Rethinking development and prosperity

The divide between 'haves' and 'have nots' persists in the Afghan capital. Is this stark difference an indication of 'development' and 'prosperity'?

The building blocks of sustainable development rather than boosting the revenue of the elites must first begin with addressing the 'most urgent' needs of the poorest populations.

Will Kabul, a city with over 10,000 widows and thousands of orphans, ever achieve that?

Sonu Nigam's concert: an embarrassment to all Afghans?

The residents of Kabul were eagerly awaiting the first ever arrival of one of the most popular Indian music icons, Sonu Nigam, in the Afghan capital.

Posters of the concert could be seen almost in every major intersection and on the main roads in Kabul. After the fall of the Taliban, this was seen as a major foreign musician visit to Afghanistan and obviously 'fun time' for the people, especially youths.

As the sun sets, the Ghazi Stadium is packed with more than 10, 000 fans, men and women. The tickets ranged from $ 10 to around $100 or higher. The live coverage of the concert on the national television reached millions of audience in the region.

This was an extraordinary event, one that almost nobody anticipated. The security of 10, 000 plus (some totaled the number to over 40,000 ) audience is not an easy task, so police were obviously quite overwhelmed. It was such a remarkable scene.

Mismanagement was obvious at the outset. More than 50 people could be seen standing idle on the stage. Policemen could be seen beating the people and forcing them to sit on the chairs.

All this, forced the visitors to plead for calm, respect and appropriate behavior. Soon, some started throwing sandles on the stage, others jumped on the electric wires, while some were filmed sitting on the speakers. More requests were made although all in vain.

The worst was yet to come. Due to the overwhelming number of people, the stage finally collapsed as Sonu Nigam and his group narrowly escaped a fatal accident. The security came to manage the 'already too late' scenario. The fans waited and waited, but the concert was over although a brief appearance was made.

This fiasco hit the capital as some including the media called it an 'embarrassment for Afghans' and put the blames on the organizers. Yet, we fail to admit that this could happen anywhere to anyone. Remember, the rock concert fire incident in US a few months ago that took the lives of almost the entire group?

Police and organizers are sure to be blamed; they could have done a better job of getting 'unnecessary people' off the stage and keeping the audience away from the stage. So much could have been done.

However, this should in no way be seen as an embarrassment. Sonu Nigam and his group 'received the warmest welcome' as they admitted themselves from Afghans. Exceptions are always there and a country emerging from over 24 years of war, well there maybe more exceptions.

This concert was a lesson learnt for one and all. What is important is whether we learn from this mistake in future friendly events? As Afghans say, "Maybe underneath this mishap, laid some good."

Truth Panel for Afghanistan

Afghanistan's attempts to launch an independent truth commission while welcomed must be seen through an idealistic lens.

Chances are that every Afghan family is affected in one way or the other by the atrocities committed by the power holders, who are leading a cozy life both inside and outside Afghanistan.

Zardad's conviction in England is the first step in somehow relieving the deep pains of hundreds of thousands of victims.

Why a truth commission may be idealistic? Until, these alleged criminals whose hands are covered with the blood of thousands of innocent lives, are brought to justice, these "leaders" may not even be alive thanks to the inherent, complicated processs of the commission.

Except for an admission of their past crimes, which seems very unlikely, such an attempt would serve nothing more. At the end, forgiveness would be granted to them and their atrocities will remain buried in the hearts of Afghans, forever.

Having said this, something is better than nothing. Justice must be served and the sooner, the better. Many nations emerging from post-war situations have had to deal with their past crimes in one way or the other.

Afghans have to take this bold step as well. It should be up to the Afghan nation whether they forgive those convicted or want them to pay for their atrocities.

The Truth Commission, thus, should be supported by one and all seeking justice and advocating for the rights of Afghans. In this process, no one should be spared: Afghan or non-Afghan.

Here is a well-written analysis from Guardian Weekly, UK

How to tackle the traditional practice of illegal marriages in Afghanistan?

Forced and marriages at illegal ages are of grave concern for the human rights activists working for Afghanistan. Although the constitution sets limits on the marriage age both for males and females, the traditional practices often overlook these laws.

No doubt, these practices are both contrary to the teachings of Islam and national laws. However, an appropriate and practical solution may be sought in addressing the traditional roots and actors that praise such actions.

The loud and informed condemnation of these abhorent practices that put into jeapordy the lives of thousands of Afghan kids may be the first step in putting an end to illegal marriages. For this to happen, Afghanista has a long way to go.


"Nearly 60 percent of marriages in Afghanistan involve girls below the legal age of 16, according to reports from the Ministry of Women's Affairs and NGOs. Some girls are married as young as nine."

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