Pakistan Blog Awards 2010
Monday, 31 May 2010
Congratulation to all the winners and the organizers. Keep up the good job you are doing.
Labels: Awards, Bloggers, Blogs, Blogsphere, Top Blogs
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 5/31/2010 09:06:00 PM,
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Every Rose Has Its Thorns
Friday, 28 May 2010
While most of my friends were having a great weekend, I was taking a trip to explore the lush green plains of Punjab, riding my trusted old motorbike on Band Patri (track along the bank) of Lower Bari Doab Canal (LBDC). Many new and interesting things came in the way, which normally remain hidden from commuters on the National Highway or travellers in the area. The countryside embraces you with lovely colours, atmosphere, people and bits and pieces of history. And, there is no hassle anywhere in the way.
As spring approaches, the traveller, especially in the irrigated tracts, ride through endless expanses of waving crops of different shades of colour, out of which the villages seem to rise like islets in an ocean of green.
I took the side route and got onto the LBDC from Sahiwal -- the city famous for greenery and best breed of mammals. The first thing along the LBDC that attracted my attention was Mandi Maweshian (animal market) near Okara -- one of the largest in the country. It is a complete bazaar where a large number of fine quality animals changes hand every month. You can find makeshift hotels (with arrangements for night stay), veterinary doctors, milk and fodder shops and even provision stores. "It is a complete market that keeps moving from one place to another as per its permanent schedule," told me an astute manager, who establishes a hotel wherever the market goes. "We have buparis (businessmen) from Karachi to Peshawar, local farmers as well as people working in the market as our customers," he added. Another shopkeeper informed, "Farmers sell their live stock here and buy provisions for their homes." The market has its own unique culture.
Near Renala, you see one of the first Hydroelectric Power Stations constructed in the Subcontinent. Sir Ganga Ram, an Engineer and famous Philanthropist had built this Power Station in 1925 in order to irrigate about 70,000 acres of agricultural land that is higher than the normal level in the area and could not be irrigated through the LBDC. Ganga Ram forked the canal, built the Power Station and installed five motors to generate electricity. The then Governor Punjab, Sir William Malcolm Hailey laid down its foundation stone of the station on March 22, 1925. Engineer in charge of the station explained the working of the station and its excellent performance despite the old vintage. The Power Station is not linked with National Electric Grid and only provides electricity for the five pumping stations for lifting the water from the LBDC. The Power Station remained with Power and Works Department till 1958 when it was taken over by WAPDA. Why not more similar hydroelectric stations in the country? The question keeps coming back to my mind.
First sight of the Power Station reminded me of Venice City. The powerhouse building seems to be floating on water. Photographs are not allowed. Security! The canal is covered with trees up and down stream. There is a small white mosque inside the canal in front of the station building. Green areas adjoining the station are very restful.
Just about three Kilometres from Renala, you see a huge colonial ere mansion standing tall in the fields. This used to be headquarters of the Renala Estate -- the land leased by Major D. H. Venrenen in 1913 on the condition of horse breeding (ghori pall). The company had been producing very fine breed of horses in the past. Villa -- a symbol of the past era -- is still owned by the family of landlady T. F. L. Taylor.
That is the place from where my real 'hardship by choice' started. I was travelling on a rural route, seeing the path but not knowing what was coming next. Not knowing what one is going to see ahead is sometime inspiring. But, about 11 Kilometres from Power Station, rear tyre of my bike went flat. There was no place in sight from where I could get it fixed. Advised by Chragh Din, a local, I waited for the ‘help’ to come and we talked.
Chragh Din, relaxed and amiable old man who was fishing asked about my destination, purpose of journey and why I was travelling on a bike. He did not seem convinced with my answers once I told him that I am travelling just to see the area. He was surprised instead. I enjoyed talking to him though. He was so candid and frank about every thing he said.
It pays to get out into the countryside and talk to ordinary people. They are eager to help -- on their own expense -- when you ask any body. I found volunteer ‘guides’ who were forth coming with wealth of information from history to myths prevalent in the area. But ‘chaudhry map’ is as vague in Punjab about the distances as is anywhere else in Pakistan. I learnt not to rely on chaudhry map during my days in the army but still cannot resist asking. Where is village Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka? Ask any body when you are riding a motorbike with haversack and water bottle on your sides. The replies will always be same: nearby.
