Disaster strikes again: Bhuja Air Plane crashes in Islamabad.

Disaster strikes again: Bhuja Air Plane crashes in Islamabad.

It has almost been  2 years that Air Blue's Air bus(A321) crashed due to adverse weather conditions, the significant cause listed for the disastrous crash killing all 152 people on board .A catastrophe that abandoned 100 of families and lead to the loss of loved ones.

Today, once again, we encountered the loss of numerous innocent lives, thwarted from reaching their destination by another plane crash. A paradoxical statement put forward again :' poor weather condition'.

 As reported by various news channels both National and International, the crash was sudden. There was contact with the pilot till around 6:20-ish pm .Some eye-witnesses have been reported to have seen a ball of fire growing larger as it eventually came down and crashed. Faulty engine, poor navigation, warning by civil aviation, life of our air craft fleet are numerous questions that came pounding after hearing such remorse news.

  The service life of a usual airplane is  not more than 20 years( as by this time the average number of planes cover the maximum  number of flying hours which are used to determine the life of a plane) and beyond that it can be  deleterious! It is nothing more than a piece of scrap and should be treated like that. Our national liner and other private airlines operating in Pakistan have fleet older than the normal span of operation and usage. So why are such planes still being run and part of the current fleet; a question usually sidelined by multiple stakeholders of the Aviation and the Public Entity PIA.

   One might wonder how this aircraft and many others get the permission to operate beyond the normal span of life and eventually we all end up blaming the pilot for the crash (as in the case of Bhuja Airline).For all those who might not know, Civil Aviation is the sole issuer of granting licenses to aircraft's for carrying out their normal routine flights.

   Working in/for the Civil Aviation is a very lucrative job. This again gives rise to a multitude of thoughts which might disparage the image of Civil Aviation owing to its current employees and putting a stake on its workings including the recent nomination of our Civil Aviation Authority Chief Finance Officer ,brother-in-law of and  another dear choice of our current President ,Asif Ali Zardari. Civil Aviation is an organization  currently  run by a mélange of high profile AirForce and other officials who find this job highly remunerative. This seriously challenges the state of affairs ,the manner in  with which the organization is being run and pummels such statements and questions such as that of the recent air crash.

    Viewing the current catastrophe from another dimension, we know that the control tower notifies the weather conditions and it lands upon the operating company and eventually the pilot to decide. It’s more about the company bound at carrying its scheduled operations despite the unfavourable predicaments. Even if the adverse weather condition part is only taken in consideration, the company decided to fly there plane despite the risky weather conditions.  

Sounds similar to our National Liner: PIA’s aging fleet  is still being operated with considerable hauls in regular flight timings, an over staffed organization and lack of maintenance.

Detention of PIA’s plane in France (last year), promises made by the officials on changing its fleet and restructuring this public entity are proof enough to discredit the fact how  Civil Aviation and this public entity has been working by not only putting at stake the lives of many but also causing inconvenience and considerable halts in passenger conveyance.

We cannot afford  risking more innocent lives. This is a matter of serious concern which has become paramount owing to the current crash. We can only hope that the future appointments are merit based and not based on referrals (like the one recently nominated by the President) ensuring transparency in the system. If the Civil Aviation ensures and grants licenses to organizations with upgraded fleet,many innocent lives like the ones lost today can be saved.

Skin dripping: essential for models?

I wrote this a long time back(in 2007) but consider it worth sharing.Happy reading :)

Lights flashing, hair clapping the rouge and stiletto's provoking the clatter on the catwalk. A

model makes an appearance with flimsy bangles playing carelessly on her hand; a chick' figure

with a flat abdomen, hallowed eyes and a sharply carved face stands amidst, silhouetted against a magnanimous crowd.

Some say the art of modeling is all about an ironed figure, bones sketched on the skin, sulky

eyes and yes chiffon slinging loosely on the body.

Is the art of modeling all about skin dripping?

The art of modeling is all about expressing trend lines and flaunting off labels on the ramp.

All this is achieved with the right mode of makeup, clothing and expressions which mesmerize

the crowd.

A pale, ailing wearing face hooked to a lean, fragile body casts nothing but a look masses

wait to see.

Surprised? Don't be! This remains a fact for as long as modeling was established. Models

work under extreme pressure and are barged by the industry to maintain their figures. As a result,the industry pays them millions of dollars/rupees because literally everybody considers them to be "the-most-beautiful-women!"

What we fail to understand is that most start suffering from Anorexia Nervosa, a disease

characterized by serious malnutrition and organ malfunction which in extreme cases leads to

death!

The greatest flaw resides in the industry and the masses themselves .What we fail to

understand is that the art of modeling does not frail away with a model looking "healthy"! What

matters is the way she carries herself and by this I mean makes an appropriate appearance on the ramp, goes slow, steady or fast in coordination with the beat and theme, indulges, purely devotes and castigates those expressions which will boast and beam the designers line!

In fact, a healthy looking model is capable of making a better appearance! The glowing visage

and the warmth of her looks are viable to make an instantaneously positive impact on the crowd.

