Eid Greetings, Friends
Wednesday, 31 August 2011
Shirazi says Eid Mubarak to you and your loved ones
I miss letters and greeting cards. A letter delivered by a postman, with its lines of handwriting, loops and angles that give a reflection of personality and, perhaps, secrets tucked inside the letters. Waiting for the postman to find a letter is old fashioned but many cherish still. Then opening letters, reading, and reading them again. There is a romance in writing and receiving letters that seems almost entirely lost to people particularly those who inhabit the cyberspace in this information era.
The switch to email and instant messaging has created an entirely new kind of language - of shorthand, emoticons (term coined by joining two words emotions and icons), graphics, and poor or nonexistent grammar, and missing punctuation, computer slang. It has also given birth to another kind of greetings: cyber greetings. This is about that.
Emails, instant messaging and text messaging (through cell phones) are quick and easy. Even person like me writes more of shorthand letters now than I ever did on paper. Granted, that they have increased contact with family, friends and colleagues than ever before. They provide eases and convenience. What would any day be like without a message window popping up mid-afternoon with a little emoticon sent by a dear and near one? Indeed, online communication is doing wonders for human relationship. A little goes a long way.
With rather longer prelude, the idea of cyber greetings is undeniably relevant to today, and it is intriguing. Information communication technologies provide an anonymity that allows people to reveal more than they ever would face to face. It also allows temptation to overcome good sense, and the results sometime can be overwhelming. Imagine two persons who came across each other after any one of them seeing online profile of the other and finding it "interesting" makes an endeavor and reaches out to the other online. Both are easily drawn to each other in online exchange of messages, too predictably, and without enough explanation as to why. The whole exchange takes in "real time". And before too long, the causal exchange turns into witty flirtation and may be into full-blown romance between those who have yet not met face to face. Clever combinations of e-mails, live chat lines, explicit emoticons and computer shortcuts, give way to the situation where 'the headstrong-girl-meets-self-sufficient-boy' and the urge to meet may becomes very strong.
Do you still receive hard copy Eid Cards? If you do, preserved them...
Labels: Eid Greetings
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8/31/2011 05:40:00 PM,
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Moon madness
Tuesday, 30 August 2011
Eid moon madness, view here
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8/30/2011 07:40:00 PM,
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Foundation for Promotion of Academic Collaboration
The delegation of Indian academics headed by Dr Vijy Kapur is visiting Pakistan on the invitation of different universities of Pakistan. Foundation for Promotion of Academic Collaboration (FPAC) has chalked out detailed program to to In order promote academic collaboration with the Indian Universities through visiting educationist.
It is interesting to point out that one of the delegates, Dr. J.S. Jaspal, has done work on Sikh Shrines in India and Pakistan, which are linked to certain trees. His work "Tryst with Trees" will be exhibited in the Punjab University.
Visit the website www.trystwithtrees.com to see details about my book as well as earlier exhibitions in New York, New Delhi and Chandigarh. A related website www.museumoftrees.org gives information about a unique environmental project in Chandigarh for conservation of sacred trees.
The delegation of Indian academics is visiting Pakistan on the invitation of different universities of Pakistan from September 3-7, 2011. Foundation of Academic Collaboration (FPAC) has chalked out detailed program to to In order promote academic collaboration with the Indian Universities through visiting educationist.
It is interesting to point out that one of the delegates, Dr. J.S. Jaspal, has done work on Sikh Shrines in India and Pakistan, which are linked to certain trees. His work "Tryst with Trees" will be exhibited in the Punjab University.
Visit the website www.trystwithtrees.com to see details about my book as well as earlier exhibitions in New York, New Delhi and Chandigarh. A related website www.museumoftrees.org gives information about a unique environmental project in Chandigarh for conservation of sacred trees.
Read more »Labels: FPAC
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8/30/2011 02:44:00 PM,
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Best prepaid wireless service
Monday, 29 August 2011
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Net10 for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
Living in the age when heavy ICTs adoption is changing the way we live and work connectivity is one of the most important requirements. Everyone needs a trusted, flexible and easy to use connection to survive. One of the best available option is prepaid airtime for all local, long distance and roaming calls. With prepaid air time you can have a complete control over what you spend on phone bills. That is why the market demand for prepaid calling is growing fast? This has resulted in growth of prepaid cards providers.
Have a look at NET10 and see what they are offering and how. It so simple to use: simply buy and activate your NET10 phone and make a test call, send a text message (also download a ring tone of your choice). You can buy and add an airtime card before the service end date displayed on your phone screen to keep your NET10 service active. And that is all. All this has been clearly explained online on NET site as well. Best thing is that there are no contracts required, no surprises and no credit checks. Here are 10 Good Reasons to use the service. That is why Real NET10 customer are happy and satisfied after they See the Light.
