By: Noushah Arshad

Traffic jams are a routine site in huge cities like Lahore or Karachi, they rarely happen in small cities. How we behave during a traffic jam depicts our complete persona. Sitting on a driving seat brings great responsibility on the person.

Some time back I experienced one of the worst traffic jams of my life at Sutlej River (Once that it was). A flyover and a Bridge were under construction that caused hindrance in heavy traffic during rush hours. It took us almost half an hour to come out of that traffic jam and that was just because Highway Police was manging it well, as much as they can. . . It was something I’ve also experienced before while travellling by road. What made this journey worse was another traffic jam waiting at a railway track.

A passenger train had to cross the track for which gates were closed for traffic. There were no police or government personnel to manage the traffic at that time. While people anxiously waited for the train to cross, they completely blocked the road on both sides without leaving any passage for the traffic of opposite side. . . Train moved with ‘great’ speed … I bet a motorcyclist racing with that train would have been faster.

As the train was crossing the gates, engines of cars were ready to move with their head lights on and vehicles moving an in inch or two after every few seconds. No one was ready to wait for the gates to open. No one was ready to give way to any one. Instead of one or two lanes, there was no proper lane at all. A single road for the two way traffic was stuck with every kind of vehicle ranging from cycle to trawlers, trucks, cars, vans, coaches and worth mentioning were goat carts and donkey carts. Fortunately, train crossed and gates were opened and what a great scene did our drivers create … Traffic moved from both sides presenting the scene of a clash of armies in a battle field. How can you go ahead when you are not ready to give way to others … Result was a complete jam for few more minutes. Every one was trying to fly over and cross the vehicles standing in front. And in such a mess a very intelligent old man on bicycle had a great idea. He picked up his bicycle, kept it on his shoulders and with several twists and turns, crossed all the obstacles and here he was seen on his way safely and calmly. At that moment I really wished to have a bicycle. This was an added benefit of bicycle I never thought of before!

And now what … As me and my family was learning some new aspects about psychology of our country men, there was a VIP movement. Some Mr. VIP was also blocked in traffic in his Black flagged car with two police vans for his security. Police men came out of their van and tried to manage the situation. Highway police was called and in few minutes traffic started moving on slowly. Thanks to Mr.VIP. If he was not there, there would have been no one to guide dumb headed drivers who never bothered to use their senses unless some one was their to order them and guide them. There were few guys who were trying to manage things voluntarily before the arrival of police but it was not turning out to be useful as no one was ready to listen to them… after all they were just some poor villagers and not wearing any uniforms … At that moment I thought why dictators have been leading our nation in past years.

There were two ambulances stuck in there. I saw the faces of two men in one of the ambulances, their eyes were just blank . . . not knowing what was going to happen in next few minutes. May be someone will care to give way to an ambulance. I knew that the long jam that I have crossed was waiting for them and they were sure to wait for at least 2-4 hours until the road was cleared. . . I hope those ambulances got their way earlier.

That was the time when I really thought that education doesn’t matter a lot to us. Im sure 80% of drivers would have done at least metric and most of them would have many degrees in hand including intermediate, graduation, post graduate and some PhD s too…. But who cares? No one… Every one had degrees, but no one had common sence, no one was educated. These schools, academies and institutions in every nook and corner of our cities are just distributing degrees without creating any awareness of what true education is. Villages are even deprived of it too.

We are very unfortunate as a nation that we lack the quality in teachers. Over the years Pakistan has produced many ‘Masters” who know how to deliver what’s written in books, but they never try to develop characters of their students. For them, what matters is their salary. That’s what a Master is, who bothers just about his salary. I’ve experienced such Masters who never even bothered to ask names of their students. When they don’t know whom they are teaching, how can they have a deep look into the personality of a student? I remember one of such Masters during my graduation. During our last month at college she asked one of our class fellows, “Are you new in this section? I’ve never seen you before in last two years.” … She was the girl who used to sit in second row, not even the back bencher …

We need teachers not masters… teachers who can develop our personalities, who can deliver some common sense into their students, even at basic level, who can work on personal growth and development of their students. What’s the use of a PhD if he lacks character and personality, if he abuses his road fellows, insults his students and fights with people if they argue . . . we don’t need such higher education. We need people who understand the true meaning of education, who are educated in true sense, who don’t have a bundle of degrees in hand, but who just have a bit of knowledge of living their life and guts to play a role in developing the younger generation to create a better nation over all.

