Peace in Karachi

Peace is a concept of love, tranquillity, harmony, non aggression and brotherhood. Peace doesn’t only imply a state of non-war, however, it brings along the concept of maintaining peace among societies and to take measures to establish a code of discipline. It is to promote justice, law and order, to avoid mishaps, to eradicate violence and to set up equality of rights for each and every individual of a society. It however, may seem a superficial and liberal concept to many, even though, it is due to peace that society’s still exists and flourish. Intentionally or unintentionally, every member of a society tries peace making.

Being a third world country, the concept of peace in Pakistan, is wavering. Karachi is the hub city of Pakistan, which is densely populated and that is where all the industrial, trade and transition activities take place. However, it is a pity to acknowledge the fact that this city is facing the most terror and has been a sight of increasing violence.

Recently, in Karachi, the terrorist activities have increased. It quite evident that the inflow of weaponry has increased and so has the number of suicide bombings and target killings. The crime rate has increased with a horrific rate. It has been fashioned that through violence, the culprits and even the ones in power can achieve their goals. Security has become the ultimate threat. As peace makers became richer over time, it became clear that making war had greater costs than initially anticipated. Each and every politician seemingly gives out statements after every terrorist activity but they every time fail in finding out the solution. It can be supported by the game theory, which states that war should be made to attain peace. This led to the development of the "promotable nice guy" strategy, a peace-maker until attacked, improved upon merely to win by occasional forgiveness even when attacked. In my opinion, the de-weaponisation of Karachi should be the utmost priority. Moreover, the politicians shouldn’t use violence for fulfilling their demands.

Fruits and much more!!

As scrumptious as they taste, fruits are even good for your health and to achieve a healthy skin. A healthy and beautiful skin is a vital fragment of an individual's total well-being. It is important to avoid stress and to consume 8 to 10 glasses of water per day in order to achieve a fresh glowing skin. Fruits literally freshens one’s skin and citrus fruits in particular are a good source of vitamin C.
However, thanks to the sodas that people mostly intake handsome amounts of carbonated sodas instead of fresh fruits and juices. However, here I will mentions three most recommended fruits for a in the pink and glowing skin. These fruits are apples, oranges and strawberries.
Apples - Two apples a day, consistently, is recommended for healthy skin. Fresh apple juice or the fruit itself is a tremendous tonic for itch, wrinkles and soreness and cracked skin. It is used by several as a conditioner and toner and has been used for eras due to its skin remedial powers. Adding apple juice to bath can also help in cleansing and softening the skin.
 Strawberries are the finest recommendation for acne-prone and teenage skins. Strawberries can be used as a conditioner and a skin toning treatment since, it is rich in salicylic acid which is the most common ingredient in many cosmetic products such as acne creams.
And finally the oranges are the definitive home remedy for beautification. This can help you cleanse and freshen your skin. Orange juice purifies body and results in healthy skin as well.
So eat as much as fruits as you can and revive and revitalize your skin!!!

Skin Care In Winters

Seasons come by and leave but the impact of the change in weather does captivate many. For us Karachi's winters are both a blessing and a curse. It feels good to chatter teeth and stuff inside the warmth of minks and to enjoy dry fruits or to arrange bonfires and Barbecues, But what about the dry skin??? But here I’m listing down few methods for skin care:
Ø    Use moisturizer everyday. Before leaving the house in the morning, apply a moisturizer with a 15 to 30 SPF. At night, before bed, apply a thick moisturizer to soothe your skin after a day of damaging cold air.

Ø    Lip balm is your best friend forever. Pick a lip balm with moisturizing ingredients, like Shea butter and olive oil. Apply it often.

Ø    Avoid hot showers. A hot shower will draw the moisture out of your skin. It is better to take a 15 minute warm shower. Be sure to moisturize your skin while it is still damp.

Ø    Take your vitamins. Not only will a healthy body make your skin look greater, but it will help keep you healthy during the cold and flu season. Avoid the dry skin of a runny nose by stocking up on Vitamin C.

Ø    Use a humidifier. A humidifier will help keep the air moist, which will help keep your skin moist.
Ø    Drink plenty of water: Keeping your body moisturized will help keep your skin moisturized and healthy. Water is good for you whole body: inside and out.

Ø    Eat healthy foods: You know the saying, you are what you eat? Follow that advice! Eat foods that are healthy and you will have a healthy body. Plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet will show through in your healthy, glowing skin.

Enjoy winter now!!!

Big Boss Season 4-Blocked in India!!

