Finding Neverland Blog

The Boy who saved Thousands

2023-01-08T11:12:00.002+05:00

He was so fat that his friends would tease him; “There is little that a bomb can do to hurt you,”

The last time they talked about it was two days before Aitzaz died, sitting up there on the hill where the school is, the one he died protecting, the one now named after him. They told him, he wouldn’t be able to run away to save his life if a bomber attacked him, and perhaps that humor turned out to be a dark reality.

It was a chilly winter morning of January 7, 2014 when 15 year old Aitzaz Hasan left for school with two other friends and they were late for the morning assembly as usual. They were asked to stand outside the school for sometime as a punishment.

Few minutes later a 25 year old man approached the gate, stated that he wanted to take admission and asked where the school assembly was exactly taking place. Suddenly one of them noticed a detonator on the man's vest and both of his other friends started running towards the school and pushed him along.

"I am going to stop him," he replied. "This man is going to kill my friends".

The man started running towards the school as well, Aitzaz tried confronting him, threw a stone at him which failed to hit the bomber, then he ran towards the person and grabbed him, this tussle led to the suicide bomber detonating his vest and an explosion took place, killing the bomber and severely injuring Aitzaz.

Perhaps Aitzaz Hasan Bangash didn’t think of what it means to confront a suicide bomber, didn’t know the meaning of something as irrevocable as death. Or perhaps he did? But that didn’t stop him.

Children can be brave and reckless. Even when death stares them in the face, children are not paralysed by the fear of its finality. Few hours later, Aitzaz lost his life at the hospital fighting injuries. Two thousand children attended school that day, so many lives were saved.

“My son made his mother cry, but saved hundreds of mothers from crying for their children.” His father says, with pride. That's all he was able to say before he had to hide his strong willed face and stop his tears.

Metanoia

2022-09-12T05:17:00.004+05:00

I am always available, perhaps that’s part of the problem but I am always available to help, to listen, to share and to talk. I love people, they are fascinating, I love humans, the way I love books, flowers, or birds. I always believe a good person teaches you more than anything and a bad person teaches you more than a good person. For better or worse. I love fading into people, knowing more about them, sharing thoughts and experiences, trying to make someone feel better, trying to help someone who needs help. No discrimination on my part, for anyone who dares to ask, pretends to care of shows slightest of signs that they need someone. If someone asks you for help that means they think of you as someone worthy enough, who will help. If someone shares something it means they trust you enough to share.

There is nothing more beautiful than a person sharing something with you that they wouldn't with anyone else. There is nothing purer than someone telling you they can trust you. And there is nothing more kind and good than being able to give someone your time, sharing their burden, talking to them, making them feel better, and listen to them. Not a more special feeling ... when they see you, talk to you, they think ok, things will be a little better.

I am always available, even if it means I lose a part of myself, but that’s okay, because at the end of the day, I would rather have a painfully memorable experience rather than no experience at all, in end I will still learn something, and that’s worth every penny.

Everything

2022-09-05T10:44:00.001+05:00

In the beautiful writing of Punam Thapa

Tell me,

I'm not just a cloud

thousandth among the crowd,

I'm in your sight, I'm your life.

Tell me,

I'm not just the star

millions of miles afar

I'm your moon, I'm the favorite tune.

Tell me,

I'm not just the wind

beneath your wings

I'm your sky, I'm your low, and your high.

Tell me,

I'm not just a droplet

lost in the rain

I'm your dream

I'm the start, the end... and all things in-between.

~ Raafay

Goodbye, Mr. News Corner

2022-08-20T13:22:00.001+05:00

I am in the train and I was reading a book but then suddenly an image popped up in my head and there was this sudden feeling of sadness that I felt.

I do not have a direct or indirect relation with him, nor do I know him personally, my only interactions and our only ‘relation’ if you want to call it, was that of a shop-keeper and customer. But there was something special about him and I am absolutely sure that other people who had the same relation with him, would say the same, and by the way, these other people include most of the people of Multan City if not all because he was the owner of, not the biggest but the best bookshop in Multan.

I remember papa telling me that his brother used to buy newspapers and magazines from a shop called News Corner, which actually was a small wooden hut, ‘khokha’ as we call it in Urdu, and he was there 4AM in the morning, every day, greeting everyone with respect. My interactions with him over the years have made me pretty sure that it is his dealing with people, the smile and kindness he showed towards everyone that his business grew so much and his clients returned to him again and again.

