A Retreat to Remember

Pakistan and India have had a long history of “not shaking hands” smilingly. And whenever the two are eyeball to eyeball, the temperatures rise rapidly. And one such place where one can witness these rising temperatures is the Wagha border between India and Pakistan near the Pakistani city of Lahore. Here every evening before the sunset, a spectacular ceremony is held at the time of sounding of the retreat and the flags lowering ceremony. The ceremony is attended ed by a large number of people from both sides of the fence and the entire ceremony is held amidst slogans and motivational national songs.

My family had been asking me to witness the ceremony for long, so I decided to take them to Wagha a couple of years back and see for myself the charged emotions. And I thank my stars that I went there as if I hadn’t, I would have missed one of the greatest retreat of my life.

We were there by about 4:30 in the evening and were seated just next to the gates – a place reserved for the senior officers and dignitaries. And the ceremony started soon. Two smartly turned out, over six feet tall, men of the Pakistan Rangers closed the doors on Pakistani side, and so did the Indians on the other side. I don’t have to narrate the event, as the video shot by me says it all. I was so engrossed in taking the video, that I missed the chance to see the event myself – as I was watching it from the camera LCD. But I remember the foot stepping from God knows how many feet high and banging on the metalled pavement with full force. The gestures by the soldiers were so forceful and instant. Everyone watched the ceremony with awe and watched their soldiers with pride. The ceremony ended with national anthems on both sides and I sang along ours with pride and confidence.

After the ceremony, an old man waved Pakistani flag, and was later taken over by a few college girls who also took the opportunity to show their love for their country. Then the crowd flocked around the mighty over six foot giants and head them photographed with India in the background. And so did I along with my family.

We came back with lot of confidence and pride that our sons are ever ready and watchful on the borders so that we could sleep back home without any fear of insecurity. May Allah bless these soldiers who guard the frontiers for the comfort of their fellow beings. Ameen.

PS: Those who haven’t witnessed the ceremony, must make an endeavour at lest once, as it is a lifetime experience – unparallel of its kind.

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University of Gujrat

S A J Shirazi

The First Convocation of the University of Gujrat was held at Hafiz Hayat Campus on May 27, 2010. The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilini conferred degrees awards to graduarting students of BS (Hons) and MA / MSc from 2006 to 2009 academic sessions. The Prime Minister Yousaf Raza emphasized upon the role of studies in the development of nations and stressed upon students that they should make good use of knowledge they have gained during their academic career and relate that knowledge to ground during practical life. On the occasion the Prime Minister announced special grant of 100 million - 50 million for building UOG auditorium and 50 million for promotion of higher studies of UOG graduates. The Prime Minister also announced a piece of land comprising 1000 Kanals on behalf of his Special Advisor Nawabzada Ghazanfar Gull for establishing the UOG Veterinary College.

Earlier, Prof Dr Muhammad Nizamuddin, the Vice Chancellor welcomed the Prime Minister and other distinguished guests on visiting the University of Gujrat. While addressing the gathering, the VC explained different features of the academic activities at the campus. He said that objective of the UOG is to introduce subjects that offer better job prospects to the students. He highlighted the usefulness of facilities necessary for effective and uninterrupted learning.

In addition to Federal Education Minister Sardar Asif Ahemd Ali, Federal Defense Minister Ch. Ahmed Mukhtar, Federal Information Minister Qammar Zaman Kaira, Federal Minister for Population Welfare Firdous Ashiq Awan, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Nawabzada Ghazanfar Ali Gul, Senior Minister Punjab Raja Riaz Ahmed and the Governor Punjab Salman Taseer, the convocation was attended by large number of students, alumni and academics.

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Roads – Are these for Automobiles?

Well, any sane person would think so. But sometimes the answer is otherwise. A few days back, I was “asked” to take my wife to the crowded Raja Bazar of Rawalpindi for shopping. The mere thought of going to the place is hair raising as this is the most congested and crowed place of the city. Grudgingly, I gave in and started the towards the place. And as I thought, the road started to become narrow as more and more human traffic started to occupy the road space. But that was not enough as worst was yet to come. The shopkeepers had placed their merchandise not only on the foot path but also on the road, occupying almost 25-30% of the road, thus leaving hardly any space to drive. And as if this was not enough.

When I was asked to park, I couldn't find any space as the area in front of each shop was “blocked” deliberately by parking motorcycles, cycles and carts, besides the merchandise. This was enough for any “sane” person to have hypertension and rising temperatures were surely to follow. 

