Consuming Sugar is not a healthy choice

Sugar- Associated Disorders

Obesity, diabetes, depression, Heart disease, High Blood Pressure, Cancer (breast, colon or rectal cancer), Addiction, Allergies, Anxiety, Asthma, yeast infections, digestive problems, difficulty concentrating, colitis, ulcers, eating disorders, mood swings, edema, emotional problems, high triglyceride levels, hormonal dis- balances, insomnia, menstrual problems, vision problems, tooth, decay, weakened immunity, acne, eczema, psoriasis, mental illness, liver dysfunction and muscle pain.

Early Years of SANA

Khalid Hashmani

Early Years of SANA – A Tale of Achievements and some Disappointments

This article was written on the occasion of 25th anniversary of Sindhi Association of North America (SANA)

By: Khalid Hashmani, USA

About the author: Khalid Hashmani is a Washington DC-based veteran human rights activist. He is the founding President of Sindhi Association of North America (SANA) and Chief coordinator of Sindhi Excellence Team (SET) that participates in advocacy activities on behalf of rural Sindhis.

Desperation and Urge to Organize

It was early 1984, when the clouds of cruelty and discrimination in the form of General Zia’s regime overpowered Sindh and its people. The news of killing of scores innocent villagers demanding restoration of democracy and political rights had become unbearable for few Sindhis, who then lived in the vast continent of North America. Often they shared their pain and sorrows and mourned the inability of Sindhis back home to secure their rights.

LPP demands a separate Saraiki Province

Labour Party Pakistan (LPP) Lahore held a demonstration to demand a separate Saraiki province today on 30 June at Shimla Pehari Lahore. It demanded an end of exploitation of Saraiki Waseeb by the ruling class of Pakistan mainly led by Punjabi and Urdu speaking capitalists. LPP activists chanted slogans against the injustice carried out in Saraiki areas. It demanded an equal distribution of national resources among all the nationalities. LPP had already taken a decision to organize an independent Saraiki Waseeb LPP province chapter.

Sindh Muhinje Amma

Sindh is not getting it`s due share in spite of various water accords and agreements

The following is the latest’s article by Naseer Memon on the water shortage in Sindh. Here is a summary of article in English.

Written by: Naseer Memon, Hyderabad, Sindh

Translation by: Khalid Hashmani, McLean, Virginia, USA

Courtesy: Sindhi Daily Kawish, July 01, 2009

Article Summary

Sindh is receiving only 40% of its due share from the Indus river. On one hand Sindh is suffering immense loss in the agriculture sector and yet the act of filling Tarbela dam proceeds at the full speed. WAPDA, as the custodian of river waters is playing and arbitrarily decides which province gets how much share.

Denmark – Greenland: The Democratic Way to independence

The Greenland example

Courtesy: Boston.com, June 26, 2009

…A saner way to escape history’s nightmare could be glimpsed in Greenland’s peaceable accession to independence from Denmark, an event celebrated Sunday on the world’s largest island in a ceremony attended by the Danish queen. Greenlanders, 90 percent of whom are indigenous Inuits, voted overwhelmingly in a referendum last November to exercise self-rule and eventually to be independent. Denmark, which has ruled that Arctic land since 1721, accepted the will of the people graciously.

Where does development and military aid go? We know, but now we must do something about it!

Forwarded by: KHalid Hashmani (McLean, Virginia, USA)

Selig Harrison’s “Pakistan – The State of the Union” report

http://www.ciponline.org/asia/reports/pakistan _the_state_ of_the_union.pdf

is worth reading by the ruling elite and the military boys in Punjab. It show how many of the problems that the country faces can be linked to the usurping of funds from Baluchistan and Sindh for development of the military and Punjab in general.

Struggle for the Restoration of Indus River

New Water Paradigm: required seriousness and Support

by: Jamil Junejo-Hyderabad, Sindh

Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum held seminar on topic of “New Water Paradigm and Restoration of Indus River on 29th June on Almanzar,Jamshoro .It is one of the steps of the struggle announced by PFF in a program held in down stream to mark international River day in March 2009 .PFF, unlike the old demand of no new dam on Indus ,made by nationalist political parties , demands new water Paradigm: Decommissioning of existing dams in Pakistan.

