Pain in your wrist running down the length of your arm? Sometimes its just a cramp, but if it is prolonged, its likely you have developed carpal tunnel.
"Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand, becomes pressed
or squeezed at the wrist. The median nerve controls sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers (although
not the little finger), as well as impulses to some small muscles in the hand that allow the fingers and thumb to
move. The carpal tunnel - a narrow, rigid passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand - houses the
median nerve and tendons. Sometimes, thickening from irritated tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel and
causes the median nerve to be compressed. The result may be pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and wrist,
radiating up the arm. Although painful sensations may indicate other conditions, carpal tunnel syndrome is the most
common and widely known of the entrapment neuropathies in which the body's peripheral nerves are compressed
or traumatized."(http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/carpal_tunnel/detail_carpal_tunnel.htm)
How to avoid Carpal Tunnel:-
Set up your work space with adjustable screens, keyboards and work surfaces to eliminate extra strain to the wrists and hands. Place your keyboard so that you arms are parallel to the floor; Use a keyboard wrist pad;
Remember good posture is important, and for heaven's sake, get some fresh air and exercise: take a break every so often, and stretch.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Intelligence with wings
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/329722/
Alex, and African grey parrot, was the subject of a thirty year experiment by animal psychologist Irene Pepperberg.
it was widely believed in the scientific community that a large primate brain was needed to handle complex problems related to language and understanding and that birds were not intelligent and could only use words by mimicking. However, Alex's accomplishments indicated that birds may be able to reason on a basic level and use words creatively. Alex had reached the emotional level of a 2 year old human at the time of his death, according to Pepperberg.
Alex's use of words, distractions like the water bowl, and indication of wanting to leave, but showing patience, all make one wonder whether there is a limit to evolutionary possibilities.
My own experience with pets, has shown me that if not in terms of intellect, animals at least have quite high levels of emotional intelligence. Try hiding the fact that you are sad from your pet cat, or not apologizing to your dog after shouting at them; their comprehension of emotion is evident.
Alex, and African grey parrot, was the subject of a thirty year experiment by animal psychologist Irene Pepperberg.
it was widely believed in the scientific community that a large primate brain was needed to handle complex problems related to language and understanding and that birds were not intelligent and could only use words by mimicking. However, Alex's accomplishments indicated that birds may be able to reason on a basic level and use words creatively. Alex had reached the emotional level of a 2 year old human at the time of his death, according to Pepperberg.
Alex's use of words, distractions like the water bowl, and indication of wanting to leave, but showing patience, all make one wonder whether there is a limit to evolutionary possibilities.
My own experience with pets, has shown me that if not in terms of intellect, animals at least have quite high levels of emotional intelligence. Try hiding the fact that you are sad from your pet cat, or not apologizing to your dog after shouting at them; their comprehension of emotion is evident.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Warped Suspension by Rachel Viccaji
And the beat goes on,
evading obstacles..
or maybe I just don't notice them scraping the bottom, tearing out slowly all that makes me work.
The seismic movement of plates in my brain - catastrophe - but I'm not moving.
I am the same.
Could anything have changed?
Could I really be something else tomorrow? Something I don't recognize?
I haven't changed the parts, only used them differently,
Could anything have changed?
On goes the beat, the beat goes on..same words, s-a-m-e. s-e-a-m. a-m-e-s.s
Then why does it feel like I crossed wires, changed the purpose.
Advancement isn't the right excuse..
Could everything have changed?
Goes the beat on?
evading obstacles..
or maybe I just don't notice them scraping the bottom, tearing out slowly all that makes me work.
The seismic movement of plates in my brain - catastrophe - but I'm not moving.
I am the same.
Could anything have changed?
Could I really be something else tomorrow? Something I don't recognize?
I haven't changed the parts, only used them differently,
Could anything have changed?
On goes the beat, the beat goes on..same words, s-a-m-e. s-e-a-m. a-m-e-s.s
Then why does it feel like I crossed wires, changed the purpose.
Advancement isn't the right excuse..
Could everything have changed?
Goes the beat on?
Guilty until proven innocent
“An announcement was made from the loudspeakers of the village mosque about my ‘conviction’. And all villagers were invited to a local state-run school to watch the flogging,” Saira recalled the incident.
“It was unbelievable. I rushed to the punishment spot to convince them of my innocence. But they refused to hear me. They flogged me 15 times, right in front of a crowd of villagers,” she said, breaking down in tears.
As if it was not humiliation enough, the next day they took her to another place in the village and whipped her again.
“I wanted to drop dead. I wanted to end my life. Because I couldn’t face local villagers,” she said of the trauma she suffered after the incident.
