Chapter Closed

10 years in one’s life is quite a significant amount of time. Its a decade.Just days left for 2011 to begin and I cannot help but look back at the last ten years of my own life.

I feel that where I stand today is a result of what I did with my life for the last ten years. This may not apply to many of you especially if you are in the tenth standard for example …because in that case if you are still in school and are pursuing an education ,so,you haven’t wronged yourself in any way yet!

Remember those fairy tales in which a poor man would often meet a priest on his way to a far flung land to carry out an impossible sort of task. That priest would often give that poor wanderer his charm and ask him never to stop, turn and look back or else he would become of stone! Strangely I feel like that wanderer at year end this time around.

The feeling of seesawing between if I should look ahead or look back at what happened is quite overwhelming. If one decides to review what happened, in that case it’s a challenge to look at both your success and failure. Of course we feel bad about things that we wanted to do but could not do. But there is a tendency to look mostly at our failures and over look our achievements.

There is another side to it too. Closing our eyes to our mistakes and smiling just at successes can be somewhat misleading . Perhaps the key is to clap at what we achieved and try and acknowledge where we lag.

Remember it takes a lot of courage to talk about our bad feelings. There was once a behavioral expert who said he would give money to anyone who would give a different reply than “Fantastic “to his question “How are you”?

No two words about the fact that these last ten years have been the formative years of my life. I kind of grew up in these ten years and that too in a world shaping up post 9/11 .But did I become a better human being? Err....don't have a clue.

Something I like about these last few days of December is the contagious hope that these days bring. This year they promise a little rain as well...

I wish you a Happy New Year i.e. 2011 and May all your dreams come true!

Zzzzzz......

Good !

At Mahatma Gandhi's resting place.

There are some news developments that everyone has to be devoted to.In the unusually quiet newsroom , there was just one voice that was echoing. It was US President Barack Obama speaking at the Indian Parliament ( Lok Sabha). A speech the entire world was watching and listening to.

So far the Indians have not gotten their fill of pleasure by any statement that Barack Obama has made during his trip to India. Reason? He hasn't embarrased Pakistan at any point. He again reieterated that perpetrators of Mumbai attacks should be brought to justice and that terrorism in AFghanistan should be dealt with appropriately on both sides of the Afghan border. He has also reminded India that it would benefit from a stable and prosperous Pakistan. And a little bit of scolding to the democracy like India for just silently watching the human rights abuses in Myanmar.

But then he said something in the Lok Sabha that became an instant headline in my next broadcast that was right after he finished his speech. US backs India acquiring a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council.

I asked Professor Sajjad Naseer if this backing was a defining moment in US India relations and if Pakistan should feel crushed by it? He termed it a political statement and also said that it hints at reforms in the UNSC that would take a long time to come about.

Mr. Obama has put up a nice balancing act in India. Pakistan is an ally in the war against terrorism and India can prove its sincerity to US by creating jobs back in US and support US exports. This has been a clear message there. The US President has also shown a realisation that issues between Pakistan and India are real and should be resolved by sitting down and talking. That's really a welcome sign beacuse people of Pakistan and India want peace between them.

However Mrs. Obama playing hop scotch and the couple dancing at Diwali would definitely be remixed by some university students in India with some songs and put up on you tube . That would always serve as a reminder what a good time the US first couple had in India perhaps justifying the huge expense that the Indian government meted to host Mr. and Mrs. Barack Obama.

Behind the Scenes

Covering floods in South Punjab...August 2010. Photo courtesy: Farrukh and Fayyaz

Beri( Boat) in Ali pur. Rations being transported.

On the Beri with Fayyaz , our driver who was great help during the trip

Our arrival at Ali pur . Army helping out there.

Mango

Me, Farrukh and Owais , the generous Multan correspondent

A beautiful field near Rohilaanwali

Audio check, Video Check!

An aerial view as we flew towards Rojhan

Preparing for the shoot at Rohilaanwali as I confirmed our next stop

This was a bad scene. Tonnes of wheat rotting at Kot Addu

Passing through the main bazaar at Kot Addu and taking notes

This water pump did work!

This is Niaz. The child was very curious what we were upto.

Preparing to use army's boat service

There we go! This is all flood water by the way, outside Khangarh

Flood victims build hope for supplies as heli approaches

They have to get out first. getting air dropped aid not easy

If you look hard , you'll spot packages being dropped

Some get it and some donot

Back at the bureau

With the doctor at Kot Sultan relief camp

Farrukh instructing me on my movement around in the kitchen

In go all the rice for Pullao

Farrukh wants me to say it again

Just imagine!

Taking a SOT for the report at Daira Deen Panah

Tired and Sad

Her eyes were melting into tears. Ameer Begum

Shahadat, Multan Sr. Correspondent showing me the city below

At Shah Rukn e Alam, Multan city

Pigeon feed.All for Rs.10

What can you say.......

