Adil Najam
3QuarksDaily (3QD to friends) was the very first blog I visited and I got addicted to it immediately. I find it to be the most intellectually stimulating and educative blog out there. Over the last year, I have probably told more people about why they should visit 3QD than I have about ATP. That is how much I admire the work that the 3QD team is doing.
Although much of the 3QD team is from Pakistan, the blog itself is much much more than a ‘Pakistani blog.’ However, because so many of them are from Pakistan, a certain Pakistaniness does seep through into the posts in terms of the topics they cover and the way they over them.
One such very Pakistani post was the recent video made and posted by one of the 3QD team members. I must confess -sheepishly - that I may be one of the very few Pakisatnis who does not actually like Nihari. But I did love the video.
I love the video because it has this feel of real citizen journalism to it; both in its topic and its execution. But much more thank that, I love it because for some reason it gives me this very authentic Pakistani - and Karachi - feel.
Maybe it is because of the subject matter and the places it shows; maybe it is because of this very deliberate ‘unprofessional’ feel to it with the jerks and the dhakkas (what could be more Pakistani than a few dhakkas as you wak across Burns Road!); maybe its the simplicity of the narration. Whatever it is, I have been enjoying it for the last few days; the people at Karachi Metroblog have also been doing so for the last couple of days; and I thought you would too.
But most of you guys in UK,UK etc are highly dependant on SHAAN products, am I not right? :-)
OT:
[kidding]
abhishek mian, aishwarya rai se shadi kia ki tum tu pagla gaye ho,apna surname bhe change karlia :-)
[/kidding]
Very nice video…. as the essay says, it is ‘very Karachi’….. I think it was made for American audiences at 3QD and that is why it is in English.
oh the video reminded me of the baaad traffic situation in pak, any ways i love nihaari but pity i didnt eat any in my last trip, but hopefully next time.
Too hard to watch this video at lunch time!! I got fond of nihari a few years ago and I had to depend on some friends who were great cooks (moved away!) because my wife will not go near anything to do with nihari. To my disappointment, Sabri Nihari opened in Dallas but failed miserably. Now I am hoping that my friend will move back to US from Karachi :)
“…. makes them (Pakistanis) see themselves inferior to all others, and that is one of the (biggest) reasons of their mistreatment (by others) all over the world.”
Now Mr. Shah has made three assumptions here.
1) Pakistanis see themselves inferior to all others.
2) Their inferior view of themselves is the biggest reason of the mistreatment they receive from others.
3) Others all over the world mistreat Pakistanis.
My personal experiences are very different than those stated by Mr. Shah. My experience is that if I present myself in a respectful manner and if I respect others they in turn respect me. I do not consider myself inferior to all others and I am proud to call myself a Pakistani; any where in the world. Could the feeling of inferiority and perception of being less then respected be an individual and not a national phenomenon.
I have not have the opportunity to start my day with “Nehari” or “Nihari”. Is the word equivalent to Pakistani Urdu word “Nashta” or breakfast in English. Is the word “Nehari” like it is in “Lel-o-Nehar”.
Abhi Shek Rai from Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India:
“I was born in Eastern Uttar Pradesh (Luknow is the Capital). I have never moved out of the country, though the only place I ever would like to visit is Pakistan (not the country, but the land beyond the imaginary lines at Wagah)….. When I think about Lahore and Karanchi, I do not think about Pakistan. Then why do we have to think about it Sir?….. which make me strengthen my resolve to cross the damned border and see the wonderful cities and its wonderful people. What do you say?”.
Yeh, what would you say to Mr. Rai. He wants to visit the land but not the country. He wants to cross the “damned border” and the “imaginary” lines at Wagah to visit Lahore and Karachi. Yeh, what would you say to Abhi Shek Rai from Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India.
Aadab arz hai,
I have one grouse against you. I thoroughly enjoy reading everything about , being posted here. As long as it is Lahoriyat, Karanchiyat, Peshwariyat it feels as if I am looking at a picture, being described , taken in my neighbourhood. The moment Hindustaniyat or Pakistaniyat sneaks in, taste changes.
I was born in Eastern Uttar Pradesh(Luknow is the Capital). I grew up in a very secular atmosphere,where it was a matter of privilige to touch the feet of Ustad. Bismillah Khan ,while he walked the streets of Banaras on Mohurrum and wonder if Kaazi Sahab , would ever take us to Mecca, as he would promise on every meeting, while discussing about the preparations about the Holi. I grow up, and I am 26. I have never moved out of the country, though the only place I ever would like to visit is Pakistan(not the country, but the land beyond the imaginary lines at Wagah). When I listen to the musicians from Pakistan, they do not sound Pakistani. When I think about Lahore and Karanchi, I do not think about Pakistan. Then why do we have to think about it Sir? I would still love to read your wonderful descriptions, which make me strengthen my resolve to cross the damned border and see the wonderful cities and its wonderful people. Then I will sit down and prepare a chart about the quirks of people from the various cities of Delhi, Bombay, Lahore, Karachi and Chennai.
WHat do you say?
:)