My Friend, My Enemy

Your views do not look strange to me all Indian pose like that. They pose as if they are the angels on earth and Pakistan is the only villain around. They do not realise what are indian contributions in enmity between the two countries. Just look at the water issue. India forced pakistan to sign Indus Water treaty to grab 35 MAF water of three rivers. At independence the thirteen eastern provinces of Punjab that went to India and the eastern punjab states were consuming only 3MAF. Now India is trying to grab water of western rivers too. Now tell me will it promote frindship between the two countries. If Pakistan intrudes into indian controll area then u make hue and cry but If India does the same and cointinues the occupation you people are silent. (exemple: Siachen and kargil) Kargil infact was under pakistani control till 1971.
I would like you people to just look at the policies of your government and do not pose like a South Block baboo.
thnaks

Bombay or Mumbai and Karachi are no different than the rest. The US with it`s hate crimes against arabs and sikhs(mistaking them for arabs). If there was an Akbar, there was an Aurangzeb too. If there was Gandhi, there is Thakre too. At the time of the Punjab problem, Sikhs had started feeling they are being hounded and Hindus commented that all were terrorists. The same is happening to Islam only it is worldwide. It is amazing, it`s just chance that I was born a Sikh, or my friend a Hindu or another friend a Muslim. I could have been the muslim too. That is why when they come to note down my religion in the census, I write none. Guru Nanak said he was neither a Hindu or a Muslim but we caught him and made him a sikh!! No, I dont want my body burned- maybe an electric crematorium, I dont want Akhand Path, no- let me go in peace when I go - dont drag me to a gurudwara then. Keep me away from religion is my request. Give that money to the dhobi`s childor buy him a new cycle- that is my religion

Ras:

Glad you picked the sentence that really spoke about how I felt about things during that particular time. Thank you...
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And thanks to the rest for the replies.

Here is a joke for our times...and if it is a stale one, then remember everything gets recycled in life :)
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A stranger was seated next to Little Johnny on the plane.

The stranger turned to Little Johnny and said, ``Let`s talk. I`ve heard that flights will go quicker if you strike up a conversation with your fellow passenger.``

Little Johnny, who had just opened his book, closed it slowly, and said to the stranger, ``What would you like to discuss?``

Oh, I don`t know,`` said the stranger. ``How about nuclear power?``

``OK,`` said Little Johnny.. ``That could be an interesting topic. But let me ask you a question first..

A horse, a cow, and a deer all eat grass. Yet a deer excretes little pellets, while a cow turns out a flat patty, and a horse produces clumps of dried grass. Why do you suppose that is?``

``Jeez,`` said the stranger. ``I have no idea.``

``Well, then,`` said Little Johnny, ``how is it that you feel qualified to discuss nuclear power when you don`t know shit?``

FV,

``Meat on skewers is not like flesh sticking to the walls of mosques - flesh that you might call your father, brother, husband, lover, friend``

This is some of your best yet on CHOWK.

Ras

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#31
thanks for the prose, that helps (i thunks). now i will get back to reading the martha stewart magazine so that my spandexy co-workers dont get spooked.

the remarks in parentheses at towards the end of my post: ``(though I must admit I`m even half as `talented` as you might be)`` -- should read : ``(though I must admit I`m NOT even half as `talented` as you might be)

