Wish you were here with me - Sakoooooon
Friday, 31 August 2012
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Friday, August 31, 2012,
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Who needs men?
Thursday, 30 August 2012
"Women wear the pants, pay the bills and compete with the big boys,” is a cry in Candace Bushnell's new novel "Lipstick Jungle, “The women in this book have realized that you can't completely rely on men. “They are not looking to be swept off their pedicured feet, nor are they content to be the proverbial woman behind every great man.” In fact, more often than not, the XY chromosomes in Ms. Bushnell's jungle are depicted as spineless, useless, or worse; ridiculous.
Like The Opt-Out Revolution by Lisa Belkin, assertions in Lipstick Jungle are going to creat a great debate; attention, criticisim both my men as well as women.
The questions here are do women need big men for success and self-actualization? Do men make women glow? How else can they shine with the fullness of life? Or axiom like men and women complementing each other still holds some water.
Like The Opt-Out Revolution by Lisa Belkin, assertions in Lipstick Jungle are going to creat a great debate; attention, criticisim both my men as well as women.
The questions here are do women need big men for success and self-actualization? Do men make women glow? How else can they shine with the fullness of life? Or axiom like men and women complementing each other still holds some water.
Tags: Relationship, Men and Women
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Thursday, August 30, 2012,
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True Blue
Wednesday, 29 August 2012
Multan retains in many respects the historic form of the medieval city — the towering citadel of Multan known as Qillah Kohna Qasim Bagh with its noble monuments sheltering the dense and compact walled city shrines and bazaars below. Its history goes back to pre Islamic and possibly to that of Indus valley civilisation and even beyond.
The history of Multani arts and crafts also goes back to medieval period. Kashi work the glazing and hand painting of ceramic products is an important art for which Multan is famous all over the would. The use of foliage or branches and leaves of trees and superb richness of colours (mainly blue) in Kashi work is a evidence of Persian influence. As Persian arts themselves have been under Chinese Mongol influence, there fore some historians are of the view that Kashi work had originally come from Kashghar, China. Over a period of centuries Multani Kashi work has matured and developed a unique and distinctive style of its own.
Read more »The history of Multani arts and crafts also goes back to medieval period. Kashi work the glazing and hand painting of ceramic products is an important art for which Multan is famous all over the would. The use of foliage or branches and leaves of trees and superb richness of colours (mainly blue) in Kashi work is a evidence of Persian influence. As Persian arts themselves have been under Chinese Mongol influence, there fore some historians are of the view that Kashi work had originally come from Kashghar, China. Over a period of centuries Multani Kashi work has matured and developed a unique and distinctive style of its own.
Labels: Blue Pottery
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Wednesday, August 29, 2012,
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The Role of Women in the Evolution of Social Media
Tuesday, 28 August 2012
Social media has really taken off in the last couple of years. Many social media companies have become household names, and their websites are used on a daily basis for millions of people all over the world. When most people think of the evolution of social media, they think of men who had a hand in it. In fact, the heads of the major companies are men and most of the board members are. But their is a role that women contributed to the evolution of social media. Simply put, social media would not be where it is today without women. Most new advances coming up in the near future as well as further on are coming up because of the ideas and interest and ideas.
Read more »Labels: Social Media, Women
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Tuesday, August 28, 2012,
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Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch - the Honorary Doctor of Science
Friday, 24 August 2012
Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch has been working tirelessly on Appropriate Technology in Cameroon, Pakistan and elsewhere.
I have the fortune to be familiar with Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch’s work in Technical Transfer and Training Center (TTTC) for Men in remote Pakistani Village Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka, Mud Housing Project at Lahore and also what he has been doing to promote African energy through the use of solar energy with the meaningful and active coopration with Senior Expect Service (SES) Bonn-Germany and Society for the Advancement of Culture (DGFK) Berlin Germany as solutions to Climate Change and adaptation.
Read more »Labels: Appropriate Technology, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Friday, August 24, 2012,
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Seasons at Lahore School
Thursday, 23 August 2012
Nawazish Mirza (in one of the gardens at Lahore School)
Its been a year…….
While I was sitting for the quest of paradise regained, the warmth in the sun, the gentle breeze, the farewell to January, the welcome to feb, another year moving forward, another year left behind, the past was my destiny, the future is someone else’s, all these thoughts while I am in one of the gardens of Lahore School.
