In this book, Prof. Fields has tried to offer his understanding of Human Rights. To him, the said book is more a discourse on the subject that leads to a solid definition of Human Rights. In this context, he writes, “It would defeat the purpose of both this chapter and the entire book to a priori define human rights”. Moreover, through out the text, he appears following the pattern of presenting theories of prominent social scientists from history, patching in his own understanding of those concepts and theories, building his ideas and coming to conclusion. This leaves the text very interesting and offers us a unique understanding of the subject; Prof. Fields calls it the ‘Holistic Conception’ of Human Rights.

The Holistic View of Human Rights presented by Prof. Fields stands out unique on the ground that it rejects making one single value or the concept, the foundation of Human Rights. In this regard, the author writes, “I offer a different way of thinking about Human Rights from those discussed; one that rejects making a single value or concept the foundation of human rights. This is what I call a ‘Holistic’ way”. In pursuit of presenting his Holistic Conception of Human Rights, he has given a series of eleven propositions and they are meant to offer ground work for understanding of Human Rights in new light. Consequently, the concept of Human Rights appears expanding to a newer level. To Prof. Clinton of Baylor University, the most important of these propositions is that the humans have a right to whatever is necessary for their full development as persons—physical, intellectual, emotional, and social. Further, as we go down the line with these propositions, we come across the fact that this approach to subject tends to encompass those elements as well that influence the Human Rights and were never considered significant previously. In this regard, Prof. Fields has the argument that his view would strip human rights of all cross-cultural relevance.

The idea presented by Prof. Fields appears expanding the mandate of human rights and includes many a new actors. Say for instance, as mentioned by Prof. Clinton of Baylor University, “defining human rights by the test of “social recognition” expands them beyond what might be accepted as coming from divine gift in any one religious tradition, or what has been agreed to under positive international law. Enlarging the list of potential human rights violators beyond the governments of states, to include other individuals not acting under color of official authority and other kinds of organizations, such as paramilitary groups, increases the number of occasions on which those adversely affected may make human rights claims. Including economic and social rights in addition to civil and political rights makes it possible to consider many forms of deprivation through domination beyond the ones identified in the liberal tradition that Fields finds inadequate”. Hence, this holistic approach finds its way as something very essential for the recent times when social and cultural dynamics are changing and past traditions are inadequate to cater the needs of modern times. Here, it is worthy of mention that this stand point has serious problems too and one need to take them into account.

Though, the holistic conception of human rights has offered a new horizon that brings an entire new batch of issues under the umbrella of the said subject but, it carries with it practical problems for governance. In this regard, Prof. Clinton thinks that ‘If every political dispute becomes defined as a deprivation of the human rights of one or more of the (individual or collective) parties, the role of bargaining and compromise would seem likely to shrink. Human rights are not to be trifled with, or to be a made a matter of more or less depending on the power and skill of one of the parties to the bargain. They are too important, too foundational, to be treated as interests; as Fields notes, they form both rights and duties. Still, not every dispute turns on the human rights of those involved. Some are honest differences of opinion. Others, particularly in the political realm, are contests over power. Some are the results of misunderstandings. It is the task of politics, and especially that form of politics known as diplomacy, to reach some accommodation between the contending parties that does as little damage as possible to the bargaining realm –the network of norms, customs, and understandings that legitimizes and even encourages bargaining instead of warfare over international disputes’. Consequently, things will rather end up in chaos. It is here, one finds the theoretical weaknesses in the concept presented by Prof. Fields.

When we look at the mandate of human rights in the light of holistic view of Prof. Fields, we find it too broad to stick to it practically. Apart from this, the other problem with the said definition of human rights is its illimitability. Prof. Clinton in this context says, “There is almost nothing that, under certain circumstances and in some measure, might not contribute to the human development of some persons. To make all of these goods human rights is to make human rights co-extensive with all of human activity. Instead of serving as a common floor, above which particular political systems may make further provision in the form of constitutional and legal rights, and individuals may through effort secure for themselves yet more extensive contractual rights, human rights become the whole”. Once, definition of human rights is over stretched to such a level, it losses its clarity and meaning and ‘and is deprived of usefulness in distinguishing the phenomenon it describes from other aspects of the subject under study’.