View their video (What Rob has to say or see this Cute NET10 commercial) and learn what their satisfied and happy customers are saying about them. That will help you make informed decision about using NET10 prepaid wireless service.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8/29/2011 04:00:00 AM,
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Mangoes of Pakistan
Sunday, 28 August 2011
Would it be enough to catch your attention, if I said that Mango was a fruit officially revered by countries which comprise at least 25% of World’s population. Yes it is true. Mango is the national fruit of Pakistan, India and Philippines and it as much revered in Bangladesh where they’ve declared Mango tree as their national tree.
At least in Pakistan, it didn’t need the Government declaration to be regarded as such because growing up there I knew that Mango was the King of the fruits. Mango is essentially a part of the culinary delights, literature, poetry, drinks, monsoon and so many varied items of our daily lives that one wonders what would the life of an aam aadmi (Mango person) would be if we took mango out of our lives.
Qateel Shifai had once famously wrote in a ghazal.
Jeena hai to phir jeenay ka izhar na Mango
Jury is still out whether Qateel meant the fruit Mango or the word Mango (means ‘to ask for’). What do you think? Well more on these ‘Mango’ effects later on but first let’s see how many mango types are out there from Pakistan.
There are several varieties of Mangos in Pakistan e.g. chaunsa, Sindhri, langra, anwar ratol, desi, gohar, lab-e-mashooq, chaman, dusehri, saroli, laal badshah, jagirdar and several others. The above list is not exhaustive but first four or five of these are the more famous ones.
Langra: In Pakistan this variety is grown in Multan, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan and Mirpurkhas. I want to write that langra is a very sweet variety of mango but then isn’t it obvious. It better be sweet enough to be regarded as the top mango variety.
The name langra in Urdu means lame which makes this choice of name for a mango variety quite interesting. Once Akbar Illahbadi sent a gift of langra mangoes to Allama Iqbal. The gift arrived as a postal parcel to Allama Iqbal. On the receipt of the parcel Allama Iqbal wrote this famous misra
Illahabad se Langra chala, Lahore tak puhancha
Sindhri: This mango is named after a place called Sindhri in Tharparkar, Pakistan. It is said that this variety in Sindhri was first cultivated by the family of late Prime Minister of Pakistanm Mr. M.K. Junejo. For many decades Sindhri used to be the number one Mango export of Pakistan. In every mango season it was also sent to Heads of States. I vividly remember reading news of Pakistan sending boxes of high quality Sindhri mangoes to other country heads.
Sindhri also remains one of my favorites. Well my personal likeness should not be the criteria of mango’s taste judgment but I want to assure you that if you try a ripe Sindhri, you won’t be disappointed.
Anwar Ratol: This variety is famous for its unique taste and smaller size. To me personally the word Anwar Ratol sounds very cute and I’ll eat this mango just because of its name. Sometimes it reminds me of my friend Anwar and sometimes additional words come to mind like tot batot, mahnaama batol, tatol tatol, maatha phatol or even dettol which make me yearn for this variety even more.
As I wrote above, the effect of mango on daily lives of its consumers is usually so intense that you will find references to it every aspect of life. E.g. In the form Urdu rozmarra (idioms and phrases)
(1) aam kea aam, guthlion ke daam (Got Mangoes at the price of seeds)
(2) pakkay hoay aam ki tarah girna (Fell like a ripe mango)
(3) aam khao, guthlian mat gino (Eat Mangoes and don’t count the seeds)
Famous Urdu/Persian poet Amir Khusro had called Mango Fakhr-e-Gulshan (Pride of Garden) and Ghalib is said to have tasted almost all varieties of mangoes that existed in his time in the sub-continent. In a famous saying Ghalib once said
In my opinion, there are only two necessary requirements concerning mangoes. Firstly, they should be sweet and secondly, they should be plentiful!
Ghalib also said following ‘ashaar’ in praise of Mango
nazar aata hai yooN mujhe yeh samarke dawaa khaana-e-azal mein, magaraatish-e-gul pe qand ka hai qawaamsheeray ke taar ka hai resha naam
Taking cue from a famous Urdu writer who originally said it for watermelon, I want to state that Mango is a fruit which you can eat as well as drink. Choice is yours.
Now I want to sell you few dishes made from Mango. Try them at leisure and be happy always. These include mango pickles (hot and sour taste), mango chutney (sweet and sour taste), mango pudding, mango custard, mango ice cream, mango salad etc.
