MystiqueArkantos

PERVEZ MUSHARRAF'S LAST SPEECH

noreply@blogger.com (arkantos) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 03:07:00 +0000

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf address to the nation and his announcement that he was resigning from office.
"Today is a day of an important decision for me." Proceedings began with recitation from the Holy Quran at 13.10 pm. President Pervez Musharraf said the nation is aware of the crisis it is going through. "

"When I assumed charge nine years ago the country was about to be branded a failed state and a terrorist state. I assumed charge with the aim of rescuing the country. In the last nine years I have tried my best to serve the country to the best of my ability... during confrontation with India, 9/11 and its aftermath and the devastating earthquake.'

'In all these crises we stood up thanks to the Grace of God and saved Pakistan from the crises. In handling the problems the sole aim was the well-being of the people and the safety and security of Pakistan.

I have taken part in two wars which Pakistan fought... [The coalition government] They deceived the people. Never did they realize that they may win against me but how adversely the contry was affected did not concern them. Economic decline and energy crisis we're experiencing is being attributed to my policies.

I would like to put some facts before the nation, especially the economy. The economy was doing well, in fact very well before Deb 2007. The GDP growth was 7 percent. Revenue collection had reached one trillion dollars. The KSE index was around 15,000 points. All these indicators are of eight months ago. Pakistan's economy was poised to take off. How did the economic probkem start all of a sudden? Why has the stock exchange lost 5,000 points. Why has the rupee lost almost 30 percent of its value?

Surely, the present economic crisis is owing to rising oil prices and similar other developments on a global basis. But it is wholly incorrect to put blame on these global factors alone. It is our own failures during the last 8 months.

Power Sector: We were producing 14,000 MW in June 2007 but are now producing just about 10,000 MW. Why? In a nutshell, the people are being fooled. Let us now look forward to find solutions to take the country out of the woods. During the past nine years, we addressed all sectors and accelerated development in the country. In these 9 years , we constructed several roads and bypasses and worked on several other developmental projects. You can see for yourself how much we have done, including all the dams that have been constructed (such as the Mirani Dam). Several canals are also being constructed. These developments will help irrigate 3 million acre fields in the country.

There was massive industrialisation during the last nine years. There was a lot done for higher education. Nice universities from different foreign countries had agreed to set up campuses in the country. In the health sector primary and secondary healthcare was given priority. Safe drinking water was a sector that was addressed on priority and 6000 water purification plants were set up. Women were given political empowerment and now you see a lot more women in eh assemblies. Honour killing was discouraged and Hudood Ordinance laws were revamped. The minorities were given opportunities and culture and heritage was given due importance.

Democracy: We incorporated the essence of democracy into the system through a highly progressive Local Bodies system. Anyone harming it will harm Pakistan. We held two successful general elections. Global Image: We introduced Pakistans true image all over the world which proves the success of our policies.

I'm proud of all the achievements. If you look at the donor's conference, we were given 6.5 billion dollars in donations when we needed 5 billion. I'll come to the current economic scenario now. From the beginning, I wanted to create a reconciliatory atmosphere in Pakistans politics on a personal and institutional level. I talked about the 3-phase transition to democracy in Pakistan. The third phase was achieved last year when I doffed my uniform and held free and fair elections in Pakistan. After the elections, people had hopes from their leaders in the govt. Pakistanis have been looking forward toward prosperity and stability in the political atmosphere.

Its unfortunate my appeals to strive for reconciliation and a resolution of economic issues facing the people went unheeded. Some sections of the political forces chose confrontation rather than reconciliation. The President's office was accused of conspiring against the new democratic setup. You should remember it was I who held free and fair elections. Look at the PM's election the coalition setup in Sindh. The opposition cooperated with the govt. in getting the budget passed. I have publicly announced my support to the govt. I have offered the govt. my services. Unfortunately the coalition govt. thinks me a problem and wants to impeach. What are they scared of and why do they want to do this?

Impeachment and chargesheet is the right of the Parliament and I have the right to defend myself against these charges.I am confident that no charge can be proved against me. All my actions were for the good of the people and the country. All my major decisions were the consent of all concerned and all stake-holders, e.g. services, bureaucracy, civil society, etc. I am not at all worried about the Charge-Sheet because nothing can be proved. But the larger issue is what isit going to cost Pakistan - its economy, political and social order, honour and prestige of the highest office of the state. Such are the considerations upper-most in my mind.