Extraordinary Success Story of Overseas Sindhis

Celebrating 25 Years of SANA: Extraordinary Success Story of Overseas Sindhis

by: Aziz Narejo, TX, USA

The members of the Sindhi Association of North America (SANA), feel extremely proud today as they gather in St. Louis, MO to participate in the Silver Jubilee Convention marking an important milestone in the distinguished history of the organization. It is an occasion to celebrate 25 years of the organization’s continued service to the community and also an opportune moment to take stock of things, learn from experience and continue march into the future.

Islam the Religion of Peace

Islam is a total surrender and obedience to God, called Allah in Islam. Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was born in Makkah, in 570 A.D. Orphaned at a very young age, raised by his uncle, Hazrat Abu Talib, and was recognized early for his wisdom, generosity and honesty.  Muhammad (P.B.U.H) after time to time had went to the cave of Hira, near the “Mountain of Light” near Makkah. He was forty years old when, the Angel Gabriel appeared to him and delivered the first of what would become twenty-three years’ worth of revelations from God. Those revelations, given to Muhammad (P.B.U.H)  by God through the Angel Gabriel, became the miracle of the book called Holy Quran. Muhammad (P.B.U.H) passed away at the age of 63. Within a hundred years of his death, Islam had spread throughout Europe, and across Asia as far east as China. In Islam, the Bible, Torah, Christians and Jews deserve the respect and protection of all Muslims. The same respect and protection was extended to Buddhists of India and realized that, contrary to their first impression, the Buddhists and the Hindus weren’t idol-worshippers after all.

Muslims have a particular respect for Jesus, and never say His name without adding the “Hazrat/ Hadrat/ Peace Be upon Him” as sign of Respect.

The Holy book of Islam, the Quran refers to the perfect birth of Christ, acknowledges his miracles and his second coming. Muhammad (P.B.U.H) himself said: Whoever believes there is no God but Allah, alone without partner, that Muhammad (P.B.U.H) is his messenger, that Jesus is a servant and messenger of God, his worth breathed into Mary and a spirit emanating from him, and that Heaven and Hell are true, shall be received by God into Heaven.

Spiritual Reflection

You shall know the truth and the truth shall make thee free. – Jesus Christ

It is our very search for perfection outside ourselves that causes our suffering. -Buddha

Where is there anyone that is not you? You are the soul of the universe. -Swami Vivekananda

All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator, for all I have not seen. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

I did not go to my master to learn his words of wisdom, but to see how he tied and untied his shoes. -Hasidic Rabbi

Statement of condemnation of the Coup d’ Etat in Honduras

The World Peace Council denounces firmly the recent Coup d’Etat organized by a group of military officers and reactionary politicians in Honduras. This brutal act, including the kidnapping of the legitimate President Manuel Zualaya and his violent transfer to Costa Rica, is bringing back the worst memories from military dictatorships in Latin America from the 20th century. The executors (and brains behind them) of this bloody plan have no support amongst the peace loving people of Honduras, Latin America and the world.

The irrational state

WASHINGTON DIARY: The irrational state

by: Dr Manzur Ejaz, USA

Courtesy: Wichaar.com, June 30th, 2009

Besides eliminating the Taliban and other jihadis, the basic irrationalities of the system have to be addressed. Otherwise Pakistan will continue to languish in poverty and chaos.

Stop Sucking Indus River through illegal canals (leeches)

Sindhi Harees are awakening and fighting for their rights

by: Khalid Hashmani, McLean, Virginia, USA

Newspaper stories indicate that Sindhi Harees have reached the point where they feel that enough is enough. They are fighting back and it may be the beginning of the end of the exploiters who have dug illegal canals (Leeches) and dams to siphon off water from the Indus river before it reaches Sindh. Let us support their cause and join their struggle to bring an end to their plight.

Corruption in Sindh Education Department

OUR EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS DECAYING

by: Aslam Pervaiz Abro, Sindh

Former Investigation Officer, NAB

Our education department is decaying. Following is an account of my experience with the education department that I want to share with you all. This will give you a fair idea about some of the reasons of its present day pitiable condition. Recently, Ms Ayesha’s email, in which she verbalized her feelings, sparked a BIG debate in the group (E.S.). Sindhi Youth should not be castigated alone; the teachers and the educationists should also be collared for the education decay in Sindh. The teachers are regarded as role-models for the students in terms of character, knowledge, and behavior. Their actions should set a paradigm for the students to follow. In our midst, the teachers with noble characteristics are scarce. The education department in Sindh, administrated by teachers-turned- bureaucrats, is in tatters. The entire department is replete with corruption, and most of the teachers are corrupt in one way or the other.

