Malala Yousufzai is just a teenager.... however she showed more courage than
men in the northern region of Pakistan. Many parents wants good education for
their children in the north Pakistan. Hope Malala's efforts brings a new light
to the region, which a few centuries ago were beacon of knowledge and
technology.
The place in Afganistan now notorious for Taliban - Khandahar - was known as Ghandara around BC2000-1000 and is mentioned in Mahabharata. The Ghandara kingdom played a crucial role in the power politics of Indraprasta (now known as Delhi). The battle of Kurukshetra (now in Indian Punjab) was due to the political moves of a gentle (or evil?) man by name Shakuni from Ghandara kingdom.
Then around BC 300-200, Buddism became prevelant and slowly the Hinduism gave away to the teachings of Buddism. The people of north Pakistan region and south Afganisatan became a mix of Hindusism and Buddhists and disseminated teachings and boasted about colleges that were the Cambridge of the world of those days (e.g. Thakshasila ). It seems that the world has forgotten the huge Bamiyan Buddists statues destroyed by Taliban a decade ago. Seleucus and Greeks who came with Alexander loved the beauty of the place and settled down. Remnants of Indo-Greco culture is still evident; although it is fading away.
Then around 1200, Islam arrived and the conversion followed; some accuse it was done by sword. Yet Islam was absorbed and of that born Sufism, which embodied the principles of life of the region. But Taliban is against Sufism.
Let us hope people of the region will show at least the courage of Malala and hope nowledge and prosperity return to that region.
.......................
US presidential elections are reaching the final lap. Debates are interesting. Somewhere I have read a comparison between George W Bush and Romney. That both are from rich families, got admission to the prestigious colleges because of connections, etc. Well any comparison with George W Bush, who presided over some of the disastrous period in US history starting with Sep 11 2001 and ending with Sep 15 2008 (Financial Crisis), any remote possibility of Romney repeating the same feat is unthinkable.
On the other hand, self-made Barack Obama, who got one of the worst jobs in 2009 has done reasonably well over the last four years and got Osama. In the month of March/April 2012, Times Magazine carried an article on how Obama decided to send commandos to pick up Osama - it was against all the advice by his generals and staff who preferred less effective course of actions. It was Obama's own decision and he oversaw it implementation. Times Magazine had praised the decision making approach and skill of Obama and the way the secret was kept as a secret. Most of his cabinet never knew about his multiple meetings and trainings by commandos.
The place in Afganistan now notorious for Taliban - Khandahar - was known as Ghandara around BC2000-1000 and is mentioned in Mahabharata. The Ghandara kingdom played a crucial role in the power politics of Indraprasta (now known as Delhi). The battle of Kurukshetra (now in Indian Punjab) was due to the political moves of a gentle (or evil?) man by name Shakuni from Ghandara kingdom.
Then around BC 300-200, Buddism became prevelant and slowly the Hinduism gave away to the teachings of Buddism. The people of north Pakistan region and south Afganisatan became a mix of Hindusism and Buddhists and disseminated teachings and boasted about colleges that were the Cambridge of the world of those days (e.g. Thakshasila ). It seems that the world has forgotten the huge Bamiyan Buddists statues destroyed by Taliban a decade ago. Seleucus and Greeks who came with Alexander loved the beauty of the place and settled down. Remnants of Indo-Greco culture is still evident; although it is fading away.
Then around 1200, Islam arrived and the conversion followed; some accuse it was done by sword. Yet Islam was absorbed and of that born Sufism, which embodied the principles of life of the region. But Taliban is against Sufism.
Let us hope people of the region will show at least the courage of Malala and hope nowledge and prosperity return to that region.
.......................
US presidential elections are reaching the final lap. Debates are interesting. Somewhere I have read a comparison between George W Bush and Romney. That both are from rich families, got admission to the prestigious colleges because of connections, etc. Well any comparison with George W Bush, who presided over some of the disastrous period in US history starting with Sep 11 2001 and ending with Sep 15 2008 (Financial Crisis), any remote possibility of Romney repeating the same feat is unthinkable.
On the other hand, self-made Barack Obama, who got one of the worst jobs in 2009 has done reasonably well over the last four years and got Osama. In the month of March/April 2012, Times Magazine carried an article on how Obama decided to send commandos to pick up Osama - it was against all the advice by his generals and staff who preferred less effective course of actions. It was Obama's own decision and he oversaw it implementation. Times Magazine had praised the decision making approach and skill of Obama and the way the secret was kept as a secret. Most of his cabinet never knew about his multiple meetings and trainings by commandos.
No comments:
Post a Comment