Aga Khan Girls Higher Secondary school wins inter-schools speech competition;

Speakers places emphasis over use of eco-friendly technology to reduce Co2 emission

Readers Time Report
HUNZA, Karimabad, October:Speakers at the inter schools speech competition emphasized on both the developed and developing nation to replace eco-friendly technology to reduce carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere.

Students from eight different schools and the Brilliant English Language center, the organizer of the even participated. The theme of event was " Climate Change and its impact on earth planet' which served to gather a large number of audiences pertaining to different walks of life. Speakers in their speech maintained that human kind in a quest to seek more comfort endangering a balanced eco-system on the planet of earth. Speaker from Sedna School said that climate change has emerged as one of the most dangerous threat to the dwellers on earth." Rise in temperature and subsequent melting of glaciers continue to rise water level that may submerge low lying regions", she added.

HUNZA: Deputy Commissioner Hunza-Nagar and Principal F.G. Boys Model school Karimabad gives away trophies and prices to the winners and runner up participants. Words and photos by: Shams

The first prize winner Afifa Nisar of Aga Khan Girls Higher Secondary school, Karimabad,Hunza said that excessive emission of green house gases have caused to bring many negative developments including reducing agricultural yielding capacity in the land because of droughts and presence of salts. " Besides giving harm to agricultural processes it has had direct affect on human health by breaking out of fatal diseases," she added. A speaker from Brilliant Language centre established that usage of vehicles and machines that uses carbon products have disbalanced the ecological level. " Instead of using of heavy out dated vehicles that emit smoke and cause air pollution we should opt for bicycles, an economy itself, he suggested. He also placed emphasis to undertake efforts to keep their environment clean.
The chief guest Zafar Waqar Taj, deputy commissioner Hunza-Nagar in his concluding speech threw light upon neccessity of care towards our environment and emphasized to stop processes causing to increase either form ofpolution specially that of water and air. He gave away trophies and certificates among the winners and runner up participants.

When technology ceased to function!

RDs Monitoring Desk
By:Shamsuddin Muhammad

Electricity has the same role for the functioning of technology as the blood in human body. This came quite true when majority of areas of Hunza, Ghizer, Diamer, Baltistan, Ghanche and some of Gilgit district following heavy rain pour hopelessly plunged into darkness for more than three weeks. Flood water has reportedly destroyed all water channels including main water channels responsible for both irrigation and drinkable water purposes as in some places to help plants to generate hydro power in the above said areas, leaving population in anxiety and clouds of darkness . Main irrigation channels and the channel for only hydro power generation plant Hasanabad in central Hunza, for instance ruined for more than 200 meter long from the opening at nalah following a monsoon cycle hit the region since the beginning of August. Two kilo wat power generated plant at Guro, Lower Nagar and Naltar hydro power plant has also paritally washed away by flood water during heavy rains. Cell phones went silent,Internet connections disconnected soon, leaving no option to keep connect with out side world. Similarly, Silli-Haring water channel in Yasin of Ghizer district has also reported damaged badly. In Ishkoman, floods have inflicted indescribable devastation as cultivated land and orchards have leveled to the ground within few moments. Rumors of suspension of food supply, petroleum products created havoc among masses. Absence of electricity, LPG and Kerosene oil triggered sufferings of a common man.
The year 2010 would be remembered as one of the disastrous year for it beget various tragedies across the globe in terms of earth quakes, massive landslides, flesh floods and fire incidents that claimed hundred of thousands of human lives and ruined property. According to available reports scarcity of petroleum products especially diesel has brought negative implication on budget of a common man. The fares (travel charges) of both inter and outer cities, from and to Aliabad, for instance have been increased by 100 percent on pretext of scarcity of fuel. At the same time, public circles have alleged petrol pump owners involved in black marketing of petroleum products in the region. A reliable source established that diesel was offered for sale for mere four hours on Sunday evening at a price 100 higher than usual which later was closed on excuse of shortage. Consequently, public is forced to pay according to the demand of few vehicle owners who were able to store fuel for any emergency. On the other hand, little is being done to repair devastated infrastructure leading to road accidents at various places. Commuters using boat service have blamed that boat owners are exploiting the
situation by demanding higher travel charges to sail. Lack of any check and balance, Gilgit-Baltistan Power and Works department (GBPWD), a department designated as second most corrupt public organization resorted to its lethargic role. Supporting walls of the roads, even after two weeks are in the same condition. While the local representation has little bother to visit the areas in trouble, a worse example of negligence.
The intrinsic failures of capability, mental capacity, vision, performance, un-inhibited corruption, widespread greed and graft has brought public organizations came on nuts. There are expectations and a need to deliver, to do at least to justify their claim of so-called research and development. There is a need for correction in perception in civil society circles claims for more awareness about their rights but little is emphasis over obligations that healthy society seeks from one both individually and collectively. As a result, every one in the areas is running after his
personal interest, leaving rest to suffer. A persistent and perceptible change is indispensable to measure and induce public organizations to dispense their duties on one hand and to fulfil one's obligation to create a harmonious, sustainable and integrated society-key towards overcoming challenges faces the region currently.
Electricity (hydro), produced indigenously is main engine of activities ranging from daily chores to the commercial one. Any suspension in its supply costs population a lot. Lack of planning with respect to population growth rate and continuous expansion in living periphery has served to frequent power power breakdowns and unscheduled
load shedding. Being a part of the society, both the local representation and power and works department can be urged to take remedial steps through proper need analysis for the next two decades and propose them to the Gilgit-Blatistan government to materialized immediately to get the people rid of the menace.This will serve to build confidence over public organizations especially the line departments which failed to gain public appraise so far amidst challenges posed to the areas in form of disasters.


Courtesy: VoH