Sonya Syed

Thankfully this semester ended, all exam papers are checked and the results are going to be announced soon. To tell you the truth, in our society people under-estimate the efforts and work of teachers, whether teaching it in schools, college or at the university level. I have been associated with academics for the last 4 years and I can say that it is far away from what it is referred to as Easy. At the university level our work is quite straight forward because our pupils are relatively grown up individuals; but when I think about the tasks which school teachers have to accomplish I can only say that they all have my utmost respect and adulation. It is not easy to shape up those very young minds, personalities and at the same time teach them, hence that’s what a teacher does. I fail to understand as to why school teachers are not awarded with titles like lecturer or professor as their work is far more crucial that creates the solid foundation on which college and university

Just came across Meesha Shafi’s #MeToo tweet where she has accused Ali Zafar for harassment. Ali has denied all her accusations and decided to settle the matter in Court. It’s just a beginning, we’ll know the details about Meesha’s allegations as things would progress further. Whatever and whenever the outcome would be, I can say for sure that Meesha Shafi will now have to face zillion comments and online trolling, false accusations will be made against her and everything she has ever done in life, starting from her hair and makeup to the clothes she wears. Then there will be many from amongst us who will support her unconditionally. It is a highly risky thing to do but if she experienced something then she has a right to express herself but Ali Zafar is not less loved and admired by many fans and it will be a challenge for all to bear what will come later on. Many women and girls don’t understand the concept of harassment, especially if they are experiencing it firsthand

First things first, thank you all for writing to me, appreciating my thoughts, theme of my blog and giving your support. Last few months have been quite heavy, with work load and sudden illness of a family member. However, Allah has been very merciful, and now the family member is doing well and is out of danger. While in the midst many things have happened which clouded my thoughts and emotions, the gruesome and one of the most insane war in Syria has shook me to the core. Everyday people are dying for no reason, paranoid and schizophrenic world-leaders are fighting and inciting war for no purpose. Rohingyas are facing ethnic cleansing and the United Nations has become an ineffective organization. Every time when I laugh and enjoy any moment, an unnamed gloom overshadows my joy. We all are one; the concept of universal brotherhood is there for a reason. We are all connected with each other, although many of the human species deny this fact but it is certain that pain, agony

On my way to work I switched on FM 94, Government of Pakistan’s radio channel. I must say it is an experience in itself; the RJs make some so much sense when they speak, and there is always sharing of useful information on a new development in science, technology and medicine. Sometimes it is pure sensible chat about life, our tradition and culture. It seems that moral values and culture of Pakistan is only restricted to Pakistan Radio because in our everyday lives we have forgotten most of our shared values. I have come to realize that no matter how much technically savvy we have become, living close to nature is the best way to live life. With the advent of smartphones and social media all of us have really lost touch not only with our bodies and mind but also our near and dear ones. Everything is so easily accessible that it has become meaningless. We now feed all of our contact numbers in the smartphone that we are unable to remember numbers of our brother, sister, friend

Yes, I am also part of the movement and I think that every woman and also all the men should be too. This wave was generated when renowned Hollywood celebrities Ashley Judd, Angelina Jolie and Gwneth Paltrow along with few others came forth to tell their stories of sexual harassment. Since then this little wave created a tornado and many bigwigs were swept away. Charging a man with harassment accusation, especially if he holds power is no easy task for any woman whether she lives in United States or in Pakistan. The first hurdle which women face in every society is victim-shaming, which means, that in some way the woman was responsible to attract the negative attention of a man because as they say, a man is a man- he cannot control his impulses. So it is entirely the duty of a woman to not provoke those impulses. But then my question is, how does a seven year child who was molested two days ago have provoked her perpetrator’s impulses? How do woman covered in their chaadars sitti

This was not at all how I wanted to start my first post of 2018 but regrettably traumas and painful events have become norm of the day. Once again a seven year old child has been brutally murdered and molested in Kasur, Pakistan. This news had its predecessor few years ago when hundreds of children were molested and their families were blackmailed. Everyone on social media is rightfully protesting to arrest the criminal(s) behind this heinous offence. I don’t think it is a random secluded crime that just happened. Whatever we are seeing today in the form of this news is just the tip of an iceberg, an effect of something that has a profound grave cause lurking in the darkness. The society we proudly present as the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has nothing left in it which is either Islamic or republican. We are a society with a torn moral fibre. These kinds of unfortunate events are the direct reflection of not merely state failure, but the failure of humanity. This is