Lahore Chapter Winter Meet
Thursday, 27 January 2011
When nothing much happens in these happening times, members of 55 PMA Long course start thinking of get together. This time excuse of getting together is saying welcome to Bring Jamal Zia, who is recently retired from his last assignment. He was the last of brigadiers of the course to hang their helmets. Other had done it earlier last year. Other excuse, we miss each other.
Thanks to Col Hafiz Shafiq of Al Janat Marriage Hall who offered his place and everything else to house the gathering of up to 30 ‘boys’ (who have confirmed so far) and yes, this time it is boys only meet.
Lahore Chapter Winter Meet is planned at 1900 hours on Jan 29, 2011 at Al Janat Marriage Hall, Science College Road, Lahore. Those who have not confirmed, please tell Col Athar [0321-8801973]. Stay tuned for more on this.
Update: Tasawr was here with me when I was writing this.
Update: Tasawr was here with me when I was writing this.
Labels: 55 PMA, Get Together, Men At Their Best
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 1/27/2011 02:00:00 PM,
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Prof Dr Asi Karnali 1927 – 2011
Labels: Dr. Asi Karnali
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 1/27/2011 01:59:00 PM,
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Facebook Friends Meet
It is always good to meet facebook friends face to face. Best thing is that at friends at facebook know each other well and meeting first time is as meeting an old friends. Thanks to Ameer Abbas Naqvi, my facebook friend, who called on me today and we chatted face to face on a wide range of subjects (ya, other than those which are discussed on facebook). Bright young man on his way to start a career, Naqvi is a graduate from University of Gujrat from where he did his Masters in Computer Science and is now getting a certification. Find him on the Facebook and discover more.
Labels: Facebook Friends, Social Media
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 1/27/2011 01:58:00 PM,
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Suicide bomb blast in Lahore
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
Suicide bomb explosion in a mourning procession near its concluding point at Kerbala Gamay Shah at Bhat Gate.
“A 13-year-old boy detonated explosives as policemen tried to check him at a cordon near the procession,” Lahore police chief Aslam Tarin told Reuters.
Shiites stage large rallies on the streets to mark Chehlum or Arba’in, the end of their 40-day religious mourning period for Imam Hussein (AS), a grandson of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), who was martyred during a battle in A.D. 680 in Karbala, a city in modern-day Iraq.
Militants have unleashed a wave of suicide and bomb attacks across Pakistan. The attacks on religious minorities are part of their wider campaign to destabilise Pakistan.
A group affiliated with the Pakistan Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. “We will continue such attacks in future,” Shakirullah Shakir, a spokesman for Fidayeen-e-Islam militant group told Reuters by telephone from an undisclosed location. – Reuters
Related: Who is Next?
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 1/25/2011 07:41:00 PM,
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Motivation matters
Sunday, 23 January 2011
Guest post Aaron Kah
Eyebe Marguerite 52 is a Heifer International Cameroon motivated farmer who received a gift of goats through her groupe des Femme Agricultrice et Eleveuse D’Efok in July 2008 in Obala Sub division some 48 km on the Yaounde – Bafia high way in Cameroon.
Marguerite is married to Eyebe Jean, 60 and they have nine children (3 girls and 6 boys).
Marguerite ended her primary education at her teens, because her parents were not interested in girl-child education. At the age of 17, in a bid to escape the tortures of poverty she got married to Eyebe Jean a secondary school teacher from another tribe in her sub division. Her husband’s meager salaries could not give them any better living. “Our main meal was cassava and starch” the woman recalled in distress at the time. Marguerite was not from the same tribe as her husband and that deprived her of social inclusion in the village. “I felt very inferior in the presence of other women as I hardly attended any meetings or gathering. I couldn’t express myself in public to tell anyone my situation” she lamented at the time. “In 1997 life became increasingly difficult” marguerite said.
Marguerite is married to Eyebe Jean, 60 and they have nine children (3 girls and 6 boys).
Marguerite ended her primary education at her teens, because her parents were not interested in girl-child education. At the age of 17, in a bid to escape the tortures of poverty she got married to Eyebe Jean a secondary school teacher from another tribe in her sub division. Her husband’s meager salaries could not give them any better living. “Our main meal was cassava and starch” the woman recalled in distress at the time. Marguerite was not from the same tribe as her husband and that deprived her of social inclusion in the village. “I felt very inferior in the presence of other women as I hardly attended any meetings or gathering. I couldn’t express myself in public to tell anyone my situation” she lamented at the time. “In 1997 life became increasingly difficult” marguerite said.
