There are a lot of places people get confused about spending their vacations at. Most of them prefer America or Europe. But there is so much unexplored beauty in Asia that slips people’s mind while planning their escape from tiring routines and polluted cities. The third world countries really look forward to promote tourism that can give a real boost to respective economies.
Amongst the under developed countries, Maldives is one place that is catching attention of the fun lovers and peace seekers. Maldives can be best described as a string of islands, with white sand, clear blue water and greenery that takes your breath away.
Geographically, politically and socially very close to India, the islands are blessed with the most colorful of reefs and coral gardens. Having such close attachment to the State of India, Maldives plan to target Indian tourists mostly.
Every country has its own style and strategy to attract tourist. In Maldives, which is home to 6.5 lakh people including 85,000 Indians, the main plan involves Bollywood as a soul promoter to Maldivian tourism. Yes, Maldives is a country that is not only a blessing to look at, but has recently offered the Indian Film Industry to shoot movies at the breathtakingly beautiful places at the Island. According to Maldivian Minister of Tourism Toyyid Mohammad, Maldives had proposed Bollywood during recent months to use one of its exotic places as a permanent location to shoot movies on.
Reason behind this, he commented, is also the popularity of Bollywood movies in the Maldivian population. The country survives mainly on tourism. Presence of celebrities like Shahrukh Khan and Aamir Khan, who already have a huge fan following globally, has the potential to attract a large number of tourists to the islands.
It seems that vowing Bollywood for tourism promotion with such offers will not be very difficult for Maldives.
Recently, Kites starring Hrithik Roshan was shot on one of these islands. The location in this movie left a mark not only on the minds of cinema goers in India but also became one of the favorite places of the star cast. Hrithik Roshan, having everything but a break in five years was stunned by the natural beauty of the islands. He spent quite some time with his wife on the islands too and claimed that though he had traveled to a lot of places and admires many of them, the Maldivian islands, of all the places are his most desired spot in the world.
With Bollywood as a tool for tourism promotion, Maldivian development strategists prove to be real smart. In the long run, it can have precious income generation opportunities for the Maldivian Islands. Several of the resorts, on their openings had already invited some of the hottest Indian actors and models to capture attention of the South Asian region. With high quality status and luxurious living standards, Maldivian resorts provide a wide range of exotic experiences. Another way of promoting resorts has been their frequent appearance as television advertisements. Since the place is full of natural beauty and human made extravagance, it does not escape the mind of the viewer for years.
The Maldives has also been visited frequently by Hollywood stars like Tom Cruise, Britney Spears and Fergie who have chosen the Maldivian islands as their favorite summer and relaxing spot. The tourism promotion authorities in Maldives must look forward to a great future, welcoming thousands of tourists from around the world and giving Maldivian economy an enormous boost. But caution needs to be exercised as cashing in on the beauties of nature may come easy but maintaining it can be a real task ahead.
Published in South Asia Magazine, November 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Jazba... the flame inside
A random write up, for today's youth and those who blame the system for everything
Jazba kia hai?
Jazba hai… dil se nikli aawaz
Bulandion ko jo choo jaye woh perwaz
Jazba hai aagay berhne ki chah
Jazba manzil ki rah
Jazba kuch kerne ki khuwahish hai
Jazba woh aag, woh aatish hai
Jo tum mein, mujh mein hum sab mein hai
Kaheen gum, hum sab mein hai
Gandigi, gussa, taasub, or in jaise masail
Yeh tou kisi or ki zimedari nahin
Jab sab ko inka pata hai
Tou aakhir badlne mein kis ka kia laga hai
Jazba naam nahin sirf kehne sunnay girebaan pakrne ka
Jazba tou naam hai, khud hi kuch kerne ka
Tou Jazba jagao, aitraz choro balke kerdo khutam
Karo sirf wohi kaam or baat, jis mein ho badlne ka dum
Jazba kia hai?
Jazba hai… dil se nikli aawaz
Bulandion ko jo choo jaye woh perwaz
Jazba hai aagay berhne ki chah
Jazba manzil ki rah
Jazba kuch kerne ki khuwahish hai
Jazba woh aag, woh aatish hai
Jo tum mein, mujh mein hum sab mein hai
Kaheen gum, hum sab mein hai
Gandigi, gussa, taasub, or in jaise masail
Yeh tou kisi or ki zimedari nahin
Jab sab ko inka pata hai
Tou aakhir badlne mein kis ka kia laga hai
Jazba naam nahin sirf kehne sunnay girebaan pakrne ka
Jazba tou naam hai, khud hi kuch kerne ka
Tou Jazba jagao, aitraz choro balke kerdo khutam
Karo sirf wohi kaam or baat, jis mein ho badlne ka dum
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
RGST: Another cross from the public to bear
The other day I was watching a show on Dunya TV that was discussing the latest General Sales Tax reform introduced by the government. To my shock, one of the proponents was renowned journalist Mr Ansar Abbasi.
According to him and the other pro-GST reform person, the recent Reform General Sales Tax will:
1. Be used to broaden the tax base
2. Decrease GST by two percent. The tax is 17 per cent now and after the new RGST implementation it will be 15 per cent. The excise duty shall be increased from 1 per cent to 2 per cent."
Thus, Ansari explained the taxes being 2 per cent less, where people shall pay 15 per cent tax on more items, rather paying 17 per cent of it on lesser products.
What is GST? It is a Value Added Tax that is applied on a number of products where some (as at present) are exempted from such taxes.
What will the new reform do? It shall increase the number of products on which GST will be applied on.
