Quotable quote

 From "No Other Land"

An anti-Maldives article in The Jerusalem Post by a believing Jew - what more can I expect? Goosebumps?

Read this article titled: Maldives: A destination that bans Israelis, would you book a vacation there? - opinion

The subheadline reads: How long will it take before the Israeli ban broadens into the total exclusion of all Jews, no matter where they hail from?

The Bible-quoting writer, Cookie Schwaeber-Issan, is described as "a former Jerusalem elementary and middle school principal. She is also the author of Mistake-Proof Parenting, available on Amazon, based on the time-tested wisdom found in the Book of Proverbs."

What we have here is a believing Jew who thinks God is going to punish the Maldives President, the Maldives Parliament, and the Maldives Citizens, for "cursing" Jews, God's so-called "chosen" people, and God's so-called "chosen" land called Israel.

When unthinking, ignorant and arrogant people like this Cookie express their skewed opinions under the democratic right of free speech, one might wonder, why does God favor one race over the others? Why then did He create all kinds of races? What's so special about Jews anyway? But I guess this kind of logic can't be realized by a believing Jew.

Some interesting excerpts from the article:

The Maldives, a magnificent paradise that embodies the most sought-after and luxurious heavenly destinations, is being governed by the evilest of regimes, willing to disavow God, who has warned against the devastating effects for anyone who holds his beloved Israel in contempt.

In such cases, the Almighty has given us a foreshadowing of how He will respond to such acts: “I am exceedingly jealous for Zion; yes, with great wrath I am jealous for her. (Zech. 8:2)...

Nonetheless, the war has provided an acceptable outlet to rail against God’s chosen. But now that it’s out in the open, the Maldives should also be prepared to face the consequences of their actions, because their decision doesn’t go unnoticed.

Genesis 12:3, the scripture that clearly reminds us that anyone who curses Israel will themselves be cursed, is still in effect, bringing the resulting punishment upon those who hate the people and the land that God created for Himself.

Should I shudder with fear?

Quotable quote

"She wouldn't admit it - she might not even realize it herself, but she's the kind of person who would feel beholden to me. She would think I need her. When what I really need is for her to be happy, whether it's with me, or alone, or with someone else." 

-- Ali Hazelwood, "Bride"

FILM REVIEW: “All We Imagine As Light”

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Released date: 2024

This is a poetic, magical, and deeply human portrait of women seeking connection in an indifferent world.

Payal Kapadia’s “All We Imagine As Light” is a luminous and deeply intimate Malayalam-language film that quietly redefines modern Indian arthouse cinema. Set in the teeming heart of Mumbai, this India’s first Cannes Grand Prix-winning gem tells the story of three women — Prabha, Anu, and Parvaty — as they navigate love, loss, and longing in a city that rarely offers space for personal dreams.

While its language shifts between Malayalam, Hindi, and Marathi, the film speaks a universal emotional dialect. Kapadia’s direction leans toward poetic realism — blending the starkness of everyday life with moments of magical introspection, where the ordinary flickers with a sense of the extraordinary. The title itself hints at this — light isn’t just a visual element here, but a metaphor for hope, clarity, and self-discovery.

Kapadia’s women are not sketched for drama, but for depth. Prabha’s imagined reconciliation with her estranged husband, Anu’s quiet defiance of social barriers for love, and Parvaty’s return to her village all form a mosaic of self-liberation. The film’s ending avoids tidy conclusions, favoring emotional release and personal agency over resolution.

The cinematography is remarkable in its naturalism. Nighttime cityscapes, dim hospital corridors, and sunlit windows are all rendered in an unvarnished, human light, free from Hollywood gloss. Kapadia’s visual storytelling captures the women’s internal landscapes as much as the external one — none more so than in the dreamlike final sequence, where the women gather in a seaside shack lit with strings of soft bulbs, mirroring the stars above. It’s a gentle, breathtaking symbol of connection and belonging.

“All We Imagine As Light” isn’t spiritual in the religious sense, but its meditative exploration of connection, healing, and hope radiates an inner light all its own. For fans of magical realism and quiet cinematic beauty, this film is a must-see.

A heart-warming piece about India's tea culture

No other tea beats India's cha for me.