In the last, it can be established that the attempt by Prof. Fields to define the human rights and his holistic approach is at par. Since every concept carries some weaknesses so is the case with the concept presented by the author in this book. In the words of Prof. Stephen Eric Bronner of Rutgers University, “A. Belden Fields has performed a remarkable feat: he has shown us in this book that there is still something to be learned about human rights. Sensitive, provocative, and eminently readable, it offers a new perspective on an old idea that will undoubtedly prove beneficial for anyone interested in developing a progressive politics for our time”.

So, I am tired and just back after an incidence that offered me insight of system around. Previously, I had clues to how system works in Pakistan but this incidence was an eye opener and it offered me a chance to some very basic lesson of my life in Pakistan. I think, this experience will go a long way with me and I will keep referring back to it when and if needed.

To sum it up, I would say, staying silent is essential but how to remain silent is a big question mark for people who are extrovert. I think, by now, you might have started guessing, so keep guessing and don’t ask me to what happened because I am tired.

Sean Maguire: So if I asked you about art, you’d probably give me the skinny on every art book ever written. Michelangelo, you know a lot about him. Life’s work, political aspirations, him and the pope, sexual orientations, the whole works, right? But I’ll bet you can’t tell me what it smells like in the Sistine Chapel. You’ve never actually stood there and looked up at that beautiful ceiling; seen that.

If I ask you about women, you’d probably give me a syllabus about your personal favorites. You may have even been laid a few times. But you can’t tell me what it feels like to wake up next to a woman and feel truly happy. You’re a tough kid.

And I’d ask you about war, you’d probably throw Shakespeare at me, right, “once more unto the breach dear friends.” But you’ve never been near one. You’ve never held your best friend’s head in your lap, watch him gasp his last breath looking to you for help.

I’d ask you about love, you’d probably quote me a sonnet. But you’ve never looked at a woman and been totally vulnerable. Known someone that could level you with her eyes, feeling like God put an angel on earth just for you. Who could rescue you from the depths of hell. And you wouldn’t know what it’s like to be her angel, to have that love for her, be there forever, through anything, through cancer. And you wouldn’t know about sleeping sitting up in the hospital room for two months, holding her hand, because the doctors could see in your eyes, that the terms “visiting hours” don’t apply to you. You don’t know about real loss, ’cause it only occurs when you’ve loved something more than you love yourself. And I doubt you’ve ever dared to love anybody that much. And look at you… I don’t see an intelligent, confident man… I see a cocky, scared shitless kid. But you’re a genius Will. No one denies that. No one could possibly understand the depths of you. But you presume to know everything about me because you saw a painting of mine, and you ripped my fucking life apart.

Here you are with the video in case you want to have a look at the performance of the two. Robin Williams correspondence to his image of a great actor.

The detailed Result of Competitive Examination 2008 (CSS) can be found at ‘The Competitive Exams Forum’.

It is further declared by the FPSC that the among 684 final qualifiers 527 are male and 157 are females. Total pass percentage is 16.1 per cent and tt is far more than the last year when only around 5 per cent candidates were declared qualified in CSS 2007 finally.

I use to think to what makes them so special and different from all. According to some music critics, it was their style, they way they clad and they way they sung. It made every one and anyone feel like associating with them. They were near to bone and flesh of their times and times to come. Yep; our times.

Apart from all this, the message they gave us was of love and peace. This makes them achieve the distinction. At the moment, when I am trying to pay them the tribute, I am not able to find appropriate words.  This is the power of their voice and the impact the carry. Therefore, I would like to put it in the words of Derek Taylor who wrote in his book:

I have never seen anything like it. Nor heard any noise to approximate the ceaseless, frantic, hysterical scream which met the Beatles when they took the stage after what seemed a hundred years of earlier acts. All very good, all marking time, because no one had come for anything other than the Beatles…

Then the theatre went wild. First aid men and police – men in the stalls, women mainly in the balcony – taut and anxious, patrolled the aisles, one to every three rows.

Many girls fainted. Thirty were gently carried out, protesting in their hysteria, forlorn and wretched in an unrequited love for four lads who might have lived next door.

The stalls were like a nightmare March Fair. No one could remain seated. Clutching each other, hurling jelly babies at the stage, beating their brows, the youth of Britain’s second city surrendered themselves totally.”

And he is absolutely right. Lets take this song from them, ‘Don’t let me Down’. Well, I feel mesmerized. Look at the Lyrics:

Don’t let me down, don’t let me down.
Don’t let me down, don’t let me down.

Nobody ever loved me like she does,
Ooh she does, yeah she does.
And if somebody ever loved me like she does,
Ohh she does, yeah she does.