Marguerite’s joined four Christian women to form a self help group as a best way of making ends meet. “We contributed 100FCFA (£ 0.14) from which members borrowed to purchase kerosene for lighting. We started farming maize on a 500 meter squares piece of land provided by the village head” the farmer said. The first harvest was 15Kg of maize. The group members shared the proceeds. “Because I ran the family alone this was not enough for our feeding” she believed. By April 2007, Marguerite’s group had increased to 20members (1man 19 women). “The same year, we met Groupe d’intiative Commune des Producteurs Vivrieres (PROV) that had benefited from (SACHIC) Send A Cow and Heifer International Cameroon assistance in 2006 and they gave us directives on how to get help. We applied and were lucky to receive assistance from SACHIC in July 2008” the farmer recounted.
Heifer International Cameroon brought Marguerite and her group member’s capacity building lessons on leadership and group dynamics, goat husbandry techniques, community animal health care, ethno veterinary practice, gender equity, construction and use of bio-sand filters, and non violent conflict management. Marguerite and other 19 members each received four goats, agricultural seeds and farm tools as an encouragement to put the knowledge in to practice. “My husband out of curiosity attended the training on gender equity” she said. The teachings inspired the man to support his wife in all their farming activities. Their children emulated this example and were supporting their parents in every way. In severely cultivating and composting their farm--- the couple harvested 1.5tons of maize as against 850kg, one ton of cassava as against 4500kg and 1750kg of vegetables as against 360kg. “Our nutrition had greatly improved in quality, quantity and variety” Marguerite said. Marguerite went to the market with the food crops and made income beyond her wildest dreams for their children school fee, hospital bills and emergency spending.
By dialoguing with her husband, Marguerite gained her freedom of social inclusion in the community.” I was able to attend several workshops, trainings on Bio-sand water purification and exhibitions organized by SACHIC within and out of Efok community” the farmer said. These trainings brought the woman a wealth of experience. She was the lone resource person in her community who spear headed the installation of the Bio sand water filters. The couple is also skillful in the processing of cassava by products. Their fame has gone beyond their community. Marguerite from her experiences had resumed many responsibilities in her community, she is secretary in Groupe d’innitiative commune des Femme Agricultrice et Eleveuse D’Efok and president of a conglomeration of 11 common initiative groups, and a social network under the National Participatory Development Programme in charge of family welfare. “My husband bought me a cell phone to facilitate communicate with all my association members” she boasted.
Marguerite and her husband have daring plans to pass on the gift when time comes but have evidently shown their willingness to do so by sharing their food crops with the poor and needy.
“I wish to thank SACHIC so much for having made us come out of hunger, poverty and misery. My family will live to ever remember SACHIC”. Marguerite concluded.
Caption: Eyebe facilitating bio-sand filter training and installation in Abono Community member happily collecting pure water from installed filter
Caption: Eyebe facilitating bio-sand filter training and installation in Abono Community member happily collecting pure water from installed filter
Labels: Cameroon
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 1/23/2011 10:44:00 AM,
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Grow through eLearning
Saturday, 22 January 2011
After my formal college education, whatever I have added to my knowledge in the fields of my interest is through online education and distant learning. Sometime I wanted to have a particular skill and sometime I needed a particular degree as a career requirement. Which is why, I can say with my personal experience that anyone who wants to improve his or her career and or wants to excel can do so through e learning.
Best thing is that the internet and related informational technologies are pervading different aspects of education that has visibly enhanced learning. Students have already integrated computers in learning, particularly those who opt for online education.
Those who are interested should make a start by having a look at eLearners.com – neatly laid out site that offers opportunities that can take anyone’s career to new heights. You can match online degrees, online programs, online courses, online college, campus programs and a whole lot more with your own requirements.
The eLearners.com’s Guide to Online Education will help candidates learn the information they need. Have a look at eLearners and their schedule and see how it suits you. Better still, take the first step, make an informed decision and grow.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 1/22/2011 12:17:00 PM,
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New Zodiac Sign Probably Wouldn't Change Much
Thursday, 20 January 2011
Your New Zodiac Sign Probably Wouldn't Change Much. No, our astrological signs aren't actually changing, but what would happen if they did? Information is Beautiful analyzed 22,000 horoscopes and found we're in for lots of living and feeling either way.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 1/20/2011 09:57:00 AM,
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Your Share in Google AdSense
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
Sometime ago, Google decided revealed the percentage it pays to publishers with its AdSense program.