It was the dawn of another day – a day that is under so much confusion, misbeliefs, fractals – where the quest for hereafter is doubtful, where everything is like a jumping martingale – it is the best of time it is the worst of time.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Thursday, August 23, 2012,
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Creative ideas
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Thursday, August 23, 2012,
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Fine Art of Mud Architecture
Wednesday, 22 August 2012
The future lies in mud architecture. Though this sweeping statement may sound prehistoric, but it is very relevant to modern times. Building living spaces with mud is a tradition dating as back as the start of civilization. Some excellent examples from the Great Mosque - the world’s largest mud building and UNESCO’s World Heritage site – to the oldest surviving mud specimens found in the Harappa, Pakistan, show the continuous use of mud buildings.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Wednesday, August 22, 2012,
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Lahore Rapid Mass Transit (LRMT) Rail Project
Owais Mughal
Last month there have been several news items about the Lahore Rapid Mass Transit (LRMT) Rail project. We have tried to gather key information from many of these news items and will present it in the following as one concise post on the topic. The proposed rail service is the main part of the Lahore Mass Transit System (LRMTS). Other components of this project include the now under construction Lahore Ring Road Project.
The LRMT is a Two-phase, 97 kilometes long project. A Hong Kong based company called MVA Asia Consultancy was hired the government of Punjab as consultants to prepare the project feasibility. The study of MVA Asia Consultancy completed 5% of project design and proposed four Rail lines in the city to share the traffic burden. The proposed capacity of LRMT is going to be able to move 35000 passengers per hour in the city. Funding for the project will be provided by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Wednesday, August 22, 2012,
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Going back to school with new eyeglasses
Tuesday, 21 August 2012
Going back to school is a wonderfull time. Kids buy new things including eyeglasses (satchel, books and more). You normally need to buy more than one eye glasses just in case kids lose it or break them. That is where ZENNI comes in. They offer cheap eyeglasses Everyone recognizes Zenni as one of the best suppliers of prescription eyeglasses the world over. Their prices are lowand they have ever increasing and huge collection of stylish frames. That is what makes them stand out in the industry.
Zenni has been using the latest modern materials, manufacturing and marketing systems to bring their products direct from our factories to consumers; no middlemen, no retail overhead, and practically no advertising budget. Zenni eyeglasses are a personal fashion and style item. More importantly, Zenni feel prescription eyeglasses are a health item necessity for most wearers, and to that end they take pride in being able to bring to all a very high quality product of great durability, safety and comfort at truly reasonable and affordable prices.
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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Tuesday, August 21, 2012,
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Tu Aur Tu
Saturday, 18 August 2012
Satan comes to this world in the guise of a human and goes around places. Fellow human beings – the best of all creations - do not let him have piece anywhere in this world. Satan is so feed up of the deteriorating conditions in the world that he prays, "Oh God, I am unable to live anymore. Let me die”
This is the central idea of Abbas Khan’s new novel Tu Aur Tu. My recommendation: Buy this book. It is all about what we see in the society today.
Price: Rs. 200/- Order here
Who is Abbas Kahn Urdu text?
Labels: Abbas Khan, Books
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, August 18, 2012,
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NRO Beneficiaries
Friday, 17 August 2012
The Government of Pakistan has released the list of National Reconciliation Ordinance aka NRO beneficiaries to the public. The list is not yet complete and the one available to media contains only 248 politicians and bureaucrats. Names of some of the NRO beneficiaries are given here for record.
1) Asif Ali Zardari - The beneficiary No 1 of the NRO. These cases included the alleged kickbacks from SGS PSI Company, grant of licence to ARY Gold causing huge loss to government, corruption in purchase of Ursus tractors under the Awami Tractor Scheme, illegal award of contract to Cotecna for pre-shipment, assets beyond means, received kickbacks from Sajjad Ahmad (late) ex-chairman Pakistan Steel Mills, illegal construction of Polo ground at PM House and the money laundering SGS Swiss case.
Read more »Labels: Corruption, Loan Waiver Beneficiaries, NRO Beneficiaries
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Friday, August 17, 2012,
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The Course (55 PMA) Get Together - 2012
The Course Get Together (55 PMA) for year 2012 is now finally planned for 29-30 September at Mangla. The letter to this effect has been issued by Col Asif, the course secretary, to everyone. Please follow instructions for confirmation to contacts given in the letter by 15th September - Course Website.
Labels: Men At Their Best
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Friday, August 17, 2012,
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Sakoooon.com
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Friday, August 17, 2012,
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From letters to electronic communication
Thursday, 16 August 2012
Shirazi says Eid Mubarak to you and your loved ones
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I miss letters and greeting cards. A letter delivered by a postman, with its lines of handwriting, loops and angles that give a reflection of personality and, perhaps, secrets tucked inside the letters. Waiting for the postman to find a letter is old fashioned but many cherish still. Then opening letters, reading, and reading them again. There is a romance in writing and receiving letters that seems almost entirely lost to people particularly those who inhabit the cyberspace in this information era.
