Misinterpreting Religion

Published in English Daily, Pakistan Observers.

Religion is an instrument of peace, harmony and stability in the world. It brings discipline and order in the lives of the people, imparts them hope and optimism and consoles hapless and destitute strata of society. None of the religions encourages violence or violation of human sanctity. However, unfortunately religion has often been misused by certain elements for the fulfillment of their nefarious designs and has been proving detrimental to world peace and stability.

Global terrorism today poses an existential threat to world peace and this barbarism and insanity is being perpetrated in the name of religion. In past, the desires of foreign occupations to uphold the superiority of one religion on the other, led to many deadly wars; and peace remained an elusive dream. Today on account of misuse and misinterpretation of religious injunctions, radicalization is on a constant rise, minorities are being persecuted, sectarian clashes are increasingly jolting the world peace , rights of women are being infringed and progress in the fields of science, art and literature is being resisted. It is not the religion, but misuse and misinterpretation of the religion which has wreaked all this havoc.

However, if a meaningful interfaith and intra - faith dialogue is initiated, longstanding international conflicts are resolved judiciously and socio-economic and politico - religious grievances of the aggrieved factions are addressed, the perpetrators of violence can be rendered bereft of excuses to misuse religion for the furtherance of their ignominious designs. In this regard it is the dire need of the time that media eschews jingoism and hate speech and helps in defusing tension along ethical and ideological lines and the moderate scholars play their due role in reinvigorating the true spirit of the religion among the followers of various faiths. In this way, an ambiance of tolerance, harmony and peaceful coexistence can be cultivated and the globe can be made a better place of living for entire humanity.

TASSAWUR BOSAL

Mandi Bahauddin

Daily Pakistan Observer

August 11, 2015.
http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=270312

Answers of some general Queries regarding opting British History.

Answers of some general Queries regarding opting British History.

By: Tasawar Bosal

        Assistant Director Anti-Corruption

This post may be highly helpful regarding deciding whether to opt British history or not. First of all let me give you a brief sketch of this subject. British History is a very interesting subject and is full of knowledge as this is the history of that nation that ruled this world for centuries in the modern times. And the history of this nation actually makes us abreast with the evolution of modern humanity over the period of past 4 centuries. As well as my personal opinion is concerned, this is the subject out of all subject which I opted at my time of CSS which really made me learn a lot in real sense. 

Here, I am going to answer few of the questions which are usually in the minds of Aspirants regarding British History.

What are the positives of this subject?

First of all it is a stable subject in terms of scores. If it does not give 75% plus marks, it won't restrict you fewer than 50% either. With a better preparation, having good aptitude of history, one could cross 150 in it when it used to be of 200 marks. Even now when it is a 100 marks subject, one can cross 70. The better thing about this subject is that, if one does not catch the moon of 70+ marks, at least one falls in the stars of 60-70 marks, obviously depending upon one's preparation and aptitude.

Another good thing about this subject is that its MCQs keep on getting repeated. Therefore, if one prepares MCQs from past ten years papers, one is in quite better position to cross-18/20 in MCQs portion. I have solved the MCQs of the past papers of this subject since 2000 on CSS Forum. Here, I provide the link for that thread. They can be of good help in this regard.

British History Past papers MCQs

Another good thing about this subject is that it is very interesting and full of knowledge. This particular aspect keeps one's interest in this subject intact and one does not get bored while studying. This is a very important thing about it. Unless a subject catches the attention, it gets tough to spend time with that.

What are the negatives about this subject?

Well I personally feel that there are no negative things about this subject. However, the only thing one can say is that after the subject has been made a 100 marks subject without reducing the syllabus, one would be investing good amount of energy in its preparation. But still, it requires less time than many of 100 marks subjects.   Secondly, few rare people do not have aptitude for any history subjects. Such fellows need to abstain from opting it. But still in any case, I would always have gone for this subject. 

Which books should be consulted for B. H

Preparing from two books which I am going to mention below is considered sufficient for a convincing preparation of this subject. However, few aspirants also take help from a third book by Southgate.

British history by P. C Thomas (A very good book which covers paper one very convincingly.

British History by Norman Lowe. This book is particularly consulted for Paper B of British history.

British history by Southgate. This book is used by few aspirants for even better preparation. But first two usually are felt sufficient.

The Golden Tip:

Now days, a book is in market by Dr. Waheed Asghar PAS. I believe this book has been written taking notes and material from all the books mentioned above and this single book may be sufficient for a better preparation.  

How much time is required for the preparation of British history?

Well this subject can be prepared in a month. However, for a better and convincing preparation this subject requires at least one and half month. Though it is a very interesting subject, yet any history subject requires times for its preparation and the best thing about it is that, this investment of time is worth it.

