Saturday, August 25, 2007

Bridges, anyone?

It was a scorching afternoon. Two students got off a mini bus and stood at the pavement to cross the road. It was a busy street and at the peak of the rush hour, all forms of vehicles were zooming past, making the task at hand seem rather difficult. One of the students would put a foot forward and then hurriedly withdraw it in the face of a speeding car or a racing bus. These students stood there for quite some time before they were finally able to zoom in and out between the fast-moving traffic to reach the other side of the road. Had someone nearby stopped to sympathise with the plight of these students, the sympathy would have turned to incredulity at the sight of a pedestrian bridge right above where the students stood.

And this is actually the real plight. Most of the students love to believe they are immortal. Why else would they race their bikes on a busy road, or put up a show of resistance whenever they are asked to hand over their cell phones? However, no one and absolutely no one can beat those who choose to cross a road in spite of the pedestrian bridge right over their heads.

All major roads of Karachi are filled with vehicular traffic at all times. The problem in crossing these roads is increased by the fact that there is no traffic signal nearby. If a traffic signal is present, then there is at least some hope that the flow of traffic will stop for some time, hence allowing some of the lucky ones to reach the other side of the road.

This is where pedestrian bridges come in. There are many pedestrian bridges in Karachi. All of them have been constructed at key locations i.e. roads that have a heavy traffic flow at all times. At places like Hyderi and Shahrah-i-Faisal to name a few, these bridges should ideally ensure that people cross the road safely without risking their lives. After all, that’s why they are there in the first place. However, when it comes to effectively using these bridges, the situation is exactly the opposite.

Most of the students view these bridges as a sheer waste of time. It is quite sad to observe that the pedestrian bridge in front of the Ayesha Bawany Academy at Shahrah-i-Faisal, for one, is vacated most of the times. In spite of the heavy traffic, these students think it is actually quite thrilling to zoom in between rows of cars to reach the other end.

So why do people stay away from the pedestrian bridges and choose to cross the roads? There are many explanations given on that front. Time obviously is the main issue. The fact that the time to climb the stairs of the pedestrian bridge and get off at the other end is exactly the same, if not less, than waiting for the road to clear a bit so that it can be crossed safely, is lost on most people. The common perception is that crossing the road instead of using the bridge takes less time, which of course may not be entirely true all the time.

“It’s our mindset. We love to take shortcuts,” says a disgusted Hina, a student of a reputed business institute. “The thought of doing things the right, fair and socially accepted way never enters our minds. No wonder we are in the mess we are.”

Fatima, an ‘O’ Level student, also attributes this to the mindset. “Students don’t make use of the pedestrian bridge because they’re too lazy to climb the steps. They think it’s a waste of time and energy. And then it’s all about how we think we can just cross the road as and when we wish and it’s the drivers’ responsibility to stop when they see us. It’s all about mindset, I tell you.”

This does actually apply to those who cross the road while a bridge is above them. Obviously those who cross the road in a hurry because the bridge is at a considerable distance or isn’t present at all in that area do have some excuse. No wonder certain people have actually written letters to newspapers requesting more bridges to be constructed on roads like Shahrah-i-Faisal for the convenience of those who do use these bridges.

Back to those who don’t, another reason why students think it is better to cross the road than use the bridge is because pedestrian bridges aren’t perceived as “safe” in the first place. Most of the times, the stairs are wobbly and seem to sag under one’s weight. The considerable empty space between one stair and the next also seems to be a bit too much.

“I have been a regular user of the pedestrian bridge at Shahrah-i-Faisal. But it is a frightening experience every day,” revealed Saira, a student whose school is around the bridge. “I am always afraid that the stairs or the bridge itself will give way under me. Even when I am on the bridge itself, the floor isn’t stable enough. No wonder there are only a few people really making use of that bridge.”

Another main issue doesn’t really have anything to do with the pedestrian bridges themselves, but is related to the demographics and characteristics of the individual. For instance, if someone has a phobia of heights, then it is unlikely that he/she will use the pedestrian bridge to cross the road. And there are many young people who do genuinely have that phobia.

