Abdus Salam - The Miracle Scientist of Pakistan
Mohammad Gill July 26, 2004
#47 Posted by Naqshbandi on November 17, 2005 2:27:13 pm
Thanks for the article, Gill sahib. It was an absorbing read. no doubt, Salam was a great physicist. No one in their right mind can deny that. But he was not a Muslim but a Qadiani. That does not make him any less of a scientist but I think the point should be clarified. (It doesn`t make him any less of a pakistani either).
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#46 Posted by shaphyzx on January 25, 2005 7:19:54 pm
I loved the title of this article. Looking at Pakistan`s educational system, it is inded a miracle that an Abdus Salam came `to be`. Nature without nuture may easily self destruct. One can only speculate of future of Dr. Salam had he never ventured out of the boundaries of Pakistan. However, such `Moses` of intellect should be reverred and remembered for fate of next 100% Pakistan Nobel Laureate similar to Pakistan`s Nuclear capability. Long live memories of Dr. Salam.
#45 Posted by islamabadikurri on September 22, 2004 11:48:45 am
I have just read the article. Thank you very much for sharing the information with us. I would like to share an incident here regarding the great scientist.
In the 1980s, a little girl met Dr Salam in a function. There, on her father`s behest, she walked up to him, and whispered something in his ear. Dr Salam smiled, bent down, and whispered something back. The girl walked back, content.
The girl had asked the Nobel Laureate if Pakistan possessed `the bomb` or `the capability` (or something to this effect, my memory fails me now). And he had replied in the affirmative.
Pakistan can never honour its heroes. Do such nations deserve to be even mentioned in the annals of history?
In the 1980s, a little girl met Dr Salam in a function. There, on her father`s behest, she walked up to him, and whispered something in his ear. Dr Salam smiled, bent down, and whispered something back. The girl walked back, content.
The girl had asked the Nobel Laureate if Pakistan possessed `the bomb` or `the capability` (or something to this effect, my memory fails me now). And he had replied in the affirmative.
Pakistan can never honour its heroes. Do such nations deserve to be even mentioned in the annals of history?
#44 Posted by freethinker on August 3, 2004 4:40:12 am
aslam644:
Thanks for providing the information regarding Salam`s second wife.
Mohammad Gill
#43 Posted by aslam644 on August 2, 2004 9:50:32 pm
romair&freethinker
about professor salam`s wife she is a white english woman lecturer at oxford university.
regards
about professor salam`s wife she is a white english woman lecturer at oxford university.
regards
#42 Posted by freethinker on August 1, 2004 9:59:56 am
Romair:
I do not have reliable information about Salam`s personal life; I didn`t know him from close quarters. He had two wives as I mentioned in the article. I had read it somewhere (most probably in Glashow`s book) that both of them accompanied him to the Nobel ceremony. I don`t know if one of them was white.
Curiously, his biographers have focused on his early and subsequent professional life only and have not described much about his family life. He himself didn`t say much either.
#41 Posted by Romair on July 31, 2004 10:31:15 pm
freethinker, what was the story with Salam and being married twice? Did he divorce a desi wife, and marry a gori? Did he have two wives? One keeps hearing this story............
#40 Posted by freethinker on July 31, 2004 11:07:19 am
Dear Interactors:
Although there are several interesting anecdotes about Salam, let me reproduce one in the following, at the risk of boring you. Salam said in one of his presentations:
I would like to interest my own children, as my father did. Regretfully, they do not listen to me. I tried to bring up my younger daughter as a physicist. She did do physics at school, and I remember in 1973, when we worked out the thory of proton decay, telling her that I thought the proton was unstable. Well, she went to her A level teacher telling her this was what her father said. The teacher said, ``My dear girl, whatever nonsense your father teaches you at home, don`t put it in the exam paper or you will fail.`` And she did fail. And then she took up literature.
Mohammad Gill
Although there are several interesting anecdotes about Salam, let me reproduce one in the following, at the risk of boring you. Salam said in one of his presentations:
I would like to interest my own children, as my father did. Regretfully, they do not listen to me. I tried to bring up my younger daughter as a physicist. She did do physics at school, and I remember in 1973, when we worked out the thory of proton decay, telling her that I thought the proton was unstable. Well, she went to her A level teacher telling her this was what her father said. The teacher said, ``My dear girl, whatever nonsense your father teaches you at home, don`t put it in the exam paper or you will fail.`` And she did fail. And then she took up literature.
Mohammad Gill
#39 Posted by ZahraJ on July 31, 2004 9:28:54 am
#38: I am with you on the point. I wanted to connect the dots.
#38 Posted by freethinker on July 30, 2004 11:06:02 pm
ZahraJ:
Thank you for your interest in the article. I just wanted to say in my last post that Salam was a man of many parts. He had a deep feeling for the Muslim world. At the same time, he was dedicated to lift the third world countries from the backwardness in science and bring them into the society of the developed scientific world. He also collaborated with the developed world of science to keep his individual perspective at the forefront of the evolving science research. For this purpose, he brought the likes of Dirac and Heisenberg to the ICTP.
Mohammad Gill
Thank you for your interest in the article. I just wanted to say in my last post that Salam was a man of many parts. He had a deep feeling for the Muslim world. At the same time, he was dedicated to lift the third world countries from the backwardness in science and bring them into the society of the developed scientific world. He also collaborated with the developed world of science to keep his individual perspective at the forefront of the evolving science research. For this purpose, he brought the likes of Dirac and Heisenberg to the ICTP.
