MARCH 10-16 2013
MARCH 10-16 2013
Cover Story 14 Revitalised
The Vital Signs are back with a new anthem for our times
Features
24 I Conquered Kilimanjaro ‘Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing’ Kilimanjaro and Beyond
28 The New Nazis From Greece to Germany, the radical right is on the march. But what is behind this emerging phenomenon?
Regulars
14
6 People & Parties: Out and about with Pakistan’s beautiful people
40 Reviews: An illogical love? 42 Healthy Living: Hair Rescue
24
28
4
Magazine Editor: Zarrar Khuhro, Senior Sub-Editor: Farahnaz Zahidi, Sub-Editors: Ameer Hamza, Heba Al-Adawy and Dilaira Mondegarian. Creative Team: Amna Iqbal, Jamal Khurshid, Essa Malik, Maha Haider, Faizan Dawood, Samra Aamir, Sanober Ahmed. Publisher: Bilal A Lakhani. Executive Editor: Muhammad Ziauddin. Editor: Kamal Siddiqi. For feedback and submissions: magazine@tribune.com.pk Printed: uniprint@unigraph.com
PEOPLE & PARTIES
Mariam and Misbah
Naila Fancy PHOTOS COURTESY SAVVY PR AND EVENTS
Asmaviya
Anjalee and Arjun Kapoor fashion house hosts an event in Dubai
Eram
Mehreen Myra, Nisha and Subita
Atnirmal and Mira
6
Sadia and Shazia Butt MARCH 10-16 2013
Yasmin Kassam
MARCH 10-16 2013
PEOPLE & PARTIES
Shazia
Marium Malik
Friends of Karwan-eHayat organise a fundraiser in Karachi Mr. and Mrs Tareen
Alizeh and Nousheen
8 MARCH 10-16 2013
Mehnaz Shah
PHOTOS COURTESY NEW WORLD CONCEPTS
Nadir Ali Syed and Farah
MARCH 10-16 2013
PEOPLE & PARTIES
Leisure Club launches its new platform, Made of Pakistan, in Lahore
Neshmia
Ahmad
and Mu
rat Ona rt
Shaan Shahid
Solen Istanbul, the first Turkish restaurant, launches in Karachi Hamid Zaman
er
10 MARCH 10-16 2013
Kousar, Sarjan and Beste
PHOTOS COURTESY NEW WORLD CONCEPTS
Omar Chaudhry and Omar Zaman
PHOTOS COURTESY LOTUS
yd Yasmin H
MARCH 10-16 2013
COVER STORY
RE ITALISED Years have passed since their iconic debut album rocked staid and straight-laced Pakistan. Now the Vital Signs are back with an offering for our times BY FARAHNAZ ZAHIDI
14 MARCH 10-16 2013
On the 14th of August 1987, from among a people exhausted by an oppressive and stifling dictatorship, rose four young men with one simple song that revitalised the dwindling hopes of a nation. Hailed as the ‘second national anthem’, Dil Dil Pakistan (DDP) gave the nation a new lease of life. While it was that very dictatorship that gave DDP unprecedented airtime, a year later the long-awaited spring of democracy followed. Pakistan’s vital signs were stabilised. Or so it seemed. Twenty-five years later, those vital signs have virtually flat-lined. Democratically ruled yet lacking
peace, security and justice, the nation has been pushed well past the brink of despair.
At this juncture, when we collectively stare into the abyss, Naya Pakistan, it seems, was destined to
happen. It began as a casual reunion of old friends at Shahi Hasan’s studio, a bit of jamming over
Salman Ahmed’s idea for this song, a common cause, a shared vision, and voila! The four prodigal members of the legendary pop musical band Vital Signs decided some Vital Junoon was required to give the nation hope through the medium they knew best — music. Thus was born Naya Pakistan — Inshallah.
Within 2 hours of its release on February 2013, it had clocked sixty thousand unique hit on the music
sharing website Soundcloud. In twenty-four hours it had been googled 2.5 million times, with thousands sharing it on Facebook and Twitter. Despite having no Bollywood movie, TV channel or corporate sponsorship to support it, Naya Pakistan went viral in the true sense of the word.