“Give me good mothers and I will give you a great nation” … Nepolean said it right. His words are universal as I take them to be. My words may be hurting for some people out there but honestly, what I feel is that we lack good mothers today. When I see a woman leaving plenty of food in her plate at a function, I feel what she would be teaching to her child about it when she herself doesn’t clean her plate properly. Trust me, Ive seen it many times. Yes, there are many great mothers in my country and it is because of them that Pakistanis moving on but over all we still need more. Mothers, who can develop their children, educate them and make them proper and aware citizens for tomorrow. Mothers, who can give birth to Teachers not Masters.

I wish that one day we could just stop distributing degrees among people and not letting them feel proud of a heavy file full of degrees with a few foreign ones too. . .

“At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received how much money we have made, how many great things we have done.

We will be judged by ‘I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was naked and you clothed me, I was homeless and you took me in.’

Hungry not only for bread — but hungry for love. Naked not only for clothing — but naked for human dignity and respect. Homeless not only for want of a room of bricks — but homeless because of rejection.”(Mother Teresa)

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By: Noushah Arshad

Wandering in the garden of thoughts, I happened to pass across a weed that had grown too fast in past few days. A weed that was weird in its outlook. It had a thorny body and dull color. It was shapeless due to heavy growth at one congested part of my garden. I had never seen this thing in my garden of thoughts before. It was as if it had grown in a very short time span or maybe I was paying a visit after a very long time.

I touched the thorns out of curiosity and to my wonder the thorn transformed into a beautiful flower. Every thorn that was touched tenderly grew into a soft and pretty flower. To my utter amazement as soon as I started paying attention to that dull and heavily grown weed, it started getting beautiful, green and healthy.

It took me a while to discover from where that growth took place in my garden.

Last time I had paid a visit; it was winter season back in last year. In that visit I had found no such thing. There was love and beauty all around in my thoughts, with someone to care for them. What was different this time? Why I couldn’t find love and beauty this time? Why it was taken over by such a weed? Was there no one to care for the beauty of my thoughts and love I have in myself?

Yes, maybe that’s the case. The weed is there because it has been so long since someone touched my thoughts with love and care. All the beauty has turned into a weed longing for a single gentle touch to change thorns into flowers. I feel that no one is going to care for my garden of thoughts now. It’s me who’ll have to change this weed into a beauty that it can be. It’s just me who’ll have to heal the scars of my garden, destroyed by those whom I loved and trusted as I trust and love myself or may be more than that. I made them the keepers and protectors of my thoughts but they betrayed me, and here I am … Lost and forlorn with my garden. Trying to help myself, trying to heal what has been left broken and scratched.

I hope one day I’ll be able to do it. I’ll be able to pick up all the thorns and throw them away forever from my garden. Doing so I’ve also learned a lesson; I’m never going to hand over my garden to anyone to protect or to keep safe with care. I’ll do it myself. I feel that no one can do this job better than me. And I’m already working on it.

She told me with teary eyes, got up and walked away. I had met her in a park, sitting alone and healing herself with soft winter breeze gently touching her face. I wish she may be the best protector of her garden and may she get the beauty and freshness of her garden back soon.

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By: Noushah Arshad

A dream that could never have been more beautiful … A star that could never have shined brighter … A passion that could never have been stronger … A life that could never have been more blessed!!!

She found it all in the warmth of his strong arms wrapped around her.

“What if I marry someone else?”  He asked, holding her close to him.

Her heart started pounding and eyes filled with unknown fears, she replied; “I’ll leave you forever.”

“Why would you do that? Can you leave me? Can you leave the one you love the most in this world?” He asked with a naughty smile on his face.

