Loud Thinking

Archive for July, 2013

Pakistan with illiteracy

Education Emergency

An excellent letter by Mr. Imran Takkar, Peshawar, Published by the daily “Daily Times” on 16 July 13.

Sir: The fundamental role of education in contributing to the cognitive, emotional and intellectual development of a child cannot be overstated. Hence, the right to education has time and again been recognised an an essential right of all human beings. Furthermore, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UNESCO Convection against Discrimination in Education 1960, the International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 1966 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 have all instituted the basic right of all individuals to get meaningful education. Pakistan, in addition to being a signatory to these conventions, has also endorsed the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Education for All (EFA) goals. If we speak of education as being the right of an individual, our constitution regards it as a “fundamental right” but, unfortunately, in Pakistan, even after more than 60 years we lag far behind what could have been achieved. If we make the MDGs (of which Pakistan is a signatory) a benchmark to assess our education system, we may find startling figures. For instance, MDG goal number two says, “Ensure that by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling” but Pakistan still has one of the highest illiteracy rates in the world and the second largest out of school population, The number of out of school children is more than that of India, Ethiopia and even Nigeria. In the percentile literacy rate Pakistan even lags behind countries like Bangladesh and Nigeria.

The recently published annual report by the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) shows that almost 25 million children and adolescents are out of school in Pakistan, out of which seven million (aged between three to five years) have yet to receive primary schooling. The poor state of education in the country is evident from Pakistan’s position on the Education Development Index where Pakistan is ranked at 113 out of 120 countries. With the current rate of progress, Pakistan will fail to reach the education related MDGs by 2015. The SPARC annual report further said that almost 12 million school going children are out of the school net, while last year, in April, UNICEF reported that around 7.3 million primary school going children were not going to school. It is estimated that girl children account for 4.21 million of the total.

So far, nothing has been done to reform the education system, despite the 18th Amendment, which made the provinces responsible for education up till higher secondary levels and made education free and compulsory for each child from ages five to sixteen. It has become evident that only making changes in the constitution and laws can never bring educational reforms. It needs real political will and practical intentions, i.e. investment in primary education needs to be increased substantially to attain prospective progress towards set targets and goals outlined in the MDGs and EFA initiatives. In this context, the importance of investing in primary education has been magnified in the aftermath of the 18th Amendment whereby access to primary education has been declared a fundamental right under Article 25 A of the constitution. Keeping in view the best interests of the child and a prosperous Pakistan, the current government should take effective administrative, financial and policy initiatives to upgrade and redesign the education structure according to the needs and requirements of the nation and the country. In fact, it has become a dire need to call an education emergency in the country; we need mass mobilisation of the general public as education is the basic step towards the country’s overall development.

My two questions to Pak Foreign Office Spokesperson?

@PakSpokesperson when Pak govt will ask India to apologise over fake involvement of Pak on Mumbai & Parliament attack?

Any chance of taking taking up the most grave issue to UNSC which almost triggered a nuclear war? Or do u still think we were involved?

My two questions to Mr. M M Singh PM India?

@PMOIndia why Indian Govt is mum? Will u apologise to Pak? Indian Govt behind Parliament attack, Mumbai attack of 26. http://t.co/IjXShi9pe3

Building Pak Economy – Solid Suggestions

By Rizwan Ghani

Published by the daily “Pakistan Observer” 16 July, 2013

Government needs to take following steps after PM’s China visit to build Pakistan’s economy under its economic diplomacy.

Tax laws should be passed. Gwadar cannot become another Hong Kong with tax free zone. Investment of Chinese firms in US increased to $9.3bn in 2012 (cumulative $22.8 bn) from $1.77bn in 2007 due to advanced technology, management , and ease of business. Chinese investments are on the rise in US due to low costs of utilities, land use, green policies, US SelectUSA FDI initiative and Chinese government’s encouragement to domestic companies to invest abroad including US (More Chinese firms investing in US, July 9, China Daily). Islamabad needs to announce clear tax rates, anti-corruption policy and supporting infrastructure including courts and policing to investors to generate revenue from Gwadar instead funding private business and individual profits at the cost of public welfare and tax money.

