No Halloween This Year
Saturday, 31 October 2009
Things were a little better last time and some people were seen celebrating Halloween in upper end hangouts. Not this time. So much is going on and I haven’t heard of anyone indulging in this foreign tradition. I don't miss Halloween at all. I am just wondering how things are changing and why?
Labels: Halloween
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/31/2009 11:51:00 PM,
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The Star Wars Force Trainer
Thursday, 29 October 2009
If you want to assess and develop the power of concentration of your family and that of your own, here is a Star Wars Force Trainer. It's more of toy not only for kids but also for the adults who will find it equally amusing and challenging too. The strength of the brainwaves will control the power of air which in turn will cause the ball upward of downward.
You put on the head gear and look at the trainer with maximum possible concentration. The more you concentrate the higher the ball will rise. Loss of concentration will correspondingly lower the ball. It looks more like a magic, but it's not. It's the use of dry sensor technology through which the Force Trainer can differentiate between alpha, beta, gamma and delta waves present in your brain. There is a microchip inside the Force Trainer uses algorithm which will figure out the brain state you are in and correspondingly decides how to raise or lower the ball based on that state. The price of the Force Trainer is $ 120.00.
Features:
For ages 8 and up.
Voice guided through 15 levels of Force training by Yoda!
Star Wars sound effects confirm accomplishment and provide encouragement throughout your training.
Includes an adjustable wireless headset, Jedi training tower w/ball and an informative learning guide.
Base can also operate with an AC adapter (not included)
Batteries: 6 AA and 3 AAA (not included)
Dimensions: 16.1" x 14.2" x 6.2"
Source: thinkgeek.com
Features:
For ages 8 and up.
Voice guided through 15 levels of Force training by Yoda!
Star Wars sound effects confirm accomplishment and provide encouragement throughout your training.
Includes an adjustable wireless headset, Jedi training tower w/ball and an informative learning guide.
Base can also operate with an AC adapter (not included)
Batteries: 6 AA and 3 AAA (not included)
Dimensions: 16.1" x 14.2" x 6.2"
Source: thinkgeek.com
Labels: Brain Gadgets, Childrens' Gadgets
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/29/2009 04:41:00 PM,
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Unicycle
Here is a new form of unicycle. eniCycle, invented by Slovenian inventor Aleksander Polutnik, is yet another step forward in having more features of unicycle. The footrests serve as controlling or changing direction. Once you press either of the two, your eniCycle starts changing its direction. The speed of the cycle can be increased or decreased by the rider leaning forward or backward. It takes about thirty minutes for the new rider to master the riding. The company has a video showing the eniCycle in use.
The eniCycle runs on a battery. With a single battery charge, the cycle can cover distance up to eighteen miles. The battery can be recharged in about five hours.
Riding the eniCycle is certainly a good sport. It is amusing too. Mass production of eniCycle is not very far away.
Source: enicycle.com
Source: enicycle.com
Labels: Unicycle
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/29/2009 11:55:00 AM,
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Peshawar Under Attack
Wednesday, 28 October 2009
More than 95 people were killed by a car bomb in Peshawar near Peepal Mandi today at around one. A series of terrorist attacks have shaken the country since Pakistani troops launched an assault against Islamist extremists in the tribal borderlands near Afghanistan.
Eyewitness and police in the north-western city of Peshawar said the bomb struck the area of the Meena market, which is generally visited by woman shoppers. Witnesses said many of the victims were women and children.
The blast set many shops on fire and people were trapped inside a multi-storey building, which collapsed after becoming engulfed by flames. As the wounded tried to flee, they were engulfed in flames and buried alive by falling masonry.
”My entire shop fell on me. Smoke filled my face,” said Raza Ali, 30, a grocery store owner whose face was badly burnt.
Shakil Ahmed, another shopkeeper, said: “There was a huge explosion and black smoke covered the area.”
The explosives-packed car was apparently parked outside a shop and was denoted by remote control, police said.
Relief workers said the number of casualties could rise as most of the 200 wounded were in a critical state. Others may still be trapped inside buildings.
A medical official outside the casualty wing of a local hospital called on passing members of the public to donate blood as the doctors described harrowing scenes on the wards.
“There are body parts. There are people. There are burnt people. There are dead bodies. There are wounded, I’m not in a position to count. But my estimate is that the death toll may rise,” said Dr Muslim Khan.
The attack came a couple of hours after Mrs Clinton, the US Secretary of State, had arrived for talks with Pakistani leaders amid tightened security. Her diplomatic mission was to help shore up support for the attacks on militants, which are increasingly controversial within Pakistan.
Mrs Clinton was three hours’ drive away in the capital, Islamabad, when the blast took place.
More than 300 people have been killed in a spate of militant activity in the last three weeks since 30,000 Pakistani troops moved into the South Waziristan tribal region, the nation’s main stronghold of Taleban and al-Qaeda militants.
Pakistan has been placed on high alert amid fears of retaliatory strikes by extremists. The terrorists have regularly targeted Peshawar, the capital of the troubled North West Frontier Province.
The military claimed today that it had made significant headway in the 12-day operation against the Taleban and that troops were closing in on Sararogha, another stronghold of the Taleban in South Waziristan.
Major General Athar Abbas, the chief military spokesman, said that troops had also surrounded a town that was being held by Uzbek fighters. "The Taleban are now fleeing the area, shaving their beards, “ he told reporters.
No one claimed responsibility for today’s attack but police blamed the Taleban, who have been involved in previous assaults. Taleban leaders warned that they would stage more attacks if the army did not end its offensive against the militants.{#}
Previous: Lahore Under Attack
Previous: Lahore Under Attack
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/28/2009 09:46:00 PM,
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Mud Material
The future lies in mud architecture. Though this sweeping statement may sound prehistoric, but it is very relevant to modern times. Building living spaces with mud is a tradition dating as back as the start of civilization. Some excellent examples from the Great Mosque - the world’s largest mud building and UNESCO’s World Heritage site – to the oldest surviving mud specimens found in the Harappa, Pakistan, show the continuous use of mud buildings.
Having grown up in mud house myself (before I moved to urban center), mud buildings have a special place rooted deep in to my cultural consciousness and this personal bond encourages a more intimate relationship between me and the mud as the material transformed from formlessness to form. Hence my interest in mud architecture and how I see its future in Pakistan.
Having grown up in mud house myself (before I moved to urban center), mud buildings have a special place rooted deep in to my cultural consciousness and this personal bond encourages a more intimate relationship between me and the mud as the material transformed from formlessness to form. Hence my interest in mud architecture and how I see its future in Pakistan.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/28/2009 07:58:00 PM,
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Kids' Camera
Keeping your gadgets away from kids is a rather difficult proposition. One possible option is to buy them a similar gadget. Kids are, particularly, very fond of cameras. The digital cameras are fragile and are vulnerable to damage once fondled by children. If you want your expensive digital camera to remain safe from your kids, you better buy them a camera exclusively manufactured for kids. The second, and more important, advantage you get is that you will be able to satisfy the curiosity of your child. Yet another advantage is that favorite memories from your kid's eyes will be captured. These will not only amuse you but will also educate you about your kid's behavior. The camera has been built tough to withstand the rigors of being a child’s toy.
The camera is housed in a thick plastic case. It has curving strong rubber handholds. The camera has a 0.3 MP image sensor. It takes both 640 x 480 resolution pictures and 320 x 240 resolution videos. The lens of the camera is fixed focus. The camera has 1" color display and it can store up to 150 JPEG pictures and 3 1/2 minutes of AVI video on its 16 MB memory, which can be downloaded to a computer running Windows via the included USB cable. The camera comes with relevant software used for image editing once your kid is done, and it will be powered by a quartet of AA batteries. The price is $ 60.00. A good gift for any child.
Source: hammacher.com
Labels: Childrens' Gadgets
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/28/2009 04:16:00 PM,
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Old and New in UAE
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/28/2009 09:21:00 AM,
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Is the PPP Ideology Changing?
