A generation in solitary confinement

A sudden change in life sometime is merciless, especially for those who have had eventful days.

Living a tough scheduled life, the civil servant is trying to cope up with his retirement ordeal. Being free at home and having the gratuitous feeling, which is not lesser then slow poisoning.

The farmer, who used to rush the family fields before  dawn and used to return home after sunset has now gone frail; the only job is to roam around like a stranger in the streets of his home town, trying to know the recognized paths.

Sitting beside a traditional heating stove, with his wife, in a cold winter day the retired army man with a tiny stick in hand, the infuriated macho man is trying to find something missing in ashes. Most probably a struggle to find the missing lines between his later life and formative years.  

The shepherd and shepherdess who have had their joyous days on mountain top are now confined because of advancing years and poor fitness. Sometime they argue about all these unexpected changes in life, which are unpleasant but certain.

The teacher who was once addicted to deliver lectures to his students every day, now hardly finds anyone to discuss even his personal issues. He talks; but not deliberately, to the walls or trees of his garden like he has got his pupils or some dear ones around.

The tailor who used to introduce new fashions for ladies of the area, now hardly recognizes people passing by, as her eyesight has betrayed her in the age of prime need.

The famous carpenter who used to carve woods with great command has now got shaky hands, he hardly manages to have a cup of tea with his own hands. There isn’t anyone except his wife to stand by him and make him pass these unkind days of life.

The melodious folk singer, who was once loved for his soulful songs is bowed numb, he hardly mumbles for his need, which is quite rare as he has also compromised on his dire needs.

These aren’t few individuals, but a generation of senior citizens living the high mountains area who are suffering with solitary, which is not lesser than confinement.

These innocent old aged senior citizen have sacrificed their whole life for their family, especially for betterment of their children, whom they thought will be support of their unkind days. Unluckily this is not happening according to plans as the educated monsters have started neglecting these unfortunate group. 

These young boors seemingly avoiding this golden class, as they find them boring, dull or uninteresting. Such heartless approach can only lead to human tragedy, which is already been witnessed on many occasions.

Money, cars, smart phones, expensive clothing, watches and other materials are now priorities of these educated monsters rather love and care for their parents or loved ones. 

One can read the published post HERE 

The unfortunate genius

“Hypocrisy is Happiness and Truth is Sadness”

The symptom of uncured sickness shows horrifying signs here or another day. But there is a disease, which drags one to the grave and hardly shows any sign. It doesn’t mean the disease is viral and hasn’t has any cause, it does have; which needs thorough examination to diagnose and treatment.

The disease; people of this country song, “Patriotism” and we cry it “HYPROCRCY”.

Professor Qadir Hussain

The crowd have a custom, to scorn free-souls of this dungeon and glamorize skunks, such impasse have left this crowd muddled. 

Mr. Qadir Husain, a physicist, and nuclear scientist was a professor of Government Urdu Science College (today’s Federal Urdu University) Karachi.  The unfortunate genius served with great care but faced nasty consequences for his selfless contributions to the dungeon of klutzes and lifeless souls.

Paki establishment and the holy militia snatched his scientific research work, the way scavengers do. They then made everything impossible for the unfortunate genius to keep get say his say.

The nuclear physicist, Professor Qadir Husain came up with a formula to manufacture a cheapest atomic bomb using the easiest technique.  He found the easiest method to separate uranium isotopes 235. He came up with this formula because he realized that this poor nation can’t afford the expensive method. It was a breakthrough in the world of applied physics and nuclear science, as in Europe and rest of the world nuclear scientists relied on expensive and much challenging method.

  Nuclear scientists worldwide endorsed and appreciated the theoretical research, to develop “economical atomic bomb”. Interestingly neither the government nor civil or military establishment showed any interest they rather ignored his request and used delaying tactics.

 In 1974 he shared his research work with the secretariat of Prime Minister; the secretariat latterly shared his research paper with ministry of defense and other relevant ministries. According to some statements of Professor Qadir Hussain, published in newspapers of late 70’s and early 80’s; says, “His efforts are to serve his country and nation, not to gain financial benefits out of it”. 

In a meeting with the head of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission of that time, Dr. Riaz Uddin in Nov. 1974, the chief appreciated and endorsed professor Qadir’s breakthrough in the field nuclear physics. In 1978 the officials of Pakistan Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTEC) met with Qadir Hussain and discussed the possibility to start the project. Later on the officials suggested to do a confirmatory test, they then decided to do an experimental project under the supervision of Professor Qadir Hussain. For this purpose the nuclear scientist submitted a brief of expected budget for the experimental project.

