thINK

Papa is not just a word. It has my past 27 years attached. This one word makes my eyes moist. Anywhere, anytime! It’s been 4 months since I lost him, but even today, I cannot embrace the fact that he isn’t with me. People say it takes time, but with time, I feel memories deepen. His face, his voice, his talks, his smell- everything flashes back again with just ‘Papa’. From the day he left us, all his belongings are as they are; just to feel his presence around. I desire to hear the sound of the television. In the evenings, Papa could be found on the sofa in front of the television, watching the news at the highest volume available. He was one learned man. Flipping the channels for hours, he was a man who could talk on anything and everything. The only regret I have is that when I realized his worth, I couldn’t spend time with him. Just a day before he passed away, he expounded to me on the political behaviors of certain nations around the globe. His predictions on the future of p...

                  From Left to Right (Arshad Khan, Salman Khurshid, Yogendra Yadav and Suhail Ahmad) The Indian community in Riyadh, one of the largest Indian Muslim communities abroad to be precise, held an event this weekend in the capital on ‘Current Political Discourse in India – A Challenge for Minorities’. The event that took place on 2 nd December was graced by Mr. Yogendra Yadav, a professor, politician, and political analyst. On the invitation of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boy’s Association (AMUOBA) in Riyadh, Professor Yadav ennobled the affair. The founder of Swaraj India, spoke eloquently at the event. He said “More than a minority question, we are looking at the specific question of Indian Muslims. Because Indian Muslims suffer, not merely as a religious minority, but also suffer as a socially disadvantaged and discriminated group. This is what makes the situation of Indian Muslims unique. They face a chal...

I was barely 4 years old in 1993 when a blue jeans and a white shirt drenched in blood came home. Papa, widely known as Er. Iqbal Ahmad among his colleagues, friends and acquaintances, had met an accident, a horrible one. It took him more than six months to get up from bed and walk. He used support but never lost hope. I was too young to understand things back then. He survived! He lived…he moved on. Papa and me, November 2013, Riyad h ,  Saudi Arabia. More of a second life it was. Since then, I have never seen him giving up. I remember my first day at school. I was writing my entrance exam and all the while, Papa was waiting there itself, out in the corridor. I didn’t realize his presence then. Time passed.. I grew up, finished my education. He still taught me, taught me a lot, a lot.. through his words and actions. He taught me from his past experiences. He taught me from his every day events. He lived the cleanest life anyone could have. I realize all this after ...