IT Is Not A Magic Wand Salaam..

you`re right.. even C++ is old news.. Java Beans to CORBA.. out today, outdated it becomes tomorrow.

Pakistan IT. Again you`re right.. a software engineer coming out of our so called IT School`s colleges and Universities can implement and integrate even.. but CANNOT improvise. Cannot code, cannot develop. Does not know how to think!!

That is the biggest difference between an individual from India and one from Pakistan in this industry. In Pakistan we keep taking these certification classes of MCSE and learn all these applications, but the second one is asked to write hard code, they cannot do it. Where as an individual from India can.

Our biggest problem lies thus with our education system.. or not even that, but in the hands of the educated who donot teach students how to think for themselves, how to use their minds. Instead they are fed the same old mantra to muck it up and regurgitate it. That is why our software industry will fail to compete with International standards, that is why an average pakistani struggles for his life and sanity once he makes it to the US.. He has never been taught to think, he has always, always been told what to do and follow inane esoteric rules, regulations and orders.

Building more Universites and schools and colleges will get us absolutely no where.. been there, done that.. Our people need to learn how to think, our Industry will thrive and flourish on it`s own after that.

Regards,

Samuel

Karachi Dreams Karachi Dreams,

Incredible how I find myself living in the middle of this cold boston winter and in karachi all at the same time.. at times.

As real as you make it, I insist it`s a dreamland, a fairy tale, far far away.

A place that seems light years away, but can be reality if only I`d hop on, on that god for saken boeing to fly me home.

Okay, okay.. I`ll stop with the reminisce already..

I`m most intrigued to see if this piece gets clobbered and tied in with Religious and Political Issues..

See, Anne will be the culprit here.. The target, the instigator.. our fine prejudiced society will find a way to chew her apart.. Regardless a fine read..

Regards,

Samuel.

The Garage School Kabuli,

I think the idea behind the praise is more towards the fact that she is helping the poor and uneducated, how people praise her is one, besides the point, and two, as long as she helps make a difference to any unfortunate uneducated individual it makes the required difference.

This article was not about Sikh`s, Hindu`s, Muslim`s and so forth, it was about the fact that somebody is doing something for the great good and not solely thinking for themselves to achieve any selfish thought or idea.

The majority of the articles on Chowk have replies and interactions on ideas completely irrelevant to the article and the intention behind it.

Don`t worry about it.

p.s. I just gulp down NyQuil whether I need it or not to fall asleep!!

Cheers

I Am Wierd AnNY..

cool stuff.. well.. you feel you`re wierd. Not so, I`m not a girl, but I know so very many with a mind set the likes of yours.

So how is the feeding frenzy coming along. That`s awesome you fed a few needy. I`m referring to your response in ``When Pinky Broke My Heart`` - You got off on a sarcastic note, or so I interpreted it to be, but then we both made some sense to each other.

I tell you, young women like you in this world, do make that little difference all the normal one`s are hesitant to bother with.

You`re not wierd, you`re sick of the society aloto f other young women like yourself are. I hear from them so very often what you have penned here.

PS. Don`t wax too hard. you`re hurt yourself. No reason to get your frustrations out in this painful manner. Stick to the writing business

CHeers

The Burden of Virginity Bismal,

just saw your article. That`s an interesting question, what would ``we men`` do if we were found out our respective wives were no virgins.

Hmm.. well, I do`nt know, I have`nt been in that situation yet, only for the fact that I`m yet to wed, however, upon reflex and perhaps some rage she probably won`t get lucky that night.. :( -

On second thoughts, one could perhaps pull out the semi-automatic, and splatter one`s brain. The underlying thought and meaning to this particular phrase definitely carries a pun unto it. Read it how you may!! :)

But, from what I understand of my sense of humour, I`d give it a second thought perhaps, worry about it a little, but then again, I decided to marry this person for who she is, and what she means to me then and there. Not for what her past was/is, what she may or may not have done.

It would be unfair to hold anything of the past against her. Now and the tomrrow has always counted more in my books, then yesterday and the past.

