Author Archives: A N N A

‘Impossible is nothing’

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faujaji.jpg“Gangster” Fauja Singh (as our much-adored Punjabi Boy dubbed him) is at it again– he’s not content with the myriad marathons under his belt, so the next item on the 94-year old rockstar’s “to do” list is some record-breaking. As in, eight of them.

…Asafa Powell might have to watch his back. The Jamaican may have the new 100m record, but Fauja’s after eight of them – in one day.
On Saturday, London’s Mile End Park Stadium will witness the great man attempting to set world bests for men over 90 in the 100m, 200m, 300m, 800m, 1500m, 1 mile, 3,000m and 5,000m.
The action starts at 10:30BST with proceeds going to charity and the event is in support of the London 2012 Olympic bid.

The Adidas poster boy swears by a regimen of daily training (eight-miles!), smiling, not smoking, avoiding glassy junction and lots of ginger curry. Wonder if that last item meets Manish’s stringent definitions for such a dish? Ofo, Vij-ji…if anyone merits an exception, it’s Fauja Singh. 😉

Nothing stokes public excitement like “beef”. Prepare the vats of ginger curry! Let’s get rrrrready to rrrrumble! :

coach Harminder Singh is trying to set up a showdown between Fauja and Japan’s Kozo Haraguchi – the new 100m world record holder for the 95-99 age group.

Haraguchi is hard-core…but I think our man Fauja can take him. 😀

The BBC article I linked to asked when our running man might hang up his kicks; I totally dig his answer.

“When I die!” he laughs.

Continue reading →

Not depressing. At all.

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As previously discussed on this blog, a woman in Uttar Pradesh was violated by her father-in-law and then ordered to marry him via an outrageous fatwa, much to the horror of sentient beings everywhere. Unfortunately, this story doesn’t have a great ending:

“Me and my husband are willing to abide by the fatwa if the Darul Uloom Muftis want us to,” Imrana said.
Mufti Habibur Rehman of Darul Uloom Deoband said in a fatwa on Sunday that the Imrana’s life with her husband Noor Ilahi has become untenable as per Islamic law after the alleged rape on June 3.
Reacting to the ruling, Imrana, who has been staying with her parents at Kukra village, on Sunday said she has full faith in the Shariyat. Noor Ilahi also said he would take steps as per the fatwa.

You do remember why she was ordered to go home, right? To purify her. Tell me, dear readers, how do you “take steps” so that your wife transitions to the role of stepmother? I’d think about it myself, but I can’t stop shaking my head and I’ve gone dizzy.

Despite the disapproval of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and the work of women activists, it looks like the local panchayat will win. The victim’s own brothers are fine with the fatwa. While at the protest at the Pakistani Embassy last week, I heard activists discussing how Mukhtaran Mai’s mother supported her as she commenced her quest for justice. I wish Imrana’s family had reacted similarly. If she was brave enough to report this assault to the authorities in the first place, I can’t help but think that she has a flicker of defiance within her. If only someone close to her could fan that tiny flame…

It saddens me to the point of migraine that here’s where the story ends. Though the magistrate who heard this case denied the alleged rapist/father-in-law’s bail, to me, even if he’s convicted of the crime he’s been accused of, it sounds like his daughter-in-law and future wife will never win. Continue reading →

Posted in Law

Join in the chant: “Women’s rights NOT F-16s!”

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samia.JPG Yesterday I wrote about a protest on behalf of Mukhtaran Bibi; today, over fifty people and half-a-dozen news organizations (including CNN, Dawn and VOA) showed up at the Pakistani embassy. Samia Khan, a Development Manager for MDRI (Mental Disability Rights International) and a NAPAWF (National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum) volunteer who was at the epicenter of today’s event agreed to answer three questions for the Mutiny. You have no idea how sweet this woman is– she had other plans and she shelved them just so you guys could get the latest knowledge on “the movement”. Samia, you’re my heroine.

Samia speaks:

Was it a success?

It was a success in terms of visibility and raising awareness of the issue and involving different organizations. There were at least 6-7 institutions that got involved, it was a multi-ethnic effort, too. It was a strong beginning.
It would be great if Mukhtaran Mai is free, if she gets her passport and can travel thatÂ’s wonderful, but itÂ’s important to remember that sheÂ’s one voice, that there are thousands of cases like her, and that if policies donÂ’t change thereÂ’s going to continue to be lip service to the international communityÂ…but nothing will change things for women.

WhatÂ’s next?

The follow-up to this needs to involve putting more pressure on the government of Pakistan, the international community as well as the administration here. They need to start holding Mushharaf accountable for having respect for humanÂ’s rights, for women. The U.S. is turning a blind eye by giving him aid, but not questioning his policies towards woman and even children.