So “this” sane man got out of the car, and much to the annoyance of the shopkeepers, pushed their merchandise towards the footpath and parked my vehicle. Naturally this was not a welcome sign and I could see wrinkles on their faces and fiery eyes meaning a rough talk. But for some unknown reasons, no one reacted.

But I fail to understand who allows them to encroach the road side and how can they be allowed to disturb the smooth flow of the traffic. I tried to ask this simple question from the traffic warden, who just shrugged his shoulder and said that that wasn’t his domain of duty and that I should visit the municipal committee’s administrator’s office instead. Now who has this much of time to do – so I decided not to oblige “someone” in future. It could have me hypertension, which I surely do not want.

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Every Rose Has Its Thorns

By S A J Shirazi

While most of my friends were having a great weekend, I was taking a trip to explore the lush green plains of Punjab, riding my trusted old motorbike on Band Patri (track along the bank) of Lower Bari Doab Canal (LBDC). Many new and interesting things came in the way, which normally remain hidden from commuters on the National Highway or travellers in the area. The countryside embraces you with lovely colours, atmosphere, people and bits and pieces of history. And, there is no hassle anywhere in the way.

As spring approaches, the traveller, especially in the irrigated tracts, ride through endless expanses of waving crops of different shades of colour, out of which the villages seem to rise like islets in an ocean of green.

I took the side route and got onto the LBDC from Sahiwal -- the city famous for greenery and best breed of mammals. The first thing along the LBDC that attracted my attention was Mandi Maweshian (animal market) near Okara -- one of the largest in the country. It is a complete bazaar where a large number of fine quality animals changes hand every month. You can find makeshift hotels (with arrangements for night stay), veterinary doctors, milk and fodder shops and even provision stores. "It is a complete market that keeps moving from one place to another as per its permanent schedule," told me an astute manager, who establishes a hotel wherever the market goes. "We have buparis (businessmen) from Karachi to Peshawar, local farmers as well as people working in the market as our customers," he added. Another shopkeeper informed, "Farmers sell their live stock here and buy provisions for their homes." The market has its own unique culture.

Near Renala, you see one of the first Hydroelectric Power Stations constructed in the Subcontinent. Sir Ganga Ram, an Engineer and famous Philanthropist had built this Power Station in 1925 in order to irrigate about 70,000 acres of agricultural land that is higher than the normal level in the area and could not be irrigated through the LBDC. Ganga Ram forked the canal, built the Power Station and installed five motors to generate electricity. The then Governor Punjab, Sir William Malcolm Hailey laid down its foundation stone of the station on March 22, 1925. Engineer in charge of the station explained the working of the station and its excellent performance despite the old vintage. The Power Station is not linked with National Electric Grid and only provides electricity for the five pumping stations for lifting the water from the LBDC. The Power Station remained with Power and Works Department till 1958 when it was taken over by WAPDA. Why not more similar hydroelectric stations in the country? The question keeps coming back to my mind.

First sight of the Power Station reminded me of Venice City. The powerhouse building seems to be floating on water. Photographs are not allowed. Security! The canal is covered with trees up and down stream. There is a small white mosque inside the canal in front of the station building. Green areas adjoining the station are very restful.

Just about three Kilometres from Renala, you see a huge colonial ere mansion standing tall in the fields. This used to be headquarters of the Renala Estate -- the land leased by Major D. H. Venrenen in 1913 on the condition of horse breeding (ghori pall). The company had been producing very fine breed of horses in the past. Villa -- a symbol of the past era -- is still owned by the family of landlady T. F. L. Taylor.

That is the place from where my real 'hardship by choice' started. I was travelling on a rural route, seeing the path but not knowing what was coming next. Not knowing what one is going to see ahead is sometime inspiring. But, about 11 Kilometres from Power Station, rear tyre of my bike went flat. There was no place in sight from where I could get it fixed. Advised by Chragh Din, a local, I waited for the ‘help’ to come and we talked.

Chragh Din, relaxed and amiable old man who was fishing asked about my destination, purpose of journey and why I was travelling on a bike. He did not seem convinced with my answers once I told him that I am travelling just to see the area. He was surprised instead. I enjoyed talking to him though. He was so candid and frank about every thing he said.

