Chowk: What does it mean to me?

Saima Shah March 2, 2000

Somewhere beyond vision and sight exists reality

A reality that all see differently. Centuries of human thought has sought to synthesize this perceived reality into sense. Through religion and God, through science, through

href="/tag/art">art, human thinkers have searched for patterns. A major function of intelligence is finding sensible, sustainable patterns. Patterns pose as reasons, causes and objectives of results, effects and achievement.

In this search for meaning, discourse is necessary. Imperialism throughout human history, seeks to subdue discourse. Doubt and question are the philosopher’s only weapons and they threaten many for many different reasons.

When Chowk was born, almost 1000 days ago, it was driven by the need to speak and to speak-out. Chowk was a dream born out of South Asia’s collective conscience. South Asia’s human tragedy, its beauty, its charm, its warmth, its madness and its delight drove us to create Chowk.

The spontaneity of Chowk is what makes it immensely valuable as a source of news, opinion and thought. The fact that the readers are the writers, make it perhaps closer to the ideal of journalism in a democracy. In my opinion, Chowk is real-time journalism --- Chowk is unbiased, free and responsible. Chowk is where paths intersect. Chowk is where ideas and identities melt.

For us, Chowk is a labor of love. I recall with nostalgia my very first piece for Chowk over two years ago. Say something, let’s talk. Personally speaking, the joy of writing for Chowk, was seconded only by the intimacy of reading others writing for Chowk. These others have become my own. Their identities inhabit my PC (personal computer), my ideas, my self. As I write this, I think of so many Chowkwalas and wonder what kind of replies I’ll get. I smile ruefully at every sentence, and think what it will evoke.

It is because of the synergy and the miracle of human relationships, that at Chowk, we Chowkwalas, have given birth to a live and real community that has evolved a set of values, through the simplest of means: Stating what we like and why.

Chowk, as a social-system, is a hexagon that efficiently organizes all our individual creativities into a change friendly, live organism. Who knows what genius may be released from all this energy?

This is what Chowk means to me.

What does Chowk mean to you?

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