If you feel like drinking mango then you can try it in the form of Mango shake, Mango lassi, Mango juice, or simply by sucking at the fruit itself.
Don’t you now want to try them in one of the several delicious ways we’ve described above?
Owais Mughal will be contributing here and at Logic is Variable on his diverse interests from travel, to cricket to food and social issues.
Labels: Mangoes, Owais Mughal, Pakistan
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8/28/2011 12:48:00 PM,
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Some Straight Talk
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Straight Talk for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
Advent of cell phone has changed the way we communicate with others. Today, they are the hottest gadgets, making communications faster, easier, efficient and if you are wise, cheaper. They are everything you need to live a connected life.
I am a heavy cell phone user and given my life style I have to spend some good amount on cell phone bill. mom knows best but now I look for information online as well. I was searching for better ideas for a better phone plan to reduce the calling costs when I came upon Straight Talk and was amazed to see the plans they are offering. Simply put, Straight Talk can cut cell phone bill in half and best thing is you don’t need be on a contract. That means no surprise bills and no credit checks and you get nationwide coverage, excellent reception and connectivity and Straight Talk only uses trusted phone manufacturers.
Hook, line and sinker or simply call a friend, Straight Talk offer the best and wisest choice. Have a look at the site and see what plans they are offering including Straight Talk International Long Distance Service and how. It will help you make better and wiser choice. And that is everything you need. Honest.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8/28/2011 09:01:00 AM,
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Dr Umar Saif among world’s top young innovators
Saturday, 27 August 2011
In Pakistan, the bandwidth of an average landline is about 32 kilobits per second (as of 2011, the average broadband speed in the United States was 5.3 megabits per second). It can take more than 20 minutes to download a five-megabyte file—assuming the connection doesn't drop during that time, as it frequently does. To help relieve the frustration, Umar Saif developed BitMate. The software lets different users in the same area pool the bandwidth of their connections to reduce download times, typically by half. Released in February, the software has already been downloaded more than 30,000 times by people in 173 countries.
Saif previously created a service that linked mobile phones into groups so that mass SMS messages could be sent. Since its launch in 2008, it has been used to send nearly four billion texts to about 2.4 million users in Pakistan, and the service, now called SMSall, has been used to coördinate protests, find missing persons, and organize blood drives. This summer Saif began expanding SMSall beyond Pakistan to Nigeria, Iraq, Bangladesh, and the Philippines. "SMS is the door to the world for many people," he says. —Kristina Bjoran
Labels: Pakistan, Technology
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8/27/2011 09:55:00 PM,
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On Google Plus
I am now using Google + and no I am not shifting from facebook. At least not yet! Within hours of its invite only release, the early Plus invitees are actually using Google Plus and creating waves. The blogosphere is already full with comments, how to(s0 and reviews on Google Plus.
Wait for the invite, or when search Google’s new social project will be omnipresent on its products. It will be easy to find your friends, work colleagues, and family by using your Gmail account. Then it lists all your contacts on one page. Select the ones you want to add to your plus network by clicking on their profile image and dragging it to one of your circles. Your circles include, family, friends, following, acquaintances, and work related. If these circles aren’t enough you can create your own. It is all about how big are your social circles.
Unlike previously released Google Friend Connect, Google Reader, Google Cloud Connect, Google Buzz and Google Wave, Google + has been very well received and seems that it will soon become a hub of all social media. It is currently on field trial and by invites only. It's available for both android and mobile.
More will come on this but it seems that Google has a winner. Are you shifting your social media function here already? Look for me (I am here) when you are there. Well drage me into your circles.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8/27/2011 11:57:00 AM,
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Grundfos Well Pumps
I was looking online for deep well pumps when I came upon PEX Universe (Radiant Heating & PEX Plumbing Supplies) and was amazed to see
SQ, SQE or S series Grundfos Well Pumps are some of the best and reliable well pumps available in the market. Features (advanced electronics for dry-run and overload protection, tough design with tungsten carbide/ceramic bearings and composite parts, reliable built-in check valve) make them stand out among the rest. They have a wide range of uses from domestic water supply and light commercial uses to irrigation and tank applications. All Little Giant Well Pumps come in two categories based on pump type (submersible sump pump or non-submersible sump pum) to chose from as per own requirement. Sump pumps on the display are of better materials, built-in check valve, advanced electronics and very best in quality and performance.
Similarly, PEX Universe also offers PEX tubing to go with the Grundfos Well Pumps. Certified for potable water applications and used for residential or light commercial potable water plumbing systems, PEX tubing is available in color coded coils for easy distinction between hot and cold water lines.
