Greetings!!
As recently as yesterday, we had an interactive class where we (the coach and students) discussed about how countries fight, how countries can employ what all treacherous strategies to annihilate the existence of their enemies from face of the map. Suprisingly, the strategies all seemed to be in practice already by a handful of so called powers in the world.
However, notably, every strategy we discussed regarding destroying the other nation significantly involved inflicting severe damages on the favored country too. If ten damages were incurred on the foe, it inevitably involved getting five damages on self too. In the end, we saw both the countries were dissolved - the one under attack a little earlier than the attacker. Nevertheless, none benefited or survived.
One of the strategies included mutating the foes' culture and confusing them regarding their own beliefs. Once this happens, a broad division will be created within the smaller strong and sustainable units comprising the society - the family institutions. When the families will not be able to converge on any opinion, the divide will worsen causing the split up of the only units which are the building blocks of any society. This will inevitably result in the degeneration of the society, bringing the ultimate downfall on them.
What i witnessed today morning during my public transport trip to the university was utterly shocking. The bus i boarded had an LCD fixed towards the front of the bus, right over the heads of the women. Though initially i was impressed with its existence in a bus, the idea looked all the more pathetic and nauseatic when moments later, typical bollywood 'rain-oriented' songs started playing along with their absurd videos that make the censor board look futile. Suprisingly, no one minded the playing of such explicit stuff in someplace as public as buses! Is our nation already dead? No one bothered to get such atrocity shut down. It was one of the worst things i witnessed in my country. Food for thought: What can be more heartbreaking than having a bunch of stratified people with dead conscience flogging a country that was allegedly brought into existence for the sole purpose of cherishing the wisdom embedded in our religion? Have we lost the war already?
Peace.
Thursday, 28 July 2011
Sunday, 24 July 2011
Robot with feelings
Greetings!!
Recently, i watched a bollywood movie by the name of Robot starring two of the legendary bollywood artists, Rajnikant & Ashwariya. With the rotten bollywood masala integrated in the movie to an unbearable level, i was lucky to see only the core 10minutes of the movie which held the entire crux of the story.
The part i viewed involved the hero Rajnikant dictating emotions to the robotic Rajnikant. Presumably emotions was the only thing the robot lacked to be qualified as safe for the public. After endless efforts on behalf of the hero, the robot developed feelings. This was where the bollywood masala stepped in with the robot falling in love with the heroine of the movie Ashwariya. The rest is what i can declare as a known expected mystery no one in their right minds would waste time pondering about.
Though not remotely a positive experience, the movie made me realize emotions is the only thing that keeps the humans apart from machines and makes pieces of metals subservient to flesh and bones. If machines can be taught to feel, humans can never tolerate these inventions and would instead spend time devising ways to destroy these inventions.
The movie though exclusively drama material with no reality attached, existing for the sole purpose of providing entertainment, subconciously has a rather thoughtful element attached with it. If robots developed feelings, i wonder how many individuals will then be convicted for brutality against machines!!!
Peace.
Recently, i watched a bollywood movie by the name of Robot starring two of the legendary bollywood artists, Rajnikant & Ashwariya. With the rotten bollywood masala integrated in the movie to an unbearable level, i was lucky to see only the core 10minutes of the movie which held the entire crux of the story.
The part i viewed involved the hero Rajnikant dictating emotions to the robotic Rajnikant. Presumably emotions was the only thing the robot lacked to be qualified as safe for the public. After endless efforts on behalf of the hero, the robot developed feelings. This was where the bollywood masala stepped in with the robot falling in love with the heroine of the movie Ashwariya. The rest is what i can declare as a known expected mystery no one in their right minds would waste time pondering about.
Though not remotely a positive experience, the movie made me realize emotions is the only thing that keeps the humans apart from machines and makes pieces of metals subservient to flesh and bones. If machines can be taught to feel, humans can never tolerate these inventions and would instead spend time devising ways to destroy these inventions.
The movie though exclusively drama material with no reality attached, existing for the sole purpose of providing entertainment, subconciously has a rather thoughtful element attached with it. If robots developed feelings, i wonder how many individuals will then be convicted for brutality against machines!!!
Peace.
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Fairness-Madness
Greetings!!
The race for innovations and for gaining fair skins might never end. These days, however, men have also fallen prey to this madness. What was earlier considered, "Strong, Dark and Handsome" has now been replaced with "Fair and Lovely"!!
This image shows our beloved cricket star Mr. Shahid Khan Afridi. This ad has been showcased on a number of billboards across the country. Evidently, the advertisers of Fair and Lovely men's range of products have tried to extend an impression that Mr. Shahid Khan Afridi actually uses the product himself which is why he is all fair and radiant.
I am at a complete loss to understand how fair can fair, good-looking pathans get, even with the use of such creams! Mr. Shahid Khan Afridi, being a pathan, is pretty fair by default. This ad actually makes me question the capability of this cream - if it works only on fair men, then it is useless for the dark, under confident individuals ashamed of their skin colors.
For a fact, the madness for fair skins have developed looking at the starchy western beauties, even though the dark women and men seem to have more attraction. A need for whitening products have been created by advertisers by building on the hypnosis that "white is beautiful". I believe people have been misled into believing so, since the saying has forever been, "Black is beautiful"
We have been designed by the Almighty in the best of architectures. Aiming to change something in ourselves is like challenging the perfection of the Almighty. We need to realize we are annoying our Creator when we act foolishly trying to alter our features.
Peace.
The race for innovations and for gaining fair skins might never end. These days, however, men have also fallen prey to this madness. What was earlier considered, "Strong, Dark and Handsome" has now been replaced with "Fair and Lovely"!!
This image shows our beloved cricket star Mr. Shahid Khan Afridi. This ad has been showcased on a number of billboards across the country. Evidently, the advertisers of Fair and Lovely men's range of products have tried to extend an impression that Mr. Shahid Khan Afridi actually uses the product himself which is why he is all fair and radiant.
I am at a complete loss to understand how fair can fair, good-looking pathans get, even with the use of such creams! Mr. Shahid Khan Afridi, being a pathan, is pretty fair by default. This ad actually makes me question the capability of this cream - if it works only on fair men, then it is useless for the dark, under confident individuals ashamed of their skin colors.
For a fact, the madness for fair skins have developed looking at the starchy western beauties, even though the dark women and men seem to have more attraction. A need for whitening products have been created by advertisers by building on the hypnosis that "white is beautiful". I believe people have been misled into believing so, since the saying has forever been, "Black is beautiful"
We have been designed by the Almighty in the best of architectures. Aiming to change something in ourselves is like challenging the perfection of the Almighty. We need to realize we are annoying our Creator when we act foolishly trying to alter our features.
Peace.
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Quote
Greetings!!
"I Have Not Failed, I've Just Found 10,000 Ways That Wont Work" - Thomas Edison (1874-1931)
If this is the spirit people live with, it will undoubtedly turn despair into experience.
Anything said further about quotes will ruin their meaning.
Peace.
"I Have Not Failed, I've Just Found 10,000 Ways That Wont Work" - Thomas Edison (1874-1931)
If this is the spirit people live with, it will undoubtedly turn despair into experience.
Anything said further about quotes will ruin their meaning.
Peace.
"Cool Boy With Handsomes"
Greetings!!
