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Take the chocolates, I want to buy a bicycle

America diary

Episode: 5

It’s been a week since I came to America, but I have nothing else to do except eat, drink, sleep, read and watch TV. It was raining for two days, so I couldn’t even go out of the house. Today, when the clouds cleared, Faisal and I went out to buy groceries. We arrived at Wal-Mart. (It should be noted that Wal-Mart is a large chain of cash and carry in America.) After leaving the grocery store, a young American girl came towards us. She was barely 10 years old. Fair-skinned, blond, hair reaching to the shoulders. She had chocolates in her hand. She stopped us and said: “Buy me chocolate, I want to buy a bicycle.”

Faisal took out his wallet and bought two chocolates worth $6 from him.

That girl was not only beautiful, but her condition was giving a hint that she belongs to a well-to-do family.

I am surprised that the name of America shines in the list of rich countries of the world and its young generation is suffering from child labor. What is the contradiction? At the beginning of the last century, the incidence of child labor was almost eliminated, but recent research on child labor in the United States shows that thousands, if not more, of children are currently victims of this situation. An estimated 500,000 to 800,000 children are still working on farms in the United States. About 100 years ago, American mines, tobacco farms, and textile factories began employing children as laborers. Till date this problem remains unsolved. In the face of unionization by workers in the United States, increasing demands for higher wages, protests, demonstrations, and threats of lockouts by railroad officials, some states in the United States are considering reducing the working class and its power. One way is to consider recruiting 14 to 17-year-old youth as laborers. Not only America but also western countries are facing this problem. Only in the state of Minnesota, 90 thousand demographers left their jobs in the days of Corona. Due to this situation, the state has more jobs and less employed people. In second place is the state of Iowa, where 75,000 people left their jobs as of December. The new legislation being introduced in both states will allow young people to work longer hours, while the working class will not feel the burden of work in case of illness or accidents, especially the young people in construction and Work can be given in meat packing sectors as these sectors have been badly affected in both the states. Efforts are ongoing and politicians with ties to big business are doing their best to hire young people to address the labor shortage. However, the other downside is that instead of giving attractive salary or wages, these children will be kept on low salaries with no benefits or facilities. It has been reported that through this project, children who have no parents or who are caught in severe economic crisis can be targeted. The moral aspects of such a situation are also different. I was in my middle age that much. Faisal asked this girl:

“Can’t your father buy you the bicycle; you will buy by selling chocolates?” “If my father wants, he can buy me 20 bicycles. He is very rich, but he says that when you buy a bicycle with your own money, not only will you realize the value of money, but will also love the bicycle bought with your earnings. You will take care of it and life will be more than that. My father is also with me. He pointed to a Mercedes with the driver’s door open and a soot-booted young man puffing on an American cigar. His eyes were on the same girl and us.

I was shocked to see and hear all this. The statistics of child labor in the United States became suspicious in my eyes. Future economists and businessmen were being produced here. A sense of responsibility was being taught at an early age. I also took out a 10 dollar note from my pocket and held it to the girl and I also bought two chocolates from her.

The girl gave me back $4.

I took the chocolate from her hand, requested to take a photo with her which she politely declined.

Massachusetts

America diary

Episode: 3

Massachusetts is the most populous state in the New England region of the United States. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island to the south, New Hampshire and Vermont to the north, and New York to the west. The capital of Massachusetts is Boston. Massachusetts has a total area of ​​10,565 square miles (27,337 km2).The United States Census Bureau estimates that the population of Massachusetts at the end of 2019 was approximately 6.9 million people. English is most widely spoken in Massachusetts, with about 86% of the population speaking only English at home, while about 7.5% speak Spanish, 3% speak Portuguese, 1.6% speak Chinese, 1.1% speak French and less than 1% of the population speaks other languages. In 2019, the real GDP of Massachusetts was approximately US$59595.56 billion. Massachusetts’ GDP per capita in 2019 was 75,258.Sectors important to the Massachusetts economy include higher education, biotechnology, information technology, finance, health care, tourism, manufacturing, and defense. Tourism has played an increasingly important role in the state’s economy in recent years, with Boston and Cape Cod prominent.The main landmark of Massachusetts is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This university is one of the most important and popular universities in the world. Pakistani-American scientist Nargis Maulawala is the Dean of the School of Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Nargis Maulawala was previously associated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a professor. Earlier, Nargis Maulawala was also part of the team that achieved the feat of detecting gravitational waves in space. Nargis Maulawala, from MIT’s Physics Department, was part of a joint team from the three institutions that worked on a project to detect gravitational waves. Born in Karachi, Nargis moved to the US as a young student, graduating with a BA in Physics and Astronomy in 1990, and a PhD in 1997.This state and especially its capital Boston is known as the city of knowledge. The schools here are known all over the world.Massachusetts public schools are funded by the lottery. Students are provided free breakfast and lunch in their schools. Here, children of all US citizens are provided free education in these public schools, but private schools, colleges and universities charge huge fees. There are also a good number of non-American students studying in the same colleges and universities. Springfield, Massachusetts, is a beautiful town that was settled specifically for Costa Rican immigrants. Today there are also large numbers of people from the Spanish, Arab, Indian and Pakistani communities.I live in the same city of Springfield with my long-time friend Faisal Ghafoor. In the next few days I will be exploring other parts of Massachusetts and will share my wanderings with you.Where are we on our own journey?The direction of the wind is where we are(Courtesy of Wikipedia and others)

