Torching Money
Posted by: HIROSE on: February 4, 2012
- In: City Glib
- 3 Comments
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Twas New Years Eve and I was anxiously waiting amidst a sizeable number of people for the extravagant display of fireworks that was minutes away from blossoming in the ebony sky with the stunning backdrop of the Sydney harbor bridge. Blossom it did, as the fireworks lit up the night invigorating a sensational aura. The scene was nothing less than captivating and I couldn’t help but feel sad as the hues in the sky dissipated.
However I had no idea how much money the ensemble that dressed the sky for a few minutes costed. When I found out it was a whopping 65million dollars I was flabbergasted for more reasons than one. How can any country spend so much money on something as trivial as fireworks that too just for a few minutes of awe? The world just cannot afford the extravagance of multimillion dollar firework displays http://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/30/travel/nye-waterfront-destinations/?hpt=hp_c3 and yet each year countries like China, Australia, France, UK, Canada amidst others go all out with New Year’s Celebrations.
I don’t want to sound like a drag but can people not find a more suitable means of celebration? Do they have to blow up the sky each year wrecking the natural environment whilst also endangering human lives? http://www.voiceforthevoiceless.org.za/dangers.htm It is sad what a few minutes worth of joy costs. China the biggest manufacturer of fireworks not only employs child labor in fireworks production factories but also puts their lives at stake. Each year there are many injuries and deaths that are caused solely due to fireworks. It’s hard to imagine how anyone can encourage fireworks displays knowing the heavy cost and loss of lives that it involves. http://www.clb.org.hk/en/node/3172
One can argue that it is great for the economy as it brings in a lot of money not to mention tourists from all over the world but realistically speaking and keeping long term risks in mind, it is absolutely useless. We are already damaging the eco system to the point where soon it will be irreparable and blowing up fireworks is just adding the cherry on top. http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/translating-uncle-sam/stories/are-fireworks-bad-for-the-environment In my opinion lighting the sky up with toxic fumes is something that is not debatable hence does not warrant any kind of cost benefit analysis. If one must celebrate why not try eco friendly alternatives such as electronic fireworks display lamps or LEDs. Costs less and makes more sense no? http://www.backcountryattitude.com/toxic_fireworks.html
Without a shadow of a doubt the money spent on fireworks can be put to better use elsewhere for instance to finance research projects that look at renewable and sustainable forms of energy. It is high time we realize that petroleum and coal are not going to last for infinity, yes it will last long enough for our generation but what about the future generations to come? What sort of a world will they be coming into? They will live a very bleak and devoid existence. There are two things that should be our number one priority; to prevent the gradual deterioration of this planet by controlling climate change and to ensure means of sustainable energy. Investing in solar, hydle and wind energy is the world’s best bet. What is more important is the fact that for developing and under developed countries it is easier to build an infrastructure that supports new forms of eco friendly energy as opposed to the developed world. This is because the developed world will have to take down its existing infrastructure and rebuild a new one from scratch whereas Africa and parts of Asia don’t have anything to begin with.
So it all comes down to one thing. Developed countries have a social and moral obligation towards protecting this sanctuary that God has bestowed upon us. It is up to them to utilize their resources in the best and most efficient means possible. These countries are in a position to develop, implement and then export renewable energy around the globe to reduce overall dependency on non renewable resources. Knowing that they have this responsibility to shoulder can they really afford to spend millions on a few minutes of joy and utter bliss, is the only question that I want to pose.
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Ramadan is no festivity
Posted by: HIROSE on: August 18, 2011
That time of the year is here again when we all strive or in some cases pretend to be exemplary human beings; controlling the devil within us, suppressing anger, showing benevolence, being magnanimous-simply put, being at our best behavior. Yes it’s true, we all take utmost advantage of Ramadan but do we have the right approach? Do we sustain our changed selves after this month is long gone? Do we truly pray for our sins to be absolved with the intention that we would never resort to those slight or grave misdoings again? I’m beginning to think that fasting for some has become a mere ritual combined with a selfish ulterior motive. We may be missing the true spirit of Ramadan and defeating its very purpose. Ramadan is not about hosting lavish iftar parties, endlessly fretting over food, unnecessary socializing and fervently anticipating eid. Ramadan is about bringing home genuine compassion, true subservience to the creator, and more importantly a longstanding commitment to tolerance and patience.