Similarly, it is thought that the elderly people would also have a problem crossing the bridge as there are quite a number of stairs leading to them in the first place. But surprisingly, they are the more cautious lot, with the younger lot being more reckless and daring.

“My grandfather, who is of age, uses the metal pedestrian bridge to cross the road, but would definitely prefer to do it directly, because it gets very tiring for him. Following from a simple science explanation, metal has more gravity working on it than cement or stone, so while climbing the bridge only, he gets tired enough,” explained Javeria, a student of Karachi University.

Javeria, who herself is a regular user of pedestrian bridges at Nursery and Hyderi feels that bridges can sometimes be a source of embarrassment not to mention untimely injuries. “I have slipped twice while getting off these bridges. Believe me, slipping on the steps of a pedestrian bridge brings a lot of embarrassment together with a lot of bruises, sprained ankles, and broken backs,” she adds vehemently.

An interesting point to note is that when there is a railing dividing the two sides of the roads, almost everyone uses the pedestrian bridge. The bridge in front of the Federal Urdu University is a case in point. That bridge is almost always crowded and of course, this is not to undermine the fact that the students are socially aware that they must cross the road using the pedestrian bridge. However, one cannot help but notice the divider between the two roads which means that crossing it on foot is futile, as one wouldn’t be able to get on the other side anyway.

In spite of the problems, one cannot deny the importance of pedestrian bridges. There are periodic announcements by the city nazim that more bridges will be constructed, and one can easily see quite a few bridges under construction in different parts of the city. This is of course welcome news to a sizable majority that plays safe and doesn’t make an issue of crossing the pedestrian bridges.

People who do not seem to realise their importance do have a point, but at the end of the day, it is advisable to use something that has been constructed for your convenience only, even if you have to spend some extra time or effort doing so.

Bringing colour to life

WE often take colours for granted. In fact, we rarely get the time or make the effort to appreciate that the sky is a deep blue and that the clouds are a dark grey. Or that the house next door has just been painted an eyesore pink. Colours are the single most important source of vibrancy and beauty in life, even if we tend to overlook this fact. After all, it takes a blind man to appreciate the true blessing of not just sight, but the beauty of the different shades of colours.

Despite the fact that colours are everywhere around us, we do not give them much attention, since what is obvious is rarely noticed. They do come under limelight when it comes to shopping or décor or buying accessories, but apart from that, have we ever looked at colours as an individual entity?

Now is the time. And to help us in this, there are a number of websites which not only delve into dufferent hues, but also explore into more than what meets the eye.

Colour Affects is one such website. Although it is the homepage of a company offering its .... services, it does carry a section on “Colour Psychology”. The section deals with different colours that have an impact on our lives, which makes it quite an interesting read.

Once you log onto the website, you can begin reading the article on “Psychological Properties of Colours” which delves into the details of how one is able to see and perceive different colours in the first place. It then goes on to specify certain interesting facts and figures. For instance, did you know that there are only eleven words for basic colours, but computers are able to generate as many as sixteen million colours? If this amazes you, check out the article for more such facts.

The same article then goes into the details of the eleven basic colours, namely red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, brown, pink, grey, black and white. The detail specifies the psychological effects that these colours have on people. The effects for all these eleven colours are both positive and negative. For example, the positive properties of blue are listed to be as intelligence, communication, trust, efficiency, serenity, duty, logic, coolness, reflection and calm, while the negative ones are coldness, aloofness, lack of emotion and unfriendliness.

Some interesting and distinct characteristics of each colour are also stated. Red light, for instance, seems to one to be nearer than it really is, which is why it is used in traffic lights all over the world. A lighter shade of blue helps clear the mind and intensifies one’s concentration.

Fot those of you who are interested in learning the historical details of colours, there is an article on history as well. It traces all the research that has previously been done on colours, and you can read up on the summary of these researches conducted by renowned names like Isaac Newton and Hippocrates.

There is a lot more that one can learn about colours from this website. Overall, it is quite a comprehensive read and no doubt an informative one. And this will definitely make you appreciate the system of colours that exists around you in this world.