Here's an interesting feature by Al Jazeera: ‘I always come here’: The Indian tea shop that runs on trust

A hole-in-the-wall tea shop in West Bengal founded by a freedom fighter is run by regular customers when the owner’s out.

“The tea shop remains an enduring symbol of tradition, community living and a love for tea. Every morning and evening, people are drawn not just by the tea, but by a profound sense of belonging and shared history.”

I'm definitely going to watch "Chhaava" especially after the riots but...

... I have also researched into the inaccuracies a film adaption can always have due to taking liberties in order to dramatize true events into a movie. So, I think I am now ready to watch this movie without bias and prejudice.

Read this interesting article by CNN: He’s been dead for more than 300 years. So why is this emperor angering millions today?

Check "Chhaava" information from Wikipedia.

A message to all my social media followers

 

India's writer Arundhati Roy on being unpopular, standing alone.

WATCH: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHyzMKlJX_i/

From award-winning historian Ibram X. Kendi's Instagram: Arundhati Roy on our job as writers. If there aren’t people who take issue with our work, then we aren’t doing our jobs.

I did bodyboarding for 6 years without being aware why I enjoyed it but now...

... here's an article by The Inertia titled: How surfing changes us

"Because the ocean teaches impermanence, surfers tend to handle life’s shifts with more calm and less fear."

Dreams #3: Stealing a 1,000 Rufiya note

I climb the stairs to a first-floor bookshop in the building that once housed the now defunct Haveeru newspaper, where I used to work as a journalist. I don’t know who owns this newly opened store.

I walk through the entire shop, searching for books or novels for young adults and adults—but there are none. Not even stationery. Only children’s books: coloring books, stories, fables.

Disappointed, I decide to leave.

Just as I’m about to head down the stairs, a small pillow magically appears in my right hand. I don’t recall seeing any sofas or chairs for customers to sit and read.

Thinking I should return it if it belongs to a sofa, I lift the pillow. Underneath, a 1,000 Rufiya note appears in my hand—again, as if by magic.

I had never seen the new 1,000 Rufiya note before. As someone from a lower middle-income background, I rarely handled anything larger than a 500.

Strangely, I don’t take it to the “lost and found” at the reception. I’m not sure why. Until then, I’d never seen myself as the sort of person who’d take something that wasn’t his. And what could I even buy for a thousand Rufiya, I wonder?

I examine the note. It has an illustration of a whale shark—the pride of Maldives’ environment and tourism.

Before I could look at the other side of the note, suddenly, a man approaches. Out of fear, I crumple the note, shove it into the back pocket of my pants, and walk down the stairs onto the street.

I don’t know where I’m going.

LIFE IN PICTURES: Brassocattleya hybrid orchid

The colors of Nature are wondrous yet color can sometimes be a distraction. Stripped to black and white monochrome, any object or scene is laid bare to its necessities which brings out their essence due to the enhancement of light and shadows.

This is an orchid which is now in bloom at my parents' terrace garden in Malé, Maldives. 

Brassocattleya or Brasso-cattleya, abbreviated Bc. in the horticultural trade, is an intergeneric orchid hybrid derived from the genera Brassavola and Cattleya. Brassocattleya contains both hybrids that appear in nature (in Brazil), as well as hybrids from cultivation (Wikipedia).

The "tragedy of the commons" will be the undoing of all of us Maldivians

Every Ali, Mohamed & Adam in the country is determined to maximize their benefit from guest-house tourism. On the one hand, any attempt by the govt to regulate and limit the rivalrous nature of developments would be seen as political suicide. On the other, educating the public on what Garrett Hardin illustrated as the paradox of individuals maximizing their own benefit from the resources often leading to overuse and ultimate collapse, is next to impossible. READ MORE from Naimbe's Instagram

LIFE IN PICTURES: When rain clouds gather...

Malé, Maldives.

Smartphones and social media are the undoing of humans

 

We do have a Maldives' analogy for people like JD

Yes, Mr. Vance, you are just another "Kuhlhavah Falu Rani" or instead of "Rani", which means "Queen", shall I use the word "Hypocrite" since you now appear to be someone who has strangely forgotten your roots?

It's not nice to use the word "peasants" to describe anyone even if this VP hates the Chinese.

Here's what he said: “We borrow money from Chinese peasants to buy the things those Chinese peasants manufacture,” Vance told the Fox News show.

