Shahid Husain wonders what happens to those standards when it comes to dealing with the developing world
On Thursday I went to Maryland to meet my friend Aziz Sanghur who was on a visit to the US for training in film-making. He called me and said: 'Yeh mulk to dozak hey (This country is hell!).' His visit was sponsored by the US Embassy in Pakistan and he was living in a posh hotel in Silver Spring, Marryland.
Sanghur is a Baloch and fond of women. I asked him why that country was hell. He said, 'Ye hamein HIV par film dikha rahe hein (They are showing us films on HIV).' I replied: 'Tumhey dara rahey hongey (They must be trying to scare you).'
I differed with him and said ordinary American folk are simple and cooperative and love their country.
We had good time in his room. Then we went for lunch. Aziz took me to a nearby food street bustling with activity. We went to an Iranian caf' and he ordered kebab and naan.
'In Karachi you are always my host. Today, I will be your host,' he said. One could smoke in the food street although it's prohibited elsewhere, even in houses. One has to go outside if one has to smoke and one is looked with piercing eyes if one smokes. We also went to a bookshop displaying wonderful books but despite temptation, I did not buy a book. I wanted to save substantial money.
In the evening, when I returned to Huntington subway, I was pleased to see that ordinary Americans respect their soldiers. People were waiting for bus and amongst them was an air force guy in full uniform. He was smart but limping. Perhaps, he got injured in the 'war on terror.' Everybody here makes a queue but people, including women, asked the air force guy to ride the bus first.
I was pleased but wondered why the American government and its generals and statesmen tried to impose their will on the poor nations of the world? Why it's a different ballgame in other countries? Why they dictate their terms to countries such as Pakistan and India?
In November, President Obama will be visiting India and in all likelihood it will make Pakistani establishment scary. There would be articles and analyses in Pakistani newspapers and TV channels with lots of speculation and once again the peace process between the two neighbours would be derailed. Why is it so that the Americans looked the other way when India and Pakistan were making a N-bomb and now have become champions of peace between the two countries? The reason is very obvious: They want Pakistan army to fully concentrate on the 'war on terror.' While I was sitting in Sanghur's room in the hotel, CNN was beaming news about a meeting between the Russian president and President Obama. The Russian president didn't look as smart as Obama.
Top newspapers such as Los Angeles Times and the Guardian were also analysing dismissal of US commander in Afghanistan because he was disrespectful towards the civilian leadership, including President Obama. Will civilian rule in Pakistan ever become as powerful and stable as in America, I thought.
I also recalled my days (1973-1980) at the Soviet Press and Information, Karachi. My father, a thorough professional, a person who graduated from the prestigious Forest College of Dehradun, India, was sacked by the Z.A. Bhutto government without assigning any reason and I had to look for a job.
Eminent Pakistani historian and anthropologist, the late Syed Sibte Hasan called me and wrote a recommendation letter to the then consul at the Soviet Press and Information Department and asked me to go there. Hasan was also the president of Pak-Soviet Friendship Society.
'Very strong recommendation,' murmured Blinov after reading Hasan's letter. 'Mr. Husain this is a place for retired people. You will be in trouble when you leave this job,' he told me. Then he said he would call me when there was a vacancy. I was disappointed.
I got a job in a private bank but was not happy. After about three months, Blinov called me and asked me to write something. It was a test of sorts. I used to read a lot in those days. I wrote an article on international labour movement and was hired for Rs600 per month. My article was published as a cover story in left-wing weekly Al-Fateh. I didn't even know at that time what was meant by a cover story.
The very next day Blinov called me in his office and asked me how I got the story published in weekly Al-Fateh since it was a pro-Chinese magazine and deadly against Soviet Union.
I replied that I had given my article to the editor of Al-Fateh, Shaukat Siddiqui, who published it. My salary was raised to Rs 800. In 1974 when Blinov's term was over and he was given a reception at Sindh Club by the then consul general, Volkov, I was also invited. 'He is my son!' said Blinov while introducing me to Volkov. 'Are you a student?' asked the tall and handsome Volkov. 'I am an editor!' I replied with a sense of pride. Somebody told me that Blinov died of a heart attack when he was the Ambassador to Egypt.
How strange! I am recollecting these memories in a country against which I wrote all my life!