wow farzana, a pretty straightforward question seems to have upset you -- you don`t seem to take criticism well do you -- i dont think reporters who can be blamed of plugging in things and in any case im not one -- however columnists do and since you are one it was a pretty relevant question -- press releases as original short stories ? where ? please enlighten me, interesting how your strategy of deflecting criticism or questions by bringing up irrelevant stuff does terribly backfire -- actually like you i could claim a lot of things, to be writing for a progressive and extremism-free pakistan, friendly relations with india or against karo kari or honour killings but i try not to wear such things on my sleeve, or, as you said, `lapel` unlike some others on chowk -- and actually i wasnt looking for a fight, a simple answer which i suppose is too much to expect on chowk -- as for `looking in my backyard` i presume you`re talking about things closer to home, i.e. the pakistani print media, well dear i had and have no intention of making it a india pakistan thing which i hope you havent thought i did -- as for sensationalism, the part that seemed sensationalistic was already pointed out to you -- `many` might be a manner of speaking to you but for your readers in Bombay it probably will appear closer to a matter of fact -- but then again the difference between a manner of speaking and a manner of speaking masquerading as fact might not be appear to columnists -- as for writing independently or on one`s own please cut the crap FV -- i take it you were or are a columnist in india -- surely you write for a paper that isnt your own and is edited by someone other than yourself -- and oh by the way i dont really know about press releases masquerading as original stories, i was a reporter five years ago -- and your reference to mobilink im sorry i didnt get -- what is worse than trying to righteous is to be sanctimonious about it -- im not really interested in whether you have a press card or not FV, it might be also because you freelance and at least in pakistan freelancers dont get press cards -- and oh to counter your righteousness and `search for the people`s voice` should i also tell you that as a member of the karachi press club i had the right, like all members, to buy a plot of land at heavily subsidized govt rates but i declined because it sounded ridiculous to criticize the govt and to then take favours from it -- or should i tell you that several times i refused gifts and offers of free trips and other favours from govt officials or interested parties -- these things happens and one doesnt publicize them or wear them on their lapels -- a good reporter would or should anyways know, FV, that using a press card (unless he or she believes that it might actuallty help save his/her life) is often not a good idea because once your exposed as a journalist your story might not be that authentic or in a sense your `cover is blown` -- it is quite laughable that u seem to think that most journalists wouldnt know this -- what is even laughable and downright hypocritical is that you have done the same in your post -- wearing your self-righteousness on your lapel -- and my saying journalism is bad was also actually a manner of speaking-- actually the print media in pakistan is quite vibrant and has many positives, and unlike the one in india often questions its own govts policies, esp on foreign issues -- i can see how you wouldnt survive in a full time journalism job -- and trust me im not looking for a fight either, it is a waste of my time too (though I must admit I`m even half as `talented` as you might be) but i had to respond to your insinuations and self righteousness

Jang:

You asked for it! (Also returning the favour since you did take the trouble of going through the poem closely.) Though, in terms of voyeurism, you won`t get your money`s worth...but then, I could swing it for you, if you insist. Here is the straightforward take...and you were not wrong about the Indo-Pak thing...

My sky too has a crescent and stars
My leaves too have sprung from similar trees

(Nothing to do with Indian Muslims...if you as an Indian look up at the sky you too will see a crescent moon and stars...therefore, underlining the similarities)

When I ask you who you are
You look the other way.
You are not born of your own womb

(Pak`s identity crisis/denial)

Your lids opened to another world
Forget those eyes you tell me
And find your truth.

(Same as above, only with emphasis on the otherness of Indians)

One day your truth and mine
Were the same.
Today, for a few acres of your land
You deny me.

(Pre-Partition, post-Partition)

Conscience, soul, body, hungers
I satiate with eyes shut
But I feel burdened by history

(We can live our lives, but history haunts us)

I am not what you sought
The ballads sung to me sprung
From a different soil

(The differences)

I cross imaginary continents
To become rootless
In unaccounted-for miles

(India`s forays in a globalised world)

I grab your shadow
A child of the night

(Kashmir)

You say I let darkness delude me.
You fool only yourself
By shutting morning`s door
In my face.

(The refusal to reach a solution on their side)

I peep through the hole in the wall
And quench the thirst of my vision.

(A narrow view is all one gets from our side)

Try as you might
Your sunlight
Can never break my prism.

(I, India, live among different colours and the strongest light cannot distort the hues and sometimes one`s delusions)

But...this can also be a love poem... :)

Actually there are some fairly astute observations on Karachi/Pakistan in William Dalrymple`s book on Delhi ``City of Djinns``.

Let me put it this way - after re-reading the book, I am beginning to understand some of the fascination that people from Karachi have for Delhi & Bombay, as they exist today.

(As different for the ``Hai Saadaa Lahore`` types, who continue to bemoan their glorious blah blah BLAH BLAH past)

Yes, I do think I am going to visit Karachi, for the hockey matches. I need to go and find out, amongst other things, whether sub-Inspectors of Police in Karachi are really so fearsome that the good outstanding media future of my ancestor`s lands have reason to quake?

