Gate to the construction site of a radio station and media center

U.S. Army Pfcs. Nicholas Sudano, right, and Nicholas Querzoli, both assigned to the Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team, secure the gate to the construction site of a radio station and media center while engineers inspect the project site in Qalat, Afghanistan, Nov. 6, 2010. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson, U.S. Air Force/Released)

Remembering Jaun Elia – Poet of Stark Realities

By Iftikhar Chaudri

Photo Courtesy:karnatakaurduacademy

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Jaun Elia December 14, 1931 - November 8, 2002) was a notable Pakistani Urdu poet, philosopher, biographer and scholar. He was widely praised for his unique style of writing. He was the brother of renowned journalist and psychoanalyst Rais Amrohvi and journalist and world-renowned philosopher Syed Muhammad Taqi, and husband of famous columnist Zahida Hina. He was a man of letters, well versed in Arabic, English, Persian, Sanskrit and Hebrew.

Jaun Elia was born on December 14, 1931 in an illustrious family of Amroha, Uttar Pradesh. He was the youngest of his siblings. His father, Allama Shafiq Hasan Elia, was deeply involved in art and literature and also an astrologer and a poet. This literary environment modeled him along the same lines, and he wrote his first Urdu couplet when he was just 8.
Jaun was very sensitive in his early teen age. His preoccupations in those days were his imaginary beloved character, Sophia, and his anger at the English occupiers of India. He used to do dramatic presentations of the early Muslim period, and hence his knowledge of Muslim history was recognized by many. According to him, his early poetry reflected the dialogue nature of stage drama.
A close relation of Elia's, Syed Mumtaz Saeed, recalled that Elia also went to Syed-ul-Madaris in Amroha, a Madressah (Koranic school). "Jaun had a way with languages. He could learn them effortlessly. Apart from Arabic and Persian that he had learnt at the Madressah, he acquired great proficiency in English and a smattering of Hebrew."
During his youth, the united India was involved in a Muslim-Hindu feud, which led to the partition of the country on religious lines once British rule ended. Being a Communist, Elia was averse to the idea, but finally accepted it as a compromise. Elia migrated to Pakistan in 1957, and made Karachi his home. Before long, he became popular in the literary circles of the city. His poetry, which bears ample testimony to his wide-ranging reading habits, won him acclaim and approbation. Poet Pirzada Qasim said: "Jaun was very particular about language. While his diction is rooted in the classical tradition, he touches on new subjects. He remained in quest of an ideal all his life. Unable to find the ideal eventually, he became angry and frustrated. He felt, perhaps with reason, that he had squandered his talent." He was a prolific writer, but could not be convinced to publish his work. His first poetry collection Shayad (an Urdu word which means "Maybe") was published in 1991, when he was 60. The poetry presented in this collection added Jaun Elia's name in the Urdu literary canon forever. Jaun Elia's preface in this collection provided deep insights into his works and the culture within which he was expressing his ideas. The preface can also be considered as one of the finest examples of modern Urdu prose. It covered his intellectual evolution in different periods of time, and his philosophy of poetry, science, religion, etc. The second collection of his poetry Ya'ani was published posthumously in 2003 . Afterwords Jaun's trustworthy companion Khalid Ansari has compiled and published his three consecutive collections, “Gumaan” (an Urdu word which means "Illusion") in 2004, “Lekin” 2006 and “Goya” 2008, one more collection ‘Kyon’ is now under processing.
An eminent Urdu literary critic, Dr. Muhammad Ali Siddiqui has called Jaun Elia one of the three most eminent ghazal poets of Urdu of the second half of the twentieth century.
Jaun Elia was an unabashed open anarchist and nihilist in generally a conservative and religious society. His elder brother, Rais Amrohvi, himself a poet and influential intellectual, was brutally murdered , and ever after his death, Jaun was conscious about what he would say in public.
Jaun was also involved in translation, editing and other activities. He briefly worked as an editor with Ismaili Tariqah and Religious Education Board (ITREB), in Karachi Pakistan. His translation of various Mautazalite treatises, a book on 12th century Fatimid revolutionary Hasan Bin Sabah, and also various texts about the Ismaili sect in Islam are a major contribution to the Urdu language and literature. His prose and other translation of major Ismaili philosophical works are not easily available, yet some of these can be found at Ismaili Tariqah Board libraries in Karachi and elsewhere.
He acquired encyclopedic knowledge of philosophy, logic, Islamic history, the Muslim Sufi tradition, Muslim religious sciences, Western literature, and Kabbala. He also synthesized this knowledge into his poetry that also differentiates him from his modern contemporaries.
He also edited Urdu literary magazine "Insha", where he came to know of another prolific Urdu writer Zahida Hina, and finally married her. Zahida Hina, a progressive intellectual in her own right, still writes for dailies, Jang and Express, on current political and social issues. He had 2 daughters and a son with her. Jaun and Zahida were divorced in mid 1980s. This left Jaun devastated and alone. He became alcoholic and depressed.
He died after a protracted illness on November 8, 2002 in Karachi.

