The Helix Conspiracy

Floor 155 of the Burj Khalifa did not exist on any public architectural blueprint. To the thousands of tourists taking photos far below, it was merely an empty mechanical gap designed to house industrial air handlers and absorb structural wind vibrations. In truth, it was the world’s most secretive neutral ground—a subterranean-style sanctuary in the sky dedicated to non-combat intelligence sharing. Even during the height of recent regional conflicts, when missile strikes rattled the Middle East, the Burj Khalifa remained strictly untouched. Hostile nations—Iran, North Korea, Afghanistan, the United States, and Israel—maintained an unwritten non-aggression pact on this floor to exchange critical operational intelligence.

Ertugrul and Forensic Sciences

Criminal forensics has recently been made popular by TV shows such as CBS’s CSI. These scientists specialize in examining physical evidence to link a crime scene, suspect, and/or victim. The field of forensic science has received extensive exposure in recent years and is now regarded as a highly respected discipline among scientists and criminality. So when we think of forensics, high-tech labs with advanced gadgetry and sophisticated computers, fingerprinting and such other stuff comes into mind. And with this, the perception is developed that forensics is dependent on the use of these modern technologies. However, this is not true. Humans had used the techniques in the olden times. Therefore, I will focus on some of the scenarios in the Ertugrul series where forensic science comes into play.

Everything I do, I do it for you

It was in the wee hours of a chilly November night on one of the Fridays. It was all silence outside except the insects stridulating. Inside in the room, with a mug full of hot coffee and listening to the soothing voice of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali khan, “Mai Khayal hoon kisi aur ka, mujhe sochta koi aur hai”, I opened Facebook. On my wall, I saw status update from my “friend”: Awarded Productive Scientist Award 2017. Only that it was neither an award nor it had to do anything with productivity. It was a directory, which enlisted anybody who wished to be listed. Scrolling further down, another “friend”: Delivering keynote address at the International Conference. Only that he was just a participant who paid the fee and the picture at the rostrum was during the break when nobody was there!

Her Eyes Were Green

The relation of an alumnus to alma mater is something that can’t be put into words. From ancient teachers like Confucius, Aristotle, Plato to the medieval Leonardo to the modern greats, a pupil is known and respected by caliber of the institutes he/she attended or the teachers who taught him/her. So I had only one reply when I got the invitation to attend the Alumni Dinner of CEMB, preceded by a 3-day International Conference. It proved to be a 4-course meal ending with a dessert. The fact that it was the 1st Alumni Meet, 30 years after CEMB was founded, I couldn’t afford to miss it. In my opinion, the feelings at a 1st convocation, 1st alumni dinner, 1st love or 1st marriage (for those who are daring enough to enter the lion’s den after their 1st escape) cannot be replicated in life. To top that up, the organizers choreographed the whole program very well. Though not a bon vivant, I thought the dessert compensated for whatever deficiencies the first 3 courses had. It was the 1st of January and in the mid of all this, I saw her green eyes. Some start to the New Year, I must say.

When the curse was rewarded

Mama and baba could do nothing but console their daughter. They tried every thing in their capacity to comfort their darling daughter, their hero, as they called her. Gloom prevailed upon their house, for the grief was uncalled for. Tears were rolling down their eyes and asking Lord just one question, why they? Why they had to face such a problem when their daughter did no harm to anyone. The incidence was enough to shatter their spirits. Haya started her medical training under Dr. Zee but that move did not prove fruitful for her. Dr. Zee, as called by fellow doctors, had a repute of being difficult at times. But Haya did not anticipate what could happen to her. Dr. Zee put a wrong case of medical negligence against Haya and almost got her license cancelled.

I am in Love with a Criminal

It was the mid of February. She was sitting in her office on the 5^th floor. Again it was raining and for the umpteenth time, she wanted to go out, inhale the petrichor and dance in the rain but as soon as she opened the windows, the omnipresent piercing stares of the staff from the opposite building welcomed her. She shut the windows back. Plunging into her swivel chair, she looked around her office. On the left side was rack full of books. On her left was a water dispenser. A calendar was hanging on the wall with a few red circles marked. On the front wall, there was a wall clock which always reminded her of her being getting old. The door was on the left side opposite her and 3 chairs arranged neatly opposite her table. The table was an expensive looking piece of furniture which she bought in a bargain store. On the table, she had put her prized possessions. In a tray, her files on which she was working. Then a telephone set, and the latest novel by John Grisham. In fact, there was a complete collection of John Grisham novels on her table. And then there was the book that changed her life, her favourite, Rage of Angels by Sidney Sheldon.

