Mehwish Hayat aur Dur Fittay Muh!

We are living in a bubble right now. The media is the most idealistic medium as well as the most drastic source of depression.
But democracy is the best revenge.
The revenge from all those who decide to deny the reality.
For some educated reason, I have forgot about the spectrum of our society that I live in. Thinking we have become articulate, and sensible human beings. Alas! I was made aware of this fallacy, by the 'people of internet' or in other words, trolls, from Pakistan.
Although, our youth may have been de-misoginized, but a large portion of men in our society beyond 35 years of age, still believe in intolerance and slut shaming, the unfortunate Achilles's heel of mid-life crisis, of Pakistani men.
As of recently, Mehwish Hayat, gave an interview at a social event, in which the reporter bluntly asked her about stance on Kashmir, to which she refused to comment, due to some pre-event instructions from the PR or organisers.

Now, this resulted in a shit storm of patriotic jingoism filled with slut shaming and degradation of the national-award-winning-artist.

The problem here, is deep rooted in the society, where the ‘showbiz’ is still considered a 'spit-worthy' profession. Yet, in contradiction to this viewpoint, ever since the advent of internet, everyone wants attention, and loves being treated like a superstar. Women, to these people, are still objectified and considered weak-links; hence, according to them, these are the lesser mortals who have to cater to the society’s whims. 
You have seen the trolls and unfortunately, I am going to typecast, the unquestioned one, and thus, these are few characteristics, of a self-righteous troll uncle:

1. He is a businessman or grade 20 officer, in his 40s, hailing from a rural or sub-urban area.
2. He has a wife, but would love to get married to a young beautiful second wife, as a status symbol.
3. Bemoans the women of house in contempt, frequently expresses anger and abuses and beats them.
4. Monkey see, monkey do, this is what he has always seen in his elders too.
5. Watches entertainment, like vulgar stage plays and Television programs but calls the women in the industry, ‘whores’.
6. Has a daughter, plans to educate her and make her an independent woman and marry her off in same clan and/or a powerful family, but would still have preferred a son.

None of the traits above, are in harmony to any principle, therefore, the adulthood of such class of Pakistani men, is in shambles. These are some oversized adolescent on the internet, who see no repercussion of slut shaming women in our society or on social media.
You will come across these men, on roads, where they might act antagonised, or in offices, where they might act irritated and indifferent to you, at the same time. Is this disrespect? Is it egoistic behaviour? Frustrated? Intolerant? Condescending? Series of unfortunate events occurring in their life? Prejudiced? May be they are confined to their own world and cannot think of anything beyond themselves.
These are men with inferiority complex, who cannot bear the sight of women, who are more powerful than them, and are able to climb the corporate ladder.
These are the same men who call a woman, a slut, behind her back, when she gets a promotion over them.
These are the same men who would question the menstruation cycle of a lady, on her bad day at work or her personal life/or carnal satisfaction quotient, introspectively, in their locker-room/table talk.
They will slut shame a women who goes against their insecurities (political leadership, challenge religiopolitical status quo etc.) examples include Reham Khan and Malala Yousufzai.
I wish I could simply write over them, with the power of pen, like they walk over the tradition of decency, under their feet. We have to reach a cultural adulthood, and these men should be marginalised, for real. And most of all, they should be called out for their bigotry (the cake of foul smelling hypocrisy), with a nice sprinkle bits of  dur fittay muh on top, served with a cup of 'grow-up'(a tannin-filled, bitter tasting, astringent of a tea).

Ukhano aur Uthado!

What does really matter?

