Facebook & the unfortunate King

Long time ago, there lived a king who ruled a small state. The state had deep conflicts with her neighboring states over the boundary issues. The king was a fair ruler and man of justice who always considered his public’s benefits first. It was all fine until one of the neighboring opponent states launched a pre-planned propaganda against the king. They first sent immoral comments about the king to him that annoyed the king. He immediately stopped imports from those neighboring countries that caused problems for the public. In agriculture, they highly depended on the neighboring countries so there came the shortage of fruits, vegetables and other crops. The enemies then sent their agents to the state in order to speed up the anti-king campaign. When the king came to know, he started killing the agents and blocked all the boundaries, confining the state. Now, the exports were also stopped which caused an economic breakdown. The remaining agents started to misguide people about the king. Therefore, the king started killing his people who were reached by the agents. The conditions turned critical and eventually, the state was shattered by drought, hunger, economic collapse and bloodshed. The state disappeared from the pages of history.

The recent blasphemy issue of Facebook reminded me of that state’s story. An evil group on Facebook launched an event and invited the artists worldwide to draw sketches of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) which is a very disgusting act against the Muslims. Throughout the world, Muslims are protesting while Pakistan is leading the front. For this evil act, Lahore High court has banned Facebook in Pakistan for indefinite period. Following the order, websites like Youtube and Wikipedia are also banned by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for “growing sacrilegious content”. It may seem emotionally correct but let’s have a look rationally.

According to an estimate, Pakistan has more than 25 million internet users. In this 25 million, majority is of students, journalists, doctors, bureaucrats, writers, researchers and other professionals. Wikipedia is one of the prime sources of information for students, journalists, researchers and others and over 75% of internet users log on to Wikipedia for information. Be it an academic assignment, news or an article, Wikipedia is one of the most reliable information websites. Wikipedia provides the most accurate and detailed information even when you search a less-known personality of your country. The website tells the background, career, date of birth and even place of birth about a personality. The website is highly trusted and the information is published on unprejudiced basis.

Now I come to the point. When I needed to search the history and backgrounds of the famous personalities like Nazia Hassan, Aitizaz Ahsan and Shahid Afridi, no Pakistani website provided me detailed information but Wikipedia. There is no complete encyclopedia website in Pakistan that could serve the Pakistanis. Banning Wikipedia has created a critical situation for students and professionals who needed information. We’re so dependant on the others that we’ve never made any information and video portals. In this situation, is it correct to ban such websites?

As I said, the present situation reminds me of that unfortunate State that was destroyed by her neighbors. Same as the king did, the Government started with banning Facebook, then Youtube and Wikipedia. There are thousands of other ways that these anti-Muslim elements could use. Let’s see that the government will ban Google, hotmail, yahoo and other websites too. In the end, internet will be blocked in Pakistan and Pakistan will move back to decades. The evil elements will also try to spread their unethical messages through TV, so the government will first ban the channels and then the TV too. I also expect the government to ban all the art schools in the country so that nobody could draw Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)’s sketch. Déjà vu it is.

Is there some other way too? Yes. We have proved ourselves true Muslim nation who don’t compromise on our religion but is only banning such websites a solution? There are thousands of other channels from where the blasphemy messages can be reached so there’s no reason of banning the websites. On the other hand, we have to step ahead and make information portals of our own. In this way, banning won’t even affect us.

Anyway, we have to keep protesting about such disgusting acts but rationale also matters. We have to find the ‘Solution’ instead of what the king did to his state.

Spinners enjoy advantage this T20 - Asian teams ready to TWIST

T20 world cup is an electrifying blend of cricket and entertainment, and one of the most awaited ICC events now. The festival has started with warm-up matches where Zimbabwe has made a thrilling 1-run win against Australia. Considering the pitches of Caribbean islands, spinners will be one of the most effective tools for any team in the tournament. Asian teams hold the benefit in this case.

A good spinner can anytime be a match-winner, especially when bowling at Caribbean. The pitches of Guyana, St. Lucia and Barbados are slow and spin wickets that are already been considered by all the teams.

Here, the defending team Pakistan holds a strong advantage when it comes to spinners. Pakistan enjoys the presence of magical Shahid Afridi and versatile Saeed Ajmal. Both of these spinners have been remarkable in T20 format. Ajmal, who has been irritating for batsmen with his ‘Doosra’, has played 14 T20s for Pakistan, taking 20 wickets with the best of 4/19. One the other hand, Afridi is the trump-card for Pakistan, who has taken 37 wickets in 27 T20s. Shahid Afridi stands second in number of wickets in T20 internationals, after Umer Gul while Saeed Ajm

al is the eighth top-wicket taker. Pakistan also has Abdur Rehman and Mohammad Hafeez as supporting spinners. Strong enough!

