1

Meghadutam

On ashadhasya prathama divase,

with the onset of monsoon,

I evoke Kalidasa to recall

the big data of my memories.

In the duta kavyas the clouds

become sky messengers between

two estranged lovers of legends,

sending data at lightning pace.

Tonight from Shantiniketan

I send on blockchain of clouds

multimodal information

to the land of revolutions.

Amidst the din of liberty

and equality and fraternity,

you receive encrypted input

in quantum cloud computing.

At night you do data mining

of clouds transcending barriers

to decipher the sentiments

and render the output as amour.

2

Dim-moon Midnight

Under the light-polluted moon

the AI gives me stats

of the number of human deaths

since the beginning of this earth.

On a night train to Bolpur

I message you, 109 billions

have died, 8 billions still alive.

From a cloudy afternoon

in Barcelona you reply that

this world is a graveyard then.

Whether from dry Bolpur

or from rainy Barca,

it is not difficult to see,

this world is of ghosts, if they be.

But, you say, ghosts don’t exist,

else all terrorists and murderers,

conquerors and warmongers,

will have had a tough time

to survive the haunting

by the souls of the dead innocents.

I agree and wish some ghosts

do exist on this earth –

ghosts of dead children or parents,

who may come to manifest

in a dim-moon midnight,

so that early in the morning

this earth will not have to

bear the tragic rain of grief.

Both of us ask the ghosts to rise.

Statistics say this world is yours.

3

Sorcery

When the Sorcerer left I could

not find anything I disliked

him for, so I wrote about him

as an exemplary father.

Death erases all the faults and

makes you long for them once again.

Until every loss is replaced

by a different love, a new one,

as a safety net to forget

the pain of loss, just like a tree

that mourns not for the flowers shed

but loves the growing buds instead.

4

Magpie Life

At night I tell someone details

of something secret in my life.

In the morning I think, should I

now be tense, nervous and regret.

The clouds sit heavy on the roads,

some rain seems imminent again.

Some birds on a pole though remain

so happy in love transient.

I’m oblivious to their mirth,

they’re oblivious to my pain.

Some drops start to fall on the ground;

the hoardings watch in fading paint.

One bird alone comes in the shade

reminding me what you had said.

Living with no remorse, regrets,

while keeping faith in the unknown.

UzJOKU: Where Youth, energy And knowledge unite

In a world where diplomas are often seen as mere tickets to employment, the true purpose of higher education is sometimes forgotten. But for students like me, university is not just a stepping-stone — it is a transformative experience. It’s where knowledge becomes purpose, curiosity becomes direction, and youth finds its voice.

In 2024, I was admitted to the Uzbekistan University of Journalism and Mass Communications (UzJOKU) on a state scholarship. I study English Philology and Language Teaching under the Faculty of International Relations and Social-Humanitarian Sciences. For me, this wasn’t just the fulfillment of a dream; it was the beginning of a lifelong journey in the pursuit of knowledge and meaningful communication. UzJOKU was established in 2018 by Presidential Decree No. 3737 and holds a unique place as the only specialized media university in Central Asia. In just seven years, it has evolved into a vibrant hub of journalism, international relations, media design, psychology, political science, and philology. But beyond degrees and disciplines, UzJOKU is a space where theory meets practice. Its modern facilities — from professional video studios to audio recording labs — allow students to apply what they learn in real-world settings. What sets UzJOKU apart, however, is not just its infrastructure. It’s the energy that flows between people. Here, passionate teachers transfer their knowledge — and their inspiration — to students who arrive each morning with eyes full of hope and hearts full of ambition. The university’s motto, often repeated by its rector Sherzodkhon Qudratkhoja, captures this spirit perfectly: “A university is the place where people and knowledge meet.”

At a recent Student Media Conference, Rector Qudratkhoja reflected on the institution’s rapid growth:

“These seven years were not ordinary. They were equal to many more. We’ve built the foundation of journalism and the social sciences — once scattered, now unified. The world has changed. That’s why what lies ahead is greater than what we’ve already achieved.”

Today, with nearly 5,000 students and a faculty of distinguished scholars, UzJOKU stands not only as a university but as a movement. Its rector — a renowned journalist, TV presenter, political scientist, and academic — leads with a vision grounded in national values and global thinking. He is also the chairman of the Uzbekistan National Media Association and holds the title of Doctor of Political Science and the prestigious “Mehnat Shuhrati” (Labor Glory) Order.