Whether I'm impeached or not, the country's stability will be compromised. The office of the president will also be insulted. Pakistan is my love; now and always, my life is for Pakistan. I have defended and will continue to defend Pakistan. I want to be able to bring Pakistan out of the current crisis so I think perhaps should do something. But I also do not want to do something that may generate uncertainty in the country. I also want to save the Parliament from horse-trading. Even if the impeachment is defeated, the relations between the President's office and the coalition govt. will not heal. Institutions will be endangered. Therefore, with this situation in view and having consulted my legal and political advisors, I have decided to resign from my post.

I have decided to resign from the office of President and my resignation will be handed over to the Speaker of the National Assembly. I want the people to be the judges and let them decide my fate. I am a human being and may have committed follies.

PERVEZ MUSHARRAF'S JOURNEY TO POWER

noreply@blogger.com (arkantos) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:19:00 +0000

Pervez Musharraf

Born (1943-08-11)11 August 1943 (age 65)
Delhi, British Raj
Political party PML-Q
Profession Soldier (General)
Religion Islam
12th President of Pakistan In office 20 June 2001 – 18 August 2008
Chief Executive of Pakistan In office 12 October 1999 – 20 June 2001
BIOGRAPHY(Important Events): -

Born August 11, 1943, NI, HI, is the former President of Pakistan.
He seized power on October 12, 1999 by effecting a military coup d'état and has suspended the constitution of Pakistan twice .
In 2001, Musharraf appointed himself to the office of President of Pakistan.
On November 3, 2007, he, as Chief of Army Staff, suspended the constitution, jailed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.
On November 3, 2007, Musharraf declared a state of emergency in Pakistan which lasted until December 15, 2007.
On November 24, 2007, the Pakistan Election Commission confirmed his re-election as President.
On August 18, 2008, Pervez Musharraf resigned from the post of President of Pakistan under impeachment pressure from the coalition government.
On 18 August 2008, in a nationally-televised speech, he announced his resignation as President of Pakistan.
Personal Life:-

Born on :- August 11, 1943 in Nahr wali Haveli>Haveli, situated in Delhi, British India.
Father :- Syed Musharraf Uddin retired as Secretary of foreign affairs.
Mother :-Zarin, recently retired from the UNO agency in ISB.
Spouse :- Sehba.
Childrens :- Bilal,works in the Silicon Valley; Ayla Raza an architect in Karachi.
Schooling :- Saint Patrick's School, Karachi,Forman Christian College in Lahore1958,
A certificate course for media management from Delhi university.
Military career:-

Service/branch Pakistan Army (PA – 6920)
Years of service 1964 - 2007
Rank General
Commands held DGMO (Military Operations),I Corps,(Mangla),Chief of Army Staff
Battles/wars Indo-Pakistani War of 1965,1971,Siachen conflict, Kargil War.
Awards Tamgha-e-Basalat,Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military),Nishan-e-Imtiaz
EVENTS OF MUSHARRAF’S LIFE