(Extract from Express tribune article)
A woman was wrongly accused by vengeful relatives of her in-laws of having an extra-marital affair with a man within her in-laws. Taliban vigilante announced her "conviction" from a mosque and invited villagers to come and watch the flogging. Many women face similar plights.
Saira, who is expectant now, says she is waiting for help from human rights organisations to start her life afresh.
If this is now how justice works, how can anyone rely on the law? The way these women have been stripped of their basic rights is alarming; what is more alarming, is that in our day and age, these crimes are still allowed to happen. Something has to be done; states should be secular, and should protect their citizens from religious extremism and pure pigheadedness and thirst for blood.
The 5 Brothers by Rachel Viccaji.
These bleeding tears of autumn leaves bead on cheek bones, a mind filled with memory.
Warmth and chill in aching harmony wash over each other, waves in low tide.
The pictures fill up every corner, but not for long before they are dragged back, exposing the dampened grains of sand, the evidence of being drenched, longing and fear; waiting for the water to engulf them once more.
The familiar, fading smells, the over powering warmth of the hugs as the child runs to her, to be lifted and protected and pampered. The child has to be the first to get there, it is tradition.
The thread is broken, and the child now clings, digs her nails in, the trace must not fade, the tracks must not disappear.
So the salt water is welcomed, welcomed to trace the tracks, entrench the memories, anchor them.
The cycle continues, but to lose that one grain of sand; that tragedy, the unbearable anguish!
Frantic attempts the mind makes to find it! Frenzied, hands flail in search of one grain; as the salt burns the lungs, the mind’s body curls up into a foetal, throbbing mass; until it can stretch out again, pinned against its will by acceptance.
Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance. The words circle around, crash into a solid brick wall, and fall to the ground, one by one; Acceptance lingers; burning at the edges, it floats to the ground, damaged blackened, withered, but emancipated. It now carries around the memory of its brothers, but walks alone.
A poem based on the 5 stages of grief.
Warmth and chill in aching harmony wash over each other, waves in low tide.
The pictures fill up every corner, but not for long before they are dragged back, exposing the dampened grains of sand, the evidence of being drenched, longing and fear; waiting for the water to engulf them once more.
The familiar, fading smells, the over powering warmth of the hugs as the child runs to her, to be lifted and protected and pampered. The child has to be the first to get there, it is tradition.
The thread is broken, and the child now clings, digs her nails in, the trace must not fade, the tracks must not disappear.
So the salt water is welcomed, welcomed to trace the tracks, entrench the memories, anchor them.
The cycle continues, but to lose that one grain of sand; that tragedy, the unbearable anguish!
Frantic attempts the mind makes to find it! Frenzied, hands flail in search of one grain; as the salt burns the lungs, the mind’s body curls up into a foetal, throbbing mass; until it can stretch out again, pinned against its will by acceptance.
Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance. The words circle around, crash into a solid brick wall, and fall to the ground, one by one; Acceptance lingers; burning at the edges, it floats to the ground, damaged blackened, withered, but emancipated. It now carries around the memory of its brothers, but walks alone.
A poem based on the 5 stages of grief.
Car air-conditioning contributes to causes of cancer
According to a research, the dashboard, sofa and air freshener emit Benzene, a cancer-causing toxin. In addition to causing cancer, Benzene poisons your bones, causes anemia and reduces white blood cells.
Prolonged exposure will cause Leukemia, increasing the risk of cancer, and even miscarriage!
Prolonged exposure will cause Leukemia, increasing the risk of cancer, and even miscarriage!
So next time your in your car, open the windows, and wait a few minutes before turning on your AC. Benzene is a toxin that affects your kidney and liver. What's worse, it is extremely difficult for your body to expel this toxic stuff. A car parked indoors with windows closed will contain 400-800 mg of Benzene. If parked outdoors under the sun at a temperature above 60 degrees F, the Benzene level goes up to 2000-4000 mg, 40 times the acceptable level.
Considering the price of petrol and other fuels these days, conservation is an up-side. Get some fresh air and reduce the risk of cancer.
The importance of Psychology.
Psychology is a field that has only now begun opening up in our society. Why is it that mental health is not seen as a priority? Especially in a place like Pakistan, where there is political instability and many other factors that influence the amount of stress we face as citizens.