Read the article on HuffPost which also contains a 1-minute 27-second videoclip of him posted on X (formerly Twitter) uttering this disgusting word.

What if governments disown their citizens?

Trump has declared that only American citizens can vote in US elections BUT how to prove a person's citizenship beyond any shadow of a doubt?

Fascism has been an integral part of the US

 

"Are people who 'ghost' other people psychologically unstable?" - a friend put it crudely...

Yesterday I met a Maldives' friend and I did this quick research for him because he said he still hasn't overcome been "ghosted" by a close friend of his which happened a while back.

I myself suffered when a close friend ghosted me while I was in Majeediyya School and I was traumatized for a while because Maldives didn't have Internet at that time and so I didn't know how to deal with the scary feelings and uncomfortable emotions I were faced with. Now I have emerged stronger because finally I understand the possible reasons he might have in ghosting me.

So I fed as a prompt into Google's AI chatbot Gemini the exact question my friend asked, which was bluntly, saying: "Are people who 'ghost' other people psychologically unstable?"

And here's Gemini's answer:

While ghosting itself is not typically classified as a mental illness, certain underlying psychological factors or patterns of behavior associated with some mental health conditions might contribute to why someone chooses to ghost.

Here's a breakdown of why it's not accurate to say all people who ghost are psychologically unstable, but why certain connections can be made:

Reasons why ghosting is generally not a sign of psychological instability:

Avoidance of Conflict: Many people ghost to avoid uncomfortable conversations, breakups, or confrontations. This doesn't necessarily indicate a mental health issue, but rather a potentially immature or avoidant communication style.   

Lack of Communication Skills: Some individuals may lack the skills or confidence to express their feelings or intentions directly.

Fear of Hurting Someone's Feelings: Ironically, some people ghost because they believe it will be less painful for the other person than a direct rejection.

Ending Casual Relationships: In very early or casual dating scenarios, some people may see ghosting as an easier way to end things without a formal discussion.   

Personal Discomfort: The person ghosting might feel overwhelmed, anxious, or simply not know how to proceed with the relationship.   

Potential links to psychological factors or mental health-related behaviors:

While not a direct indicator of mental instability, certain patterns or motivations behind ghosting could be associated with underlying psychological issues:

Avoidant Attachment Style: Individuals with an avoidant attachment style tend to value independence and may distance themselves emotionally by ghosting.  

Fearful-Avoidant Attachment Style: These individuals desire closeness but also fear intimacy and rejection, which can lead to ghosting as a self-protective mechanism. 

Low Empathy or Callousness: People with low empathy may struggle to consider the emotional impact of their actions on others, making ghosting more likely.  

Emotional Immaturity: Difficulty managing one's own emotions or considering the emotions of others can contribute to choosing the seemingly "easier" route of ghosting. 

Social Anxiety: In some cases, extreme social anxiety might make direct communication feel overwhelming, leading to ghosting as an avoidance strategy.

Symptoms of Certain Mental Health Conditions: In rare cases, ghosting could be a manifestation of withdrawal or difficulty maintaining relationships associated with conditions like depression, certain personality disorders, or during a mental health crisis. However, this is not the primary or defining characteristic of these conditions.

Self-Centered or Manipulative Traits: Some individuals with self-centered or manipulative tendencies might use ghosting as a way to exert power or avoid accountability.  

Important Considerations:

Pattern of Behavior: Occasional ghosting is different from a consistent pattern of abruptly ending communication in all types of relationships. A repeated pattern might suggest underlying issues.

Context of the Relationship: The impact and interpretation of ghosting can vary greatly depending on the length and depth of the relationship.

Motivation: Understanding the reasons behind the ghosting (if possible) can offer more insight, though this is often what the "ghosted" person lacks.

Conclusion:

It is inaccurate and stigmatizing to label all people who ghost as psychologically unstable. While certain psychological factors and behaviors associated with some mental health conditions can contribute to the act of ghosting, it is often a result of poor communication skills, discomfort with confrontation, or a desire to avoid perceived awkwardness.  

However, repeated ghosting, especially in significant relationships, might be a red flag indicating potential difficulties in interpersonal relationships that could warrant further exploration. It's crucial to avoid generalizations and consider the complexity of human behavior.

However, this conclusion begged another question: "But doesn't the person who was 'ghosted' deserve some kind of resolution or closure to the relationship?"

