Kuterma Version...Wakhi song ya khu renj'a mar'rand gulipokiza by DWBaig & Afzal Karim

There you go with another wakhi comedy on the super hit Gulipokiza Track, From left to Right, Sabz Ali, Zahoor Karim, Kid, Tousif Ahmad and Sabir Shah are seen performing on the track. Gentleman from Ishkomen is seen moving on the beats. Enjoy the Gulipokiza's Kuterma Version by a lively band.

Video by Sultan Baig

This is intended for entertainment and no copy right infringement intended.

Goodbye to good old days of Daydreaming!

Monday morning took me to a Park with renewed energy. It felt good to see lively kids and unexpected students this early to a Park. I got there by chance, as I said Monday Morning energy brought me 40 minutes early to office and I had to wait in this small but beautiful park. As I watched the kids hanging and laughing and the students making final minute revision before exam, a strong energy beamed from each of them. Probably they were living that moment and each moment of life. Or may be I had returned from a lazy week to find other people so lively.

Human beings find ways to love nature

While I was watching those people, I started getting visualization. The kids were playing when I joined them as their contemporary age mate. I then turned to my right and found myself studying with the students. I got back in time, I started preparing anew for my intermediate exams. Then I came back to life. The rail of daydreaming had already gained speed. I had abandoned this engine many times but it kicks-in on getting fuel. Today lets talk about daydreaming. Daydreaming not as a phenomenon but a state of mind. It usually crawls in to our mind, gradually but steadily eats up human energy and leaves no room for creativity. It is destructive creativity.

Guess what? I would have touched the highest echelon of being a writer by now had I not given this creature free hand to trade inside my mind. That's true. Oh, you doubt it! Please don't tell me that... Okay fine, I would have been a widely read blogger of my country had I not given up to combat daydreaming . I hope that sounds logical. Or, for that matter I would have developed a brilliant writing style. Happy now?

Daydreaming was my favorite activity of  academic life. I sat in solitude for hours, literally hours, as long as 6 hours a day. During those uncontrolled contemplation I came up with ideas, stories, what-if scenarios and most of the time I emerged as a hero from those stories in the world of my own. There were moments of happiness, success, sadness, pain, suspense, failure, romance and love.

Once there lived this most amazing person on earth. He was so humble, caring and handsome. He took every pain to be part of all the social activities in his village. In a single day he got involved with a group of people digging out channel through a hilly terrain to irrigate the village's field, and the next hour he went to the school for teaching kids from his region. He would then return home for completing some ongoing chores there. It did not stop here, he offered his prayers regularly, and in the night he embarked on academic growth. This gave him a strange privilege and made a content life. Along with the activities what changed was his attire. He wore an old jeans with heavy joggers and full sleeves shirt with its color raised when he was at work with villagers. In school he put on decent dress.

During these activities he became part of the sweet chatters among elders, he listened to them and laughed with them. There were innumerable incidents on the way to work or home. Like, a stone slipping his feet and missing someone below the slope, or a stone rolling down a hill and missing him by scratch. Or, the amazing questions from some of his students about God, Science etc., and his own interesting findings during his study hours.

If you sit with your friends to tell and compile all these activities mentioned, with their minute details, it is going to extend to at least 2-3hours discussion or theater. And, for the above drama the stage was no other place than my brain in idle and busy hours of the day. The person was none but myself in the world of adventures. I went up to the extent of killing myself and I visualized my funeral many times. I saw people gathering; friends, family members and strangers, at my funeral. I listened people talk about me and my life. So strong was the appearance of my family and friends in the visualization of my daydream that their reaction left me weeping for minutes.

Why did I indulge in daydreaming? What was the benefit to me? Well, in the early days once our physical instructor at school (Jahageer) talked about daydreaming and the disease it leads us to, after finding many absent minded students among us.  I asked out of fear, "Sir what if it has become a habit of ours? How can we counter it?" His response was a warning not to let it become a disease to kill our creative brains. He instructed us to remain attentive and keep ourselves busy with activities. So to me the benefit was zero and there was consistent waste of precious time.

Why did I daydream? Because, I kept thinking about doing activities, instead of starting on the ones I wished to do. I have always yearned for keeping a journal in life since school days. But, every time I opened a diary or thought of starting on the first page of my diary, the thinking process kicked-in in a matter of seconds. This led me to imagine many beautiful and memorable passages in my journal 50 years from then. And made me look at numerous decorated stories of my life as a retired old man. When I would be back, a full hour or two had passed with the journal still blank in my lap.

Chase your dreams, it curbs the seeds of laziness

These kids in the park were chasing the idea of having fun early in the morning. A small wish of few friends to be together in the final minutes before their exams led some students to this serenity to embrace nature. They gave each other company before their educational combat. All of the above characters could have easily excused themselves for not coming here. The best possible option for the kids was to remain in slumber and kill the thought of early morning walk. Or they could have delayed it for the next time hence missing the opportunity for a lifetime. Or each student could have excused himself for self-preparation and thus missed a cheerful company. But, they said yes to their inner voice, thus eradicating the seed of laziness. At the same time they did not allow to stock "I wish/want" items in their brain. This ultimately stopped them from seeding daydream. They had the experience of what they imagined and now they won't sit imagining other possible outcomes of the idea which they had already accomplished.