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
On the eve of meeting with dignitaries or other important events that are covered by media, we used to see portrait of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in President and Prime Ministers Houses. Now I see the picture of Benazir Bhotto sitting there. Is it only my observation or are we poised to see another ideological change coming up in Pakistan.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/27/2009 09:05:00 PM,
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Talking Calculator
Calculators are in common use by students, particularly, of mathematics the world over. These calculators are used using only one of the five senses. It is said that learning is more if it is through use of more than one sense. Now, we have a calculator available in the market which is rightly called, 'Talking Calculator'. You can adjust the audio part as you desire. You can mute it, set it to only speak the end solution or every time you push the button. If you push a wrong button, the sound of the digit will enable you to spot the mistake without looking at the calculator screen.The volume of the calculator can be adjusted. It is very useful for children who need self-guided practice, and is perfect for children with dyslexia or anyone with limited vision
The Talking Calculator has a built-in headphone jack. It runs runs on 3 AAA batteries (included) or via adaptor (not included). It can be a good gift, particularly, for students. The price of the calculator is around $ 25.00. It is available at amazon.com.
Labels: Special Persons' Gadgets, Students' Gadgets
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/27/2009 03:46:00 PM,
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Remote Temperature Sensing Space Heater
Monday, 26 October 2009
Most of the heaters currently in use do not provide uniform heating in the room. If you are feeling cold, you try to get closer to the heater. setting the right temperature for the heater is also problematic. The electronic heaters consume more power and thus more bill. With Remote Temperature Sensing Space Heater you can maintain just the right temperature from anywhere in the room using its remote.
The remote control monitors the ambient temperature of the heater. This temperature is uniformly maintained all over the room. There are no cold or hot spots in the room. Every time the temperature falls below or rises above the preset level, the remote control automatically sends a signal to the heater (up to 30′ away) to increase or decrease the wattage and fan speed. The heater uses only the necessary energy (between 750 and 1,500 watts) to achieve the preset temperature, ensuring optimal efficiency. The functions of the heater can be easily changed from the LCD screen of the remote. The price of the heater is around $ 200.00. Two AA batteries are required for the remote. The heater can be directly plugged into an AC outlet.
Source: www.hammacher.com
Labels: Room Heater
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/26/2009 04:36:00 PM,
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Window Phone
Cell phones have become integral part of our life. In fact more than that. It will be more appropriate to say that the cell phones have become integral part of our body. However, most of the cell phones are not rain friendly. This one, Wndow Phone, is not only rain friendly but it also predicts weather. It comes in a translucent piece of glass. All the technology to operate a cellphone is held within. Plus, it has the ability to receive daily weather reports. Being transparent, Window Phone graphically depicts the day’s weather conditions directly. This Window Phone is, particularly, going to be more useful in areas where it rains quite frequently. To be able to use your phone out in the open once it starts raining is great indeed. It's worth finding out as to how the phone bears extreme weather conditions of rain. The components of the phone have been sufficiently miniaturized, as you can't make out their location at the first sight.
Source: Yanko Design
Labels: Cell Phones
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/26/2009 01:35:00 PM,
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Why Taliban Attacked Islamic University?
Sunday, 25 October 2009
Sadly, it's just such a goal that probably made it a "legitimate" target for the Taliban, for whom a healthy public sphere populated by educated citizens willing and able to challenge, potentially democratize, and clean up their government would pose at least as big threat to its position in the country as the army they are now fighting in the country's northwest, read what Mark LeVine - a history professor at University of California, Irvine and currently a visiting professor at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Lund University, Sweden, writes here.
I partially agree with what Mark LeVine writes. The able author would have been more convincing only if he not that sarcastic. I wonder why intellectuals like him think with malice, allow me use the word.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/25/2009 02:30:00 PM,
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Minka Aire Concept II Fans
Decorating living spaces (indoor as well outdoor) is a fine art. Those who are looking for functional decorations like, Lamps, Bulbs, Mirrors and more should start at LightingSale.com - a division of Butler Lighting that is a family-run business. Explore the neatly laid out site and see what all they are offering and how.
Exploring the neatly laid out site, I I liked their Minka Aire Concept II fan - one of Minka Aire's most popular fans. Minka Aire Concept II fan is available in a 44" and 52" model. The fan features 3 concave blades set at a 14° pitch to offer efficient air distribution. The fan is available in many finishes including white, brushed nickel, maple, mahogany, and oil rubbed bronze. The fan comes built in with a 100W Mini-Can Halogen Bulb with a cap to cover the light if you decide not to use it. The Concept II has a remote control system to operate the fan from anywhere in your room. Easy to set up, this fan requires 75% less time and labor to assemble than conventional ceiling fans. This flush mount fan is ideal for low ceiling environments with a total hanging depth of 10½".
LightingSale.com is an uncluttered and easy to navigate site. Imagery is good and gives you the idea of what you may be looking at and helps you make informed buying decision. I suggest you try them.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/25/2009 01:22:00 PM,
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Gorillatorch
Friday, 23 October 2009
A handy torch is a must have house hold necessity. You need it at home, out in your lawn and garage. If you choose to picnic out, you must carry one while camping. The moment you think of a torch, you straight away get the feeling of one hand becoming occupied to hold it to use it. Isn't it quite cumbersome? It's very seldom that you can find a suitable platform to place your torch and have your both hands free. Very often you need the service of another person to hold the torch to free your both hands to do the work at hand like fixing up something in a dark room, garage or lawn or out camping. Gorillatorch is different. Its flexible, wrappable legs and super-strong magnetic feet allow you to attach the torch to just about anything. You can stow it anywhere by wrapping/folding its legs the way you want. Its rubberized ring and foot grips provide enhanced stability on slick or uneven surfaces and don’t scratch paint.
You can use the torch to your convenience keeping your hands free! The torch provides ultra-bright light via CREE LED with a maximum output of 65 lumens/1 watt. The level of brightness can be controlled. Gorillatorch is water resistant and the shine of the light remains unaffected in all environments. You need three AA batteries which last for 20, 50 and 80 hours for maximum, optimum and economy use respectively. The price is around US $ 30.00.
Labels: Torch, Travel Gadgets
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/23/2009 10:06:00 PM,
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Small Business VoIP
Given the exponential growth of Internet users’ base, many businesses are switching from conventional landlines to VoIP - Voice over Internet Protocol.
Thanks to Vocalocity that they are powering small business by offering them VoIP. Have a look at the neatly laid out and users’ friendly site and see what Vocalocity is offering and learn about the powerful features and advantages of their small business VOIP.
Vocalocity small business VoIP is an affordable, feature rich, no maintenance hosted PBX business VoIP phone solution that can be set up in minutes. Vocalocity also helps small businesses that need a customized, scalable business VoIP phone system with minimal start-up costs and overall reduced phone bills. Unlike expensive traditional systems, Vocalocity hosted PBX business VoIP phone solution ties together high quality voice services and features at an affordable price.
Vocalocity Hosted PBX phone system eliminates the need for on-site phone equipment that reduces the costs. What is more, Vocalocity price plans and add-ons that are perfectly customized to your business.
Vocalocity Voice Plans includes unlimited local and long distance minutes on any given extension. It keep an existing phone number by porting it from your current provider Administrators and users can configure and manage their own services through an easy-to-use Web interface. Also Directory Assistance (411) and Emergency Service (911) are available.
Approach Vocalocity (call 1-877-862-2562), ask for a quote, better still try their phone system that you won’t outgrow.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/23/2009 09:19:00 AM,
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Cooling Car Summer Seat
Thursday, 22 October 2009
All cars have air conditioners installed in them for cooling. Irrespective of how good the cooling system is, the cool air doesn't prevent you from sweating of your back, particularly, if you are out on a long drive or if you are stuck in a traffic jam. The reason is simple. The back remains stuck with the back of the seat preventing cool air to reach there. The leather car seats look good but cause more sweat. Cooling Car Summer Seat has a built in fan which keeps your back breezy. The seat is powered via car's cigarette lighter outlet. The Cooling Car seat is up for sale for around US $ 60.00.