It pays to get out into the countryside and talk to ordinary people. They are eager to help -- on their own expense -- when you ask any body. I found volunteer ‘guides’ who were forth coming with wealth of information from history to myths prevalent in the area. But ‘chaudhry map’ is as vague in Punjab about the distances as is anywhere else in Pakistan. I learnt not to rely on chaudhry map during my days in the army but still cannot resist asking. Where is village Thatta Ghulam? Ask any body when you are riding a motorbike with haversack and water bottle on your sides. The replies will always be same: nearby.

The ionic counter point is the lack of attention in maintaining the bits and pieces of unique heritage - the resource base of tourism industry. The neglect may be attributed to lack of awareness, education, coordination between authorities, economic constrains and or simply the natural hazards. The magnificent vistas of a land of plans, fields and orchards have to be opened to the rest of the world. There is a need for information in the form of travel guide writing, pure travel journalism, travel book writing and geographical description in form of maps. No ordinary coldness of phrasing can express the surprise and delight, with which one makes acquaintance with the rural sites. Their perspective gives you a wonderful sense of being there. In fact, that is my recommendation: be there.

Near Balloki Headworks on River Ravi, one passes through a wide water reservoir that looks like a lake. In winters, this lack is full of native waterfowls. Flocks of Wild Ducks, Cranes, Strokes and black winged Stilts are the commonest sights in the area. The fish kababs at Balloki Headworks are a speciality and culinary delight. I had a dinner break at Balloki, treated myself with fish kababs -- fresh from the river -- and proceeded to National Highway for onwards journey to Lahore via more familiar route. [Also here]

Related: Gogera Insight

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Internet Marketing

Those 200 words bloggers write on their blogs to promote products, service and or an idea are getting more important every day. In addition to optimizing search engine rankings of the sites under discussion, they influence the consumers in a gig way. A consumer survey (carried out online in USA) says, “83% of consumers say that product reviews influence their online purchasing decisions, 70% of online shoppers actively seek out product reviews before they buy, more than half of US online shoppers surveyed, read user reviews as part of their product research and nearly 9 of 10 US online buyers read reviews at least “some of the time” before making a purchase.

This is not about how to write reviews, add visuals, write product descriptions, give proofs and urge readers to make buying decision. This is about the fact that local market is yet not online as it is the case in more connected countries. Therefore local bloggers and markets mostly turn towards foreign markets and write about them. Some of the bloggers are doing a good job despite all handicaps. Similarly some of the marketers are also taking advantages.

It is in this milieu that this is a call to local marketers and sellers to see the advantages and take benefit of any review stream can offer to them. Exceptions are already there, I personally know (and write for) a local concern that sells products online and how their  blog advertising investment is providing them  huge returns.  I suggest you buy a review or a link and experience what it does to your business. [X-Posted from Light Within]

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Internet Radio in the Toy Village

Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka – Toy Village and also Dolls Village – has entered a new era with the start of the Internet Radio Project “radiotv -thatta village”by the NGO Anjuman-e-Falah-e-Aama. The idea of the Internet Radio originated from influx of visitors and their interests since early 90s. The usage of city based knowledge in combination with the experiences gained in rural areas was already an important aim and now the NGO wanted to integrate lectures and workshops that are held in the village. Awards from international exhibitions and organizations intensified the desire to engage more with the periphery. Although there is quite a lot of varied interests and participations from the surrounding areas, the knowledge gained however can be spread effectively only with modern means, like the Internet-Radio.

One should not hinder the modern technology rather integrate its useful aspects in the lives of people.

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Dolls of the World

Dolls, the childhood companions of children, specially girls, have always been charming and loving. And the most amazing thing about the dolls is that these are part of culture of almost every country of the world since time immemorial. Proof of this is found in the excavation in South America, the Subcontinent, Japan, Italy, Greece, and other sites all over the world. Made out of materials like wood, wax, clay, cloth etc., they were not only a toy but used also as religious symbols and cult items for example as miniaturized images of persons.

Even today they are used by many people as fetish (an inanimate object worshiped for its supposed magical powers or because it is considered to be inhabited by a spirit). Today, the experts are not sure what was the first purpose of the dolls; as a toy, out of which the cult figure developed or the cult figure which became a toy.

Over and above their value as toys with educational value, dolls are realistic documentation of past and present times and therefore important source of our knowledge about the games, life, living and work conditions and economy. They are important cultural carriers.