Mohammad Gill
#37 Posted by ZahraJ on July 30, 2004 9:29:41 pm
[Salam was a man of the world, not in the material sense, but in the sense that he did not necessarily belong to one country; he was internationalist. He was born in the Muslim world but was a true member of the humanity at large. ]
Freethinker: Just being born in the muslim world is not enough for any man or woman to thrive. Being born in a muslim world that did not believe in any kind of freethinking, research and development, he obviously chose the better path. I think all muslims who believe in growing and not landing in intellectual loneliness have to think out of the box and be a strong believer of globalization.
Freethinker: Just being born in the muslim world is not enough for any man or woman to thrive. Being born in a muslim world that did not believe in any kind of freethinking, research and development, he obviously chose the better path. I think all muslims who believe in growing and not landing in intellectual loneliness have to think out of the box and be a strong believer of globalization.
#36 Posted by M.B.Z.Isphahani on July 30, 2004 5:21:28 pm
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#35 Posted by Urstruly on July 30, 2004 8:13:02 am
I dont understand why quadianis have this habit of making gods out of everyone that comes out prominent in their community. Zafarullah as incompetent he was is promoted as a demigod of foreign service. Dr. Abdus Salam is well respected in Pakistan by the people who understand physics and science. He is also hated by many because he practised and promoted a religion that promotes hate against one of the most dominant and prevalent religion in the world. There is no human being in the history who is totally loved or totally hated by everyone. Even Prophets had their enemies and even Sadam and Hitler had their friends who could sacrifice their lives for them, and did. In the history of Pakistan, Prof Abdus Salam has occupied his rightfully earned place and he will stay there as long as history is alive. The whining and propaganda using the name of a well respected scientist only widens the rift between two religions and communities. It is counter-productive and hateful. One doesn`t always need to use filthy and scornful language to spread hate - sometimes it can be done with subtlity and yet lethally.
#34 Posted by freethinker on July 30, 2004 5:44:49 am
Dear Interactors:
The first time I heard of Salam was in early 1950s from a friend of mine who is Ahmedi. He spoke very high of him and I thought he was exaggerating.
I went to Imperial College in 1968. A little earlier than 1968, I heard rumors that Salam had done some remarkable work in particle physics for which he might get a Nobel. Nobel is the ultimate measure of a scientist and the one whom we greatly cherish and respect, we consider him fit for the Nobel.
At that time, I was scared of particle physics and overawed by Einstein’s relativity. I wondered sometime why Salam was wasting his time doing particle physics; he should be doing relativity. I didn’t know much of physics at that time (not that I know a great deal now).
Gradually Salam became a subject of our almost daily discussion. There was another reason for that. Asghar Qadir at that time (1968- ) was a student at Imperial and was a friend who started living in the “digs” in my neighborhood. He broke “bread” with us (two other Pakistani graduate students at Imperial were living in my building) daily and would talk about Salam endlessly.
I finished my work at Imperial and returned to the daily chores of my professional life. When Salam won the Nobel for his work, I was simply enthralled. I started collecting material about him and his life. I didn’t know what I would do with it but at the bottom of my heart, I wanted to pay homage to Salam in some way.
Chowk provided the opportunity to me to do so and my piece on Salam was the fruit of my long devotion to him. Salam was a man of the world, not in the material sense, but in the sense that he did not necessarily belong to one country; he was internationalist. He was born in the Muslim world but was a true member of the humanity at large. He did so much for us and wanted to do so much more, that many of us are not even aware of it.
Wishing you well,
Mohammad Gill
The first time I heard of Salam was in early 1950s from a friend of mine who is Ahmedi. He spoke very high of him and I thought he was exaggerating.
I went to Imperial College in 1968. A little earlier than 1968, I heard rumors that Salam had done some remarkable work in particle physics for which he might get a Nobel. Nobel is the ultimate measure of a scientist and the one whom we greatly cherish and respect, we consider him fit for the Nobel.
At that time, I was scared of particle physics and overawed by Einstein’s relativity. I wondered sometime why Salam was wasting his time doing particle physics; he should be doing relativity. I didn’t know much of physics at that time (not that I know a great deal now).
Gradually Salam became a subject of our almost daily discussion. There was another reason for that. Asghar Qadir at that time (1968- ) was a student at Imperial and was a friend who started living in the “digs” in my neighborhood. He broke “bread” with us (two other Pakistani graduate students at Imperial were living in my building) daily and would talk about Salam endlessly.
I finished my work at Imperial and returned to the daily chores of my professional life. When Salam won the Nobel for his work, I was simply enthralled. I started collecting material about him and his life. I didn’t know what I would do with it but at the bottom of my heart, I wanted to pay homage to Salam in some way.
Chowk provided the opportunity to me to do so and my piece on Salam was the fruit of my long devotion to him. Salam was a man of the world, not in the material sense, but in the sense that he did not necessarily belong to one country; he was internationalist. He was born in the Muslim world but was a true member of the humanity at large. He did so much for us and wanted to do so much more, that many of us are not even aware of it.