Once we have an idea we should start following its action plan rather than deploying too much energy on thinking how and when to make follow up action. This thinking process once started finds ways to make the idea better but, only inside the human mind. Hence, it spreads the germs of delay; a thought that we might do it later, or next time or when we have proper time at our disposal so that we meet the best criteria set by our mind to complete the generated idea. This is the foundation of daydream. A sea of unlimited thoughts that engulf our mind, seeking possible outcomes for the ideas we wished to do in life but haven't dared to start it practically.

Morning Park and Bliss

The kids were embracing nature and nature was embracing them. They found happiness today, and they will aim for more blissful day next time which will lead them to experience nature in different ways. No matter how trivial idea you possess, keep chasing it and act to materialize it. If you want to write a poem scribble it, if you want to draw create some shapes, if you want to play go out in the field, if you want to walk get out of your room and if you want to smile do it before anything else worries you. They are your inner voices which directs you towards a destiny more aligned with your 'being'. Locking the voices inside your mind will only cause damage to your existence, your creativity and your life. Laziness is the only natural compliment of daydreaming. The opportunity cost for daydreaming is a human life itself. And daydreaming is not worth any human life on earth.

Do before you get lazy enough to destroy your God gifted resources; your life, creativity and future. Act, do not give life any chance to regret.

Apricot (Chuwan) Surprise

"Chuwan" (Apricot) is speciality of Hunza. The opulent juicy fruit in the region is spread densely in every orchard and garden. The colors of summer season is decorated by nature's purest dyes which also includes dispersed spots of  yellow/orange color with slight shade of red some times, in a green background; chuwan on the widely spread trees.

Last week I was strolling in a street in Rawalpindi with Asif, and we were heading towards our home. I crossed a little sign board of a beauty saloon which I had seen many times before. It is tied to a tree in front of a bungalow. I saw something familiar in the background. I had almost crossed the tree, when I stopped. Its a tree I am well familiar with. I almost shouted "Chuwanaay!" (An apricot tree!).

Surprise Chuwan

For me it was the first time I had seen chuwan tree outside Gilgit territory. First time in 7 years. The chuwan was still juruti "un ripen apricot". Green but almost grown to its maximum size. My mouth had already started getting sour. My body shivered with the thought of  tasting a juruti. But I had to rely on the feeling, (maz yo chorrde nai) I didn't brought the juruti down.

I thought the least I could do is share it. And here I present you with the captured image.

Apricot caught

Farewells!

By definition Farewell is an act of parting or of marking someone's departure, which I do not intend to explain.


As March ended, it culminated the affiliation of a brilliant officer with Hashoo Foundation: Ms Shrifa.  Now, as April is ending, Mr. Ameer has set out for a challenging career opportunity. In professional environment the setting for farewell is different than we had at college. The short homage ceremony is planned and enjoyed, and people continue with their jobs.


At Sharifa's moment, loads of tears were released. Managers, officers and interns lined up with their own cascade. I saw male colleagues' inevitable urge for building an obstruction around the pool in their eyes. Some men went up to the extent of mimicry, to show as if they were crying and successfully saved their "dignity" by not letting tear pour out of their eyes. With Ameer it was quite the reverse. Ameer seemed to struggle with constructing a barrier around his eyes as he listened to the emotional tributes from his colleagues. Meanwhile, the rest of the staff appeared happy on the variety in lunch and tried to give an impression that the departing officer will be missed by putting on artificial and imposed sad face.


Their colleagues said that Sharifa is hardworking, focused and ambitious lady with strong determination who went against all odds to be a working woman. Ameer was labeled with responsible, proactive and respectful gentlemen. The epic moment was when  Kamal refered to Ameer as a USB that could fit in every computer system (department and programs) without getting corrupt or damaging the host's file.


I realize that farewell is just part of life, and continues as long as we live. You join a school or college and in the end its a farewell. You are part of a society, forum and group and in the end there is a departure. The tears, cheers and goodbyes are stitched to human nature. To be honest I shed tears at many of my goodbye moments. Because the takeoffs took me further away from good people. The emotions are for the good things you fear loosing.


Hence, it is the trace of your existence that remains with people and all other things dematerialize. Best of luck my first batch of working colleagues. :)

CD Hashoo F. (Ali) presenting appreciation token for Amir,
 in presence of HF Staff 

Past: Lahore

Sabir in his first year in Lahore, Residence: a cubic with Naseer bhai

This is in Makah Colony, near Firdous Market. Sabir was relatively new in Lahore, it was my 3rd year. Here, we stayed with Naseer bhai, a very respectful and helpful brother. 

Those days I did not let grow my hair longer than 1/2 a inch. Memories are sweet :)

Public Service Institutes' an adventure

Image Source here

Aspirant of government service? Well, a visit to the hub of Pakistan's public service institute makes me rethink prior goals set.











