Window to Gilgit-Baltistan

By Syed Shams Uddin I recently had the chance to watch an exceptionally inspiring interview of Muhammad Amin Zia, conducted on March 21, 2021, by the renowned poet and bureaucrat Rehman Shah on Ibex Media Network (IMN). The interview illuminated the remarkable contributions of Muhammad Amin Zia, who embodies the rare and distinguished qualities of a poet, author, and educationist. With his eloquent Urdu, Rehman Shah began by tracing the literary history of the region, emphasizing the persistent efforts of intellectuals who pursued knowledge despite an unfavorable educational environment. Over time, he noted, these endeavors bore fruit. He went on to commend Muhammad Amin Zia’s outstanding contributions, particularly highlighting his pioneering work in compiling a precise Shina dictionary comprising some 1500 words back in 1974 —a monumental achievement in the preservation and development of the language. About his propensity, Zia said it is always his wont to embark on a a very ne...

Syed Shams Uddin During my student days in the late 1960s at Government High School Gilgit—later known as F.G. Government Boys School—I had the privilege of being taught Urdu by the revered Maulvi Raji-ur-Rehmat, affectionately known in literary circles by his poetic pen name, Nazar. He was not only a dedicated educator but also a towering figure in Urdu poetry, admired for his extraordinary gift of spontaneous composition. Maulvi Raji-ur-Rehmat possessed a rare poetic intuition. It was not uncommon for him to break into an impromptu couplet during the course of a lesson, captivating his students with verses that were at once witty, profound, and beautifully crafted. These spontaneous poetic expressions would often be met with delight and admiration from all of us, a testament to his effortless command over language and his innate poetic brilliance. His verses carried both substance and elegance, revealing a natural gift that could neither be taught nor imitated. He was a livin...

By Syed Shams Uddin Concluding our memorable sojourn in California, we began our journey back to Pakistan on the evening of May 23 (California Standard Time), once again choosing the reliable services of Qatar Airways. With a sense of both fulfillment and nostalgia, we boarded our return flight from San Francisco International Airport, carrying with us not only our belongings but also a trove of cherished memories accumulated over the preceding weeks. As the aircraft ascended into the Pacific skies, leaving behind the golden state of California, a bittersweet sentiment settled in—one marked by gratitude for the experiences we had enjoyed and an awareness that we were heading back to the demanding rhythm of responsibilities and daily life in Pakistan. Our travel itinerary involved a relatively short layover at Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar—a modern, efficient, and traveler-friendly hub that provided just enough time to refresh and prepare ourselves for the second leg...

By Syed Shams Uddin A Soulful Sojourn to Santa Cruz – 18th May 2025 Setting Out: A Drive Beyond Distance On the early afternoon of May 19, 2025, beneath the warm embrace of a golden Californian sun and the whisper of a gentle breeze, we set out from Dublin, California. Our destination was the storied coastal town of Santa Cruz—but this was no ordinary trip. It was a journey of transition: from suburb to sea, from motion to stillness, from the familiar to the profoundly felt. But before the road unfurled its scenic poetry, we paused for a different kind of experience—one of culinary and cultural significance. A Taste of Home at Bundoo Khan: Subcontinental Flavors in the Heart of America Just fifteen minutes from downtown Dublin and conveniently located off the freeway, Bundoo Khan welcomed us with the rich promise of home. More than just a restaurant, Bundoo Khan is a vibrant cultural outpost—an establishment bringing the authentic flavors of the Indo-Pak subcontinent to American s...

By Syed Shams Uddin Based on our journey on May 11, 2025, from Dublin, California, toward San Francisco—where we passed Caldecott Tunnel but had to return before reaching the Golden Gate Bridge—I’ll highlight the notable tourist spots, lakes, bridges, and other landmarks along our route that are worth mentioning. 🔶 1. Caldecott Tunnel Location: Connects Orinda and Oakland via State Route 24. Significance: This is a key passage through the Berkeley Hills, easing travel between the East Bay and Oakland. It has four bores, with the newest completed in 2013. Experience: It marks a transition from the more suburban landscapes of Contra Costa County into the urban East Bay. 🔶 2. Lake Temescal Location: Just west of the Caldecott Tunnel in Oakland. Significance: A historic reservoir and now a scenic urban lake and park, ideal for picnics, fishing, and walking trails. Noteworthy: One of the first man-made lakes in the East Bay, with trails offering views of Oakland's hills. 🔶 3...

By Syed Shams Uddin Burushaski: The Mysterious Language That Defies Time and Classification In an era where languages vanish at an alarming rate—some disappearing without leaving behind a single speaker—Burushaski stands as a linguistic marvel, a living monument to endurance, mystery, and cultural pride. Spoken in the lofty valleys of Hunza, Nagar, and parts of Yasin in Gilgit-Baltistan, and by a proud tiny diaspora in Indian-occupied Kashmir, Burushaski is one of the world’s most fascinating and least understood languages. What sets Burushaski apart is its classification as a language isolate. This means it has no known linguistic relatives—neither in the neighboring regions nor across the broader linguistic families of Asia or Europe. While most languages of South and Central Asia fall under well-mapped families like Indo-European, Turkic, or Sino-Tibetan, Burushaski appears to have emerged from a linguistic lineage entirely its own, unconnected to any other tongue on Earth. Fo...