Enthusiastic fans may call it the new national anthem, but Naya Pakistan is no Pak Sar Zameen, and it’s
no DDP either. The latter is almost a part of Pakistani folklore, a timeless message to be handed down
(Continued on page 18)
MARCH 10-16 2013
15
COVER STORY
generation after generation.
Naya Pakistan is a metaphor for unity. In this polarised country, accep-
tance and tolerance for viewpoints other than one’s own is rare. At this
noble profession like medicine.
Then Dil Dil happened. The success of Vital Signs coincided with a
point, these men have, while respecting each other’s values but main-
spectacular cultural and political revolution in the country. Democ-
If they could peacefully set aside their ideological differences and work
prime minister while Dil Dil Pakistan became the soundtrack to change.
taining their own, become part of a joint venture for a common cause. around them to unite for a common cause, why can’t the nation do the
racy returned as a young 35 year old woman, Benazir Bhutto, became
If I compare Pakistan yesterday and today, this is what I see: The
same? This underlying message is more powerful and important than
Pakistan of today has a robust, noisy press and a vibrant social media;
The four men are no longer the young and the restless. Much has
we have an Oscar winning woman; back then our women only dreamt
the medium used to convey it.
happened and much has changed. They have evolved. Their once youthful faces are now marked by laugh lines and crow’s feet. Their
impulsiveness has been replaced by thoughtfulness. They have come of age.
But a few things have, luckily, remained the same. Like their ideal-
ism. Like their hope for better days for Pakistan. Like their sincerity and candidness.
Most importantly, their bond of friendship has not changed. As
they sit together and share jokes about the days gone by, it’s clear that they are not mere celebrities or former band mates, but friends.
Here they talk about then and now, about the purana and naya Paki-
stan. And how they still believe that Aitebaar bhi aa hi jayega, chalo to sahee.
Salman Ahmed : In First Person “It was the spring of 1988. I was a medical student whose only dream was playing cricket for Pakistan. Our cricket team’s success was the
back then, we only had a bureaucratic PTV and Radio Pakistan. Today,
of winning. Back then we had a corrupt, incompetent dictatorship,
while today we have a corrupt, incompetent democracy. Back then, Nawaz Sharif was a chief minister who aspired to become a cricketer. Today a cricketer, Imran Khan, has the chance of becoming a prime
minister. The Pakistan of today is attacked by killer US drones and dengue fever; back then there were Soviet Kalashnikovs & Vital-mania.
A lot has happened since then. My wife Samina and I are building
model villages in Pakistan. I’ve been a UN goodwill ambassador for
10 years. I have had the good fortune to have recorded with international artists such as Peter Gabriel and Melissa Etheridge and have performed at the Nobel peace prize ceremony. I am also a music professor at Queens College in NY.
The world has not been able to rob me of my idealism. I am motivat-
ed to help bring change to Pakistan in the fields of culture, education, health and diplomacy. Pakistan’s wealth is its youth and women. I
have had the support of three very strong women in my life: my grandmother Aziza, my mother Shahine and my wife Samina.
It is an amazing feeling recording this song with my four friends,
only happiness I felt during General Zia’s oppressive military dictator-
almost as if the Divine power of “Kun Fa Ya Kun” brought us together.
lywood music, and thought Pakistani music was uncool. I was made
power can equal the blessing of having great friends.
ship. People back then mainly listened to pirated western songs or Bol-
18
fun of for following my junoon of music and giving up a serious and
MARCH 10-16 2013
God is Great. He has shown me that no amount of money, fame or
I miss the thumbs up from Rohail and Shahi when I record now. I crave their feedback It’s always darkest just before dawn. Hope is a game changer and
“Why do I get the feeling that people want me to start singing
this song provides hope for a revolutionary change. The new genera-
again?” is Junaid’s question, one that has an obvious answer. How-
with sincere, honest leadership, Pakistan will develop into a first
remains strong.
tion is starving for peace, love and happiness. I have deep faith that
world nation in my life time and our children will see a Naya Pakistan, Inshallah!”
