Light Within

When nothing much happens in these happening times, members of 55 PMA Long course start thinking of get together. This time excuse of getting together is saying welcome to Bring Jamal Zia, who is recently retired from his last assignment. He was the last of brigadiers of the course to hang their helmets. Other had done it earlier last year. Other excuse, we miss each other.

Thanks to Col Hafiz Shafiq of Al Janat Marriage Hall who offered his place and everything else to house the gathering of up to 30 ‘boys’ (who have confirmed so far) and yes, this time it is boys only meet. 

Lahore Chapter Winter Meet is planned at 1900 hours on Jan 29, 2011 at Al Janat Marriage Hall, Science College Road, Lahore. Those who have not confirmed, please tell Col Athar [0321-8801973]. Stay tuned for more on this.

Update: Tasawr was here with me when I was writing this. 

It is always good to meet facebook friends face to face. Best thing is that at friends at facebook know each other well and meeting first time is as meeting an old friends. Thanks to Ameer Abbas Naqvi, my facebook friend, who called on me today and we chatted face to face on a wide range of subjects (ya, other than those which are discussed on facebook). Bright young man on his way to start a career, Naqvi is a graduate from University of Gujrat from where he did his Masters in Computer Science and is now getting a certification. Find him on the Facebook and discover more.

Pakistan has come a long way since 1947 when she got independence from British rule. Today, things are not as they used to be. The country comprising four provinces, Azad Kashmir and Federal Administrated Tribal Areas is the home of several new and old nationalities and sub-nationalities such as Punjabi, Sindhi, Baluchi, Pakhtoons, Saraiki, Hindko, Potohari and Urdu speaking Mohajirs. Of them, Punjabi, Sindhi, Baluchi, Pakhtoons have their provinces after their ethnic names while Saraiki, Hindko, Potohari and Urdu speaking Mohajirs, despite the fact geographically stretch in vast, considerable territories, feel themselves aggrieved without having provinces of their own. This is the major cause of their resentment against the center, which surface the national media time and again.

Punjab alone is the home of Punjabi, Saraiki, and Potohari communities. One can mark a clear division between Old Sindhis and new Sindhis (Urdu speaking Mohajirs) in Sindh Province. In the same way, it is almost impossible to neglect Hazara community in Khyber Pakhtoonkhawah and Pakhtoon community in Baluchistan as well. Even smaller provinces do not find themselves fit in the current scheme. They demand more autonomy, provincial control over their natural resources and a reasonable balance in their relations with the centre. Smaller provinces blame preponderance of one majority province over all others in every respect. Every year NFC award is also a bone of contention among them. The federation needs unity and for this purpose we are bound to pay heed to vox populi.

Thanks God, today’s social and political milieu is tolerant as compared to that in recent past when it was almost impossible to talk about rights of saraiki, mohajir, potohari and hindko communities in Pakistan. Interestingly, these sub-nationalities and smaller provinces are in conflict in their demands. Sindhi may back Saraiki Province but would remain stubborn over division of Sindh to facilitate the Mohajir Province. Apparently, the Baluchies want separation but their focus is their control over natural resources after getting more autonomy. NWFP has been renamed Khyber Pakhtoonkhwah but Hindko community in the province is protesting over the issue.

Punjab’s extraordinary role in current set up is sore of all eyes. That’s why smaller provinces want to see Punjab being divided into three provinces such as Sariaki Province, Punjabi Province and Potohari Province. But any such move will certainly lead to division of smaller provinces on ethnic lines, too; which is not acceptable to the smaller provinces. Smaller provinces are united under the banner of Saraiki Province since it would affect Punjab alone. On the other hand, sub-nationalities back the Saraiki Province with quite a different motive. For them, division of Punjab would necessarily open a window of opportunity for them in the days to come in the shape of their own provinces formed on ethnic lines. Thus subnationalities are in conflict with smaller provinces but join them in support for Saraiki Province to serve their own interests.

It is true that the country has survived through the battering of dictators, mismanagement, terrorism, extremism, the assassination of politicians, economic jolts but to miss a popular demand made by one sub-nationality and backed by others would be equal to digging deep the foundations of the country. Thus Saraiki Suba is going to become inevitable sooner or later. Once Saraiki Suba becomes reality, subnationalities will be free to demand their own provinces across the countries and a new social contract will emerge across the board. It would not be inappropriate to mention that ‘India had 16 provinces but now it has created 12 new provinces for better management. In Musharaffian era, more provinces were discussed on different forums but could not get materialized due to political instability in the country.

According to Thomas Hobbes, …free men establish political community i.e. civil society through a social contract in which each gain civil rights in return for subjecting himself to civil law or to political authority. At present, one can hear people buzzing about new social contract but they want new social contract to be formulated in the light of their wishes rather than hard realities. In fact, formulation of new social contract is easier said than done. Much homework is needed prior to go-ahead in this direction. A debate at national level must be kick started. The way forward should be very clear and understandable.