Continue reading →

Stand up for Mukhtaran Mai TOMORROW in DC

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mukhtaran-bibi.jpgIf reading Vinod’s update on the tale of Mukhtaran Mai got you fired up, I’ve got the raita for what ails you. Heed this post, DC-area mutineers– a real live brown uprising is going down TOMORROW:

Please join NAPAWF-DC and ANAA for a rally
THURSDAY, June 23rd at 4:30 PM
EMBASSY OF PAKISTAN-WASHINGTON DC
3517 International Court, NW
Washington DC, 20008

Can’t this woman ever get just treatment? It’s nice that Condi got involved, but I’m a St. Thomas Christian to the bone– until Mukhtaran bibi is in this country, speaking freely, I won’t believe the Pakistani Government’s position that she has “permission” to travel. It’s unbelievable that we have to remind them not to be stupid about this in the first place (PR disaster much?).

Rallying might interest you for other reasons too, as a member of NAPAWF reminded me earlier this evening, when I mentioned the Secretary of State’s intervention

It doesnÂ’t mean anything beyond that she got her passport back. Globally, wherever there is injustice against Asian women and girls there is injustice against all of us.

Remember how you felt the first time you read this story? And how your gut clenched again when we covered the inexcusable punishment meted out to a woman who had been raped by her father-in-law and then ordered to marry him after “purification”? Some of you almost cheered when other groups intervened, when a higher authority decreed that her rapist might actually qualify for the death penalty. That’s because justice feels good. Let’s get Mukhtaran Mai some, shall we?

I know what you are thinking…”4:30 in the afternoon? There’s no way I can make it…” Of course you can. I’m told that this event should go on for a few hours. Any other excuses, objections or obstacles?

Look. This woman was assaulted repeatedly in public and then put through the worst judicial roller coaster I’ve ever followed. She can’t express herself. You can. Continue reading →

A time to kill?

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Vinod ended his post on the poor woman who was ordered to marry her despicable, rapist father-in-law with a “We’ll see” regarding the Indian police’s plans to get involved with the outrageous situation.

Have a look:

Police in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh have arrested a man accused of raping his daughter-in-law.
The arrest follows reports that a Muslim council of community elders had ordered the victim to marry her father-in-law.
But the order was criticised by a top Muslim body which said it was not valid under Sharia (Islamic) law.

According to the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, the council that issued the bullshit verdict was NOT authorized to do so.

India’s National Commission of Women has also become inovlved, by requesting a report from the UP government and declaring that

“We have requested the government to take action against the guilty and also pay compensation to the victim,” NCW president Girija Vyas told the BBC.

The original ruling in the case stated that the victim should marry her rapist and transform her relationship with her husband to a maternal one, after being exiled for seven months and ten days for purification purposes.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has a better idea, one which it derives from Islamic Law:

“Under the Sharia law, whatever happened with the victim is wrong and if her father-in-law has raped her, he should be sentenced to death,” the representative, Zafarab Geelani, said.

That’s more like it. Continue reading →

It depends on what the meaning of the word ‘vegetarian’ is

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An interesting little surprise comes to light after an Indophile President has a meal at the magnificent Bukhara, Maurya Sheraton’s much-lauded restaurant in Delhi:

“Clinton was very careful while ordering from the menu. Post-surgery, he has become very conscious of what he eats and is trying to become vegetarian. However, he still prefers chicken,” says US-based hotelier Sant Chatwal, who hosted dinner for Clinton. Clinton’s signing-off line to the chef: “It was a great meal. I simply love Indian food. It’s the best thing about coming back to India.”

I know Bengalis who insist that they’re good wegetarians despite their fetish for fish. 😉 If they get special dispensation, perhaps we can let ol’ Bill have his chicken? While y’all think on that, I’ll tell you that erstwhile-“First Daughter” Chelsea Clinton is already an herbivore; I’m almost sure that she had a birthday party or two at D.C.’s exclusive, mirch-free, pretty-but-not-pleasing Bombay Club, which is conveniently located near a certain large white edifice.

Salon’s War Room take on Bubba’s new diet choices made me snort with glee:

Oh my God. What?
Bill Clinton not eating meat? A man whose very name brings to mind the word “pork”? Who has never met a nitrate he didn’t like? Whose all-night bull-and-barbeque sessions were sent up hilariously in “Primary Colors”? The man who once, after having consumed a 3,300-calorie lunch with German Chancellor Helmut Kohl in 1994 that included meats, cheeses, seafood and veal-stuffed ravioli, ordered a piece of chocolate cake to go?
…The thought of Bill Clinton spurning meat is like the thought of him spurning blow jobs. Simply not possible.

I mean, doesn’t that just make you GUFFAW? He orders the chocolate cake…to go! That Bill. 😀

I think I can also speak for mutineer Manish when I say that we gladly welcome the big dog/Slick Willy* to our exclusive club of people who smell better and otherwise rule the world. 😉

:+:

*I use nicknames that are pro- AND anti- the Bill because we at SM are TOTALLY non-partisan when it comes to snarfing down the world’s best Dal Makhani. Mmm, daaaaal. Continue reading →

Devika Mathur- one Righteous sister

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devika.jpgWho cares about “tall” desi guys on Amreekan Idol who go on to make us cringe (“Eye of the Tiger“? while pretending to run?)– Canadian Idol shall redeem us!