And Gemini answers:

You are absolutely right. From the perspective of the person who was ghosted, the lack of resolution or closure can be incredibly hurtful and confusing. It's a valid and common feeling to desire understanding and a sense of finality when a relationship ends, regardless of its nature or duration.

Here's why the lack of closure after being ghosted is often so difficult:

Unanswered Questions: The person left behind is often left wondering what happened, what they did wrong (even if they didn't), and why the other person suddenly disappeared. This can lead to rumination, self-doubt, and anxiety.  

Lack of Respect: Ghosting can feel deeply disrespectful, as if the relationship and the person's feelings weren't worth a simple explanation.   

Difficulty Moving On: Without closure, it can be harder to process the end of the relationship and move forward emotionally. The lack of a clear ending can leave a lingering sense of uncertainty and prevent acceptance.

Erosion of Trust: Being ghosted can damage a person's trust in others and make them hesitant to form new connections.   

Emotional Distress: The sudden disappearance can lead to feelings of sadness, anger, confusion, rejection, and even a sense of being disposable.   

Why the person who ghosts often doesn't provide closure:

As discussed previously, the reasons for ghosting are varied, and often they stem from the ghoster's discomfort or inability to handle direct communication. 

They might:   

* Want to avoid conflict or difficult conversations.

* Lack the communication skills to express their feelings.

* Believe it's the "easiest" way out for themselves.

* Feel guilty or uncomfortable causing someone pain.

* Lack empathy for the other person's feelings.

The unfortunate reality is that the person who was ghosted often doesn't get the closure they deserve from the person who ghosted them. This is why it's important for the person who was ghosted to find ways to create their own sense of closure. 

This might involve:

* Acknowledging their feelings and allowing themselves to grieve the loss of the relationship (and the lack of closure).   

* Talking to trusted friends or family about their experience.

* Practicing self-compassion and reminding themselves that the ghosting says more about the other person than about them.

* Setting boundaries and focusing on their own well-being.

* Eventually, being open to new connections without letting the past dictate their future.

In conclusion, while the person who ghosts may have their own reasons (which may or may not be linked to psychological issues), it doesn't negate the valid need for resolution and closure felt by the person who was ghosted. The lack of closure can be a significant source of emotional pain, and it's crucial for those who have been ghosted to prioritize their own healing process.

(End of conversation with Gemini).

I guess I have nothing more to say to Gemini as it offered me answers that satisfied both me and my friend.

PHOTO: A Maldives' friend and I having breakfast last week at Spice Hut in Malé, the capital island of Maldives. I shot this photo of my friend who is the award-winning photojournalist who has been teaching me how to play around with the camera settings of my Redmi 10 2022 smartphone.

Quotable quote

"Other people's approval is a powerful drug. Lucky me, I never got the chance to develop an addiction. If there's something I'm good at, it's rationalizing my peers' contempt toward me. I've been training like piano prodigies: tirelessly and since early childhood."

-- Ali Hazelwood, "Bride"

João Félix is right

 

Every day I learn something new because I am not in a hurry to rush through my life

I do agree life is short and accept all that "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara" cliches. But I am not worried that I might miss things, even important ones, before I kick the bucket.

So, slowly, step by step, I am still learning. Things I am interested in. Like photography.

Today a close Maldivian friend, who is an award-winning photojournalist, adjusted by Redmi 10 2022 smartphone camera's HDR settings and introduced me to the Tilt-shift function. 

It's cool. Expect more such photographs from me. Here's a flower from my parents' terrace garden. It's a Hippeastrum reticulatum, the netted-veined amaryllis, which is a flowering perennial herbaceous bulbous plant, in the family Amaryllidaceae, native to South America:

Maafushi proves tourism is ironic

Aesop only wrote fables. Kill the goose. Take out all the golden eggs. Today. Right now. 😔 READ MORE from Naimbe's Instagram

Films, documentaries & TV series - which one(s) to sacrifice?

I am definitely a buff of visual media. BUT now I am facing a dilemma: 

I don't know where to start. I can't even decide when there are so many good movies and great documentaries and therefore I am faced with the undisputed fact that I may have to sacrifice them if I start watching TV series. 😀

Life is too short now. There're only two more decades before I will turn 70 which is the Maldives' life expectancy age. So shall I sacrifice the TV series and instead watch good films like "Officer On Duty" and "Santosh" and great documentaries such as "No Other Land" or shall I sacrifice those for all the spin-offs - such as "House of the Dragon" - that George R R Martin has announced based on his "Game Of Thrones" universe?