Wishing you well,
Mohammad Gill
#33 Posted by nasah on July 29, 2004 10:22:02 pm
``It is time to change the name of Gaddhafi Stadium to..... (Ras)
........Abdus Salam Stadium
........Abdus Salam Stadium
#32 Posted by Romair on July 29, 2004 9:23:45 pm
Salam was definitely a great man, and a patriotic Pakistani. I wish I had a chance to meet him.
I have always found one aspect of Salam`s writings quite interesting. Though I haven`t read him in much detail. But do plan to. His combination of religion and science, and the non-conflicting manner in which he seems to be able to handle both, has always held great appeal to me.
His personality and ideas in this sense, contradict everything that individuals like Urstruly and hamidm write on this site, about these issues. He seems quite associated with Islam, much to the annoyance of ideas like Urstruly`s, who would consider him non-Muslim. And he seems to have been able to reach the highest levels of science and achievement, despite his regular mentioning and support of Islam, much to the annoyance of ideas like hamidm`s, who would consider Islam to be the biggest obstacle to individaul and social progress.
It`s funny that both these criticisms have not been expressed on this thread, by the above-named and like-minded individuals, though they get expressed so much everywhere else, by them. Apparently Dr. Salam carries a lot of power (and intimidation), even after his death..........
I have always found one aspect of Salam`s writings quite interesting. Though I haven`t read him in much detail. But do plan to. His combination of religion and science, and the non-conflicting manner in which he seems to be able to handle both, has always held great appeal to me.
His personality and ideas in this sense, contradict everything that individuals like Urstruly and hamidm write on this site, about these issues. He seems quite associated with Islam, much to the annoyance of ideas like Urstruly`s, who would consider him non-Muslim. And he seems to have been able to reach the highest levels of science and achievement, despite his regular mentioning and support of Islam, much to the annoyance of ideas like hamidm`s, who would consider Islam to be the biggest obstacle to individaul and social progress.
It`s funny that both these criticisms have not been expressed on this thread, by the above-named and like-minded individuals, though they get expressed so much everywhere else, by them. Apparently Dr. Salam carries a lot of power (and intimidation), even after his death..........
#31 Posted by ZahraJ on July 29, 2004 8:03:33 pm
Freethinker:
Thank you for an interesting read. This was a refreshing and informative feature on Dr. Abdus Salam.
I found your remark on ``intellectual loneliness`` very pertinent and sweet.
Regards.
Thank you for an interesting read. This was a refreshing and informative feature on Dr. Abdus Salam.
I found your remark on ``intellectual loneliness`` very pertinent and sweet.
Regards.
#30 Posted by freethinker on July 29, 2004 4:14:35 pm
I want to make a correction to my last post. The name of the book is ``Ideals and Realities`` and has been edited by C.H. Lai and Azim Kidwai.
Mohammad Gill
Mohammad Gill
#29 Posted by freethinker on July 29, 2004 12:19:57 pm
Dear Interactors:
Salam`s speeches and papers are collected in a book called ``Ideals and Reality``. It is a very rich and comprehensive source of information on Salam.
whatever happened to Salam in Pakistan is now water under the bridge. If some (or even one) of the interactors take time to read the book and then publish article(s) on Salam and his legacy, it will be a great service and benefit to the Muslim world. It will accord due respect to Salam also. Wishing you well,
Mohammad Gill
#28 Posted by Rommel on July 29, 2004 11:48:03 am
Hello,
During Benazir Bhutto`s first term as Prime Minister, PAEC Chairman Munir Khan arranged for a bouquet and a message of warmth and appreciation sent to Dr. Abdus Salam from the Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Later when Munir Ahmed Khan met Dr. Salam, he asked him who had thought of sending him a message at the highest level of government, Munir replied that he ( Salam) was greatly respected and loved in his country. Munir later recalled that Salam`s eyes were filled with tears of emotion!
Yet both the heroes remain unsung in Pakistan.
Regards.
During Benazir Bhutto`s first term as Prime Minister, PAEC Chairman Munir Khan arranged for a bouquet and a message of warmth and appreciation sent to Dr. Abdus Salam from the Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Later when Munir Ahmed Khan met Dr. Salam, he asked him who had thought of sending him a message at the highest level of government, Munir replied that he ( Salam) was greatly respected and loved in his country. Munir later recalled that Salam`s eyes were filled with tears of emotion!
Yet both the heroes remain unsung in Pakistan.
Regards.
#27 Posted by Inquirer on July 29, 2004 11:48:03 am
#15, AdamSmith:
You got it reversed. Salam will not be acknowledged till MUllah rule ends.
SO END THE MULLAH RULE! When will the dense Pakistanis understand/act accordingly that the religious leaders are the dumbest of all?!!
You got it reversed. Salam will not be acknowledged till MUllah rule ends.
SO END THE MULLAH RULE! When will the dense Pakistanis understand/act accordingly that the religious leaders are the dumbest of all?!!
#26 Posted by freethinker on July 29, 2004 5:08:31 am
soundmeister and Rommel:
Thanks for your posts. First step towards modernising our society is to recognise our scientists, scholars and other intellectuals and use them as role models. And Salam is a great role model. We need to relinquish our stereotypes to let in some fresh air. Salam was very proud of his (our) glorious heritage and he tried to bring our past great scientists, physicians, and philosophers to the lime light. We need to revive our heritage and build on it.
