PASTIC- STRIVING FOR RESURGENCE OF R&D INDUSTRY THROUGH ONLINE DATABASE

MAHTAB BASHIR
mahtabbashir@gmail.com
03335363248

ISLAMABAD

 

ISLAMABAD: With an aim to provide scientific and technological information in Research and Development (R&D) and Industrial Community through Anticipatory and Responsive Information Services, Pakistan Scientific and Technological Information Centre (PASTIC) opened its doors for online data collection for every knowledge seeker who wanted to and especially to journalists’ community to produce quality news.  

In an age of information technology where 5^th generation war and hybrid warfare has become buzz words, PASTIC - a subsidiary of Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), under Ministry of Science & Technology, has taken it as a challenge to serve thousands of researchers and other professionals through its specialized information services including wide range of data collection on various discipline than in the past.  

 

For those, who are not familiar to PASTIC, it is inevitable to mention that PASTIC is known as a leading organization of Scientific & Technological information resources for supporting Research & Development leading to sustainable socio-economic development in the country. And yes, PASTIC National Centre (Headquarter) is located on the premises of Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), Islamabad whereas its six sub-centers are working in Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Muzaffarabad and Quetta.

PASTIC is currently offering wide range of services such as supply of full-text S&T Documents, publication of primary (Pakistan Journal of Computer and Information System-PJCIS) and Secondary Journals (Pakistan Science Abstracts in Ten Disciplines), Patent Information Service, Bibliographic Information Service, development of indigenous S&T databases, compilation of Union Catalogues and Directories, National Science Reference Library, Printing Services (Reprographic) ranging from Mimeographing, Photocopying and Microfilming to printing.

PASTIC is dedicated to fulfil the ever-growing needs of information community in the field of Science, Engineering and Technology and now for media persons for research and development activities at national level.

 

It also housed a wide range of online resources including Pakistan Science Abstract, Science & Technology (S&T) data forms, Scientific Books, Union Catalogue (Pak Cat), Scientific Periodicals, International Nuclear Information System (ININ), Recent articles on energy and Climate Change, R&D Projects and Equipments, Scientists Directory, S&T Libraries, S&T Societies, Associations and Organizations and last but surely not the least Database of Conferences, Workshops and Seminars on various related subjects.        

PASTIC is the National focal point for UNESCO in Pakistan. PASTIC provides training on Library Automation using WIN/ISIS package and also distribute WIN/ISIS package in Pakistan. It has organized a number of training workshops for Scientists, Information Technology experts, librarians, Researchers, and last but indeed not the least for working journalists in different cities of Pakistan.

 

In a workshop titled "Media Literacy" held at PASTIC, Director General (DG), PASTIC, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akram Shaikh said PASTIC is the premier organization for dissemination of Scientific and Technological Information to the Scientists, Researchers, Engineers, Entrepreneurs, Industry and Citizens of Pakistan. “With the passage of time, PASTIC has developed linkages with a number of organizations and now we are heading towards Media Industry. In an age of technology, role of social media is crucial but one needs to differentiate which news is correct and which is fake,” he said adding this interactive session is organized to learn and teach the methodology as to how news information is gathered and how people react.

 

DG maintained that it is the need of the hour that a journalist must be equipped with latest information. “PASTIC has a wide range of data collection that could be accessed by the mediapersons for authentic reporting,” he said.  

 

He reiterated PASTIC is reviving the interactive activities with the media houses that has been disconnected for a while. He noted that journalists are always welcomed to this Centre for any help and guidance regarding producing meaningful stories in the vast interest of the country and the society. 

                                                                                                            

The interactive workshop was organized in collaboration with "Pakistan in the World" Media Group and Community Development Council (CDC) where Minister Counselor of Indonesian Embassy B. Dharmawan was the Chief Guest. Editor Pakistan in the World, Tazeen Akhtar and Chairperson CDC Meera'n Malik were also present on the occasion.