The champion of first T20 world cup India also stands prepared on the spin front. Harbhajan Singh (16 wickets in T20Is) can be a lethal weapon for India. He will be supported by young and deadly Piyush Chawla. In contrast, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh and Yusuf Pathan are on the supporting squad. A lot can be expected from these spinners.

Sri Lanka’s deceiving spinners’ duo remains a nightmare for any team. Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis are equipped with various spin varieties. Although Murali has not been impressive enough in T20, yet remains a match-winner. Beware of these two.

The other two Asian teams in the competition are Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Afghanistan’s spinner’s line-up is equipped with Samiullah Shenwari and Nowroz Mangal. On the other hand, Shakibul Hasan will be the leading spinner of Bangladesh. Lets see what they have at Caribbeans.

Another interesting fact is that 3 out 5 top wicket takers in T20 are spinners. Shahid Afridi, Daniel Vettori and Ajantha Mendis stand at number 2,3 and 4 respectively.

Now the tournament is about to start, the Asian teams and their spinning squad are the centre of attraction. Lets see what does ‘Googly’ and ‘Doosra’ make at West Indies.

Jibran T. Siddiqui

Zimbabwe gives Australia another shock – Brett Lee out of T20 World Cup

Australian fast bowler Brett Lee will miss the T20 world cup 2010 after an injury in the warm-up match against Zimbabwe.

In the warm-up match before world cup, Zimbabwe made an upset by defeating Australia in a thrilling match. The 33-year old kangaroo fast bowler picked up a muscle strain in his right forearm.

He played four matches in this IPL season for King’s Punjab XI but unfortunately, couldn’t grab a single wicket.

Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris are the strong contenders to replace Lee in the mega event.

Shaapit - Movie review

By Jibran T. Siddiqui

Horror genre is no new concept in Bollywood. From the beginning, Bollywood has been making films about reincarnation, souls, immortality and ghosts. The attempt at that time was not to scare as much as to give the love story a new dimension. Now that Bollywood has evolved into a strong industry, scary films like Phoonk and 1920 are followed by ‘super-natural thrillers’ like Vikram Bhatt’s ‘Shaapit’.

After ‘Raaz’ and ‘1920’, ‘Shaapit’ is Vikram Bhatt’s third venture where he has introduced the young Aditya Narayan and Shweta Agarwal ( Remember the child star and young singer Aditya Narayan?) The movie also stars Rahul Dev as a professor in one of the leading roles.

‘Shaapit’ revolves around the story of a family whose daughters have been carrying a curse from generation to generation. Aman (Aditya Narayan) falls in love with Kaaya (Shweta), one of the cursed daughters. As the reaction, they both are countered by an evil spirit. Aman approaches Professor Pashupati (Rahul Dev), a spiritual studies teacher, and convinces him to help the cursed couple. Finally, Aman alongwith his friend Shubh (Shubh Joshi) and Professor Pashupati sets out on a journey through the world of fear and intrigue where the evil spirit awaits them.

Unfortunately, the plot of the movie is conventional despite the new cast, fresh music and remarkable art work. Generally, the horror Bollywood movies have two stories, past and present. The past when the wrong was committed and the present where the ghost comes back to haunt. Same as Bhatt’s previous movies, ‘Shaapit’ also follows the trend dating back the story to 300 years back.

Vikram Bhatt tries his best to deliver as the director. After Raaz and 1920, he was expected a better version of horror flick and he does it. His professional skills are more highlighted in the second half. The thriller easily ranks amongst the best in this genre in terms of plot, setting, technique and performances. Some sequences have been shot excellently for example when Aman goes to get a particular book from the haunted library, when Kaaya wakes up in the middle of the night and Aman, professor and Shubh don’t find her at her place and the entire climax sequence too. Bhatt also merges past and present beautifully.

On the other hand, a mistake can be noticed when the camera goes to flashback where Mughals are enjoying Arabic music and dance. Better if they had added a mughal-based song at that place. Cultural Conflict or Cultural Confusion?

The debutants also support the film at their best. Aditya Narayan, son of veteran singer Udit Narayan, as emerged as a skillful actor and a versatile singer. His young yet focused acting proves him a ‘show-stopper’. Shweta seems weaker in the emotional scenes but still makes a promising debut overall. Rahul Dev demonstrates skilled acting and suits well in the role of a professor. However, Aditya Narayan enjoys the limelight.