Dr. Senta Maria Anna Siller, the honorable Mother of Dolls who is recipient of Floriade (the Netherlands), Gestaltetes Spielgut (Creative Toys – German Toys Industry), Bundesverdienstkreuz (highest civil order of merit of the Federal Republic of Germany), is one enterprising woman who is keep the dolls making alive in various countries of the world and has established different projects in Pakistan, Cameroon, Columbia, etc., in which small but long-term progress was made towards development of rural areas, help towards self-sustained development, discouragement of urbanization by way of income generating projects in the rural areas through production of certain types of handicraft items.
Dolls are manufactured here lovingly and clothed in traditional dresses and accessories. Fabric design and types of clothing are revived and take an important place in daily life.

Dolls from Pakistan: Like all other countries, dolls also figure out in the culture of Pakistan. In order to keep the tradition alive and to make doll making as a means to empower women of the rural areas, a women project was established by Dr Siller in 1993 in the Pakistani province of Punjab, that has 120 women members and it is generating income. The women here work not on full-time basis but in a traditional way so that family and field work is not compromised and festivals of different types, common in villages, can be celebrated as usual. The village Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka has about 1200 residents. The villagers established the NGO Anjuman-e-Falah-e-Aama in 1991, which co-operates with the DGFK e.V. (German Society for Promotion of Culture). The Anjuman itself co-operates with six further projects in the country.

Watch a short video on Dolls from villages of Punjab, Pakistan:

Dolls from Cameroon: Three co-operatives (Akwatinuighah, Akaankang, HandiCraft (CAT) are functioning since 1998 in Bamenda, the capital of the North-West Provinz in Cameroun, which is located near the border to Nigeria. Also this NGO co-operates with the DGFK, Germany. Bamenda has about 60000 residents living on seven hills, who speak eight different languages. Apart from the men of CAT, over 100 women manufacture a variety of handicrafts.

Dolls from Columbia: The co-operative Tantomejor was established in 1999 in Saboya and it works in the meanwhile with three other initiatives. Saboya has about 6000 residents near Chiquinquira, the capital of Departemento Boyaca, north of Bogota. Also this NGO enjoys cooperation of the DGFK. Over 100 women are engaged in the manufacture of handicraft items.

Project description in other languages [Via]

• Thatta Kedona
• Dukker Projekt
• Puppen der Welt
• Muñecas del Mundo
• Poupées du monde
• Куклы Hародов Mира

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Change Has Come

Village TGD is changing in the process. The relative prosperity is visible. TGD was the first village in Punjab to have its own solar power house a decade ago and it is still working. Villagers are putting their children, particularly the girls in school. The Woman Art Centre is also playing a part in the well being of the villagers. The Centre has provided furniture and educational training aids to the two government primary schools (one for girls and the other for boys) in village and has also opened a well equipped basic health care centre. Books are distributed among students every year. Fruit and flower trees are given to residents for their court yards and they are encouraged to grow their own kitchen gardens. Best of all, an annual quality of life competition is held in the village when best mud houses and brick houses are selected in different categories. Owners of mud houses have lucrative incentives (thanks to SPARC) and they keep their homes in spanking condition and well maintained all the year. This alone has changed the look of the entire village. The Dolls Village has entered a new era with the start of the Internet Radio Project in the beginning of 2010. The idea of the Internet Radio originated from influx of visitors and their interests since early 90s. Now the local and focused information can be spread effectively with the Internet-Radio.

Read here, how community work can bring visible change!

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Threat Perceptions

According to a survey of 600 IT security executives from critical infrastructure enterprises worldwide, more than half (54%) have already suffered large scale attacks or stealthy infiltrations from organized crime gangs, terrorists or nation-states. No doubt, to check this malpractice, legislation is made time and again but the vulnerability of their IT sector has increased over the years. It would not be wrong to say world IT industry is growing among fear and mistrust.

One example of cyberterrorists at work was when terrorists in Romania illegally gained access to the computers controlling the life support systems at an Antarctic research station, endangering the precious lives of 58 scientists. However, the culprits were stopped before damage actually occurred. In October 2007, the website of Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko was attacked by hackers. A radical Russian nationalist youth group, the Eurasian Youth Movement, claimed responsibility. In 1999 hackers attacked NATO computers and they flooded the computers with email and hit them with a denial of service (DoS). The hackers were protesting against the NATO bombings in Kosovo. Businesses, public organizations and academic institutions were bombarded with highly politicized emails containing virulent viruses.

Is the cyber world in safe hand? Find the answer here and here.

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Mother's Day

Mother's Day is a day to pay homeage to great women who shape our lives and made us grow tall. Though my mother left me almost a decade ago, I still find her around me to guide me whenever I err and embrace me when I need a shelter. Herein under is a tribute to my mother and all mothers by some anonymous poet which I thought I must share to express my love and gratitude to her.