AdSense for content publishers, who make up the vast majority of our AdSense publishers, earn a 68% revenue share worldwide. This means we pay 68% of the revenue that we collect from advertisers for AdSense for content ads that appear on your sites. The remaining portion that we keep reflects Google's costs for our continued investment in AdSense — including the development of new technologies, products and features that help maximize the earnings you generate from these ads. It also reflects the costs we incur in building products and features that enable our AdWords advertisers to serve ads on our AdSense partner sites. Since launching AdSense for content in 2003, this revenue share has never changed.
We pay our AdSense for search partners a 51% revenue share, worldwide, for the search ads that appear through their implementations. As with AdSense for content, the proportion of revenue that we keep reflects our costs, including the significant expense, research and development involved in building and enhancing our core search and AdWords technologies. The AdSense for search revenue share has remained the same since 2005, when we increased it.
Of course, we can't guarantee that the revenue share will never change (our costs may change significantly, for example), but we don't have any current plans to do so for any AdSense product. Over the next few months we'll begin showing the revenue shares for AdSense for content and AdSense for search right in the AdSense interface.
Labels: Google, Google AdSense, Making Money Online
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 1/18/2011 12:48:00 PM,
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New social contract
Thursday, 13 January 2011
Pakistan has come a long way since 1947 when she got independence from British rule. Today, things are not as they used to be. The country comprising four provinces, Azad Kashmir and Federal Administrated Tribal Areas is the home of several new and old nationalities and sub-nationalities such as Punjabi, Sindhi, Baluchi, Pakhtoons, Saraiki, Hindko, Potohari and Urdu speaking Mohajirs. Of them, Punjabi, Sindhi, Baluchi, Pakhtoons have their provinces after their ethnic names while Saraiki, Hindko, Potohari and Urdu speaking Mohajirs, despite the fact geographically stretch in vast, considerable territories, feel themselves aggrieved without having provinces of their own. This is the major cause of their resentment against the center, which surface the national media time and again.
Punjab alone is the home of Punjabi, Saraiki, and Potohari communities. One can mark a clear division between Old Sindhis and new Sindhis (Urdu speaking Mohajirs) in Sindh Province. In the same way, it is almost impossible to neglect Hazara community in Khyber Pakhtoonkhawah and Pakhtoon community in Baluchistan as well. Even smaller provinces do not find themselves fit in the current scheme. They demand more autonomy, provincial control over their natural resources and a reasonable balance in their relations with the centre. Smaller provinces blame preponderance of one majority province over all others in every respect. Every year NFC award is also a bone of contention among them. The federation needs unity and for this purpose we are bound to pay heed to vox populi.
Thanks God, today’s social and political milieu is tolerant as compared to that in recent past when it was almost impossible to talk about rights of saraiki, mohajir, potohari and hindko communities in Pakistan. Interestingly, these sub-nationalities and smaller provinces are in conflict in their demands. Sindhi may back Saraiki Province but would remain stubborn over division of Sindh to facilitate the Mohajir Province. Apparently, the Baluchies want separation but their focus is their control over natural resources after getting more autonomy. NWFP has been renamed Khyber Pakhtoonkhwah but Hindko community in the province is protesting over the issue.
Punjab’s extraordinary role in current set up is sore of all eyes. That’s why smaller provinces want to see Punjab being divided into three provinces such as Sariaki Province, Punjabi Province and Potohari Province. But any such move will certainly lead to division of smaller provinces on ethnic lines, too; which is not acceptable to the smaller provinces. Smaller provinces are united under the banner of Saraiki Province since it would affect Punjab alone. On the other hand, sub-nationalities back the Saraiki Province with quite a different motive. For them, division of Punjab would necessarily open a window of opportunity for them in the days to come in the shape of their own provinces formed on ethnic lines. Thus subnationalities are in conflict with smaller provinces but join them in support for Saraiki Province to serve their own interests.
It is true that the country has survived through the battering of dictators, mismanagement, terrorism, extremism, the assassination of politicians, economic jolts but to miss a popular demand made by one sub-nationality and backed by others would be equal to digging deep the foundations of the country. Thus Saraiki Suba is going to become inevitable sooner or later. Once Saraiki Suba becomes reality, subnationalities will be free to demand their own provinces across the countries and a new social contract will emerge across the board. It would not be inappropriate to mention that ‘India had 16 provinces but now it has created 12 new provinces for better management. In Musharaffian era, more provinces were discussed on different forums but could not get materialized due to political instability in the country.
According to Thomas Hobbes, …free men establish political community i.e. civil society through a social contract in which each gain civil rights in return for subjecting himself to civil law or to political authority. At present, one can hear people buzzing about new social contract but they want new social contract to be formulated in the light of their wishes rather than hard realities. In fact, formulation of new social contract is easier said than done. Much homework is needed prior to go-ahead in this direction. A debate at national level must be kick started. The way forward should be very clear and understandable.