Don’t let me down, don’t let me down.
Don’t let me down, don’t let me down.

I’m in love for the first time.
Don’t you know it’s gonna last.
It’s a love that lasts forever,
It’s a love that has no past.

Don’t let me down, please, don’t let me down.
Don’t let me down, don’t let me down.

And from the first time that she really done me,
Ooh she done me, she done me good.
I guess nobody ever really done me,
Ooh she done me, she done me good.

Don’t let me down, don’t let me down.
Don’t let me down, don’t let me down.

I would say that, they were simply Splendid. Want to have a feel to what they were like. Here you go with their great work in following Video:

The FPSC notification no. F2-2/2009 CE stated that the CE are postponed and the new date for commencement of the CSS 2009 examination is Saturday April 25, 2009. Further, it is being notified that the reasons of postponement are administrative.

With this, the aspirants are having few more days to study but to many this delay in papers is not good since they will have to wait for 1 and a half month more.

So friends, I am back….

This is with reference to your investigative report published in ‘The News’ on November 25, 2008, on jacked-up marks, from 640 t0 661 by re-assessing of answer sheets, of Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar’s daughter in FSc Pre-medical exams, which lead to her admission to a private medical college, controversially.

First, I would like to appreciate you, in special, and the whole team of ‘The News Investigation Cell’, in general, for unearthing this story to highlight academic corruption and dacoity by the high-ups of the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Islamabad. No doubt, this was an excellent piece of investigative work, which not only posed threat to all the corrupt high officials and influential lot of this country, but also set an example and paved way for investigative journalism in the native soil in one or the other way. Now from today, all such people would think one thousand times at least before committing this type of corrupt and ill practices whatsoever.

Secondly, I would like to ask you, Mr Ansar Abbasi, as to how re-assessing of answer books, raise in marks and admission of Farah Hameed Dogar, the daughter of the Chief Justice of Pakistan, to a private medical college on a seat reserved for judges ‘became a mass denial of rights of thousands of students throughout the country’. In fact this jacked-up result hasn’t denied the right of even a single student, or only one, if it has done so, as had Farah not been awarded this set of 21 marks, that seat would have been remained either vacant because this was the seat reserved for judges’ kin, or any other, but only one, daughter or son of any other retired or serving judge would have been given admission to that medical college. So, it will not be unfair to mention here that you exaggerated the facts to create sensationalism and hit your ‘target’ unethically and hence justified those allegations leveled against the media that journalists and anchorpersons create sensationalism in the country by exaggerating the things and distorting the facts altogether. True, the CJ Dogar’s daughter has been given marks illegally, but this was not ‘mass denial of rights of thousands of students’ as you mentioned in your report in anyway in fact.

Secondly, I would like to ask you, Mr Ansar Abbasi, that tens of reporters work under the ‘Editor Reporting’ and the ‘Chief Reporter’ in ‘The News’, but credit of every story does not go to ‘Editor Reporting’ or ‘Chief Reporter’, rather it goes to the reporter who goes out in the field to collect facts and data. But, it is surprising to see that credit of every investigative story by ‘The News Investigation’ goes lonely to you in the byline of the story, despite this fact that scores of journalists work in the ‘Investigation Cell’ of the newspaper and work to unearth stories published. Is not this mass denial of right of scores of journalists by you, the top journalist, in real sense? Yes, it is.

Thirdly, I would suggest you, the noted journalist, to give due coverage to stories demanding abolishment of reserved seats in medical colleges. Had you launched campaign against reserved seats and quota system in medical colleges well in time with such a full strength, as you did in this case, this would have been proved very helpful and advantageous to scores of students regarding admission to medical colleges.

Fourthly, but not finally, I would like to give a few tips to you, Mr Ansar Abbasi, to unearth other stories and facts, which would bring real face of media, the so-called ‘eyes and ears’ of this society before nation. You should investigate as to which group of newspapers purchased land and plazas for their offices for how much money and what was the actual land value at those places at that time. Moreover, you should also investigate which group of newspapers paid how much money as monthly utility bills of their offices in different cities and paid how much income tax yearly for last 30 years. Furthermore, probe into the matter as to which politicians and businessmen pay monthly utility bills of which journalists on ‘give and take’ basis.

Finally, the principled and praiseworthy journalist! You should also report as to how much money press clubs and lands for press clubs in each and every city in every nook and corner of this homeland was acquired right from the day of Independence.

