Miss Dustbin

Learning for a lifetime

Published in Young Nation 29 September 2012

http://issuu.com/youngnation/docs/young_nation_magazine_29_september_2012/5

The monster of exams usually gulps our hunger and sleep. The whole routine got disturbed, on breakfast time we use to sleep, we skip lunch and at dinner time we eat carelessly and remain awake the whole night in order to study. I witnessed the same situation during my exams.

It was my final exam, the fear was high and the craze of learning everything within minutes was on its full swing. I was complete submerged in the studies to the extent that a night before exam I remained awake and slept only for 2 hours. I revised the already learned stuff again and again.

In the morning my mind was completely jam and sleepy. I drank two cups of tea in order to gain the consciousness. Once again, I revised the whole course and got myself ready for the exam. Entering in the examination hall, I assure myself that I can do the paper and will secure full marks because I have learned everything by heart but all my assurance was ruined when I saw the question paper. It was all opinion based paper. I got shivered because I have learned all the questions by heart without understanding the central idea so I was not in the position to do the critical analysis on the asked questions.

At that movement, the voice of my primary teacher reverberates in my ears that once you have understand the basic meaning of a lesson you don’t have to learn it and avoid the pattern learning by heart because if you forget one word then the whole paragraph will evaporate from your mind.

From that day I realized that learning lecture by heart will give nothing because we will forget it immediately after exams but once we understand the real meanings it will remain stick in our mind for the lifetime. Moreover, in professional life, during interview your boss will not ask the answers of course questions he/she will judge you on the base of your knowledge and talent. So work on your qualification success will come automatically.

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Eid and markets.

Published in Unique Pakistan
http://blog.uniquepakistan.com.pk/eid-and-markets-2/

The festival of Eid is the gift and reward from God to the people who have fast whole month of Ramazan. These are actually the people who have put their personal desires and pleasures aside and spent whole month in worshipping God and asking for the repentance of sins and refuge from hell fire. With the beginning of last 3^rd Ashra, the hustle and bustle in markets start to reach its peak and on chand raat there’s mostly no space in markets to roam about. However, there are many people who complete their Eid shopping before Ramazan which has its own benefits. Above all, it saves time for doing more ibadat and prevents one’s pocket from excessive charges.

Ramazan is the month of blessings which gives the message of love, patience, harmony and brotherhood but ironically in this month exorbitant prices tramples the little joy of eid that a poor man wishes to have. Whether, they are fruits and other iftar items or Eid dresses everything mostly get double in price in this Holy month of Ramazan. One can stop eating expensive items in iftar to save money for buying an Eid dress. Yes, Eid is the festival in which everyone wants to be clad with new and stylish outfits.

Karachi is the city of mix-ethnicities. People from different cities are residing here in search of daily bread. Mostly there are three classes living in Karachi, upper class, middle class and lower class. Therefore, there are different shopping areas, markets and arcades are present catering all the class. Upper class usually shop from air-conditioned big malls, middle class moves to renowned markets and there are different cheap markets for lower class and lunda Bazar, Light house market is above all.

Lunda Bazaar, the second hand cloth market is place where you can buy designer garments or different brands at very cheap coast. The faded jackets, used sweater, woolen caps, mufflers all are available at Lunda Bazaar. This market is heaven for the people who can’t afford buying expensive clothes. On the other hand, Liaquatabad market is another whole sale market for poor. From needle to grinder machine, from blankets to wedding dresses all are available under one roof. This is the quality of this market that people from middles class also prefers it as it saves time.

Likewise, there are different bazaars in different areas of Karachi on daily basis like hafta bazaar, itwaar bazaar, peer bazaar, mangle bazaar, budh bazaar, jumerat bazaar and jumma bazaar. The purpose of these bazaars is same to give relief to poor people and mostly, people prefer these markets for buying house hold stuff as it saves money.

Markets is a very vast topic to discuss and markets of Karachi is a wide topic because Karachi city is embracing so many big and small markets in its bosom which caters people from every class that is a fact to appreciate. Everyone enjoys Eid according to their capacity but being Muslims we are brothers so it’s our duty to fulfill the need of our Muslim brothers through Zakat or other cash donations. Let’s have a look in your circle, is there anyone who is waiting for your mercy?  If yes, then go an make their Eid memorable.

Brave soldiers living at Siachen

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Glory returns to Swat

Published in Us Mag, The News on 6 April 2012 

http://magazine.thenews.com.pk/mag/detail_article.asp?id=2256&magId=9

Three years back, Swat  reverberated with the sound of gunshots and bomb blasts. Its citizens had become hostages in their own houses, and their children had forgotten to smile due to the violent rule of Taliban. The natives of Swat lived in dreadful conditions, but thanks to the successful operation of Pakistan Army, ‘Rah-e-Nijat’, peace has been restored here.

