Based on the 1988 aircraft crash that killed Zia-ul-Haq, the military dictator of Pakistan, A Case of Exploding Mangoes made a big splash in the South Asian literary world when it was released in 2008. Readers loved that a desi writer was nailing political satire. Since then Mohammed Hanif has written three more novels, masterfully blending politics and the absurdities of life. He’s so captured the genre that some say he’s the Pakistani Joseph Heller. Hanif has a new book out, The Rebel English Academy. On Scroll Adda, he talks about why he uses satire, his relationship with three languages – Punjabi, Urdu and English – how Operation Sindoor ended up strengthening army rule in Pakistan as well as describing Imran Khan as a political prisoner.
Incidentally, I keep meaning to review Rebel English Academy. I have a copy autographed by Hanif.
Although many young women are studying abroad and living alone these days, this wasn’t the case for Indian women in the 1930s. But, as they say, there are always exceptions to a rule, and one of them was Muhammadi Begum, who went to study at Oxford University during the 1930s.
The book under review, Deccan Say Duur, Oxford Ke Roz-o-Shab: Aik Naujawan Taliba Ka 1935 Ka Roznamcha, is a reproduction of the diary entries Muhammadi Begum wrote while at Oxford. She was born in Hyderabad Deccan, and graduated from Osmania University. As she secured the first position there, she was awarded a scholarship by the Government of Hyderabad Deccan to study at the University of Oxford, making her one of the few women to receive such an opportunity.
In 1934, she went to the UK with her husband, who took a year’s leave from his job to accompany her. To prepare for admission to the University of Oxford, she had to pass certain exams, for which she studied for a year. Although she wanted admission in Lady Margaret Hall, she had to settle for Saint Hugh’s College, which offered her a space.
The review goes on to note that Muhammadi Begum was part of the organizing committee for the women’s jalsa that the Quaid-e-Azam attended in 1945. Her family migrated to Pakistan in 1950.
“Smoker’s Corner: Counter Histories”
By Nadeem F. Paracha
https://www.dawn.com/news/2003974
When Lahore’s municipality reverted to older Hindu names of certain localities, many Indian so called liberal commentators were frothing in mouth, hailing the progressive move.
Alas, the joy lasted only 4 days, when under pressure of more religious sections, the move was stopped and Islamic names were continued.
What was the issue?
Hinduphobia is so engrained in Pakistani Societys that it is invisible.
Indians aren’t really allowed to be Islamophobic except in online spaces and when they form beef lynching mobs.
In some ways it is much safer to be a minority in Pakistan because one knows their place and doesn’t step out of line. In India the minorities are always interpreting messages from an increasingly angry majority ..
I don’t think its a contest. Saying Indian “aren’t really allowed to be Islamophobic” isn’t correct and many Indian Muslims themselves will dispute that and so can many Muslims in the diaspora with their own IRL experiences with the Indian diaspora.
“The assassination that changed India” by Dr Naazir Mahmood
https://www.thenews.pk/print/1417074-the-assassination-that-changed-india
Recently read this.
Furqan, I just read this article of yours presumably, on Duniya Digital:
https://dunyadigital.co/books/anaemic-reparations-for-symptoms
Your review reads just right, not overtly critical yet pointing out the glaring inadequacy in the approach.
Thanks. You might also like to read this:
https://www.thenews.pk/print/1413009-stupidity-or-strategy
This op-ed works as an exposition on the point (the political economy) that I underscored in the book review.
Good idea we’ll update this Open Thread with interesting links as well.