09-24-2009, 08:52 PM
Sir,
The 'Slave or follower' explanation provided by you has given me some excellent food for thought. I would definitely try to a have deeper look into this matter.
I must confess that at the moment I do not have any living person in my mind whom I can call as a true intellectual. But when I talk of Intelligentsia; the sort of people I have in my mind are the likes of Ahmed Shah Bokhari also known as Patras Bokhari. A person on whose demise even the New York Times wrote
<i>"Occasionally we have been blessed with the presence of some individual, who could give human form to our abstractions. We have just lost such a person in the untimely death of Prof. Ahmed S. Bokhari, diplomat from Pakistan, who served as chief of information in the United Nations. He was, in the best sense, a citizen of the world."</i>
<i>"...a great human being, witty, urbane, philosophical and immensely warm of heart. He was free from ostentation or vanity. He loved life and the people in it, regardless of their background of nationality, race, religion or occupation. His spirit, like his mind, knew no narrow frontiers."</i>
<i>"The world, today, is poorer for the passing of a man who gave us a better insight into what good things are possible in a better future."</i>
Citizen of the world,Editorial by The New York Times,December 7, 1958
I agree that as a nation we need to find the strength within to deal with all the obstacles rather than waiting for some sort of messiah or a foreign force to solve our problems.
What I have learned from this discussion is that self-correction and self-improvement is vital in order to eliminate the failings of our society. We need to change ourselves first before desiring change in others. The following quotation is meant to emphasize this point
"When I was young and free and my imagination had no limit, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decide to change only my country. But it, too seemed immovable . As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me , But alas, they would have none of it. As now as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize If I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country and, Who knows, I may have been changed the world." - Anonymous
Sir, I would like to thank you for providing very thoughtful and inspiring answers to my questions. I am very glad and honored for having this discussion with you.
Regards
P.S On a lighter note, I would thank Dr. Awan, without whom this discussion would not have been possible.
The 'Slave or follower' explanation provided by you has given me some excellent food for thought. I would definitely try to a have deeper look into this matter.
I must confess that at the moment I do not have any living person in my mind whom I can call as a true intellectual. But when I talk of Intelligentsia; the sort of people I have in my mind are the likes of Ahmed Shah Bokhari also known as Patras Bokhari. A person on whose demise even the New York Times wrote
<i>"Occasionally we have been blessed with the presence of some individual, who could give human form to our abstractions. We have just lost such a person in the untimely death of Prof. Ahmed S. Bokhari, diplomat from Pakistan, who served as chief of information in the United Nations. He was, in the best sense, a citizen of the world."</i>
<i>"...a great human being, witty, urbane, philosophical and immensely warm of heart. He was free from ostentation or vanity. He loved life and the people in it, regardless of their background of nationality, race, religion or occupation. His spirit, like his mind, knew no narrow frontiers."</i>
<i>"The world, today, is poorer for the passing of a man who gave us a better insight into what good things are possible in a better future."</i>
Citizen of the world,Editorial by The New York Times,December 7, 1958
I agree that as a nation we need to find the strength within to deal with all the obstacles rather than waiting for some sort of messiah or a foreign force to solve our problems.
What I have learned from this discussion is that self-correction and self-improvement is vital in order to eliminate the failings of our society. We need to change ourselves first before desiring change in others. The following quotation is meant to emphasize this point
"When I was young and free and my imagination had no limit, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decide to change only my country. But it, too seemed immovable . As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me , But alas, they would have none of it. As now as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize If I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country and, Who knows, I may have been changed the world." - Anonymous
Sir, I would like to thank you for providing very thoughtful and inspiring answers to my questions. I am very glad and honored for having this discussion with you.
Regards
P.S On a lighter note, I would thank Dr. Awan, without whom this discussion would not have been possible.
