Mian Usman's Photos... My hankypanky

Winds of change

7:58 pm on March 24th, 2008 is the precise moment when the flag of Pakistan was hoisted in front of the deposed chief justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. This simple ceremony of flag hoisting by the representatives of civil society and the judiciary symbolizes the aspirations and hopes of the entire nation; a quest for a change in the unjust social system. Critics may term this symbolization insignificant but I don’t.

In the history of nations, there are several events of national importance -- only few qualify to be termed as historic. I feel no reservation whatsoever in terming this moment to be a historic for the entire Pakistani nation. Silent protests and slogans are often raised on different issues, yet it happens so rare, in our part of the world, that the majority of people stand up for some cause; correspondingly the issues on which, even, the so called ‘silent majority’ gives verdict are few and far between. All these virtues make this struggle, for the restoration of a power legal system, a landmark struggle in our history. Let’s see what this movement has brought to the people of Pakistan: a revived spirit, a renewed vision and a refreshed hope for a better future!

In the wake of this wave, the outcome of the general elections -- although not much un-expected yet remarkably significant -- has declared this newfound enthusiasm in an unparallel manner. The efforts put up by the judges, lawyers, media men, the representatives of the civil society and most significantly, first time in our history with such fervor, by students of LUMS and Punjab University, all must be given due credit. It is the efforts of these men and women that the newly elected parliament can see it writ on wall that its peoples will to see a change in the social setup.

This nation has wasted nearly a decade and a half in deep slumber; blaming the ancestors for the country’s turmoil; waiting for some leader to steer the nation in the ‘right’ direction; sitting at homes doing nothing but to criticize the state of affairs. History bears witness that after 1977, the nation had fallen into a long, seemingly endless reverie. Sporadic upraises like the efforts of journalists, writers and poets in zia’s oppressive rule did take place, but not with the sufficient intensity to bring about a change. After these symbolic movements there was a period of dead silence! --- They say that nations do not die; they just fall into a slumber. A traumatic episode is required to stir their emotions and bring them back to life.

Fig1 :Protest at LUMS against emergency

This traumatic episode came in the form of General Musharraf’s rule. The emotions of people were crushed, their egos challenged and their tolerance checked, in the war against terror, yet they remained silent. The blow on the judicial system was indeed powerful enough to bring the nation back from the subconscious-ness. People have gathered behind one man, who admittedly might not have a flawless reputation, but one who stood for the integrity of justice, who’s determination and commitment for his cause did not waiver under pressure and most importantly, who did not bow before a dictator. I admit that the men we have stood for have several fanatics and opportunists in their ranks too yet it Is the need of the hour to stand up for the rights of common man – greatest of all, an access to an open door for justice.

This movement for the restoration and the independence of the judiciary brought the common man to the street to raise a voice for his civic rights. That is the greatest achievement in our current times. What we all need here to parallel this movement through our contributions. Whoever we are, whatever we do, we can contribute to this movement by performing our respective jobs with utmost honesty and integrity upholding the national interest in high esteem.

Fig:2 Chief Justice's Rally (http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200710/musharraf/4)

More than half of our population comprises of youth. It makes me feel proud that the students in particular did a wonderful job to uplift this movement, to protest in a peaceful manner against the usurpation of the basic human rights and the blatant violation of the constitution. We, the students, need to join hands: through every possible means, making best utilization of the tools available to us like the student unions (thanks to mr. prime minister) etc, to direct our energies and talents for a better and stronger Pakistan; to undo the wrongs of our ancestors, who unfortunately could not develop our homeland, to make Pakistan “one of the greatest nations of the world”.

Muhammad Uzair Sukhera

BIG MAN

Faujis are usually lucky men: they get all thats good - good salaries, good hostels, good salaries, good staafas, good salaries.

The BIG MAN is ONE lucky guy - the luckiest! I narrate to you a story not often spoken about nor has it been told before...

When once I got to his office late, he told me "kia hua? lab mein gappain lagaatay reh gaye?".... DEAD SILENCE... Now, I had but no choice: I ran towards him and kissed his feet. This man is blessed guys. He knows even though he isn't there. How could he know? How did he know? What else does he know? He once said "Mujhay pata chal jaata hai ke kon cheating karr raha hai?". Appreciate the ability of this man people. He has this gutt instinct that's never incorrect. People like these are rare but we - those at EME - are lucky that they are found everywhere.

ahem.... Back to our original story then..

When I got to know of the gift of this great man, I didn't go running out telling other people. I remained quiet. You see guys, these personalities shine out. News of this prodigious talent spread throughout the Campus. At the cafe, once on a route he called one of my colleagues - told him "jaib se card bahir nikalo". My friend was awe-struck. How could BIG MAN know where the card was? What are the chances that he would be accurate to such a degree? Travelling across the college, BIG MAN has won a lot of fans. These devout people have always been loyal to him.


After all the respect I had for him, I never went to his office for checking my paper. This time however, it was different I was brainwashed into believing that BIG MAN was human after all and can make mistakes.