Earlier, Principal Librarian PASTIC Syed Habib Akhtar Jafri and Sr. System Analyst Saifullah Azim emphasized the value of information technology and how to embed it in a news story. They elaborated that the information should be gathered from reliable sources and counter checked with different sources before it is published or aired.

 

Minister counselor Embassy of Indonesia B. Dharmawan distributed the certificates among the participants. He appreciated the organizers for spreading awareness and equipping the journalists’ community with the latest techniques and ethics of journalism. 

END OF A SAGACIOUS CUM LOQUACIOUS VOICE!

Obituary:

RIP MIAN MUHAMMAD AMEEN KALEEM
 
Mahtab Bashir
Islamabad

mahtabbashir@gmail.com
0333-53 63 248
ISLAMABAD

He was a dead-honest and a loquacious person- perhaps that’s why his parents gave him the name “Ameen Kaleem”. Known for his spontaneous humour studded with English phrases, the family members loved to be with him. He was a great story-teller who could share socio-economic to religio-political issues in his own style but through his hand-written letters that has a reverence in family circle.

He was Mian Muhammad Ameen Kaleem- my Mamu- who passed away peacefully on Friday, January 15, 2021 after a brief illness in Gujranwala. His Khatm-e- Chehlum will be observed on Sunday, February 28, 2021.

Father of three sons and two daughters, Mian Ameen Kaleem lived a troublesome life. He struggled within his own family but he spent an overwhelming life in a wider family circle. A God-fearing person, he never used to miss his prayers five times a day, despite how much he worked. He was retired as a Senior Superintendent GEPCO (WAPDA).

On Saturday, June 6, 2020, I went to Lahore to participate in funeral rites of my cousin Shakil Akhtar. On the very next day, I told Mian sb for my departure to Islamabad. He said he would accompany me till Gujranwala. We had an early breakfast and went to Railway Station. We both entered into Railway Platform- but all of a sudden Mian sb refused to get on board saying, “You may go, I will come by road.” This immediate decision made me think a lot. But in November, I chanced to meet him again on the wedding ceremony of Saqib (my cousin) in Gujranwala. But this time, Mian sb looked pale and weak. He has lost his rambling words. And within two months time, he said goodbye to all of us on Friday, January 15, 2021.       

Mian sb fought valiantly against his disease. He spent his last days in his elder brother’s (My elder Mamu) house. According to my cousin Muhammad Ateeq, “Mian sb was well aware of the fact that his days are numbered, that’s why he left behind him a shroud upon which ‘Durood-e-Taj’ was inscribed with his own hard-writing”. He was a gem of a person who could share anecdotes relating to everything of life. He was chirpy, a jolly good person who vanished away so quickly, Ateeq maintained.  

During his ailing days, it was my cousin Aasia (Khala’s daughter) who single handedly looked after Mamu Ameen. We all are grateful for her contribution at this troubled time. Allah- the Almighty will give her reward for her untiring services. My massive thanks go to all the family members of Mamu Rafique’s family who stood beside Mamu Ameen till he breathed his last.   

Mian Muhammad Ameen Kaleem is no more among us, but his values, works and experience shared with us will continue to inspire the present and future generations, and through this legacy, he will be remembered forever. RIP Mian Ameen Kaleem!

MR. PM: WHEN PROMISES ARE BROKEN, SORRY MEANS NOTHING!

Mahtab Bashir
mahtabbashir@gmail.com
ISLAMABAD
0333 53 63 248

 

The public at large has found nothing new and changed in ‘Naya Pakistan’ since the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) took over the throne. The PM Imran Khan’s offer of telephonic conversation (on February 1) to general public (regardless who they were) is also an exercise of ‘Purana Pakistan’.   

Fast-forwarding, in reply to one caller's query, the PM retorted why should everybody be expecting that his government would set things right within a short time? He didn’t carry a wizard’s wand and people should know that everybody lives happily ever after only in fairy tales.

