Albert Einstein is one of the greatest scientists of the world. As a man he was higher than that leaving aside his books and laboratories results. His observations about ordinary life are also astonishing.Being a Jew, he felt threatened when Hitler came to power. Hitler was of the opinion that Jews are lesser mortals and they will spoil the marshal German race. They should therefore be eliminated. Einstein decided to relinquish his German citizenship, migrated to America and lived there ever after.
A delegation of Israeli leaders approached Albert Einstein with an aim to make him the head of Israel. According to them it would be an honour for Israel. But the delegates were disappointed. Albert Einstein did not accede to their request in spite of their sincerity of purpose.
"Life of researcher and discoverer is far better than heading a state," thought Einstein.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/30/2009 08:09:00 AM,
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Lahore Chapter Get-together
Monday, 29 June 2009
Lahore was sizzling on one of the hottest evening on June 27 when over 75 members of 55the PMA Long Course Lahore Chapter and their families were having a cool evening in a fabulous get together in an environment that is always characterized by emotions, passions, love, affiliations and cherished memories.
Evening started with greeting each other and usual “Oh, Hi, Long Time, Bohre Ho Gaie Ho, Bache Itne Bara ho Gaie Heian”. Everyone was updating each other. We all met Saqlain’s daughter, a wonderful young lady whos name is the best in the world, Khalid’s daughter who is leaving her marks in mass communication studies, Fazal’s son, a very cluefull young man, who has completed his 12th year of education and is looking for line of career (I think like his father he will settle for engineering). Then Qadri’s son who has graduated from Ghulam Ishaq Khan. He was escorting his father after major surgery. Like always I observed that seeing the course mates engrossed with each other, lady wives were surprised on ‘how these people act when they are together.”
Evening went well over sumptuous food. And at the end, Brig Muhammad Zahir Khan took the rostrum. Brig Zahir Khan is a wonderful man; passionate, full of conviction and emotions and completely in know of what is happening to men at their best who belong to 55 PMA. This being his last course event (he along with other brigadiers of 55 PMA is hanging his helmet on July 15, 2009), he updated about everything and also recapped what Lahore Chapter has been doing over past two years. His beautiful pictorial of previous occasions when we had gathered brought even more memories. Good by Muhammad Zahir Khan, you have knitted the 55 PMA family very well. We will remember each and every moment ever. But who says this was the last get together. We are going to meet again; soon. No? Stay tuned. Pitures of the evnt are coming.
Labels: Men At Their Best
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/29/2009 09:43:00 PM,
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Custom USB Flash Drives
Flash drive is one of the most commonly used data storage devices. It is used every where by everyone. But best thing is that you can have a custom flash drive that looks they way you need it. Idea of using flash drives for marketing purposes is getting increasingly popular.
Thanks to FlashDealer.com - a web retailer of custom USB flash drives - that they offer has a wide range of different products from USB Drives, custom jump drive to Mp3 Players and a lot in between. Their claim to fame is custom flash drives in any color and any material you can ask for.
FlashDealer.com (very aptly named) offers custom USB drives that can be pre-loaded with a company presentation, advertisements or other content and messages. Approach FlashDealer.com for any idea and they will build it for you.
FlashDealer.com is a neatly laid out site. Products are methodically listed on the sidebar. Fine what you are looking for is easy. Imagery of the products is attractive and it gives the idea of how any item will look like while in use. There are enough details with products that allow making an informed purchasing decision. FlashDealer offers different payment options including paypal. I suggest you explore the site and see what they are offering. Better still have a safe shopping experience. Interested users may also subscribe to their monthly specials to stay updated.
Thanks to FlashDealer.com - a web retailer of custom USB flash drives - that they offer has a wide range of different products from USB Drives, custom jump drive to Mp3 Players and a lot in between. Their claim to fame is custom flash drives in any color and any material you can ask for.
FlashDealer.com (very aptly named) offers custom USB drives that can be pre-loaded with a company presentation, advertisements or other content and messages. Approach FlashDealer.com for any idea and they will build it for you.
FlashDealer.com is a neatly laid out site. Products are methodically listed on the sidebar. Fine what you are looking for is easy. Imagery of the products is attractive and it gives the idea of how any item will look like while in use. There are enough details with products that allow making an informed purchasing decision. FlashDealer offers different payment options including paypal. I suggest you explore the site and see what they are offering. Better still have a safe shopping experience. Interested users may also subscribe to their monthly specials to stay updated.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/29/2009 08:40:00 PM,
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Twitter Articles
Not too long ago, the mainstream media discovered Twitter and since have created a storm of articles and opinions on the little social network that could. zMogo Tech Stuff has compiled here a list of 66 fun, interesting, and informative articles about Twitter.
Labels: Twitter
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/29/2009 02:17:00 PM,
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Blog Proposal
Saturday, 27 June 2009
A strong online presence is important for businesses in today's high-speed and competitive world. Blogs have already become a new are a new buzz marketing. Marketers are blogging for organizations, products, ideas and or for other organizational goals and achieving.
That has not started happening in Pakistan yet. An overwhelming majority of local consumers who do not (or cannot) use the Internet and even marketing professionals still ask what is Blog?
To understand blogging as a corporate communications tool, we must understand the nature of blogs. Here is a short definition, "Blogs - an abbreviation of 'weblogs' - are published on the web, typically as microsites standing by themselves but today also as parts of traditional web sites. They reflect the interests, thoughts and opinions of the person, sometimes persons, publishing the blog. Blogs are characterized by frequent updates, an informal tone and many links to other blogs and web sites."
A business blog is a blog published by or with the support of an organization to reach that organization's goals. In external communications the potential benefits include strengthened relationships with important target groups and the positioning of the publishing organization as industry experts. Internally blogs are generally referred to as tools for collaboration and knowledgemanagement.
Blogs can drive visitors to existing web site and help find new customers and engage the ones organizations already have. Blogs are prevailing and cost-effective marketing tools. As far as businesses is concerned, there are clients and potential clients. A blog will create a dialogue between the business, present client base, and potential buyers. Communication has never been easier and user friendly.
Once an organization has a blog, it offers immediate and high impact interaction with its target audience. As more people have online access, they'll want more than the standard online newsletter or typical PR response (we are so averse to existing PR stereotypes). Long gone are the days when companies simply fed information to their customers. Now everyone asks for a dialogue - a meaningful exchange of information. People also want to know that organizations are listening to them and paying heeds to what is being suggested, and blogs allow just that -- responding quickly and openly.
From a business point of view there are several potential reasons to blog particularly in less connected country like Pakistan. But, as always, it depends on what businesses want. Blogs are no different from channels like video, print, audio, presentations and even word of mouth marketing. They all deliver results - but of varying kind. The kind you can expect from blogs is mainly about stronger relations with important target groups.
Who should blog for the businesses? Ideally, front line people who know the business in and out should blog about it. Marketing professionals can also use this powerful tool. Organization can hire professional writers to blog for them under company's name or blog under their own. Depending upon the feedback and information provided by audience, an inside blogger can develop the ability to write in his or her own voice and create content for business blog. Outsider bloggers can view business with an objective eye and offer fresh marketing ideas and strategies.
Outsider blogger can study company's marketing materials, reports, other collateral information, and meet key people in organization to learn about what organization does and how best to market the product through blogging.
In developed world, blogging is being taught in most business school as a part of business studies and or part of mass communication courses.
Bloggers can post material written in editorial style and voice, updating at least once a day, three-to-five days a week. The content may also include company news, events, and information about new products and services relevant to your business.
Earlier, online marketing and web sites never picked up in Pakistan because of obvious "digital divide that exists due to individual disparities in levels of income, education standards, psychological reasons, age, gender, rural urban divide, and quality of life or collective deprivations like lack of physical infrastructure."
Pakistan corporate world should look at blogging as an opportunity to reach out but sadly, this has still not started to happen.
That has not started happening in Pakistan yet. An overwhelming majority of local consumers who do not (or cannot) use the Internet and even marketing professionals still ask what is Blog?
To understand blogging as a corporate communications tool, we must understand the nature of blogs. Here is a short definition, "Blogs - an abbreviation of 'weblogs' - are published on the web, typically as microsites standing by themselves but today also as parts of traditional web sites. They reflect the interests, thoughts and opinions of the person, sometimes persons, publishing the blog. Blogs are characterized by frequent updates, an informal tone and many links to other blogs and web sites."
A business blog is a blog published by or with the support of an organization to reach that organization's goals. In external communications the potential benefits include strengthened relationships with important target groups and the positioning of the publishing organization as industry experts. Internally blogs are generally referred to as tools for collaboration and knowledgemanagement.
Blogs can drive visitors to existing web site and help find new customers and engage the ones organizations already have. Blogs are prevailing and cost-effective marketing tools. As far as businesses is concerned, there are clients and potential clients. A blog will create a dialogue between the business, present client base, and potential buyers. Communication has never been easier and user friendly.
Once an organization has a blog, it offers immediate and high impact interaction with its target audience. As more people have online access, they'll want more than the standard online newsletter or typical PR response (we are so averse to existing PR stereotypes). Long gone are the days when companies simply fed information to their customers. Now everyone asks for a dialogue - a meaningful exchange of information. People also want to know that organizations are listening to them and paying heeds to what is being suggested, and blogs allow just that -- responding quickly and openly.
From a business point of view there are several potential reasons to blog particularly in less connected country like Pakistan. But, as always, it depends on what businesses want. Blogs are no different from channels like video, print, audio, presentations and even word of mouth marketing. They all deliver results - but of varying kind. The kind you can expect from blogs is mainly about stronger relations with important target groups.
Who should blog for the businesses? Ideally, front line people who know the business in and out should blog about it. Marketing professionals can also use this powerful tool. Organization can hire professional writers to blog for them under company's name or blog under their own. Depending upon the feedback and information provided by audience, an inside blogger can develop the ability to write in his or her own voice and create content for business blog. Outsider bloggers can view business with an objective eye and offer fresh marketing ideas and strategies.
Outsider blogger can study company's marketing materials, reports, other collateral information, and meet key people in organization to learn about what organization does and how best to market the product through blogging.
In developed world, blogging is being taught in most business school as a part of business studies and or part of mass communication courses.
Bloggers can post material written in editorial style and voice, updating at least once a day, three-to-five days a week. The content may also include company news, events, and information about new products and services relevant to your business.
Earlier, online marketing and web sites never picked up in Pakistan because of obvious "digital divide that exists due to individual disparities in levels of income, education standards, psychological reasons, age, gender, rural urban divide, and quality of life or collective deprivations like lack of physical infrastructure."
Pakistan corporate world should look at blogging as an opportunity to reach out but sadly, this has still not started to happen.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/27/2009 03:04:00 PM,
, links to this post
Michael Jackson, An American Original, No More
Friday, 26 June 2009
Labels: Michael Jackson
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/26/2009 09:50:00 PM,
, links to this post
Re-Blog: Those Sanford Emails to Maria
"Whoever had those emails had been in a position for six months to pressure—or blackmail—Sanford," notes Mother Jones. "An enquiring newspaper person might want to know more about that. The State engaged in great traditional reporting to get the scoop on Sanford's secret trip to Argentina. But now it seems it's ready to turn the story over to bloggers." Have a look at the emails as a pieces of romantic literature...
From: Mark Sanford
To: Maria
Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2008 03:09:44 +0000
Dearest,
You are glorious and I hope you really understand that. You do not need a therapist to help you figure your place in the world. You are special and unique and fabulous in a whole host of ways that are worth a much longer conversation. To be continued ...
Have been having a few email problems as I am getting email through an aircard at the farm, where access to computer world is more than tough. Please let me know if you have gotten my last two eamils (sic) so I know it is working in getting to your part of the world ...
Another glorious day outside. Hope you are doing well, and am anxious to hear about your week. Know that I miss you. Unbeleivably (sic) hard to imagine it has been a week. Please also send your mailing address as I want to send you an insignificant something next week when I am back in civilization that I think you might find interesting given our conversation.
Want to write an indepth note with some thoughts on our visit when I know you are getting these emails. Hugs and much love. M
----------------------------------------------
From: Maria
Sent: Friday, July 04, 2008 4:26 PM
To: Mark Sanford
Subject: RE:
My beloved, (hope you also change the dearest ...)