Dams upriver hurting people living downstream

VOICES FROM MEKONG
– ACHARA ASHAYAGACHAT
Courtesy and Thanks: Bangkokpost.com

When 42-year-old Zhang Chun Shan, a Chinese farmer-cum-activist , told a public forum in Bangkok this week that he was unaware of the negative impact his great nation’s hydropower projects have caused to neighbouring countries downstream, a hundred participants understood him.

Pakistan Corruption Report

Please note:  Iqbal Tareen, an author of the “Harvest will come” – “A peek into Pakistani miss-governance through his speeches, correspondence and articles over a span of the last 15 years, the organizer of the Forum for Justice and Democracy in Pakistan, &  Hepatitis in Pakistan Project, is an editor of Pakistan Corruption Report blog. He posted the following report of Dawn, Islamabad at his blog. Indus Asia Online Journal is also posting the same report here as a part of the global fight against corruption & power abuse for the purpose of transparency in governance.

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Rs. 83 Billion loss caused to exchequer, says NAB

Courtesy: Dawn, ISLAMABAD, & Pakistan Corruption Reporter

June 25, 2009

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has submitted to the Justice Bhagwandas Commission a report on the wrongdoings it says have been committed by the government functionaries and oil industry people in the pricing of petroleum products causing a loss of Rs83 billion to the nation over a period of five years.

Homocysteine and heart attack

Most of amino acids are friendly but the  researcher found homocysteine as major culprit of increased risk of heart attack. Homocysteine trigger blood clots and other substance that block the arteries. But the treatment of elevated homocysteine is easy. Just consuming adequate amounts of the B vitamins- espacially Vitamin B6, B12 and Vitamin B9 (Folic acid) efficiently lowers the amount of homocysteine in the blood. The combination of folic acid 400 mcg with vitamin B6, B12 with mix green leafy veggies are good treatment of elevated homocysteine and it will keep you away from heart attack and other heart problems.

Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin

Angry Feelings

An unknown author once wrote, “Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.”

Did you know that anger causes an increase in your heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels, and that it also triggers other chemical changes in your body? Did you also know that it is unhealthy, both emotionally and physically, to hold in or repress emotions such as anger?

This is why it is so important that you learn how to safely release your feelings of anger after you take your anger time-out. Releasing anger does not mean that you are not in control—it is a natural and necessary aspect of the anger management process.

You should release your anger in a private place where it won’t distract others, injure people, damage property, or focus attention on you. Since everyone responds to anger differently, there are a number of techniques you may have to try to release your anger appropriately. Several techniques you can use are described, visit our blog for detailed techniques.

You don’t have to be noisy to be effective

“You don’t have to be noisy to be effective.” -Unknown

SINDHI MUSIC IN INDIA

SINDHI MUSIC IN INDIA PLUS GENERAL INFORMATION.

Visit – www.chandiramani.com, Plus see on google : Sindhi Music Chandiramani

Save Indus river – with out it Sindh is lost

Following is the portion of Idrees Rajput’s article published in Sindhi Daily Kawish, dated June 26, 2009

The prosperity of Sindh is closely linked with Indus and it is apparently due to this reason, that Sindh is so sensitive, if anyone interferes with the Indus River. Indus water in the body of Sindh is considered as vital as blood is for a human body. So long the Indus was not interferes with, Sindh remained in healthy growth. Unfortunately two thick leeches (Indus links) were stuck very recently to the body of Indus when Sindh was not aware of them. Again the deterioration in the health of Sindh depends upon the sucking programme of these leeches. There is every danger that, if they suck too much, Sindh is liable to be turned in to a desert specially when these links are beyond the boundary of sindh, beyond its control of operation and even observation, very recently when we were short of water, the Taunsa-Panjand link was opened and the water was transferred from the Indus to the Tributary Zone and the water was transferred from the Indus to the Tributary Zone without regard to our historic rights of even basic allocations just to meet certain higher level of uses of the Punjab canals. It is mainly due to this reason that Sindh considers any misdirected or without effective control, operation of Indus links, so hazardous for its very survival.