More than a Religious Woman

Like any other Muslim, I have read time and again about the women of Islam in religious context. Every time I would read how these women helped the other gender attain their strength and glory or how the fair sex was condemned being a female. All true. But has anyone ever tried to narrate their lives in perspective of their character? How many times we have read about the character and gallant nature of these women who stood for themselves and in turn helped people around them? Some chose to be house-wives while others chose to shape the society and imparted whatever knowledge they had to the public. They fought on grounds or did their home chores. Either they swayed their swords in precise strokes or wiped away the floors with cloth. These women may not be the prophets but their identities were not any less than that of significant people in our history. These women had their own character, personalities, opinions and lives. Once you will think about them as humans and not as Muslim associates, you shall see how wonderfully accomplished life they led and how our pious men helped them in same manner as they facilitated our men.

You Have 365 Info Messages

             Book - reading a text-book, is a time-consuming and energy draining job for students. Reading a novel and other non-text type books are hobby for many of us. But writing a book is a herculean task that a very few of us ever undertake. For some, it is a lifetime of experiences that translates into a book. For others, it can emanate from a sudden experience of a few seconds. For example, JK Rowling was working as a researcher and bilingual secretary for Amnesty International when she conceived the idea for the Harry Potter series on a delayed train from Manchester to London in 1990. Her first book in 1995 was submitted to twelve publishing houses, all of which rejected the manuscript! Therefore, I like many of my other friends, did not bother to go through this conventional process of publishing. We just submit our work to online people who publish as-it-is! So here is the result of my first such attempt. 

The 2nd Most Difficult Thing to Find in Lahore

So, in the last episode of my Life’s Story, I had a job in Lahore so it was only natural that I would search for some place to live as well. For a while it seemed that the administration at my old place had only one aim of their lives: to kick me out of their hostel. So I said, OK, that is not a difficult thing to do. One just has to search in Google and olx and there are thousands of places with a variety of price ranges. But it was easier said than done. After 2 months of searching, I finally found a place to live. That is not what I wanted and I don't know how will it make me feel but anyhow it will do for now. But the journey is worth sharing for you people to read.

Thanks but No Thanks...

No matter what you do for a living, there is always a complaint that people do not value your contribution as much as they should. You always feel neglected. You feel that others are appreciated while you are not getting what is due. Perhaps, you can look around and change your opinion. Here is a list of 10+1 most thankless jobs (in no particular order) in the country.

Now, Dr. Israr

Anxiety was creeping in as I was waiting for my interview with the science teachers. Finally, when I sat there, the biology teacher asked me why I was interested in studying science. I said that I was good at biology. Or something to that effect, I don’t remember the exact words. He asked, “What is the difference between a plant cell and an animal cell”. I was silent. But thanks to the other teacher sitting nearer, who whispered something in my ear. And I replied, “Animal cell is made of meat while plant cell is made of wood”. Interview was in my local language, Pashto, so it was a lot sillier than it sounds in English. And I was admitted into science class in my high school.

And then it turned two...

Time is making fools of us again. ~ J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter authoress.

Officially April 12, 2011 is the birth date of this blog. But forgive me for being so late in writing the birthday post. Since last birthday, there are total of 13 posts that appeared during the last 13 months. But 3 of those were older posts which I posted again for one or another reason. So, effectively the past year had been quite dormant. And there were some compelling reasons for it to be so. Foremost of which is that it was my last year in PhD and I was (or showing to be) concentrating on my research and dissertation. That thing lasted almost to the end of 2012.

So I am 30 Today...

In the American sitcom, F.R.I.E.N.D.S., episode 7.14, “The One Where They All Turn Thirty”, all the 6 main characters are shown to be quite upset about their being turning 30. The reason is that all of them are well short of their goals that they have set for themselves. Ross has been married 2 times too many while Phoebe has unknowingly skipped one whole year of her life. And on March 24, 2013, when I turn 30, I was wondering how I relate to the whole turning-thirty-and-getting-scared thing? Surely, I had certain objectives that wanted to accomplish before this day.

Our Life - Another 13th Floor Experiment?

A few years ago, one of my friend asked me to do a review of any artificial intelligence movie as part of their assignments. After watching a few movies, I finally decided to review "The Thirteenth Floor". At that time, the emphasis was on the technical aspects of the artificial intelligence used in the movie but now I have trimmed it to be posted on our blog here. Hope you people will like it. And at the end, there is a question for all of us. Think about it.

