Letter from a prisoner - Lost in translation

Last semester, I chose linguistics as a filler subject towards my degree. I found the course very interesting as it made me see language in a whole new light. It also made me reflect on my language journey. It is rather ironic that in a world where communication is easier than ever, so much is misunderstood and misinterpreted. This is exacerbated by me being a prisoner as I naturally have limited contact with the real world. I have not managed to keep abreast of the vocabulary that has become part and parcel of daily lingo.

For a bit of context, keep in mind that I came to prison before the advent of smart phones and the social media boom (I assume this is how grandparents must feel when conversing with kids). The world has certainly changed dramatically during the years in which I have been isolated from it. Uber, Snapchat, filters, Samsung Pay, apps in general and the like are concepts which are difficult to comprehend. This was very apparent at a recent visit to the doctor. I felt that the doctor was being rather rude by busying herself on her phone whilst discussing my health. I felt like a complete idiot when it transpired that she was busy perusing my blood test results from her phone and not updating her status! How the world has changed!

As much as I will be lost in translation upon release, I was just as lost when I entered the prison system. Prisoners have their own lingo which is a mixture of languages, cultures and groups such as gangs.

Here are some of the English or made up words that are part of the prison vocabulary (and mine too!):

“Kalkop” – a quarter loaf of unsliced bread

“cement” – breakfast porridge

“dish” – having to serve one’s entire sentence without being released on parole, due to some serious transgression inside prison

“box” – the prison measure for marijuana, equivalent to little more than a pinch of tobacco

“balloon” – condoms

“ten” – the prison measure for loose tobacco

“diya-diya” – makeshift curtains made from sheets or towels which are draped over the sides of ones bed to give a modicum of privacy

“quatier”- prison issued shoes, more or less like childrens school lace-ups

“gas” – electricity

“dye” – any condiment used to make a hot beverage

“pipi”- the male socket at the end of a cellular phone charger

“Six. Nine.” – Urination

“Cheque” – Newspaper that is used to roll a cigarette or joint

“waste” – toilet paper

“scooter” – a rag for cleaning the floor

“wind” – airtime

“scoop” – any plastic container that can hold liquid

As can be seen, many of the words are ordinary English words but used with very different meanings. I will need to revert to the dictionary definitions before I end up  buying my niece a rag instead of a “scooter” or am shocked if she asks for “balloons” or “cheque!”

Days of our lives

                                                                                   comedy.uk.com

Heard a horrific story today of a young Indian woman who got married to the love of her life. A year after marriage she had an ectopic pregnancy and had to be hospitalized. Naturally it was a traumatic experience for her and it only got worse when her in laws told her she must go back to her mother's house as she cant give them a grand child.She is supposedly bad luck. What kind of a sick mentality is this and what kind of a spineless husband did this poor woman marry? He needs to be given a good solid trashing in my opinion. 

A few weeks ago there was a patient of ours who was complaining about the shoddy slow service he received from a teller at a bank he frequents. Today the same teller coincidentally visited the pharmacy. When i heard this individuals life story i was very sad, in fact almost in tears. The teller in question had 2 strokes at the age of 17. The strokes were triggered due to the extreme stress and strain of writing matric exams. After the stroke, the person was unable to walk let alone speak.They underwent lots of therapy sessions to improve speech and regain movement. It took years before the person was able to lead a normal life again. Well,almost normal as the mobility of this individual is still a bit sluggish.Sometimes we quick to judge and mock other people without knowing the persons life story. DON'T DO THAT. A person like this needs to be encouraged all the time. Make a disabled or a physically handicapped person a part of society. Don't shun these people. Don't laugh at them. Don't mock at them. Only they know what they go through on a daily basis. People like this need to be treated with extra care, compassion and encouragement..They are a constant reminder to us at how grateful and thankful we should be if God Almighty has blessed us with good health.

