Apparently the whole world knew of this photo at least 8 years before me, but i saw it just yesterday in a book review.
There is no sense in being coy about this, because if I don't say who all this people is, I can't get on with this post any further.
The boy whose head is circled in red, is, Osama Bin Laden.
Apparently Osama's family is big. He has 52 half-siblings engendered by his father through more than twenty wives. This is one part of the happy family that went to Falun, Sweden in 1971 and innocent of what was to come, posed in front of a pink Cadillac.
How happy they all are, and how unimaginably westernised, even the girls are in jeans and T-shirts. I wonder whether Osama still retains memories of that life, long back in his past, and feels guilt for himself and his brothers and sisters, all dressed inappropriately, and shamelessly posing in front of a Pink Cadillac?
Or would that memory shame the Osama that he is now?
It is hard to think all that happiness went wrong, and is deemed to be evil- the freedom and happiness that he, with his brothers and sisters shared, is denied to the children of today.
It's a stark contrast to Osama's current life. In a way it is unbelievable. In life there are two parts. One, which is controlled by the parents and elders, two, controlled by the self.
ReplyDeleteThe photograph above and the kind lifestyle it portrays may have been as per the wishes of his family / elders and the one Osama leading today could be his choice.
No one is terrorist by birth. One's choices in life and the company they keep (and kept) can make them what they are today.
obama/ osama...
ReplyDeleteVery confusing
It is possible to shear away the past. The past could contribute its mite in what the person is at the moment.
ReplyDeleteThis is for Christopher Poshin David.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, I am sure you worked hard at it, and can only guess at the skill involved in your post.
I think after Azhar's retirement, I lost my passion for cricket. I watch, comment on it now and then, but don't feel so involved with it as you, SB and Balajhi do.
These five players, and also Sehwag were fit to play in any team in this world. Now that these five are going, it comes as a shock.
Will we ever have so good a batting line-up ever again? Can't imagine.
I wanted to post this comment at your blog, but I couldn't find a way to comment there.
Sorry.
By the way, the broadband was down, or I would have seen your post earlier.
Regards,