It is all I remember during my school life, we used to go to News Corner to buy our course books, La Salle, our school had a contract with news corner and they used to print our books and note copies and sell them. God, he worked fast, ask him anything about any book, syllabus, type of pen pencil, colours, markers, novels, papers, anything you can think of and within seconds he will tell you where it was and what was the price of it.

It was a small shop, news corner, barely enough space for 10-15 people to stand at a time, but God was it busy, anytime you go, it was full of people. I was around 12 years old when Papa brought home Taleem-o-Tarbiat magazine for me to read and I got addicted to it ever since, beginning of every month, I would ask papa to take his bike from in front of the book store instead of the main road and he would do so and while the bike passed, I would try and sneak a peek in and see if the new month’s magazine was there. I would always see him working fast, packing, picking items and dealing with customers, it felt like 1.5x speed instead of 1x.

Time passed, I grew up, instead of one magazine now I was buying 4 magazines every month and the routine stayed the same, papa would pick us up from school, we would stop and the store I would go in and try to have a look if the magazine was there, he would notice me and say ‘beta, abhi nahi aya magazine’ (son, the magazine is not here yet’). He would greet Papa with a smile, ask how he was doing, ask about how our school was, and always tell me, it’s a good habit to read.

More time passed and now whenever I went to the book store, he would already separate the magazines and keep them for me, knowing well enough that I would come to purchase. He now knew my name, I remember during college days, going with my friend to purchase Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone book in Urdu language because we siblings were watching the Hindi dubbed Harry Potter movies those days and I exactly remember him telling me, Raafay beta, instead of buying the Urdu version, buy the English version and you will not regret it. He gave it to me for half-price.

I did not regret it, because that was my first book ever that I read and fell in love with reading and that is the thing that led me towards writing. I bought several books and magazines from him, most of them at half price. I moved to another city, and whenever I returned, he would always treat me with kindness, always stop for a minute of two to ask about my studies, what I was doing and how everything was at home.

At home we would always talk about him with good words, his impressive way of dealing and working. Every time I thought about Multan after moving away and abroad News Corner would always be one of them, he moved to a bigger better shop, now a proper mega double storey place with everything you can wish for and think of, but the main himself remained the same.

When I wrote my first book and was thinking about how I have been able to do that, I realised that Sheikh Sahab from News Corner had a big role to play and now that I think of it, I owe him a lot for that. I recently got to know that he has passed away and it really shocked me, I always thought whenever I go back home and if I could find some time, I would take my book to him and thank him for everything, but unfortunately, I did not have that opportunity and I know I will regret that forever.

Thank you and goodbye, Mr News Corner, I will forever remember you in my prayers, may you rest in peace!

The City that Made Me

2022-07-25T14:39:00.000+05:00

The City that Made Me

I have been thinking of writing about you dear Islamabad for a long time and I have a strong reason to do that. I have realized how much I miss you, how much I owe you and how much you have influenced me to become the person I am today.

Whenever I am browsing through Instagram and I come across something that is related to the city, or looks similar to you I have this nostalgic feeling within me that I just cannot explain and I want to fly and be in Islamabad again.

It is like first love, your first girlfriend or boyfriend, your first good experience in life, it is your scale to measure everything else later in life and that is what you are to me.

You are beautiful, you are free, you are fair, you are full of opportunities, you are moody, you have one of most favorite places to eat, you have the most important people for me, you never disappoint and most importantly you have my best memories.

I remember when I boarded my flight to London I was thinking of an over-worldly place and no doubt that city turned out to be my second love, but when I landed in London for the first time, I was like what? This is London? Islamabad is so much more beautiful, that was the first time I really appreciated you. Sydney doesn’t even come close.

It is for a reason that you are considered one of the most beautiful capital cities in the world, but for me, it was my first experience living alone, away from family and friends at the time. It was a scary and weird feeling but slowly gradually you allowed me the change to grow, gain confidence and express myself the way I wanted to.

Living in hostel for the first time, doing things on my own, making mistakes and learning from them, trying new food, learning to manage expenses and savings, dealing with people, everything I learnt thanks to you.

Some of the best adventures, best roommates, friends for life, love, best places to eat, best views, the best rain, the best mountains, the best facilities, the best opportunities I got are because of you. Hell, I even became an engineer and started writing because I was there.

If every city in Pakistan was like you, if every country had one city like you, the world would be a better place.

From a person who lacked confidence, who people thought didn’t know how to deal with the world, had no outlook on life, you have changed me to a person who is free to make his own decisions, can be the person he wants to be, who is confident, who can deal with anything that life throws at him, who can differentiate between right and wrong, who can identify and judge people’s intentions, it is all because of you.