What I’ve found at UzJOKU is more than education — it’s connection. It’s the meeting point of experience and ambition, of heritage and innovation. It’s where I learned that energy isn’t only physical — it’s emotional, intellectual, and deeply human. And here, that energy is contagious. In a time of information overload and global complexity, institutions like UzJOKU remind us that shaping minds matters. That a university can be more than a building — it can be a living idea. I am proud to be part of this idea, to grow with it, and to contribute to a future where media is not only a profession, but a responsibility.

UzJOKU is not just where I study. It’s where I belong. It’s where people and knowledge truly meet.

About the Author

SHAHNOZA OCHILDIYEVA is a second-year student at the Uzbekistan University of Journalism and Mass Communications (UzJOKU), majoring in English Philology and Language Teaching.

Digital Inequality and Rural Women: Opportunities, Barriers, and Solutions

Sh. Kholmurodova — Student of Social Work, National University of Uzbekistan

Introduction

In 2024, the number of internet users in Uzbekistan reached 80%. But what proportion of this number consists of women living in rural areas? While digital transformation is rapidly becoming an integral part of our daily lives, not everyone benefits equally from this progress. Unfortunately, many women living in rural areas of Uzbekistan still do not have sufficient access to digital technologies. This gap is giving rise to a new form of social inequality — digital gender disparity.

1. The Concept and Relevance of Digital Inequality

Digital inequality refers to the disparity in access to and use of the internet and digital technologies among different segments of society. These disparities often reflect and reinforce existing economic, social, cultural, and gender-based inequalities. Compared to men, urban populations, and high-income groups, rural women face the most significant barriers. These include:

– Lack of access to digital devices and stable internet

– Low levels of digital literacy

– Gender stereotypes and traditional social norms

– Lack of economic independence

Moreover, factors such as marital status, age, and family responsibilities also influence digital access. Married women or mothers with multiple children often have less time and opportunity to use digital technologies.

2. Research and Statistical Data

According to the Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan (2024), 73% of women in urban areas use the internet, compared to only 48% in rural areas.

The UN’s 2023 *Gender and Digital Equality Report* indicates that in developing countries, women are 30–40% less likely to use the internet than men.

UNESCO’s 2022 study highlighted that many rural women have only heard of digital services but rarely use them in practice due to lack of digital skills.

A 2024 social survey conducted in the Sariosiyo district of Surkhandarya region revealed that 61% of women respondents could not use government e-services or online payment systems.

3. Opportunities and Positive Initiatives

There are several existing opportunities to integrate rural women into the digital world:

– Free training through the “Women’s Notebook” social support program

– Access to IT education through IT Park, “DigitALL,” and “One Million Uzbek Coders”

– Remote employment opportunities: e-commerce, content creation, and freelancing

– Special grants, microloans, and startup funding for women entrepreneurs

– Establishment of digital information centers for women within local communities

Pilot projects supported by local authorities, NGOs, and international donors have shown early success. For instance, the IT Park’s “Coding for Women” program has demonstrated positive results in rural areas.

4. Barriers, Stereotypes, and Practical Challenges

Despite the potential, many of these initiatives do not fully reach rural women due to the following barriers:

– Low self-confidence among women

– Family restrictions and lack of support for digital activities

– Poor digital infrastructure in remote areas

– Limited availability of user-friendly content in local languages

– Weak cooperation between local governments, NGOs, and grassroots activists

In addition, there is a shortage of community-level professionals — such as mahalla leaders, social workers, and teachers — who are aware of the issue and can actively facilitate solutions.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Ensuring that rural women can access digital opportunities is crucial for promoting their economic empowerment, social inclusion, and self-development. Achieving digital gender equality should be a central goal in Uzbekistan’s digital transformation strategy.