Are we fighting too hard to avoid the feeling of being used by someone successful that we are becoming too distracted about what is really important and what reality is? Yes, the reality stars you made famous are not the best ones, when it comes to taking a role model with a moral high ground.
These are fickle times. The population of the world has been at its highest, resources are now more plastic than material, and its not ethical to condemn someone to be, all pretentious, in this even more virtual economy, in this moment in time. You are more under pressure and stress, than ever before with comparison, as much of the world you could have or your ancestors could have, dreamt of, yet, you are ever so alone in your own reality. With so much to lose, but so little to gain, you can only feel 'frustrated' by your mortal and existential limitations.
Ali Zafar, Ukhano and my favourite rockstar. What do they have in common. Two have been excused of harassment and one, I came to know, first hand, of. These all belong to the virtual entertainment industry, one way or another. All are famous and have a female fan base, too. Yet, what is the problem, is it the culture of harassessment, the nature of men or simply just part and parcel of our globalization in last 20 years of internet and cable. Welcome to Globalistan!
Is this for real, do these men drive machoness from flings and flirting, with categorized beautiful women. Who gets the brownie points here.
There is no more, higher moral ground, you may be all talk about higher ethical and moral standards, but it gets you no security, no money, no fame and no progress, just an expensive conscience that is too heavy to carry all your life; to the world, its just your baseless vanity. I dont say that you dont take that favourite rockstar of mine to the cleaners but I myself am not clean as a whistle either and nor are you. The system that we are part of, makes us be like this, people with dirty hands, yes, and when everyone will be dirty, that then, there will be no one who is dirty anymore. Because then, dirtiness will be ubiquitous and wont be distinguished by anyone.
There is no Bennite solution and there will, not be, an end to this. There are no brownie points. And we all have to stop giving a fu*k about any of this anymore, as now, well, all are guilty and this is who we will be. Unless you become the change you want to see in the world. But you wont. You love blaming the player and not the game, because its easier and similar to how everyone is doing. Status quo is convenient.
But apart from this what is happening to this Youtube star, in historical prospective, its going to change things, in the land of the pure and its view of the age of reality stars. Lesser of the evils, is to raise your voice for what is right.
P.s. Gabrana nahi hai, uthado apni awaz!

Thought aur Tuk Tuk!

Somewhere in Capital at midnight

Work and having a life, what a romantic thought. Trying to strike a four to McGrath on a seaming wicket, is what I feel like, when I want to strike a balance between work and having a life, that outside of the off stump isn't such a good idea, I might just get caught behind.
But Eid is here and I feel I would get a loosener this time.
I went to the Capital!
Traveling wasn't really an adventure, it feels. It was more like a routine in life for me. For then, what will be my escape, how do I con or bluff the self into freedom: A vagabond or someone with constant dispositions
But yes, I can still be alive, and living, if I live this kind life, of racing against the time, trying to gulp all I can in given space of time. Its binge living.
As soon as I reached, it was Eidi distribution after a feisty lunch. Afterwards, I went to the Naan shop for some karak tea, as soon as, I was done with some sleep, to cure my traveling fatigue. Then, I had some ice cream from my favourite place and got myself my favourite flavour. The went on to get to some public mall, and eat some more. And after midnight, did a ritual visit to the only fast food place open at this dark hour, swam with families, to get some juice and more ice cream. If this was not enough woke up next morning and distributed more felicitation of the Eid fest to close acquaintances. That was all, some fun, and a close run.
But as the 24 hours long stint lasted, I felt to have crammed in all the necessaries in the 'living a life'.
I return back to the 'routine' work and continued.

My writing have become the situational songs for me now. And situations are usually drived out of love, and love should be about spreading happiness and not caving in our darkness. Love is like the 4th wicket stand of Inzi bhai and Yousaf bhai, you know you can trust them even when the opening does not work, against any team, anywhere, on any type of wicket. Lust is like Afridi, you enjoy when it works, but mostly its not worth the whole match, yet you pray, aaj yeh chal jaye!
And the analogies remind me the cricket World Cup is around. But sorry, I have not interest in whether Sarfaraz dokha dey ya nahi! I don't like watching cricket anymore due to lack of flair, and I usually tell people that I don't like cricket now, par yeh baat nahi hai! I don't get time to watch it! McGrath is too difficult to score, so meanwhile, I just play tuk tuk!

P.s. that loosener never came!

Rented aur Rul te gaye aan!

Khoya tou nahi wo, ju apna na tha, paya tou nahi wo, ju apna na tha, phir malaal kesa, phir yeh khayal kesa

Disclaimer: The is not a self help blog post.