I’am (sic) reading your last two mails sitting outside with a great seaview here in Ilhabela, a beautiful island near Sao Paulo. Have been thinking of you while watching the beautiful blue sea (a) great part of my day and remembering with a great smile on my face, the time we had spent together. As I told you before, you brought happiness and love to my life and (I) will take you forever in my heart. I wasn’t aware till we met last week, the strong feelings I had for you, and believe me, I haven’t felt this since I was in my teen ages, when afterwards I got married. I do love you, I can feel it in my heart, and although I don’t know if we’ll ever be able to meet again this has been the best that has happened to me in a long time You made me realized (sic) how you feel when you realy (sic) love somebody and how much you want to be beside the beloved. Last Friday I would had stayed embrassing (sic) and kissing you forever.
Don’t know why you think you bore me with the description of your farm. I am an urban girl but that doesn’t inhibit me from loving other things, specially if they are the ones you love. I was able to imagine the place with every single detail you wrote and had trassmitted (sic) me the love you have for your farm. It sounds to be a great and peaceful place and loved you had shared it with me.
Thanks for your beautiful words, I don’t know if I do need or not therapy but I have to find my new place in this new stage of my life. Life has been very generous with me and I want to return at least a little bit of what I have been given. I have time and think helping others who haven’t been as lucky as me will do me fine.
My address is (deleted by The State). It will be great finding at home once I am back, whatever you send me, I’ll keep it near my bed so as to feel you nearer.
Miss you so much... love you from the deepest of my heart. Sweet kisses.
----------------------------------------------
From:
To:
Subject: RE:
Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 01:42:46 -0400
Beloved back to you...
Got back an hour ago to civilization and am now in Columbia after what was for me a glorious break from reality down at the farm. No phones ringing and tangible evidence of a day’s labors. Though I have started every day by 6 this morning woke at 4:30, I guess since my body knew it was the last day, and I went out and ran the excavator with lights until the sun came up. To me, and I suspect no one else on earth, there is something wonderful about listening to country music playing in the cab, air conditioner running, the hum of a huge diesel engine in the background, the tranquility that comes with being in a virtual wilderness of trees and marsh, the day breaking and vibrant pink coming alive in the morning clouds — and getting to build something with each scoop of dirt. It is admittedly weird but one of my more favorite ways of escaping the norms, constant phone calls and formalities that go with the office — and it probably fits with my weakness in doing rather than being — though you opened up a new chapter last week wherein I was happy and content just being. Last point worth further discussion. Afternoon projects had me outside and by days (sic) end I pretty much looked like a homeless person ... but in this case a very content one. Enough about my love of heavy equipment and woods at sunrise ...
While I was getting exhausted with one project after another at Coosaw work week, you were basking (I’m certain gloriously) on the beach..
Sounds great, hope to hear more about what sounds a great spot.
Will now finally get some sleep and write you a longer note with a few more profound thoughts tomorrow or Wednesday. In the meantime I send my love and hope you know I am thinking of you.. M
P.S. I do not want to raise expectations, when I say I will send something insignificant I promise I will do as I say! It wont (sic) be worthy of bedside placement ... was just going to find the movie the Holiday as we had spoken of it last Thursday. Its music was pleasant and made me think of you — its mood and the notion of a holiday (wrapped up in our case over two days) certainly fit as well ... (though our visit in some ways for me was as well less of a holiday than it was uncovering and realization of some things and feelings that again are worth longer conversation)
Had also hoped to find the cd of a song that played as I was flying home and also20made (sic) me think of you. Who knows if I can find the music ... so all you may be stuck with is a long released movie — and if you put it by your bed I really be worried! Love you, good night and kisses back to you ...
----------------------------------------------
From: Maria
Sent: Wednesday, July 09, 2008 8:14 PM
To: Mark Sanford
Subject: RE:
My love,
I decided to rent a car and went by myself to the other side of the Island where it is located one of the best hotels. It’s name is DPNY Hotel and I find it quite interesting. I had lunch there in a restaurant on the beach with great seaview. I sat under a palm and ate a mixed green salad with grilled abacaxi (pineapple) and honey. in the afternoon I sunbathe and read on the beach. I ve started here “The age of turbulence” from Alan Greenspan which I highly recomend (sic) you. At five I left back to the small town had a coffee with pao de queijo (cheese bread which is something tipycal (sic) from Brazl (sic) and it’s delicious) read some magazines, walked around and finally back to meu Pousada that is hotel.
In the Island is taking place the sailing week and Rolex competition and this was the reason for choosing the place and also why luckily I am most of the time by my own. It may sound bad but it’s how I feel it. As I told you I shouldn’t have done this trip but I would have felt worst if I wouldn’t have come because it was too over the date, he is a very nice guy, great heart ... but unfortunately I am not in love with him ... You are my love ... something hard to believe even for myself as it’s also a kind of impossible love, not only because of distance but situation.
Sometimes you don’t choose things, they just happen ... I can’t redirect my feelings and I am very happy with mine towards you. Hope you have had a good day, guess with much work.
Send you all my love and goodnight kisses. Sweet dreams from down south. I’ll dream with you.
----------------------------------------------
From: Mark Sanford
To: Maria
Subject: RE:
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:24:54 -0400
Sweetest,
It was indeed a long day. I am most jealous of your salad under the palm tree.
Three thoughts in one note now that I have a moment. One the travel schedule is about to get real busy (and this distresses me for the way it may well make it more difficult to get your notes over the next few weeks), two unfortunately all the feelings you describe are mutual, and three where do we go from here?
One, tomorrow leave at 5 am for New York and meetings. Will think about you on its streets and wish I was going to be there later in the month when you are there. Tomorrow night back to Philadelphia for the start of the National Governor’s Conference through the weekend. Back to Columbia for Tuesday and then on Wednesday, as I think I had told you, taking the family to China, Tibet, Nepal, India, Thailand and then back through Hong Kong on world wind tour. Few days home then to Bahamas for 5 days on a friends boat for the last break of the summer. The following weekend have been asked to spend it out in Aspen, Colorado with McCain — which has kicked up the whole VP talk all over again in the press back home.
Two, mutual feelings. I have been specializing in staying focused on decisions and actions of the head for a long time now — and you have my heart. You have oh so many attributes that pulls it in this direction. Do you really comprehend how beautiful your smile is? Have you been told lately how warm your eyes are and how they softly glow with the special nature of your soul. I remember Jenny, or someone close to me, once commenting that while my mom was pleasant and warm it was sad she had never accomplished anything of significance. I replied that they were wrong because she had the ultimate of all gifts — and that was the ability to love unconditionally. The rarest of all commodities in this world is love. It is that thing that we all yearn for at some level — to be simply loved unconditionally for nothing more than who we are — not what we can get, give or become. There are but 50 governors in my country and outside of the top spot, this is as high as you can go in the area I have invested the last 15 years of my life — my getting here came as no small measure because I had that foundation of love and support so critical to getting up in the morning and feeling you could give and risk because you already had a full tank of love in the emotional bank account. Since our first meeting there in a wind swept somewhat open air dance spot in Punta del Este, I felt that you had that same rare attribute. Above all else I love that inner beauty about you. That gift of yours is going to make a tremendous difference in (The State deleted sons’ names) life — and in anyone’s life who is blest to be touched by yours — you need to rest very comfortably in that fact. As I mentioned in our last visit, while I did not need love fifteen years ago — as the battle scars of life and aging and politics have worn on this has become a real need of mine. You have a particular grace and calm that I adore. You have a level of sophistication that is so fitting with your beauty. I could digress and say that you have the ability to give magnificently gentle kisses, or that I love your tan lines or that I love the curves of your hips, the erotic beauty of you holding yourself (or two magnificent parts of yourself) in the faded glow of night’s light — but hey, that would be going into the sexual details we spoke of at the steakhouse at dinner — and unlike you I would never do that!
Three and finally, while all the things above are all too true — at the same time we are in a hopelessly — or as you put it impossible — or how about combine and simply say hopelessly impossible situation of love. How in the world this lightening [sic] strike snuck up on us I am still not quite sure. As I have said to you before I certainly had a special feeling about you from the first time we met, but these feelings were contained and I genuinely enjoyed our special friendship and the comparing of all too many personal notes (and yes this is true even if you did occasionally tantalize me with sexual details over the years!) — but it was all safe.
Where we are is not. I have thought about it and in some ways feel I let you down in letting these complications come into a friendship that I hope will last till death. In all my life I have lived by a code of honor and at a variety of levels know I have crossed lines I would have never imagined. I wish I could wish it away, but this soul-mate feel I alluded too is real and in that regard I sure don’t want to be the person complicating your life. I looked to where I often look for advice and counsel, and in I Corinthians 13 it simply says that, “ Love is patient and kind, love is not jealous or boastful, it is not arrogant or rude, Love does not insist on its own way, it is not irritable or resentful, it does not rejoice in the wrong, but rejoices in the right, Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things”. In this regard it is action that goes well beyond the emotion of today or tomorrow and in this light I want to look for ways to show love in helping you to live a better — not more complicated life. I want to help (one of Maria’s sons) with film guys that might help his career, etc. I also don’t want you walking20away (sic) from some guy (I take it the younger guy you mentioned a t dinner) because of me — and what we both have to see as an impossible situation. I better stop now least this really sound like the Thornbirds — wherein I was always upset with Richard Chamberlain for not dropping his ambitions and running into Maggie’s arms. The bottom line is two fold, my heart wants me to get on a plane tonight and to be in your loving arms — my head is saying how do we put the Genie back in the bottle because I sure don’t want to be encumbering you, or your options or your life. Put differently, given I love you, I don’t want to be part of the reason you are having less than an ideal week in what sounds like a cool spot.
Lastly I also suspect I feel a little vulnerable because this is ground I have never certainly never covered before — so if you have pearls of wisdom on how we figure all this out please let me know ... In the meantime please sleep soundly knowing that despite the best efforts of my head my heart cries out for you, your voice, your body, the touch of your lips, the touch of your finger tips and an even deeper connection to your soul. I love you ... sleep tight. M
PS. I will make it a point in NY tomorrow to drop by a store and get that movie I promised to send your way ... I am encouraged to know you will not keep it beside the bed least we have tangible evidence of two pathetic figures missing each other far too much to live a few thousand miles apart!
----------------------------------------------
From: Maria
To: Mark Sanford
Subject: RE:
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2008 23:22:29 +0000
You have not brought complication or are not bringing complication to my life, on the contrary you’ve fullfiled (sic) me with happiness and made me aware how you can feel when you love somebody. I can think with my head but only feel with my heart so I can’t avoid it even knowing is hopelessly impossible. The guy is the one I told you ,just three years younger than me, but I am not in love and won’t fall in love with time so I have to continue my way ... be alone for some time and if I am lucky enough will someday feel towards somebody, what I today feel for you. At least you made me realized it can happen.
I don’t know if I did understood (sic) well about what was unsafe or not safe. Before our mails use to have other contents ... if you want to go back to that and don’t write love things and so on because is not safe for you it’s ok with me, i (sic) love you and by no way would do something that can harm you, so please let me know.
I don’t know how we figure all this out and I am not interested in knowing. I prefer to think we’ll see each other again somewhere sometime in this life and in next. Will be missing you till then... . .
Have a great trip with the ones you love ... they are the kind of trips you will never forget and for your boys will be unworthable (sic) not only because of the places they will visit but for sharing all that time with you.
Send you millions of kisses that will last till we get in touch again. best wishes from the deepest of my heart.
P.S.: I don’t want to put the genius (sic) back in the bottle because I truly believe in freedom. I never gave you sexual details but now you don’t need to imagine you can close your eyes and just remember. I’ll do the same.{From Here}
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/26/2009 06:27:00 PM,
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Sakoon
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/26/2009 01:51:00 PM,
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Who is Controlling Your Car?
Thursday, 25 June 2009
BMW has been researching systems for more than two years inconjunction with the Car 2 Car Communication Consortium, a partnership of car manufacturers and technology suppliers that includes Audi, Fiat, Honda and Renault. Now Cohda Wireless, an Australian technology start-up with a partnership of several European governments is also going to test vehicle communication system called Cohda intelligent transport system that is also aimed at cutting down road fatalities by half.