Margilla Hills, the serenity, magnificent buildings and cordial interaction with security forces: Welcome to the Pakistan Secretariat, Islamabad. I love this place.

Once inside, I expect a young lady at the reception, with everlasting broad smile to say formal welcome. Stop right there Mr. Shah. How dare you imagine of a modern impressive work force inside the nation's daily grind center. My subconscious spoke. And for a while the world around me appeared very similar. Yes I have been here before, a voice from within shouted. It is the post office in my village. But wait I am in Islamabad!!! Ah the uniformity and standardized culture of our nation's public service institutions has taken my breath away.

While I am inquiring about the concerned office and officer over a narrow wooden reception desk, an old aged man dressed in Shalwar Kamiz, almost stretching on the guazed chair gives me the direction as he points towards the ceiling saying 2nd floor.

Shining tiles, 3 adjacent elevators without traffic (I wish we had this at our university although we had 1 but it remained packed at rush hours), clean corridor and the office, bang we are inside.

Two men sat over a table with PC on it. A fragrance I am well acquainted with, that of a library room. A thick and warm air with mixture of smell of bundle of books. The office walls are packed with files, hundreds of thousands of piles. The loose cupboard doors are open and inside it one sees the profuse files protruding through the door. The leftover bundles get piled on top of the cupboard reaching the roof top. Still leftover along with new ones put on a layer of dust as they rest peacefully on the floor .

By looking at the varying shade of the files you can easily tell which files are there since the creation of the country and those added recently. This is so depressing, at university library at least we had colorful tags at the books to capture our attention, but here its the unlimited white, gray and brown layers of files.

An intelligent young man wearing wasket over a creamy kameez, siting on the traditional office chair across a table covered with green shawl under a transparent glass with pages surrounding him is our final encounter (me and a colleague). He is very polite. He takes a minute to start dialogue when he gets interrupted by the office assistant. He very carefully and slowly starts writing a note which is probably addressing another colleague to complete an agreement made earlier. Once back to us we have to remind him what he was talking about. He accedes and before proceeding gets confused with all the files and pages on his table. He again inquires if they are ours but then remembers himself and puts them  in place.

Well, finally a sweet chit chat and a professional scrutiny of the documentation. He is good at it as he is good at seeking opportunity for 'free lunch or stay' through contacts. By now we are cursing ourselves for being indulged in an affair with the public sector institution and pray and literally get ready to "pay" what ever it takes to get us out of the affair. And, a 10 minutes meeting gets extended to 1 hr 30 minutes gup shup.

Did I say 2 mice ran into us during our discussion? Okay, they backed off as if saying sorry for interruption but its already 4:30pm. Nevertheless, interesting statistics: Government of Pakistan has so far spent Rs. 50 Million to clean sweep mouse population from the vicinity of Parliament house and Secretariat. The black fat creatures still rule.

Image Source here

Kudos to the resources, man power and 'authority of the offices' at the Pakistan Secretariat but only if the substandard culture, mindset and office management system changes. We will be the best in the world.

The attendants of the future generations are the “bosses”

Sabir has returned home late.  He is down and right away starts complaining about the attitude of Riaz Ahmad towards him, who is Director at Preston University Islamabad . He was feeling great these days, after suffering chronic health issues that led to halt his academic career for almost 2 years he has finally joined Islamic Art and Architecture Program at Islamic International University, Islamabad. Nevertheless, he is exploring options for B.Tech his primary field of interest.


That day Sabir was on academic expedition, when the Director of Preston University encountered him in a queue for admission inquiry. The director after taking him to his office asked about his query. So far so good says Sabir. “When I said I am enrolled in Islamic International University the director started shouting at me” confused faced Sabir was describing the event.  “I apologized and asked for the reason behind his sudden outrage” carried on Sabir. The Director’s arguments were:

“You have often visited our campus with your friends, with Afghanis, Iranis and Pathans… I know you are not going to take admission…” [Sabir was there for the first time ever and he had asked me that morning to send him the addresses of the institutions].

Not comprehending what the Director was talking about he again clarified his motive and asked for a prospectus to purchase. “The director ordered the security guards to take me out of his office and the campus” now almost feeling the pain as he kept telling. “He ordered them not to let me in again”. He asked me desperately “WHAT should I do… What should we do?”

I quietly went to the hall, where Nawaz was already sitting. I asked if he (Sabir) had been to the campus earlier. His reply was no. Given the fact that we shifted to Islamabad from Lahore in November 2011, Sabir had no chance to apply or visit any institution except International Islamic University where he got enrolled.

“He accused me of visiting their campus with friends, with Afghanis and Pathans” growing shock on his face was evident as he kept telling me the details. As we sat in the Hall for dinner, he again inquired “What should I do”. I made sense of his inquiry; it was a plea against the unprofessional, rude and illogical attitude of the director. Sabir was discouraged; his eyes told so. He was discouraged at a stage where he is fighting against his demoralized will to carry on with academics.

