NUST Institute of Information Technology (NIIT) along with BrightSpyre & P@sha is going to host an exciting startup session on April 4, 2008 in the premises of NIIT. The purpose of this session is to provide a platform to motivated and brilliant people, who are thinking of launching a startup, get a handle on really what they’ve got and way to make it a success- an idea, a feature, a product, or a business and what not. This session will feature a panel of serial entrepreneurs with remarkable business experience. They will lead the audience through a series of evaluations critical to success. The theme for the session is “Startups”. You are encouraged to avail this fruitful opportunity to become a successful Leader of Tomorrow!!!! Following is the list of panelists for the session:

- Rana Saad ( PI Sigma)
-Jehan Ara, President, PASHA
- Murad Akhtar (Tintash) http://www.tintash.com/
- Mansoor Salim (Jin Technologies)
- Atif Mumtaz & Faisal Chohan (CEO BrightSpyre)
- Babar Khan (Ikonmai) (Outsourcing software house)
- Adnan Shaukat (CEO, Classic Entertainment, Internet Radio)
- Amir Jahangir (Consultant CSF and Social media entrepreneur)
- Osama Hashmi (Green and White)
- 2 NIIT Alumni

For more information and registration check this link:
http://www.niit.edu.pk/Seminars_workshops/pages/startup/index.php

I havent been to many parks in Islamabad, but the ones I have been to were not cute - severe lack of maintenance and some of the climbing frames looked dangerous but still it was better than not having a park at all. Then i’ve been pleasantly surprised by the beautiful Childrens Playland opposite F6. Sitting at the bottom of the Margalla hills and the road leading up to Damenh Koh, this park is excellently maintained and has lots of things good about it. Loads of bumby castles for the kids to play in, a bucking bronco ride - for those who want to experience the wild west in the wild east - and a mini-bungee jump for more adventurous kids. A couple to nice cafes to sip tea and enjoy a burger or two and all in all this is an ideal park for the family…

Do we need to say more after seeing expression of Joy and Helplessness on this old fellow’s face.

Image courtesy: Dawn

Consumer Link, a global consumer opinion research firm, has launched itself in Pakistan and is currently recruiting a research panel from all segments of society.

Consumer Link will soon commence conducting surveys that and will carry the users’ opinion to the decision makers of all brands.

To make things a bit more interesting, Consumer Link Pakistan will be conducting prize draws and will be distributing prizes amongst participants of every survey.

From environmental concerns issues pertaining to companies to other societal issues that you feel a brand can help contribute to, Consumer Link is the voice of the consumer.

Those interested in joining the Consumer Link research panel, visit here.

Guest post by Inspirex of Karachi Metblogs

I was at a colleague’s wedding today noon, when I learned that Baraat, coming from Lahore, has been stopped from entering the city at G.T. Road by the security officials. As per the live update coming from different cell phones connected with individuals present on the spot, the guys with the guns were in no mood to listen to anything. They were not even interested in checking the cars, only to learn that this was merely a baraat, and that the baraatis have not even any remote plans to join BB’s protest. The groom returned back and tried to enter from motorway, going all the way to Chakwal, Balkasar and Chakri only to meet the same fate again. At this moment, they talked to bride’s father, who happens to be a guy with a crescent and few stars on his shoulders in Armed Forces of Pakistan, and asked him to find some solution to the, one of its kind, problem. I got busy with something and missed the transmission for a while. When I joined back, by then, the groom was able to enter from Chakri interchange. I dont know if it was the bride to make this happen or the groom managed the security-guys on his own, but they eventually made it to the marriage hall.

BB says that she is proud of today’s outcome: one call for protest has jammed half of the country, and that she will continue with such calls.

Alarm bells for all the brides whose baraats are planned to come from outside the city in the weeks to come. Make sure your day doesn’t collide with BB’s, as the vice-versa doesn’t seem to be practical. And the grooms too, who plan to bring the brides from other cities, your bride may be denied the entry on the way back home :)

PS: At the wedding more than one versions of the story were available, all claiming to be live :)

As a son of a world renowned poet, Mr. Islamabad found it uniquely surprising that the whole country of Pakistan observes Allama Iqbal Day, As he has never experienced anything like it before, he did try to research as to any events taking place, as far as poetry readings go. As he is not networked into that loop of “Uncles” Mr. Islamabad decided to head out on the town to celebrate a friends recent passing of an MBA exam to enter a reputable local university (still not sure how that works, in the US I took GMAT)….. None The less we were off to Gelato, which found a mix small crowd, a table of 2 speaking Arabic, a table of 4 that looked super bored, and ohhh boy was the DJ playing some great beats! The Chocolate Brownie with ice cream was to die for, Mr. Islamabad usually sticks to his Low Carbohydrate, High Protein Diet, but this of course was a reason to celebrate. A few of the regulars were spotted, and a table of 6 young professional male co-workers.

Then we were off to Ye Ole’ Hangout, a classic on any night of the week, here we found the regulars enjoying dinner and sheesha, Right as we ere ready to leave, The Cricket match was put on, and we decided to watch the remaining 30 minutes of the match, what a great win for Pakistan! Mr. Islamabad isn’t even much of a cricket fan, give me some good ole basketball, and American football, 7 nights of the week, and I’ll say it is tooo little.

As the title of this post may have deceived you… I mean, only slightly… I thought I’d at least share this link…. read all about a man whose influence is still present today, in our society.

http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammed_Iqbal

Analyze yourself … the ground realities and the all-promising economic progressive trends we are being shown on different tv channels everyday.

With the educational institutions having re-opened residents of Islamabad have to cope with traffic snarls everyday especially in the school timings. The primary reason is set up of so many schools in an unplanned manner around the city, most of them present at the center of residental areas. ITP is trying it’s best to cope with the situation and to sort out the haphazard parkings on the main roads outside schools and colleges. The schools and college lack the transport system for the ever growing population of the school children. Some residents have suggested to move all schools to outer sectors such as H-8, H-10, which does not seem a likely solution in the near future. Till that time it seems that the residents would have to keep with the traffic mayhem during school rush hours.

Photo Credit : Yoseph

The culprit has been suspended for a temporary period from his service
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I’ve seen this man plenty of times enthralling (and annoying a few too*) by playing harmonium in Islamabad. He has an art and he want to live by playing his art for people around. Can you guess the place??

It’s the corridor adjacent to MCB in Melody Market. I saw the picture and liked it instantly … for many amongst us, it’s just another begging tactic … but he plays well and you can feel the purity of his skills deeply if you stand for a few minutes and listen to what he has to offer. Begging, may be, but I personally feel he’s better off than those who’ll roam around and will annoy you so much that you hand over few coins just to shun them off - give something and here comes another. Poverty is prevalent, I know, but not once or twice many a time, I’ve felt that for road beggars it’s more about asking and not doing any physical work at all. Offer them work they’ll move to next person.

The asterisked annoying in first line is for people who think he’s just another beggar.

What do you think?? Is he just another beggar?? Or you see him in different light??

Ciao!