Ajeetbhaai, aap toh samajhdaar ho. Agli baar jab mulaaqaat hogi, toh ummeed hai ki Inshallah aapne islam ko kabool kar liya hoga. Quran-e-kareem padhiye, aur sochiye. Allah Hafeez"
These were the parting words of my driver in Dubai- Abdul Qadir, from Peshawar in Pakistan.
After coming back from Dubai, I've watched two movies. Race was good. The other one I saw was this film called "Khuda Ke Liye"- a Pakistani production.
The film shows the two sides of current day Islam beautifully. One, the more tolerant and liberal face, and the other, the conservative and even medieval face.
The film tracks the story of two brothers- one drawn to radical Islam (he even gives up music, his greatest passion, in the name of Islam) and the other who goes on to study music in Chicago.
The film highlights beautifully the impact of misinterpretation and misunderstanding of the religion both by the followers of the faith and others. The one side, which highlights the radical practice by the followers shows how much of a problem it can create. One has to see the film to understand what I'm saying here. My friend who came with me to watch the film asked me if such implications could be true. I had and have no doubt in mind that this is absolutely true.
The other side highlights the impact of ignorance by the others, viz, the west. The typical American who is both stupid and ignorant, and high on arrogance, combined with a low IQ has been shown beautifully- as also the price the rest of us have to pay for American stupidity.
Go watch the film- it is a must see.
American studpidity and the compulsive American behaviour that dictates every decision they make to be linked to monetary benefits can be linked to what they are are saying, rather, not saying in Tibet. Heavy stakes in the olympics mean that their usual tomtomming of democracy and human rights does not apply to Tibet.
Why America, even India acts with impotency when it comes to Tibet. As a culture, we have always stood up for what is correct- the path of Dharma. There is a school of thought that if we openly advocate Tibetan freedom, it will adversely impact our case on Kashmir.
Incorrect...
The contexts are entirely different.
The elaborations are reserved for some other time.
Don't know why, but this song is playing in my mind as I write this... "Vidai kodu engal naade".
Friday, April 11, 2008
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
gElf diaries- 5- Khallaasss
If you are reading this, please read the following before reading this-
1) http://ajithessence.blogspot.com/2008/03/gelf-diaries-part-1.html
2) http://ajithessence.blogspot.com/2008/03/gelf-diaries-2-arabian-night.html
3) http://ajithessence.blogspot.com/2008/03/gelf-diaries-3-zimble-myoozings.html
4) http://ajithessence.blogspot.com/2008/03/gelf-diaries-4-yet-not-yet.html
(This was written on 6-April at the airport. This is being Published from Delhi on 9-April.)
Finally, here I am- sitting in the airport waiting to board the aircraft.
Some of you have been asking me what the professional experience here has been like. I will probably take that up in some other context. Maybe, it is out of scope for this blog.
Visited Jumeirah beach yesterday and man!!! I simply love the Indian beaches.
Not a single hawker in the beach. Woh feel nahi aayi…
Met a couple of old friends and acquaintances- some by design and some coincidentally.
Dubai seemed more like a neater and more crowded version of Bombay inhabited by Malayalees.
Feeling sleepy… very sleepy…
Excitedly looking forward to Delhi.
This series of gElf diaries is dedicated to the ECS team in Dubai- in particular 2 Abu Sheikh (erstwhile Abhishek), my flatmate in Dubai and now friend.
I shall write one more blog on my interactions here with the blue collared Expats- especially those from the subcontinent.
That’s it from me in the gElf. Khallas!!!
Inshallah, there shall be another such series!!!
1) http://ajithessence.blogspot.com/2008/03/gelf-diaries-part-1.html
2) http://ajithessence.blogspot.com/2008/03/gelf-diaries-2-arabian-night.html
3) http://ajithessence.blogspot.com/2008/03/gelf-diaries-3-zimble-myoozings.html
4) http://ajithessence.blogspot.com/2008/03/gelf-diaries-4-yet-not-yet.html
(This was written on 6-April at the airport. This is being Published from Delhi on 9-April.)
Finally, here I am- sitting in the airport waiting to board the aircraft.
Some of you have been asking me what the professional experience here has been like. I will probably take that up in some other context. Maybe, it is out of scope for this blog.
Visited Jumeirah beach yesterday and man!!! I simply love the Indian beaches.
Not a single hawker in the beach. Woh feel nahi aayi…
Met a couple of old friends and acquaintances- some by design and some coincidentally.
Dubai seemed more like a neater and more crowded version of Bombay inhabited by Malayalees.
Feeling sleepy… very sleepy…
Excitedly looking forward to Delhi.
This series of gElf diaries is dedicated to the ECS team in Dubai- in particular 2 Abu Sheikh (erstwhile Abhishek), my flatmate in Dubai and now friend.
I shall write one more blog on my interactions here with the blue collared Expats- especially those from the subcontinent.
That’s it from me in the gElf. Khallas!!!