A system that works – if you are an industrialist. In Pakistan, we have a system running. Industrialists include their taxes in the product costing. So, no matter how much taxes they get to pay, they only increase the final costing of the product. Consumers pay the retail price (that includes the taxes of the industrialists) for the product. So, in the end the public ends up paying taxes for the product and the industrialist both.
After imposing taxes on more products, the picture to me looks something like this. People of every income level will pay taxes on more items but the burden shall mostly be increased on those with low incomes as they will now pay 15% more on, say, five products instead of 17% on three. Does this, in anyway, sound fair?
Is there an alternative? If we have to broaden the tax base, what else can we do? We, all those in favor of the RGST in particular, are missing a point here. GST, as previously said, is applied on products this is why the entire burden on public issue is threatening the nation. Instead of imposing taxes on number of items that we use daily, we should rather tax unutilized property, uncultivated land and closed factories, capital gain tax, gold sales/purchase tax (as it is out of reach of a common Pakistani now), sales/purchase of bonds, shares and large properties, investment tax and such other things.
Here, the money gets jammed and stored up, stuck like a saving and becomes no good for our economy. The government must keep the money in constant rotation without burdening the backbone of the country. This is how we should broaden the tax base, by increasing/implying taxes on things that are luxuries and not by putting a tax tag on bare necessities.
What else can we do to broaden the tax-base? The government must motivate people to pay taxes now. By giving recognition and facilities to the highest tax payers, government can kick start a competition, healthy for public and the government both. Government can allow such tax payers personal and business loans on comfortable terms or may be free entry to airport’s VIP lounge etc. All of such things where the government will not have to spend even a penny and will encourage masses for paying their taxes.
The country has had enough inflation already. We must stop this and take control over things. It seems that we know the targets but we have no idea where the bull’s-eye is at!
Published: Express Tribune Blogs on 16th November 2010.
According to him and the other pro-GST reform person, the recent Reform General Sales Tax will:
1. Be used to broaden the tax base
2. Decrease GST by two percent. The tax is 17 per cent now and after the new RGST implementation it will be 15 per cent. The excise duty shall be increased from 1 per cent to 2 per cent."
Thus, Ansari explained the taxes being 2 per cent less, where people shall pay 15 per cent tax on more items, rather paying 17 per cent of it on lesser products.
What is GST? It is a Value Added Tax that is applied on a number of products where some (as at present) are exempted from such taxes.
What will the new reform do? It shall increase the number of products on which GST will be applied on.
A system that works – if you are an industrialist. In Pakistan, we have a system running. Industrialists include their taxes in the product costing. So, no matter how much taxes they get to pay, they only increase the final costing of the product. Consumers pay the retail price (that includes the taxes of the industrialists) for the product. So, in the end the public ends up paying taxes for the product and the industrialist both.
After imposing taxes on more products, the picture to me looks something like this. People of every income level will pay taxes on more items but the burden shall mostly be increased on those with low incomes as they will now pay 15% more on, say, five products instead of 17% on three. Does this, in anyway, sound fair?
Is there an alternative? If we have to broaden the tax base, what else can we do? We, all those in favor of the RGST in particular, are missing a point here. GST, as previously said, is applied on products this is why the entire burden on public issue is threatening the nation. Instead of imposing taxes on number of items that we use daily, we should rather tax unutilized property, uncultivated land and closed factories, capital gain tax, gold sales/purchase tax (as it is out of reach of a common Pakistani now), sales/purchase of bonds, shares and large properties, investment tax and such other things.
Here, the money gets jammed and stored up, stuck like a saving and becomes no good for our economy. The government must keep the money in constant rotation without burdening the backbone of the country. This is how we should broaden the tax base, by increasing/implying taxes on things that are luxuries and not by putting a tax tag on bare necessities.
What else can we do to broaden the tax-base? The government must motivate people to pay taxes now. By giving recognition and facilities to the highest tax payers, government can kick start a competition, healthy for public and the government both. Government can allow such tax payers personal and business loans on comfortable terms or may be free entry to airport’s VIP lounge etc. All of such things where the government will not have to spend even a penny and will encourage masses for paying their taxes.
The country has had enough inflation already. We must stop this and take control over things. It seems that we know the targets but we have no idea where the bull’s-eye is at!
Published: Express Tribune Blogs on 16th November 2010.
RGST: Another cross from the public to bear
The other day I was watching a show on Dunya TV that was discussing the latest General Sales Tax reform introduced by the government. To my shock, one of the proponents was renowned journalist Mr Ansar Abbasi.
According to him and the other pro-GST reform person, the recent Reform General Sales Tax will:
1. Be used to broaden the tax base
2. Decrease GST by two percent. The tax is 17 per cent now and after the new RGST implementation it will be 15 per cent. The excise duty shall be increased from 1 per cent to 2 per cent."
Thus, Ansari explained the taxes being 2 per cent less, where people shall pay 15 per cent tax on more items, rather paying 17 per cent of it on lesser products.
What is GST? It is a Value Added Tax that is applied on a number of products where some (as at present) are exempted from such taxes.
What will the new reform do? It shall increase the number of products on which GST will be applied on.
A system that works – if you are an industrialist. In Pakistan, we have a system running. Industrialists include their taxes in the product costing. So, no matter how much taxes they get to pay, they only increase the final costing of the product. Consumers pay the retail price (that includes the taxes of the industrialists) for the product. So, in the end the public ends up paying taxes for the product and the industrialist both.
After imposing taxes on more products, the picture to me looks something like this. People of every income level will pay taxes on more items but the burden shall mostly be increased on those with low incomes as they will now pay 15% more on, say, five products instead of 17% on three. Does this, in anyway, sound fair?
