What are universities for? by Stefan Collini

Universities are not corporations and corporations are not universities. Every Pakistan student needs to understand this vital and critical difference. Why because undue and unnatural credence is given to education in the Pakistani culture.

Therefore, longer time spent in any university may prove to be counter intuitive when money has to be made in the real world filled with greedy corporations and even greedier businesses. Be prepared to be outflanked by a result producing technician who may be favoured over you even with your high and mighty degrees.
I loved the similitude drawn between a university and museum or an art gallery, his exposition of 'global' league tables and student surveys in order to excite and attract foreign students to invest into their assured futures as well as supplementing the university campuses and academic staffs.
The other vital point which the author seems to make is the self-righteous smugness inculcated into every university graduate because modern Universities try and brand themselves as finishing schools of modern civilization. How can a snotty nineteen year old be magically transformed into a well mannered, conscientious citizen in just 4 years of University education? This book is very powerful as the author seems to be going the grain here especially if you consider his own academic background. Its exactly like a religious person rejecting his own religion and becoming an atheist.

The whole argument is based around the British government slow and gradual re-branding exercise to view modern universities as corporations of education, thus relegating students to commodities. The author tries to exposed the illogic in the governments logic to measure the Universities instead of judging them. The argument is detailed and reads like a newspaper column at times. It is meant for university curriculum.

In Afghanistan's shadow: Baluch nationalism and Soviet temptations by Selig S. Harrison

For a land the size of France and a terrain which resembles that of the Moon and Mars, this is an excellent which presents the history of the current rebellion in the forgotten region of Baluchistan. Interestingly the name of the book itself is a sign for the insignificant treatment received by the valiant Baluch's over the years. it is a story of a Baluch race kept deliberately ignorant , first by their tribal leaders in connivance with their British masters and followed by the new Pakistan master race, Punjabis. The book sets the context of the struggle from 1947, the 'independence' of Pakistan, when the Baluch suddenly found themselves ditched by their old masters, the British which the author somehow forgets to mention. The Punjabis, who seemed to inherit the power from the British flexed their muscles on the behest of the powerful Punjabi dominated army by first insisting on a one-unit in West Pakistan in a power struggle with the Bengalis in the East Pakistan. In the fight for dominance of power in Pakistan, the Baluch leadership were ditched even more, relegated to small military actions and dubious deals based on the Quran which were conveniently ignored as there was no mention of an oath based on Quran in Pakistani laws to start with. This made the already incredulous  Baluch's even more frustrated and forlorn which ultimately resulted in the popular uprising fueled by the few students coming out of Pakistani setup schooling system. There are absolute gems in the book like the following quote from Baluch Nationalist leader Khair Buksh Marri. 'If the Punjabis we're not prepared to share power with majority Bengalis than how do you expect them to yield power to minority Baluchis?' And from Bezenjo,' when a country divides than the sole responsibility lies with the people who were it's most policy makers, (Punjabis) supporters and enforcers.'

Baluch are internally divided among various cultures dominated by the few yet elitist Baruhi clan. they don't really understand how democracy is supposed to work. Its a numbers game, if you do not reproduce enough, you wont really have a share of the power. Also the Baluch struggle is not popular among the masses due to its elitist nature, and the dearth of the higher and self-aware educated middle class. The Baluch cannot really compare themselves to the Bengalis because of three factors. East Pakistan was physically separated from West Pakistan, Indian support for the Bengali freedom fighters, and the buy in from student, and educated middle class in East Pakistan, all three of which are woefully absent from the current Baluchistani independence struggle.

The other angle which is somehow lost in the story of struggle is the fact that land of Baluchis is divided among three nations, the largest of which is Pakistani controlled, the second chunk is under Islamic Republic of Iran and the third falls under Afghanistan. It is interesting to note that the Pakistani controlled Baluch's seem to have done the best in terms of revolutionary struggle, for which credit should be given to Pakistan. You could also argue that the revolution is being led because Pakistani controlled Baluch's are the most disenfranchised, but I would beg to differ, as for me all revolutions are led by an educated lower middle class nurtured in state tun schools which are non-existent in Afghanistan and negligible in Iranian controlled Baluchi areas.

That's offensive by Stefan Collini

It is the smallest cutest book I have ever read, can be easily covered in less than an hour, but what it sets outs to do is pretty remarkable. It is trying to bring back the actual spirit of criticism, by cleaning off all accumulated fat like political correctness and religious and racial sensitivities. For me the most important aspect in life is to engage my convictions, broadcast them publicly and than sit back and defend these concoction with my full force. Now whatever is left still, after extensive cross cultural engagement will make any left over convictions stronger and more reliable, although not absolutely watertight though.
I also enjoyed the writing style which is very difficult to follow, much like my own I am afraid :(

Standing alone in Mecca by Asra Q. Nomani

I was well impressed by the author's fight for equality inside the mosque, so I mentioned her crusade to my wife, who remarked,' what's the use if her own community has ostracised her in the end?' I thought it was a valid point as I plunged into the book.
Unfortunately the book is nothing but a classical dichotomy between parental religion (in this case Islam) and her own version, through the eyes of an ABCD (American born Confused Desi). The main accusation against ABCD is that they think they are superior as compared to their parent's culture. They are trying to answer a very important much avoided question here: why did the parents chose to leave their own set environments and cultures and or a life in the West? It is a noble and valid quest to answer indeed, filling a gulf in their lives I am sure, but the way they go about trying to answer this question is where I disagree. They always seem to pick out religion as the only really reason for the demise of the parental cultures. I guess because religion is the most documented that's why. This is a classical contradiction as religion must be held liable for its demise an breakdown of parent's culture surely? How are the ABCD's trying to rekindle something which is proven to have failed, if it was the only reason that is.
The second point is religion is one of the reasons for the demise of the parental cultures, there were many other factors for the sorry state of original cultures like lack of resources, jobs, family issues, living conditions, security, services with the biggest reason being relative equality o opportunities which the ABCD's do not seem to expose too much. Maybe because they haven't really managed to compete with the Western counterparts that well? I am not really sure.
Nevertheless, the book was very interesting insight into a life of an ABCD still living with her very supportive parents well into her 40's, giving lectures on modernising Islam to a very eager Western audience. She has really embraced America hasn't she?

Ghosts of Empire by Kwasi Kwarteng

This book presents a unique take on British Imperialsim, arguing that it was Philosopher king like British aristocrats who ruled the colonies on whim rather than some defined set of policies dictated by the mainland British government. The most informative and enjoyable bit personally for me was the Kashmir chapters as it presented some of the most balanced views I have yet had to read. I also enjoyed the chapters on Iraq, Burma and Hong Kong. This book is highly recommended to any seeker of Imperialism.

Beyond the Border by Yoginder Sikand

Its a very long travelogue of a Indian leftist trying to visit Pakistan fascinated by his grandmothers stories about her family near Gujranwala in Pakistan. The book starts from building Pakistani perceptions in India and than comparing some of those perceptions when the author finally makes it to Pakistan. I found the book pretty balanced narrative, written in simple Hinglish/Pinklish (Hindi English/Pakistani English) when the author visits various sites authorized on his visa. I especially found his experiences with the Haris, and Dalits in Pakistan pretty revealing. I also tend to agree with the treatment or no treatment of the ancient ruins of Moenjedaro, Sindh pretty spot on. It is a great dis service to Pakistan to neglect such a rich heritage and ancient site like Moenjedaro for any reason.

I wish such courageous travels are taken up by more Pakistani and Indian citizens as they help bridge the gap between two completely different ideological states, one based on religion and the other on secularism.