Friday Flix Series of the Week: House of Cards
House of Cards
The series House of Cards premiered on Netflix on February 1, 2013. The drama was based on Michael Dobbs’ 1989 novel House of Cards, which was adapted from the British series (of the same name) in 1990. Beau Willimon adapted the series for television. The series won Primetime Emmys for Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series (“Chapter 1”), Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series (“Chapter 1”), and Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series, as well as nominations for Outstanding Drama, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Spacey), Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (Wright), and Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series (Wright).
House of Cards storyline
The series follows Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey), an amoral politician and Democrat from South Carolina’s 5th congressional district, and his equally ambitious wife Claire Underwood, who lives in Washington, D.C. (Robin Wright). When Frank is passed over for the position of Secretary of State and House Majority Whip, he devises a complex scheme with the help of Claire to gain power. The show explores topics such as harsh pragmatism, deception, treachery, and power.
Also Read: Friday Flix Series of the Week: Peaky Blinders
What makes it unique?
The series is clever, a lot smarter than the majority of the existing series. It’s clever because it’s multi-layered and the writing is tight. Despite its tight-knit nature, it is very doable. Even if you’ve lost part of the plot’s complexity, House of Cards is still worth watching… allowing for a re-viewing at a later date.
Also Read: Friday Flix Series of the Week: Dexter
House of Cards was a tremendously popular series that only grew in popularity. As the series progresses, more and more individuals are switching to Netflix, and the company’s original series are gaining traction. The series gave Netflix the impetus it needed to become a big player in the realm of original content.
Why did House of Cards get canceled?
Netflix ended its connection with Spacey in 2017 when sexual misconduct claims surfaced. Without his involvement, the sixth (and final) season was created and released in 2018.
Final Verdict
House of Cards is a fantastic, yet dense, series. When you think the series can’t go in a different route or that Frank has been thrown a curveball, it turns out it was all part of the plan. When you see a show like this, you can usually predict where it will end up. This show might go in two different paths, in my opinion. Frank either burns for his sins or, more frighteningly, Frank manages to keep it hidden, becomes a fantastic president, and no one ever knows the truth…which probably happens a lot in Washington. It’s a show that you can’t stop watching. If you watch House of Cards, you may find yourself glued to the couch for a long time.
Watch the trailer:
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Thursday Tunes: Momina Mustehsan lives a foresty-fairytale in Beparwah by Coke Studio 14
Coke Studio season 14 going strong
Season 14 of Coke Studio is still going strong, with the show now on its tenth song. Beparwah by Momina Mustehsan has received a lot of positive feedback, and while it may not go on to become a massive smash like ‘Pasoori’ or ‘Tu Jhoom,’ based on the mixed reviews it has received online, the song has its own unique and distinctive style.
Beparwah by Momina Mustehsan
After ‘Sajan Das Na’ with Atif Aslam, Mustehsan’s second song in season 14 is ‘Beparwah.’ The song is written by Adnan Dhool and Rabi Ahmed of Soch the Band. It is produced by Xulfi and Action Zain and released on YouTube on March 7.
The song is an “intimate discourse,” according to Coke Studio, in which a higher power is called upon in a time of difficulty.
Coke Studio 14 aesthetics
I could go on and on with Coke Studio 14’s aesthetics. It’s the most visually stunning thing that’s ever happened to our industry. EVERYONE WHO IS INVOLVED IN MAKING THE COKE STUDIO APPEALING AND PRETTY, YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!
Also Read: Best Pakistani music videos of 2021
The musical arrangement at its finest
By far the most important aspect of this season is the musical arrangement. It is beyond beauty, whether it is Abdullah Siddiqui or ActionZain, Sherry Khattak or Adnan Dhool, or the maestro Xulfi himself! ActionZain and Xulfi wowed with their music production for Beparwah, which perfectly complemented the song’s melancholy tone. Adnan Dhool and Rabi Ahmed’s composition deserves a lot of credit.
