The eightfold path of Budha

This is further to my earlier posting. Once again, I feel that “The Noble Eightfold Path” is worth study for followeres of all faiths:

	1. Right View	Wisdom
	2. Right Intention
	3. Right Speech	Ethical Conduct
	4. Right Action
	5. Right Livelihood
	6. Right Effort	Mental Development
	7. Right Mindfulness
	8. Right Concentration

The Noble Eightfold Path describes the way to the end of suffering, as it was laid out by Siddhartha Gautama. It is a practical guideline to ethical and mental development with the goal of freeing the individual from attachments and delusions; and it finally leads to understanding the truth about all things. Together with the Four Noble Truths it constitutes the gist of Buddhism. Great emphasis is put on the practical aspect, because it is only through practice that one can attain a higher level of existence and finally reach Nirvana. The eight aspects of the path are not to be understood as a sequence of single steps, instead they are highly interdependent principles that have to be seen in relationship with each other.

1. Right View

Right view is the beginning and the end of the path, it simply means to see and to understand things as they really are and to realise the Four Noble Truth. As such, right view is the cognitive aspect of wisdom. It means to see things through, to grasp the impermanent and imperfect nature of worldly objects and ideas, and to understand the law of karma and karmic conditioning. Right view is not necessarily an intellectual capacity, just as wisdom is not just a matter of intelligence. Instead, right view is attained, sustained, and enhanced through all capacities of mind. It begins with the intuitive insight that all beings are subject to suffering and it ends with complete understanding of the true nature of all things. Since our view of the world forms our thoughts and our actions, right view yields right thoughts and right actions.

2. Right Intention

While right view refers to the cognitive aspect of wisdom, right intention refers to the volitional aspect, i.e. the kind of mental energy that controls our actions. Right intention can be described best as commitment to ethical and mental self-improvement. Buddha distinguishes three types of right intentions: 1. the intention of renunciation, which means resistance to the pull of desire, 2. the intention of good will, meaning resistance to feelings of anger and aversion, and 3. the intention of harmlessness, meaning not to think or act cruelly, violently, or aggressively, and to develop compassion.

3. Right Speech

Right speech is the first principle of ethical conduct in the eightfold path. Ethical conduct is viewed as a guideline to moral discipline, which supports the other principles of the path. This aspect is not self-sufficient, however, essential, because mental purification can only be achieved through the cultivation of ethical conduct. The importance of speech in the context of Buddhist ethics is obvious: words can break or save lives, make enemies or friends, start war or create peace. Buddha explained right speech as follows: 1. to abstain from false speech, especially not to tell deliberate lies and not to speak deceitfully, 2. to abstain from slanderous speech and not to use words maliciously against others, 3. to abstain from harsh words that offend or hurt others, and 4. to abstain from idle chatter that lacks purpose or depth. Positively phrased, this means to tell the truth, to speak friendly, warm, and gently and to talk only when necessary.

4. Right Action

The second ethical principle, right action, involves the body as natural means of expression, as it refers to deeds that involve bodily actions. Unwholesome actions lead to unsound states of mind, while wholesome actions lead to sound states of mind. Again, the principle is explained in terms of abstinence: right action means 1. to abstain from harming sentient beings, especially to abstain from taking life (including suicide) and doing harm intentionally or delinquently, 2. to abstain from taking what is not given, which includes stealing, robbery, fraud, deceitfulness, and dishonesty, and 3. to abstain from sexual misconduct. Positively formulated, right action means to act kindly and compassionately, to be honest, to respect the belongings of others, and to keep sexual relationships harmless to others. Further details regarding the concrete meaning of right action can be found in the Precepts.

5. Right Livelihood

Right livelihood means that one should earn one’s living in a righteous way and that wealth should be gained legally and peacefully. The Buddha mentions four specific activities that harm other beings and that one should avoid for this reason: 1. dealing in weapons, 2. dealing in living beings (including raising animals for slaughter as well as slave trade and prostitution), 3. working in meat production and butchery, and 4. selling intoxicants and poisons, such as alcohol and drugs. Furthermore any other occupation that would violate the principles of right speech and right action should be avoided.