Cohda intelligent transport system is the technology that uses a GPS locator and a chip that allows cars to communicate their speed and location, 10 times per second over a radio requency, to other similarly equipped vehicles within a 500ft radius. The device will alert drivers if, for example, a car jumps a red light, or advise them when it is unsafe to overtake. If it detects the potential for a collision, the system can give an audible warning or take over the reins if the driver’s reactions prove too slow.
The system can also work in conjunction with roadside beacons, which can relay information about traffic flow to highways agencies and could also be used to administer road-charging systems, although this significantly increases the cost.
This and similar other invetions have also given birthto a debate that the rapidly advancing technologies will produce less attentive drivers, too accustomed to relying on technology to do the thinking for them and less able to react when it lets them down. What do you
say on that?
Labels: Autos
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/25/2009 06:27:00 PM,
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Breezes Resorts
Traveling for leisure or pleasure is growing exponentially. More and more people are going to different places to relax and recharge. It is this milieu that the concept of all inclusive resort is getting popular. “All inclusive” has come a long way since it was introduced and now the concept rocks.
Being a traveler myself, I have my preferences for vacation destinations. I need best place to stay. As more and more people are travelling, and getting what you want may become difficult so I do a little research online and plan ahead. One f the best places to have an ideal vacation is Bahamas resorts.
All Breezes Resorts are individually tailored to cater to the needs of different markets, while consistently delivering the high quality vacation, which has become synonymous with luxury and the standards guests have come to expect. Breezes Resorts caters to golfers, tennis players, sports enthusiasts and connoisseurs of great beaches. These resorts were designed for singles, couples or families and where children under 16 are not only welcome but also celebrated with daily, supervised activities just for them. Runaway Bay Jamaica extend all of the amenities of a luxurious vacation - at a more affordable price. They are the best rendezvous for best vacations. Go there for your next vacation.
Being a traveler myself, I have my preferences for vacation destinations. I need best place to stay. As more and more people are travelling, and getting what you want may become difficult so I do a little research online and plan ahead. One f the best places to have an ideal vacation is Bahamas resorts.
All Breezes Resorts are individually tailored to cater to the needs of different markets, while consistently delivering the high quality vacation, which has become synonymous with luxury and the standards guests have come to expect. Breezes Resorts caters to golfers, tennis players, sports enthusiasts and connoisseurs of great beaches. These resorts were designed for singles, couples or families and where children under 16 are not only welcome but also celebrated with daily, supervised activities just for them. Runaway Bay Jamaica extend all of the amenities of a luxurious vacation - at a more affordable price. They are the best rendezvous for best vacations. Go there for your next vacation.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/25/2009 01:53:00 PM,
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Better Than Your Spouse
According to a survey of 645 U.S. women commissioned by shoe retailer Zappos.com and payment service Bill Me Later, 31% of respondents ranked their phone or PDA as “most important” in managing their work and home lives, ahead of their significant other and hired help.One reason is that it helps them bridge professional and personal responsibilities. When asked how often they’re multi-tasking those roles, for example, helping kids with homework while fielding a co-worker’s calls, nearly a quarter (24%) said this happens daily.
Read at WSJ and mirror this in low tech environment back home.
Labels: Data
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/25/2009 09:14:00 AM,
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Chief Justice High Court Hyderabad Deccan
Nazim ud Din Hassan was the Chief Justice High Court Hyderabad Deccan. Josh Malih Abadi has reminisced in his memoirs Yadoon Ki Barat some of the ways of Nazim ud Din’s life:
The Chief Justice once asked his servant to bring match box, used it and gave him back who put it in the centre of the table. Nazim ud Din fined rupees two to his servant because he had put the match box in the centre of the table whereas he had picked it up from eastern corner.
A few youngsters of Lakhnow established a club, named it Muslim Qalb and requested the Chief Justice to inaugurate. Nazim ud Din arrived at the venue but refused to perform inauguration ritual after seeing the plaque. “Qalb means dog (in Persian). Write Qylab instead and I will gladly unveil,” the Chief Justice said. Inauguration was done after the change.
Once Nazim ud Din was shopping in Aminabad Park using umbrella! One of his informal friends saw him and remarked during night, “Wah, using umbrella at night?” Nazim ud Din answered back, “You obtuse, I have to offer prayers. What if some vultures deposit droppings on my cloths?
The Chief Justice used to remain busy in intellectual pursuits till 11 a night with strict instructions to his attendant to forcefully pull him out of work chair and put down into the bed. On this servant was recompensed in the mornings.
The Chief Justice sent his son Naazir ud Din Hassan for higher education to London. A caretaker accompanied Naazir to report back every week on his son’s activities. After about four months the Chief Justice wrote to the caretaker, “You inform me of every thing about my son but do not tell how many times he has had night falls during the period. Ask him and communicate. When he stops having falls I will know that my son has fallen in bad habits.”
Nazim ud Din’s timings for morning walk were such that one could set his watch with. Once he was having his daily walk in the garden when the Nawab of Deccan arrived. Every one took notice of the Nawab less the Chief Justice, who kept up his stroll as usual.
“Who is this unaccustomed sort of a person,” the Nawab asked those in his attendance.
“He is the Chief Justice High Court Nazim ud Din Hassan. Corruption and injustice has finished since he had taken over,” he was told.
“Call him,” the Nawab wished.
Nazim ud Din came and greeted the Nawab normally instead of traditional way and expectation of the Nawab. Every one around got worried and waited to see what does the Nawab say.
In a happy mode, the Nawab asked, “Do you daily come here for a walk?” Yes. In a chit chat the Nawab asked yet another question but instead of replying the Chief Justice looked at his watch, greeted the Nawab and moved on saying, “time for the walk is over.”
Once he was in Bhopal when Begum Bhopal sent a carriage and asked the Chief Justice to come over to her with some documents. He complied. Midway, he asked the carriage man to stop, got down and started walking back to his home. Carriage man offered that he should go back in the carriage.
“No. I have forgotten the paper at home and that is my fault. Why should I punish the animal.”
Nazim ud Din once invited a few dignitaries of Lakhnow for a feast. When they arrived, Nazim ud Din took them to a corner of his backyard and showed them a newly filled pit.
“I buried food when you got late,” the Chief Justice pointed to freshly dug place.
Nazim ud Din rejected all candidates for a job when none of them could count from 100 to 1 backwards.
Mother of Nazim ud Din passed away and people flocked for condolence. When his attendant brought hundreds of visiting cards to him, he asked, “Why are so many people here today?”
“They have come to offer their condolence on demise of your mother sir,” was the obvious answer. “What was my mother to them that they have come,” the Chief Justice enquire in a loud voice so that people outside could hear him. Listening his remarks all of them ran away.
The Chief Justice once asked his servant to bring match box, used it and gave him back who put it in the centre of the table. Nazim ud Din fined rupees two to his servant because he had put the match box in the centre of the table whereas he had picked it up from eastern corner.
A few youngsters of Lakhnow established a club, named it Muslim Qalb and requested the Chief Justice to inaugurate. Nazim ud Din arrived at the venue but refused to perform inauguration ritual after seeing the plaque. “Qalb means dog (in Persian). Write Qylab instead and I will gladly unveil,” the Chief Justice said. Inauguration was done after the change.
Once Nazim ud Din was shopping in Aminabad Park using umbrella! One of his informal friends saw him and remarked during night, “Wah, using umbrella at night?” Nazim ud Din answered back, “You obtuse, I have to offer prayers. What if some vultures deposit droppings on my cloths?
The Chief Justice used to remain busy in intellectual pursuits till 11 a night with strict instructions to his attendant to forcefully pull him out of work chair and put down into the bed. On this servant was recompensed in the mornings.
The Chief Justice sent his son Naazir ud Din Hassan for higher education to London. A caretaker accompanied Naazir to report back every week on his son’s activities. After about four months the Chief Justice wrote to the caretaker, “You inform me of every thing about my son but do not tell how many times he has had night falls during the period. Ask him and communicate. When he stops having falls I will know that my son has fallen in bad habits.”
Nazim ud Din’s timings for morning walk were such that one could set his watch with. Once he was having his daily walk in the garden when the Nawab of Deccan arrived. Every one took notice of the Nawab less the Chief Justice, who kept up his stroll as usual.
“Who is this unaccustomed sort of a person,” the Nawab asked those in his attendance.
“He is the Chief Justice High Court Nazim ud Din Hassan. Corruption and injustice has finished since he had taken over,” he was told.
“Call him,” the Nawab wished.
Nazim ud Din came and greeted the Nawab normally instead of traditional way and expectation of the Nawab. Every one around got worried and waited to see what does the Nawab say.
In a happy mode, the Nawab asked, “Do you daily come here for a walk?” Yes. In a chit chat the Nawab asked yet another question but instead of replying the Chief Justice looked at his watch, greeted the Nawab and moved on saying, “time for the walk is over.”
Once he was in Bhopal when Begum Bhopal sent a carriage and asked the Chief Justice to come over to her with some documents. He complied. Midway, he asked the carriage man to stop, got down and started walking back to his home. Carriage man offered that he should go back in the carriage.
“No. I have forgotten the paper at home and that is my fault. Why should I punish the animal.”
Nazim ud Din once invited a few dignitaries of Lakhnow for a feast. When they arrived, Nazim ud Din took them to a corner of his backyard and showed them a newly filled pit.
“I buried food when you got late,” the Chief Justice pointed to freshly dug place.
Nazim ud Din rejected all candidates for a job when none of them could count from 100 to 1 backwards.
Mother of Nazim ud Din passed away and people flocked for condolence. When his attendant brought hundreds of visiting cards to him, he asked, “Why are so many people here today?”
“They have come to offer their condolence on demise of your mother sir,” was the obvious answer. “What was my mother to them that they have come,” the Chief Justice enquire in a loud voice so that people outside could hear him. Listening his remarks all of them ran away.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/25/2009 08:52:00 AM,
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Assets
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
There used to be a fort on the central citadel now known as Kila Kohna Qasim Bagh in Multan. Save some debris and parts of walls at places nothing is left of the historic fort for next generations. Ravages of time have obliterated all except a verse etched on the western gateway.
This verse along with the name of Muhammad bin Qasim who is considered as builder of the fort has carved an eternal slot in the archives of history. The verse reads: “A bud is hesitant to sprout, foliages around it are surprised why the bud is sad, unwilling and ask, why you are not sprouting. Look what is around you: running water, proximity of flowers, fluttering birds, morning air, and dew. What else you need?”
Abbas Khan says, "I have lived in Multan for many years. Seeing my pathetic condition on return from there, friends asked, “You have been in Multan for so long. What have you brought from there?” A lot I replied. “What?” They asked curiously. I opened my box and took out my book of days, opened a page and presented it to them. The forgoing verse was written on that page."
This verse along with the name of Muhammad bin Qasim who is considered as builder of the fort has carved an eternal slot in the archives of history. The verse reads: “A bud is hesitant to sprout, foliages around it are surprised why the bud is sad, unwilling and ask, why you are not sprouting. Look what is around you: running water, proximity of flowers, fluttering birds, morning air, and dew. What else you need?”
Abbas Khan says, "I have lived in Multan for many years. Seeing my pathetic condition on return from there, friends asked, “You have been in Multan for so long. What have you brought from there?” A lot I replied. “What?” They asked curiously. I opened my box and took out my book of days, opened a page and presented it to them. The forgoing verse was written on that page."
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/24/2009 08:51:00 AM,
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Environmental Management
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an international body that develops standards. These standards make a positive difference, not just to for the industries, but to society as a whole. They are useful to industrial and business organizations of all types, to governments and other regulatory bodies, to trade officials, to conformity assessment professionals, to suppliers in both public and private sectors, and ultimately, to people in general in their roles as consumers and end users. For the planet we inhabit, International Standards on air, water and soil quality, and on emissions of gases and radiation, can contribute to efforts to preserve the environment.
For developing countries like Pakistan, International Standards that represent an international consensus on the state of the art constitute are an important source for transfer of technology. By defining the characteristics that products and services will be expected to meet on export markets. International Standards give developing countries a basis for making the right decisions when investing their resources.