Earlier this week a news article pierced through my heart when I discovered that Kamran Khan a 13 years student torched himself to death due to circumstances pertaining to poverty. I left office by 5pm and after attending to my grandma who is still recovering from her malady reached home by 9pm. While I was traveling towards home the images of the 70% population including ourselves, kept appearing in my mind. People pressed by hardships and suffering of poverty, terrorism, politics, social injustice and violence.  

Once at home, under the darkness of the power shortage crisis, Nawaz and I started to share situation in our country that day.  Sabir had not yet returned home after leaving for university in the morning. The topics earlier that week had not been on fortunate incidents and progresses but on the unfortunate circumstances surrounding us including the Kohistan carnage, Minority issue and forced conversion and alike.  I told Nawaz about the fate of the unlucky mother who set priority to the basic necessities of life like food and shelter ignoring her son’s uniform requirement that resulted in her son’s death.  We placed hope in the present day universities and colleges who claim to provide the nation with highly qualified professionals and leaders by advertising their well reputed faculty. May be, one day we all together, the educated lot will do the difference.

It was at this point that Sabir came home and straight away with evident dismal condition shared his account. I thought the only hope of the society is fading; the attendants of the future generations are the “bosses”.

It is pertinent to note that in a time of disparities from almost every institution and section of the society including religion (which is being used to create hatred on the ground of sectarianism and extremism), politics, economy and development it is only education that will sow the seed of hope in the generation to come. But, behavior of the patrons of prestigious universities like the one above will curb the only hope left for the youth.  In every civilized society the above incident is condemnable and would require unconditional apology from the subject and he would be held accountable.

For Sabir it had taken long time to construct the confidence and belief in him, which the director gave harsh blow. 

Rai Ghulam-ud-Din (Late) Gulmit Gojal Hunza

Click for detailed insight  LEGACY, JOURNEY AND STORY OF A COMMUNITY LEADER: RAI GHULAM UD DIN KHAN (1944-2011)


Pup Rai Ghulam u Din (late), a wonderful poetry/Loos* recited by Nazir ahmed Bulbul on the day of Pup's funeral. The video also contains excerpt of Pup marhoom's speech in Karachi, and glimpse of his local dance. Proud of you, an inspiration for a generation.

Rai Ghulam-ud-Din (Late) Gulmit Gojal Hunza


*Loos in Wakhi is a collection of verses to honor a person's character and his life after his/her death. It is integral part of the Wakhi culture, and it is on the verge of extinction. But, efforts are underway to collect and preserve the rich heritage of loos, and to encourage the tradition.

1988 & 2012: an equidistance journey to and from millennium 2K

In 1988, when I was born, I was 12 years away from the new millennium and in 2012 I am again merely 12 years away from the new millennium.

The difference off course is nothing but the morphological changes.

Today I ponder over an amazing topic, a question and the most romantic idea: “I want to become a (profession) when I grow up.”

It’s amazing when you hear from children about the future profession they want to choose. It feels as good to hear as to imagine the child one day achieving that professional career that s/he utters. I never knew (neither did I inquire) about my future ideal as a child. May be my school teachers would remind me. I do remember that by grade 8^th I would reluctantly respond to the question “what is your future plan?” with “doctor”.

Time slipped and so did matriculation. Perplex with the option of deciding between Pre-Engineering and Pre Medical, I consult few of the best career counsellor and professionals and somehow cling to pre-engineering. Well, to their question “what is your future goal?” I respond, “I guess I want to study management sciences... or maybe I want to become a doctor... no I feel like becoming an engineer...”

Finally, I am in Lahore and in the first day of the college our Urdu professor sir Tahir Masood asks a million dollar question during an introductory dialogue. “Please one by one introduce yourself: your name, your region, your school and what do you want to become?” Why would the teacher ask us our future plan? Doesn’t he know that we are pre engineering students and we will become engineers? My heartbeat has already raced off, as I for the first time in my life hear the words “Electrical engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Electronics Engineer, and Computer Engineer” while students in the front row respond and Tahir scribbles every detail on his file paper.

It’s my turn and I haven’t yet decided my specialization in engineering, I speak “...I don’t want to be an engineer (50 students and the teacher startled at my statement fix their eyes on me) but, I want be academician and I plan to do PhD in Physics” This was brilliant; it not only surprised the audience but myself. Now the biggest joke to share with you all, the same year I drop physics in examination.

 

Well, this is 2012 and I stand here with a degree in my hand. I am not a doctor, neither an engineer. It is as if I have done everything and yet nothing. While I travelled the first half of the equidistance to the year 2000 with my parents and teachers, I wandered in the next equidistance journey from 2000 to 2012 on my romantic ideas. That made the 24 years of my life. I do not regret for not having a clear goal all these years, I wish to start anew, with clear and defined path for the rest of my life.

Happy New Year- Happy 2012

Towards a destiny with clear road map

(P.S. I loved art and Architecture)

A wish for Pakistan, A wish for myself

As the nation is about to celebrate the 135th birthday of Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, many initiatives are being carried out for commemorating the day. One such initiative is taken by Dawn Newspaper where people are invited to the forum to participate in "Tell us, tell the Quaid" discussion.The least I could do was to think of a competitive strategy for Pakistan, I find the idea and material in the brainstorming and thought provoking exercises conducted by the honorable teacher Dr. Farid A. Malik during our academic program.