This is indeed an utter shame and typical case of racism as, the Indian extremist Shiv Sena highly protested on account of including two Pakistani actors in the Big Boss season 4.
After the heavy protest by the Shiv Sena in Mumbai over the participation of the two Pakistani actors in big boss season 4 which is telecast on the channel colors in India, Big Boss 4 has been blocked by Mumbai cable operators in Mumbai and thane as the cable operators have blocked the signal of the channel colors in Mumbai and thane on Wednesday night. Salman Khan has also highly been criticized.
Show big boss blocked is very unfortunate incident for the organizers of big boss as a large number of viewers watch the reality show of Salman khan on colors channel at night. Although the viewers of DTH services will be able to watch the show big boss in DTH in Mumbai as per the schedule of colors channels Boss 4
The question here raises that with Ali Saleem being eliminated from the show and Veena being the only Pakistani participant left in the show, why on earth is India giving it a political turn? The show was supposed to be an attempt to create friendly terms among the two nations. However, the recent incident is depicting the otherwise.

If you could see me now-Cecilia Ahern novel.

In her third novel, Ahern employs an imaginary best friend to breathe distinctiveness into an otherwise stereotypical Irish tale.

      Living in her own house in a small, posh Irish town, 35-year-old Elizabeth Egan is an uptight interior designer and adoptive mother to her six-year-old nephew, Luke, whose mother, Elizabeth's 23-year-old sister, Saoirse, prefers boozing to parenting. Saoirse's behavior reminds Elizabeth of a painful past-the alcoholic mother who abandoned the family, leaving Elizabeth to care for her baby sister and forgo her own childhood, and the emotionally distant, controlling father still waiting for his wife's return. Unlike the other women in her family, Elizabeth adheres to a fastidiously well-ordered existence-no mess, no complications, no love. But all that changes with the arrival of Ivan, a goofy and spontaneous man intent on infusing much-needed fun and tenderness into Elizabeth's frigid persona. The catch is no one can see this ageless man from the land of "Ekam Eveileb" save Elizabeth and her nephew. Through Ivan, Elizabeth becomes the woman she's always been too afraid to be. He helps her reclaim the childhood she never had and, most importantly, to forgive those who have let her down. Ahern tempers heartbreak with hope and playfulness in this uplifting, sentimental tale.

Child Labour-A dilemma

It has indeed became a very common instance to exploit the young generation, particularly the children, for child labour, slavery, sex work, trafficking and much more. However,
Nov. 20, 1959. Principle #9 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child states:
"The child shall be protected against all forms of neglect, cruelty and exploitation. He shall not be the subject of traffic, in any form. The child shall not be admitted to employment before an appropriate minimum age; he shall in no case be caused or permitted to engage in any occupation or employment which would prejudice his health or education, or interfere with his physical, mental or moral development."
The International Labour Organization reports that 246 million children are child labourers and 73 million of those children are under 10 years old. These children work in agriculture, in factories, as domestic servants, in hotels, restaurants and in the sex trade. There are child labourers in every country in the world; however the majority are concentrated in the Asia-Pacific region. Children are often slaves or bonded into labour and they work the most tedious dangerous jobs. Every year over 22,000 children die in work-related accidents.
Stories of child labour are very common. Iqbal Mash, a 12 year old Pakistani boy, who worked in a carpet factory 12 hours a day since he was five. He owed 13000 Rs to his owner, while earned a rupee per day. Hence, he finally escaped and became an internationally recognised for his work against child labour with different organisations and achieved in 1994, the Reebok Human Rights Award.
However, there was a cost to his fame. As he became internationally recognized, he also began to receive death perils from powerful members of the Pakistani carpet industry. On a visit home to Pakistan, Iqbal was riding a bike with his two cousins when he was killed. The crime has remained unsolved.
The dilemma is that have we truly blinded? Do we no more care about Human Rights? Where are the Human Right activists who scream and shout and proclaim to be the safe guards of the rights of minor? Iqbal Masih has been killed and so will others, if we don’t take any step or action against this immorality.

Paparazzi Has its Way!

The Pak-Indian joint media venture is much of a common sight these days. From the joint movie productions to the music videos and the background voice over the dangling friendship has swayed further to the recent shows such as “Chotey Ustad” and now “The Big Boss”. However, worth noticing is the fact that whether it’s a step towards friendship promotion or just a plain sail blame game?? Here, by blame games, I mean are we, the Pakistanis being portrayed right??
Nonetheless, if India, as always considered our foe, then is our behaviour right even? Are we not making a fool out of our own selves and giving others a chance to have a good laugh? If any of you is a regular “big Boss” watcher then you’ll exactly figure out what I’m trying to get at. . .
Certainly, Veena Malik is my indication!!
Now please someone answer me, just who wears stilettos around the house? And yes, just who would continually bad mouth about their ex on an internationally watched show?? Or just who, after two highly propagandised affairs would assert that “religiously” she is a “one man” woman?? Or Weep about every fight with a fellow participant, who not to forget, swears on her and yes, worth mentioning is calling her “mentally retarded”. Or being a Pakistani representative, wear skimpy clothes, getting skimpier and skimpier each day. Worth mentioning is the intimacy that she shares with Ashmit. Now letting a co-participant rest his head on just a little below your neck, is not at all odd . . .Isn’t it?
Well, in my perspective, getting an international recognition shot doesn’t imply that one lose their guards. This chance can even be applied in a more effective and constructive way. We don’t want another Meera, do we? Since, if Veena stops making a fool out of herself then she isn’t a bad of an actress. Indeed, I’m impressed that she can at least handle the household chores.