To learn more about how colours affect your life log onto

http://www.colour-affects.co.uk/

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Trousseau full of books

“Bloomsbury will soon be publishing the entire Harry Potter set,” I informed my sister. “I am thinking of getting it for my collection.” My sister rolled her eyes. “The last I heard we already own three Harry Potter books. Why do you need the entire set all over again?”

“It is one of the things on my dowry list. And I also need to include the books of Jane Austen, Paulo Coelho and Mary Higgins Clark,” I replied.

Sister shook her head and continued driving. I was already thinking of more authors and more books to purchase for my ‘exclusive collection’. I must get Harun Yahya’s books of course, not to forget the entire Anne of Green Gables series by Lucy Maud Montgomery. The reverie continued till I reached university, where it was rudely interrupted.

“Books? Surely you’re not making books part of your dowry?” cried a friend.

”What’s wrong with books?” I asked.

“Nothing’s wrong. Take your books with you by all means, but at least don’t get them sent with the regular dowry. It’s just not done. Get them sent to you after a few months.”

I am still confused. For someone who cannot differentiate between a fruit set and an ice cream set, I know for sure that my books will be probably a major part of my dowry. Add to that my magazines and files full of reading material and published articles, and you have the perfect dowry. Well, for me at least.

And why not? My books have been collected over many years. I have spent quality time browsing through book stores and book fairs and spent my father’s hard-earned money purchasing them. Why should I leave them behind? (And who cares about a washing machine and bedroom fridge anyway?)

All else aside, one wonders why at this time of life books are suddenly considered inferior to (gasp!) pots and pans. I mean, come the schedule of the wedding and suddenly you have a very active shopping spree planned which includes anything but books. There are people who prefer to buy everything from hair brushes to safety pins for their dowry, but ask them which books they got and they will give you a look which will make you want to disappear behind a rock or something (when it’s them who should be doing the disappearing act).


I am still confused. For someone who cannot differentiate between a fruit set and an ice cream set, I know for sure that my books will be probably a major part of my dowry. Add to that my magazines and files full of reading material and published articles, and you have the perfect dowry. Well, for me at least.


Again, the why question. Why is it considered blasphemous to read a book a few days into marriage? One would think that picking up a book would spoil the four-hour manual labour done upon you by the beauty parlour. Or maybe it is that curling up with a book is a heck more difficult to do when one is decked from head to toe in embroidered clothes and heavy gold ornaments? Or maybe books simply pale in comparison to the fantasies of a honeymoon in Switzerland.

For those of you, who have seriously started to doubt my sanity, let me create a scenario to illustrate that books aren’t useless or time consuming at this crucial point and they can actually help you in the most trying periods post-marriage.

For starters, suppose it is the first week of marriage. Every single one of your in-laws (husband included) is running around for one thing or another, but no one is letting you do any work (a benefit of being a new bride). What do you do? Sit around and mope? At a time like this, a good book would come in handy to ward off boredom.

Also,what about whenever you need some help with things in the post-marriage phase? There are loads of books on cooking, budgeting, handling a job and house, and what not – all ready-made post marriage help for you.Then, there are some very interesting books on marriage itself. Ever tried Spouse: The truth about marriage by Shoba De? What about Muslim Marriage Guide by Rukaiya Waris Maqsood? These are only two of the wonderful books available on the subject and believe me, when you are starting out in a new phase of life, books can help you along. They will reassure you that you are not alone in facing post-marriage blues and, of course, dispense plenty of advice along the way to help you deal with different situations.

So at the end of the day, it is your books which remain with you when you venture into a new home. They create a sense of familiarity and it is kind of soothing to realise that you have a ready companion for you. For all of you who think books are useless after marriage, I honestly feel very sorry for you.

P.S. The aforementioned friend informed me that her husband to-be is planning an entire library for her and has already purchased two books for it. There is still hope in this world.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Picture Perfect

With the advent of the digital camera, which is easily accessible to a large number of people, the concept of photography is now redefined. The very concept and ways of storing photographs has also changed and is now quite diametrically opposed to what it used to be. Of course, there are still a few amongst us, who prefer hard cover and fancy albums to store their memories, but by and large, and like everything else, albums have also gone online.

