Amitabh Bachchan fans got bad news earlier in the week when media reports said that the superstar had suffered a rib injury while shooting for his upcoming film ‘Project K’.
Now, the veteran actor has put fears to rest with a blog post revealing that he was fine, but was feeling glum because the actor had to miss out on Holi celebrations due to his recovery:
“Languishing in the environs of the home and the prevention from all kinds of physical activity .. the inability to partake in the festivities of the day .. and the gaiety of Holi that was celebrated with such vigour and in such fine fettle , has gone amiss .. has been so for years now ..
The open house .. the celebratory welcome to all .. the hundreds that drenched themselves with music and dance and camaraderie .. starting early in the day and in a never ending mode till the dawn of the next ..
those times may never come again .. I hope they do .. but it looks difficult .. at least for the present ..”
Bachchan also wrote that in gloominess, he had turned to poetry written by his late father and poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, who had written a letter to a fan when they had showered him with praises about his work.
“When in time and in the time of contemplation .. get back to the words of Babuji .. and pick those gems those elements that reflect his mind .. as in the ☝ above ..
In the response to a letter written to him , there is talk of one of his poems ‘jeevan ke pahiye ke neeche’ .. under the wheels of life ..
he expresses his gratitude to the correspondent for the appreciation he gave for the poem , and then expresses a gem :
‘tell me what the mistakes and dislikes of my work are .. tell others of the ‘khoobiyaan’ खूबियाँ , the brilliance and the good of my work .. ‘
then another comes :
‘they that call me Maha Kavi .. the greatest Poet ..महाकवि , the great the best .. i feel they be sarcastic towards me .. what evil have I done to be given sarcastic reference’”
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Amitabh Bachchan gives health update after being injured on Project K set
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Sharmeen Obaid to launch museum to celebrate diverse food culture
Pakistani-American filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid has announced that she is launching a project “Museum of Food” which will celebrate and preserve the food culture in Pakistan.
Announcing her new intitiative in an Instagram post, the two-time Oscar winner revealed that the idea was inspired by her grandmother who had taught both young women and men how to cook:
“I grew up around my Nani’s dinning table…For as long as I can remember she was teaching young women and sometimes men how to cook…She diligently preserved all her recipes and every Friday an advert in the classified section would appear with the weeks menu under the banner: Mrs Azra Syed’s Cooking classes. Thousands of her students now live around the world carrying her recipes with them…My museum of food is an ode to her and her generation whose recipes are fast disappearing..”
Obaid elaborated that this project was set up for people across Pakistan to send their food recipes that were celebrated in their families so that Pakistan does not lose its cultural heritage
Read her complete statement below
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Inspired by Aurat March, here are feminist songs suggested by women on Twitter
Aurat March is a day of calling attention to the struggle for equality, as women march on the streets in cities across Pakistan to raise awareness about the numerous issues they face everyday. In spirit of this celebration, we have to pay homage to the powerful feminist anthems that have championed women to be fearless and have called for women to be raised to an equal bar with men.
When this twitter user asked her followers to give suggestions about Pakistani feminist songs women could listen to in celebration of the day.Soon, women flooded her comment section with suggestions and we’re more than happy to share them with our audience!
1 Hum Dekhien Gey by Iqbal Bano
The celebrated poem by Faiz Ahmed Faiz was written to counter Zia’s brutal dictatorship who had imprisoned Faiz. Legendary singer Iqbal Bano held a performance at Alhamra where she wore a black sari and sung this poem in defiance of Zia’s ban on saris.
2 Mujhe Apnay Jeenay Ka Haq Chahiye by Tahira Syed and Roshaneh Zafar ft Shabana Azmi
Written by celebrated Urdu poet and writer Amjad Islam Amjad, this song served as the title OST for the drama ‘Akhri Station’. It gives voice to the struggles women face and their desire to break free from the chains of patriarchy.
3 Intehai Shauq by Hadiqa Kiani
Hadiqa Kiani is a beloved Pakistani actress and singer who has consistently acted in dramas that raised issues faced by women, and for her efforts to provide relief to the flood victims in Balochistan. This song was suggested by women on Twitter because it motivates people to overcome their struggles and setbacks to keep striving for a better future.