The song and the lyrics
The song Beparwah by Momina Mustehsan is written by Adnan Dhool, Momina Mustehsan, and Xulfi, was well-suited to the overall concept of the show. Momina’s monotonous singing style, on the other hand, falls flat with the audience. We thought experimenting with Mustehsan in season 14 would be novel, but it seemed like Pee Jaoon or Baari all over again. Sajan Das Na, for example. I admire Atif Aslam for stepping outside of his comfort zone and making it enjoyable. Momina, on the other hand, does not appear to be receptive to any experimentation; all she did was move wonderfully while singing in the same style as before. We can anticipate more styles from her in the future.
Listen to Beparwah Momina Mustehsan here
Despite this, the lyrics portray a lovely longing for the lover. The song video with the words “Mujh ko yaar se mila de, rabba ab tou sila dey, mein tou haarne lagi hun khud se, mere ansu wo gira dey jo tujh ko hansa dey” was truly a wonderful idea!
Final Verdict
Overall, as we’ve seen with Pasoori, Tu Jhoom, Kana Yaari, Muaziz Saarif, Peechay Hutt, and Ye Dunya this year, this is another fantastic addition to many people’s playlists. We only have one question for Xulfi: what’s next?
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International Women’s Day: Steel Wrapped in Silk!
A balanced hope to the future this International Women’s Day
On this International Women’s Day consider a future where men and women are treated equally. A world without prejudice, stereotypes, or discrimination. A varied, equal, and inclusive world. A world in which diversity is cherished and celebrated.
The sad contradictions
This doesn’t depict reality all the time. In Pakistan, it is considered incorrect to assert that women have the most rights in the name and shadow of religion. A father shot his 7-day-old baby daughter with a gun yesterday (7-03-2022) because he wished for a boy. This reveals a terrible side of our culture that lurks beneath the surface of religion.
According to the breakdown by the ministry of Pakistan, 5,048 incidences of sexual violence and workplace harassment were reported in 2018. 4,751 in 2019. 4,276 in 2020, and 2,078 alone in 2021.
Acid Attacks
Furthermore, the Acid attacks were outlawed in Pakistan’s criminal court system in 2011. That indicates that six attacks occurred in a 45-day period in 2021 around September-October. Women and transgender people are included in this category. In our nation, the penalty for such attacks is life imprisonment, but all culprits are free!
Honor Killing and reality check
In 2020, the HRCP recorded 430 occurrences of honor killing, with 363 female victims. In the first four months, the Punjab Police have registered 53 cases of gang rape, and the list continues.
Pakistan has a high rate of gender-based violence. This has been attributed to a variety of factors, including lack of education, awareness, poverty, and widespread misogyny. The recent increase in crime against women, on the other hand, points to the state’s complicity in the inability, or even lack of desire, to protect women.
The experiences in stories
Similarly, I sat down with a group of women for this year’s International Women’s Day to learn about their experiences and observations throughout their jobs and lives. Some of the stories are terrifying and leave you with a lot of unanswered questions!
(Names have been changed in this article in order to maintain privacy and safety)
Sarah J. – 29,
“I married at the age of 21 because my parents thought it was the correct thing to do, but I wanted to continue my education and travel. I was working for a reputable digital agency when I got married, and everything changed. To begin with, I was stripped of my own position at my in-laws’ home. I have a bachelor’s degree in social sciences, and I never imagined someone would slap me once and then slap me again every night, beating me to the point that I would gasp and consider suicide.”
She continued, “The worst thing was that my own family was adamant that I fix myself and stay in that toxic relationship. This made me realize that my mother was in the same situation as when my father used to beat her up when they were first married. When my father died after a few years, my mother took my hand in hers and told, “You are not alone, I am with you,” and I never looked back after that.”
“With what little courage she had, a woman (my mother) stood by me and helped me heal.”
I inquired as to how she was doing now. To which she replied that she is now a Community Manager for a reputable apparel brand and that she is doing everything she can despite having a 7-year-old child; she has done her Master’s, traveled extensively, and is living life to the fullest.
Rameen – 28,
“I’ve always been afraid of sexual harassment in the office, so I do my homework before applying to any job. My introverted temperament makes it difficult for me to communicate, and my biggest fear was realized when I was first subjected to sexual harassment at work. It was mostly casual shoulder touches that were glaring, and I felt suffocated throughout those months of employment.”
