Archive for September, 2007

Usability vs Image

chenchi2.jpg
The local administration of Gulshan-e-Iqbal has recently taken an initiative to deploy chinchi rickshaws between Gulshan Chowrangi and Gala Restaurant. For those who are not aware of the locality, this route forms an alternate link from Gulshan Chowrangi to Hasan Square. You can either go the NIPA - University Road or you can take this route. No buses are ployed on this route and hence the need of some public transport.

(more…)

Surkh - RED

Saw this in my van today. Never heard such a strange name for a newspaper. Any ideas on what the owner might have in his mind?. Generally the colour RED is attributed to the word struggle or sacrifice on flags. Its a 4 page newspaper & its content was like other Urdu newspaper starters. It also reminded me of the popular Awaam that shoot to 10 million/day in 90s. Does anyone read awaam now?
http://karachi.metblogs.com/archives/images/2007/09/sepmb/SURKH-thumb.jpg

South African Cricket Team Arrives In Karachi

The South African Cricket Team arrived in Karachi earlier yesterday amidst tight security. Believe it or not but this is the first time since the 1996 World Cup Quarter Final that the South African team have arrived in our parts, refusing to drop by in both their earlier tours in 1997 and 2003. AFP have a report on their arrival here which lists the number of security personal from Pakistan’s side as 100 policemen, police commandos and military commandos. The South African squad them selves arrived with 3 security officers. The team was quickly whisked to their hotel upon their arrival and will be expected to spend much of their off the field time in hotel confinement (means we should be ready to hear “cabin fever” as an excuse if the Proteus lose).
(more…)

McDonald - Desi version

Beware of imitations, By Raja Islam

http://karachi.metblogs.com/archives/images/2007/09/sepmb/1438706851_db35256bd9_b%5B1%5D-thumb.jpg

Car-achi: Fact

dad.jpg

A fact stated plainly atop Baloch Colony Bridge!

Imagine a World Where Technology Enables Better Education for All

Though this team is based out of Lahore, their selection earlier this year in Karachi along with the fact that I have followed the story for some time, perhaps qualifies it to be “local news”, Regardless - the story is an inspiring one for those IT Grads that think there is no hope for them - A story of how 4 students from LUMS came to Karachi to win themselves a chance to represent Pakistan in the International Imagine Cup competition in Korea -

http://karachi.metblogs.com/archives/images/2007/09/imagine_avril-thumb.jpg And so the story begins…. When Microsoft Corporation announced the 2007 Imagine Cup’s theme for students to “imagine a world where technology enables better education for all” students around the world rose to the challenge, and Pakistan was no exception.

University students around the country put their heads together and searched for the solution that would win them a chance to compete in the World Wide Finals in Korea this past August. According to Kamal Ahmed, Country Manager for Microsoft in Pakistan, “there were hundreds of teams that immediately displayed a keen interest in participating in the competition.” But then, because of the strong link that Microsoft has with Universities around the country through their technical education programs, the Imagine Cup was just another window of opportunity for students.
(more…)

Karachi Water Partnership

Here is a new NGO to address the issues related to unavailability of safe and clean water to the citizens of Karachi.

It’s too early to judge them right now. Let’s see how they do.

Suggested by: d0ct0r

Parking lots @ Tariq Road

Only last night, I read about the traffic rules to be implemented and now it is about a parking lot at Tariq Road for 700 cars and that to be before EID!! Am I dreaming????

It is hard to imagine Tariq Road with ample space on the road to actually drive your car with some speed. All the years I have spent in this city, I have always seen life moving fast in the bazaars of TR with everyone from the street hawkers, rickhaw/taxi drivers and the grand mall shops making business.

Traffic is surly one of the biggest issues that an over populated city like Karachi has to face. With so many other problems that times and again have been discussed on this forum, illegal parking has always been significant. It was few days back when I posted about the construction of the parking lot in Sadar Area which is so far considered the worst place to find a parking place for one’s car, now comes this news of the Tariq Road parking lot and the few others that will be announced soon. With plans of so many parking lots being constructed I see light at the end of the tunnel.

Traffic rules to be followed –A hope

We observe a large number of old vehicles on the roads of the city in our daily life. Vehicles of 70’s, especially the “Kali peeli” taxis. All sort of old vehicles (and sometimes the not so old ones too) playing their part in polluting the not so clean enviroment of the city are ordered to be fined. (Although I remember such campaign was started an year ago which had died soon)
Reading this news it seems to be a revival of what could not be carried for long in the past.

With helmets to be worn necessarily by motorbike drivers, challans on talking on cell phone while driving, cars with illegal, fancy and AFR number plates, speed limits and now this polution friendly action to be taken and also with so any new roads and flyovers (Let’s hope the new ones are stable enough never to fall) supposingly, we are moving towards better traffic situation.

i am a man observing fast…

ramadan, they say, is the most blessed month of the year. a time for peaceful worship and self restraint. a time to avoid, among other things, anger, rage and fighting. so they say. but then, when has karachi ever conformed to anything?

there is an old adage to the effect that most sardars go mad at the instant the clock strikes twelve. having known only one sikh my whole life - a very sane one i might add - i cannot testify to the veracity of that statement. however, i do know several karachiites who go mad round about iftar time.

i’m sure you know some too. they drive cars.
(more…)

Terms of use | Privacy Policy | Content: Creative Commons | Site and Design © 2008 | Metroblogging ® and Metblogs ® are registered trademarks of Bode Media, Inc.