Until that time, Professor Qadir Hussain realized that the establishment and government is taking away his research work and planning to implement his project not even taking his consent or giving him credit for his breakthrough.

On 25^th March 1978 the Controller, Pakistan Patent Office (The Gazette of Pakistan) received an application from Professor Qadir Hssain to REGISTER the experimental research work with his name. Sadly the unlucky genius failed to get the ownership of his technological invention. With the help of Pakistan Atomic Energy the controller, Pakistan Patent Office sealed the request and refused to issue the certificate, which was quite disheartening for the Professor.

The Professor then realized that, the Ministry of Defense and Pakistan Atomic Energy is playing dual tactics. Months passed but he couldn’t convince the holy cows, he finally decided to go to the court for justice. On 12^th February1985 he submitted an application to Sindh High Court regarding illegal ban on intellectual property right.

After 17 initial hearings, on 1^st Oct 1986 the High Court decided to go for complete official hearing of the case. On 26^th Oct 1986 Sindh High Court issued Show Cause Notices to Controller of Patents and Designs, Secretory of Ministry of Industry, and Chairman Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission.

After Four and half years of tiring struggle Sindh High Court gave the decision in favor of Professor Qadir Husain and instructed the Controller of Patents and Designs to issue the Research Patent to Mr. Qadir.

Until then it was too late for the professor, as Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission was using his method to enrich uranium. Mr. Qadir even raised his voice through national newspapers; in a leading Urdu newspaper Jassarat 28^th April 1987, he said “Aijaad meri hay, laikin fayida Atomic Commission utha raha hay”.

Out of nowhere a man name, Abdul Qadeer Khan came into limelight. On Saturday August 2^nd 1986 daily Jang publishes a statement of the cowboy, saying that, we have manufactured atomic bomb within 7 years of short time, which the West thought it would take more than 50 years for Pakistanis to do so. On 7^th March 1988 New York Time also claimed that Pakistan is able to manufacture nuclear bomb.

Mr. Abdul Qadeer Khan wore the undeserved crown and became national hero and founder of Kahuta Research Laboratory. Mr. Qadeer Khan was playing on a ground, which was dreamed, adored and built by the unfortunate Professor Qadir Hussain. Project 706 was a secret or code name of the project to manufacture atomic bomb for this country.

During these court trials and war against shadows and unjust, Mr. Muhammad Qadir Hussain was using Bhadurabad Housing Society Road-15 for his postal correspondence but now God knows well where does he lives. Alive or dead no one has a clue about the unlucky genius.

On 28^th May 1999 Pakistan even blasted these atomic bombs and became the first Islamic country having this so called precious gift.

What happened during all these?

The true deservers disappeared like bubbles in the air and the undeserved ones became the saviors and Man of nation.

It’s not Professor Qadir Hussain only who was/is xenophobic sufferer, the list is quite long. Dr. Abdul Kalam (Ex. Indian President and nuclear scientist) and Nobel laureate Dr. Abdul Salam has their own crying account. 

If this so called nation remained ignorant and silent towards their true liberators, the day is not far this demesne will commit suicide with same bomb.

One can read the published post HERE

Talking shadows

Welcome to Gilgit-Baltistan

Wait, Gilgit or Baltistan?? I mean Gilgit, no I mean Baltistan I mean both; I mean………….!!!!!

Photo credit: Anonymous

My homeland is the 5^th PROVINCE of Islamic….. Republic……. of Pakistan…

Province? Where? How? When did it happen????  Come on don’t jerk around, I don’t believe at all…..there are only four provinces and its written everywhere  even in text books and in official record….. ssshhhhh!!! 

One more thing I never heard the name of Gilgit-Baltistan in any seductive sacred song; maybe I am deaf, Noooooo!!! Maybe while writing the hymn, the lyricist’s pen ink dried-up or maybe the lyricist ears got fungal infection, which blocked the way to carry the sounds and echoes coming from the high mountains to his brain, this would have helped him to pen down the NAME on a draught hit paper.

But we fought a brutal war against Dogra and we won it. Yaaahhoooooo!!!!

That’s absolutely true and then what?? You’ve become salve of salves.  It’s you! Who fascinated the hyenas to chomp you from tip to toe.  Isn’t it?

Now what happened to your great worriers? Why don’t you and your worriers stand up and fight against, ignorance, discriminations and chauvinistic beliefs. Why don’t you raise your voice for your civil rights and liberties?     Read more ............