“I eventually addressed it with my female coworkers and a few male acquaintances, and the male coworkers, to my shock, dismissed it casually. However, one of my female coworkers stood by me, and I was able to break through the barrier and reported the incident. For me, that was a liberating experience. But I’m never sure why I had to ‘free or liberate’ myself after a tragedy Why can’t I, or any other woman in this society, be free from harassment and touching?”
Meher S. – 20,
Meher sat down with me with her group before moving to the United States, and I was not surprised to learn that five of the six women had experienced various forms of abuse. She said, “Things never start ek dum se.” She continued, “Everything has a pattern.” Before her terrible divorce, she has her happy moments with her husband too.
Furthermore, she quoted, “Meine kabhi nahe socha tha ke is tarah houga, since love marriage thi, har cheez achi thi.” I inquired what happened that triggered the abuse and violence? To which she said, “Unresolved issues and the behavior he witnessed as a child rose up to his own existence, or perhaps it never left him; his father’s toxic tendencies filtered down into his own identity, and he repeated everything that had happened to him during his childhood.” She went on to say that couples counseling and therapy didn’t help and that their marriage eventually fell apart due to unresolved issues.
Read more stories at Women Empower Wednesday
Faizan – 34,
A brother stood by her sister in all of these stories. “I can’t bear seeing my sister suffer,” he said. She was boisterous and chirpy when she was at our house, as any girl is, and we adore her. Moreover, she was employed by a reputable firm, earning well, and exuding confidence. She stated clearly after her marriage that she wanted to continue working, but things went awry. Her spouse was not providing her with any financial support, let alone the ‘ijazat’ to work.”
He said, “Larkion ko job ki ijazat ki zaroorat nahe houni chahiye, wo ek alag identity hain unko shadi ki waja se bandh deyna is not the ideal solution.” “Trust me, the guy is an educated one, and this came from him,” he continued. “When things went south after that, I was the one who stood by my sister and guided her through the entire separation process.” I inquired about the sister’s current condition. “THE HAPPIEST,” he answered with a smile.
Take a stand this Women’s Day!
With these experiences, I’m left wondering if this is a pattern that our patriarchy has instilled because it is. It is profoundly ingrained in our culture, and it has been going on for decades. This trend of hatred and patriarchy needs to be broken. The bias, the fragile ego, must come to an end. And how is that going to happen? This is something that a woman can modify.
The change in ‘Tarbiyat’
Every woman in her position should work to change their son’s perception and “tarbiyat“! This begins with you at home. A location where change can occur. This is the first step in realizing that a woman can accomplish anything. And this process will aid in the transformation of their minds process! We need to scream equality from the rooftops, and it’s something we should have as a birthright! Every person, like every other person, is entitled to basic rights such as work, food, and clothing. Likewise, everyone has the right to their BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS. We can achieve women’s equality by working together on this International Women’s Day. We can all #BreakTheBias if we work together.
Happy International Women’s Day!
By Zainab Naseem Sheikh
Book Review: Holding Up The Universe by Jennifer Niven
Jennifer Niven, the author
Jennifer Niven is an American novelist who is best known for her young adult novel All the Bright Places, which was published in 2015. Her first two novels, The Ice Master (released in 2000) and Ada Blackjack: A True Story of Survival in the Arctic, were nonfiction narratives (published in 2003). In 2010, she released The Aqua Net Diaries: Big Hair, Big Dreams, Small Town, a memoir about her high school years.
In 2009, she started writing a series of historical books. Velva Jean Learns to Drive was nominated for an Emmy and received the Colin Higgins Award for Screenwriting.
All the Bright Places, Niven’s first young adult novel, was published in 2015. The story follows Violet and Finch, two teenagers who are dealing with mental health concerns. It was longlisted for the 2015 Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize and won a 2015 Goodreads choice award for Best Young Adult Fiction. Elle Fanning, Justice Smith, Keegan-Michael Key, Alexandra Shipp, and Luke Wilson feature in the Netflix film adaptation. The film’s production began in October 2018 and it was released on February 28, 2020.