On a more lighter side... If you really wanna know how pathetic the state of education is in this country. Well allow me to shock you. A few weeks ago had a patient who works in the corporate world who came to me wanting medication for abdominal pain. As there is a stomach bug going around, i naturally took out medication related to gastric flu. The patient picks up one of the bottles of medication and then says, ' oops i don't have a tummy issue. I don't have pain in my tummy." So then i said, "Can you show me where exactly are you experiencing pain dear?" The patient pointed towards the lower back and buttock area...Yip a corporate driving a big flashy car......

A dream I lived alone with Namrata Gupta Khan

“A dream I lived alone” is a beautifully written book highlighting the life story of the living legend Ustaad Ghulam Mustafa Khan Sahab. The book is co –authored by his daughter in law Namrata Gupta Khan. As I read the book, I couldn’t help but marvel at the simplicity and the down to earth nature and character that Ustaad Sahab has displayed throughout his life whether it was towards his own family, his neighbours, his students (Hariharanji, Shaan, Sonu Nigamji, Manna Dey Sahab, Asha Bhosleji to list a few) or his acquaintances. From humble beginnings he has emerged as an iconic figure not only in India but internationally in the field of Indian classical music. Whilst many people in today’s fast paced world command respect through their wealth and riches, Ustaad Sahab commands respect through his humility and wise words of wisdom. Having had the opportunity of being in his esteemed company a month ago, I was totally overwhelmed by the piety of this majestic soul. Every word that emerged from his mouth was either a prayer or words providing guidance in an individual’s life. (May Allah grant you all a long life of good health. May Allah grant you all success. May Allah protect your marriage from the evil eye). When Ustaad Sahab met Papa, out of respect towards his guest, Ustaad sahab got up to embrace dad and asked him to sit next to him. As we chatted, he quietly asked his beloved daughter in law to serve us tea or something cold. He was quite insistent that we do have something to eat. We spent only an hour in his esteemed presence, yet we will never ever be able to forget the warmth and hospitality displayed towards all of us. As a wise man once said, “People may not remember exactly what you did, or what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel.”

As a side thought, I am of the opinion that every narrow minded judgmental Muslim individual should read this book. I know for a fact that there are people out there within our community who are of the opinion that if a Muslim person is a part of the art and culture fraternity that they are going straight to hell. Who are we to judge another human being? Who are we to taunt another human being for the God given talent that they were born with? Ustaad Sahab is a very modest man, yet from what I was told, he spends the latter part of the night immersed in worship until sunrise. Whilst travelling he is consistently in the rememberance of God Almighty. His character is exemplary towards young and old. No one gives us the right to judge the affairs of another human being. The world that we reside in is indeed a beautiful place. Hence, use your eyes to see the good that exists all around you. Religion, prayer and faith should be a very personal interaction between you and God Almighty. The artist playing his harmonium or the singer engaging with his audience through his melodious voice bestowed upon him by his Creator, can in all probability be a better human being than the person tearing the prayer mat night and day but also chooses to run down his fellow human being at every given opportunity. Think about it. Live and let live!
My heartiest congratulations goes out to Namrata Gupta Khan for her sterling efforts in putting this book together. I am sure it was not an easy task considering Ustaad Sahab does not like talking much about himself or his achievements. At the end, it was definitely worth the effort. I would also like to take the opportunity to sincerely thank her once again for affording us the opportunity to meet her Papaji, Ustaad Ghulam Mustafa Khan Sahab. This book is definitely a must read.

