Packed like Sardines

Packed like Sardines

By 

Sadia Wali

Its 8.00 am. I hurriedly collect my “luggage" and wait for my minivan to pick me up for the office. As it stops near my house, I am astounded when I open the door. Six girls are already crowded, and I am the seventh one among them who is struggling to fit in any place available in the van. There is no room to breathe.

During traffic jam, the driver puts frequent brakes and with sudden jerks begins to drive again at full speed. It seems that he was once a roller coaster driver! Many times, my head gets bumped against the windows and roof of the van. I look around the van and see all the girls rubbing their heads and elbows. The dead reckoning drive compels us to hold our breaths, as we make effort to regain our consciousness.

 During the drive, I try to remain hydrated and vigilant while my other colleagues pass time in engaging in different activities. Three girls sit beside me. One is a broker; she continuously talks on her cell phone regarding her sales work.  The other one yawns and would go into deep sleep dreaming as if she is travelling in a lavish car with great protocol. The pretty girl opposite me is always busy with her make up kit either making her hair style or applying various creams to look extra ordinary beautiful. The other one is an architect she draws sketches all the time. The last one is a passionate singer, she sings to herself and when she gets bored, she asks the van driver to play fast beat songs. The driver eagerly pays heeds to her plea. Suddenly the power speakers at the back of my head blew so fast that I felt my ear hole has got ruptured. If there would have been anyone else in my place, she would have thrown that disastrous thing out of the window. Alas! I had to bear this too.

As the destination towards our offices comes near, the seven of us begin to collect our bags which were spread underneath our seats. We have different locations so I am the last one to be dropped at my office. My clothes are badly wrinkled and it seems as if I took them out directly from the washing machine. I begin to feel I should also keep a small handy iron to press my clothes as I reach office.

At last I reach my dear office after a one-and-a-half-hour journey with shaking and trembling legs. It takes ten to twenty minutes to refresh myself and start my day’s tasks.

When the day ends, I begin to have a horror of experiencing this tormenting journey again as we all hope to reach our home safely. It is always a risk travelling in evening rush hour traffic. I hope today the minivan does not hit a rickshaw or a truck, like it often does, and we dreadfully fall on one another inside the van. One frightful incident was when the driver hit the footpath and the steering wheel came out!

While on my way to work and home, I feel as if we are packed like sardines in a can.  The irony here is that we are not fish, we are human beings that are packed in a tin.

The van is terribly crowded but this alarming journey makes us laugh and enjoy and share our grief. Singing songs, enjoying, eating samosas and golgappas, celebrating birthdays and taking selfie are some cherished moments which we have enjoyed the most. It might be the reason that we have become used to this terrible journey and might continue with it!

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How I Treat My Strange Water Bottle

How I Treat My Strange Water Bottle 

By Sadia Wali

My water bottle on my working desk in office seems mysterious to many of my colleagues as they never find it empty. In the beginning, they felt I drink a lot. They got inspired. As time passed, they realized what they believed about me was totally wrong. I hardly drink 1 or 2 glass a day and take my bottle back home half filled. This happens every day.

One day my colleague told me in a light hearted way, "You can survive easily in a desert like a camel. I began to laugh but this really no joke. I need to drink water in large quantity for better health.  I remember my mother used to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water during the day. I used to watch with curiosity and think how is it possible to drink water in such a large quantity.

 I went to see homeopathic doctor for body pain, headache and dehydration, his first question was how much is your water intake? I was startled and began to give excuses. I get so busy in work I always forget to drink water or sometime don’t even get time to drink water. To my amazement he said how is it possible you forget to drink water. Does no one in your office drink water? I  murmured to myself how can I drink water when I am not  thirsty.I can easily survive in a forest or desert where water is not available. The doctor gave me a medicine which will increase thirst.

I thought this medicine might work  some miracle might happen and I begin to drink whole of my medium size bottle in a day. Consequently, I began to take this miraculous medicine but my mind keeps asking the question  my stomach is not big enough like a  camel  hump to store  water.

How can I force myself to drink water in large quantity I pondered!