Translation of Sindhi poet Aasi Mehmood Zamini [Sindhi to English]

Translation by Hisam Memon, memonhisam@yahoo.co.uk

Come down

For a while today!

Speak thee

And let me speak!

Come down

For a while

Do watch the world,

Engineered by you!

Some are inferior

Some are superior

Who belong to you?

Do mark them!

Wrinkled is the veil,

Torn shirt she puts on,

The naked she looks,

Who daughter is that girl?

She begs before stranger men,

Offer alms to your people!

Without breakfast

And bare-footed,

She ploughs

In the scorching beam,

Unbuttered pieces of meal,

She takes with spoilt molasses

Come down to taste it

A single time!

‘AASI’ was bestowed with insight

That utters the truth and tormented for,

“Why I am called atheist then”

Come to get [insight] it back!

Farah Pandith Made Kashmiri People Proud with her Achievement: Dr. Fai

Washington, DC, June 27th, 2009. Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Executive Director, Kashmiri American Council/Kashmir Center, lavished praise on Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton for her prudent decision in honoring a Kashmiri American, Farah Pandith, as the United States Representative to the Muslim World. Dr. Fai stated ‘Farah Pandith comes from a deeply respected family and her grandfather was known as an honorable businessman in the Valley of Kashmir. We wholeheartedly congratulate her on this achievement and are confident she will brilliantly fulfill her responsibilities.’

A case for Seraiki province

by: MANZOOR CHANDIO, Karachi, SINDH

Courtesy: daily dawn, Saturday, 27 Jun, 2009

THIS refers to Maria Malik’s letter, “Restoration of Bahawalpur’s status” (June 20) written in response to Ayesha Siddiqa’s article, “South Punjab ‘movement’” (June 12).

Defending former minister Mohammed Ali Durrani’s demand for restoration of the state, she sabotages a case for Seraiki province. She also wrongly claims that there is a popular demand for the restoration of Bahawalpur state. People with myopic view of history like Mr Durrani and Ms Malik have always raised the issue of Bahawalpur whenever movement for a Seraiki province gains momentum. We should keep in mind that Seraiki, one of the representative languages of the Indus Valley civilization, besides Sindhi and Punjabi, is the country’s largest spoken language. Seraikis are concentrated in South Punjab and Dera Ismail Khan division of the NWFP — their historical abode from time immemorial. The area has been a separate administrative region for centuries and has a separate cultural and linguistic identity from other areas. Unfortunately, the Seraiki belt has been severally neglected in the past 62 years and no significant development work has been done for the uplift of people and to preserve their language and culture.

DEFEAT is a bitter pill to swallow

BJP’s summer of discontent

By Haider Nizamani, Canada

Courtesy: daily dawn, Saturday, 27 Jun, 2009

DEFEAT is a bitter pill to swallow. It is more so for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which in the past has enjoyed perks that come with ruling India, the world’s largest electoral democracy.

Michael Jackson was a great POP singer, entertainer and dancer

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

…In the early 1980s, he became a dominant figure in popular music and the first African American entertainer to amass a strong crossover following on MTV. The popularity of his music videos airing on MTV, such as “Beat It”, “Billie Jean” and “Thriller”—widely credited with transforming the music video from a promotional tool into an art form—helped bring the relatively new channel to fame. Videos such as “Black or White” and “Scream” made Jackson an enduring staple on MTV in the 1990s. With stage performances and music videos, Jackson popularized a number of physically complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk. His distinctive musical sound and vocal style influenced many hip hop, pop and contemporary R&B artists.

Jackson donated and raised millions of dollars for beneficial causes through his foundations, charity singles, and support of 39 charities. Other aspects of his personal life, including his often changing appearances and eccentric behavior, generated significant controversy which damaged his public image….

To read more about Michael Jackson, Click here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson

Fast facts

Diabetes is a chronic disease that has no cure. It is a leading cause of death all over the world. If left untreated or improperly managed, diabetes can result in a variety of complications, including: Heart disease, Kidney disease, Eye disease, Problems with erection (impotence) and nerve damage.

ANGEL ON EARTH

ANGEL ON EARTH: Dhart_eea t_ay Firsht_o

Forwarded by: Chandiramani

A person said proudly to his friend ,’ My wife is an angel.’