Even though most of us have begun abandoning the idea that going to a psychologist means your crazy, there is still a taboo placed on it. Most parents are embarrassed to send their kids for therapy; and the results are disastrous. Everyday you hear about normal college students committing suicide; students who have had a history of stability, lose themselves sometimes, and feel that they have no one to turn to. There is also a difference between talking to family and friends, and seeing a professional. One can take care of themselves, and manage things like the flu and general ailments, but sometimes you need to go to a doctor, because you or your parents do not have the expertise to deal with something, or figure out causes of illnesses; it is the same with psychology; sometimes you just need professional diagnosis; sometimes even 2 to 3 sessions can help you significantly faster and more effectively.
In my opinion, counselling is extremely important, especially for college and high school students; the stress they under go, the changes they deal with, and the transitions they must make put a lot on their plate; The Lyceum School has academic counselors and well as 2 or 3 psychologists, who serve as general counselors for all the students; this is one of the reasons I feel it is such a good institution; it shows actual consideration for students. Health insurance should start covering psychological counseling as well; if one can receive insurance for heart surgery, they should have some security for their mental state as well.
Even though most of us have begun abandoning the idea that going to a psychologist means your crazy, there is still a taboo placed on it. Most parents are embarrassed to send their kids for therapy; and the results are disastrous. Everyday you hear about normal college students committing suicide; students who have had a history of stability, lose themselves sometimes, and feel that they have no one to turn to. There is also a difference between talking to family and friends, and seeing a professional. One can take care of themselves, and manage things like the flu and general ailments, but sometimes you need to go to a doctor, because you or your parents do not have the expertise to deal with something, or figure out causes of illnesses; it is the same with psychology; sometimes you just need professional diagnosis; sometimes even 2 to 3 sessions can help you significantly faster and more effectively.
In my opinion, counselling is extremely important, especially for college and high school students; the stress they under go, the changes they deal with, and the transitions they must make put a lot on their plate; The Lyceum School has academic counselors and well as 2 or 3 psychologists, who serve as general counselors for all the students; this is one of the reasons I feel it is such a good institution; it shows actual consideration for students. Health insurance should start covering psychological counseling as well; if one can receive insurance for heart surgery, they should have some security for their mental state as well.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Privacy: a basic human right?
How much privacy does one really have? Take the example of media; they constantly harass celebrities and important figures about their personal lives for plain entertainment. Some argue that celebrities give up their right to privacy in order to become famous, so they shouldn't complain about invasion of personal space. However, twisting facts and adding juice to stories are common acts of disgrace for the journalism industry.
Another concerning breach of privacy are security cameras. Although, it may be difficult to see them as harmful spying devices when they're installed for one's own protection, the question lingers: who is watching us? For example, recently, cables were installed in the Navy Housing Scheme, Karachi for security cameras. Are security cameras in housing compounds really necessary? Are they really going to be watching the houses and/or windows at all times in case of burglaries?
Social theorist and philosopher Jeremy Bentham's design of the panopticon tower --a type of prison building--in 1785 reflects the paranoia that comes with security cameras. He designed it so that all prisoners could be observed without their knowledge. This created fear and anxiety of being watched at all times. It also resulted in internalised surveilance: changes in behavior due to the paranoia of one's every move being observed. Bentham described it as "a new mode of obtaining power of mind over mind."
Another concerning breach of privacy are security cameras. Although, it may be difficult to see them as harmful spying devices when they're installed for one's own protection, the question lingers: who is watching us? For example, recently, cables were installed in the Navy Housing Scheme, Karachi for security cameras. Are security cameras in housing compounds really necessary? Are they really going to be watching the houses and/or windows at all times in case of burglaries?
Social theorist and philosopher Jeremy Bentham's design of the panopticon tower --a type of prison building--in 1785 reflects the paranoia that comes with security cameras. He designed it so that all prisoners could be observed without their knowledge. This created fear and anxiety of being watched at all times. It also resulted in internalised surveilance: changes in behavior due to the paranoia of one's every move being observed. Bentham described it as "a new mode of obtaining power of mind over mind."
Why prostitution should be legalized.
After reading about the tragic fate of many prostitutes
and the ineffectiveness of law and police in preventing
crime associated with the profession, one can only wonder
whether the only answer is legalization.
People say that professions like prostitution should
be discouraged, not worked around; they also say
that underage sex should be discouraged, yet the
U.S and several other developed countries hand out
contraceptives in schools and enforce sex education;
why? Because underage sex is inevitable, no matter
what the percentage, but by helping to encourage
protected and safe sex, the possible associated
negative effects , such as unwanted pregnancies and
sexually transmitted diseases can be minimized.
So why should prostitution be legalized? Simply to help
minimize the negative effects associated with it, such
as the rape of prostitutes, forced prostitution and child
prostitution. When a victim feels like the law accommodates
them, they are more likely to report.
and the ineffectiveness of law and police in preventing
crime associated with the profession, one can only wonder
whether the only answer is legalization.