NATO AND THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM

Terrorism is a widespread scourge that knows no perimeter, race or creed. It is therefore a challenge that the international community must tackle together. NATO contributes to the international fight against terrorism in various areas, and in the course of a variety of means. The Alliance’s activities in the struggle against intimidation are in strict accordance with UN principles and international law, including global humanitarian and human rights law.
Since the fight against terrorism has been identified as a core element of the Alliance’s work, NATO has established regular dialogue on terrorism and terrorism-related issues among its members, as well as with non-member countries and other international organizations. It has developed an extensive network of cooperative relationships with many partners, who equally share the desire to face up to the threat of terrorism.
Since August 2003, NATO has been leading the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), in assisting the Government of Afghanistan in expanding its authority and implementing security, thereby, helping to remove the conditions in which terrorism could thrive. While not a counter-terrorism operation, ISAF represents NATO’s determination to help the people of Afghanistan build a stable, secure and democratic state free from the threat of terrorism. In addition, many NATO Allies have forces involved in Operation Enduring Freedom, the ongoing US-led military counter-terrorism operation whose major activities are in Afghanistan.
NATO also provides assistance in protecting the security of major public events in Allied countries that might attract the interest of terrorists. It does this at the request of any member country by deploying NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft (AWACS), elements of NATO’s multinational chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defence battalion, or other capabilities. The Alliance has thus assisted high-visibility events such as Summits and Ministerial meetings, as well as sporting events such as the Athens Olympic Games.

Speech Disorders

Human beings express their selves orally through thoughts, feelings and ideas to each other in a series of complex movements by voice into specific, decodable sounds. Speech is precisely produced by coordinated muscle actions in the head, neck, chest and abdomen. Speech development is a process that requires years of practice. And during such process, a child learns how he can regulate the muscles to produce understand speech.



Knowledge and Research in speech have showed many people of different kinds suffering from multiple sorts of speech disorders but due to the awareness and associations the speech disorder has been taken care. The disorders of articulation among children were very frequent numerically. The types of speech disorders are stuttering, cluttering, Articulation, Dysprosody, Phonetic, Phonemic.


However, the research shows that experience in countries like Germany, Austria, and other Central European countries follow similar pattern among other Western nations. Stuttering is more frequent in northern countries, such as in Scandinavia which is in southern region. And further similar trends have been notices in the Far East. Emotional, functional and Non organic disorders of voice and speech reflect psychological tensions exerted by the environment because of this the vocal nodules, contact ulcer etc occurred with greater incidence in metropolitan areas which is comparatively less frequent in rural areas.

Dyslexia-Not an Abnormality!!

The term dyslexia is used to describe a learning disability affecting the acquisition of reading skills. In many cases there may be associated language, mathematical, attention and/or organizational difficulties. Studies suggest around 10% of the population are dyslexic. As the condition affects the educational progress and prospects of so many, there is, and has been, considerable research into possible causes, assessment techniques and remedial strategies.


Up until about 25 years ago, dyslexia was little known and less understood. Of course, there was approximately 10% of the population that suffered from dyslexia in some form and degree (same as now), but no one knew then, why these people were "different". There are many types of dyslexia, most involve difficulties in reading, in symbol manipulation, going from spoken to written speech, sounding out the spelling of words and/or knowing the pronunciation of each new word that one reads.

Today, there are still at least a couple of million undiagnosed adult dyslexics. Dyslexia symptoms are avoiding tasks or jobs that would require reading aloud or taking down notes, reading meters, etc. Many adult dyslexics are employed in jobs that are clearly below what their general level of intelligence would indicate.

Hence, it is important to know that dyslexia isn’t an abnormality, yet, it’s merely a learning disability which can be coped up with and an individual can hence lead a healthy life. There are many celebrities likewise, Tom Cruise, Abishek Bachan, Bill gates etc, who are dyslexic yet successful in their particular fields.

Transgender-The Third Gender.

Transgender is an umbrella term which consists of all, transsexuals, cross-dressers, gender queers, transvestites, drag kings and drag queens. Drag king is a person, usually females, who dress up like men mainly for public performance and drag queen is a male who dresses up like a female mainly for public performance. Transvestites are those people who adopt the dress, manner and sexual role of the opposite sex. Gender queer are those people whose gender identity is a combination of both the genders male and female.