On June 8, on the third episode of Canadian Idol — the, well, Canadian version of Indian Idol — 2005, Devika was one among 32 contestants given a ticket to the next round to be held in Toronto.

I tripped over that last sentence…I always thought Canadian Idol and its North American cousin were inspired by Britain’s “Pop Idol”. I guess I’m mistaken. Apparently, so is wonderful Wiki:

Canadian Idol is a reality television show on the Canadian television network CTV, based on the popular British show Pop Idol and its US offshoot American Idol.

Hmmm. Well, whatever. The point is, a soulful version of The Righteous Brothers'”Unchained Melody” rocketed Devika Mathur (a.k.a “Rinku”) to the top 32. By the way, the judges love her. Check out this fawning action:

After comments like, ‘Your sense of pitch is fantastic and your sense of artistry is really lovely,’ ‘Your a-capella is unbelievable’ and ‘I don’t think you could be more beautiful if you tried,’ Devika was seen running with delight towards the judges who handed her the ticket.

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Get some culture tonight…if you’re in DC

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Need something to do this humid evening in swamp city? I’ll be at Chorduroy’s concert in Clarendon, but if rockin’ covers of songs like “Float on” and “A Little Respect” which sound even better than the real thing aren’t your thing, I’ve got an alternate bit of lovely for your friday night.

Your parents will be so proud:

Friday, June 10, 2005 PERFORMANCE Ramesh Misra, sarangi; Nitin Mitta, tabla 7:30 pm, Meyer Auditorium Enjoy this rare opportunity to hear a solo recital by Ramesh Misra, a master of the sarangi, the traditional fiddle of South Asia. Misra was a student of Ravi Shankar and has played before worldwide audiences for more than forty years. This concert is made possible in part through support from the Parnassus Foundation.

Just imagine how pretty the Mall will be, with the sun setting over the befuddled tourists:

Freer Gallery of Art – Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Auditorium
12th Street and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20560
Phone: 202-633-4880
Metro: Smithsonian (Orange, Blue lines)

Hmmm. Chorduroy aren’t on ’til 10ish…wonder if I could hit both. I love me some live tabla. Did I mention that this event is FREE? You can’t beat that with a bat.

via DCist. They helpfully suggest that you get to Meyer Auditorium early if you want some music. Free stuff goes fast, you know. 😉 Continue reading →

That rice is yucky

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It’s no secret that I adore Wikipedia, after all, I inflict my preference for it on you whenever I can. 😉 SM tipster bl00t sends me somewhere that looks and feels familiar, but only in structure. Confused? Let me quote from the “wiki” on India:

Under Culture:

India has a rich cultural Heritage, but it doesn’t really matter because it is quickly being displaced by the more evolutionarily fit American Culture. The Taj Mahal, a burial plot for some woman who died a long time ago, is important because it is featured in many American Saturday morning cartoons.

Under Origin of Name:

Christopher Columbus named India after the Native Americans who first colonised the region. Some people claim that the Vikings discovered India first, but they aren’t really an oppressed minority so we can ignore them.
Because India’s name had to rhyme with Pakistan, it was given the name Hakistan in the finest tradition of Hackensack, NJ. (It is also called Hindustan by some ignorant fools).

Under Trivia:

Indian food is known internationally for its spiciness and funny names such as sari, salwar kameez, Buddha, and condoleeza rice.

Under Economy:

India is currently involved in a takeover bid for the region of Kashmir, a key garment district which is home of the famous sweater.

Right.

Now after reading all that, I can’t decide if it was funny, slightly amusing or almost insulting. If only it had some Asian-looking Orcs in it to make it obvious for me. Alas, it lacks such glaring evidence of prejudice. What say you, dear readers? Did it tickle your phunny bone? Do any of you feel like editing it? Continue reading →

“Now is the hour! ROHIRRIM!” (updated)

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weerasinghe.jpgRohan Weerasinghe is the chosen one– chosen to head a major New York law firm, that is. Weerasinghe is now the Senior Partner at Shearman & Sterling. An American of Sri Lankan descent, he becomes the first brown person EVER to ascend such great heights.

From the firm’s press release:

Weerasinghe, 54, was previously head of the Capital Markets Group, and is a member of the firmÂ’s Policy Committee. He joined Shearman & Sterling in 1977 and was elected to the partnership in 1985. Born in Sri Lanka, Weerasinghe was educated in the United States and holds a JD from Harvard Law School and an MBA from Harvard Business School where he was a Baker Scholar. Weerasinghe earned his undergraduate degree from Harvard College summa cum laude.

Do you think the Harvard Annual-giving people call him three times as much? I’m just asking…

Still wondering why this is a big deal? According to Columbia J-school Prof Sree Sreenivasan,

This is a major achievement for a desi lawyer (and on par with Rajat Gupta’s becoming head of consulting company McKinsey & Co. in 1994).

In fact, this may be a larger opportunity for glee that we thought:

Weerasinghe…is believed to be the first non-white senior partner at a top New York firm.

See? It’s huge!

:+:

Oh, like you could resist using that title. Pffft. Continue reading →