Thank you dear Islamabad, you are the city that made me, and for that I will forever be grateful!

Happy Place

2022-07-25T14:03:00.000+05:00

Happy Place!

What is a happy place? It is perfection? Some people say it’s day on the beach, some people say view of the mountain, for others it is a rainy day, for some it is spending a day with their loved one or their family.

My happy place is this, when I am at peace with myself, I have time to think and observe and write, to scribble my thoughts. I have always been a happy writer, even if I am writing about sad things. When I am happy, when I am content, I write. It is just s serene feeling. For sure it is when I am not overthinking. That’s all. Plain and simple. There is always so much on my mind, always one problem or the other, getting out of one tough situation and falling, no wait, literally jumping into the other. Last year or so has been really tough, in every way imaginable.

There haven’t been many days where I could just sit and think to myself, wow, life is normal. Things are normal. It’s just a normal day. I can literally count days when I was at peace. When there are a lot of things on your mind then you begin to depreciate the simple things in life as well.

I missed my happy place, it is impossible to think that the last time I wrote something was almost a year ago, I just cannot wrap my head around that. It is impossible to think that the last time I listened to music was well, a very long time ago, last time I went out to spend a day just exploring was ages ago. Last time I was able to appreciate or do the small, simple things that are there. Looking at the sun shining bright, looking at a bird flying, looking at the clouds moving, people smiling.

But that’s life, it is tough, no complains. It has taught me a lot of lessons, it throws you under the bus but then gives you the opportunity to learn and move on, it teaches you that you cannot look for happiness long term, well you can look, but you cannot expect it to last.

I have learnt to take it one day at a time, I mean just try to give myself time, just me, myself, my thoughts. That is what I am doing right now, I know this is a temporary feeling, I know it won’t last, but right now, at this time, it is my happy place and I hope next time won’t be that long a wait!

How Odd are We?

2022-01-05T14:05:00.005+05:00

How odd are we?

Sometimes we don't have anything to say in reply to someone's messages and at other times we send tens of messages in reply to someone's single text.

Sometimes we don't want people to judge us or need their validation and at other times we put up posts on social media and wait for likes and comments.

Sometimes even if people are being rude to you, you can't help but show love to them but at other times if someone is showing you love, you don't give a damn.

Sometimes we don't want to be seen but at other times we don't move an inch or walk miles just to be seen and noticed by someone.

Sometimes we leave ourselves at the mercy of time, but at other times, all we want is to roll back the years and relive a special moment.

Sometimes so positive that we feel like climbing the tallest of mountains, but at other times so negative that even taking a small step becomes an issue.

Sometimes so introvert that we think the whole world doesn't understand us and want to stay at a quiet place for days, but at other times so extrovert that the world becomes a theatre for us.

Sometimes so stubborn that we don't give a damn what the world thinks, but at other times so sensitive that one word by one person breaks our heart.

Sometimes if we we don't talk to that someone, not feeling like talking to anyone, but at other times just to avoid talking to someone, trying to talk to everyone.

How odd are we right?

We don't even understand ourselves but we try to understand others, we try to think we are this kind or that kind, but forgetting that we all are the same kind.

Thank you, Dear Dad

2020-07-01T06:29:00.001+05:00

I remember how you used to take me for shopping when I was just a kid sat on your arm buying my favourite fruits.

I remember that for almost 10 years you picked and dropped us from school and never missed a day and barely was ever late even it meant you were late for work.

I remember all the times you missed your official lunches and dinners to spend time with us and teach that family is the most important thing in life.

I remember you cooking food for us when Mama wasn't there, all those cutting onions, potatoes and vegetables. Making most delicious chicken karahis ever.

I remember all the text messages you send with just using the first alphabet of each word thinking the short forms are in trend these days.

I remember and still keep those 1000 rupees with me you gave me when my first article was published.

I remember every time I call you in evening to ask you if we can go for dinne tonight, and even though you're tired after working 18 hours you always say; oh it's your plan? Yes just pick me up. Every single time.

I remember all the life lessons you give, quoting examples from your own life so that we get the best possible idea and advise of how to deal with life.

I remember how you've always said yes to everything we ask for, provided us with the best possible circumstances to succeed.

I remember every time you give importance to what I say, for taking decisions against your will just because it was me who wanted things to happen the way they did.

I remember how you told me never to worry about spending money if you are spending it right and how you never inquired about it. It was you who gave me the confidence and freedom of living away from home.