Comfort at the cost of $ 60.00 is worth availing and trying. It's certainly luxurious. The car seat should be lasting for over two years, the life of other car seats.
Source: ubergizmo.com
Labels: Cars
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/22/2009 05:23:00 PM,
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iCnvert VHS to digital
There are dozens if not hundreds of VHS tapes on our shelves which we want to watch but do not because of the poor formatting because we don't have these tapes on DVD. The digital age has brought an end to video tape. iConvert can bring the video tape into digital format. It does not needs a computer. It connects to the VCR, camcorder, DVD player, or whatever you want put on a standard SD or SDHC card. Just press play, and iConvert will record your favorite movies duly formatted. From there, you can take out the card and transfer digital videos to your computer or other digital device.
iConvert is available in the market for US $ 100.00 or so. You don't need to convert all of your VHS tapes but only the ones which are not available in the form of DVDs and cheaply too. However, the chooice is yours. Once you own an iConvert, you can convert as many VHS tapes as you can.
Labels: DVDs, Video Tapes
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/22/2009 05:14:00 PM,
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PSP to get portable comics
Marvel Digital Comics—featuring classic and select, digital-first titles only—are going portable! The new service will allow PSP owners to access a range of media on their PSP. It is due to be launched with Digital Comics this December. PSP owners will have access to a huge library of Digital Comics from several provider partners including Marvel! You will be able to download classic and select, digital-first comics from Marvel at PlayStation®Store to your PSP—to read page by page or frame by frame wherever you are. You can take a huge collection of comics out and about with you. You can pick up the latest digitized editions from any Wi-Fi hotspot. This offers you a brand-new way to use your PSP for entertainment on the go.
"This is a great new service that offers PSP owners even more options for entertainment on the go and makes PSP a must for comics fans," says Isabelle Tomatis, European Marketing Manager, Hardware and Platforms, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.
"Digital comics will sit alongside the new PlayStation®Network video download service as yet another way that PSP offers a whole world of entertainment in your hands."
"PSP's new digital reader offers an unprecedented consumer experience that will extend the world of Marvel from print pages into the hands of fans around the world. We are excited to be part of this launch," said Ira Rubenstein, executive vice president, global digital media group, Marvel Entertainment.
You can zoom in and move from frame to frame on each page using the intuitive Autoflow feature, mimicking the way your eyes would move across a print page from left to right. It's simple to use. Owing to backlit screen technology of PSP®go and PSP-3000, you will be able to view your comics better than ever as the stunning graphics leap out from the screen.
Source: eu.playstation.com
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/22/2009 04:51:00 PM,
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TV Times
Sitting in front of my computer, I have tuned to Geo TV. The main news is “Two army soldiers have been killed (including Brigadier Moinuddin Ahmed) as unknown armed miscreants opened fire on an army vehicle which was on its way in G-11 Sector in Islamabad.” The running strip reads:
Firing in Sector F/8, Islamabad District Courts. Courts area is being vacated. After firing, terrorist are hiding in the area.
President, PM, Altaf condemn attack on military vehicle
Fraud in billion rupees deal to buy 75 railways engines from China
No Exchange of fire in District Courts. D I G Operations
Woman, 3 daughters commit suicide in Hafizabad
Bomb Disposal Squad in Distinct Court
Bombing on terrorists’ hideouts in Mahmond Agency
District Courts area is clear. The bomb information was wrong. D I G Operations
Khyber Medical College closed till further orders, College Administration
Nawaz Sharif has accepted dinner invitation by President Zardar (at last some good news...)
And ya, there were also some public service ads showing previous incidents of terrorism in the country.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/22/2009 12:31:00 PM,
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GPS System for Pets
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
Here is a good news for pet lovers. You don't have to restrict your dogs home. You can now keep track of your dog even if it's away from you and out of sight. Once you are out in the wilderness picnicking, you can take them along and let them stretch out and have long walks. Similarly, if by any chance, someone tries to trap and steal your dog away, you can track it within one to three miles, provided the RoamEO Collar remains intact and is not removed. The GPS system, RoamEO, designed for pets can keep track of two pets at a time. The LCD display enables you to know the direction in which your pets are travelling. The price is around US $ 280.00.
The company has not talked about it but I think that the system can also be used to keep track of your kids once you are out trekking in the jungles or for that matter up in the mountains or the valleys. The RoamEO Collar put around the neck of the pets can also be put around the neck, as a necklace, of your kids!
Source: chipchick.com
Labels: Pets' Gadgets
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/21/2009 04:47:00 PM,
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Hitachi's 2TB Ultrastar A7K2000 Hard Drive
Hitachi has announced the latest addition, fourth generation, Enterprise-Class Hard Drives, the new Ultrastar A7K2000. It has enormous capacity with a performance of 7200 RPM. It has been designed with the best interests of environment and is highly power efficient. A7K2000 has 2 Terrabyte (2TB) storage capacity double that of its predecessor A7K1000. It can be integrated into existing storage systems with no hassle as the 3.5 inch encasing occupies the same size as its predecessor and it draws less power. Hitachi offers five year warranty. It is ideal for data centers.
It's a quantum jump improvement from Ultrastar A7K1000. There is an improvement of 155 percent in data transfer rates, 120 percent improvement in watts-per-GB and 36 percent reduction in power consumption during low RPM idle mode. Its use will save data centers a significant amount earlier spent for temperature control. Ultrastar A7K2000 is RoHS compliant, and is also halogen free. It is available globally, while the 1TB and 500GB versions should be available soon.
Source: Hitachi
Labels: Computers
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/21/2009 04:21:00 PM,
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Living Under Threat
All government and private schools in the four provinces will remain closed from Wednesday — in Punjab till further orders and in other provinces for the remaining days of the week...
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/21/2009 10:19:00 AM,
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128GB USB Flash Drive
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
A worldwide leader in high-performance computer memory, power supplies and flash memory products, including solid-state drives, Corsair®, has introduced the 128GB Flash Voyager GT. It is the world's fastest high capacity 128GB USB flash drive. It is able achieve read speed of up to 32 MB/second and write speed of up to 25.6MB/second. "High performance is a key requirement for super-high capacity flash drives, such as the 128GB Voyager GT, simply because it is able to store such a large volume of data," said John Beekley, the VP of Applications at Corsair. " The 128GB Voyager GT is nearly twice as fast as other high-capacity flash drives, which means less time waiting for your music, video or office files to copy to and from the drive."
The 128GB Flash Voyager GT has a durable and water-resistant rubber housing which protects the drive against accidental damage. It is most suited for those who need access to huge volume of data in a convenient, durable and extremely fast format. The USB drive can store massive video, photo and music libraries. Surprisingly, with so much of capacity, the size is less than half of a solid state drive. The company is offering ten years warranty.
Source: Company website.
Labels: Computers
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/20/2009 06:39:00 PM,
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Mini Speakers
Listening to music without speakers doesn't go well with music lovers. In the comfort of one's home, one can always install big size speakers of one's choice. However, if you have to move out for a picnic or a leisure trip out in the wilderness, carrying big size computers implies moving about with bigger volumes as well as weight which is least desirable. Now, you have available in the market tiny speakers of the size that you can attach these to your key chain. Their size is mini but their sound is not. You can truly enjoy listening to your favorite MP3 using these mini speakers. They have a built in USB rechargeable battery which can last for 2.5 hours.
All you need to do is to plug in your iPod or other media player into the 3.5mm audio jack and that's all. These mini speakers are available in a number of small sizes. So, you can pick and choose one to your liking and convenience. The price range is around US 25.00.
Source: technabob.com
Labels: Music Gadgets
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/20/2009 06:09:00 PM,
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War in Pakistan
Wish you success!
Labels: Men At Their Best, Pakistan, War
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/20/2009 11:37:00 AM,
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State of the Blogsphere - 2009
"Overall, bloggers are a highly educated and affluent group. Nearly half of all bloggers we surveyed have earned a graduate degree, and the majority have a household income of $75,000 per year or higher. As blogging is now firmly a part of the mainstream, we see that the average blogger has three or more blogs and has been blogging for two or more years. We are also noticing an ever-increasing overlap between blogging and mainstream media."
