Light Within

It is very difficult to choose from the wide range of Pakistani blogs most of which are original and refreshing in the boundless cyber world. This is why this list should be taken as an initial review for Top Ten Blogs in Pakistan blogsphere. There are several other blogs that should be counted and recognized.

Review by Dr Shahida Mohiuddin

Dr Shahid Siddiqui’s Aadhay Adhooray Khwab is an interesting novel in Urdu language that engages the interest of the readers from the beginning till the end. Dr Rasheed Amjad, a famous short story writer and critic, comments in his review that ‘the story of the novel is so compelling that it makes us read it’. By writing this novel Dr Shahid has expanded the scope of Urdu literature. While reading Urdu literature one could read fine thoughts and beautiful imaginaries. But in this novel we witness the union of literature and education. In this sense Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik, a renowned critic of Urdu literature, rightly calls this novel as a ‘trend setter’ in Urdu literature.

Dr Shahid Siddiqui is a well known educationist of Pakistan. He has taught in prestigious institutions of Pakistan and knows the scenario of education in Pakistan very well. Therefore, when he wrote this novel it appeared in a unique and exemplary form which is like a mirror where readers could see the reflections of issues and problems of our daily life and education in a holistic form which has various dimensions. The author did not limit the concept of education and teaching to the classrooms but linked it with other important aspects of life as well. Education- as a field- primarily draws its content and approaches from varieties of fields of knowledge such as: philosophy, sociology, psychology, anthropology, history, management sciences and so forth and more recently emergence of fields such as cultural studies. In this global village one needs to understand education from multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary approach. Only then we can understand true meaning of education. In this regard this novel opens new vistas of understanding education from multi/interdisciplinary approach.

The most remarkable part of this novel is the writer’s narrative style which is highly creative and fascinating. Each chapter starts with a narration of an individual. Each individual as a student, teacher or worker has his/her own life and brings a colour of its own and meaning to this novel.

The writer, while presenting the scenes of novels, has demonstrated his creative and artistic skills at per excellence. He has successfully painted the pictures of various cities, villages and institutions of Pakistan.

The plot of this novel revolves around Professor Saharan Rae who is a competent, caring and humane professor who as a fatherly figure knows the psyche of his students. The various scenes of this novel demonstrate that his teaching did not limit to the classroom but to gardens, hostels and hotels. Due to his qualities he is very popular among his students and the groups of students whom he did not teach. Among them is Imtisal Aga who comes to the city from a rural area of Pakistan. Imtisal is one of the major characters of this novel. She is bold and works hard to bring positive change in her own life, her family and her village. Professor Sahran, while mentoring Imtisal, knows that he is not teaching a student but a class and thus created an interest in her to go back to her village and teach children. The dream of the professor comes true as Imtisal, after completing education, goes back to her village starts teaching in a local school.

The most amazing and interesting aspect of Profssor Saharan’s teaching is that it not only teaches theories and ideas covered in the books but also prepares his students for life, inspiring them to create dreams. It is said ‘The best teachers teach from the heart, not from the book’. If all the teachers in Pakistan become dedicated and spend quality time with their students and through the use of variety of teaching methods to enhance the self esteem of their students then the situation of education in Pakistan would have been quite different. The novel makes us reflect what each of us can contribute in the development of education in Pakistan.

We live our life among our family, relatives and friends but among all these relationships the connection with teacher is unique. Professor Saharan plays vital role in students’ life by inspiring them to bring a social change and in the process gives his life and becomes immortal. It is said that “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires and is like a candle, that consumes itself to light the way for other"

Professor Saharan besides teaching also takes part in politics. He actively participated in the lawyers’ movement and finally dies voicing for human rights. This novel makes us reflect that education also means creating a civil society where students, teachers and all the members of society participate to create good governance. At the end of the novel professor is no more in this world but through his students he is everywhere.

This novel is strongly recommended foe teachers, students, and people who love literature. It is in Urdu and secondly it is all about cultural beauty and its diversity in Pakistan. The language of the novel is simple yet it has all the beauty of literary style. The feeling that it is our own story enhances our interest and involvement in the novel and that is the basic attribute of good literature.