ISO was established in 1947 in order to formulate and promote international standards for industrial products. Today, 120 countries around the world are members of this alliance. ISO 14004:2004 is the standard set by the ISO for environmental management systems (EMS).
ISO 14004:2004 specifies the requirements for an EMS, which provides a framework for an organization to control the environmental impact of its activities, products and services, and to improve its environmental performance continually. ISO 14004:2004 provides guidelines on the elements of an EMS, its implementation and the principal issues involved.
ISO is a network of the national standards institutes of countries, on the basis of one member per country, with a Central Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland, that coordinates the system. It is a non-governmental organization; its members are not necessarily, as is the case in the United Nations Organization, delegates of governments. However, ISO occupies a special position between the public and private sectors. This is because, on the one hand, many of its member institutes are part of the governmental structure of their respective countries, or are nominated by their governments. On the other hand, other members have their roots individually in the private sector, having been set up by national partnerships of industry associations.
ISO acts as a bridging organization in which a consensus can be reached on solutions that meet both the requirements of business and the broader needs of society, such as the needs of stakeholder groups like consumers and users.
The emergence of regional and global markets, International Standards create a level playing field for all competitors on those markets. The existence of divergent national or regional standards can create technical barriers to trade, even when there is political agreement to do away with restriction of any kind on imports.
For end users, the worldwide compatibility of technology, which is achieved when products and services are based on International Standards, brings them an increasingly wide choice of offers, and they also benefit from the effects of competition among suppliers.
ISO 14004 standards support the best environmental management practice offering to help organizations address all three dimensions of sustainable development - social, economic and environmental. If implemented evenly all over the world, they can contribute a lot in preservation of environment on our planet.
For developing countries like Pakistan, International Standards that represent an international consensus on the state of the art constitute are an important source for transfer of technology. By defining the characteristics that products and services will be expected to meet on export markets. International Standards give developing countries a basis for making the right decisions when investing their resources.
ISO was established in 1947 in order to formulate and promote international standards for industrial products. Today, 120 countries around the world are members of this alliance. ISO 14004:2004 is the standard set by the ISO for environmental management systems (EMS).
ISO 14004:2004 specifies the requirements for an EMS, which provides a framework for an organization to control the environmental impact of its activities, products and services, and to improve its environmental performance continually. ISO 14004:2004 provides guidelines on the elements of an EMS, its implementation and the principal issues involved.
ISO is a network of the national standards institutes of countries, on the basis of one member per country, with a Central Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland, that coordinates the system. It is a non-governmental organization; its members are not necessarily, as is the case in the United Nations Organization, delegates of governments. However, ISO occupies a special position between the public and private sectors. This is because, on the one hand, many of its member institutes are part of the governmental structure of their respective countries, or are nominated by their governments. On the other hand, other members have their roots individually in the private sector, having been set up by national partnerships of industry associations.
ISO acts as a bridging organization in which a consensus can be reached on solutions that meet both the requirements of business and the broader needs of society, such as the needs of stakeholder groups like consumers and users.
The emergence of regional and global markets, International Standards create a level playing field for all competitors on those markets. The existence of divergent national or regional standards can create technical barriers to trade, even when there is political agreement to do away with restriction of any kind on imports.
For end users, the worldwide compatibility of technology, which is achieved when products and services are based on International Standards, brings them an increasingly wide choice of offers, and they also benefit from the effects of competition among suppliers.
ISO 14004 standards support the best environmental management practice offering to help organizations address all three dimensions of sustainable development - social, economic and environmental. If implemented evenly all over the world, they can contribute a lot in preservation of environment on our planet.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/23/2009 08:34:00 AM,
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Pakistan Win ICC WC Twenty20 - 2009
Monday, 22 June 2009
Labels: Cricket, ICC WC Twenty20, Pakistan, Sports
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/22/2009 02:08:00 PM,
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Are the Glory Days of Fatherhood Over?
Sunday, 21 June 2009
When I became a father I really had only one role model: my own father. He bequeathed to me an attitude to the job. But the job had changed, says Michael Lewis in his book Home Game: An Accidental Guide to Fatherhood. That is the thought that ame to me on Fathers Day. Read the review here.
Alse read 'We Need Fathers To Step Up'
Labels: Fathers' Day
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/21/2009 10:18:00 PM,
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A True Story
Friday, 19 June 2009
Sheik Manzoor Ilahi was commissioner Bahawalpur when Nawab of Bahawalpur was alive and Nawab of Kalabagh was the Governor.
Sheik Manzoor Ilahi writes: I was going to attend Commissioners’ Conference in Lahore when the Nawab of Bahawalpur sent for me and asked to convey to the Governor that the agricultural reforms should not be imposed upon Abbasi family in his life because he knows better how to look after the interests of his protégé. I got the chance to approach the Governor in a dinner hoisted by him at the end of the conference. Nawab of Kalabagh was sitting sandwiched between American Council General and the British Deputy High Commissioner when I overheard the Governor telling them, “I have told Mr. President so many times that no kind of democracy is feasible in this country.”
Ahan, so the Governor was opposed to the democracy which President Ayub Khan was about to give to the masses through 1962 constitution. When I gave him the message of the Nawab of Bahawalpur, the Governor spontaneously said, “Please tell Nawab Sahib to leave the issue alone.
Children are never thankful what ever the parents do for them.” I was surprised.
Now one knows what destiny has in store for any one. Nature was speaking through the mouth of the Governor it seems (The Governor was murdered by his son.)
Sheik Manzoor Ilahi writes: I was going to attend Commissioners’ Conference in Lahore when the Nawab of Bahawalpur sent for me and asked to convey to the Governor that the agricultural reforms should not be imposed upon Abbasi family in his life because he knows better how to look after the interests of his protégé. I got the chance to approach the Governor in a dinner hoisted by him at the end of the conference. Nawab of Kalabagh was sitting sandwiched between American Council General and the British Deputy High Commissioner when I overheard the Governor telling them, “I have told Mr. President so many times that no kind of democracy is feasible in this country.”
Ahan, so the Governor was opposed to the democracy which President Ayub Khan was about to give to the masses through 1962 constitution. When I gave him the message of the Nawab of Bahawalpur, the Governor spontaneously said, “Please tell Nawab Sahib to leave the issue alone.
Children are never thankful what ever the parents do for them.” I was surprised.
Now one knows what destiny has in store for any one. Nature was speaking through the mouth of the Governor it seems (The Governor was murdered by his son.)
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/19/2009 09:15:00 PM,
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Khane Khanan
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
An old woman with iron meant for cooking bread in her hand awaited Khane Khanan when he came out of the mosque after offering prayer. She started rubbing the soot laden iron pan with Khane Khanan staining his attire.
The fellow parishioners could not tolerate that and got hold of the old lady and her hob. But Khane Khanan did was not fell offended at all. He stopped all of them and ordered his attendants to weigh the iron pan in gold and give it to the old lady instead.
“Why are you doing this,” asked every one in chorus. Let what I have ordered get accomplished and I will let you know why, replied the Minister.
The old lady was given gold as desired by Khane Khanan and she took her way; praying, happy. Now Abdur Rahim Khane Khanan explained to every inquisitive, “The old lady thought I am that lustrous stone which has a quality to convert any thing that is touched with it into gold. That is why she touched her hotplate with me I am no lustrous stone but why disappoint her.
The fellow parishioners could not tolerate that and got hold of the old lady and her hob. But Khane Khanan did was not fell offended at all. He stopped all of them and ordered his attendants to weigh the iron pan in gold and give it to the old lady instead.
“Why are you doing this,” asked every one in chorus. Let what I have ordered get accomplished and I will let you know why, replied the Minister.
The old lady was given gold as desired by Khane Khanan and she took her way; praying, happy. Now Abdur Rahim Khane Khanan explained to every inquisitive, “The old lady thought I am that lustrous stone which has a quality to convert any thing that is touched with it into gold. That is why she touched her hotplate with me I am no lustrous stone but why disappoint her.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/17/2009 10:32:00 PM,
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Best Value Web Hosting
Web hosting reminds me of so many things. It was during dot com boom that so many web hosting services came up. After growing use of the power of the web, web hosting has become vital for businesses. Besides businesses, most individuals also need the best, trusted, uninterrupted and affordable web host.
In this age when is essential for every concerns and even individuals, it is vital to host online assets with trusted web hosts. How to find them?
Have a look at Freezone Internet and see what they are offering and how? Freezone Internet has come a long way since it was formed as a free Internet Service Provider in 1999 and ealier as a subscription service in 1997. They are still on the forefront of the Internet market and now offer Web Hosting and more. Explore the site and see the range of hosting packages from personal to powerful business websites. Freezone Internet simple yet powerful control panel allows users to make changes to your account in seconds, and all accounts feature same-day set-up at no charge.
Freezone Internet is a neatly laid out site and very affordable (from £2.39 to £14.99per month). The offer different payment options including Paypal. I suggest you try them and enhjoy enriching experience online.
In this age when is essential for every concerns and even individuals, it is vital to host online assets with trusted web hosts. How to find them?
Have a look at Freezone Internet and see what they are offering and how? Freezone Internet has come a long way since it was formed as a free Internet Service Provider in 1999 and ealier as a subscription service in 1997. They are still on the forefront of the Internet market and now offer Web Hosting and more. Explore the site and see the range of hosting packages from personal to powerful business websites. Freezone Internet simple yet powerful control panel allows users to make changes to your account in seconds, and all accounts feature same-day set-up at no charge.
Freezone Internet is a neatly laid out site and very affordable (from £2.39 to £14.99per month). The offer different payment options including Paypal. I suggest you try them and enhjoy enriching experience online.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/17/2009 10:06:00 PM,
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Mandi Bahauddin Mein
Originally Mandi Bahauddin was a village called as Chak number 51. It started expanding after the completion of Rasul Hydroelectric Power Station on Upper Jhelum Canal in 1901. Today, Mandi Bahauddin is an over crowded market town famous for its agricultural markets (Grain Market, Vegetable Market and Livestock Market) and local industry of making colourful bed legs.The name Mandi Bahauddin originates from two sources: Mandi (market) was prefixed because it was a flourishing grain market and Bahauddin was borrowed from nearby old village Pindi Bahauddin, which has now become part of the town. After the partition, thousands of refugees from India rehabilitated on the evacuee property of Sikh and Hindu landlords. Lately, after the construction of Rasul Barrage, people from the belt along southern edge of Salt Range up to Pind Dadan Khan and other areas across the River Jhelum came settling in the town. Due to migrations and increase in business activities, the town has expanded in all directions. The result is that more than half of the population is living outside municipal limits without any civic amenities. More unplanned localities and kachi abadies are coming up everyday. The tendency to move from rural areas to urban centres is on the increase.
People from adjoining villages come to exchange their agricultural products like grain, chickens and Ghee with matchboxes and other commodity items and see the ‘bright lights’ in this dusty town. Donkey carts to heavy vehicles are plying indiscriminately on any road they feel like. The town roads have bumps, wobbles and unauthorized speed breakers (sleeping policemen). The right of way has been shrunk due to encroachments and fast growing traffic. Most cross-junctions like Hospital Chowk, Gurha Chowk, Sut Sire Chowk, College Chowk and two railway crossings are always busy and there are no traffic signals.
The sugar mills constructed ‘farm to mill’ road that can be used as a bypass for the traffic not concerned with the city. But it is not being utilized because there are no arrangements to divert the heavy traffic on to the 20 feet wide metallic road. Mixture of slow and fast moving traffic, lack of footpaths, parking facilities, presence of bus and wagon terminals and many tonga stands has aggravated the situation in this agricultural market town. It is located away from Grand Trunk road but well linked with Pind Dadan Khan, Jhelum, Kharian, Lalamusa, Gujrat, Gujranwala and Sargodha with railways and good road network.
The small town having gridiron pattern (all roads and streets meeting at right angle) has developed haphazardly into an overcrowded city. Rehries and temporary shops have intruded all the main bazaars. The rehriwallas have a strong union. They thwart any effort by municipal authorities or district administration to remove the encroachments. The result is that what to talk of vehicles even the pedestrians cannot pass through the bazaars. Dual carriage way was introduced from Sadar Darwaza - gateway built in 1930 - to municipal committee office but the encroachers have also occupied this bifurcation.