Holding Up The Universe by Jennifer Niven
“I take her hand under the gray-blue sky and I’m home.”
Jennifer Niven’s “Holding Up the Universe” is more about learning to love oneself than about finding a love connection. Jack and Libby meet because they are both going through a lot at home while trying to traverse the high school battlefield. Libby used to be known as the fattest kid. However, after her mother’s death, weight loss, diets, and counseling, she is now ready to return to public school. Following his father’s cancer diagnosis, Jack learns that his father has been having an affair with his chemistry instructor, Ms. Chapman. Jack is afflicted with prosopagnosia, a disorder that is scientifically recognized as face blindness but is more frequently known as face blindness.
Love stays in different forms
At the end of the day, when Jack and Libby come together, they learn so much about self-love from each other and that’s most important. When Jack and Libby get together, they learn a lot about self-love from each other, and that’s the most essential thing.
Final Verdict
Holding Up The Universe delves into the sensitive subject of mental health. Furthemore on how to cope with it in a way that readers can readily comprehend with respect and affection. Furthermore, a few tears here and there are never a bad thing!
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Noor Mukadam case: Celebrities react to the death penalty on Zahir Jaffer
Noor Mukadam case: Justice has prevailed!
Breaking: Zahir Jaffer is sentenced to death by an Islamabad session court on Thursday for the murder of Noor Mukadam. He was also found guilty of rape under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code and was sentenced to 25 years in prison and a fine of Rs200,000.
Mohammad Iftikhar and Mohammad Jan, Zahir’s housekeepers and co-accused in the case, were sentenced to ten years in prison, but the rest of the defendants, including Zahir’s parents and TherapyWorks employees, were acquitted.
Also Read: Twitter lauds PM Imran Khan for ‘positive U-turn’ on his previous rape comment s
Noor Mukadam’s case hearing
Additional Sessions Judge Ata Rabbani announced the verdict, which was reserved on Tuesday following months of hearings.
Zahir has been condemned to death under Section 302(b) of the Pakistan Penal Code (premeditated murder), according to the court’s brief order (PPC). The death sentence, on the other hand, must be confirmed by the Islamabad High Court.
In addition, he must pay Rs0.5 million to Noor’s rightful successor. If he does not pay, the sum will be realized as arrears of land revenue, and if it is not realized, he will be sentenced to six months of simple jail.
He was also sentenced to ten years in jail and a fine of Rs100,000 for kidnapping with the intent to murder (Section 364), as well as one year in prison for wrongful confinement (Section 342). Furthermore, the jail sentences would run concurrently with the convict’s benefit under Section 382(B) of the Criminal Procedure Code (time of detention to be considered when awarding sentence of imprisonment).
Celebrities react to the Noor Mukadam’s case verdict!
Following the court’s decision to sentence Zahir Jaffer, the main suspect in the Noor Mukadam murder case, to death, a number of celebrities took to Twitter to express their thoughts on the judgment.
Osman Khalid Butt tweets with optimism,
I know there will be an appeal; I know his parents are acquitted; But, after months of his charade, complete lack of remorse or guilt, there’s this: Zahir Jaffer has been sentenced to death.
Ushna Shah, took to Twitter after the verdict was announced to dispute Zahir’s parents’ acquittal. Ushna penned, “Will celebrate justice once he hangs, which could take years.
Furthermore, she said, side note: If I held someone hostage and killed them. And my middle-class mother was aware of this the entire time and aided me. She’d hang too (or at least spend her life in prison). Just saying.”
Moreover, “Justice for Noor, in this world, has been prevailed,” actress Mahira Khan also wrote in response to the verdict.
Adnan Siddiqui also tweets,
Noor Mukadam was brutally beheaded and killed in Islamabad on July 20, 2021, causing uproar across the country.
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Book Review: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Dale Carnegie, a salesman turned author
Author Dale Carnegie made his sales territory the national leader for the corporation he worked for as a salesman at one point in his life. Carnegie finally gave up sales and began teaching public speaking, earning up to $500 per week, or $11,800 today. At the age of 20, even Warren Buffet, one of the most successful investors of the twentieth century, enrolled in Carnegie’s school. Fortunately for us, his renowned book, How to Win Friends and Influence People, had all of the same ideas.
