To build a world, begin with a book at bedtime

Today as we rush to achieve the daily tasks of our fast moving societies, we unconsciously rely on our BlackBerries and the computer screens in our offices to feed us with information and update us on the latest headlines from around the world. Many of us complain that we no longer have the luxury of time to read – an argument that I would reject in dismay. It is very sad to find out that on average a person reads only so little, and only on technology-driven gadgets instead of through the printed word.

Many of us are disciplined to go to the gym for a good work out to exercise the body – and we fail to recognise that as much as the body needs to be maintained, the mind also needs to be exercised to maintain its endless potential. And the best way to feed and exercise the mind is to give it a concentrated dose of stimulus. Nothing, in my opinion, does that better than a good book. We must discipline ourselves to nourish this practice among ourselves – but more importantly nourish and encourage the habit among our youth.

As children grow, they learn through imitation and repetition; they are inherently very good at copying others, and most of their earliest learning experiences are developed through what they witness – which is why it is so important to create a reading environment at home. If children grow up watching their parents enjoying reading, by the time they are old enough to learn to read, it will seem as natural to them as having breakfast.

One way of nourishing this habit at an early stage is by reading aloud to them. Many parents may baulk at the idea of reading to infants or really small children because they automatically presume that their young ones will not understand the majority of the words. However they fail to realise that children learn to speak, in the very early stages of their development, by repeatedly listening to words that are initially beyond their understanding and comprehension.
Children develop their future facility with words through a process of imitation and repetition.

As a result, when they start to learn to read for themselves, they will have memory impressions of all those hours spent hearing stories.I confidently and strongly advocate this practice and can vouch for it over any other approach, as I have been both the recipient and the provider of such a process.

When I was a child, my mother ingrained this beautiful habit in me by reading aloud to me before I went to bed each night. She also used to take me and my siblings to bookshops and libraries, generously letting us choose any book that appealed to our eyes or our minds. I also enjoyed it when she used to share with us what she read, and encouraged us to share with her what we were reading. As a result, I built a strong bond with books.

When I was working in London a few years ago, I participated in a voluntary community programme where my colleagues and I would spend an hour every fortnight reading to young children from disadvantaged and underprivileged families. It was a tremendous – and very satisfying – experience to witness the impact that reading out aloud had on the listening children. At the end of each term we got a huge thrill from seeing how much their vocabulary and knowledge of new words had expanded.

Reading aloud to children is an important educational practice that promotes not just vocabulary growth, but also an understanding of text, general knowledge, and – hopefully – the motivation to read. The primary aim of these educational practices is to foster independent reading. Studies show that children who develop early reading practices perform better academically at school because, in addition to the fluency of language that they gain, they also widen their general knowledge.

But reading is not only about academic success, it is also one of the most pleasant and relaxing ways of passing the time that I know. Reading allows me to escape to another zone, and on many occasions has inspired me with ideas. Although I have learnt a lot about life through travelling and meeting people of different cultures, nothing can equate with the knowledge I have acquired about the world through books without travelling an inch from my room.

I was recently amazed by the exciting initiative launched by Dubai Cares to ask students to read one million books in two weeks. Dubai Cares beautifully translates Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid’s vision to transform underprivileged societies of other parts of the world, but this reading scheme has the additional benefit of introducing children here to the joys and rewards of reading.

The novelist Esther Meynell once said: “Books to the reading child, are so much more than books – they are dreams and knowledge, they are a future, and a past”. Let us all work together to nourish this educational practice among our youth and help transform and build their dreams into a reality.

This article first appeared in The National newspaper on 18 November 2008.
http://www.thenational.ae/article/20081118/OPINION/209552870/1080?template=opinion

Spread Light
The world is dangerous not because of those who do harm,but because of those who look at it without doing anything.
It is up to us to build the world.To spread the light around us.To make it a better place.

Our World...

Our world has surely developed over the centuries. With most countries around the world having excellent infrastructure, man-made mountains injecting billions of dollars of their revenue to the world economies. Cross-border transactions worth trillons of dollors are made on daily basis. Most people can easily travel across from east to west within hours and there is no real need of travelling on mules or by sea anymore to reach your destination.

It was only about 20 years ago where people faithfully relied on telex. A today's 15 year old may ask what is telex? It was a mode of communication which has now become extinct. With many international institutions around the globe fighting poverty to ensure that every citizen on the globe lives comfortably.

Above all, thanks to technology we have leaped a 1000 steps and we all now depend on e-mails and text messages. If we had to measure development using the above criteria then we should not hesitate to confirm that we mankind have done an outstanding job in making mother earth a better place to live in. With more technology, better housing, better living why should even anyone consider to complain.