Effective and accountable LG is must for strong economy. In Need for Neutral Monetary Policy (July 13, China Daily), it has been highlighted that local governments and poor banking practices have built China’s debt. The most significant medium- and long-term threat to China’s fiscal position lies in the system of implicit guarantees that the central government has established forlocal government (LG) debt ($1.7 tn) by 2011. It forced LG to sell their lands and central government to increase financial assistance by 78%, deal with shadow banking, resultant inflation and unemployment. Chinese government is using combination of steps to make LG viable and accountable such as cutting bank lending, transparency and zero tolerance for corruption. Pakistan needs to address these issues ahead of LG elections for sustainable economic growth, generation of jobs and revenue at grassroots.

Privatization has failed to build economies. China’s 64 State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) are inFortune 500. Central government’s 118 SOEs accounted for 43% of China’s GDP in 2012. There are 1,45,000 SOEs under local governments in China. The value of SOEs in China is 190bn yuan (Debate heats up on role of govt. giants, July 8, China Daily). Privatizations of SOEs in former USSR resulted in monopolies and 56 % increase in poverty. It also failed in Eastern Europe. British government spent £9bn to upgrade tracks and cut £3bn annual rail-access by half (£1,5bn) to attract £200 mn investment in British rail, but still it failed to reduce ticket prices. (Don’t be fooled …Virgin trains, June 24, the Guardian). Harbin province of China employs 7, 17,000 employees in 1800 SOEs and it earned 3.4bn yuan profit in 2012. SOEs are part of Beijing’s strategic planningincluding public welfare. Pakistan needs to reform SOEs instead of privatizing them to improve its economy, create and sustain jobs and save taxpayers for funding profits of privatized SOEs.

Pakistan needs to align its economic policies with new global development model. West’s trade liberalisation and financial deregulation systems have failed to deliver. China’s has used infrastructure and industrial policies under regulated trade and financial markets to transform its economy in last 30 years, and brought more than 600 million people out of poverty. Western policies, on the other hand have led to financial crises, slower growth, growing poverty, poor healthcare and education. Central Bank of China is lending more than World Bank for its policies without imposing conditions like liberalisation and fiscal austerity. If Chinese banks manage to incorporate environmental and social safeguards in their overseas operations it can boost global development (China’s dev banks…July 10, the Guardian).

Global poverty alleviation models can help revive Pakistan’s economy. China relocated 250 million people in last ten years under its poverty alleviation scheme. America used Homestead Law in 13 states under which state land was allotted to families as long as they continued to till it. There is a need to relocate 40-50 million people in KPK, Baluchistan, and Deserts of Sindh & Punjab to fight poverty, unemployment, and ensure food security through cultivation of unused land, value addition of agriculture, dairy, meat, poultry, fish, adopting renewable energy and vertical farming. Ethiopia expects to earn $2bn annually from sesame seed export to China by 2015 (Ethiopia’s sesame seed trade with China-a partnership of equals? July 10, the Guardian). It will help to end anti-state activities, improve security and become prosperous economy (Impact of changing demographics, July 10, China Daily).

SMEs, MSEs and alternate energy are the new future. Small and medium enterprises and micro and small enterprises are drivers of economy, generators of jobs and reducing poverty. Government can expand agriculture, manufacturing and services sector ten folds in next three years by ending indirect tax, imposing 7% stat tax on all earning and giving loans on 5% (EU, US interest rates). Government can realize this policy by generating 10GW power from alternate energy due to 10-15% annual decrease in its per unit cost. There are 13.7 million registered and 40.6 million self-employed companies in China in 2012. More than 99 percent of them were SMEs and MSEs. They contributed to more than 60 % of the annual GDP and 80 % of the jobs in cities (Thinking small begins to yield results, July 7, China Daily). SMEs part of China’s regional cooperation with 19 countries. Similarly, SMEs are the drivers of US and European economies. Pakistan needs to use country’s banking sector, universities, and local governments to use them in economic growth, job creation and social progress.