What is the point of abstaining from food and drink when at sunset we stuff ourselves as if there is no tomorrow? Does anyone ever think about sharing the iftar with the hungry and destitute? Does anyone ever think about the 952 million who are hungry globally or the whopping 16,000 children who die around the world from hunger every day? http://www.bread.org/hunger/global/ No, because the only thing we think of at that time is feeding our appetite. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3acuvfFaqyw According to a Sahih Hadith the messenger of Allah stated: “No human ever filled a vessel worse than the stomach. Sufficient for any son of Adam are some morsels to keep his back straight. But if it must be, then one third for his food, one third for his drink and one third for his breath.” http://www.java-man.com/pages/JamiAlUloom/hadith_47.html
Ironically many of us are doing everything that we are not supposed to do in this month or in any month of the year for that matter. Unfortunately we have reduced Ramadan to revolve around excess and gluttony. It is that time of the year when the prices of food shoot up in our very own country and the poor are left to salvage what little they can. It is that time of the year when eateries across the country benefit from people queuing to avail the iftar offers. It is that time of the year when deplorable amounts of food are wasted at whim around parts of the world and particularly in the Gulf States http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/general/breaking-the-fast-what-a-waste-1.847040 and yet it is also that time of the year where we claim to observe moderation. This month is about spiritual healing as opposed to wantonness, fasting as opposed to feasting and praying as opposed to lazing. What’s awfully disturbing is that many do not seem to find this hypocritical. It’s almost as though the teachings of Islam are being denigrated as in other spheres of life, consequently compromising the reputation of the Muslim Ummah . If anything this month unmasks the crude nature of our nation whose sizeable number falls short of realizing the true essence of Islam. It is an ingenuous test to gauge mankind’s perseverance and sadly not many pass it. For the majority of us, we become too consumed in worldly pleasures to beseech God’s forgiveness. It doesn’t make a dime of a difference if one starves but it does if one does it for the prescribed reasons. It’s not enough to feel someone’s misery but that feeling does have the potential to transcend into something greater if only it is brought to fruition.
The spirit of Ramadan is embedded in ibadah and attaining a close connection with God. It is not just about controlling hunger but also your thoughts, words and actions. It is an opportune chance to make up for your past sins. I’m not an advocate of extreme austerity but I do believe in making an effort to at least try to live by the codes that have been put down for us. Practicing faith is certainly not easy and one cannot perfect it but pushing yourself to achieve small targets will often take you a long way. One month’s devotion to prayer, charity, understanding Quran and the teachings of the Holy Prophet is not asking much. So this Ramadan I pray that we are able to avoid ostentatious iftar parties alongside excessive consumerism and instead give in the name of God. Let it be known to everyone that there is no recompense if this month is treated as a fad.
The Perished Soul
Posted by: HIROSE on: June 24, 2011
All good things must come to an end and so it figures that life must meet death. It’s not fair how ephemeral existence is but the word fair itself is so Utopian anyway. I am of the notion that dying in the true sense of the word doesn’t necessarily mean leaving earthly presence because you can wipe out all remnants of your existence through your actions. living recklessly, showing no regard for the significant others and callously shunning them plays a great role in wiping you off of people’s radar.
I recently discovered that there is no difference in the grief of burying a loved one and the grief of losing to a loved one. Perhaps in the latter case the grief is more profound. So what makes a person dead to someone when they really aren’t? Maybe their sudden and petty indifference, maybe their betrayal, maybe their broken promises, the point being that they instigate you into believing that they are no longer alive. Their changed selves are easier to accept when you tell yourself that they died and were reborn with a new identity. This illusion helps one come in to terms with what can be a very difficult acceptance.