Junaid Jamshed : The more things change A conversation with Junaid Jamshed may be many things, but it’s
never boring. The former Vital Signs frontman remains a charmer de-
ever, his decision of renouncing music is almost a decade old and still He chuckles with Shahi the way only old friends can, and Junaid, in
that moment, seems to have turned the clock back two decades. “We were all yaars. We still are”
“Junaid is the most level headed out of all of us,” says Shahi. But Ju-
naid interjects, saying, “Shahi is the coolest. He’s the anchor of the band. I am not as moody but I am impulsive.”
He goes on to say, “I miss the thumbs up from Rohail and Shahi
spite the obvious changes he has gone through. JJ, as he is popularly
when I record now. I crave their feedback. We were friends first and
struggle.
together, the friendship never ended.” He expresses his wish that Ro-
known, is easy to talk to and seems to be at peace despite an inner Yet, beneath the casual demeanour, Junaid is guarded around the
media. Hawk-like, we wait for him to slip or err, and scrutinize every-
thing right from his family life and business to his inner dilemmas. Of all the former band mates his transformation has been the most
band mates later. That’s why, even when we stopped making music
hail could have been part of the project too. He and Shahi both confirm that this song was an unplanned venture, and Coke Studio keeps Rohail very busy.
When it comes to Pakistan, his optimism is tempered by realism.
sweeping, and the one most people still can’t seem to come to grips
“Things will get better for Pakistan. But if each one us doesn’t do our
Why can’t he be the person he was?” This is a common refrain from
will suffer. We have to go beyond the psyche of selfishness and nar-
with. “He was ours! Such a good-looking man! Such a soulful voice! many of his long-time fans, but Junaid feels he is still the same person, as are Shahi, Salman or Nusrat. But he admits his focus and lifestyle have changed. “Meri zindigi abb woh naheen rahi,” he says.
While he is a part of this venture, he just sung a couple of lines at the
beginning of the song without any musical accompaniments. That’s a
point he would not compromise on, and made his feeling clear politely but firmly. As Salman said in a recent interview, “Junaid did not break
bit, it’s not just the country that will suffer … the ‘I’, the individual, cissism and must think of collective benefit. We have gotten so much from this country. It is time to give back.”
Shahzad Hasan : People use Inshallah for all the wrong purposes. This song uses it for the right ones.
his vow [to not get back into music]”. Yet, as critics of the song also
The startling green eyes, the signature cap perched on his head, the
Pakistan, in addition to Salman’s electrifying guitar solo.
he does, he talks passionately, and makes perfect sense.
agree, his vocals set the pace and are, perhaps, the best part of Naya
soft voice. Shahzad Hasan aka Shahi takes time to warm up. But once
19 MARCH 10-16 2013
COVER STORY
We didn’t do this song for personal fame. We did this because as educated Pakistanis it’s our responsibility to spread positivity “We didn’t do this song for personal fame. We did this because as ed-
ucated Pakistanis it’s our responsibility to spread positivity,” he says.
“It felt as if we were never away for this long after all; such has been
“My, Rohail and Junaid’s fathers are from the armed forces. Love for
our bond that it felt like coming home,” he says.
jured in them. But it’s sad that as a nation, we no longer feel that Paki-
he compares the Pakistan of yesterday and today: “Pakistan was under
our own neighbours. It’s time to stop criticising each other. Each Paki-
free but facing a multitude of other problems like terrorism, corrup-
this country is instilled in us. My father fought two wars and was instanis are a family and there is a sense of disconnect. We do not know stani is part of a larger machine ... each one of us is important.”
Shahi always stays in the background. “Because I love what I do.
Junaid was always the front man. And I loved his being the front man because he was best suited for it. There was no jealousy because when you love somebody, you are only happy when that person is in the front,” says the diehard friend.
”We, the Vital Signs, never wanted to be in the limelight without each
An idealist like his friends, Nusrat echoes Salman’s sentiments as
a morbid dictatorship with little freedom of expression. Now we are
tion, sectarianism, the energy crisis, and inflation,” he says. “And last but not the least, brain drain,” he adds, commenting on the ongoing exodus that is the direct result of the chaos prevailing in Pakistan.
“I have always been politically aware and had the desire to bring
about a change in society through my music,” says the ex-Vital Signs key board player-cum-guitarist-cum vocalist.