Inshallah, there shall be another such series!!!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
gElf Diaries 4- Yet, Not yet!!!
If you are reading this, please read the following before reading this-
1) http://ajithessence.blogspot.com/2008/03/gelf-diaries-part-1.html
2) http://ajithessence.blogspot.com/2008/03/gelf-diaries-2-arabian-night.html
3) http://ajithessence.blogspot.com/2008/03/gelf-diaries-3-zimble-myoozings.html
Exceedingly pretty eyes she had,
Piercing, misty and green.
They reflected something sad,
But beautiful they were,
As beautiful as can be.
I was sitting sipping my latte in Starbucks when I noticed this beautiful girl. I’ve just described to you the eyes. My cuzin sis who was sitting with me mentioned that her cheeks resembled a “thakkaali” (tomato in tamil). I could not stop staring at the girl.
Usually, when I see a beautiful girl, I try not to make the ogling obvious. This has been more prominent in the Middle East. Yahaan toh dar lagta hai kisi bandi se aankh milaane mein.
But in this case, I cared not for (my self imposed) Middle Eastern norms. She was pretty and there to be seen. She knew it too, through a sixth sense that only womenfolk have, that there was a pair of Indian eyes looking into hers. For a few seconds, or probably a fraction, our eyes met.
Most of the Middle Eastern girls have amazingly good-looking features. Only that they seem to be using layers and layers of make-up. Also this entire city smells of perfumes- inside the lifts, inside the malls, inside the office, just about everywhere.
Something intriguing about the girls though is that most of them are shrouded in a black gown.
The best thing about Dubai is that women can roam around freely here- without an iota of fear of eve teasing.
I’m now counting my days in Dubai. I’m likely to be back in India anytime now. Acquaintances do not seem to understand- there is a unique relief that pervades me when I think of coming back to India.. Friends will know.
I’d mentioned in my previous blogs about me going where destiny takes me. Looks like I’m going back to Gurgaon for now. Par Kal ka kya hai, kisne dekha….
I got a hang of the city’s enormity yesterday. A night drive on Sheikh Zayed road, skyscrapers on the left and the right, a massive highway and the badi badi gaadiyaan… tez tez chalti hui… from one traffic jam to another.
The Mall of Emirates would be a treat for a shopping freak. I guess I am not one.
My eyes long for roads lined with trees,
This place is filled with luxuries,
I see cranes, I see buildings,
I see cars and I see roads wide.
Yet I know not when I shall find my peace,
But, I do know when I shall see those roads,
Potholed and narrow, yet lined with trees,
This longing shall cease.
1) http://ajithessence.blogspot.com/2008/03/gelf-diaries-part-1.html
2) http://ajithessence.blogspot.com/2008/03/gelf-diaries-2-arabian-night.html
3) http://ajithessence.blogspot.com/2008/03/gelf-diaries-3-zimble-myoozings.html
Exceedingly pretty eyes she had,
Piercing, misty and green.
They reflected something sad,
But beautiful they were,
As beautiful as can be.
I was sitting sipping my latte in Starbucks when I noticed this beautiful girl. I’ve just described to you the eyes. My cuzin sis who was sitting with me mentioned that her cheeks resembled a “thakkaali” (tomato in tamil). I could not stop staring at the girl.
Usually, when I see a beautiful girl, I try not to make the ogling obvious. This has been more prominent in the Middle East. Yahaan toh dar lagta hai kisi bandi se aankh milaane mein.
But in this case, I cared not for (my self imposed) Middle Eastern norms. She was pretty and there to be seen. She knew it too, through a sixth sense that only womenfolk have, that there was a pair of Indian eyes looking into hers. For a few seconds, or probably a fraction, our eyes met.
Most of the Middle Eastern girls have amazingly good-looking features. Only that they seem to be using layers and layers of make-up. Also this entire city smells of perfumes- inside the lifts, inside the malls, inside the office, just about everywhere.
Something intriguing about the girls though is that most of them are shrouded in a black gown.
The best thing about Dubai is that women can roam around freely here- without an iota of fear of eve teasing.
I’m now counting my days in Dubai. I’m likely to be back in India anytime now. Acquaintances do not seem to understand- there is a unique relief that pervades me when I think of coming back to India.. Friends will know.
I’d mentioned in my previous blogs about me going where destiny takes me. Looks like I’m going back to Gurgaon for now. Par Kal ka kya hai, kisne dekha….
I got a hang of the city’s enormity yesterday. A night drive on Sheikh Zayed road, skyscrapers on the left and the right, a massive highway and the badi badi gaadiyaan… tez tez chalti hui… from one traffic jam to another.
The Mall of Emirates would be a treat for a shopping freak. I guess I am not one.
My eyes long for roads lined with trees,
This place is filled with luxuries,
I see cranes, I see buildings,
I see cars and I see roads wide.
Yet I know not when I shall find my peace,
But, I do know when I shall see those roads,
Potholed and narrow, yet lined with trees,
This longing shall cease.
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