Have a look at the neatly laid out and information rich site and see what they are offering and how. PexUniverse.com not only offer you the highest quality radiant heating and plumbing supplies at the most competitive pricing online but their extensive line of PEX supplies includes PEX tubing, PEX-AL-PEX Tubing, PEX Fittings, PEX Manifolds and PEX Tools. They also offer a large selection of brand name heating and plumbing supplies such as Taco circulator pumps, Grundfos pumps, Little Giant pumps, Honeywell thermostats, Stiebel Eltron and Takagi Tankless Water Heaters, Amtrol Expansion Tanks, ball valves and many others. All products sold on our website are brand new and shipped right from our warehouse, so every time you place an order, you can expect a timely delivery. I suggest you try them.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8/27/2011 11:41:00 AM,
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Eid greetings
Friday, 26 August 2011
Please don't send me Eid greetings via carriers. I love Eid cards.
Labels: Eid Greetings
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8/26/2011 03:07:00 PM,
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Sharing made easy
Thursday, 25 August 2011
Facebook on Tuesday announced it is rolling out improvements aimed at letting users be more selective about who gets to see what they post at the world’s largest online social network. The move came in the face of a challenge from a freshly launched Google+ social network, which has won legions of fans by allowing people to share content based on which “circles” friends fall into.
“We’re announcing a bunch of improvements that make it easier to share posts, photos, tags and other content with exactly the people you want,” Facebook’s Chris Cox said in a blog post. “You have told us that ‘who can see this?’ could be clearer across Facebook, so we have made changes to make this more visual and straightforward,” he continued. The main change at Facebook will be moving controls from a settings page to places next to posts, photos and tags so people can make decisions about sharing while looking at content they are about to send to profiles.
Changes will also make it easier for Facebook users to understand who can see their online content and how it appears to others. “These changes will start to roll out in the coming days,” Cox said. “Taken together, we hope these new tools make it easier to share with exactly who you want, and that the resulting experience is a lot clearer and a lot more fun,” he added. Google is a latecomer to social networking but its new site, Google+, has grown rapidly to more than 10 million members since its launch on June 28.
Labels: Facebook, Social Media
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8/25/2011 07:03:00 PM,
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What is blogging to you?
Internet is a lonely place without Blogging; a fine art, science, also economics. Blogs are different to different people. Fine Art of Blogging asks you to share your views on what is a blog to you?
You are invited to contribute your thoughts in general. In particular, write how you blog? Why? How blogging matters in your life and work? Success stories, motivations and inspirations. Answer these questions and more (add what you feel is important dimension) in a post and send in word document.
You are invited to contribute your thoughts in general. In particular, write how you blog? Why? How blogging matters in your life and work? Success stories, motivations and inspirations. Answer these questions and more (add what you feel is important dimension) in a post and send in word document.
Labels: Fine Art of Blogging
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8/25/2011 04:37:00 PM,
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Hazrat Ali (AS) and the five human values
Monday, 22 August 2011
Taha Turabi
Every individual who has contributed to the moral and ethical sphere of human life has placed above everything else the five universally acknowledge values truth, justice, liberty, sympathy and understanding.
All these five values are well integrated, there is actually no conflict between them. Their complete and ideal integration, however, is possible only through the medium of an outstanding mind, and exemplary character and a great personality. Such are the qualities we should look for when we study the life and achievement of any historical personality. And such a one was Ali Ibn Abi Talib.
Hazrat Ali, the cousin of Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), was brought up and educated by the Prophet himself. Thus the spirit of Islam had become a part of his mental and emotional development. In the words of Taha Husain “the close relationship of Ali Ibn Abi Talib to the Holy Prophet is more evident then anything I can or need to dilate upon or clarify further and his position in the sight of the Prophet was so distinguished that there is hardly any room for doubt in this regard. The affection of Abu Talib for the Prophet is well known and his stand by his (Prophet’s) side in the cause of the Prophet and his religion and against the Qureish is widely acknowledged.
Abu Talib had taken the Prophet under his care and guardianship during the latter’s boyhood: (in the same way) the Holy Prophet had taken Ali under his own care during his (Ali’s) boyhood when Abu Talib (Ali’s father and the Prophet’s uncle) having a large number of children, was faced with financial hardship. So when the Prophet went out to proclaim his message Ali was just a boy under his care. “Ali submitted to the teachings Islam while he was only nine (or eleven) years old and he remained all along under the care of the Prophet and was brought up by him and Ummul-Mominin Khudijah. He is distinguished among the first and foremost adherents (of Islam) by the fact that his upbringing and mental emotional development were purely Islamic. His other distinction is that he grew up in the house which was the place of revelation in its most precise sense”.
