Cell phone: A BASIC necessity or A Killer

Cell phones have lost their meaning over the years. These small devices were once developed to get in contact with someone else in case of emergencies, and now talking on the phone while driving has turned out to be a way of life for millions of American drivers. More than 85 percent of the 100 million cell-phone subscribers frequently talk on the phone during drivingTalking on the cell phone while driving should be illegal, because of the dangers they cause. Driving while using the cell phone is one of the major problems here in the US. Cell phones should not be used while driving. This matter is too dangerous to let it go unnoticed.

According to the essay, Yes, Prohibit Their Use, which appeared on the congressional quarterly’s web site on March 16, 2001, the Harvard Center for risk analysis printed a study in 1999. They appointed a crash risk factor to using cell phones. In the summer of 2000 it came out to 450 to 1,000 fatalities each year. The NHTSH says that for every fatality, there are 666 property-damage and injury-producing crashes. There are about 300,000 and 650,000 different crashes due to cell phones! This same essay states that Japan is one of the 14 countries banning the use of handheld cell phones while driving. The accidents caused by the use of cell phones dropped by 75 percent the next month, proving cell phones are not necessary parts of the driving nature.

There are major dangers connected with driving and cell phone use. Drivers have to take their eyes off the road while dialing. Also, drivers can get so deep into their conversations that their ability to concentrate may be dangerously limited. This jeopardizes the safety of the people inside the vehicle, and the pedestrians outside. In order to drive safely, the driver should be able to put 100% of his or her focus on the road. Cell phones are simply a huge distraction while driving.

It is understandable that there are some cases where the use of a cell phone is needed. In these cases, I agree with the author of Yes, Prohibit Their Use, the driver should pull-over somewhere safe to use the phone. If someone receives an incoming call, he should wait until the car has come to a complete stop. Then he should proceed to use the phone. If he feels that the emergency is urgent enough to take action right away, then the person should use the hands free headset. Only in emergencies should cell phones be used.

Some people argue that there are other distractions other than cell phones. While using a cell phone when driving may not be the most unsafe distraction, studies prove that it is the most common cause of car crash accident, and common cause of death here in the US.

The use of cell phones while driving should be banned in Philadelphia, because many people die due to distraction of cell phones. Cell phone distraction causes 2,600 deaths and 330,000 injuries in the United States every year. Another reason to not use the cell phone while driving is devastating the many lives of the victims and their families in the case of an accident.

When driving, cell phones should not be allowed. Help the statistics decrease not increase.

Dire urgency for Grand Strategy for Counter Insurgency(COIN)

It is apropos of the news entitled “New Khyper Pakhtunkhwa strategy to eradicate militancy”, published in Dawn, on Monday, May 21, 2012. The piece of news articulates that there is a need to move forward from 3-D (Development, Deterrence and Dialogue) carrot and stick policy towards mobilization of all institutes for countering insurgency. The KPK government has emphasized that the only use of force is not a viable solution. Input from all institutions of government machinery is required. Meaning thereby, chalking out a grand strategy for COIN (Counter Insurgency) is needed.

Sun Tzu in his profound book, ‘The Art of War’ said, “If you know your enemies and know yourself, you can win a hundred battles without a single loss.” Relating it to our case study of insurgency in FATA, it is pertinent to know our enemies, analyse them with precision and make a strategy to win over them.

David Galula’s book “Counterinsurgency warfare: Theory and Practice” provided four conditions for a successful counter insurgency plan. One, getting popular support; second, using active minority to attain maximum support of the masses; protection of population comes at third; fourth, dismantling insurgents armed strength along with building long-term relationship with masses. This long-term relation can be maintained through building infrastructure and establishing grass root level friendly ties between armed forces and public. The four conditions imply that winning hearts and minds, an idea floated by Joseph S. Nye, is pre-requisite for the conquest of an insurgency.

The 24-pages counter insurgency strategy, proposed by the Kyper Pakhtun Khwa (KPK) government has bright prospects for transforming insurgency in KPK into a peaceful and stable piece of land, provided political will and sincerity. Moreover, an all-pronged strategy for institutional mobilization would also result in a collective response to mitigate rising instability in the province.

Syed Rumman Athar,

rummanshah1996@gmail.com

Pakistan Nuclear Test.

Syed Rumman Athar Bukhari

25-04-2012

ISPR Statement

No PR98/2012-ISPR

Rawalpindi - April 25, 2012: 

Pakistan today successfully conducted the launch of the intermediate Range Ballistic Missile Hatf IV Shaheen-1A Weapon System. The missile is an improved version of Shaheen-1 with improvements in range and technical parameters. It is capable of carrying nuclear and conventional warheads.