Labels: Eid Greetings
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Thursday, August 16, 2012,
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Intellectual growth of women
Wednesday, 15 August 2012
Life is not ideal. And it is some time overwhelming. Actually what sparked this post is the level of intellectual growth between the spouses; typically wives stay home looking after home affairs and raising kids while man spend most of the time out of home working.
Read more »Labels: Men, Relationship, Women
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Wednesday, August 15, 2012,
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Love, Truth, Malice
Love between men and women is the foundation of a conjugal relationship. Tell us why you love your spouse? Opinions from cross section of cyber society (may be anonymous) in comment section will be brought up in the post (and comment deleted) or email me.
Women
Reasons: Why I love my husband?
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Labels: Relationship
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Wednesday, August 15, 2012,
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Celebrating Pakistan
Tuesday, 14 August 2012
Happy Independence Day
Labels: Pakistan, Pakistan Army
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Tuesday, August 14, 2012,
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Congratulation Al-e-Muhammad
Monday, 13 August 2012
For securing highest marks in your school (RESULT OF HSSC-I ANNUAL EXAMINATION (2012) and making us all proud. Remember, "Allah Karim always reward hard work and it does pay."
Labels: Personal
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Monday, August 13, 2012,
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Walk through Empress Market
Owais Mughal
Clicking on most of the photos in this article will take you to their source websites and larger image sizes.
On my recent trip to Pakistan, I tried to re-live some of the fondest memories of my early youth. One of them was daily travel in public buses during my college days. In order to relive that experience, I decided to take a trip to Empress Market by bus.
Photo to the left shows Empress Market. I took this photo from the overhead pedestrain bridge on the morning of Jan 11, 2007.
At Karaimabad market bus stop, I made a hand gesture to an approaching route 5C bus. 
The bus driver made eye contact with me and acknowledged by slowing down. The norm in Karachi is that a bus never comes to a full halt for a single ’sawari’ (passenger) because monetary profits from a single passenger fare is not worth breaking the engine motion. Therefore when bus slowed down to a speed of approximately 5 kmph, I quickly jumped in by grabbing on to the hand rail. It was a proud moment for me to realize that after all these years I have not forgotten the art of climbing onto a moving bus. I looked around the bus with the face of a conquerer but no one paid any attention to me so I meekly sat down at the first available seat.
Read more » The bus driver made eye contact with me and acknowledged by slowing down. The norm in Karachi is that a bus never comes to a full halt for a single ’sawari’ (passenger) because monetary profits from a single passenger fare is not worth breaking the engine motion. Therefore when bus slowed down to a speed of approximately 5 kmph, I quickly jumped in by grabbing on to the hand rail. It was a proud moment for me to realize that after all these years I have not forgotten the art of climbing onto a moving bus. I looked around the bus with the face of a conquerer but no one paid any attention to me so I meekly sat down at the first available seat.Labels: Empress Market, Karachi
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Monday, August 13, 2012,
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Butterflies in the stomach
Sunday, 12 August 2012
Have you ever thought of bringing wildlife to your own home? It may be wonderful adventures to attract more birds, fireflies and or butterflies and so many other creatures to your own garden in courtyard, backyard or rooftop?All wild species have four basic requirements for existence: food, water, shelter, and places to breed. Look around and one notices that the home garden, how small it may be, may already be providing habitat for some of the wildlife. Plants in the garden provide food in the farm of seeds, fruits, nuts, and nectar and or a nesting and breeding places to the birds? Even dead or dying trees (some time placed for decoration) are haunts for some species. They are excavated and used by woodpeckers, squirrels, and a multitude of insects and cavity-nesting birds, such as owls, bluebirds, chickadees, and wrens.
Labels: Butterflies in the stomach
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Sunday, August 12, 2012,
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Sharing life and holding back secrets
Saturday, 11 August 2012
Everyone has secrets in personal life. Those secrets people do not share with any one no matter what. Situation gets out of the ordinary when deeper feelings are withheld between life partners – those living together, having common dreams and goals. Does sharing of the private things by husband give his wife power over the former? Or does holding back from each other spoil relations and home milieu that is the basis of trust and dependence.
People have deeply personal or even ordinary secrets they do not share with any one because they think that the revelation may make them vulnerable. It may give the partner some power over them. But, power is abstract, an influence one can exercise over others.
Read more »Labels: Life, Relationship
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, August 11, 2012,
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On the eve of Shahadat-e-Hazrat ALi (AS)
Friday, 10 August 2012
Taha Turabi
Every individual who has contributed to the moral and ethical sphere of human life has placed above everything else the five universally acknowledge values truth, justice, liberty, sympathy and understanding.