The glass is half full.
The world seems like a bounty to be hunted and conquered. And this is why the elite species - homo sapiens - have been intrinsically greedy and violent... probably.
Yet there always been a clue, a cure. In land of the pure, there exists, the city of saints etc etc.
But still...
badlay dil, badlay log.
We want what is best for ourselves, the best that we have learned from the world around us, the best that was taught to us and the best we believe we can survive with. Hence, once we get what we want.... we want more. Life goes on. The discontent develops. The 'need' that we already have, falls into the blind spot. Why? forget about it... simple.. thing is: because you cant always get what you want - Mick Jagger; (probably) Chirag tallay andhera - sarcastic idiom
But what do we do about this gut ki feeling, this cradle of shrewdness, the survival instinct, the cunning scan prior to cunning plan, .... ab kiya karay....
well sab maya hai... but maya sab ki nahi hai .... (not being sexist, its a deep thought)
Gut feeling takes you to the buffet table where various options are on display, I request you to take the peaceful one, for the soul.
Its not about being right or correct, or what ever you use, in your mind to identify that notion, neither its about saving yourself from a loss. Yes, I do say that in a world of oppurtunities, where someone who loses even a single one, is made to consider oneself as inept or worst, a failure. Well, friend, if at the end of the day, if there is water and food on your table, you are doing great, but dont fool yourself into thinking if its yours only doing. Always be grateful, from the ability to breath the air and feel the freedom to move and luxury to see the colourful world around.... and reading this blog too... hehehehe
I am not elite, not anymore, but I do say there are a dozen demons I had to fight and unfortunately, a few angels too, so where I am, I am happy to have what I have, but not proud, not because I perceive it as less but because I had to confess for the wrongs I did, to reach here. The sufi in me realizes that life at loss is, when you gain, and gain when you lose.
I do believe in providence, its like the protection of the contract we have, whether pious or sinful. Do good and don't ask for return, do it as your nature, lose and loss, take them as your gains, as nothing is, what it seems. Pain changes things, but your victory is, when it does not change you. If you think about it, much of what you needed in your life, you would have 'gained' it anyway. Hence, try to have minimal collateral damage.
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.
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at this point i have just lost the myself hehehe I cant really squeeze out further wisdom
bahi if you are a CEO of high-end investment firm or a janitor in local municipality, one day you die and you are dead. Dead don't remember. And hence, you really dont owe anything to anyone or anyone to you, once that happens. Whats left in the world, is not yours anymore because it never was... sab karaiye ka tha ( all was rented) you only own your deeds and a space in hearts of people who love you. And Keanu Reeves says, they will remember you, so, if you dont take my words, take his, he is more handsome hahaha

p.s. for an idea... a tombstone .... rul te gaye aan... per chuss barri ayi ae... 

Facer aur Faqir!

ik nukte wich gal mukdi ae - Bulleh Shah

No one is above the law.
The one's who maketh and the ones who breakth. Neither.
We need impartial judges to correct this society, not in courts but in the society itself.
A judge has to be impartial and hence, justice is blind. So the lady justice from Asgard, has to distance herself from corruption wrapped around one of her foot, in form of a, snake.
A judge is to distance oneself from the society in order to be impartial and avoid public gatherings and ceremonies, in this regard.
But how is our society, going to have judges?! thats a bit absurd, is it not?! well not so much as the outcry, the society pulls out, when it feels wronged.
We all are judges within ourselves. Seek within what you seek without. Look at your own snakes and how they have scared you to toe their line, to shift your behavior and follow their infernal instincts. What are we if not the embodiment of seven deadly sins. And I dont mean to be sound like a preacher but still, I will walk you all to the impediment you face in gaining the solution.
Let the faqir out!
Bring the selfless person, content with the life and see oneself from a distance and see your own legacy and its collision with your fellow country men. You want a secure future for yourself and your children but so does the other for their own, then why not for everyone. This legacy must have a leakage. Your best, is ruining other's best.
Hey! this is a capitalistic society. Each for their own. The opportunities are out there, grab them while you can. Its a rat race. Dog eat dog world.
Thus, being insecure is part and parcel. Whats the outcry. Why the pain.
Well, in the system of 'many opportunities', there is society that pretends to fit in for, them. There are fake people and lack of trust, because, wait, why would there not be, each for their own. You will come across numerous insecure, 'nice' people who will turn against us when the chips are down.
Hence, welcome the facer, here, now, your conscience, whom you had sent to the dungeon to live a peaceful life, wakes you up.
This starts with the next take away drink you order in car around the summer season. Dont throw it out in open, to keep your car clean, but take it home, go an extra mile and dispose it in your own trash, or else spent the money on a charity that helps people in need.
Don't judge, but be the impartial judge to carry out a life of justice.
P.s. the humour is somewhere behind the lines of wisdom and maturity here.
P.p.s. Thank you for your time.