Cheers

Oppression of women in Pakistan: Myth or Fact Barefoot and Pregnant, Chained to the Oven.

That pretty much sum`s it up for a woman`s role in our society. Or so, some would wish it to be!!

It is however still highly debatable -

Lets see, extremely stubborn pieces of architecture at times, should never be taken for granted.

It often is the case, the prettier they be on the outside, the worst they are to maintain, the inside of them beleives in a world made only for them. They often refute all logic and insist it is always them who are right!!

Oppressed as the feel they are, in Pakistan they seem to have more freedom then they could do with.

Happy Eid Everybody.

Samuel.

The Garage School Greetings -

Solitude,

Like Shandana said in one of her responses, this article is simply about education. It is an effort to help the unfortunate -

Your concepts of Islam and the sheer belief that it is a cult of sorts, also leads one to beleive that you really have little knowledge of what the religion is all about.

Regardless, you have a right to your thought, beleive what makes you happy.

There is no old and new religion, yes it`s true one should progress with time and alot of ideas were set in, back in the days when people were half lunatics and pulled a knife on the smallest of things. It however should not lead one to beleive that Islam promotes the concept or brain-washes one to abide by any such idea.

``Is it human nature to kill ? No.`` To an extent Yes, it is. survival of the fittest applies to all life forms!!

``It is religion, sectarianism, social pressure, communal anger, collectivism in particular that gives birth to violence and evil.``

We tend to define our black, white and grey areas. That is what leads us to our beleif`s and judgment of each other. Religion does not promote violence, you will find extremism in all religions and societies. You will find violence and evil all around you. It is not Islam, it is not Christianity nor is it hinduism.

Waco - Texas to the Uni-bomber, everbody has the good and bad.

``Is it human nature to force people into converting to Islam ? Is it human nature to rape women and treat them as ``anfal`` (war booty) ? Is it human nature to genitally mutilate girls and children ? Is it human nature to discriminate ?``

Like I said. You have your concepts all severely mutillated and grossly exagerated. Not to say such atrocities donot take place, but please keep Islam out of it. It makes you look a little silly.

Do study the art of war, do read Bruce Lee`s works, you`ll realize the techniques of meditation and prayer and so forth, do exist outside of Islam.

All forms of discipline and guidance and patience not only are promoted by Islam, but many look to it as a way of life.

The concepts behind the ideas you`ve listed below are rather stretched and surely an image you`ve painted for Islam in your own head. ``Speaking in tongues``, is however the most amusing, since Arabic is in front of it. Is`nt any language second to your mother - ``tongue`` - a foreign second language and thus classified as a ``tongue``.

``Mind-numbing techniques (such as meditation (prayers), chanting (tasbeeh), speaking in tongues (arabic), denunciation sessions (anti -west propaganda , anti hypocrite , anti non muslim), debilitating work routines (fasting, 5 time prayers etc.) are used to suppress doubts about the group and its leader(s).``

All are ideas promoted by extremists and to an extent educated fools who`ve become fundamentalists. NOT part of Islam, NOT promoted by Islam, and not accepted by the norm.

You definitely seem to be set in your ideas. Hope you can open your mind at some point and consider the bigger picture.

Life is too short and ``in the long run, we`re all dead anyways!!`` Get over it. You seem too stressed.

Cheers

Wishing Numbness ylh,

Music - Poetry and Math have a lot in common.. -

It`s a fact, it`s proven.

Computer Science.. is Math!! -

A bit of cognitive science may perhaps enlighten your sense of humour.

But then again, each has a right to their point of view.

Do some people just write to be rude?, on Chowk??

Cheers

The Garage School Ah.. we had just gotten over the Punjabi-Sindhi issue in ``When Pinky Broke My Heart`` paaaleeease.. get over history.. We cannot change the past, if somebody has made an effort to better one`s future, donot make it a convoluted affair. Donot spoil the spirit by digging up sad instances of history.