Is there an alternative? If we have to broaden the tax base, what else can we do? We, all those in favor of the RGST in particular, are missing a point here. GST, as previously said, is applied on products this is why the entire burden on public issue is threatening the nation. Instead of imposing taxes on number of items that we use daily, we should rather tax unutilized property, uncultivated land and closed factories, capital gain tax, gold sales/purchase tax (as it is out of reach of a common Pakistani now), sales/purchase of bonds, shares and large properties, investment tax and such other things.
Here, the money gets jammed and stored up, stuck like a saving and becomes no good for our economy. The government must keep the money in constant rotation without burdening the backbone of the country. This is how we should broaden the tax base, by increasing/implying taxes on things that are luxuries and not by putting a tax tag on bare necessities.
What else can we do to broaden the tax-base? The government must motivate people to pay taxes now. By giving recognition and facilities to the highest tax payers, government can kick start a competition, healthy for public and the government both. Government can allow such tax payers personal and business loans on comfortable terms or may be free entry to airport’s VIP lounge etc. All of such things where the government will not have to spend even a penny and will encourage masses for paying their taxes.
The country has had enough inflation already. We must stop this and take control over things. It seems that we know the targets but we have no idea where the bull’s-eye is at!
Published: Express Tribune Blogs on 16th November 2010.
According to him and the other pro-GST reform person, the recent Reform General Sales Tax will:
1. Be used to broaden the tax base
2. Decrease GST by two percent. The tax is 17 per cent now and after the new RGST implementation it will be 15 per cent. The excise duty shall be increased from 1 per cent to 2 per cent."
Thus, Ansari explained the taxes being 2 per cent less, where people shall pay 15 per cent tax on more items, rather paying 17 per cent of it on lesser products.
What is GST? It is a Value Added Tax that is applied on a number of products where some (as at present) are exempted from such taxes.
What will the new reform do? It shall increase the number of products on which GST will be applied on.
A system that works – if you are an industrialist. In Pakistan, we have a system running. Industrialists include their taxes in the product costing. So, no matter how much taxes they get to pay, they only increase the final costing of the product. Consumers pay the retail price (that includes the taxes of the industrialists) for the product. So, in the end the public ends up paying taxes for the product and the industrialist both.
After imposing taxes on more products, the picture to me looks something like this. People of every income level will pay taxes on more items but the burden shall mostly be increased on those with low incomes as they will now pay 15% more on, say, five products instead of 17% on three. Does this, in anyway, sound fair?
Is there an alternative? If we have to broaden the tax base, what else can we do? We, all those in favor of the RGST in particular, are missing a point here. GST, as previously said, is applied on products this is why the entire burden on public issue is threatening the nation. Instead of imposing taxes on number of items that we use daily, we should rather tax unutilized property, uncultivated land and closed factories, capital gain tax, gold sales/purchase tax (as it is out of reach of a common Pakistani now), sales/purchase of bonds, shares and large properties, investment tax and such other things.
Here, the money gets jammed and stored up, stuck like a saving and becomes no good for our economy. The government must keep the money in constant rotation without burdening the backbone of the country. This is how we should broaden the tax base, by increasing/implying taxes on things that are luxuries and not by putting a tax tag on bare necessities.
What else can we do to broaden the tax-base? The government must motivate people to pay taxes now. By giving recognition and facilities to the highest tax payers, government can kick start a competition, healthy for public and the government both. Government can allow such tax payers personal and business loans on comfortable terms or may be free entry to airport’s VIP lounge etc. All of such things where the government will not have to spend even a penny and will encourage masses for paying their taxes.
The country has had enough inflation already. We must stop this and take control over things. It seems that we know the targets but we have no idea where the bull’s-eye is at!
Published: Express Tribune Blogs on 16th November 2010.
RGST: Another cross from the public to bear
The other day I was watching a show on Dunya TV that was discussing the latest General Sales Tax reform introduced by the government. To my shock, one of the proponents was renowned journalist Mr Ansar Abbasi.
According to him and the other pro-GST reform person, the recent Reform General Sales Tax will:
1. Be used to broaden the tax base
2. Decrease GST by two percent. The tax is 17 per cent now and after the new RGST implementation it will be 15 per cent. The excise duty shall be increased from 1 per cent to 2 per cent."
Thus, Ansari explained the taxes being 2 per cent less, where people shall pay 15 per cent tax on more items, rather paying 17 per cent of it on lesser products.
What is GST? It is a Value Added Tax that is applied on a number of products where some (as at present) are exempted from such taxes.
What will the new reform do? It shall increase the number of products on which GST will be applied on.
A system that works – if you are an industrialist. In Pakistan, we have a system running. Industrialists include their taxes in the product costing. So, no matter how much taxes they get to pay, they only increase the final costing of the product. Consumers pay the retail price (that includes the taxes of the industrialists) for the product. So, in the end the public ends up paying taxes for the product and the industrialist both.
After imposing taxes on more products, the picture to me looks something like this. People of every income level will pay taxes on more items but the burden shall mostly be increased on those with low incomes as they will now pay 15% more on, say, five products instead of 17% on three. Does this, in anyway, sound fair?
Is there an alternative? If we have to broaden the tax base, what else can we do? We, all those in favor of the RGST in particular, are missing a point here. GST, as previously said, is applied on products this is why the entire burden on public issue is threatening the nation. Instead of imposing taxes on number of items that we use daily, we should rather tax unutilized property, uncultivated land and closed factories, capital gain tax, gold sales/purchase tax (as it is out of reach of a common Pakistani now), sales/purchase of bonds, shares and large properties, investment tax and such other things.