“I dream of a better world … a better Pakistan. Sadly, at times, like
other. I think Allah gave us that success because we were not selfish,”
everyone else, I feel I am losing hope. With time, I have grown more
“They say a singer is at his best as he ages. Junaid’s voice has a lot more
shows how desperately we need a change in Pakistan,” ” But that has
says Shahi and goes on to praise Junaid in that same unselfish spirit. body now. He sang in an era when voices could not be technically altered in a studio, and he was still very good,” comments Shahi.
A patriot to the core, Shahi feels that, “Pakistan ka wohi ho ga jo
hum is ka karain gay. It’s time to give back to the country. This country has given me an identity. Sadly, an entire generation of children growing up in affluent backgrounds and elite schools are growing up with an inferiority complex, thinking that our country is less than others. The country is a mess? Clean it up!”
Nusrat Hussain : Flight to a better Pakistan For high-flying Nusrat Hussain, music isn’t just a medium, it’s a lifelong passion. “Music is not a passing phase for me. I can never be detached from it.”
This airline pilot has to juggle his two loves: music and flying, while
also working on his second album. His first album, ‘Amrit’, was released in early 1990s.
“I have been working on my album ‘Kaho’ all this time. I had gone
20
and is currently based in the Middle East.
to Shahi to get some final work done on it, and ended up doing Naya
Pakistan!” says Nusrat who has worked as a pilot for more than 20 years MARCH 10-16 2013
practical and pragmatic, but the response that this song has generated
not taken away his desire to give back to Pakistan. “I am even more geared up to do something for my country.”T
FEATURE ‘He who climbs upon the highest mountains laughs at all tragedies, real or imaginary’ Nietzsche BY HAARIS AHMAD
I conquered kilimanjaro
December 28th 2012 was one of the most surreal days of my life. After six days of arduous hiking, hampered by occasional altitude sickness and daily torrential rain, I reached the 5,892-metre summit of Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro. I had always fancied climbing a mountain, but as I stood there at the summit, gazing at the world below, it was difficult to grasp that this once impossible dream had, at last, come true.
as I looked around on the web I couldn’t find any, not even failed
The idea took root one night in a state of exhilaration and in-
tallest mountain in all of continental Africa. Even though it is no
somnia. Dazed with excitement and filled with an iron-clad determination to accomplish my goal, I began my preliminary research on the internet. In the mid 1980s, a new challenge was
my calling.
After some painstaking planning, I found myself at the foot of
Mount Kilimanjaro as part of an expedition of 35 people. Kilimanjaro, which can be traversed without mountain climbing
gear, features several topographies including savannah, rainforest, moorlands, arctic desert and the snow-covered summit it-
self. Kilimanjaro is the smallest of the seven summits and the joke to attempt scaling it, it is considered a ‘non-technical’ climb and it’s relatively easy compared to the other six summits.
We didn’t have much luck with the weather. Even though we
formed, coveted by the world’s best mountaineers: The Seven
were set to climb right at the end of the East African rainy sea-
en continents. At the turn of the millennium, there were just a
pletely were our good days. Otherwise, our dinners would be
Summits. These seven summits are the highest peaks in the sevfew hundred individuals who had made it to the list of successful climbers, but these numbers have now multiplied with the
24
attempts. By the time the sun rose, I was convinced I had found
son, it rained every day. The few times it stopped raining comeaten under the gloomy pitter patter of rain on the tents.
As it turned out, the natural path for the rainwater to flow
increase in technology and safety procedures. Scrolling through
down the mountain was also the easiest path for us to ascend.
ticed something — none of them were from Pakistan. As much
ter would come splashing down like a chocolate fondue fountain.
the lists of glorified summiteers from all over the world, I noMARCH 10-16 2013
After making its way through the rainforest regions, the rainwa-
Once we climbed higher, it got better at the moorland level. Once
ahead.
ered turning back, but the image of my chaand sitara hoisted on
tinuous climb to the summit at midnight, planning to reach it
We took the Lemosho route along the mountain, a less-travelled
their way through the freezing snow with only the aid of head-
or twice during the first two days of the climb, I actually considthe summit of Africa kept me going. It was too powerful to resist.