6. Right Effort

Right effort can be seen as a prerequisite for the other principles of the path. Without effort, which is in itself an act of will, nothing can be achieved, whereas misguided effort distracts the mind from its task, and confusion will be the consequence. Mental energy is the force behind right effort; it can occur in either wholesome or unwholesome states. The same type of energy that fuels desire, envy, aggression, and violence can on the other side fuel self-discipline, honesty, benevolence, and kindness. Right effort is detailed in four types of endeavours that rank in ascending order of perfection: 1. to prevent the arising of unarisen unwholesome states, 2. to abandon unwholesome states that have already arisen, 3. to arouse wholesome states that have not yet arisen, and 4. to maintain and perfect wholesome states already arisen.

7. Right Mindfulness

Right mindfulness is the controlled and perfected faculty of cognition. It is the mental ability to see things as they are, with clear consciousness. Usually, the cognitive process begins with an impression induced by perception, or by a thought, but then it does not stay with the mere impression. Instead, we almost always conceptualise sense impressions and thoughts immediately. We interpret them and set them in relation to other thoughts and experiences, which naturally go beyond the facticity of the original impression. The mind then posits concepts, joins concepts into constructs, and weaves those constructs into complex interpretative schemes. All this happens only half consciously, and as a result we often see things obscured. Right mindfulness is anchored in clear perception and it penetrates impressions without getting carried away. Right mindfulness enables us to be aware of the process of conceptualisation in a way that we actively observe and control the way our thoughts go. Buddha accounted for this as the four foundations of mindfulness: 1. contemplation of the body, 2. contemplation of feeling (repulsive, attractive, or neutral), 3. contemplation of the state of mind, and 4. contemplation of the phenomena.

8. Right Concentration

The eighth principle of the path, right concentration, refers to the development of a mental force that occurs in natural consciousness, although at a relatively low level of intensity, namely concentration. Concentration in this context is described as one-pointedness of mind, meaning a state where all mental faculties are unified and directed onto one particular object. Right concentration for the purpose of the eightfold path means wholesome concentration, i.e. concentration on wholesome thoughts and actions. The Buddhist method of choice to develop right concentration is through the practice of meditation. The meditating mind focuses on a selected object. It first directs itself onto it, then sustains concentration, and finally intensifies concentration step by step. Through this practice it becomes natural to apply elevated levels concentration also in everyday situations.

Source: The Noble Eightfold Path

Budha’s Four Noble Truths

Last night I watched a ery interesing documentry on life of Budha on PBS. Among other things, it talked of the following which seems  to be very relevant for followers of all faiths:

The Four Noble Truths

1. Life means suffering.

2. The origin of suffering is attachment.

3. The cessation of suffering is attainable.

4. The path to the cessation of suffering.

1. Life means suffering.

To live means to suffer, because the human nature is not perfect and neither is the world we live in. During our lifetime, we inevitably have to endure physical suffering such as pain, sickness, injury, tiredness, old age, and eventually death; and we have to endure psychological suffering like sadness, fear, frustration, disappointment, and depression. Although there are different degrees of suffering and there are also positive experiences in life that we perceive as the opposite of suffering, such as ease, comfort and happiness, life in its totality is imperfect and incomplete, because our world is subject to impermanence. This means we are never able to keep permanently what we strive for, and just as happy moments pass by, we ourselves and our loved ones will pass away one day, too.

 

2. The origin of suffering is attachment.

The origin of suffering is attachment to transient things and the ignorance thereof. Transient things do not only include the physical objects that surround us, but also ideas, and -in a greater sense- all objects of our perception. Ignorance is the lack of understanding of how our mind is attached to impermanent things. The reasons for suffering are desire, passion, ardour, pursuit of wealth and prestige, striving for fame and popularity, or in short: craving and clinging. Because the objects of our attachment are transient, their loss is inevitable, thus suffering will necessarily follow. Objects of attachment also include the idea of a “self” which is a delusion, because there is no abiding self. What we call “self” is just an imagined entity, and we are merely a part of the ceaseless becoming of the universe.