These third gender individuals are famous for negative and positive reasons. They have to face Legal issues like “legally changing one’s sex” and “without a legal sex change a transgender is not allowed to marry a partner of their birth sex”. People transform into transgender in their teenage or in twenties. Teenage transgender face a lot of “discrimination, harassment and violence” from school and family but nowadays they have many support networks. They also face issue regarding “surgery and the use of hormones”. Transgender people have been able to get treated earlier now due to “gender identity disorder”.

There are some very famous transgender people like Sylvia Rivera an activist and Christine Jorgenson who was the first American who got sex-reassignment surgery. Transgender people are protected, supported and helped in many ways by various organizations. Amanda Leopore is a very famous transgender, who as preceding a male, was poor living in dire straits, while now after undergoing a sex-change operation is not only a famous actor, model, singer but also has currently launched her own cosmetic brand, which is indeed expensive. Lady Gaga, a well renowned singer is also a hermaphrodite i.e. also a form of transgender but she is indeed reputed, rich and has earned her space n spot in this biased world.

Transgender people have made their way up in the modern society and not only that even media is promoting them a lot these days and giving them a respectful status, for example in that show ugly betty the character of Alex-Alexis is a transgender. In Pakistan the head of She-male Foundation, Bobby Almas, although he’s not a transgender but he’s leading, supporting and promoting transgender in Pakistan. Moreover, due to his immense efforts and strive to gain some quota and a reputed position in society, a bill has been passed by the Supreme court of Pakistan to a lot them some money to work for their development, including schools, hospitals and work places.

As Judith Light said:

“You know, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender - people are people’’.

Militancy or Democracy?

Totalitarianism, military rule, that in other words can be regarded as a “one man show” i.e. unconstitutional form of Government is a worst form of rule that a country can face however, unfortunate as it has been in the case of a sixty-three years old country, Pakistan such episodes which lasted over almost decades, have recurred over numerous times. Though, now it almost seems like a fact that this very country can be ruled with steadiness merely under one such rule, since even egalitarian governments haven’t done much a benefit to the country, let alone the fact that, the founder of the nation, Quaid-e-Azam said:

“The armed forces are the servants of the people; you do not make the national policy, it is we the civilians, who decide these issues and it is your duty to carry out those tasks for which you are entrusted.”

Despite the verity that the very young country had been born with the agenda of democracy and the founder had been very clear about the function of the army in the government and the political matters relating the country but, Pakistan has undergone many military rules, starting from General Ayub Khan till date when General Musharraf finally gave away his chair and placement as the president of the country.

Now the question here rises that which government can be best suited for Pakistan? Since, democracy is just for the namesake and the military rule hasn’t done much either.

The Quit India Movement

All through the British rule in the subcontinent, the inhabitants of the “land of the spices” had faced oppression and a standard of a second class citizen. Not only had they undergone a political repression but also social and academic suppressions. Nevertheless, at that time, leaders like Jinnah, Gandhi, sir syed Ahmed khan. Etc. apprehend the vital necessity of the time and enhanced their knowledge spans and took a stand to struggle adjacent to the British totalitarianism and to create consciousness and to facilitate the inhabitants of the subcontinent realize the importance of education and unity among themselves. Hence, such they mobilized people by calling movements for the cause of the rights of the locals and to demonstrate to the British, that they wanted to exonerate of their tyranny.

The “Quit India Movement” was also a consequential aggression towards the British, who had entered the subcontinent into the uproar of the third world war, where, the Indians had little to do, except serving as the vanguard for the British in the war and contribute manpower. Conversely, this movement has been the utmost of all times and it wouldn’t be erroneous to call it a principal endeavor to seek independence from the repressive British rule, however, in rather a passive way, after the War of independence 1857, though seen as  a “great mutiny” by the British.

This Quit India Movement (Bharat Chhodo Andolan) was an absolute call and the definitive organized movement of civil disobedience by the Gandhi-led congress party, which demanded instantaneous withdrawal of the British from the subcontinent and forming it as an independent state, on August 9, 1942 and made famous by his slogans Do or Die (Karenge Ya Marenge in Hindi) and No Violence (Ahimsa). Moreover, it demanded a full fledge power of the government of the state to be in the hands of the local leaders lone and not with the British. This showed the urge of the people of the subcontinent to be independence. However, this movement was rather congress orientated as Muslim League or any other minority parties didn’t demonstrate much of an interest in this very movement.

The Quit India Movement was undoubtedly the most tremendous movement led by Gandhi in the history of the Sub continent. India was at the very threshold of Independence by the end of this Movement. Though, Gandhi proclaimed it to be non-violent movement conversely, the consequence was the opposite. Not only that the movement met a failure at the end due to the British repression, however, it was significant that no other party responded to Gandhi’s call. Muslim league under Jinnah remained aloof from the movement and did not render any support.