We all understand and accept the hard facts of life and the reality of it all. Pakistanis - Sikh`s - Hindu`s - Muslim`s - Indians - all happen to be human at the end of the day. Donot always attribute human nature to culture, society, sect and religion. Good and Evil are present in all forms and will continue to do so.

Stop it!!

Samuel-

Wishing Numbness Sharjeel,

intriguing... yet melancholic..

it is perhaps written in the same spirit

one tends to have when they are gritting

their teeth and clench their fists..

the cookie is grumbling, and the sand seems

to trickle through the gaps between fingers..

A roller coaster ride perhaps.. you make it to

the top, but there is no getting out of it now,

you have to bear the ride. It`s going to leave you breathless.

The weightlessness of a bunjee jumper, or a paratrooper.. you have to come down, you feel you`re about to slip.. and just then the chord pulls back... or you release your chute.

What are the right and wrongs, who`s made all the rules, there has to be a way to make it right again!!

Good stuff.

Cheers

When Pinky Broke My Heart Greetings,

anNy, Pat.

Wow.. 17-18-19-20.. interesting years of my life they surely were..

I had struggled out of O`levels, I was debating whether A`levels was worth it, or should escape Karachi.

If I rummage back into certain figments of my imagination, (only for the fact that, that is how I tend to deal with certain phases of my life), I find it very hard to cope with life. I made a few mistakes, I let my friends make a few mistakes.

I remember shots being fired and I pinching myself to snap back to reality. It was too late, I almost hold myself responsible for that friends death. It was a close call for me. Death had come knocking on my door.

I guess I was faced with a big decision, what`s life worth to me and how do I plan to make the most of it?

I saw a mother screaming and I saw his sisters yelling, I could hardly believe my eyes, I saw this mess on the big black gate in the scorching June afternoon, ``is that what the inside of one`s head really look like?``

I had my Ad Math Paper the next day, I am not sure what went on the next couple of weeks. I kept my mouth shut.I started my O`Levels with a very different attitude towards life, and I walked out of school with my head upside down.

Since then, my only wish is to make my life worth it. I owe it to my friend, I owe to my Parents.

I worked at a Darus-sukoon for a bit, mentally challenged individual`s helped me understand life to some extent. My uncle was a Mongol child. -- I found the effort to give my SAT`s and escape Karachi, but now only want to be back.

Your efforts will pay off inshallah.

After a point, life only gets better.

Cheers

When Pinky Broke My Heart anNy,

you`re absolutely right, I cannot possibly make the tiniest difference.. I do not consider that episode of much significance either, nor did I intend to speak of it to claim attention to any services rendered.. you missed my point completely. The incident only made me think of the greater need that exists

My response to Zahra and Urstruly was not talking about my little episode.. it was not about that at all.. it was about the fact that we`ve lost our sanity in the scheme of things.

Your sarcasm was however duely noted, i expected alot worse, but regardless, the respective responses never fail to amuse me.

On a more personal note, yes I am making a difference, I sponsor a child in Pakistan every couple a months, I invest in our local markets and help contribute towards the promotion of our local industries overseas. I help generate revenue in FOREX, that keeps our pathetic dwindling reserves going to some extent.

Try and understand the idea behind speech, and not take each concept too literally.

Cheers

When Pinky Broke My Heart Zahra,

You`re right, I did intend to cover all surface area possible. I know the difference between the two concepts well, but at the rate we`re going why leave out the issues we have amongst the sects, and to be honest, I was being a little sarcastic too. Perhaps it was too subtle.

Again, I completely agree with you that there is nothing to be sad about the fact that we have provinces and that we belong to them. But provinces were not made or outlined to differentiate amongst ourselves, to the extent we tend to, in this day an age.

The concept one holds of each other, in Pakistan of being from Sindh, Punjab, Baluchistan and NWFP is very uncivilized from the one that was intended.

Our hate or disgust for each other in Pakistan seems to stem from the fact that one is from Sindh or Punjab. That`s my issue with the idea. Our provinces and the people from them should be a sense of pride for each respective individual. Instead we hold it against each other.