 

3. The cessation of suffering is attainable.

The cessation of suffering can be attained through nirodha. Nirodha means the unmaking of sensual craving and conceptual attachment. The third noble truth expresses the idea that suffering can be ended by attaining dispassion. Nirodha extinguishes all forms of clinging and attachment. This means that suffering can be overcome through human activity, simply by removing the cause of suffering. Attaining and perfecting dispassion is a process of many levels that ultimately results in the state of Nirvana. Nirvana means freedom from all worries, troubles, complexes, fabrications and ideas. Nirvana is not comprehensible for those who have not attained it.

 

4. The path to the cessation of suffering.

There is a path to the end of suffering – a gradual path of self-improvement, which is described more detailed in the Eightfold Path. It is the middle way between the two extremes of excessive self-indulgence (hedonism) and excessive self-mortification (asceticism); and it leads to the end of the cycle of rebirth. The latter quality discerns it from other paths which are merely “wandering on the wheel of becoming”, because these do not have a final object. The path to the end of suffering can extend over many lifetimes, throughout which every individual rebirth is subject to karmic conditioning. Craving, ignorance, delusions, and its effects will disappear gradually, as progress is made on the path.

Further details can be seen at http://www.thebigview.com/buddhism/fourtruths.html

What should we do?

Friends
 
A few days ago  I submitted a short report on my brief visit to Islamabad and Sindh. It is shown below for your easy reference.
 
During my recent visit to Pakistan; the most frequent question on every one’s mind was “what should we do now”?
 
As an active woker of PPP I had imagined that Shaheed BIbi will work with all of us to lead us to equal rights and economic development. But that was not to be. The party won but the people did not. May be our expectations were unrealistic.
 
The fact is that rich and powerful people  are doing just fine in Sindh; in Punjab; in Baloachistan; and in NWFP. The big and well known landlords do not have water shortage or unemployment issue. They were well looked after under Musharaf and they are prospering now too. They are well connected to each other and they protect each other’s interest. It is really the middle class and poor class who are struggling. In that sense; it is not question of Sindhi or Punjabi but of who you are. Nevertheless sindhis as a community have not done too well.
 
Whenever we try to talk of solutions; we suspect each other’s intentions. We Sindhis always accuse each other of being agents of some one or the other. We are good at cutting each other’s feet. But I salute and send my compliments to all those who are struggling for welfare of our people.
 
During my brief visit I met PPP workers who want better performance from our party leaders and our government. I also noted struggles of middle class under the leadership of Qadir Magsi; Palijo Saheb; Sindhi intellectuals uner Sindh Development Forum; Sindh graduate Association; newly formed Jamhoori group; Sindhi media groups and all others. They are struggling for provincial autonomy; better distribution of resources; langage rights; more water; better eduction and so many other noble causes. I also noticed that PPP leaders such as Nisar Khuhro; Pir Mazhar; Sasui Palejo and some others are working closely with these and other well wishers of Sindhi peope to achieve the minimum goals.
 
We must continue our political struggle and continue to seek broader policy reform and improved governance in Pakistan and in Sindh.
 
However when I look at the successful persons among the middle and lower classes; I see that hard work; self help and blessings of God have played a large part in thse individual success stories. Persons like me and most others are here today because of these factors rather than because of performance of one government or the other. I made the same point to every one who would listen. I feel that we have to emphasize:
 

• hard work in shools and and colleges by all students;
• stopping those who disrupt and disturb our educational institutions and keep us backward;
• focus on market oriented education which has real job prospects;
• helping each other including scholarships for needy students;
• self help when it comes to keeping our streets and neighborhood clean;
• working honestly in our fiels of work whether we are civil servants or doctors or teachers; 
• learning from relatively successful minorities such as Sindhi Hindus; Agha Khanis; and Jewish people. Wile continuing our struggle for improved governance and plitical rights; we have to rely on ourselves as much as possible.

 
These are not just theoratical points. These have real life implications for our youth and next generation. Each of these points has a real policy and day to day impact.  
 
We have to recognize that government has not solved our collective problems in the last sixty years. We cannot expect much from them in near future.
 