When the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) organised a week long ‘Ski and Smile in Swat’ festival at Malam Jabba resort last month, the innocent faces of the people of Swat beamed with joy. A large number of people from different parts of the country came to participate in the event. The festival was arranged in collaboration with the Army, the Royal Norwegian Embassy and Right To Play - an international development and humanitarian organisation, which focuses on children’s sports.

Skiing festival is been an old tradition of Malam Jabba in which the main attraction of the region, the PTDC hotel, had a significant role. Tourists used to stay at the hotel during festival days, which was good for the economy as well as for the image of Pakistan. Regretfully, the militants destroyed the 72-room hotel and its chair-lift, installed by the Austrian government. Due to this, many foreign tourists faced difficulties as there is no other hotel of standard in the valley. The government should reconstruct it again in order to promote tourism and attract more people to Swat.

I was lucky to attend the festival, this year. On reaching Swat, a cold breeze welcomed me, but as I moved up to Malam Jabba, the snow waited for me with open arms and the weariness of the tedious journey vanished. 

Two things caught my eyes immediately; the ruined PTDC hotel and the colourful skiing track that was clearly visible from where we stood. Seating arrangement had been made for the audience and soon we joined the people gathered there to witness the rehearsals. While waiting for the rehearsals to start, a kids’ team came forward with their coach. The kids were not over 10 years of age and were the natives of Swat.

“The kids have made the skiing boards and rods themselves,” informed their coach. “They have observed the players who visit here with their well-maintained skiing gadgets and tried to emulate their skiing kits.”

The success of a show depends on rehearsals; therefore, the rehearsals for the flag hoisting ceremony, prayer recitation and order of announcement continued for two days. Finally, the snow festival was inaugurated by the Norwegian Ambassador to Pakistan, Cecilie Landsverk, by hoisting the National flag. On the occasion, veteran politician and Awami National Party (ANP)’s senior leader Afzal Khan Lala, Operation Commander Major General Ghulam Qamar, Pakistan Army’s spokesman in Swat Col Arif Mahmood and others were also present. Peshawar Corps Commander Lt Gen. Khalid Rabbani was the Chief Guest on the prize distribution day. The event continued for eight fun-filled days with attractive competitions like demo skiing by professionals, informative and guided tours to the ski slopes, live musical evenings, tobogganing, snowman building, snow trekking coaching classes etc. Over 45 skiers, including children and professionals, took part in five major ski disciplines.

Bacha Hussain won the Giant Slalom in which skiers ski between different sets of poles or gates. WHile, the eight-year-old, Zakir Hussain, topped the children’s competition. After the prize distribution ceremony, Peshawar Corps Commander Lt Gen. Khalid Rabbani, said he perceived the event not as a closing ceremony, but an opening ceremony for more such events. 

Swat is considered as the Switzerland of Pakistan because of its natural beauty and low temperature. With a little help from the government, Swat can get back its former glory.

Dangerous sports

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C-H-A-N-G-E comes from within

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The cry of domestic rampage

Published in The voice of youth on  9 December 2011

http://thevoiceofyouth.com/2011/12/09/the-cry-of-domestic-rampage/

The cry of domestic rampage

Posted in Social Issues on 09. Dec, 2011

By Noor-ul-Ain Hanif

The womb of a mother that nurtures and protects a baby before coming in this world, the better half that carries the half burden of husband’s life, the beloved women who offers her shoulder in times of sadness, the delicate and tender hands of a sister that manages the house in absence of a mother. Faces keep changing in life but the gender remains the same. Yes, its a woman!

The kind heart in a soft body best defines a woman and some people take advantage of this quality. Being the weaker sex, woman faces a lot of difficulties and misfortunes in her life from childhood to maturity. In childhood, she is unaware of the unnecessary touching of choori wala, ice-cream wala or dukan wala and in mature age, she is aware of everything but can’t do anything. A number of bills against women harassment and violence have been passed in the past, but a rural woman. a victim of domestic violence is still fighting for life and freedom.

According to the website www.humanillnesses.com,

“Violence is the use of physical force to injure people or property. Violence may cause physical pain to those who experience it directly, as well as emotional distress to those who either experience or witness it.”

The definition of women violence is not much different to that of the actual definition of violence. The only difference is that weaker sex mostly experiences the harsh actions due to the unaware and illiterate behavior of stronger sex that is man.

The UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women (1993) states that

 “violence against women is a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women, which have led to domination over and discrimination against women by men and to the prevention of the full advancement of women, and that violence against women is one of the crucial social mechanisms by which women are forced into a subordinate position compared with men.”

Violence against women include: domestic violence, physical abuse, sexual abuse and rape in intimate relationships; psychological and emotional abuse, femicid, sexual abuse of children and adolescent, forced prostitution and sex-selective abortions.

While discussing women violence, domestic violence over women should be highlighted and given a wider space. Violence starts from home. It may be by parents, husband or another woman. It’s true a woman is mostly alleged of doing violence over another woman. She may be present in the face of sister-in-law or mother-in-law or any other lady. Women usually experience domestic violence over dowry issues, jealousy issues or other house hold problems. But now, the violence has taken a new turn, as black magic is also involved in it. The women with shaky believes usually go to the babas to get rid of other women. Another major reason of violence is having a girl in womb. The discrimination of girl and boy is destroying our society and a number of women have been burnt or strangled to death for giving birth to a girl.

Mostly husbands consider their right to abuse or beat up wives so that the wife can’t dominate. Such illiterate views ruin their married life. Their kids also suffer the consequences and creates a negative impact on their minds. According to the study of PhD student Naima Hassan, the Applied Psychology Department of the Punjab University,

“Most husbands consider abusing or even beating up wives their right many justifying the abuse by arguing that their wives do not hold their in-laws in esteem or lack warmth in lovemaking”

Domestic abuse, also known as spousal abuse, occurs when one person in an intimate relationship or marriage tries to dominate and control the other person. Domestic abuse that includes physical violence is called domestic violence with reference to Ansar Burney Trust,

“According to estimates – as many as 70 percent of women in Pakistan experience domestic violence. This violence can range from beatings, to sexual violence or torture, to broken bones and very serious injury caused by pouring of acid or burning the victim alive.”

Domestic violence can be very brutal and lethal. A woman should take an action at an early step before it’s too late. She can inform her parents and if it doesn’t work out then she can get help and support from women NGOS working in Pakistan. A number of bills have also been passed by the National Assembly in order to save women from the horrible violence. The only drawback is that the brutal assailant is later released on bail. Women do protest against the bail out of such men, but it is the men who eventually dominate the society.

Knowledge is power. Only education can change the present scenario.

According to Hazrat Ali (A.S),

"Knowledge and practice are twins, and both go together. There is no knowledge without practice, and no practice without knowledge."

Seek knowledge, spread knowledge and kindly use knowledge in taking your decision in the light, because knowledge will never let you down.

© 2011, the Voice of Youth. All rights reserved. On republishing this post you must provide link to original post.

Hai koi hum jaisa!

Published in Element Prime December issue

http://issuu.com/elementprime/docs/element_prime_-_december_2011/13

Hai koi hum jaisa!

By Noor-ul-Ain Hanif

“Pak Sar Zameen Shad Bad…” by reading these verses I am sure, a nostalgic puff has blow your hair and you’ve imagined your self standing in center of school ground attending the school assembly, wearing proper uniform, hair are combed well and laces are fasten tightly but here I want to draw your attention towards one of the most important events in the 64 years history of Pakistan that our country has registered a new record of most people singing Pakistan's National Anthem on 14 August 2011. 

The new world record is the most precious gift, gifted to Pakistan on its 65th birthday by the patriotic youth. The idea of breaking record was put forward by the two youngsters Abid Beli and Waqas Pai under the banner of “I own Karachi”. According to the post of Abid on the website of I own Karachi. May 30, 2011, “We contacted Guinness world record team that we are planning to break above mention record.  We didn’t confirm them a Date & Time. So once we receive positive response from those people who are willing to join hand with us to break this record than we will announce the Date & Time. Till now we agreed on 14th august 2011”(http://www.iownpakistan.com/2011/05/30/world-record-for-most-people-singing-pakistans-national-anthem/)

However, the vigorous youngsters spread their message through the hub websites of youngsters, the famous social networking websites Facebook and Twitter, a large number of people came to know about the event through the websites and join their voices with others in order to break the world record. The gathering was voluntarily organized by the youngsters without any sponsorship or support from the public or private sector.

The event was held in Karachi, late night at Defence Stadium where 5,857 Karachiites gathered, when the clock struck 12:00 am, the zealous crowd chanted the national anthem to break the previous record of 5,248 people, achieved by students, staff, faculty and alumni of MSU-IIT (Philippines) who sang ‘Lupang Hinirang’ their National Anthem, at the MSU-IIT gymnasium, in Iligan, Philippines, on 1 September 2009.