The right of way on roads going out of the town has also been reduced due to unchecked encroachments and linear development along the roads. Number of shopping centres has come up in the residential areas. Beside sugar mills, local shaped industrial concerns are spread in and brick kilns around the town. Bed legs and colourful furniture are famous products of the town. Commercial and industrial activities in the residential areas have put a great pressure on the demand of already deficient houses.
Grain Market is located in the centre of the town. Goods’ Forwarding Agencies and lack of amenities have made miserable the lives of merchants and customers of the Market. Large number of goods’ trucks is always standing in the 4.3 acres of market area, which adversely affect the business. The surrounding area of town’s landmark and highest building, majestic Jamia Mosque built by the corner of Grain Market is also noisy and bustling with commercial activities of ‘Lohar’ bazaar.
Even worst is the condition of Vegetable Market. There was time when much of what is today Sabzi Mandi was tranquil and pollution free market consisting of few shops. People could go to the market and buy some of the freshest fruit, vegetables and some of the choicest of spices, nuts, meat and chicken. But now it is very difficult to move in and out of this largest perishable’s market in the area because there is no regular sweeping or lifting of garbage and all the free space has been occupied by vendors who buy any one item in the morning and sit on ground to sell inside and around Sabzi Mandi.
Well chalking is another problem of the town. Political, religious, commercial slogans and different advertisements can be seen all over the town. Political slogans respecting one candidate who contested last elections, every time from a different platform can still be found written on the walls of the town.
Besides going to nearby Rasul Barrage for eating fish Kabab, there are no recreational or cultural facilities and no healthy activities Mandi Bahauddin that was made district headquarters in 1993. This has far eaching effects on the youth of the town. They are seen playing cards on roadsides or snooker in corners of every street. Large numbers of video shops have come up and are doing good business. Video shops rent TV, VCR and as much as five films at a time even in the period when multi channel satellite has become a household item. There are two old cinema houses with 803 seating capacity. Degree colleges (one for boys and one for girls) are doing good jobs but given the resources of the municipal educational institutions, they are not enough for the youth of the area.
A Lalamusa-Sargodha-Khanewal railway is a profitable rout. At present only one Peshawar-Karachi train - Chenab Express - runs on this route. It could be useful to introduce at least one more Peshawar-Karachi express train for passengers, agricultural products produced in the area and a few of the minerals from Salt Range. This track is linked with Khewara Salt mines as well. Moreover, this track is strategically important in case of any threat to Peshawar-Lahore-Karachi main railway track. In that case, Lalamusa-Sargodha-Khanewal rail route could take all the rail traffic.
The “Mandi Bahauddin Development Plan 1986-2012″ has not even come on the tables of people responsible for is execution. But a possible nice start for the town may be to declare at least two bazaars (Sadar Bazaar and Committee Bazaar) totally pedestrian, vehicular traffic and animal transport contained out. Any body listening please!
Labels: Travel
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/17/2009 03:48:00 PM,
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Body Wraps
Everyone wants to be at the best. Those who are beauty conscious must take a closer look at ShimmerFX and see what they are offering and how. ShimmerFX have beauty solutions from Body Wraps to Skin Care and a whole lot in between. Given my own interest, I explored body wraps section and was amazed to see what they are offering. What is more, you can have 15% off on BODY WRAPS and save a great deal.
Explore the site and learn more about how bodywraps from Guam Seaweed Mud Body Wraps, Guam Tummy Mud Wrap, GUAM Seaweed Mud "Cool" (For Sensitive Skin), Guam Fangocrema (350g), Guam Fangocrema Tummy and Waist 150ml, Guam After Mud Finishing Cream (CREMA DopoFANGO) 125ml and Guam FangoCrema Fresco 250ml {daily treatment} and see what suits you the best.. Try and get the results after just one treatment. GUAM has proven efficacy through clinical trials with an average inch loss of 2cm in each area equating to 22” for a full mud wraps.
I liked Guam Seaweed Mud Body Wraps more. Guam Seaweed Mud Body Wraps is an effective aid in defeating cellulite. the patented Seaweed Mud Wraps formula will stimulate, firm and tone the skin, giving it incomparable, long lasting softness and elasticity. To enhance or speed up the results massage Guam Mud Wraps Based Cream (Fangocrema) into the offending areas of the days you do not have a mud wrap.
Seaweed mud represents the most valid help against cellulite (antiaesthetic tissue and adiposity of the skin) .It is natural and its properties bring immediate results from the application of the first treatments. For those who have serious cellulite problems, it is possible to obtain a visible reduction of the antiaesthetic tissues and adiposity of the skin just after 45 minutes from the first application. It stimulates, tones up, and strengthens the elasticity of the skin. Iodine, which is contained in this particular seaweed mud, is assisted by a particular clay mixture which contains ivy extracts, essential lemon and oregano.
Treat yourself with Guam Seaweed Mud Body Wraps and be at your best.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/17/2009 03:33:00 PM,
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Local Architecture Overview
Pervaiz Munir Alvi
Muslims first arrived in areas now constituting southern half of Pakistan, mostly Sindh and Balochistan in Eighth century A.D. when ships of Arab general Mohammad bin Qasim landed somewhere near the mouth of the Indus river and then traveled upriver all the way to the important city of Multan in lower Punjab. Thus bringing most of the commerce routes from the Indus valley to Mesopotamia through Balochistan and Persia under their control. The areas now constituting northern half of Pakistan, Punjab, Kashmir and Frontier did not come under the Muslim control till the beginning of the eleventh century when the armies of Sultan Mahmood of Gazna, present day Afghanistan, came down through the mountain passes demolishing temples and the statuary within, unfortunate enough to be in their way. The newcomers, along with a new religion, also introduced new forms of visual arts and architecture to this land and its people. Mosques and madrassas were built, Forts and Palaces were erected, Mausoleums and Garden Cemeteries were created where no such structures existed before. The old Temples and Ashrams, Stupas and Monasteries ultimately became the relics of history. So significant was the introduction, and later on the proliferation, of this new art form that in historical terms the architecture of the areas now constituting Pakistan could be designated to two distinct periods— the earlier as pre-Islamic and the later as Islamic period.
By the middle of the eighteenth century Muslims lost control of the areas now constituting northern half of Pakistan to the Sikhs of Punjab. Even though they made architectural contributions of their own, the Sikh period also saw, not unlike their predecessors, destruction, stripping and neglect of the earlier buildings of the Islamic period. Particularly affected were the Muslim religious places such as the historical mosques and mausoleums. The areas now constituting southern half of Pakistan fortunately remained under Muslim control long after the fall of the Mughals and therefore did not experience the similar fate. However invaders from Persia and Afghanistan routinely damaged the historically significant structures and looted whatever they could on their return trip home.
The mid nineteen century saw the start of another short but architecturally significant period. By now the British had successfully taken over all the territories later to become Pakistan and set upon building new administrative institutions and infrastructures of their own. They were going to built collages, hospitals, post offices, museums, court houses, assembly halls, city halls, libraries, country clubs, parks, stadiums, cantonments and residential bungalows, railway stations and yes architecturally significant bridges and tunnels. In one century of British rule hundred and hundreds of new significant public structures were commissioned throughout the country. This was a period of not only European and English architecture but also of unique hybrids created by fusing the elements of English with the local Islamic architecture. Most of these colonial buildings are still standing and in use in Pakistan. British also help restore and some times deface some of the old historical buildings. In balance British period is the most significant period for Architecture in Pakistan.
The year 1947 is the beginning of the post colonial Pakistan period. British had left behind a running administration and infrastructure for the new rulers of the new country. In the first decade very few new architecturally significant buildings were added in any sphere of the society. The first major architectural surge took place when the national capital was moved from the commercial port city of Karachi at the Arabian Sea to the newly designed modern city of Islamabad located at the foothill of picturesque Margala ridge. Almost all major buildings in the city were designed by the foreign firms with some local input. These designers have often tried to create modern functional structures with infusion of their perceived local styles and traditions. The result is another hybrid architecture which over the time will be known as Pakistan period. Other than Islamabad every major city in Pakistan has also added few new structures in the mix. These are mostly educational and administrative buildings, hospitals, commercials centers, hotels, mosques and national monuments. Lately new airport terminals and sea ports are also added too.
Out side Islamabad no new major library is built. Other than those left behind by the British there has been no new world class museum or art gallery built in the last six decades. There are no opera houses, night clubs, significant theater halls or palaces to host performance events. None of the new bridges over major rivers or canals have any architectural values to them. The country has no internationally renowned architects or architectural firms of its own and thus heavily depends on foreign based designers. It is possible that with time a distinct Pakistani Architecture, like French or Italian Architecture may evolve. But it might be by default and not by conscientious design.
Muslims first arrived in areas now constituting southern half of Pakistan, mostly Sindh and Balochistan in Eighth century A.D. when ships of Arab general Mohammad bin Qasim landed somewhere near the mouth of the Indus river and then traveled upriver all the way to the important city of Multan in lower Punjab. Thus bringing most of the commerce routes from the Indus valley to Mesopotamia through Balochistan and Persia under their control. The areas now constituting northern half of Pakistan, Punjab, Kashmir and Frontier did not come under the Muslim control till the beginning of the eleventh century when the armies of Sultan Mahmood of Gazna, present day Afghanistan, came down through the mountain passes demolishing temples and the statuary within, unfortunate enough to be in their way. The newcomers, along with a new religion, also introduced new forms of visual arts and architecture to this land and its people. Mosques and madrassas were built, Forts and Palaces were erected, Mausoleums and Garden Cemeteries were created where no such structures existed before. The old Temples and Ashrams, Stupas and Monasteries ultimately became the relics of history. So significant was the introduction, and later on the proliferation, of this new art form that in historical terms the architecture of the areas now constituting Pakistan could be designated to two distinct periods— the earlier as pre-Islamic and the later as Islamic period.
By the middle of the eighteenth century Muslims lost control of the areas now constituting northern half of Pakistan to the Sikhs of Punjab. Even though they made architectural contributions of their own, the Sikh period also saw, not unlike their predecessors, destruction, stripping and neglect of the earlier buildings of the Islamic period. Particularly affected were the Muslim religious places such as the historical mosques and mausoleums. The areas now constituting southern half of Pakistan fortunately remained under Muslim control long after the fall of the Mughals and therefore did not experience the similar fate. However invaders from Persia and Afghanistan routinely damaged the historically significant structures and looted whatever they could on their return trip home.
The mid nineteen century saw the start of another short but architecturally significant period. By now the British had successfully taken over all the territories later to become Pakistan and set upon building new administrative institutions and infrastructures of their own. They were going to built collages, hospitals, post offices, museums, court houses, assembly halls, city halls, libraries, country clubs, parks, stadiums, cantonments and residential bungalows, railway stations and yes architecturally significant bridges and tunnels. In one century of British rule hundred and hundreds of new significant public structures were commissioned throughout the country. This was a period of not only European and English architecture but also of unique hybrids created by fusing the elements of English with the local Islamic architecture. Most of these colonial buildings are still standing and in use in Pakistan. British also help restore and some times deface some of the old historical buildings. In balance British period is the most significant period for Architecture in Pakistan.
The year 1947 is the beginning of the post colonial Pakistan period. British had left behind a running administration and infrastructure for the new rulers of the new country. In the first decade very few new architecturally significant buildings were added in any sphere of the society. The first major architectural surge took place when the national capital was moved from the commercial port city of Karachi at the Arabian Sea to the newly designed modern city of Islamabad located at the foothill of picturesque Margala ridge. Almost all major buildings in the city were designed by the foreign firms with some local input. These designers have often tried to create modern functional structures with infusion of their perceived local styles and traditions. The result is another hybrid architecture which over the time will be known as Pakistan period. Other than Islamabad every major city in Pakistan has also added few new structures in the mix. These are mostly educational and administrative buildings, hospitals, commercials centers, hotels, mosques and national monuments. Lately new airport terminals and sea ports are also added too.