The following practical recommendations are proposed:

 Organize digital literacy courses — mobile outreach units in communities

 Develop user-friendly apps designed specifically for women (in Uzbek, with voice features)

 Invest in rural internet infrastructure, especially in remote regions like Sariosiyo

 Create motivational content that highlights success stories of female digital role models

 Establish local women’s digital centers — offering free Wi-Fi, training, and consultation

Clearly designate implementing organizations — including the Ministry of Digital Technologies, the Ministry for the Support of Mahalla and Family, IT Park, UNDP, and local NGOs

References

1. United Nations. Gender and Digital Equality Report, 2023

2. Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan. Statistical Bulletin, 2024

3. UNDP Uzbekistan. DigitALL: Digital Literacy Platform for Women, 2023

4. Social Survey Report: Sariosiyo District, Surkhandarya Region, 2024

5. UNESCO. Digital Literacy for Women in Rural Areas, 2022

Vagabond Verisimilitude and the Mendicant Muse

of Sun Wind Winding Way Water and Whimsy 

The sun was out, and the temperature had risen. The previous day’s flooding that saturated much, was gone, having receded and also, I suppose been absorbed into the land. Some wind was there, and the paths were winding around trees and then going along the river and over bridges wooden but strong and reliable. 

Away from the world, and sometimes other good souls went past, enjoying the routes and the sanguine hint of spring after a long and horrendous winter. One could think of shiny crystals, old books, smiles, coffee, blankets, music, the height of summer, paintings of wild wolves drinking water under the moonlight, and many good things, like some kind of visual manifestation. Or even of divinity, incarnations, gurus and sacred texts, plus the cosmos and its destiny and that of individual soul destinies. Where had everything come from? and where was it going? Sun star lake breeze the earth and trees, cities and countryside’s, billions literally, of souls traversing. Existence was, if anything, big. 

A stand of trees had a stone under it, and then another tree more in the sun had a group of smaller rocks washed by the rains and previous waters. Tall beige and golden strands of some kind of wheat-like growths or reeds did reach up confidently to the brightness of the upper air then. And down the way,- flowing water and at times a broken branch for the too strong and fierce nocturnal storms. 

But yes, then the day and sun, a treat from the universe for a nature writer, a solitary wandering poet, a soul something like a mixture of vagabond and visual artist, mendicant and monk, wanderer and way-shower. 

This article presents the inspiring journey of Shukurilloyeva Lazzatoy Shamshodovna — recipient of the prestigious Faynberg Scholarship. It explores her deeply personal and intellectual encounters with the legacy of Russian poet Aleksandr Faynberg, her collaboration with renowned translator Rustam Musurmon, and her own contributions to making Faynberg’s poetic heritage accessible to English-speaking audiences.

More than a story of achievement, this piece reflects on cultural devotion, literary translation, and the profound impact of scholarship as a bridge between nations.

Article Title:”In the Footsteps of Faynberg: Scholarship, Poetic Legacy, and the Intellectual Journey of Shukurilloyeva Lazzatoy Shamshodovna”

More Than a Scholarship: My Journey with Faynberg’s Legacy “To love a land not by birth, but by heart — is the poetry of belonging.”— A. A. Faynberg

When I first heard the name Aleksandr Arkadyevich Faynberg, I didn’t yet know he would soon become an anchor in my intellectual and emotional world. At the time, I was simply a student looking to better understand literary translation — to make meaning move across languages without losing its soul.Little did I know that this quest would lead me deep into the life and poetry of a man who loved my homeland — Uzbekistan — with astonishing sincerity.

Faynberg was a Russian poet. But his soul seemed to have crossed borders before his poems ever did.He revered Uzbekistan not merely as a distant land, but as something akin to a spiritual home.I was moved to learn that on Alisher Navoi’s birthday, Faynberg would go to the Milliy Bog’ (National Park) in Tashkent — sometimes even before local Uzbek admirers — to pay tribute to the great classical poet. “I visit the garden not as a guest, but as a grandson returns to the shade of his grandfather’s tree,” Faynberg once wrote in a letter to his friend.

Through his poems, he made Uzbek literature accessible to Russian readers. That effort — that reverence — touched something deep within me. I thought: If he worked so lovingly to introduce our heritage to others, why shouldn’t I do the same for his legacy?

But I didn’t know where to start. Then came a fateful day — one I now call a turning point. I had the privilege of meeting Rustam Musurmon, a renowned Uzbek poet who had translated Faynberg’s works into Uzbek. Meeting him face-to-face was not just an academic experience — it was a spiritual alignment. He offered insight, encouragement, and, most importantly, he gave me the sense that this work was worth doing.