Here, the money gets jammed and stored up, stuck like a saving and becomes no good for our economy. The government must keep the money in constant rotation without burdening the backbone of the country. This is how we should broaden the tax base, by increasing/implying taxes on things that are luxuries and not by putting a tax tag on bare necessities.
What else can we do to broaden the tax-base? The government must motivate people to pay taxes now. By giving recognition and facilities to the highest tax payers, government can kick start a competition, healthy for public and the government both. Government can allow such tax payers personal and business loans on comfortable terms or may be free entry to airport’s VIP lounge etc. All of such things where the government will not have to spend even a penny and will encourage masses for paying their taxes.
The country has had enough inflation already. We must stop this and take control over things. It seems that we know the targets but we have no idea where the bull’s-eye is at!
According to him and the other pro-GST reform person, the recent Reform General Sales Tax will:
1. Be used to broaden the tax base
2. Decrease GST by two percent. The tax is 17 per cent now and after the new RGST implementation it will be 15 per cent. The excise duty shall be increased from 1 per cent to 2 per cent."
Thus, Ansari explained the taxes being 2 per cent less, where people shall pay 15 per cent tax on more items, rather paying 17 per cent of it on lesser products.
What is GST? It is a Value Added Tax that is applied on a number of products where some (as at present) are exempted from such taxes.
What will the new reform do? It shall increase the number of products on which GST will be applied on.
A system that works – if you are an industrialist. In Pakistan, we have a system running. Industrialists include their taxes in the product costing. So, no matter how much taxes they get to pay, they only increase the final costing of the product. Consumers pay the retail price (that includes the taxes of the industrialists) for the product. So, in the end the public ends up paying taxes for the product and the industrialist both.
After imposing taxes on more products, the picture to me looks something like this. People of every income level will pay taxes on more items but the burden shall mostly be increased on those with low incomes as they will now pay 15% more on, say, five products instead of 17% on three. Does this, in anyway, sound fair?
Is there an alternative? If we have to broaden the tax base, what else can we do? We, all those in favor of the RGST in particular, are missing a point here. GST, as previously said, is applied on products this is why the entire burden on public issue is threatening the nation. Instead of imposing taxes on number of items that we use daily, we should rather tax unutilized property, uncultivated land and closed factories, capital gain tax, gold sales/purchase tax (as it is out of reach of a common Pakistani now), sales/purchase of bonds, shares and large properties, investment tax and such other things.
Here, the money gets jammed and stored up, stuck like a saving and becomes no good for our economy. The government must keep the money in constant rotation without burdening the backbone of the country. This is how we should broaden the tax base, by increasing/implying taxes on things that are luxuries and not by putting a tax tag on bare necessities.
What else can we do to broaden the tax-base? The government must motivate people to pay taxes now. By giving recognition and facilities to the highest tax payers, government can kick start a competition, healthy for public and the government both. Government can allow such tax payers personal and business loans on comfortable terms or may be free entry to airport’s VIP lounge etc. All of such things where the government will not have to spend even a penny and will encourage masses for paying their taxes.
The country has had enough inflation already. We must stop this and take control over things. It seems that we know the targets but we have no idea where the bull’s-eye is at!
Friday, November 5, 2010
A little prayer for the Pakistan cricket team
Shahid Afridi is trying to whip the team back in to shape
After being trashed and slashed by local and international media any team would have been in low spirits.
I don’t know about PCB and its support to our match winning bowlers like Mohammad Aamir. I cannot predict whether or not the ICC will lift the ban from our star players before the World Cup. But it seems now that after a short – unbearable – break, our players are gaining back their confidence.
May team Pakistan win this ODI series versus a strong and full of confidence competitor, South Africa. Only our support will motivate and encourage these players. I have always supported team Pakistan and will not comment on why ICC will sustain the ban on players accused of spot-fixing.
Our players have enormous potential. If only all of them could perform at the same time will they be able to realize what excellent professional cricketers they are – then let the experts critique them for their performance.
It is amazing how the crowd reacts when Shahid Afridi comes out in the field to bat. No matter how he handles his bat or throws a shot the his fans never get tired of cheering for him. No doubt he has worked hard but his confidence speaks of the support he gets from his homeland.
I hope our team gets back on track asap! I pray that they bring home the big cup!
After being trashed and slashed by local and international media any team would have been in low spirits.
I don’t know about PCB and its support to our match winning bowlers like Mohammad Aamir. I cannot predict whether or not the ICC will lift the ban from our star players before the World Cup. But it seems now that after a short – unbearable – break, our players are gaining back their confidence.
May team Pakistan win this ODI series versus a strong and full of confidence competitor, South Africa. Only our support will motivate and encourage these players. I have always supported team Pakistan and will not comment on why ICC will sustain the ban on players accused of spot-fixing.
Our players have enormous potential. If only all of them could perform at the same time will they be able to realize what excellent professional cricketers they are – then let the experts critique them for their performance.
It is amazing how the crowd reacts when Shahid Afridi comes out in the field to bat. No matter how he handles his bat or throws a shot the his fans never get tired of cheering for him. No doubt he has worked hard but his confidence speaks of the support he gets from his homeland.
I hope our team gets back on track asap! I pray that they bring home the big cup!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
The advent of Info-ladies
How important actually information communication and technology (ICT) is? Most of the people living in the urban areas of the South Asian countries can readily answer this question. It's easy, they use it and they know a lot about it. But the rural areas of all the South Asian countries lack literacy, forget the use of hi-tech computers and internet. But in Bangladesh, the rural scene is undergoing some pretty ‘techy' changes. Yes, Bangladesh has created a whole new profession of info-persons or info -ladies.
