March 2013 – My Random Ramblings

Washroom Graffiti -II

It takes me time to decide on what to write about. I was thinking for a couple of days on what to write about. Lo and behold, I went in to this public washroom and there was this thing written on the wall. For those who cannot read Urdu, let me please make it simple for you. It says, “Wisest is the man who prepares for death”. This being somewhat a literal translation of the writing, I must say this has religious undertones. Actually what the writer means to say is that one must be prepared for the after life as is the injunction according to Islam. While I tend to agree with this prolific writer about his views being a muslim, but what I am at loss to understand is why he has chosen a washroom wall for this wise authorship? Maybe a washroom is one place where people get new ideas, or have more time or have the freedom of expression in anyway they want. Anyways I find it amusing 🙂

Spring is here.

Spring is here. I just could not stop myself from using my camera. Don’t these flowers look awesome?

Continue reading Spring is here.

The proletarian’s laugh

The inevitable happened, as often it does. My better half was out shopping and I was on my own, that meant no car for me. I had to get home and needed some cash too. So I hired a Rickshaw and headed home, via the bank off course. It was almost 7 pm when I reached the Bank. I told the driver to wait for me as I wanted to get some money and went on to do some jugglery with ATM machine. Praying hard that it does have enough cash, and that it isn’t out of order. It wasn’t out of order, and out came a thin wad of cash, crisp and smelling sweet. As I came out of the ATM kiosk I saw a shadow near me, thinking it to be a mugger I braced for an encounter and deftly moved away only to realize it was the Rickshaw driver who had followed me.

Continue reading The proletarian’s laugh

I planted some Alstonia saplings :-)

I picked up 10 saplings of Alstonia yesterday from a nursery. We had some space around or house vacant so I planted 7 of them. They don’t shed leaves and provide good shade. It feels so good. Later I said a silent prayer for them so that they grow into trees. The rest of three I gifted to a friend. 🙂

Continue reading I planted some Alstonia saplings 🙂

Taliban destroy PTCL Exchange in FATA

FATA has six frontier regions and seven agencies. Since the start of global war on terror this region has experienced the worst kind of destruction. While the frontier regions are somewhat developed and civilization prone the opposite is true for agencies which since the time of British have remained somewhat no go areas and impoverished.

Continue reading Taliban destroy PTCL Exchange in FATA

Ehsanullah Ehsan – and the telephone calls from undisclosed locations.

The infamous TTP spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan has been making calls time and again to the Press and Media agencies claiming responsibility for a multitude suicide and other such attacks carried on by the TTP against the innocent Pakistani’s as well as the state of Pakistan. I have been following the news off and on and each time he makes a call from a “undisclosed location”. Now what exactly is an “undisclosed location?”

Continue reading Ehsanullah Ehsan – and the telephone calls from undisclosed locations.

Hate graffiti in Peshawar

It’s at a very busy intersection of the city that I found these two very clear wall chalkings. This is strong language if you know what I mean. Someone had vented out his anti- American feelings on a very beautiful wall with equally impressive foreground. Not only has he destroyed the look of this wall but also let himself down by using such profane language, at least that’s what I think. I pass through this place daily and it’s been here since last two months. Surprisingly no one has tried to clean it. Funny thing is that the American consulate is about 300 Meters from this place. I think this had been done intentionally so that people in the consulate get this message, loud and clear. And off course the rest of the city gets this message for free as well.

Ostensibly I think it’s the other way around. 🙂

On making snuff in Peshawar

That wad of tobacco, that gives the men a high, that smells so weird, that looks dark green, that men love, that women hate (mostly), that they put between the teeth and cheek, that tastes uncanny, that costs so cheap, that they make by adding tobacco, oil and lime, that they grind and beat, that is what I want to tell you about today 🙂

I saw this little boy with all his contraption near my house, well sort of his factory for making snuff. He could not have been more than 15 but he is making a living selling snuff. He makes Rs. 350 to 400 a day. He is obviously uneducated, but very openhearted. I bought a wad from him, (hell no I don’t do snuff) for Rs. 10. He refused to be paid. Ameer Khan is a hard working Pakistani. He is a rare example of a people beset by options ranging from making a living be it selling snuff to taking up arms against the state. He is honorable, he is decent, and he is supporting his family. I wish I could do more for the likes of them. At least I can write about him. That, is cool.

Ameer Khan’s contraption for making snuff.

The wad I bought from him.

How to cure athlete’s foot

Athlete’s foot is a common disease which happens because of a fungus. Normally it hits the place between fingers of one’s feet. The skin develops rashes and if not taken care of, it becomes very painful. If you have this ailment pour four tea spoons of black tea in a pan and boil it for ten minutes. Soak your feet in it for 15 minutes after it has cooled. Do this twice a day for 3 to 4 days. Dry your feet after each procedure and put powder between your fingers. To prevent recurrence, dry your feet after washing, put powder between fingers and wear clean socks. Hope you find this post useful.