A narrow escape in a traffic accident

America diary

Episode: 4

This morning I left the house for a morning walk. I was walking on the footpath my way. I had to cross the road and enter the park on the other side of the road. I had been used to traffic on the left side of the road for years, so when I sat contentedly crossing the road by looking on the left side, I suddenly heard the screeching of tires and the speeding cars coming from my right and stopped nearby. For two or four moments I felt as if the car had run into my legs and my legs became lifeless. Astounded, I started looking to my right and left and realized that the mistake was mine. Here the traffic drives on the right hand side of the road while I was just looking to cross the road looking on the left side i.e. the opposite direction. When I regained senses, I looked at the driver’s seat of the car, where an American woman wearing dark glasses was smiling. I was surprised that she didn’t open the car door and hit me in the head with a baseball bat. That’s how it is with us. She signaled me to cross the road. I thanked her from the bottom of my heart. She answered my smile with a smile. Raised my right thumb in the air and crossed the road this time taking good care of both sides of the road. When I reached the other side of the road, I had many thoughts, for example, why should I walk on the right side of the road or why should I walk on the left side? When and why the line was installed in the middle of the road, when and why and how the basic rules of traffic were made, I had to turn the pages of history to answer these questions, and the following eye-catching facts came to light: “The tradition of marking the road can be seen in ancient history. The first method of marking was found in Rome. When there was a lot of traffic, a line was drawn on the road. However, it was not for direction, but so that people on foot walk on one side and riders on the other side, we see the method of marking with colored stones in many places, especially on the bridge. Which way to walk? It also took time to create some sort of standard. In the 19th century, it had come to some standard in large areas. Although it was not and never became a universally agreed standard. In ancient times, traffic used to drive on the left. This is believed to be because the right hand with the sword or weapon was facing the road. In America, its tradition was established in the 18th century, which was to drive traffic on the right. This was because the operator horse team of the large agricultural wagon used to plough his horse to the left to control the horses with the right hand whip. In this case it was easier for the driver to see the traffic ahead when the traffic was passing on his left side. “Keep to the right” laws were passed in 1792 in France and America. Britain continued the ancient tradition of traffic driving on the left and this became part of the Highways Act in 1835. In the world that became a British colony, this tradition still exists in almost all countries. But the method of indicating the traffic lane had not yet come.

 

This was not needed until the advent of the high-speed automobile. Edward Hines, a road safety expert, first installed road signs in Michigan in 1916. This idea came to him after seeing a milk truck. Milk was leaking from its tank, which was marking the road. The idea of ​​road markings is now a central idea of ​​road safety but it took time to be adopted. Dr. June Mc Carroll was driving her car in 1917 when an oncoming truck forced her off the road. It was then that they realized that there must be a line in the middle of the highway. When the local chamber of commerce didn’t show interest in her idea, she painted the stretch of road herself and then began a letter-writing campaign to convince the state government to standardize it. Ultimately, this movement resulted in the first government funded work in November 1924. But how to draw the line? Standards were not yet there. This was agreed upon in 1930 and the first manual was issued setting out the standards for road markings. Which roads should be lined? Its thickness was fixed at four inches. Its color is yellow or white. A continuous line,  that cannot be crossed. A broken line,  in which to overtake. This standard was created in 1948. One purpose of the broken line was to save paint expense. What should be the distance between the broken lines? This standard was created in 1978. In other countries of the world, cars started to become more popular after the Second World War. By the 1950s, gasoline engines had become the main means of transportation in major cities around the world. In the same decade, the street lane system as we know it today was soon adopted everywhere. Go anywhere in the world today, you will find this way of road safety.