Is there any need of consulting some teacher or academy for the preparation of this subject?

The answer to this question is, YES.

Despite the fact that one may have the aptitude for this subject, one is better to consult some teacher who particularly has the experience regarding CSS British History, it syllabus, trends and its examination pattern. Seeking the guidance from some senior also prove helpful. However, having it studied from a proper teacher makes the real difference. 

Will it remain a scoring subject in the coming years?

Though CSS is most uncertain and unpredictable exam and nothing could be guessed about it, yet keeping in view its past record, one can say that it is most likely to remain stable subject and won’t at least ditch the aspirants. Therefore, one can term it stable and safe subject.

I hope I have answered to all of the questions which usually come in the mind of CSS aspirants regarding this subject . .

Best of Luck

Tasawar Bosal

Assistant Director Anti- Corruption

Ex- Assistant Director Civil Defense

My Interview Experience of Assistant Director Civil Defense.

My Interview Experience of Assistant Director Civil Defense.

Date : June 18, 2015 .

Place : Punjab Public Service Commission

Result: Selected 

The interviews against two seats of Assistant Director/ District Officer Civil Defense BS (17) were scheduled to be held on June 18 and 19, 2015. Earlier after the written exam 17 candidates had managed to find their names in the list of List of Qualified ones for the Interview I had my interview on 18th of the June. It was only after 3 days, I had appeared in PPSC for the Interview of PMS on June 15. As that interview had remained good (got 146 marks), my morale was high and was ready for the interview. Our documents were scrutinized and we were made to wait for the commencement of the interviews. The interviews started after 10 O' Clock and I was 8th to appear for the interview. The panel was giving round 15 minutes to every candidate.

On my turn, I entered the room and greeted the reverend Panel. The respected PPSC member who was presiding over the interview panel broke the ice by asking me to introduce myself. I responded by telling them the that.

"Sir, I am Tassawur Abbas and I hail from District Mandi Bahauddin’s village Bosal. Basically I belong to an agricultural family. I obtained my early education from the School of my village where I stood first in whole of my district in middle standard examination and took A Plus grades in my matriculation. The chairman said that’s good. And then he said keep going gentleman. And I continued by saying, After having done my matriculation I moved to Sargodha and did my Fsc., graduation and finally my Masters in English Literature. At my college and university, I actively participated in Sports and extracurricular activities and I was an active member of Hostel Literary Society and the University Dramatic Club and winner of Table Tennis tournament. Once I was done with my formal education I shifted my focus towards making my career and for that purpose I participated in competitive examinations. In 2011, I qualified CSS Examination but unfortunately I remained unable to be allocated with a narrow margin. In the next year I cleared PMS 2011-12 but here also the luck did not favor me and I couldn’t get allocated. Now I have once again qualified the PMS written examination 2014 and I am just done with the process of the interview. Just recently I have been selected as an Assistant in Ministry of Foreign affairs where I expected to join during the approaching wee. Sir, I have an interest in writing and for quenching my thirst for writing I have often been writing in various English Newspapers and Magazines. And the last of my writing appeared in English Daily The News during this week.

Till now the chairman had given a patient hearing to my introduction. Here he interrupted and asked m what was your recent writing all about.

Me: Sir it was about the general elections held in Great Britain during the last week.

I could see a visible interest in the eyes of the Chairman. He said, so what did you write Gentleman.

Me: Sir I gave an analysis of the results of Great Britain’s general elevations and the causes of Conservative’s victory and its impacts. Moreover, I had made a comparison of the results of the elections in Pakistan, India and England and highlighted the similarities and dissimilarities.

Chairman: So, what were the reasons of Cameron’s victory?

Sir though it was expected to be a tightly contested election, yet the conservatives were most expected to win. But their landslide win has shocked all pollsters. First of all the austerity measures and cut in spending by Cameron’s party has caught the attention of the voters. Secondly, the economy also showed some improvement. Thirdly and most importantly the way Cameron has remained successful in averting the departure of Scotland from the United Kingdom by having results in favor of remaining in the federation in the Scottish Referendum elevated the stature of Cameron both at home and abroad. And fourthly, as the nationalism has been at the heart of these elections, the slogan of reconsidering the ties with European Union and a promise of referendum to decide to remain with E. U or to quit it also helped Cameron clinch such a decisive victory.

Chairman. Why England wants to quit E. U.

Me: Sir first of all the UK believes that she is contributing more towards E. U and in return is getting meager returns. Secondly, there is huge influx of migrants from Europe and is burdening the British economy. Thirdly, UK has always enjoyed significant freedom in the world and in E. U they feel somewhat tight armed. And fourthly, in the presence of stronger Germany and France, the United Kingdom feels uncomfortable.