All these five values are well integrated, there is actually no conflict between them. Their complete and ideal integration, however, is possible only through the medium of an outstanding mind, and exemplary character and a great personality. Such are the qualities we should look for when we study the life and achievement of any historical personality. And such a one was Ali Ibn Abi Talib.
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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Friday, August 10, 2012,
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Women at Their Best
Thursday, 9 August 2012
Thatta Kedona is a project of the first Pakistan international NGO network in rural area where handmade quality dolls and toys are crafted using all indigenous material and traditional designs based on cultural and folklore themes. The workmanship of the dolls and toys has acclaimed international recognition and clientele through their participation in numerous international events, exhibitions, fairs and display at International Doll Museum Iceland and Deutsche Gesellschafr zur Foerderung der Kultar, Germany. These toys are the embodiment of dreams, hopes and most of all self-reliance of the hands, which breathe a part of the soul into them.
This is a holistic project. Handicraft is in the spot on the stage but the project has a cultural philosophy. Education, science, agriculture, hydrogeology (drinking water project), appropriate technology (men center with around 18 young men), public health (basic health unit with 7 ladies), economy (marketing, distribution), tourism and communication, are all is practice.
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posted by S A J Shirazi @ Thursday, August 09, 2012,
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My Urdu Column in Army Magazine Hilal
Wednesday, 8 August 2012
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Labels: In Print, Information Technology
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Wednesday, August 08, 2012,
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Mangoes from Pakistan
Tuesday, 7 August 2012
Would it be enough to catch your attention, if I said that Mango was a fruit officially revered by countries which comprise at least 25% of World’s population. Yes it is true. Mango is the national fruit of Pakistan, India and Philippines and it as much revered in Bangladesh where they’ve declared Mango tree as their national tree.
At least in Pakistan, it didn’t need the Government declaration to be regarded as such because growing up there I knew that Mango was the King of the fruits. Mango is essentially a part of the culinary delights, literature, poetry, drinks, monsoon and so many varied items of our daily lives that one wonders what would the life of an aam aadmi (Mango person) would be if we took mango out of our lives.
Read more »Labels: Food, Fruit, Mangoes, Owais Mughal
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Tuesday, August 07, 2012,
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Shared Applications
Saturday, 4 August 2012
Beyond desktop and mainframe computing, advent of shared applications is another way to meet some or almost all aspects of information technology (IT) needs. Concept of application service provision has come a long way since it first came on the scene in the late 1990s? Originally, the idea of virtual cooperation and application sharing came from Bill Davidow, a venture capitalist and entrepreneur. What Bill foresaw as the future of computing is already in practice; a new IT business model.
Hi-tech developments and changes at a fast rate are moving towards convergence of the software, information, technology carriers, and computer engineering. Result: IT structural designs are shifting from desktop and mainframe environments towards Internet based structures. Similarly, software applications are altering from made to order and separately owned solutions towards pre-packaged and Web based solutions. It is in this context that ASP business model is getting more interest as a hot trend.
Read more »Hi-tech developments and changes at a fast rate are moving towards convergence of the software, information, technology carriers, and computer engineering. Result: IT structural designs are shifting from desktop and mainframe environments towards Internet based structures. Similarly, software applications are altering from made to order and separately owned solutions towards pre-packaged and Web based solutions. It is in this context that ASP business model is getting more interest as a hot trend.
Labels: Information Technology
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, August 04, 2012,
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Seriously, what is blogging?
What is blogging? General advice, what most critics say and how to ignore it, how not getting snarled up in technology and avoid SNARK, how not to blog about yourself (unless you're doing what you blog about) and how to ignore what unsuccessful bloggers say about blogging. Read it all by Rob Beschizza at Boing Boing.Labels: Fine Art of Blogging
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Saturday, August 04, 2012,
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Life in Small Towns - Papers
Wednesday, 1 August 2012
The response to THAAP ‘call for papers’ was beyond expectations and total 87 abstracts from various countries including Bangladesh, India, SriLanka, Iran, U.K., U.S.A., New Zealand and Pakistan were received for THAAP Conference 2012. The Paper Evaluation Committee found all abstracts to be of high quality with potential to generate thought-provocative discussion. Originally a two-day conference had been planned, however due to the excellent quality of papers received the Committee recommended extending the conference to three days which was accepted. The Committee has selected46 abstracts whose authors are invited to send their papers for presentation.
Read more »Labels: Life in Small Towns, THAAP
posted by S A J Shirazi @ Wednesday, August 01, 2012,
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