Mandatory GLOF risk assessment of Gulmit glaciers

Gulmit village is tehsil headquarter of Gojal valley, Gulmit village used to be 2^nd capital of Hunza state, situated in the upper Hunza region of the Gilgit-Bapsltistan.

Gulmit is positioned at an altitude of 7900 feet; hosting two main glaciers, known as Shetubar glacier and Gulmit glacier on the western and north-western sphere. The village caters around 500 households in the most fragile region of Karakorum mountain range.

There have been number of GLOF events occurred on Gulmit glaciers due to rapid climate change in previous years. Currently these glaciers are showing negative trend of recession under the influence of climate change. Global warming has adversely affected climate in the high mountain range, which has increased number and frequency of glacial lake formation and its outburst on Gulmit glaciers.

Sadly, neither government nor private sector paid much attention to conduct a full-length study on Gulmit glaciers to reduce risk factor in the area. 

Gulmit Glacier

Gulmit glacier is situated on north-west side of Gulmit village, which is draining its melt into Hunza River in the east. Length of the glacier is not known, nor there is any recorded data regarding ice thickness neither any idea about its ice reserve.  Generally Gulmit glacier is enclosed between steep high moraine at one side and rocky mountain at another side. The ice is covered with black debris and large quantities of moraine. 

Aerial view of Gulmit Glacier

There is no evidence of glacial lake formation on the surface of Gulmit glacier but it is believed that there are glacial lakes covered under huge ice sheets. Generally lakes are created by surface melting especially during summer months, and rainfall seasons. Melted water runs down into crevasse this causes large scale melted water production. Frequently these melted water exit which are sometime enormous and causes great damage to population and landscape.

According to locals of Gulmit village in summer 1972 a massive glacial lake outburst flood occurred on Gulmit glacier, which threatened local population but local volunteers of the area helped the community to evacuate.  In summer 2013 again the outburst occurred which was enormous, luckily the watercourse was wide enough, which accommodated the massive release of water into Hunza River.  This flood left behind huge amount of debris which has filled the stream.

In past years local community have worked together along with UNICEF on the site to secure the whole village from flood effects, now there is hardly evidences left of such initiatives.

In recent year locals of Gulmit village approached FOUCS Humanitarian Assistance Pakistan, to construct a retaining cum safety wall alongside the watercourse at Kamaris area. For now the construction work of retaining wall is underway, local community is playing their part in construction of protection wall. This wall will be a great help to reduce risk factor of GLOF in days ahead.

Shetubar Glacier

Aerial Shetubar Glacier

Shetubar glacier is situated on western side of Gulmit village, hulking down over the village. This glacier is surrounded by Hard Rock Mountains, releases its melt down into Hunza River. This beautiful glacier is packed with white snow not like Gulmit glacier which is burned under dark black debris. 

Glacial lake outburst flood occurs almost every year, here again the watercourse is wide and deep enough which does less damage to crops, plants and land. The flood moves huge amount of debris from the high mountains to lower streams and if it blocks the stream for a shorter while it becomes pretty dangerous.

Sadly there is no official record of GLOF events, its frequency and damage ratio, conducting full-length study and keep an eye on glacial comportment will help to reduce GLOF risk. 

Karakorum Highway (KKH) a major threat

No doubt Karakorum highway is a life line between Pakistan and China; it’s a major trade route which connects the economic giant China with rest of the world via Arabian Sea. KKH is the only route for commuters of Gojal valley to travel to southern part of Pakistan.

Apart from every good thing the well-known trade route is considered to be a major cause of environmental degradation in the region. In recent years Chinese Road and Bridge Constructions (CRBC- A Chinese Construction Company blacklisted in Turkey and Malaysia), started KKH expansion work. Till now CRBC has brutally violated the environment safety measures in the fragile region. Thousands of trees have been removed but there is no alternate plan for plantation.

The increasing number of traffic on KKH will double in near future; there is no set rule for fitness test of vehicles running in the area. These unnoticeable threats are doing great damage to delicate glaciers in the Gulmit and these actors are one of the reasons of GLOF in the region.

Post disaster scenario-rehabilitation of effected land of Gulmit

It’s pertinent to note that the famous Attbabad disaster has done great damage to cultivable lands, plants, buildings and business infrastructure. Many initiatives have been carried out to rehabilitate IDP’s (internal displaced persons) of the area, sadly no one paid attention to rehabilitate the damaged land of the area. These barren lands have been creating issues especially in harsh windy days, as the area is filled with sands and clay.