(IN ROMAN SINDHI) Hikrray maannhooa pahi~jay d_ost_a khay fakkhura maa~ chayo ,’Moohi~jee joi t_a frisht_o aahay.’

His friend replied ,’You are lucky . Mine is still alive .’

(IN ROMAN SINDHI) D_ost/as javaab d^inus,’ T_oo> kkhooshnaseeb aahee~ ‘.Moohi~jee joi aj^aa~ t_aaee~ jeearree aahay.’

Shikarpur: a neglected city

Courtesy: daily dawn, Friday, 26 Jun, 2009

BY: ASLAM PERVAIZ ABRO

SHIKARPUR, once a commercial centre providing routes for transportation of Indian goods to western India and Central Asia, carries a history of culture, heritage, hospitality and civilisation.

Shahryar and Scherzadi

A Persian King, Shahryar, who rules the country, an island, between India and China, discovers that his wife and her lover are plotting to kill him- his wife is not just faithless, she is also guilty of treason, he executed her and her lover, and thereafter believes faithlessness of women. Shahryar instructs his Vazir-e-Azam to find him a new wife every day. After spending the night with the wife, he executed her. This practice continues until the Vazir-e-Azam’s beautiful but genious daughter Scheherzadi devises a scheme to outwit the king and, in doing so, stop the killings. She herself offers to become Shahryar’s next wife, and is accepted. Every night, in their marriage chambers, Scheherzadi tell shahryar stories, but she is careful to stop at dawn before ending the story- and she stops with a cliffhanger- the king spares her life so the following night he can hear the rest of the story. Having finished one story halfway through the evening she starts another- until many years have passed, she has given birth of three sons of Shahryar. Then she convinced Shahryar him that she loves him, he revokes his decree, at her request pardons her.

What we think, we become!

All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think, we become. – BUDDHA

Have you encountered these situations…

- · After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch. – · Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner. – · When you dial a wrong number, you always get through and never get it engaged one. – · If you use the excuse that you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the next morning you will actually have a flat tire. – · If you change queues, the one you have left will start to move faster than the one you are in now. – · As soon as you have immersed yourself fully in the bathtub, the telephone bell will ring. – · The probability of meeting someone you know increases when you are in a situation where you do not want to be seen by anybody. – · When you try to prove to the repairman that a machine/computer/ mobile doesn’t work, it will. – · The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reachability of the area. – · At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle arrive last. – · As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee/tea, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee/tea is cold. – · When you are working late, the boss will never be around. When you are surfing the net or gossiping, the boss will always drop by. * Sure you have encountered some of these, amazing? Isn’t it? * *These are Godly Rules for which reasons are not-known …*

What Is AMD? KNOW your RISK? Save your sight.

AMD stands for Age-Related Macular Degeneration. It is a progressive disease associated with aging that gradually destroys central vision and impairs ability to perform common daily tasks such as reading, driving or watching television. Central vision is controlled by a small but important part of your eye called the macula. The macula is what allows you to see fine details straight ahead of you. When your macula becomes affected, you are left with dim images or black holes in the centre of your vision. AMD is the leading cause of severe vision loss in adults over the age of 50.

The last scene of Dil Se..(From the Heart)

Amar and Meghna’s confrontation

A must read column- Futile resistance

WASHINGTON DIARY: Futile resistance

by Dr Manzur Ejaz, USA

Courtesy: Wichaar.com, June 23rd, 2009

After eight years of Bush, the Republican Party’s rout at the polls showed that reactionary forces against rising trends can only go so far. And the Evangelicals had ended up facilitating the election of a black man as President of the United States.

What Causes Angina?

When heart doesn’t get as much blood as it needs, the result can be chest pain. Pain in the chest- called angina. The symptoms of angina can be similar to the symptoms of a heart attack.  If you think you may be having a heart attack, seek emergency medical help immediately. Angina is caused by a reduced flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. This can happen when one or more of the arteries that go to heart become damaged, narrowed, or blocked. The most common reason is a results from a buid-up of fatty deposits that block the flow of blood through the coronary arteries.

Plight of Pensioners

BY DR ALI AKBAR DHAKAN, KARACHI, SINDH

As usual this year also an increase of 15 percent has been announced in pension of all pensioners where as the same increase has also been proposed in the budget in the salaries of employees working in all organizations and departments.

