Gulbadan

So today Pakistan turns 59. Or 60, according to GEO. Heh. Which one is it? Hmm...well, 2006 - 1947 = 59 according to my calculations. Oh well, maybe they have a super computer that knows some advanced arithmetic that I sadly was not taught in class four in Beaconhouse Garden Town Campus, Lahore.

At any rate, it is Pakistan's birthday today. And hence the phrase jashan-e-azadi mubarak, congralutations on the celebration of freedom. Well, aapko mubarak. I'm good without that. As my dead uncle used to say with great poignancy, "celebrate what?" There is only one reason to celebrate, and that is hope for the future. A better one, it is implied.

Being a closet single-minded patriot, I would like to draw your attention to a fascinating website/blog that I came across yesterday. All Things Pakistan is a must-read, for it is insightful, thought-provoking, moving, and also quite relevant. What they are trying to do with that site deserves respect and support.

Mobilink, by the way, has become my favourite cellular phone service, even though I do not use it nor do I plan to in the near future. And this I say without any sarcasm and with a completely straight face. Honest. My affection for them is related purely to what they have done recently with 'Yeh Watan Tumhara Hai, Tum Ho Pasbaan Iske', one of my favourite patriotic songs, and sung by Mehdi Hassan. They've made a new video of it, with Mehdi Hassan himself in it, frail and weak but with intense emotions in his eyes, and tons of kids. Something about the transferring of responsibilities to the new generation, as implied in the song even. Fascinating stuff.

You should listen to that song today. Another song you should listen to today is 'Hum Dekheingay', sung by Iqbal Bano and written by Faiz. If you want it, let me know. I shall burn a cd for you, free of cost. I'm feeling generous today. :)