The real question is that have we really made our world a better place ? How would you define "development"? If you are browsing my blog and come across this question, please feel free to answer and share your point of view.

I wonder...

I wonder deeply...I wonder randomly...Many wishes waiting to be fulfilled...Many ideas...Many random thoughts and the journey between me and my mind continues...The beauty of the mind web is that it is infinite and limitless...My mind like yours, has the full freedom to wander as deep or high as it wishes.


Thoughts shoot like shooting stars creating ideas which then become thought forms. It is always encouraged to create positive thought forms because thought forms become real and are acted upon.

How often have you thought of something and it has materialized to your suprise with no actual effort from your side ? Your simple thought which is either a simple idea, a desirable wish or a fear has the ability to be materialized.

Without disturbing a single strand of your hair you will be suprised how thoughts take a physical form therefore I encourage you to think sweet thoughts, to think good thoughts, to think positive thoughts because thoughts are transmitted into the universe by an invisble transmitter and you just don't know when it will be materialized.

Basket of Mixed Emotions...

It is funny how emotions swing randomly from one end to the other. We may at times, suprise ourselves with the abrupt change of emotions within and wonder why at the experience of a happy thought or emotion we are suddenly smiling to the world for no particular reason or when experiencing emotion of anger snapping at a layman without a valid reason. Women ofcourse carry the famous reputaion of having a swinging emotional tendency. Which obviously is not true and I don't agree with, simply because both genders have a brain, heart and a soul and whether it is synchronised or not both genders experience emotions.

It is funny how we under-estimate the strength of our surroundings on our emotions. We also naively ignore the hidden emotions or energy of others and its impact on ours. We may also be ignorant of the slightest variations such as weather change and its affect on our emotions. Whether you know it or not, the fact is that no matter how sharp or slow the effects of our surroundings it has an impact, no matter how small, it has a powerful impact on our emotions and hence our behaviour towards ourselves and others.

As we grow in age or in wisdom we learn to take charge of our emotions or take control of our feelings. I must admit that this may be acknowledged as a very sophisticated aquired skill at human standards. However, sometimes whether to express bluntly or supress emotions within we may not be behaving justly to ourselves or others.

Memories...

Memories of a life time screening infront of me! The Woman Close To My Heart I MISS U...

How to reduce the Gender Parity Gap?

Hi, I am back on my blog scene. Last few weeks have been extrmely busy for me with my endless meetings, hosting guests from around the globe and travelling.

Just got back from Sharm El Sheikh where I particpated in the World Economic Forum on Middle East. It was quite an interesting and an insightful experience meeting with the World's leading Political and Business Leaders and participated in some of regions's most sensitive issues. Quite a unique experience when you are only few steps away from President Bush or under one roof with the Defence Minister of Israel and listeing in such proximity as to what he has to say on peace and conflict with Palestine or exchanging thoughts with Tony Blair (Who has lost so much weight since I last met him at the House of Lords in England) or listening to what Russian Foreign Minister has to say on Iran's Nuclear Programe. Apart from politics and the conflicts in the region other challenging debates were raised in the parallel sessions of the forum such as Education, Gender Parity, GCC Crash, Inflation and the long term vision of the leaders in the region and others.

I could probably write a few pages on each of the outlined headings however I am exhauseted and I have no intentions of doing so right now. I may choose to write more in depth in due course.

However, I will not leave the screen until I share with you few points on "Gender Parity" in the region and on what I had to say on Gender Parity to a group of 50 Influential and committed female and male leaders.

I am always asked by eastern and western women living in our region or abroad that what is it like working in the Middle East? I always answer this question with a smile and welcome their naivity on the subject. For someone who has studied in the west and also had the privilege with working with the upper class white English men and also in the region I feel I am equipped with the experience of both the worlds to answer a question as simple as this. My quick response always is that " I feel like a Queen working in the Middle East, well respected for my merits, supported and encouraged always. I am so lucky to have our leaders who are ever encouraging and who truly aprreciate and genuinely understand that women should be integral part of our economy. Having said this the views of a layman may be very different.

The issue of the Gender Parity is not specific to our region The Gender Parity Programme of the World Economic Forum concentrates on four critical areas to reduce the gender parity which I have outlined below. However, in my personal view this issue is not specific only to our region just as much it is relevant to us it is also relevant and of an issue in countries around the world. Just as women may have their challenges in this region women around the world also experience similar or worst experience. The question which comes to my still mind:"Why is the issue always stressed and highlighted on a bigger scale of the women of our region, There are equally conservative societies in south east asia and in Europe? I am of the view that this issue should be dealt with around the globe.

