The Collective ignorance

DISCLAIMER: The views mentioned above are mine only and does not reflect on the organization or induvial discussed. 

In my recent project with “Medicine Sans Frontieres” (MSF) I got a chance to interview the victims of Corona Virus in low life area of Karachi. It was tough to say the least, not because of locality or access to the patients, but how the physically recovered patients were struggling to recover mentally as well. Nearly all the patients’ complaint how they were ridiculed when they completed their time in quarantine. Some were accused of being quarantined for money, some for the sake of money. And believe me this was not even close to the worst scenarios people have been facing here. There were family who refused to accept the fact that someone in the family had caught the virus. Their arrogance and ignorant behavior lead to the point where the patient was rushed to the hospital in emergency, for being on the edge of life. This caused the patients some permanent side effects of corona such as difficulty in breathing, irregular coughing. In other words, corona has scared them for life.

While interviewing them, one thing was found common; lack of confidence. They all reflected nervousness, like breaking eye contact, shifting balance from one feet to another or being hesitant. They have suppressed their pain inside them and are in dire need of counselling. And not only them, but our society collectively needs counselling and awareness regarding the virus and its side effects to lessen the suffering of the patients.

Although it’s been a year now but due to the lack of awareness, illiteracy, trust and transparency in government’s policy, people are not willing to accept the virus or the consequences it has brought as a serious affair. This might not affect the society collectively, but definitely affect the patient’s mental health forever.

 

The Lion King

90's Kids stand up for your national anthem!

Naaa ingonyama bagithi baba Sithi uhhmm ingonyama Ingonyama Siyo Nqoba Ingonyama
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF-c1K3WWg4

The sun rises in Africa. GOOSEBUMPS! Suddenly, the theater is transformed into THE prides land. 31-year old me is transformed into a 7-year old boy who saw this master piece on VHS for the first time. I watched the cartoon movie when I was kid, and now I get to watch the realistic version. It was a dream come true, or was it like a dream all along. Nostalgic and thanking Disney as I never had before. (especially after watching Aladdin remake, I never thought I would)

The realistic version was not as magical as the animated movie but it had it perks. specially the changes in the script. Some scenes were altered, some additional dialogues and some short comings too, such as Zazu's time in captivity during scar's reign. As far as the sarcasm goes its simplicity was laudable.

Of course, one cannot get everything but one can be thankful for whatever he/she gets. and that was my situation. I never thought a day would come when I would cheer at the opening of a movie, and I wasn’t alone, the whole theatre applauded.

The best character was John Oliver doing voice for Zazu, (in spite of replacing Sir Rowan Atkinson who did the VO in 1994) with his British accent, the dialogue and his history of sarcastic commentary on the British monarchy "long live the king" in the movie had a two meaning tone to it, or it was just me. God Knows. For the first time I saw the whole theatre enjoying every aspect of a film, (yes, I could hear them and yes for first time audience's reaction didn't feel bad) 
Among the things missing was also, Scar's individual song "be prepared", although I didn't mind very much. It was later when I found out that due to some Nazi imagery Disney thought to simply leave it out.  Why did they allow it in the first place in a cartoon movie is a mystery to me, after all it was 1994 not 1944?

The color tones were perfect, although Mufasa's iconic Red Mane was missing but since it was a realistic version, we have to forget the elements that were obviously cartoonish.

Thankfully the role of the Hyenas was strengthened and instead of three Hyenas, we see a pack of them. Instead of making your enemy look weak and stupid, you turn them into something dangerous and cunning. This increased the strength of overall movie.

Lastly, I can’t finish this review without thanking Hans Zimmer for the great music, nobody could have done a better job.

High caliber music, dialogues, animation, graphics, overall it is truly a remake that a masterpiece deserves.

Darwin and “The Gays”

According to Charles Darwin the current properties of human being are developed by long process of auto experimentation called evolution. From singular cellular being to apes and then humans. This long process has and will perfect human being and promise its survival. (To all non-atheist friends, for you blog starts from next para).

Last year I and my friend were asked to photograph a ramp walk. During the red carpet session, we were sitting in the corner smoking and waiting for the ramp to start (2 hours late, on time) when I saw a grown ass man in his 40s, wearing orange shorts, with shaved legs, turquoise blue half sleeve dress shirt, one hand vertically in the air on  which hung a ladies handbag.

Instantly and not after few seconds, instantly I said to my friend, with complete amazement, dude did you see that shit? I was bewildered, try to understand my amazement, two friends walking in a zoo, one saw elephant doing cartwheels and he exclaimed, dude did you see that shit?

Suddenly it struck my mind, at what point did evolution produce this by-product. Because if men were developed to be predators, then this is a one hell of a faulty product. At what moment did evolution decide, let’s try man on man, and maybe they re-produce and we might have a nation of predators. If Charles Darwin would have been here what he might have said “Oh crap, now how am I going explain these degenerates?”

Now many of my few readers might think that I am against gays, anti-liberal and that everybody has a right to do what they want, and they belong to creative industry and stuff. First of all creative is someone uses his imagination or ideas to create something real therefore scientist and engineers are creative too. Secondly NO... there should be a control on your behavior when you are in public. There is no need to be a walking talking Harassment. And the only favor you are doing to this country is population control.