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Identifying Your Core Values at workplace

Identifying Your Core Values at workplace

By
Sadia Wali

Dr. Pardes co-author of the book, ‘Understanding Human Behavior’ emphasized on how one can retain his valued talent? Replacing employees and onboarding new hires is a difficult task for an organization. The Research by the Gallup Organization says that currently101 million employees world over are not feeling engaged at work.  Leaders seek ways to empower the workforce to achieve their potential. According to CEO of a company, employees think that recognizing and appreciating their talents helps to boost up their learning capacity. Hence, organizations which consider their employees as a whole person and not just as employees have more productive and committed individuals. Satisfied employees mean satisfied customers, which leads to profitability.

In rapidly changing times, a ‘change in management or system also effects the skills and capabilities of employees. 

As Robert F. Kennedy says,

“About twenty percent of the people are against any change.” –

 
If organizational change implies innovation, skills and character- building, it should influence employees in a positive way. It is preferable to define core values at work place. Common core values in corporate culture include terms like: Integrity, innovation, honesty, passion and commitment. Living by your values means living by higher standards.

Unhappy employees have several fears and complaints. Chances are whatever the change; disgruntled employees always feel unmotivated and demotivate other colleagues through their negative behavior. To manage difficult employees, the managing team should devise an action plan or strategies that include reviewing the complaints, coaching the employees and giving clear, behavioral feedback.  Appreciate their efforts and reward them for being responsible, committed and enthusiastic.

Organizational behavior boosts up the productivity of   management. It transforms them into an indispensable employee and helps develop commitment among the employees to achieve their personal goals thereby achieving the goals of the company.

 Employees get motivated when they find career development in the organization. They are provided with learning experiences pertaining to their interests, development needs and organizational reward systems. The employees will not be able to utilize their potential fully if management is too authoritative, threatens self – interest or job security and involve stress and risks. Unresolved issues of interpersonal tension and conflict lead to emotional stress for employees. It may lead to work disruptions, decreased productivity, project failure, absenteeism and more termination.

Hence, the management needs to hire people with the right values and attitudes.  Employees knowing about organizational behavior   should know about dressing style, work with honesty, delegate responsibility and bring a good organizational performance. By providing training process or cultural orientation to new hires, the organization should communicate and model the behavior they want in their set up. Reinforcing the right behaviors will help to strengthen the relationship between employees and the management.

According to Society of Human Resource Management, to retain high-performing employees, the management should provide people with challenging situations that link their goals with their desires.  The managing team needs to create a positive company culture and values. Improve expertise of employees by offering opportunities to learn and collaborate with peers. The “reward” for the contributions such as appraisals   or promotion enhances self- confidence of the employee and keeps him motivated.

To conclude,

To improve performance and efficiency, an organization should set its highest   priorities and fundamental beliefs and core values.

The writer is an Assistant Editor at Innovative Solutions.She can be contacted at sadiawali@hotmail.com

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Book Review Abundance: The Future Is Better Than You Think

Book Review

Abundance: The Future Is Better Than You Think

By Sadia Wali

During my proofreading session, I found an interesting book to read. To some readers, it might be dull or boring, to me it seems a unique and interesting one to read. The author, of the book Peter H. Diamandis (Founder and Executive Chairman of the XPRIZE Foundation) and Steven Kotler (award-winning science writer)analyzed various aspects and events related to science and technological progress in near future.  In just 250 pages, Kotler and Diamandis discussed exponentially growing technologies in health, economic, education, communications and information and energy that have rapidly transformed our world.  According to the author, innovation and exponential technologies have also improved quality of life, human performance and help to make better choices. In next twenty five years, the technological advancements will reshape the world through social, cultural and economic revolution.

Progress in artificial intelligence, robotics, infinite computing, global broadband networks, digital manufacturing, nanomaterial, synthetic biology, and many other exponentially growing technologies will enable us greater advantages in the next two decades than we have in the previous two hundred years says the author.