With the support of our government there are many more women in top executive rankings in our country with such a small population than in most developed countries. The actual facts speaks for itself. We should and also everyone should also acknowlede and appreciate that despite our youth and being only 36 years old we have managed to do so much. It was only in mid 1960's when women were allowed to read law at univeristies in the United States of America.

Participation of women in politics is a process and cannot be achieved overnight, our country has appointed well deserved candidates for this role. I am of the view that there should be an increase in participation there are very good efforts in achieving this and will happen over time.

I presented my views when requested; on the steps to reduce the gender parity and my response was as follows: "We should take concrete steps to reduce the gender parity such as to develop our legislations and ensure women's rights are protected and engrained in our legislation and constitution, create awareness among our people on the importance of women partcipation in every level of our economy and society, political will is very important to empower women, but our society should be equally supportive and encouraging for participation at such levels.

Some other recommendations which came out of groups at the meeting:

 Place more women in key public decision-making positions (ministers, parliamentarians, local government leaders)- Develop more effective legislation for empowering women and ensure that this legislation is implemented- Promote girls’ education in high-tech fields since future growth and jobs will be driven by this sector- Develop a more enabling environment for working women, including services such as childcare and transport between homes and offices- Recognize publicly businesses that provide supportive environments for female employees to create positive incentives for companies, and also so that women searching for jobs are aware of the best employers- Create media campaigns aimed at changing mindsets about women’s economic participation and leadership- Increase positive, productive images of working women in school textbooks to change perceptions among girls and boys at an early age

These were my comments and my brief experience in a nut shell, if you have any ideas on how to reduce gender parity regionally or globally please feel free to share.

Until then Adious.

http://www.tradearabia.com/news/ECO_143721.html

http://www.businesstodayegypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=8056

http://www.ameinfo.com/157325.html

My Friday Journal

It's the first Friday morning of May and my eyes are wide awake since 7 in the morning. Don't ask me why? I guess my body is accustomed to start this early daily and is unable to distinguish between a Friday - a rest day or a Monday - working day. I am delighted that it is the week-end finally.

I am very lazy to come out of my room this morning, I am sitting and randomly reflecting about my city, our society which is in continous transition, the past, the present and our future. New ideas but no new thoughts.

It is a great feeling to be back home finally after having spent peak years of my life in England and wake up in the comfort of my Dubai home and hopefully can say this time I am here for good. One thing I can vouch for is that all these years that I was physically away I had left my soul behind at home. Although away, I never sensed any detachment from home, culture or family.Which is a true blessing!

I guess, my most important years of my life was spent away from home. I consider England my home too, because I spent my peak years there and it is the years that I spent there contributed and moulded me to the person I am today. I am often asked, If I miss it? To be honest I miss the diligence of a sophisticated system, I miss the Art and Theatre scene of London, and no doubt I miss my dear friends and colleagues. There is a lot more I miss about England but I am extremely ecstatic to be among my immediate family and no joy in the world can replace the joy of proximity I share with my family today.

On certain levels, a country in contrast to ours. It moves cautiously and slowly. We on the other hand are on the other extreme. We move and continue to move at the light of a speed and take huge risks. Not necessarily one way is better than the other, each society and economy has its needs and there are many ways of fulfilling the requirements of each economy. We choose to do it our way.

When I first arrived, I was a tourist in my own home town, trying to re-connect with my new transfomed city. Some changes I could relate to, other changes I accepted and some changes I still feel alien to. That is natural for someone like myself who has moved back, and for a city which has transformed so rapidly in such a short pace of time and I guess will continue to change in the years to come. It is sad that many things which used to be part of my childhood no longer exists and it's only part of my memories now. On the other hand, I can assure if I went to England after 30 years I will still find the bookshop and the post office i used to visit, sadly here shops which existed 5 years ago are no longer there. The span of sustatainability is extremely short.

After 8 months I can proudly and comfortably say that I can reach to my destination without missing the flyovers or the Exits on Sheikh Zayed Road. That is an acheivement. I never remember Dubai being at a standstill, it is always upto something.

The world has acknowledged us being the city which has the tallest, the biggest, the rarest...We wake up every morning to a new launch of a mega real estate project worth billions of dollars. Many have also described our city as a "Construction Site". Many are very critical of all the changes and the fast pace, others don't hold a strong personal view because they may be here for a stop over to enjoy the tax free heaven, make most of the luxurious life style and move on.

I personally support all the changes and development I am very encouraging of all the positive changes and think it is just unbelievable what we have achieved so far, I wish however the changes were made at a different pace. The biggest challenge for us will be to sustain the growth in the coming years.

I am proud to be a child of this nation. There may be few matters we may dislike or like to see it happen differently but as my favourite Mahatma Ghandi said: "Be the change you want to see in the world".

