Tuesday, the 9th November 2009 is one of the happiest day of my life since I got one of the dearest thing in my life that is Nephew – New Junior in my family. My brother had this baby boy and who is yet to be named on the time of writing this blog. Here is picture of first glimpse of him as he really didn’t want to open his eyes to this materialistic world
Trip to Singapore came with the chance to participate in IEEE Regional Student Congress that was held at National University of Singapore from 16-19th July 2009. I left from Karachi on 12th July and had a night over stop at Colombo and then flight to Singapore on 13th July.
Singapore is very well developed specially worth mentioning its local transportation system. I happened to be there for 13 days and I had pretty much good time there and I really don’t think that I missed anything on its map which i should have visited. Its a very small country though but very beautiful and so its people which I fount quite helpful.
Roads and everything was so well directed specially the detailed free maps that were available everywhere were really helpful and new visitor can roam around very easily.
The best place that I found there was Sentosa Beach as usual but I would like to recommend people to see one place which usually is not found on Singapore’s Map and actually you have go out of Singapore boundary to see that. It is called “Pulao Ubin” Island which has its all 1960’s culture left with it. It is small and beautiful island of Mangrove Jungles for which I had to use every type of transport to reach i.e. Train, Bus and Boat. I borrowed the Bi-Cycle there for 8 SGD and had a time of 6 hours of cycling there. It was so scary at some places where I had to enter like its my last moment of life. But it was equally adventurous as well.
The places that I saw at Singapore includes: Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, Sentosa Island, Singapore Towers, China Town and Little india.
Over all its very small and beautiful country where I didn’t find any law and order problem as I am struggling to remember any cop that I saw there.
I had the opportunity to visit Islamabad and spend 4 days there. Basically, It was more of Study tour from my university on IEEE annual event of Pakistan Student Congress 2009. It was 3rd PSC starting its journey from our University. It was 3 day event and 9 students from my university were accompanying me.
I wouldn’t bore you more by telling you about event. Indeed I am more interested to tell you about my Islamabad City. I had very rare opportunity to see the city but it was enough to impress me with its natural beauty and well planned infrastructure. The credit goes to Hira Wajahat Malik who were more of as guide for me – not forgetting the “free guide” 
.
On Saturday, we had 3 hours to visit Islamabad and I asked Hira to take me the best possible place and guess what it was 3200 Feet above the ground. It is called “Monal Point”. The very nice restaurant set up to give the beautiful and clear view of city. We took the taxi with deal of Rs.700 and giving us ride back as well. It took around 40 mins drive to reach there but what a sight it was giving.
The best thing about Islamabad was that there was no rickshaw or Bus or any other high smoke releasing vehicle. Thus you could feel the freshness in the air. The public transport was Hi-Ace moving from areas to areas. There were only 6 high rise buildings in the city as others were small houses only.
One could easily see the plantation from the above snap throughout the city and not forgetting People of Islamabad were also very beautiful – No wonder, considering the fresh environment.
I found this picture very interesting enough to put that on my blog on next moment. This is the train full of people from upside down going to their home on Eid.
Recent elections in India has come up with answers of lots of unsolved dilemmas regarding India, its people and its future. These election results have not only showing the bright future of Indian people but it is also showing the sign of “Great change” in once fully socialist nation but now becoming the Asian hub of capitalism.
Giving another tenure to Dr. Manmohan Singh is the smartest and thus obvious decision that can be made and now he has become the 2nd prime minister after Nehru who gave India the unity but ad hoc economy. I see Dr. Singh as true and bigger revolutionist than Nehru but silent one.
Last few years can be used as report card of the congress which has totally changed its image, policies and attitude in past 2 decades and today’s congress can be viewed as Anti-Congress of itself 4 decades back.I remember the Nehru’s and then Indira Gandhi’s words and reforms against capitalism. The context of bringing this in light is to show the beauty of Democracy which actually lies in transforming your self according to the rule of people and in past 8 months we have seen it twice; first in US and now in India.
I don’t know why but events like these makes me happy and hopeful for coming generations and I believe these two nations have covered the big journey and Pakistan was not even conceptualized when India covered its more than half of journey towards democracy. Though I accept that everything bird is not golden one in India but it is moving towards it and these 2009 elections are big step ahead in this direction.
My interest in India has grown deeper these days since I am following the Nandan Nilkhani articulated words in his “Imagining India: The ideas for 21st Century.”