I remember every time you listened to my arguments, lost my temper; and those hugs in the end to say it's alright, you're my son. And all those morning forehead kisses.

I remember you playing cricket with me even with your backaches just because you know I love cricket so much and you wanted to be part of it.

You're that one person I look up to whenever I need inspiration, advice, or motivation or clarity.
Thank you for being my role model and making me the person I am today.

Raafay

Thank you, Dear Mom

2020-06-30T06:26:00.001+05:00

I remember how you always woke up early and never let us sleep late and developed our habits of always starting our days early.

I remember how even if Papa disagrees with something we say how you silenty convince him to do everything we've asked for.

I remember how whatever all of us siblings have to say, rant or argue, you'll quietly listen to us and then give us the best advise.

I remember how whenever anyone of us wanted more food or drink or something you'll just give away your portion of meal without even saying a word. I remember how you wake up at 5 am , make us breakfast, press our clothes, not even eat yourself and going to work hungry.

I remember how you had to travel so much for your job and still the moment you reached home you'll start preparing lunch without even resting. I remember how you cook each of us our favourite dinner at night and always make sure we get to eat fresh and home cooked food.

I remember all the times you're unwell you'll just keep it to yourself so we don't get worried and continue doing all chores.

I remember how you've showed patience with us in everything, always being the backbone of our family. I remember all the times you refused to do something unethical or wrong at work and dealt with the criminal cases without worrying about any pressure.

I remember how whenever any of us cannot find something we wil always ask you, and you will always know, always. I remember how you have kept us in check over everything, never letting us do something you thought was wrong.

I remember, and never forget you taking care of me in your own way, worried about me, not showing still making it obvious. I remember , and the best part has been the patriotism that I have inherited from you, not ready to listen anything against Pakistan.

I remember all the times you made us help people who were in need and how you're always willing to do that.

You have been that perfect mother anyone could have wished for. Thank you for being such a great Mom and my inspiration in life and making me the person I am today.

Raafay

The Dream of Reality

2020-06-23T09:32:00.002+05:00

He was sitting next to me on the flight from Multan to Sydney and the moment we started talking it was obvious that he was one of the most indecisive persons ever. Just like me he was working in Islamabad on a good post and had no plans of going to Australia. In my case, out of nowhere, within two days I decided to hop on the last available flight from Pakistan and start a new journey.

It was when I gave it a thought that I realised our stories might be pretty similar because it would take me ages to make my mind up about something. There was a connection with him so I decided to start a conversation.

Why Australia? I asked him.

He had no idea why he was moving to Australia, he just wanted to give it a go because apparently everyone was going there and people back home said it was a good option for your future and once in a lifetime opportunity.

Not a pretty solid reason to leave everything you have and move to a new country, I thought to myself.

Why Sydney? He asked me.

I was as clueless as him, I could think of a couple of things; the flight to other cities would take longer and it was already a 22-hour journey, and because I had a friend living in Sydney so it will be a safe option for me to land in Sydney… oh also because Sydney has the Opera House.

None of the reasons is strong enough to just land in a city of a country you’ve never been to before, he said.

So do you have a job there? It was my turn to ask him.

No, I don’t have any job offer there but I have heard a lot of people work as delivery guys and Uber drivers and can look after themselves, I will always have that option with me, and I will start applying for jobs as soon as I land hopefully it will work out.

Wow, that’s … a big risk, I murmured.

Do you have a place to live? He was interested to know.

My friend said I can stay with him for a couple of days, but when his roommate comes back from Melbourne, I will have to move to another friend’s place and stay there for two weeks, that should give me enough time to find a place for myself hopefully.

Sounds like a lot of moving to me if I am being honest, you won’t be settled for almost a month; he was bluntly telling me.

All of a sudden I could feel as if something was happening inside me, I had this sick feeling, a weird sensation, I quickly realised it was fear.

I told myself, it is okay, he is going through the same, he has been as indecisive as me, if he can manage it I will too, others do it as well, I am not alone.

What’s your name? If you don’t mind me asking. I wanted to calm down and divert my thoughts so I asked him.

My name is “You", he replied.

Sorry? I said.

I am Raafay, he explained.

Oh, but my name is Raafay… I mean I am Raafay too, I continued.

Yes, as I said, I am you. He smiled.

It was at that very moment that I opened my eyes.

“There is no going back” kept echoing in my mind for a while. I tried to shrug off the thoughts and tell myself it was just a dream and I should calm down.

A couple of minutes later, the flight attendant came with a form for me to fill before we reach Australia, the flight will land shortly, she said.

