A fantastic dive into the deep blue sea
A few weeks ago, my cousin asked me to accompany him on a scuba diving trip to Mubarak village, a place just outside Karachi. I was excited by the prospect and agreed in an instant, so he picked me up before sunrise. When we reached the village, we took a boat ride to Charna Island for the dive. We were accompanied by a team of professionals who briefed us before the dive. I was surprised to learn that one can enjoy the experience of scuba diving without knowing how to swim. After a few other important instructions regarding underwater communication signals, ...
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Ecological consciousness and Islam
I am always inspired by trash. When I see it on the roads, in parks, in hospitals and outside homes it sends me in a state of a deep reverie. A couple of years back, I was shaken to the core to do ‘something for my country.’ Looking for the answer of what could be done, I came across a newspaper article about some ‘crazy’ youngsters who, tired of the oblivion of their fellows and authorities towards matters of environmental consciousness, took it upon themselves to do something. They girdled up their loins with the motto that the least you ...
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Lahoris don’t care about their trees
The Horticulture Authority tried to rid the city of all its shady trees and replace them with date palms. Lahoris watched quietly. In the end, it fell to the palms themselves to protest the initiative. The palms planted along the Circular Road, it has been reported, are wilting and dying. Actually the genius who thought of depriving the city of its own trees and adorning it with desert trees should also have imported a little desert. Trees, after all, grow from soil and are best nurtured in the climates associated with their native lands. Lahore is Lahore: Not Dubai or Japan In the ...
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Does Pakistan care about Japan (or anybody else)?
Japan has been hit by the world’s biggest natural disaster since the Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine in 1986. Panic has spread like wildfire as people take off to Taiwan and other international destinations. Japan’s nuclear crisis is skyrocketing to new heights, since radiation levels from a stricken power plant are traveling through Tokyo. When Pakistan was ravaged by the floods last year, the international community went all out to help us. But in Japan’s time of need, Pakistan is silent. Here, I must still congratulate Pakistan on its nerves of steel. Due to our onslaught of personal problems, we Pakistanis have strengthened ...
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On love and marriage: Where did the spark go?
When two people get married, they might safely assume that they can’t afford to mess it up. Or can they? Today, I speak on behalf of all my girlfriends who are pondering the million dollar question: where did the spark go? A flaming start Initially most of us jump into the institution with gusto. We look at it as a final end to a romantic rendezvous; the stolen glances and time restricted engagements that leave so much to be desired and explored. After marriage, there is an endless amount of time at our disposal and this reduces romantic fervour considerably. Where is the heart ...
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Welcome to the corporate jungle
All kinds of species dwell in a jungle called ‘the office.’ It is truly a miracle of God that coexistence of such contrasting creatures is possible. As we take a jungle safari, various kinds of creatures can be found busy in their rituals, often called “office life.” Some of these creatures are classified below. The hard workers These are usually the ones upon whom survival of the jungle depends. They are moderate in nature, mostly subtle in their approach towards life and mostly harmless to other living things that are around them. They prefer a calm, silent life without interfering in other ...
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Prepare your garden for winter blooms
Once you have decided which crops and flowers you want in your garden this fall, get ready to plant some seeds for your winter garden. When to sow seeds? For a winter harvest, sow your seeds as soon as fall begins. For people living in Karachi and Lahore the last week of September and beginning of October is ideal. Read your seed packs to find out more about the temperatures required for the germination of seeds. Most vegetables will be ready to be harvested in 60-80 days. Where to sow seeds? You have three options here. Select according to your skill level and plant ...
Read Full PostPotatoes – my first love
It usually takes two to three weeks for the potatoes to sprout. Once you see the green shoots prepare your plot, container or a bag for planting potatoes. I have selected a large blue tub. It has enough space for planting 5-7 potatoes. Here are three simple steps how you can plant your potatoes 1. Fill your container 2/4 with a good mixture of sand and manure. (60:40 works for me). Soil must be well drained. 2. Place potatoes at 6-7 inches distance from each other. 3. Cover with sand. Make sure the leafs are visible. Keep your potatoes healthy Simply water the plant softly ...
Read Full PostA vegetable paradise in the middle of winter
Wouldn’t you just love to have a garden that produces fresh, scrumptious vegetables all year long? It is that time of the year when gardeners from colder countries are preparing for the icy winters that will bring a long pause to their gardening activities. But for us it is just the beginning of a very fruitful and colorful winter. I have been waiting for September to spread the spell of fertility into my garden. As it is finally here I better get my plan for a rooftop vegetable farm ready. It is essential to have a good plan for a successful vegetable garden. Each ...
Read Full PostSpreading the colour green
Flowers are the beautiful hieroglyphics of nature with which she indicates how much she loves us. – Goethe Imagine walking into your office with your head full of plans for the day and catching sight of a little present that waits for you on your desk. Wouldn’t it just make your day? It could bring a smile to your face whether it was just a randomly picked flower or a little note saying “Have a good day!” Life is all about sharing love and spreading smiles where ever you go. I like to take flowers on my way for my friends. During the time ...
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