“The Winner Stands Alone-Book Review”

Paulo Coelho’s writing has inspired intrigued and entertained millions of people around the world. Now he is back with an ultimate dream of love. His book “The winner stands alone” is one of his masterpieces. In this book he has shared the ups and downs of the entertainment industry. He has described the true emotions of each and every person linked to the entertainment world, their dreams, wants, desires and aim to achieve higher and higher and the level of pride, envy, jealousy and deceive that they hols for each other.

He has written the story from the view of a psychotic, crazy in love millionaire, Igor Mallev, whose wife left him for a wealthy fashion designer and he seeks revenge from the whole world to get her attention and to win her back. For a man of cold intelligence and rare intensity and this is to be a no ordinary reconciliation. He aims to destroy other worlds in the path of love.

All in all, on the dilemma of love, hatred, envy and jealousy, Coelho has brilliantly depicted each emotion in his script. This book is a must read and with “The Winner Stands Alone” he has brought his remarkable gift for story telling t the darker side of celebrity, wealth and excess and how the world we live in can distort the truths in our hearts.

Understanding Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is a thinking to think what in your thinking about what one is thinking. Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. In its exemplary form, it is based on universal intellectual values that transcend subject matter divisions: clarity, accuracy, precision, consistency, relevance, sound evidence, good reasons, depth, breadth, and fairness.

Critical thinking is that mode of thinking about any subject, content, or problem in which the thinker improves the quality of his or her thinking by skillfully taking charge of the structures inherent in thinking and imposing intellectual standards upon them. Critical thinking includes standards, elements and traits. The elements are the purpose, point of view, questions, implications, inferences, information, assumptions, conclusions and concepts.

Critical thinking is, in short, self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. It presupposes assent to rigorous standards of excellence and command of their use. It entails effective communication and problem solving abilities and a commitment to overcome our native egocentrism.

Hence, understanding of critical thinking is highly important and hat is just not for the sake of just passing the course but to build its understanding in real.

Paris Peace Conference and World War 2

Paris peace conference was attended by the major powers of the world aftermath the WWW1. It marked an important step towards statehood for the British Dominions, which demanded, and received, representation independent of Britain. The various treaties that emerged were extremely problematic and proved a tremendous burden for subsequent stability in Europe. This was essentially the result of incompatible, and self-contradictory, goals of the victorious powers.
The conference was by far the worst of all as, new states were created in an effort to take account of nationality and initial frictions were, perhaps, inevitable. Secondly, Wilson's ideas for a ‘just’ peace clashed fundamentally with the French position, which was to punish Germany so severely that it could never start another war. Thirdly, British aims hovered somewhere between the French and the American positions. While Britain did manage to moderate the demands of the other two countries, notably France, its lack of alternative vision did little to enhance the conference's outcome.
Thus in my perspective, the conference met a failure. It produced the worst of all worlds, with nationalistic conflicts left unresolved. At the same time, the defeated countries (which were mostly barely consulted), harboured immense grievances which rendered their domestic and foreign politics hostile and aggressive. Finally, the League of Nations, which had been created to settle unresolved conflicts and smooth out the problems of the peace settlement, was crucially weakened from the outset by the refusal of world's most powerful nation, the USA, to enter, as a result of an isolationist Congress. The instabilities created by the various peace settlements have often been seen as a direct cause of World War II. While it is true that Mussolini and Hitler came to power partly through exploiting the resentment caused by the Paris Peace Conference, it would be wrong to conclude that its outcome made World War II inevitable. There was a period of considerable calm and normalization in the 1920s, while it was the economic crises immediately after the war (1918–23) and during the Great Depression that made continental Europe so volatile and gave nationalist movements their potency.  

The World- We Call Modern.

Fashion, latest trends and style statements have created immense magnitude in our lives. However, in this rat race to keep in check and to follow up with the latest “Ins and Outs” of the fashion and most up-to-date trends, we are leaving behind the relevance in chalking out the genuine necessities of life.
For some people, fashion is “everything” near them. Every half a year, they spend a fortune changing some tiny detail sequentially, to maintain their partisanship of the exclusive tribe of the rich... The wife moans in solitude because her mates have the branded clothes and diamonds and she doesn’t have the money to obtain them. The father works overtime to be able to purchase his son the newest trainers, for the reason that if his son doesn’t have a pair, he’ll be ostracized at school. The youth, instead of learning the real morals of hope and faith, dream only of becoming movie stars or the rock stars.
 Nonetheless, if they were to visit the Silicon Valley, where the billionaires of the IT industry wear plastic wrist watches and the worn out denims, they would comprehend that the world has revolutionized now. It’s not plastic or all about the latest shoes, the leather bags or the clothes.
A world that is ought to be directed towards integrity is contrastingly more prone towards the material things, which however, shall be worthless in a span of six months and be replaced by another “In-thing”. The modernity of the world lies not on the latest trends or on the “Ins and Outs”. Though, on the fact that if we are concerned about the human rights, the importance of justice and tranquility and the fact that our youth is acquiring the best education and that we live in a peaceful society, where the brotherhood and love and care exists for one another.