Quaid e Azam M.A. Jinnah

Pakistan has a geostrategic location, rich with natural resources. The current situation of Pakistan is very critical. The country has the greatest proportion of youth population and it has traveled 63 years with a consistent problem of political leadership. This translated itself in the institutional structures and became the basis for indifferent citizens. Religious institutions got misused and fundamentalism and militancy strengthened.

In such a scenario competitive strategy for Pakistan shall primarily focus on youth development programs. Its investment in education sector will be a building block for the nation’s development. This shall include reaching out for the rural populations, reforms and improvement in technical education and development of uniform curriculum that encourages critical, intellectual and conceptual thinking.

Furthermore, institutions like Scouting and students’ political bodies shall be extensively launched. The blend of well designed practical approach curriculum will produce well informed political thinking. Moreover, scouting will help in cultural, religious and ethnical interaction to saw the seed of pluralism in the hearts and minds of the youth. This will address today’s religious fundamentalism, extremist religious rhetoric and ‘winning the heart and mind of peoples’ issue.

The next level strategy shall focus on exploration and utilization of the natural resources within our country. From natural resources I mean the fertile soil, fuel, water, fruits, gem stone and others. There are several coal mines including the Thar coal mine to be efficiently utilized as fuel source. Water is not scarce in Pakistan, but lack of proper planning cause draughts and floods in case of fluctuation of its flow. So dams and systematic control of water from macro to micro level will not only save water but also improve agriculture, stop or reduce the effect of natural disasters related to it. Health issues will also get under control.

The third competitive strategy for Pakistan could be suggested as transforming its foreign policy to have flexible and diplomatic relations with all its neighboring counties. This should include acting as a gateway for central Asian countries for trade through the sea routes. Also, it will be in the favor of Pakistan to create genuine bilateral relations with India. Pakistan could open the doors for investment and business for India and advance in technology instead of military advancements.

Pakisatan

To conclude, the youth of Pakistan in this turbulent time are the asset as well as liability of the state. Investment in them will automatically translate itself into skillful, enlightened and tolerating leaders. Pakistan will be a model for pluralism and peace rather than terrorist labeled state. Our focus on the strategic location and its invaluable resources can help us grow the business activities by providing opportunities for investment, and industries like the tourism industry to flourish. 

I wish to be part of the team for railing back Pakistan on the track of prosperity and peace. My wish on the Quaid's birthday.

The Yarzrich Episode

They are Wakhi (Xik) guys.They went to Chapursan Gojal to collect their resources. When they reached Yarzrich late night, Mir. M Nawaz tells us how Sabz Ali was able to open the house of Uncle Muhammad Zia. Then there is the a glimpse of the fun they had. Irfan goes on with his little philosophy of 'terr terr terr'.

While the video seems fun, nevertheless it captures a memorable episode of the travels and events of the guys, which indeed will remind others of their activities while traveling.

I hope you enjoy watching it.

Importance of volunteerism in organization

Volunteerism has been defined by Ishikawa that it is the free will to act. Volunteerism has many benefits to the institution and individuals constituting it.

Firstly, the characteristic of being proactive emerges and flourishes in individuals. They identify any improvement areas or effective means for work and, share it with the company. Therefore a company has high probability of success.

The whole idea of volunteerism in an organization is to inspire human beings to act rather than motivating them by coercion. Workers feel more responsible and dedicated towards their jobs, and they work with creativity. On the other hand people not willing to participate in organizational activity other than their duty feel no burden of extra work. Hence an organization can retain good workers and provide them with opportunity to be part of the development process.

Besides the routine and mechanic work, volunteerism in a company provides room for social and humanistic interaction. This has effect on the overall environment of an organization as workers find it more lively and fun. Moreover, it promotes respect of humanity and gives chance to the workers of various departments to know and understand their problems through Quality Circles for instance. Therefore, in an organization workers are able to identify and improve flaws in various different departments.

Written on 25-01-2011  (New Product Development course with Dr. Farid A. Malik) 

Experience-Lesson a proximity

There are exceptional moments in one’s life which can never obliterate from a person’s mind. Specifically speaking, moments of joy from childhood, that of teenage games and sports and other extracurricular activities as a youth are few moments to cherish in every one’s life. And the interesting part, that enthusiasm dose not repeat itself later. While doomed by few momentarily unimportant realities I flip pages of my diary and encounter one piece of writing which was written keeping a specific topic in consideration that goes like…

