DIARY FROM NORTHAMPTON
I have been an avid and fortuitous globetrotter. On the maiden trip to Turkey, I observed our senior journalist and fellow traveller Manzar Naqvi Sahib, the guiding spirit of this widely read and well-liked print publication. Every night after dinner, when most of us would retire to our rooms, Manzar Sahib would grab his laptop; find a cosy corner in the dining area or the hotel lobby and start typing. He used to type away the accounts of daily activities with names, places, history and even the menus.
Traveling and reading are the super foods for the intellectually hungry souls. It illustrates the fact that people are the same regardless of borders, good and bad. There are beautiful souls and there are ugly souls. It also helps us learn more about one’s own self and helps us evolve. Sometimes, you choose a place to visit or stay permanently. In my case, a place embraced me.
This is the third happy year in Northampton, my home away from home. Northampton is a unique town – a gem hiding in plain sight. It is quieter, greener and is in no rush as compared to Karachi, a metropolis bigger than 20 countries in the world. These two places are so different, yet they have one thing in common. Both Karachi and Northampton have one quality that sets them apart from other cities and towns – they embrace diversity. Both Karachi and Northampton welcome people with open arms and with so much love and warmth it becomes their second home. I will share more about the life and times in Northampton in the coming days.
As I scribble out these words, thousands of miles and 120 non-stop driving hours away from Karachi, I am genuinely experiencing what Pakistani diaspora do -fear, love and hope. Fear of loss of lives of innocent civilians on both sides, love for the country and hope for things to de-escalate and for peace to prevail. War is never the answer. Peaceful dialogue is the best and the only way forward as we are neighbours. Moving to another outer space planet or intergalactic colony is not doable at this juncture. Turning the other cheek is no longer practical when a psychopath whose violent intentions are unprovoked and who takes the gestures of tolerance and peacekeeping as a sign of weakness. Our holy prophet went to war only as the final resort and primarily as a defensive measure.
As a believer, I sincerely hope, wish and pray for peace and harmony on Earth, as it is the only planet we have.