Determination is firmness of purpose.

“People of mediocre ability sometimes achieve outstanding success because they don’t know when to quit. Most men succeed because they are determined to.”

George Allen (1918-1990);
American football coach

I NEVER KNEW THIS!

What IS The Main Ingredient of WD-40?
Before you read to the end, does anybody know what the main ingredient of WD-40?
No Cheating…..

WD-40 ~ Who knew!

I had a neighbor who bought a new pickup.
I got up very early one Sunday morning and saw that someone had spray painted red all around the sides of this beige truck (for some unknown reason).
I went over, woke him up, and told him the bad news.
He was very upset and was trying to figure out what to do….
probably nothing until Monday morning, since nothing was open.
Another neighbor came out and told him to get his WD-40 and clean it off.
It removed the unwanted paint beautifully and did not harm his paint job that was on the truck. I was impressed!

WD-40 who knew?
“Water Displacement #40”.
The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts.
WD-40 was created in 1953, by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company.
Its name comes from the project that was to find a ‘Water Displacement’ Compound.
They were finally successful for a formulation, with their fortieth attempt, thus WD-40.
The ‘Convair Company’ bought it in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts.
Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you.
When you read the ‘shower door’ part, try it.
It’s the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door.
If yours is plastic, it works just as well as on glass.
It’s a miracle!
Then try it on your stove-top.
It’s now shinier than it’s ever been.
You’ll be amazed.

WD-40 Uses:
1. Protects silver from tarnishing.
2. Removes road tar and grime from cars.
3. Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.
4. Gives floor that ‘just-waxed’ sheen without making them slippery.
5. Keeps the flies off of Cows, Horses, and other Farm Critters, as well. (Ya gotta love this one!!!)
6. Restores and cleans chalkboards.
7. Removes lipstick stains.
8. Loosens stubborn zippers.
9. Untangles jewelry chains.
10. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.
11. Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.
12. Keeps ceramic / terracotta garden pots from oxidizing.
13. Removes tomato stains from clothing.
14. Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.
15. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
16. Keeps scissors working smoothly.
17. Lubricates noisy door hinges on both home and vehicles doors.
18. It removes that nasty tar and scuff marks from the kitchen flooring.
It doesn’t seem to harm the finish and you won’t have to scrub nearly as hard to get them off.
Just remember to open some windows if you have a lot of marks.
19. Remove those nasty Bug guts that will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly!
20. Gives a children’s playground gym slide a shine for a super fast slide.
21. Lubricates gearshift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers…
22. Rids kids rocking chair and swings of squeaky noises.
23. Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open.
24. Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close.
25. Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers.
26. Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.
27. Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.
28. Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling.
29. Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly.
30. Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.
31. Removes grease splatters from stove-tops.
32. Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.
33. Lubricates prosthetic limbs.
34. Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).
35. Removes all traces of duct tape.
36. Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain.
37. Florida’s favorite use is: ‘cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers.’
38. The favorite use in the state of New York, it protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.
39. WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a little on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time. Also, it’s a lot cheaper than the chemical attractants that are made for just that purpose.
Keep in mind though, using some chemical laced baits or lures for fishing are not allowed in some states.
40. Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch.
41. It is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray it on the marks and wipe with a clean rag.
42. Also, if you’ve discovered that your teenage daughter has washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and rewash. Presto! The lipstick is gone!
43. If you spray it inside a wet distributor cap, it will displace the moisture, allowing the engine to start.

P.S.
As for that Basic, Main Ingredient…….
Well…. it’s FISH OIL….