Question is, who has promised that once the PTI was in power it would end corruption in 90 days and terrorism in 90 days, provision of 10 million jobs and five million homes? How many would have voted for his party if told this BEFORE ELECTIONS (in 2018) that people would have to show patience, and that peace comes to one only in the grave, and nowhere in the world, state has build homes for its citizens?

 

Now, it seems, PM and his cabinet members would start believing that five years are not enough to deliver and they should have many more years to rule as is the usual practice in many countries to place a set-up of ‘Riyasat-e-Madina, in “New Pakistan”.

 

On a lighter note, instead of combating the inflation rate (lower the prices of edibles), the PTI top slots are busy in parrot-like rhetoric “NO NRO to opposition”, someone on social media posted “While answering over the grievances of general public via telephone, PM Imran Khan said “Whatever circumstances are, he will not give NRO to anyone.”

 

Another user comments, “PM talks to general public: Upon conclusion, he immediately rushes  to next room, and praises the efforts (of all sitting there for making calls).

TRADITIONAL GAMES WITH TRADITIONAL FOOD AT THE SERENITY RESORT, WHAT ELSE ONE NEEDS!

MAHTAB BASHIR
mahtabbashir@gmail.com
0333 53 63 248
ISLAMABAD

In mid 90’s, for the first time, I heard the blockbuster song “Video killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles. Two decades later, my simple cell phone was replaced with a smart phone. In short, the recent decades have seen a dramatically accelerating pace in the development and adoption of new technologies. This rapid technological change is affecting almost every area of the economy, society
and culture. Meanwhile, this advancement has made people of all age and especially youngsters oblivion of traditional games our forefathers used to play.
 
Games and sports are one of the main sources of entertainment as well as physical fitness for people of any age. It helps in mental development of children and adolescents alike. But with this cutting edge technology, the traditional games of Pakistan – Gulli Danda, Kabaddi, Rassa Kashi, Desi Kushti, Bantay, Pithu Garam, Kokla Chapati, Chinjo, Chupan Chupai, Ghur Sawari, Ghur Dance, Naiza Bazi, Rassi Phalangna, Pakran Pakrai, Yassu Panju, Pugan Pugai and many more are nearly extinct.
 

There was a time when such games were an essential part of leisure activities and a source of unparalleled enjoyment. Due to the influence of TV, mobile phones and video games and inadequacy of playgrounds, today's children have lost touch with these games. These traditions that used to occupy an important place in our diverse culture are getting lost.
 
With an aim to revive these traditional games and to engage modern youth with them, Islamabad Council for Traditional Sports and Games (ICTSG) organized a traditional sports demonstration at The Serenity Resort, Shah Allah Ditta- where the natural beauty intrigues.
 
A string of colourful activities were held on Saturday, where people from different quarters overwhelmingly participated. A number of foreigners were also seen at the venue- that is believed to be more than 700 years old.
 
Youngsters, adolescents, middle aged all found involved in playing traditional games. Besides, traditional scrumptious food was served to the guests.
 

A day-long event was formally launched by Senator Barrister Saif and Sitara Ayaz who applauded the efforts of Shani Shah- a man behind the idea. They termed it a brain wave of a genius for revival of traditional games as well as food. They said these traditional games are not part of the past as many think; it must be carried on by us for our future posterity.
 
President, Islamabad Council for Traditional Sports and Games (ICTSG) and the host, Zeeshan Naqvi says, “To introduce these (traditional) games to the modern youth is the need of the hour. It will also help lessening the cultural onslaught. We will revive our cultural and traditional games as we are working on.”
 

General Secretary ICTSG Abu Zafar Sadiq says, “In first phase the Council has organized such events to sensitize youngsters about the cultural games in the federal capital. In next phase, we are going to spread our campaign at provincial level in days to come.”                   
The participants humbly urge all concerned to ensure the partaking of the present generation by creating more opportunities to revive traditional games.