Nobel prize won by Briton written off in his teens by a science teacher

An interesting story in the Guardian suggests that Nobel Prize winner Sir John Gurdon was not the best student and the teacher had entirely different perception of the pupil.

According to his Eton schoolmaster, the 15-year-old Gurdon did not stand out as a potential scientist. Writing in 2006, Gurdon quoted a school report as saying: "I believe Gurdon has ideas about becoming a scientist; on his present showing this is quite ridiculous; if he can't learn simple biological facts, he would have no chance of doing the work of a specialist, and it would be a sheer waste of time, both on his part and of those who would have to teach him."

That year, Gurdon scored the lowest mark for biology in his year at Eton. "Out of 250 people, to come bottom of the bottom form is quite something, and in a way the most remarkable achievement I could have been said to make," he said.

A negative report by a teacher is not end of the world. And I can share many stories from Kabirwala where students have performed well against the odds.

Pakistan Supreme Court and democracy

An interesting article written by Justice Markandey Katju former Judge, Supreme Court of India. 

 I regret to say that the Pakistani Supreme Court, particularly its Chief Justice, has been showing utter lack of restraint. This is not expected of superior courts. In fact the court and its Chief Justice have been playing to the galleries for long. It has clearly gone overboard and flouted all canons of constitutional jurisprudence.

The Constitution establishes a delicate balance of power, and each of the three organs of the state -- the legislature, the executive and the judiciary – must respect each other and not encroach into each other’s domain, otherwise the system cannot function. It seems to me that the Pakistani Supreme Court has lost its balance and gone berserk. If it does not now come to its senses I am afraid the day is not far off when the Constitution will collapse, and the blame will squarely lie with the court, and particularly its Chief Justice.

Pakistan's Supreme Court has gone overboard

Raja Pervaiz Ashraf

Many of those who migrate due to economic reasons generally question their decisions. This is human nature to calculate opportunity cost and perfectly makes sense.

I was talking to a friend who always wanted to come back to work for his own country.

....yesterday, after Raja Pervaiz Ashraf took the oath, he is content and doesn't want to return.

I am not sure whether to blame him or not? 

Please help. 

A religious teacher tortures kids for plucking flowers

A friend has shared gruesome news and I am speechless.

Three kids named (Aqsa 6 years old, Aafia 4 years old and Junaid 5 years old) were returning from Jamia Farooqia (a religious seminary at Adda Bara Meel) after their religious lessons. Pleased with their performance at school: the kids plucked flowers from seminary as a token of respect and a gift to their school teacher.

As punishment for plucking flowers, seminary teacher Asghar Ali Roharr, crossed all human limits. The blood could be seen pouring from the backs of poor kids.

Let’s appreciate Jamia Farooqia and reward it for hiring tolerant teachers. Please note that religious institutions’ are supposed to spread tolerance in society, and behavior of its teacher shouldn’t go unpunished.

Mela without fun

There is a reason behind any order, and societal order for “Mela” in Kabirwala was built around fun. And today, district administration has banned most of the activities in the name of security. Responsible act with irresponsibility written on it: I can’t guarantee the security thus I will ban it is an “impotent” mindset.

Societies flourish and people gel at the events like this. Solitude and loneliness breed vulnerabilities which in turn then produce introverts. Without play grounds, parks and social events like Mela: societies only produce un-healthy, illiterate sociopaths.

Hats off to all those involved in today’s’ decision.