Also better eating habits not only reduce the stress levels but also elevates the level of happiness.

Thus models are likely to perform there work better.

As said by a famous celebrity regarding models: a wall flower can do two things in the

spotlight, either wilt or bloom. Think about it!

Ingredients for a cup full of happiness

Ingredients for a cup full of happiness

About relationships, work, overcoming obstacles and feeling content at heart

Happiness is not always attained in complicated ways; it can be achieved by adding and savoring the simple ingredients of life. We all go through rough times, rough patches, have to face hardships and at times feel that the black clouds are only lined above us. Where do we go wrong in all of this? Is there a secret ingredient to leading a happy, joyous life or is it always marred by struggles and harsh consequences leading to bruised hope, no use of wisdom and dust-bin dispatched faith?

What we fail to realize is that sometimes we are not fighting hard enough. We might give up too easily on the situation. Yes, it is one thing to say and another to follow. The real question is: how many of us even try to follow? Its all about building the blocks which lead you to the final eternal abode of peace; Nirvana .Life isn't complicated, we make it so. Might sound cliché' but holds the essence of the very basic human instinct: there is no end to having enough.

It might start from a few shoes to multiple jimmy choos, decent bags to a designer haven wardrobe, and oh i-so-want-that-Swarovski watch or bracelet- on my list and it never really stops. We are faced with the 'looking-perfect' ordeal .There is this huge checklist of perfect things:

perfect grades

perfect car

perfect daughter/son -inlaw

perfect job

perfect everything(and one can definitely add to it)

What many of us fail to realize is that we substantially miss contentment and peace at heart. Multiple hearts hammer with constant thoughts of not having enough and subsequently there are a mélange of woes. People eventually flurry into a state of depression which is pretty much anticipated when such goals are placed in front of us.

There are multiple ways, many i tell you of reaching peace with yourself, both at mind and heart.

Relax, sit on a couch and take a deep breath. Think about this: how much time did i devote to myself today? I am sure you had multiple errands to run. Maybe university to attend, college applications to fill, social work to do, you might be tight on a deadline and there must be this never-ending list.

So what do we do with this never ending list. How do i satisfy myself with my ever-growing wants and a long to-do list?

It all starts with looking at the size of your pocket. How much can I spend? I am sure we all must have a million things lined up as our wants. Try saving some money at the end of every month and get what you can afford by the end of the month(s).

Savour what ever you have. Think about those who cannot even afford to have what you have. Look around yourself and you can easily picture how blessed you are. When you realize that you are better off than many around you ,you would start feeling content with your present share of things.

Be patient. No prayer is ever left unanswered .Be patient in your relationships, in your goals and what ever you desire to have. Good things happen to those who are steadfast, work hard for it and have faith in God. Faith keeps you content, helps you put the multiple things on your 'want-list' aside. These three key ingredients can maneuver you towards your end goal and keep you content.

Give time to your family. What we fail to understand is that we are partly not content because we hardly spend time with our family. Do not neglect your family .Remember work would always be there but do not juggle it with your personal life. Make time for your family..Give time to your wife/husband, kids and your grandparents. If you talk about making a difference, start by making a difference at home. How can you help others if you cannot help yourself with your relationships with your spouse, your kids, your parents or any other relative?

Stop running after money. Earn enough to run a decent household but don't have a myopic approach towards life. Lots of money would buy you good clothes but would never buy you contentment at heart. Contentment of heart is reached when you do something productive with your life. Start being stronger than your wants and if you start thinking that way ,you already are on the road towards success.

Smile .Smiling is contagious and a smile could make someone's day. Smile often as it radiates positiveness and helps you become an optimistic person.

So start by having that connection with God, have long term goals, set good use of your time and never neglect your family.

As far as workaholics are concerned take a breather and hear me out :)

Take some time out for yourself. It could be some minutes to half an hour or an hour. Live that time for yourself. Do what ever makes you happy. For a moment disconnect yourself from the world. Sounds easier than done, agreed but it is about making that effort. Try doing that every day. This should be your initial motto and you can build on it. You could take time off during an empty slot (probably when you do not have a class), during your office lunch break etc.

Meditate. Meditation is the key to disconnecting from the tangles of thoughts constantly jamming our head. It could be done thorough yoga or even praying!

Yes, establishing that connection with God would not only save you from having the guilty conscious of not praying(if you have one that is) plus you could talk to your hearts content, ask and be at peace. Even with your work piled up you still managed to build on that spiritual connection with your Lord. Establish prayers, as through prayers you connect with your Lord who does take care of the worldly affairs you left for Him(as you were praying).

Make a schedule that you can follow. An unrealistic schedule would lead you no where and in fact de-motivate you and you might end up undermining your potential.

Constantly remind your self of how far you have pulled off in life and your work at large. Sometimes we all need to be acknowledged for what we have accomplished so far. Remember a little pat on the back does no harm.

So start by having that connection with God, set long-term goals, make good use of your time and never neglect your family. These simple ingredients once stirred in your cup of life would make it more meaningful and satisfying. Have a great day and stay blessed. :)