When Media Fails
20 Apr 2012 9 Comments
in Home, No Expectations Tags: 2012, Awareness, Developing Countries, Ignorance is not always blissful, Islam, Journalism, Oppression, Sri Lanka
This post is ironic as I too am presently in a media organisation, but then, I could justify my statement by stating that I do not work for a “news” organisation and therefore the post does not necessarily apply to me. However, the post is being written from the perspective of a citizen and not a media personnel.
Just today I was Googling – since most inspiration is drawn from this domain – for news happening in the country as I needed a story having lost one of my leads. The only story which seemed newsworthy to pop up on Google was that egg-less chicken. All I could hope for is that this being a one-off case and not something that would happen more frequently. I like my eggs and chicken as two separate entities.
A few hours later, something newsworthy did come up. The Dambulla mosque attacks or protests or something to that extent – I am not too sure. Why? Because there was no information on the internet – again, since that is our first source of information. Tweeps from Sri Lanka waited patiently online to hear any piece of information with regard to what was happening in Dambulla. A foreign correspondent from BBC was supposed to be responsible for the “breaking” of this news. Pray, on behalf of all citizens I ask, where were our local news organisations during this time? Print and electronic media have their local or regional correspondents and where were they during this vital hour? Hats off to Ceylon Today for being the first official media for providing a few lines with regard to the situation but what about the rest of the media?
People turn to the fourth estate for information. When this information is not provided when something “new” or “news” takes place, pray then, what is the purpose of media after all?
One of Those Days
02 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
in Home, No Expectations Tags: 2011, All Smiles, Blissfully Beautiful, Blogging, Faith, Islam, Mera Sixty-Deka Duith, Pink!, Rejuvenation of the Renaissance, Youth
It’s rare. Those days that make you feel as though there is absolutely no care in the world – in a good way – and feel as though, yes I’m going to say it, “Top of the world!” These days are ones that are of absolute happiness.
My Literature teacher told me that happiness is brought about by the awareness of the consequences of that particular circumstance – if that made sense to anyone who is reading 
Not that all is going brilliantly for me: I have my exams in a week, the Production is well, – those of you know the story I needn’t say more – I am losing weight at an unfathomable rate, I leave to Goa in twenty-days and Dubai in a few months and I love my family and my best friends too much and the list goes on.
However, it all comes down to the fact that regardless of me knowing that all this is happening, both good and bad, I am still thankful to God – regardless of as to where my faith stands as at now – for what He has given me thus far and for all that He continues to bless me with.
So while the day lasts, it’s time to work – if you feel like it – listen to Katy Perry, dance till your ass refuses to move no more and be grateful for everything and everyone around you.
The Reward Effect
07 Aug 2011 2 Comments
in Home, No Expectations Tags: 2011, Awareness, Black, Blogging, Faith, First-timers, Ignorance is not always blissful, Individuality, Islam, Mera Sixty-Deka Duith, Theatre, Youth
A more apt title would have been a something to the effect of Newton’s third law but oh well, ever since renewed Theatre days, we have grown accustomed giving titles prior to content 
Twitter and later news articles tell me that a part or most of the SEALs who were part of the Osama Bin Laden killing tribe have died. Not that killing Bin Laden was wrong, or right; being a mere blogger there is only so much revolution that my opinion would make in the sphere of things. Belonging to a country that has been constantly being known for its human rights violations, my statement stands clear.
Leaving these otters or seals or whatever they are called out, the effect shows a lasting impression in all most everything we do. It’s something that needn’t be acknowledged as it happens almost unconsciously.
Since we were kids we were taught the fundamentals of right and wrong; good and bad. This vacation, I remember Akki telling our new cousins about the “Apayata yana potha” (The book on going to Hell). This was brought up when the girls refused to have their dinner and then took to being naughty. I vividly remember laughing then, however looking back on it now I see how much truth there is to it.
Being the month of Ramazan, we all scramble to our prayers; some with the Sunnat prayers and the others like me we Tharaweeh and very shamefully admitting, the foregoing of the mandatory prayers. Why do we all do this? Besides the fact of it being Ramazan we know that all things in this world are temporary. Our real journey begins only in the hereafter. In this world, we hope for God to be with us guiding us in the right path, the “right” usually being a substitute for “good”.
Thus it’s obvious that we try to do as much good as we can in our lives. A few years ago a minister crashed in to a tree with his envoy while listening to bana (something to the effect of Buddhist teachings). We all want to do good, but we all know who ministers are. Then again, I maybe generalising, I don’t know. But as always perceptions are built on what is seen around us, most of the time.
It doesn’t always have to be death, even the simplest things in life such as doing something on when required, being there for someone and the list adds on. Most of the time while things may not always turn out to be the way one expected to, you cannot help but smile when it does.
Here’s to all the good times in life, the bad ones, the ones dominated by overreacting hormones and to individuals who are en route to discovering themselves. While doing the “right” thing may not entirely always look that good on you, it would, someday.
Justification of the Niqab?
08 Nov 2009 6 Comments
in Home, No Expectations Tags: Black, Islam, Oppression, Women, Women In Islam
The Niqab (veil) as one knows is worn by most Muslim women especially in the Middle Eastern region. The veil covers most parts of the face revealing only the eyes and the forehead; but the latter, rarely. In most cases, the male of the household makes it compulsory for the females of the family to wear the Niqab upon attaining age. Nevertheless, what one does not realize is that the Niqab is not made obligatory in Islam. While wearing the Hijab (head scarf would probably be the simplest of explanations to non-Muslims) is made compulsory, the Niqab is not. If it is worn, it should be the choice of the woman. It should not be enforced upon her. Besides, it is interesting to also note that Allah has forbidden wearing the Niqab when performing prayers and Haj – which also happen to be two out of the five very significant pillars of Islam.