Go order your copy today at
👇
*Amazon* : http://bit.ly/ADreamILivedAlone

*Flipkart* : http://bit.ly/UstadGhulamMustafaKhan

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Those of you who know me personally will acknowledge that in general I am a very bright and bubbly human being. I love to sing, dance and laugh. Dad says he needs to change the pharmacy name to "The Heeee Heeee Haaaa Haaaa Pharmacy" Even in the most serious of situations I always see things in a positive light. Nothing in the world phases me. Why worry when in essence, we have no control over our lives. If you place your full trust and faith in God Almighty you will soon realize that He is undoubtedly the best of planners. For many, 2018 has been a tough, challenging year. To my facebook friends and family I ask all of you to usher in the new year feeling positive and up beat about life. Always remember that if you think your struggles are unbearable, there is always someone out there who is worse of than you. The key to success in life is gratitude. God Almighty says that if you show gratitude, He will grant you more. Start your year wanting to do good and be good in all aspects of life.Show love and kindness to everyone around you. Be tolerant of other peoples culture, faiths and religions. It will get you very far in life. A few days ago, I received an inbox message from a Muslim gentleman who asked the following question, " Why are you wearing Hindu clothing during your trip to India Did you suddenly become a Hindu in India?" I was contemplating naming and shaming this idiot of a human being on a public platform, But then I old myself, I do not wish to engage with an individual who was obviously born with a narrow minded pea sized brain. I prefer engaging with people of great knowledge and intellect. This is my new year resolution for 2019, surrounding myself with people who are positive and encouraging and of course staying away from people who are all dull and gloom. Don't let other peoples negativity or narrow minded views bring you down in life. You are your own person. You are the captain of your own ship. Only you can steer your ship through stormy waters with hard work, determination and perseverance. Be the best version of yourself with each passing year. Don't ever compete with anyone else except yourself. Throughout the year I meet hundreds of people who frequent the pharmacy. If I have hurt anyone, if I came across as being rude or abrupt or perhaps it was extremely hectic and you caught me at the wrong time, i do apologize for my shortcomings and humbly ask for your forgiveness. Happy 2019 to all my friends and family across the globe. Lots of love and God Bless!

Letter from a prisoner - Tis the worst time of the year

                                                                      Bing.com

                                                                    

The festive season evokes a sense of joy and achievement in all. Another year has come to an end and most enjoy a well deserved break. It is a time of family and friends, of creating memories. It is also a time of reflection and of setting goals for the year to come. Most inmates share these sentiments and the festive spirit permeates even the thick prison walls. For me though, it is the worst time of the year.

Over this period, the prison comes to a standstill; with only the essential activities taking place and the prison being locked very early every day. It is also obviously the end of the academic year. Consequently, there is a lot of free time with minimal productivity. Whilst I will pursue some personal endeavors, it is ultimately a period of stagnation. 

Some may wish for times of no responsibility and being able to literally do nothing, but the reality is horrible. Without purpose and productivity, man ceases to be man. 

The end of the year does signify being another year closer to freedom but that is a simplistic, one dimensional view. It is another year of my life that I can never replace. As many are, I too am proud of my achievements in 2018 but it is bitter for it is impossible to not think on what could have been. 

With so much free time, I invariably delve into the treasure chest of my past. I have been blessed to have experienced some incredible festive periods in my life. From umrah with grandparents to new years eve in Cape Town and from bustling cities to natural splendour, I have priceless memories. 

Reminiscing is a powerful form of escapism; I can almost feel the vibrations run up my arms as I reel in a trout, smell the freshness of the ocean, see the immaculate fairway before me, hear the laughter of loved ones and salivate at the memory of the taste of ice cream on a balmy summer day. The memories are bliss, but the return to reality is awful, not only because of my current station in life but because I will never get to make new ones with my parents. After all, memories are not about exotic locations or adventures but about the people we create them with. 

The festive season means more contact and precious time with family and friends, for me it is the polar opposite. As loved ones travel to all parts of the globe, I have less telephonic contact and fewer visitors. During this period, that which I look forward to most is suspended exacerbating my feelings of loneliness. Waiting to hear of their experiences does however fill me with excitement as knowledge of their joy is my source of joy.

With the above in mind, what frustrates me most is hearing complaints and negativity from almost everyone. "The hotel we stayed in before was better," "the food was not great," "he/she was starting to annoy me " "I didn't buy much," and "I had a lovely time...BUT..." are the types of comments that irk me. 

There are literally billions in the world, beginning with me, who can only dream of what you get to experience. So, be grateful for all that you are blessed with and get to experience over this festive season and in general. Start seeing the glass half-full, take time to smell the roses and treasure every second you share with loved ones. Take nothing for granted knowing that for some this is the worst time of the year! 

