A diya, divaa, deepam, or deepak is a lamp made usually of clay, with wick made of cotton and dipped in ghee or vegetable oils. Clay diyas are temporary and are used for special occasions, while diyas made of brass are permanent fixtures in homes and temples. Diyas are native to India, and are often used in Hindu, Sikh, and Jain religious festivals such as Diwali. A similar lamp called a butter lamp is similarly used in Tibetan Buddhist offerings.
This light has much deep meanings and is of strong significance in the Ismaili sect of the religion of Islam. According to Surah Noor (24), Verse 35 of Quran: "Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth; the likeness of His light is as a niche in which is a lamp, the lamp is in a glass, (and) the glass is as it were a brightly shining star, lit from a blessed olive-tree, neither eastern nor western, the oil whereof almost gives light though fire touch it not-- light upon light-- Allah guides to His light whom He pleases, and Allah sets forth parables for men, and Allah is Cognizant of all things."
A light which is being represented for the "Nur" of God should be used as it is. Changing its form and using torches and other forms of light might cause a sense of disrespect towards it. We should be very much careful about it!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
Technology in the last decade
Ray Kurzweil, a recognized innovator and futurist, stated that at the current rate of progress, the entire 21st century would be equivalent to 20,000 years of progress in the 20th century! According to Sydney J. Harris, journalist and author: "The real danger is not that computers will begin to think like men, but men will begin to think like computers".
Travelling down memory lane and wondering over how our lives have been changed by technology in the past 10 years, one couldn't help getting the feeling that somehow that decade has been more about information technology changing our lives, far more than we had anticipated.
By July 2009, the number of mobile phone users in Pakistan grew to 95 million subscribers from less than 2 million in 2002. More interesting, however, is that over 58% of the poverty-hit populace owned a mobile phone.
Access to basic technology is no longer a status symbol. The focus has shifted from earning the opportunity to own and use technology, to the prerogative to choose among technology products. Previously, having a computer and a nice and stable internet connection was not a priority. Now it's a necessity.
We continue to perform the same tasks, facilitated by technology; and though now we have updated versions of technologies from our past, they will soon become obsolete - this time, in less than 10 years!
Travelling down memory lane and wondering over how our lives have been changed by technology in the past 10 years, one couldn't help getting the feeling that somehow that decade has been more about information technology changing our lives, far more than we had anticipated.
By July 2009, the number of mobile phone users in Pakistan grew to 95 million subscribers from less than 2 million in 2002. More interesting, however, is that over 58% of the poverty-hit populace owned a mobile phone.
Access to basic technology is no longer a status symbol. The focus has shifted from earning the opportunity to own and use technology, to the prerogative to choose among technology products. Previously, having a computer and a nice and stable internet connection was not a priority. Now it's a necessity.
We continue to perform the same tasks, facilitated by technology; and though now we have updated versions of technologies from our past, they will soon become obsolete - this time, in less than 10 years!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Terrorists failed!
On December 28, 2009, at around 4:15 pm, a blast was heard at M. A. Jinnah Road in Karachi. The central procession of the event of Ashura was moving from there to Denso Hall when a 16 kg bomb exploded whose voice was heard till far. There was a situation of wailing and crying and emergency was imposed in all hospitals. The shocking news is that the procession of Imam Hussain (A.S.) didn't stop!
Order was given to continue the celebration. A Shia scout died when he suspected the suicide bomber and held unto him until the bomb exploded. Up till now, 43 dead bodies have been reported and counting.
The valour of these followers of Imam Ali (A.S.) clearly indicated the defeat of terrorists who are constantly engaged in destroying the peaceful nation of Pakistan!
Order was given to continue the celebration. A Shia scout died when he suspected the suicide bomber and held unto him until the bomb exploded. Up till now, 43 dead bodies have been reported and counting.
The valour of these followers of Imam Ali (A.S.) clearly indicated the defeat of terrorists who are constantly engaged in destroying the peaceful nation of Pakistan!
Friday, December 18, 2009
NRO - The Black Law!
The black demon is gone and the all masters have been summoned again; or is it something else?
National Reconciliation Order (NRO) has been termed null and void from the constitution of Pakistan by a panel of seventeen judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and all the cases against its beneficiaries have been revived. The decision was a unanimous one. Today, arrest warrant for 42 ministers have been issued. The nation is happy by the decision calling it a very daring verdict of the Supreme Court. The reason of joy is the corrupt leaders of the country who were once forgiven by this curse of NRO have once again been summoned in the courts. Maybe there is another perception to this decision. Going against of NRO can also mean providing a way for all these corrupts to get banished from the country and enjoy their loot.
A grave question arises regarding the present circumstances of the nation: For how long will this moment of happiness last?
National Reconciliation Order (NRO) has been termed null and void from the constitution of Pakistan by a panel of seventeen judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and all the cases against its beneficiaries have been revived. The decision was a unanimous one. Today, arrest warrant for 42 ministers have been issued. The nation is happy by the decision calling it a very daring verdict of the Supreme Court. The reason of joy is the corrupt leaders of the country who were once forgiven by this curse of NRO have once again been summoned in the courts. Maybe there is another perception to this decision. Going against of NRO can also mean providing a way for all these corrupts to get banished from the country and enjoy their loot.