The soul inside can die a thousand deaths if you want it to and depending on how you wield it. Experiences shape your perceptions and I pray that most of us can manage to stay alive in the hearts of the genuine few, I also pray that I never be the cause of someones pain to the extent that they are forced to expel me from their realm of existence.
11:58pm
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An Untold Story
Posted by: HIROSE on: June 9, 2011
- In: Uncategorized
- 3 Comments
For many life is like a pendulum swinging back and forth between the past, the present and the future. Revisiting the past mistakes, false hopes, regrets, pains can chain you inside a vicious cycle of agony. You try to move on for a bit but it drags you back inside reminding you of your torment day in and day out. It consumes you on the inside leaving behind a gaping hollow space that gets harder to fill with every tick of the clock…..UNTIL you find that little glimmer that eggs you on to escape the emptiness. It could be a friend, a child, a passion, an urge even God Himself. The important thing is to find that glimmer and let it steer you out. Because if you don’t you will forever mourn dwindling and waning into the darkness.
They say that time is the best tourniquet but i beg to differ. Time can only do so much, what you make of it is up to you. You can learn from it, you can be fixated with it or you can just waste it. Looking back over your shoulder, lingering somewhere in the past is like throwing the life ahead of you away. Every second is uncertain in this trivial life and yet I don’t understand why this uncertainity doesn’t pave way for excitement. After all life is such a mystery and yet some of us are not curious enough to put the pieces together and solve it. But this is only because the fire in the heart needs to be reignited, it needs to feel again and it needs to aspire.
It’s really just a constant struggle with the self and it’s not always easy to win it over but you never know the outcome until you have tried.
1:01am
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Swallowing your Pride
Posted by: HIROSE on: April 4, 2011
- In: Uncategorized
- 2 Comments
Have you ever felt deep down inside that you ought to apologize to have wronged someone? Did you ever for a moment think that it is your ego that comes in the way of doing anything good? Did it ever occur to you that at times your shallow idea of an apology is easily unmasked by the person you are giving it to? If you felt it, if you thought about and if it ever occurred to you, you are probably one of the wise few. I say this because more often than not what folks think is their pride is merely a figment of their wild imagination. Nothing can make you superior to someone but your well intentioned thoughts and your magnanimity. If you can’t feel sorry for something you did or said it would make you nothing more than a chicken shit.
I have come across many people who actually believe that making the first move towards reconciliation is shameful and they believe it because their ego is larger than their selves. Don’t get me wrong I have always been a proponent of outright speaking and my disdain usually shows but when I realize that my forthrightness has caused someone distress I don’t think twice before rectifying. It’s as simple as recognizing the fault and getting a move on to do what’s right. Uncalled for pride is detrimental to character building and not admitting to one’s mistake is simply bigoted.
If you are one of those who have a difficult time swallowing your pride just think for a moment of how short life is. Keeping grudges makes you miserable not to mention the time you waste in being miserable. At the end of the day it doesn’t even matter if you were right because the other person will most likely not give a damn so just forgive them because it’s like doing yourself a favor. Remember Great people talk about ideas. Average people talk about things. Small people talk about other people (and here is my addition to the quote) Cheap people talk about their pride :p
This Too Shall Pass
Posted by: HIROSE on: March 12, 2011
As the images of the ravaging tsunami and earthquake flash before my eyes, it just feels so surreal. I don’t ever remember watching anything as horrifying and large-scale as the footage of destruction being shown on CNN and BBC. However I feel there reporting is not doing justice to the situation at hand which is a lot worse than what’s being shown. As I watched Japan’s local news channel NHK the disturbing images of drenched, hungry, cold and barely clad children engulfed me in a sea of melancholy. It’s hard to imagine that innocent children have to bear the brunt of natural calamities, war and poverty. It’s even sadder to see them adapt to the situation and hold back their tears. Such events don’t just affect them physically but it has an immense psychological affect as well.