Pain in Mind

“What truly is logic? Who decides reason? My quest has taken me to the physical, the metaphysical, the delusional, and back. I have made the most important discovery of my career - the most important discovery of my life. It is only in the mysterious equations of love that any logic or reason can be found.”

It was Russel Crowe’s convincing delivery of the above lines in 2001’s A beautiful Mind that had made me recommend this movie to so many people at the time I had first watched it.

And today I couldn’t help bringing up John Nash’s character with Dr. Asir Sajjad ,Professor of Psychology as I interviewed him in the 6 pm broadcast as part of Express 24/7s special coverage of World Mental Health Day. And in the 9 pm broadcast , I got a chance to interview renowned color therapist Dr. Alia Aftab.

There was so much we discussed. From why Psychiatric care should be made part of Primary Health Care in Pakistan , to ill treatment of women in society and at the same time trying to figure out if law on mental health should determine the extent of civil and criminal liability for offenders who are not condidered mentally sound in Pakistan.

But something that has me talking about the matter with you is the fact that all of us, who consider ourselves ‘sane’ need to take care of that grey matter because we are all at risk. Mental well being cannot be taken for granted anymore. We take pride in having grown up in a modern society. But this modernity comes at a cost. We spend more time on the internet. Facebook status and tweets are often the reason for a smile. Conversations that we want to avoid are carried out on text messages. Physical activity has become such a huge challenge .

What I am saying is nothing new but what I just want to remind you is that all experts I came across today agreed upon one thing and that is the need to get involved in interacting with human beings – think conversations with friends, family, parents and even love interests. And we can help others out too by listening to them. Become a good listener.Strong support networks are better than anti depressants and pain killers any day.Remember Pain of the mind is worse than the pain of body.

After all talking to one’s own self is not such a good idea. Keep it positive.

To Be Continued.......

Neither a victory nor a defeat- High Court in India gives verdict in the Ayodhya issue

The verdict on the Ayodhya dispute is out. But what can you say about a verdict that leaves no winner and no loser, and that too on an issue that has claimed thousands of lives and is as old as independent India itself.

Modern day India has nothing to do with Hindu extremists- these are voices your hear from across the border as the decision dividing the of the site of 16 century Babri mosque between Hindus , Muslims and a Sikh sect in the ratio of 1/3rd each was flashed upon tv screens . Among them is renowned journalist Kuldip Nayar. He denies that urban Indians are affected by this verdict in any way or even that they care at all.
But we know for a fact that an appeal asking for the verdict to be delayed until the controversial Commonwealth games got over was rejected by the Supreme Court in India and also Bollywood movie Anjaana Anjaani ‘s release was delayed so as not to coincide with this ruling. Also, Indians working in the MNCs have been receiving and forwarding text messages to brace up for the aftermath of whatever the court announces.

Probably this is one of the many reasons why the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has played it safe. Status quo for the next three months and everyone in India pretty sure of appeals going to be filed against the decision, the responsibility now lies with the Supreme court to give a decision that would prevent violence from erupting in the biggest secular power in the world where around 60% of communal skirmishes took place post 1992, when the mosque was demolished.

The test of India’s secular soul continues and so does of the political acumen of Congress. The result is still to come out. Till that time, Muslims and others need to live under security, for the saffron extremists could strike any time and that is what neutral forces in India fear the most.

Heli Tale

Diary Khan brings for you an account of the Chinook sortie made last month from Multan airbase to Rojhan. Photo courtesy: Farrukh Asif

A neighboourhood that once was.

I am watching Foriegn Minister Qureshi speak at the UN in New York, telling the world that 20% of Pakistan's land mass is under water. No doubt the devastation is huge.Had it not been for the sortie made by Pakistan Army helicopters, no one would have been able to reach an area as far as Rojhan that has been further deserted because of road access cut off. That is why I see many journalists mostly foriegn , gather at ISPR Multan early morning.

The Chinook rose to a significant height, and all that we see below us on the ground is just water . Water, that has submerged almost all farmland of South Punjab. As I wonder if this land will ever be cultivable again, Viladi from Swedish radio, sitting across me shakes his head, signalling to me that he is scared of what he sees-water and only water with tree tops popping out throughout our sortie that lasts an hour .

Viladi has covered major natural disasters like the Haiti Earthquake and Tsunami in Indonesia. There is no comparison with Pakistan floods, he tells me when we land at Rojhan . Port au Prince was just one city that was destroyed.It was easier to help there also becuase the entire world had extended whole hearted help.He is in shock at what he sees in Pakistan. Relief and reconstruction would be very difficult according to him , given the way affected areas lie all across Pakistan.

Viladi ( left) on theChinook, worried about what he has seen below

In the evening as I give my report on Express 24/7 ,I get a chance to speak with Wajid Shamsul Hassan, Pakistan's high commissioner to UK. He is not only happy with the response of international community but also does not think much of criticism on the government for leaving a vacum in rescue and relief.I remind him of the helplessness of the flood victims and that time was short to act.I am not sure if he understood completely .