The whole idea about these info-persons is not only to provide frequent and speedy information to the rural people about their daily problems regarding health, crops, families and almost every other thing. The idea was to create info-persons who could be of service to the rural people. These eventually were limited to info-ladies only due to cultural limitations. The access of ladies in rural houses is easier than that of males. Men usually do not allow their women to talk to unknown men. On the other hand, women can talk to women and men do not really mind reaching out to women for help.
The scheme of info-person was started as a small project, so there are not more than 23 ladies currently working in this field. The brilliant invent of Info-lady is brain child of D.Net, Bangladesh based not-for-profit research organization. It helps to provide use of ICT for economic development to the grass root level within the country. D.Net trains these ladies during workshops that are held at the organization's quarters. The whole plan revolves around the fact that the people who have access to ICTs have better access to information. This information puts these people ahead of other in the economic activities of the country.
The job of these women is to travel across villages. They have to meet at least 15 people a day in order to answer their queries. They travel village to village on a bicycle with portable communication technology like laptops, headphones for making messenger calls, webcams, digital camera for photography services, photo printer for printing photos, livelihood local language content and cell phone for commercial use. The content of the information given includes simple text, pictures and multimedia animations to involve all users, many of whom are illiterate. According to several reports, the villagers seem to enjoy these visuals, both still and animated. The excitement of talking on a head phone can easily be seen in the photographs of these innocent, simple beings.
Apart from Bangladesh, no other South Asian country seems to adapt and apply this project within their respective rural areas. The biggest advantage is to get people easy employment. In countries like Pakistan, where cellular communication has boosted so much during the past decade, the project seems not impossible. This will also help give boost to the ICT sector of the country. And we do not need info-ladies necessarily. We can have both genders working in our villages and small cities. We are not an industrial country and agriculture is what we need to flourish. We rely basically on these people who are far behind the appropriate information, let alone the technology part.
To initiate, Pakistani government schools that teach ICTs as subjects can pick out students who live in villages and come to study in the city. They can be asked to work in their respective rural areas during their summer and winter vacations in exchange of average government salary. Employment is what the people of this country needs. If the students successfully acquire positive results, then the government can start it on permanent basis. Bangladesh has 23 already working and currently 20 more are done with the training and are ready to work anytime asked. Our country is already going trough a lot, and all we need is to provide employment and projects like these can provide essential information that can boost ICT sectors and agricultural revenue of the country.
*Also published in South Asia Magazine, October issue
The whole idea about these info-persons is not only to provide frequent and speedy information to the rural people about their daily problems regarding health, crops, families and almost every other thing. The idea was to create info-persons who could be of service to the rural people. These eventually were limited to info-ladies only due to cultural limitations. The access of ladies in rural houses is easier than that of males. Men usually do not allow their women to talk to unknown men. On the other hand, women can talk to women and men do not really mind reaching out to women for help.
The scheme of info-person was started as a small project, so there are not more than 23 ladies currently working in this field. The brilliant invent of Info-lady is brain child of D.Net, Bangladesh based not-for-profit research organization. It helps to provide use of ICT for economic development to the grass root level within the country. D.Net trains these ladies during workshops that are held at the organization's quarters. The whole plan revolves around the fact that the people who have access to ICTs have better access to information. This information puts these people ahead of other in the economic activities of the country.
The job of these women is to travel across villages. They have to meet at least 15 people a day in order to answer their queries. They travel village to village on a bicycle with portable communication technology like laptops, headphones for making messenger calls, webcams, digital camera for photography services, photo printer for printing photos, livelihood local language content and cell phone for commercial use. The content of the information given includes simple text, pictures and multimedia animations to involve all users, many of whom are illiterate. According to several reports, the villagers seem to enjoy these visuals, both still and animated. The excitement of talking on a head phone can easily be seen in the photographs of these innocent, simple beings.
Apart from Bangladesh, no other South Asian country seems to adapt and apply this project within their respective rural areas. The biggest advantage is to get people easy employment. In countries like Pakistan, where cellular communication has boosted so much during the past decade, the project seems not impossible. This will also help give boost to the ICT sector of the country. And we do not need info-ladies necessarily. We can have both genders working in our villages and small cities. We are not an industrial country and agriculture is what we need to flourish. We rely basically on these people who are far behind the appropriate information, let alone the technology part.
To initiate, Pakistani government schools that teach ICTs as subjects can pick out students who live in villages and come to study in the city. They can be asked to work in their respective rural areas during their summer and winter vacations in exchange of average government salary. Employment is what the people of this country needs. If the students successfully acquire positive results, then the government can start it on permanent basis. Bangladesh has 23 already working and currently 20 more are done with the training and are ready to work anytime asked. Our country is already going trough a lot, and all we need is to provide employment and projects like these can provide essential information that can boost ICT sectors and agricultural revenue of the country.
*Also published in South Asia Magazine, October issue
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Not so bright...
I wonder what’s happening in Pakistan? Is there no good left? It makes me think as if nothing happy and joyful is going on in the country. Then I see a certain class of Pakistani metropolitan citizens, who despite of all the killings in the city would not stop having fun. I am talking about today’s youth. I live in Karachi. And I’ve been to Lahore and Islamabad as well. On the television, we see how youth of Pakistan is really concerned about what’s going around. But it hurts my heart that a much bigger portion of this green chunk does not really care. They, like every other Pakistani, are experts at pointing their fingers towards the badly governed system. But they would not try and think of solutions.