From that day forward, I began to translate Faynberg’s poetry — not into prose, not into mechanical language, but into English verse that tried to preserve the emotional resonance of the original. Translating poetry is often described as “dancing with a ghost.” You must move with what you cannot see, yet must feel. With each poem I translated, I felt closer not just to Faynberg, but to his vision — of cultures intertwined, of languages as bridges, not walls.

Soon, I found myself writing articles about him, publishing in respected literary journals, organizing and participating in evenings dedicated to his memory, and speaking at events where his name, once unfamiliar to many, began to gain recognition. In a quiet, beautiful way, Faynberg became part of my life — not as a historical figure, but as a silent mentor. And then, came that unforgettable day.

At the Council meeting held in Uzbekistan State World Languages University to honor academic and cultural achievements, I heard the voice of our distinguished Rector, Professor Ilhomjon Madamonovich Tuxtasinov, call out: “The recipient of the Faynberg Scholarship Shukurilloyeva Lazzatoy …”

When she said my name, something inside me shifted. It wasn’t just excitement — it was a sense of fulfillment. I felt gratitude, pride, and a strange kind of peace. Not because I had “won” something — but because I had understood something. I had come to see that my purpose was never just to win a scholarship. Even if I had not received it, I would still be grateful for what this journey had taught me: That cultural memory, when translated with sincerity, can become a form of love.

This was never about a certificate. It was about discovering what it means to carry someone’s voice across languages, to protect their memory, and to give them new life in the minds of others. Through Faynberg, I learned that true poetry is not written — it is lived. It is in walking to a monument in the early morning out of respect. It is in crossing the border of language, not to invade, but to embrace. It is in the quiet work of making another’s vision visible again.

As Faynberg once wrote: “One who loves another land may die in silence — but his echo, if translated well, will outlive us all.”I now know what that echo feels like. And I am proud — humbled, truly — to be part of it.

Postscript

As I continue translating his works and sharing his legacy with the world, I remember that the truest scholarship is not always found in awards, but in the lives we honor, and the meanings we carry forward. Faynberg may have passed, but his poetry lives — in Russian, in Uzbek, and now, little by little, in English.

They have banned GMOs in some places and are feeding me pesticides in the corpses of fruits

They came to my home and said that war is my homeland

Who are they? They are trying to bring me to death with the agony of despair

They won’t let me die in peace

They don’t even let me have sex get AIDS and hang myself

According to journalists, freedom is the destiny of those who fight

According to politicians I can’t be free to choose sex and parties

Throat cut by pink triangle with stars of David

The corpses of black migrants constantly float up in the clouds

The impotent importance of my house swells and will not burst

Europe falls asleep drunk on cheap alcohol with cocaine tears stuck to a torn cheek

No one wanted to fuck the hairy ass

The apartment is soaked with lonely sperm

He moved like a snake that saw a cute bunny

But everything around me was lonely

His long hair stuck to his sweaty shoulders

He stroked his buttock and looked out the window

You could see the whole yard through the glass

For example lovers were blatantly kissing near the entrance

Meanwhile the lights in the apartment went out

Out forever

I want to get burned by your hot dick and have everything around burn in the dark

every time I take my breath away at the sight of your lips and as before I want to kiss your cloud of body

the stars are spying on us but we are still at a distance from each other

the metal of your eyelashes hides your eyes and I’m trying to understand what’s hidden in your gaze

I’m waiting for a call I’m waiting for a look I’m waiting for a text message I’m waiting for a dick pic

meanwhile the years pass and I grow my roots into the grave soil

the house turns into a stomach that digest me

the burger blood of my body spreads across the parquet of time

I’m waiting for your arrival to me and your sweet words (I don’t even wait for intimacy or love anymore)

I sacrifice the silence of my home to you but you are silent

The river stays constant

Ophelia isn’t here anymore

There is no more poetry

I give you silence but you scream

the blade is in my hands for sure but you are very confused

I’m cutting your throat like bread

I need to feed on something other than hate

the sky above is blue like no one died

My impressions from Erkin Vohidov’s epic poem “Rebellion of Souls”

“Rebellion of Spirits” is a work written by Erkin Vahidov, a prominent representative of modern Uzbek literature. It is an epic poem about the Bengali poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. The work is composed of several legends and parts, which narrate the lives of characters who lived in different historical periods.