4 Rajkumari by Meesha Shafi
Actress and singer Meesha Shafi has always used her platform to raise awareness about sexual harassment, and providing easier access for women to file cases in court and hold their abusers accountable. Last year, she dropped this feminist anthem as a surprise, to champion women from everyday life to never forget that they’re queens!
5 Izzat by Jaan-e-Haseena
Hussain Zaidi who goes by ‘Jaan-e-Haseena’ on social media, is a transgender rapper who wrote this powerful anthem for the Sindh Moorat March, to demand spaces for more trans women in Pakistan.
6 Chup by Zeb & Haniya
Fans have loved the way female desire and playfulness is the central theme to the song, so this is a must add in our feminist playlist!
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Maryam Nawaz wants court martial for former spymaster Faiz Hameed
Senior Vice-President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Maryam Nawaz wants former Director General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) General (retd) Faiz Hameed to be court martialed.
In an interview with a web channel, Maryam Nawaz accused the former spymaster of plotting to overthrow PML-N’s government for two years.
“The biggest punishment for those who brought the ‘hybrid system’ was the public awareness campaign in the form of ‘Respect Vote’,” Maryam Nawaz said, asking that Faiz Hameed be made an example for playing an unconstitutional role.
However, she said that she was against no institution and only wanted them to hold their own people accountable for their actions, adding that doing so would lead to an increase in their respect and honour.
Journalist Kamran Khan tweeted on Wednesday that General (retd) Hameed had sent him messages, responding to Maryam Nawaz’s accusations. He wrote: “In response to Maryam Nawaz’s allegations, former ISI head Lt Gen Faiz reminded that 1. He was a Major General in 2017-18. Can a lone Major General remove a government given army’s discipline? 2. The only decision maker in the army is the Chief. 3. All decisions were made by courts.”
Maryam Nawaz also slammed former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar, calling him the biggest criminal in the country’s history, accusing him of taking instructions from a colonel and a brigadier.
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In spirit of Aurat March, watch these five dramas that champion powerful women
Azadi Mubarak, saheliyon.
Today is Aurat March, the day when women march in the streets to champion social, economic and political issues for females across Pakistan. It’s an important day to celebrate the struggles of the feminist movement that called for equal rights for women everywhere in Pakistan.However, the struggles of women weren’t just present on the roads but have been recorded and displayed on our television screens for decades. Pakistani films and dramas are powerful tools to spread awareness on social issues, and have consistently given voice to the demands of women for years. Thanks to powerful women working in the entertainment industry like Bee Gul, Sania Saeed and Haseena Moin, there are several dramas that have spoken about feminist issues and also championed powerful women. So to set up your feminist-themed movie night, here are some dramas you should definitely give a watch!
1 Dobara
Penned by Sarwat Nazir and starring the multi-talented Hadiqa Kiana, the drama explores the life of a middle-aged woman who gets a second chance at life after the death of her husband. Forced into marriage when she was only 16 years old, Mehru Nisa decides to take a stand and do everything she was restricted from such as taking tennis classes, jogging in the park and even dancing at her son’s wedding, despite the backlash she faces from her in-laws. This drama was lauded by fans for centering around the life of a middle-aged woman at a time when they are pushed to be relevant only as mothers or grandmothers.
2 Kitni Girhain Baqi Hain
Bee Gul has been celebrated by Pakistani women for championing the issues women face in her dramas, being upfront about bringing stories told by women to the screen and dismantling misogyny. The anthology series which debuted on Hum TV was a collection of short stories about women and the struggles they faced in Pakistani society, discussing issues like sexual assault, relationships and even homosexuality, which had gotten earned it a notice from PEMRA.
3 Kuch Ankahi
The powerful drama has been dominating conversations since its release because of how it completely changed how women’s stories are told in the entertainment industry. Focusing on a family living in Karachi, the series doesn’t shy away from discussing issues like forced marriages, child sexual assault, property rights of women and even body shaming.