Before Philippines, this record was under Indian custody as 104,637 people sang ‘Vande Mataram’ on January 12, 2010 which is not exactly their anthem but a National song. Therefore, a youth representative Abid Beli contacted the organizers of the Guinness records, notifying them the record of singing national anthem by a large number of people in India should be removed as they have not sung their National anthem that is “Jana Gana Mana”

Along with the devoted crowd, renowned politician Marvi Memon, Captain Wasi, who was freed along with his ship crew after months by the Somali pirates, was present on the occasion with his daughter Laila Wasi.  The honorable celebrities also addressed the crowd.

Hindrances are always present on the smooth path of success so as in the way of achieving record.  Despite of huge people marked attending on Facebook, a quarter of them made it to come to the event due the sudden rain so it took a flood of texts, tweets and Facebook messages at the last minute to attract more people. Hence, the jubilant, vigorous and zealous crowd successfully breaks the record on 14th August 2011.

The rise of electricity

Published in Element Prime November issue

http://issuu.com/elementprime/docs/element_prime_-_november_2011/11

http://issuu.com/elementprime/docs/element_prime_-_november_2011/13

Comment by the Chairman, IEEEP, Tahir Saleem, Karachi Centre:

A very good article ,I appreciate your efforts.

The rise of electricity

By Noor-ul-Ain Hanif

From the doorbell that milk man, sweeper, car cleaner and vegetable seller press every morning to the heavy food items we store in our refrigerators, from the remote button that we press to turn off A/C to the other buttons , we press to turn on lights and fans, everything is the fruitful work of others. However, the main back bone to power every necessity is electricity which itself is the hard work and research of different scientist. Our elders use to say that we have opened eyes in a period in which everything works with a single click: single click of mouse on the computer screen can connects you with the whole world, single click on camera can capture the event and make it part of your sweet memories, with a single click you can talk to another person via cell phones. It’s not wrong if we say everything is on our finger tips.

The most initial need of a human being is bread, cloth and shelter, when they are fulfilled a human looks for further needs that are lights to enlighten house, fans to feel the cool air, television and radio to get entertained, computers to do work, cell phones to talk etc. All the equipments are powered by electricity.

Talking about electricity is like sprinkling salt on fresh wounds. Here, the purpose is not to hurt you but to inform you. Nowadays phrases like “no electricity” or “alas! Electricity failure”, are present on everyone’s tongue but no one really knows from when and where the electricity come from? Who are the inventers of electricity? No doubt the fruits that we are using in our modern life are the great effort and research work of the researchers of different centuries. At every century, scientist added their efforts and forward it to the new generation and this process of forwarding is still following in the modern age. There is a misconception that electricity is invented by Benjamin Franklin or Edison which is not true. This misconception is due the story of Ben's famous kite flight, although he made significant discoveries and advancements, but Ben did not invent electricity. However, he invented the lightning rod which protected buildings and ships from lightning damage. On the other hand Edison invented the electric bulb.

The most frequently revised term electricity is the flow of electrons between the clouds and ground which is also known as lighting that is usually visible during storms. It’s the first evidence of the presence of electricity. Historical records show that static electricity was already known to the ancient Greeks. In 16^th century, the Greek scientist Thales of Miletus discovered that rubbing a fur would make a couple of objects attract one another. This research was further expanded by the Italian physicist, Girolamo Cardano, who involve electrical and magnetic forces in his work. After which one of his associate, William Gilbert, further elaborates his theories.

Between 17^th to 19^th centuries, when the first capacitor was invented, it was finally determined that static electricity could be transformed into an electric current. This was the time when Benjamin Franklin performed his famous thunderstorm kite flight experiment that discovery the link between lightning and electricity. The work of Franklin and his contemporaries gave rise to some of the biggest names in the electrical field. These personalities included the names:

 Michael Faraday, Andre Ampere, Georg Simon Ohm, Luigi Galvani, and Alessandro Volta; all of you are familiar of their sir name as they are the measurement units of electricity.

Once the basic formula was out, different companies started working in order to make life easier through electricity. This work was done in early 19^th century. There were two famous personalities; Werner von Siemens and John Pender, who established the first companies whose main purpose was to examine electricity and its potential to make life easier for humanity.

Following the formula, great minds came out with great innovations. It include scientist like Nikola Tesla, Thomas Edison, Samuel Morse, Antonio Meucci, George Westinghouse, and Alexander Graham Bell who worked to create some of the most incredible inventions that only runs through electricity. These inventions included the induction motor, the light bulb and a method of distributing electrical energy, the long range telegraph, the telephone, the first electrically powered locomotive, and the founding of the widely successful telephone industry.