Once a new technology is introduced, it takes time to develop rules for its safe use. And when they become Then it seems that the world used to exist without them.

“That which is clear, takes time to be clear.”

Thank you very much

Wild fires in Canada Artificial rain in the US

America diary

Episode: 7

In Canada, most of the forests in Ontario, Quebec and the western provinces are under fire. Strong winds pushed the smoke along the East Coast and into the Great Lakes region. Canadian officials say that there are more than 400 forest fires in Canada, 250 fires are out of control while 6.5 million acres have been burned so far. Wildfires in the American Northwest have filled the air with yellowish-gray smoke and warned people to stay indoors and keep windows closed. After this terrible fire in the forests of Canada, clouds of smoke spread to the atmosphere of the American city of New York and Massachusetts, as a result of which the atmosphere here turned orange. Yesterday, millions of people living on the East Coast of the United States were warned to be careful in the area due to smoke clouds from the wildfires in Canada. US officials here have advised vulnerable and elderly citizens to stay indoors, while some schools have canceled outdoor activities. Some public places have also been closed in the worst affected areas. Air Quality Index warnings have been issued for Boston, Syracuse and New York, Charlotte, North Carolina and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina areas. By Wednesday morning, the weather had turned orange with wind warnings in some cities. This situation is “unhealthy for people of sensitive nature”. US authorities classify children whose lungs are still developing as susceptible. The elderly and those suffering from lung diseases are also ordered to stay indoors.

Forest fires burning in hundreds of places across the Canadian province of Quebec could be felt yesterday from the US state of North Carolina to the south and as far west as Ohio, leaving the air smoky and causing people to feel sore throats. US officials have issued air quality alerts in several areas and have warned that bad conditions will continue for several days, while flights in Canada and the US have been affected and people are forced to wear masks. Here in Springfield, the atmosphere is often orange. Few people are coming out of the houses. The streets are deserted. I am also spending most of my time at home. Yesterday evening a friend, Musa came to my lodgings and took me with him to the Connecticut River. Walked around downtown Springfield, quenched my stomach with Turkish koftas and lassi. Returned late at night. It rained this morning too. It turns out that this rain is not real but artificial rain that is falling intermittently to minimize the effects of the fires in Canada.

Turkish Baklava in Springfield

America diary

Episode: 6

When my mobile phone rang, the other side introduced themselves in Turkish. “My name is Bahadur – I was given your number by your old friend and comrade Mehmet (Muhammad). Through social media he came to know that you are in Springfield, Massachusetts today. He called you. There will also be a call. He is currently living in Florida and he called me specifically to meet Hasnain.”

“Yes! I got a call from Muhammad yesterday. He was saying that a friend of his lives in Springfield and is coming to see me.”

“Where are you right now? Send me your current location. I’m coming to pick you up now if you’re free.”

“I’m just finished. Come pick me up and I’ll send you your current location.” When the phone was switched off, I sent my current location to Bahadur from Google Maps.

Bahadur was just 3 miles away from me. It is worth mentioning here that in America, distances are measured in miles instead of kilometers.

I was just about to go out when my mobile phone rang again. Bahadur was on the other side:

“I’m standing outside your house.”

“I came.” When he came out of the house, a flashy red Chevrolet was parked. In the driver’s seat, a man, same age as me was sitting in a red and speedy truck. Shaved head, light beard and bright eyes. He was truly a Turkish at sight. I got into the car.

After some small talk, he asked about my accommodation, otherwise he should arrange my accommodation at the request of Muhammad. I thanked him. I was not worried about accommodation and food because our schoolmate Faisal had already taken care of them. Bahadur took me to Istanbul Supermarket which is about 3 or 4 km from my residence in Springfield itself. It is not a big market but a big grocery store called Istanbul Supermarket which sells Turkish, Arabic, Indian and Pakistani groceries.

Istanbul Market’s Manager Musa welcomed us and treated us to Turkish Baklava. I abstain from sweets, but if there is baklava, who can deny it? I have seen other diabetics eating Baklava as well.

What is baklava? Baklava is the uncrowned king of Turkish sweets. Baklava is relished in religious festivals, wedding ceremonies and other celebrations. If a special guest comes to the house or office, his mouth is sweetened with baklava.