Today’s launch, whose impact point was at sea, was witnessed by Director General Strategic Plans Division Lieutenant General Khalid Ahmed Kidwai (R), Chairman NESCOM  Mr Muhammad Irfan Burney, Commander Army Strategic Force Command Lieutenant General Tariq Nadeem Gilani and other senior military officers, scientists and engineers.
DG SPD Lieutenant General Khalid Ahmed Kidwai (R) congratulated all scientists and engineers on the successful launch, and the accuracy of the missile in reaching the target. He said that the improved version of Shaheen 1A will further consolidate and strengthen Pakistan’s deterrence abilities. He appreciated the efforts of all personnel for their dedication and professionalism.

Available at: http://www.ispr.gov.pk/front/main.asp?o=t-press_release&id=2043#pr_link2043

Pakistan tests nuclear-capable ballistic missile

Apr 25, 2012 2:50am

ISLAMABAD, Apr(Reuters) - Pakistan successfully test-fired a nuclear-capable ballistic missile on Wednesday, the military said, less than a week after rival India tested a missile capable of delivering nuclear warheads as far as Beijing and Eastern Europe.

Pakistan's Shaheen-1A is an intermediate range ballistic missile, capable of reaching targets in India. Military officials declined to specify the range of the missile. The missile's impact point was in the Indian Ocean.

India and Pakistan have fought three full-scale wars since they were carved out of British India in 1947. They conduct missile tests regularly and inform each other in advance. Pakistan conducted nuclear tests in May 1998, shortly after India conducted similar tests. U.S. intelligence estimates last year put the number of nuclear weapons deployed by Pakistan at 90 to 110. Analysts say the strategic U.S. ally's nuclear arsenal is the fastest growing in the world. Pakistan, like neighbouring India, is not a signatory to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT).

(Reporting by Sheree Sardar and Qasim Nauman; Editing by Rebecca Conway and Robert Birsel)

Source: Reuters. Availabale at: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/25/pakistan-missile-test-idUSL3E8FP3WW20120425

Pakistan tests nuclear-capable ballistic missile

Wed Apr 25, 2012 4:18am (Updated)

Pakistan successfully test-fired a nuclear-capable ballistic missile on Wednesday, the military said, less than a week after rival India tested a missile capable of delivering nuclear warheads as far as Beijing and Eastern Europe.

Pakistan's Shaheen-1A is an intermediate range ballistic missile, capable of reaching targets in India. Military officials declined to specify the range of the missile. The missile's impact point was in the Indian Ocean.

India and Pakistan have fought three full-scale wars since they were carved out of British India in 1947. They conduct missile tests regularly and inform each other in advance. Pakistan conducted nuclear tests in May 1998, shortly after India conducted similar tests. U.S. intelligence estimates last year put the number of nuclear weapons deployed by Pakistan at 90 to 110. Analysts say the strategic U.S. ally's nuclear arsenal is the fastest growing in the world. Pakistan, like neighboring India, is not a signatory to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT).

(Reporting by Sheree Sardar and Qasim Nauman; Editing by Rebecca Conway and Robert Birsel)

Source: Reuters. Available at: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/25/us-pakistan-missile-test-idUSBRE83O05X20120425

Pakistan test fires nuclear-capable ballistic missile

Pakistan has test fired a nuclear-capable ballistic missile, military officials say, less than a week after India also test-launched a long-range missile. The military said the test of the Shaheen 1-A, an intermediate-range missile capable of reaching targets in India, was successful. India and Pakistan have fought three wars since 1947.

They conduct regular missile tests and inform each other in advance. Both countries carried out nuclear weapons tests in 1998. Defence experts say that while the exact range of the Pakistani missile has not been revealed. It is capable of hitting targets up to 2,500 to 3,000km (1,550 to 1,850 miles) away - putting arch-rival India well within reach.

The Agni-V long-range intercontinental ballistic missile launched by India last week has a range of more than 5,000km (3,100 miles), potentially bringing targets in China within range. Pakistan's last test was last month, when it launched the short-range nuclear-capable Abdali missile.

The missile tested on Wednesday landed in the sea, the military said. It is a version of the Shaheen-1 - with improvements in range and technical capabilities - and is able to carry nuclear and conventional warheads.

The military say that the missile - which successfully hit its target in the Indian Ocean - further consolidates and strengthens Pakistan's deterrence abilities. Pakistan's missile arsenal includes short, medium and long range missiles, all named after Muslim conquerors.