It’s high time to rehabilitate these damaged part of Gulmit village; plantation and related activities will help to preserve beauty and nature of the area.

Eco-tourism and Gulmit village

The tourists visiting Gulmit village is to a large extent are the lovers of natural sites. Sadly these heritage sites received low attention in every state of affairs. Pristine sites have been facing great threat from general tourists as they leave behind solid waste in major tourist destinations. Garbage and human waste left by mountaineering and trekking expeditions has become a serious issue especially on the more popular routes.

Guides and porters are lacking professional training and education to promote eco-tourism phenomena in the area, their involvement in collection of solid waste, and garbage on the high altitude mountain range could have been a help to reduce the risk factor in the most fragile highlands.

Land use and zoning is another important issue which the valley direly needs, general tourists are free to go wherever they want to go. Such scenario creates problems for locals living in the area and does great damage to the destinations especially to its natural asset.

To take off pressure from some of the highly visited area, the lesser-known tourist destinations needs proper promotion.

Alternate energy source

The locals rely on wood for cooking and heating, especially in the winter the locals cut big trees at massive scale for heating, as the winter season is pretty harsher. There is no alternate energy source to use in the kitchen or for heating.

This act is adversely affecting the cycle of fragile nature of highlands, which also increases the risk of glacial lake flood outburst GLOF. The number of trees has been reducing radically; the greenbelt area has been reduced severely with rapid increase in construction of buildings.

To protect these fragile natural assets, the local government and other stakeholders must come up with some practical solution by providing alternate energy source in the village and other part of Gojal valley. This will help to reduce the risk factor of GLOF and natural disasters.

Way Forward

1.      There is a dire need to conduct full-length study on Gulmit glacier and Shetubar glacier to assess risk factor.

2.      Defining standardized methodology for data collection

3.   Defining actors and factors adversely affecting environment and adapting result oriented strategies 

4.      Defining, educating and implementing eco-tourism phenomena practically.

5.      Reducing the risk factor on KKH, considering the need and increasing number of traffic

6.      Reducing environmental damages during KKH expansion and bounding the CRBC to contribute through corporate social responsibility (CSR).

7.      Capacity building of various institutions in Gulmit village to educate people of the area.

8.      Improving socio-economic condition of people living in Gulmit village.

One can read the published post HERE

Attabad Lake Gulmit Gojal

Attabad Lake Gulmit Gojal       Photo: Dee Jay

Attabad Lake Gulmit Gojal, a photo by Dee Jay! on Flickr.

Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful, for beauty is God’s handwriting — a wayside sacrament. Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Attabad Lake Gulmit Gojal

Attabad Lake Gulmit, a photo by Dee Jay! on Flickr.

“One eye sees, the other feels.”
― Paul Klee

Gulmit Durwoza-A fading historical symbol

Gulmit Durwoza     Photo:  Dee Jay

Buildings of today are material evidences for future generations to find their roots, no matter how small in structure or poor in design they are. One cannot abandon such evidences from the past, especially in the contemporary era nations are fast losing material evidences, which means losing nation’s heritage, historical evidences and cultural identity.

Gulmit Durwoza   Photo: Dee Jay

The historical Gulmit Durwoza is one of a kind. The locals of Gulmit village have built this beautiful Durwoza in early 60’s with rare construction and building facilities. They carried stones on their back, walked for a mile to bring the materials to the construction site. They were determent, that’s why they have built state of the art Durwoza in Gulmit village.

Unfortunately, the so called educated youth of the area have found this historical site insignificant or hogwash, as youth of the area are trying hard, dreaming day and night,  that “how to get quickly &  filthy rich” rather how to become a responsible resident.

The historical site is in bad shape nowadays; crumbling hastily, which needs great care on emergency ground.  If locals of the area continued being ignoramus towards the site, then it will not take too long to lose the last foundation stone. 

Gulmit Durwoza  Photo: Dee Jay

Apart from every criticism, complains and grumbles it’s high time to preserve the vanishing historical site of Gulmit, for that the slumbering souls of Gulmit have to come together and take some necessary steps on initial ground. For the renovation of Gulmit Durwoza, residents of Gulmit village can use the phenomena of Community Based Conservation, which will help the local to come together collect required funds and to meet necessary expenses of renovation. For the high quality stones, locals of the area have to play their part voluntarily. 