I suddenly remembered the emerald stone, a green precious sparkly stone that signifies successful love. Long ago I had read, that Sydney is known as the Emerald City.

I could see Sydney from my window, the long stretch of water was ending. There is no going back, I told myself firmly. I was at peace now. Sydney and I will work it out, it will be a successful love story.

Things They Said

2020-06-23T09:04:00.000+05:00

He said hi, she said hello.

He said lets talk, she said don’t go.

He said you’re pretty, she said much more.

He said you’re mine, she said you’ll never be alone.

He said i’m busy, she said great.

He said he’d call, she said she’d wait.

He said he forgot, she said it’s okay.

He said you’re mad, she said it’s a phase.

He said good bye, she said I’m sorry.

He said it’s over, she said don’t hurry.

He said he was tired, she was confused.

He said he was bored, she said you mean i’m all used.

Why does PSL mean so much to Pakistanis?

2020-03-21T17:50:00.000+05:00

When the Pakistan Super League (PSL) launched in 2016, it was a 5-team tournament with just 24 matches played in the UAE. If you compared it with any other league from the Test Cricket playing nations, the PSL was by far the smallest league. Even the Bangladesh Premier League and the now-defunct, Sri Lankan Premier League, had more teams.

The quality of cricket throughout the tournament was pretty average. With mostly imbalanced teams, bowling-heavy, batting-light squads, the pitches weren’t conducive for T20 cricket and all this resulted in low-scoring and one-sided matches.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) started with Brendan McCullum smashing 158 off just 73 balls. While the PSL started with Islamabad United Scoring 128/7 in 20 overs. During the 48 innings, play. Well before half the tournament was completed, the top four qualifying teams were virtually decided. There was no excitement left from a cricketing point of view.

That was the bitter reality, but no Pakistani was willing to believe it. Why? Because they owned it. From the team owners to the few spectators in the UAE stadiums to the millions of fans watching back home, everyone owned it. This reality was overshadowed by the sheer passion and ownership of Pakistani cricket fans.

The first close match in the PSL was played between Islamabad United and Karachi Kings, in which, Karachi, needing 16 runs in the final over, could muster only 13 and ended up losing by 2 runs. At this point, you could already see Pakistani social media filled with comparisons with IPL. When Muhammad Nabi struck a last-ball four to guide Quetta Gladiators to a 2-wicket win against Lahore Qalandars, while chasing 201, you could see everyone going crazy with excitement and comparisons only continued to grow.

Fast forward to 2020 and the PSL has gone through a lot of changes from the first edition. For starters, the first edition was exclusively played in the UAE and the current, fifth edition is being exclusively played in Pakistan.

It has come a long way. It is a successful tournament, one of the best ones in the T20 circuit. Why? Because the Pakistani people owned it.

The PSL has been so many things for Pakistan. It was Pakistan’s opportunity to show the world that they haven’t been left behind when it came to the glitz and glamour of worldwide T20 leagues.

It was also quenching the thirst of Pakistani fans who had been deprived of seeing their local players play in a T20 tournament. After all, it is only the Pakistani players who could not play in the IPL. Seeing their neighbours creating a T20 league and making it one of the most successful brands in the world and not even being able to see your team play for years at their home grounds was extremely hard.

So, when the PSL came along, Pakistani people were excited. For them it was a tournament that would compete with IPL, it was an opportunity for them to enjoy seeing their players playing with foreign stars in the same team.

It was no joke that the Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings match was watched by more people in the country than the game between India and Pakistan at the 2015 World Cup. It was also a blessing in disguise for them, with a country divided, infighting on the political front and Pakistan cricket on a downward spiral, it was something to enjoy without the fear of getting hurt or having their hearts broken.

It was not an easy road though, a final in Lahore in 2017, three matches and a final in Karachi in 2018, 8 matches in Pakistan for the 2019 tournament and now in 2020, the whole tournament is being played in 4 cities across the country. This is nothing short of a miracle for many.

Cricket, especially the PSL more than anything has been the biggest platform to showcase to the world what we are all about. No matter how much we said it, no one believed Pakistan was back to being peaceful, be it on the global front, political front or on social media.

Through cricket, we have shown the whole world, at least the cricket-watching world that this is not the Pakistan of 2009. This is a better and safer Pakistan. Because where else do you see people thanking a player who is being paid to do their job? Not just that but actually celebrating and cheering the oppositions’ players?

Where else do you see thousands of thousands of them visiting the stadiums with banners showing heartwarming messages that we have defeated terrorism, and that no matter who wins or loses, it is cricket and Pakistan who have been the winners.