Wishing you well,
Mohammad Gill
#25 Posted by soundmeister on July 29, 2004 1:21:51 am
``Duff (5) wrote, “I think it was Hans Bethe who said that there are two kinds of genius. The first group (to which I would say Steven Weinberg belongs) produce results of such devastating logic and clarity that they leave you feeling that you could have done that too (if only you were smart enough). The second kind are the ‘magicians’ whose sources of inspiration are completely baffling. Salam, I believe, belonged to this magic circle and there was always an element of eastern mysticism in his ideas that left you wondering how to fathom his genius.” Similar views were expressed by the world-renowned Cambridge Cosmologist, Fred Hoyle, also.``
That`s so amazingly like the line of thought expounded in Sylvia Nasar`s ``A Beautiful Mind`` that I just finished reading. John Nash apparently worked backwards, getting a flash of intuition about what an end result should be before working on mundane details like the proofs! Ramanujam was not dissimilar, apparently claiming his insights came to him via djinns!
Great piece. Have not yet the interactions though ;)))
That`s so amazingly like the line of thought expounded in Sylvia Nasar`s ``A Beautiful Mind`` that I just finished reading. John Nash apparently worked backwards, getting a flash of intuition about what an end result should be before working on mundane details like the proofs! Ramanujam was not dissimilar, apparently claiming his insights came to him via djinns!
Great piece. Have not yet the interactions though ;)))
#24 Posted by Rommel on July 28, 2004 11:56:21 pm
Hello,
Great article for a great scientist!
Another great man who shared the same fate as Salam was Munir Ahmed Khan, who was the first man in the IAEA with whom Salam shared his idea of the ICTP. Munir went on to become the architect of Nuclear Pakistan and served as Chairman PAEC from 1972-91, yet he also went unrecognised and unsung, like Salam, while his detractor continues to be worshipped as the `father of the bomb`. It is a pity that genuine and dedicated scientists with impeccable honesty are unrecognized in Pakistan, while the one`s good at corruption manage to get away with what was actually performed by Munir Khan.
Regards.
Great article for a great scientist!
Another great man who shared the same fate as Salam was Munir Ahmed Khan, who was the first man in the IAEA with whom Salam shared his idea of the ICTP. Munir went on to become the architect of Nuclear Pakistan and served as Chairman PAEC from 1972-91, yet he also went unrecognised and unsung, like Salam, while his detractor continues to be worshipped as the `father of the bomb`. It is a pity that genuine and dedicated scientists with impeccable honesty are unrecognized in Pakistan, while the one`s good at corruption manage to get away with what was actually performed by Munir Khan.
Regards.
#23 Posted by hamidm2 on July 28, 2004 9:09:12 am
..........it is really quite funny to see the chowk chapter of the jamaat-i-islami (urstruly and echo) ranting and raving against the white man even as they continue to receive their welfare checks or pay taxes to uncle sam (at least one of them does)............it is a classic case of peeing in the plate that you eat in ......... ingrates !
#22 Posted by AdamSmith on July 28, 2004 4:56:53 am
Not correct. Salam was recognised, and continues to be, recognized by Europeans.
In our coutnry, he never even got to deliver his nobel address!
In our coutnry, he never even got to deliver his nobel address!
#21 Posted by yagacho on July 27, 2004 9:33:11 pm
Mr Gill,
Nice article. It is essential to remember and highlight the work of very few successful muslim scientists of the present times. there should be role models for others to look forward to.
My opinion is that europeans tend to or prefer to ignore any contribution to sciences that has been done by non-europeans.
Nice article. It is essential to remember and highlight the work of very few successful muslim scientists of the present times. there should be role models for others to look forward to.
My opinion is that europeans tend to or prefer to ignore any contribution to sciences that has been done by non-europeans.
#20 Posted by harimau on July 27, 2004 9:33:10 pm
Ref echoboom #18
[...But then you, needlessly, add:
There is no hope for the stinking Arabs. Looking up to them as role models would lead to ruination for Pakistan. If anything, the role models (from the viewpoint of education) should be Iran, Bangladesh and, if one can overcome the visceral hatred, India.
I would say that It is a part of my belief system, which originated in Arabia, that I must acquire knowledge from everywhere even from China; They exempted any stinking country rather they learned from it and spread it around.
We , all humans , to this day, are indebted to the legacy of that infrastructure.]
Oops, I meant the CURRENT crop of Arabs. They have easy money, don`t think they have to learn anything, come to the US on govt scholarships, waste their time, and go back to their oil-rich countries for ``managerial`` jobs. There is very little you can learn from these people.
I am sorry if I inadvertently gave you the feeling that I was referring to your religion or the early Arabs who had to scratch their living out of the hot unforgiving desert and so had steel in their soul.
Ref DrDr #17
[HaramiU
It wuz only a matter of time B4 U stank up this board. Whats wrong with the arabs. Didnt U read that Prof. Kalam looked up 2 the arabs? Have U heard of Ahmed Zewail?]
See my answer above.
After that, if you still want to be like today`s Saudis, you are welcome.
[...But then you, needlessly, add:
There is no hope for the stinking Arabs. Looking up to them as role models would lead to ruination for Pakistan. If anything, the role models (from the viewpoint of education) should be Iran, Bangladesh and, if one can overcome the visceral hatred, India.
