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...
Syed Shamas Uddin Mount Diablo – A Sunset Sanctuary of the East Bay Nestled in the heart of Contra Costa County, Mount Diablo rises to an elevation of approximately 3,849 feet (1,173 meters), making it one of the most prominent peaks in the San Francisco Bay Area. On May 7, 2025, we had the opportunity to visit this majestic landmark, located about 17 miles southeast of San Ramon—a short yet scenic drive that led us away from urban rhythm and into serene wilderness. Unlike its usual reputation for drawing flocks of sunset admirers, our visit was surprisingly tranquil. As we zigzagged our way up the winding mountain road, we encountered only a vehicle or two descending from the summit. An equal number of cyclists could be seen pedaling steadily uphill, their silhouettes etched against the backdrop of rolling hills and chaparral slopes. The climb itself was an experience—quiet, reflective, and filled with the crisp scent of spring foliage. Upon reaching the summit, the sense of solit...