Western approach. It is the longest and arguably the most arduous of the six frequented routes on Kilimanjaro, but the scenic
views made up for all of that. At the high altitude and the steeply
angled position, it was almost as if the sun was coming up from right below us. I witnessed some of the most beautiful sunris-
es and sunsets of my life in the few days I spent on Kili, as the guides affectionately called it. Due to all the different ecosystems on the mountain, no two days were the same, but the amazing landscapes were similar in that they all took my breath away.
From our final snow-covered camp, we started the six-hour con-
right after daybreak. A long single line of climbers steadily made
lamps and the full moon. About 200 metres away from the summit, I was struck with altitude sickness and an intense headache.
At every step I took next, it seemed as if someone was banging on my head. I was afraid the guides would make me turn around and head back, as altitude sickness in its severest form can be
fatal. But after a tough final push, I finally arrived at the summit and it all became worth it. Looking down onto the clouds, it hit me — I had made it.
Climbers usually only stay around fifteen minutes at the top
We were not going uphill the whole time; the guides followed
due to low oxygen levels in the air, but those fifteen minutes
for a few hours and then along a downhill path for a shorter du-
even more than physical. There were times when we had to hike
a pattern in which they would lead the group up the mountain
ration. While the downhill portions could seem disheartening, this was the best way to acclimatise to the higher elevation. On December 25th, we were given a welcome break from the rain. Now it was snowing instead. As my fellow climbers rejoiced over a white Christmas, I celebrated Quaid-e-Azam’s birthday. As an
added bonus, we finally reached a point where cellphone signals
were available. Now, I’ve grown up in Dubai and I pursued my education in Canada, but at heart, I’ve always been a Karachiite.
That evening I made my long anticipated call from Kilimanjaro to my birth city of Karachi. My parents were also there for the
were a lifetime. Kilimanjaro required a lot of mental struggle, for over nine hours, and in these moments, your mental attitude was the only thing that kept you putting one foot in front of the
other. I forgot all of my hardships as I finally unfurled my Pakistani flag. It was the only thing which I managed to keep completely dry during my climb and as I hoisted it over Mount Kili-
manjaro, it looked more beautiful to me than ever before. After some pictures, I stood by a ledge and called out the Azaan, a fairly difficult feat amid plummeting oxygen levels. And that was it. It was then time to go back down.
Having reached the summit, I am now emboldened to seek
holidays, and as luck would have it, they were sitting amongst
new horizons. The six other summits loom ahead of me. But
versation with my family, I got all the encouragement and sup-
Pakistanis. I hope that together, some day, we will reach new
my aunts, uncles and grandfather. In those few minutes of conport I needed to refuel my spirit for the arduous journey that lay
this time, I hope to not travel alone, but with a team of fellow heights.
As my fellow climbers rejoiced over a white Christmas, I celebrated Quaide-Azam’s birthday 25 MARCH 10-16 2013
FEATURE
Bolstered by an economic meltdown and fears of a cultural invasion, the radical right is on the march across Europe BY MANASI GOPALAKRISHNAN
28 MARCH 10-16 2013
stands out in bold white letters set against a black background.
This is the website of the Immortals, a neo-Nazi group in Germany which has built up a formidable reputation by organizing flash mobs in German cities, largely by tapping the mobilizing power of social media.
In May 2011, one such impromptu march in the eastern Ger-
man town of Bautzen was captured on video. The footage shows several hundred people walking down the street wearing black cloaks, their faces covered with identical white masks. They
waved fiery torches above their heads — quite like the members of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) whose pointed headgear and white
cloaks and sent shivers down the spines of the ‘coloreds’ in the USA in the 1960s.
Recently, German authorities launched an investigation into
an accusation that two police officers in Munich had recently be-
come members of the German branch of the KKK. To add to the scandal, these officers were also a part of an investigation into
a series of murders committed by the so-called ‘Zwickau cell’ of
the National Socialist Underground — a right-wing terror group from eastern Germany that was busted in late 2011, after two of its members were found dead in an apparent suicide pact.
