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It’s been 62 years since we gained independence. 62 very eventful years. We’ve seen the good, the bad, the ugly, the ugliest (with a mustache) and the super ugly (person with smoking video, wig, and the voice like a witch). We’ve seen good times, and we’ve seen bad times where we watch our country men blow up. And worse times where we are on the brink of being called a “failed state”. Yet most of us debate that “freedom” is a virtue that we all have and we should be thankful for the fact that at least we are “free”. I disagree with this debate. Who or what I am is a composition of the following points :-

1) I hate the system, I hate the people who make the system, and I hate the people who follow it saying “hayee system he kharab hei”.

2) I hate the people who run the Government, people who are part of a political party with the slogan “food : clothes : home” who spend a thousand dollars on one suit where people wear torn clothes running around waiting for the “change” promised to them.

3) I hate the fact that we so happily “celebrate” our freedom whereas we are still in the shackles of the very people we wanted to be free of. Star plus dramas… We are more concerned about prem getting married to rani than we are about how we should make the country better.

4) I hate the fact that every Government institution is as depleted as a rag house ( A visit to a “digital telephone exchange’ convinced me).

5) I want to make a change, I want to let people know that this is not the way to be. This is not the way to live. And this is not the way to do.

6) Everyone hates corruption. I hate people who vote for beings who are “less corrupt”.

7) I want people to know that they are looking in all the wrong places for freedom. Freedom comes to those who dare, not to those who stare ( at lands who are successful).

For those people who will read this and curse me for not being concerned about Pakistan and being a na shukra and a hypocrite….

I am more patriot than you will EVER be

Long live Pakistan, Long live the revolution…

What is swine influenza (swine flu)?

Swine influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans, however, human infections with swine flu do occur, and cases of human-to-human spread of a swine flu virus have been recently confirmed.

· What is the current situation?

Human cases of a new form of influenza virus were identified in the United States, Mexico and Canada in April 2009. The influenza is a swine influenza A virus. The World Health Organization has declared the swine influenza situation to be a public health emergency of international concern.

No cases of swine influenza have been confirmed in Pakistan / India as of 28 April 2009.

The pandemic alert level has been raised by the World Health Organization.

This event is of concern because:

Swine influenza is derived from an animal influenza virus, which means that humans will likely have little or no immunity

There has been rapid spread to multiple communities overseas

Swine influenza is affecting unusual age groups (healthy, young adults)

The Swine Influenza A virus is thought to be sensitive to the new antiviral drugs oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza), but resistant to both amantadine and rimantadine.

· What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of swine influenza are similar to normal influenza (fever, cough, tiredness, muscle aches, sore throat, chills, shortness of breath, runny nose, headache). Some cases of swine influenza have also complained of vomiting and diarrhoea. In some cases, swine influenza can result in a severe pneumonia. Symptoms of influenza generally appear between two to four days after exposure.

· Who is at risk?

Currently, travellers exposed to cases of swine influenza overseas are at risk of becoming infected with the new swine influenza virus.

· How is it prevented?

As the new swine influenza strain has only been identified recently, a human vaccine for swine influenza is not yet available. Existing vaccines for normal human influenza will probably not provide protection against swine influenza. Scientists worldwide are working to develop a suitable human vaccine against swine influenza A (H1N1), however a vaccine is not expected to become available in the near future.

Until a vaccine becomes available, the best method of prevention will be to ensure that everyone washes their hands regularly and thoroughly, steps away from others when they cough or sneeze, coughs or sneezes into tissues and stays away from people who are sick.

· What should I do if I develop symptoms?

People who develop influenza-like symptoms should stay at home until they are completely better. People who have recently returned from affected areas and who develop influenza-like symptoms or breathing difficulties should contact their local public health unit, general practitioner or emergency department.

Swine influenza virus infection can be diagnosed using swabs from the nose and throat. Testing is done at a specialized laboratory.

· How is it treated?

If you become unwell and suspect that you may have swine influenza, you should contact your local public health unit or general practitioner, or go to your nearest hospital emergency department for assessment and treatment. Specific anti-influenza drugs are likely to be effective against swine influenza.

· What is the public health response?

There have been no confirmed cases of swine influenza in Australia as of 27 April 2009. There is enhanced surveillance for people infected with swine influenza, especially in people who have returned from affected areas within the last 7 days.

Should suspected human cases occur in NSW, the local public health unit will work with the patient, the treating doctors, and the laboratory to confirm the diagnosis. Suspected cases will be asked to isolate themselves from others to prevent further infection.

Travel advice

The situation is changing rapidly. For updated information on affected areas, see the Pakistani / Indian Government travel advice websites. Always wash your hands thoroughly after coming into contact with sick people, after coughing, sneezing or going to the toilet, or before eating.

Read more…

The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) provides a number of scholarships to the Pakistani students for the professional & higher education. The scholarships are provided for various Undergraduate, Masters and PhD programmes, both within the country and foreign universities. These scholarships are advertised through major national newspapers and are also available on HEC website.

In its endeavor to develop a class of Highly Qualified and professional Faculty in Pakistan, HEC has launched a series of scholarship programs. Through this series, HEC aims to provide the much needed impetus to the academia by offering indigenous as well as foreign PhD degrees to both faculty members and students. It is well cognizant of the need for customizing the existing scholar ship programs along with providing new opportunities for the pursuit of higher education at home and abroad. With an objective of reinforcing universally accepted principle of excellence in academia, HEC has designed the scholar ship series. Scholar ships are offered not only in reputable disciplines but also in the less recognized but crucial emerging fields.

Several scholarship schemes comprising of indigenous as well as foreign scholarship/fellowships are currently being offered under the program. PhD scholars in all disciplines of strategic national significance are proceeding to various reputable foreign universities/institutions/ research centers by availing these schemes.

Undergraduate Programs

The Under Graduate program offers financial assistance to the undergraduate students pursuing or aiming to pursue undergraduate programs of universities/ institutes at home or abroad. Under this program students are offered financial assistance on need as well as talent basis..

MS Programs

The MS program funds postgraduate students for their studies in national universities/ institutes as well as foreign institutions. Under this program students are offered financial assistance for the programs of studies in various disciplines…

MS leading to PhD / PhD Programs

The MS leading to M Phil/ PhD program aims to stimulate research and development activities in public sector universities which shall -in turn- generate highly-qualified human resources…

HEC-USAID Need Based Scholarship Program

In pursuance of the Government’s initiative of providing financial relief to meritorious but deprived students, HEC has commenced with the financial assistance/need based scholar ship programs. HEC aims to elevate the socio-economic position of the needy & deserving students by providing access to quality education through need-based scholar ships. Government of Pakistan has also duly acknowledged the financial constraints barring students from acquiring higher education and has thus earmarked substantial funds for the improvement of education sector.

HEC signed an agreement of US 7.33 million in July 2004 with United State Agency for International Development (USAID) to provide grant for scholarship in the field of Agriculture and Business Administration at undergraduate & graduate level.