Light Within

Personal File

Going back to nature
Tuesday, 29 April 2025

This article appeared in Pakistan Armed Forces' Monthly Magazine Hilal (Urdu section) in July 2011 issue.




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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Tuesday, April 29, 2025, ,

Blog in haste, repent in leisure
Monday, 28 April 2025

The Internet is a newer platform characterized by a large, open, public network where people interact with people worldwide without any barriers like geography, culture, age, social class, or gender. It is unlike the real world, where people with their own identities come together face to face. Online, users are a little less perceptive about their identities.

Having an identity is not a new concept. Everyone has had at least one since the dawn of civilization, ascribed identity. Anthropologists and sociologists have been discussing different aspects of identity ever since. But identity has never been a general problem until now.
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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Monday, April 28, 2025, ,

Almost famous
Saturday, 26 April 2025

Excuse me, Jalal HB writes this:

My friend SAJS is very nostalgic about his past – his childhood days when he would jump in the canal flowing next to his village, like all others kid of his village did in the summers. He would watch children playing pebbles, a favourite game in the villages, or perhaps he also joined in and bagged all the pebbles from others (or perhaps lost all of his own and went sobbing home).

When he grew up, he was put to the village school that was the day when a writer was born far away in a small village near Mandi Bahauddin. He would often write small words on the sand, which probably made a theme for him to write a book later in his literary life. He had a passion for reading and writing since his childhood, I would say and this is what reflects from most of his posts. Perhaps for this reason, he loved writing letters and sending eid cards to his friends and family when he moved out of his village for higher education. In one of his recent posts, he has expressed his love for these greeting cards and has also displayed a greeting banner I once drew and posted on the notice board of our academy where we both happened to be undergoing training.
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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, April 26, 2025, ,

Golden Jubilee 55 PMA Long Course
Wednesday, 16 April 2025

Khalid Pervez

Today marks a very special milestone — 16th April 1977 to 16th April 2025 — a remarkable journey that began at Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul, and continues with pride, honor and lasting brotherhood — spanning nearly 50 glorious years.


Our association began on 12 May 1975 as young cadets and has grown into a lifelong bond that we cherish deeply. What a beautiful journey - forged in training, strengthened through service, and enriched by memories.

From tough drills to treasured friendships, family events to children’s weddings from our kids joining Armed Forces—some even serving in parental units—to being promoted as Colonels, Brigadiers, and serving in Navy, Air Force, Civil Services, Doctors, Engineers, Scientists and much more...we’ve come a long way together.

My humble prayers and best wishes for each one of you and your families.

Let’s always remember and pray for our brothers who’ve departed for their eternal abode. May Allah grant them the highest place in Jannah.

Long live the 55 PMA Long Course. 

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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Wednesday, April 16, 2025, ,

The best fighter is never angry.

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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Tuesday, April 15, 2025, ,

Texting

We are living through texting times. It is time when the surgeon performs a life-saving surgery in Africa with instructions texted from a friend in London, the trucker crashes into a pool because he was texting while driving, the 15-year-old girl wins 50,000 for texting – in a championship, the Finnish author writes an entire book in text messages, the teenager girl falls in a manhole while texting, the Brit woman sets the record for world's fastest SMS texting, the man sets the world record for the most text messages sent in a month – over 180,000, the two men get a $26k bill trying to set a text messaging record, the girl sends 200 messages to help Haiti, the mobile company tries to set the record for world's fastest texting while skydiving and more, when Christian Lander, author of Stuff White People Like predicts that “there is a good chance that all great stories in the twenty-first century will be told via text message and when books like Texts From Last Night: no one remembers sending are creating waves.

Share your revealing, funny, substantial, and engaging text messages in the comment section here. I will publish them while concealing the identity of the sender and or receiver.Read more »

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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Tuesday, April 15, 2025, ,

Hunger is fat leaving body.

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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, April 12, 2025, ,

Emoticon impact

This article appeared in Spider.tm

The tiny winy sequences of type characters referred to as smileys or emoticons are universal among those who live on the web across cultures throughout the cyber world. Sometimes amusing and at times meaningful, smileys are used in electronic communication to enrich the meaning of text-based messages.