Most of us have been relatively successful because of our success in education and job markets. As individuals we have been helped by our parents and other angels. We have to become similar frishtas for others and help and guide them.
 
Your input and help towards development of Sindh is always welcome. PLEASE FEED POOR AND GIVE SCHOLARSHIPS TO AS MANY DESERVING STUDENTS AS YOU CAN.

Ali Nawaz Memon
Feb 7, 2010

My brief visit to Sindh in January 2010

Recently I had the pleasure of visiting Pakistan for three weeks. I spent two weeks in Islamabad on business and about a week in Sindh for my education. I was there after a gap of about 5 years.
 
In Sindh I was in Karachi; Hyderabad; and Badin. I visited my family and friends every where and absorbed as much of sights; sounds; smells and life as I could in this very short period. You can imagine that it was hectic.
 
First of all I want to thank all friends who spared time and extended hospitality. Thanks from bottom of my heart. In the process I must have upset friends and family who wanted to look after me and extend hospitality but there was not enough time. Please accept my appology. Inshaullah I shall try to spend more time with you the next time.
 
What did I see? I saw barricades and high security measures every where in Islamabad. However Sindh and Sindhi people are largely unchanged.
 
In Karachi I saw signs of improvement. It has some new roads and many bypasses. Traffic moves faster. But there are so many new cars and so much increase in traffic that roads look as congested as ever.
 
The interior looked about the same as five years ago. Hyderabad and particularly our Qasimabad is as dirty as ever. There is a terrible smell for miles on Hyderabad- Badin road. It is obviously due to discharge from a sugar mill along the road.
 
There is wide spread disaapointment with performance of the new government. People complain of unimaginable rise in price of essential goods- wheat; sugar; meat; electricity etc etc.
 
Law and order is worse than before.
 
Water shortages are worse than before.
 
Stories of corruption are too many to tell.
 
There have been some new jobs. But those have been allocated to MNAs and MPAs and Ministers rather than recruitment on basis of merit.
 
Democracy is confined to periodic visit to the ballot box and unproductive debates in Sindh assembly. As always the decisions are in few hands (including Sindhi hands) who seemed to focussed on some thing other than welfare of common people. Politics has become more of family business every where.
 
I saw some positive changes. Sindhi TV channels are in full bloom. Sindhi music and culture is visible every where. There is wde spread and open discussion of Sindhi issues.
 
NGOs have come up fast. They employ people and focuss on local issues. There is large foreign aid through NGOs and through government projects.
 
Sindh intellectuals have prospered partly through NGOs. They have also joined hands for cause of our people. This may be a source of better governance and futre leadership.
 
Sindhi leadership has definately passed to a new generation. Only time will tell if they will do any better than my generation has done.
 
More and detailed haal ahwal later.

Your input and help towards development of Sindh is always welcome. PLEASE FEED POOR AND GIVE SCHOLARSHIPS TO AS MANY DESERVING STUDENTS AS YOU CAN.

Ali Nawaz Memon

Interview with Ali Nawaz Memon: The Capital post

 

 

