Kitabi Aisha Aur Umer

A Review of the book, Inglorious Empire: What the British did to India, By Shashi Tharoor 

Aisha Sarwari asks, Umer Riaz:

1. What's the book about?
Shashi Tharoor argues that the British owe India reparations for colonialism

2. Is there evidence to prove a need for returning the money the British made off the Indian economy?
The political argument makes more sense than the economic argument

3. How would you apologize if you were British?
Umer drafts a spectacular press release from Britain to India apologizing, but refusing to pay anything now or return the kohenoor 

Book pick by Aisha: The Hate U Give By Angie Thomas

Umer: What is this about?
Aisha: Race relations in present-day America with #BlackLivesMatter reminds me of civil unrest in Karachi violence in the 1990s

Umer: Why is this book remembered?
Aisha: The incredible craft of dialogue in this young adult novel made it about the big question of a significant fight against white supremacy

Umer: What is the police killings vs perpetuating gun violence by civilians and what is the range of discussion?
Aisha: Gun violence tells us that the myth of the American Dream where merit exists, but in reality it never did, there is systemic oppression

Umer: Last words?
Aisha: I am blown away by how an ordinary girl has to choose ethics vs self-preservation, by the role of women who have lost sons to gun violence. At the end of the day, this is a beautiful love story between an alive Starr and a dead Khalil.

Book link: https://www.amazon.com/Hate-U-Give-Angie-Thomas/dp/0062498533

Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig. 
Umer Riaz talks to Aisha Sarwari about his favorite book and the three most significant 'aha' moments: 

1. Philosophy of Science
2. Relational Drama 
3. and the pressure to conform to societal norms. 

This is a pilot. More to come