No, this is not my grammar. I haven't lost my brains anywhere. The title is merely a statement I read during my morning travels written on the back of a car. Weird, but true. This statement gives an eerie "gay-ish" feeling, even though in the conservative Pakistani culture, such freedom is nowhere entertained. In their smart attempt to pose "cool", some naive people also end up writing nonsense on themselves under the pretense that they hit a jackpot!
Car painting, and more recently wall painting, has been the illiterate's futile attempt to pose sophistication. People often print catchy phrases in similar liquidy font in order to distinguish their cars from other "ordinary" cars. Though not very attractive, such car painting is given a special status here in Pakistan.
Though admittedly, not all car paintings are a series of senseless words. At times, the phrases are indeed adorable. A long time back I read a phrase, and because of its beauty, I still happen to remember it:
No, this is not my grammar. I haven't lost my brains anywhere. The title is merely a statement I read during my morning travels written on the back of a car. Weird, but true. This statement gives an eerie "gay-ish" feeling, even though in the conservative Pakistani culture, such freedom is nowhere entertained. In their smart attempt to pose "cool", some naive people also end up writing nonsense on themselves under the pretense that they hit a jackpot!
Car painting, and more recently wall painting, has been the illiterate's futile attempt to pose sophistication. People often print catchy phrases in similar liquidy font in order to distinguish their cars from other "ordinary" cars. Though not very attractive, such car painting is given a special status here in Pakistan.
Though admittedly, not all car paintings are a series of senseless words. At times, the phrases are indeed adorable. A long time back I read a phrase, and because of its beauty, I still happen to remember it:
"I don't drive fast, I fly slow"
This phrase has truly touched my heart. Being quite a racer myself, I find this phrase close to myself.
Peace.
Bumped
Greetings!!
Today, on my way back home from university by public transport in the peak hours of the day, I was excessively exasperated when the driver refused to drive any faster than 40km/hr and repeatedly braked horrendously, sending commuters thrown to the front of the vehicle. Tired with the day at the university, and unexplainably upset with some occurrences, I mused myself for sometime by envisioning a road accident, probably caused by a brake-failure. I imagined the windscreen shattered into a million pieces thrown towards the inside. I imagined screams, despair, pain and blood. I stopped for a minute and realized I was imagining depressive images which were not at all good for the brain. I immediately diverted my mind to other things like the newly paved roads and the cars that overtake so close to the gigantic vehicle that an accident not occurring is purely by luck! Through the rest of the journey, I had forgotten my imagination.
With only about 3kms left till my drop-point, the bus stopped at one of the bus stops for the driver's sip of life. Everyone was waiting for the driver to get back to his job when a horrific jerk sent all the commuters toppling over one another. My first instinct said the driver had released the clutch while the gear was not neutral. However, almost immediately, I was confirmed this was not the case. Everyone seemed suddenly worried gawking at the back of the bus. Following their stares, I found out the jerk had resulted from another bus bumping in from behind. Taken aback, I remembered my imagination. I immediately repented for imagining disaster and quickly thanked the Almighty that my vision was not completely true.
Sometimes, what one thinks and thinks really hard, does become the reality. One should be careful even with their thoughts because even though they are not audible, they can become reality.
Peace.
Today, on my way back home from university by public transport in the peak hours of the day, I was excessively exasperated when the driver refused to drive any faster than 40km/hr and repeatedly braked horrendously, sending commuters thrown to the front of the vehicle. Tired with the day at the university, and unexplainably upset with some occurrences, I mused myself for sometime by envisioning a road accident, probably caused by a brake-failure. I imagined the windscreen shattered into a million pieces thrown towards the inside. I imagined screams, despair, pain and blood. I stopped for a minute and realized I was imagining depressive images which were not at all good for the brain. I immediately diverted my mind to other things like the newly paved roads and the cars that overtake so close to the gigantic vehicle that an accident not occurring is purely by luck! Through the rest of the journey, I had forgotten my imagination.
With only about 3kms left till my drop-point, the bus stopped at one of the bus stops for the driver's sip of life. Everyone was waiting for the driver to get back to his job when a horrific jerk sent all the commuters toppling over one another. My first instinct said the driver had released the clutch while the gear was not neutral. However, almost immediately, I was confirmed this was not the case. Everyone seemed suddenly worried gawking at the back of the bus. Following their stares, I found out the jerk had resulted from another bus bumping in from behind. Taken aback, I remembered my imagination. I immediately repented for imagining disaster and quickly thanked the Almighty that my vision was not completely true.
Sometimes, what one thinks and thinks really hard, does become the reality. One should be careful even with their thoughts because even though they are not audible, they can become reality.
Peace.
The Dreadful Night
Greetings!!
I can still remember that dreadful night in the beginning of this year. It was the semester break from the university. As it is with college and university students, a break of even two consecutive days is sufficient to disrupt our daily schedules. It had been almost a week since the university was off and my schedule was badly disrupted. It was just another one of those troubled nights when I found it hard to sleep even though the time was considerably past midnight. My eyes were forcefully shut, trying to make my active mind go to sleep. I felt my cellphone vibrate suddenly on my side. It was not the normal time for me receiving messages and I was surprised who would be messaging me at such a time at night.
Opening my eyes with difficulty while shielding them from the seemingly blinding light of the cellphone, my curiosity peaked when it turned out to be an exclusively "day" friend's message. However, only three words constituted that message, yet they were so unbelievable and frightening, I can still remember the shiver than ran up my spine when I read that message.
The three deadly words were, "My dad expired". I thought I maybe misread the message. I read it again, at a complete loss to contemplate it. I read it again, feeling the sinking sensations of the reality while still trying hard not to understand the direct meaning. I thought it might be a bad joke - a really bad joke to be pulled at such a time. Knowing this person, I knew he would never deliver such a bad joke. Fighting the impulse to write swear words in reply and rebuke him for such a pathetic message, I shut the message and went back to my futile attempts to sleep which were now distinctly more feeble. Through shut eyes and darkness, I could see the message emblazoned on the inner side of my eye-lids, burning into my eyeballs. A few long seconds passed by the same way. The next minute, I had rolled over to my cellphone, weirdly breathless, eyes wide open in spite of the light penetrating my dilated pupils, typing out my apologies at the loss while still praying he would reply back with a laugh and an early "April Fool". This reply, however, did not come.
I remember spending the night disturbed, awake, faking sleep so that my family members did not barge into my room criticizing me for late night commotion and praying the morning will have a miraculous reversal of this message. The miracle I was asking for was too big. I bugged a mutual friend in the early morning hours the same day about this happening, she also admitted being equally disturbed at the news. The whole day passed in a senseless frenzy and chaos, with some uncanny excerpts of our friendly moments reverberating in my ears.
The "gang" at the university had decided that the semester break would involve a visit to this friend's place. At that moment I couldn't help wishing we had never said that. This is definitely not what any of us had in mind. On an earlier occasion, this friend had talked about his family - his parents and a sweet sister constituted his family. On a certain random topic, I recalled him say, "we are four. When my sister gets married, I too will get married. So we will still remain four!! :)" After this dreadful loss, I was completely lost at how that count will ever be completed again. The loss was irrevocable - no number of people could ever fill that place. No one could even approach that space left empty. And no amount of words can express that loss to the fullest.