Unforgettable moment of my life

In reference to the given topic, people may present an account of a special occasion or a day that appeals to them too much. But, rather than a particular occasion or a day, I have chosen an extended two months period i.e. April and May, of each year 2004 and 2005 of my life to be an unforgettable moment. During the year 2004-05, I was doing my secondary education from AKHSS Gilgit and at the same time I was a resident of Shah Karim Hostel, adjacent to the school. These were the months when we were given self-study break for our final examination and, it was the routine during the vacation which made the whole span an unforgettable moment of my life. Firstly, I used to get up when the Azan for Fajr was called. After offering my prayers in the prayer hall, I would go to the woods at the back of the hostel, with my Islamiat course book. For 1 hour I memorized verses from the Holy Quran. Secondly, I usually did my breakfast on my way back to my room from the woods at 6:45 am. Then, my next spot happened to be the bank of Gilgit River, which passes along my school and hostel campus. There I sat under the shad of a shawl (which I made to avoid direct sun light) and studied my course books. Time and again I used to place my foot in the flowing water to get rid of boredom or, I simply stood on the giant stones by the river from where the beauty of the city could be seen. I could see sitting there people playing and swimming at the other side of the river. Furthermore, having achieved my targets by 2:00pm I would take lunch. Afterwards, I rested for at least an hour and 30mins. By 5pm I preferred either to play cricket or go to the old gymnasium for exercise. After 6pm I used to offer my evening prayers and have dinner. During the night I studied till 12:00am and finally rested peacefully for having a contented day. This routine repeated it self and, it gave me a feeling that I never found anywhere. Thus, became my unforgettable moment of life.

The question is why not now? For a mature person things should be easier as compared to his/her childhood. Sometimes childhood offers great lessons.

Steve Jobs is Alive

Steve Jobs is dead, mentions the news. My eyes catch a glimpse of the statement and they keep going back and forth. Really? 

"Jobby" a sound appears from my unconscious, we are all in a group and a guy smiles as he approaches not knowing how to react to the call. This is another beautiful day at college, and it has been quite inspirational semester. A series of lectures has been devoted to entrepreneurship in Marketing course, and directly or indirectly the valor, courage, vision, inspiration and 'out of the box approach' example has served by one extraordinary man, Steve Jobs. Our professor Mannan Amin (a Stanford Graduate himself) did everything to familiarize us with the legend's technological revolution. Our energetic fellows started the Forman Entrepreneurial Association and I remember exploring and discussing the marvels of Steve Jobs in one of the formal sittings.

As we strolled towards the hostel, Rizwan Javaid is the center of arguments. Because, for us a small group in an academic institution somewhere on the globe, Riz was Steve Jobs. We called him Jobby, not because he invented some technology resembling Apple, but for the inspiration we had taken from the legendary man. We made him part of our friends circle, we stayed with him, we dined with him. We aspired to become like him and follow his footsteps in professional life. 

Now tell me how a legend can ever die. He is present everywhere, with every student he has inspired, with every person who has loved his innovation and with every teacher who has explained many things through one phenomenon: Steve Jobs of the century.

Interview with OEC

Recently a short interview got published on the website of "Organization of Educational Change (OEC)". OEC also publishes an educational magazine the Educure. Their aim is to bring social change via education in Gilgit Baltistan. The not for profit organization is run by students of GB studying in various universities of Paksitan.

The interview explores me as a boy scout.

Here is the link for the interview:
OEC Blog: An Inspirational Boy Scout

Respecting Diversity for Loving Biodiversity

While closing the chapter of Baccalaureate program of my life, ‘Life on Earth’ became miserable.  Partially due to the knowledge relating to biodiversity, ecosystem, all sorts of pollution and their impact on people, and mainly because of the assignments, 8:00 am lectures and Friday dummy laboratory works. And, because of my coincidences with the major presentation this course ‘Life on Earth’ with Professor Dr. Hamid Saeed turned into a thriller. The first lesson started with Biodiversity, and I would later know that 22^nd May is celebrated worldwide as a Biodiversity day.

 

Photo Courtesy:ifoam

“Biodiversity is the variation in the life forms within a given eco system, biome or on the surface of earth”.[1] Discussing biodiversity, therefore, would have required us to firstly understand variation in only one form of life, living in a particular biome and, there could be no other interesting specie in comparison to human beings. Because our habitat is Pakistan, it would be easy to discuss and comprehend diversity in the homo-sapiens of Pakistan.  Now I guess that is what at least our professor had in mind while giving us opportunity to write on ‘diversity related to social and cultural lifestyles in Pakistan’.

Photo Courtesy: cultural classics

Diversity related to social and cultural lifestyles in Pakistan refers to the notable heterogeneity in the country’s environment, scratched my pen on the blank paper. Therefore, to speak of diversity would mean to discuss every aspect of the diverse ethnic, language and religion, I thought.  As I wrote, a pattern emerged in the deep corner of my mind that led me to expose the diverse aspects from the lens my experience, ranging from variation in ethnicity, lifestyles, cultures and their interaction. And, my pen didn’t stop…

Photo Courtesy: Mango Grove

Imagine a small town in the extreme north of Pakistan, adjacent to China border. Let’s name it Gojal, with population of 25000 people, scattered over a vast area in tiny villages, and let’s name their language Wakhi. Would you be appalled to know that these Wakhi people share their language with other clusters living in China, Afghanistan and Tajikistan? Will it seem interesting to see them celebrate their wedding in unique way lasting 5 to 7 days, and the many rituals based on seasons, for e.g  Kithdheet (Welcoming spring),Taghm (marking the start of harvest), Chineer (marking the time to collect harvest)?   But, that was how my childhood world appeared. All I knew was that people either have to grow small scale agriculture or run small enterprise or become teacher to earn and educate their children

.