A Blue-eyed Prince

	Iftikhar Chaudri shared an article on Syed Ishrat Abbas who left this world on November 8, 1980.     Syed Ishrat Abbas better known by his stage name Darpan was one of the original romantic heroes of the "golden age" of the Pakistan Film Industry (also commonly known as Lollywood). He belonged to an educated family originally from Uttar Pradesh, India where he was born in 1928. His brother, Santosh Kumar, was also an actor and another brother, S. Sulaiman, was a director. He started his film career with the Punjabi film Billo in 1951. After starring in a few more films produced in Lahore,he decided to travel to India to try his luck there, he only had moderate success. Notable films from this period include Adal-e-Jahangiri opposite Meena Kumari and Barati. Critics applauded his performance in "Saheli" in which he starred alongside Nayar Sultana and Shamim Ara. He won a Nigar Award for his performance in "Saheli" as well as a Presidential award. He died in Lahore on November 8, 1980. Darpan was a top hero in the beginning of the 60s. He was introduced in film Amanat in 1950 and after only one more film Billo, he left Pakistan and tried his luck in Mumbai, where he appeared in two Indian films Barati and Adl-e-Jahangir. But he was more active in non-professional activities there and became one of many victim of famous Indian actress Nigar Sultana (who played famous Dil Aram role in classic Indian film Mughal-e-Azam and was married director S.M. Yousuf and actor Zahoor Raja too!). Darpan came back to Lahore after few years, where film industry was booming and he acted in first film Baap ka Gunnah.But he got breakthrough from his own produced film Sathi. Raat ke Rahi, Saheli, Gulfam, Qaidi, Anchal, Baji, Shikwa, Ik tera sahara and Naela were some big films as hero. His last big film as hero was Pail ki jhankar in 1966. He was hero in Waheed Murad's two produced films Insaan badalta hai and Jab se dekha hai tumhen. He was villain in Ik Gunah aur sahi and supporting actor in Khuda te Maa, Jab jab Phool khiley and few other films. Filmography • 1950 Amanat • 1951 Billo • 1957 Baap ka Gunaah • 1957 Noor-e-Islam • 1958 Rukhsana • 1959 Sahara • 1959 Khul ja sim sim • 1959 Shama • 1959 Saathi • 1960 Noukri Saheli • 1961 Insaan badalta hai • 1961 Gulfam • 1961 Lakhon fasane • 1962 Qaidi • 1962 Mousiqaar • 1962 Aanchal • 1963 Jab se dekha hai tumhen • 1963 Yahudi ki Larki • 1963 Baji • 1963 Shikwa • 1963 Dulhan • 1963 Ik tera sahara • 1963 Tange Wala • 1964 Baap ka Baap • 1964 Sikari • 1964 Inspector • 1964 Shabab • 1965 Koh-e-Qaaf • 1965 Naela • 1966 Al-Halaal • 1966 Hamrahi • 1966 Jalwah • 1966 Mere Mehboob • 1966 Pail ki Jhankar • 1966 Mojza • 1967 Sham Svera • 1967 Bahadur • 1967 Sitamgar • 1967 Shola aur Shabnam • 1968 Baalam • 1968 Ik Musafar Ik Haseena • 1968 Saiqa • 1969 Meri Bhabbi • 1969 Fasana-e-Dil • 1970 Hamjoli • 1973 Azmat • 1973 Khuda te Maa • 1974 Jawab do • 1975 Izzat • 1975 Ik gunah aur sahi • 1975 Jab jab Phool khiley

