Author Archives: Anjum Niaz
27th May, 2012
View from US: Something to chew like ‘pink slime’
Lady Gaga wears a dress made of meat stitched in ‘pink slime.’ Even the jaunty bonnet on her head is a slab of beef. If you think the rest of the column is about meat, you’re dead right.
Lady Gaga wears a dress made of meat stitched in ‘pink slime.’ Even the jaunty bonnet on her head is a slab of beef. If you think the rest of the column is about meat, you’re dead right.
20th May, 2012
The agony and the ecstasy
From cradle to grave, we are held hostage to the whims of our brain. Life is either a journey of agony or ecstasy.
From cradle to grave, we are held hostage to the whims of our brain. Life is either a journey of agony or ecstasy.
13th May, 2012
View from US: Journey of hope and healing
A mother for most means the world of love. A motherland for many means remembrance of the land they have left behind but never forsaken.
A mother for most means the world of love. A motherland for many means remembrance of the land they have left behind but never forsaken.
6th May, 2012
View from US: Wishes fulfilled. Oh really?
Is Michael B in today? I ask the receptionist at the hair salon. Yes, she says and points in his direction. Good, I’m in luck.
Is Michael B in today? I ask the receptionist at the hair salon. Yes, she says and points in his direction. Good, I’m in luck.
29th April, 2012
View from US: Tomorrow never stops exploring
Do you think Shahrukh Khan is autistic? Does he give out vibes that send red flags up signalling that something is wrong with this man?
Do you think Shahrukh Khan is autistic? Does he give out vibes that send red flags up signalling that something is wrong with this man?
22nd April, 2012
View from US: Work, eat and celebrate
How many Pakistanis plan their lives around a palooza, the slang for celebration? Okay, if some do, name the number of events they celebrate.
How many Pakistanis plan their lives around a palooza, the slang for celebration? Okay, if some do, name the number of events they celebrate.
15th April, 2012
View from US: When Life came calling
G o back 65 years. It began with the declaration of independence. Pakistan. Americans learnt for the first time the name of the newborn. To capture its birth was ‘LIFE’. It was happenstance that I suddenly hit upon this extinct edition at our local old-book store. There were stacks of these unforgettables carelessly thrown to one side
G o back 65 years. It began with the declaration of independence. Pakistan. Americans learnt for the first time the name of the newborn. To capture its birth was ‘LIFE’. It was happenstance that I suddenly hit upon this extinct edition at our local old-book store. There were stacks of these unforgettables carelessly thrown to one side
8th April, 2012
View from US: Learn to say no!
“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” Only the ‘father of physics’ could have converted such a profound thought into this one-liner.
“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” Only the ‘father of physics’ could have converted such a profound thought into this one-liner.
1st April, 2012
View from US: The wind cannot read
When I go missing from these pages, there has to be a reason. A good one. A better one, in fact, to convince my editor for leave of absence. I took off because we were moving homes.
When I go missing from these pages, there has to be a reason. A good one. A better one, in fact, to convince my editor for leave of absence. I took off because we were moving homes.
8th January, 2012
View from US: A life report
We have been robbed. The thief of our life and time is politics. This is no exaggeration. Count all the hours wasted engrossed in telly trite or drawing-room chatter fixated all the while on the one who calls the shots.
We have been robbed. The thief of our life and time is politics. This is no exaggeration. Count all the hours wasted engrossed in telly trite or drawing-room chatter fixated all the while on the one who calls the shots.
1st January, 2012
View from US: Sparkle of hope
As you read this column, the crystal ball in New York’s Time Square will drop. Boom! A brand new year will arrive.
As you read this column, the crystal ball in New York’s Time Square will drop. Boom! A brand new year will arrive.
25th December, 2011
View from US: Xmas cake and pudding too!
Classy, well heeled Americans fill up the space tastefully decorated with Christmas cheer. My hosts , the Hamiltons, have been coming to Grand Café for years.
Classy, well heeled Americans fill up the space tastefully decorated with Christmas cheer. My hosts , the Hamiltons, have been coming to Grand Café for years.
18th December, 2011
View from US: Flight of fancy? Not always!
Ready for a flight of fancy? To book yourself, call 212.760.8484 in New York. You will never get to talk to a PIA ticketing agent.
Ready for a flight of fancy? To book yourself, call 212.760.8484 in New York. You will never get to talk to a PIA ticketing agent.
11th December, 2011
View from US: Too cold to handle
The last time Sherry Rehman played aide-de-camp to President Zardari on American soil it made headlines across the world.
The last time Sherry Rehman played aide-de-camp to President Zardari on American soil it made headlines across the world.