Read Technorati State of Blogsphere annual report here.
Labels: Blogging, Blogs, Blogsphere
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/20/2009 10:07:00 AM,
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Calling Mehsuds
The text of a message by Gen Ashfaq Kayani that will be be dropped in Mehsud areas in coming days
I admit that all of our tribal areas including Mehsuds are faithful to Pakistan and they have always worked for the defense of Pakistan as volunteers.
The aim of current military operation is not to attack proud and patriotic Mehsuds but it is to save them from the clutches of ruthless terrorists who have destroyed peace of the whole region. Therefore the aim of this operation will be Uzbek terrorists, foregin terrorists and local terrorists.
Miltary’s aim is to let Mehsuds live in their area in peace. I am hopeful that Mehsud tribes will side with Pakistan military in this operation and will rise as one against these ruthless terrorists so that Pakistan’s green cresent flag will once again flutter in Mehsud lands with full glory. God Bless you. with best wishes. Gen Ashfaq Kayani. Long live Pakistan. Long Live Pak Military and Long Live Mehsud tribes.
Labels: Men At Their Best, Pakistan, War
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/20/2009 08:27:00 AM,
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Internet Radio Comes to Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka
Monday, 19 October 2009
(Click to enlarge)
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/19/2009 10:25:00 PM,
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Your Married Life
I just read some great article at My Married Life and at Supposed Married Bless (where couples blog together). I cant help envying those blessed couples who spend time together doing what they enjoy doing together. I have a different experience though. Being a stay home husband is not easy (thanks that I am home only on holidays), I have different experience. Today, after lazing around and breakfast in bed (sort of), when I got settled in front of TV to update myself with the turbulent current affairs and to scan though pile of Sunday newspaper with a large cup of Doodh Patti, what I was told is this: “yeh zara help to ki jiyee please.” And with this I was presented potatoes, lady fingers and (worst still) onions to peel and cut for lunch.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/19/2009 10:03:00 PM,
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Why You Blog - Survey
The blogging phenomenon has combined three major activities - communicating, sharing and social networking - on the internet.
Why do you blog? I asked bloggers this question. First, I posted the question on my own blog Light Within and then emailed the post to bloggers soliciting their comments on the post. Earlier, I have been scouting blogsphere in an effort to find out different motives for blogging.
Some 20 bloggers posted their comments and almost same numbers replied through email, pointing to posts on their own blogs answering my question. Here is a kaleidoscope of opinions from bloggers that I was able to contact and read their posts.
Some bloggers blog for themselves, for sheer joy of it. For some others blogging is a source of expression of their egos, for venting out frustrations, for getting noticed by others, for admiration and affirmation or simply for meeting people - hoping for intimacy with those whom they are unlikely to meet in real life.
Read column by S A J Shirazi in Techno Biz Magazine (October 2009 Issue) in print .
Labels: In Print, S A J Shirazi
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/19/2009 08:42:00 PM,
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Check it Out
Sunday, 18 October 2009
Given the security situation in the country (and also reported abuse of communication systems and channels), everyone must be cautious. It is possibility that someone might have got a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) against your ID (CINC). I suggest you check and find out the total number of SIM(s) registered against their respective CNIC number with each mobile operator.
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has developed a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) information system to address associated risks on security and to ensure subscription regulations in cellular sector. {Thanks Light Within}
Labels: Cell Phones, Security, Technology
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/18/2009 05:47:00 PM,
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Blind to see through tongue!
Wicab is going to introduce Blind Port, a device designed to afford a chance to the blind to see, but not with their eyes, instead with their tongues. The device allows the blind to regain some vision by means of a camera and electrical impulses sent to the tongue. The blind has to wear a camera on the head and lollipop like electrode array in the mouth. The image is captured by the camera which sends it to BrainPort. Brainport decodes the signals and transforms them into electrical pulses which gently hit the tongue of the user. The trials have shown that users can, in a few days, start reading the text, move about in the house or outside, dine at the dining table without the support of others and even get onto a bike.
FDA approval of BrainPort is still awaited. The device is rather costly in the range of $ 10,000. Thus, it is going to be beyond the reach of many affected individuals unless state chooses to help them out.
Source: scientificamerican.com
Labels: Special Persons' Gadgets
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/18/2009 12:42:00 PM,
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Night Vision Goggles
Saturday, 17 October 2009
Use of night vision goggles used to be the domain of soldiers only. Now, these are available for all to use and to play with. Now you and your kids can put the goggles on and enjoy the thrill of night manoeuvres in your back garden or even search the small things dropped in the darkness. You can see up to 15 meters absolute darkness. The goggles are good to look at and pretty light to carry as well as put on. The goggles work using infra-red light and at full power the light is still barely visible to the naked eye. These goggles are suitable for ages 8 years +, require 5 x AA batteries.
Size: 20 x 19.5 x 15.5 cm.
Source:iwantoneofthose.com
Labels: Night Gadgets
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/17/2009 12:17:00 PM,
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Alcoholometer!
This post is for the ones who are alcoholic. The ones who wait for the weekend to begin so that they can enjoy drinking and boozing. Every time such people go to a different bar, they are skeptic about the quality of the drink they are paying for. Usually they are able to sense if the quality is not good but they can't prove the same to the bartender. Now, they have a sensor available to them which can detect the truth. Rotgutonix, a chemical sensor, can detect the quality of the alcohol and determine if the alchol in your glass is pure or adulterated. By dipping the Rotgutonix into your drink, you can find out the truth. If alcohol is of good quality, it will display the type of alcohol or brand on the device and if it is adulterated you will get an image of a skull and cross bones implying your drink has rotgut. This blogger has opted to name it as Alcoholometer.
Source: chipchick.com
Labels: Alcoholometer
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/17/2009 11:58:00 AM,
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How Many SIM(s) Are Registered Against Your CNIC?
Given the security situation in the country (and also reported abuse of communication systems and channels), everyone must be cautious. It is possibility that someone might have got a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) against your ID (CINC). I suggest you check and find out the total number of SIM(s) registered against their respective CNIC number with each mobile operator.Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has developed a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) information system to address associated risks on security and to ensure subscription regulations in cellular sector. {Thanks Jamil}
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/17/2009 11:16:00 AM,
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Camera with a screen on front
Friday, 16 October 2009
Samsung have moved a step forward. They have added another viewing screen on the front of their recently introduced cameras. This camera in front will enable the photo fans to take self portraits or be part of the group photo. The two models are ST500 and ST550. So, it's a good news for all those who are fond of taking their own pictures or including themselves in the group of friends and family. In the latter case the member taking the picture used to get be excluded from the picture. Similarly, earlier, the couples going out picturing had to request some passerby to take their snap. Now, be it an individual, a couple or a group of near and dear ones, everyone is going to be included in the picture. No exclusions! ST550 has a 3.5″ rear touchscreen and the other one 3″ screen.
Source: Samsung
Labels: Cameras
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/16/2009 06:20:00 PM,
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Jaho Jalal
I met Jalal Hamid Bhatti back in 1975 (no I am not dating myself here) but I knew his very little; only what I saw as a course mate and later what I kept hearing over time. I knew that he is a nice young man, quick at the uptake ( intelligent student), methodical (in life and work) and very determined (if he would decide to do a thing, he will come what may). Life kept taking us on different paths and we were unable to meet more often.
I even never knew what he says publically, “I am your knight in shining armor, Your one and true love, I will do anything to please you, And everything to love you, I will protect you with my sword, And treat you like a princess, Give you my castle, And build a kingdom, I will do anything for you, I need you in my life, So let me be your king, And you be my queen, To live happily ever after, And have a story book ending”
Recently, once had had hung his helmet, I had a chance to peep inside his persona and have stated knowing him more. His personal and ancestral Jaho Jalal notwithstanding, here is here's the more human, less quantifiable description of JalalHB as he is known in online world.