Role in Kargil Conflict
From May to July 1999, Pakistan and India were involved in the Kargil Conflict, an armed conflict between the two countries in the Kargil district of Kashmir. It was planned and executed during General Musharraf's term as the Pakistani Army Chief of Staff under Prime Minister Sharif.Musharraf's role in planning the Kargil attacks was criticized by one British journalist for showing "a shocking lack of strategy."
Presidency & Work days
MILITARY COUP D'ÉTAT
Musharraf became de facto Head of Government (using the title Chief Executive and assuming extensive powers) of Pakistan following a bloodless coup d'état on October 12, 1999. That day, Sharif attempted to dismiss Musharraf and install Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director Ziauddin Butt in his place.
Assassination attempts
On December 14, 2003; December 25, 2003; July 6, 2007, Musharraf survived three assassination attempt during his four-year rule.
2004 confidence vote and resignation of Jamali
On January 1, 2004 Musharraf won a confidence vote in the Electoral College of Pakistan, consisting of both houses of Parliament and the four provincial assemblies. Musharraf received 658 out of 1170 votes, a 56 percent majority, but many opposition and Islamic members of parliament walked out to protest the vote. As a result of this vote, according to Article 41(8) of the Constitution of Pakistan, Musharraf was "deemed to be elected" to the office of President. His term now extends to 2007.
Suspension and reinstatement of the Chief Justice
On March 9, 2007, Musharraf suspended the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.
Lal Masjid siege
The standoff between the Pakistani government and the clerics of the Lal Masjid in Islamabad finally broke down on the morning of July 8, 2007, leading to a hostage drama.
August state of emergency rumours
On August 8, 2007 a rumour spread across Pakistan that a State of emergency was going to be enforced across the country. The rumour was picked up by the electronic media.
Resignation from the Army
On October 2, 2007, Musharraf named Lt. Gen. Ashfaq Kayani as vice chief of the army starting October 8. When Musharraf resigned from military on 28 November 2007, Kayani became Chief of Army Staff.
Emergency declared in Pakistan
On November 3, 2007 Musharraf declared emergency rule across Pakistan. He suspended the Constitution, imposed State of Emergency, and fired the chief justice of the Supreme Court.
Pakistani general election, 2008
On March 23, 2008, President Musharraf said an "era of democracy" has begun in Pakistan. He has put the country "on the track of development and progress."
June 2008 elections
The results of election was:- Benazir Bhutto's PPP won 123 seats in the 342-seat National Assembly and Sharif's party came second with 91, while Pervez Musharraf's party came a poor third with 54 seats. Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) won 8 provincial assembly seats, while the PPP won 7 provincial seats.
Impeachment movement and resignation
On August 7, 2008, the Pakistan Peoples Party and the Pakistan Muslim League (N) agreed to force Musharraf to step down .
Musharaf, however, said: “I will defeat those who try to push me to the wall. If they use their right to oust me, I have the right to defend myself."
On August 18, 2008, in a speech defending his record, Musharraf announced that he has resigned.

Why in the world did I started Blogging

noreply@blogger.com (arkantos) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:51:00 +0000

Well this question has far less intricacies, complication's and in itself it is more intriguing than why the heck there are no aliens on the moon , why does only idiots win "who will be the billionaire", why only beasts have to get all the beautiful womens in the world and why Musharraf always talks about Kashmir each time he sees his power being threatened.

So all this started when it was raining pitter-patter that i decided to do something worthwhile which is quite unlike me, as I only think worthwhile and when it comes to doing it I always refrain myself from taking the pain,I usually like things going easy for me.

Now you may think why a B.tech graduate is doing at this time of year at home when he should be somewhere trying to fight his way through that fierce competition of Survival that was once suggested by a holy spirit named Charles Darwin.

All this (un)reasonable delay in joining of thousands of graduates across country of which one includes me is not any scam, for that no one is to blame except the Dollar which has gone down against Indian rupee this year or the companies who have more intakes than projects on hand.

So i thought it to be the right and ripe time to give Blogging a thought.Thereby my Blogging can be attributed to various factors right from rain to down fall in IT industry and to YES how could have I missed this now here is the biggest reason of all, few days (or may be weeks) back i just saw very fascinating news bites showing few of the Biggest Celebrities of India making Fun of their contemporaries or using the medium to have a go at them.

Then it dawned upon me that when the persons who are busy almost 25 hrs a day can have time to express themselves over this interesting medium then WHY Can't I, who is trying to do away this phase of time.So i just opened up my browser typed Wordpress and Blogspot went Through that routine Signup and was presented with one of popular communication medium at my service.

By far now i feel u would have got accustomed with the reasons for why I started Blogging .

Leaving you with one of the most amazing fortune of mine that I came across on my orkut profile

"In God we trust; all others must pay cash"

India-Independence day 1947 " quotes and images"

noreply@blogger.com (arkantos) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 06:06:00 +0000

"Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we will redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance.... We end today a period of ill fortune, and India discovers herself again."
- Jawaharlal Nehru (Speech on Indian Independence Day, 1947)

Independence was also the end of nearly a century of struggle for freedom, battles, betrayals and sacrifices. It also created a situation where we were responsible for ourselves.
But it wasn't a period of unqualified joy. For a lot of people, in spite of a new era promised by independence, partition was a painful reality and so was the bloodshed that accompanied it. That was 60 years ago. Much has changed; the struggle for freedom lives on in history books and memoirs, and on the tombstones of valiant martyrs. Politics has undergone a personality change from fiery idealism to a pragmatic cynicism. Karma drives the nation on its way forward, and population has crossed the billion mark.