The music of the film is excellent. The talented Chirantan Bhatt, who previously did it for Mission Istanbul (2008), makes the remarkable music. The hero Aditya Narayan also demonstrates excellent vocals in both the versions of ‘Kabhi na kabhi’. The rock version of this song can be adjudged the finest of the album. The blend of kick-drumming, electrifying guitar riffs and crunchy rock vocals make it a worth-listening track. In the other version, Aditya makes a soft and versatile combination with Suzzane D`Mello. Another remarkable track is Najam Sheraz’s “Tere bina” where Najam’s practiced vocals meet a heart-touching composition, resulting a marvelous song. The song deeply reflects the dark, frightening, depressed and tragic moments of the movie. Other songs like ‘Hayaati’ and ‘Chahta dil tumko’ also deserve a try. The background music is ideal for a terrifying supernatural thriller.

On the whole, Shaapit is truly a scary movie, which comes across as a worthy follow up to Raaz and 1920. If you are a fan of ghost stories, Shaapit should be on your list of 'things to do and watch' this weekend. Go for it and be prepared to be spooked!

Pakistani cricket team faces absence of T20 specialists...

As the defending team, Pakistan has to be more responsible in the battle of T20 worldcup 2010. Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Akmal brothers, M. Sami, M. Amir and Saeed Ajmal are capable enough to defeat any team but Pakistani squad could've been stronger if the selecters have considered some more T20 specialists.

In the absence of Yousuf, Younis, Rana naveed and shoaib Malik, Pakistani team needs some strong support from the young. Here, hard-hitters like Shahzaib Hassan and Imran Nazir have been badly ignored. Both of them have been excellent in domestic and international T20. We all have witnessed Imran Nazir's magic in domestic RBS tournament and Indian Cricket League. On the other hand, Shahzaib Hassan has proved himself as a stylish and powerful batsman in Last T20 worldcup and RBS tournament.

All in all, they're way better options than Yasir Arafat, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Hafeez and Salman Butt. Fawad and Arafat have not yet performed in T20 format that makes Nazir's and Shahzaib's selection undeniable.

Anyway, goodluck to the team.

Heavy school bags: The Orthopedic Evil

What could be the most painful thing for our children while going to school? Is it waking up early? Changing clothes? Going out? Definitely no!! What else but carrying kilograms in school bags all the way to school. Every morning, we see children carrying load on their backs more than their predecessors used to do, and this goes on from one generation to another. In due course, our children complain problems with back, neck, shoulders and general health that our doctors and parents worry about. Certainly, the problem of heavy bag packs has become a worldwide issue.

This is where Health questions the Education. Our children, especially of lower grades, carry school bags of 15-20% of their weight which can be a source of ‘chronic, low-level trauma’, and can also cause chronic shoulder, neck and back pain, while additional pressure on the spine can also cause long-term damage. Sympathy goes to the children who walk away to the school. On the other hand, children who have school vans are also supposed to carry bags to their classes. Children who carry one-shoulder bag are more likely to suffer. A medical study has indicated deviation to the side and/or backwards of children’s who carry load on their back named school bags, and overtime this deviation becomes evident even the child is not carrying it. Thus, these children acquire education against their health.

Speaking on this issue, Prof. M. A. Arif, Secretary General, Pakistan Pediatric Association considers heavy school bags the reason of numerous orthopedic troubles. He says that children in these cases may face Slip disk problem, muscle problem Myositis as well as shoulder and back problem Arthritis. “Children who carry heavy bags bent forward when walking which is a wrong posture and creates medical troubles for long-term. They also complain general tiredness throughout the day.” He adds

What do educationists say in this regard?

In contrast, Mrs. Sadia Kamran, a housewife complains that her daughter is facing shoulder and back ache and feels uneasy and tired for whole day. School management should find permanent solution for that.

The question that instantly appears is the about the solution or alternate. Now whose responsibility is that? Of course ours: the educationists, parents and the society. Let’s look at some fine suggestions:

Avoid one-shoulder school bags; they disturb the balance between two sides that develops poor posture later. Use both straps of the bag; it distributes the weight equally across the body.

For parents: On daily basis, load the bag according to the time table.

Schools arrange lockers for students where they keep extra text books, copies and sports material instead of carrying them everyday in school bags.

Copies of children to be kept at school while homework to be submitted on separate sheets.

