Author: Muzaffer Hussain
Publication: Mumbai Tarun Bharat
Date: March 31, 2005
One Afghanistan belonged to Mullah
Oomar and one to Hamid Karzai. In Oomar's Afghanistan, if a toenail
of a woman was seen, fundamentalists used to hunt her in all lanes
and bye-lanes. Markets were is poor condition with no sellers or
buyers. Schools and hospitals had become a thing of past only.
In the same Afghanistan, new energy is boiling over. All have come
together to create a developing Afghanistan. Mullah Oomar and Osama
Bin Laden had made Afghanistan a prison. There was no laugh, a note
of music and blossom of love in it. Today's scenario is a totally
changed one. The rough joyfulness and loving nature of Pathan is visible
again. Music and films are prospering hugely. The Kabul University area
is full of boys and girls wearing Jeans and skirts. This change during
4 years is incredible. Yes, when the nationalism gets awake, the
oppression and force are ended.
After the fall of 'Taliban, in the
daily "Payam-e-Azadi" a poem was published. Its two lines read :
"Abandoning the dark night, we are together entering the world of
light, new environment with the sentiment of love." 21st century
has proved to be a boon for Afghanistan. In November 2001, the people
saw TV again. The newscast was by Mariam Shekvar, a young lady. After
so many years, they saw a face of a young lady on TV. People came
to know the meaning of freedom. How a caged bird will know the outside
world? But when flies in the free air, then its wings get not only
strength, but their a sweet sound in its beak too. Movies of
Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, Rajkapoor and Abhitabh are shown there. Recently,
when a women representative had gone to Afghanistan who had informed
the people there that Madhubala had died some years back, they were
very much in pains to stand that fact.
There was only a single beauty parlour
in Afghanistan, now there is row of them. Parda is being abandoned.
Afghanistan ladies are trying to do career. Health and education
are being provided more attention. Not only this, but in Armed Forces,
a lady is working as a Major. Three girls had participated in the
Miss Universe competition. Afghanistan Government has appointed a
commission to plan as to how the women can be participating in the
media.
Afghanistan is a good market for
Indian films. When Hamid Karzai had become a President, he was having
fears from Pakistan. He used to feel that if he comes closer
to India, Pak will be displeased. But he has now understood that
Pak's life is in the hands of America. After elections, his confidence
is growing.
Irani Shayari (poems) and music
has also become popular. One Mr Jhaheer singing love songs have become
extremely popular there. The whole Afghanistan is tuning in to his
voice. Nobody had thought that Kabul changed so soon. But it is a
country the soul of which is in songs and Music. The people there
are now getting drenched with the showers of love songs.
Only, all Afghanistanis are praying
that in future, another Mullah Oomar should not come there.