The parallel development of an individual and religion and significant consequences for human history in general and Muslim history in particular. Moreover, the interconnection of Islam and this particular individual was also unique in the society in which they grew together. It was this unique interconnection which decided the role that Ali ibn Abi Talib played when the social- political groups took shape and clashed within the framework of the Arab Muslim society at later stages of historical developments and social changes. It was due to this uniqueness of disposition and character that the leadership of the progressive group of which Salman, Abu –Dar and Ammar Ibn-Yasir were prominent fell to Hazrat Ali’s lot. It was also due to this uniqueness of birth and development that Ali’s following in the footprints of the Prophet, never acceded to the demands of the conservative group of his social order. Hazrat Ali’s political stand never compromised the principles in cooperating with the five universally permanent human values: truth, justice, liberty, sympathy and understanding. This was not surprising since close and prolonged contact with the Prophet had developed in him that profound realization which is a prerequisite of social insight and moral responsibility. The strength of his character successfully integrated the human values in the texture of a well coordinated human personality.
He well understood the needs of political expediency but he also realized the urgency of moral and ethical precepts and examples which, he thought, were of a higher value in human society.
Nahjal Balagha gives us some idea of how the concepts of truth and justice were formulated in his mind and what close relationship they had with each other. Truth, being a highly abstract concept was integrated with the absolutely practical concept of justice and they both reinforced one another. From these concepts followed his other statements in regard to the seeking of knowledge through actual facts and without any bias, prejudice or preconceived notions that only go to impede the pace of scientific investigation of facts and truth. He says, “he who tries to overthrow truth is himself over-thrown”. “People are hostile towards what they are ignorant of”.
“Knowledge is irrevocably related to actions and practice and, therefore, he who has knowledge will put in into effect in his actions and practice; knowledge calls forth action and practice, if action and practice are in accordance with knowledge it persists, otherwise it is not retained”.
Such statements of Hazrat Ali as “No poor man has hungered but a rich man has profited thereby” and “Never have I seen abundant wealth but its side there was a right denied” are only a few examples of his constant preaching through words and acts, for the establishment of a greater and still greater degree of social justice. His sermons and sayings on human rights can be found in Nahjal Balagha and his letter to his governors, particularly his written and clear proof of what he desired in the form of human sympathy and understanding on the part of the rich and powerful.
Letter to Son: Hazrat Ali’s letter to his eldest sons, Hasan ibn Ali, in the year 37 (657) is known as a precious epistle on morality.
He says,
“I advise you, O my son, to fear God, and to stick to His commands, to fill up your heart with His remembrance and to clutch firmly at His rope: for which link for connection if you clasp it is more trustworthy than the link between you and your work? Review your act with admonition and kill it (i.e. the desires) by piety and abstinence, strengthen it with firm and unwarning belief (Yaqin) and brighten it up with wisdom (Hikma), subjugate it by constant remembrance of death.
Hazrat Ali’s advice on sympathy and understanding.
“O my son, make your own self a balance (mizan) between yourself and others and like for others what you like for yourself and dislike for them what you dislike for yourself. Do not be unjust to others, just as you would not like to be treated unjustly, and do kindness (to others) as you would like kindness to be done to yourself. Consider that thing to be bad for your own self which you consider to be had for others. Do not say what you do not know, or even if you know it is not sufficient enough. And do not say what you would not like to be said to you”.
Had he been spared for a few more years the Arab-Muslim society of that age would have taken a definite direction in its development and progress towards the attainment of the five universally permanent human values; truth, justice, liberty, sympathy and understanding.
Read more »Labels: Yaum-e-Ali
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8/22/2011 09:42:00 PM,
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Hazrat Ali’s Letter on Inclusive Governance
Raza Rumi
... Ali (AS) had written a comprehensive letter – articulating principles of public policy – for the guidance of the newly appointed Governor to Egypt, Maalik al Ashtar. In this fascinating directive, Ali (AS) advises the new governor that his administration will succeed only if he governs with concern for justice, equity, probity and the prosperity of all. There is a timeless applicability of this famous letter. Selected passages from the text are reproduced below:
Religious tolerance: Amongst your subjects there are two kinds of people: those who have the same religion as you [and] are brothers to you, and those who have religions other than yours, [who] are human beings like you. Men of either category suffer from the same weaknesses and disabilities that human beings are inclined to; they commit sins, indulge in vices either intentionally or foolishly and unintentionally without realising the enormity of their deeds. Let your mercy and compassion come to their rescue and help in the same way and to the same extent that you expect Allah to show mercy and forgiveness to you .