The ionic counter point is the lack of attention in maintaining the bits and pieces of unique heritage - the resource base of tourism industry. The neglect may be attributed to lack of awareness, education, coordination between authorities, economic constrains and or simply the natural hazards. The magnificent vistas of a land of plans, fields and orchards have to be opened to the rest of the world. There is a need for information in the form of travel guide writing, pure travel journalism, travel book writing and geographical description in form of maps. No ordinary coldness of phrasing can express the surprise and delight, with which one makes acquaintance with the rural sites. Their perspective gives you a wonderful sense of being there. In fact, that is my recommendation: be there.
Near Balloki Headworks on River Ravi, one passes through a wide water reservoir that looks like a lake. In winters, this lack is full of native waterfowls. Flocks of Wild Ducks, Cranes, Strokes and black winged Stilts are the commonest sights in the area. The fish kababs at Balloki Headworks are a specialty and culinary delight. I had a dinner break at Balloki, treated myself with fish kababs -- fresh from the river -- and proceeded to National Highway for onwards journey to Lahore via more familiar route.
Related: Gogera Insight
Related: Gogera Insight
Labels: Travel
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 5/28/2010 10:34:00 AM,
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Flying Car
Thursday, 27 May 2010
It's only a hundred year plus that ages old dream of flying was realized. Owing to lot of traffic on the roads with lot many hold ups, man has been dreaming for a while to develop a flying car. A car, which, with a push of a button takes off the ground and starts flying. Model of the car prepared by a team of Chinese is out. Some would reject the idea as a fool's dream but it's only such like fools who come out with such novel ideas that we continue to move forward in terms of scientific and technological development. So, no wonder, the idea of these Chinese will materialize in the not too distant future. The Chinese engineers are Pan Jiazhi, Zhu Wenxi, and Lai Zexin at the Department of Industrial Design in School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering.
Labels: Autos
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 5/27/2010 06:01:00 PM,
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Coffee Canister
Readers here might already be familiar with my love for coffee (Remember My Cup of Coffee). Searching the technology and invention echelons around the world today, BeanVac Coffee Bean Canister caught and held my attention. This is wonderful utility for coffee lovers.
Coffee, the number one caffeinated beverage in the world - contains thousands of volatile compounds, many of which quickly break down in the presence of oxygen. When you feel chocolately smell from a bag of old coffee, you are smelling those compounds that have oxydized. If you made coffee with those grounds, it would taste insipid and truly awful. Which is why they say that fresh coffee should really be stored in an air tight container to maximize freshness (this is true for so many other eatables). What is more, if you were able to remove the air from the container, the beans would last much longer. Cyber-enhanced simian engineers have developed the BeanVac Coffee Bean Canister to do just that.
This is a simple battery powered pump that sucks out the air creating a partial vacuum inside the bean chamber, retarding oxydization, and extending the deliciousness of your beans. Before only lasting days, now your coffee beans remain as fresh as you opened them for weeks. The valves are double sealed to maintain a vacuum, and a sensor automatically activates the pump should the pressure change.
Are you wondering how people used to keep their coffee beans before this came up? Don't. Move on with time and try BeanVac Coffee Bean Canister.
Coffee, the number one caffeinated beverage in the world - contains thousands of volatile compounds, many of which quickly break down in the presence of oxygen. When you feel chocolately smell from a bag of old coffee, you are smelling those compounds that have oxydized. If you made coffee with those grounds, it would taste insipid and truly awful. Which is why they say that fresh coffee should really be stored in an air tight container to maximize freshness (this is true for so many other eatables). What is more, if you were able to remove the air from the container, the beans would last much longer. Cyber-enhanced simian engineers have developed the BeanVac Coffee Bean Canister to do just that.
This is a simple battery powered pump that sucks out the air creating a partial vacuum inside the bean chamber, retarding oxydization, and extending the deliciousness of your beans. Before only lasting days, now your coffee beans remain as fresh as you opened them for weeks. The valves are double sealed to maintain a vacuum, and a sensor automatically activates the pump should the pressure change.
Are you wondering how people used to keep their coffee beans before this came up? Don't. Move on with time and try BeanVac Coffee Bean Canister.
Labels: Coffee Canister
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 5/27/2010 12:43:00 PM,
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Find your keys via whistling!
Misplacing one's key chain is something very common which occurs every now and then to us all. Whereas, mostly we are able to locate the lost keys, there are occasions when we don't. That's when it becomes quite a big hassle. It results in wastage of lot of time and money too. This set of two, Whistle Keyfinder is worth trying. Using these key chains, all you need to do is whistle around and key chain will respond by lighting up and also by giving a beep. You must have the key chain set duly charged with fresh batteries. Priced at £5.99, it's worth giving a try.