Letter from a prisoner - Separating fact from fiction

Picture taken from net images

In the digital age that we live in, it is almost impossible to not allow the messages that
we are exposed to, to impact on our understanding of any particular subject.
With regards to prison, this notion is exacerbated due to the (fortunate) fact that most people have never set foot in a prison.
Most of the questions that I am asked about prison life is indicative of the naivety of
society to prison happenings. The general perception of prison is derived from literature,
the media, movies and television series. Having read many books (fiction and non-fiction)
and watched my fair share of movies or series related to prison, I have realized that they
paint a very different picture to the reality behind the high walls and contribute to many misconceptions. The following are some of the common misconceptions and the actual realities:

 “Prison is dangerous”
Yes; prison contains the scum of society, those who have perpetrated the heinous crimes
that make you cringe when you hear about them, but within the confines of prison there is
relative safety. Being intimidated on a daily basis, having to watch your back at all times,
avoiding certain individuals, gangs, rape, shanks and the like are nice embellishments to any
script but they are not what a prisoner must endure. In all my years in prison, I have never
once been the victim of any such activity. Fights, some with improvised weapons, do occur
but with no more frequency than I had experienced at a prestigious all boys school. Rape is
almost unheard of. Gangsterism exists but not to the extent that it occurs in some societies
in the real world, it is merely an extension of what men were already involved in before their
incarceration. The scope of gang activity in prison is largely limited to drugs, with violence a
rarity. In many ways, I am probably safer in here than the average South African.

 “Contraband is difficult to obtain”
Contraband, especially in the form of money, drugs and cellular phones, is extremely simple
to obtain. Almost all wardens are corrupt and will gladly bring in items for inmates. They
make very good money from smuggling contraband into the prisons and are brazen enough
to approach inmates to offer their services.

 “Spending the rest of one’s life in prison”
In some parts of the world, life in prison literally means life in prison but in South Africa
there is no such thing. Those sentenced to “life” are eligible for parole after serving 25 years
of their sentences but amendments are continually made and some sentenced to life have
been released after serving as little as 12 years.

 “Prison food is terrible”
We live in a world where everyone has rights and have the right to have their rights
protected. Prisoners are no exception! On the whole, prison food is decent. It is pretty much
like eating at a boarding school. Most ingredients are what is sold in retail stores and the
preparation is done in a rather professional manner. The menu has variety and all cultural,
religious and medical needs are catered for. Prison kitchens are regularly inspected by
independent bodies and inmates have many avenues to pursue if they have issues with
food. Eating rats, cats, pigeons, insects or even each other does not happen in South African
prisons; though it is not only a Hollywood idea as it actually happens in places such as
Zimbabwe.

 “Prisoners have to follow strict routines”
There is no routine to follow aside from being at one’s cell at the time of lock up. Whilst the
cells are unlocked, an inmate has the freedom to engage in whatever activities he (or she)
likes. Food is served at certain times but does not have to be consumed at that particular
time or in a particular location, as commonly portrayed in mess halls in movies. The only
other mandatory routine is to be ready for a cell inspection on Sunday mornings, wherein
the cell and person are inspected for cleanliness.

 “Suicide is a common in prisons”
One would think that suicide would be an easy way out for those condemned to spend many
years in prison but that is a fallacy. The suicide rate for prisons is less than a quarter of the
national suicide rate. Whilst there are no real obstacles to committing suicide, it simply does
not occur frequently.

 “Most prisoners claim innocence”
On the contrary, most prisoners are proud to share the details of their crimes without any
remorse. The overwhelming majority acknowledge that they were wrong. They generally
show now regret for committing crime, rather they only regret being caught.

The portrayals of prison life that movie goers, bookworms and fans of series like
Prison Break and Orange is the New Black may be thoroughly entertaining but they
are by no means an accurate reflection of the reality. It is one of the rare cases in life
where fact is slightly better than fiction.