JalalHB had created and maintains Pakistan Paedia (it’s all about Pakistan) and 55 PMA Long Course (it’s all about 55 PMA Long Course) websites. In addition to showing his love for the country, Pakistan Paedia have added to better image of Pakistan (how badly our country needs better image?) in online world. Explore the site and you will see what Pakistan really is; what all it can offer to us Pakistanis and everyone else in the world.
Similarly, he has been able to bring all course mates together at 55 PMA Long Course on his course site that he maintains very meticulously. I learn what is happening to our course mates in life and work from his site. Stay tuned, more will come on this.
As It was not enough, he has also started travel blog where he relives where all he has been. His travel writings also explicitly show his love for this land. How else he could remember Bhere Ke Patasee) and Pakistani Doodh Patti? I can already see his blogging going a long way. Read through what he writes and see why I say this.
Labels: 55 PMA, JalalHB, Men At Their Best
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/16/2009 10:21:00 AM,
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Shahid Siddiqui Ke Adhe Adhoore Khawab
Thursday, 15 October 2009
The story of the novel is set in two major cities of Pakistan during the turbulent times of lawyers’ movement. The plot revolves around the protagonist Professor Saharan Rae who is a competent, committed, and caring professor. Because of his radical views and his humanistic approach to education Professor Rae is adored by his students. This adoration travels from one generation of students to another. There are a large number of students who haven’t met or seen Prof Rae in person but who have heard about him and have become his fans. Among them is a young, creative, and enthusiastic girl Imtisal Agha who joins the college at the time when Prof Rae has already left the college. She believes in the radical role of education and becomes curious about the personality of Prof Rae who used to teach in this college and was an advocate of critical role of education for the socio-political change.
The story takes a turn when Prof Rae returns to his old city of work after a decade in connection with a seminar at a community centre and stays in the same hostel where Imtisal is residing. Their first meeting is unplanned, dramatic, and significant in terms of identifying shared dreams of using education for socio-political change.
The character of Professor Saharan Rae emerges as a charismatic figure who is an unassuming person but a committed professional who is extremely popular among his students. He takes part in the lawyers’ movement and pays heavy price for indulging in political activism. Imtisa’sl character is that of a girl who is sensitive, creative, and a believer in change. The novel makes use of some interesting structuring and narrative techniques. Some major characters of the novel narrate their part in first person singular and story moves forward exposing the readers to multiple perspectives. This technique makes the story more lifelike, convincing and believable.
The novel comes to a closure with a note of hope for the promised good times. This novel would attract a large number of audiences from different walks of life. I would highly recommend this novel to those who look for creative craftsmanship. The novel relates to the members of civil society, practicing teachers, teacher educators, students of literature and education, as a piece of fiction that focuses on some significant education, political and human relationship issues in an engaging way.
Book: Adhe Adhoore Khawab
Author: Shahid Siddiqqui
Reviewer: Fawaz Niaz
Publisher: Jehangir Books
Pages: 176
Price: Rs. 250
Labels: Aadhay Adhooray Khwab, Books, Education, Shahid Siddiqqui
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/15/2009 09:46:00 PM,
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Lahore is Again Under Terrorists' Attack
Once again terrorists attacked three security forces buildings in Lahore today (October 15, 2009). As per initial reports, terrorists targeted Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) building, Manawa Police Training Centre and Eliot Force Training Centre situated at Bedian Road.
Manawa training centre is situated some five kilometre away from Bedian and FIA building, Eliot Force Training Centre and Manawa Police Training Centre have today been targeted simultaneously.
The ongoing wave of terror continues throughout the country: In addition to attack on Lahore, a suicide bomber hit a police station in the Sadar area of Kohat. At least 37 people have died in the latest strike, including at least 19 police officers and 13 militants. Pakistan's Taliban movement claimed responsibility for the assault. In the past six days, at least 120 people have been killed in four major terrorist attacks. The jump in violence comes as Pakistan's security forces plan to pursue the Taliban in South Waziristan near the Afghan border.
Update: Nov 14, 2009
The government of Punjab has released the pictures of deceased terrorists involved in attacks on offices of law enforcement agencies last month. The government has also announced reward on the identification of these terrorists.
In an advertisement published in newspapers from provincial government, four pictures of four terrorists involved in attacks on FIA building, training centers of Police and Elite Force have been released. There is also a picture of terrorist carried out blast at Babu Sabu interchange of Lahore Motorway on November 2. The information about terrorists will be given to police and Rescue 15.
Labels: Lahore, Taliban Are Coming, Terrorism
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/15/2009 12:09:00 PM,
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Lahore Garrison Get Together
As per tradition, all retired officers settled in and around Lahore Garizon had a formal get-together and dinner on October 14, 2009. For the past many years, retired army officers from Lahore has started the practice of organizing an annual get-together.
Besides General Jehangir Karamat (former Chief of Army Staff) and Lt Gen Ijaz Ahmed Bakhshi (Comd 4 Corps), a host of retired and serving officers in Lahore were present at the wonderful evening, which began at 7.40 pm in absolutely serene environment of Golf and Country Club Lahore.
Labels: Men At Their Best
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/15/2009 10:15:00 AM,
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Conventional Block Printing
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
Young Aslam displays his art work (bedspreads sheets, table cloth, wall hangings, a melee of colour and an extravaganza of design) in Thatta Kedona show room at Lahore under the approving gaze of Dr. Senta Siller. Aslam needs no coaxing to display the finished pieces. As quickly as he spreads his art pieces, he rattles off the names. Persian 1, Persian 11, Masjid Wazir Khan, the palm tree, peacock palm, dancing parrots, the elephant tram and six peacocks, also naming the prestigious places where these designs are in use at the moment.
Aslam represents fourth generation of the family carrying forward the art of block printing that is at the verge on extinction. Block printing represents an age when mastery over art was the struggle of a life time of hard labour and Aslam does not seem to forget this philosophy even thought he has ambitious to innovate and diversify the art of his forefathers in a big way.
Jhando, the master craftsman exported hand painted and printed cottons and silks and velvets to agencies in London and New York. An international nomenclature some seventy years ago and now Calico Prints in Lahore is representing the family name and craft which once enjoyed international repute. Aslam is carrying the tradition further.
Indeed today Aslam with his skill of colour and stroke work, epitomizes an art technique which Jhando had carried to the pinnacle of perfection. Jhando -- the legendary great grandfather of Aslam -- was of course a figure of epic stature so to say. It was he who left to the family a collection of over twenty two thousand blocks drawn from diverse cultures like Muslim, Mughal and Punjabi cultures and Hindu mythology. The grandfather was illustrious too to be sure with his collection of awards and accolades kept zealously safe even today in velveteen cases.
Block printing is a very fine art that has matured over time. So intricate are the patterns that a single motif may need anything from two to twelve blocks to complete the details. Different block motifs cater to different colours in the same pattern. All this requires dexterity of hand to prevent them from running the other. The grand finale of course is the intricate brush work. Fashioned from local needs these indigenous brushes with all their quaintness high light of the motifs.
It goes without saying that Aslam’s exotic collection that I saw at Thatta Kedona is a treat for eye. Ironically, block printing is a cultural heritage reduced to penury under the influence of a mechanized industrial society and bulk production phenomenon. Yet one has to see it to believe the richness of this art from which even in its quaintness excels the grandeur of modern printing.
Preservation of the craft is a very noble passion but there is a difference in the preservation methodologies and objectives. “It is different to preserve the ancient cultural heritage for the sack of its perpetuation as an art and to do it for commercial purposes,” says Dr. Norbert Pintsch. Thatta Kedona is trying to patronize in order to preserve this (and many more) arts for the sack of those arts in their own original contexts.
Aslam represents fourth generation of the family carrying forward the art of block printing that is at the verge on extinction. Block printing represents an age when mastery over art was the struggle of a life time of hard labour and Aslam does not seem to forget this philosophy even thought he has ambitious to innovate and diversify the art of his forefathers in a big way.