Follow Light Within on Facebook and follow me on Twitter for much more.
Read more »Follow Light Within on Facebook and follow me on Twitter for much more.
Labels: Saleem Shahab, Social Contract
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 1/13/2011 08:11:00 AM,
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Sweet Tweets on Twitter
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Follow me on Twitter
Labels: Social Media, Twitter
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 1/12/2011 08:18:00 PM,
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Transaction processing
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
Business is an old phenomenon. Only ways to do business have changed over time. Thanks to the new technologies and tools that payment processing has been made easy, accurate and safe. Given the convenience and safety the trends line usage of credits car is growing fast. One can see credit card machines on every outlet, small and large.
At the same time more and more credit card apps are being developed to facilitate merchants to process credit card transactions on their mobile devices with a host of mobile apps and dongles. I found these apps amazingly helpful for anyone. It is in this milieu that I always suggest my own clients and everyone else I can to establish and expand their payment processing methods and at the same time manage opportunities and risks like chance of a credit card fraud associated with them. And yes, risk detection technologies are maturing and reducing the risk of fraud.
I also suggest businesses to have a look at Flagship Merchant Services – one of the leading Merchant Account Provider - and see how they can help you accelerate your transaction processing. Flagship Merchant Services is playing important role in promoting the trend and culture by offering wide range of products and services covering specific requirements for any line of business. Neatly laid out and information rich site guides you through to have want suites you the best. Have a look and learn more.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 1/11/2011 12:25:00 PM,
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Best Creative Writing Exercises
Monday, 10 January 2011
Writers block, oh, writers block ...please go away!
Even though it's the bane of all writers' existence, there are a bevy of ways to bypass the darn thing. From writing prompts to writing exercises, there are thousands of ways to get the creative juices flowing.
Here are just a few of our favorites. Trust us, they work! Try them out and report back. Let us know how they go. Please also let us know what your favorite writing exercises are in the comment sections below.
See images at Huffington Post [With thanks from Huffington Post Tweet]
Labels: Clicked This, Writing
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 1/10/2011 07:45:00 PM,
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Everything is in the name
Advent of computers and collaborative web technologies has changed the way we work and do businesses. With exponentially growing usage and reliance on the web, powerful web presence has become vital for every savvy business, organizations and individuals and practicing lawyers. Simply put, everything depends including Law Firm Marketing upon top natural search ranking. How to be in top search results?
Lawyer Marketing is a specialized job better handled by experts in the field. If you are a lawyers or a law firm websites and are looking for attorney advertising to be one of the top 3 natural search rankings for your most important and powerful keywords, have a look at attorney advertising. Better still choose your domain name, make your offer online and complete the process all online and start using your top 3 ranked domain name.
Law firm advertising is a neatly laid out and users friendly website and it explains the process in complete details. Have a look at their frequently asked questions page and learn why buy a top 3 ranked domain name from privileged names? What is the value proposition? Does PrivilegedNames.com offer SEO maintenance work after the top 3 ranking guarantee expires? How does all this work and a whole lot more? It will help you make informed decision. I suggest each lawyer website or a law firm website must give Attorney Marketing a try.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 1/10/2011 10:35:00 AM,
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Twitter, my micro blog
Saturday, 8 January 2011
I started using to twitter last year. It was wonderful experiences and I wrote about it in monthly Techno Biz Magazine.
Every day I am getting more into twitter. In addition to self publishing my thoughts, concerns, and feelings (you care?) or a means of talking to others and sharing whatever they are up to, Twitter (most used English language word of year 2009) now is my micro blog. You are cordially invited to join and discover what is happening. It is collective brain of online world. Fine out what 14 million active users are telling us.
Twitter indeed is a ‘happening place’. Are you on twitter.com yet?
Follow Light Within on Facebook and follow me on Twitter for much more.
Follow Light Within on Facebook and follow me on Twitter for much more.
Labels: Fine Art of Blogging, Micro Blogging, Social Media, Twitter
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 1/08/2011 01:10:00 PM,
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The problem solvers
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
Life is walking into the unknown and accidents happen at work, on road or any other place. Worst is that people do not know that they can make an accident compensation claim arising from an accident for injuries and other financial losses and don’t claim. Evidence has it that many people do not pursue personal injury claims; whatever the reasons. Some may think that legal expenses are unaffordable, or you do not know how to proceed.