Source: BBC, News Asia. Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17836625

Pakistan test-fires nuclear-capable missile

Pakistan says it conducted a successful test-launch of a ballistic missile. The test comes days after its nuclear-capable rival, India, tested a long-range missile. Pakistan on Wednesday said it successfully launched an intermediate-range, nuclear-capable missile.

The country's military said in a statement that the ballistic missile was an upgraded version of the Shaheen 1, which is thought to have a maximum range of 750 kilometers (465 miles). Military officials declined to comment on the specific range of the improved version, the Shaheen 1A, which plunged into the Indian Ocean following the launch.

The missile test comes just days after Pakistan's bitter rival, India, announced it had successfully launched a new long-range missile, the Agni-V, which has a range of 5,000 kilometers.

Pakistan and India, which both have nuclear weapons, have fought three wars since they gained their independence from Britain in 1947. It is standard procedure for them to inform each other in advance of such tests.

Source: (Reuters, AP). Available at: http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,15908246,00.html

An Educated Person May Not Be A Cultured Person.

                                                                                                                Syed Rumman Athar Bukhari.


Outline:-
Introduction: The value of character-building
Paradox of Influence and Authority
Education as  the base of building society
Pointing-out educated culprits
Power corrupts
Intricating social values
Case study of an educated country: United States of AMERICA
The lethality of educated people: Development of Nuclear Weapons
Conclusion: Transforming education for character-building.



Essay:-


          The topic under discussion is "An Educated person may not be a Cultured person" draws attention to a very sensitive issue concerning human society in the advanced globalized world. It is true that a learned individual can not necessarily become a civilized man. It is considered that Education transforms pluralistic societies. However, when it is used for some vested interest, it corrupts even noble people(learned/ scholarly). The topic under discussion sketches a comparison between educational advancement and revered social norms and values.

           If we peep into the depth of the issue, it come to one's knowledge that an educated person may have authority in achieving some status. However, it is also true that a person who is even illiterate has far greater influence on the hearts and minds of  the people. Here comes the paradox of influence or authority. Taking examples from history, it is mentioned here that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was not a learned person but in his insight and thought-provoking religious teachings prevailed not only in his time but in our present day era. On the other hand, people repudiate the servitude and subjugation a despotic and authoritative person either he be a PhD degree holder.


          Material progression comes through Education but a true human progress only comes through Knowledge. It is the Knowledge that makes a man a Human being. Educational degrees may increase the material worth of a person but it does not mean that it will also build-up his character. Thus, a contrast of capability and character-building is distinct to keep in mind in evaluating a person.

          When we judge a human being, we should not only judge him from his educational professionalism and outlook but also his character. A good natured person is better than an uncivilized educated individual. However, it does not mean that we completely set aside educational criterion. Education plus character-building run side by side.

          Taking historical appraisal for differentiating educational progression and development of humanity, it is pertinent to quote two historic events and developments. One, with the wave of enlightenment in Europe, an industrial revolution emerged which also gave birth to Capitalism and Colonialism. The So-called educated West ruled the Asian and African continents with the slogans of " White Man's burden" of native owners and imposed their lifestyle. They became uncivilized under the guise of civilized society. However, their rule could not perpetuate for long and people stood against colonization from so-called educated societies .


         Two, scientific development which cultivated the fruits of industrialization and state-of-the-art production of commodities also brought some negative fall-out in the shape of Weapons of Mass Destruction(WMD) which have become a perpetual obsession of catastrophic holocaust for humanity. The concepts of Assured Destruction, Balance of Terror and Mutual Assured Destruction challenged the very educated person who triggered nuclear weapons in the two cities of Japan; Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Augast,1945 in the World War II. These lethal and destructive weapons are the question marks on the so-called educational society. The nuclear attacks by the United States on japan validate the assertion of Lord Acton that "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely."


        Given the situation, it is worth-mentioning that we pick out those educated culprits who are stigmas on the face of human beings. An accountability process as well as a thorough evaluation of ourselves would serve a role in establishing a peaceful, prosperous and pluralistic society.


        Talking from Devil's advocate, it is to be kept into account that education provides a base for building societies. Today's development and progress is only possible through Education. If there had been no input, there would be a chaos and anarchy. Germany, Japan, France and other countries like them are progress only through Research and Development. However, it is observed that high rates of suicides, divorce, murders, crimes, etc are committed In these countries. The reason for their  discontentment is that they are educated but not cultured.

      Last but not the least, it is high time to harness Education for both Material as well as Human development. Revered ideas of morality, ethics and norms should be incorporated in a learned person.