Flight Mode-A Myth By Nida Siddiqui

“All cell phones must be powered off all through the flight, as they might hamper the on-board system.”
And all of a sudden, all the cell phones, which would never be powered off even on the repeated request, during a meeting or a seminar etc, will be switched off. We all believe this and do as the flight attendants ask us to do so.
Conversely, has anyone ever wondered that what exactly is a flight mode? If mobile network signals can hamper the on-board system than, how can the passengers use laptops with the internet access, using exactly the same transmission system as cell phones? And we forget the possibility that on every flight, there were always at least two to three passengers who forgot to switch their phones off.  And then there has never been any accident reported ever in the world that a plane has fallen out of the sky because of the hinder in the on-board transmission due to the cell phones signals.
This myth has been created for years now. Airlines had been putting in their best efforts to induce travelers to use the phones attached to their seat. These outlays $10 per minute and ironically, exercise the same transmission system as the mobile phones.
This strategy didn’t work but the myth lingered on; they had simply forgotten to eliminate the warning from the roll of “Dos and Don’ts” that the flight attendant has to read out before the flight takes off. Though, now with the innovation of the unexplained concept of “flight mode” in the cell phones, one can use his/her cell phone as long as they desire. But does that really make any difference? Ironically, not at all. . .

Flood-A Disparaging Episode By Nida Siddiqui.

The recent disparaging episode of flood has caused intense destruction in the areas of Sind, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtoonkhuwan. According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 14 million people, almost one in every 10 Pakistanis, have so far been affected by the flooding, which began late preceding month in the stir of profound monsoon rains.

More than 1,200 people have lost their lives, and at least 2 million left destitute, by the catastrophe which has also destroyed homes, farmlands and major infrastructure in large parts of the country, most conspicuously the north-west province of Khyber Pakhtoonkhuwan (KPK).

In the current scenario, when Pakistani nation requires the unity, love, care, respect and the spirit of brotherhood to help the flood victims and in order to support them emotionally and morally, many organizations and NGOs have came up to contribute their efforts for the betterment of the flood victims. Countless volunteers belonging to various political parties, civil societies and charity organizations have stepped forward in attempt to enroll in the flood relief activities.

Numerous stalls have been set up on major thoroughfares, streets and narrow lanes to facilitate donors to deposit the relief commodities at whichever one of their choice. Volunteers working on these booths are serving in the packaging of food, clothes and sanitation items. Some of these parties, groups and organizations engaged in the relief work have been sending the relief consignments to their destinations on their own while, the other simply entrust their collections to the NGOs for the allocation among the needy populace.

Hence as, every cloud has a silver lining, it’s a heartily hope that, Insha-Allah soon the nation recovers from the lost and the victims recover emotionally, psychologically and socially, let alone the financial factor.

Critical Thinking as a Phenomenon

Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. It requires intellectual, innovative and explanatory form of thinking. Robert Ennis defined critical thinking as “a reasonable, reflective thinking that is focused on deciding what to believe or do.”

The term “critical” is often give a negative connotation, however in context to critical thinking, the term critical has been derived from “criteria”. A criterion is generally to form perception about any subject matter and to be rational in forming an opinion about that matter. It requires questioning your own thinking and then providing answers and then believing the answers, one attains after a sound, reasonable, reflective and constructive thinking process.

In third world countries, likewise Pakistan, it often sounds perverse to mention critical thinking as a phenomenon to ponder over. A common man has a lot more to think over and worry about rather analyzing the causes of power failures or rate of inflation. His mind is captivated with the thoughts of what and how shall he feed his family or foot the bill.

However, critical thinking is a necessity in Pakistan. With the rising rate of inflation, natural calamities and economic loss, it’s high time for not only the authorities but also the common man to put on their thinking caps and to analysis the scenario. Critical thinking is indeed necessary in Pakistan as, it leads to new approaches and new insights. We shouldn’t just be focusing on the immediate effects of any inauspicious situation but instead, the reasons which led to the cause of any unfavorable situation.