The group, headed by Beate Zschaepe, had been active since
2001, and was responsible for the killings of nine immigrants as
In June last year, a Pakistani immigrant in Greece was beaten by members of the far-right party Golden Dawn, a party that has gained in strength and support thanks largely to the Greek economic crisis. In January this year, another Pakistani immigrant was attacked, and fingers were once again pointed at the same party. This time, the victim died. Golden Dawn, with its anti-immigrant and rabidly nationalist
agenda has been linked to attacks on immigrants across Greece
but this seems to have only increased its appeal among a fed-up
populace whose fortunes seem to be steadily declining. In the 2012 elections, the Golden Dawn received 7% of the popular vote,
allowing it to enter parliament with 21 seats. As long as economic turmoil continues to engulf Greece, its support base is set to strengthen. In this phenomenon, Greece is by no means unique.
From Italy’s Northern League to France’s National Front, the Eu-
well as several bank robberies. For investigators and observers, a link between the rise of neo-Nazism and regions of the erstwhile
German Democratic Republic (GDR) seems to be slowly emerging.
The relative economic disadvantages experienced by several re-
gions that were formerly part of East Germany also seem to be fueling the right-wing scene. Ideological totalitarianism during
the communist regime in the GDR seems to have also contributed to the identity crisis of the youth in these areas, a factor
which has been extensively addressed by neo-Nazi ‘dropout’ Ingo
Hasselbach in his book, Fuhrer-Ex: Memoirs of a Former neo-Nazi. Several youth in these areas have had parents who were complete
believers in the communist system until the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, leading to confusion and a deep loss of faith. Consequently,
there were those who sought refuge in ‘ethnic’ pride and hailed this characteristic as the primary form of identification with the German nation.
The skinhead movement existed in both the GDR and West
ropean right is very much on the rise. But while Xenophobia may
Germany even before the reunification of Germany. However, as
Germany that lays claim to the poisonous legacy of Nazism. In an
ism Research (IMiR) in Hamburg says: “After reunification and
be a Greek word, and Italy the birthplace of modern fascism, it is
ironic turn of events, it now seems that Golden Dawn’s members are setting up cells in German cities to recruit Greek immigrants
to their cause. But while the rest of Europe lurches to the right, what is the situation in Germany itself?
“He is immortal who lives through his children and his chil-
dren’s children. Do you want to be an immortal?” The question
Andreas Hieronymus from the Institute for Migration and Racthe breakdown of the government in the East, western Nazis could contact existing structures in the East and they used it as a
recruiting field… In the east the communist ideology had broken
down and nationalism was reinforced, but how German nationalism could be articulated without referring to the fascist time was not clear.”
MARCH 10-16 2013
29
Islamophobia, too, is closely linked with the anti-immigrant sentiments that prevail and the general fear of the ‘Other’ that seems to fuel anti-Muslim feelings as well The authors claim that the perceived hate against foreigners is
a strong motivation for prospective members to join right-wing
groups. Islamophobia, too, is closely linked with the anti-immigrant sentiments that prevail and the general fear of the ‘other’ that seems to fuel anti-Muslim feelings as well. The same study
Fading into the crowd Neo-Nazi groups in Germany, like the Immortals and Autono-
mous Nationalists, have a lively sub-culture, complete with its own music and mode of dressing. Several groups make an effort
many in recent years. In 2010, right-wing extremist views were
believed to be present among 8.2 per cent of the population; today the figure has risen to 9 per cent.
In a paper called, Is Europe on the ‘right’ path, Britta Schellenberg,
to blend into the population, enjoying Turkish food and avoiding
an expert on right-wing extremism in Germany, believes that
especially Twitter, where they communicate with fellow group
cially at the local level. However, none of the right- wing groups
the typical skinhead look. They are also active on the internet, members and organize instant mobs.
But how much traction do the right-wing extremists actually
find in Germany? Is there a link between economic downturn and the rise in right-wing extremism as in the case of Greece and Golden Dawn?
Prof. Wilhelm Heitmeyer, an expert on right-wing extremism
contends that right-wing extremism as an organised political
neo-Nazi groups try to win support using migrant issues, espehave ever been able to establish themselves nationally because of strict German laws governing the constitutional validity of such
organizations. Organisations such as the Antifaschisten (antifascists) are also militantly active in the anti-right wing scene in Germany. They have also organized counter-marches to protest Neo-Nazi demonstrations.