Travelogues aren`t such a bad thing. At least they`re interesting.

farzana, please do give a glimpse of what the poem is about from your view. i got what i got, but now i have a voyuers curiosity.

jang (#24):

Honestly, you had me chuckling...and no sarcasm here. And since you had stated, ``there is too much baggage associated with you and i have (my) pre-conceptions , so please put up with it``, I will not even contest your interpretation and give my version. You made me smile, so whichever way you wish to look at it...enjoy:)

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This is not about how much Karachi is like Mumbai, but whether it is as insensitive, especially during calamities...contributing a travelogue/travelogues for Chowk was not on my agenda.
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#21 by omar_r_quraishi:

[FV wroe in the article: ``In Karachi I did what many Karachiwallas do: sent text messages asking friends who were cutting cloth for the coffins to “TC” – take care.``

many as in a couple of hundred (at the most I guess) -- for a city of 12-13 million -- pretty big generalization wouldnt you say so farzana -- or was this something that the editors at TFT plugged in ? or told you to plug in yourself --
farzana you`re a good example if any were needed of journalists thriving on sensationalism -- unfortunately material such as this gives the whole profession a thoroughly undeserved bad name]

1. I write my own stuff and nobody on earth can ask me to plug in anything, but I suppose if one is a fulltime hack working for someone (as opposed to writing on your own) plugs become an occupational hazard ...or a welcome respite if one are running short of ideas and use press releases as original stories. It happens, you know... Beats me though why any newspaper would want to plug in something like this? Mobilink...I would understand...

2. `Many` is a manner of speaking...but then one can never account for how literal people can get. In any case the implication was many Karachiwallas send text messages at most times, and not during this particular episode. If anything, I was taking a potshot at myself by saying that, just in case you did not notice. Or perhaps one is not supposed to take potshots at oneself; arrogance is a writer`s birthright, right?

3. Before you use me as an example, look in your own backyard. And please point out the sensational bits. Since I don`t go around flaunting my journalistic background with a lapel, you needn`t worry about the profession getting a bad name. It is bad enough. I have gone about my work without even getting a Press card because I wanted to represent my voice, not that of a profession or a publication.

Omar, if you are spoiling for a fight, do look elsewhere. Because I avoid ugly scenes as much as I can. It is a waste of my time and talent.

Take care...TC

#23 by soundmeister on August 17, 2004 5:00am PT
``We only have the word of a few hopeless romantic chowkies that Karachi is a lot like Mumbai. I think I`ll reserve judgement till Veeresh makes a trip there...``

actually Jakarta is a lot like mumbai, slums, high-rises, miniskirts, hindu temples, steamy nigh-clubs with its cellphone wielding madams, and sweltering heat. i think karachi lacks at least a couple of common things.

OK an attempt to say what i understand by the poem now:(Ferzana, there is too much baggage associated with you and i have (my) pre-conceptions , so please put up with it.)

My Friend, My Enemy

My sky too has a crescent and stars ``your identity is muslim``
My leaves too have sprung from similar trees ``you share geography``
When I ask you who you are
You look the other way. ``Dont get it..you must be talking to pakis``
You are not born of your own womb
Your lids opened to another world
Forget those eyes you tell me
And find your truth.
One day your truth and mine
Were the same.
Today, for a few acres of your land
You deny me. ``Mostly you seem to be begging pakistanis to accept you as their own and telling them that they are not arab or something``

Conscience, soul, body, hungers
I satiate ..
..
And quench the thirst of my vision. `` Some kind of longing to commune with the pakistanis``

Try as you might
Your sunlight
Can never break my prism. `` Affirmation of your multi-cutural background``

and then you go on to project yourself on ``Bombay`` (not mumbai) as a schizophrenic fractured personality( and please dont ask me to read the articel again ;-)

We only have the word of a few hopeless romantic chowkies that Karachi is a lot like Mumbai. I think I`ll reserve judgement till Veeresh makes a trip there...

FV wroe in the article: ``In Karachi I did what many Karachiwallas do: sent text messages asking friends who were cutting cloth for the coffins to “TC” – take care.``

many as in a couple of hundred (at the most I guess) -- for a city of 12-13 million -- pretty big generalization wouldnt you say so farzana -- or was this something that the editors at TFT plugged in ? or told you to plug in yourself --
farzana you`re a good example if any were needed of journalists thriving on sensationalism -- unfortunately material such as this gives the whole profession a thoroughly undeserved bad name

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#17 by kkkandk:
On my earlier board you had asked me to moderate as it was going in a different direction. I am doing so now: kindly refrain from bringing your personal battles here, especially as they are unprovoked statements against an individual and contribute nothing to the discussion. There is a forum for such things of which you are well aware. (Though why people must behave like delinquents there too boggles the mind, but if that floats people`s boats, then let them stay afloat....)