“I can’t stop loving you whatever happens, but I’ll go away somewhere, where you would never be able to find me. I’ll just disappear in this big world.” Her eyes filled with tears and she wrapped herself tightly around him.

“I’ll never let it happen.” He smiled and hugged her.

Life could never have been more beautiful for them. The warmth of their souls and touch of their feelings made it a dream that they wanted to last forever.

The journey of few minutes with him seemed to be covering all her life with a thick cloud of love and blessings, a cloud that would always keep her in the shadows from pain and sufferings of her life.

“Get married! You are getting old” She had told him looking in his eyes that seemed wary looking for a home…

He had one of his sweetest smiles on his face with a deep feeling of truth that he never wanted to hear. “Hey! I don’t look old. Do I? People say I am just a boy” He put on his glasses and asked her, “See! Do I look old now?”

Wearing jeans and jacket with glasses on, he looked the most handsome guy on earth to her. “You look older in glasses Mr. May be of 45 or so “And she laughed watching him getting upset about his age.

She had spent one of the most beautiful moments of her life with him, the moments that washed away all her sorrows and grief of the past year. She felt new and better. She felt happy and protected.

“You know you’re the most beautiful person in the world” He looked into her eyes and told her.

“Stop joking. I know I’m not.” She thought; it’s him who is the most beautiful person on earth it’s just that he has never thought of it. Or never realized may be. His smile is the best smile, innocent, simple and sweet. His eyes are so pure and clean that made her fall in love with him. His arms are strong and he is the guy any girl would dream to have in her life. She thought for a second and felt proud that God selected them for each other. And she has found a soul who is so sincere and loyal to her. Who protects her, loves her, and makes her feel comfortable when she is with him. What else a woman can ask for in a man … A strong support that he is, A gentle hug his arms give, A soft feel his lips have and A loyal heart that he keeps deep in his manly chest.

She knew she had found an angel disguised as a man on earth when she first talked to him many years back. She still believes that there is only one man on earth who can understand her, feel her, be close to her and be her MAN … and that’s HIM. Even if fate takes him away from her some day or life may take any surprising turn … she will never stop loving him. What she has found in him is a treasure that takes a life time to discover. She has learned to live a life with his support and guidance. She has learned the meaning of love, pain and joy from him. It’s just him who can be her sole rescuer in this world. He is the evening star she watches every evening and prays for him to God. She is far away from him now but her heart beats with his heart. Her thoughts keep wandering for him day and night and while wandering she finds peace with the thoughts of his arms around her , her face immersed in depths of his body and his lips touching her forehead … She feels she has found her home, her heaven. And she sleeps the most peaceful sleep she ever had … … …

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By: Naveed Taj Ghouri

What makes a poem different from a normal love song?

Life is such a thing that at times it takes us to a point where no matter what we think or try to do, we are left helpless, only with a hope that may be someday everything will become alright; well till then its only suffering…

This is very nice, a nice story told with plenty of emotion. Sounds very thoughtful and reflective. I really like the simple lines “Jeene ke liye socha hi nahin, Dard Sanmbhaalne honge; Muskuraayen to, Muskuraane ke karz utaarne Honge” It sounds like you are starting to let yourself slip into platitudes, then you remember the purpose of what you are saying, and you get back to being honest with yourself and with your life. It’s effective.

I would like to share the marvelous lyrics of this beautiful song, look and feel the depth and emotions inside it, isn’t it everybody’s story?

Tujh Se Naraz Nahi Zindagi Hairaan Hoon Main
Tere Masoom Sawaalon Se Preshaan Hoon Main

Jeene Ke Liye Socha Hi Nahi Dard Sanmbhaalne Honge
Muskurayen Tau Muskurane Ke Qarz Utarne Honge
Muskuraoon Kabhi Tau Lagta Hai
Jaise hontaun Pe Qarz Rakha Hai

Zindagi Tere Gham Ne Humain Rishte Naye Samjhaye
Mile Jo Hamain Dhoop Main Mile Chhaon Ke Thande Saaye..