Shahid Afridi’s ODI Records Courtesy ESPNCRICINFO

Shahid Afridi has now become the only player in ODI history to score 7000 or more runs and take 350 wickets. Dwayne Bravo’s wicket was Afridi’s 350th, making him only the eighth bowler, and the third Pakistan bowler after Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, in ODIs to take these many. The only other player to take 300-plus wickets and score 7000-plus runs in ODIs is Sanath Jayasuriya.
Afridi has taken a five-wicket haul and hit fifty-plus runs in a match three times in his career. No other player has repeated this feat more than once. The last time this was done in ODIs was also by Afridi, against Sri Lanka, in 2011. This was the 16th instance of a player taking a five-wicket haul and scoring fifty or more runs in the same match.
Afridi’s bowling figures of 7 for 12 were the second-best in ODIs. The best figures in ODIs belong to Chaminda Vaas, who took 8 for 19 against Zimbabwe in 2001. Afridi’s bowling figures in this match are the best for a spinner in ODIs. These figures were also the best for a bowler bowling third change or later in an innings. In terms of runs given, this was Afridi’s most economical spell in ODIs in which he has bowled five or more overs.
This was Afridi’s 30th Man-of-the-Match performance, which equals the number of such awards won by Brian Lara and Aravinda de Silva. Only six players have won more Man-of-the-Match awards, but among active ODI players, only Jacques Kallis, with 32, has won more such awards. Among Pakistan players, Afridi holds the record; Saeed Anwar is next with 28.
Afridi’s performances in matches in which he’s made a return to ODIs (after missing out on one or more series) have been excellent. In eight such matches he averages 46.85 with the bat from seven innings, including four half-centuries. His bowling outshines his batting in these matches: he has taken 23 wickets, including two five-fors, at an average of 10.30 and a strike rate of 15.3. His impact in these matches is reflected in the number of Man-of-the-Match awards he’s won in these eight games – four.
Afridi’s bowling average of 16.87 in the West Indies is the best by a visiting bowler to have bowled in at least ten innings. His strike rate of 24.5 is the third-best for a visiting bowler, with a minimum of ten innings in the West Indies.
This was only the eighth instance of West Indies getting bowled out for under 100 runs and only the second at home. The last time West Indies got dismissed for under 100 runs was in February 2011 against Australia at Perth.
Misbah-ul-Haq’s fifty in the match ranks fourth in the list of slowest fifty-plus scores by Pakistan’s batsmen. Javed Miandad’s unbeaten 63 from 167 balls against West Indies is the slowest fifty-plus score by a Pakistan batsman. Three of the four slowest fifty-plus scores by Pakistan batsmen have now come against West Indies.
This was Chris Gayle’s 250th ODI of his career. He hasn’t played all of his ODIs for West Indies though. Gayle has represented the ICC World XI in three ODIs. He is three ODIs away from becoming only the third West Indies player, after Brian Lara and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, to play 250 or more ODIs.
Jason Holder doubled his tally of ODI wickets in this match. Holder’s spell of 4 for 13 bettered his performance in his previous three ODIs.

Share the Burden of Your Project

If you’re in a role where you’re responsible for a project’s success—such as project manager or team lead—it’s tempting to bear the whole burden alone. Sure, you may share regular progress updates with teammates or hint at possible roadblocks, but you might prefer to keep the telling, nitty-gritty details (especially if they’re not pretty) to yourself. This is incredibly stressful and unnecessary. Try an open-book system: Every week, put key numbers for your project on a whiteboard to discuss at a regular team meeting. This will reveal difficulties lurking in the shadows, especially ones that could be easily addressed if people knew they existed. Consistently sharing results will involve others in solving these critical problems, as well as reduce your own stress.

Adapted by HBR from “Project Managers Should Share Their Stress” by Joe Knight, Roger Thomas, and Brad Angus.

Really am amazing quote:

“If your parents ever measured you as a child, they had you
stand against a wall, and made a little pencil mark on the
wall to show your growth. They did not measure you against
your brother, or the neighbor’s kids, or kids on TV. When you
measure your growth, make sure to only measure your today self by your past self. If you compare your relationships, your success, or your anything against anyone else, you are not being fair to you. Everyone has a different path, a different
pace, and different challenges to face along the way.”

— Doe Zantamata