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.