Do remember everyone and especially the departed soul in your prayers.
May Allah Bless Us All,
Peace.
I can still remember that dreadful night in the beginning of this year. It was the semester break from the university. As it is with college and university students, a break of even two consecutive days is sufficient to disrupt our daily schedules. It had been almost a week since the university was off and my schedule was badly disrupted. It was just another one of those troubled nights when I found it hard to sleep even though the time was considerably past midnight. My eyes were forcefully shut, trying to make my active mind go to sleep. I felt my cellphone vibrate suddenly on my side. It was not the normal time for me receiving messages and I was surprised who would be messaging me at such a time at night.
Opening my eyes with difficulty while shielding them from the seemingly blinding light of the cellphone, my curiosity peaked when it turned out to be an exclusively "day" friend's message. However, only three words constituted that message, yet they were so unbelievable and frightening, I can still remember the shiver than ran up my spine when I read that message.
The three deadly words were, "My dad expired". I thought I maybe misread the message. I read it again, at a complete loss to contemplate it. I read it again, feeling the sinking sensations of the reality while still trying hard not to understand the direct meaning. I thought it might be a bad joke - a really bad joke to be pulled at such a time. Knowing this person, I knew he would never deliver such a bad joke. Fighting the impulse to write swear words in reply and rebuke him for such a pathetic message, I shut the message and went back to my futile attempts to sleep which were now distinctly more feeble. Through shut eyes and darkness, I could see the message emblazoned on the inner side of my eye-lids, burning into my eyeballs. A few long seconds passed by the same way. The next minute, I had rolled over to my cellphone, weirdly breathless, eyes wide open in spite of the light penetrating my dilated pupils, typing out my apologies at the loss while still praying he would reply back with a laugh and an early "April Fool". This reply, however, did not come.
I remember spending the night disturbed, awake, faking sleep so that my family members did not barge into my room criticizing me for late night commotion and praying the morning will have a miraculous reversal of this message. The miracle I was asking for was too big. I bugged a mutual friend in the early morning hours the same day about this happening, she also admitted being equally disturbed at the news. The whole day passed in a senseless frenzy and chaos, with some uncanny excerpts of our friendly moments reverberating in my ears.
The "gang" at the university had decided that the semester break would involve a visit to this friend's place. At that moment I couldn't help wishing we had never said that. This is definitely not what any of us had in mind. On an earlier occasion, this friend had talked about his family - his parents and a sweet sister constituted his family. On a certain random topic, I recalled him say, "we are four. When my sister gets married, I too will get married. So we will still remain four!! :)" After this dreadful loss, I was completely lost at how that count will ever be completed again. The loss was irrevocable - no number of people could ever fill that place. No one could even approach that space left empty. And no amount of words can express that loss to the fullest.
Do remember everyone and especially the departed soul in your prayers.
May Allah Bless Us All,
Peace.
Sleeping Beauties
Greetings!!
Early morning journey to the university is often adventurous in its own sense.
Today, during my travel to the university, I observed two sleeping beauties on board belonging to two very different classes. One of the lady in her early thirties was dressed in a heavily embroidered dress with the classic white coat - the symbol for Doctor here in Pakistan. Nothing from her persona said she was a doctor except her coat. The second sleeping beauty was clad in a black gown, her face hidden behind a veil. I realized the second lady's slumber only when I occupied the seat next to her and she continuously drooped on me in her over-whelming sleep. All through my hour's journey, I saw both these women occupied in troubled sleep like they were deprived of the night. The jerks of the public transport seldom allows peaceful sleep, but if the sleeper is pure, even accidents are insufficient to wake them up!
If I had seen this yesterday, it would not have been so hard to digest since the day before was the religious event of "Shab-e-Baraat" where many occasional Muslims pull an all-nighter in prayers for the hope of getting their sins forgiven. But today, it seemed a little out of place to see two sleeping beauties together in the same bus.
I believe the culprit for this lack of sleep, other than the deteriorating economic conditions forcing people to do multiple jobs, is because of the electricity shortage the authorities claim proudly while justifying the load-shedding. Shameful though it is, with the abundant resources Pakistan is blessed with, electricity shortage is actually a question mark on Pakistan's talent and capability.
Peace.
Early morning journey to the university is often adventurous in its own sense.
Today, during my travel to the university, I observed two sleeping beauties on board belonging to two very different classes. One of the lady in her early thirties was dressed in a heavily embroidered dress with the classic white coat - the symbol for Doctor here in Pakistan. Nothing from her persona said she was a doctor except her coat. The second sleeping beauty was clad in a black gown, her face hidden behind a veil. I realized the second lady's slumber only when I occupied the seat next to her and she continuously drooped on me in her over-whelming sleep. All through my hour's journey, I saw both these women occupied in troubled sleep like they were deprived of the night. The jerks of the public transport seldom allows peaceful sleep, but if the sleeper is pure, even accidents are insufficient to wake them up!
If I had seen this yesterday, it would not have been so hard to digest since the day before was the religious event of "Shab-e-Baraat" where many occasional Muslims pull an all-nighter in prayers for the hope of getting their sins forgiven. But today, it seemed a little out of place to see two sleeping beauties together in the same bus.
I believe the culprit for this lack of sleep, other than the deteriorating economic conditions forcing people to do multiple jobs, is because of the electricity shortage the authorities claim proudly while justifying the load-shedding. Shameful though it is, with the abundant resources Pakistan is blessed with, electricity shortage is actually a question mark on Pakistan's talent and capability.
Peace.
Changing Interior Trends
Greetings!!
A recently as just a few years ago, I remember seeing the public vehicles' interiors here in Karachi decorated like a bride fresh from the beauty parlor. With numerous handicraft hanging on the windscreen and the sides, it was horrendous to sit on the benches beside the driver's seat; the hangings continuously poked on the head and the eyes. I remember once the hangings were so dense, the interior was actually suffocating to bear through the journey. More often, the hangings hung so low, it would block vision for the innocent first-timers craning their necks to look through the windscreen.
Recently, however, an abrupt change in these "interior-decoration" styles have become evident. Often now, I see the hangings have disappeared or significantly lessened. More of the windscreen is viewable now. The hangings are now restricted to the front with no handicrafts fixed above the benches and their occupants. Thankfully, this recent change has reduced the suffocation - with the sun pouring in through the windscreen during the morning time, it is much more bearable to travel in buses.
I believe much of this change is attributed to the recent increase in buses-related terrorism - almost above 50 buses have been burnt during the tensed times. Although the bus bodies are more or less "recoverable", these decors definitely aren't! These decors have moved into the category of luxury and with the current fluctuating moods of the city, luxury is something one cannot afford. Nevertheless, this current state of the buses is more appreciable since it allows women to sit more peacefully, less bothered by unnecessary things that cannot be moved.
Peace.
A recently as just a few years ago, I remember seeing the public vehicles' interiors here in Karachi decorated like a bride fresh from the beauty parlor. With numerous handicraft hanging on the windscreen and the sides, it was horrendous to sit on the benches beside the driver's seat; the hangings continuously poked on the head and the eyes. I remember once the hangings were so dense, the interior was actually suffocating to bear through the journey. More often, the hangings hung so low, it would block vision for the innocent first-timers craning their necks to look through the windscreen.