People say that professions like prostitution should
be discouraged, not worked around; they also say
that underage sex should be discouraged, yet the
U.S and several other developed countries hand out
contraceptives in schools and enforce sex education;
why? Because underage sex is inevitable, no matter
what the percentage, but by helping to encourage
protected and safe sex, the possible associated
negative effects , such as unwanted pregnancies and
sexually transmitted diseases can be minimized.
So why should prostitution be legalized? Simply to help
minimize the negative effects associated with it, such
as the rape of prostitutes, forced prostitution and child
prostitution. When a victim feels like the law accommodates
them, they are more likely to report.
THE ROLE OF RELIGION IN CONFLICT
Faith has always been one of the strongest forces throughout history. Man’s need to hold onto realities and meaning outside of his world has always existed. It is in human nature, to find meaning; since not everything seems to have meaning or be fair, there must be some alternate reality (e.g. God’s judgment or reincarnation) which settles scores, or makes life worth living. Whether or not this ‘reality’ exists, hope and faith are enough to move mountains.
It is true that certain beliefs have done tremendous amounts of good for people’s psychological well-being, and have brought many people together. Why is it that an institution, created to maintain peace, unity, tolerance and morality has in many instances, done exactly the opposite? Religion seems to have caused further divide, created more grounds for prejudice and discrimination and fueled irrational judgment. Is it simply because man can turn anything into a tool to gain advantage over other men? From the beginning of time, man has always been competitive. “In the long term we can hope that religion will change the nature of man and reduce conflict. But history is not encouraging in this respect. The bloodiest wars in history have been religious wars.” Richard M. Nixon quotes (American 37th US President (1969-74), 1913-1994)
It seems that religion has proved to be the ultimate weapon and alibi. It is difficult to tell, which conflicts linked to religion were based on genuine belief in something, or just used religion to gather support.
People view different Religious wars differently. What some people call ‘terrorism’, others may call ‘jihad’. While Israelis consider Palestine rightfully theirs, others might say it is just opportunistic behavior.
Why is Critical Thinking needed in Pakistan, or why should it be important?
You are stuck in a traffic jam, in the blistering heat on a road in Karachi. The smoky air and a cacophony of thoughtless honking are all that fill your mind, leaving only room for swear words that scream and fight to be released into the next car. You decide to walk out and see what the source of the jam is, and find that all this torture and wasted time, is owed to a bottle neck 20 cars ahead of you. Because of two people’s initial stupidity, all of this has taken place. Driver X and driver Y were both in a hurry, and because neither would give way, they formed two impossible lanes, which produced an even more miraculous third lane; thus, the 30 or so cars behind it, inching out painfully.
The most frustrating part of it is, how simply all of it could be prevented; if driver X or Y had had the sense to allow the other to pass, allowing themselves to drive on, all of it would be spared, 2 hours of approximately 30 peoples time, would be saved.
In the case of drivers X and Y, their instinctive reactions were defensive, selfish, short-term, and non-cooperative. If they had thought critically, they would have seen past their immediate reaction, and logically discerned that allowing the other to pass through, would save a lot of hassle, and make their lives easier. They would have stepped back from their own thoughts, been rational and spared themselves and all those affected a lot of trouble.
Does this kind of situation not sound so familiar? Be it a traffic jam, a queue, the flooding of the underpass a few years ago due to lack of a drainage system, our badly made roads, lack of democracy, corruption, poverty or even flood relief efforts. Irrational thinking it seems, puts a damper on a lot of things, and can even be fatal. There was a newspaper article about two women who got trampled to death during a race to get to free 5 kg flour handouts. If someone had thought about the possibility of something like this earlier, by thinking critically, the fatalities could have been avoided.
From the blood splattered creation of our country, to the way our government and people have handled things, it is clear, that citizens of Pakistan need to implement critical thinking; the number of problems that could be avoided is astounding. It is idealistic, and much much much easier said than done, but necessary nonetheless.
ROLE OF WOMEN IN PAKISTANI MEDIA TODAY
We are flooded daily, with information about what’s hot and what’s not, what’s the trend these days, the latest fashions, the new cosmetics, the new malls, housing schemes opening in new towns, new locations, update on tourism all by advertising. The reason why media has greatly grown its influence and has become a major source of awareness and information amongst the general public is because of it advertising. Media is all about advertising. Whether it’s selling a pair of shoes or the best shampoo to selling an Aston Martin Vanquish or a Porsche GT2 media will advertise it. How? With women in their ads, media uses women to sell products, although more men are seen to dominate the Brand Ambassador’s post than women, yet these men in the advertisements show up with many conventionally attractive women.