Title of the Book: Aadhay Adhooray Khwab

Author: Dr Shahid Siddiqui

Published by Jahangir Books

Enterprise: 2009

Page: 176

Price: 250

This article originally appeared in the daily Nation on Nov 15, 2009

Every blast anywhere in Pakistan leaves us sad, depressed but I have felt more pain from the two attacks, one, attack in Rawalpindi where we lost 36 innocent people including some of my comrades and second, a suicide bomber attack on Monday that struck a Muharram procession in Karachi on Ashura, killing at least 40 people and earlier in Muzafarabad, killing 10 people from my own community. Question is what can we do in addition to feeling pain, being sad?

Despite early warnings by security agencies and despite all security measures in place, the bombing of a Muharram procession in Karachi and attack on Mosque in Rawalpindi underscore multiple security challenges facing every Pakistani. This situation seems much worst that what we hear from statesmen we have. Nor our leaders’ visibly hollow slogans can pacify the nation where everyone is living under threat of who is the next. It is about time that we all should take stock of the situation and perceive looming national as well as personal threats and act. The unfounded ‘threat to democracy’ we keep hearing about has gone a little too far this time.

If you are fond of spying over the activities of the people once you interact with them, here is a somewhat inexpensive digital camera which is unobtrusively fitted into a cap. The camera has a hand held digital monitor. You can manage the hand held digital monitor sensibly, the camera in your cap will remain unnoticed. To do so, you can operate the remote without pulling it out of your pocket. Spying aside, this camera can register exciting memories of near and dear ones with none being conscious of being photographed.

The camera has 4GB of memory already built into it and an internal rechargeable Li battery. It is available for US 60.00 only. So, be ware of people putting on caps!

source: redferret.net

This evening, I was going to switch off the TV when I heard resident President Asif Ali Zardari saying “non-state actors were trying to break Pakistan and institutions were being pitted against each other, but vowed that every sacrifice would be rendered to protect democracy. Addressing a gathering here, marking the second death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto, President Zardari, in a very aggressive tone, was warning ‘those’ elements. President Zardari also described Garhi Khuda Bux as the “Karbala of PPP” and said it was a rallying point for Pakistan Peoples Party, but vowed that “democracy will not be buried here.”

Unable to see any clear direction of the speech, and unable to draw any conclusion, I could have switched off when TV started soliciting opinion of different analysts. They all seem to agree on one thing that this was an out of place speech by a person who is under a lot of pressure and it is visible. Some of them said, this is a speech by a self centered, sick person and political actor who is trying to threaten important organs of the state. Some even suggested that this speech should be taken seriously and dismissed. One of the remarks was, “he is a district level leader who has become President as a result of an accident. He should now try to learn statesmanship.”

I think this speech is being blown out of proportion. What internal and external situation demands is that every one should act mature. Every one includes President and other member of the ruling party, more so independent media that has a great reach and is in a position to build opinion in a short time. If they keep repeating this non issue and out of the context speech then harm may come to other valid national priorities that are already being relegated for later times.

Please act mature; everyone.

Coins are useful form of money in small denominations. There are places you can't use your credit cards or even the paper currency and the only means of payment is through coins. Similarly, once you make purchases using paper currency, you get the balance back in the form of coins. So, coins are essentially required. Coins can't be kept in wallets or pockets. Most of us keep the loose coins in wardrobes or drawers or shelves or pass them on to our kids. It would be better if we keep our coins in an organized manner, easy to store and count.

Here is a coin bank to meet the need. It automatically tracks deposits, withdrawals and the balance. The balance is displayed on the LCD display every time a coin is inserted or taken away. There are four chambers in which the coins pile up duly sorted. The coin box also tells you as to how much money you have from each denomination. You can draw the coins of your choice by rotating the body. You can store coins up to the equivalence of US $ 25.00. This coin box is certainly a good way to store coins and for kids to develop the habit of using and saving money. Two AA batteries are required. The coin box is priced at around US $ 30.00.

Listening to music in one's bathroom is quite entertaining for the music lovers. That's how the term was coined as bathroom singer. Having reliable and good speakers in the bathroom certainly adds to the listening to good music. No place in the bathroom is water proof or for that matter damp proof. Ordinary speakers lose the quality with the passage of time. Here are speakers which are water proof and damp proof. However, it doesn't imply that one should place them carelessly allowing the speakers to sink in. The droplets of water falling direction less will do no harm to these speakers and will not interrupt in your listening to quality music in the bathroom.