Jeopardy aur Jehazkhori!

To be a meme or not to be a meme, is the question.

“jahezkhori band karo” has gone viral and so has the rebuttal/meme campaign. I came to know of this awareness step, on Ali Rehman Khan’s instagram account. Where he had applied mehndi design, with this inscription in the base of his palms. This has highlighted, the long standing evil of dowry in our culture. It was detestable to see the memes ridiculing such a significant movement in its cradle. But, I have realized that there are two sides to this scenario. Both hinges in its own way on one objective – root out the gangrenous portion associated with marriage from our culture- before it’s too late.
Earlier, I have written about dowry, since it’s a long standing issue, my focus shall be on significance of the hidden message from the memes, for us all.
The aspect of free will in human society has evolved to a conception of preposterous absurdity. That as a view, is my own, with intrinsic limitation of perceptions drawn from culture of my own generation of millennials. The promiscuous, who were once bemoaned in the society, have set as a standard for the up coming Generation Z. For them it’s about being out and about. Its support begins from boredom, which has become mainstream for them, resulting in confusion which is bewildering and ultimately drawing the individual to frustration, which is not only insufferable but also painful. Hence, to curb it at its cradle the individual rejects the societal restrictions and gives into the mortal pleasures where there shall be no repercussion such as responsibility, attachment or financial burden to tolerate. Earlier, it was the gender of men which was more accepting of these traits, linked to the male superiority or the ‘macho-ness’ and was refuted by women. But now it has changed after women empowerment, since, they are equally accepting of the modern age chivalry ways, and explore the sensuality of the promiscuous, as part of this empowerment. Thus, the floodgates are wide open for the free will to run over the preconceived notions of societal norms.
The model seems like a self-evolving, borne out from the globalization not to forget rising unemployment. Where there are so much pressures, the society can give so less to the individual to uphold the values it held so dear. Hence, in this model you have a threat of shaking the status quo in our present society. One won’t need an extensive arrangement of rituals, spent on ceremonies in light of social status etc. So, if you are a young lass or lad, you would rather give up on the idea of settling down with a family of your own but focus more on empowering yourself financially with a job or business, and whenever you need some sensuality, with no strings attached, just served it like some fast food.
In the end, we all wish for the good old family unlike the upcoming generation Z, with its free will and all. If we have to save the system from this jeopardy and make it anymore effective to this time and age: let’s end dowry and surgically remove the gangrene till you find some real compassionate flesh. 

Change aur Chahitay!

Changing to from right to left... literally 

This indeed is truly odd, when I try to sum it up. A cascade of cramped up emotions, that seem to drive out some mist of confusion. Because in real sense it’s all a fancy, I cannot make it sense. It is intuition that I fail to express. It’s a confusion that is generated from all the information I feel that I know about myself. Self-discovery. From the cradle till now. Trying to make lemonade out of the lemons life gave me. Now realizing that too much lemonade is also bad for health. Try mixing it up with a bit of wisdom. That I shall now.

I am for the generation of the 80s and 90s aka millennial and I have often now and then cried about it. But to tell you the truth it feels nothing better than being a millennial in today’s world. I mean I have seen some real transformation of the world in terms of technology, and 'progressed'. From the days when you just used to write up an verse of juvenile poetry on the last pages of your geography classwork copy, to uploading it on a blog and then later on putting it  up as a social media status update, in a span of a couple of decades.

Aray bahi kya hai yeh azadi, kya hai sakoon? Kal ko notice hona chahitay thay aaj notice karwana chahitay hai.

This day and age is a challenge with so much you wish and fantasize about but so little have you trained to cope with it. With new social and economic challenges. So many opportunities so much competition, yani exposure hai bhi aur nahi bhi.

Bas lagay raho….. badaltay raho… kuch samajho na… kiun kay haqiqatay bhi waqt kay saat badal jaye gi….

And thus, I end this blog for today… kiun kay zindagi mein cheezay adhuri chornay ki aadat si hogai hai aur zaroorat bhi ban gayi hai…

Muzaffarabad aur manzar!

