"me no speak in english"

Rant mode: On
Sympathy mode: Off

It is dreadful to find a customer in KFC, push in the queue, place her order, and react (when confronted) with "me no speak in english."

Fortunately for the woman, she knows how to enter her PIN (numeracy is fantastic!); knows exactly what she wants (no mistake with the fried Chicken pieces); and furthermore, is an expert on condiments ("just mustard please, no mayo, and can I also have ketchup in a small container?"). Regrettably, etiquette jumps through the loophole with queuing.

The thick skull should consider incorporating 'queue' in her English vocabulary.

Chirag...

Literally referred to as 'Lamp'(/fire torch/light), yet somewhat metaphorically, it is divine inspiration/ray of hope, and a bit like an invisible blinking idea bulb over the head.

The burning chirag is attractive, it should continue to burn. Albeit slowly, this noor inside us will diminish with age. We feel helpless in our moments thereafter.. And yet - somewhere lurking - there will be another youth where another powerful chirag burns. They will remind us of our yesteryears; by then, we would only be capable of offering our knowledge in return of favouring their noor.

So while the chirag is burning, let us learn further, and develop the knowledge which others will seek.

For the two Jahans: Ishrat (Affection) and Nur (Light).

Woman like a man

"You wanna be rich,
you wanna be kitsch,
you wanna be the bastard of yourself
woman like a man, woman like a man, like a woman, like a, like a man"
(D.R. - O)

Dignity is the frame within which an individual is considered creditable, and deserves esteem. Pride is quite the contrary... it is mere foolishness that drives the individual to a superficial belief that he/she is an honourable person.

In an unrestricted society with context to gender and work, a lady would endeavour to reach the same heights as a man (who has long-established his position in this governing structure). It is an achievement if that lady reaches such height, and furthermore dignified of the lady to be humble of her success. Yet, if it is pride that gets the better, the lady leaves nothing but displays herself as a fool. Dedicated to a naive baroness.

Pink (Anderson) Floyd (Council)

Remember when you were young, you shone like the sun. SHINE ON YOU CRAZY DIAMOND

...Now there's a look in your eye, like black holes in the sky. SHINE ON YOU CRAZY DIAMOND

We mustn't falter. Options tempt us, but we mustn't falter.

For the love of Pink Floyd, their songs and lyrics brought glee to the generation beyond; they were curious, as was the experimental music composed. A loyalist once said, 'they (Pink Floyd) are irreplaceable'. In fact, no one will ever replace the greatest gig in the sky.

With the blessings of the present day existence, an optimist can sing, 'Shine on you crazy diamond'

Fountainhead

Objectivism... one strand of thinking often associated with Ayn Rand (the author of "Fountainhead"). Where - in metaphysics - reality remains fixed and objectively knowable.

The philosophy of Objectivism is as vast as is metaphysics. The only issue is in choosing the initial facet when entering the world of independent mindedness. Next stage is just as challenging as the first; although later the stages and the facets might all evolve into a whole big labyrinth. Somehow, like the process of completing a thesis, a tangle has to be untangled and then everything can be put into perspective.

Whether it is after that completed thesis things make sense, or realisation hits that things will stay in square one, it is meaningful to know Asrar-i-khudi (Secrets of self).

Adieu Couturier, Bonjour Chaste Minister

Ubiquitous fashion with classic elegance. Yves Saint Laurent (The guy who wore the finest spectacles) was probably one of the most unorthodox couturier of his time. He died on 1st June, leaving the fashion house to mourn.

The mourning went beyond fashion houses to a nation's loss of a talented man. But France had two reasons to cry. Firstly, the death of Monsieur Laurent, and secondly, the annulment of the marriage of the unchaste virgin who lied to her dearest that she was a virgin before they married.

However, the argument goes beyond infidelity... the couple were both French Muslims, who had their marriage annulled on the basis that chastity was an "essential quality" (under the French civil code, an annulment can be granted "if there was a mistake about the person, or the essential qualities of the person"). But the couple still remain married now that the case has been sent back for review this week.

Rachida Dati - Justice Minister in France - is the lady who is in questioning. Given that the French fail to see how chastity is seen as an essential quality, Madame Dati's rational for announcing this marriage void was granted on that same key where virginity was regarded as an essential quality in the case. It is a perfectly comprehensible verdict, especially from a woman (Dati) who comes from a Muslim background. Yet, it is extremely unfortunate, the difficulty in the chaste minister's verdict requires taking into consideration the sensitivity of the secular French republic.

The Orator and the Oration

Kofi Annan, the 7th Secretary-General of the United Nations, was the Orator for the evening at King's College London on 28th May 2008.

His speech of progressive Africa was inspirational. Power words such as, Green revolution, Cultivation stagnation, Debt relief pretty much summed up conditions for Africa in context to poverty and aid.

War zone issues, disappointingly, were better left avoided. The issue of Darfur however did arise, and the Orator's response was to address these obvious problems.

In future, may be we can all brainstorm and come up with a solution to resolve the conflict instead of shooting power words.