Jhando, the master craftsman exported hand painted and printed cottons and silks and velvets to agencies in London and New York. An international nomenclature some seventy years ago and now Calico Prints in Lahore is representing the family name and craft which once enjoyed international repute. Aslam is carrying the tradition further.
Indeed today Aslam with his skill of colour and stroke work, epitomizes an art technique which Jhando had carried to the pinnacle of perfection. Jhando -- the legendary great grandfather of Aslam -- was of course a figure of epic stature so to say. It was he who left to the family a collection of over twenty two thousand blocks drawn from diverse cultures like Muslim, Mughal and Punjabi cultures and Hindu mythology. The grandfather was illustrious too to be sure with his collection of awards and accolades kept zealously safe even today in velveteen cases.
Block printing is a very fine art that has matured over time. So intricate are the patterns that a single motif may need anything from two to twelve blocks to complete the details. Different block motifs cater to different colours in the same pattern. All this requires dexterity of hand to prevent them from running the other. The grand finale of course is the intricate brush work. Fashioned from local needs these indigenous brushes with all their quaintness high light of the motifs.
It goes without saying that Aslam’s exotic collection that I saw at Thatta Kedona is a treat for eye. Ironically, block printing is a cultural heritage reduced to penury under the influence of a mechanized industrial society and bulk production phenomenon. Yet one has to see it to believe the richness of this art from which even in its quaintness excels the grandeur of modern printing.
Preservation of the craft is a very noble passion but there is a difference in the preservation methodologies and objectives. “It is different to preserve the ancient cultural heritage for the sack of its perpetuation as an art and to do it for commercial purposes,” says Dr. Norbert Pintsch. Thatta Kedona is trying to patronize in order to preserve this (and many more) arts for the sack of those arts in their own original contexts.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/14/2009 12:02:00 PM,
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SMS Me
In the time of increasing interaction between human and machines, more than anything technologies are bringing sweeping changes to how people communicate and share information. Just as email, instant messaging, forums and Weblogs are distributing information on the Internet; mobile phone text messaging, also known as SMS, short for Short Messaging Service, has become one of favorite mediums for anyone with mobile phone.
Seamlessly, SMS has become one of the mainstream trends and an integral part of mobile lifestyle. Have a look at Web SMS and see how they are offering mobile text, keywords, IM, email and social publishing all at one place.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/14/2009 10:59:00 AM,
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From The Hinterland
Husain Qazi
Pakistan has an amazing diversity with regards to tourism and natural beauty; lofty mountains, quiet deserts, picturesque wetlands and the fertile plains. Many of natural attractions are off the beaten paths and still unexplored though.
Pakistan has one of the world’s largest canal irrigation network with three major reservoirs, 16 barrages and 44 canals. In addition to economic advantages, wetlands have a rich potential as tourism and recreation sites. The meandering rivers, quiet canals, vast expanses along with head-works, barrages and residential colonies with their serene and tranquil setting provide an excellent infrastructure for tourist and recreation resorts.
‘All work and no play make Jack a dull boy’. Believing in this adage, our school at Lahore used to organize outings and had explored many fine places in the vicinity that could be covered in a day trip. It was this feeling of nostalgia that prompted me to revisit Rasul Headwork’s after three decades.
Visiting wetlands provides an altogether different charm than the mountains. A two hours journey from Rawalpindi or Lahore on the Grand Trunk road takes us to Serai Alamgir (near Jehlum) where the Upper Jehlum Canal brimming with sweet Himalayan water passes underneath the GT road. The charm starts right from the turn as the road running along the canal bank is replete with beautiful water scenes. The gentle breeze, the lush green setting and the quiet road makes it a truly romantic journey that provides a perfect transformation from the din and smoke of the GT road and prepares the visitor for the ecstatic beauty that lies ahead.
After 28 km the sign board of Rasul Hydel Power Station is an indication that the head-works - constructed in the pre partition days - is close by. A picturesque panorama unfolds as we progress towards the Headwork’s lush green irrigated lands. Inside Rasul time moves backwards. The luxurious vegetation, the calm, the spacious brick buildings and the British era canal colony take the visitor some hundred years back in the bygone era.
A long katcha driveway under the roof of thick foliage and a stream running along, takes us towards the main rest house where a Raj era building with beautifully sprawling lawns stands romantically in the middle of the vastness. The emblem on the entrance reveals that it has seen 110 years. By now the noise and rush of the mad city has been left far behind and the transformation into the calm and beauty of the rural Punjab starts.
A sip of refreshing tea will prepare the visitor for a walking tour of the area. The most inspiring feature at Rasul is the vastness, the river spreads out in the shape of an enormous lake with thick vegetation all around. A five km long katcha road runs along the barrage and strolling over it provides some amazing water scenes. The canal merging and sprouting from the river, the beautiful river bed, marshy poodles, fisher folk villages and the variety of birds and ducks all around create a lovely scene. Indeed water is life, the earliest human settlements and civilizations developed along the river beds and Rasul seems as a microcosm of that. A place where nature and human settlements coexist in perfect harmony.
For the one who desires to stay there longer and get more intimate with the river, there is another rest house right on the watercourse. The setting of ‘Pathar Kothi’ (the Stone Mansion, due to the grand stone structure of the building) is ideal to reenact ‘Wuthering Heights’. It’s a place which gives you the opportunity to completely immerse in nature.
For the adventurous explorer there is lot more to see all around. The ‘Bund Patri’ going along the river leads to the road where the new barrage and the canal colony are located. A network of canals originates from this point that irrigates a vast area all around. A siphon is located close by where the canal passes underneath the river. For the techies, the Rasul Hydro Electric Power Plant and the Rasul College of Technology (established pre partition) demonstrate a practical example of harnessing the power of nature for the benefit of humankind. For the lovers of History, a flashback will march them back into the battle between Alexander and Porus. The all-rounder Al Beruni chose this place to calculate the circumference of earth.
To pursue the spirit of exploration I decided not to turn back. After all I had to register some more locations for my future trips. Right after the new bridge comes ‘Misri Mor’ from where the cross-roads lead to different destinations “Go straight along the river and meet the Motorway” advised an old Baba to me. Accordingly I diverted myself on the route along the meandering river with the mountains of Salt Range on the other side. Driving on this beautiful route provides an immense charm as each bent opens up a vista of beautiful river scenes. Driving itself is a relaxing activity on this road due to its gentle slopes, tender turns and less traffic. It was sunset by now, passing through Jalalpur Sharif a mosque on the river bed attracted me inside. The gentle river breeze echoing with the hills provided an ideal setting to pray for the Lord, ‘Who is Beautiful and Loves beauty’.
It was dusky by now, driving on the quiet road provided a pleasure in recalling the beautiful day. While passing through Pind Dadan Khan in the vicinity of Khewra Salt Mines, I entered motorway via Lilla. With a storehouse of sweet memories I drove back to Lahore with the curiosity and eagerness for exploring some other part of the pristine Punjab at the earliest.
Labels: Travel
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/14/2009 10:58:00 AM,
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Many Small Rivers Can Make a Big River
Monday, 12 October 2009
Bloggers are a community to reckon with. Among them are the opinion leaders who have an expanding sphere of influence, a reason good enough for anyone to take note of the blogsphere and contents that are being produced there. The contents become powerful when they are connected with similar contents by other bloggers. There are a number of platforms which facilitate bloggers to share content and interact with each other and gain strength. One of the best that has come up lately is Small Rivers – very aptly named like many small rivers joining together and becoming one big river. Have a look at Small Rivers and see how they augment a blog audience by sharing it with other like minded sites. They do it in a very simple way. Clip small river on your content; go to www.smallrivers.com, get the badge from there and put it where your want to connect. Other will join you by contributing to your content or by simply copying the sticker and you will see your content flow through likeminded sites and readers. Small Rivers is in Alpha v and totally free service. Being in the blogsphere for sometime and knowing the ever growing demand for sharing and connecting to each other, I can say that Small Rivers is going to go a long way. I have already joined Small Rivers. Look for me when you are there. Let us share and connect and gain strength.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/12/2009 07:03:00 PM,
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Artistic Profile, Alam Sher, Photographer
I have known Alam Sher since my days in Okara Garizon. I was serving there and Alam Sher was practicing photography there. Given my interests and Alam Sher’s passion for photography, we came closer to each other and together explored bits and pieces of heritage and history spread around in historic tapestry around Okara. Alam Sher’s work appeared in almost all the newspapers and magazines (including Dawn, Herald, the Nations and the News) where I wrote.