Labels: Brain Gadgets
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 5/27/2010 08:32:00 AM,
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BenQ E520
Wednesday, 26 May 2010
BenQ DC E520+ is a dream tool one would love to have even in the age when digital cameras omnipresent, even in cell phone. BenQ - a manufacturer of digital family devices - unveiled the BenQ E520+ with a powerful pack of features. It has a 5 Megapixel charge-coupled device image sensor, 3X optical zoom, VGA video mode and 2.5 inch LTPS display screen for very sharp rendering of photos. The new BenQ DC E520+ digital compact camera is equipped with a Pentax Super-Multi Coating lens and a 2.5 large LTPS screen which guarantees crystal clear view because of LTPS for better color delicacy.Furthermore the magnificent 640 x 480 30fps (frames per second) movie recording ability offers DVD quality.
The best strength of this camera is how many pictures it can take with one battery? The Camera and Imaging Product Association (CIPA ) has developed a standard test procedure. Most of the current available digital cameras offer CIPA 100, which means the camera is able to take 100 pictures with one battery. The compact BenQ E520+ digital still camera has a long power rechargeable lithium-ion battery that offers up to 250 photos under CIPA standard, CIPA 250. So it will not betray you in the middle of your adventure when you are out in the field.
Own the device and try the balance of best performance and style while enriching your digital lifestyle.
Labels: Cameras
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 5/26/2010 11:55:00 AM,
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The 55 PMA Long Course Website
Sunday, 23 May 2010
The main page of the 55 PMA Long Course Website has a new face. Remember the course site by Jalal Hameed Bhatti is dedicated to those comrades from 55 PMA (May Allah bless their souls in eternal peace) who left this world too early. Thanks to JalalHB who is running it and keeping us all informed about what is happening and how to all of us and also to the next generation.
This image is of Khalid - 4, taken in first term during exercise Yarmook, with our very able platoon commander then Capetian Ghulam Nabi. Your truly standing second from left between Sheikh Khalid Masod and sir Gorkha.
Related: All about 55 PMA Long Course Men at Their Best
Related: All about 55 PMA Long Course Men at Their Best
Labels: 55 PMA, Men At Their Best
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 5/23/2010 11:10:00 AM,
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Congratulations to JalalHB
Thursday, 20 May 2010
Congratulations to Jalal Hameed Bhatti (of JahoJalal fame) and his family for completing ‘that’ gigantic task. My best wishes for bright and peaceful future for all of you there.
Labels: 55 PMA, JalalHB, Men At Their Best
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 5/20/2010 09:58:00 PM,
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Old Kid on a New Block
[I knew it is coming. Hit on the head to welcome Muhammad Yaqoob]
Labels: Bloggers, Blogs, Muhammad Yaqoob
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 5/20/2010 11:09:00 AM,
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Air Powered Car
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
With Thanks from Abdul Hameed
Effectively, the fuel is electrical power for air compression, which can be made in nuclear power plants. It really does seem like the solution for city transport.
Tata Motors to introduce Air Car - Is it the next big thing? Tata Motors is taking giant strides and making history for itself. First the world's cheapest car and now it is also set to introduce the car that runs on air, compressed air.
With spiralling fuel prices it is about time we heard some breakthrough!
India's largest automaker Tata Motors is set to start producing the world's first commercial air-powered vehicle.
The Air Car, developed by ex-Formula One engineer Guy Nègre for Luxembourg-based MDI, uses compressed air, as opposed to the gas-and-oxygen explosions of internal-combustion models, to push its engine's pistons. Some 6000 zero-emissions Air Cars are scheduled to hit Indian streets by August 2010.
The Air Car, called the MiniCAT could cost around Rs. 3,50,000 ($ 8177) in India and would have a range of around 300 km between refuels. The cost of a refill would be about Rs. 85 ($ 2).
The MiniCAT which is a simple, light urban car, with a tubular chassis that is glued not welded and a body of fiberglass powered by compressed air.
Microcontrollers are used in every device in the car, so one tiny radio transmitter sends instructions to the lights, indicators etc.
There are no keys - just an access card which can be read by the car from your pocket. According to the designers, it costs less than 50 rupees per 100Km (about a tenth that of a petrol car). Its mileage is about double that of the most advanced electric car (200 to 300 km or 10 hours of driving), a factor which makes a perfect choice in cities where the 80% of motorists drive at less than 60Km. The car has a top speed of 105 kmph. Refilling the car will, once the market develops, take place at adapted petrol stations to administer compressed air. In two or three minutes, and at a cost of approximately 100 rupees, the car will be ready to go another 200-300 kilometers.