So what is the media’s portrayal of women today? Women are portrayed with high sexuality, displaying half naked bodies openly exposed on magazine covers to sell cosmetics or a fragrance. Women have always been measured against the cultural ideals of beauty but nowadays media uses sexism to make ideal beauty. The over exposure of women around the world in advertizing is definitely a question of concern, but the matter is left untouched mostly.
This stereotypical image of women that the media portrays is wrong. Women should be given respect in society and not be used for marketing purposes in this respect; the whole idea behind selling a product revolves around a woman. Unless a woman is there a product can’t boost up its sales, this has become a norm for every growing firm. There is no question on the advertisement agencies that make business marketing strategies to increase their sales, but the way they project women as sexual saleable commodities is definitely a matter of concern and needs to be addressed.
There is an urgent need for the access and increase the participation of women in the decision making positions so that they attain the balance in gender role making. Stereotyping needs to be eradicated from the society, the more stereotyped a society becomes the more it tangles it’s self into unavoidable problems and is more inclined towards inequality and gender bias.
LAWYERS
One of the most highly paid professions is law. Lawyers can be of two types advocate and advisers. In advocate law the lawyers take up a case, stand up and speak for their clients in the court, where as for legal advisors the lawyers advise and counsel their clients regarding legal rights and obligations. The career path is very broad to choose from. You can specialize in criminal law where you face opposition and you are the defendant in your case or civil law where you only deal with divorce cases and public relations with no involvement of criminal misconduct. You also have the option to practice the corporate law where multinationals and large corporations hire professionals to advise them on their rights and obligations in business transactions.
Lawyers earn different amount in respect to the kind of law being practiced (criminal, civil, corporate, private practice or firms), the location of the city, and types of clients served and also from previous gained experience. These factors do come into play when deciding your pay, but the growth is within the line of practice, experience and knowledge as you put in more effort and gain these, the quicker your earnings increase.
According to a survey on an average a current practicing lawyer in the States earns about $62,000 - $122,000 a year. So we can say that with great increasing scope of lawyers it has become an established fact now that if you choose this as your future profession there will only be success ahead of you. Yet, it is only very few lawyers who are really successful in Pakistan.
DENTISTS
Just like we have specialists like a cardiologists taking care of the heart, and nephrologists taking care of the kidneys, similarly we have dentists taking care of our teeth. Our teeth are important to us just like any other vital organ in our body, but sadly they are taken for granted until a big problem sprouts.
A question put forward by many is how come even though physicians who take care of the whole body, have a longer year degree and work more hours, dentists are able to earn as much and sometimes even more than doctors while they only have to deal with teeth. Well it was long before when the trend was that medical schools were said to be more prestigious than dental schools. Nowadays dentists earn equally and enjoy life with the same level of respect, and a good pay. In America
For further specialization just like any other profession you need to give 2-3 years again and then you can double the pay you make as just a general dentist. Income in this profession is big! A general dentist in New York
Euthanasia
Euthanasia also known and mercy killing, is a painless way of terminating one’s own life. It is when a patient is suffering from severe illness or an incurable disease which involves going through a painful process of treatment yet the end result being eventual death, the patient asks for physician’s assistance for a permanent relief i.e. in simpler words asking the doctor to kill you. Some are in support of Euthanasia saying it’s a right of every individual to decide whether they want to live or not, to allow them to die with dignity and self respect, to not be a burden on their spouse and family, to be able to live for as long as they can live healthy and choose death for themselves when they cannot. Whereas some strongly oppose it and say that Euthanasia is disrespect to human life, and a challenge to God. Nobody has the right to choose when to terminate their own life; it is a gift of God, it should be accepted and cherished with even the very little you have.
At the end of the day, the ultimate owner of your life, is you, by law; Banning euthanasia, could lead to suicides, dangerous attempts at amateur euthanasia, and a lot of emotional trauma for those involved. Each case should be considered, and there should be rules regarding when it is permissible.