All these stories will be real eye-openers for everyone of us, including journalists, as well.

But I’m sure; you, the honest and truthful reporter, will not touch these stories in the ‘larger interest of the nation’.

Samia,

Kharian Cantt.

Disclaimer: This Letter is neither the representative of Silence’s nor of Dr. Farrukh Malik’s stand on the matter under question.

India and Pakistan are at daggers drawn since beginning, three wars, other limit strikes and counter strikes are something routine by now. Every then and now both countries conflict around and things get back to normal. In many a cases when election are nearby, on either side, politician tend to gain mileage by creating some puppet show and resulting irreparable losses. When we will keep this thing in our mind, we will conclude that this paper is more a cheap propaganda stunt by writer and those behind him for some political motive.

Apart from this, if we will look at the recommendations, we will easily gather that in majority of cases, the author has based his argument on Utopian elements instead of concrete facts and sounds over ambitious. For my readers,  I am publishing the content here:

Economic destabilisation of the Terror Central is imperative for rooting out terror.

I did not anticipate the huge response my inbox received for the article last week (December 2) slamming Pakistan. Many of those who wrote in have sought concrete steps to tackle the Terror Central. The terror attack on world citizens at Mumbai has created revulsion and outrage all over the world. It is imperative that India seize the opportunity provided to destabilise Pakistan.

A stable Pakistan is not in the interest of world peace, leave alone India. Army controls the country and owns its economy. A significant portion of its GDP is due to army-controlled entities (See Military Inc Inside Pakistan’s Military Economy by Ayesha Siddiqa; OUP; 2007). One can easily say that Pakistan Economy and its Army/ISI are synonymous.

Unless this elementary fact is internalised, we are not going anywhere. This implies we should stop talking of a stable Pakistan since a stable Pakistan means multiple attacks on many more cities of India by that rogue organisation ISI, which is the core of the Pakistan Army and the heart of Pakistan’s economy.

Let us not even assume that Zardari is in control. Poor man - he did not trust his own investigators to probe his wife’s assassination - he wanted Scotland Yard to do the job. Now he blabbers that if his investigators are satisfied, then he will initiate action against terrorists sitting inside Pakistan. Periodically, the Pakistan Army likes to present some useful idiots (as Lenin would have called them) as elected representatives and we swoon over such events.

India should take the following steps to destabilise the economy of Pakistan:

Identify the major export items of Pakistan (like Basmati rice, carpets etc) and provide zero export tax or even subsidise them for export from India. Hurt Pakistan on the export front.

Identify the major countries providing arms to Pakistan and arm twist them. Tell Brazil and Germany (currently planning to supply massive defense items to Pakistan) that it will impact their ability to invest in India. Tell Germany that retail license to Metro will be off and other existing projects will be in jeopardy.

Incidentally, after the arrival of Coke and Pepsi in China, the human rights violations of China are not talked about much by US government organs. Think it is a coincidence? Unless we use our markets to arm-twist arms exporters to Pakistan, we will not achieve our objectives.

Tell American companies that for every 5% increase in FDI limit for them, their government needs to reduce equipping Pakistan by $5 billion. That is real politics, not whining. Let us remember that funds are in desperate search of emerging markets and not the other way about. Let us also remember that international economics is politics by another name.

Create assets to print/distribute their currency widely inside their country. To some extent, Telgi types can be used to outsource this activity. Or just drop their notes in remote areas.

Pressurise IMF to add additional conditionality to the loans given to them or at least do not vote for their loans.

Create assets within Pakistan to destabilise Karachi Stock market - it is already in shambles.

Cricket and Bollywood are the opium of the Indian middle classes. Both have been adequately manipulated/ controlled by the D-company since the eighties. Chase the D-company money in cricket/ Bollywood and punish by burning D-assets in India instead of trying to have them auctioned by the IT department when nobody comes to bid for it.

Provide for capital punishment to those who fund terror and help in that. We have the division in the finance ministry to monitor money laundering, etc. It is important that terror financing is taken seriously and fully integrated into money laundering monitoring systems and this division is provided with much larger budget and human resources. And it should coordinate with RAW.

Encourage and allow scientists/ academicians/ elites of Pakistan to opt for Indian passport and widely publicise that fact since it will hurt their self-respect and dignity. There will be a long queue to get Indian passports — many will jump to get our passport — since they will not be stopped at international airports. It is rumoured that Adnan Sami wants one. Do not give passports to all — make it a prized possession. Let it hurt the army and ISI controlled country. This one step will destroy their identity and self-confidence.