“Abundance is a big vision compressed into a small time frame. The next twenty five years can remake the world, but this won’t happen on its own. There are plenty of issues to be faced, not all of them technological in nature. Overcoming the psychological blocks—cynicism, pessimism, and all those other crutches of contemporary thinking—that keep many of us from believing in the possibility of abundance is just as important. To accomplish this, we need to understand the way our brain shapes our beliefs and our beliefs shape our reality.”

(Reference: Chapter 3 Book, Abundance- The future is better than you think)

Readers are introduced to Abundance Pyramid. The pyramid  is divided into different levels. First, ensure food, water and shelter for every person on the planet. Then, guarantee abundant energy, education and information and communication abundance. Another important element in our pyramid of abundance is freedom. Freedom here is referred to as the freedom of speech, the freedom of access to information and technology and the freedom to human rights. Finally,  the pyramid focuses on improving public health by creating awareness in masses of how to prevent and control global diseases and epidemic.

The important aspect of the book is help people to gain positive belief about technology.  The author term “the rising billion,” this abundant world will be one where anything is possible, “a world where everyone’s days are spent dreaming and doing, not scrapping and scraping.”

The second part of the book focused on reasons and causes that led to the invention of various medicines and technologies. The author refers to it creating a world of health care abundance which means providing clean water, ample nutrition, and smoke-free air environment to the masses.

 To conclude, the author hopefully declares that the rapid growth in technology is a blessing for human kind. Means of communication, auto diagnostic equipment’s, artificial intelligence, robotics, infinite computing and so many other technological developments have raised the standards of people’s lives.  These fields have also given their best to make this world a global abundant. 

I recommend you to read this book and share your views!

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Book Review: How can miracles happen in your life

How can miracles happen in your life

By Sadia Wali

Believe in your heart that you're meant to live a life full of passion, purpose, magic and miracles.”

― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

For years I have been searching for ways that could develop my mental strength and help me to face my ordeals. While reading the book, ‘The power of your subconscious mind’, I instantaneously felt a change in my thinking, positive vibes and peace of mind. If we practically apply the techniques, Iam absolutely sure miracle will happen in our lives.

Have you ever thought about power of your subconscious mind? The book will help to build your perception of how to use your inner powers that lift up negative thought patterns and foster peace of mind. Dr. Joseph Murphy, the author was highly influenced by Eastern religion as he spent a good part of his life studying Eastern religion in India. During this research study, he found secrets of subconscious mind that could help people to bring miracles in their life to solve their critical problems and bring harmony in family relationships.

While reading the book, I was deeply absorbed and felt my subconscious mind sublime with my soul. I gained wisdom and understanding of issues that are never emphasized. It is really amazing if we could smooth our daily lives, bring harmony in family relationships and eliminate various fears from our hearts.

The conscious mind is just like a captain of the ship. If it passes the right orders, the ship navigates on the right ways or otherwise it wrecks. This is what we lack. As we lack productive thinking, our minds are polluted with devilish thoughts so we react accordingly. Most of us remain confuse and seek for divine inspiration to instill peace of mind.

Let me begin with how our mind works. Our thoughts are based on   our experiences and circumstances. As the subconscious mind is prone to accept suggestion, it is imperative that we adapt positive behavior. Some interesting techniques I would like to share.

The healing power is in our subconscious mind.  Staunch faith brings physical and spiritual healing. The sleeping technique helps to leave a bad habit. If you want to become a millionaire, attract your subconscious mind towards wealth and money and ideas of wealth begin to flow in mind. Before going into deep slumber, have self- talk. Speak these words, “I am a millionaire." Bring ideas sweeps in your mind. Thus, you can sleep and grow rich.

The next thing I learnt how to improve marital problems. The problems of marital unhappiness, separation and divorce have risen alarmingly. Divorce takes place first in the mind. This takes place as we misuse our minds. Prayer therapy will strength the bond. Women should remember that her joy, happiness and peace of mind does not come from her husband, parents or other relationship, it is originated from her inner power of subconscious mind. If she experience inner contentment she will have high aspirations and dreams. The interesting therapy I found was: Think about the characteristics you wish to see in your partner. This will urge your subconscious mind to divinely bring the right partner to you. Continue speaking these words, I accept my ideal companion now. This will help to deviate mind from negative patterns.

