World Performing Arts Festival

If there is any event that one should visit Pakistan for, apart from Basant, it is the "World Performing Arts Festival" held at Lahore every year since 1992.

The ten days long festival, that started November 22 this year, hosts theater, music, dance, films and puppets from around forty countries, featuring more than a 1000 performers. Take a look at schedule here & here. With nights featuring folk, pop, world, ghazal, rock, fusion, devotional, qawali and classical music, the event is bound to draw crowds; and provide an occasion for people to forget about politics and terrorism, and enjoy art - the way life is meant to be lived.
Take a look at the intro, and make sure to go the event if you are in Lahore or nearby.


Site: http://www.peerfestivals.com/

How to take a holiday in Pakistan

Hugh Sykes from BBC takes a trip to Chitral, in the northern areas of Pakistan during these current turbulent times. He talks about his experiences, interactions with locals on the road, and how he thinks comparing Pakistan with Iraq or Afghanistan is so "absurd".

I hired a car in Islamabad and headed out onto the partially completed M2 motorway... ... But motorways are boring, so I left the M2 and re-joined the ancient Grand Trunk Road, which links most of the main towns of northern Pakistan.

About driving in Pakistan, as compared to the west:

Driving in Pakistan is fast and sometimes chaotic, but not competitive.

...one great danger at home you hardly ever have to contend with in Pakistan is drunk drivers and people with concentration blurred by hangovers.

Talking about a 12yr old, whom he gave lift to, for a few minutes:

Kashif spoke almost perfect English, good enough to warn me as we turned a tight bend, "Be careful, uncle, road badly damaged round next corner from earthquake."

And the best part of the article is the ending:

I gave lifts to more than 20 people, learned how to say "no problem" in Urdu (Koi Batnahi), and had to hold back tears when two children said thank you for their lift and offered me money to help pay for the petrol.

Source: ttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/7090632.stm

Aunt Benazir's false promises

Fatima Bhutto writes in LA Times, about Benazir:
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-bhutto14nov14,0,2482408.story?coll=la-opinion-center

Bhutto's return bodes poorly for Pakistan -- and for democracy there.

By supporting Ms. Bhutto, who talks of democracy while asking to be brought to power by a military dictator, the only thing that will be accomplished is the death of the nascent secular democratic movement in my country.

state of affairs of the state

This is an email that I sent on a forum regarding the current state of affairs in Pakistan; and the role of youth...
-----

From: Ajeeb
Date: Nov 7, 2007 10:40 PM
Subject: Re: Non-Emergency Results
--

I tried to resist writing on this topic, but just couldn't...

So, let me summarize the state of affairs:
1. Musharraf imposed emergency and dissolved the constitution of my state, which lead to:
a. No politics
b. No media
c. Change the judges
d. Arrest everyone and anyone who is against the government or wants to protest
2. Lawyers, judges, media personnel, some students all hated these acts, and started peaceful protests
3. Security forces used heavy hand on these protests; beat them up, put them in jail
4. Most of the people I know have been going about exchanging emails on the topic criticizing the army, the government, the judges, the politicians, the qaum, amreeka, bush, rice, etc etc

I know what Musharraf did is wrong and illegal. Breaking the constitution is never allowed.. agreed! We should have free judiciary, media, politics etc.. agreed!
I like how the students, especially, have started mobilizing themselves and have actively participated in trying to express their opinions in a meaningful way (not on mail wars). appreciated!

What all these protests are asking for is:
1. Restoration of judiciary, media, protests, politics
2. Timely elections
3. Musharraf to get out

What I don't understand is when we achieve all this (if we do), how will it improve the state of my country?

• I will continue to blame the corrupt, illiterate, jageerdaar rulers of the new government.
• Macro economic situation will keep going through roller coaster rides depending on how Daddy USA likes my rulers.
• Low level courts will continue to give a hard time to the poor and shareefs.
• I will remain stuck on issues like 'Music halaal hey ya haraam'
  
• Most of my friends will go out of the country, first for studies, then for jobs
• Most of my friends will continue seeing all these state of affairs from an outsider's perspective (evident from the use of phrases like 'this country', 'these politicians', 'this army', 'these generals' etc).