Instead of all periods everyday, schools can keep consecutive classes in a day that may reduce the load in school bags for e.g. English, Urdu, Science, Mathematics and Arts is rescheduled to consecutive English, Urdu on one day and Science, Mathematics and Arts on another.

Concluding the issue, we, the society should realize that these little children cannot help themselves until we bring them a solution. Thus, we are supposed to consider this issue on priority basis or else our generations would be suffering. Let’s think about our children this time, enough of politics!!!

By Jibran T. Siddiqui

jibran.siddiqui@newsonetv.tv

گل تے ساری منافع دی ایے۔۔۔۔

لوگ تو مرتے ہیں ، روز مرتے ہیں ، ہر چوبیس گھنٹوں میں 146000 لوگ مرتے ہیں ۔

میں اخباروں میں بھی خبریں پڑھتا ہوں‌، قتل کی ‘ اغوا کی، تو بس ایک سرسری سی نظر مار کر گزر جاتا ہوں ، بلکہ پچھلے دنوں‌ تو سوچ رہا تھا، بڑے دن ہوئے پاکستان میں‌کوئی خودکش دہماکہ نہیں ہوا۔ مگر اتنی جانوں کے ضیاع پر بھی اب افسوس نہیں‌ہوتا ۔ پہلے شاید ہوتا ہو، مگر اب تو عادت ہو گئی ہے، ایک بات۔

صحیح کہا تھا کسی نے : “ایک آدمی کی موت سانحہ ہے، اور سینکڑون کی صرف شماریات ”

دوسری بات اب تو عرصہ ہوا کہ مجھے لگا میں بے حس ہو گیا ہوں ۔لوگوں کو تکلیف میں مبتلا دیکھتا ہوں‌-تو کہتا ہوں‌میرا کیا لینا دینا ۔ کسی پہ مصیبت آئی تو یہ سوچ کر دل کو تسلی دے دی کہ اس کے اپنے کیے کا وبال آیا ہے۔ کوئی مر گیا تو سوچ لیا کہ وقت آگیا تھا، خدائی مشیت کے سامنے دم مارنے کی مجال کسے ۔ میں اغوا ہوئے لوگوں کو کم ہمت خیال کرتا ہوں ، بندے میں ہمت ہو تو کہاں سے نہیں بھاگ سکتا۔ اور مرنے والوں کو انکی قسمت کا لکھا۔

مگر آج دل اداس ہے ۔

آج پھر کوئی مر گیا ہے ۔ اور مرنے والا ہے32 سالہ محمد سعد خان، چار بچوں کا باپ ۔

مگر افسوس اس بات کا ہے کہ اب یہ راز عیاں ہو گیا کہ سکے کی چھنک کی آواز مظلوموں کے بین پر بھاری ہے۔
صدیاں گزر گئیں مگر اب بھی جس کی لاٹھی اسکی بھینس ، ضعیفی اب بھی جرم ہی ہے۔ نیچے دیے گئے ربطوں میں اس کہانی کو کور کیا گیا ہے۔

آرپکس کے مطابق :

پاکستانیت کے مطابق:

ٹیتھ ماسٹیرو کے مطابق :

ہمارے معاشرے میں انسانی جان کی قیمت تو طالبان خودکش دھماکوں اور ڈرون حملوں کے بعد کوئی نہیں رہ گئی تھی اب جو رہی سہی عزت زندگی کیساتھ منسوب تھی، وہ بھی گئی۔ مگر افسوس زیادہ مجھے اب ایک عام آدمی کی بے بسی اور میڈیا واوں کی بےحسی پہ ہو رہا ہے ، پیسے والے کا جو جی چاہے کریں۔ اور ہم عوام، روئں مریں ۔ اس معاملے میں اوپر دیے گئے روابط پر آپ میڈیا کے کردار کے بارے میں‌پڑھیں‌گے تو آپکو بھی اندازہ ہوگا کہ، پیسہ سب کا باپ ہے، پیسہ سب پر بازی لے گیا۔ ادھر بندہ مر گیا ہے اور میڈیا اتنا چپ کیوں ہے۔ اب تو کسی نے ہاتھ نہین بندھ رکھے میڈیا کے، اب میڈیا کیوں نہیں بولتا۔ کیونکہ ان کا منافع مرتا ہے ۔ جس کمپنی سے انکو اشتہار ملتے ہیں ، اب انکے خلاف تو خبر نہیں‌شایع کر سکتے۔