Recently, however, an abrupt change in these "interior-decoration" styles have become evident. Often now, I see the hangings have disappeared or significantly lessened. More of the windscreen is viewable now. The hangings are now restricted to the front with no handicrafts fixed above the benches and their occupants. Thankfully, this recent change has reduced the suffocation - with the sun pouring in through the windscreen during the morning time, it is much more bearable to travel in buses.
I believe much of this change is attributed to the recent increase in buses-related terrorism - almost above 50 buses have been burnt during the tensed times. Although the bus bodies are more or less "recoverable", these decors definitely aren't! These decors have moved into the category of luxury and with the current fluctuating moods of the city, luxury is something one cannot afford. Nevertheless, this current state of the buses is more appreciable since it allows women to sit more peacefully, less bothered by unnecessary things that cannot be moved.
Peace.
Sunday, 17 July 2011
Commemorance of religious events
Greetings!!
Religious events, especially here in pakistan, are celebrated with utmost fervor. Not to mention the forehead cracking worships muslims indulge in and their intensity in the form of long drawn tiring hours, usually late into the night, more recently, these religious festivities are accompanied with FIREWORKS!
Though the connection between the two does not remotely exist, this recent development has rapidly gained popularity with firework artists now flogging each residential area in pakistan. Not only does this imply endless ordeal with the sound of the blasts attacking everyone's ears present in the vicinity, these firework artists are significantly skilled in multiplying this ordeal by not only increasing the sound of the blasts, but also by igniting these fireworks right at the moment when people least expect it - like in the dead of the night.
Yesterday, a similiar religious event was celebrated with the aforesaid religious fervor. People were caught off guard when these miniature bombs went off to create noise pollution. With the current conditions of this region, these mischief mongers do not realize their innocent acts of terrorizing are not well suited and can easily be misunderstood!
I believe parents are to be blamed for these actions by their wards, because they are financially and morally responsible for their upkeep. If parents can exercise some control over their children, i think religious events can be commemorated with pure religious fervor and our environment saved from this unnecessary polluting factors.
Peace.
Religious events, especially here in pakistan, are celebrated with utmost fervor. Not to mention the forehead cracking worships muslims indulge in and their intensity in the form of long drawn tiring hours, usually late into the night, more recently, these religious festivities are accompanied with FIREWORKS!
Though the connection between the two does not remotely exist, this recent development has rapidly gained popularity with firework artists now flogging each residential area in pakistan. Not only does this imply endless ordeal with the sound of the blasts attacking everyone's ears present in the vicinity, these firework artists are significantly skilled in multiplying this ordeal by not only increasing the sound of the blasts, but also by igniting these fireworks right at the moment when people least expect it - like in the dead of the night.
Yesterday, a similiar religious event was celebrated with the aforesaid religious fervor. People were caught off guard when these miniature bombs went off to create noise pollution. With the current conditions of this region, these mischief mongers do not realize their innocent acts of terrorizing are not well suited and can easily be misunderstood!
I believe parents are to be blamed for these actions by their wards, because they are financially and morally responsible for their upkeep. If parents can exercise some control over their children, i think religious events can be commemorated with pure religious fervor and our environment saved from this unnecessary polluting factors.
Peace.
The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho
Greetings!!
I happened to read this book a while back. With its easy language and smooth flow, this book is definitely a must read for all those looking for good stories in understandable language!
As a kid, I remember hearing this same plot-line in Urdu with slightly different setting and characters. Though this book was first published in 1988, I doubt whether the Urdu version was actually an adaptation of The Alchemist.
The story is centered on a shepherd who is foretold in his dreams that he has a bigger cause to fulfill. On the search for this "cause", this shepherd travels around half of the world. What happens next is written in the book.
It has a beautiful message engraved in the story - whatever happens, happens for a reason we may not be able to see while it is happening, but will realize to appreciate it when we look back at it. So when we challenge the Almighty by saying certain way could have been better for reaching the same goal, we are actually challenging His wisdom - which I believe is pure idiocy seeing we are nowhere comparable to Him!
Peace.
I happened to read this book a while back. With its easy language and smooth flow, this book is definitely a must read for all those looking for good stories in understandable language!
As a kid, I remember hearing this same plot-line in Urdu with slightly different setting and characters. Though this book was first published in 1988, I doubt whether the Urdu version was actually an adaptation of The Alchemist.
The story is centered on a shepherd who is foretold in his dreams that he has a bigger cause to fulfill. On the search for this "cause", this shepherd travels around half of the world. What happens next is written in the book.
It has a beautiful message engraved in the story - whatever happens, happens for a reason we may not be able to see while it is happening, but will realize to appreciate it when we look back at it. So when we challenge the Almighty by saying certain way could have been better for reaching the same goal, we are actually challenging His wisdom - which I believe is pure idiocy seeing we are nowhere comparable to Him!
Peace.
Formal Dresses
Greetings!!
The topic of contention between the students and the authorities at the university has often been the case of formal dressing. With the scorching sweltering heat prevalent in Karachi, wearing a three-piece suit is far from possible for men - unless we want strong brave macho men fainting in the heat like bowling pins fall when hit by the ball.
In most organizations, central air conditioning keeps the environment pleasant and the coat-suits tolerable. But in the university, where the males seem to spend most of their time on the field work, with no "boys common room" to relax their worked up muscles and no air conditioned classrooms available apart from the scheduled course classes, imposing three-piece suits on them seem to be very harsh.
But the authorities do not deviate from their reasons - men need to learn their grooming from the university-level. If they can not bear wearing suits in the university and they continue to dress rashly, they will most probably end up giving their job interviews of massive organizations in Bermudas and muscle-grip sleeveless shirts!!!
In my opinion, grooming should be taught at the universities - but in a more polite manner. Men, though they possess immense strength and valor, can get strokes and sun burnt too!
Peace.
The topic of contention between the students and the authorities at the university has often been the case of formal dressing. With the scorching sweltering heat prevalent in Karachi, wearing a three-piece suit is far from possible for men - unless we want strong brave macho men fainting in the heat like bowling pins fall when hit by the ball.
In most organizations, central air conditioning keeps the environment pleasant and the coat-suits tolerable. But in the university, where the males seem to spend most of their time on the field work, with no "boys common room" to relax their worked up muscles and no air conditioned classrooms available apart from the scheduled course classes, imposing three-piece suits on them seem to be very harsh.
But the authorities do not deviate from their reasons - men need to learn their grooming from the university-level. If they can not bear wearing suits in the university and they continue to dress rashly, they will most probably end up giving their job interviews of massive organizations in Bermudas and muscle-grip sleeveless shirts!!!
In my opinion, grooming should be taught at the universities - but in a more polite manner. Men, though they possess immense strength and valor, can get strokes and sun burnt too!
Peace.
Pillion Riding back in Action
Greetings!!
This is in reference to a recent development in the country titled "Pillion riding ban lifted to ease people's transport hassle"
LINK: http://geo.tv/7-15-2011/83739.htm
This ban was enacted a few days ago foreseeing the violence that occurred in the country. This ban has now been lifted to provide the public ease in transport. This ban truly poses immense difficulty for the commuters especially men capable of driving motorcycles. Bike being the most cost effective "cheap" mode of transport these days, it poses immense difficulty when two or more people from the same household have to reach the same destination at the same time and are not able to travel together because of this ban! Pillion riding is banned on the presumption that terrorist activities can be controlled this way. However, history does not have any records in compliance with this hypothesis.