Out side Islamabad no new major library is built. Other than those left behind by the British there has been no new world class museum or art gallery built in the last six decades. There are no opera houses, night clubs, significant theater halls or palaces to host performance events. None of the new bridges over major rivers or canals have any architectural values to them. The country has no internationally renowned architects or architectural firms of its own and thus heavily depends on foreign based designers. It is possible that with time a distinct Pakistani Architecture, like French or Italian Architecture may evolve. But it might be by default and not by conscientious design.
Labels: Architecture
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/17/2009 03:32:00 PM,
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Pakistan Ggoes into the T20 World Cup Semi Finals
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
Owais Mughal
Just few minutes ago Pakistan has comprehensively beaten Ireland by 39 runs to qualify for the Semi Finals of the Twenty20 World Cup. Score Card here. Points Table here.
Looking forward what do you think are the chances of Pakistan? For greater part, it of course dependes on who will be the opposing team in the Semi Finals. We’ll update this post once that becomes clear. It will be either South Africa or West Indies. For now, we wanted to wish good luck to Pakistani cricket team and offer congratualtions on their performance.
Blogs and Cricket analysis are calling Pakistan Cricket Team, ‘the Mercurial Pakistan’. We hope it continues to prove right.
What do Stats Say? Well if statistics is any worth in Cricket, then stars do seem to align in favour of Pakistan. Do you know that Pakistan has the highest Winning Percentage in Twenty-20 Internationals in the world. Yes, Pakistan’s record is 75% wins out of 22 matches they’ve played so far. They are followed by Sri Lanks at 70.58%.
Complete list of ranking in terms of win% in Twenty-20 Internationals is as follows
1. Pakistan 75% (22 matches)
2. Sri Lanka 70.58% (17 matches)
3. South Africa 68.18% (22 matches)
4. Netherlands 60% (6 matches)
5. India 59.37% (17 matches)
6. Ireland 50% (9 matches)
7. Australia 47.82% (23 matches)
8. West Indies 46.66 (15 matches)
9. New Zealand 44% (25 matches)
10. England 42.10% (19 matches)
11. Canada 35.71 % (7 matches)
Zimbabwe 35.71% (7 matches)
13. Scotland 28.57% (8 matches)
14. Bangladesh 25% (12 matches)
15. Kenya 12.50% (12 matches)
16. Bermuda 0% (3 matches)
Photo Credits: Dawn
Labels: Cricket, Sports, T20 Worl Cup
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/16/2009 12:34:00 PM,
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In Lahore
Like me, are you feeling cold nip in the air in Lahore in the month of June?
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/16/2009 11:14:00 AM,
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Cut Closer
Knives are some of the best kitchen aids for any cook. Sharp knives that can cut closely are needed in any kitchen. Thanks to Shenzhen Knives that they offer the best and affordable knives.
Shenzhen Ceramic Knives are best when it comes to slicing and cutting. A ceramic knife is made of an advanced ceramic called zirconia, the second hardest material known to man next to diamond. The material's properties make it particularly resistant to wear and tear, which means that a ceramic blade can hold its edge much longer than a steel blade without the need for re-sharpening.
Ceramic knives have a unique white ceramic blade that is made of zirconium oxide. The ceramic blade undergoes high-pressure molding before being fired ("sintered") - which takes several days of high temperatures (in excess of 1000C). The finished ceramic blade is then ground and polished on a diamond wheel to form a sharp cutting edge and attached to the knife handle. That is what makes a CERAMIC KNIFE stand out among the rest. What is more, the ceramic knives are sold directly without involvement of any middle man. That is what keep then knives affordable.
Use the Ceramic Knife and it will holds its edge much longer than steel. Ceramic's hardness means that the ceramic blade will resist wear and remain sharper. They are stain and rust proof. Non-stick surface makes the ceramic blade easy to clean. They do not have metallic taste or smell. Given the ceramic blade's characteristics, the ceramic knife will not interact with your food's taste.
Zirconium oxide is harder than ordinary steel and almost as hard as diamond. This means the ceramic knife keeps its edge much longer than a steel blade. Thus with proper care, ceramic knives can go many months or years without sharpening. What else, I would like to have a ceramic knife in my own kitchen.
Shenzhen Ceramic Knives are best when it comes to slicing and cutting. A ceramic knife is made of an advanced ceramic called zirconia, the second hardest material known to man next to diamond. The material's properties make it particularly resistant to wear and tear, which means that a ceramic blade can hold its edge much longer than a steel blade without the need for re-sharpening.
Ceramic knives have a unique white ceramic blade that is made of zirconium oxide. The ceramic blade undergoes high-pressure molding before being fired ("sintered") - which takes several days of high temperatures (in excess of 1000C). The finished ceramic blade is then ground and polished on a diamond wheel to form a sharp cutting edge and attached to the knife handle. That is what makes a CERAMIC KNIFE stand out among the rest. What is more, the ceramic knives are sold directly without involvement of any middle man. That is what keep then knives affordable.
Use the Ceramic Knife and it will holds its edge much longer than steel. Ceramic's hardness means that the ceramic blade will resist wear and remain sharper. They are stain and rust proof. Non-stick surface makes the ceramic blade easy to clean. They do not have metallic taste or smell. Given the ceramic blade's characteristics, the ceramic knife will not interact with your food's taste.
Zirconium oxide is harder than ordinary steel and almost as hard as diamond. This means the ceramic knife keeps its edge much longer than a steel blade. Thus with proper care, ceramic knives can go many months or years without sharpening. What else, I would like to have a ceramic knife in my own kitchen.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/16/2009 09:04:00 AM,
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The State
Sunday, 14 June 2009
The Republic in which Plato presented concept of the state starts with a query. “What is justice,” sitting in his academy Plato asks students who were all experts in their own respective fields.
As per Plato every thing in the world should be given its appropriate place. Biologically human body can be divided in three distinct and incompatible parts. Wisdom comes from head; stomach is responsible for distribution of calories to the whole body through intakes; hands and feet work for the body and act as guards. Humans die when this appropriation is disturbed. Head cannot act in the place of stomach or hand and vice versa.
Like human body he classifies the state population. The philosophers work as head, businessmen, presents and technicians work as stomach and soldiers and administrators work as arms and legs. If one of them takes the place of another, it will be a gross imbalance. With that the state shall fall sick and ultimately die. If each is at its own place, the state will become ideal.
As per Plato every thing in the world should be given its appropriate place. Biologically human body can be divided in three distinct and incompatible parts. Wisdom comes from head; stomach is responsible for distribution of calories to the whole body through intakes; hands and feet work for the body and act as guards. Humans die when this appropriation is disturbed. Head cannot act in the place of stomach or hand and vice versa.
Like human body he classifies the state population. The philosophers work as head, businessmen, presents and technicians work as stomach and soldiers and administrators work as arms and legs. If one of them takes the place of another, it will be a gross imbalance. With that the state shall fall sick and ultimately die. If each is at its own place, the state will become ideal.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/14/2009 08:24:00 PM,
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Tutorial to Public Bus Riding
Friday, 12 June 2009
When I was a student in Michigan, our University conducted this activity on on how to cope with cultural shocks. Students groups belonging to different countries were asked to come up with activities which were considered a norm in their countries but could be a cultural shock to foreigners. International students then went through these activities and tried to experience other countries’ cultures and indeed felt shocked. Later on trained Moderators were provided to explain the background of why certain behaviors and things were different in other countries and how to appreciate this diversity.
Well, when it came to Pakistan, my friends and I got together and we came up with the idea of simulating a public bus ride in Pakistan. I mean, what could be more shocking for a foreigner if he were asked to go from point A to point B in Pakistan using a public bus. If he is not open to local behaviors, there is going to be a multitude of cultural shocks he may have to go through.
Constructing our Pakistani Bus:
After getting our idea approved by the event organizers, our first challenge was how to simulate a bus experience. As you may have guessed from the title photo, we decided to build our Pakistani bus from card board. We picked up several pieces of card board from local Office Depot and used duck tape to join them together in a rectangular bus shape. We provided a door on a side so passengers could walk in.
To keep the cardboard rigid, we literally used broom sticks (JhaRoo’s handles) from inside as support beams and pasted them using duck tape (again!). Somebody has rightly said that a man can fix anything with the duck tape. I’ve heard that NASA’s Space Shuttles also have duck tapes in them for just-in-case situations.
What About Wheels?
There were no wheels in the bus - which I think was the only short coming in our design. We provided narrow slits in the card board where our trained Bus Driver and Mr. Conductor could insert their fingers, lift the whole bus up a few inches and move around a large hall along with passengers inside. Once the driver started pulling the bus, the passengers bound by this rectangular boundary (9 feet X 4 feet) had no choice but to walk where-ever the driver took this bus. It was fun.
Driver Saheb:
As you can see from the photo, our driver was mashallah very talented. He has a Masters degree in Engineering but drivery(driving) was his passion. He hails from Rawalpindi, so while driving this bus he talked to passengers in authentic Potohari, Punjabi and Urdu. Few years have passed by since this activity, but I believe while riding this bus he was also singing some Daler Mehndi tunes. I have written these lines today but I am sure he will read them tomorrow. I hope he spares me! We are still good friends Driver Saheb.
Decorating Our Pakistani Bus:
Even more fun was decorating this bus. I remember that only a few students helped us in building the super-structure with broom sticks (a PhD Civil Engineer - now an Associate Professor, helped me there) but as soon we got down to writing and decoration with markers and colored paper, a crowd of willing volunteers showed up.
As you can see from the photos we wrote anything and everything we could remember from our own experience of Pakistani transport. I forgot the whole list but looking at photos some of the items that are readable include:
- Chief Sahib (Mr. Chief)
- 786
- route humraah hai - Literal translation is ‘Route is Within’. I’ve never understood what this means. Can our readers help? I have a feeling this is some kind of a message for traffic police.
- baji ji bismillah (Please Sister -Come inside) - This is written on the door of ladies compartment.
- Driver ki zindagi bhi ajab khel hai, maut se bach gaya to central jail hai (Life of driver is a mysterious game - If he dodges his death, he ends up in Jail)
- phir mileN ge, gar khuda laaya (We will meet again - God willing)
- Pilot Seat - This is written where Driver sits
- F-16 written on the photo of a Boeing 747
- sharmeeli (A shy lady)
- Passenger Gate - written on the main door of the bus
- Speed Limit 65 kmph
- Model 2009 - This number is of course updated by repainting only the least significant digit every year on the same bus.
This is all that I could read from the photos or think of right now, but I remember we had every inch of this bus decorated with such slogans, poetry and philosophy.
The Ride Experience:
On the day of activity, we had posted mock signs for different bus stops in the hall. These names were what one can expect see in Pakistan e.g. Merewether Tower, Melody, Mozang Chungi, Saddar, aabpaara, Cantt Station etc. Some signs were in Urdu and some were in English.
International students were given paper instructions which instructed them to stop a Pakistani bus and go from (say) Melody bus stop to aabpaara bus stop. They were also given some Pakistani currency to simulate fare transaction in the bus. We had collected this some Pakistani currency by doing ‘chanda’ among ourselves. In the dollar age, Pakistani currency was hard to get.
What Happened at a Bus Stop?
Here is how a typical experience went in this activity. An in-experienced international student would be waiting at (say) Melody bus stop. Our Pakistani bus would approach him/her. The bus would already be crowded with some of our ‘faarigh’ friends which we had already crammed in as free riders. Despite a waiting passenger, the bus did not stop at Melody and kept going.
The intending passenger was now confused and shocked as to why the bus didn’t stop.
Next bus came in a bit. This time the conductor shouted at the passenger in Potohari accent:
“Jaa so?” (wanna go)
If the student didn’t respond or said something in English, then the bus didn’t stop this time either.
By now the international student was fully shocked and needed help. Since Pakistanis are very helpful so someone in the bus-stop came to the student and asked him/her in English where did he want to go and helped him stop the next bus by standing out of the bus-stop, extending the arm out to tell driver that we wanted the bus to be stopped etc.
Moderators then explained to the international student that Pakistani buses run against time. They want to reach their last stop as early as possible so that they can have one more ‘phera’ (run) in the day. In this haste, sometimes the buses don’t even come to a complete stop. They just slow down and a passenger has to get in or disembark from a moving vehicle. Also, if a passenger doesn’t show enough interest by moving their arms or gesturing the bus to stop, they don’t stop.