But it is the Pakistani fans who have taken this league from a mismanaged, average and small tournament to a brand that has established itself around the world within a few years.

One of the banners at Multan Cricket Stadium aptly displayed the words “It is not Sultans vs Zalmi, it is Pakistan vs Terrorism”. The fact is, Pakistanis have won; against all the beamers, bouncers and googlies, against all the odds, we’ve surely won!

Exploring the World One Train Station at a Time

2020-02-27T16:00:00.000+05:00

There are 369 train stations in London and the reason that I am sharing this fact is because this fact is the basis of the article I am writing.

When I was in England, life was pretty busy during my University days. Studying and working at the same time was something new for me and it took well more than half a year to get used to it. I did travel here and there, visiting Ireland and Scotland for a couple of days. Going to other cities such as Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool (for obvious reasons) to explore the country a bit but obviously time wasn’t on my side. By the time my Master’s degree was completed I just had 3 months left to explore the country. Thankfully, I went from Middlesbrough to London and stayed with my Aunt for this duration and made it my aim to explore London. The city I find the most exciting and the city that for me, is the best city in the world. So how do I do that? I asked myself. I wasn’t too interested in the famous buildings and landmarks. Even then I had already visited them, the museums too. The solution I came up with was, to just get in a train and stop at the train station with the most unique name. First time I tried that, the East Ham train station was my destination. I used to get off the train, walk on foot from one station to the next and the next. Within three months, I must have walked 100s of kilometers and as my checklist shows me, explored areas around 128 train stations.

There are 175 train stations in Sydney and the reason I am sharing this fact is because these train stations taught me how to explore a city.

Sunday is the only free day I have. Every Sunday, since the past few months I perform the same ritual here in Sydney as well. Get on a train, leave at a train station and then explore the area around it. The thing about Sydney is that it is a big city and the train stations are pretty far away from each other so I cannot walk from one station to the other all the time but give myself enough time to explore the particular area.

The interesting thing about train stations is that they have a whole new, different world around them. Every station that I explore has people living from different countries, foods from particular areas, artwork and even feeling that you are in a different country. Sydney is multi-cultural too, since it is vast and the population here is scattered people from different nationalities have created a community for themselves in particular areas. Same as the Southall in London where you see desi people, shops, foods and even names written in Urdu and Hindi language. It is the same here; Lakemba will give you a feel that you have moved to Bangladesh. Auburn will give you a feel that you have entered Pakistan. Punchbowl will take you to Lebanon. Hornsby will be as if you have flown to East Asia and Ashfield will have Nepalease people and Yagoona will be full of Vietnamese.

Waking up on a Sunday morning, downloading a few podcasts on the app. Getting ready and leaving for the train station, getting on the train and looking at the map to decide which station to visit today is my idea of Nirvana.

Some people find it extremely boring. When I tell people about it, most of them look at me in disbelief, some totally ignore it, others say well you can do better things. But for me, as a person who loves to explore and observe this is just so exciting. People living their lives as if they are in their own country, a community where you are away from your homeland but still at home. It is like going on a world tour. I am able to try new food from a new country, I meet people and try to talk to them as much as I can, observe how people greet and talk to each other. The way they deal with me, everyone will be different. It teaches you a lot. It has taught me a lot. It expands your horizon, opens your mind and helps you understand other religions and cultures. It just makes you a better person, or at least it changes you.

As I am typing this on my phone I am going from Chatswood to Marrickville, I have just ticked off the 100th Train station in Sydney. The thing that makes me satisfied is that I have explored 100 different worlds at 100 different train stations. The thing that keeps me happy is that there are still 75 more.

Benefits of Value System in an Organisation

2020-02-08T04:44:00.000+05:00

As we know, the value system is the set of beliefs and attitudes that they all share among themselves. If we talk about the workplace, these sets of values have extreme importance. I have been asked to consider how they will identify and demonstrate the current values and talk about the main ones with my point of view.

Deliver Promise

For me, it is something that should always be high on priority. If you are committing to someone, then you should fulfil it. As they say, a man of words and not of deeds is like a garden full of weeds. Especially in an organisation if you have promised your client on delivering something, then there should be no stone left unturned. Either don't make promises you can't keep or do everything possible to meet their requirements for the sake of your credibility.