The Burqa Goes French
The Constitution of Pakistan grants its citizens the basic human right of choice. A woman can walk on the streets of Anarkali wearing a miniskirt; the legality of the situation however, makes it no less of a cultural shock. The dress code followed in Pakistan dates back to the culture of the Muslim travelers who settled in the subcontinent thousands of years ago; their attire distinguishing them from the Hindus and the people of India Pakistan
The law is also said to ‘protect’ and ‘uphold’ women’s rights, since women, as soon as the bill takes effect, will not be able to dress in any way that coves their faces. “Burqas are contrary to the ideals we have of women’s dignity,” stated the French Prime Minister Nicolas Sarkozy. The niqab or the burqa, although simply an article of clothing, goes against the French culture, threatening it by its seemingly extreme nature. A niqab will generate attention; a miniskirt will not. (Ironically, it is the other way around here)
Two young girls, in a move full of French flair, walked the streets of Paris
Banning the niqab, then can hardly be seen as a move towards achieving a secular state. There are 4300 religions in the world. Turkey France
Student faces expulsion due to marriage (an old article)
.JUNE 7: The Peshawar High Court has decided to discuss the matter of Ghairat Khan’s expulsion from Peshawar Model School
(Boys-III) on June 9, 2010. The expulsion had been influenced by Ghairat Khan’s, a seventh grader, marriage to a 16 year old girl.
The Child Marriage Restraint Act of Pakistan restricts the marriage of minors; the legal age for marriage 18 for boys, and 16 for girls. Ghairat Khan, a seventh-grader, supposedly of 13 years of age, was rusticated from the school because “according to school rules, a married student cannot study in our school because it affects other children when they share their stories,” Beatrice Jamil, the principal of PMS, told the AFP.
No law in Pakistan however, permits the expulsion of a student due to a marriage, as confirmed in a statement issued by Peshawar's Education Minister, Fazli Ali Haqqani. “Under Islamic law, minors can marry with the consent of their parents,” said Khan’s lawyer, Isa Khan, as reported by CNN.
Under the petition filed by Ghairat Khan, he explains that he is 18 years of age, not 13, as registered in his school record. In Peshawar, it is not uncommon for students to start schooling late, or being held back several grades due to poor school records.
Ghairat Khan, who married his 16 year old cousin, is contesting the school's decision on the grounds that his marriage was completely consensual and legitimate. The issue arose when Beatrice Jamil expressed concern over the negative impact the marriage of a classmate would have on the children; playground topics of discussion now bound to lean on relatively mature subjects.
“The court’s decision will set an important precedent, since this is by no means an isolated case, and could affect many other students in similar positions” says Issam Ahmed, a correspondent with the Christian Science Monitor. “It’s also interesting from a legal point of view. Will they rule in favour of universal education for all or not? And if he is a minor, can he be held accountable for breaking the law, or should his marriage simply be ruled null and void?”
“I want to go to this school,” said Ghairat Khan, when asked by CNN about the petition. Besides asserting that the marriage
violated neither the Child Marriage Restraint Act, nor the Islamic Shariah Law, he cited family troubles to be the reason behind the marriage. The wedding took place after the boy’s father’s death, when the family, facing hard times, needed another member to help Ghairat Khan’s ailing mother with the household.
The principal and director of Peshawar Model School have been summoned to court on June 9th, 2010. When asked by the Times
of India on June 7, 2010, the board stated their decision to readmit Gheirat Khan if the school lost the case.
"We will implement court's decision," said Sardar Hussain Babak, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Education Minister, on a News 24 broadcast.
Jamil's concerns are valid, but there is no way to stop external factors influencing students. Even if there were no married students, is it not reductionist to assume that this is the only way they might be exposed to mature topics?
(Boys-III) on June 9, 2010. The expulsion had been influenced by Ghairat Khan’s, a seventh grader, marriage to a 16 year old girl.
The Child Marriage Restraint Act of Pakistan restricts the marriage of minors; the legal age for marriage 18 for boys, and 16 for girls. Ghairat Khan, a seventh-grader, supposedly of 13 years of age, was rusticated from the school because “according to school rules, a married student cannot study in our school because it affects other children when they share their stories,” Beatrice Jamil, the principal of PMS, told the AFP.
No law in Pakistan however, permits the expulsion of a student due to a marriage, as confirmed in a statement issued by Peshawar's Education Minister, Fazli Ali Haqqani. “Under Islamic law, minors can marry with the consent of their parents,” said Khan’s lawyer, Isa Khan, as reported by CNN.
Under the petition filed by Ghairat Khan, he explains that he is 18 years of age, not 13, as registered in his school record. In Peshawar, it is not uncommon for students to start schooling late, or being held back several grades due to poor school records.
Ghairat Khan, who married his 16 year old cousin, is contesting the school's decision on the grounds that his marriage was completely consensual and legitimate. The issue arose when Beatrice Jamil expressed concern over the negative impact the marriage of a classmate would have on the children; playground topics of discussion now bound to lean on relatively mature subjects.
