The marriage arrangements of British Mirpuris are changing drastically and quite rapidly. Young people - boys and girls- are demanding a greater say in the choice of partner. In many cases, parents merely rubber stamp the decision taken by their son or daughter. This is, in general, a positive development. It is only right that those who will have to spend their lives together should be able to choose who they will do so with.
Another way in which marriage is changing among Mirpuris is that young people are increasingly less likely to stick around in loveless marriages, as witnessed by rising rates of divorce and marital disharmony. In a sense, Mirpuris are becoming mainstream, where rates of divorce are already high (though they have fallen recently).
Is it a positive development that many Mirpuri youngsters, unlike their parents and definitely grandparents, are no longer willing to stick around in loveless marriages? That is a difficult question; in general if children are involved, my view is that people should make an extra effort to stick. In other cases it is more difficult. Whatever the answer, utmost care and attention is required in selecting marriage partners.
Friday, October 31
Friday, October 24
Line of Control...
The Line of Control that separates Indian and Pakistani Kashmir was opened to traders this week. News reports showed the 'Prime Minister' of Pakistani Kashmir releasing a bird in the direction of Indian Kashmir, which promptly flew back. Whether it was meant to be a symbol of peace, or freedom on this side in contrast to the Indian side, or both, I do not know.
If Kashmiris from the two halves start visiting each other more, they will start to compare. It is natural to compare. What will Kashmiris from one side make of the other?
Those from the Indian side visiting Pakistani Kashmir may, initially, be struck by the large palatial buildings, particularly in the Mirpur district. The more perceptive will soon realise that these are most definitely not the symbol of prosperity overseen by Pakistan. They will realise that most of these impressive buildings are empty and their owners living in cramped terraces in the UK.
Beneath this superficial veneer, they will see a decrepit infrastructure, roads in a state of disrepair, poor quality healthcare, a state education system that has collapsed (note the popularity of private education) and bickering over relatively minor things.
Indian Kashmiri visitors may well also note the bickering over the short Dhangali Bridge, which, in the greater scheme of things, should be relatively easy for Pakistan to construct. They may well contrast this, unfavourably, with the recent launch of the rail link between Delhi and the Indian Kashmir. While we bicker over a puny bridge, they have a rail service!
If Kashmiris from the two halves start visiting each other more, they will start to compare. It is natural to compare. What will Kashmiris from one side make of the other?
Those from the Indian side visiting Pakistani Kashmir may, initially, be struck by the large palatial buildings, particularly in the Mirpur district. The more perceptive will soon realise that these are most definitely not the symbol of prosperity overseen by Pakistan. They will realise that most of these impressive buildings are empty and their owners living in cramped terraces in the UK.
Beneath this superficial veneer, they will see a decrepit infrastructure, roads in a state of disrepair, poor quality healthcare, a state education system that has collapsed (note the popularity of private education) and bickering over relatively minor things.
Indian Kashmiri visitors may well also note the bickering over the short Dhangali Bridge, which, in the greater scheme of things, should be relatively easy for Pakistan to construct. They may well contrast this, unfavourably, with the recent launch of the rail link between Delhi and the Indian Kashmir. While we bicker over a puny bridge, they have a rail service!
Tuesday, October 21
Back to blogging....
I have been away for many months from blogsphere as there is no point writing when the words will not out. To write effectively requires inspiration and passion; else there is no point, unless you write for a living, where it is deemed fine to concoct artificial sentences.
Anyway, I hope to write a blog regularly now, at least one per week to begin with.
To kick off, a word about two issues. First the banking crisis. I began blogging in 2004 partly in response to the financial bubble, particularly as it affects housing. Now the chickens have come home to roost. The impact of what we are witnessing should not be underestimated. A massive paradigm change is taking place. RIP neoliberal economics; interventionism is back in. If the banks can be rescued, many other industries will be wondering why not them.
The second important change since I last blogged is the fact that Zardari is now the president of Pakistan. That the most corrupt person in the history of Pakistan, and someone who would no doubt get a front seat in an international contest of corrupt politicians, should become president is a tragedy and does not bode well for the future of the country. This man combines corruption and incompetence. Faced with court cases, he claimed to suffer from several mental ailments. Either he lied or he didn't. Either way, he is not fit to be president. Alas the sycophants who tail him do not realise this, or refuse to accept it.
Anyway, I hope to write a blog regularly now, at least one per week to begin with.
To kick off, a word about two issues. First the banking crisis. I began blogging in 2004 partly in response to the financial bubble, particularly as it affects housing. Now the chickens have come home to roost. The impact of what we are witnessing should not be underestimated. A massive paradigm change is taking place. RIP neoliberal economics; interventionism is back in. If the banks can be rescued, many other industries will be wondering why not them.
The second important change since I last blogged is the fact that Zardari is now the president of Pakistan. That the most corrupt person in the history of Pakistan, and someone who would no doubt get a front seat in an international contest of corrupt politicians, should become president is a tragedy and does not bode well for the future of the country. This man combines corruption and incompetence. Faced with court cases, he claimed to suffer from several mental ailments. Either he lied or he didn't. Either way, he is not fit to be president. Alas the sycophants who tail him do not realise this, or refuse to accept it.
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