A grave question arises regarding the present circumstances of the nation: For how long will this moment of happiness last?
Saturday, November 7, 2009
TiEcon 2009
Held on 4 November 2009 and conducted by The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Karachi, TiEcon 2009 proved to be a huge success for present and future business people. The one-day conference-cum-workshop was intended to provide a networking platform along with discussions with all the business gurus on the success of their businesses. The participants included students and entrepreneurs. The speakers included were:
Jawwad Farid, CEO Alchemy
Sameera Raja, Owner, Canvas Gallery
Jehan Ara, President PASHA
Adil Moosajee, Owner, EGO
Saleem Shahzad Ali, CEO Student Biryani
and others.
The conference started with tales form the business tycoons of how they strived to lift up from their failures and pursue their dreams to become successful. It was followed by a Q/A session with the speakers. A debate was conducted between four speakers on "Conventional wisdom is becoming increasingly irrelevant" which proved to be a very learning experience. The performance by Taal Karisma stole the show. The band is the first body percussion band of Pakistan and they proved it by performing live producing sound by hitting their bodies rhythmically. The techniques of pitching ideas with Jehan Ara and Jawwad Farid were outstanding.
Overall, the conference was a very fruitful and learning approach to discuss and network for established and aspiring entrepreneurs. In the end, the participants received gifts from sponsors (that was the best part)!
Monday, November 2, 2009
NRO - black law of the country?
What is happening in this country? What has happened to this nation? MQM President Mr. Altaf Hussain is suggesting to the President of the country to resign and face the courts!!!???
The mistakes of former President are making the present of this country suffer. It was a drastic step to forgive all the law suits against big political culprits but now the problem has risen up again. The demon named National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) is back and God knows better what's going to happen now.
The mistakes of former President are making the present of this country suffer. It was a drastic step to forgive all the law suits against big political culprits but now the problem has risen up again. The demon named National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) is back and God knows better what's going to happen now.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Fusion of Sufi classical music with Kenyan music
The synergy of two radically different cultures came forward on aturday evening at an annual fundraiser at the Aga Khan University (AKU). The musical fusion between Kenya and Pakistan was an electrifying event. 
The artists involved were Nizar Lalani and Mohammad Ali of Pakistan and Kenyan band of Njane Mugambi, along with fabulous performances of Nighat Chaudhry, a classical Kathak dancer, and Fernando Anuang’a, a Maasai dancer.
At the start of the programme, artistes Nighat Chaudhry and Fernando separately showed their skills and later indulged in a ‘Jugalbandi’ which enthralled the audience. Fernando also performed the famous ‘Masayi’ dance which included a lot of jumping; it was a way to seduce women, he said.
Mugambi, a Kenyan musician, came to Pakistan with his band and brought the message of love from the coast of Kenya. He and his colleagues arrived in the city to attend a special concert, “A Journey in Sound,” which was arranged by the Aga Khan University. The concert was a cultural event of two continents, Africa and Asia, in which Kenya and Pakistan participated. The artists from both countries presented their culture and traditions through dances and music, demonstrating an openness to explore other forms of expressions and illustrating that art in all its forms can evolve to become a universal language.
Talking to the press, Mugambi said: "The coast of Kenya is a hub of Sufi music like Sindh. I know Sindh is the land of Sufis and Sufi music, and so is the coast of Kenya. But I believe the ragas and melodies of Sufi music in Sindh are more gripping, whereas in the coast of Kenya, poetry is more potent."
Nizar Lalani said: "Music is entertainment. And in the USA, music is the second biggest entity for generating income. Then why cannot the case be the same in Pakistan? We must think about it."
The artists involved were Nizar Lalani and Mohammad Ali of Pakistan and Kenyan band of Njane Mugambi, along with fabulous performances of Nighat Chaudhry, a classical Kathak dancer, and Fernando Anuang’a, a Maasai dancer.At the start of the programme, artistes Nighat Chaudhry and Fernando separately showed their skills and later indulged in a ‘Jugalbandi’ which enthralled the audience. Fernando also performed the famous ‘Masayi’ dance which included a lot of jumping; it was a way to seduce women, he said.
Mugambi, a Kenyan musician, came to Pakistan with his band and brought the message of love from the coast of Kenya. He and his colleagues arrived in the city to attend a special concert, “A Journey in Sound,” which was arranged by the Aga Khan University. The concert was a cultural event of two continents, Africa and Asia, in which Kenya and Pakistan participated. The artists from both countries presented their culture and traditions through dances and music, demonstrating an openness to explore other forms of expressions and illustrating that art in all its forms can evolve to become a universal language.
Talking to the press, Mugambi said: "The coast of Kenya is a hub of Sufi music like Sindh. I know Sindh is the land of Sufis and Sufi music, and so is the coast of Kenya. But I believe the ragas and melodies of Sufi music in Sindh are more gripping, whereas in the coast of Kenya, poetry is more potent."
Nizar Lalani said: "Music is entertainment. And in the USA, music is the second biggest entity for generating income. Then why cannot the case be the same in Pakistan? We must think about it."
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