Should you wish to respond either to this article or any interactor`s comment on the subject, you are more than welcome. Thanks.

I am pleasantly surprised that no one has accused me of contributing to the jihadi fund...I cannot ask for more...

Nass:

Sorry I missed mentioning you in the earlier post. Each reader will like/dislike according to their tastes. It is nice to know that you have been a ``fan``...perhaps next time round, you will return to that mode.
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jang:

[i dont notice any tension in the air (is there tension Ferzana? where and how so i can notice it?)]

What have you been reading? If it is this article, please tell me what hidden meanings can one possibly glean from such statements...

``From afar, I recollected the Bombay bomb blasts of March 12, 1993.`` (past tense)
``When friends back home said things like, “Oh, but only 16 people died in Karachi, our count was over a thousand” (past tense)
``It has become so spineless that its in-your-face bluster reveals insecurity.`` (Bluster does not equal tension)
``Today, the Bombayite steps out with a spring in his stride knowing that the life he carries in his fist is more potent when extinguished. From a nameless number he can be assured of a name, two lines about the humble journey he undertook in a crowded bus and an obituary from the organisation he works for, which would never have bothered had he died of natural causes`` (Is this not true?)

May I request you to at least make an attempt to understand what is being said...or is it that the gym is really boring you and you need some diversion?

Btw, I would have liked a proper comment on the poem...
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Warlus:

[Yes, Ferzana V. you seem to write more about pak than India. Are you sure youre an
Indian? Actually most of your Indian readers tend to disagree.]

The Indian readers you refer to are persona non grata in my country - India. They are insecure about their identity and therefore need to reassert it in several knee-jerk ways. I do not need a certificate of citizenship or merit from them. I am confident enough in my skin and under it and if I choose to explain certain things it is because I hate complacency in myself...

I do wonder, though, what prompted you to make the first statement. I have been updating some of my work and this is what I found at Chowk. The subjects the articles are on have been mentioned in parethesis. See for yourself where I have written ``more`` on Pak...

1. My Friend, My Enemy on August 15, 2004... (Indo-Pak)
2. Indian Womb, Pakistani Soil on August 9, 2004... (Indo-Pak)
3. The Battered Body on July 30, 2004... (India)
4. An Open Letter to Jemima Khan on July 20, 2004... (Pak?)
5. The Triple Conspiracy on July 1, 2004... (India)
6. Lesbians vs. Gays vs. Hinduism vs. Modernity? on June 21, 2004... (General, Indian)
7. Careless Consciences on June 15, 2004... (India)
8. Bring on The Empty Horses on May 10, 2004... (India)
9. Haraam Bombay on April 28, 2004... (Brit Indian)
10. The Palate`s Passionplay on April 16, 2004... (General)
11. Murder on Helm Street on March 31, 2004... (India)
12. Half a Night on March 26, 2004... (Poem)
13. Unbinding India on March 16, 2004... (Interview, India)
14. Paper Ciphers on February 14, 2004... (Essay, Personal)
15. A Brief History of Lies? on January 28, 2004... (Essay)
16. Can Pasta Become Paratha? on January 17, 2004... (India)
17. My SAARC Diary on January 6, 2004... (India)
18. `Complements’ Of The Season on December 31, 2003....(Poem, limericks)
19. Why is Santa Not a Woman? on December 19, 2003.... (Essay, women)
20. Broken Stones on December 5, 2003... (Short story, based in India)
21. Taslima`s Lies, Ismat`s Truth on November 21, 2003... (Essay, women)
22. The Great Turn-on on November 14, 2003... (Indo-Pak)
23. Toronto Talks in Whispers on October 26, 2003... (Travelogue)
24. Primetime Pope and the Maverick Mother on October 7, 2003.... (Essay)
25. The Diva as Devi on September 28, 2003... (India)
26. Shalom or Salaam on September 8, 2003... (Palestine)
27. Just Another BLOW-UP? on August 25, 2003... (India)
28. The Conversion Chiaroscuro on June 30, 2003... (India)
29. Who Says You Cant Buy Love? on May 15, 2003.... (Women, Porn)
30. The Other Arabia on April 16, 2003... (Travelogue)
31. They Shoot Kashmiri Pandits, Dont They? on March 29, 2003... (India)
32. Excavating India on March 13, 2003... (India)
33. Twilight Freedom on March 9, 2003.... (Women)
34. Who Wants Peace, BAYBEH? on February 27, 2003.... (Poem)
35. Damn Saddam? on February 4, 2003.... (Iraq-US)
36. Oh America! on January 12, 2003... (Travelogue)
37. Midnight`s Knights? on December 29, 2002... (Essay)
38. The Unmaking Of Gujrat on December 11, 2002... (India)
39. The Lonely Road on June 30, 2002 ... (Personal essay)
40. The Perfect Murder on May 26, 2002... (Indo-Pak)
41. The Aga Khani on April 26, 2002... (Religion, specific)
42. The Mahatma`s Progeny on April 4, 2002... (India)
43. Riots on March 6, 2002... (India)
44. Memories of December 6th on February 26, 2002... (India)
45. Is Thackeray a Terrorist on January 20, 2002... (India)
46. 1971: A Forgotten Story on January 5, 2002... (Indo-Pak)
47. Borders are Made of These on December 31, 2001... (India)
48. The Passion of The Pacifist on December 20, 2001... (Interview, India)
49. When the Lights Hurt the Eyes on November 14, 2001... (India)
50. Cricket and the Clash of Cymbals on November 1, 2001... (Cricket)
51. In Search of the Moderate Muslim on October 28, 2001... (India)
52. Every Nightmare has a Reason on September 12, 2001... (Poem)
53. A Feminist Icon: Phoolan on July 27, 2001... (India)
54. The Indian James Bond on July 10, 2001... (India)
55. Empty Journeys on March 29, 2001... (Poem)
56. Making Religion Sexy on January 23, 2001...(Religion, general)
57. The Mandir Mirage on December 11, 2000... (India)
58. The Soft Option on December 3, 2000... (India)
59. Khuda Hafiz, Kashmir? on June 29, 2000... (India)