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
The book goes into great detail about the provided title. Don’t criticize, condemn, or complain, says author Dale Carnegie in his book Techniques in Handling People. Furthermore, expressing genuine gratitude. Also, arousing an ardent desire in the other person.
The author also explains six ways to make people like you
Develop a genuine interest in the people around you. Always remember to smile. Also, keep in mind that a person’s name is the sweetest and most meaningful sound in any language to that individual. Be a good listener as well. Encourage people to share their personal stories. Furthermore, speak in terms of the other person’s goals. Finally, make the other person feel valued — and do so truly.
Dale also explains that you can win people to your way of thinking by following these,
Avoiding an argument is the only way to get the best of it. Respect the other person’s point of view. “You’re mistaken,” you should never say. If you’re mistaken, admit it swiftly and forcefully. Always start a conversation with a warm greeting. Also, get the other person to say “yes, yes” right away.
Allow the other person to do the most of the talking. Allow the other person to believe that the concept is theirs.
Also, attempt to see things from the perspective of the other person. Be understanding of the other person’s thoughts and desires. In addition, make an effort to appeal to nobler impulses. In addition to dramatizing your views. Last but not least, issue a challenge.
The book also explains how to change people without offending or arousing resentment as a leader
Begin with genuine gratitude and praise. Indirectly draw attention to people’s errors.
Before condemning the other person, you can talk about your own mistakes. Furthermore, rather than giving plain directions, you might ask inquiries. Allow the other person to keep their dignity.
Praise even the tiniest progress, as well as every improvement. “Be generous in your praise and hearty in your approval.”
Give the other party a good name to live up to. Use encouragement as well. Make it appear as if the error is simple to fix. Make the other person feel good about doing what you’ve suggested.
Final Verdict
Dale Carnegie beautifully explains life and how to be pleasant around people and make them like you in a non-needy way. He claims that if there is one secret to success, it is the capacity to understand the perspective of others and see things from their perspective as well as your own.
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Women Empower Wednesday: The Nation’s Pride Nigar Johar
General Nigar Johar, the brave gem of Pakistan
Around four decades on, in 2020, Lieutenant General Nigar Johar became the first and only woman in the Pakistan Army to reach the rank of a three-star General. She is a member of the Pakistan Army Medical Corps and currently serves as the Pakistan Army’s surgeon general. Shahida Badsha, Shahida Malik, Shehla Baqai, Abeera Chaudhry, and Shazia Nisar are the Army Medical Corps’ other five female major generals.
Nigar Johar – Early life and Education
Johar was born to a Pashtun family in Panjpir village, Swabi District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Her father, Qadir, was a colonel in the army. In 1989, her parents and two younger sisters were killed in a car accident. Johar, a military engineer who died of cancer in 2019, was her husband.
In 1978, Johar graduated from the Presentation Convent Girls High School in Rawalpindi. At 1981, she enrolled in the Army Medical College (AMC) and graduated in 1985. Johar graduated from the Army Medical College’s 5th MBBS course and served as the female company commander of Ayesha Company at the same institution. She passed the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan’s membership exams in 2010.
Nigar earned an Advanced Medical Administration credential from the Armed Forces Post Graduate Medical Institute in 2012, and a Master of Public Health from the same institute in 2015.
Also Read: Women Empower Wednesday: Pakistan’s first transgender doctor Sarah Gill
Military career
She was promoted to Lieutenant General and named Surgeon General of the Pakistan Army on June 30, 2020. She was the Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi’s deputy commandant in 2015. [10] Johar was one of 37 brigadiers elevated to the rank of major general on February 9, 2017. General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the Chief of Army Staff, presided over an Army Selection Board meeting that approved her promotions. She was the Vice President of Army Medical College. She is currently the Pakistan Army’s Surgeon General. Johar was also the commandant of Rawalpindi’s Pak-Emirates Military Hospital.
Empowering resilience
She has always been a firm believer in the power of optimism and hard effort. The magic happens when hard labour is combined with a sincere commitment to the cause and a good mindset. Keeping a cheerful attitude and assisting others in need has always made her happy and helped her get through tough times.
