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Of inclusivists and exclusivists IN the emerging scenario it has become a relevant discussion in various circles whether there will be a clash of civilizations or a dialogue of civilizations in the 21st century....		Evangelism rules the US THE issues of intolerance, prejudice and discrimination worldwide are now so profound that they are threatening to disrupt collective efforts to promote peace and development in the new century. This was...
Understanding suicide Today, let us dispassionately look at the most intriguing phenomenon associated with man — suicide — a culmination of his decision to terminate his own life, sometimes called wilful dying, or...		The dumb Dumblina There was an air of restlessness in the graveyards. A number of dead literary figures turned in their graves. A new sun was about to rise on the horizon of English...
As time ticked by My strength of character weakened when I went for a job interview for a TV channel. By the way, I derive my strength of character from my apparel, which over the...		NET-CLIP: Unexplained phenomena HUMANITY’s achievements in extending the frontiers of its understanding of the universe have been impressive. Science has played, and continues to play, a key role in explaining many of the phenomena...
Comedy of errors IT was in March last year that a small Indian delegation to the two-day peace conference, led by Tapan Bose, arrived in Karachi. I missed the opening session but went for the post-lunch session....		I am stupid I must ‘fess up; I am of the belief that I am beyond a doubt, one of the stupidest people who have ever walked on the face of this earth, and...
Bifocal Rome This is about a middle-aged couple on a holiday trip to Europe — me and my husband. It was not the first time we were going abroad; it was also not the first time we were going without the children....		DIARY OF A VAGABOND: To ‘Khatar’ and back “Is this your first time in Khatar, sir?”, the Indian driver who had almost hijacked me and my wife as we were trying to escape from our hotel, asked me....
Managing asthma the practical way ASTHMA, commonly known as damma in Pakistan, is a chronic disease of the lungs characterized by recurrent breathing problems. The common symptoms of asthma include breathlessness, wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing....		HOT SEAT HER deeply captivating features coupled with her colourfully gleaming eyes may sweep you off your feet at the first sight. But this enchantingly beautiful lady is about much more. Talent, charisma...
Extremism, human rights and Islam The audience listened in captivated silence as Dr Riffat Hassan articulated the simple analysis on Islam and the justice for human society as outlined in the Holy Quran....		CHAPTER FROM HISTORY: The death of Sarmad Aurangzeb, the last of the great Mughals, was a wise king who exercised efficient and strict control over his vast kingdom. But he has been criticized by historians for his approach...
Butterflies and watermelons Being a bachelor is neither desirable nor achievable, at least in this couple-prone society. Married — to be or not to be, that is the social compulsion....		Down memory lane THE 1967 Pakistan tour of England was memorable for a lot of reasons. There was Majid’s 61-minute-century against Glamorgan — an innings with thirteen sixes; Asifs glorious 146 at the Oval and Hanif’s valiant 187 at Lords....
Stop all the bickering CRITICISM for the sake of it, is like a bite without the poison. This is what we have been having, not in small measures but in huge doses. Most of it...		THROUGH THE COVERS: Closing in on the champions WITH its recent Test series victory against West Indies, South Africa has surely taken a step closer to threatening Australia at the top of the ladder as the World Test Champions....
The state of the union Small measures can move mountains. Go tell this to our leaders and they think you’re from Venus! All one is saying is that Pakistan International Airlines flight from New York to Islamabad badly requires the services of a janitor on board! Is that asking for the moon...		The second honeymoon Trouble comes in all shapes and sizes. And from the least expected of quarters. We were having breakfast on a fine wet Sunday morning to the accompanying sound of splattering raindrops on the greenery outside the window....
A dutiful daughter Newton said the Earth is like a great magnet. All the heavenly bodies have the qualities of a magnet — they attract opposites and repel the likes. It is true for worldly life, too....		NEWSMAKER WHEN Queen Mary 2 set sail from the English port of Southampton for Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on January 12, she was given a warmer sendoff than Titanic received almost a century ago....