Images during Independence days from 1947 till august 1948(last two showing masses in Delhi on assassination of Mahatma Gandhi):-

INDIA - A country of Shutdowns , Protests ,Blockades

noreply@blogger.com (arkantos) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:22:00 +0000

It was around 9:00 am in the morning when while having my breakfast I saw the "BREAKING NEWS" of the day.All the channels were filled with this country wide shutdown and Protests called upon by various organization.
Result of all this was a "stopped Nation".All over one can see images of people caught in JAMs. there was a sudden feeling inside me why in the gods name do common masses have to bear this brunt of jams and shutdowns.
Its 2:00 pm and now I'd distant memories of morning news and I casually switched on the T.V. to see another "Breaking News" people died due to unavailability of medical attention.
Reason being that shutdown in protest of J&K government land transaction.

I thought is this the Country of Mahatma Gandhi who talked of peaceful methods, or is this the land of lord Buddha who preached Non Violence even towards animals.Is this the Country which had been known for its Ganga-jamuna culture where people of all religion share a bond much stronger than religion,a bond of love,a bond of friendship.
I had a thought that we as a Nation are being known for wholeheartedness and how beautifully we have blended all those who came here as Raiders as one of OUR OWN.
We did felt proud in these word of one of famous Poets

"Yunanon(Greece),Misron(Egypt),Ruman(Rome) sab mit gaye jahan se, Baki abhi talak hai namon-nishan hamara, Kuch baat hai hasti mitti nahi hamari , shadiyon raha hai dushman gairo jaha hamara"

Do these words have lost their meaning in todays context and are now part of books only to be taught in closed walls and irrelevant in a practical scenario.

It all started with people protesting Nandigram and Singur issue then came the Gujjar one then Ram Setu ,then Gujjars again and now Amarnath issue and only god next what next.

I rather feel pity on the mind set of the people who blindly follow such self pronounced social workers only in the end harming themselves in the process.

What do we get in the end A committee for hearing of the issue which carry on its work till eternity and when it submit its finding they are again presented before a review panel and this goes on and on and on.
And for all this we lose Crores of Rupee due to delayed rail,road and other transport,damage caused to public means of transport which are been paid by us in form of various taxes,increased inflation due to delay in delivery of goods and non the less these HEADLINES of the next day newspaper issues

"Patient dies due to road blockade by VHP"

so it doesn't take brain of Einstein to figure out who is at loss finally due to these altercations, protests, blockades and various rallies.

I have posted some images for you to keep thinking

Numero Uno

noreply@blogger.com (arkantos) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 04:57:00 +0000

So here I am trying to ponder over what to write on my first ever blog, I did have a view about blogging as I did saw many in my college really addicted to the concept. At times I thought to give it a try but it was always the case that I fended away from the thought.

At first I thought Blogging as maintaining an online diary but when I saw some of popular persona's using it as a medium for expressing themselves and hitting it on to their critics and opponents. I did realized the ability of Blogging as a medium supported by the power of an amusing technology the "Internet" which is used by millions and millions are getting onto it daily. It has transferred itself from a technology that was thought of even by the various technical heads of major corporations as one that will not even make it presence felt(Was the case in early days) to being one of the necessity along with daily bread ,air, water & shelter.

Social networking,Search engines,Feeds,Online Storage and of course Blogging has taken the Gen Y by surprise.This Generation has got all it needs through all these technologies virtual world, cool avatars,virtual places to hang out all this and so much more that will take more than GBs of space if one start expressing it.Gone are the days of Watching the Idiot box for hours and of those hours long session of discussions, these days if you have a thought just share it or hang it on a forum and then u can have whole world discussing on your point,that is the beauty of it.