Its not always that I fall prey to writing imprompto yet, right now I feel nothing else to do. The inhibitions and negativity within me might have subsided towards the neutral gear. Right now, I am the uncrowned king of ecstasy-land.
The memories of an unplanned, spontaneous and impulse-driven trip to northeastern highlands of the land of pure, have steered me through monotonous life of the machine, away and then back. I was part of a 2 day detour to Muzaffarabad.
Much to my remorse the road trip was anything but fun. The emetic potential of zigzag road to city was actively high and thus, took some heavy mental toughness to keep-in the contents of my stomach within, from gettin without. While the co--passengers were spilling the vomits in plastic bags, I tired to mull over the slave life that Nicholas Taleb says which I tend to live.
Nonetheless I reach the city from the capital in about 4 hours and secured plus hungry stomach. The city was an absolute delight in matter of climate if kept in comparison with Lahore. The people are marvelous and the manzar of the city is a gem!
As I reached at night I got to view the city from top, illustrated as reflective sky on land formed by settled fireflies beaming from everywhere.
Adventure was compassionately accommodated by a hospitable friend, for me and another colleague of mine.
A city where Neelam river flows from one end and Jhelum river flows from another, its just awesome to sea them both converge at Domail Bridge.
The city is tourist delight, with historic places like the Red Fort, the scenic view of a city wrapped around two different colour rivers under the mist of mountains cover with clouds and the river rock floored bazaars to roam around, plus not to forget the snow capped mountain top shrine of Pir Chinasi.
Yet the government was not as efficient as the nature itself, the city was subjected to a routine of loading shedding every hour.
Nonetheless these were wholesome two days with a pinch of Capital's centaurus mall in it on the way back.
Below are some of my shots from the trip:

The view of Muzaffarabad at night from up top

Some wornout wooden chairs at the Red Fort

Chai aur Pakoray, as tea seemed to suit more in the cool weather of the city 

View of the mountains capped with snow clouds in the morning.

Interesting vandalism of public sign boards on road.... speed limit: Jiye Bhutto!

The night stay at Muffarabad View Motel

The night glow of the Motel

The morning reflection of the city evident from the image superimposed of the glass screens

The zigzag roads snaking through the mountains

Redefining DIET at Centaurus mall

The morning view from the Motel's window

The beautiful down alley of the bazaar sprinkled over with dizzle

The ever-lightened-up Metro station of rawalphindi-islamabad

Motel website for Booking, Muzaffarabad View Motel, MVM: http://mvm.com.pk/

Heart wreck aur Bardast!

Today while I sit in front of my laptop, I don’t think of the stress related to work, jeopardies of studies or pending tasks back at home. The one element that strikes pain and fear, is that one feeling that probably once again you would be erased from someone’s memory like you never existed. Once again the one person you fell in love with, the one you felt was the one, who took care of you like no other, will forget you like you never existed. Once again one you loved for so long, will simple move on like nothing ever happened. And one thing you will be left with is hurt and a pack of smoke, to turn yourself to ashes and dust.

There is nothing glorious of a one sided love, its like you tail a car in fog till bardast karta reh aur dusrou ko paas karnay daye… you know it right then and there that they will never be part of your life and you will one day see them siding with someone else for all the ‘other’ reasons which they did not see in you. No matter how much they say it was not you or the life was cruel to them for not letting you be part of their life, you will still be alone and they will move on.

So inspite of how much pain it gives you, no matter how nice or intellect you were, you never were what your love wanted. You have a fortune of misfortune. No one will care of your loss, your family, friends or foes. It was a storm that brewed in you and has torn everything apart. Love when unfilled, stays with you longer and at times infinitely, hurts you.

So now while i sit in front of my laptop, I think of a reflex, a retrospect and a reminiscence of failure of hope, aspiration and a dream. There will be no salvation, never or even worse, ever!

So even what when you said so, ‘survive’ a heart wreck , its not like you become stronger or see within yourself a new you but instead, you see smaller scars on the original scars that were deep and much more painful at their original incursion. Its like you are getting hurt on maintenance level with a high potency fear that was initially loaded on the first heart wreck.

Or may be you are living as partly accessory of someone’s life, as their intrigue, in a world of your own imagination as love’s third world citizen. Where your disparity is your food. Where your misery is your clothes. Where your sorrow is your shelter. You are Gatsby that never made it to creating a fortune. There is no promised land of happiness for you.