Clear Communication

Communication is the foundation value for any organisation because it helps them achieve their full potential. Effective use of oral, visual and written communication shows professional competence and knowledge expected in a company and the leader and engenders trust in everyone. From a personal point of view, having clear instructions from my manager leads to me having a clear idea of what I have to do and then results in me completing my tasks effectively and efficiently.

Innovate

Innovation can take you from being lower on the ladder to the top of the crop. If you have a system in place that promotes innovation within the workplace, that means you will end up being more successful than others. It also helps employees to grow because they are getting out of their comfort zone. I believe that it brings out the best in you and gives you the chance to grow more as a person and as a professional.

Embrace Change

This term can be related to innovation because change is always constant. No matter where you work, the people you work with, everything changes over time. You will work with new team members, meet new people, have new projects to work on and even move from one company to the other. If you are willing to embrace the change around you, it has many benefits in my point of view as it helps you grow, become more flexible and allows you to challenge your values and beliefs.

Respect

If you want to be successful in any field of life, you have to respect your seniors and everyone around you. It is a core value and the basis of every professional. It is a collection of many things for me, such as respecting everyone's privacy, their status within the organisation, their physical space and belongings — also, consideration when it comes to other people's point of views, ability beliefs and personalities.

Collaborate

If you want to complete a task, then you will need the help of people around you within a company. If you get along with your team members, there is synchronisation between you then completing a job becomes that much easier. When two or more people but their mind on something new ideas, new solutions and pathways open. It also improves flexibility and turns out to be healthy for everyone involved.

ICC World Test and ODI Championships Explained

2020-01-14T03:53:00.003+05:00

ICC back in 2017 announced the Test and One Day International leagues that will replace the current bilateral series and the rankings system. Not only will this system provide context to the matches played but also enhance the interest of public with every match having a meaning. The Test championship has started after the 2019 ODI Cricket World Cup and here is some information to help you get the hang of everything related to the test and ODI league.

Both the championships will run for two years, but the current bilateral nature of T20 matches will stay the same where the boards have the choice of deciding how many matches to play during the tour and the ranking system will also exist. To understand the nature of these new changes here is a detailed look at the changes brought by the International Cricket Council.

ICC World Test Championship Explained

The top nine test playing nations will be part of the test championship, and they include Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa and West Indies.

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Was Pizza Really Invented in Italy?

2020-01-11T04:03:00.000+05:00

It is a common belief that pizza was first originated from Italy and the Italians pride themselves on this fact. In the past, it was a dish for just special occasions when a distinctive person used to visit, especially as a royal guest. But not it has become the most common food item which can be eaten at homes ordering pizza delivery or going to a famous restaurant and enjoying the delicious taste. In this article, we take a look at how pizza has progressed over the years.

The origin of the word ‘Pizza’.

The origin of the word pizza is not well known, and there is an ongoing debate about it. Many believe that it is the Italian word for ‘pie’ others are of the view that it is the Greek word Pitta or Latin word Pinsa which means flatbread, which resulted in the current name.

The first mention in history

History does have various references that show Pizza existed centuries ago before Italians started making it, although it was in different forms as compared to the Pizza we see today.

A recent archaeological study conducted by French and Italians had shown that bread was baked in Sardinia some 7000 years ago when people used leaven to cause the dough to rise.

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Will Blockchain Affect Insurance World?

2020-01-10T03:54:00.000+05:00

Blockchain technology is defined as a bundle of a comprehensive time-stamped data record that is not managed by a single entity but spread across thousands of computers around the world. It has already established itself as one of the essential factors that will affect the way insurance works for various companies and in this article, we analyse those factors.

What is blockchain?

In simpler terms, Blockchain is a digital log that allows people to conduct transactions among each other without depending on a third party to verify the transfers. Cryptocurrency, the name of the currency in which you can deal with in a blockchain and is a crucial factor to run the blockchains. Anyone can see the information, and the system is extremely transparent with each entity answerable for their processes. It is considered relatively safe as well because it’s has cryptographic principles applied.

General impacts of blockchain

Blockchain has changed the way business is being conducted, just in the past 18 months, 450+ new blockchain related industries have been established in the United States.

Some of the immediate impacts are for third party certificates because it allows manufacturers to keep track of all their supplies and monitor the procedures to analyse the proper standardisation. It also allows new businesses to deal directly with the prospective clients instead of having to use the back to the grid redistribution. For people who work remotely, it will enable them to do the job and get paid directly instead of going through longish processes.

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Four Unique Pizza Recipes

2020-01-09T03:45:00.002+05:00

If you are tired of ordering the same option or pizza delivery or eating the usual pizzas at the restaurant and want to try something new, then this article will teach you four innovative pizza recipes that you have never seen before.