A strong democracy and a vibrant anti-fascist movement have
movement does not stand a chance despite high levels of unem-
proven a bulwark against what are fundamental changes in Ger-
do not operate as political parties. Instead they, like the Autono-
the pereption of what it means to be ‘German’ changes.
ployment in the Ruhr area in Germany. “These are groups which
mous Nationalists, are instead known for their violent tactics
many’s demographics, but there is still a long way to go before Hieronymus believes that this “reinvention” is happening, but
and also for their links to the murderous National-Socialist Un-
it will take a long time: “Our citizenship law was changed just
Heitmeyer claims that the prospect of right-wing parties be-
a pure German being an ethnic German, but now you can be a
derground,” he says.
coming more popular is far lower in Germany than in Poland or Hungary where extreme right political parties could win at the national level, even though they may not use violence the way
the ‘genuine’ right-wing extremists do. This could in fact be a bigger problem for democracy.
Tough questions In Germany, right-wing groups pose a threat to the weaker sec-
30
claims that right-wing views have gained more support in Ger-
tions of the population, such as migrants. A recent study by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, a German think tank, confirms this. MARCH 10-16 2013
about 12 to 13 years ago and until then you had this definition of
German if you are an ethnic or a migrant, naturalized German.
Slowly, the images of a black German or a Muslim German begin to emerge. But still, when people think of a German, they think of a blond, blue-eyed person.”
Germany’s public sphere today is dealing with the debate on
the basic identity of its country — with ‘who is a German?’ be-
ing the most important question. And it is at this junction where right-wing extremism clashes with the integration of foreigners
into what is essentially a western democratic culture with Catholic roots and a strong sense of identity.
REVIEW
the unconventional mastermind BY NOMAN ANSARI
Even after watching The Master twice in as many days, I’ve still not got full mileage out of this captivating drama film by filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson. The strength of The Master, as recognized by the Academy with three nominations in the acting category, is in the performances, with Joaquin Phoenix (Freddie Quell) terrific in his role as a bizarre sex-crazed World War II navy sailor, exhibiting quirky mannerisms in a visually mesmerising display. Phoenix’s character is clearly suffering from post-traumatic stress after witnessing combat. After the war ends, Freddie is given a visual world association test by a US government employee, and strangely recognizes each inkblot pattern as a pornographic item. But whether the military service worsened Freddie’s mental faculties is questionable, as he later admits to having had sex multiple times with his own aunt. Freddie’s mental problems are worsened by his addiction to creating and consuming dangerously intoxicating drinks, as he will mix anything, even naval ship torpedo fuel, with his concoctions. It is through his talent of creating booze that he truly connects with Lancaster Dodd, a man on the fringe of starting a cult called “The
a logical love? BY ANTHONY GALLI
Love is a many splendoured thing, the poets tell us. But is it flexible enough to withstand the critical scrutiny of analytic philosophy? Irving Singer does just that. Or did — he initially found that the linguistic nit-picking of modern philosophical method produced chapters that were “just dreary and unproductive of anything”. Perhaps this may be why most analytic philosophers today leave the subject to film-makers, poets, composers, dramatists, novelists, and visual artists to explore instead. What Singer does is look at historical developments in the conceptualization of love in literature, and in older philosophical writings where the topic was deemed worthy of discussion. From this, he distills his own insights, losing neither rigour, nor engaging in useless hair-splitting or jargon-laden sophistry. This short book is a sort of summary of his large three volume opus on the topic: The Nature of Love. So why is this a “partial summing-up”? Not having read his other works, I can’t quite say why, other than assume that there may be some details left out. Singer explores the concept of romantic love as a recent idea and 40 theological issues of transcendence versus immanence. He discusses MARCH 10-16 2013
Cause”, and a character heavily inspired by L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology. Philip Seymour Hoffman convincingly plays Lancaster Dodd, a character who through his ability to sell himself, earns the hero worship of his followers through wild existential stories. The chemistry between Dodd and Freddie in The Master is powerful, with the two taking turns to steal screen presence. The pair has an inexplicable fascination with each other that almost borders on the homosexual. But Freddie’s behavior is highly erratic, and when the police come to arrest Dodd for fraud, Freddie’s violent defense of his master also lands him behind bars. It is here that Freddie starts questioning Dodd’s wild theories, and Dodd’s wife Peggy (Amy Adams) begins to question Freddie’s loyalty and his behavior. The Master features a beautifully outlandish soundtrack that perfectly complements the eccentric nature of the film’s characters. It also features some breath-taking cinematography, shot on the rare 65mm format to create a film that is almost as undeniable visually, as it is cerebrally.