I would say that It is a part of my belief system, which originated in Arabia, that I must acquire knowledge from everywhere even from China; They exempted any stinking country rather they learned from it and spread it around.
We , all humans , to this day, are indebted to the legacy of that infrastructure.]
Oops, I meant the CURRENT crop of Arabs. They have easy money, don`t think they have to learn anything, come to the US on govt scholarships, waste their time, and go back to their oil-rich countries for ``managerial`` jobs. There is very little you can learn from these people.
I am sorry if I inadvertently gave you the feeling that I was referring to your religion or the early Arabs who had to scratch their living out of the hot unforgiving desert and so had steel in their soul.
Ref DrDr #17
[HaramiU
It wuz only a matter of time B4 U stank up this board. Whats wrong with the arabs. Didnt U read that Prof. Kalam looked up 2 the arabs? Have U heard of Ahmed Zewail?]
See my answer above.
After that, if you still want to be like today`s Saudis, you are welcome.
#19 Posted by Ras on July 27, 2004 8:58:44 pm
From Dawn today
http://www.dawn.com/weekly/science/science4.htm
The Editor of Pakistan Link has wriiten quite a bit on Dr. Salam.
It is time to change the name of Gaddafi Stadium to.....
Ras
#18 Posted by DrDr on July 27, 2004 8:13:38 pm
HaramiU
It wuz only a matter of time B4 U stank up this board. Whats wrong with the arabs. Didnt U read that Prof. Kalam looked up 2 the arabs? Have U heard of Ahmed Zewail?
It wuz only a matter of time B4 U stank up this board. Whats wrong with the arabs. Didnt U read that Prof. Kalam looked up 2 the arabs? Have U heard of Ahmed Zewail?
#17 Posted by echoboom on July 27, 2004 8:13:38 pm
Harimau:14
You only confirmed and validated what I had already said. If Bose`s father had sent him to the tota-maina-bunder school he would have ended up at the most as a CEO of a multinational-zoo or as another Kalakkter saab ( like his father) or another uniformed clown.
Please do reasearch on all the achievers in ANY field. All of them had their secondary education in the vernacular OR they self-studied and excelled in those laguages. Not a single one, without exception, you`ll find to be from the tota-maina-bunder schools.
But then you, needlessly, add:
There is no hope for the stinking Arabs. Looking up to them as role models would lead to ruination for Pakistan. If anything, the role models (from the viewpoint of education) should be Iran, Bangladesh and, if one can overcome the visceral hatred, India.
I would say that It is a part of my belief system, which originated in Arabia, that I must acquire knowledge from everywhere even from China; They exempted any stinking country rather they learned from it and spread it around.
We , all humans , to this day, are indebted to the legacy of that infrastructure .
You only confirmed and validated what I had already said. If Bose`s father had sent him to the tota-maina-bunder school he would have ended up at the most as a CEO of a multinational-zoo or as another Kalakkter saab ( like his father) or another uniformed clown.
Please do reasearch on all the achievers in ANY field. All of them had their secondary education in the vernacular OR they self-studied and excelled in those laguages. Not a single one, without exception, you`ll find to be from the tota-maina-bunder schools.
But then you, needlessly, add:
There is no hope for the stinking Arabs. Looking up to them as role models would lead to ruination for Pakistan. If anything, the role models (from the viewpoint of education) should be Iran, Bangladesh and, if one can overcome the visceral hatred, India.
I would say that It is a part of my belief system, which originated in Arabia, that I must acquire knowledge from everywhere even from China; They exempted any stinking country rather they learned from it and spread it around.
We , all humans , to this day, are indebted to the legacy of that infrastructure .
#16 Posted by freethinker on July 27, 2004 3:14:35 pm
AdamSmith:
I want to clarify one thing. I was not Professor Salam`s student. I did my graduate work in engineering at the Imperial College and had the occasion to see Professor Salam a few times. I met him tete-a-tete only a couple of times as I have explained in the article.
I know it was not easy to become one of his students. Students from all parts of the world came to Imperial College hoping to become his students. Wishing you well,
Mohammad Gill
I want to clarify one thing. I was not Professor Salam`s student. I did my graduate work in engineering at the Imperial College and had the occasion to see Professor Salam a few times. I met him tete-a-tete only a couple of times as I have explained in the article.
I know it was not easy to become one of his students. Students from all parts of the world came to Imperial College hoping to become his students. Wishing you well,
Mohammad Gill
#15 Posted by AdamSmith on July 27, 2004 1:47:25 pm
CONGRATULATIONS!
This article is long overdue. It should be required reading in every school in Pakistan.
We must have avanues and airpoirts named after this genius. Stephen hawking, every popular science writer, almost all 20th century documentaries aknowledege Salam and his contribution. We should too.
Mullah raj will end the day the country acknowledges Salam. Truth and reconlilliation will begin that day.
The US had to pass bill apologising for the Japanese internmnet. The pope apologized for the papacy`s silence in the second world war. My fervent hope that one day the people of Paksitan will also right this mistake.
Here at Chowk, let us begin this process and write to all that we can.
Mr. Gill I envy you for beign a student of Salam but salute you for this article. Please send it to Pakistani newspapers. he children must know!
This article is long overdue. It should be required reading in every school in Pakistan.
We must have avanues and airpoirts named after this genius. Stephen hawking, every popular science writer, almost all 20th century documentaries aknowledege Salam and his contribution. We should too.