I believe pillion riding should not be banned. With the public transport continuing to become expensive, the fuel prices sky-rocketing and the traffic on the roads multiplying abysmally, pillion riding is the one relief the people cherish because of its ability to glide between traffic and reach the front of the queue, its comparatively low costs (all except the driver seem to be travelling for free) and its usability to transport several individuals.
Peace.
This is in reference to a recent development in the country titled "Pillion riding ban lifted to ease people's transport hassle"
LINK: http://geo.tv/7-15-2011/83739.htm
This ban was enacted a few days ago foreseeing the violence that occurred in the country. This ban has now been lifted to provide the public ease in transport. This ban truly poses immense difficulty for the commuters especially men capable of driving motorcycles. Bike being the most cost effective "cheap" mode of transport these days, it poses immense difficulty when two or more people from the same household have to reach the same destination at the same time and are not able to travel together because of this ban! Pillion riding is banned on the presumption that terrorist activities can be controlled this way. However, history does not have any records in compliance with this hypothesis.
I believe pillion riding should not be banned. With the public transport continuing to become expensive, the fuel prices sky-rocketing and the traffic on the roads multiplying abysmally, pillion riding is the one relief the people cherish because of its ability to glide between traffic and reach the front of the queue, its comparatively low costs (all except the driver seem to be travelling for free) and its usability to transport several individuals.
Peace.
Prisoners take Policemen Hostage
Greetings!!
This is in reference to a news titled, "Prisoners take policemen hostage at Larkana prison"
LINK: http://www.dawn.com/2011/07/17/prisoners-take-policemen-hostage-in-pakistan.html
I believe our law enforcement agencies need security for themselves now. With the brutality they practice against the prisoners, it is inevitable that this news will be repeatedly reported. If these policemen had treated their jail residents like humans, I believe this would never have happened in the first place. It is an eye-opener for the oppressors - when the oppressed are left with nothing to lose, they become most vulnerable. And in a situation like this, the oppressor ends up having everything to lose.
This particular incident, though remarkably violent, has lessons for everyone who takes heed from it. A policeman died as a result of the prisoners' outburst. Several were injured who tried to contain these wild prisoners. But the fact remains, these policemen have high involvement in making them wild in the first place.
Peace.
This is in reference to a news titled, "Prisoners take policemen hostage at Larkana prison"
LINK: http://www.dawn.com/2011/07/17/prisoners-take-policemen-hostage-in-pakistan.html
I believe our law enforcement agencies need security for themselves now. With the brutality they practice against the prisoners, it is inevitable that this news will be repeatedly reported. If these policemen had treated their jail residents like humans, I believe this would never have happened in the first place. It is an eye-opener for the oppressors - when the oppressed are left with nothing to lose, they become most vulnerable. And in a situation like this, the oppressor ends up having everything to lose.
This particular incident, though remarkably violent, has lessons for everyone who takes heed from it. A policeman died as a result of the prisoners' outburst. Several were injured who tried to contain these wild prisoners. But the fact remains, these policemen have high involvement in making them wild in the first place.
Peace.
Weather in Karachi
Greetings!!
Here is another one of Karachi Tips commendable images:
This image talks a lot about the weather especially in Karachi, and slyly, also about the residents of Karachi. The weather in this area of Pakistan is exceptionally "moody". One can wake up to a bright sunny day and end up coming back from work soaked skin deep in rain. It can also happen that one wakes up to a cloudy day promising to rain heavily but the wait for that first drop of rain never ends.
Since the past few days, same has been the case in the city. It had been exceptionally cloudy in the past few weeks but no substantial rain fell down from above. What is more is that our weather forecasts keeps giving us hope that it will rain in near future and that "near-future" never comes.
Commendably, the whole image talks about the moodiness of the weather here in Karachi, but the last word - "too" - of the statement gives the piece a whole new second perspective. Karachiites have long developed a reputation for being "topi baaz" - exceptional liers! Given any tough situation, Karachiites (though every Pakistani can) know how to wiggle out of these compressed spots. And they are so heavenly skilled in this regard that the fooled does not realize what happened till it is already too late.
Though this is not something one should be proud of, and it has a whole religious perspective attached to it, I believe in the modern era, it is close to impossible to abstain from such lying games. Because at the end of the day, even if a person tells the truth, those masses habitual of facing liers will never believe it.
Peace.
Here is another one of Karachi Tips commendable images:
This image talks a lot about the weather especially in Karachi, and slyly, also about the residents of Karachi. The weather in this area of Pakistan is exceptionally "moody". One can wake up to a bright sunny day and end up coming back from work soaked skin deep in rain. It can also happen that one wakes up to a cloudy day promising to rain heavily but the wait for that first drop of rain never ends.
Since the past few days, same has been the case in the city. It had been exceptionally cloudy in the past few weeks but no substantial rain fell down from above. What is more is that our weather forecasts keeps giving us hope that it will rain in near future and that "near-future" never comes.
Commendably, the whole image talks about the moodiness of the weather here in Karachi, but the last word - "too" - of the statement gives the piece a whole new second perspective. Karachiites have long developed a reputation for being "topi baaz" - exceptional liers! Given any tough situation, Karachiites (though every Pakistani can) know how to wiggle out of these compressed spots. And they are so heavenly skilled in this regard that the fooled does not realize what happened till it is already too late.
Though this is not something one should be proud of, and it has a whole religious perspective attached to it, I believe in the modern era, it is close to impossible to abstain from such lying games. Because at the end of the day, even if a person tells the truth, those masses habitual of facing liers will never believe it.
Peace.
Electricity shortfall
Greetings!!
Here is another page extracted from Karachi Tips page on Facebook:
The Karachi Tips folks have done a commendable job here in bringing day-to-day practical jokes in one place. This image also reflects a strange truth prevalent in our city Karachi. On the slightest instinct of rain, the electricity system crashes and the whole city is engulfed in darkness (since the clouds are so dense, even if it is day time, it looks like night). So when one spots signs of an upcoming pour of rain, one needs to be quick in completing all electrical chores since once the electricity is gone, one can never be sure when and if it will be back!
It happened once in the last five years that Karachi faced the heaviest rain of all times with severe rainfall pouring for almost a day. Not really a Karachiite back then, I spent most of the time enjoying the rain and expressing how beautiful it looked. However, soon enough, it dawned on me that the electricity was gone for good - the grids, transformers and electrical connections had crashed. As it is the city was floating with knee-deep rain water, posing additional difficulties for the KESC people to approach the target. I witnessed a continuous three day electricity shut down that time, with the mobile phones on the verge of dying, the rechargeable hand-held lights already dead and the then famous UPS electricity back up completely exhausted. Those three days taught me the lesson summarized in this Karachi Tip!
Peace.
Here is another page extracted from Karachi Tips page on Facebook:
The Karachi Tips folks have done a commendable job here in bringing day-to-day practical jokes in one place. This image also reflects a strange truth prevalent in our city Karachi. On the slightest instinct of rain, the electricity system crashes and the whole city is engulfed in darkness (since the clouds are so dense, even if it is day time, it looks like night). So when one spots signs of an upcoming pour of rain, one needs to be quick in completing all electrical chores since once the electricity is gone, one can never be sure when and if it will be back!