These speakers are compatible with iPod Nano, iPod Shuffle and various other MP3 players. The speaker has also got an earphone jack. It is available in three colors; pink, blue or white for US $ 58.00.

Marry Christmas to Roz and others who celebrate this festive eve.

Independent press is a new found luxury we have started to enjoy. For the first time, media, print as well as electronic, is trying to tell the public what they need to know – the misadventures of those sitting in power corridors.

Media took a bold stance after the success of movement to restore the judiciary, and more so after the apex court decision against NRO . Media is now trying to dig the names of those loan defaulters and of those who go their loan waved off.

As if media was going a little too far, some of the People’s Party leaders have been talking a little irresponsibly threatening media anchor persons. The daily News editorial today reads,

This brings some question in my mind. Are we poised to lose the independence of media once again? Why is government opening yet another front against one of the important organs of the state instead of trying to give transparent and good governance? Anyone has the answer?

All of us do get headache off and on and some of us get this headache more frequently. Brookstone has introduced a massage helmet, uCrown 2 Massage Helmet, Gray in color, it is priced at US $ 200.00. You can wear it on your head with a strap. You can get Air pressure massage, Vibration massage, Magnetic therapy, "Gentle" heat and it has Built-in speakers with which you can listen to gentle music to put you at ease.

Although the helmet is expensive, it's not a bad deal if you get frequent headaches as you will be able to get rid of the headache. Not a bad bargain. Besides this massage helmet Brookstone also offer massage chairs, feet massagers, back massagers, etc.

Where was I when Shah Jehan was setting up Social Media Agency HomeXpress earlier in Karachi and later when they were creating waves in Lahore? I am familiar with HomeXpress – leading direct mail magazine that reaches 42,000 homes in Karachi and 21,000 homes in Lahore (serving clients like McDonalds, Movenpick, Subway, Aqua Fina, HP and Nando's) - but was not aware of its Social Media arm nor I knew about myoffstreet.com where users can find products and deals from stores in their cities and also can create a free store and share their products with local shoppers. Now I know better. And I am glad.

Last evening (December 18, 2009), Social Media Workshop by HomeXpress (Lahore office in Cavalry Ground – very nearly and efficiently laid out) offered a chance to learn and leverage. Homexpress SocialMedia plans and executes Facebook advertising, social strategy and content development for brands for EGO, Nokia, HSY, OPTP, Copper Kettle, HKB and many others.

As a student of Social media and how it is changing marketing mix, I joined a vibrant group of Social Media enthusiasts at the workshop. It is pleasing that so many people are interested to harness the power of Social Media. Shah Jehan picked up Facebook and explained how to grow business with Facebook pages, how to advertise online, how to find new customers, how to build community and a lot more. I am on facebook since it used to for those who had .edu email ID, but my use of Facebook has always been limited to publishing some of my blog feeds there.

Later, I also contributed my two cents on Blog Marketing and how blogs can make online presence more powerful. I was thinking that HomeXpress should also offer series of workshops on Blog Marketing. Market is ripe for this.

Should use of social media (blog, tweet, facebook, chat, you tube, Flickr, the list is endless ) be allowed at work or not? This seems to be the question being discussed across the World Wide Web. This question forms the basis for my next article for print media.

In more connected (read developed) countries, analysts think that businesses as well government agencies should engage people with Web 2.0 applications, examples of which include Facebook, the online encyclopaedia Wikipedia and video-sharing site YouTube.” They think that interactive media provides unprecedented opportunities to get the real time feedback and fresh opinion. Given still low tech local corporate environment, people responsible here still think it is waste of official time.

Students of blogging phenomenon can see that we are heading to a time when every single human being will be posting their thoughts and experiences in any number of ways to the Internet; blogging being the easiest one. Here are some new blogs that caught my attention while exploring Pakistan blogsphere in an effort to finalize Top ten Pakistan Blogs. I see them going a long way in characterizing Pakistan Blogsphere in coming years.

Built with the latest theater technology, The Denon AVR-989 Home Theater Receiver gives enhanced multi-room operation and performance. The AVR-989 is now equipped with HDMI v1.3a, which brings the new surround formats of Dolby Digital TrueHD and dts Master Audio decoding into your home for the ultimate surround experience.