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I started using to twitter last year. It was wonderful experiences and I wrote about it in monthly Techno Biz Magazine.

Every day I am getting more into twitter. In addition to self publishing my thoughts, concerns, and feelings (you care?) or a means of talking to others and sharing whatever they are up to, Twitter (most used English language word of year 2009) now is my micro blog. You are cordially invited to join and discover what is happening. It is collective brain of online world. Fine out what 14 million active users are telling us.

Twitter indeed is a ‘happening place’. Are you on twitter.com yet?

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Life is walking into the unknown and accidents happen at work, on road or any other place. Worst is that people do not know that they can make an accident compensation claim arising from an accident for injuries and other financial losses and don’t claim. Evidence has it that many people do not pursue personal injury claims; whatever the reasons. Some may think that legal expenses are unaffordable, or you do not know how to proceed.

TSG, Injury law firm Sacramento is one of the best sources to help. They are playing important role in creating awareness and helping people to get what is due to them. Their mission is to protect the legal rights of personal injury victims resulting from a car accident, wrongful death or other types of injury related accidents. The personal injury law firm places a premium on clear client communication, honesty and integrity, and the efficient use of technology to achieve maximum client goals. Knowing that it takes a lot of trust for an injured victim to seek legal representation from a personal injury attorney, the firm value clients’ trust and approach their work with a commitment to our clients’ satisfaction.

Have a look and learn how TSG injury law firm has successfully represented injured victims throughout Northern California including Sacramento, Roseville and Modesto where our clients have suffered personal injuries ranging from brain injury, head injury, back and neck pain, burn injury to spinal cord injury over the years.

TSG acts in the best interest of their client with integrity and independence. Their specialist legal team provides honest, professional advice. Explore their web site and see how Injury law firm Sacramento can help you. One wishes no one ever need the service. But in case you do, let TSG handle your case. They do it the best way.

I see some changes in Google PR of my newly established blogs. I think Google has updated. Like last year, Google has chosen the New Year eve to update. Light Within is a point up on the scale. Has anyone else noticed?

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This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.

Guest post Aaron Kah

When her husband died eight years ago, Agnes Behoumié, 41, was left all alone in a mud house, with a thatched roof with her five children. Agnes grappled with the daily challenges to feed and send her children to school. She had a farm, though, left to her by her late husband. This was her primary source of income. But the farm wasn’t doing so well. Over time, the land became less fertile. The widow depended upon cassava byproducts like gari and kukum for an income. She also sold fruit and groundnuts to complement her family income. Her monthly income stood at 30,000 FCFA ($60).

Agnes registered her membership with Groupe d’Initiative Commune des l’Elites Agricole de Yambassa (GICOMELY), in search of hope and comfort. The group applied for Heifer International Cameroon’s assistance. Heifer International Cameroon came to their rescue. The first step was a workshop on the just and sustainable development, improved sheep husbandry, report writing, record keeping and filing, gender equity and HIV and AIDS. The group members were later given seeds, farm materials and cash to help them interested in coming to the trainings. Agnes received 30.000 FCFA ($ 60) to supplement the construction of her sheep pen to start a sheep project. The gifts helped Agnes make ends meet. In her community men mostly did the sheep rearing, but Agnes shunned this stereotype. “At first I saw the keeping of sheep to be a man’s job but from knowledge gained from Heifer International Cameroon I have made up my mind to come over this,” the widow said. With income from the sale of food crops she bought timber and made a good pen. Her hopes and aspirations were high. “The animals will provide me income, with which to send my children to school and pay their hospital bills. I will use its manure to fertilize my farm, and the food crops and meat will aid us to feed well and to source money for any extra spending,” She said.

Agnes said that the trainings enabled her to keep good records of all her farm produce. “The trainings received have enabled me to start recording all that I harvest from my farms and what I have invested in the sheep house,” she said. According to Agnes this alone helped her sense of belonging and community participation. “My brother in law who wanted to inherit me now gives me respect and has shunned the idea, I am sure that before the end of the project, my live will change positively,” she continued. Agnes works every day for success. “I will ever remain grateful to Heifer International Cameroon, for her support to under privileged persons like me. I pray that the organization should live forever,” she concluded.

As I say Happy New Year to all my friends and readers and greet the start of the next year, here is the list of articles the characterized 2010 through my blogs. These articles reveal how I will remember 2010.

I am sure some of these articles will allow you to relive the memories of the past year while some others will let you how I was right (or wrong) when I wrote them. List is long. I suggest you have a cup of Doodh Patti, sit back and while you say farewell to year 2010.