 The poem is dedicated to the heroic and tragic fate of the fiery Bengali poet Nazrul Islam, who lived and worked in the first half of the last century. Nazrul Islam’s bitter fate served as a means for the poet to express the pain in his own heart. The poem “Rebellion of Spirits” is based on the life of this rebellious Bengali poet. The following lines by Nazrul Islam are used as an epigraph to the epic:

You were born free, forever

Be free!

Regarding the creation of this work, the poet himself says:

 “If the task of a writer or poet were simply to narrate the life and adventures of a person, then there would be no easier craft in the world than writing. After all, a creator must artistically analyze the life and fate of their protagonist, and use that opportunity to present their own observations and reflections about life! The fate of my hero, Nazrul Islam, offered rich material in this regard. A difficult period of creative searching began. I had to abandon the initial draft of the epic, and after many attempts, the current version—presented to readers—emerged.”

 Formally, the epic consists of an Introduction, a Tale about Eternity, five chapters, and a Conclusion. Each of the five chapters is divided into different stories and narratives:

In the first chapter: “The Poet’s Heart,” “The Song of Rebellion,” “The Tale of Selflessness”

In the second chapter: “Rebellion,” “The Tale of Ignorance”

In the third chapter: “In Captivity,” “The Tale of Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb”

In the fourth chapter: “Shadows,” “A Tale about Higher Spirits”

The fifth chapter includes: “Freedom,” and “The Tale of Ascetics and Mystics”

 When analyzing the parts of the epic in terms of content, the following conclusions can be drawn: In the “Introduction” (Muqaddima), the poet describes human behavior and the turning points in their way of life. He emphasizes that each path has an entrance and an exit. Even life’s hardships can be avoided—but there is one feeling that is impossible to escape.

 In the section “The Poet’s Heart,” the writer emphasizes: “The nature of your talent is rebellion.” The “Tale of Selflessness” highlights the bravery of those who did not accept injustice and violence on earth. It presents, for example, the ancient Indian custom of burning a wife along with her deceased husband. At the end of the tale, the poet calls people to fight for truth and emphasizes that one should not fear death on the path of justice.

 At the beginning of the “Rebellion” part of the second chapter, the poet introduces it with the words: “Calcutta, 1926.” It depicts a conflict between Hindus and Muslims in Calcutta. Nazrul Islam was wrongly accused of inciting religious hatred, even though it was the invaders who had sparked the conflict. Nazrul’s only “fault” was that he openly spoke the truth to the people and tried to prevent the bloodshed. As a result, he was arrested. This part of the work teaches readers many lessons and encourages them to live with gratitude for the present.

 Since the entire poem is dedicated to the memory of Nazrul Islam, the poet does not want to remain a silent observer of the injustices in Nazrul’s homeland. He remembers many others who have also been victims of injustice across the world. He repeatedly emphasizes that it is the ordinary person who suffers the most from the injustice and oppression present in society.

References:

Erkin Vohidov “Rebellion of Souls” – Tashkent. Nodirabegim Publishing House, 2020.

Nizomiddinov A.A. “Interpretation of character and social environment in Erkin Vakhidov’s epic “Rebellion of Souls” – “Central Asian research journal for interdisciplinary studies” 2022.

Norboyeva Sh.J., Ochilova N.U. “Sketches in the Fate of the Poet in the Work ‘Rebellion of Souls'” – “Scientific-Practical Conference of Young Scientists” – pp. 120-122.

Khusniya Sharofiddin qizi Otaboyeva was born in 2004 in a family of intellectuals in the Khonka district of the Khorezm region, Uzbekistan. She is currently a fourth-year student majoring in Primary Education at Urgench State Pedagogical Institute.

She is the author of more than 30 articles and 3 books and has participated in several anthologies and literary almanacs. A recipient of the prestigious Alisher Navoi state scholarship, she has demonstrated academic excellence and a deep commitment to educational and literary pursuits.

Otaboyeva is also the winner of numerous national and international competitions and an official member of various international organizations. She has been honored with multiple international diplomas, certificates, and medals. Her articles have been consistently published in leading journals and newspapers from countries such as Germany, Italy, Poland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and Argentina.