The Denon AVR-989 ensures excellent audio and video quality. The design provides immaculately clean audio and video playback. Signal paths are as short as possible to keep signal degradation in the audio and video circuitry to an absolute minimum. The AVR-989 includes a robust power source for each capacitor block for a stable supply of current. This, along with a separate dedicated CPU transformer, produces a clear circuit that prevents unwanted signal noise from affecting the sound.

The AVR-989 features 7-Channel Equal Power, which allows users to connect up to 7 speakers independently and offers a 7.1 home theater solution without the need for additional amplifiers. Built-in separate internal amplifiers independently provide each channel with 115 Watts of power. This lets you enjoy the same high power output capability per channel, and gives a balanced and truly high-impact surround-sound environment.

The sound from movie sources recorded in any format emphasizes high-frequency range due to a theater’s front speakers being placed behind the movie screen. If this sound is reproduced in the home theater without correction, the high-frequency range can be too strong. The Denon AVR-989's Cinema Equalizer corrects these high-frequency components so that the sound is clearer and easier to listen to. Additionally, AL24 Processing Plus thoroughly suppresses quantization noise to reproduce the low-level signals with optimum clarity, bringing out all the delicate nuances of your sound.

The versatile AVR-989 provides unparalleled audio and video signal processing and switching flexibility, and is fully equipped to handle even the most sophisticated home theater setups. The video section features four HDMI v1.3a inputs with one output, which can accommodate 1080p resolution and also handle high definition multi-channel LPCM, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks. In addition, the AVR-989 comes with 3 component video inputs, 7 composite video inputs with 3 outputs, 7 S-Video inputs with 3 outputs, 10 analog audio inputs (including tuner), 3 coaxial digital inputs, and 3 optical digital inputs with 2 outputs.

What you have at your home theater?

If you want to go to sleep while listening to music, either you have got to be living single, having a room mate/spouse who doesn't object to your love for music or you need to use a headphone. But you can't go to sleep wearing your headphone.

How about having a pillow with built-in speaker that can only be heard by you! You can plug your music source (iPod, radio, TV out) into the pillow’s 3.5mm stereo socket and doze off listening to the music of your choice.

You can make your choice from original or memory foam types retailing for £17.99 and £29.99, respectively.

source: firebox.com

Pakistani blogospehre is growing each year and many new bloggers have entered the cyber world. During the outgoing year, Pakistani blogs have been noticed by international and regional media, Pakistani news channels not to mention the millions at home and abroad.

The C.I.A. has terminated its contract with Blackwater Worldwide (now called Xe Services) that employed the security company to load bombs on drones used by the agency in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The New York Times had revealed the existence of the deal, which paid Blackwater employees to assemble and load Hellfire missiles and laser-guided bombs on secret bases, in August, writing about disputes between the contractor and some C.I.A. employees, who accused the Blackwater operatives of shoddy work and poor weapon assembly (one story held that a bomb dropped off a Predator drone before the drone had launched its payload). "At this time, Blackwater is not involved in any C.I.A. operations other than in a security or support role," said agency spokesman George Little. C.I.A. employees are taking over the jobs performed by Blackwater's workers at the drone bases.

An old post that was brought up when I had pleasure of chating with a fellow "Don't Knock Too Much If I Am Ignoring You" today. After some time the nick was changed to "Dont Try To Win Because I am going to Win".

Between tech lingo and encrypted looking language that has popularized on the Internet, nicknames (Nicks) are very distinctive genre. There are people who do not use nicks and prefer their own name instead. But majority has one (or more) for chat rooms, blogs, forums or other Web appearances. Some time users chose them and some other time nicks are given by others. People also use nicknames for easy identification or to avoid identification. Every nick seem to have a story behind. Some of the best I came across are:

Wish I was there with you!
Wish you were there with me!
Where shall we meet?
Irfan with some flowers left and right
Are you in love?
Single and looking!
Taken!

Where do people get their nicks from, what are the stories behind them, I keep thinking?

Private security guards working for the defense contractor Blackwater Worldwide took part in secret CIA raids—"snatch and grab" operations for capturing or killing suspected insurgents that occurred on an almost nightly basis in Iraq from 2004 to 2006. One Blackwater employee interviewed by The New York Times said that the two entities had "a very brotherly relationship," and that "there was a feeling that Blackwater almost became an extension of the agency." Blackwater's involvement in the raids seems to have grown out of contracts to provide perimeter security for some stations operated by the intelligence agency, with the private guards oftentimes being recruited to accompany case officers on missions. The CIA refused to comment on Blackwater, but did point out that "just as American law permits," the agency employs contractors. New Jersey Democrat Rush Holt, who chairs the House Select Intelligence Oversight Panel, called the use of contractors in intelligence operations "a scandal waiting to be examined."