I have no insecurities amongst respective`s, nor do I feel sad that we belong to certain areas of Pakistan, yet when we label each other in disrespect by referring to them as a native of a province, is when the idea loses its meaning.

I call myself a Pakistani, I was born in Karachi, that would make me a ``Sindhi`` right? - Wrong, my parents being from Northern India, I have been labeled as a ``Mohajir``.

As for the US, it is truly a grand achievement. What you see as United State of America is not just a country, but it’s a continent almost. It stands united with its 50 states in Unision. Compare that to Pakistan. One, it would be very wrong of you to compare Pakistan and the US in any context, two Pakistan is smaller then Texas, it`s existence a short 50 Years, if you put it next to giants like the US, you wonder what went wrong? Nothing went wrong, it`s just a very unreasonable comparison to put forth. United States is over a 150 years of age. It unites 50 states under one constitution and one president (which was debatable until recently of course.) Why does it not sputter and spasm to a stop every 10 weeks.



Perhaps over time it has concluded that it must be responsible for the people it bears. Perhaps the platform it has built itself upon is a steady one. Perhaps the government and state leaders do understand and realize that they stand responsible for the basic needs every individual has a right to.

Yes, you do have homelessness, poverty, drugs, alcohol and what have you, addictions and abuse. But it`s the ratio and proportion that is important. We have similar issues, but we seem to be just overwhelmed by money and power. We have very little of both, but that very little is held in huge ratios by very few people.

Thus we have dissension among ranks, and complete anarchy on a moment’s notice. People in Karachi, Lahore and other similar cities feel they have nothing to lose. Nothing to look forward to, nothing to build upon and no one to care about.

We cannot even provide every citizen of Pakistan with food, water and shelter. Health and Education are another ball game altogether. How does one then expect anyone to be satisfied with themselves, let alone each other.

Urstruly asked me my points of view or ideas to improve us.

This response becomes lengthier by the second, but about a year back I was home for a visit after about 3 years. I discovered this interesting place called ``DE JA VU`` in Karachi. I was most intrigued, and decided to have some ``coffee`` there.

Upon arriving there, I was approached by this tear-stained little man, in a pair of torn oversized blue faded jeans and a T-shirt that stood out for it had the ‘Super Man’ insignia on it. He held up a bunch of long stem roses and said, ``Piyari Baji ko dua doonga, lailo bhai.`` (I`ve been told I can be quite a basket case at times), but this little man was convincing enough and after a bit of pondering, I bought two stems from him and gave him perhaps 50RS. And asked him to get some food. – His eyes shone, perhaps there was still some hope.

As I left that place, which was a pleasant interesting one for sure, I was approached by not one, but a handful of those little men. Must be ages between 5 and 10, not more. Each held those long stem plastic covered roses and had the same chant to their tongues, ``piyari baji ko dua dangay``. Well ‘piyari baji’ or not, she wasn’t getting a gazillion roses and I certainly wasn’t going to buy the lot. I struck a deal, I got them some food, (Cinnamon Rolls) from `De Ja Vu` and milk, they sat and feasted over the much dreamt of food article they held in their hands.

I do not boast of my insignificant donation to our society, but it makes me wonder how little it really takes to some times satisfy a genuine need.

The satisfaction on their faces seemed to be more, then had I given them 5 or 10 RS. They were simply hungry.

We have our government spending 70% of our budget, but we cannot come up with enough food shelters to ensure that our fellow residents don’t sleep on empty stomachs.

You and I and everyone else stand equally responsible for providing such a need. But I do believe the government is obligated to do so. Perhaps we could start from that and see where we go.

You`d be surprised how much an individual changes on a full stomach. Our ability to decide, to be patient, to speak, to reason, to understand and to forgive, can change and can improve depending on our health, our emotions and our strength to go through another day.

Surely, I do not suggest hunger resolves all issues, but it’s a start. Nor am I saying that there is no one providing such needs. I know Edhi Welfare does, and I am sure others do too.