Japan has suffered a loss so gr
eat that it’s hard to fathom their recovery. An entire city swept away by the tsunami, infrastructural damage by the earthquake; the resulting inferno and the grave threat of radioactive contamination spell out only horror. As of right now the death toll has reached above 1000, almost 10,000 people are unaccounted for and an estimated 200,000 people displaced in northeast Japan. So we witness the most efficient country of the world completely paralyzed in the face of this calamity. Despite the fact that Japan has very rigorous planning and preparedness to face earthquakes it could never have been ready for this no matter how far they pushed their technology.
The image speaks for itself
It’s impressive to see that in the wake of a large scale disaster the Japanese people and their government have kept their cool, keeping their hopes high in their hour of despair; a feat that is nothing less than remarkable. It is pretty evident that even a country like Japan is going to have to bear itself for the difficult times ahead. Recovery for the people affected would be everlasting and of course tumultuous. I’m no economist but other than the human and collateral damage it’s clear that the consequences of this disaster are going to affect Japan’s trade and overall economy. So the damage is pretty much all encompassing. Despite all this I have high hopes that Japan is going to get through this ordeal because if it can rise to be one of the biggest economies from ashes after being nuked then it can overcome the devastating effects of mother earths wrath too.
In the end things are easier said than done. One can never know what pain and fear is until they feel it and as I watched the live footage of the tsunami engulfing speeding cars in the city of Sendai, I wondered how petrified those drivers would be and I wondered if they even survived. I don’t think they did. Just to know that one is facing peril is enough to make their heart throb from panic and I can sort of relate to that feeling since I experienced it just once and I can say with complete surety that it was by far the worst day of my life. During the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan I was laying asleep on the 9th floor of an apartment building and as it came it jolted me awake from slumber. As things fell left, right and center it perpetuated such intense terror that I was unable to move. My mother, sister and I sat huddled together near our dining table praying that the swaying building remained intact. I vividly recall thinking that the end was inevitable and just as I began to pray the tremors ceased. I don’t ever remember feeling such relief and happiness about being alive as I did that day J I hope and pray that many in Japan took a sigh of relief just like me for having made it unaffected. Such an experience is enough to let someone know that life should never be taken for granted.
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Why so intolerant?
Posted by: HIROSE on: March 9, 2011
- In: Featured | Lessons I Learn
- 1 Comment
Religion is meant to regulate society and in a way I believe Marx was right when he said that religion is the opium of the masses. It helps people come to terms with their status quo, makes them compliant, complacent and ever so collected. Hence it plays a fundamental role in giving meaning to life that perhaps is difficult to find especially when one scrutinizes their very existence rather stringently. So this is the larger part of the role I believe religion takes be it Islam, Christianity, Judaism or Buddhism. Upon closer inspection it’s very purpose is to curb strife, differences and bring people on one platform building fortified bonds. And yet somehow I can’t seem to understand why this role religion has played, sort of back fired. I believe the purpose of religion is defeated when so many different interpretations of it exist because in reality all these sects and belief systems are paving way for animosity and intolerance.
Religions were never meant to compete with one another in fact Islam (can’t say with surety for other belief systems) has always propagated peaceful coexistence. So I fail to understand how the Blasphemy Law being practiced in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is divine? Where in the holy scripture does it say that people who speak ill of the Holy Prophet should be killed? Did the Prophet ever tell his followers that the woman who use to abuse him and throw garbage at him should be condemned let alone killed? After everything she did to him he visited her home and took care of her. Did he ever hurl obscenities or curse the pagans who inflicted unbearable pain upon him? As far as I know he did no such thing. He did what was intrinsically right he FORGAVE. He showed to his followers that intolerance was unacceptable and that it gave birth to violence. It’s unfortunate that Muslims believe that they are protecting the sanctity of their Holy Prophet by avenging individuals who happen to have a not so good opinion about him. A person who is ignorant should not be dealt with ignorance. A more appropriate stance would be to educate. If an individual has indeed defamed the Prophet the best defense would be to preach about his goodness instead of labeling them as profane and pushing them towards the gallows. What good can that possibly do? I can think of a lot of damages that it can result in…
I don’t understand why we have to show to the world that we are so insecure that every little thing is linked to soiling our religion or that we can’t live peacefully with non-Muslims or that non-Muslims are out to get us. Why have we become like this? I’m at my wit’s end with this one!
