Sonya Syed

23rd March is the  Pakistan Day or Pakistan Resolution Day, also our Republic Day, a national holiday in Pakistan commemorating the Lahore Resolution passed on 23 March 1940. Today after a long time, I have truly felt celebrating Pakistan Day- amazing parade by our esteemed armed forces, rangers, police, also participated by our distinguished friends and guests.  A warm welcome to Malaysian Prime Minister Mr. Mahatir Bin Mohamad on his visit to Pakistan. Congratulations and best of wishes to our Prime Minister Mr. Imran Khan, his team and our President for all their efforts and hard work. I am extremely grateful to Muhammad Ali Jinnah and all the great leaders who gave us the Gift of Pakistan, so we all can live with  dignity and breathe the air of independence.  Pakistan Zindabad!     Around December 2008 I started writing this blog, I could have never imagined that I would last writing it the next year yet I continu...

After fighting with an alien cat in my dream, I am awake at 1.30 am. It all is followed by a futile effort of building a sleep pattern of 9.30 pm to 6 am. Alas, not all wishes come true at once. No problem I will keep on working. Being a really smart gal I have messed up with my sleep-wake cycle long ago, and today when I accidentally opened Rujuta Diwekar’s video on cortisol on my facebook page- I realized what has been going on with me.  For all of you who are not aware that I am a distant relative of Kareena Kapoor Khan and Rujuta is the link who tied  Kareena and me  together. You all must be wondering why have I never discussed this earlier, why I took so long to disclose my bond with Kareena. Let me explain.   Rujuta Diwekar is a God’s blessing for all the fools like me who for some stranger reason believe(ed) that going on USA or UK-based diet programs would make us patla (thin/ lean). It was Rujuta’s eating desi ghee and daal sabzi ch...

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...