TSG, Injury law firm Sacramento is one of the best sources to help. They are playing important role in creating awareness and helping people to get what is due to them. Their mission is to protect the legal rights of personal injury victims resulting from a car accident, wrongful death or other types of injury related accidents. The personal injury law firm places a premium on clear client communication, honesty and integrity, and the efficient use of technology to achieve maximum client goals. Knowing that it takes a lot of trust for an injured victim to seek legal representation from a personal injury attorney, the firm value clients’ trust and approach their work with a commitment to our clients’ satisfaction.
Have a look and learn how TSG injury law firm has successfully represented injured victims throughout Northern California including Sacramento, Roseville and Modesto where our clients have suffered personal injuries ranging from brain injury, head injury, back and neck pain, burn injury to spinal cord injury over the years.
TSG acts in the best interest of their client with integrity and independence. Their specialist legal team provides honest, professional advice. Explore their web site and see how Injury law firm Sacramento can help you. One wishes no one ever need the service. But in case you do, let TSG handle your case. They do it the best way.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 1/05/2011 01:38:00 PM,
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Basant coming to Lahore
Monday, 3 January 2011
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 1/03/2011 07:44:00 PM,
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Google PR Update
Sunday, 2 January 2011
I see some changes in Google PR of my newly established blogs. I think Google has updated. Like last year, Google has chosen the New Year eve to update. Light Within is a point up on the scale. Has anyone else noticed?
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 1/02/2011 07:55:00 PM,
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Blog blog blog
Labels: Sweet Tweets
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 1/02/2011 02:17:00 PM,
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Education gives a hope
Saturday, 1 January 2011
Guest post Aaron Kah
When her husband died eight years ago, Agnes Behoumié, 41, was left all alone in a mud house, with a thatched roof with her five children. Agnes grappled with the daily challenges to feed and send her children to school. She had a farm, though, left to her by her late husband. This was her primary source of income. But the farm wasn’t doing so well. Over time, the land became less fertile. The widow depended upon cassava byproducts like gari and kukum for an income. She also sold fruit and groundnuts to complement her family income. Her monthly income stood at 30,000 FCFA ($60).
Agnes registered her membership with Groupe d’Initiative Commune des l’Elites Agricole de Yambassa (GICOMELY), in search of hope and comfort. The group applied for Heifer International Cameroon’s assistance. Heifer International Cameroon came to their rescue. The first step was a workshop on the just and sustainable development, improved sheep husbandry, report writing, record keeping and filing, gender equity and HIV and AIDS. The group members were later given seeds, farm materials and cash to help them interested in coming to the trainings. Agnes received 30.000 FCFA ($ 60) to supplement the construction of her sheep pen to start a sheep project. The gifts helped Agnes make ends meet. In her community men mostly did the sheep rearing, but Agnes shunned this stereotype. “At first I saw the keeping of sheep to be a man’s job but from knowledge gained from Heifer International Cameroon I have made up my mind to come over this,” the widow said. With income from the sale of food crops she bought timber and made a good pen. Her hopes and aspirations were high. “The animals will provide me income, with which to send my children to school and pay their hospital bills. I will use its manure to fertilize my farm, and the food crops and meat will aid us to feed well and to source money for any extra spending,” She said.
Agnes said that the trainings enabled her to keep good records of all her farm produce. “The trainings received have enabled me to start recording all that I harvest from my farms and what I have invested in the sheep house,” she said. According to Agnes this alone helped her sense of belonging and community participation. “My brother in law who wanted to inherit me now gives me respect and has shunned the idea, I am sure that before the end of the project, my live will change positively,” she continued. Agnes works every day for success. “I will ever remain grateful to Heifer International Cameroon, for her support to under privileged persons like me. I pray that the organization should live forever,” she concluded.
Labels: Cameroon, Heifer International Cameroon
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 1/01/2011 11:02:00 AM,
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How I will remember 2010
As I say Happy New Year to all my friends and readers and greet the start of the next year, here is the list of articles the characterized 2010 through my blogs. These articles reveal how I will remember 2010.
I am sure some of these articles will allow you to relive the memories of the past year while some others will let you how I was right (or wrong) when I wrote them. List is long. I suggest you have a cup of Doodh Patti, sit back and while you say farewell to year 2010.
I am sure some of these articles will allow you to relive the memories of the past year while some others will let you how I was right (or wrong) when I wrote them. List is long. I suggest you have a cup of Doodh Patti, sit back and while you say farewell to year 2010.
Read more »
Labels: Fine Art of Blogging, Year 2010, Year 2011
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 1/01/2011 10:29:00 AM,
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