By Maham Tanveer

CRITICAL BUT MEDICAL!

Man dares to face circumstances when life grants him with a breath of hope and he talks about revolution when every aspect squanders - either individual life's or country's. Deja Vu is the condition when we feel that we have seen this "something" before too. I was vigorously attacked by deja vu when we entered KU clinic. Nothing was different - the same government block! And after survey, my faith became more strong that Pakistani society cannot grow as long as money dominates life.

THE CRUST - Information Provided By Clinic Staff :-

The clinic was established in 1960s near Mahmud Hassan Library. Later it was shifted beside 3rd World Center. Now a new clinic is being formed near admin block which is hopefully going to be owned by clinic itself and not some "Sultan Rahi" type department.

The clinic staff comprises 40 people including 1 female attendant Dr. Yasmin, 1 male Dr. Nadeem-uz-Zaman (MO) and Dr. Syed Abid Hassan. KU students are treated at university cards. Annual files are made for KU staff members at which they are provided visiting slip. OPD fee is very less. Basic medicines are provided from clinic, others are required to be bought. Jinnah Hospital, Liaquat National Hospital etc are at the panel. Emergency, laboratory and medical store are also present.

Senior compounder Muhammad Muslim told that despite the fund providence issue, sufficient supplements are there. Almost 50 patients visit daily from 8 am to 3 pm. Clinic is open 24 hours with every time doctors availability. Medicines are provided at 50% lesser rates. Nearest department from accident spot informs clinic so that they may provide instant treatment. 2 ambulances are always available.

THE CORE - Observations:-

* 2 sweepers have been appointed who perform their duties efficiently.

* There was no one in clinic to provide us with some information. Someone had to go to submit children's fee, someone's mouth was busy in chewing betel-leaf, someone had to go in a meeting, someone said to come after 3 and someone avoided us "aween". Along with they were saying "atey rehtey hain koi na koi kabhi documentry banane kabhi article likhne". Finally they gave consent that we can walk around clinic which really made us to whirl.

* We met 17 members out of 40 from morning staff. A tongue slipper told that many come for 65 days out of 365.

*A patient Sadia who was waiting for doctor for 5 hours told that doctor's treatment with patients is very satisfactory but doctors are not punctual, we have to wait a lot.

* The clinic with 24 hour doctors' availability actually opens at 8 am whereas doctors normally come after 10 and morning shift ends at 3 pm. 4 to 5 people stay after 2.3 hours of evening shift. Doctor is called when patient comes.

* Necessary machines and chemicals are absent from laboratory. X-ray machine was broken some 15 years back in a riot and still not provided.

* When asked that what basic treatment is provided like in case of bullet etc in university crisis, "the possible treatment" paradigm made my companion to burst out.

* Space for 3 years stolen generator is still to be filled.

*Improvement since establishment remained unanswered in 2 hours survey.

- hain kawakib kuch, nazar atey hain kuch

dete hain dhokaa, yeh baazigar khula

Apart of all this, staring angry nurse at patients when they were giving comments, doctors avoiding us, staff making us wretch, closed and locked doors and some other things too increased our investigative curiosity. But if you compare clinic with department offices, or museum , or sports ground etc, you will find clinic much better.

Vacationzzzz

By Fahad Ullah

Yesterday was my first day back at university after a long Eid vacation with my family and I am finding it a little hard to get my brain back into studying mode. Now I’m working on getting back into the swing of things, and it has been a little rough. The hard fact is: there is no vacation that never ends! Vacations always surprise me. According to the dictionary, a vacation is:

“a period of suspension of work, study, or other activity, usually used for rest, recreation, or travel”

While all of that sounds great, I always seem to come back from vacation more tired than I left. I think it’s because once I get there, I want to make the most of my vacation time by doing as much as I can in a short amount of time.

The question is how do I cope with vacation being over and returning to university and studies with a minimum of stress and discomfort? It’s just not about me, this is a dilemma for many people who find it difficult to adjust to arising early each morning in order to arrive at university for classes in a timely fashion. It also means picking up the burdens and responsibilities of work, including meeting deadlines (blogging as an example) and once again being productive.

I fear that I might have to suffer a bit by the end of the semester- I’ll definitely fall short of attendance in Ms. Right’s class. Besides, I have missed a few news reports done in H.I’s class which are a part of our final assignment, and yes, not to forget all the “gossips” related to this blog assignment!

Yes, I know this blog has nothing interesting to read about and give time to, and that’s because I am not yet out of the “Vacation cloud”, so couldn’t really think of a decent topic to write on like other intellectuals from our class! I want you all to suggest me couple of “topics” to write a post on. Your suggestions are encouraged and welcome! J

 

P.S. Do any of you guys know how to press the comment button? If you do, show your skills!

Students union or political activists?

By Rehan Bashir

At the time of Pakistan’s settlement the functions of political parties were very meaningfull in the life of students who wanted to serve their nation but these days the role is opposite and different then the time of independence.