Her parents died in a vehicle accident when she was a child. Her parents educated her about the power of positive thinking, as well as the achievement and beauty that comes with it, and she would not be where she is now if it weren’t for them. This spurred Johar to work so hard that she didn’t leave any stone unturned in order to reach her objective. She’s always had a strong determination to succeed.
Empowering women against Gender discrimination
Gender discrimination is a social issue that affects people all across the world, not only in Pakistan. For all the ladies of Pakistan, Johar has strong and driving beliefs.
She does feel, however, that the Army as an institution is amenable to the idea of women working alongside men. As evidenced by the large number of women working not only in the Medical Corps but also in other sectors, small concerns do arise from time to time. These, however, are increasingly dissipating.
Gender discrimination can exist in any office and at any level of management, she adds, but that is not the issue. The issue arises when we fail to teach our daughters and sisters how to spot discrimination.
The motivation of hardwork
Furthermore, she feels that being a woman necessitates working at least twice as hard, but that once your persistence and hard work are recognized, you are respected twice as much. She has always prioritized her work in order to be successful. She has also collaborated with male coworkers rather than competing with them. The glass ceiling is quite high, yet Pakistani women are gently but steadily breaking through.
Also Read: Women Empower Wednesday: The Nation’s brave daughter Marium Mukhtiar
It’s incredible how much a person can do with just a pinch of positivity and a strong ‘can-do’ attitude. Nigar Johar surely is a positive beam of hope for every woman out there who is looking to shatter the stereotypical barrier our society casts in her way!
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Women Empower Wednesday: The Nation’s brave daughter Marium Mukhtiar
The braver women
Women Empowerment doesn’t need a specific day to come together and form a unity. Women from all different backgrounds and cultures can band together anyway to fight for gender parity and women’s rights. And can even give their lives for their country. Today we will remember and give our tribute to one of the bravest fighter pilots, Marium Mukhtiar. Who became the first female Air Force Pilot to embraced martyrdom.
Also Read: Women Empower Wednesday: Sub Lieutenant Pak Navy Fatima Changezi
Women in various roles in society, such as mothers, sisters, daughters, and so on, constantly put others first. Out of those Marium exemplified this spirit in carrying out her duties and embracing martyrdom. All while saving the lives of the on-the-ground community.
Marium Mukhtiar
Colonel Ahmed Mukhtiar’s daughter, Marium Mukhtiar, was born in Karachi and raised there. She went to Mehran Model School and College Pano Akil before transferring to the Army Public School and College (APSACS) in Malir Cantt, Karachi. In the National Women’s Football Championship, she represented Balochistan United. She studied civil engineering at NED University before joining the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in 2014 as one of six female fighter pilots. She was also interested in charity work, supporting a school for children whose families could not afford to send their children to school.
The martyrdom of Marium Mukhtiar
On November 24, 2015, Pakistani Flying Officer Maryam Mukhtiar was flying a FT 7PG aircraft with Squadron Leader Saqib Abbasi when they experienced a significant in-flight mishap. As a result, an unfortunate event occurred about 175 kilometers (109 miles) southwest of Islamabad in Kundian, Mianwali district.
Also Read: Women Empower Wednesday: Sub Lt. Atiya Zeeshan
The reality of life is that with tremendous power comes enormous responsibility, and Pilot officer Maryam Mukhtar, admiring the nature of existence, fights back to the best of her abilities.
Tamgha-e-Basalat
Marium Mukhtiar has been nominated for a state award by the Pakistan Senate Standing Committee on Defence (SSCD). The Pakistani government presented her with the Tamgha-e-Basalat military medal.
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Also, find out more inspiring Women Empowering stories here!
Book Review: Kafka On The Shore by Haruki Murakami
Perplexed realities of books
I use strange criteria to evaluate books. My favorite reading experiences have been when I’ve taken the longest to finish a book. These aren’t always page-heavy books or even rich syntactic prose. These are books I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. I read a chapter or ten pages and then feel compelled to put the book down and reflect.