4 Sar-e-Rah
Another drama that has been lauded by women for championing female friendships and showcasing how powerful women can become once they learn to be independent and make their own living. The limited series follows the life of Rabia, who decides to become the breadwinner of the family after her father suffers from a heart attack, and persists through despite being criticized by her family. With her journey, she comes across women from different backgrounds who face issues like infertility, social media trolling or harassment at the workplace, but Sar-e-Rah demonstrates how women can overcome anything with the help of another powerful woman.
5 Tanhaiyaan
Haseena Moin will always be remembered in history as a champion for women-centered stories. She did it fearlessly in the era of dictatorship of General Zia. Her drama ‘Tanhaiyaan’ is still celebrated as one of the finest feminist dramas that championed original, independent women on screen who didn’t just obsess around the men in their lives. It explores the lives of two sisters Sanya and Zara, who move in with their aunt after the death of their parents, and lose their house due to their father’s debt.
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Five times when female politicians told the patriarchy to sit down and shut up
The time when patriarchal societies used to dictate to women is long gone. In the past, we witnessed how difficult it was for women to rule in a man’s world because of casual sexism. However, now things have changed. Women know how to stand up for themselves.
In honour of International Women’s Day, let’s rewind to the times when women leaders told the patriarchy to sit down and shut up.
1- First Muslim World Female Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto
At the top of the list, we have former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who became the very first woman to hold the position in the Muslim world. At 35, she was also one of the youngest chief executives in the world. As prime minister, she was often referred to as the “Iron Lady of Pakistan” for her uncompromising approach to negotiating with unions. During her first tenure, she was removed by then-President Ghulam Ishaq Khan but was elected again by her people. She won the hearts of many with her courageous and empowering speeches at a time when politics were male-dominated and no one would have thought that Pakistan would elect a woman to lead the country.
2- Sherry Rehman at her wittiest best
If you want a guide or need tips on how to deal with the misogyny that exists even in Pakistan’s Senate, you need to watch Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Climate Change, Senator Sherry Rehman.
Last year, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani called Rehman the “Senate’s dadi (grandmother)”. To this, casual sexism, she responded by saying: “I would advise you to only ask specific questions so that Sherry Rehman, who is the dadi of this House, can give you the right answers.”
3- Take notes from Jacinda Ardern
In December, New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern shut down a male journalist for asking a misogynist question when she was hosting Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin.
The journalist asked, “A lot of people will be wondering: ‘Are you two meeting just because you’re similar in age and have got a lot of common stuff there — when you got into politics and stuff — or can Kiwis actually expect to see more deals between our two countries down the line?”
Ardern interrupted the question to say that she wondered “Whether or not anyone ever asked Barack Obama and John Key if they met because they were of similar age.”
Well, this is how you deal with misogyny!
4- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez fires back
Now, we bring you US Congress Member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez excoriating her Republican colleague, Rep. Ted Yoho of Florida, after he verbally attacked her on the steps of the Capitol and used a sexist slur overheard by a reporter, calling her a “fucking bitch,” then issued a non-apology from the House floor. Later, on the floor, Alexandria said: “My mother got to see Mr. Yoho’s disrespect on the floor of this House towards me on television and I am here because I have to show my parents that I am their daughter and that they did not raise me to accept abuse from men.”
5- Hina Rabbani’s bold move
Last year in November, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar went to meet the Taliban government in Afghanistan which is famously notorious for its mistreatment of women and its denial of women’s rights. The arrival of a woman to hold talks with the government proved to be such a powerful move. Netizens couldn’t help but root for Khar, deeming it a boss move to have a woman represent Pakistan, especially before a government as stuck in the stone age as the Taliban.
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PTI rally, Aurat March in limbo after Section 144 imposed in Lahore
Ahead of a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rally and the Aurat March scheduled to take place on Wednesday, the caretaker government of Punjab has imposed Section 144 in Lahore.
In a notice released by the Home Department, it was said that rallies and protests are taking place on a daily basis in the provincial capital, disrupting traffic and posing security threats.
The notice, issued by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Shakeel Ahmed, also said that terrorist activities in such gatherings have led to the martyrdom of civilians and policemen alike.