I know the current hype about imposition of emergency in my country is a big deal. And we should do everything we can, to get us out of the current emergency. But, looking into the future, if we continue to remain an observer, or a passive commentator on these affairs, I don't know how the current protests will help my nation in the long run? Shouldn't we be doing more to help the cause of the country, than exchanging emails? Helping the economy by bringing in (or sending back) foreign exchange does not seem enough to pull us out of the current situation. The inherent pessimism about my country in all the emails I read, the blatant mockery of the state of affairs isn't just disappointing, it is shameful and despicable! We the youth are actually supposed to build this country; Iqbal was not a fictional poet! he was talking about reality! Youth make nations!

Talking about all these matters, while not doing anything myself seems, I don't know.. hypocrisy?... I don't know... it doesn't seem right... not right at all...

LinkedIn for 'kaam walas'

A very interesting idea, implemented by someone in Bangalore.

For example, if Rajeev and Sanjay are friends, and Sanjay needs a chauffeur, he can view Rajeev’s page, travel to the page of Rajeev’s chauffeur and see which of the chauffeur’s friends are looking for similar work.

Searching for kaam wali, driver, gardeners etc. will be made easier with this social network. I wonder when someone will make this for Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad... We use phones and messengers for this purpose already; why not setup a site? and make money out of it? What do you say my entrepreneur friends?

Source: In India, Poverty Inspires Technology Workers to Altruism

Toy sellers in Pakistan

This is how most of the Pakistani children get their toys


Source: http://pakistaniat.com/2007/10/30/khilonay-wala/

Red Bull of the East: Rooh Afzah

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of this famous drink, (and that too in Ramadan!), Adil Najam has paid a good tribute to this ubiquitous wonder of the East.

100th Anniversary: Ramzan, Rooh Afza, and Pakistani ‘Red Bull’

one of the many things that is a near necessary feature of the Pakistani Iftar spread is Rooh Afza.

for many Pakistanis - many Soth Asians, really; because Rooh Afza predates Pakistan - Rooh Afza is the original energy drink

the Rooh Afza syrup as a topping over ice cream is a Lahore favorite

Wi-Fi Detector Shirt

So now you'll wear this T-Shirt, and try seeing the signal strength on your shirt while walking around the malls [Think Geek]

Wireframe Toyota Corolla

These are actual wires, not computer graphics!


More Images: Wireframe Toyota Corolla

ajeeb rules in dubai

Dubai is a city of economic prosperity. It is powered by its diverse expatriate community, who come here to work, earn money and contribute to this thriving economy. The Dubai Internet City, Media City and Knowledge Village (centers of 'excellence' that Dubai is proud of) are filled with youths from across the world who work day-in-day-out. Making salaries of 7,000-10,000 dirhams a month, these 'executive bachelors' (as they are classified in classifieds for 'bachelor accommodation'), can hardly afford to rent houses by themselves. The cheapest one bedroom apartment available in the emirate (in International City) costs around 5,000 dirhams a month (rental + bills); and that too, 45 minutes drive away from work. A decent one bedroom apartment closer to work costs at least 7,600 dirhams a month.

With an acute shortage of mid-income accommodation in Dubai (which is not going away for another year at least), majority of these bachelors are forced to share accommodation, living under one roof with friends or strangers, sharing kitchens, bathrooms, and even bedrooms. These youngsters who are more educated than the majority of the population in the country, work longer hours than most of the other expatriates around, have been made to live in such inhumane circumstances; the reasons for which are hard to explain.
And now the municipality has started its campaign to rid all villas of bachelors. I'm not sure if there is a counter part of racism, for describing discrimination against a certain age group. But this is exactly what has started happening here. There is no legal, working model in the emirate to allow for temporary short-term accommodation for bachelors. Treating these young, talented and hardworking boys and girls with such disdain isn't just impolite, it is brutal. The powers-to-be should come up with alternative solutions before starting to kick them out of these villas.
Neither do their employers, nor do the bachelors themselves want to leave Dubai; but as the claws of law snatch them at their necks stronger and tighter, without providing these respectable citizens an honorable quality of life, they are being slowly driven out of Dubai. Fortunately or unfortunately there are more opportunities for these youngsters; they will go back to their home countries, or other greener pastures where they can live a decent life, and participate in other thriving economies.
They say that pigeons come in one-at-a-time, but fly away in a group. With the inflation going through the roof, the rents skyrocketing, and the weird laws being enforced, let's hope that all these pigeons don't fly away at once. It will be Dubai's loss...

shared feeds

In case you're wondering, the list of links to the right titled 'worthless' is a feed of my Google Reader's Shared Items. I read all my news, technology, blogs and more through Google Reader; and whenever I find something interesting I click the small 'Share' link on the item, and it shows up in my shared items feed.
If you're interested here's the link to my shared items feed; you can subscribe to it using any feeds reader. Or if you just want to visit the web page, it can be found here.