www.thecapitalpost. com An exclusive  Interview with Mr. Ali Nawaz Memon  Engineer, businessman, consultant and writer, Mr. Ali Nawaz Memon, an esteemed member of the American Pakistani community has traveled across and worked in over thirty countries. He is the author of The Islamic Nation: Status & Future of Muslims in the New World Order (1995), Pakistan: Islamic Nation in Crisis (1996) and Sindh Development Thoughts. Mr. Memon shares with The Capital Post his views and ideas about the current situation in America, Pakistan and more.  TCP: Tell us about yourself, your education back ground, work area… ANM: I came to the United States on the 31st of December, 1960. I did my undergrad from University of IL in Electrical Engineering and then worked at Motorola in Chicago. I realized I needed to learn about Business so I enrolled for the MBA program at University of Oregon and completed the degree. I was hired by the World Bank in 1967 and came to Washington DC. I worked for thirty years in the World Bank. Right now I’ve retired from there and am working as a financial and institutional development consultant. My specialization and field of work is management of utility companies such as electric power and telecom companies. Over the years I’ve worked in over thirty countries. Last month I was in Pakistan helping in the development of electric power authority.  TCP: If you could do anything else, what would it be? AN: It would be public service activities…something related to political science and law. TCP: What are your hobbies and favorite pass times?  AN: In my work I have travelled in most parts of the world. I have worked in about thirty countries and vacationed in another thirty. Travelling is my hobby. I want to see the world. I want to see more of U.S. even though I have lived and travelled in so many states, there’s so much beauty here. If I can’t travel physically I like watching travel channels and reading books about traveling.  TCP: Tell us about a funny incident that happened to you. AN: Fifty years ago when I arrived in U.S., I landed in Indiana. I took a taxi to go to a college where I was going and for the first time saw a Radio Dispatch. It was such a new thing to me that I was totally confused about whom the lady cab driver was talking to. Back then life was not modernized. At that time it was a scary experience but it looks like a funny incident now. TCP: In your opinion, what are the traits a good leader should have? AN: A Leader is like the father of the nation. Traits should be same as a father’s in a family. The leader should be sincerely interested for welfare of people. Make sure that food, shelter and education is provided and development needs are fulfilled.  Focus should not be on self enrichment. Father is not supposed to keep money secretly rather he is supposed to use it for the welfare of family. If the father is educated properly it will help. He should be sincere to the nation and not corrupt. Leaders are those who are willing to sacrifice whatever is needed to bring the right change. Pakistan should make change, like President Obama speaks of change. TCP: Who is your most favorite Leader? Someone whose work you admire. AN: President Obama. I admire him for his struggle in the political process in terms of being from a mixed race. From being from a very poor family and yet coming up through the democratic process to be a president. Although I am waiting for him to complete his promises. In Pakistan, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. After six to seven years when he was in power he introduced so many great ideas that he picked up from west and the east. Out entrance into modern scientific age including atomic energy, introducing social security system, introduction of passport, etc. There was a basic emphasis on common people… the slogan of ‘ROTI KAPRA MAKAAN’ (Food, Clothing and Shelter)…This was very appropriate for Pakistan because the average Pakistani doesn’t have sufficient resources. TCP: How would you rate President Zardari as a Leader? AN: I am a worker of PPP and a supporter of the party. I strongly support the manifesto of the party. I strongly support the promises that have been made in the manifesto. I had a chance to work closely with Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, she had worked out a detailed program on what will be done on the assumption of government by the party and what will be done within six months, etc. But, for reasons of international politics and the war and weaknesses in the government, I feel that President Zardari has not been able to deliver on the promises which had been contained in the manifesto. I ask the government to please stick to the manifesto. There are still few years before the next elections. I hope Zardari would be able to keep the promises. TCP: What are your views on Pakistani Politics? AN: We seem to have been caught from the start in the defense of our house (country). We have been so absorbed in that, we have neglected and failed in development of people who lived in that house (country). Kashmir and other tensions with India…Afghanistan has almost directed all of our attention towards fighting and military. Very less time for the development of people of Pakistan, that was the whole purpose of creating Pakistan. We have lost sight of why Pakistan was created. TCP: What is your stance on democracy in Pakistan? AN: I love democracy. But we have misunderstood the meaning of democracy. It means of the people, by the people and for the people…but in Pakistan democracy means people can go every five years and after that party who has been elected enriches themselves and forgets the promises that they made to the people…promises made in public speeches. In recent years we have gone to a point when criminal and corrupt people are given preference for top positions. TCP: In your opinion, is the government headed in the right direction? AN: I think not, from the Military side, we again are much too occupied both on eastern and western sides. Emphasis is more on war and less on education, health and welfare of people of Pakistan. We are going through a day to day crisis. There are many misguided policies. Also inflation rate is very high in Pakistan