Alam Sher’s artistic vision is best conveyed through his photography; the goal being that the image speaks directly to the viewer, preferably without the use of language, written or spoken. Success varies as I move toward my ideal.
He thinks, "Since I was a child, I’ve looked at the world through a viewfinder, sometimes figuratively, sometimes literally, trying to capture on film or digital memory, that image that best records my impression of a scene, experience, person, whatever. I’ve traveled extensively and like to think that I’ve collected a record of my life with the camera.
Although the methods and equipment have changed radically from my first experiences with black and white to the Canon digital SLR, my artistic skills are inherent, not tech dependent. The camera, printer, and website are merely tools of my art."
Labels: Photographers, Photography, Profile
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/12/2009 07:00:00 PM,
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Forest AC
Nissan has introduced a new air conditioning system under the name of 'Forest AC' for use in one of their new model car Fuga. As the name goes, the air conditioning system controls the temperature, aroma and humidity in the car in such a way that it creates a pleasant interior forest like environment for the car passengers. The system is likely to have pleasant effects on the minds of the driver and the passengers alike. According to the company, this is the first automotive system in the world that has been created to enhance the driving experience based on studies of drivers' mental activities.The air conditioning system creates gentle, fluctuating breezes within the cabin, by randomly adjusting the volume of air flow to replicate the changing calm, natural breezes one would encounter in a forest setting. Similarly, sensing sunlight and outside temperatures, it controls the ventilation patterns for optimal driver and passenger comfort and adjusts airflow in both the sunny and shady area of the cabin. Thus passengers feel equally comfortable no matter where they sit, because the airflow would be adjusted individually for both scenarios. Forest effect is produced using a special aroma cartridge which needs to be swapped out for a new one, once a year.
Labels: AC, Air Conditioners, Cars
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/12/2009 02:06:00 PM,
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2 Terrabyte Hard Drive
Hitachi has announced the release of Enterprise-Class Hard Drives, the new Ultrastar A7K2000. It has enormous storage capacity of 2 Terra byte and has 7200 RPM performance. Despite 100% increase in its storage capacity, there has been no increase in the size and it needs 36% less power.The Ultrastar A7K2000 is reported to be the 'industry’s first enterprise-class, 7,200 RPM 2TB hard disk drive' according to Todd Gresham, senior vice president, Networked Storage Solutions, Xyratex.
Hitachi offers five years warranty besides being RoHS compliant, and also halogen free. The 2TB Ultrastar A7K2000 is now available globally, while the 1TB and 500GB versions should be available soon.
Labels: Computers
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/12/2009 01:38:00 PM,
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Happy Birthday to Eman
And Ba, My Eman is my status!
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/12/2009 01:00:00 PM,
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Keep Your Blog Secure
Saturday, 10 October 2009
One of my friends (and a fellow blogger) has a problem with his blogspot blog. He simply can’t open it at all the three computers at his workstation. By the way, all three computers are sharing same internet connection that is from local cable network.
I can open his blog. I did and looked for third party codes at his blog and found nothing. He had not given permission to anyone to post. But the problem is not this. Real problem started when I open ed his blog and saw all her images had been replaced with explicit nudes. Those images were quickly removed but my friend still can’t access his blog, worst still, he can’t access to any blogspot blogs at his computers. What can be the problem here? Advice is solicited.
Labels: Blogging, Blogs, Security
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/10/2009 12:38:00 PM,
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Big congratulations to Muhammad Hanif on successfully completing the MBA Degree.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/09/2009 01:15:00 PM,
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Archeological Heritage
An important battlefield for centuries, Dipalpur is now a quite and peaceful town. It is situated at the distance of 25 Kilometres from Okara on an old bank of River Beas in Bari Doab. Dipalpur is famous in the history as an outpost that has played a significant part in the defence of Delhi kingdom against Mongol invasions in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.
History of Dipalpur dates back to ancient times. The coins of Sakas (Scythian) period found on the site suggest that the place was inhabited in 100 (BC). After Multan this is probably the oldest living city in the Subcontinent. General Alexander Cunningham writes that the place figures out in works of Ptolemy under different names. As per the tradition, Dipalpur was named after Raja Dipa Chand once he captured it. Dipalpur once used to be the first fortification in the way from Khyber to Delhi. In 1285, Muhammad Tughlaq son of Emperor Balban was killed in a bloody battle with Mongols and the famous poet Amir Khusuro was taken prisoner in Dipalpur. The dilapidated tomb where Muhammad Tughlaq rests stands neglected in a silent corner of the town, for removed from the noisy haunts of men.
Under Ala-ud-Din the town became the headquarters of Ghazi Malik. Feroz Shah Tughlaq visited the town in fourteenth century. Mughal Emperor Akbar made it the headquarters of one of the sarkars (revenue district) of Multan Province. The town lost its importance during colonial era. Partition changed the face of the town and it witnessed the new demographic and socio economic order in 1947. It is now a market town and tehsil headquarters of Okara district.
Dipalpur in the past was surrounded by a fortification wall, rising to the height of 25 feet and strengthened by a deep trench and other defences. When and by whom this fort was constructed is not known but it was renovated, repaired and improved during the rule of Feroz Shah Tughlaq and later by Abdur Rahim Khan-e-Khanan who was the governor during the time of Akbar. Feroz Shah Tughlaq constructed a grand mosque, palaces and excavated a canal from river Sutlaj to inundate the trench and irrigate gardens around the town.
Wide and airy tunnels linked the royal residential quarters inside the fort to the adjoining gardens outside. There were 24 burgs (musketry holes) on the fortification wall, 24 mosques, 24 bavlis (ponds) and 24 wells in the town in its hay days. The trench, ponds and tunnels have been filled but at places the location of the trench can still be defined. Most of the wall has been razed. Two of the four massive gateways with pointed arches also exist though they are badly damaged and their wooden doors have vanished. The coats of cement have marred the architectural importance of the gateways.
Inside the walled city that is a vital living part of Dipalpur, dismayed, I looked around and thought that I have entered a big and confused jungle of houses. The remains of once magnificent buildings of olden period adorned with beautiful wood engravings serve to relive the dullness of the domestic architecture. The whole area has a homogeneous urban texture that has survived for centuries. The narrow and winding streets lined by redeveloped and shoddily built new houses give Dipalpur a mean and gloomy look. The old character of the city is eroding due to erection of new structures and unsuitable repairs.
Besides doors with decorated latches, jharokas, bay windows and cut brick works still surviving despite all odds, the most noticeable feature inside the old Dipalpur, which reminds of the past prominence, is the monastery of Lal Jas Raj, a guru much venerated by the Hindus.
As per the famous legend, Lal Jas Raj was young son of Raja Dipa Chand, the founder of Dipalpur. The boy sank in the earth due to the curse of his stepmother Rani Dholran. Raja Dipa Chand constructed this monastery in the memory of his son. Today the dilapidated and empty chamber stands infested with bats and rats. I could not open the doors to the chamber because they are jammed and a stairway is serving as storage for dried dung cakes of the neighbours. The structure is crumbling. "There is nothing inside. There used to be a grand annual 'mela' here. Hindus have been coming here to shave off the heads of their sons till after the partition but no body comes anymore," informed the residents who had gathered around me.