Attabad Lake Gulmit Gojal

Attabad Lake Gulmit Gojal 

Attabad Lake Gulmit Gojal, a photo by Dee Jay! on Flickr.

“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Frozen Attabad Lake Gulmit Gojal

Frozen Attabad Lake Gulmit Gojal 

Frozen Attabad Lake Gulmit Gojal, a photo by Dee Jay! on Flickr.

“I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery—air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, "This is what it is to be happy.”

Sylvia Plath

Shishkat village, Ghulkin peak in the background

Shishkat village 

Shishkat village, Ghulkin peak in the background, a photo by Dee Jay! on Flickr.

“I like geography best, he said, because your mountains & rivers know the secret. Pay no attention to boundaries.”
Brian Andreas

Chamangul Gulmit, background Passu Peak

Chamangul Gulmit, bacground Passu Peak, a photo by Dee Jay! on Flickr.

“And when I fall in love,” I began, "I will build a mountain to touch the sky. Then, my lover and I will have the best of both worlds, reality firmly under our feet, while we have our heads in the clouds with all our illusions still intact. And the purple grass will grow all around, high enough to reach our eyes.”
― V.C. Andrews, Flowers in the Attic

Frozen lake of Attabad lake Gumit Gojal

Frozen lake of Attabad lake Gumit Gojal, a photo by Dee Jay! on Flickr.

It is not only the summer which is filled with natural beauty, the beauty of winter is matchless, especially in Gulmit Gojal.

The importance of failure – betray your fears

Embrace your failure rather jubilate your successes. (Writer)

Whether it’s Ice Age, Stone Age, industrial or computer era, human being’s suspicion has remained all-time high when it comes to success and failure.

It’s not failure that is graceless, but one’s perception and discomfort attitude towards it. Being rational towards failure brings experience and opens horizons, which are indispensable for further development and growth.

Ironically, in the contemporary era, when human beings’ assertions regarding material gain are sky high, one has to face the cruel outcomes, even after their tireless efforts. Neither feel bad nor blame others; also, don’t curse your ill-fate.

The best policy to live a happy life is to expect less from others, as Alexander Pope put it: “Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.” Just imagine you are on the verge of death, having a desire that someone accompany you towards an unreturning journey. Oh wait!! Who is going to accompany you??? If you are married and have kids, your kids will be the first to shy away then your wife will follow suit, showing her grief with some water drops, vice-versa. Or luckily if you are young or single, your mom and dad will perform some goodbye cry, and above all if you have girlfriend, she will be the first one to run away in search of someone better; no matter how much you have loved each other.  Just keep one thing in mind: no one is going to die for you, it’s you, only you who has to live and die for your own.

Never lose hope or feel ashamed upon your nauseating outcomes and results; just cheer up thinking that at least you gave it try. Make yourself believe that you tried, which is hard and almost impossible for many out there. Get control over your fear, you will minimize almost 90 percent of your failure ratio, once your make yourself understand that you ‘can’ rather you ‘can’t’ trust me; you will get there and achieve, which is an unmet desire for others.

Just imagine this world is a jungle, no doubt it is; you have to walk like a loin otherwise you will get killed by vultures and hyenas, which is a total disgrace. Live the living of an elephant and talk like dove, pigeon or parrot and love like a newborn or new arrival of the jungle. Again!! Don’t expect anything in return, neither any rewards for your prizefight nor even love.

If there is a ‘Plan,’ make sure you have at least one or two backup plans; this will help and expand your playing ground to switch from one option to another. Such trick will reduce the risk factor for disappointments, disheartening, and regrets for any cause. But work under specific objectives; don’t jerk around like gypsies, your defined objectives will help to hit the milestones of life.

Work hard, wait! Donkey is the sincerest creature on planet earth, which works the hardest, don’t be alike. Make a rough sketch of your plans, then work hard to achieve your desired goals.

To avoid the feeling of regrets, remorse and guilt, shun your act of misdeeds and reduce errors, keeping in mind that “whatever goes on comes around.” So pull up your socks and get ready for the worst rather dreaming that people will make you walk on red-carpet. If you think you are good in dancing in dirt then be confident that you are going to enjoy life at the fullest.

At the end one thing is certain, you will learn much but very much from your unsuccessful attempt, people will call it failed attempt I would call it experience.  If you have never made an attempt, you have never failed, if you have never failed, you have never experienced and if you haven't experienced, you haven’t learned and if you haven’t learned, you will never succeed.

One can read the published post on MountainTV