for a single-use item. It was really in a very good condition as the photos showed and I decided to buy it. I sent a message to the owner that I was interested and I am ready for pick up. It was a Thursday. Keep this in your mind for later reference. The lady on the other side, said that she was at work and it is an hour drive from her home while I live just beside where she works. She had to take a leave, drive back home to get the device then go back to work. Provided that the next following days were a weekend and no work so she would not be in the area.

As usual, I automatically put myself in her shoes and saw the hassle in leaving and driving two hours to go back and return. I just told her that I am not in a hurry and no need for all that trouble. I could wait for your next visit to the area on Sunday when she is back to her work. She was to bring the device with her. We agreed on that and everything was fine. She asked me to send her a message on Saturday to remind her and agree on the pickup location. I was happy and excited as I wanted this device for many times and was always reluctant to buy it new let alone used. To my surprise, that very day was full of advertisements for the same appliance. I ignored them all of course.

On Saturday, as per agreement, I contacted her to arrange all the details. I was shocked when she replied that she sold the device and she blocked me in cold blood! I started blaming myself as usual. My kindness was misunderstood for being a non-serious buyer. Was I wrong in not insisting that she brought it right away? Why did I care to make things easier for her by waiting for her next trip to work? Why do I care about people’s comfort more than I do to myself?! If I insisted on instant delivery, I would have had the bargain done. Who cares if she had to drive two hours to pick it up and bring it to me? She was the one who offered to sell and she had to take the hassle! Why did I care about a stranger that I didn’t know! Why didn’t she even tell me? Am I not even worth a message?

Read: Playing the joker card!

I listened to my friend fuming with anger. This is not the first time and it definitely won’t be the last time for her. She has this built in deep care for others. She always puts herself in any one’s shoes and acts accordingly. She wanted to save the seller the trouble so she was misunderstood for not being serious and the woman sold to someone else without even bothering to apologize or tell her. She cared about a stranger and the stranger did not even care to tell her that she declined the bargain and gave her a chance to look elsewhere.

I was before two extremely opposite attitudes; one that cared about others more than her own self and another who just thought of her own benefit and profit; one that respected her word and promise and another who broke her word with a stranger without any remorse. These two examples of people exist around us everywhere. The first suffers because of her kind heartedness and care and loses opportunities in life and is always at the back of the line while the other is self-centered and opportunistic no matter what it costs. Pit hole after another she does not learn and does not help but act according to her naturally driven characteristics. She acts with an open heart and self-denial. She assumes goodness in return and gives endlessly. She faces depression and disappointment. A golden heart that is too good to be true!

Published under the International Cooperation Protocol with Middle East Business | Life Magazine Abu Dhabi

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