As a viable alternative, the car carries a small compressor which can be connected to the mains (220V or 380V) and refill the tank in 3-4 hours. Due to the absence of combustion and, consequently, of residues, changing the oil (1 litre of vegetable oil) is necessary only every 50,000Km).
Labels: Autos, Technology
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 5/19/2010 01:27:00 PM,
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Collective Change
Friday, 14 May 2010
Village TGD is changing fast. The relative prosperity is visible. TGD was the first village in Punjab to have its own solar power house a decade ago and it is still working. Villagers are putting their children, particularly the girls in school. The Woman Art Centre is also playing a part in the well being of the villagers. The Centre has provided furniture and educational training aids to the two government primary schools (one for girls and the other for boys) in village and has also opened a well equipped basic health care centre. Books are distributed among students every year. Fruit and flower trees are given to residents for their court yards and they are encouraged to grow their own kitchen gardens.
Best of all, an annual quality of life competition is held in the village when best mud houses and brick houses are selected in different categories. Owners of mud houses have lucrative incentives (thanks to SPARC) and they keep their homes in spanking condition and well maintained all the year. This alone has changed the look of the entire village. The Dolls Village has entered a new era with the start of the Internet Radio Project in the beginning of 2010. The idea of the Internet Radio originated from influx of visitors and their interests since early 90s. Now the local and focused information can be spread effectively with the Internet-Radio.
Here is an inspiring example of how work of a few volunteers can being a collective change in a community!
Best of all, an annual quality of life competition is held in the village when best mud houses and brick houses are selected in different categories. Owners of mud houses have lucrative incentives (thanks to SPARC) and they keep their homes in spanking condition and well maintained all the year. This alone has changed the look of the entire village. The Dolls Village has entered a new era with the start of the Internet Radio Project in the beginning of 2010. The idea of the Internet Radio originated from influx of visitors and their interests since early 90s. Now the local and focused information can be spread effectively with the Internet-Radio.
Here is an inspiring example of how work of a few volunteers can being a collective change in a community!
Labels: Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 5/14/2010 11:09:00 AM,
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Collective Call
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Related Post: Migratory Birds
Labels: Birds
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 5/11/2010 04:06:00 PM,
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Need Own Domain to Earn Money Online
Blogs have come to be recognized as a dynamic publishing system that doesn’t require authors to have heavy HTML, coding experience or any other geeky and specialized skills. Since blogs have become a business and a source of generating income, they are growing exponentially. Almost everyone wants to make money through blogging while still at college or being stay home moms. And there are countless (very inspiring) example people earning money by blogging on the subjects of their interest.
What happens is that people mostly start at free platforms (blogger.com, wordpress and many others). Their URL will be like ‘theirname.blogspot.com’ or theirname.wordpress.com” rather than ‘theirname.com’. They quickly write and promote their blogs and successfully attain respectable Google PR and Alexa rank and at that stage they realize that they can make more money if they buy domain and have a paid hosting. Advertisers and Internet marketers prefer to pay more to those bloggers who have self hosted their own domains.
Problem in this is that they then have to start all over to build Google PR and or generate traffic to the new site. Best would be to have your own domain and start branding yourself from the start. Personally speaking, I have not bought my own domain yet because I love blogger.com and am familiar with it. I am using it since when blogger first started. But I do suggest that those who want to make some reasonable money from blogging must have their own domain and host it independently.
Labels: Bloggers, Blogging, Domain, Hosting, Making Money Online
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 5/11/2010 11:39:00 AM,
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Can Faisal Shahzad Be A Terrorists?
Friday, 7 May 2010
Not long ago, Faisal Shahzad had a pretty enviable life: He became an American citizen after emigrating from Pakistan, where he came from a wealthy family.
He earned an MBA. He had a well-educated wife and two children and owned a house in a middle-class Connecticut suburb.
In the past couple of years, though, his life seemed to unravel: He left a job at a global marketing firm he'd held for three years, lost his home to foreclosure and moved into an apartment in an impoverished neighbourhood in Bridgeport.
Shahzad, 30, is the son of a former top Pakistani air force officer, according to Kifyat Ali, a cousin of Shahzad's father.
He came to the United States in late 1998 on a student visa. He received a bachelor's degree in computer applications and information systems in 2000. Shahzad was granted an H1-B visa for skilled workers in 2002. He later returned to the University of Bridgeport to earn a master's in business administration, awarded in 2005.
He worked from mid-2006 to May 2009 as a junior financial analyst for the Affinion Group, a marketing firm in Norwalk.