"Mujhay pata hai ke tumm ne ghaltian kii hon gii... issi liye mein ne tumharay number pehle hii kaat diye aur jabb ghalti mili, to aur ziada numbers kaat diay"... such was his foreseight and justice. So, I was going back, amused as always. Suddenly, I heard him call me. "Aik keeray mein aur haathi mein zameen aasmaan ka farq hai" (wow, subhaan Allah). And I still remember these words as if they were thrown at me yesterday. Then he tells me that we are about to go for a walk... It was neither the Walk nor a Trot that BIG MAN preferred, and it was causing me alot of trouble. He would make fans instantaneously with his sleek predictions. By the time we got to pace, it was a terrific following that we had. Someone suggested that such talent has to be announced and made public.

TEA AT PACE: "Iss chai ka doodh" holding the cup higher than usual "Sahiwal se aata hai". Everyone was awe-struck - again!

MAGRIB: We decided to pray in the mosque with BIG MAN as our Imam. Humble and shy, he reluctantly agreed. Right after the Aqamah was recited, BIG MAN started running - fast and he jumped outside. Just as we were wondering, an earthquake hit and the Mosque fell down.

I haven't seen BIG MAN since he ran away at Magrib that day. But one thing is for sure: he was mighty good.



COMMENTS:
---------
1) You people are BIG's followers.
2) BIG men are teaching you. You are learning nothing.
3) At the ending, BIG MAN ran away because he didn't know what actually is done during prayer.
4) The Mosque falling down on us symbolizes our achievement: jo imaarat kharii hii khachii matii pe ho, ussay dhaanay mein ziada deir nahii lagtii..
5) BIG MAN running away means that once our future is ruined at the hands of poor teachers, they wont have anything to do with us again. They'd look for fresh prey. The BIG imam represents a poor teacher. The BIG administrator is a poor administrator. Magrib is when we are about to complete our day (try relating to finishing our degree education).

EMEcracy (Part 1: Manshoor)

The following series of articles is dedicated to Uzair for his great ideas and his strange belief that DE27 Electrical can be One!
The series consists of 4 parts: Manshoor, Tehriik and Kabiina (meri gintii kharaab nahii... aapki zindagi hii 4th part hai)...

................................................................................................................

It has been felt that the college is need of reform and what better reform than to bring about a democratic, Student-Elected Dictatorship?

Never have the present day autocrats been so unpopular and their ratings so low! Change is felt and required. Our Commandant most generously has agreed to hold Free and Fair elections. To qualify for candidacy you must;
1) Not be an NS or a PC;

This sole criterion for candidacy reveals the open-mindedness with which our Commandant wants to hold these Free and Fair elections. Unfortunately - it is just a coincidence - there is only one party that is eligible: Commandant's party (intekhaabi nishaan: dandaa). Note how much confidence our GC baradari has in its Commandant. But, as this is a democratic (no satire) college, the full (though redundant) protocol would be followed as it is a part of college Policy.

In a democratic process, every party has a constitution which is taken out and typed afresh before each election. Our Commandant's party has a constitution as well (ironically these are 14 points)...

Salient features of the Commandant's Constitution
1) No student shall disagree with the constitution.
2) Health facilities will be upgraded i.e. no complaints shall be entertained.
3) All students shall be provided with an updated curriculum. (updated faculty members? yeah - in your dreams!).
4) It has been felt that students need respite after a tough semester. In light of the problem, no respite will be provided!
5) Toilet passes shall be made mandatory... abb pata chalay ga kon ganda bacha hai...
6) Each student will have monogram on their undies as well.
7) No student shall graduate without getting fined (a lot of times).
8) Good teachers shall rarely be provided.
9) So that we could contemplate helping students in harmony, each student shall be treated as a threat.
10) Students will listen! Students found not listening will be fined.
11) More staff will be hired... the staffas will speak in English to torment you with their grammar as some invigilators have already been doing inside the 'exam hall'...
12) College timings will be changed... they'd be changed to what is unbearable for most students.
13) Policies can be born almost instantaneously.
14) Written apologies will be entertained... to be successful, you just need to suck up!!

27 electrical blogged!

Hi everyone!

Hope that everyone is having a nice time in holidays after the gruesome semester and the ‘brain consuming’ controller’s stuff!

So with this newly created blog, we are yet again experimenting, a new approach towards coordinated efforts and educated discussions about loads of stuff which we generally tend to ignore or suppress due to our hectic schedules. A possible outcome of this blog can be somewhat like the failed orkut community or else the desolate facebook group of ours: nevertheless this new experiment is worth a try.

Several methods for healthy interactive discussions on the written articles were discussed time and again by the class fellows but no solution was found viable. This blog can serve as an effective forum for those missing discussions too. Moreover, this time the scope must not be restricted to purely philosophical notes or else the conventional topics. A frank discussion on any topic that is pertinent to our lives would be more than welcome.

It is just a matter of an year or so that we all will be part of the important process of national development. All the issues related to our country are worth debating and discussing. So lets all join hands to make this blog a forum for healthy discussions and debates. Looking forward to your feedback!

Welcome All

If you are a student of 27 Electrical you are welcome to join.. Just send me (Taimoor Bhatti) an email!!