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
IIPM BBA MBA Institute: Student Notice Board
Run after passion and not money, says Arindam Chaudhuri
Award Conferred To Irom Chanu Sharmila By IIPM
Prof Rajita Chaudhuri follow some off-beat trends like organizing make up sessions
IIPM Prof Rajita Chaudhuri's SnapsOn Thursday I went to Maryland to meet my friend Aziz Sanghur who was on a visit to the US for training in film-making. He called me and said: 'Yeh mulk to dozak hey (This country is hell!).' His visit was sponsored by the US Embassy in Pakistan and he was living in a posh hotel in Silver Spring, Marryland.
Sanghur is a Baloch and fond of women. I asked him why that country was hell. He said, 'Ye hamein HIV par film dikha rahe hein (They are showing us films on HIV).' I replied: 'Tumhey dara rahey hongey (They must be trying to scare you).'
I differed with him and said ordinary American folk are simple and cooperative and love their country.
We had good time in his room. Then we went for lunch. Aziz took me to a nearby food street bustling with activity. We went to an Iranian caf' and he ordered kebab and naan.
'In Karachi you are always my host. Today, I will be your host,' he said. One could smoke in the food street although it's prohibited elsewhere, even in houses. One has to go outside if one has to smoke and one is looked with piercing eyes if one smokes. We also went to a bookshop displaying wonderful books but despite temptation, I did not buy a book. I wanted to save substantial money.
In the evening, when I returned to Huntington subway, I was pleased to see that ordinary Americans respect their soldiers. People were waiting for bus and amongst them was an air force guy in full uniform. He was smart but limping. Perhaps, he got injured in the 'war on terror.' Everybody here makes a queue but people, including women, asked the air force guy to ride the bus first.
I was pleased but wondered why the American government and its generals and statesmen tried to impose their will on the poor nations of the world? Why it's a different ballgame in other countries? Why they dictate their terms to countries such as Pakistan and India?
In November, President Obama will be visiting India and in all likelihood it will make Pakistani establishment scary. There would be articles and analyses in Pakistani newspapers and TV channels with lots of speculation and once again the peace process between the two neighbours would be derailed. Why is it so that the Americans looked the other way when India and Pakistan were making a N-bomb and now have become champions of peace between the two countries? The reason is very obvious: They want Pakistan army to fully concentrate on the 'war on terror.' While I was sitting in Sanghur's room in the hotel, CNN was beaming news about a meeting between the Russian president and President Obama. The Russian president didn't look as smart as Obama.
Top newspapers such as Los Angeles Times and the Guardian were also analysing dismissal of US commander in Afghanistan because he was disrespectful towards the civilian leadership, including President Obama. Will civilian rule in Pakistan ever become as powerful and stable as in America, I thought.
I also recalled my days (1973-1980) at the Soviet Press and Information, Karachi. My father, a thorough professional, a person who graduated from the prestigious Forest College of Dehradun, India, was sacked by the Z.A. Bhutto government without assigning any reason and I had to look for a job.
Eminent Pakistani historian and anthropologist, the late Syed Sibte Hasan called me and wrote a recommendation letter to the then consul at the Soviet Press and Information Department and asked me to go there. Hasan was also the president of Pak-Soviet Friendship Society.
'Very strong recommendation,' murmured Blinov after reading Hasan's letter. 'Mr. Husain this is a place for retired people. You will be in trouble when you leave this job,' he told me. Then he said he would call me when there was a vacancy. I was disappointed.
I got a job in a private bank but was not happy. After about three months, Blinov called me and asked me to write something. It was a test of sorts. I used to read a lot in those days. I wrote an article on international labour movement and was hired for Rs600 per month. My article was published as a cover story in left-wing weekly Al-Fateh. I didn't even know at that time what was meant by a cover story.
The very next day Blinov called me in his office and asked me how I got the story published in weekly Al-Fateh since it was a pro-Chinese magazine and deadly against Soviet Union.
I replied that I had given my article to the editor of Al-Fateh, Shaukat Siddiqui, who published it. My salary was raised to Rs 800. In 1974 when Blinov's term was over and he was given a reception at Sindh Club by the then consul general, Volkov, I was also invited. 'He is my son!' said Blinov while introducing me to Volkov. 'Are you a student?' asked the tall and handsome Volkov. 'I am an editor!' I replied with a sense of pride. Somebody told me that Blinov died of a heart attack when he was the Ambassador to Egypt.
How strange! I am recollecting these memories in a country against which I wrote all my life!
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
IIPM BBA MBA Institute: Student Notice Board
Run after passion and not money, says Arindam Chaudhuri
Award Conferred To Irom Chanu Sharmila By IIPM
Prof Rajita Chaudhuri follow some off-beat trends like organizing make up sessions
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