“Hence, in the context of the prevailing overall security situation in the wake of the recent wave of terrorism and latest threat alerts, it has been necessary to impose Section 144 of Cr.P.C, 1898 on holding of all kinds of assemblies, gatherings, sits-in, rallies, processions, demonstrations, jalsas, dharnas, protests and such like other activities across the district Lahore to avert any untoward incident,” the notification read.
PTI was scheduled to begin it’s election campaign with a rally led by Imran Khan passing through various spots in the city before culminating at Data Darbar.
Meanwhile, Aurat March was scheduled to begin from NADRA office near Shimla Pahari.
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‘Siyaasatdaan khud masaail hal karein’:COAS ‘rejected’ Khan’s request for meeting
Despite Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders continuous claim that thier Chairperson Imran Khan is not seeking a meeting with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, anchorperson Shahzeb Khanzada reported that the former prime minister had indeed sent a message to the army chief.
Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath’, the host said that General Asim, in a meeting with the top 10 businessmen of the country, said that PTI chief Imran Khan sent him a message seeking a meeting.
Khanzada further said that Gen Asim replied that it was not his job as army chief to meet politicians.
“General Asim asserted that the army would neither interfere in politics nor would play any role in it,” said Khanzada. The army chief maintained that he would not interfere in political matters and the political leadership itself should resolve its issues.
Speaking in the programme, senior anchorperson Hamid Mir said President Arif Alvi had tried to arrange a meeting between Gen Asim and Imran Khan.
The army chief told the president that he wants to stay away from politics, Mir added.
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Bazi lay gaya Khan: 61 per cent Pakistanis positively rate PTI chief
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan is “positively rated” among 61 per cent of Pakistanis, whereas only 36 per cent have a “good opinion” about Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif.
According to a survey titled Public Pulse Report published by Gallup Pakistan, around 2,000 respondents participated in providing data for the survery.
According to the report, Khan received a positive rating from 61 per cent of the population while 37 per cent rated him negatively.
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif was rated negatively by 65 per cent of Pakistanis while 32 per cent gave him a positive rating. However, people from Punjab rated him better as compared to other provinces.
As for Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, 36 per cent rated the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman positively while 57 per cent gave him a negative rating. Of all the provinces, he got most positive ratings from Sindh.
PML-N Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz, however, was rated negatively by 61 per cent while 34 per cent gave her a positive rating.
Former president Asif Ali Zardari was rated negatively by 67 per cent while 27 per cent rated him positively.
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Divorced women fear imprisonment under Taliban regime
The Taliban regime in Afghanistan has modified divorce laws, now requiring both parties, husband and wife, to be present in court in order to get a divorce.
Under the previous Afghan government, women were granted the right to get ‘one-sided divorces’ in order to help them escape abusive marriages, according to The Washington Post.
Women could testify about suffering abuse at the hands of their husband, even if he had refused to make an appearance in court.
The Post clarified that the Taliban had not commented on ‘one-sided divorces’ being nulled or whether a woman can be married after gaining a divorce in such a manner. However, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has said that both parties must appear before a judge to request a divorce under the Taliban’s interpretation of Islamic law.
Under the Taliban regime, it has become more difficult for women to seek refuge after escaping an abusive marriage. A psychologist told The Post that local aid groups providing counselling and relief to abused women have been shut down. She also elaborated that under the new law, it has become more difficult to prove domestic violence.
“Under the new law, women need to first go to the police station and provide multiple witnesses to prove abuse or if their husband is addicted to drugs,” she said.
Women face more problems to find legal counseling as the Taliban have banned women from working as lawyers and judges. A lawyer speaking to the Post revealed that more women will find it harder to leave their abusive marriages if they cannot find proper legal representation to help them escape domestic violence:
“The Taliban have created the perfect situation for men seeking revenge. The courts have lost their effectiveness and instead we see on the news women receiving [public] lashings for adultery.”
Previously the Taliban regime caused international outcry after enforcing a policies that restricted women’s movement. Women were banned from attending high school and college, couldn’t travel anywhere without a male guardian and were restricted from attending parks, fairs or gyms.
The United Nations received a report on the state of human rights in Afghanistan, which had criticized the Taliban regime for pursuing a policy ‘tantamount to gender apartheid’.