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That is very interesting - Are mine bigger than yours? So, what is the answer? You got my attention.

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#14.

the woman you call a witch lives in mumbai. do we need to call van helsing for you?

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mumbai may be more fractured by (2) communities (like it ever was not) after the bombay-blasts, but folks have moved on. the tailor shop in the gali was back with closed shutters was back within a month, and doing a roaring bussiness (as compared to those stupid boutiqeus which seem to spring-up all over the place), so is the baker, and 2 new bangladeshi mosques have come-up in Ambedkar nagar, you still go to a muslim lawyer for any estate law issues, and haji-ali and mahalxmi temple co-exist peacefully overlooking the same stinking bay.

i dont notice any tension in the air (is there tension Ferzana? where and how so i can notice it?)

Yes, Ferzana V. you seem to write more about pak than India. Are you sure youre an
Indian? Actually most of your Indian readers tend to disagree.

Okay, am glad that people do know that Bombay is now Mumbai. I always call it Mumbai, but in the article it referred to a specific event, and it has become a part of contemporary history as the Bombay blasts. That is why Bombay it was...

I should have submitted the piece at the time the Karachi event happened, and when I wrote it for TFT, but I refrained for certain reasons, one being that there was already something on the Karachi blasts here...but come on, there is something to think about...and being an Indian using my city as a counterpoint, this is as much about India as fighting about some film stars.

I do not write for a Pakistani audience, but yes, this was for a Pakistani newspaper.

When I talk about one Muslim group desecrating a place of worship of another Muslim group, it is not to say desecrating any others is all right...I am questioning their so-called belief system and how they themselves misuse it.
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Veeresh:

The comparison is not to say who is better, but how the two cities react, and these thoughts did cross my mind all along...btw, it is good to see you waxing lyrical about Mumbai :)
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aquaris:

What you call ``once in a blue moon`` has as much of an impact and effect on a society as regular occurrences...isn`t that why we do not discuss malnutrition/infanticide which are the ills that beset our societies every single day? I do not think we can afford to become weary and tired about blasts only because they happen often.
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jang:

There has been no instance in recorded history of anyone taking somebody else`s poem to the gym to kill boredom. (Why would the poem be about you??? And are you sure you were called a creep for this)

[and about Mumbai, why compare to karachi unless there a link about the violence and point to be made?]
Read the article!