But that’s just a tiny portion. Our needs our few, but our wants keep growing and we seem to have forgotten why we`re here in the first place.

I`d hate to be labeled, but I feel disgusted at times when I realize I am in no position to make a difference or bring a little change to some unfortunate’s life. I do however intend to, but for the moment I`ll have to be patient, for talk is cheap!!

Regards,

Samuel.

When Pinky Broke My Heart Greetings,

Clearly, you`ve triggered an interesting dialogue amongst our beloved ``Sindhi`s, Punjabi`s, Mohajir`s`` and so forth, Urstruly.

Sorry, excuse me, before I get into trouble of not recognizing a particular sect or class/culture, let me add Pathan`s, Baluchi`s and while we`re at it, perhaps we could get into Shia`s and Sunni`s too.

All discussions seem most intriguing and perhaps well justified by each respective individual, but perhaps we seem to forget that at the end of the day our proudly presented petty remarks and retorts DONOT make us any better then our unfortunate illiterate mass of population.

Thus the concept of educated fools was realized. Now I realize some of us reading this are just itching to take this writing personally and perhaps should to an extent for the fact that the previous cross-fires have just been very personal.

It`s most impressive how we twist and turn every peice of literature into a racial/ethnic issue.

Sometimes it really is`nt about it. It really is not. Our problem is not any where close to being Sindhi/Punjabi or Mohajir nor is it about Hindu/Muslim.

The issues we`re faced with are found in every culture and society, we are simply more comfortable attributing it to being of a particular class or culture.

Get over it, Yes, we do have these provinces, Yes we do belong to them and Yes we are labelled and identified through them. It a sad fact of life, but its not the end of the world. But it is certainly not why we find a few looney`s going off the rocker and throwing people out of balcony`s.

That is a function of them being insane, it is a function of them being mentally challenged and psychotic.

THIS PROBLEM CANNOT BE ADDRESSED BY ARGUING OVER OUR ETHNIC CROSS POLLINATION AND THE SAD STATE OF IT.

It does`nt matter, nobody cares, and we will not find a resolve to these issues arguing over it.

If we would only stop indulging in this beaten argument we may perhaps spend time figuring out what to do about it.

Regards,

Samuel.

When Pinky Broke My Heart It seems the responses have digressed a little from what the intent of the article was.

However, needless to say, each of us seems to be struggling with the events that have occurred or seem to ocucr almost on a daily basis. Now and then one of us musters up some courage and talks about the reality our society is faced with. The `classes and cultures` that seem to be forever tangled in fist fights.

Who do we hold responsible and who do we blame? I fought with that question for the longest time. I, unlike ``Urstruly`` chose not to speak my mind. Perhaps I should have, but I did not. Instead, I tried to escape the grim reality, and therefore am still struggling to make peace with it. I witnessed similar events in my past, perhaps at a more personal level. But then we all make mistakes and I had a fair share of those. Lost some close friends, shot and killed in front of my very own eyes.

I too stood and stared blinking blankly in disbelief. I failed to fight the system, I had barely finished my O`Levels. I considered wreaking havoc, instead sought refuge at Math Tuitions and enjoyed the company of other 11th graders, and forgot about the life that existed outside of that hour for one hour everyday.

I made a mistake, I clenched my fist and kept it clenched, now its impossible to ease up.

I put myself at risk, I visited areas of karachi that perhaps are more dangerous to even think of let alone speak.

Urstruly, what you`ve talked about is very real, but know that it could and probably was alot worse like you said. I blame myself for alot of events, I`ve settled with the notion that I will rectify the situation when I`m in a position to, I`m not sure what that position is going to be and how I`ll do it.

As far as our Political arena goes, hhmm.. Pinky may or may not be responsible, you have all the right to hold her to it, I`d love to hold her to it as well, but what good does that do, I can find a dozen or more people responsible for just about every event that occurs in our lives.

I have`nt found the right answer yet, I`m not content with what I have found and therefore I can only just focus at the present and work myself to a point where I can affect the future and state of our nation.