It happened once in the last five years that Karachi faced the heaviest rain of all times with severe rainfall pouring for almost a day. Not really a Karachiite back then, I spent most of the time enjoying the rain and expressing how beautiful it looked. However, soon enough, it dawned on me that the electricity was gone for good - the grids, transformers and electrical connections had crashed. As it is the city was floating with knee-deep rain water, posing additional difficulties for the KESC people to approach the target. I witnessed a continuous three day electricity shut down that time, with the mobile phones on the verge of dying, the rechargeable hand-held lights already dead and the then famous UPS electricity back up completely exhausted. Those three days taught me the lesson summarized in this Karachi Tip!
Peace.
The Holy Matrimonial - Pakistani Style
Greetings!!
I happen to come across a Facebook web page by the name of Karachi Tips, which talks a lot about how things happen in Karachi.
The following image has been extracted from their page:
I find this 100% true. Not just in Karachi but it applies to the whole of Pakistan. If there is marriage taking place somewhere in the neighborhood, it simply has to be too grand a show off with loud blaring music pouring out of the event space into the streets and into the houses of the unfortunate neighbors! Simplicity has long been trashed; talk about low music, less guests, less food and less fuss - you are sure to get some extremely pathetic glares from those actively involved in the festive event. To back up their view, they go on to say how it is the last marriage in the family, or the first, or the second, or . . . Some can even go on to say it is to impress the in-laws!
It is no wonder that the average cost of an "average" wedding these days lies somewhere between 8-10 lacs! I believe it is a complete waste of money! If things can be kept a little simpler and low on the show-off mode, weddings can truly be made affordable and memorable (and this does not apply to those who can afford extravagance. They, by all means, can continue to torture their neighbors!)
I find the hall systems slightly better in this regard since they are, at times, aloof from residential areas. Loud music in weddings sound better when it is at considerable distance and audible in whispers. Weddings are not going to stop - this is a necessity going on since generations. It is merely the styles that keeps changing, and the present style is truly rogue!
Peace.
I happen to come across a Facebook web page by the name of Karachi Tips, which talks a lot about how things happen in Karachi.
The following image has been extracted from their page:
I find this 100% true. Not just in Karachi but it applies to the whole of Pakistan. If there is marriage taking place somewhere in the neighborhood, it simply has to be too grand a show off with loud blaring music pouring out of the event space into the streets and into the houses of the unfortunate neighbors! Simplicity has long been trashed; talk about low music, less guests, less food and less fuss - you are sure to get some extremely pathetic glares from those actively involved in the festive event. To back up their view, they go on to say how it is the last marriage in the family, or the first, or the second, or . . . Some can even go on to say it is to impress the in-laws!
It is no wonder that the average cost of an "average" wedding these days lies somewhere between 8-10 lacs! I believe it is a complete waste of money! If things can be kept a little simpler and low on the show-off mode, weddings can truly be made affordable and memorable (and this does not apply to those who can afford extravagance. They, by all means, can continue to torture their neighbors!)
I find the hall systems slightly better in this regard since they are, at times, aloof from residential areas. Loud music in weddings sound better when it is at considerable distance and audible in whispers. Weddings are not going to stop - this is a necessity going on since generations. It is merely the styles that keeps changing, and the present style is truly rogue!
Peace.
Going Green (3)
Greetings!!
After the general realization of the degenerating environment, efforts are being made to "go green" with respect to everything - be it energy sources, renewable resources or resource conservation.
However, this blog is regarding the cars "going green".
When it was realized that the traditional fuels used to power the cars were sources of obnoxious pollution hazardous not only for the direct inhalers but also for the ozone, immediate efforts came into being to switch over to "less-polluting" alternatives so that the environment can be saved.
The basic idea behind the selection of fuel for vehicles is it should readily react with air, more specifically oxygen. Selection by this rule allows for reduction in costs of fuels.
These attempts are depicted in the conversion of petroleum-run cars into CNG-run cars here in Pakistan, though the reasons here were not remotely the conservation of the environment but rather the conservation of people's finances. However, for whatever reasons, progress was made.
More recently, a more "greener" fuel has been discovered in the form of compressed hydrogen gas. The exhaust products of this fuel is WATER - hence it is by far the greenest fuel. Attempts are being made to commercialize this fuel, but the precautions for this fuel makes it too dangerous for domestic use. Compressed hydrogen gas is highly flammable; minor accidents can also cause severe damages.
I believe hydrogen gas will be a viable fuel source if the cars are made of rubber which will repel on collision, instead of collapse. Water as a by-product makes hydrogen exceptionally green - if only more research is done regarding how to make this fuel domestically usable, I believe the ultimate "green" will be achieved in this regard.
Peace.
After the general realization of the degenerating environment, efforts are being made to "go green" with respect to everything - be it energy sources, renewable resources or resource conservation.
However, this blog is regarding the cars "going green".
When it was realized that the traditional fuels used to power the cars were sources of obnoxious pollution hazardous not only for the direct inhalers but also for the ozone, immediate efforts came into being to switch over to "less-polluting" alternatives so that the environment can be saved.
The basic idea behind the selection of fuel for vehicles is it should readily react with air, more specifically oxygen. Selection by this rule allows for reduction in costs of fuels.
These attempts are depicted in the conversion of petroleum-run cars into CNG-run cars here in Pakistan, though the reasons here were not remotely the conservation of the environment but rather the conservation of people's finances. However, for whatever reasons, progress was made.
More recently, a more "greener" fuel has been discovered in the form of compressed hydrogen gas. The exhaust products of this fuel is WATER - hence it is by far the greenest fuel. Attempts are being made to commercialize this fuel, but the precautions for this fuel makes it too dangerous for domestic use. Compressed hydrogen gas is highly flammable; minor accidents can also cause severe damages.
I believe hydrogen gas will be a viable fuel source if the cars are made of rubber which will repel on collision, instead of collapse. Water as a by-product makes hydrogen exceptionally green - if only more research is done regarding how to make this fuel domestically usable, I believe the ultimate "green" will be achieved in this regard.
Peace.
Maintenance of Master pieces
Greetings!!
Pakistan is a developing country. With a significant percentage of the national budget dedicated to developmental schemes, it is appreciable to notice the construction of several infrastructural facilities and residential/commercial structures. The running roads are direct implications of the numerous bridges and overhead passenger crossings built in the last decade.
However, appreciable though it is to see the cities and the country developing to suit the modern era, an abominable reality states that these master pieces, once built, are never looked after or maintained after successive use. True enough, cracks have become frighteningly evident in most of the old bridges built across Karachi. Same is the case with most of the old buildings here.
It should always be remembered that Karachi lies on the fault-line – such ignorance can result in horrendous outcomes if not looked after immediately. We shouldn’t wait for a tsunami to hit us like in Japan as we can surely not cope with such disasters.
I believe the public nowadays has become well aware of the corruption and injustice prevalent in the country. The floods on 2008 were sufficient enough to show how “well-maintained” the structures are. I think people can now identify the wrong and put in their efforts to correct it. If we as a nation and as victims can do nothing to make our lives better, then solutions to this problem will never come by!
Peace.