The idea of graphically depicting human emotions is not new. BBC claims that “the original smiley was created in 1964 by commercial artist Harvey Ball.” Russian writer Vladimir Nobaokov, who authored Lolita, answered a question in 1969 and was quoted by Scott E. Fahlman as saying, “I often think there should exist a special typographical sign for a smile—some sort of concave mark, a supine round bracket.”
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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, April 12, 2025, ,

Forever doesn't exist...

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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Friday, April 11, 2025, ,

Socially yours

In the first place, why do I register on different websites on the Internet, and why should you do it too? To stay tapped into what is happening in the cyber world and also what is not and to do some more things. Internet users want to access Websites to browse, post their own random or focused thoughts in weblogs, subscribe to a couple of USENET newsgroups of interest, avail of required services on offer, posts resume on a job, or maybe bio on matrimonial services sites, shops online or simply use Web-based email services. All users must do is register and cough up some personal information in the process. Not a big deal!



Big deal is that personal information spread fast on the Internet. Result: email Inbox privacy that is one of today's most sensitive and intricate issues affecting nearly everyone – individuals, businesses and Internet systems alike. Clued-up users who are in know of the matters want to protect their email inboxes though beginners or those who have lots of free time on hand usually do not care until later. Majority of the Websites first ask users to register and give some personally identifiable information including email address so that they can reach out potential customers and people with particular interests. "Over 90 percent Websites ask visitors to register," as per an estimate, for those 'great benefits' -- full use of the Website, membership to certain services or communities, subscription to newsletters and alerts and more.
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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Friday, April 11, 2025, ,

 Let things be, don't force anything. 

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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Thursday, April 10, 2025, ,

It is not necessary to react to everything you notice.

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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Tuesday, April 08, 2025, ,

Shared applications

This article appeared in Daily the Nation


The advent of shared applications is a new way to meet some or almost all aspects of information technology (IT) needs. Concept of application service provision has come a long way since it first came on the scene in the late 1990s. Hi-tech developments and changes at a fast rate are moving towards convergence of the software, information, technology carriers, and computer engineering. Result: IT structural designs are shifting from desktop and mainframe environments towards Internet based structures. Similarly, software applications are altering from made to order and separately owned solutions towards pre-packaged and Web based solutions. It is in this context that ASP business model is getting more interest as a hot trend.

IT business model that offers end users – small and large businesses, government organizations, non-profits, and membership organizations even individuals -- an access to applications and services over the Internet is known as application service provider (ASP - not to be mixed with Active Server Pages. It also is an abbreviation of as soon as possible). It is sometime called software-as-a-service, on-demand computing, apps-on-tap or utility computing.
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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Tuesday, April 08, 2025, ,

Happy Birthday to Me
Saturday, 5 April 2025

Today’s the day - I'm officially 72, and I’m embracing it with gratitude (and maybe just a touch of pun). While I may not be as spry as I once was, I'm still here, still smiling, still kicking, and still counting my blessings, tallying up all the things I'm thankful for.

This year, I'm celebrating in my favorite way: a quiet, reflective day, just me and the memories that have shaped this incredible journey. And what a journey it’s been – watching my children grow in their own and tower over the world, and that is the kind of wealth only time can bring.

They say age is just a number, but let’s be honest: 72 is really just 50 with 22 extra years of wisdom, a few more stories to tell, and the confidence to enjoy life as I please.

So here’s to another year - to good health, all working original body parts, and power to let go. May this next chapter bring reasons to live with peace of mind and appreciate every single day.

Cheers to me.

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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, April 05, 2025, ,

Where I Get My Supply of Salageet (Shilajit)
Friday, 4 April 2025

Some places are so peaceful and unspoiled that it is almost unbelievable. One such locality is the picturesque, tranquil, and pollution-free (and undeveloped) border village Arrandu in district Chitral. The very sound of the name is musical. This village is located 'on' the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Dir-Chitral Road bifurcates near the village Mir Khanni and a jeep-able track along Kunar River leads to Arrandu through Domail Nisar and into Afghanistan.