This time it was in spanking new Defense Club FF Block, DHA Lahore. Most of us had not see the place that was discovered and selected by Col Athar for December Get Together 55 PMA Lahore Chapter (thanks Athar for making it possible for all of us). The facility is nice and you still can have it to yourself.

Lahore is one of the cities where we have largest number of 55 PMA officers living (it is number 2 after Rawalpindi). The attendance was good. By 9 PM, around 30 members along with their families (Bring Zahir Khan, Athar, Najeeb, Baqar, Maqsod, Nouman, Hafiz, Abbas Khan, Waqar, Shafi, Tariq Fazal , Attiq, Tasawar, Khalid Javed, Sultan, Jamil and kids) had arrived. In addition to the same “you too,” “me too,” updates, still some more recollection of memories, we all had a very sumptuous and hot dinner.

The high point of the evening was Muhammad Jamil Akhtar and his wife (very loving couple) who had come from Canada and joined us for the evening. Plan of the get together in the middle of the week (Dec 9, 2009) was for Jamil because he is leaving back on Dec 11, 2009.

Some of us took a chance to tell Mrs Jamil all the good things they could remember about him while he distributed his business card and some gifts. Muhammad Jamil Akhtar also gave donation to the course fund. She was genuinely and pleasantly surprised to see the amount of love among the members of 55 PMA and for Jamil and she shot some of the moments with video camera. Jamil says he will send the video and if he does, you will see it here.

Related: All about 55 PMA Long Course Men at Their Best 

The US Air Force confirmed for the first time that it is flying a stealth unmanned aircraft known as the "Beast of Kandahar," a drone spotted in photos and shrouded in secrecy.

The RQ-170 Sentinel is being developed by Lockheed Martin and is designed "to provide reconnaissance and surveillance support to forward deployed combat forces," the air force said in a brief statement.

The "RQ" prefix for the aircraft indicates an unarmed drone, unlike the "MQ" designation used for Predator and Reaper aircraft equipped with missiles and precision-guided bombs.

Aviation experts dubbed the drone the "Beast of Kandahar" after photographs emerged earlier this year showing the mysterious aircraft in southern Afghanistan in 2007.

The image suggested a drone with a radar-evading stealth-like design, resembling a smaller version of a B-2 bomber.

A blog in the French newspaper Liberation published another photo this week, feeding speculation among aviation watchers about the classified drone.

The air force said the aircraft came out of Lockheed Martin's "Skunk Works," also known as Advanced Development Programs, in California - the home of sophisticated and often secret defense projects including the U-2 spy plane, the F-22 fighter jet and the F-117 Nighthawk.

The photo of the drone in Afghanistan has raised questions about why the United States would be operating a stealth unmanned aircraft in a country where insurgents have no radar systems, prompting speculation Washington was using the drones for possible spying missions in neighboring Iran or Pakistan.

The Sentinel was believed to have a flying wing design with no tail and with sensors built into the top side of each wing, according to published photos.

The RQ-170 is in line with Defense Secretary Robert Gates' request for more intelligence and surveillance resources and with the Air Force chief of staff's plans to expand the fleet of unmanned aircraft, the air force said.

The new drone is flown by the 30th Reconnaissance Squadron out of Tonopah Test Range in Nevada, which is under Air Combat Command's 432nd Wing at Creech Air Base, also in Nevada.

The United States has carried out an extensive bombing campaign against Al-Qaeda figures in Pakistan using the Predator and larger Reaper drones.

Robots or "unmanned systems" in the air and on the ground are now deployed by the thousands in Iraq and Afghanistan, spying from the sky for hours on end, searching for booby-traps and firing lethal missiles without putting US soldiers at risk. {#}

Comfortably tucked in green hills north of Islamabad, Hasan Abdal is situated right on the Grand Trunk Road. The town's claims to fame are Cadet College and temple of Panja Sahib. This small and clean historic town neat is sacred for Sikhs.