“The court’s decision will set an important precedent, since this is by no means an isolated case, and could affect many other students in similar positions” says Issam Ahmed, a correspondent with the Christian Science Monitor. “It’s also interesting from a legal point of view. Will they rule in favour of universal education for all or not? And if he is a minor, can he be held accountable for breaking the law, or should his marriage simply be ruled null and void?”
“I want to go to this school,” said Ghairat Khan, when asked by CNN about the petition. Besides asserting that the marriage
violated neither the Child Marriage Restraint Act, nor the Islamic Shariah Law, he cited family troubles to be the reason behind the marriage. The wedding took place after the boy’s father’s death, when the family, facing hard times, needed another member to help Ghairat Khan’s ailing mother with the household.
The principal and director of Peshawar Model School have been summoned to court on June 9th, 2010. When asked by the Times
of India on June 7, 2010, the board stated their decision to readmit Gheirat Khan if the school lost the case.
"We will implement court's decision," said Sardar Hussain Babak, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Education Minister, on a News 24 broadcast.
Jamil's concerns are valid, but there is no way to stop external factors influencing students. Even if there were no married students, is it not reductionist to assume that this is the only way they might be exposed to mature topics?
Friday, November 12, 2010
Soul Food
What comes to mind when you think of the term "Soul Food"? For me, it is what awakens the soul's sense of touch. Art; Expression through different forms of art. When I speak of art, I am including natural beauty.
One form of expression that has really made its mark, is music, the language everyone understands. Literature, fine art, music and theater; food for my soul. "Art is something only those with a comfortable lifestyle can appreciate," is a common argument. "What does the hungry man care about music?" Is that not a reductionist argument? Physical needs and spiritual needs are completely different. Does the poor or hungry man not pray; why then can he not enjoy beauty of this kind?
The Pakistan People's Party understood this need, and the power of art; they made songs representing their party, which were catchy, motivational, and easily available; a very smart move in my opinion. Is there even one person who hasn't heard a PPP song?
The sad truth, is that art has become commercial; it is not that the poor man cannot appreciate art, it is that art has now become a luxury that only the upper middle class or above can afford. So when you see a man playing music on Abdullah Shah Gazi, applaud him, reward him; it is people like that who keep the soul of artistic expression alive.
One form of expression that has really made its mark, is music, the language everyone understands. Literature, fine art, music and theater; food for my soul. "Art is something only those with a comfortable lifestyle can appreciate," is a common argument. "What does the hungry man care about music?" Is that not a reductionist argument? Physical needs and spiritual needs are completely different. Does the poor or hungry man not pray; why then can he not enjoy beauty of this kind?
The Pakistan People's Party understood this need, and the power of art; they made songs representing their party, which were catchy, motivational, and easily available; a very smart move in my opinion. Is there even one person who hasn't heard a PPP song?
The sad truth, is that art has become commercial; it is not that the poor man cannot appreciate art, it is that art has now become a luxury that only the upper middle class or above can afford. So when you see a man playing music on Abdullah Shah Gazi, applaud him, reward him; it is people like that who keep the soul of artistic expression alive.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
If that's the case, why is tissue paper on display?
It seems as though my posts are beginning to display a negative trend, but negativity can't be helped. It is not to say that there can't be optimism, but more often than not, a human being is likely to want to write about whats wrong with the universe.
I was at a general store the other day, with my mother, picking up stores for the month. As I drifted off on my own, to investigate the array of purchasable items, I picked up chocolate, shampoo, conditioner, and refrained from picking up things I didn't need. Eventually, I came to another section of the store, and realized I needed sanitary napkins, which I picked up, and put in my basket; as I was walking away, a red-faced store employee walked towards me with a brown paper bag. "Please put that in this bag, Baaji;" was his plea. I proceeded to the counter with my sanitary napkins hidden in the brown paper bag, like forbidden objects.
I found myself wondering why sanitary napkins were being treated like alcohol. Its not like a woman's natural inclination to menstruate every 'X' number of days is a gargantuan secret, or against the law, or looked down upon. Yes, it may be a trivial matter, but the need to suppress, hide, deny or avoid anything that is remotely related to a sexual organ, even something as inevitable as this, seems to be just a symptom, of a general frame of mind. A frame of mind that does not believe in giving pap smears to unmarried girls, and would rather risk ovarian cancer going unnoticed.