Have you ever thought of finding an ideal partner through subconscious mind? Try it by practicing the technique given in the book.

A woman builds mental image of the ideal partner in mind. The infinite intelligence would help her out. Do not wonder how you will meet your mate.  You should trust your infinite wisdom of the subconscious mind and deep faith in your prayers.

Through subconscious mind, we can overcome fears of all sorts.  Think yourself as performing that particular action you fear. If you fear swimming, visualize it. The other abnormal fears are fear of airplane crash. Either watch video or imagine yourself sitting in airplane.

The thing I comprehended was that we are actually victim of a false belief. Solution lies within ourselves, we need to feel the marvelous power of our subconscious that miracles will happen in our lives. The wonderful magical techniques will bring peace and harmony.

Read the book for spiritual guidance and inspiration!

The writer is an assistant Editor at Innovative Solutions, Karachi. She can be contacted at sadiawali@hotmail.com

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Mindful Moments- Somewhere between storm and reaching sky

Mindful Moments- Somewhere between storm and reaching sky

By Sadia Wali 

“Each moment means a new possibility. Mindfulness is not resisting things to happen but allowing life to unfold its wings.”

― Amit Ray, Mindfulness Living in the Moment - Living in the Breath

Life has been strange for me. When I look back to the years, turbulence and dilemmas had shrunk my hopes. Fear and feelings of despair made my mind slipped into negativity.  I would keep blaming myself for continuous failure. My life has been a roller coaster ride due to unpredictable circumstances.

The biggest change in life was when I opted to pursue the field of writing. Writing was my passion since childhood. I began freelance writing for Dawn newspaper, Karachi since 2001.My first article published in 2001 was a big achievement for me. Since then I still began to contribute for Dawn newspaper, The News and various blogs. I have contributed several articles for feature page of Sunday Images.

 I endeavor to choose a place with intellects and educationalists that would help me to enhance my writing skills and potential.  ERDC was the first platform that opened up my mind and I began to think positively. I joined ERDC in 2013 as research fellow. My tasks were to write chapters and teachers guide for social studies text books (Grade 6 to 8). I was part of the organizing committee of ERDC Project, Professional Teacher’s Certificate Course, I conducted workshop of writing skills.

I have great memories associated with the ERDC where I worked for two years. Salman Asif Siddiqui and other colleagues helped me to develop my communication skills and research skills. One of my colleagues was so cooperative he made my blog and helped me to manage it. I miss that memorable time with my colleagues.

In the year 2015, I worked with Abbas Husain. He is a renowned teacher trainer. Iam still inspired by his wisdom and knowledge, working with him was a tremendous experience for me. I worked as rapporteur for his teacher training sessions. The catastrophes I went through really broken me, it was his  inspirational sessions that helped me to focus on my personality traits,  my weaknesses and my awesome dreams and goals which I never thought  important. Once he asked me a simple question: Do you feel happy?  He stayed calm and waited for my reply: I wondered what to say, I never pondered about my inner feelings. His next question was:  When the last time I sat near a beautiful lake and spell bounded by the inspiring beauty of nature. Which book or movie left an everlasting impact on my mind? To all these questions I really felt stunned and blank and to some extent puzzled what to say.

I realized that my intellectuality   was nil and I missed the best moments of life to enhance my physical and intellectual growth. I being less resilience always lived a stressful life which kept me emotionally and sentimentally disturbed. Thus, I never thought that the most essential aspect of one’s personality is to ‘Be Happy’ which really counts a lot in building up the personality.  

My life, career and personality got a great boost in 2016 when I met the co- trainers of Abbas Husain. The organization named as REACH where I worked as Research Coordinator. I managed the promotional activities of Asian University for Women, Bangladesh followed by the recruitment procedure, networking and communication with school heads and principals of educational institutions in Karachi. I developed training manuals and power point presentations. I also translated the Training Manual of Adult Literacy from Urdu to English.

I worked with three trainers, they transformed my personality. One of the trainers suggested me to think about post graduate studies, she asked me to contact friends on LinkedIn about PhD. 