Now technology seems to be everywhere from dawn till dusk,from footstep to 100th floor ,from footpath to those zooming expressways, form Africa till Antarctica, from core to moon, from toilets to boardrooms,from masses till classes,from Zimbabwe till United states, from Equator Till Ionosphere. you have to just name the walk of life u think is aloof of technology and before u can even give it a thought u can find technolgy there.Suddenly there seems no places where one can't let his or her thoughts wonder, one has suddenly got wings to fly, fins to swim and those scales to crawl.

There lies a world full of opportunities just one needs to extend his hand and can have the sweetest of fruit from the Gardens of Heaven and can even witness Hell's Fire.

It just remind me of a famous thought by a poet " Kaun Kehta Hai Asman mein Surakh nahi , EK patthar to tabiyat se uchalo yaaro"

Well that it for the moment, will continue this saga once I give it a more concrete thought.

Olympic torches

noreply@blogger.com (arkantos) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 07:18:00 +0000

1936 1948
1952 1956

1960 1964

1968 1972

1976 1980

1984 1988

1992 1996

20002004
2008

Olympic Sports of the Past-not played any more

noreply@blogger.com (arkantos) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 07:08:00 +0000

Tug-of-war
Tug-of-war was on the Olympic programme in 1900, 1904, 1906 (Intercalated Games), 1908, 1912 and 1920. Tug-of-war was always contested as a part of the track and field athletics programme, although it is now considered a separate sport.

Golf
Golf has been on the Olympic programme twice, in 1900 and 1904. There were two golf events in 1900 - one for gentlemen and one for ladies.Golf also has a long history, as it origins can be traced back several centuries, and it has had organised international competitions since the mid-19th century.

Rugby
Rugby football is one of the earliest forms of football in which the ball is carried rather than kicked. It developed in Great Britain in the mid-19th century. Rugby union football was held at the Olympics in 1900, 1908, 1920 and 1924.

Polo
Polo is considered the oldest mounted team sport, with a history reaching back centuries, when it was played in the plains of Asia, ancient Persia, China and India. Polo was on the Olympic programme in 1900, 1908, 1920, 1924 and 1936.

Lacrosse
Lacrosse was contested as a full medal sport at the 1904 and 1908 Olympics. In 1904, two Canadian teams challenged a local team from St. Louis, with the Shamrock Lacrosse Team of Winnipeg winning the gold medal. Lacrosse was also a demonstration sport at the Olympics in 1928, 1932 and 1948.

Olympic Posters

noreply@blogger.com (arkantos) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 06:41:00 +0000

18961900

19041908
19121920

1924 1928
1932 1936

19481952

19561960
19641968

19721976

19801984

19881992
1996 2000
20042008

Olympic Mascots

noreply@blogger.com (arkantos) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 04:17:00 +0000

Schuss The skiing man- Grenoble 1968 [WINTER]

Waldi the Dachshund- Munich 1972

Amik the beaver - Montreal 1976

Schneemann snowman- Innsbruck 1976 [WINTER]

Misha the Russian Bear- Moscow 1980

Roni the Raccoon- Lake Placid 1980 [WINTER]

Sam the Eagle- Los Angeles 1984

Vucko the Little Wolf - Sarajevo 1984 [WINTER]

Hidy and Howdy The Polar Bears - Calgary 1988 [WINTER]

Hodori the Tiger- Seoul 1988

Cobi the surreal dog- Barcelona 1992

Magique The Snow Imp- Albertville 1992 [WINTER]

Haakon et Kristin two children from Norwegian folklore - Lillehammer 1994 [WINTER]

Izzy derived from "Whatizit?"- Atlanta 1996

Sukki, Nokki, Lekki et Tsukki Four Snow Owls- Nagano 1998 [WINTER]

Ollie a Kookaburra, Syd a Platypus and Millie an Echidna - Sydney 2000

Powder, Coal and Copper a Snowshoe Hare, a Coyote and a Black Bear- Salt Lake City 2002 [WINTER]

Athena goddess of wisdom- Athens 2004

Phevos the god of light and music- Athens 2004

Gliz a lively, playful ice cube- Turin 2006 [WINTER]

Neve a gentle, kind and elegant snowball- Turin 2006 [WINTER]

The five mascots are the Fuwa. They are Beibei, the fish; Jingjing, the panda; Huanhuan, the Olympic flame; Yingying, the Tibetan antelope; and Nini, the swallow-Beijing 2008