Hassan Abdal is famous for its cadet college and also serves as the gateway to some most stunning sites in Pakistan. It is from here that Karakoram Highways turns towards Northern Areas. It is a convenient halting point of Grand Trunk Road (G T Road) from where one can go to places like Abbotabad and Northern Areas, Peshawar, Taxila, Wah, Rawalpindi. Coins of the Greco-Bectrians kings discovered from the adjoining tract suggest that the area was inhabited in first century B.C. Accounts of Xuan Zang, a seventh century Chinese Buddhist traveler tells us that the place was also sacred to Buddhists. However, presently the town is associated with Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikh religion and Baba Wali Qandhari, a revered Muslim saint.

It is not clear how the town got its name but a reference is usually made to the eighteenth century Afghan conqueror, Ahmed Shah Abdali. The town has been mentioned by Mughal Emperor Jehangir in his memoirs and was frequently visited by successive Mughal Kings, on their way to Kashmir.

One has to understand it; it was wonderful during Mughal period: Romantic, beautiful and quiet. One of the significant landmark of past in Hasan Abdal is a set of greatly spread red brick buildings immediately to the west of the Grand Trunk Road. These buildings belong to the Cadet College Hasan Abdal, Pakistan's foremost premier boarding institution. Field Marshal Muhammad Ayub Khan inaugurated the school in 1954. The main academic block overlooks the college with a cricket ground in the centre, called the Oval. Six residential wings surround the Oval and it is always a pleasing sight to see smart young boys in uniforms walking towards their academic block. The college has always been famous for its academic results with its students bagging most of the top positions in board examinations. While Aitchison College has for a long time catered to the political leadership of the country, the establishment has come from colleges like Cadet College Hasan Abdal and Lawrence College.

One of the interesting facts regarding these colleges is the strong sense of comradeship and fraternity that prevails among the students. The boys of the Cadet College Hasan Abdal use word Abdalian with pride and pleasure. The Cadet College is surrounded by Loqat orchards, lush green fields and a gushing stream where a day with fishing rod can really be fruitful. Mr. Catchpole, the first principal of the College is also buried here.

The other claim of the town to international fame is Sikh Gurdwara (temple) known as Panja Sahib having a rock with the hand print of their religious leader Baba Guru Nanak. Twice a year, Sikh pilgrims visit this Gurdwara from all over the world. The legend has it that in 1521 AD, while passing through then deserted area on a very hot day, Guru Nanak's companion Bhai Mardana got very thirsty. The Guru suggested that he go to the Saint Baba Wali Qandhari who lived in a hut atop a nearby hill and ask for water. The Saint refused to give water from his well. Desperate with thirst, Mardana repeated his plea three times. Finally the saint reprimanded Mardana who returned to his guru and collapsed at his feet.

The Guru asked him to pick up a stone. The disciple did as he was told, and water flowed from under the stone, while the Saint's well dried up. The Saint then pushed a large boulder from hilltop and sent it rolling towards the Guru and Mardana. But when the boulder reached them, the Guru stretched out his hand and stopped it with his palm.

During Sikh rule, Hari Sing Nalva got the edifice of temple made at the place. Later, the temple was extended and a sarai (inn) was added for accommodation. The temple is typical of the rather florid Sikh style with gilded domes and cupolas and stands in the middle of a large water tank. Built with grey sandstone, its exterior is spotted with protruding domed bay windows. The central fluted dome is encircled by several symmetrically placed big and small domed kiosks. The cemented water tank derives its supply from a fresh water spring that emerges from underneath a huge rock. Now this huge rock has that famous hand print on it for which the site is known as 'Panja Sahib'. On the nearby hill, at an altitude of 714 meters, lies a meditation chamber of Saint Baba Wali Qandhari, popularly known as Baba Hasan Abdal. The saint stayed in Hasan Abdal from 1406-1416 AD but died and is buried in village Baba Wali near Qandhar (Afghanistan). The devotees and visitors climb over the steps leading to the hill, for offerings and to have a panoramic view of Hasan Abdal. Two other historical buildings of Mughal era (Muqbara Hakeeman and so-called tomb of Lala Rukh) are located just opposite the temple. Hasan Abdal is an interesting small town.