 For instance, the recent flood has caused a menace in the whole country. The recent flood has not only destroyed the villages in the southern Punjab, but has brought down the economy of the whole country to halt. Thousands have become homeless and the economy has faced a major set back as, not only the infrastructure has shattered as well as, farms, lands , livestock and cultivation have also been obliterated. At this point, the analyst should realize that the heavy rainfall wasn’t the cause of the flood that the dams overflowed. However, if the precautionary measures would have been taken beforehand, then the rain wouldn’t have been perceived as curse.

There are many other issues such as political instability, social instability, which requires brain storming. The question to be asked is not just why have any incident took place, Or why is the facing issues such as increasing crime rates, however, the aim of questioning should be how, why and what caused any incident and what measures should be taken ton eradicate such scenarios in future.

All in all, critical thinking holds immense importance in any society, it helps in reshaping the society to bring tranquility and justice. It also helps in establishing a democracy and for every member of a society to work and think critically for the betterment of the society.

Unsuitable Wording in the Songs

The recent trend of using the unsuitable words in the songs has caught my attention. The trend of rap music has always been quite popular among the youngsters. However, rap music was initially based and limited to the English music only. Few eminent rappers like Eminem, 50 cents etc earned a lot of reputation through their raps.

Nonetheless, this fashion has now started in the east as well. It started from the misplacing of the similar sounding letters like “k” for “c”, “Z” for “S”. Etc. And now the current drift of using abusive words in a plain song, in order to make it sound catchy and so-called “cool”. Even if the rest of the song is in Urdu, this one abusive word will be highlighted and played back constantly in rapid beats.

Now my focus is on the fact that through such bogus in style elements, we are not only promoting the use of abusive words among the youngsters but also spoiling their language. Music is the easiest medium to transfer the knowledge. The catchy beats help in memorising the lyrics faster than any lesson. Yet, the use of such words is causing the youngsters to adopt such words in their routine language, considering it a “cool” thing to do.

Hence, such words shouldn’t be used in the songs, as one, that isn’t “cool” at all. Second, it is corrupting the young brains. Songs can be made catchier with the beats and the right lyrics and it is not necessary to use abusive words, as used in current songs likewise “Bullshit” and “Ullu da patha”, ironically, these words are the song titles additionally.

Fashion Statements-At a Glance.

Modern fashion industry has brought along different trends, different style statements and unique cuts and designs. As, it is asserted that the fashion statements flies from the west and lands at the east, this to some extent doesn’t seem to be an incorrect avow. The western influence doesn’t seem to fade, no matter what the designers claim and how unique they allege their designs to be.

Today, we follow the western cuts. Even in the eastern traditional wear, we seem to have some weight of the western wear. Well, this can be argued about with the account that, it is always good to experiment with trends and “modernize” clothes.

However, the question here raises that why do the fashion makers design the west influenced outfits, which are indeed inappropriate to be worn? One can’t wear them around the streets, let alone to some gala. These clothes labeled to be the “high street fashion” are mostly just a “wan bee” attempt to come up to standards of the western fashion industry.

Why designers are so engrossed in the do or die attempt to reach the international standards by designing clothes which the general public can’t wear? Does the west ever initiate such attempts? They design what their people can carry around. Then, why are our designers swinging the western cuts which are “vulgar” enough to be worn and don’t promote our local culture. It is good to be experimental but what is the point of experimenting when the local values fade away?

In my perspective, one should attempt innovation yet shouldn’t move ahead to the extent that one leaves behind the former values. In east, where the culture doesn’t shore up extreme western cuts, added we don’t have that figure to carry them around then what is the gain behind investing energy and money In creating such outfits and holding ramp walks in super skimpy clothes? One shouldn’t fore go their own values in the race to modernize.

An Unnoticed Fact

We quite often hear our elders’ saying that this generation is quite smart and ten times sharper than, what they were at this age. Nevertheless, even we often find our own selves asserting the same punch line; whenever, we find kids younger than us, either take us aback by their some action or some saying.


All in all, just yesterday, while I was at the local mall, I noticed a TV channel team interviewing mothers and young kids. The theme was on chauvinism and while questioning the mothers their perception about flood relief activities, the children were asked to sing any national song. Astoundingly, most of the children winded up singing an Indian movie based song or were merely unable to recall any national song. Most of the kids sung “Dhoom macha ley dhoom” or “singh is king”. Now does that sound bizarre to anyone? Or conceivably we are just too used to of this pattern that it doesn’t sound odd at all.

It is high time that we should initiate realizing that our values, our nationalism and our culture are all fading away. Why is it such a dilemma that our young generation is unaware of any national song? I remember the time, when each year, near to the independence day, national songs from Noor Jehan’s era to Junaid Jamshed’s all time classic; “Dil dil Pakistan” and other bands like Awaz, Junnon,strings etc, used to be on aired on the local channels. And this was just a decade back, but today all we hear and let our youngsters watch are the Indian movies and the Indian songs.