Discourage companies from India from investing in Pakistan, particularly IT companies, till Pakistan stops exporting its own IT (international terrorism).

In all these, it is important that we do not bring in the domestic religious issues. The target is the terror central, namely Pakistan, and if there are elements helping them here then they also should be punished-irrespective of religious labels. If Pakistan is dismantled and the idea of Pakistan is gone, many of our domestic issues will also be sorted out.

Will the Indian elite go for the jugular or just light more candles and scream at the formless/ nameless political class before TV cameras? It is going to be a long haul and may be in a decade or so, we can find a solution to our existential crisis of being attacked by barbarians from the West. We need to combine strategy and patience and completely throw to the dustbin the ‘Gujral Doctrine’ by that mumbling Prime Minister about treating younger brothers with equanimity.

The doctrine essentially suggests that if we are slapped on both the cheeks we should feel bad that we do not have a third cheek to show. He, according to security experts, seems to have dismantled our human intelligent assets inside Pakistan, which has resulted in the gory death of thousands of Indian citizens in the last few years. Such is our strategic thinking in this complex world since our political class is not adequately briefed and the elite don’t think through issues. Better to be simple in our talks and vicious in our actions rather than the other way.

Hopefully, this November attack will create a new vibrant India capable of taking care of its own interests.

The writer is professor of finance and control, Indian Institute of Management - Bangalore, and can be reached at vaidya@iimb.ernet.in. Views are personal.

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Having passed Central Superior Services (CSS) Examination Pakistan, I feel that, simply studying is not enough. We need to understand the art of passing it and it is only possible when one has a guide who can provide him with timely advice on preparation related issues. For that matter, I happened to start a series of advice columns that received a very encouraging response by my readers and it kept me motivated to continue writing. To me, this was not enough. I always wanted to go for a better option but limited time never allowed me to run an extra mile. The things went on as such until Prometheus came up with idea of starting a CSS related forum. I was impressed with his work plan and motivation so agreed to help him out with all my heart and soul. Time proved that Prometheus was serious when he discussed this idea with me so with his firm determination he has started this Forum named “The Competitive Exams Preparation (CEP) Forum”. The Competitive Exams Preparation Forum aka The CEP Forum at the moment is passing through its beta but it has already a good collection of material on almost everything related to Competitive Exams Preparation. In this post I will provide you a detailed insight.

The Forum is divided in six categories namely:

• General
• The Central Superior Services Examination
• The Competitive Examinations other than CSS
• Miscellaneous opportunities
• Past Papers and learning Resource
• Common Room

General

It is place for general discussions, news and article sharing, introductions, everything and anything one can imagine. Simply, the user can post the things of general interest out here for everybody to see and discuss.

The Central Superior Services Examination

This place is a heaven for those who are aiming to get through CSS examination. One can find CSS FAQs, information about compulsory and optional subjects around. Moreover, one can share his experience, tips and tricks around. Apart from this, if you have some query related to CSS, you can post it here.

The Competitive Examinations other than CSS

Besides CSS, there are several other Competitive Exams in Pakistan and this category helps those who want to go for them. In this category, one can find information about exams like PMS, PCS, Ministry of defence Jobs, Judiciary etc. Apart from this, a board is dedicated to ISSB exam for recruitment in Pakistan Army, Navy and Airforce.

Miscellaneous opportunities

This category deals with Scholarships, Jobs and other related opportunities.

Past Papers and learning Resource

In this category, the past papers of CSS and other competitive exams are shared with the forum user. Apart from this, learning resources like websites etc are also shared by users here. In this category, the Boards for Past Papers are read only and one need to register before gaining access.

Common Room

Last but not least, the category named Common Room is a hang out for all those who are tired ready serious things. One can share Islamic information, General Knowledge, Poetry, Jokes, do informal chit chat aka Gup Shup, wish fellow member birthdays and tons of other things. Moreover, board for Site Feedback is included in this category so that users can put forward their suggestion and ideas for improvement.

Lastly, I would like to say that this forum has just started and I see a strong growth potential in it to meet preparation related requirements of aspirants. I personally think and encourage all my readers to join this forum for exploiting it to meet their CSS help and guidance needs. Moreover, I have agreed to visit them frequently so one can catch me there time to time for assistance on regular basis seven 5 days a week since weekends are mine and I wish to spend them my way.