Aaj Agar Bhar Aai Hain, Boondain Baras Jayengi
Kal Kya Pata In Ke Liye Aankhen Taras Jayengi
Jane Kab Gum Hua Kahan Khoya
Ek Ansoo Chhupa Ke Rakha Tha

Film: Masoom (1982); Singer(s): Lata Mangeshkar/Anup Ghoshal; Lyrics: Gulzar; Music: R D Burman

This song has the ability to touch the souls. The people who havent listened it yet i recommend it and you will know why Gulzar has been such a legendary for his lyrics. You will know what makes a poem different from a normal love song.

You Can Always Download This Song both in Male & Female Vocals & Other Songs written by Gulzar from this Movie Masoom by the Link Below:

Click Here to Download Song

• Baba Sahiba – A Journey of Wisdom – Naveed Taj Ghouri
• Baba Sahiba – A Journey of Wisdom – Naveed Taj Ghouri
• Log Kya Kahen Ge…? – Naveed Taj Ghouri
• Log Kya Kahen Ge…? – Naveed Taj Ghouri
• Raymond Davis Ke Peechhay – Naveed Taj Ghouri

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By: Noushah Arshad

Dear Santa Clause

I came to know about you today when a soldier was talking to his child on phone. I listened to him hiding behind the wall. He was saying to his little child to stay happy and be nice to mama because if he will behave well, eat well and will not cry in his absence then Santa will bring gifts for him on Christmas Eve. He told his child that Santa makes the list of children throughout the world who are good and nice, who don’t cry for their fathers who have gone to war and who stay happy. He delivers presents including toys and candy to all of them, and sometimes coal to naughty children, on Christmas Eve.

Is that true Santa? You really give presents to good children? If so then why I have never heard of you before? I have never received a single present from you in last eight years of my life.

In case if you have been missing out the children of Waziristan from your list then here I am, writing you to let you know that we also exist and we should also be considered for gifts on Christmas. You might have missed this area because people speak ill of our elders and my home. We are facing hard times since last many years. My family and my village have suffered a lot. We have lost many lives. I lost my younger brother and my mother in one of the drone attacks. I am living with my father who is always scared and worried about me.

You deliver coal to naughty children, but why death and sufferings are delivered to us daily? I am sure it’s not you who is doing that. I am just an innocent lad who longs to play in streets of my village, who wants to catch butterflies in green fields. I assure you I am not a terrorist at all. I am a good boy. I have been always nice to my elders. I used to take care of my mother when she was badly injured. I used to brush her hair and give her medicine. And since she has died, I’ve never cried because my father told me that that my crying would hurt my mother in heavens. So I am always smiling and happy. Isn’t that nice Santa? I offer my prayers daily with my father and I help him in his work too. I don’t have many friends left to play with but still whenever I get a chance, we like to play and have a good time. We never fight at all.

Santa! It’s me, and there are many other children like me who are not a part of your list. We also want to receive some toys and candy this Christmas. Would you be generous enough to consider us for that? We are innocent and good children. I am posting this letter to you. I have been told that you live in North Pole. I hope my letter will reach you in time. Should I wait for some pleasant surprises this Christmas???

Love.

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By: Noushah Arshad

“Oye yaar zara ye bachi chek kar” … “ Hello! Chashmesh, CHASHMESH !!! “ … “Shanay! Rockstar dekhi hay, ant hay yaar” … “Uncle! Bus na rokna, kuriyan di bus nu cut maar” … “Uncle! Mor zara speed main katna, cheekhaan suniyan nay  “ … “Hun break laggay tay cheekh maraan gay” …

Does these sentences seem to be of a student who is studying in a university and getting “Higher education”? Shouting in the bus and in lecture rooms as if street dogs bark at night. Using abusive language all the time. And loving to tease every passing girl with a comment that they will never like their mother or sister to receive from any other guy. This is our young generation, for which parents spend their money like anything. This is the generation that is going to contribute for development of Pakistan. Do you think they can?