the historical emergence of medieval courtly love, the 19th century romantics, modern approaches from Freud to Sartre, and political, existential, creative, and scientific issues that the investigation of love involves. What emerges from all this is Singer’s summary of his own philosophical vision in general—a modern naturalist and a pluralist who respects human individuality, integrity, and diversity, and who is not an idealist in the traditional sense. Nonetheless, it’s clear how much he respects the traditional paragons of the discipline, especially Plato, for their contributions to thought and civilization. He is also convinced that while there is not a single answer to bigger questions related to human nature such as the nature of love, we can nevertheless make ever finer distinctions and do much to clarify, rather than obfuscate. Truly, Singer demonstrates that we can engage in an intelligent inquiry into any subject — including something so hopelessly messy and emotion-laden as love — and come out with useful insights that help us get a handle on it.
hair rescue
BY KIRAN ZAHRA
A
re you afraid that you are shedding hair even as you read this? Well, if it is beyond the 50-100 strands which is deemed the average hair
fall on a daily basis, then you have something to worry about. Hair damage is a common phenomenon; dust, pollution, excessive
styling and dying can all result in the deterioration of your mane and your scalp.
Instead of relying on expensive shampoos to do the trick, here we present to
you some natural methods to resolve the anguish of hair fall. Not only do these
remedies repair your fragile hair but they also help solve problems like dryness, dandruff and split ends.
Home Remedies: Eggs Eggs are an effective cure for hair loss.
They are a rich source of protein that can
strengthen your follicles. They also im-
prove the texture of your hair and restore
your scalp reduces dandruff as it contains
lactic acid which acts as a gentle exfoliating agent and stimulates the repair of
damaged follicles. Moreover, lactic acid
also works as an active conditioner, leav-
the lost thickness and shine.
ing behind smooth and silky hair.
to your hair and let it set for an hour before
Banana
every three days and you will notice the
contains many other important miner-
To get the best results, apply the egg yolk
you shower. You can repeat this procedure
Banana is a rich source of vitamins and
difference in a month’s time. To make it
als. The Vitamin A present in banana pro-
more effective, you can also add honey and olive oil to the yolk mix.
Honey Honey contains certain enzymes, bodyfriendly sugars and water that increase
blood circulation and help provide more
motes smooth hair and steady growth. It is a good moisturiser that battles against
the free radicals in the human scalp, giv-
ing your hair follicles the much needed
strength and richness. Banana also helps repair split ends.
Simply mash a banana and apply it to
oxygen to your hair follicles and tissues.
your hair and scalp. You will notice that
the scalp regain its essential oils that pre-
over time.
It is also a natural moisturiser and helps vent hair stiffness and thinness. You can also apply honey to hair tips for that extra
42
damage. Direct application of curd over
your hair will become softer and healthier
Apple Cider Vinegar
smooth feel and additional volume.
Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid
Yogurt
are the real reason for dandruff. It also
Dandruff is chiefly responsible for hair MARCH 10-16 2013
that fights against the free radicals that gives shine and smoothness to your hair.
use mended to It is recom ng hi as w ir ater for ha lukewarm w g in bb ru by dry wet hair and do not o, ls A towel. ainst the harshly ag r ir only afte ha b your always com erly. drying prop
Tips:
It can be used as a mild conditioner for
dry hair.
Olive Oil Olive oil is one of the most effective rem-
edies when it comes to repairing damaged, dull looking hair. It provides nourishment to the scalp by restoring essential oils that
strengthen the follicles. Olive oil also contains oleic acid that nullifies the hair-damaging free radical. Also, olive oil is by far
the best solution for frizzy hair as it mois-
turises and nourishes your hair from the roots to their tips.
Natural remedies are probably the best
way to approach the problem of hair fall.
However, excessive hair loss may be a side effect of certain medication. It is better to investigate the reason behind hair loss by consulting your health practitioner, espe-
cially in the case of alopecia in which hair fall is excessive. In such cases, home remedies may not be able to solve your problem.