1. Energy Crisis (Peak Oil Prices – Power Shortages of up to 14 – 16 hours a day)
2. Shortage of Fertilizer (Leading to food shortages)

This is a story of how Cubans, who were an educated nation of doctor and engineers, stood up against all odds and survived gracefully. people believed that sharing what little they DID have (food, land, resources) with each other was more important and for the greater good than hoarding it for themselves. Also the government was very encouraging, and allowed all unused urban land to be turned into incredibly productive gardens.

Click on the image to see the video

With shortage of fertilizers and power cuts, We are also as vulnerable to a sudden collapse of our current agricultural systems. Watch this one for some inspiration on how to get our Pakistan out of the current Mess!

Also, in last couple of weeks, I have fallen in love with  TED.com again. There are some really inspirational videos over there. have a nice day!

by Jasmin Mirza. Book Review here

My first reaction was shock. yes, shock is the word that almost defines what i felt for days after reading those books. During my 8 years in corporate sector, I had an opportunity to live and work with people from different parts of the world. I attended training and seminars on issue of workplace diversity and gender issues. Even then this was too big a cultural shock for me to absorb.

Can people living in the same city  be so different and isolated in their values? Can all of this still be happening in modern times? Questions, questions and more questions I was left with. The adventure boy inside me wanted me to check out the Mohalla first hand. And I did. not once but three times but in none of those trips, I was able to verify the detailed descriptions of the sub-culture as defined in the books.

First trip was during day time and second one was in Moharram, so the bazaar was not open and all i saw was just the shops and ordinary people. I was impressed with the architecture of inner city though.  In the last trip, I got a glimpse of reality. It was at perfect time. 1 A.M. and I saw the same visuals as described in the books and as you will see in the documentary below. Since, I went alone, I did not dare to enter any of the so called “Office”.  Only few friends know what happened that night.

This documentary came as a surprise. It verified the contents of the books above and contains real truth about the people who frequent these tawaifs. the interview of the police office in charge is really interesting. This documentary was originally made for TV One but they did not dare to air it. so some one published it on internet. It is a real eye opener. It shows a face of our society, no one even wants mention. Download and save this as PTA might ban these URLs too. as it contains some politically radioactive content. Here is the excerpt from the blog where I originally found the links to these Youtube.com videos.

These book can be bought from here or here, both books were published by Oxford University Press and thus they should be available at FerozSons on The MALL.

A banned documentary which never came on TV. A must watch for every Pakistani and take a positive message and try to understand the true story of these Tawaifes. We call our society an Islamic society do we deserve for it? May Allah show us a rite path. Amin.

1. Watch Here
2. Watch Here
3. Watch Here
4. Watch Here
5. Watch Here
6. Watch Here

Note: Please don’t forget to give your valuable comments.

Usman Nasir’s Blog Page: Kahani Tawaif Ki Zubani – Hira Mandi

McCain conceded defeat and Obama delivered his acceptance speech. Whole world watched as the man spoke to a crowd of one million. It was almost mass hysteria, a very emotionally charged scene, people crying, having trouble finishing their sentences. It was indeed a moment that America should be proud about. It is something they can cherish.

Where else  can an immigrant family can rise to such riches… A true personification of “American Dream”. As I watched the speach, I was trying to find similarities and differences between Pakistan and America.

The way Obama Interacted with the crowed reminded me of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. Only one leader in know history of pakistan had such a charisma… Also I do see some sparks of such charisma in Lawyers Moment.

““If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer,”” Obama said.

Los Angles Times Reports

“Barack Obama, the son of a father from Kenya and a white mother from Kansas, was elected the nation’s 44th president Tuesday, breaking the ultimate racial barrier to become the first African American to claim the country’s highest office.

A nation founded by slave owners and seared by civil war and generations of racial strife delivered a smashing electoral college victory to the 47-year-old first-term senator from Illinois, who forged a broad, multiracial, multiethnic coalition. His victory was a leap in the march toward equality: When Obama was born, people with his skin color could not even vote in parts of America, and many were killed for trying.”

What This will mean for Pakistan

Obama winning election is not seen as good omen for Pakistan.  India being a bigger and better democracy, Democrats Govt. tend to have more inclination toward india.

It also means and end of what is called an American love affair with Pakistan. American Dollars that poured over the countries elite will stop. Pakistan might face sanctions of economic nature.

Theater of “War or Terror” will most likely to be shifted from Iraq and Afghanistan to Our North Western Province and some parts of Baluchistan.

Zardari might get a call from Obama in middle of night informing that US will pursue terrorists in setteled areas of Pakistan.

The Gujranwala Connection

Obama’s mother is reported to have lived in Pakistan for 5 years in Gujranwala.  Little is know about how Obama Spent his 3 weeks in pakistan when he visited her mother here.. May be he came to lahore too..

More here

“A U.S. official who participated in drafting the top secret National Intelligence Estimate said it portrays the situation in Pakistan as “very bad.” Another official called the draft “very bleak,” and said it describes Pakistan as being “on the edge.” The first official summarized the estimate’s conclusions about the state of Pakistan as: “no money, no energy, no government.”

I am in bahawalpur at the moment, Power only comes for half hour after every 4 hours. Its torture…

Still, Dil yeh kehta hay “We will survive this” but “Dil to pagal hay”

These days, terrorism is a reality. Unfortunately, we will have to live with it for a considerable period of time. But as citizens of Lahore, we have to keep an eye on the civic services that are being made available to us by our govt. After all we pay all those taxes and its our right to demand a better civic life from them.

