Dr Muhammad Maroof Shah

Let us not be angry, but debate and discuss and apologize for being angry. Let us believe, for one day at least, that no man is willfully bad and that people listen to well formulated and well-meaning arguments. Let us not condemn even the devil, unheard. Let us hope, for an hour at least, that dialogue does help if is not for solving Kashmir problem but when education is an issue. All education is dialogue. Not slogans. No name calling. I am reminded of a movie Twelve Angry Men that demonstrates a key idea from one of the most influential and respected modern philosophers, Jungen Hebermas. The idea is that it is possible to communicate in a democratic set up and resolve violent conflicting opinions. I wish this film were shown in every school and to all ambassadors and politicians who are involved in communication and dialogue. Even seemingly eternally irresolvable hash-nosh conflicts could be greatly helped if we learn how to dialogue. Incidentally it has no action, no acroba...

In our society there is some ambivalence whether we should congratulate or mourn someone’s retirement. I know a certain retiree who strongly resented his being congratulated.  I know another one who requested not to come to his home in group form after his retirement lest neighbours come to know of his retirement. Generally speaking here people don’t want retirement or at least want to postpone it. And it is a sign that they have failed to understand their coming to hither and their leaving from a particular stage. We should be strong enough by 58 to require any consolation. We should have understood that separation and tragedy constitute the soul of life, that suffering is the fate of every individual/desiring ego. According to our religious tradition all events are messages from God. And God be praised for them. As such there can never be occasion to mourn in real sense for any event that we can’t control.  I congratulate all retirees without an iota of ambivalence. Bu...