Our young ladies, rich or poor, are always talking about shopping and dresses while often including the increasing rates of their tailor monsters. They would tell stories how their tailors stitch so bad and as they are not satisfied, they want addresses and phone numbers of a friend’s tailor.
As of guys, they are into news and sports but there is this rebellious attitude developing in them. I see young kids, in their teens, using such a bad language. Words that I can not even write here are so common amongst our youth, and mostly among our boys. Their parents are busy watching televisions or earning bread and butter.
I don’t know really what’s our system is going to do to us. It’s such a polluted think tank, corrupt backbone and all this is our youth I am talking about. I am afraid Pakistan seems to have future... but not so bright .
Our young ladies, rich or poor, are always talking about shopping and dresses while often including the increasing rates of their tailor monsters. They would tell stories how their tailors stitch so bad and as they are not satisfied, they want addresses and phone numbers of a friend’s tailor.
As of guys, they are into news and sports but there is this rebellious attitude developing in them. I see young kids, in their teens, using such a bad language. Words that I can not even write here are so common amongst our youth, and mostly among our boys. Their parents are busy watching televisions or earning bread and butter.
I don’t know really what’s our system is going to do to us. It’s such a polluted think tank, corrupt backbone and all this is our youth I am talking about. I am afraid Pakistan seems to have future... but not so bright .
Sunday, August 29, 2010
We do, what we do best!
Yeah, first we discussed “oh did you see how the two dacoits got beaten to death in Sialkot?” But later it turned to “OH MY GOD!! Did you see how they killed two brothers blaming them to be robbers?”
Yeah, we are always in a hurry. We have this annoying habit of passing on what we hear from others without even thinking if that is true or not. Some ‘gora’ reporter set up our players, made a news report and wow we believed all of it without even thinking for once about the people who play for Pakistan, for you and for me! Oh wait, but we saw the videos, didn’t we? I have never seen this in any Hollywood or even Bollywood movie how they temper photos and videos. I know that the video never showed any player taking the money by hand, but I will still blame them. Oh yes, I saw the jacket! The jacket in which first the cash was put in and later the ‘gora’ gave it to Asif. I could not think may be the gora went to Asif and said that he was a fan and want to give the jacket as a present and later the reporter videoed the guy inside a car, putting in the cash. I have no idea what editing a video means!
No, Aamir took the cash and then bowled out 4 English batsmen for 0 in the third test. Yes he took the money for not performing and that is worst performance of all time. Oh, I have never seen fast bowlers placing no-balls. Never happens. Check the records! And I have no idea what Photoshop is used for?
I am just a dumb Pakistani who doesn’t know the difference between a trick and magic. I am a dumb Pakistani who will judge from some media report what the truth is. I have stopped thinking. I am a pessimist. And I will keep on doing what I do best!
Yeah, we are always in a hurry. We have this annoying habit of passing on what we hear from others without even thinking if that is true or not. Some ‘gora’ reporter set up our players, made a news report and wow we believed all of it without even thinking for once about the people who play for Pakistan, for you and for me! Oh wait, but we saw the videos, didn’t we? I have never seen this in any Hollywood or even Bollywood movie how they temper photos and videos. I know that the video never showed any player taking the money by hand, but I will still blame them. Oh yes, I saw the jacket! The jacket in which first the cash was put in and later the ‘gora’ gave it to Asif. I could not think may be the gora went to Asif and said that he was a fan and want to give the jacket as a present and later the reporter videoed the guy inside a car, putting in the cash. I have no idea what editing a video means!
No, Aamir took the cash and then bowled out 4 English batsmen for 0 in the third test. Yes he took the money for not performing and that is worst performance of all time. Oh, I have never seen fast bowlers placing no-balls. Never happens. Check the records! And I have no idea what Photoshop is used for?
I am just a dumb Pakistani who doesn’t know the difference between a trick and magic. I am a dumb Pakistani who will judge from some media report what the truth is. I have stopped thinking. I am a pessimist. And I will keep on doing what I do best!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
What became of the International Aid??
Since Sunday (August 22nd), we have been forced to focus on the Sialkot societal error and murders and the flood updates only. Every channel is discussing Altaf Hussain’s controversial statement recently. But no one is talking about the monetary aid that came in a few days back and was directed to the government.
Let me comment on the Sialkot coverage. Why is it being blown up into such a complex matter? Those who committed the crime can be seen in the two footages – that we will discuss later – and can be at once arrested for interrogation at least if not for punishment. We have seen media talking about how it is our society’s fault that those two brothers died. Let me bring to your attention the fact that a mob does not expect a person being beaten to death in front of so many witnesses. They stand there, watch the episode and then when those beating the victim get tired or slow down a bit, this very mob then talks and get things settled between the two parties. This very mob takes the wounded to the hospital. But as clearly seen in the Sialkot incident, the group thrashing and pounding the victims were not pausing at all. As seen in the footage, a man even broke his stick while torturing the elder brother. He stopped for a few seconds, and started beating him again with his broken weapon.
Lately in Faisalabad, a mob did almost the same to a couple of dacoits. No matter how enraged the mob was, it did not kill the thieves. They lay fainted when the police reached to the site. Now this was a normal mob and people with anger. Common men don’t go on beating people to death.
Let’s talk about the footages now. It’s quite normal for someone among a mob to record a video of what’s happening. That is okay. But the other footage was not a cell phone recording. It was not recorded by any journalist as well. Who is that camera-mystery-man? Do you want to believe that a trained videographer just happened to be there? Well, I leave it to you guys to decide.