One such website which has helped in facilitating this, is Shutterfly: a website where photographs can be uploaded and shared with family and friends. But other than that, it carries quite a few interesting features which makes it conspicuous from its other cyber counterparts. For one thing, it is hassle-free. For instance, once you have logged in and created an account, all you need to do is to use the ‘add photos option’ to create your albums and then add photos to it. You can add up to ten photos at a time. A word of advice though: if you are using a dial-up connection and the photos are large in size, try uploading not more than three at a time. There is always a chance that your internet connection may disconnect or electricity may break down, so this way at least some pictures will get loaded.

Once your albums are created and the photos uploaded, you can always play around with your collection. Then there are options to crop photos or put a fancy border around them. You can even add captions to individual photos. The possibilities are never-ending and in fact are only limited by how much time you have to spruce up your albums and photos. So let your imagination go wild.

Then of course, there is the sharing option. Here, you can select the album and then choose individual photos from them. Then you can write out the email address(es) and personal note to go with the photos.

All in all, Shutterfly is quite a handy website. And if you have done your homework, that is, properly compressed your photographs using a good photo-editing software like Adobe Photoshop, it is only a matter of minutes before you can upload and share your photographs. The best part is that once your photographs are uploaded, you can easily delete them from your camera and hard drive to begin clicking again.

Shutterfly’s privacy policy has some useful guidelines too. It basically advises one to exercise caution when sending the links of the photos, since once the link is out, you can never know who it may reach. So only send the links to your most trusted family members and friends.

So there you have it. This website is clearly a good complement to your offline albums. Of course, nothing can substitute hard copies or the charm of a good album which is there for you whenever you need it. Online albums may be convenient but their accessibility depends on the internet connection and power supply. Of course, you can get prints of your digital photos anytime you want, but as long as you need some place to backup photos, Shutterfly is the answer.



To keep your photos in one place and share them with family and friends, log on to http://www.shutterfly.com

Saturday, August 4, 2007

A political say

Blogging is definitely one phenomenon that has caught on with many people connected to the Internet. Even though there are many who commit blogicide, there are many others who persist in updating and maintaining their blogs on a daily basis. The Pakistani blogosphere is as diverse as it can get. There are blogs which are dedicated exclusively to one theme – cricket blogs, for instance or literary blogs. However, there is one form of blogging which is still the domain of very few people. And that type is political blogging.

Political blogging is something that has yet to catch up in this country. Of course, there are people who, within their general interest blog, dedicate a post or two to the current political happenings in the country, but by and large, the general public is hesitant to express its political views for everyone to read. And political affiliation is something very few will admit anyway.

In this scenario, Chowrangi (http://www.chowrangi.com) comes as a breath of fresh air. This is a general interest blog of course. There are posts pertaining to business, entertainment, society and lifestyle in general. But there are more posts dedicated to the politics and current happenings in the country than is usually found on the blogs on this type.

Chowrangi is a group blog. There is more than one person posting on the blog, which is definitely an advantage. Instead of a monotone in terms of both style and views, there is a diverse set of opinions on different matters and written in many different ways of course. It is very possible that you agree with one writer and disagree with another. And if you are interested in writing and contributing to this blog, you can of course be a part of it.

The content is categorised for the more choosy readers. Each post is written under a separate category so if you are only interested in posts pertaining to politics, you can select the appropriate link from the right hand side bar and be directed to all the posts which have been written on politics to date.

Another advantage is that each post has a separate page with only the first couple of paragraphs visible on the main page. This essentially means that if you are in a hurry and just want to skim through the posts of the last two days, you can do so in a glance by looking through the headings and introductions of the posts on the main page. And if you like one particular post and want to read it in detail simply follow the ‘continue reading’ link and you will be directed to the webpage dedicated to the contents of the entire post plus its comments. And of course, if you are an opinionated reader, do take out time to write out some comments.

Chowrangi is definitely a contradiction to all those who believe that worthwhile content cannot emerge from the local front. Yes, it is true that most of the local content in cyberspace pertains to either showbiz or mobile phone websites. But there is a lot of other content as well, most of which gets drowned in people’s daily fare of Google, Yahoo and Hotmail.