The buses sometimes don’t stop at the proper bus-stop either but a little bit further or earlier depending on wherever a group of willing passengers is available.
Inside the Bus:
There is a big chance that Pakistani public bus conductor will not be able to speak English therefore the fare has to be paid through some clever communication.
When international students came aboard, we made sure the conductor only spoke local languages (say) Urdu or Punjabi. Sometimes we had fun asking questions like:
‘O maai, kithay jaana eh’
or
‘kahaan jaaiye ga pardesi babu’
But fun aside it was educational for the international students as they were shocked again and some didn’t know how to communicate in such situation. Some just opened their palms full of money asking the conductor to pick up whatever was the correct fare. Conductors were honest of course, but most of the times some one among the local passengers did know enough English and helped the international student figure out the correct fare. These fellow passengers also helped the students read the route map and help pronounce the local destinations.
Moderators:
Photo to the right is the group which took part in this activity. We did get to listen to some of the comments which the students made after riding in our bus. They were shocked; they sometimes felt helpless and frustrated. But everyone did mention that bus driver and conductor genuinely wanted to help them. sometimes the conductor would ask among local passengers whether somebody knew English and communicate with the foreigner. In almost every situation there was always somebody in the crowd who came forward and helped them. Among other things, this indeed was one of our idea to portray that one could always find many helpful Pakistanis who will go out of the way to help their guests.
Bottom Line: Pakistanis are a helpful nation. They will always help you if needed. And if you look deeper, you can find some method to the madness of Pakistan’s public buses.
Why Now?
This activity had taken place a few years ago. Under the dust of time, I had totally forgotten about it. Last night I was going thorugh my old photos and I found the ones scanned here. It brought back the good memories. I am still in touch with many of the friends you see in these photos. So today I made sure to sit down and write this post so that next time I don’t have to dig through old photos to remember what fun and education we had.
Hopefully this post will become a tutorial to public bus riding in Pakistan.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/12/2009 09:42:00 PM,
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Teen TalwareN Aur Teen Khanjar
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
A mini replica of Karachi’s famous ‘teen (3) talwar‘ monument has emerged in Mirpur Khas. In the photo below Karachi’s three-sword landmark is to the left and Mirpur Khas replica to the right.
What do our readers have to say about architectural copies of landmarks or architectural plagiarization?
I understand Mirpur Khas is a much smaller city than Karachi and has much limited resources. But inspite of lack of funds to build a landmark of grand scale, some ingenuity of design must be practised.
This particular landmark design is just an example. Through this post, I want to raise a general question on whether copying a landmark is OK or does it leave a bad taste showing prevalent mediocrity in the society.
To me personally it leaves a bad taste. This is mediocrity and lack of ingenuity.
Before ending, I realize the grammatically correct title of the post should’ve been “teen talwareN aur teen khanjar” Or may be a more poetic one such as ‘talwar teri aankhen, khanjar teri nigaaheN’ but I’ve kept the title as it is to go with the common name of the monument which is ‘teen talwar’.
Photo Credits: Raja Islam and Jehangir Khan
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/10/2009 09:42:00 AM,
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My Language
I don’t know when Urdu became my identity. It is ascribed one and I love it; really. Born and raised speaking Punjabi, I also had to learn foreign languages (like English and Russian) to move about in faster lanes of life but I always express my deeper emotions and inner feelings in Urdu. Two of my books Izhar (Expressions), Ret Pe Tehreer (Written on the Sand)} are in Urdu. This (Urdu) sophisticated language facilitates you to do that. Anyone speaking Urdu in a crowd of people speaking alien languages is automatically a company.
I realized my love for the language when I was learning Russian at National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad. When my Russian teacher Alica used to say, “I have learnt more Urdu than I have taught you Russian.” When Sakina Mirkhajevna used to ask us to sing her songs in Urdu; she could not understand the meanings but, “I enjoy the sweetness with which words flow,” she used to tell.
I learnt English the hard way. I was at a professional academy and order of the day was, “no vernaculars,” even in out private quarters. Knowing that we will be asked to leave food and have a round of the mess running if we spoke in Urdu made us speak English fast. The problem is that I think in Urdu, dream in Urdu and my expressions, oral as well as written in English, still are jerky .
I realized my love for the language when I was learning Russian at National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad. When my Russian teacher Alica used to say, “I have learnt more Urdu than I have taught you Russian.” When Sakina Mirkhajevna used to ask us to sing her songs in Urdu; she could not understand the meanings but, “I enjoy the sweetness with which words flow,” she used to tell.
I learnt English the hard way. I was at a professional academy and order of the day was, “no vernaculars,” even in out private quarters. Knowing that we will be asked to leave food and have a round of the mess running if we spoke in Urdu made us speak English fast. The problem is that I think in Urdu, dream in Urdu and my expressions, oral as well as written in English, still are jerky .
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/10/2009 09:35:00 AM,
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Fine Art
Monday, 8 June 2009
Labels: Eman
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/08/2009 06:50:00 PM,
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Sparks of Life
Sunday, 7 June 2009
The fourth poetry book by Dr Safi Hasan has been published by Jahangir Books, Lahore recently in a beautiful blue colour flap cover. It is titled ?Mera Sitara Bujha Nahin Hei?. Safi has dedicated his book to his children and their off-shoots.
Safi's motto of life is the resolve to live and face the difficulties of life that is reflected in his couplet ?Mujkhey Fikr-e-Rakht-e-Safar Nahin Mujhey Doobeney Ka Khatar Nahin/ Meri Kashtian Hein Yaqeen Ki Merey Baadban Dua Key Hein?. This couplet appears at the start of the book. He is confident that the ship of life that he sails cannot be wrecked as his ship is constructed on belief and its sails that are made of prayers.
Dr Safi Hasan is a poet who follows straight path, observes Dr Khwaja Muhammad Zakariya in his article titled ?Safi Hasan, Sirat-e-Mustaqeem Ka Sha?ir?. The article is included in this book. He is of the view that a large number of poets are appearing nowadays from nowhere. In such a situation where there are poetry books everywhere right and left, the voice of genuine poets gets submerged into the flood of books. The genuine ones are not heard as much as they deserve to be. Dr Safi Hasan is one among such sufferers. Khwaja Saheb says that Safi is a born poet for whom creativity is a natural phenomenon and also for the fact that Safi is not an unknown poet as he has three poetry books and many international and national Mushairas to his credit. He deserves to be given attention and heard disjointedly from the clatter created by the mediocre ones.
Dr Safi Hasan expresses his inner wounds in the Ghazal format and external ones in the Nazm format. On Page 216 he writes ?Jo Duniya Key Ho Jaatey Hein Aisey Logon Sey/ Janey Kyun Mil Kar Mujh Ko Hairani Hoti Hei?. A poet has to be sensitive towards what is going on around him. Through this couplet the poet expresses his astonishment when he comes across people who have become totally materialistic in this race of the world. In his poem titled ?Nai Saher? (Page 362) Safi discusses the new intrigues on the chessboard of time. Still hope does not leave him when he says ?Bharak Rahi Hei Jo Har Samt Aatish-e-Namrood/ Dua-e-Dast-e-Brahim Sey Nigoon Ho Gi/ Asa Badast Chala Aaey Ga Kalim Koi/ Faraz-e-Toor Sey Ik Ehd-e-Jaan Nibhaney Ko?.
Hoping an end to the fire started by the American War on terror in our part of the world, he concludes that the masses shall rule in the backdrop of new light and fresh hope. Dr Wazir Agha observes that Safi has excelled in his wordiness both in the Ghazal and Nazm formats. The only difference is in their contents. In his poems his eyes are laid upon the rapid changes appearing in the globe and his eyes catch attention of the international scenario rather than remaining confined to the national issues. He has proved that all the pains of the world are hidden in his heart. This approach is also reflected in his Ghazal wherein he has managed successfully not to let his poetry get split between the two approaches. His poems titled ?Gawah Rehna?, ?Iqwam-e-Mutahida?, ?Mera Sitara Bujha Nahin Hei?, ?Wal-Asr?, ?Mom Ki Ankhain Peetal Key Rukhsar?, ?Aik Kanara?, ?Betarteeb Tehzeebon Ka Jungle?, ?Fasalu-Ehlil-Zikr?, ?Udhoorey Khwab? and ?Merey Watan? deserve special attention. These poems need attention for one reason that so far Safi has given more attention to his Ghazals, observes Dr Khurshid Rizvi in the Forward to the book (Page 28). In his Ghazals too Safi has shown great diversity. This reviewer shall only quote one couplet of Safi?s Ghazal to prove this contention. It says ?Ab Jo Bhi Ho Yeh Baat Safi Hosiley Ki Hei/ Deewar Keh Rahi Hei Keh Aa Mujh Mein Dar Nikaal?. The situation has arisen to such an extent that even a dead wall invites the poet to make an entrance through it. It is again the element of hope that has been expressed metaphorically.
Many titles of Safi?s poems are based on ?Quranic verses?. His deep commitment to religion has appeared in the shape of metaphors in his Ghazals that he has reflected upon openly in his poems. In his poems Safi has brought forward Quranic contents in a simple and touching manner. His sincerity is abundant through building of strong character and resolving of matters. At the conclusion of his poem ?Fasalu-Ehlil-Zikr? he appeals to the people to keep the relation with the God straight as life in this world could wind up any day.
Safi also abhors the clash between what Iqbal had once referred to as ?Chehra Roshan Androon Changez Sey Tareek Tar?. It is not acceptable to Safi when the truth is compromised. Dr. Khurshid Rizvi refers to his poem titled ?Iqwam-e-Mutahida? (Page 54) in this regard. Few lines are worth a mention here ?Mein Heraan Hun/ Keh Is Roshan Idaarey Key Asaasi Zehan Hi Khud Is Ki Buniyaadon Keh Dushman Hein/ Woh Duniya Ko To Rooh-e-Aman Ki Talqeen Kartey Hein/ Magar Khud Ko Salaakh-e-Aatesheen Sey Lais Kar Key/ Khak-o-Khoon Taqseem Kartey Hein?.
On one side UN sermons for peace and at the same time send troops to divide the soil and the blood. Western wars in the Islamic world displace people and then UN comes to provide shelter. What a contradiction in the so called UNO. Dr Khurshid Rizvi observes that apparently Safi may look like a revolutionary poet but he too in his own words abhors those who just say what they do not believe in. He quotes without naming any poets of revolutionary minds especially belonging to the Progressive Movement whose personal lives were poles apart from their writings.
As a philosopher he ponders on the question of existence. In his poem titled ?Gehra Sawaal? he invites everyone to think as to who breathes inside them? In his Ghazal too Safi brings out solutions to many dilemmas. He says ?Aik Na Aik Faraib Sabhi Ney Khaya Hota Hei/ Isi Liye Sooraj Bhi Gehnaaya Hota Hei?. The essence of this couplet is that even the powerful sun can be betrayed as it also gets eclipsed sometimes. Finally love-poetry is not strange to Safi. In his Ghazal on page 390 he says ?Dil Doobeta Hei Us Sey Bicher Kar Kutch Is Tarah/ Sooraj Sey Jaisey Us Ki Kiran Tooteney Lagi?. The essence of this couplet is that when he gets separated from his beloved it is like the sun getting separated from its rays. Since Dr. Safi Hasan?s heart and soul are deeply ingrained in the soil, they remain fresh due to the fragrance thereby emitted.
Labels: Books
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/07/2009 09:18:00 PM,
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Major Abid - A Hero to His Last Breath!
Saturday, 6 June 2009
Brigadier Syed Azmat Ali, Rawalpindi
Unfortunately the Pakistan Army has been the butt of Public Criticism during the last few years, but the people forget that the Pakistan Army and its valiant soldiers have always been injecting the fresh blood in the national polity by their inimitable sacrifices, be it the floods or the earthquake or the war against the enemy.