Mullah raj will end the day the country acknowledges Salam. Truth and reconlilliation will begin that day.
The US had to pass bill apologising for the Japanese internmnet. The pope apologized for the papacy`s silence in the second world war. My fervent hope that one day the people of Paksitan will also right this mistake.
Here at Chowk, let us begin this process and write to all that we can.
Mr. Gill I envy you for beign a student of Salam but salute you for this article. Please send it to Pakistani newspapers. he children must know!
#14 Posted by harimau on July 27, 2004 1:47:24 pm
Ref echoboom #10
[Salaam has to be saluted that he achieved all this despite the aparthied education in the land of totaa-mainaa-bunder schools.Unless this issue is resolved no Uncle-Tom would display his underwear and no Fauji will go grant independence to the `natives`.There are many manifestations of apartheid in Pakistan, its most poignant exemplar is the differentiation between English and Urdu medium schools. It is a system that, true to its original design, produces two distinct sets of citizens--future rulers and future subjects. Starting from a deliberately unleveled playing field, it is no surprise that those from the first camp overwhelmingly come ahead. A few from the later occasionally make it to the top, but only after facing much hardships and after embracing the rules of the elites--in essence, becoming ``English medium`` by default.]
In looking up SN Bose, I found that his father insisted on SN Bose enrolling in a Bengali-medium school for his primary and secondary education. This despite the fact that he himself was a deputy collector in the British government of Bengal and knew the value and advantage of an English education.
Language does not hold one back. It is lack of reverence for learning that holds people back.
There is no hope for the stinking Arabs. Looking up to them as role models would lead to ruination for Pakistan. If anything, the role models (from the viewpoint of education) should be Iran, Bangladesh and, if one can overcome the visceral hatred, India.
[Salaam has to be saluted that he achieved all this despite the aparthied education in the land of totaa-mainaa-bunder schools.Unless this issue is resolved no Uncle-Tom would display his underwear and no Fauji will go grant independence to the `natives`.There are many manifestations of apartheid in Pakistan, its most poignant exemplar is the differentiation between English and Urdu medium schools. It is a system that, true to its original design, produces two distinct sets of citizens--future rulers and future subjects. Starting from a deliberately unleveled playing field, it is no surprise that those from the first camp overwhelmingly come ahead. A few from the later occasionally make it to the top, but only after facing much hardships and after embracing the rules of the elites--in essence, becoming ``English medium`` by default.]
In looking up SN Bose, I found that his father insisted on SN Bose enrolling in a Bengali-medium school for his primary and secondary education. This despite the fact that he himself was a deputy collector in the British government of Bengal and knew the value and advantage of an English education.
Language does not hold one back. It is lack of reverence for learning that holds people back.
There is no hope for the stinking Arabs. Looking up to them as role models would lead to ruination for Pakistan. If anything, the role models (from the viewpoint of education) should be Iran, Bangladesh and, if one can overcome the visceral hatred, India.
#13 Posted by HaroonEllahi on July 27, 2004 1:47:23 pm
shit mann. you scared me! will explain later. bye
#12 Posted by freethinker on July 27, 2004 12:53:18 pm
echoboom:
I appreciate your knowledge of Iqbal`s poetry. I quote from him frequently because his poetry is embedded in my mind deeply. At the same time, I try to be careful not to overdo it.
Mohammad Gill
I appreciate your knowledge of Iqbal`s poetry. I quote from him frequently because his poetry is embedded in my mind deeply. At the same time, I try to be careful not to overdo it.
Mohammad Gill
#11 Posted by harish_hyd on July 27, 2004 9:40:50 am
It is unfortunate that the great man remained unacknowledged in his own country till the end.
#10 Posted by echoboom on July 27, 2004 9:40:49 am
Mr. Gill:7
Woh motee ilam kay, yanni kitaabain apnay aaba ki
Jo daikhain un ko Europe mein to dil hota haiy seeparah (Iqbal)
Iqbal replies:
kitaab-e millat-e baiza kee phir sheeraza bUndee hai
yeh shaakh-e Hashmee krnay ko hai phir burg O bur paida
and this for your sincere & heartfelt writings:
Iqbal again:
Navaa paira ho ai bulbul kay ho tairay tarrannum sey
kabutar kay tan-e naazuk meiN shaheeN ka jigar paida.
Woh motee ilam kay, yanni kitaabain apnay aaba ki
Jo daikhain un ko Europe mein to dil hota haiy seeparah (Iqbal)
Iqbal replies:
kitaab-e millat-e baiza kee phir sheeraza bUndee hai
yeh shaakh-e Hashmee krnay ko hai phir burg O bur paida
and this for your sincere & heartfelt writings:
Iqbal again:
Navaa paira ho ai bulbul kay ho tairay tarrannum sey
kabutar kay tan-e naazuk meiN shaheeN ka jigar paida.
#9 Posted by echoboom on July 27, 2004 9:40:49 am
Salaam has to be saluted that he achieved all this despite the aparthied education in the land of totaa-mainaa-bunder schools.Unless this issue is resolved no Uncle-Tom would display his underwear and no Fauji will go grant independence to the `natives`.There are many manifestations of apartheid in Pakistan, its most poignant exemplar is the differentiation between English and Urdu medium schools. It is a system that, true to its original design, produces two distinct sets of citizens--future rulers and future subjects. Starting from a deliberately unleveled playing field, it is no surprise that those from the first camp overwhelmingly come ahead. A few from the later occasionally make it to the top, but only after facing much hardships and after embracing the rules of the elites--in essence, becoming ``English medium`` by default.