I was at a general store the other day, with my mother, picking up stores for the month. As I drifted off on my own, to investigate the array of purchasable items, I picked up chocolate, shampoo, conditioner, and refrained from picking up things I didn't need. Eventually, I came to another section of the store, and realized I needed sanitary napkins, which I picked up, and put in my basket; as I was walking away, a red-faced store employee walked towards me with a brown paper bag. "Please put that in this bag, Baaji;" was his plea. I proceeded to the counter with my sanitary napkins hidden in the brown paper bag, like forbidden objects.
I found myself wondering why sanitary napkins were being treated like alcohol. Its not like a woman's natural inclination to menstruate every 'X' number of days is a gargantuan secret, or against the law, or looked down upon. Yes, it may be a trivial matter, but the need to suppress, hide, deny or avoid anything that is remotely related to a sexual organ, even something as inevitable as this, seems to be just a symptom, of a general frame of mind. A frame of mind that does not believe in giving pap smears to unmarried girls, and would rather risk ovarian cancer going unnoticed.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Now that's intelligence and forward thinking.
19th September 2010.
Karachi-
"Lets go eat and Jan's Broast!" was the stroke of genius on my friends part. Boat Basin is usually easy enough to navigate, even with the rush; we drove towards Jan's broast, salivating at the thought of the crispy chicken and white sauce; all was going well, until one van driver, decided to come the wrong way, and block about 5 other cars; of course, others followed in his enlightened footsteps, and voila, a traffic jam.
Now what really gets my goat about traffic jams, is that people seem to pass this invisible line, where they are stripped of any form of intelligence they may have had, and decide that they will just inch forward into any available space, making the jam tighter and more impossible. The initial culprit, the van driver, refused to reverse out. Would you believe that our car was the only one which backed into a parking spot on the side, and my friends were the only people trying to clear out the jam?
To make matters even more peachy, the sound of a police siren began to make its way towards us; "oh they've come to act important I thought." I was wrong; they were only trying to make way through the traffic jam, so they could get to the other side. I mentally kicked their siren in, threw them out of the car, and bashed it into a wall. Our wonderful policemen were not trying to help, they just wanted to blast their siren at the jam, hoping it would move just for them. They only added to the problem.
The rage I felt kept building; I could see it so clearly, it was so obvious. What was it exactly that separated me from the man who refused to think ahead; why did he not see, that if he practiced a little patience, if all of them were just patient for a few seconds, none of this would have happened, and even if it had, it would have been cleared up much faster. Was it education? Was it the way I was raised? What was it that allowed me to see something that 20 other people couldn't, and why could it not be spread to the masses. I refuse to believe that it is that difficult for our government to educate our police force about this common sense and consideration; Ah, but there lies the problem; the Government. Our government and administration lacks this ability to see what I saw that day.
I find it hard to comprehend; either the Government officials lack common sense, or they want the country to remain chaotic, to distract the people from what the Government is doing. It is enraging either way; isn't there something that can be done?
Karachi-
"Lets go eat and Jan's Broast!" was the stroke of genius on my friends part. Boat Basin is usually easy enough to navigate, even with the rush; we drove towards Jan's broast, salivating at the thought of the crispy chicken and white sauce; all was going well, until one van driver, decided to come the wrong way, and block about 5 other cars; of course, others followed in his enlightened footsteps, and voila, a traffic jam.
Now what really gets my goat about traffic jams, is that people seem to pass this invisible line, where they are stripped of any form of intelligence they may have had, and decide that they will just inch forward into any available space, making the jam tighter and more impossible. The initial culprit, the van driver, refused to reverse out. Would you believe that our car was the only one which backed into a parking spot on the side, and my friends were the only people trying to clear out the jam?
To make matters even more peachy, the sound of a police siren began to make its way towards us; "oh they've come to act important I thought." I was wrong; they were only trying to make way through the traffic jam, so they could get to the other side. I mentally kicked their siren in, threw them out of the car, and bashed it into a wall. Our wonderful policemen were not trying to help, they just wanted to blast their siren at the jam, hoping it would move just for them. They only added to the problem.
The rage I felt kept building; I could see it so clearly, it was so obvious. What was it exactly that separated me from the man who refused to think ahead; why did he not see, that if he practiced a little patience, if all of them were just patient for a few seconds, none of this would have happened, and even if it had, it would have been cleared up much faster. Was it education? Was it the way I was raised? What was it that allowed me to see something that 20 other people couldn't, and why could it not be spread to the masses. I refuse to believe that it is that difficult for our government to educate our police force about this common sense and consideration; Ah, but there lies the problem; the Government. Our government and administration lacks this ability to see what I saw that day.
I find it hard to comprehend; either the Government officials lack common sense, or they want the country to remain chaotic, to distract the people from what the Government is doing. It is enraging either way; isn't there something that can be done?
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