On the end note, this is not eulogy but an ode, for alas, the gravestone shall not only have one’s name on it but the list of heart wrecks that raged havoc time to time. If only ones who left during the storm would ever visit and leave a mere flower for recognition of…

Sheep aur Siyasi!

The nation in hope of stability under crescent and star flag
Picture Source: https://goo.gl/HsdDU2

Ever since I took up my senses, right around the mid 90s, I was a siyasi bacha… incompatible and contrary to the statement of an ex-interior minister… this bacha was very siyasi! 

I use to not dream of the chocolate factory but of political personalities and black holes. I was so politically tuned that I could see a government go and one that’s coming. I have lists of grown ups of the time, shocked and surprised by the predictions I made in my childhood and adolescent days. There was time in high school that I wished to be a political adviser. I mean, it was more of the state of affairs gone wrong, rather then my qualifications.

Yet ever since, the last 3 decades of my life I have only seen the land of the pure under existential threat. A constant existential threat. Mulk nazuk surat e haal mein hi hota hai!

Since then, in retrospect, this is seeming more like a game card that’s played us, and shall continue to do so.

Whether it was the death of a serving military chief in early 90s, the kargil war post nuclear armament, the 2002 stand off, the mid 2000s water crisis, the post afghan war debris of terrorism in Pakistan, or current shit we are in, today. Its like a never ending saga, of f+#K we did it again!

A kid who started reading Enid Blyton ended up with the World Order of Henry Kissinger, and that’s some cherry popping. Word.

Now, I do realize that my kids will open eyes in this existential crisis too and probably their kids too.. if the genes of pleasure seeking druggists continues to flourish with the population bomb of no-resources-to-flourish.

We are like the sheep, plus, there is a sheep dog that’s too, a sheep. 

Diversion aur Dair!

Traffic Warden guiding the diversion

You took the remote and switched on the television, it is the Monday morning. Tear gas and loud chants, precede on every news channel. You force squeeze on the red button and seemingly, peace is restored to your world.

You eat the breakfast and head out for your pending chores of life. This time it’s the renewal of your driving license. As it happens, the place of your task happens to be next to the city courts. On the roundabout close to the destination, suddenly, there is a mass gathering and within seconds, the round junction is blocked.

In the confusion and bewilderment, you notice a prominent face, focus of the crowd, nucleus of the junction, wondering who it would be.

You come home, involuntarily, unsuccessful to complete the task of the day. While, you mull over the day’s proceedings, you turn of the television. What you see is a familiar face, the queen bee, the Mr. Well-to-do. You just saw your life come into conjunction of the news and newsmakers.

You head back again, with hopes of getting your work done. Now, there is a traffic barrier and next to it is a traffic warden pulling the diversion of traffic to an exit route. The darna(sit-in) is still on. Sadly, it was not in your favour.

You reach the office along the required documents and officer on duty is like… maaf karna sahib aap ko bohat dair hogaye hai(pardon Sir! You are very late now)

It is evening, the time to spare is shared on social networking. You are racing through a foodies  page for something interesting. But after a few clicks you realize that the page is a rant fest of 'all is bad'. The page admin, is food outlet owner. When you think of it, foodies' pages are great tool to render an opinion and probably has been able to manipulate views and viewership. Own the mud pools if you think people are going to use them against you. You could sell the mud to others for throwing it on your rivals, at best.

Yet, you pick the one place, for a friend, which gets the most hype. Its catch-22. You can’t live with it, you can’t live without it.

Do in Rome, like the Romans do. You come back home. You write a ‘positive’ review, you offer felicitations to the owners for making a good job out of the food outlet. No one cares. Complains still prevail.

Its midnight, you walk alone on this lonely road of the city of saints and wonder about all the diversions, physical and metaphysical, that you have seen and experience. You sulk over there repercussions. Unable to foresee any solution, you dive into you bed of acceptance, and sleep to your helplessness.

You dream about a saner tomorrow.

....When the saints are here and it snows in city of saints.

P.s. akhiry line writer ki aik na puri honay wali khuwahisho mein say aik thi.. iss ko serious mat laye… waisay agar kuch aisa hota hai.. tou yeh qiamat ki nishani ssamjhi jaye gi!!!