Students, whose only aim is to score a good GPA, to pass the semester and get a degree that is nothing but a piece of paper, never trying to learn the knowledge that is being taught to them, never trying to learn some manners to behave and talk with others. A person who starts his sentence with an abuse and ends it in the same way, what image he creates of his country, his institute, his family and most importantly of himself?

Sometimes I seriously think if parents are sleeping somewhere in a cave or something? Why can’t they teach their children some basic manners to move in society? Why just a mother, a sister or a wife is only respectable for a man? He can stare any woman to the highest degree he wants to, but he can never bear anyone staring his own lady. Our society is full of hypocrites. In fact we are a part of society of hypocrites that is disliked by God even.

I know many of you would be thinking that such words or sentences are just the way to ‘chill out’ … But just think for a second, if someone misses his/her stop because of your shouting and misbehaving, if you are mimicking every single laughter or a voice of a girl you hear and passing vulgar comments. Would that still be ‘’chill out’ session for you? If yes, then I’m sorry to say, you need to start again from kindergarten or try learning some manners from a wise elder, and unfortunately if you don’t have one, then try following Sunnah. Chilling out should never mean to be damaging anyone’s self respect or hurting anyone’s feelings and repute in society. I really feel sorry for people who don’t even know what’s right or wrong and they don’t want to learn about it.

Today if a teacher shares some  information or current knowledge in the form of articles and discussion, the first question of a student is, what’s the use of it? It’s not mentioned in course contents or written in a book? … Can you think of any nation who developed by asking such question? What’s the use of knowledge for a student? What’s the use of learning new things for a person? Considering the learning process useless, we as a nation have surrendered ourselves in front of foreign world and knowledge. We have no interest in learning and developing ourselves into better humans. We are living as a flock of sheep or I guess even a flock of sheep is more organized than us.

It’s my humble request to all the people who read these words. Please just don’t focus on good grades of your children. Help them to be a better person and human being who can play a positive role in building up society and managing their lives. Gold medals and positions are not going to take us anywhere unless we are educated in true sense with knowledge and wisdom required to live a proper life. Otherwise we will just be producing generations who will have no direction, no aim and no purpose for their lives.

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By: Noushah Arshad

He has been there for me since I first prayed to God for a friend. That night I was weary and broken. I was feeling helpless and hopeless. I prayed to God for a friend. Who could be there for me whenever I need one. I prayed for a support, guidance, a strong yet loving hand that I could hold on for the rest of my life. And to my utter amazement I was blessed that night. I was blessed with a friend. I was blessed with a soul who was fairer than all I’ve seen all my life, who was loving, gentle, supportive and yet strong enough to hold my hand with a promise to be there for me all his life, till Allah’s will.

It was not long enough after this blessing that I started regaining my strengths back. I started feeling happier and happier day by day. I never felt lonely for a minute. Life kept on moving and I found my friend always by my side. Sharing my thoughts and experiences, guiding me and teaching me what’s right and wrong. I was a success; my life was a success because of this blessing. He was always smiling. I never found him hopeless or sad unless that day when his face lost the smile and he was worried. I knew what was wrong. It was me who made my best friend sad and worried. He was worried for me. He lost his smile because I had lost my path in life. My greatest weakness was found by the evil powers and I lost control over myself. The more I tried to fight against them, the deeper I got caught in their trap. It was my war, it was my test. And my friend was standing by my side, quiet and worried. He was never allowed to help me out of it. Because it was all about me, my war, my fate. Sadly enough I never called my friend to help me. But he was there, watching me, praying for me.

Days passed by, and soon things took another turn. I was left alone, all alone, no evil, no good, nothing was there. It was complete darkness, with shadows of past lurking all around me, haunting me for the wrongs I’ve done to myself. I cried harder and harder as I realized that there was no one with me. I pleaded for mercy, but there was silence. I cried for company but it was not provided. I requested for love but it was long gone. I was left alone to gather the pieces of my shattered self.