Sea-View
Greetings!!
Every one of us has been to the sea-shores and enjoyed the serene environment of the place. Fortunately, Karachi is also blessed with a sea-shore more commonly know as “Sea-View”.
Standing on the wet sand, the gentle ripples of the water waves seem to glide across the surface of the sea, rushing to caress our feet. The hushed voices of the water waves breaking against the rocks seem to be telling the tale of what the race of worldly possessions results in. The wet sand slithering and disappearing beneath our feet with the waves seem to be narrating another phenomenon.
Water has forever been attributed with Peace and Serenity. Hence it is not surprising many people who visit the sea-shores are searchers of tranquility. I believe most of them are in fact successful in finding peace there.
However, noticeably, the water here at Karachi’s shore is not clean. With the heavy saline taste and murky appearance, the “Sea-View” poses real trouble when it snatches away the fragile youth from their parents and engulfs them into the shadows of deep silence. It is heart wrenching to see the innocent faces of the pearly youth frozen and stiffened to an irrevocable state, if they are found at all.
Do we blame the sea for such mishap? No same person would do that. Do we blame ourselves? Only when it is already too late.
Peace.
Burj Khalifa
Greetings!!
The third form of adjectives has long been attributed with unchallengeable records. The longest railway route, the largest network of roads, the biggest house – all give an impression of an unbroken undeniable record the “creators” made when these nouns came into being.
Similarly, after the sad demise of the twin towers – then the tallest towers in the world – in the unfortunate 9/11 disaster, several attempts were made to surpass the records. As a result, the current tallest building in the world is the Burj Khalifa situated in Dubai, U.A.E. with its height rising upto 828m!
It is shaped in the form of a desert flower – the Hymenocallis – with a distinctive peak. Burj Khalifa is reported to be decorated with utmost luxury and gold.
The opening ceremony of this gigantic monster had an expenditure of more than a million dirham. With its luxury, extravagance and uniqueness, Burj Khalifa does not seem to be welcoming for the common average earners except for the observation deck accessible to all.
I believe Burj Khalifa is the Arab’s appreciable attempt at promoting tourism in the region. With rumors screaming about the depletion of the natural resources in the region on which the Middle Eastern economies heavily depend on, it makes absolute sense the Arabs are worried about their sustenance. However, Bedouins, as the Arabs originally were, are building structures so huge that if you turn your face to look at its peak, your hat will fall off. Food for Thought: It has already been mentioned in Islamic resources that this is a clear symbol of the End. Are we prepared for it?
Peace.
The scale of measuring success
Greetings!!
Innovations that are introduced in the market are declared worthwhile or worthless on the basis of public response. For instance, the introduction of “Omore” ice cream here in Pakistan and their marketing strategies had people asking for this brand even when it was not physically available in most places. But did this really mean the brand was successful? If this is how success or acceptability is measured, I think the rule is defective!
Less than a month ago, a home-made ice cream was introduced in my university café. The sweltering heat of this city Karachi keeps the demand for ice creams really high, especially in summers. We decided to give it a try – which turned out to be a disaster gone more disastrous! That day, that ice cream could have made a considerable sale, but did it mean the ice cream was successful? This question is already answered above.
These days, the success of introductions like movies, music albums, novel products etc are measured on how much sales were made the first day or the first week. I believe this success should be measured by how many people came back for more. The curious devil a human is, trying out novel stuff is much of a hobby these days. You need to have an experience (whether personal or induced) to have an opinion. Initial sales are this experience-gaining-and-opinion-forming phase of any innovation. If positive opinions are formed, this will bring the person back for more. This is the actual success of the introduction.
I believe it is very deceptive of the marketers to quote their initial sales and promote their product as “in-demand”. I clearly did not favor the ice cream I had! People need to become wiser in this regard so they are not misled into burning their hard earned finances!
Peace.
The world is not a dramatics stage!
Greetings!!
The number of movies released everyday is ever-increasing. With slight changes in the movie plots (since success comes to those whose situations are kept near to real life), a number of similar movies are released every day. The impacts of these movies are evident on people now more than ever.
A few days back, I overheard someone repeating how a distant relative took a leap for marrying his love. The “dramatic” element in this story, however, was this relative’s beloved mother’s attempt at destroying her son’s relationship by the heroic phone call to his to-be, cursing her madly and forcing her to leave her son alone. I couldn’t help smiling when I heard this part – did she really believe this would work?!
If we look at the 19th century romantic movies, we can surely find such replication in them. In those idealistic scenarios, the villainous mother-in-law is usually shown as triumph over her daughter-in-law initially, but to keep the “. . . and they lived happily ever after!” element alive, the ending depicted the mother-in-law realizing that the lady she cursed is in fact the best spouse for her son.
We need to realize that movies are just movies – idealistic situations, a bunch of actors, and some money thrown in to release it for public’s entertainment! That is it!! Such situations are not REAL!! This world is NOT a dramatics theater!! Some fortunate people may benefit from replicating these hypothetical situations – but often it does not work!
With psychological advancements growing roots everywhere, entering every horizon, why is it so difficult for people to relate their problems with psychology?! I believe the real-life situation quoted above could have been dealt in a better way if the mother had tackled the situation sensibly instead of unleashing her heroic dramatics and worsening the decisions in her own regards!
Peace.
Saturday, 16 July 2011
Turning 21...
Greetings!!
I turned 21 today. When i turn to look back at the 21 years i have already spent, i find those 21 years to be pure waste. Did i achieve something in life? Nothing that i can recount! Did i do anything in these 21 years that can be called worthwhile? The answer is again NO! Have i prepared something for the life hereafter? Though i knew everyone has to die someday, my actions were always in clear contradiction.
This is not just my story; it is the story of a large percentage of the present confused disoriented youth lacking a direction. Yes, everyone is told multiple times that they have to become doctors and engineers and accountants. What they are not told is how to become humans. They are not told things that are beneficial both in the present world and the hereafter. So when one day we stop and look back at our lives, we find nothing but ruins and wastage on our records.
Less than a month ago, during one of our classes at the university, we were posed a seemingly very innocent and easy question: Who am i? These 3 words, though individually worth nothing, in combination were more powerful even than the nuclear weapons! Who am i? Yes, i am a human, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a foe, a . . . . But who am I?! These are merely the spaces in God made relationships that i fill! Who am I? What is my identity? I was baffled!
Today when i look back at the 21 years of aisle i walked across, i find not a single thing i can be proud of, but numerous discrepancies i am ashamed of. I did not do anything worthwhile in this world, nor did i do anything that will benefit me in my after life. Who is to be blamed? I believe none except myself. I am lucky enough to be born among spiritually alive people who did their best to keep me in contact with the "REAL" world. I carelessly thought i had atleast 60 years of life to live before death attacks me. I thankfully faced the reality long before the time to regret came on me. But today i still do not have a single deed in my records that i can think of and say i did that right! Food for thought: how many of the readers can claim they have lived their lives well?
Peace.
I turned 21 today. When i turn to look back at the 21 years i have already spent, i find those 21 years to be pure waste. Did i achieve something in life? Nothing that i can recount! Did i do anything in these 21 years that can be called worthwhile? The answer is again NO! Have i prepared something for the life hereafter? Though i knew everyone has to die someday, my actions were always in clear contradiction.