Your breadbasket under water

1500,the figure of death toll is in no way reflective of the destruction that the flood water has brought with it. The stagnant water
has taken all the germs from the ground that will make it the breeding ground for death via disease.

Pakistanis and Donors and foriegn governments, need to realise that more lives can be saved ,but only if we act now with all heart and soul .

Multan Mellow

I have fallen in love with Pakistan once again. Anyone heading from Lahore towards Multan across the lush agricultural heartland would . Bollywood tunes sung by popular Pakistani artists being played in the bus remind me of the great talent this country possesses in every field. So, you cannot but agree with the Prime Minister that manpower is the biggest asset of the country.

This manpower however is crying at the moment . The mighty Indus has brought nothing but destruction for them this year . Monsoon rains that are usually received over a span of a month or so came down in just about a week. Result? 1 in every 10 Pakistani is affected directly or indirectly by the floods.

I have reached Multan which is going to be my base as I will move forward towards flood stricken districts of South Punjab to see how my countrymen are coping with the disaster. They are very much on their own. Their country now suffers from an 'Image Defecit', that is keeping international community to extend a wholehearted hand. Culprits being the government for misappropraiting previous aid. Some blame terrorism.

But I am sure , the relient nation that Pakistan is, it will come out of this test successful. Meanwhile I shall try my best to keep you posted.

Not so Great Expectations!

When will life return to normal? Terrorism and now floods.

The best thing about the interaction I had over the last weekend with ladies and gentlemen from quite a few nationalities was that they had all gathered to discuss ideas in the light of different researches they had been part of or had come across some related work.

Over waffles, Norwegian cheese and iced tea, Dr.Robert Nichols, Professor of History at Stockton College, New Jersey USA, spoke about Swat and Models of the renowned Norwegian anthropologist Professor Fredrik Barth.

Professor Nichols does agree with the point of view that many have been impressing upon here at home as well. Moving forward in Swat according to him is only possible when the governments in the region are considered legitimate by the very people they are supposed to rule.

With images of women flogged by Taliban and reports of militants having reached as close as Buner,he feels that the way people of Pakistan asked for a full fledged military operation in Swat was unique in the history of the country.

Because, they say that opportunity never perches twice it is really important that the authorities in Pakistan realise that the time is ripe to answer big question on everyone’s lips not by mere words but real action.

It is not going to help letting people continue to see the damage all around them in the form of destroyed schools and infrastructure, simply meant to disrupt their normal way of life. When would people in Swat be actually able to see a hearing taking place in the court? Laws on paper are of no use if their implementation is no where to be seen.

The professor went on to highlight another feature of society here in the country. Youth of the country has expectations from their government. When they get a modern education, which many of them do manage to acquire, they need a future ahead of them, the first step to which could be a job. Modern societies are required to provide their own future with that opportunity.

So, I left the newly rebuilt Islamabad Marriott with a belief that with the right kind of support from the international community, both financial and moral (by reposing trust in Pakistan) logical conclusions to all the operations that were begun with an aspiration of peace and prosperity can be achieved. We must act now.

Till Death Do Us Apart

Helicopters hovering over the crash site. Helis arrived very late to aid rescuers on the ground

What can you say about a couple who dies in a plane crash just after 5 days of making a promise to each other of living side by side for the rest of their lives. Do you have any words to describe the terrorising agony of a man who could not get on the same plane as his wife and two kids and instead reached their destination before them only to find they would never be able to join him again-neither in Islamabad nor anywhere else in this world.

Bad weather or pilot error -but the picturesque Margallah Hills did become the sight of the deadliest plane crash in Pakistan's Aviation history when Air Blue flight ED202 slammed into the hills that overlook Islamabad.This is the first airplane of any private carrier in Pakistan's history.

Bad weather plus difficult terrain- Rescue work was a huge challenge

Federal Interior Minister has confirmed there are no survivors . All 152 embraced death. A day of mourning tomorrow will register formally the pain , shock and disbelief of not only the families of those who died but also the entire nation.

Everyone eagerly awaits the results of the initial investigation into the cause of the tragedy in the light of last converstaion recorded between the pilot and the control tower. This according to the DG CAA would take atleast 10 days. Till ,the big question arises if the air line that holds responsibility for making the decision to fly, should've allowed the Air Bus A321 to take off from Karachi for Islamabad which was as it is normally during monsoon, in the grip of mist and low clouds. Gripping scenes

Probably the fate of the 152 on board flew them to their death but important lessons would be learnt regarding controlling air traffic and making crucial decisions that could save or take precious lives.

Time will heal these wounds

Lahori Rains

With no deadline for downpours to halt in Lahore, here is a look at what the people are going through....... Bread and butter at stake!

Bathing with no effort at all

The Guy in yellow is a true saviour

Who's my master?

Honeymooners!

Crossing the Ravi?

Your drink on ice?

Get disciplined