Anyways, since then, no one seems to be concerned about the distribution and management of monetary foreign aid that was given to the government. The flood is not over people. Over countrymen need help and we should not forget that for even a day. The media who did such a good job till now, should not divert its attention for even a bit, whatsoever. I am not saying what media did was wrong, but there are other issues that are important and need to be addressed as well.
Let me comment on the Sialkot coverage. Why is it being blown up into such a complex matter? Those who committed the crime can be seen in the two footages – that we will discuss later – and can be at once arrested for interrogation at least if not for punishment. We have seen media talking about how it is our society’s fault that those two brothers died. Let me bring to your attention the fact that a mob does not expect a person being beaten to death in front of so many witnesses. They stand there, watch the episode and then when those beating the victim get tired or slow down a bit, this very mob then talks and get things settled between the two parties. This very mob takes the wounded to the hospital. But as clearly seen in the Sialkot incident, the group thrashing and pounding the victims were not pausing at all. As seen in the footage, a man even broke his stick while torturing the elder brother. He stopped for a few seconds, and started beating him again with his broken weapon.
Lately in Faisalabad, a mob did almost the same to a couple of dacoits. No matter how enraged the mob was, it did not kill the thieves. They lay fainted when the police reached to the site. Now this was a normal mob and people with anger. Common men don’t go on beating people to death.
Let’s talk about the footages now. It’s quite normal for someone among a mob to record a video of what’s happening. That is okay. But the other footage was not a cell phone recording. It was not recorded by any journalist as well. Who is that camera-mystery-man? Do you want to believe that a trained videographer just happened to be there? Well, I leave it to you guys to decide.
Anyways, since then, no one seems to be concerned about the distribution and management of monetary foreign aid that was given to the government. The flood is not over people. Over countrymen need help and we should not forget that for even a day. The media who did such a good job till now, should not divert its attention for even a bit, whatsoever. I am not saying what media did was wrong, but there are other issues that are important and need to be addressed as well.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Is it fair to blame society for the Sialkot tragedy?
I don't think so. I can not forget how people reacted when the news of “two dacoits beaten to death” broke; everyone really appreciated the courage of the people who did so. Most of the people wondered at the bravery of the lot who actually murdered the two. No one – that is a lay man, a harmless citizen, you and I - does that. Of course, we want vengeance right after we are looted at a gun point but how many of the commoners do that? Then, try beating down anyone in front of the police. Men in uniform will jump in to stop you unless they already know you as someone backed by someone more authoritative then the police itself. Let’s face it. Street crimes are the reason why people would want to react. Those who do, die as a result. Hardly, a few survive.
Apart from all this, courage of torturing a robber, would you imagine yourself beating a robber to death? Or may be set him on fire? I know, if I get a chance, I might want to beat the hell out of a dacoit but I know I can torture someone to a limit. No matter how big the robbery is, a common man, who has no political or let’s say ‘ghunda’ support can do that. A person is used to doing or at least watching such tortures.
As far as the public watching the men being beaten down are concerned. Please consider these first and then blame them.
1. As I mentioned above, we all have urge to revenge the criminals. So, when a group of enraged people with batons and powerful blows in the protection of policemen are beating someone, will you try to stop what you see? Most of us would not because even if you try to jump in, the policemen will stop you. Then, honestly speaking when a group so brutal, is itself quite capable of keeping you away.
2. Why a mob of spectators? Usually, when you know that you can not talk to the infuriated party, you normally stop and wait for it to get over with everything. No one expects that the guilty will die at the spot! People stay, in normal conditions, to take the wounded either to the police or to the hospital.
Before putting the blame on to common people, we should also consider the things we see on our televisions. Fine, there is a video of the whole incident. A man of heart must have recorded the whole thing. But is it suitable to play it again and again every day? People get immune, they get used to such things. Children get used to these things. They think it is very normal, brutal and a bad thing but very normal in the streets. First time I watched it over the television, I could not bear it for more than a couple of seconds. Then, every time it played, I kept watching it more, bit by bit and it took me three days to watch the complete footage. While a seven year old watched the whole thing, the very first time it played. Yeah, go ahead; blame her next time when something such happens and she is standing amongst the crowd.
A common man can not fight another common man when one has a weapon and police and the other has neither. He will and can retaliate but only when it is real personal!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Pakistan Army's relief work and Political dominance
It is shocking to see how the world can manipulate anything and everything in Pakistan. After the floods that brought not only million tons of merciless waters but with it homelessness, hunger, death and disease, we see foreign media worried about Pakistan Army doing the relief work. Soon after the floods began to catch international attention, BBC released an article entitled “Criticism of Zardari in Pakistan hides a political game”. The article talked about how the President of Pakistan – who he was shopping luxurious residence outside in Europe and not with his people when they needed material and emotional support – is being criticized by Pakistani media. The article tried to argue that the country’s Army took the opportunity and played well by immediately starting the relief work. The readers were supposed to indulge their thoughts into a controversy theory. An article published in Time Magazine entitled “In deep waters” having a highlight that floods are the moment some hard-line Islamists were waiting for, could not help but talked about media’s portrayal of President Zardari, the civilian government in general and the Pakistan Army in the almost half of the write up. It quoted Farzana Shaikh saying that when the civilian governments fail, people tend to “fall back, sit around themselves…” and rely on the armed forces. Also, friends of Pakistan Army in the media helped by showing that the army has risen to the challenge. Later, the author quotes Talat Masood, retired Lieut. General commenting that “(army’s enhanced standing) will mean that it will occupy more political space and strengthen its dominance over political institutions.”