And here I am. Doing the job assigned to me. In the silence of my solitude I’ve found that whatever happened was meant to happen. Whatever is going on is meant to be a part of my life and whatever will come in future depends on how I handle my present. Good or evil, it happened and it will continue to happen, but it’s the strength of my faith that will help me to decide what path I have to choose. I chose the path that helped me to learn some very hard lessons. But lessons need to be learned. I’ve learned that we are blessed with life to live it with obedience to God’s orders. It’s not our job to find reasons and answers about what happens in life, or to criticize our life’s hardships or anyone’s life. God does what he thinks is best for His men. Our job is to ACCEPT it all with happy and satisfied hearts. TRUST in God and His actions will lead us to inner peace and joy that we could have never imagined. I’m on a journey to search my lost blessings and my lost self. I’m finding myself day by day. I find my pieces scattered here and there. I find them in corners of my home, in colors of flowers, in morning dew, in changing hues of sunset, in voices of chirping birds, in cloudy skies, and most of all in loving words of my FRIEND. I’m blessed enough to find him and he is with me once again. Allah is so kind and generous to forgive me and provide me with my guide, my mentor, my friend, my GUARDIAN ANGEL. He is still sitting beside me and smiling while I write this all, letting the world know about him for the first time in our lives. I wish and pray to God to give me strength to be on the right path that he has selected for his obedient servants, and bless my whole life with the company of my guardian angel. Ameen.

“ In the name of Allah the most beneficent the most merciful. All praise is due to Allah The most beneficent the most merciful. The lord of the day of Judgment. Thee alone we worship thee alone we seek for help Guide us to the right path. The path of those upon whom thou has bestowed favors. Not of those who thou has cursed once not of those whom have gone astray”. Ameen. Surah Faatihah (Holy Qur’an 1:1-7)

We all are blessed with our guardian angels. Just look around and you’ll find one!

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By: Noushah Arshad

My dear child! Don’t be sad. You are one of my most precious creations. I’ve created you with care and love, because you were important to me. Look around! See, I’ve created the whole world for you. Blue skies, green fields, chirping birds, blooming flowers, flowing rivers, everything is created for you to live and enjoy your life.

Why you feel lonely? And lost? I never leave you alone. I am always around you, watching over you, taking care of you. When you feel alone and rejected, just look to me, you’ll find me closer to you, closer than anyone else. You know, it hurts me when you cry and feel hopeless. How can you be hopeless when I’m still there, planning and caring for you and your life? Don’t lose hope for I plan your life in the best way. If you don’t have a job, you are going to get one. If you have lost a loved one, I double my love for you. If you are facing hard times, I surround you with my blessings, comforting you in my own ways. I am always attentive towards you. I listen to every single word of yours. I understand you and I know how you feel when someone hurts you, makes you feel bad or leaves you alone. Turn to me and I’ll bless you with all that is good for you.

Your smiling face is my best creation. Did you ever notice that when you smile, the world shines brighter than ever? Your laughter fills the air with life.

Don’t be afraid of hardships. They are there to make you strong, stronger than ever. Just smile and fight them with a warrior’s spirit. Turn to life with a strong attitude. Let not the hard times weaken you. Be the one who comes out stronger and better through dark times of life. I am always there, guiding you. When you don’t find light and feel dark all around you. Just close your eyes, and you’ll find a ray of light coming right towards you. Just keep moving on and following it.

Do you feel that you did something wrong and I’ll not forgive you for that? Or are you afraid to say sorry for that? My dear! Let it go. My blessings are far greater. I like it that you know where you were wrong and you are ready to correct it. I’ve already forgiven you, right at the moment when you decided to correct yourself. There is no use of repenting and crying. Time has passed. Just get up and start a new day, a new moment with new plans and a new feel. I will be there, looking after you.

Just give Him a chance

to open His treasures

And He’ll fill your life

with unfathomable pleasures,

Pleasures that never

grow worn-out and faded

And leave us depleted,

disillusioned and jaded.

For God has a “storehouse”

just filled to the brim

With all that man needs

if we’ll only ask Him.

(Helen Steiner Rice )

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