Same spirit of sacrifice and valour is being exhibited in the ongoing struggle against the militants. The heroic story of Major ABID MAJEED bears testimony to this reality. On the fateful morning of May 18, 2009 Major Abid Majeed’s brother Major Khalid was entrusted the task of recurring the area from Shalpalam to Jura whereas Major Abid Majeed’s company was responsible for securing the area from Jura to Nazarabad. Major Khalid’s company successfully secured the area followed by Major Abid Majeed. Thereafter Major Abid Majeed’s company was ordered to more forward. Thirteen vehicles of the company moved to safety however the last vehicle came under heavy and precise firing, near a nullah bend, by the militants. The driver of the vehicle embraced martyrdom there and then. No more movement was possible as the route was blocked. The forward troops tried to move back and rescue the trapped soldiers, however due to accurate and effective firing by the militants the movement was not possible. It was then at 1645 hrs that Major Abid Majeed decided to move back himself. He took two soldiers, the first aid kit and a water bottle and ordered his company to engage the militants. In the rain of bullets he rushed to site, dragged the two bleeding soldiers Sepoy Tariq and Sepoy Nausherwan to a place of safety. He immediately poured water into their mouths and then started bandaging them to stop the flow of blood. In the meantime his shoulder got exposed and shot. Not bettered by it, he kept engaged himself in the task of bandaging. The second bullet hit in his ribs, still did not prevent him from completing his task. Unmoved by the blood gushing out of his wounds he dragged the soldiers to a safer place. In the process he was hit by three bullets and he fell down. While bleeding profusely, he took the wireless to talk to his brother Major Khalid (for the last time), who was 100 meters away. "BROTHER I HAVE TO PAY SO MUCH TO SO AND SO, DO NOT FORGET IT. TAKE CARE OF THE MOTHER AND UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES LEAVE THE JOB OF ELIMINATING THE MISCREANTS INCOMPLETE. I WISH I COULD MARCH ON TO MINGORA AND SEE IT CLEAR OF THE MILITANTS". And then he succumbed to his injuries but he managed to save the lives of two soldier/comrades.
Sepoy Tariq and Nowsharwan can not control their tears at the mention of Major Abid Majeed’s name. The only words they utter are" Why Major Sahib why not us".
Long live Pakistan Army! Long Live Pakistan!
Unfortunately the Pakistan Army has been the butt of Public Criticism during the last few years, but the people forget that the Pakistan Army and its valiant soldiers have always been injecting the fresh blood in the national polity by their inimitable sacrifices, be it the floods or the earthquake or the war against the enemy.Same spirit of sacrifice and valour is being exhibited in the ongoing struggle against the militants. The heroic story of Major ABID MAJEED bears testimony to this reality. On the fateful morning of May 18, 2009 Major Abid Majeed’s brother Major Khalid was entrusted the task of recurring the area from Shalpalam to Jura whereas Major Abid Majeed’s company was responsible for securing the area from Jura to Nazarabad. Major Khalid’s company successfully secured the area followed by Major Abid Majeed. Thereafter Major Abid Majeed’s company was ordered to more forward. Thirteen vehicles of the company moved to safety however the last vehicle came under heavy and precise firing, near a nullah bend, by the militants. The driver of the vehicle embraced martyrdom there and then. No more movement was possible as the route was blocked. The forward troops tried to move back and rescue the trapped soldiers, however due to accurate and effective firing by the militants the movement was not possible. It was then at 1645 hrs that Major Abid Majeed decided to move back himself. He took two soldiers, the first aid kit and a water bottle and ordered his company to engage the militants. In the rain of bullets he rushed to site, dragged the two bleeding soldiers Sepoy Tariq and Sepoy Nausherwan to a place of safety. He immediately poured water into their mouths and then started bandaging them to stop the flow of blood. In the meantime his shoulder got exposed and shot. Not bettered by it, he kept engaged himself in the task of bandaging. The second bullet hit in his ribs, still did not prevent him from completing his task. Unmoved by the blood gushing out of his wounds he dragged the soldiers to a safer place. In the process he was hit by three bullets and he fell down. While bleeding profusely, he took the wireless to talk to his brother Major Khalid (for the last time), who was 100 meters away. "BROTHER I HAVE TO PAY SO MUCH TO SO AND SO, DO NOT FORGET IT. TAKE CARE OF THE MOTHER AND UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES LEAVE THE JOB OF ELIMINATING THE MISCREANTS INCOMPLETE. I WISH I COULD MARCH ON TO MINGORA AND SEE IT CLEAR OF THE MILITANTS". And then he succumbed to his injuries but he managed to save the lives of two soldier/comrades.
Sepoy Tariq and Nowsharwan can not control their tears at the mention of Major Abid Majeed’s name. The only words they utter are" Why Major Sahib why not us".
Long live Pakistan Army! Long Live Pakistan!
Labels: Men At Their Best
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/06/2009 11:23:00 PM,
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Logic is Variable
Logic is Variable - it is the "variation" that matters - is a resource for my thoughts. More often, I blog form impressions and or generate ideas to see how they invoke reactions, to keep track of others’ work in the fields of my interests, or simply to rant or point out things that come to my attention.
Also, I use blogging as a platform to prune ideas. This is where I meet others. And “I am neither geek, nor nerd, I am not a hacker, a phreaker, a programmer or any variety of technoid dweeb.” Have a look and let me know what you think?
Also, I use blogging as a platform to prune ideas. This is where I meet others. And “I am neither geek, nor nerd, I am not a hacker, a phreaker, a programmer or any variety of technoid dweeb.” Have a look and let me know what you think?
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/06/2009 08:02:00 PM,
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Bakka
Friday, 5 June 2009
Pervaiz Munir Alvi
Even though there was nothing remarkable about him, still every body knew Bakka Gujjer. Those were the days when many in our neighborhood kept a milk cow or a buffalo at their homes. Bakka was their sole trusted community cow-hand. At the crack of the dawn he would show up at our door and yell: “Doctor Chaman, Bakka is here.”
When I was young I used to hate Bakka for many reasons. For one, I had this assigned job to get out of my bed, go downstairs and hand him the milk-pail filled with water so that he could wash and milk our cow. And then I must stay there to take the heavy pail of milk back upstairs to the kitchen. And the second reason: ‘Why the hell he always calls me doctor chaman’. “Bakka, I am not Doctor Chaman and don’t you call me by that name,” I would scream at him. “OK Doctor Chaman,” Bakka will answer with a grin. And the third reason of my irritation with him was that Bakka was hard of hearing. ‘Why must I always yell at the top of my lungs so that Bakka could hear me’. “I swear nothing is wrong with his hearing. He only pretends that to further irritate me,” I often complained to my mother.
The good part of my involvement with Bakka was that for the rest of the day I did not have to put up with him. After milking the cow he would mix her morning feed and then move on to another house to repeat the same process and perhaps irritate some other little boy like me.
After his morning rounds Bakka would go home to his family only to return before ‘the sun was high in the sky’ as my grandma used to say. This time he would round up all the animals in his care and herd them to an open pasture just outside the city limits. No one saw Bakka for the rest of the day until the proverbial ‘cows came home’ in the evening.
This business of him calling me ‘doctor chaman’ started when I was really little. One day Bakka asked me what I would like to be when I grew up. As I had done with all the other adults in my life, I parroted that I was going to be a doctor. “You mean you are going to be Doctor Chaman?” he asked. “No I will be Doctor ME,” I had told him with my youthful sternness. But to him it did not matter what I said and how I said it; Bakka was going to call me ‘Doctor Chaman’ for the rest of my life.
As I grew older Bakka became less and less irritating to me. I learned to ignore his name calling and with time we even started to have short meaningful conversations during our early morning encounters. One day I asked him about his loss of hearing.
“When I was your age I wanted to be a wrestler,” Bakka started to tell me his story. “My father had put me under the tutelage of famous Ustad Reema Sultaniwala. I was getting to be a really good wrestler except I had to quit because of my hearing.”
“What happened?” I wanted him to continue.
“You see one day I was sparring with this boy much older than me. We both started to slap each other around. Except he hit me real hard on my ear,” Bakka said.
“Is that when you lost your hearing?” I asked.
Even though there was nothing remarkable about him, still every body knew Bakka Gujjer. Those were the days when many in our neighborhood kept a milk cow or a buffalo at their homes. Bakka was their sole trusted community cow-hand. At the crack of the dawn he would show up at our door and yell: “Doctor Chaman, Bakka is here.”
When I was young I used to hate Bakka for many reasons. For one, I had this assigned job to get out of my bed, go downstairs and hand him the milk-pail filled with water so that he could wash and milk our cow. And then I must stay there to take the heavy pail of milk back upstairs to the kitchen. And the second reason: ‘Why the hell he always calls me doctor chaman’. “Bakka, I am not Doctor Chaman and don’t you call me by that name,” I would scream at him. “OK Doctor Chaman,” Bakka will answer with a grin. And the third reason of my irritation with him was that Bakka was hard of hearing. ‘Why must I always yell at the top of my lungs so that Bakka could hear me’. “I swear nothing is wrong with his hearing. He only pretends that to further irritate me,” I often complained to my mother.
The good part of my involvement with Bakka was that for the rest of the day I did not have to put up with him. After milking the cow he would mix her morning feed and then move on to another house to repeat the same process and perhaps irritate some other little boy like me.
After his morning rounds Bakka would go home to his family only to return before ‘the sun was high in the sky’ as my grandma used to say. This time he would round up all the animals in his care and herd them to an open pasture just outside the city limits. No one saw Bakka for the rest of the day until the proverbial ‘cows came home’ in the evening.
This business of him calling me ‘doctor chaman’ started when I was really little. One day Bakka asked me what I would like to be when I grew up. As I had done with all the other adults in my life, I parroted that I was going to be a doctor. “You mean you are going to be Doctor Chaman?” he asked. “No I will be Doctor ME,” I had told him with my youthful sternness. But to him it did not matter what I said and how I said it; Bakka was going to call me ‘Doctor Chaman’ for the rest of my life.
As I grew older Bakka became less and less irritating to me. I learned to ignore his name calling and with time we even started to have short meaningful conversations during our early morning encounters. One day I asked him about his loss of hearing.
“When I was your age I wanted to be a wrestler,” Bakka started to tell me his story. “My father had put me under the tutelage of famous Ustad Reema Sultaniwala. I was getting to be a really good wrestler except I had to quit because of my hearing.”
“What happened?” I wanted him to continue.
“You see one day I was sparring with this boy much older than me. We both started to slap each other around. Except he hit me real hard on my ear,” Bakka said.
“Is that when you lost your hearing?” I asked.
“No, not right away. I had start bleeding from my ears and then some one called Ustad Reema. He knew how to treat many injuries. He cleaned the blood off my face. Put some oil in my ears and stuff them with small pieces of cotton. My wounds recovered after some time except I could not hear no more,” Bakka became quiet after that.
I wanted to ask him more questions except he handed me the bucket and told me to move on before I got late for school.
One day I had just returned home from school when my father told me that Bakka had an accident today. “Oh no. What happened?” I asked my father.
My father started to tell me that this morning Bakka had left the neighborhood with all the cattle as usual. Just when he was crossing the main road with his herd he got struck by a truck. “Did he not see the truck coming?” I asked.
“No he got hit from behind,” my father was saying.
One of the cows had wandered off and Bakka ran to get her off the highway. That’s when he got struck. The driver tried to miss the cow and swung to the left at the same time blowing his horn. Bakka never heard the horn and got swiped by the fast moving truck. He was lying on the road unconscious when a bunch of people gathered around him. Some one ran and came back with a charpai. Grown men plopped him on the cot. Then some one else yelled, “Let’s rush him to the doctor. His head is bleeding.” The crowd ran towards doctor’s house.
“Could Doctor Sahab come out? We have someone badly hurt out here,” one of the men carrying Bakka shouted out at the doctor’s door.
“Doctor Chaman is not home,” some woman answered from inside the house.
The crowd was on the move again. With Bakka on the cot bleeding, every body ran towards the Civil Hospital. By the time they reached the hospital, Bakka was dead.
The next morning I lay in my bed wide awake knowing very well that Bakka will not be coming today. But somehow I kept hearing the familiar call:
“Doctor Chaman, Bakka is here.”
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6/05/2009 11:05:00 AM,
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