ٹیتھ ماسٹیرو پر عمیر نے اس تبصرے میں ایک اچھا سوال اٹھایا کہ ہم پر حکومت کون کر رہا ہے، یہ ملٹی نیشنل کمپنیاں یا سیاست دان ؟ سیاستدان کے خلاف تو خبر شائع کر دیتے ہیں ، یونی لیور کے خلاف کیوں‌نہیں ؟

آپ ٹیتھ ماسٹیرو والی کہانی میں پڑھ سکتے ہیں کہ آرپکس’ جہاں‌ پر یہ خبر سب سے پہلے شایع ہوئی ، کو ان کی ویب ہوسٹنگ کمپنی کی طرف سے ان کا تمام ڈیٹا ڈیلیٹ کرنے کی دہمکی دی گئی، جس کے بعد انہوں نے اپنی ویب سائٹ ایک دوسرے ہوسٹ پر منتقل کی ۔ اسکے علاوہ ٹیتھ ماسٹیرو کے مطابق کسی نیوز چینل نے اس خبر کو کوئی خاص کوریج نہیں دی ۔ اسکی خبر پہلے ڈان کے اخبار پر تھی، اب ایک ہفتہ گزر جانے کے بعد کہیں جیو پر یونی لیور اور ماینڈ شیر والوں‌نے معافی مانگی ہے۔

فیض نے صھیح کہا تھا ‌:
بنے ہیں اہل ہوس مدعی بھی منصف بھی
کسے وکیل کریں کس سے منصفی چاہیں ۔

پس نوشت :سب قاریئن سے گزارش ہے کہ اب آپ مراسلہ پڑھ چکے ہیں تواپنے قیمتی وقت میں سے 2 منٹ نکالیں اور مرحوم کے حق میں دعائے مغفرت پڑھ لیں ۔

اپ ڈیٹ : پاک سیٹائر پر ایک بہت اچھی تجویز پیش کی گئی ہے کہ ہم پاکستانی بلاگر اپنے اپنے بلاگ کے ذریعے ‘ انٹرنیٹ کا استعمال کرتے ہوئےان ملٹی نیشنل کمپنیوں پر دباو ڈالیں؛کیونکہ ایلتڑانک میڈیا تو اس سلسلے میں خاموش ہے،اور ایک ہفتے بعد اب کہیں‌جا کر پرنٹ میڈیا پر یہ خبر نظر آئی ہے۔


”
پاک سیٹایر سے ایک اقتباس

“مرحوم کے خاندان کیساتھ یکجہتی کے اظہار کی یہ ہماری حقیر سی کوشش ہے ۔ ہم صرف یہ چاہتے ہیںً کہ یونی لیور اور مائنڈ شیر اس واقعے کی پوری ذمہداری لیں اور مرحوم کے اہل خانہ کی’ صرف قانونی طور پر نہیں بلکہ معاشرتی طور پر بھی اعانت کریں ۔اگر ان کمپنیوں‌کو پاکستان میں رہنا ہے تو انکو کاروباری چول بننے کی بجائے اپنی معاشرتی ذمہ داری کو نبھانا سیکھنا ہو گا “

اس معاملے میں پاکستانی انگریزی بلاگؤں کا کام قابل تعریف ہے۔ آرپکس نے اس خبر کو تب کوریج دی جب پرنٹ اور الیکڑانک میڈیا والوں نے مجرمانہ خاموشی اپنائے رکھی۔ اور اس خبر کو اپنی ویب سایٹ کے بند کر دینے کی دھمکیوں پر بھی نہیں روکا، پھر ٹیتھ ماسٹیرو نے اس خبر کو کوریج دینا شروع کی اور اس کام کو بطریق احسن نبھایا پھر پرسوں پاکستانیت نے اس واقعے پر ایک آرٹیکل لکھا اور اب پاک سیٹایر بھی اس جدوجہد میں شامل ہے۔

میری رائے میں‌اب اردو بلاگروں کو بھی سامنے آنا چاہیے اور ہمیں اپنے قارئین تک اس واقعے پہنچانا چاہیے اور مرحوم کے خاندان کیساتھ اظہار یکجہتی کرنا چاہیے۔ اگر ہم وقت یا معلومات کی کمی کی وجہ سے پوسٹ نہیں کر سکتے تو کم از کم اس معاملے کو اجاگر کرنے کیلے پاک سیٹائر نے جو تصویر جاری کی ہے وہ اپنے بلاگ پر لگا کر ان کو پاکستانیت‘ ٹیتھ ماسٹیرو ، پاک سیٹائر یا آرپکس کو لنک تو کر سکتے ہیں ۔

شکریہ