‘Stupid’, it’s the local dynamics that matter most…

By Sahar Gul

Courtesy: Airra

At this crucial time when there is need of uniting nation around the single national interest of providing relief to the IDPs and successfully annihilating the Taliban in the Malakand division and restoring peace in the region, the discourse by some people to equate Taliban with the Pashtun nationalist agenda seems nothing but an effort to create startling diversion which no doubt ultimately hampers the attempts to eliminate extremism from Pakistan.

Punjab holds effectual power in Pakistan through its regional armed forces

by: Iqbal Tareen, USA

Punjab holds effectual power in Pakistan through its regional armed forces. Its power can’t be diluted by simply dividing it into multiple provinces. As a matter of fact all current provinces of Pakistan are factual provinces of Punjab. It will require a total sea change the way Punjab treats its smaller stakeholders in Pakistan. Instead of creating provinces, it will have to relinquish its quenchless desire of domination. It must begin sharing power by providing right to self-governance and ownership of resources to smaller provinces….

Religion of the Sindhis

Religion of the Sindhis (as recorded a century ago..)

- Gul Agha’s Notes

From Hastings (ed.), Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics (vol. 11, ca 1912). The section is written by a Prof. W. Crooke and is annotated by a number of citations and quotes. So what does an external, turn of the century, observer have to say: The province is distinguished from the other parts of India by the great predominance of Muhammadans, who, at the time of the census of 1911 amounted to 75.14%.. Hindus being 23.83% and the balance made up of animists, Christians, Parsis, Jews, and the so-called Hindu-Mohammadans, who follow both creeds.”

Iran – Twitter revolution?

Iran: Government neoliberalism, repression fuel mass discontent

By Tony Iltis and Stuart Munckton

Courtesy: Links International Journal

June 20, 2009 — Since the June 12 Iranian presidential election, and the almost immediate announcement of a landslide victory for incumbent Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, Iran has been convulsed by mass protests alleging electoral fraud.

Sindhi Telefilm – Uncle sam

Lycopene and Tomatoes

Lycopene is a kind of vitamin which gives tomatoes and pink grapefruit their red pigment, has a strong anti-cancer and antioxidant properties. Therefore, tomatoes are good for health but those who have viral cold sores or reocurrences of cold sores should avoid eating tomatoes.

Pakistan won final. New world Cricket T20 Champion

Pakistan won the ICC World Twenty20 in an exciting finish at a noisy Lord’s when Sri Lanka’s total of 138-6 was overhauled with eight balls remaining.

A song dedicated to Benazir Bhutto

The Daughter of East, The message of Peace! Long Live Benazir..

WSC Raises the issue of Killing of Sindhi Activists at the UN Human Rights Council

World Sindhi Congress Raises the IDPs and Killing of Sindhi Activists at the 11TH Session of the Human Rights Council

London: Press release- World Sindhi Congress, a leading Sindhi organisation working for the cause of human rights Of Sindh and Sindhis, has raised the issue of IDPs and killings of Sindh political workers at 11th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva , scheduled from 2-18 June 2009.

A tribute to the Great Leader of the world Shaheed Benazir Bhutto on her Birth Day

by Zulfiqar Halepoto, Hyderabad, Sindh

My respected and dearest Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Saheba. The finest daughter of the East.

I am writing you this email with wet eyes, heavy heart, deep compassion, profound grief and heartfelt thoughts as the revival of democratic rule in the country has failed to bring social justice, peace and rule of law in the country. Unfortunately Pakistan is trapped by mediocre and corrupt rulers again and again.

Sindh: A land of Tolerance

By Manzoor Chandio, Sindh

Why should we take sides and condemn atrocities wherever they are being committed, with a conviction that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”?

Decades ago, during civil rights movement, Dr Martin Luther King took this stand against racial discrimination in the United States. It would be no exaggeration to say that the same is also the collective wisdom of people of Sindh in southern Pakistan.

