Louis Braille, the inventor of the reading and writing system for the blind, was born exactly 200 years ago. I listened to an inspiring BBC podcast about him this morning. His genius was such that the system is used today unchanged, and allows the blind to read at some 120 words per minute. Braille invented his system at the age of 15, and died by the age of 43 of tuberculosis. Continue reading ‘Mathematics for the blind’
Archive for the 'Iran' Category
The nouveux riches in Iran are engaged in a depressing competition to build the grandest and the most unusual residences with little regards, I feel, for practicalities. Continue reading ‘Security or vanity?’
Bibi Zahra runs a tea shop in the village of Kang, near Mashhad. Her husband is a “Janbaz”, or an injured veteran from the Iran–Iraq war. Due to his post-traumatic stress disorder, he cannot work, and the meagre pension he gets has left Bibi Zahra as the sole breadwinner. Life is clearly tough, but you wouldn’t know it, looking at the smiling face of Bibi. Her daughter, Elham, was one of the top students taught by my cousin’s wife, Elmira, who teaches in nearby Torghabeh. Continue reading ‘Unsung heroine’
I am in Mashhad in Iran for a week, staying with my dad. I am increasing disliking the city life in Iran. My cousin, Mohammad, suggested we go out of town near Torghabeh, where his friend Mehdi has an ancestral land and garden. Mehdi made a traditional “abgoosht” (meat soup), on a wood burner. It was a welcome change from the city.
The desert city of Yazd in Iran is famous for the “badgir” or windcatcher. It is a simple chimney that protrudes from the top of buildings and, with no moving parts, magically transforms the gentle warm desert breeze into a cool draught in the rooms below. I am glad this has now made its way to the west by an Iranian.
Hooman Majd is a childhood friend of mine. His book on Iran, The Ayatollah Begs to Differ, has just been published. I have not seen it, but knowing Hooman and seeing previous writings, I think this will be a great read for those wanting a better understanding of the complexities in Iranian culture. Continue reading ‘New book on Iran’
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