Baklava is made of pistachios, almonds, walnuts or hazelnuts and syrup in very thin layers of yeast. Apart from Turkey, Baklava is quite famous in the Middle East and even in the Balkan countries, but it got its fame from the city of Gaziantep in Southeastern Turkey, which is the leader in its preparation. Anyways, I ate well and ate well. The original was Turkish baklava which reminded me of Turkish friends and a trip to Turkey in 2012 where we were and had baklava. Yusuf Oladi gave Turkish Baklava to me as a gift during his trip to France in 2019. The Turks were my absolute mentors. There was always baklava in his home and office and while serving Turkish baklava to his guests he used to say: Tatlı Yiyin ve Tatlı Konuşun That is, eat sweet and speak sweet.

Lucky Number 6262

America diary

Episode: 2

As soon as I arrived in America, Faisal Ghafoor would take me to one of his friend Kashan’s mart. This mart was located about 15 minutes walk from the house. The two have been together in Springfield for 11 years. Faisal already resides in Springfield. As soon as Faisal entered the mart, he put a can of Red Bull in his mouth and in a few seconds, he chucked and emptied the can and sat next to Kashan. I was introduced to Kashan. The gentleman was introducing when an 83-year-old American arrived at the counter dragging his walker. The old man’s name was Herbie.

As soon as he arrived, he paid 20 dollars at the counter. $10 worth of cigarettes and the remaining $10 played in the lottery. Playing lottery at the age of 83 having no son or daughter, widower for last 7 years but plays lottery every day without suddenness, 6262 from the same number. Kashan said that 4 months ago, he won the lottery of 4 thousand dollars. It is a State lottery whose income contributes to run Massachusetts public schools. In these schools, not only the education of the children is free, but also they are given free breakfast and mid-day meal.Herbie was talking to his old American friend. He said that he hopes that one day his biggest prize of 1 million dollars will definitely come out. I asked what He would do if the prize of 1 million dollars came out.He replied that he will distribute it among his poor friends. I will give installments of my house to Kashan. I will throw a big party and invite all my friends. “Oh cmon Hassy” (They gave me nick name).But what will you get in all this lottery prize? What would you do with the prize money you’ve been spending $10 every day for ten years?I don’t want anything. I have two houses, one I have given to my wife’s niece as per her will and the rent and pension amount of the other house is very much for the rest of my life. Oh yes, why is it so frequent? That too, for ten years?My wife started buying this lottery. Me and her were together for 42 years. She was a nurse in a hospital. After retirement she lived for only 3 years. In these 3 years, she played the lottery every day with 6262 numbers. Now that she’s dead, I still remember her by playing the $10 lottery every day with my wife Angela’s lucky number. One day the biggest lottery prize will come out and I will make Angela’s dreams come true. Herbie went dragging his walker away. (I loved him so much that I took a picture with him.)

In America

America diary

Episode: 1

I got my US visa in 2018. In the same year, I visited the US states of New York, New Jersey and Washington DC for 10 days. This trip was published in book form titled America Mere Aagay by Misaal Publishers Faisalabad.

My 2 classmates Faisal Ghafoor and Rizwan Mirza wanted to meet me in 2018 as well, but our engagements and then my short stay came in the way and I had to return to my country without meeting these two friends.

Since then, Faisal Ghafoor has been inviting me to America every six months, especially when I went on a trip to Europe in 2019 and then in 2022. Invited to come, but my personal, domestic and office commitments kept interfering and I could not do anything except apologizing

Every time when fate again wrote long journeys and dizziness in my feet took me on a trip to Europe, Faisal’s love returned again. This time he sent his elder brother Bashir Ghafoor to my office in Islamabad to convince me to travel to America as well as Europe. Basheer said that Faisal has reserved the entire portion in his house for me. Repeated insistence and then meeting a new relative were the reasons why I had to come to America after 2 weeks in Europe.

On the afternoon of May 8, 2023, the immigration officer at John Kennedy Airport, New York stamped my passport with a 6-month entry and also said that he wanted to come to Pakistan. I smiled and invited him to host. “Oh thank you”, and he handed me my passport.After leaving the lounge, Faisal Ghafoor was standing in front of the outdoor lounge. We met years later. One color of happiness was coming on his face and another was going away. Embraced eachother and got into his car and reached Jackson Heights, New York. It was like a Pakistani neighborhood where a large number of Indians and Bengalis also live. After eating mutton kadhahi, chicken tikka, tawa fish and chickpeas at the famous Dera restaurant here, we proceeded to Faisal’s house at 95 Springfield, Massachusetts. Remember that Faisal was also accompanied by his friend Sheikh Sahib. Otherwise, how could we both eat so much.My friends and relatives living in America and Canada are requesting to meet me.How many friends did I get to meet? How many places should I be registered? Only time will tell.