It is a criminal injustice that the feet of 95% of the population are tied simply so that the remaining 5% can win the race. As a result, the country is robbed of its best minds. Intelligence, after all, is not restricted to any one class or caste. The system of apartheid as now instituted forces the best minds from the elites to end up abroad while even as the rest of the population is restrained from reaching its potentialities. Those who could have been physicists end up as mechanics; potential economists end up running tea-stalls; potential poets end up polishing the shoes of some spoiled brat!
The problem of educational apartheid is a complex one, but the solution is very simple--though exceedingly difficult. It entails replacing the multiple systems that are currently in place with one unified system. There are those who will try to confuse the issue by making it a debate about which language should be the medium of instruction. That is NOT the issue. The issue is about leveling the playing field and providing the same educational opportunity to all our children. Until we do that we will never be able to reap the full potential of our talent. We will be condemned to the continuing servitude of a self-proclaimed and self-consumed elite.
Of course, for those of us who are from this `elite` (and if you are reading this article, you probably are) educational apartheid is just fine. The conspiracy of silence that has existed on this issue for fifty years is likely to perpetuate for another fifty. After all, it is not in the interest of the ruling elites--you and me--to do anything about an unjust system that has been so instrumental in allowing us to unfairly acquire our positions of power and prestige. That their palaces of menial success are built on the decaying carcasses of the shattered hopes of the multitudes is a price that the so-called `intelligencia` has always been prepared to pay for selfishly holding on to the unfair advantage that made them the `intellegentia` in the first place.
It is a criminal injustice that the feet of 95% of the population are tied simply so that the remaining 5% can win the race. As a result, the country is robbed of its best minds. Intelligence, after all, is not restricted to any one class or caste. The system of apartheid as now instituted forces the best minds from the elites to end up abroad while even as the rest of the population is restrained from reaching its potentialities. Those who could have been physicists end up as mechanics; potential economists end up running tea-stalls; potential poets end up polishing the shoes of some spoiled brat!
The problem of educational apartheid is a complex one, but the solution is very simple--though exceedingly difficult. It entails replacing the multiple systems that are currently in place with one unified system. There are those who will try to confuse the issue by making it a debate about which language should be the medium of instruction. That is NOT the issue. The issue is about leveling the playing field and providing the same educational opportunity to all our children. Until we do that we will never be able to reap the full potential of our talent. We will be condemned to the continuing servitude of a self-proclaimed and self-consumed elite.
Of course, for those of us who are from this `elite` (and if you are reading this article, you probably are) educational apartheid is just fine. The conspiracy of silence that has existed on this issue for fifty years is likely to perpetuate for another fifty. After all, it is not in the interest of the ruling elites--you and me--to do anything about an unjust system that has been so instrumental in allowing us to unfairly acquire our positions of power and prestige. That their palaces of menial success are built on the decaying carcasses of the shattered hopes of the multitudes is a price that the so-called `intelligencia` has always been prepared to pay for selfishly holding on to the unfair advantage that made them the `intellegentia` in the first place.
#8 Posted by yogiraj on July 27, 2004 9:40:48 am
Gill Sahab,
Wow... Actual write on a Q????
I interact quite a few of them in India. Never doubted their talent or...
Why do you hate them so much in Pakistan? Are not they humans?? What do they to disrupt the life of your nation? What wrong they have done?
They do have perhaps the best economic acu... and also perhaps the most social con...
Thanks anyways
Yogiraj
Wow... Actual write on a Q????
I interact quite a few of them in India. Never doubted their talent or...
Why do you hate them so much in Pakistan? Are not they humans?? What do they to disrupt the life of your nation? What wrong they have done?
They do have perhaps the best economic acu... and also perhaps the most social con...
Thanks anyways
Yogiraj
#7 Posted by freethinker on July 27, 2004 5:38:38 am
Dear Interactors:
Thanks for your interest in the paper.
Inquirer:
Those who have some background in Pjysics are able to understand and appreciate how great a scientist was Professor Salam. Pakistani scientists are proud of him and are inspired by his work and so are many Indians. One of Salam`s closest collaborators is Indian.
Charlie:
I am pleased that you enjoyed the article.
nasah:
Yes, it`s true that Salam was accompanied by both wives (true Islamic justice and fairness). Not only that, he had dressed himself in shalwar, kurta, with a ``turre dar`` turban on his head and a pair of saleem shahi on his feet. But that`s not the point. Salam was a human being with human strengths and failings. I, for one, consider his attire and accompaniment as his strength, not weakness. I give you an example of his weakness. In one of his weak moments of self-indulgence, he claimed he was the only Nobel Laureate in the Islamic world. At that, Glashow quipped, ``What about Sadat?`` And Salam had to be content with being the only Nobel Laureate in science in the Islamic world.