This is not just my story; it is the story of a large percentage of the present confused disoriented youth lacking a direction. Yes, everyone is told multiple times that they have to become doctors and engineers and accountants. What they are not told is how to become humans. They are not told things that are beneficial both in the present world and the hereafter. So when one day we stop and look back at our lives, we find nothing but ruins and wastage on our records.
Less than a month ago, during one of our classes at the university, we were posed a seemingly very innocent and easy question: Who am i? These 3 words, though individually worth nothing, in combination were more powerful even than the nuclear weapons! Who am i? Yes, i am a human, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a foe, a . . . . But who am I?! These are merely the spaces in God made relationships that i fill! Who am I? What is my identity? I was baffled!
Today when i look back at the 21 years of aisle i walked across, i find not a single thing i can be proud of, but numerous discrepancies i am ashamed of. I did not do anything worthwhile in this world, nor did i do anything that will benefit me in my after life. Who is to be blamed? I believe none except myself. I am lucky enough to be born among spiritually alive people who did their best to keep me in contact with the "REAL" world. I carelessly thought i had atleast 60 years of life to live before death attacks me. I thankfully faced the reality long before the time to regret came on me. But today i still do not have a single deed in my records that i can think of and say i did that right! Food for thought: how many of the readers can claim they have lived their lives well?
Peace.
Roses
Greetings!!
I remember the first clause of short poem we used to write as kids,
Roses are red, Violets are blue…
A number of different endings were then innovated with this clause that the original is long forgotten. Reliving those childhood memories, I remember how I used to question others when the adults exchanged roses on the 14th of February. Being an adult myself now, I see many of my equals following the same ritual.
Roses are believed to be the symbol of love (Red roses). Not only this, different colors of roses are symbolized with different emotions. On an average in Pakistan, a rose is sold of Rs.10, but during the “love season”, its price hikes up to Rs.250!! This season also increases the IMPORT of roses significantly, with pre-season bookings gaining rapid popularity.
That was about live roses, exchanged hand-in-hand, given to a person for expressing feelings. Dried roses are revered for their beautiful immortality; dried roses mixed with a few more dried herbs and perfumed with additional scents are sold as pot-pourri that beautifies the drawing rooms of many. A rose doesn’t lose its value even when the fluid of life has been dried out of it.
If that is not sufficient, Pakistanis here are known for making a rare rose delicacy – Gulkand – from the dried roses which is consumed directly. Indeed, a rose never devalues! It is valuable whether it is alive or dried!
Peace.
Money is not the only Motivator
Greetings!!
According to the common Asian belief prevailing in this region that money (bonuses and pay raises) can motivate a person to excel his/her own performance, reality says otherwise. Money is not the only motivator – on the contrary, money can become a demotivating factor. In my previous semester, while studying the course “Organizational Behavior”, I studied around 13 leadership styles, all accompanied with a disclaimer that the schemes may or may not work because each person is different from the other. Same is the case here; money may be the motivating factor for many but may not prove to be so for everyone.
It is often quoted, “Money can never buy happiness”. Experience says it is true. Similar is the case in question – money cannot guarantee high performance. Consider an average 9-5 worker. If you ask this person to work 18hours every day for double the money s/he currently earns, this person might agree to it, work for maximum a week and then throw a resignation in your face. Now consider an unemployed person. If you ask this person to work 10hours everyday for an amount that is insufficient to cater to his/her basic needs, this person will be demotivated to work too.
That being said, I repeat my statement – money is not the only motivator. There are many other factors involved in motivating an individual to compete his/her performance. This may include career opportunities, good environment, allowances, flexibility and many more. Thus leadership is heavily emphasized upon – since every person is not the same, leadership styles need to vary accordingly too!
Peace.
If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem
Greetings!!
This idiom, extremely popular nowadays in Pakistan due to the conditions prevalent, has more depth to it than the number of words that make it. If you do nothing to solve a problem and let it thrive, you become a part of the problem itself!
Consider the horrific killings of the two brothers in Sialkot not very long ago. All the on-lookers, most of them who did not agree with the happening, became a part of the crime for their lack of reaction. Even if one of them had resisted the crime that was happening there right in front of hundreds of spectators, a chain reaction must’ve started with every one of those not agreeing with the event joining in to save the two brothers. Justice is served better with the oppressor and the oppressed both alive to defend their cause – not with one side silenced to death!! By doing nothing, the entire crowd became convicted with obstruction of justice!
Let’s take another example. Nowadays, we see most of the Pakistani nation crying and complaining about the government and their erroneous policies. Everyone has a tale of their own regarding how they are being oppressed and crushed. The Pakistani nation is not short of grumblers. Ask these crying complaining nationals and they will tell you none of them voted during the elections! By staying quiet then, they became a part of a bigger problem we face nowadays. The problem is not the government’s oppression anymore it is also the governed not doing anything to end this oppression!!
Peace.
Services sell more than Products
Greetings!!
Being a student of the course “Services Marketing”, I learnt that services indeed sell a thousand times more than products. In fact, without services, products don’t sell at all.
Analyzing the businesses and their operations on the basis of 4 basic distinctive rules (there is also a non-written 5th rule) between products and services, we find services involved EVERYWHERE around us. Without logistics – which without a doubt constitutes the service industry – products can never reach the market or the consumers. Without installation and maintenance services, most products cannot function. And without teacher’s services, one does not become eligible for providing or understanding the services in the first place!
With investments ranging from zero to half the finances involved in product manufacturing, services yield almost double and triple the profits as compared to the products. For example: A man, skilled in wood-work, equipped with a bunch of his carpentry tool, providing services to a household can work wonders. And his investment is solely his tools.
With the service industry so widespread and profitable, it finally makes sense why the leading countries’ portfolio shows such high percentages of people involved in the service sector while only a quarter involved in production sector.
With horrendous ethical dilemmas present in all professions, and with minimum losses and maximum profits already involved in the service industry, it makes perfect sense to indulge in this field. However, the manufacturing sector cannot be ignored. Without products, services are more or less non-functional. I don’t understand why marketers have to lie or deceive the masses when their products are going to sell anyways! Products are not replaceable with anything after all. Try eating a chef instead of a burger!!
Peace.
Words Versus Pictures
Greetings!!
Technology keeps advancing at an immense rate – so does the sea of knowledge available for acquisition. With the human mind retaining the same original size and its workability restrained to what it used to be centuries ago, learning and remembering everything is proving to be a serious challenge. Technological advancements seem to be answering this problem as well.
As opposed to earlier when reading was a hobby, youth is more concerned in maximizing benefits. It has also been proven that the human mind retains images more vividly than long twisting texts. It would not be wrong to say that the advent of YouTube has put Wikipedia in the “old” generation – just as E-News has made the early morning Newspapers a history!! I believe the famous books (like Harry Potter series for instance) were less popular till they were picture-ized into a movie. I do not have official statistics but I find very few people who have actually read the book in contrast with those who have all seen the movie.
I believe traditional teaching methods should also be altered to cater this “picture” element in it (which no doubt is happening in many places). In this technology-ized world, there are very few readers left, unless there is some visual content attached to it. Many things in the world need to adapt accordingly with evolving technologies to be more effective and efficient. It’s time to realize that technology is a friend, not a foe!
Peace.
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