and unemployment is very high in Pakistan. Top 10% of people are doing very well whereas the bottom 70% of people continue to live miserable lives. TCP: How can we improve relations with the United States while also protecting Pakistan’s interests? AN: United States and Pakistan are part of the family of nations on this earth. We are members of the same family. We have to talk to each other more openly and more sincerely. Pakistan has not been able to articulate the views in a way that we were created to develop the people not to fight. We have to be left alone or given space to work for the welfare of our people and to develop our people. TCP: In your opinion how can the current scenario in Pakistan and even the world be improved? If you could change one thing about it, what would it be? AN: Better understanding should be created between people of Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities. Current world situation is dominated by war and this is due to misunderstanding between the people of these three communities. There have been wars but there have also been so many periods of cooperation and co-existence. We have to learn good things and we have to learn on a daily basis. We can highlight the goodness of all three faiths since all three faiths are from Abraham and all are called Abrahamic faiths. The world will be a much better place to live in then.  TCP: What are your future plans for People in Sindh and overall in Pakistan? AN: Before I die, I’d like to do some good in the world which will allow me to enter God’s grace and God’s paradise. Serving the people of Pakistan and Sindh is my goal. I feel that we all should help each other. My Project is the creation of 100,000 scholarships for Sindh and Pakistan. Feeding poor people has been my goal by opening soup kitchens. I must confess that these are extremely hard projects and without full support of all people cannot be fulfilled.  I hope to God I will be able to work on these projects. I hope to speak out on these issues of development of people. I am creating an active interface dialogue and working to assist the community for different things. (Such as feeding the poor, increasing services for seniors, participation in local political process, etc.) TCP: The current situation of recession is creating joblessness and the economy is also getting hit by it. As a Pakistani Community Leader, how are you addressing this issue?  AN: In U.S. as far as Pakistani community is concerned, the community is relatively well educated and largely in professional fields. As a result, this recession has kept a large number of people intact while one may know of individual or personal suffering. There are relatively few incidents. As far as Pakistan is concerned, this (recession) has hit Pakistan and other developing countries. In Pakistan the situation was already so bad that the affect may have been on common people. Farmers in Pakistan, poor farmers from South of Punjab or Sindh or Balochistan were not making much so it was half start anyway. Because of recession, commodity prices rose up (such as of rice and wheat). They did not suffer as much one would’ve thought. The war in Afghanistan was going on. Pakistan was getting some financial aid from that side as U.S. and Pakistan have been working together. That source of funding has also helped. Poor and miserable remain Poor and miserable. Impact has not been as severe as one was afraid of. TCP: What are your suggestions to the present government regarding education and youth empowerment? AN: The welfare of the people is the most important thing. I see the leader of any country as the father of a family. He has to make sure that every member of family is well set, well housed well educated and given opportunities. It is like you have a nice house and your paying 60% of your income for your security and 40% on household. It won’t work out. UN says 6% of GNP should be spent on education. In Pakistan only 2% is being spent. These percentages are for billions of dollars. We are barely able to meet the salary bills of government departments plus there are reports of maybe 40-50% going in corruption. Suggestion is to increase allocation to these things and spend more of it and let corruption come under control. TCP: What are your views on the war on terrorism? AN: It’s an example of the difference between these three religions and if we can remove these misunderstandings. There has been the attack of 911. There has been the war in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and several other countries. I think the world has a well established judicial system, whenever a crime is committed we have world court and other institutions like the UN. Crimes should be looked in that perspective. One should see the evidence and one should punish the guilty and compensate the innocent. I would like to see the judicial process in this regard. TCP: If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be? AN: President Obama. I believe presidency of U.S. has more power to do good than any other in the world. TCP: What advice would you like to give to the youngsters who want to enter into the Professional world? AN: My advice to them would be to acquire education, primary education then high school, college. You should study your subject well. Be number one! For instance when I did high school in Pakistan (Matric) for the whole province there was a test. The test used to be province wise. I was fortunate to get the 1st position in that exam in 1958. It opened so many doors for me. It persuaded my father to even borrow money to send me to U.S. for further studies. It opened so many doors. If you are number one doors will open for you and you will achieve more than your imagination. TCP: Our paper is for the youth and a large part of the readership comes from the younger generation. What message would you like to give them as someone they look up to…? AN: Please be part of your family, of the Pakistani family, of the American family, of the mankind family. Work hard and be a good human being to your parents, neighbors and others. Be good, work hard and God will give you success. TCP: Thank you so much for your time From Mansoor R Qureshi The Capital Post Washington DC