A Mother’s Tribute to her Son

He was 37. She was 18. They knew each other since last year. She was a nurse in the dispensary run by him. Today they married in simple ceremony. Rejected by seven girls a decade earlier, he had given up on the idea of marrying. But couples are made in heavens and this young nurse was the perfect bride for him. And now after the function was over, they were heading home. I was somehow able to go along, invisible. They were near their dispensary just to check if anyone was waiting for medical help. “Stop”, she screamed. She pointed her finger to the road side and we saw a body, a human body lying around. With 80 million people, this could be expected.  I didn’t understand why a petty matter like this should dampen the moods? We went near the body and it was a 12 year old girl. Badly beaten and bruised, in urgent need of medical attention. Although a nurse she was, but without any instruments, and even a first-aid box, what could have she done? And anyway it was their wedding night. So time to leave the girl where she was lying and head towards home. At least that is what every person would do, especially on their wedding night.

P.S. I Thank You

It was 6^th February, 2008, that I was enrolled in a Masters leading to Ph.D. program at CEMB. And by destiny or design, it was the 6^th day of November, 2012, that I was able to submit my Ph.D. Thesis to the University. I spent a little under 5 years in Lahore and every single day was a new experience. Some bad and some good. Now that I lean back and think about the time, I cherish every single bit of memories that I have. I plan to write some of the moments in chronological order shortly. For now, I am pasting the acknowledgement section of my Thesis as a token of thanks to you people. As most of you are not familiar with the system here, I must add that I am not a Doctor YET. Thesis submission indicates that I have achieved the goals of my Ph.D. research and now the University through its own process will determine whether I shall be awarded a degree or not and that process takes a while. A few months if I am lucky. 

Prince - the Assassin

It was sometime in February, 1973. The Sardar (Chieftain) had another huff from his huqqa (Hubble-Bubble). The expressions on his face told that he was in a very serious conversation. Wind was blowing the flame of the oil-lamp which continuously shortened and lengthened the shadows on the opposite walls. The man on the other side was invisible in the dark. Nobody knew his exact name. In fact he himself did not remember what his real name was. People called him Prince – the assassin. He had his first kill at the age of 13 and after that he counted his age only in terms of killings. From business tycoons to politicians and generals, he assassinated without leaving a trace. His score was 21 kills in 21 attempts! The Sardar was told that Prince never returned and never failed and that is why he took his fee all in advance. Sardar was reluctant but had no choice. After all, he had to do something and there were less than 24 hours left. He could not afford doing nothing.

She Moves in Mysterious Ways

Although it was a full moon night but it was pitch dark. What to talk of cold winter night moon when sun-rays of the long summer days could seldom penetrate the thick roof of trees. As midnight approached, the fog got denser. The only sounds were those from the barking dogs on the outskirts of the village. It was the oldest graveyard in the country and legend has it that nobody has ever crossed it even in broad day light. And those who had ever attempted, generations ago, never returned. But it seemed like those 3 men would live there. Wanted by police, these outlaws did not have much choice but to live amongst the dead.

DNAmancy - Who is the Luckiest of Them All?

It was the third time during the last 20 minutes that he went to the water dispenser and instead poured hot coffee. He was not thirsty. He was nervous. He had reached 2 hours before the appointed hour. He had little food or sleep in the last 7 days. Only half an hour more and the wait would be over. The anxiety was killing him. He was on the verge of lunacy due to this extreme torment. There were other people in the room and their condition was no different. Stress and tension was dripping from their faces. An old man trying to read a magazine but could not get beyond the first few lines. The blonde was pulling her hair unknowingly. The brunette was trying to calm herself, in vain. But the most astonishing was that little kid with the football. What was he doing at a place like this at such a tender age? One by one, these people were getting their reports and left. Some left ecstatic, others were tragic while others indifferent. Finally, it was number 41. He tried to move but his feet did not support him. The scene, which was the only one for the last many days in his mind, played again. The what-if question reverberated in his heart. He did not want to imagine the unthinkable. This one report would make or break his life. Or at least that was what he thought. He dragged himself towards the window. After some identity checks, he received the report.

Mein CEMB

It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important.

–        Sherlock Holmes

 

During the latter half of the 20^th century, the focus of science shifted towards molecular biology. Although late, Pakistan joined the bandwagon of research with the establishment of its first research center namely Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB). It is one of the best research centers in the Islamic World attracting students from all over Pakistan as well as abroad.  Situated on the west bank of the picturesque Canal Road Lahore, it presents a mix of modern and Islamic architecture. During its 25 years of existence, it has contributed a lion’s share to research in Pakistan.