Another noticeable building inside old Dipalpur, which reminds of the bygone glory, is a saray (inn) near the monastery of Lal Jas Raj. The architects of the period when this inn was raised were familiar with use of space, element of design and response to climate. It was a spacious building with airy rooms on four sides, a big courtyard in the centre and four arched entrances. The inn used to be functional and firm but now it is dark and dirty. It has been divided and subdivided by its occupants so many times that you can not make out its original shape. Even the verandas have been clogged to create additional rooms. The best would have been if the inn remained in public use. This does not seem possible now.
Muslim saints have been coming to this area to spread the light of Islam. Hazrat Bahawal Haq commonly known as Bahawal Sher Qalandar came from Baghdad and settled in village Patharwall near Dipalpur. The saint constructed a Hujra (living room) and a mosque outside the village. His grandson Hazrat Shah Muqeem continued his mission. The village came to be known as Hujra Shah Muqeem. This is the place that is mentioned in famous Punjabi folk love story 'Mirza Saheban'. Though there is no historical evidence that Jati Saheban came here and prayed: "Sunjian howan gallian which Mirza yar phere" (the streets should be deserted where my lover Mirza should roam about).
Mughal king Akbar along with his son Saleem and royal entourage stayed in Dipalpur when he came to pay homage to saint Hazrat Farid Ghang Shakar 1578. Akbar named the corridor as 'Bari Doab' by combining the syllables of the names of two rivers (Beas and Ravi) that bounded the belt. Baba Guru Nanak also stayed in Dipalpur for sometime. A completely ruined Gurdawara (temple) reminds of the place where Guru Nanak stayed.
Situated on the old bank of river Beas, Dipalpur started expanding and spilling out of fortification long ago. It was declared as notified area in 1949, which has been raised to the status of Municipal Committee. Now it is a typical Pakistani market town with all the hazards of urbanization: congestion, mixed traffic, encroachments, potholed roads and piles of domestic waste. Municipal Committee does not seem to notice the plight of the residents, particularly those living in the old portion of the city. The area is very fertile and ideally suited for livestock and agro industries.
Sadly, our Archaeology Department is neither very keen to discover the missing links of human evolution in this area nor in preservation of bits and pieces of history lying under the layers of time. Challenge of restoring the ancient Dipalpur to its old magnificence might be too much, but the experts could carry out a survey to record the places having essential, historic, social and architectural value.
History of Dipalpur dates back to ancient times. The coins of Sakas (Scythian) period found on the site suggest that the place was inhabited in 100 (BC). After Multan this is probably the oldest living city in the Subcontinent. General Alexander Cunningham writes that the place figures out in works of Ptolemy under different names. As per the tradition, Dipalpur was named after Raja Dipa Chand once he captured it. Dipalpur once used to be the first fortification in the way from Khyber to Delhi. In 1285, Muhammad Tughlaq son of Emperor Balban was killed in a bloody battle with Mongols and the famous poet Amir Khusuro was taken prisoner in Dipalpur. The dilapidated tomb where Muhammad Tughlaq rests stands neglected in a silent corner of the town, for removed from the noisy haunts of men.
Under Ala-ud-Din the town became the headquarters of Ghazi Malik. Feroz Shah Tughlaq visited the town in fourteenth century. Mughal Emperor Akbar made it the headquarters of one of the sarkars (revenue district) of Multan Province. The town lost its importance during colonial era. Partition changed the face of the town and it witnessed the new demographic and socio economic order in 1947. It is now a market town and tehsil headquarters of Okara district.
Dipalpur in the past was surrounded by a fortification wall, rising to the height of 25 feet and strengthened by a deep trench and other defences. When and by whom this fort was constructed is not known but it was renovated, repaired and improved during the rule of Feroz Shah Tughlaq and later by Abdur Rahim Khan-e-Khanan who was the governor during the time of Akbar. Feroz Shah Tughlaq constructed a grand mosque, palaces and excavated a canal from river Sutlaj to inundate the trench and irrigate gardens around the town.
Wide and airy tunnels linked the royal residential quarters inside the fort to the adjoining gardens outside. There were 24 burgs (musketry holes) on the fortification wall, 24 mosques, 24 bavlis (ponds) and 24 wells in the town in its hay days. The trench, ponds and tunnels have been filled but at places the location of the trench can still be defined. Most of the wall has been razed. Two of the four massive gateways with pointed arches also exist though they are badly damaged and their wooden doors have vanished. The coats of cement have marred the architectural importance of the gateways.
Inside the walled city that is a vital living part of Dipalpur, dismayed, I looked around and thought that I have entered a big and confused jungle of houses. The remains of once magnificent buildings of olden period adorned with beautiful wood engravings serve to relive the dullness of the domestic architecture. The whole area has a homogeneous urban texture that has survived for centuries. The narrow and winding streets lined by redeveloped and shoddily built new houses give Dipalpur a mean and gloomy look. The old character of the city is eroding due to erection of new structures and unsuitable repairs.
Besides doors with decorated latches, jharokas, bay windows and cut brick works still surviving despite all odds, the most noticeable feature inside the old Dipalpur, which reminds of the past prominence, is the monastery of Lal Jas Raj, a guru much venerated by the Hindus.
As per the famous legend, Lal Jas Raj was young son of Raja Dipa Chand, the founder of Dipalpur. The boy sank in the earth due to the curse of his stepmother Rani Dholran. Raja Dipa Chand constructed this monastery in the memory of his son. Today the dilapidated and empty chamber stands infested with bats and rats. I could not open the doors to the chamber because they are jammed and a stairway is serving as storage for dried dung cakes of the neighbours. The structure is crumbling. "There is nothing inside. There used to be a grand annual 'mela' here. Hindus have been coming here to shave off the heads of their sons till after the partition but no body comes anymore," informed the residents who had gathered around me.
Another noticeable building inside old Dipalpur, which reminds of the bygone glory, is a saray (inn) near the monastery of Lal Jas Raj. The architects of the period when this inn was raised were familiar with use of space, element of design and response to climate. It was a spacious building with airy rooms on four sides, a big courtyard in the centre and four arched entrances. The inn used to be functional and firm but now it is dark and dirty. It has been divided and subdivided by its occupants so many times that you can not make out its original shape. Even the verandas have been clogged to create additional rooms. The best would have been if the inn remained in public use. This does not seem possible now.
Muslim saints have been coming to this area to spread the light of Islam. Hazrat Bahawal Haq commonly known as Bahawal Sher Qalandar came from Baghdad and settled in village Patharwall near Dipalpur. The saint constructed a Hujra (living room) and a mosque outside the village. His grandson Hazrat Shah Muqeem continued his mission. The village came to be known as Hujra Shah Muqeem. This is the place that is mentioned in famous Punjabi folk love story 'Mirza Saheban'. Though there is no historical evidence that Jati Saheban came here and prayed: "Sunjian howan gallian which Mirza yar phere" (the streets should be deserted where my lover Mirza should roam about).
Mughal king Akbar along with his son Saleem and royal entourage stayed in Dipalpur when he came to pay homage to saint Hazrat Farid Ghang Shakar 1578. Akbar named the corridor as 'Bari Doab' by combining the syllables of the names of two rivers (Beas and Ravi) that bounded the belt. Baba Guru Nanak also stayed in Dipalpur for sometime. A completely ruined Gurdawara (temple) reminds of the place where Guru Nanak stayed.
Situated on the old bank of river Beas, Dipalpur started expanding and spilling out of fortification long ago. It was declared as notified area in 1949, which has been raised to the status of Municipal Committee. Now it is a typical Pakistani market town with all the hazards of urbanization: congestion, mixed traffic, encroachments, potholed roads and piles of domestic waste. Municipal Committee does not seem to notice the plight of the residents, particularly those living in the old portion of the city. The area is very fertile and ideally suited for livestock and agro industries.
Sadly, our Archaeology Department is neither very keen to discover the missing links of human evolution in this area nor in preservation of bits and pieces of history lying under the layers of time. Challenge of restoring the ancient Dipalpur to its old magnificence might be too much, but the experts could carry out a survey to record the places having essential, historic, social and architectural value.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10/09/2009 08:03:00 AM,
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