Here I would like to mention and especially thankful to my dear friend, a PhD scholar in China who kept me motivated to take initiatives to boost my career. He also encouraged me towards thinking of post graduate studies.  A new era opened for me. I began to think and plan for my PhD.

My new job venture at Innovative Solutions has turned a new leaf for me. I feel good and think good.  Working with young colleagues, I feel more positive and enthusiastic.  Enjoying and gossiping with young friends at office and in van has refreshed my heart. I feel great in learning new technologies and skills from my team lead, senior proofreaders and young fellows. Exposure to various inspirational and informative books has enhanced my knowledge; the best thing I learnt through these books is to develop the ability to change, adapt myself to different situations and respond and react respectively.  One of the books I would like to mention is ‘How to survive change that you didn’t ask for’ truly changed the perspective of my life. The Seven Truths about Change highly appealed me. I read that book several times, I felt as if this book was written for me. A few lines I would like to quote:

 “You may have come across lots of instances in your life where you might had felt that you are not resilient enough to face such a crisis but somehow, you have made it. You have swum against the strongest of currents of life and still survived. So how do you cultivate resilience?”

Over these years, I feel myself fortunate that I got opportunities to work with some great mentors and especially at my present working place, I have learned how to embrace change in life.

 Every day, I woke up with new aspirations and dreams. . I am on a mission to improve every aspect of my life.  My motive involves learning, reflecting and thinking. To get involved with people who respect my opinions and help me to achieve my goals.  I learnt two important lessons. Firstly to   celebrate every opportunity as we learn and grow by time.  Understanding develops from observation and experience. Secondly, I developed my faith in Allah. It is my experience who has firm faith in Allah finds miracles in his life.

 Finally, I believe it is better to forget the things that hurt us and live each day with the hope that there will come a balm for sorrow, a life full of strength and happiness. The smiling lips will always blossom like a rose; the patience of these silent lips will pave the way towards a great reward just like a life in heaven.  Let us keep the faith and trust in Allah for He is with us on every step of our life.

Happiness lies inside us, we need to discover how we can enjoy every moment of life. Keep enjoying every moment as the gift of life is life itself! 

The writer is an Assistant Editor at Innovative Solutions, Karachi. She can be contacted at sadiawali@hotmail.com

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WOMEN HOLD UP HALF THE SKY”

I

“Women hold up half the sky”

By SADIA WALI

International Women’s Day is celebrated worldwide on 8th March. What is needed to be pondered is that it is not only a day celebration; it is a lifelong commitment to end injustice against women. For an average woman in Pakistan this might be an ordinary day. Pakistani society is still polluted with unheretical beliefs in the name of religion and culture, social constraints and discrimination based on deeply entrenched values and perceptions about women’s role in the society have created deep- rooted gender disparity. Pakistan has been ranked the second worst country in the world for gender equality for a second year in a row.

Gender parity is at the core of the MDGs. MDG 3 focuses upon the key challenges faced by women in three major areas: education, employment and political participation. Female education not only results in a large segment of society (women) having access to labour opportunities, enhance employment opportunities and higher wages for women. MDG3 aims to eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education by 2025.

According Global Gender Gap Report 2017, Pakistan continues to rank second worst country with the rank of 143 out of 144 countries in economic participation and opportunities and 135 in educational attainment. Providing equal opportunities for better quality education is critical for women and girls to improve their employment options. The report described Physical violence as the most shameful of all rights violations and one of the most intractable to eliminate fully.

The study conducted by the United Nations indicates that one third of the over 30 million working aged women in Pakistan are deemed economically active. The report emphasized how women spend 90% of their salary on their children and the health, education and well-being of their family. Owing to deep-rooted gender disparities pertaining to availability of opportunities and resources, only a small number of women in Pakistan are able to start and sustain an entrepreneurial venture. The report highlighted that investing in women’s economical participation is a direct way to gender equality, poverty reduction and inclusive economic growth; we need to give girls and women the equal opportunities to which they are entitled.

