This Ramadan do something more

Even before the moon for the month of Shaban is sighted, rising prices announce that Ramadan is close. Tomatoes are Rs. 60-70 per kilo, a wilting bunch of corriander is Rs. 8-10. Pulses, rice, milk, sugar and every other kitchen necessity is now wrestling its way out of a poor man's weakening grip.

More fathers will be hanging themselves when they can no longer look at their hungry and deprived children. The white collar class will sink deeper and deeper into depression. And the blessed will scan the Sunday papers to see which Iftar deals they just can't afford to miss.

So how many of you are feeling sad, guilty or shaking your heads right now. All of us must feel something or we wouldn't be human. But what are we planning to do to alleviate the suffering of atleast one person this Ramadan.

I need advice from all my friends as to what we can do to truly celebrate and understand the meaning of Ramadan.

My suggestions;

• Like my family has done for years, not have any elaborate arrangements for Iftar. One dish everyday and then dinner. And the money saved will be used to buy Eid clothes and shoes for atleast one family.
  
• Arrange atleast 1 iftar everyday - Max Rs. 40 (less than the price of a 1 1/2 litre Soda bottle)
• Buy rations for one family - Rs 1500 approx (cost of a meal at Pizza Hut)
  

And the worst after sales service award goes to ...

If Mitsubishi was the last company on earth making air conditioners I would buy a hand fan. My staff and I have been suffering at the hands of this company's after sales and service staff since past 2 months. It seems their service guys are busier than a prositute in Germany during Football World Cup 2006. We have made so many calls to this guy that if I calculate the cost we could have bought a new compressor rather than wait 3 weeks for them to replace it on warranty. Then even when the compressor was put back all it does is blow benign air. The air conditioners effort to cool our room is as futile as it is to explain to a hick in Texas that Bush is actually bad for US and the world.

The guy has promised to show up today and if and when he does I plan on tying him to a chair, closing all the windows and letting him sweat it till his pants are a size large for him.

14th August Resolutions

I remember the time when my siblings and I celebrated Independence Day like Eid. New clothes, something special for lunch and dinner, flags everywhere and the sheer joy and pride we felt looking at the uniformed men and women of our armed forces. Over the past few years this day has become just another holiday. The uniformed men and women still bring a much needed sense of pride but it is short lived. I love my country. It is the only place which I can ever call home. I have never wanted to leave Pakistan. I don't appreciate people abandoning it and then trying their level best to sever all ties with it. This country is what we made it. We the people are responsible for the state it is in today. The progress, the failure, the corruption, the crumbling political structure, and everything good and bad. We are responsible. I as an individual and as part of society have responsibilities which I need to own up to and accept.

I have made a few resolutions on Pakistan's 59th Independence Day, they may not seem much but it’s a start. I hope and will strive to fulfill them.

1. Always look for solutions rather than dwell on the problems my country has.
2. I don’t litter but I will now ask people not to litter.
3. Volunteer time and resources to do something constructive.
4. Teach my child to respect and appreciate his country and the freedom he enjoys.
5. Follow rules and regulations rather than find shortcuts. We always crib and cry about the corruption but we forget how much we are to blame for it. I may not succeed 100% but I will sure as hell try my best.
6. Help atleast one poor household meet their monthly expenses.

I hope I can stick to these and keep adding to the list.