No Point Fearing What Lies Ahead
Posted by: HIROSE on: February 16, 2011
My biggest fear is and always has been the fear of the unknown. We humans cannot even assure our own existence. Just the thought that i can drop dead any second reverberates in my mind over and over again. Lately I have begun to ponder on what the meaning of life is and i still don’t know if i have gotten the hang of it. I always thought being an individual meant that the world revolves around me, that nothing can affect me, that I’ll be indifferent to the people around me, that somehow my little bubble would never burst. It was wrong and selfish of me to think like that. At times its safer to be people centric and that’s something I just can’t come to terms with.The truth is I don’t want to give a damn but it’s like I have no choice. My disappointment in myself and in others just goes to show me that I’m not an independent actor and in fact none of us are or can be, even if we try. After much deliberation I can say now that my indifferent attitude has affected me and the bonds I once associated with.
I think I need to start over new and sketch a different perspective. If I keep thinking of what’s not in my hands, if I ridiculously contemplate about my future and where I hope to see myself I think I would just be inflicting misery upon my poor soul. I don’t want to think anymore because I feel it’s making me whither. It shifts my focus away from the present and makes it linger in the future. I guess there is nothing to do but wait and pray that everything falls in place just as I hope it would. After all what good is it to think when we all know that life is unpredictable.
Can Suicide be Rational ?
Posted by: HIROSE on: February 13, 2011
The question of whether or not suicide is the rational thing to do sparks debate. General belief points out there are certain cases where there is a great deal of acceptability in allowing terminally ill people to commit suicide with the assistance of a physician. Studies have found that a significant number of people are of the notion that suicides committed by people who are under a lot of pain are more acceptable as opposed to those suffering little pain. Also terminal illness is a more noteworthy reason to commit suicide than physical pain and that both of these reasons are more acceptable than psychological pain. However the way I see it pain is transitional. In some cases it proves to be an ordeal that can be overcome, for instance if a person has a terrible accident which results in him losing his limbs he may think that he has no future ahead and committing suicide may be rational for him but that’s only because he is too grieved by his loss to see that there are institutions which are there for the physically impaired to help them cope with their daily lives and be a functional part of society. Once he is enrolled in such an institution he might think differently about wanting to live or die hence suicide in such a case would not be the rational thing to do. Moreover rational suicide can only be rational, if at all, if the symptoms are long term, acute and permanent. So if a person knows that he is terminally ill with cancer and about to die he may think that suicide is the rational thing to do rather than opting for chemo therapy which would only be a cause for unnecessary distress and agony.
They are not vegetables!
Suicidality in the elderly is considered to be rational by some writers on the basis that many elderly people consider dying by suicide because of intolerable life circumstances, terminal illness, loss of health, loss of financial resources, loss of purpose and contribution to society and loss of independence. I am of the notion that the elderly form a very integral and fundamental part of society. Since they have a wide acumen of experience they can be made to feel important and given a platform to share what they learned from their own lives. Old homes need not necessarily be morbid since they can be made to play a vital role in encouraging the elderly to actively participate in social activities hence giving them a reason to live.
Have you viewed your options?