Equity is best: A policy which is based on equity will be largely appreciated. Remember that the displeasure of common men, the have-nots and the depressed persons, over-balances the approval of important persons, while the displeasure of a few big people will be excused… if the general public and the masses of your subjects are happy with you .
The rich:…are the people who will be the worst drag upon you during your moments of peace and happiness, and the least useful to you during your hours of need and adversity. They hate justice the most. They will keep demanding more and more out of State resources and will seldom be satisfied with what they receive and will never be obliged for the favour shown to them if their demands are justifiably refused.
On judiciary: You must select people of excellent character and high calibre with meritorious records . . . When they realise that they have committed a mistake in judgment, they should not insist on it by trying to justify it . . . They should not be corrupt, covetous or greedy . . . . These appointments must be made . . . without any kind of favouritism being shown or influence being accepted; otherwise tyranny, corruption and misrule will reign . . . Let the judiciary be above every kind of executive pressure or influence, above fear or favour, intrigue or corruption.
Poverty: If a country is prosperous and if its people are well-to-do, then it will happily and willingly bear any burden. The poverty of the people is the actual cause of the devastation and ruination of a country, and the main cause of the poverty of the people is the desire of its ruler and officers to amass wealth and possessions, whether by fair or foul means.
Corruption undermines national well-being: I want to advise you about your businessmen and industrialists. Treat them well . . . They are the sources of wealth to the country . . . One more thing . . . you must keep an eye over their activities as well. You know that they are usually stingy misers, intensely self-centered and selfish, suffering from the obsession of grasping and accumulating wealth. They often hoard their goods to get more profit out of them by creating scarcity and by indulging in black-marketing.
On communicating with people: You must take care not to cut yourself off from the public. Do not place a curtain of false prestige between you and those over whom you rule. Such pretension and shows of pomp and pride are in reality manifestations of an inferiority complex and of vanity. The result of such an attitude is that you remain ignorant of the conditions of your subjects and of the actual cases of the events occurring in the State.
Peace leads to prosperity: If your enemy invites you to a peace treaty . . . never refuse to accept such an offer, because peace will bring rest and comfort to your armies, will relieve you of anxieties and worries, and will bring prosperity and affluence to your people . . . Be very careful never to break your promise with your enemy; never forsake the protection or support that you have offered to him; never go back upon your word, and never violate the terms of the treaty.
This document, written centuries ago, reflects an astute understanding of the class structure of society – ages before class as a political construct was defined, analysed and elaborated upon. The underlying ethos of a welfare state is captured here: protecting the poor and the disadvantaged...
... Ali (AS) had written a comprehensive letter – articulating principles of public policy – for the guidance of the newly appointed Governor to Egypt, Maalik al Ashtar. In this fascinating directive, Ali (AS) advises the new governor that his administration will succeed only if he governs with concern for justice, equity, probity and the prosperity of all. There is a timeless applicability of this famous letter. Selected passages from the text are reproduced below:
Religious tolerance: Amongst your subjects there are two kinds of people: those who have the same religion as you [and] are brothers to you, and those who have religions other than yours, [who] are human beings like you. Men of either category suffer from the same weaknesses and disabilities that human beings are inclined to; they commit sins, indulge in vices either intentionally or foolishly and unintentionally without realising the enormity of their deeds. Let your mercy and compassion come to their rescue and help in the same way and to the same extent that you expect Allah to show mercy and forgiveness to you .
Equity is best: A policy which is based on equity will be largely appreciated. Remember that the displeasure of common men, the have-nots and the depressed persons, over-balances the approval of important persons, while the displeasure of a few big people will be excused… if the general public and the masses of your subjects are happy with you .
The rich:…are the people who will be the worst drag upon you during your moments of peace and happiness, and the least useful to you during your hours of need and adversity. They hate justice the most. They will keep demanding more and more out of State resources and will seldom be satisfied with what they receive and will never be obliged for the favour shown to them if their demands are justifiably refused.
On judiciary: You must select people of excellent character and high calibre with meritorious records . . . When they realise that they have committed a mistake in judgment, they should not insist on it by trying to justify it . . . They should not be corrupt, covetous or greedy . . . . These appointments must be made . . . without any kind of favouritism being shown or influence being accepted; otherwise tyranny, corruption and misrule will reign . . . Let the judiciary be above every kind of executive pressure or influence, above fear or favour, intrigue or corruption.
Poverty: If a country is prosperous and if its people are well-to-do, then it will happily and willingly bear any burden. The poverty of the people is the actual cause of the devastation and ruination of a country, and the main cause of the poverty of the people is the desire of its ruler and officers to amass wealth and possessions, whether by fair or foul means.