Most of these songs hold such strong and explicit lyrics that it sounds erroneous and awkward. But do we take any initiative against it and stop the kids from humming them? The saddening answer is that only a certain percent does so. Our values are nearly dying. And our generation is so influenced by either Indian or the western media, that the significance and enthusiasm for the national songs or even the Independence Day has lost color.

On the whole, we ought to take measures against the pro-Indian and pro-west influence and direct our youngsters towards national media as well. After all, kids have a juvenile mind and they learn and act as they observe or have been taught by their elders. We should eradicate the redundant foreign media impact on them. Certainly, it will be pleasant to view the youngsters singing the sweet, melodious and patriotic songs.

A pitiful Episode

The recent episode of the devastation caused by the history’s most disparaging flood, has led to many sociological and economical issues. Not only that Pakistan has moved two or more decades back but, a lot of social, medical and emotional disparity has occurred.

Due to this catastrophe, many have lost their homes. It is indeed deplorable to see that women are in particular facing a lot of problems. Those who never paced out of their houses are now out on street, devoid of much to do as, even being able to cover their heads. They don’t have the facility of proper women sanitation.

The motive of writing this blog is to bring the women issues under the limelight. It is appalling to see that at an instance like this, when people have no shelter to cover their heads, no provision of a proper three times meal and they have been torn away from their families, lost property, suffering from emotional traumas, there are still some disgruntled elements, who instead of helping the ones facing the music or even fearing the Almighty, are making use of this occasion as a time to fulfill their illegal desires and carrying out the shameful deeds.

Sadly, it has been reported that in the areas of southern Punjab, the meals provided in the refugee camps aren’t safe for consumption. The flood victims are not only being traumatized by the loss of their properties only but the new uprising situation is that they are also on the verge of losing their respect, in the sense that some elements, are hosting the women and children trafficking business in those flood destructed areas.

The meals provided are mixed with tranquilizers. Hence, when families’ intake the food, they spontaneously become unconscious and these felons get the opportunity to kidnap the young girls and women. And later traffic them for the dirty businesses.

Hence, measures are now finally been taking my the rangers o test the food before its distribution, after several such cases took place, where after regaining consciousness, families realized the missing female members.

All in all, it is indeed the time for the people to realize that they should stand by the flood victims and shore up them instead of aggravating their wounds and causing additional traumas for them.

With Every New Crisis, Comes An Opportunity

In today’s era, where every other person seems to be engrossed in the rat race to excel in every aspect of his/her life and to attain colossal stacks of money, opulence and grandeur, even the mere mention of the word “crisis” places one on the tenterhooks. One and all aim to plain sail in their field; consequently crisis in any form will just a hindrance in the trail towards success.

A crisis can come about in any form, be it social, emotional, Political or financial. These crises affect a person pessimistically and at a massive scale, the entire nation. Financial and political predicaments are yet tone able; however, social and political ones take long to reconcile.

Conversely, worth noticing is the verity that even though the crisis only brings along unconstructiveness and pessimism but even at the hard times, a door to opportunity unlocks. Now this might sound quite idealistic to many but it indeed is a fact. Whenever awful times come, people become conscious and come face to face with their short comings or the basis which led to the crisis.

With every new crisis, comes the prospect for people to amalgamate, strengthen and surmount their flaws and failures. They learn to deal and cope with the unfavorable situations and to shun the potential revision of such circumstances. An instance can be cited from the earthquake calamity in Pakistan, in the year 2005. The natural disaster was a crisis but it united the entire nation and revived the spirit of brotherhood, care and concern for the fellow innate.

Hence, crisis doesn’t only causes emotional, social, political and financial disparity to an individual or in a nation but also leads to opportunities to discover new dimensions and aspects of life.

Book review: P.S.I LOVE YOU-Cecilia Ahern.

By Nida Siddiqui

Holly is a young Irish woman who has just lost her husband. She struggles through the roller coaster of life. She struggles each morning to get herself up and to move on with her life. Everything around her reminds her of her beloved husband. She cuts herself away from any worldly contact, till she receives a call from her mother, saying that she has a package for Holly. She collects the package and realizes that it contained letters from her late husband that he wrote before his demise.

The package contained 10 letters with the instructions of how and what she was supposed to do in his absence. She was only permitted to open each letter on the 1^st of every month. Cecilia Ahern, in her novel P.S, I love you, has beautifully written the feelings and emotions connected with every letter and how Holly takes the advice and moves on with her life. She regains herself, learns to live, finds a job, reconnects with her family and by the end of the series of the letters, finally struggles to keep herself getting indulged in a new romance.

In the end of each letter is the inscription by Garry (Holly’s husband): “P.S. I LOVE YOU”. Her husband wants her to be an independent lover of life. He wouldn't be disappointed if she went on to be happy without him.