Rational suicide is based on adequate information. Hypothetically speaking if a cure for cancer is found and a patient suffering from it does not know of this advancement would he still go ahead with his self execution? it’s very unlikely. Inadequate information about present circumstances may just be a result of ignorance that there is a cure, that help is on its way that a life saving drug has just been discovered. In cases of people who have depression inadequate information is a very important factor that leads them towards suicide. Depressed people do not and cannot have their options open. Their view of possibilities is very restricted and pessimistic which is why they are unable to see the alternatives to suicide. In a way rational suicide acts as a cover for people’s own cowardice as well as for those who propagate or are advocates of it. People want to die a good and dignified death, they don’t want to suffer from the indignity of old age and lack of caring. Due to this fear they feel that it is better for them to plan their death so that they can avoid this difficult phase of life. As to the question of whether to allow suicide as per the rational principal, is a conundrum to say the least. If it isn’t we take away the right to decide of those who are truly suffering and forcing them to live with pain and if it is allowed we are ensuring that vulnerable individuals are manipulated into making choices that they would otherwise not make. Fact is when we label suicide as rational we are only opinionating it. Do we really have the right to say that the old and feeble, the defective and the mentally ill have no reason to live? How can we even consider allowing them space to make such a decision? Wouldn’t this inadvertently be encouraging them? To idealize suicide we are making certain disadvantaged factions of society believe that we have given up on caring for them and it’s acceptable for them to take their life given their situation. The approval of such a stance may very well become institutionalized whereby people would be deciding upon their rationales as to who is better of living and who would be better of dead. I say lets not make life and death a matter of cost-benefit analysis!
The Little Match Girl (and many like her)
Posted by: HIROSE on: February 12, 2011
The story of the Little Match Girl has always been one of my favorites despite the fact that it has a very sad ending to it. Today as I read it after ages, I couldn’t help but think how many other little match girls exist out there how cold they must be and how they yearn to be fed, loved and cherished. At times its hard to fathom how cruel this world is to so many, how some have never seen happiness because they are impoverished beyond repair. What else can they do but lament their bad luck ? It’s easy for people like me and you to say that they should work and earn just like the rest of us. But if today God forbid you and I lost everything and were driven to the street without a dime in our pocket would we be able to gather ourselves and work? I highly doubt it. Being poor is a curse it affects not just physically but also mentally.
I have always wondered if hard work is the only thing needed to survive? After pondering over this I came to the conclusion that it’s not a prerequisite for survival because so many people die of hunger and disease despite all their efforts to turn their lives around. Somethings are just not in their hands because this world was always meant to be divided between the rich and the poor. That’s how the system is rigged and nothing about it encourages egalitarianism. This great schism cannot be evaded nor can it be denied. We don’t want to believe it because it does not affect our kind and as long as we are immune to it we would never take a stand against it.
At times I wonder why I was chosen to live a comfortable life and why so many humans have to slave all day just to make enough to eat. I wonder how unfair it is that poor women make beautiful embroidered clothes for other rich women but can’t even dream of wearing a dress like that themselves. I guess I can never know what it feels like to always worry about where and how the next meal would come from. The only thing I worry about is dying just because I don’t ever want this good life to end. But what motivates the people who have anything but a good life to live? I can only think of one thing HOPE. Hope that someday they too can have the good life, hope that they too can have a home (in its real sense) but that hope can never materialize into something plausible as long as people remain indifferent to the hurt of others. I wonder am I like one of those bystanders who let the match girl die in the blizzard cold and hungry? Would I have done something for her? The very prospect horrifies me and yet while I comfortably write this post in my warm bed I wonder what it would take for me to get up and do something….. Even showing compassion and humanity needs some sort of incentive in today’s world and that just saddens me. I hope I like so many of my friends and family can rise to the occasion and bring a difference in the lives of the destitute.
I may be naïve to think so but I have full faith that heaven exists, that its real, just because I don’t want to believe that so many of God’s people would die not knowing what living really is.
BBC News
- Mubarak jailed for protest deaths June 2, 2012
- Aid workers freed in Afghanistan June 2, 2012
- Queen starts festivities at Derby June 2, 2012
- Plan to remove 'granny flat' tax June 2, 2012
- Putin stands firm on Syria crisis June 2, 2012
- Bishop fears divorce 'epidemic' June 2, 2012
- US boxer Mayweather goes to jail June 2, 2012