I had written a postcript in the paper also; I don`t know if you read it or not. This gives a couple of extracts from his Nobel lecture. He traces the homage of Michael Scott to the universities of Toledo and Cordova (Harvard and MIT of the Muslim world in those days) in Muslim Spain. In it, he also quoted from George Sarton. 750 AD - 1100 AD was the unbroken period of domination in Science by the Muslims and Salam was fiercely proud of this heritage. The sad thing is that we perforce learn of the greatness of our ancestors from the western sources; our own sources are dried up.
Woh motee ilam kay, yanni kitaabain apnay aaba ki
Jo daikhain un ko Europe mein to dil hota haiy seeparah (Iqbal)
We need to wake up from ``khwab-e-khargosh`` and try to catch up with the rest of the world. Professor salam tried to spark the interest in science and technology in the Islamic world. His torch should be kept alight. Regards,
Mohammad Gill
Thanks for your interest in the paper.
Inquirer:
Those who have some background in Pjysics are able to understand and appreciate how great a scientist was Professor Salam. Pakistani scientists are proud of him and are inspired by his work and so are many Indians. One of Salam`s closest collaborators is Indian.
Charlie:
I am pleased that you enjoyed the article.
nasah:
Yes, it`s true that Salam was accompanied by both wives (true Islamic justice and fairness). Not only that, he had dressed himself in shalwar, kurta, with a ``turre dar`` turban on his head and a pair of saleem shahi on his feet. But that`s not the point. Salam was a human being with human strengths and failings. I, for one, consider his attire and accompaniment as his strength, not weakness. I give you an example of his weakness. In one of his weak moments of self-indulgence, he claimed he was the only Nobel Laureate in the Islamic world. At that, Glashow quipped, ``What about Sadat?`` And Salam had to be content with being the only Nobel Laureate in science in the Islamic world.
I had written a postcript in the paper also; I don`t know if you read it or not. This gives a couple of extracts from his Nobel lecture. He traces the homage of Michael Scott to the universities of Toledo and Cordova (Harvard and MIT of the Muslim world in those days) in Muslim Spain. In it, he also quoted from George Sarton. 750 AD - 1100 AD was the unbroken period of domination in Science by the Muslims and Salam was fiercely proud of this heritage. The sad thing is that we perforce learn of the greatness of our ancestors from the western sources; our own sources are dried up.
Woh motee ilam kay, yanni kitaabain apnay aaba ki
Jo daikhain un ko Europe mein to dil hota haiy seeparah (Iqbal)
We need to wake up from ``khwab-e-khargosh`` and try to catch up with the rest of the world. Professor salam tried to spark the interest in science and technology in the Islamic world. His torch should be kept alight. Regards,
Mohammad Gill
#6 Posted by Urstruly on July 27, 2004 4:06:53 am
Mr. Gill
I resent your attempts to mix religion with science - so much for your free thought.
#5 Posted by Aisha_Sarwari on July 27, 2004 1:35:42 am
Mr. Gill:
Great article. Can you please contact me at aisha_sarwari@yahoo.com.
Thanks.
Aisha Sarwari
Great article. Can you please contact me at aisha_sarwari@yahoo.com.
Thanks.
Aisha Sarwari
#4 Posted by nasah on July 26, 2004 7:40:01 pm
``Salam was acutely conscious of the backwardness in the field of science and technology of the third world, particularly the Islamic world, to which he belonged. At the same time, he was profoundly proud of his glorious heritage``
Gill Sahib -- is it true Salam went to recieve his Nobel Prize with his two wives? -- khar-e Isaa ugur bu makka rawad/chooN beaayed hunooz khur bashad....
Gill Sahib -- is it true Salam went to recieve his Nobel Prize with his two wives? -- khar-e Isaa ugur bu makka rawad/chooN beaayed hunooz khur bashad....
#3 Posted by DrDr on July 26, 2004 7:04:48 pm
Nice writeup. But I dont get this miracle bit. Geniuses/brilliant people come from all sortsa backgrounds. His devout religiosity is a mystery though.
#2 Posted by Inquirer on July 26, 2004 3:01:18 pm
This article reminds me of the 1960 Science Congress in Bombay, India. Bombay Times of India had presented the headline for Dr. Salam: ``Scientist with Mass Appeal``
In his speech to the Congress he had stated that he would return to India when India and Pakistan recombine in one nation. I do not know what relation exist between that statement and Bhabha`s private offer referred to in the above article.
I was thrilled to attend Dr. Salam`s presentation on electroweak Theory. He had such an ability of presenting the ideas that I was able to enjoy the presentation even though as fresh M.Sc. Physics student I had no exposure to the subject.
It is a pity that pettiness of religious backwardness and sectarian politics in Pakistan left Dr. Salam as as stateless person at the time of his death.
In his speech to the Congress he had stated that he would return to India when India and Pakistan recombine in one nation. I do not know what relation exist between that statement and Bhabha`s private offer referred to in the above article.
I was thrilled to attend Dr. Salam`s presentation on electroweak Theory. He had such an ability of presenting the ideas that I was able to enjoy the presentation even though as fresh M.Sc. Physics student I had no exposure to the subject.
It is a pity that pettiness of religious backwardness and sectarian politics in Pakistan left Dr. Salam as as stateless person at the time of his death.
#1 Posted by Charlie on July 26, 2004 1:30:28 pm
A Very good article about the genius of Pakistan. May his soul rest in peace.
I hope one day we will realize the importance of research and will become a knowledge loving nation.
I hope one day we will realize the importance of research and will become a knowledge loving nation.
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