nazeemonline

Indians are spread across every continent. We have embassies and consulates almost everywhere. But do they have a database of expatriates in each country. Ask any ambassador, they will admit there is no such practice of head counting. It was when issues like massive job loss, as it happened in Saudi Arabia, or a war like situation arises in other countries, the governments realise that expat community does exist. But why? It's high time the political parties and government start thinking about changing the outdated immigration rules that indirectly support bonded labour in foreign nations. It is a fact that millions of Indians left their country for a foreign nation for betterment of their lives which in turn helping the entire nation. Be it blue collar or white collar, each one is contributing to the welfare of the mother land. Let the crisis in Saudi Arabia be an eye-opener for the Indian government. With the swift action, Narendra Modi government has proved it has the...

A deep blue sky kissing down a long range of mountains along a runway has never been in my bothering thoughts of Malaysia. The refreshing first glimpse of Kota Kinabalu airport and its tranquility put me at ease to find the paths tread by my father long ago. All I had with me was his last postal and a death certificate issued from Kota Marudu, a very remote place in Kota Belud, Sabah, East Malaysia. I could not find a single excited face at the airport; no big queue unlike in Dubai or India; and whoever looked busy was using the airport Wifi service. Finally I got the immigration officer to share my reason for visiting Sabah, and her eyes widened when I said I lived in the country until 6. But I could not give a clear reply when she asked me whether I am in search of my roots. On the way to the hotel, with a heavy heart, I tried to visualise the place, where my father had made big prospects; and where I lived with parents ‘once upon a time’; the room where I locked up...

Gone are the days of getting readers after publishing your book. In an era of social media, I think, it is just the opposite, if someone has a huge fanfare.  So it's better not to approach a publisher if you opt for self publishing.Publishers are required only if you want to reach out to a larger public or a global readership. With e-books that too is possible. Most of the top global publishing agencies suggest a writer to have a literary agent. They can definitely help one to get published if you are ready to spend money on your effort.  But where are those days when books used to get published based upon its merit. Only in such situation readers will follow a book.  The tend now is readers follow the author first and then buy books. Are they reading the books? Or are they just possessing the book to join the world of book lovers. The hype over JK Rowling's Harry Potter series and the latest on Harper Lee are really encouraging writers. But the trend also s...

Com'on ..Why Nestle Maggi noodles alone? India has already become the safest haven for several MNCs to dump their expired products from elite nations. With PM's Make in India campaign, we will be getting more Indianised brands that will never match with the quality and standards of the original products. The time is to have strong food safety measures and rigorous checking of foreign products that are being sold in Indian markets.

I say I am a Palestinian, although I have never been to there and have a Palestinian ID with me or a passport to prove that I am a Palestinian. But I can say I have a connection with Palestine as my ancestors are from there. I am so lucky to be raised up as a Palestine unlike some young generation guys who are not bothered about their past. I am really curious to find out what my country is. Obviously my parents and grandparents are Palestinian refugees. During 1967 war they went to Jordan as refugees. And that’s where we have a house, we have a land and I always ask them, “Is Palestine like Jordan?”Because that is the closest idea to know Palestine, once I visit there. How does it look like? And they say, no, Palestine is a completely different place. They always talk about it and my mum is very patriotic and she always tries so hard to defend the Palestinian case. Living in Canada, amongst a different cultural environment, there were so many people curious to know who the real P...

India's Daughter, documentary by Leslie Udwin, is more brutal than rape. I am gathering the strength to watch the documentary completely. Difficult to watch the pain of Jyoti's parents, and listen to the lawyers' statements in the documentary than watching a remorseless Mukesh Singh, who wants to prove he did not rape the 22-year-old student. The defense lawyers have become puppets in the hands of Udwin to tell the world Indian girls are not allowed to go out in the evening. She is smart enough to put words in the mouth of all those who cooperated with her in the making of documentary. No doubt Tihar authorities are taking care of the accused! None bear the look of a criminal or undergoing any punishment for a serious crime.  Nobody is naming the juvenile accused in the film. Strange that even villagers are avoiding his name and saying 'juvenile' . Though the attempt of Udwin demands appreciation, it is sending a wrong message to the common man by emphasisi...

Rape is not just happening in India. Any campaign against rape and rapists must occur in a wider perspective and collective consciousness from global media. A documentary by an actress turned producer Leslee Udwin is making headlines and BBC is going to broadcast it on International Women's Day. The short film India Daughter is an attempt to find out why do men rape. In an interview to the Guardian, Udwain said," I began this film with a narrow focus. Why do men rape? I discovered that the disease if a lack of respect for gender. it's not just about a few rotten apples, it's the barrel itself that is rotten." Well-said. Well-understood. If the issue is rape and men, why should the focus shift towards India alone? Are rapes not happening in parts of the world? Why a hardcore criminal is given undue importance in the documentary? Has any country witnessed such an outpouring of protests and condemnation against the rape of a woman? The Indian officials have ev...