Soon life started changing when I learned Urdu and English at school with our teachers.  It was at school that I came to know about English speaking people via our foreigner teachers. All I knew at this stage was that Pakistanis are like us the Wakhi people and Pashtuuns (who came there for business) and the rest of the world is like English speaking people I met in school.

PhotoCourtesy: concordiaexpeditions

Then at the age of 15 years I got exposed to a world beyond the homogeneous society of Gojal, to experience the more challenging diversity of Gilgit town. Interaction of five different languages of Gilgit-Baltistan namely, Wakhi, Shina, Balti, Brushaski, and Khwar was the uniqueness in this diversity. Another aspect of the diversity was the exposure of different faith group students and people, who gave a rich insight of the various beliefs. But, it was here in Gilgit that I could see the same diversity translating into sectarian clashes and thus alarming us of the sensitive aspect of diversity.

“Ethnicity of Pakistan is generally described in terms of the geographic and administratively defined areas of Punjabis, Sindhis, Pashtuns and Balochis.[2] Upon my arrival in Lahore in 2005, I sank into the stream of the language of people spoken by “44.15% of the countries population”: the Punjabi language. The experience was enthralling as I came across people with flexible behavior and attitude who loved fun and entertainment and had acceptance for other people. The language itself was easy as it resembled Urdu. I found Punjabis to be staunch consumer of sucrose, their unique breakfast either is ‘Halwaa Puri” or “Naan Chanay”, and they love spicy food.

The other two ethnic groups whom I met here were Pahtuns and Balochis. Both had their own unparallel and different characteristics, like athletic activities, cohesiveness and friendly nature. In terms of celebration, while Punjabis made “Bhangra” at every music beat, Attan of the Pshtuns rocked the parties, and occasional Hareep from Gilgit-Baltistan took them to the dance floor.

Surprisingly, in Lahore the class difference could be seen clearly. While I was only aware of the term poverty, but now I could see it with my own eyes. While I had seen rich people in films and fiction novels, but it was here that I saw this faction of our society. Therefore, an evident “high culture” and “Low culture” became practical knowledge for me.


Photo Courtesy: Hindukush Trails

Turning to the most unique diverse experience in the cultural and social lifestyle of Pakistan, non other than the Kalash people have imprinted their lifestyle on my mind. Situated on a high valley of Chitral called Bambureth, the town constitute of people known to be the offsprings of Alexander the Great. Their colorful ornamental dress, rituals for marriage and for death at their temple and their unique living style is one of its kind in the whole world.

In conclusion, like the very variety found in all sort of organisms on earth, human beings themselves have unique diversity among each other. While diversity is strength in reality, but due to its sensitivity it could also be fatal. Being humans it is therefore our responsibility to protect our own specie along with the whole biodiversity. The unrest that we see in today’s Pakistan or any other human society is not the real face of the individuals living there. They carry with them a whole beautiful and diverse pattern of life, which we need to respect and protect. Only then can we make the ecosystem suitable and safe for the biodiversity.

---

[1] Wikipedia

En.wikipedia.org/wiki/biological_diversity

[2] Curtin University of Technology

Representation of Cultural diversity in Urdu Newspapers of Pakistan. Jawad Saeed.

www.mediaasiaconference.curtin.edu.au/pdf/Jawad%20syed.pdf (Retrieved on 24-03-2011)

Gilgit Baltistan Traditional Dance by Formanites

Keeping alive the long tradition established by Gilgit-Baltistan Formanite students, a grand farewell party was arranged for the Senior batch of 2011, by their juniors. While the event  had many colorful parts including the flashback and memory sharing by seniors, delicious food, and photography, but it also included this one amazing segment of traditional dance,  to keep in touch with our identity & enjoy in lively way.

In this segment you watch dancing two seniors of 2011 batch, Zahir Shah (Me myself :)) and Najeeb Ullah (Sarkar) the great wakhi companion of my 4 years.

"We thank the lovely GB Formanite community for honoring us and providing us with opportunity to present a local GB dance."

I hope you will love watching it, remember to provide comment :)

Video Credits: Mujeeb Alam
Copy Rights: Gilgit-Baltistan Production

Special Thanks to: Hassan Abbas, Shah Faisal, Mujeeb Alam & Malik Zulqarnain for making this possible, and Ali Barcha (The DJ) for providing us with the video, & the whole junior batches.

Note: No copyright infringement intended. The video is being posted by the owner's permission.

Confessions of an Economic Hitman (Book by John Perkins): In a glance, The Review

The Economic Hitman (EHM) narrates his fate in the world stage as a puppetry of the modern power seeking tool; the company. John Perkin, one of the paid hitman makes a confession regarding the role of American institutions in the world economical, political and social order. EHM are professionals who are hired, trained and paid to serve the interest of American policy via giant companies like MAIN, at a cost indispensably shocking and higher to the third world and developing countries including Ecuador, Panama, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran and many more. These countries go through a folly of exaggerated economic forecast, rigged elections, exploitation of natural resources, murder and sex business staged under  the shadow of economic development.