Sweet Potato and Chorizo Pizza

Sweet Potato and Chorizo Pizza

Have you ever heard of a spicy potato pizza, we bet you haven’t? Here is the recipe of this delicious potato and chorizo pizza.

Ingredients

Cornmeal, pizza dough, sweet potato, red onion, olive oil, rosemary, salt, pepper, spinach chorizo, provolone.

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 230 degree Celsius and cover the base with parchment paper. Usually, pizza side is 16 inches recommended and but can be of any shape such as round, oval or rectangle because potatoes are challenging to mould.
Take a bowl and place sweet potatoes in them, you should peel them after boiling and slice them as thin as possible. Slice the onions as well and add chopped rosemary into the mixture.
Now add salt and pepper as per requirement before adding spinach chorizo and adding as much cheese as you like. Once the mixture is ready, let it settle down for half an hour. It’s a good idea to place it in the fridge, but that’s not a compulsion.
Finally, place all the mixture on the dough and bake until the potatoes have become light brown and the crust is golden, it will take around 15 minutes for the pizza to be ready.

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How Jurgen Klopp Transformed Liverpool from Doubters to Believers

2019-10-20T13:56:00.000+05:00

‘I am the normal one’, said Jurgen Klopp in his first Liverpool press conference. The club was 10^th in the table having accumulated just 12 points from the first 8 games when Jurgen Klopp took over from Brendan Rodgers in October 2015. “I'm looking forward to the intensity of football and how the people live football in Liverpool. It’s a special club,”

It had been a difficult few years for Liverpool as a club, since their miraculous Champions League victory the club hadn’t won anything of note, except a League Cup title in 2011-12 season. Off the field, Liverpool FC had to face a turbulent time under the ownership of American businessmen George Gillett and Tom Hicks, where the club was £350 million in debt with losses of £55 million when the accounts were released in May 2010, far away from the glorious days Liverpool fans were accustomed to.

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The Beautiful Butterfly and an Average Caterpillar

2019-10-03T12:44:00.001+05:00

The first time I touched her hand my whole body trembled, I felt my heart was in my mouth and I was so nervous that I was sweating. It was the first time we met, and that had been a long wait, so many years of just trying to make her reply to me, finding ways to post things so that she notices me. Seven years of loving her and never been able to meet her, talk to her. But this was the best day of my life, I was finally able to hold her hand, look at her face. She was the first girl I had ever talked to in life, imagine that. First friend I actually considered my bestest friend and first and only girl I have ever loved. Can you imagine the feeling? It’s like you walk in a desert for months without water and finally you reach a water stream.

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Analyzing McDonald's Promotional Strategy

2019-09-14T06:02:00.000+05:00

McDonald’s is by far the world’s biggest restaurant chain with more than 40,000 outlets in 100 countries. The first of their restaurants in Australia was opened in Yagoona, NSW back in 1971 and currently, it has 1000 restaurants in the country that serves 2 million people daily. Just like any other business, McDonald’s employs different techniques and strategies to engage customers to sell their products. Having a marketing strategy is extremely important for any business, new or old because, without it, you cannot entice new customers or inform people to try your product.

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My Journey becoming a Sports Fanatic

2019-09-09T14:01:00.000+05:00

Cricket World Cup 1999 was the first proper cricket tournament I followed in which Pakistan were the team to beat, although they lost in the final against Australia.

For as long as I could remember, cricket was the only sport I followed. It was May 21, 1997, when Saeed Anwar scored 194 against India during the Independence Cup at Chennai when I fell in love with it, and there was no way back.

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Why is Google Slides better than PowerPoint

2019-08-17T09:12:00.001+05:00

Google Slides vs PowerPoint

When it comes to making presentations the two most commonly used platforms are Google Slides and Microsoft PowerPoint, in this blog we look at why Google Slides is better than Power point and how to create a presentation through it.

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Organisation's Responsibilities towards disabled employees

2019-08-17T07:10:00.001+05:00

Every organisation has some responsibilities towards disabled employees, we define disability, discuss the role of organisation and see what steps they can take to ensure that disable people can work without any mental and physical hurdles.

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Bullying at Workplace

2019-07-25T08:25:00.001+05:00

Different reasons can be associated with the fact that most people are hesitant to make any complaints regarding workplace bullying with the main ones being afraid of the consequences or the unsuccessful experiences they’ve had before. Some other points can also be associated with lack of bullying reports that the victims find it difficult to recall all the events and find it tough to explain their story.

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