2 May 2008

My Friday Journal

Home,Dubai

Definitely,Maybe - Movie Review

A Romantic Comedy - great entertainment.

It’s the most charming romantic comedy I’ve seen in a while. The story was modern, adult, and relatively realistic. The cast was superb. I would definitely maybe recommend this movie as the movie-to-see. Life is about relationships and choices. The movie has definitely inspired me to write on a topic, which I will in due course...Watch out for the space!

Nothing can be more exciting than...

I got home from work feeling exhausted today. I relaxed and spent some quality time with dad who was scrolling through our old childhood pictures.

I desperately wanted to write something this evening, it is quite normal for me to get such urges from time to time. My mind wandered between different topics and hot issues. I was debating to write between politics and gender issues and suddenly my mind came to a halt and I wore a cheeky smile on the thought of ummmm "Food". A topic very close to my taste buds.

Last night, we hosted a dinner for family members at a Thai Restaurant. I had an excellent time, great ambience, surrounded by wonderful family members and the best of thai cuisine, what more could I have asked for. I enjoy Thai food and crave for it all the time. What is odd, that every time I have it, it feels like the experience of the first time. When it comes to food, i am always readily available. It would be very rare for me to ever decline food. Having written this, I just realised I did not go to a dinner cermony I was invited to this evening...

Nothing can be more exciting than food! I and food share a beautiful bond which no one can break no matter how hard they try. I enjoy trying different recipes and I am quite adventurous when it comes to food and can try anything and everything.When I say anything and everything I literally mean it anything and everything!

With everything that's been going on, I haven't managed to cook as much as I would have liked. It's different now that I am back in my hometown, whilst living abroad i used to cook whenever I got a chance for myself or others. However now with my busy and pressed schedule I don't have time to cook but surely have been eating a lot and my mind is always pre-occupied by the thought of food. Not a good sign.

So while I haven't been doing a lot of cooking, I've still been thinking about food a lot. Over the past year or more, I've been trying to learn more about what makes food taste great. I've been trying to improve my sense of taste by tasting and learning how to describe food and chocolates. And for the sole purpose of educating my palate (so that I know what good food tastes like) I enjoy dining at some wonderful restaurants whenever I travel and also keep a track of new restaurants in homewtown.

The area I'm most interested in at the moment is... flavour. I guess that seems pretty obvious, but I think it's often overlooked in favour of texture. Tender, juicy ribs; rich and creamy ice cream; melt-in-your-mouth chocolates. While texture is certainly integral to the deliciousness of any dish, for me at least, flavour is more important. And by flavour, I don't mean the flavour of the sauce or topping, but the actual flavour of the main ingredient (the meat, bread, vegetables etc.).

There are, as I'm sure you're aware, many ways to coax flavour out of ingredients. Whether it's adding salt, lemon juice, or using techniques like sous vide to prevent flavour from escaping, I'm interested in anything I can do to make ingredients shine. Starting with the best ingredients I can find and afford, I'd like to be able to cook the shrimpiest tasting shrimp, and make an orange sorbet that has a flavour of a thousand ripe oranges bursting in my mouth.

I will leave you on this note, until I write again...

Getting Meaning of Life

"So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning." -Mitch Albom

My Favourite Quote...

When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, show life that you have one thousand reasons to smile!

Life Redefined

What is Life?

Over the centuries many Philosophers, Scholars, Artists and laymen have attempted to answer this question and define this delicate term: LIFE! I truly appreciate their brave attempt to define a word as deep as life but would it be fair to give this term a restrained definition. I sincerely dont think so.

It may be important to give the correct definition of Oxygen so people are not misguided and know what is the correct chemical composition or to define a true meaning of an advocate so it can assist people on how to use it and in what context but when it comes to "Life" any attempt to define the word will simply not do any justice to it.When you define a word you impose restrictions. We surely don't want to restrict the meaning of life. Like love, life can't be defined.

An eight year old's attempt to define this term will obvoiusly be different from an 80 year old's but it is still a definition of life. A scientist once said "Life is cells", Powell Davies on the other hand said: "Life is just a chance to grow a soul"... All these are attempts to define the word there is no wrong there is no right, definition of life is as personal as your pair of shoes. Your definition may change as you grow and you shall define and mould its meaning through your personal experiences.

Today if I had to attempt to answer this question I would say "Life is a pack of Skittles"

Moments Captured in the lens of your eyes...

Glass Raindrops...

At first they are slow, gently flowing through each strand of lashes. Smoothly they put a burden on the delicate strands, eyes closed under the burden of teardrops.

Memories from the past: cheerful and sad, bitter and sweet, flowing down smooth flawless rosy cheeks. Very soon, just like nature that feels washed and cleansed after clear raindrops, I feel light and cleansed.