One of Murakami’s most perplexing works is Kafka On The Shore. This is not the book to start reading if you want to learn more about the author’s work. Start with something simple, like Men Without Women or Norwegian Wood, according to his followers.
Haruki Murakami
Haruki Murakami is a novelist from Japan. His books, essays, and short stories have all been bestsellers in Japan and around the world, and his work has been translated into more than 50 languages. For his writing, he has won the Gunzou Prize for New Writers, the World Fantasy Award, the Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award, the Franz Kafka Prize, and the Jerusalem Prize, among others. His famous works include the novels Norwegian Wood, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, Kafka on the Shore, and 1Q84. According to a survey of literary experts conducted by the national newspaper Asahi Shimbun, 1Q84 is the best work of Japan’s Heisei era (1989-2019). His work has been praised for its use of magical realism in genres such as science fiction, fantasy, and crime fiction.
Kafka On The Shore by Haruki Murakami
The novel is driven by two remarkable characters: Kafka Tamura, a teen who runs away from home either to avoid a gruesome oedipal prophecy or to look for his long-missing mother and sister; and Nakata, an ageing simpleton who never recovered from a wartime affliction and is now drawn to Kafka for reasons that, like the most basic activities of daily life, he cannot fathom.
Haruki Murakami immerses readers in a universe where cats communicate, fish fall from the sky, and souls slip out of their bodies to make love or commit murder as their paths converge and the reasons for that convergence become obvious. In Kafka on the Shore, one of the world’s greatest storytellers is at his most powerful.
The author beautifully explains in the book that sometimes things happen that we don’t understand, and we stop liking ourselves as a result. We must, however, maintain our faith and continue to hold our own hands.
“And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive.”
Final Verdict
Kafka On The Shore is a great book for examining your own soul. What it means to be human, and how to deal with life when it’s nearly difficult to do so.
Rating 4.5/5
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Women Empower Wednesday: Pakistan’s first transgender doctor Sarah Gill
Transgenders in Pakistan
Pakistan has progressive legislation that safeguards trans rights in theory. In South Asia, there have been thousands of years of references to the gender-diverse population, and Pakistan is one of just 12 countries in the world that recognizes transgender status on national ID cards.
However, the Khawaja Sira community was criminalized by the British Raj by the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871, and trans people in Pakistan continue to suffer as a result of the attitudes it engendered.
Violence against transgenders
Violence against trans individuals has increased in recent years. Nayyab Ali, a prominent trans activist, was attacked at her Islamabad home in November by two men brandishing knives. She was held captive for three hours and tortured and robbed during that time. And this is just one example; transgender people’s rights are being intentionally infringed on a regular basis. Resistance, on the other hand, breeds persistence. Sarah Gill overcomes all odds to become Karachi’s first transgender doctor.
Sarah Gill
A transgender individual 23 years old Sarah Gill has created history by becoming the first Pakistani woman to pass the professional MBBS test. Sarah Gill Khan, Pakistan’s first transgender person to get this honor, just completed her MBBS final exam at the Jinnah Medical and Dental College in Karachi.
Sarah, who had to enroll in medical school as a male student, told an interviewer that her classmates were aware of her true identity, despite it never being legally revealed. Her parents insisted that she dress up as a man, she said.
Sarah Gill shares her struggles
Sarah remarked about her struggles. She said “Despite the fact that I am not a guy, they insisted on me dressing up as one for the rest of my life. They claimed that I am self-centered. Moreover, I do not consider the loss of respect that my family will suffer if I come out as transgender. She also believes that every transgender person has to deal with the same issues.”
Before completing her MBBS degree, she remarked in an interview, “My family warned me that if I came out as transsexual, they would stop funding my education. I’ll have to pay for my next year’s tuition on my own now.”
Furthermore, Sarah is said to have tried suicide a few times, according to some stories. “A regular individual will never comprehend our mental state. It’s as though a soul has been trapped in the wrong body “she stated
Moreover, Sara is also the founder of the non-profit Gender Interactive Alliance. In addition to that, she said, “I am not ashamed of my sexuality. And the finest source of encouragement is the fact that my community requires my services,” she believed.
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Also, find out more inspiring Women Empowering stories here!