It all starts with the will of the secret agencies, who are the real drivers of the cult institutions that work for the creation of a global empire. Once John Perkins is in their spotlight the recruiters spend no time in gathering his life account to treat him in a way that he becomes their ‘slave’ for life. The book thus gives a vivid illustration of the constraints of individual liberty and the role of powerful factors other than the self in deciding our destiny in life. While Perkins gets an offer for service in MAIN with the hope of getting a luxurious life but, the real face of economics shows up to him where instead of market forces it would be Perkin himself who will decide the sketch of Indonesian economy. Therefore, the first lesson to Perkin and all is that as far as America and its Institutions get their ‘fuel’ to keep their engines running, it is by all means incumbent on any targeted nation to act in the opposite direction of what would keep them sovereign. For example, if communism is working for them, replace them with puppet democracy or autocracy with the masters being the Americans or depicting how certain decisions would boost the economy of a targeted country where as in fact the decisions will deteriorate their economy.

The progress of an employee in general and an economic hitman in particular depends upon the extent of deception promoted by them. With a successful role played in Indonesia, Perkins gets the role of inquisitor, but at the same time Howard Parker who is adamant in putting forward false electricity forecast data gets fired. Instead, in order to distort the truth in the best possible way to serve the companies in their best capacity people like Perkins (EHMs)  get promoted and that is what Bruno the vice president of MAIN did. And latter the same business graduate man i.e. Perkins, got the role of the Chief Economist under the role of EHM.

The world empires and government are built and demolished purely based on how much the interest of the companies is served. That is how the Shah of Iran suffered in the 1970s in the hands of Teddy Roosevelt, when he did not agreed to the terms and conditions set with the USA. While the one man in Panama: Torrijos, was stubborn in his determination to help the poor people of his country and even made negotiations with the condition that his people will benefit, these people are the least desired breed of rulers for the companies seeking their own survival on others blood to promote their national interest. So were the people like Fidel and Muammar Gadhafi of Libya. And in the international politics therefore, it is not just what the people of certain country want their leader to be, but who the EHM, the Jackals and the Army of the US want to see.

The game does not just stop at limiting the freedom of EHM and employees, nations around the world and their leaders, but it is just the beginning. With the overestimations and double standard economic forecasts, the ‘target countries’ are made to believe in a very prosperous future.  Like after the threats of OPEC in the Middle East, America turned its attention towards Saudi Arabia. With the promise to provide lavish and easy lifestyle to the Saudis, EHM devised a plan that fit to their formula, as Claudine told Perkins in his training: “First, justify huge international loans that would funnel money back to MAIN and other U.S. companies (such as Bechtel, Halliburton, stone  Webster, and Brown & Root) through massive engineering and construction projects. Second, work to bankrupt the countries that received those loans so that they would be forever beholden to their creditors, and so they would present easy targets when needed favors, including military bases, UN votes, or access to oil and other natural resources.” This happened with Saudi Arabia when EHM planned for their modernized city based on their psyche, and it required electricity and other compliment projects, all the contracts taken by the American companies. This gave birth to SAMA (Saudi Arabia Money Laundering Affair) while all the money went into the American companies; in return they got oil on cheaper price for the next 100 years and broke the OPEC.

The world terrorism and war against terrorism saga also relates to the same theory of business companies and their service in return of their fair share. With entry into Iraq, USA marked a success for access to oil, at the same time it served the ammunition industry to prosper. Similar was the case with the event of 9/11 and the entry into Afghanistan solely for obtaining natural resources like Lithium. On the contrary Osama Bin Laden and his family has been a long ally of the Bush family and had been their business partner.  Be it in the name of good or bad motive the underling rule is basic, let American Institutions serve America to remain an economic giant and expand to a global empire.

On the contrary the book gives hope for recovering from the folly and trap set by the giant economies. After all people constitute these mega institutions and their projects. While the planners are less in number but the sufferers are millions; like the destitute people in Ecuador, the helpless in the suburbs of Indonesia or the terrified and tortured people in Iran. As it is said that where there is a will there is a way, out of the thousands of EHM few like Perkins could help in informing the masses of the real game and their responsibility. While Perkins was on his way to prosper but his meeting with Graham Greene during the Panama Canal negotiations and his meeting with the unanimous person in Iran and his motivation gave courage to surrender to non but himself.

In short, the world has become a globalized village with the expansion of giant companies, but limited has become peoples’ individuality. While, states run on the merci of the large corporations, but corporations have based their growth on the blood of common people. Strong nations like America in the process of securing their future misuse the companies and professionals to capture the earth’s natural resources and do so by attempting to be a global empire based on false foundation and on the cost of the social, economical and political affairs of developing countries. But, few people like Perkins and mass consciousness around the globe is badly required to force the companies play their real role and stop destabilizing the global environment.