Eroding Religious Harmony

By Salam Dharejo, Sindh

Umarkot, the birthplace of Moghul Emperor Akbar and a city of large Hindu population, is one of the few towns in Pakistan where religious festivals such as Holi and Diwali are celebrated by both Hindus and Muslims. Holi and Diwali are considered to be a particularly Hindi festival. However both Hindu and Muslim residents of Umarkot unite to celebrate these festivals to express communal solidarity and their particular village identity in spite of religious differences. No matter whether they are Hindus or Muslims, residents of Umarkot primarly identify with each other as members of the same village. Thus during such festivals, they dance in the streets and exchange sweets. A desert town splashes colors and celebrates with each other.

The new epicenter of global instability

Sindh – The new epicenter of global instability

By Dilshad Bhutto (Senior)

Sindh has always been a fertile and rich country. For thousands of years, it had maintained trade links with other countries, some of them in far-flung regions of the world. Historians have found evidence that ships carrying merchandise from Sindh regularly called at the ports of Egypt, Java, China and Sri Lanka. From these countries, goods such as gold and silver ornaments and precious stones found their way to the royal Sindhi courts and temples. Sindh’s government treasuries had always been replete with gems and all types of treasure. In spite of their affluence, Sindhis always avoided to maintain large armies and to conquer the neighboring lands. On the contrary, invaders from outside gravitated to the riches of Sindh attacked the country a number of times and acquired so much wealth by loot and plunder that they dreamed of using that wealth to conquer other countries and extend their sway over the world. This is why all the intruders that have ruled India at times attempted to extend their jurisdiction over Sindh too.

A Sindhi travelogue of India – Delhi Darshan

The book titled, Delhi Darshan, written by Zulfiqar Halepoto, has been published. This book is a travelogue of India. The book is published by Pakistan’s leading publishing center, FICTION HOUSE. Forward of the book is written by, renowned historian and intellectual, Ahmed Saleem. This is more about political discourse and it discussed Sindh’s decade’s old role in promoting peace, tolerance and secular values to make this region a diverse and peaceful region. It discussed the pains of partition of sub-continent, soreness of migration, crisis of ethnic identity and language, introduction of politics of violence and racism in Sindh, influx towards Sindh and disturbances in Sindh’s socio-economic and cultural landscapes,

Apples protect heart

Apple protect the heart by it’s flavonoids, antioxidant compunds that portect us from the damage of “bad” LDL cholesterol. The flavonoid which is present in large amount in apples called quercetin. Quercetin seems to be a major  antioxidant which protect the heart if we eat apple with it’s skin.

Sarmad Sindhi

Tall promises in Sindh Budget 2009-10

Syed Qaim Ali Shah

PPP’s Agenda for Change – Tall promises in Sindh Budget 2009-10

Notes by: Ahmad Mushtaque, Karachi, Sindh. June 19, 2009

Development Plans of PPP Government in Sindh in Rs 327 billion estimated budget.

Following are some of the attractive wish list mentioned in Budget speech of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah in his budget speech. The provincial PPP government presented second budget on June 10, 2009. We will see when the year ends, how much is implemented.

Drought Situation in Tharparkar District of Sindh Pakistan

By: Gulab Rai, Islamkot –Thar. Sindh

July 18, 2009

Severe drought has occurred in the Thar desert of Sindh Arid Zone. Failure of monsoon observed in all the talukas of district Tharparkar of Sindh reeling under drought during this year (up to September 12, 2008), only 58.1 mm of rain has fallen in 75% area of Thar desert This is only 20% of the normal rainfall, which is 300 mm. However, it is too little and too late for many crops in the area and it resulted in severe shortage of food, fodder and water.

In Ancient Sindh the urine was used as medicine!

In ancient Sindh or Indus Civilization, the urine of a young child or a young cow was important medicine.  Ancestors used it as antiseptic mouth wash or to whiten their teeth, sterilize their wounds and had drunk it with the hope that it will cure their ailments. It may not be our cup of morning tea but many well known leaders called it “urine cure“. Gandhi Ji, the leader of Indian congress and Muraji de sai, the former Prime Minister of India were using it for the practice called Urophagia.

Malay court hearing ‘Allah’ case

Courtesy: BBC

A Catholic church in Malaysia which prays to Allah has prompted a court case over who can use the word. Muslim leaders say Islam should be the only faith to use it, saying its use in other faiths could lead to confusion and conversions. – Robin Brant reports from Kuala Lumpur.

Source- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8065597.stm

Sound of Music – Central Station Antwerp (Belgium)