Author Archives: Razi Azmi

India and Pakistan: a death dance

Posted on January 30, 2018 by Razi Azmi

A Hindutva-inspired jingoism has now taken hold in India, threatening all manner of punitive actions against its smaller neighbor. For good measure, Pakistani policy-makers keep reminding India of their nuclear option.

Posted in Current Affairs | 9 Comments

Dictators and despots – endangered but not extinct

Posted on January 22, 2018 by Razi Azmi

In our this 21st century,  military coups have become rare, presidents for life have become an extinct species and shameless dictators, despots and autocrats with no end date are an endangered species. It will be a while, however, before the … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs | 7 Comments

A tale of many “Stans” – a journey through Central Asia

Posted on October 1, 2017 by Razi Azmi

Having said all that by way of an introduction, my purpose here is to describe my recent journey through the five Stans or, to be more accurate, four Stans: namely Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Posted in Travelogues | 3 Comments

A journey to Afghanistan

Posted on June 12, 2017 by Razi Azmi

With such dire warnings from a Pakistani diplomat, in addition to the well-known dangers of travelling in Afghanistan, with a very heavy heart I almost decided against going. It would have been my second failed attempt to visit that country, … Continue reading →

Posted in Travelogues | 12 Comments

The wretched lives of domestic servants

Posted on May 24, 2016 by Razi Azmi

Anyone familiar with the duties of domestic servants in countless homes in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Middle East, would think that Romana Cacchioli is describing their plight, rather than those of slaves in north Africa.

Posted in Current Affairs | 3 Comments

Visions of mortality – deadly serious

Posted on May 7, 2016 by Razi Azmi

Humanity is forever locked in the battle for life against death, whatever the religious belief or lack of it.  Man’s greatest preoccupation, the mission of his life, so to speak, is to live on.  From pope to layman, imam to … Continue reading →

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Academic achievement and human dignity

Posted on April 18, 2016 by Razi Azmi

Most migrants from Asia and Africa attribute the West’s success to their mineral wealth (Australia and Canada), colonial exploitation (England and France) or imperialism (USA).  Some mention “national unity” or “good/sincere leadership”.  Many reject even the notion of western superiority, … Continue reading →

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To Myanmar on a mission

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Razi Azmi

I was very fearful, for we would be in very choppy waters, only a few kilometres from where the river meets the sea, and neither my brother nor I could swim. Besides, we could be caught by border guards on … Continue reading →

Posted in Reminiscences | 2 Comments

The Teknaf base that never was

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Razi Azmi

It was a very dark and scary night.  A heavy downpour soon drowned out the cacophony of noises from insects and birds and left us wet, cold and confused.  Armed only with a few pickaxes, spades and kitchen knives, our … Continue reading →

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Sikdar, Samiullah and Sarbahara – II

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Razi Azmi

Highly charismatic, intelligent and persuasive, Sikdar was bold and resolute. His disarming smile concealed a personality capable of ruthlessness in the pursuit of his goal. Which is why some who knew Sikdar very well think that had he succeeded in … Continue reading →

Posted in Reminiscences | 2 Comments