[Are you ashamed of calling it Mumbai?]
Have explained, but calling it Bombay would not reduce its stature.

[When will you write an article comparing mills of Bhivandi and Lylapur?]

When I visit the latter, and for a financial paper.

[What is the basis of empathy you have for Krachi, assuming you have some for Mumbai that you can do a comparative article?]

Read the article, preferably not in a moving vehicle...
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ItsZeitgeist:

There are probably many more voices, and they are not only in my head! Thanks anyway...
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ELUSIVE:

At last someone who commented on the poem....so really felt good as it is special to me for several reasons.

About the comparison, I am only comparing one aspect based on what happened at different times. This is not a blanket comparison of two cities.

Farzana

madam isn`t one bit losing track of her focus on the real issue and for us there is only one at this point of time, we unfortunately are too insulated, till its us. Anyway, why bother, when societies meet their demise, aren`t they then the graveyard of humanity.
Keep it up Farzana Versey! Atleast one voice.

Beg to differ but i do not think any Karachites are busy comparing themselves to the people residing in Mumbai or vice versa. Every city has its own unique life style.

Karachites leave thir home with a prayer that they will return home safe , BUT, at the same time they go about their daily lives determined to not let any terrorist attack scare them. They are sad for their city but do not lament for it by destroying it`s spirit. Karachi may be melancholy and sombre at times but never theless it remains the city of lights.

I hope i go to Mumbai someday. May be that way, i will be able to understand what you are trying to say.

As for the poem, it was quite thought provoking. I simply loved it ; esp. the following verses..

**I peep through the hole in the wall
And quench the thirst of my vision.
Try as you might
Your sunlight
Can never break my prism.**

I think that India and Pakistan can achieve a lot more through friendship than hatred...but only if the intentions are sincere..

Kindest regards.

ferzana guruji

i took the poem to gym and read it aloud to kill boredome of spinning. a previously spandex has now marked me for a creep. next time i will read it in the car.

what i got from the poem is its definately not about me.

and about Mumbai, why compare to karachi unless there a link about the violence and point to be made? Are you ashamed of calling it Mumbai? When will you write an article comparing mills of Bhivandi and Lylapur? What is the basis of empathy you have for Krachi, assuming you have some for Mumbai that you can do a comparative article?

Veeresh, talking of Harbor line and samadhis, I once was surprised to stumble on an active Chinese Graveyard in Antop-Hill area!

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Well Well Well....


Once in a Blue Moon occurance in Bombay compared to the Near Daily stuff in

karachi.....

since 1985.... the city saw.... Voilence.... Body Bags....Random Killings....

No one knew whether He will be alive or Dead in the evening... and if he

be Killed... Then Why would he be Killed...and by whom


The Situation.... has Just changed.... its now Bomb Blasts....

In the 57 years so far of its Independent existence.... rarely ... were there any

Religious roits... so its obvious... some One is playing a dangerous game...

So trying to Make it a Shia-Sunni affair ( These Bomb Blasts) wont go down

a Karachite Throat... No matter what kind of theories OUTSIDERs make up...

Linking it to Wana to religous extremism... to Interntional politics....

Choose your Pick....


Karachite is Now weary and tired ..... this has been happening and its

nearly two decades Now.... So If one fails to Understand..... the apparent

fatalistic attitude In a karahite behavious....then its Not his fault....

He has Not Lived those two decades..... Of Absurdity......


So comparing it with a Once in a Blue Moon .... occurence ( Horrible I know )

in Bombay.... is I think a Bit Unfair...

Ferzana I`m a huge fan of yours but sorry this is not you at your best.

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i thought it was `mumbai`

Whatever you say, Farzana, and in your own explicit style.

But Bombay is Mumbai, to live is life, there, and many a night have I driven from Poona to CBD, parked my car there, taken the Harbour Line to Reay Road and moved in an East-West axis from there, just gone walkabout in the byelanes of my youth, to return to work with the dawn. Move around, un-questioned, the one time I made the mistake of carrying my laptop case with me (sans laptop), I got mugged at Dadar TT!!

Past old bungalows now tenements or flats, hiding samadhis or graveyards or homes of friends long gone past?

Bombay hamaree mehbooba hai, what compare?

I mean, when there are no steeds in the racecourse, then who can compare the speed of the wind?