The history of electricity is a fine example of how the works of many could be combined into one. Although they never worked together, their efforts are serving human beings. Let’s put personal grudge and discriminations aside and work and think for the betterment humanity as the great scientist did.

The real spirit of sacrifice

Published in Young Nation  5 November 2011
http://issuu.com/youngnation/docs/young_nation_magazine_05_november_2011

                                  The real spirit of sacrifice

Allah has blessed us with two pearls of Eid, one is Eid-ul-Fitr which is also known as “Meethi Eid” (sweet Eid) and other is Eid-ul-Azha that is also known as “Bari Eid” (big Eid). Meethi Eid is the reward of the religious deeds that one has done in the month of Ramadan, where as Eid-ul-Azha has its own history. Muslim celebrates this occasion in the memory of Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) and Hazrat Ismail (A.S). It revives the spirit of sacrifice in every soul because Eid-ul-Azha is the spirit of laying down your beloved thing in the way of God as Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) did. Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) is Allah’s Prophet who was ordered to sacrifice His most beloved thing in the way of Allah to do so he decided to sacrifice His son Hazrat Ismail (A.S). When he was sacrificing His son suddenly a sheep came instead of Hazrat Ismail (A.S) and He slaughtered it. Being a Muslim, we follow His Sunnah without any ostentation.

According to the Islamic calendar, Muslim celebrates Eid-ul-Azha on 10 Zilhaj of every year, after completion the 5th pillar of Islam, Hajj (the annual pilgrimage). Muslims around the world, dressed in the same simple white cloth commonly known as “Ahraam”, regardless of their language, nationality, social status, color and race all of them stand in front of God and perform Hajj.

Eid is another name of happiness whether it’s Bari or Meethi Eid both of them brings joy in shape of parties. Following are the things that are especially associated with Eid-ul-Azha:

1. Sacrifice/ Qurbani:

Eid-ul-Azha is all about animals and their sacrifice. Kids are fond of Eid-ul-Azha as they keep waiting for this occasion whole year because this occasion brings animals at every house and if Mr. Camel has arrived to one house then the crowd of kids will keeping visiting the house everyday till the camel sacrificed. These animals include: cows, goats, sheeps, and camels. People sacrifice animals according to their capacity. This act should be pure and only to seek pleasure of God but ironically, people buy healthy, wealthy animals to display them.

2. Cattle market:

Cattle markets are another charm of this event. Markets to sell animals are use to settle in open areas usually on highways where animals from all over Pakistan brought for the holy purpose of sacrifice.

3. Sizzling BBQ parties:

BBQ is the most delicious, common and mouth watering dish of Eid-ul-Azha. Once the animal sacrificed, BBQ preparation starts. Marinating the meat with the spicy and sizzling desi masala (spices) for hours and taking it out at the time of party, threading the meat pieces in the spit and cooking them on the grills is another fun activity enjoyed by the whole family members.

4. Vermicelli and sheer khurma:

Eating Vermicelli, sheer khurma, any kind of some sweet or odd number of dates in short eat sweet food before going for Eid prayer is Sunnah of Mohammed (S.A.A.W). Vermicelli and sheer khurma is supposed to be of the most important dish in Eid’s breakfast.

5. Eidi:

Eidi is something that is the most favorite and important part of Eid for every Muslim. From kids to elders everyone loves to have eidi on Eid day. It’s cash money that is given to kids by elders as an Eid gift. On Eid day kids ask eidi from their grand parents and other relatives then they buy different things or do party from the money but some of them store it and save money.

6. Sweets:

Sweets are something that can’t be neglected. Eid without sweets is incomplete. The soft stuffed circles dipped into sugary water then coated with dry fruits and chopped coconut make a person’s mouth watered. Sweets are one of the prime element in Eid’s lunch and dinner. People present sweets to their relatives and guest when they visit their home on Eid day.

Eid-ul-Azha is all about the spirit of sacrificing the most beloved and precious thing in the way of Allah Almighty. It teaches us sharing as we share the meat with needy people. There are number of people who keep the meat in their freezer whole year instead of sharing it with the needy and only at the end of the year they offered the meat to the poor. This is a very wrong practice because Islam teaches us brotherhood. Mohammed (S.A.W.W) said "You will not be a believer until you love for your brother what you love for yourself" (Sahih Al-Bukhari). So on this Eid, along the distribution of meat with friends and neighbor remembers the needy. Eid Mubarak everyone :)