This is a real problem I face now as regards to whether to choose either films and documentaries or TV series!

I guess these thoughts have popped into my mind this week because this week, after much much much delay, I finally watched India's first time Cannes winner "All We Imagine As Light" (2024) and it is awesome - in the sense I felt like going back to arthouse movies after a long time. This is why I feel I can't sacrifice films and documentaries in favor of TV series. I feel 7 good films per week is more worthwhile than 7 episodes of just 1 TV series per week.

In a nutshell, I now have to choose the way I spend time carefully because I don't have much time on Earth as half my life is over. Therefore, I guess I am back to the very very very basic Economics concept of "Opportunity Cost"!! 😂

BOOK REVIEW: "The Heretic Queen" by Michelle Moran

The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It’s not a literary masterpiece, but it’s pretty good. I’d say it’s above average—definitely kept me hooked with all the intrigue and suspense and interesting twists that kept me on the edge of my seat. Plus, I really liked how the author’s writing is simple and flows smoothly, kind of like Sidney Sheldon's novels. Makes it an easy, enjoyable read. A big thank-you to a Maldivian close friend who gifted me this book.

View all my reviews

At least, "The Onion" is with us... 😞😢

Comedy and satire may be the best form of self-defense when the odds are against you in this cruel world. 

Read this humorous article from "The Onion": Israel claims slain Palestinian rescue workers didn’t properly identify selves as human beings

I have translated IDF's intentional murder of neutral Palestinian Red Crescent health workers in an article for Maldives' "Adhives Online" magazine: Israel sifain Palestine Red Crescent ge sihhee eheetherin maraalee aiy fai bandhefa

Literal meaning of the title is "Israeli soldiers murdered Palestinian Red Crescent health workers after tying their hands and feet".

My article is a translation of the key points in the UK's "The Guardian" newspaper's article titled: Palestinian paramedics shot by Israeli forces had hands tied, witnesses say

Sad that Manoj Kumar has passed away 😞😢

As a child I was affected by his blatantly sentimental songs in his films - not that I mind. I love poignant stuff and I unashamedly enjoy nostalgia.

Three songs that stand out for me from his movies are:

1) Zindagi Ki Na Toote Ladi from the film "Kranti"

2) Main Na Bhoolunga from the film "Roti Kapada Aur Makaan"

3) Haye Haye Yeh Majboori from the film "Roti Kapada Aur Makaan"

The third song is not expressly sad in the despair sense but there's a certain melancholic feel to it and I expressly like melancholia too.

Read the BBC article about his death yesterday: Bollywood actor and director Manoj Kumar dies at 87

LIFE IN VIDEOS: Land plot cleared for a new structure on Dhilbahaaru Magu (street), Malé, Maldives

Malé is a city under eternal construction...

 

Watch on TikTok

ANNOUNCEMENT: What I am going to post on this blog hereafter

(PHOTO by Millzero Nishan: Me at Zeeba's Deli & Café, Malé, Maldives)

From now on, I have decided not to post anything "foreign" on this blog unless I have an opinion to express about it. 

I have provided on the right hand column of this blog a link to my profile page that contains the links to all the Dhivehi articles I write on Adhives Online Maldives' magazine every day, so I guess that should cover foreign articles I write for a Maldivian audience. Alternatively, you can find that profile page by clicking on my name in any article of mine you access on Adhives. Please keep in mind that it is the editor of Adhives who chooses the foreign articles that he wants me to translate for that magazine. 

All these years I kept on posting links to foreign articles on this blog because some friends said they are interested in what is interesting for me but I have decided that, at the end of the day, people will search for articles that interest them and it doesn't necessarily have to be what I find interesting. 

The internet now contains all sorts of information, so people can find the kind of information they want through reputed websites or social media that link to articles from such well-known websites. 

I will post only things that come originally from my mind - like my thoughts and ideas about things, and my film and book reviews or my articles about my travels and photos and videos I shoot.

Thank you all my faithful readers and newcomers as well. Peace. Salaam. 😀