I have known Hasan Abdal during my stay in Abbotabad. It is a neat little town, as pretty as a picture postcard. The town has a character of its own. Environment is tranquil, pollution free and quiet. One finds countless attractions spread around the town. And you can see (and have) lines of shops selling mutton karahi made in desi ghee side by side Peshawar fame chappal kabab along the G T Road near buss stop. Move away from the traffic hustle of the G T Road and what strikes you first is the emptiness. There is nothing much there, just air of a blue that is so attenuated that it is almost white. You stand anywhere and breathe in the dry air, feel the sun upon your neck. You are in Hasan Abdal suburbs; a countryside that is on the main road but still relatively only a few people visit.

At least 10 people were killed and dozens others injured including women when two consecutive blasts ripped through Lahore’s commercial center on Monday, reports Geo.

According to Geo News sources, the two blasts occurred within 30 seconds of each other. Fire erupted in the market immediately after the blasts, engulfing a number of shops. Efforts are being made to bring the fire under control. Rescue efforts are underway at the blast site, as the bodies and injured are being ferried in 1122 ambulances to nearby hospitals where emergency has been declared. Moon market is a commercial center of Iqbal Town, Lahore, where shoppers are normally present in large numbers. A suicide attack had also been launched at a police station in this area on 13 August last year in which 8 people lost their lives.

Is generational equity a scam? The answer depends whom you ask? People who feel scammed by the concept of funding another generation conveniently forget how much money the older generations might have put back into the economy which in turn feeds back into the very pay check they are being taxed from.

Generational equity - the process of distribution of resources between generations – is a perpetual process. We are benefiting from what previous generations have been contributing in so many ways. Similarly, next generation will rep the benefits of what we leave for them.

In case you want to be quantitative, you can have a look at taxfoundation.org and learn a thing or two about taxes. Like which age group is paying more taxes and on the other hand, which age group is benefiting more.

Let me ask a question instead. Who is ripping off whom if we consume all finite natural resources, having no consideration for next generations?

A suicide bomber struck outside a court in Pakistan's Peshawar today, killing 10 people and wounding 49 others in the latest blast in a city beset by Taliban violence, reports Dawn.

Peshawar, capital of the troubled northwest, had seen the brunt of Taliban attacks avenging military offensives against them across the region, with more than 270 people killed in the city since early October.

Related: Rawalpindi Carnage

The first World Sindi Topi {cap} Day is being observed on Sunday (today) throughout the world including Pakistan.

Various political parties, civil societies and organizations have supported the first ever day. The Muttaheda Qaumi Movement and the Awami National Party have also decided to observe the day of Sindhi topi and Ajrak.

Several rallies were held even on Saturday in various cities of Sindh to welcome the day.

Thousands of people reached outside the Karachi Press Club Saturday night where Sindh Assembly Deputy Speaker Shehla Raza, Sindh Information Minister Shazia Atta Marree and other leaders of various parties including ANP leader Shahi Syed reached. Different rallies from various parts of the city including, Lyari, Keamari, Malir and Khokhrapar joined mass gathering outside the KPC. Women and children wearing traditional Sindi dresses, white suit with Sindhi Topi and Ajrak, lit the candles and danced on the folk songs.

The business of topi and ajrak reached at peak when the government announced December 06 as the Sindhi Topi Day.

This day is also being observed in India, UK, America, Australia and other parts of the world. SAMAA

Lahore Chapter 55 PMA Long Course accompanied get together scheduled on evening of Dec 9, 2009. Anyone visiting from out of Lahore is also invited. JalalHB is in town to attend so many marriages and will be going back before November 8, 2009. He has only little time to meet friends in between the marriage functions.

Remember the start of aviation is attributed to a flight that last 13 second only. Now aviation industry has grown so much and flying machines serving different purpose are very common. There is new concept in personal aviation; a single seater lightweight sport helicopter that combines low weight and corresponding low flying costs in an easily transportable design which would make this flying machine the ultimate in personal aviation. The mini "Muecke" (also called mosquito) is will be powered by a shaft driven turbine and will have counter rotating blades. It will not require require a tail rotor, instead utilizing movable paddles at the tip of the rotor blades which act like a kind of thrust vectoring of the turbine exhaust to help make course corrections in forward flight as well as in hover.

It is different than the Mosquito XE Ultralight Kit Helicopter. The "Muecke" is more like the Two-seater Hummel fold up helicopter in concept. The Muecke can be tilted forward by hand and moved along like a hand barrow.