The Pakistani language of terror

In her latest article in The News, Fatima Bhutto talks about the buzz words of the Pakistani rulers:
1. terrorist/insurgent
2. collateral damage/friendly fire
3. development projects
4. Enlightened moderation
5. operation/dispersed/operated upon
6. independent judiciary
7. democracy

I love how she ends the article:

Mr Sharif and Mrs Zardari are not democrats, they are demodictators -- sheeps in designer wolves clothing. Tonight, while you ponder the excitement of all this latest deal making and 'democracy', do me a favour -- do a Google search or a newspaper archive search of the years 1988-1999 and tell me if that's the 'democracy' and the 'leaders' you want to return to. We are a nation 165 million people strong; we have more than three choices.

Source: The Pakistani language of terror

[Video] Flight of the Conchords - Jenni

Video: Holographic display closer to reality

Just wait for the last few seconds. They're the best!




Details: http://gl.ict.usc.edu/Research/3DDisplay/

Video: Steve Jobs demos Apple Macintosh, 1984

This is how it all started...

A farewell to arms

Fatima Bhutto, this week, writes in The News:

The United States, under the grand vision of George W Bush, intends to ask Congress to approve a multi-billion (twenty billion dollars to be precise) arms deal to Saudi Arabia. The aid package, which will contain the parcelling out of more money to other 'friendly' Middle Eastern nations, such as Egypt, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, includes another generous ten billion dollars to Israel. Certainly these countries have received American dollars in the past, but the Bush administration's paranoid fear of Iran now necessitates that money be thrown at countries like Saudi Arabia and Israel so as to counter the Persian threat.

Source: A farewell to arms

The romance of Lahore

Love of Lahore, in the words of Rasheeda Bhagat - an Indian.

Whether in its people, language or dress code, Lahore will always bring on that feeling of warm familiarity, of the sub-continent.

Source: The Hindu Business Line : The romance of Lahore

Code Monkey Song

Here's the song coming from the heart of a code monkey!

Open this page and click on the little blue button right next to "Play": Jonathan Coulton - Code Monkey

Video: luxeed color changing led keyboard

May you have many more!

I stole the title of this post from Fatima Bhutto's article on "The News". She writes:

Pakistan is the sound of the myna birds that nestle quietly in the trees all day and come alive at five in the morning. It's the smell of jasmines worn tightly around the wrist. It's the rush of hitting a six. It's the nuclear green, cardamom smelling Pakola drink.

Source: http://thenews.jang.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=67991

Here's what the Guardian said about our independence on August 15th, 1947:

At midnight in Karachi, capital of Pakistan, Mr. Jinnah became Governor General of Pakistan. The Pakistan Constituent Assembly met yesterday afternoon and Lord Mountbatten was there to say farewell: not an absolute parting, he said, but a parting among friends.

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/india/story/0,12559,822542,00.html

Top 30 Most WASTED Domains!

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Lunar-Resonant Streetlights

OK, I'm no tree hugger! But this is really nice idea.

Lunar resonant streetlights sense and respond to ambient moonlight, dimming and brightening each month as the moon cycles through its phases.

Google News Blog: Viewing the world through images

Here they talk about a very nice feature of browsing Google news through images. For those of you who just skim through the pages of the newspaper and look at the pictures to decide what's interesting, this is your dream come true!

All news in pictures!
Example

Video: I wanna be like Osama

iScrybe

Scrybe Closes Series A

iScrybe (www.iscrybe.com) is an online/offline calendar web application. It looks *very* cool. Checkout this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr1YE_xS_n8.

Interestingly, iScrybe is the brain-child of Faizan Buzdar, who is a Pakistani, and a graduate of GIK Institute (http://www.giki.edu.pk) from batch 2.

Revolution Systems Blog: A Guide to Hiring Programmers: The High Cost of Low Quality

Here's something that is common sense, but hardly anyone does it. Ajeeb!

Revolution Systems Blog: A Guide to Hiring Programmers: The High Cost of Low Quality

Adding stuff to this blog

OK now, I've added a list of "intriguing" items that will keep updating almost daily.

I've also added a list of some of my favorite books under "Mutale'ah".

I'm here

Yes, I think I should move to blogger now from Windows Live Spaces.
Just made this blog. Will post newer blogs here hopefully.

Link to my old blog: http://umeriqbal.spaces.live.com/