Corruption undermines national well-being: I want to advise you about your businessmen and industrialists. Treat them well . . . They are the sources of wealth to the country . . . One more thing . . . you must keep an eye over their activities as well. You know that they are usually stingy misers, intensely self-centered and selfish, suffering from the obsession of grasping and accumulating wealth. They often hoard their goods to get more profit out of them by creating scarcity and by indulging in black-marketing.
On communicating with people: You must take care not to cut yourself off from the public. Do not place a curtain of false prestige between you and those over whom you rule. Such pretension and shows of pomp and pride are in reality manifestations of an inferiority complex and of vanity. The result of such an attitude is that you remain ignorant of the conditions of your subjects and of the actual cases of the events occurring in the State.
Peace leads to prosperity: If your enemy invites you to a peace treaty . . . never refuse to accept such an offer, because peace will bring rest and comfort to your armies, will relieve you of anxieties and worries, and will bring prosperity and affluence to your people . . . Be very careful never to break your promise with your enemy; never forsake the protection or support that you have offered to him; never go back upon your word, and never violate the terms of the treaty.
This document, written centuries ago, reflects an astute understanding of the class structure of society – ages before class as a political construct was defined, analysed and elaborated upon. The underlying ethos of a welfare state is captured here: protecting the poor and the disadvantaged...
Labels: Governance, Yaum-e-Ali
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8/22/2011 01:08:00 PM,
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Sharing economy
Tuesday, 16 August 2011
This article appeared in Profit, Pakistan Today, August 10, 2011 issue
The concept of sharing economy is as old as society itself. Economic model based on bartering, lending, trading, renting, gifting, and swapping (commonly called collaborative consumption) has always been present in all civilization in one form or the other. Only the ongoing boom of collaborative web technologies has accelerated sharing on the pace that was never possible before. The growth is more evident online.
Loosely defined, sharing economy is a business model in which shared goods or services are distributed via a market place to a community of users. The basic idea is to better utilize existing assets. Connected population can better participate in organized sharing of goods that would otherwise sit unutilized. Many of us are probably already participating in this fast growing trend. Anyone who has created software for download free or posted information online for users to benefit is already participating in the trend. Those who are using online marketplaces to recycle physical goods creating less of a need to produce new products or are facilitating an economical and convenient ways of sharing are also aiding collaborative consumption.
Initially, sharing economy concerns followed business-to-consumer market strategies. Over time, peer-to-peer models are mushrooming. Peer-to-peer models are much more capital efficient than their business to consumer counterparts because they do not require major capital investment to acquire assets. Instead, they rely on a community to supply them, typically in exchange for a revenue share of the transaction.
Growing fast, sharing economy stands at one of those interesting points in time where no one knows how big it might grow. Social technologies have already changed the concept of a community and consumers’ behavior. What in the past was about ownership is now about access.
Traditionally, the growth of conventional economy has always based upon larger inputs from finite resources. That is not sustainable long-term solution. Still, armed with theories that disregard physical limits, conventional economy has been successful in creating incredible wealth and technological progress, notwithstanding the depletion in existing resources to near exhaustion. Almost all resources are running out, leaving little for generations to come. Environmental hazards that come with exploiting resources, like climate change, ecosystem devastation, and biodiversity loss.
Traditionally, the growth of conventional economy has always based upon larger inputs from finite resources. That is not sustainable long-term solution. Still, armed with theories that disregard physical limits, conventional economy has been successful in creating incredible wealth and technological progress, notwithstanding the depletion in existing resources to near exhaustion. Almost all resources are running out, leaving little for generations to come. Environmental hazards that come with exploiting resources, like climate change, ecosystem devastation, and biodiversity loss.
That is why ecologists were the first to support sharing economy as a phenomenon. Ecologists and environmentalist view economic fundamentals by making a distinction between growth and sustainable development. While growth can be defined as an increase in output, sustainable development means increasing the quality of human well-being by a given output. By focusing on the latter, ecologists believe that our society can progress without destroying the ecosystem that sustains it.
Sharing and renting more stuff means producing and wasting less stuff, which in turn means producing less and that is good for the planet we live on. In addition to this green element, best thing is that collaborative consumption has new opportunities for entrepreneurs to make money. As per careful estimate, sharing economy as a whole is a $110 billion plus market and it is growing as a perfect fit for an cyber lifestyle in which “digital natives” (those born after 1980 and are now growing up during the digital revolution) can participate with trust. One can see the growth in the rise of big businesses like car rentals and media companies whose millions of subscribers pay a fee to share a car part time or download DVDs they want. In addition to the so many successful examples, a huge new opportunity is already driving new businesses and renewing old ones.