4th December, 2011
View from US: Thanksgiving and Black Friday
“The skies have cleared, the parades can go on,” wrote Harold Goldstein on Thanksgiving morning last week. “As we gather with family and friends
“The skies have cleared, the parades can go on,” wrote Harold Goldstein on Thanksgiving morning last week. “As we gather with family and friends
27th November, 2011
View from US: A civilisation not to be trifled
Two events trigger this column. One is a visit to New York Metropolitan Museum that puts out a banner in red announcing the ‘Wonder of the Age: master painters of India 1100 -1900’, identifying Indian painters.
Two events trigger this column. One is a visit to New York Metropolitan Museum that puts out a banner in red announcing the ‘Wonder of the Age: master painters of India 1100 -1900’, identifying Indian painters.
20th November, 2011
View from US: A rally does not a victor make
If you think Imran Khan to be a super saint who will only allow saints to join him, think again. Granted IK is untainted, untried and unfamiliar to statecraft
If you think Imran Khan to be a super saint who will only allow saints to join him, think again. Granted IK is untainted, untried and unfamiliar to statecraft
13th November, 2011
View from US: Declaration emergency!
Front gardens of America’s suburbia have on display skeletons, grave headstones, coffins, witches, headless coachmen, inflatable giant black cats and Draculas meant to create mock…
Front gardens of America’s suburbia have on display skeletons, grave headstones, coffins, witches, headless coachmen, inflatable giant black cats and Draculas meant to create mock…
6th November, 2011
View from US: The past is but a dream
The true story on the loves, deaths, feuds, vendetta and tragedy will not be revealed as long as the Bhutto cult is around. The fight…
The true story on the loves, deaths, feuds, vendetta and tragedy will not be revealed as long as the Bhutto cult is around. The fight…
30th October, 2011
View from US: Dictators die, cricket lives
Gaddafi is dead; long live the Lahore cricket stadium. Let’s speak in the language that the new Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf understands.…
Gaddafi is dead; long live the Lahore cricket stadium. Let’s speak in the language that the new Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf understands.…
23rd October, 2011
View from US: Sunset on Silicon Valley
In a little while you will be alone in shoreless space, to wander its limitless solitudes without friend or comrade forever… for you will remain …
In a little while you will be alone in shoreless space, to wander its limitless solitudes without friend or comrade forever… for you will remain …
16th October, 2011
View from US: Three women worlds apart
They say you’re the author of your own life. I met two such authors who live in two different worlds. Of the third I heard…
They say you’re the author of your own life. I met two such authors who live in two different worlds. Of the third I heard…
9th October, 2011
View from US: Mystery of the missing chapters
Zamir Niazi would not know that 25 years since his book, The Press in Chains, was first published, it would cause an uproar today. The…
Zamir Niazi would not know that 25 years since his book, The Press in Chains, was first published, it would cause an uproar today. The…
25th September, 2011
View from US: Jackie ‘O’
I live in two worlds. But my present only had Altaf Hussain singing a filmi song and Doc Zulfi Mirza screeching invectives while swearing on…
I live in two worlds. But my present only had Altaf Hussain singing a filmi song and Doc Zulfi Mirza screeching invectives while swearing on…
18th September, 2011
View from US: Life is a veneer, the people chipboards
One small mindless act set me thinking. Is life a veneer? Are people chipboards? As I wipe a pesky spot off my computer table, whoa!…
One small mindless act set me thinking. Is life a veneer? Are people chipboards? As I wipe a pesky spot off my computer table, whoa!…
11th September, 2011
View from US: Eat to live
Before I jump to the main dish of today’s menu, here are a few hors d’oeuvres that provide food for thought on the 10th anniversary…
Before I jump to the main dish of today’s menu, here are a few hors d’oeuvres that provide food for thought on the 10th anniversary…
4th September, 2011
View from US: Call it logic, nonsense or madness
I’m taking you on a roller coaster ride from Abbottabad through GHQ crossing over to Pentagon on to the White House via Hollywood! It’s a…
I’m taking you on a roller coaster ride from Abbottabad through GHQ crossing over to Pentagon on to the White House via Hollywood! It’s a…
28th August, 2011
View from US: Murder on Cedar Street
Friday last was Nazish’s funeral. Her body lay for viewing down in the basement of Boonton’s Islamic Centre where women quietly filed past. She looked…
Friday last was Nazish’s funeral. Her body lay for viewing down in the basement of Boonton’s Islamic Centre where women quietly filed past. She looked…
21st August, 2011
View from US: Stories we live by
Our lives are a patchwork of fiction, we console ourselves. Life looks too artificial to be taken seriously, we say. People we interact with daily…
Our lives are a patchwork of fiction, we console ourselves. Life looks too artificial to be taken seriously, we say. People we interact with daily…
14th August, 2011
View from US: What’s in a face at 64?
Today I turned 64. My system may be broken down, but my spirit refuses to die. My pockets may be empty, but I still have…
Today I turned 64. My system may be broken down, but my spirit refuses to die. My pockets may be empty, but I still have…