In 2004, he and his wife, Huma Mian, bought a newly built home for $273,000. Like her husband, Mian was well educated. She graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2004 with a bachelor of science in business with an emphasis in accounting, the school said. On her profile on the social networking site Orkut, she described herself as 'not political' and said she spoke English, Pashto, Urdu and French.
She listed her passions as 'fashion, shoes, bags, shopping!! And of course, Faisal.' She posted a picture of Shahzad, smiling, with the caption, 'what can I say ... he's my everything'.
Last year, the couple abandoned the home, defaulting on the mortgage.'It was like they just picked up everything they wanted and just left one day,' a neighbour said. Authorities say Shahzad returned to Pakistan then came back to the United States, when he took an apartment in Bridgeport.
Labels: Faisal Shahzad, Huma Mian, Times Square
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 5/07/2010 07:14:00 PM,
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Create Time; You Can
Time is a created thing, to say you have no time means you really don't want to."
— Lao Tzu, father of Taoism
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 5/07/2010 06:30:00 PM,
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Biometric Travel Suitcase
Wednesday, 5 May 2010
Frequent travelers are pretty aware of the possibility of picking the attach e case of another person as most of the suitcases look alike. That's why some airports have a sign asking passengers to double check that the suitcases they are collecting are theirs and not of some other person. The inconvenience as a result of bringing home suitcases of another person is enormous. The mistake committed by you is also going to cause lot of inconvenience to the other person whose suitcases you happen to have brought home by mistake for no fault of the individual. Introduction of Biometric Business Case has resolved this problem using the biometric technology. Biometric Business Case can register and recognize up to eight finger prints and will offer access only to the registered individuals by recognizing their finger prints.
It's the same technology which has, earlier, been used for boxes containing state secrets or certain very expensive things. The battery life is ninety days where after it needs to be recharged. The case is made from high-density, flexible polycarbonate, which can withstand 250 lb./ft. of force. It will revert back to its original shape without cracks or dents. Thus, the contents are safe secure. It has two 3 1/2″ ball bearing wheels and a telescoping aluminum handle. It's some what being sold for US $ 1000.00. {source: hammacher.com}
Labels: Gadgets, Travel Gadgets
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 5/05/2010 09:55:00 PM,
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Tale of Two Cultures
This is Dewsbury in the United Kingdom
Read more »
Labels: Culture
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 5/05/2010 03:40:00 PM,
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Blog your business
Monday, 3 May 2010
Strong online presence is important for businesses (even individuals) in today's high-speed and competitive world. Blogs have already become fifth ‘P’ marketing mix. Marketers and PR people are blogging for their concerns, organizations, products, ideas and or for other organizational goals and achieving. They are also using army of free lance bloggers (external bloggers) to write about them and or their concerns through sponsorship; paid blogging, sponsored conversations. Controversy still surrounds sponsored conversation though.
There’s also an argument that bloggers (and other social media users) sell out their audiences by accepting advertising and not producing content that is clear and free of undue influence.
US Federal Trade Commission’s recent proposed updates* to the “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” (to both protect consumers and ensure free market competition) has regenerated the discussion around paid blogging or sponsored conversation as Ted Murphy (of IZEA) rightly call them. The proposed updates include examples and language that directly affect anyone working with bloggers who write for a fee.
Comparing the cost of marketing, exponentially growing users’ base engaging in reading blogs, and streams of affordable sponsored conversation gives and buzz they create in online world, chances are that promotion through paid blogging will stay. Chances also are that sponsored blog writing model will mature and rules will evolve over time.
That said; tell me what you think of paid blogging as an authentic promotion tool for corporate sector?
Read more »
Labels: Blogging, Business, Making Money Online
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 5/03/2010 01:44:00 PM,
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Taste of Rural Punjab
Anjuman-eFalah-e-Aama is offering a three day special program for tourists interested in rural areas, traditional culture and how it is being preserved at Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka famous as Toys Village on the bank of River Ravi some 80 Kilometers from Lahore. Visitors must an interest in the rural life of the Punjab and must also respect the local culture and traditions (no alcohol, appropriate clothing).
The unique offer includes the transfer from Allama Iqbal Airport Lahore to the village in personal transport driven by guide, boarding and lodging in the village as well as local food, an excursion to the excavation site of Harappa, another overnight stay in the village and return travel to Lahore on the third day, Sightseeing in Rickshaw or car and back to the Airport.
The offer is for groups of maximum three persons and can be booked through Zeb Travels Karachi.
Labels: Travel
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 5/03/2010 08:38:00 AM,
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