The personal aviation industry will continue to grow as more people take advantage of the liberal rules introduced by in somce countries that require as few as 20 hours of flight time to qualify for a sport pilots license.

There certainly is a demand for more Ultralight aircraft such as the "Muecke" concept as the personal aviation is growing popular fast

DG ISPR has confirmed the reports of blasts and firing around the mosque. According to reports, at least six to seven gunmen entered into Parade Lanes mosque located near Qasim market. They threw hand grenades initially followed by indiscriminate firing. Security forces officials opened retaliatory fire.

Security force cordoned off the roads leading toward the mosque and helicopters are hovering over the affected area.

The injured have been shifted to CMH and other hospitals. Large number of people was present in the mosque when the incident happened. as firing is still going on. Security forces and Rescue 1122 teams are present at incident site whereas snipers have been deployed at the buildings in the area.

And JalalHB is so right when he says, "Don’t Ever Lower Your Guards"

Sprint Nextel and Palm will start selling their heavily anticipated Pre smart phone early next month. The touch-screen model that was introduced by Palm to early this year is being considered as Apple iPhone competitor.

The Pre, which has a slide-out keyboard, includes features new to mobile devices such as the ability to open several screens or programs simultaneously. Slide out the keyboard for faster and easier texting. Close it up and rotate Pre for music, websites, photos, and videos in full widescreen glory. You get the best of both worlds in one beautifully designed phone. Text messages and calendar appointments appear as notifications at the bottom of the screen. You will know

what is going on without being completely interrupted or losing your train of thought. It will initially work only on Sprint's network.

Pre can pull different online calendars into one view, bringing users the information they want without having to search for it. Pre links contacts from different sources, giving one place to find what users need. And Pre delivers incoming messages and notifications in an intuitively subtle way, letting users react or respond however they want. People, events, information that matters. With Palm Pre, it’ll come to you. How it is going to make life easier. No?

Gujrat is famous for so many things from having credits like more Nishan-e-Haider than any other district in Pakistan to being the best place that provides wood furniture internationally. The list goes on and on. But what seems to top it all is University of Gujrat spanking new seat of learning that is creating waves in academic circles.

Stand on the central mound of the main Campus in University of Gujrat that is overlooking the fountain and you will see the rapid development of infrastructure all around. Young and bright students roaming around add color to the Campus surrounded by serene and green paddy fields. On top of everything else, I could feel the spirit of a great team lead by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Nizamuddin, the Vice Chancellor, University of Gujrat in everything. It is clearly visible how hard work and the dedication can change the whole environment and how soon. I was so glad that I covered that extra mile to the University in order to meet one of my friends. I wanted to experience what I had known about the University from information rich blog and the website.

Gujrat is on my way whenever I happen to visit my village Mong. This time I decided to go to the University to meet my friend Muhammad Yaqoob. He had given me instructions and directions to reach the University on Jalalpur Jattan Road – turn East from Service More at G T Road, Cross District Courts and you will hit Jalalpur Jattan Road that leads to the University. I wish there is another route to the University. May be direct access from the G T Road some day!

What else, I can already see University of Gujrat playing a very important role in the higher education of Pakistan.

Men at their best from 55 PMA Long Course are very social people. They go a long way to meet each other and relive their memories spread over more than three decades. I am proud to be from 55 and try to find a chance to meet my course mates whenever I can. This time I had a chance to meet Tariq Fazal at Hamsafar on the G T Road.

Hamsafar (very aptly named) is a very well laid out CNG station and now it has become a meeting point for anyone commuting the most travelled road in Pakistan. Unlike any other CNG station, Tariq Fazal has set up Hamsafar with a taste – neat, very functional and users’ friendly facility. One feels like having a break at this station. The direction are: leave Lahore, Cross Ravi and then the Railways Phati. Facing Rawalpindi, it is on your left precisely 2.5 KM from Railways Phatic.

After filling the tank of my motor car and getting the tyre pressure checked, I had a much needed break in his office. The office too is neatly laid in style and one can feel its style in everything. Having tea on a frosty morning and gup shup with an old buddy was good enough a reason not to move but I had a long journey ahead to my village Mong so had to leave.

What else, Thanks Tariq Fazal for setting up Hamsafar where you have. Meet you during my next journey.