Pakistan is changing rapidly. Sixty per cent of the population under the age of 25 has high access to cellphones and internet. Women have begun to have awareness to their rights and now they can no longer be hold back. Young girls are going to college and schools. Even in the remotest of villages, young girls have come up to lead a better life. They want greater economic independence; they wish to take decisions regarding education, marriage and improve their social status.

We cannot forget the great revolutionary woman, Comrade TahiraMazhar Ali under whose leadership the international women’s day was observed first time in Pakistan on March 08, 1948. The struggle was continued by Mai Bakhtawar, Comrade Shanta and Asma Jahangir.

Hats off to young talented women in Pakistan who have high aspirations to bring social change in the country. There are countless other Pakistanis women who are working either as individuals or in teams in urban areas and far flung areas of the country.

 In the year 2017, women from diversified backgrounds have diligently worked in various fields. Let’s look at their notable achievements.

Syeda Ghulam Fatima. general secretary of the Bonded Labour Liberation Front Pakistan (BLLF), was presented with the Clinton Global Citizen Award 2015 for leadership in civil society Marium Mukhtar- Although the 24-year-old Flying Officer was martyred when her training aircraft crashed near Mianwali in November, Marium will always be remembered as the first lady pilot of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to attain the great honour

Dr Nergis Mavalvala-Pakistan-born astrophysicist played a part in discovery of gravitational waves

Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy became the first Pakistani to win two Oscar awards. Sharmeen won in the Best Documentary Short Subject for A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness in the 88th Academy awards. The documentary which sheds light on honour killings in Pakistan follows the story of a teenage girl shot in the face by her own family

Minhal Sohail-The 21-year-old became Pakistan’s first female shooter to compete at Olympics 2016. Although, she couldn’t win gold and secured 28th position in the 10m air rifle event. Minhal has made us proud by qualifying for the Rio Games Ayesha is Pakistan’s first ever female war-ready fighter pilot. The 26-year-old fighter, hailing from Bahawalpur, is one of the 19 women who have achieved the ranks of pilots in the Pakistan Air Force over the last decade – there are five other female fighter pilots but they have yet to take the final tests to qualify for combat

Shazia Asif Khan is an Educationist and Human Rights Activist. She is the founder and President of AAB- the need of life, an NGO in Karachi. She is the founder of Minerva Education System, a model school for underprivileged children in Gulshan, Karachi Saba Gul is the Founder and CEO of Popinjay, a social enterprise that empowers marginalised underprivileged girls in Pakistan with education and provides them with employment opportunities by selling their goods (embroidered handbags currently) to a high-end market

Today, the world mobilizes to accelerate gender parity in every sphere of influence. Women’s economic empowerment requires bold and sustained action to advance women’s opportunities and rights and to ensure that women can participate and be heard.

 Given the current economic challenges in Pakistan, there is an urgent need to focus on women’s economic participation, their rights and empowerment. To increase their economic opportunities, women need access to more and better jobs, a business climate that financially supports them in starting a business. Women have unique skills; their economic contribution can make a difference in GDP. As they can play a vital role for economic growth, government and private sector should provide innovative program to provide equitable access to high-quality education, healthcare, jobs and justice to women.

In a big rally staged today  by the Home Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF) in Karachi  demanded to end all discriminatory laws against women, and accept them as equal citizens. The speakers reiterated that the society could only prosper   if discriminatory laws and biased attitudes against women is eliminated. Sadly, there is no section in the labor laws of this country to end harassment of women at workplace. Women workers are deprived of social security, EOBI, health and safety and all basic rights which male workers enjoy at workplace.

They came up with important decisions such as:

·         The feudal and tribal system should be ended from the country, as this system has kept women enslaved for centuries. All anti women traditions should be ended, discrimination to women. KaroKari, WataSata and honor killings should be ended. The legal system should be improved and its access to common citizens ensured. Effective legislation should be carried out to end the religious extremism and it should also be implemented.There should be equal wages for equal work and the wages of workers should be increased.

Empowering women and girls is the only way to protect their rights and make sure they apprehend their full potential and utilize their skills in constructive purposes.

The writer works as Assistant Editor at Innovative solution, Karachi. She can be contacted at sadiawali@hotmail.com

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