Gateway to South Asia, the Chitral valley has been the center of activity since ancient times. Macedonians advanced through this region in the fourth century. In 1338, Timur subdued the area on his way to the plains of Punjab. Mughal King Akbar garrisoned here in 1587 and the British in 1897 in Chakdara on Dir side of Lowari Pass. Young Winston Churchill was among the soldiers who served here in Chakdara, who later became Britain's Prime Minister. So far about the past importance of the valley, the little hamlet got international fame during Soviet occupation in Afghanistan. It remained in the news and was commonly called as 'BBC Baby'.
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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Friday, April 04, 2025, ,

Mothers are alchemists, all of them

Mail to {BA} a mother after she attended a parent-teacher meeting... 

I know today's teacher meeting was tough to hear, and it's natural to be worried about your daughter's performance. But please don't be too hard on yourself or Emaan. Children learn at their own pace, and A levels can be challenging.

You know that setbacks are a part of growth. Emaan is lucky to have a mother like you who cares deeply about her education. I am saying this sentence knowing what your grandmother (totally illiterate) did to me and all your uncles. I could sail through, whereas my brothers could not. Do you know what my mom used to say until her last day? I should have done more. I should have done more.

Instead of focusing on the current grades, let's work to create a plan to support Emaan in improving her studies. You could create a study schedule and make her sit in front of you and make her study. Everything is possible. Yes, everything is possible.

Remember, your daughter's success is not defined by one set of grades. She has so much potential, and she can achieve her goals with patience, guidance, and support.

Be an alchemist, a mother, and a role model, Let me once again be proud of you.

Love you, BaBa

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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Friday, April 04, 2025, ,

What is Gujrat famous for?
Thursday, 3 April 2025

This article appeared in the Daily The News

Pass the River Chanab and one starts thinking of romantic folklore Sohni Mahiwal, the last and decisive battle fought between British and Sikh forces. These saints left their marks in this part of the world, micro encephalic children called 'Daulay Shah k Choohay' (rats of Shah Daula) or world class industries that are Gujrat’s claims to fame. But what you see while travelling on Grand Trunk Road passing through Gujrat is the nerve jarring rattle of auto rickshaws, tangle of tongas and donkey carts vying for space with mechanical transport, vendors and shoppers and second hand cloths (landa) hung on the walls. Even the lately built bypass is as crowded and encroached upon.
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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Thursday, April 03, 2025, ,

Imam Musa Kazam (A.S)


 

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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Thursday, April 03, 2025, ,

Mir Chakar Rind
Tuesday, 1 April 2025

An old, sleepy and tranquil village Satghara lies about 80 kilometers from Lahore (20 minutes drive away from Okara) in the quiet backwaters of the Punjab. The coins found at Satghara prove that the place was inhabited at the time of the Kushan dynasty. The rule of Kushans was one of the most decisive periods in the history of the Subcontinent. At the height in the second century (A.D.), Kushans ruled from Oxus to Ganges and yet their influence spread beyond even these frontiers. On the southern bank of the Ravi, it is a typical Pakistani village where farmers live like rustics in the face of urban attractions. Though off the beaten track, it has never been out of limelight. Besides heritage conscious travelers from all over the world, Baloch leaders and contemporary historians visit the hamlet. Reasons: it is a "Tukia Nawab Chakar Ki" - last resting-place of Mir Chakar Rind. I see part of our history buried here whenever I have a look at it. And when I was stationed at Okara Cantt, I did it often.

As per one account, Mir Chakar Rind came to this village with seven families, hence the name. Another legend has it that the village was named Satghara because it was destroyed seven times by floods. Shah Abul Mo'ali, descendant of sixteenth century saint Muhammad Ibrahim Daud-e-Sani Bandgi in his book 'Maqamat-e-Daudi' maintains that Satghara was known by the same name even before the arrival of Mir Chakar Rind. In Baloch history, the sixteenth century was a very eventful period. Baloch fought series of wars amongst themselves. The result of these tribal conflicts not only caused large-scale bloodshed but also resulted in their mass migrations to the Punjab, Sindh and Gujrat (India).
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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Tuesday, April 01, 2025, ,

No rules: Just walk.

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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Tuesday, April 01, 2025, ,


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