First Aid Kit

It was a pity to see the Marriott Guard trying to extinguish an explosive chemical fire with a CO2 fire Extinguisher. It was even more disturbing to see firefighters trying to throw water from ground to 4th Floor. What is this? 1920’s…. Millions of taxpayer Rupees have been spent on services like 1122 and CDA’s Disaster Management Cell & all we got was broken pumps and dead batteries.

It is time that Rescue Services in Lahore check their batteries and pumps… I don’t know if any of our civil service guys have ever heard about Disaster Preparedness. Here is an excerpt from Red Cross Website

Disaster preparedness refers to measures taken to prepare for and reduce the effects of
disasters. That is, to predict and—where possible—prevent them, mitigate their impact on
vulnerable populations, and respond to and effectively cope with their consequences.
Disaster preparedness is best viewed from a broad perspective and is more appropriately
conceived of as a goal, rather than as a specialised programme or stage that immediately
precedes disaster response.
Disaster preparedness is a continuous and integrated process resulting from a wide range of
activities and resources rather than from a distinct sectoral activity by itself. It requires the
contributions of many different areas—ranging from training and logistics, to health care to
institutional development. Viewed from this broad perspective, disaster preparedness

encompasses the following objectives:

Increasing the efficiency, effectiveness and impact of disaster emergency response
mechanisms at the community, national and Federation level. This includes:

1. The development and regular testing of warning systems (linked to forecasting systems) and plans for evacuation or other measures to be taken during a disaster .
2. Alert period to minimize potential loss of life and physical damage.
3. The education and training of officials and the population at risk.
4. The training of first-aid and emergency response teams.
5. The establishment of emergency response policies, standards, organisational arrangements and operational plans to be followed after a disaster.
6. Strengthening community-based disaster preparedness through National Society pro grammes for the community or through direct support of the community’s own activity. This could include educating, preparing and supporting local populations and communities in their everyday efforts to reduce risks and prepare their own local response mechanisms to address disaster emergency situations.
7. Developing activities that are useful for both addressing everyday risks that communities face and for responding to disaster situations—for example, health, first aid or social welfare pro grammes that have components useful for disaster reduction and response.

I don’t know the correct situation on ground, Still i can bet any amount of money that City District Govt. Lahore is not prepared for any major disaster including terrorism or earthquake.

I seriously wish that someone comes forward and prove that I am wrong and tell me that city is well prepared to deal with any kind of threat… Please!!!! Anyone?

Meanwhile I was thinking about preparing a Emergency Survival kit for my family and myself

1. First Aid Kit
2. Emergency Food And Water Supply
3. Fuel for Generator & Flash Lights
4. Fire Extinguisher
5. A Portable Fire Escape Ladder (for office)
6. A Gun ( To shoot the bomber before it explodes )

There are few more tips on civic survival that I would like to share with you:

• Avoid crowded places ( Large Markets, Airports, Railway stations, Bus Stands etc.)
• Avoid driving closer to Police or Law Enforcing Agency Vehicles (My heart sobs for girls died in Quetta)
• Avoid long conversations on police pickets
• Avoid Dine Inn at Five Star hotels and foreign food outlets
• When inside large buildings make sure you know the escape routes

This might sound funny but it is not. It is dam serious and It is about life and death.

The “War on Terror” just popped out of TV and It is knocking at our doorstep.

Welcome to Zardari’s Pakistan…

May God keep you all and your loved ones safe, I am going for Iftar and Abba is angry as what I am doing on computer at this time… see you guys later..

People’s mandate is never a “Licence to Kill”. Also the worst form of democracy is always better than best of  all dictatorships. I will take my revenge in next election. What a revenge that will be… When I will come out of polling booth, I will definitely shout Mr. Zardari’s  favorite quote: ” Democracy is best Revenge”

It has been quite some time since I made a good Spartan joke. (Yes! I have nothing better to do!)

This is Zardari's Pakistan

Who will become the President?

I can not agree more with what A for PineApple said in this post about zardari

Allah save te country now … I wonder how many months it’ll take to have the whole country sold .. you think it can be done in Days?

I wonder if he has already struck a deal with americans and he is just here to ensure delivery on time (US Elections)…

That’s all folks at least for today…

The trouble in our north and west is going to be more complex day by day. A massive human tragedy is about to unviel itself. 300K Bajaur Refugees were just a trailor. The Movie is about to start fellows. We are about to see a major influx of refugees in our large cities very soon.

We will see more of these in our city soon

I am not being naive nor I am being negative. just stating what will happen if all things kept equal. An I have painted a very optimistic picture above.

The people at helm of affairs are struggling very hard to keep the status qou. Little do they know that when status quo breaks, It takes everything away with it.

I am not sure how we as citizen of Pakistan and Lahore can change how things are.  At times it becomes very depressing. Our Circle of Influence is actually much smaller than we think..

Not a good way to start the week, but all things are still equal so.. wtf…! Let’s eat….

Me: What’s in the breakfast?  Aslam!!!!!

Aslam: Naan Chollay!

Me: Naan Chollay Again!!!!??? I hate status qou!!!!

Dad: Shut up and Eat….

Me: :(

Banner in Urdu Reads: Last Chance, Last Price, Below Purchase Price, Shop has been sold, Business Gone Broke

This banner per see looks like just another business trick. But If you look closely and try to read between the lines. This banner becomes a satire, a commentary at current state of affairs in this country. It describes in very few words the political, economical and moral dilemma being faced by us.

I invite you to elaborate through your comments on each/any expression(s) on the banner you can relate to…