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September 12, 2004
In brief
Across the Wagah — An Indian’s Sojourn in Pakistan
By Maneesha Tikekar
Promilla & Co., Publishers, C-127, Sarvodaya Enclave, New Delhi 110 017, in association with Bibliophile South Asia, C-127 Sarvodaya Enclave, New Delhi-110017, India
Website: www.biblioasia.com
ISBN 81 85002 34 7
360pp. Indian Rs750
IN the somewhat competitive relationship that the two countries are caught in, Pakistanis are always curious about what Indians ‘think’ of them and their country. They will be immensely pleased by the impressions formed by Maneesha Tikekar, an Indian research scholar, who spent five months in Pakistan. Across the Wagah is a sincere attempt to understand Pakistan and present a view that negates the stereotypical. As Tikekar writes in the preface:
“By and large, we Indians know Pakistan only through its negative images. Its hostility towards India, its obsession with Kashmir and its ‘sponsorship’ of jihad in Kashmir and terrorist activities elsewhere in India cause nothing but fury among Indians. For the majority of the Indians, Pakistan is a terrorist state and of late the ‘fountainhead’ of global terrorism; a country ruled by the army and controlled by the mullahs.”
It is perceptions such as these that the writer sets out to correct. While conceding that all of the above is true to a certain extent, she stresses that there’s more to Pakistan than the tag of terrorism which the country wears as a consequence of the military-mullah combine. Meant primarily for readers in India, Across the Wagah will gladden the heart of Pakistanis used to their country being the favourite whipping boy of the international media and western leaders. In fact, Tikekar’s account of her five-month stay in Pakistan sounds almost too good to be true. Many Pakistani cynics will wonder if the writer has politely covered up the less pleasant aspects of her Pakistan sojourn.
Tikekar is also the author of another book on Pakistan, written in her native Marathi. This book has won two literary awards and is already in its second edition. It is clear that her keenness to know Pakistan and to understand its paradoxes are rooted both in a scholarly interest and a genuine desire to create awareness about Pakistan in India.
Across the Wagah takes a panoramic view of Pakistan — from the uniqueness of its cities to the peculiarity of political developments. Tikekar also seems to have spent a fair amount of time in familiarizing herself with the social and cultural mileau. Like many visitors to Pakistan, she is surprised that dance and other forms of art and culture continue to thrive, albeit in a limited way. In researching her book, she has shown thoroughness and objectivity, going through many publications and meeting as many people as possible in all the major cities. Travelling from city to city, or visiting historic sites, the author encounters friendship and kindness everywhere.
Apart from the ‘feel good’ factor, Across the Wagah has little to offer the Pakistani reader — even in terms of analysis and insights. Tikekar’s bleak account of political developments is one Pakistanis have heard and read of endlessly to the extent of being blasé about it (regrettable, but true). Moreover, she has chosen to speak to those politicians, retired generals, writers, analysts (known as ‘intellectuals’ in Pakistan) whose views are predictably familiar to most of us. This is not to belittle Tikekar’s work. She has clearly said in her preface that the book is aimed at an Indian readership. And if Across the Wagah contributes to the much needed spirit of understanding and tolerance between India and Pakistan, more power to Tikekar’s pen! — Zohra Yusuf
The Atkins Shopping Guide
By Atkins Health & Medical Information Services
Avon Books. Available with Liberty Books (Pvt) Ltd, 3 Rafiq Plaza, M.R. Kayani Road, Saddar, Karachi
Tel: 021-5683026. Email: libooks@cyber.net.pk Website:
www.libertybooks.com
ISBN 0-06-072200-2
409pp. Rs350
HE may be six-feet under but the dust he kicked while getting there might still be blurring everybody’s vision. I say everybody and not just obese individuals because Dr Atkins’ diet plan has taken the world by storm. Most people going gaga over it are not really fat but are definitely obsessed with the idea of losing weight. The plan helps lose weight, lots and lots of it for that matter, and very quickly too. Still doctors don’t really recommend this way of losing kilos. But whoever listens to them? Hence all the warnings about developing other health problems by following the diet have fallen on deaf ears.
Atkins is now big business. Dr Atkins’ New Diet Revolution was followed by The Atkins Essentials and now thanks to the good doctor’s dedicated health and medical information services we have The Atkins Shopping Guide.
There are two parts to this book. The first one takes care of what’s available in supermarkets and the second has you covered at natural foods stores which stock speciality items. Whichever place you shop at, the book is supposed to guide you through the shelves, aisles and counters so that you find the right foods with the best nutritional value. It will teach you how to understand food labels so that you know what to buy and what to avoid within the confusing confines of the grocery store as according to this book the abundance of items available can have us so confused we cannot be trusted alone there. Therefore the book. Take it along. It is supposed to teach you how to be a smart low-carb shopper. It will help you “do Atkins right”. — Shazia Hasan
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