Light Within

Some places are so idyllic and unspoiled that it is almost unbelievable. One such place is picturesque, tranquil and pollution free town Garam Chashma (meaning hot spring) in at the edge district Chitral. The very sound of it is (sort of) strategic - the role Garam Chashma played during Russian occupation in Afghanistan not very long ago. The town is located on the bank of a turbulent torrent known as Luthko Gol that is full of trout; about two hours drive from Chitral City.

As the Fokker Friendship hovers over Chitral before committing to landing, one can see the beautiful sights through window of small aircraft: red roof houses dotted on the hill contours, alpine trees, and fruit orchards. Chitral airport is built in one of the serene gorges of the River Kunar. I stayed at the deepest place in district Chitral known as Mir Khanni - over seventy kilometers from Chitral. As per the plans that I had made to see different sights in Chitral valley during free brakes in the schedule of my assignment, I boarded a passenger Mazda that was ready to go to Garam Chashma right from the airport early one April morning.

The eve of Course Mate Jalal HB’s visit to Lahore called for something special — a quiet, heartfelt gathering of old comrades. The Lahore Chapter always upholds this cherished tradition. Thirteen brother officers (Khaled Javed, Zahir Khan, Qazalbash, Fazal Chaudhry, Muhammad Athar, Youns, Saleem Sarwar, Tassawar, Israr, Abdur Rehman Dogar, Atiq Shah, Haider Raza, and yours truly) from the Lahore Chapter of the 55 PMA Long Course came together at Wing Lee, DeSOM, for a memorable dinner. A few brought their better halves, adding to the warmth of the occasion.

Wing Lee’s cozy red ambiance set the perfect stage. Over steaming plates of fragrant Chinese cuisine, our two tables filled with laughter, stories, and the easy camaraderie that only five decades of shared history can forge. From PMA days under the drill master SM Bashir to the battalions and army schools that followed, every tale carried the weight of friendship and mutual bonding.

Jalal’s impending arrival hung in the air like a promise of more such evenings. We raised a toast — to the new leaders of the Lahore Chapter, to absent friends, to our enduring bonds, and to the quiet pride of wearing the same course number. Moments like these remind us why the Long Course is more than a badge; it’s a lifelong fraternity.

While planning for life after retirement, great boxer Muhammad Ali Clay decided to write his reminiscences and announced well thought out plan to pen down his memoirs. "Will you write yourself," after verification of the celebrity's plans a keen journalist asked Clay. "It is very difficult to write about self," he added. "Yes. That is why I will write about myself because who else knows me better," spontaneously responded Clay.

Things have changed far too much too fast. Writing about self no more seems difficult in this digital age. Exploring unlimited cyber expanses these days one cannot move much without reading variety of profiles, personal ads and statements. Readers soon are lured (or need) to upload their own, exceptions apart. Glut of matching and dating Websites (it seems as if every one in the world is 'single' and 'looking' out there) encourage and offer guidelines to write and some social networking sites also provide descriptive questionnaires or fill in the blank forms asking users to select what is most appropriate options about their appearance, interests, age, activities, likes and dislikes and some time more intimate things. This is one of the biggest trends not only in youth trying to extend their social circles and grab some attention but also for many others. Sophists article reads, "Almost 150 million people visited online dating sites in the month of January alone."