Nothing is more refreshing than an evening jog in the park. The wind in your hair, the moist clods of earth under your feet; the almost tangy smell of damp, green grass, the mellow chatter of birds as they begin their daily rounds of "good-night!" to each other. But today is different.
Rather than a gentle caress, the wind seems to lash out at me. The grass smells bitter and the normally rhythmic twitter of the birds is like an ominous chant, resounding in my ears, getting louder by the minute until I can take it no more! I surrender and silently slump on the first bench available. Why, even the Thames, my one constant friend, seems annoyed. The waves ebb and flow in an almost deranged manner.
The first tears spill, and my mind is cleared instantly. Sitting on a lone bench by the River Thames, I mourn the loss of sanity in a place miles away geographically, but still within the reach of my hand. I am still as much a part of it, as it is of me.
A 28 years old new reporter was gunned down today. A man in the prime of his life was forced to sink into oblivion. A couple of days from now and most of us wouldn't even remember his name, leave alone his face (a sadly large number of us though, wouldn't know his name or face even now!). Wali Khan Babar would be lost to statistics as the countless before him, with the thousands yet to follow.(No, I will not write God forbid here, because God HAS forbidden this cruelty, this massacre but if we ourselves are sickened barbarians, there is nothing that could stop us!)Blasphemy Law applicable? Anyone?
It is incredible, the way this law is being misused left, right and centre by every other crazed Pakistani. "I dont like you for personal reasons" - Blasphemy Law. "Your business is a competition to mine" - Blasphemy Law. "Oh I'm just feeling a little nasty today...so how about..." - A BLASPHEMY LAW!
25 people killed in Karachi over a span of 24 hours. These are not just nameless, faceless stats please!These were people - like you and me - with mothers, wives, children, fiances. They were Pathans, Muhajirs, Punjabis much later. They were sons, fathers and husbands first. Their children would grow up not knowing the feel of their fathers touch or the sound of his voice. All they probably left behind are a thousand reverberating memories and a treasure trove of unkept promises
Night has fallen. As I get up to leave these haunting lines by John Donne echo in my mind:
"No man is an Iland, intire of itself; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankinde; And therefore never send to know for whome the bell tolls; It tolls for thee."
Rather than a gentle caress, the wind seems to lash out at me. The grass smells bitter and the normally rhythmic twitter of the birds is like an ominous chant, resounding in my ears, getting louder by the minute until I can take it no more! I surrender and silently slump on the first bench available. Why, even the Thames, my one constant friend, seems annoyed. The waves ebb and flow in an almost deranged manner.
The first tears spill, and my mind is cleared instantly. Sitting on a lone bench by the River Thames, I mourn the loss of sanity in a place miles away geographically, but still within the reach of my hand. I am still as much a part of it, as it is of me.
A 28 years old new reporter was gunned down today. A man in the prime of his life was forced to sink into oblivion. A couple of days from now and most of us wouldn't even remember his name, leave alone his face (a sadly large number of us though, wouldn't know his name or face even now!). Wali Khan Babar would be lost to statistics as the countless before him, with the thousands yet to follow.(No, I will not write God forbid here, because God HAS forbidden this cruelty, this massacre but if we ourselves are sickened barbarians, there is nothing that could stop us!)Blasphemy Law applicable? Anyone?
It is incredible, the way this law is being misused left, right and centre by every other crazed Pakistani. "I dont like you for personal reasons" - Blasphemy Law. "Your business is a competition to mine" - Blasphemy Law. "Oh I'm just feeling a little nasty today...so how about..." - A BLASPHEMY LAW!
25 people killed in Karachi over a span of 24 hours. These are not just nameless, faceless stats please!These were people - like you and me - with mothers, wives, children, fiances. They were Pathans, Muhajirs, Punjabis much later. They were sons, fathers and husbands first. Their children would grow up not knowing the feel of their fathers touch or the sound of his voice. All they probably left behind are a thousand reverberating memories and a treasure trove of unkept promises
Night has fallen. As I get up to leave these haunting lines by John Donne echo in my mind:
"No man is an Iland, intire of itself; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankinde; And therefore never send to know for whome the bell tolls; It tolls for thee."
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