As for the Pakistani civilians falling back and waiting for the Army is concerned, FYI there were groups of civilians who rushed to the flood hit areas within a couple of weeks with the goods they could collect. Obviously, the lack of dry land in those areas and inflation in the country did not allow as much people to reach and help as we saw in 2005 earthquakes. I wonder who else media would show when there is Pakistani Army at large doing the relief work. Friends in media or not, ask the citizens that managed to go the flood hit zones, they found the army doing the major work. The credibility of the government is so, that most of the NGOs and private groups collecting donations for the victims went straight to the army relief camps instead of those held by the government in order to make sure that the stuff and money goes to the deserving. Why are people talking about political gains in midst of a tragedy? Instead of appreciating those who are helping, how could someone think of it as a friendship between an institution and media of the country? Oh yeah, it may be that Army (like some mad scientist) had planed this rescue during the (unexpected) natural disaster (as apart of a preplanned scheme) knowingly that there will be minor help from the government side (to rule the world?). It seems that even if Pakistani Army comes to the rescue, it will not get credit for saving the day but actually be seen as waiting for cashing in the opportunity with a well thought over scheme.
Beyond the Mountains
The country governed by Taliban and then torn by a decade of war was nothing but mountains vs. men. Communication was a big issue but only a few years back. Afghanistan is now emerging as a huge telecommunications market, as the people have started to realize the importance of technology. It was not long ago that even the Afghan Taliban - when ruled - used to travel all the way to Pakistan, just to express their thoughts, plans and strategies to the world. Obviously, that had to happen after they destroyed all the sources of telecommunication in the country.
According to recent figures, over 80 percent of the total population now holds a subscription to one or more landline and/or cell phone connections. In 2006 around 300,000 people had subscribed with the internet providers, which then was a huge number of users. But within just four years, the numbers have bulged to a 1,000,000 users.
These ballooning figures do not only illustrate the number of users but the massive and promising telecommunication market Afghanistan is turning out to be. Current telecommunication service providers for landlines and cell phones in the country are Etisalat Afghanistan, Areeba, MTN Group of Companies, Wasel Telecom, Afghan Wireless Communication Company (AWCC) and Telecom Development Company Afghanistan Ltd. under the name Roshan.
Apart from the internet and the cell phones, there are about 25 television channels currently running in Afghanistan. Most of them operate directly from the country itself while some like AATV, ATN, Noor TV and Payam-e-Afghanistan TV operate from countries like U.S.A., Germany and UAE. There is less competition in the Radio industry as there are only five FM stations, 21 AM stations, and one shortwave station which broadcast in Pashto, Dari, and English languages.
In the telecommunication scene, phones and internet sectors are the bigger players as compared to the television and radio industries. The telephone and internet market is swelling up with time as a number of international firms have jumped in to exploit the developing market. The future of this sector will not only bring opportunities to the country fellows but also tighten up the competition providing the dwellers of one of the poorest countries in the world, with a whole lot more facilities.
Exploring the phone and internet market is a good idea but for the foreign investments to land in the country, sectors like data processing, basic business-processing operations information and communication technology (ICT), data transfer, process control and the call-centers can be huge opportunities. The country has not even started looking into these sectors seriously. And the first one in each of these sectors will take the biggest slice out of this pie.
Besides these issues, Afghanistan has a lot of promises for present and future entrepreneurs. The telecom business is not only bringing in the positive element into the lives of Afghan people socially but with the expansion of communication, may it be on phone or online, many businesses will avail this convenience. The economically stable country looks forward to achieve new heights in telecommunication industry and will prove beneficial for investors around the world as well.
NOTE: This article was published in South Asia Magazine
August edition.
According to recent figures, over 80 percent of the total population now holds a subscription to one or more landline and/or cell phone connections. In 2006 around 300,000 people had subscribed with the internet providers, which then was a huge number of users. But within just four years, the numbers have bulged to a 1,000,000 users.
These ballooning figures do not only illustrate the number of users but the massive and promising telecommunication market Afghanistan is turning out to be. Current telecommunication service providers for landlines and cell phones in the country are Etisalat Afghanistan, Areeba, MTN Group of Companies, Wasel Telecom, Afghan Wireless Communication Company (AWCC) and Telecom Development Company Afghanistan Ltd. under the name Roshan.
Apart from the internet and the cell phones, there are about 25 television channels currently running in Afghanistan. Most of them operate directly from the country itself while some like AATV, ATN, Noor TV and Payam-e-Afghanistan TV operate from countries like U.S.A., Germany and UAE. There is less competition in the Radio industry as there are only five FM stations, 21 AM stations, and one shortwave station which broadcast in Pashto, Dari, and English languages.
In the telecommunication scene, phones and internet sectors are the bigger players as compared to the television and radio industries. The telephone and internet market is swelling up with time as a number of international firms have jumped in to exploit the developing market. The future of this sector will not only bring opportunities to the country fellows but also tighten up the competition providing the dwellers of one of the poorest countries in the world, with a whole lot more facilities.
Exploring the phone and internet market is a good idea but for the foreign investments to land in the country, sectors like data processing, basic business-processing operations information and communication technology (ICT), data transfer, process control and the call-centers can be huge opportunities. The country has not even started looking into these sectors seriously. And the first one in each of these sectors will take the biggest slice out of this pie.
Besides these issues, Afghanistan has a lot of promises for present and future entrepreneurs. The telecom business is not only bringing in the positive element into the lives of Afghan people socially but with the expansion of communication, may it be on phone or online, many businesses will avail this convenience. The economically stable country looks forward to achieve new heights in telecommunication industry and will prove beneficial for investors around the world as well.
NOTE: This article was published in South Asia Magazine
August edition.
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