Let us take a look at human factor in collaborative consumption. Collaboration is human nature in the first place. Digital natives have discovered that consumption and capitalism are not necessarily the doors to happiness. They are connected; they know that the world is now a group of interest based communities ripe for collaboration. The tools the digital generation embraces and the platforms that are coming up every day are making it possible to collaborate more.
Sharing is first of all a human experience, probably as old as our existence, but after the rise of rampant consumption, “sharing with” is the new humanized experience.
Local market scouting reveals that all businesses from bartering, lending, trading, renting, gifting, to swapping are already running in Pakistan since pre internet era still working the old ways. They need to adjust to the age of collaborative web technologies. The bottom of the pyramid in Pakistan is much wider than most people realize. Collaborative consumption phenomenon that promises austerity will sure find great demand.
Is collaborative consumption really the answer to rampant consumerism, a change in the air? While the exchange economy may have been appropriate for the industrial and post industrial age, the sharing economy is coming back as we proceed through the digital age and yes, it can change so many things.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8/16/2011 12:40:00 PM,
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Independence Day Photos
Monday, 15 August 2011
Dawn.com
Labels: Images, Pakistan Day
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8/15/2011 08:11:00 PM,
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Smart choice
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Net10 for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
Prepaid wireless services cards are getting very popular these days. Many users now prefer prepaid airtime for all local, long distance and roaming calls. It is safe, convenient, and flexible way to manage spending on phone calls. Which is why the market demand for prepaid calling is growing fast? This has resulted in growth of prepaid cards providers.
Given the obvious advantages related to my own lifestyle, I was looking for the best airtime when I came upon cute NET10 commercial and found a great deal by Net10 Unlimited that gives nationwide coverage, great connectivity and unlimited talk, text, and data just for $50 a month.
Best is that it is simple to use - no contracts, no surprise bills and no credit checks. Those who are using handsets from LG, Motorola, Kyocera, Nokia and Samsung must avail. I suggest you see the Light and and become a real NET10 customer.
NET10 is a neat looking site that has wealth of information from rates to its working. Explore the site and see what they are offering and how. Also see what what Rob has to say about the benefits of being a real NET10 customer. So weather you are a budget conscious, credit challenged or simply frugal caller, NET10 is the best choice for you to visit before you make a smart choice
Prepaid wireless services cards are getting very popular these days. Many users now prefer prepaid airtime for all local, long distance and roaming calls. It is safe, convenient, and flexible way to manage spending on phone calls. Which is why the market demand for prepaid calling is growing fast? This has resulted in growth of prepaid cards providers.
Given the obvious advantages related to my own lifestyle, I was looking for the best airtime when I came upon cute NET10 commercial and found a great deal by Net10 Unlimited that gives nationwide coverage, great connectivity and unlimited talk, text, and data just for $50 a month.
Best is that it is simple to use - no contracts, no surprise bills and no credit checks. Those who are using handsets from LG, Motorola, Kyocera, Nokia and Samsung must avail. I suggest you see the Light and and become a real NET10 customer.
NET10 is a neat looking site that has wealth of information from rates to its working. Explore the site and see what they are offering and how. Also see what what Rob has to say about the benefits of being a real NET10 customer. So weather you are a budget conscious, credit challenged or simply frugal caller, NET10 is the best choice for you to visit before you make a smart choice
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8/15/2011 07:01:00 PM,
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Google Doodles for Pakistan!
Sunday, 14 August 2011
The result? The shining star that is the centerpiece on the Pakistan flag along with one of the milestone monuments, the Minar-e-Pakistan (in Lahore) will be the pride and joy for Pakistani citizens around the world. Via
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8/14/2011 09:34:00 PM,
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Happy Independence Day
Nation are born in the hearts of poets, they prosper and die in the hands of different politicians.
Labels: Pakistan Day
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8/14/2011 12:25:00 PM,
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Second Google PageRank update in a month
Friday, 5 August 2011
Google is taking things differently this time. Last Google PR update was on June 27, 2011, Google once again updated Page Rang. Readers should check their respective PRs to find out about their gains (and losses).
Alhamdulillah, two of my newest projects Product Impex and Lali Khalid were upgraded from PR NA to PR 3 and PR 0 to PR 2 respectively.
It is still unclear weather Google is changing its PR Update pattern or policy. I will be following this change and will update here when the news surfaces. Thanks Google for updating PR twice in a month.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8/05/2011 10:02:00 AM,
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