Baba gave new life to devotee

Veena Gupta 

Sai Amritvani

Jai Sai Ram

It was Thursday the 4th Nov 2010. A lady of 80+ came to attend the recitation of Sri Sai Amrit Vani and Parayan of Sai Satcharitra at Sidhartha Extension. She had a paralytic attack some times ago, now she was ok, but week due to her age. She is our neighbor and her daughters and daughter in law are also regular in recitation of Group recitation. In the morning her great daughter in law asked her not to go that day and recite Sri Sai Amrit Vani, from home only, as the sound of our pooja is heard from their house also. But she told her that she wants to go as it is being done after a long gap and she also wanted to meet Mrs. Gupta. Here she told the other devotees that she want to sit on the chair, and she occupied a chair. Usually she used to sit on the floor. In the middle of the recitation of Sai Amrit Vani one doctor devotee saw her falling from the chair and she ran towards her. Immediately she was made to lie down on the floor with her feet upside. There were four doctors present at that time in the house. They took all the necessary measures, but there was no pulse and heart beat. There was toilet all around her and all the symptoms of the death. All the devotees continued chanting the Sai Amrit Vani rather in the loud voice and doctors were attending to her. Mrs Gupta took some Udi and was ready to place it on her lips, but the doctors said that all is over. It was a very tense moment. However Mrs Gupta put some Udi on her lips and we all saw the movement in the tongue and Udi went inside her mouth. Mrs Gupta then put some water, which was from Baba’s Charans and the water went into her mouth. All the devotees were chanting loudly. There was some movement in her body, and in few minutes she also started chanting the Sai Amrit Vani along with others. She was removed to the next room on the diwan. She was surprised why people are around her and wanted to get up. When forced to lie down. She told that she is all OK. She was just talking to Baba. She felt that Baba has entered in her body and was surprised on the actions taken by other devotees. She asked why the floor sheet have been removed, why her cloths are wet, had she vomited? And all such quarries. Her Blood pressure was checked and it was also normal. She was taken to the Hospital by hers sons, and the pooja went on. Later on Doctors who attended her told that She had really collapsed and there was no pulse and heartbeat. This is how Baba gave new life to HIS devotee. Had this happened in her own house, she must have gone. It was Baba Who extended her life. In the hospital she was discharged after some investigations and was declared fit. On Friday morning she was found working and was outside her house and told Mrs. Gupta that she is quite fine and she met Baba, who had given her Udi and some Jal. 
Jai Sai Ram
Ashok Gupta
Veena_gupta_2000@yahoo.com

35th Annual Marine Corps Marathon

 Participants in the 35th Annual Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) begin the 26.2-mile run Oct. 31, 2010, in Arlington, Va. The MCM, also known as "The People's Marathon", began Oct. 1975, and has grown to become the fourth-largest marathon in the United States and the eighth-largest worldwide. (DoD photo by Cpl. Ricky Robinson III, U.S. Marine Corps /Released)

Talking about dangers of drug and alcohol abuse

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jeffrey Spear, left, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Estrella, both logistics specialists assigned to U.S. Naval Hospital Guam, speak to students about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse Oct. 29, 2010, at Ordot-Chalan Pago Elementary School in Agana, Guam. (DoD photo by Jesse Leon Guerrero, U.S. Navy/Released) 101029-N-1906L-011

March and Rally in San Francisco on Friday, Nov. 5

Posted on : Tue, Nov 2, 2010 at 11:43 PM


Hundreds of Amnesty International Activists to March in Solidarity with Aung San Suu Kyi and the People of Myanmar

Photo courtesy:Burma Digest

San Francisco : Approximately 200 Amnesty International activists march and rally in solidarity with Aung San Suu Kyi and the people of Myanmar this Friday, November 5,starting at 5:30 p.m. Held on the eve of the historic November 7 elections in Myanmar, activists holding illuminated posters of Aung San Suu Kyi will call on the Myanmar authorities to release her and the 2,000-plus prisoners imprisoned for peaceful activism.   The march will begin at the corner of McAllister and Hyde Streets at 5:30 p.m. and will end with a rally at the steps of San Francisco City Hall, with projected images of Aung San Suu Kyi as the backdrop.
The demonstration kicks off Amnesty International USA's (AIUSA's) annual regional human rights conference, which will continue on November 6 and 7 at UC Hastings College of Law.  Speakers include several prominent Burmese human rights defenders, including: Toe Lwin, a youth leader for the National League for Democracy and a member of Aung San Suu Kyi's Security Team; Nyunt Than  of the Burmese American Democratic Alliance; Yasmin Vanyaof the Burmese American Women's Alliance; and Maung Maung Latt, an exiled Minister of Parliament.   AIUSA Field Organizer Kalaya’an Mendoza will emcee.  A Burmese drum troupe will perform traditional music at the event.
The military rulers of Myanmar have jailed thousands of people in their continuing efforts to crush all dissenting views. Most prominent of those detained is Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate who has been the beacon of hope and change for nearly two decades in Myanmar. November 7, 2010, marks the first time the Myanmar government has held elections since 1990.
Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 2.8 million supporters, activists and volunteers who campaign for universal human rights from more than 150 countries. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.   
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What:Solidarity March and Rally for Aung San Suu Kyi and the People of Myanmar
Who:Amnesty International USA and Burmese human rights defenders
Where:U.C. Hastings (at the corner of Hyde and McAllister); march ends at the steps of San Francisco City Hall (1 Doctor Carlton B. Goodlett Place)
When:Friday, November 5, 2010, 5:30 p.m.  Rally and program begin at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall.  
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