 

 

Hold elected representatives and government responsible

I call on people to hold their elected representatives and the government responsible.
 
For too long we have complained but have taken little practical steps to hold our government responsible. By this I mean elected officials– President; Prime Minister; ministers; MNAs; MPAs; secretaries; DCOs; police chiefs; all the way down to clerks and all others who have oppresses and neglected people.
 
We have waited too long. Waited for election of our own parties and personally known ministers. Not much has happened. OUR RULERS KNOW THAT WE DO NOT HAVE POLITICAL OPTIONS AND WE SHALL NOT TAKE ANY ACTION.  But enough is enough.
 
Let us have an active people who are doers. I urge you to unite at local; district; province and national level.
 
Let us start by supporting good people in the forthcoming local body elections. Forget about which party they are from. Vote for good people who will work for welfare of our people. Judge individual candidates on basis of atleast what they have done to:
 
GET JOBS FOR OUR UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE
IMPROVE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF EDUCATION
STOP CRIMNAL ACTIVITIES IN OUR AREA
STOP ROBBING OF PEOPLE THROUGH PERSONAL CORRUPTION
 
You can add more criteria as applicable in your area.

This morning I have watched a tragic video about what is happening to our people whose lands are producing most of oil and gas of our country. The video shows that disease and poverty has increased for those who are giving millions to our country. SHAME ON OUR GOVERNMENT WHO IS NOT ABLE TO SHARE THE WEALTH WITH LOCAL PEOPLE. The link of the video is given below:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4ICtI3lQF0
 
Start by sending thousands of emails and messages to Minister Naveed Qamar who is minister for Petroleum. Naveed Qamar is a very decent man. But solution of problems is more important. We want him to publicly take action against those who are violating the law. WE WANT CHANGE NOW. We have seen enough of policy statements. We want to see improvement in lives of our people. Here is the contact information:
 

Syed Naveed Qamar
Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources

Phone: + (92-51) 9210220, 9206416
Fax: + (92-51) 9213180
E-mail: minister@mpnr.gov.pk

Room No. 301, 3rd Floor, A block Pak Secretariat
Islamabad.

 
WE LIVE IN A DEMOCRACY. LET US USE RIGHTS GIVEN TO US BY DEMOCRACY. LET US PETITION THE GOVERNMENT. LET US VOTE CORRECTLY AT POLLS STARTING WITH FORTHCOMING LOCAL BODIES ELECTIONS.
 
IF WE DO NOT ACT COLLECTIVELY; WE CANNOT GET THE BENEFITS OF DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT.

 
Your input and help towards development of Sindh is always welcome. PLEASE FEED POOR AND GIVE SCHOLARSHIPS TO AS MANY DESERVING STUDENTS AS YOU CAN.

Ali Nawaz Memon
(Author: SINDH DEVELOPMENT THOUGHTS)

Write to President Obama

Whenever I meet friends in USA or in Pakistan; they talk to me about injustice in Pakistan and particularly in Sindh; injustice in Middle east and other places in the world.
 
My friends tell me about their hopes and expectations fom President Obama. They see President Obama as the most important persn in the world. They tell me that they wish that they could write to him and give him their views. May be he will listen and do something about it.
 
YOU CAN SEND EMAIL TO PRESIDENT OBAMA FROM ANY PART OF THE WORLD AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:
 
president@whitehouse.gov

Please write to him and tell about your hopes for policy change in USA. Also tell him what you like to see in Pakistan and Sindh. TELL HIM ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEEDS OF SINDH. Please send hundreds of emails. Send frequently. They are bound to be considered. REMEMBER TO BE POITE AND DEMOCRATIC. PRESIDENT WILL APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT.
 
By the way; you will receive and immediate acknowledgement from White House.

Your input and help towards development of Sindh is always welcome. PLEASE FEED POOR AND GIVE SCHOLARSHIPS TO AS MANY DESERVING STUDENTS AS YOU CAN.

Ali Nawaz Memon