Reflecting on life's endowments
Current events remind me of a very popular kafi (verse, from Arabic lit. Qafiya – rhyming pattern) by the 17th century Sufi philosopher poet Bullah Shah (or, Bulle Shah) – Ultey Hor Zamaane aaye ('Chaotic Times Are Here’): Ulṭey hor zamaaney aaye Taan mein bhed sajan de paayePerverse (topsy-turvy) times are upon us Revealing the …
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This past week a newcomer to Canada from India reached out to me. M, who is in his thirties, his wife and their toddler arrived three months ago. He has secured a part-time position in a financial institution but is looking for suitable opportunities commensurate with his experience and skill sets. They are temporarily living …
Charles Dickens was prescient, when opening his Tale of Two Cities in 1859 he wrote: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of …
India, invaded by various races – Mongols, Afghans, Turks, Iranians and the British – to name a few, was always able to absorb and enrich not just itself but also the occupying forces over the centuries through an assimilation of each others cultures, cuisines, languages and customs. For instance, the profound influence of Persian poet …
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