Chairman : What do you see the results of the referendum ? Will Uk quit the E. U?

Me: Sir in my opinion there would be no referendum.

Chairman: Why ?

Sir, I believe the U. K is going to use this referendum as pressure tactics and is interested in renegotiating the terms with E. U. And this already has started working and both Germany and France , the bigger partners, have offered the England for better terms.

During all this conversation the chairman had a keen interest in the discussion. At this he asked the next member to ask the question.

Member 2: Gentleman you seem to have a good grip on European politics, now lets come to Pakistan. What do you believe is the future of democracy in Pakistan?

Me: Sir in my opinion the future of democracy in Pakistan is bright.

M2 : How , Plz elaborate.

Me: Sir there are certain factors. First of all the civil society and the media have made people aware of the importance of Democracy and people are not going to welcome any adventure. Secondly, the previous regime has remained successful in bringing certain political reforms and the constitution has been purged of the dictatorial pollution. The army is working in her ambit and does not seem interested in any coup. There has been a peaceful transition of political power from on elected government to the other. The electoral process and the election machinery have undergone certain reforms though a lot is yet to be done. In the wake of long march if more electoral reforms are incorporated, the democracy would find better chance for nourishment.

As my speech ended :P the third member who was a female asked me in Urdu.

M3: Aap nay electoral reform ki baat ki hay Kya aap btaa sktay hain k Dhandli aur Munazzam Dhandli main kya faraq hay ?

Me: Ma’m Dhandli yeh hay k system main jo flaws hain , koi individual un ka faida utha k election results par galat asar andaz hota hay aur Munazzam Dhandli yeh hay system main jo flaws hain koi groh majmoohi taur par un ka faida uthaata hay baqaaida mansooba bandi k teht aur system maujood log is main os /groh ki madad karatay hain.

On this Ma’m said very good.

Then the fourth member said Gentleman you have you have interest in a creative work like writing and you have come for a rough and dry job. How would they go together?

Me : Sir I would have enough time after my job to continue my creative activity and besides that this activity would help me recreate and regenerate myself after having exhausted from the job routine. At this he smiled and asked the next question that would there be new provinces?

Me: Yes sir there should be new provinces. The new federating units on administrative and not ethnic or linguistic basis would further strengthen the federation and would help improve governance. At this the member said thank you gentleman. And the Chairman of the Panel also bade me farewell and I got up by thanking the reverend panel.

And the result was that I was selected as Assistant Director Civil Defense :)

GENERAL ELECTIONS IN GREAT BRITAIN

Published in English Daily, Pakistan Observers.

Defying all pollsters and political pundits, David Cameron’s conservatives clinch a decisive victory in Great Britain’s general elections held on May 8. Having once been our Masters, the originators of modern Democracy, the victors of World Wars and sole superpower of her times, the Great Britain’s general elections were observed and monitored keenly in every capital of the world. There was no less excitement and interest in Pakistan for score of reasons as a good number of Pakistani Britain were contesting from the platform of all the major political parties in the run of elections and a good part of the electorate also consisted of Pakistani Britain. These elections which according to all pre-poll surveys and analyses, were expected to be a tightly fought contest, giving way to a hung Parliament and a coalition government, have contrarily given a decisive majority to Cameron’s Conservative party. The tradition continues that the incumbents get the second term and return to Westminster to the treasury benches. Besides conservatives, the Scottish National Party emerged to be the major beneficiary of people’s confidence which virtually did a clean sweep in Scotland and won 56 out of 59 seats. They have got a clear mandate from the electorate for either an independent or highly autonomous Scotland.

Though Labours have suffered a defeat and particularly have performed worst in their erstwhile stronghold Scotland, yet they have not performed bad and have clinched respectable number of seats. The worst have proved these elections for Liberal Democrats who for centuries had remained themselves as the main rivals of Conservatives. Largely, the British electorate has given a quite wise, forceful and loud and clear verdict. It has been the desire of the electorate that the Empire Strikes back and revives her lost glory and they have developed the feeling over the years that it is the Cameron who can make Britain strike back and have her reclaim her lost prestige.

It is expected that David Cameron’s government would fulfill the commitments made in election manifesto, would uplift the prestige and prosperity of the nation and most importantly would manage to keep the nation united by extending broader autonomy to Scotland. Pakistan needs to learn from her old masters the conduct of free and fair elections and should benefit from the Britain’s experience in flourishing democracy and promoting democratic culture in Pakistan.

TASSAWUR BOSAL

Mandi Bahauddin

Daily Pakistan Observer

Friday, May 15, 2015.