Before I was myself you made me, me
With love and patience, discipline and tears,
Then bit by bit stepped back to set me free,
Allowing me to sail upon my sea,
Though well within the headlands of your fears.
Before I was myself you made me, me
With dreams enough of what I was to be
And hopes that would be sculpted by the years,
Then bit by bit stepped back to set me free,
Relinquishing your powers gradually
To let me shape myself among my peers.
Before I was myself you made me, me,
And being good and wise, you gracefully
As dancers when the last sweet cadence nears
Bit by bit stepped back to set me free.
For love inspires learning naturally:
The mind assents to what the heart reveres.
And so it was through love you made me, me
By slowly stepping back to set me free.

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Abbottabad Golf Club and the Kites

Abbottabad Golf Club is perhaps one of the best golf courses in Pakistan. Overlooked by towering mountains from all sides, the lush green fairways are a treat to watch even by the non golfers. I visited the place last year in April, when the spring was in full bloom and the very high Maple trees were wearing their fresh green coats, standing on both side of the course as its custodians. 

It was a reunion of the veterans of more than three decade old association along with their families amid harmonious tunes played by the military band and the hissing sound of the fresh air that spread the floral scent of fresh flowers all over the place. We all gathered to remember the days of early youth when we came to Kakul, a nearby small town where the prestigious Pakistan Military Academy is located and moved out after two years training as young, aspiring and motivated officers. Coming back to Abbottabad was just like homecoming  - something that cannot be described in words. 

We in Pakistan normally visit Murree, Nathiagali and surrounding areas but miss out Abbottabad, which is a heavenly place and its golf course is more heavenly of all. Nest time if you are planning a visit up north, do include Abbottabad. You will cherish the memories forever. Such places are treat to be visited and enjoyed as words cannot describe the mood and the enjoyment one has when actually been there

Relevant Blog:
The marching tune of PMA - a tune to die for
Abbottabad – Once City of Maple Trees 

My Photography (Taken from Flickr: Jalalspages )

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Pakistan House Germany

Over 35 years of cultural work is not important, but the fact that it was carried out with private resources. Once young volunteers have become older over the years and it is often asked in e-mails, whether the long, partly very tiresome efforts can be properly documented at-least in an archive. Since such work can also be done only on an honorary basis, the prospects are not gloomy but it can only be done step by step. The beginning here has already been made and it was relatively easy because the DGFK has already been using the Internet facility since 1995. DGFK-News, Indus, Sanagar. Rio Magdalena, Hekla - these periodicals appear quarterly and they are bound into the archive. Similarly and as far as available, the descriptions in the Berliner Kunstblatt and other publications, so that one can gather that the basis for a certain form of cultural work has been accomplished. Read the story of Pakistan House at Logic is Variable

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Knowledge Archives

For news, analysis, and opinion on science and technology issues, SciTech Daily (http://www.scitechdaily.com/) is a very helpful starting place. Updated 6 days a week, it keeps around 60 items on its home page before scrolling them off the bottom. The page is arranged in three columns: "Features and Background", "Books and Media", and "Analysis and Opinion". In addition, they have a link to an archive of each column.

The format for their items is a short and brisk – usually one or two sentences picked up from the story -- and a link pointing directly to the original source. Site search feature is also there. Though lack in aesthetics (it looks old fashioned), this site does not waste time. In addition to the meat of their content, they have handy link columns pointing to: "Breaking News", "Sci/Tech Publications", "Useful Media", and "Interesting Sites". They keep these lists small – some 20 to 30 links -- and the quality high. You can subscribe to an alert that brings the updates of your interests direct in your inbox.

Sister site, Arts & Letters Daily (http://www.artsandlettersdaily.com/) is also a fascinating clearinghouse of links to some of the best articles on the Web, with a strong bias toward the humanities. This too is updated six times a week in three main categories --Articles of Note, New Books, and Essays and Opinion -- the site is a good collection of great reads across an impressive range of subjects and points of view.

The content makes both SciTech Daily and Arts & Letters Daily unique in the history of knowledge that only the Web could have spawned - economical, fast, smart and full of surprises. Thought these are only a compilation and achieving but after first few online visits, one realizes that putting them together involves imagination, energy, critical judgment and intense curiosity. Visit both the sites and find subject of interest there. {By S A J Shirazi via Logic is Variable}

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