In our university there are so many political parties who are working only for their own interests in the shape of student unions and quite a few students get their admission under the shade of these political parties. Irrespective of the fact whether they have the required capability to get enrolled and due to this some brilliant students are deprived of admissions which is in no means less than a murder of so called merit.

At present the interference of such political parties has increased immensely and they have become so powerful and fearless that they do not hesitate while degrading the administration of the university or departments. Not only this, they often threat teachers and use their power to get better marks, to increase their attendance etc.

The majority of the students mainly associate themselves with such parties to have power and in order to take illegal benefits through wrong means. We have witnessed several classes which causes disturbance in normal schedule and students get terrified too due to such violence.

It has become very necessary to take a severe action against such people who are responsible for discrimination and chaos.

Substitute Career For All

By Tooba Altaf

Everyone knows about the economic crisis and unemployment issue that Pakistan is facing these days. In this regard, University of Karachi is really taking some constructive steps to familiarize its students with some extra skills. It is empowering students with back up profession, either consciously or unconsciously, so that if they fail to deliver in their field they have a substitute to earn their livelihood.

The profession I am talking about is of "Conducting a public bus". Let me elaborate a bit more how UoK is helping its students? If you have ever noticed a UoK point then you will observe a bunch of boys swinging at the rear gate. They always try to reach their destination in such a position (may be they consider it cool). Actually they are the real opportunity gainers who secure double degree from university, one formal (of their respective major) and other informal (of conducting a bus) obviously.

These people have some distinguished qualities as well, like commenting on someone’s clothes, hooting at anyone, or expressing their words of respect at any traffic police constable on their way. After this, I really hope all these people get the opportunity in their respective field otherwise the standard of conductors in public buses is going to worsen.

Girls wait!!! Your hard work will not go in vain. I mean it’s not a joke to travel in a point. After all, you people know the most effective way of convincing others to make a place in a fully loaded bus. In coming years, may be there will be buses for women only, so you will have equal chance to make a bright career.

In the end, it’s really great that Karachi University is foreseeing future. And we all should appreciate the efforts which our university is making for us.

Our hats off to her....hamari topi unke sar

Our hats off to her..... hamari topi unke sar

 by Nabeel Hashmi

Khush hain aaj hum kiunke bane hain SM ki  Aankhon ke taare

Bhayya mehnat apni ho ya tareef kamai ho dusron ke sahare

Kya farqqqq parhta hai chaap liya gar kuch ditto internet se

Right click ker ker ke baqi synonyms to hain hamaareee

I have been left bemused by the shrewdness of some of my class-mates or I should rather call them people studying in my class as I hardly know majority of them. Some of the recent applause, they received from our teacher Ma’am Sadia Mehmood on their blogs were never written by them. Sad isn’t it?

Give me a break, are we here to gather appreciation on the back of copied stuff and immaculate pieces of writing from seniors. I feel pity for those who think “marks guarantee you success”. They forgot the fact that this assistance will only work for a couple of years more, but once they step out of university life no one will be there to help them.  Then, they will realise what have they lost behind because in search of marks they are unconsciously or subconsciously self-stopping their mental growth.

I may not be the most brilliant student of all but I am certainly not the dullest one.  I AM SECOND TO NONE!

Well, I should come out of my self-obsession and talk about the blog thing. I remember, our teacher told us to come up with interesting and controversial topics. Thankfully, this week just like many others I didn’t have to think even for a second on what thing I should write because it can’t get more controversial than plagiarism and cheating with your own teacher...... Jinke Liye aapne tareefon ke qaseede likh diyen hon.

It is far better to explore yourself rather than exploring on search engines like Google or Yahoo.  Looking for help is different than relying solely on help.

Examinations are not too far, everything will be crystal clear “Kon kitney Paani me hai” because neither there will be any internet nor any senior. It would be like icing on a cake if Ma’am Sadia takes cell phones of all students in our terminal because there are students who spend their night before the morning of the paper in writing answers in their mobiles. And those who will be caught even once while cheating will be thrown out of the class to kya hee baat hogi. Then students will go begging to the teacher and that also with a lie that there GP is above 3.4 and they want to maintain that please give me good marks. I have witnessed such pleading in every semester from people who hardly have GP around even 2.4, well, well, well. If the students don’t follow the system, they should never criticize it too as change will only come when an individual understand his or her responsibility.

Jo waqt chala gaya use yaad na kar

Parhna likhna tere bas ki baat nhi

Mehnat kar hasad na kar pyare

Sahafi banna koi Aasaaan baat nhin

Looking into my own pathetic poetry, I would like to highlight the fact that I may not have learnt anything while looking at the media on my television set but I have understand the lessons from Banke Mian’s Qawwalis.

Everything which looks funny is not a joke

I Apologise

On behalf of my whole group I am saying that things written in this blog are so damn true.

If anyone, feel offended by this then I would say Aapke kartoot he aise hain Sudhar jayen

 abhi bhi waqt hai. Furthermore, I want to assure you that if again anyone did anything

 Wrong... Me definitely dubara likhne ki ghustakhi karunga.

Examination Melodrama

By Syeda Zehra

 

An examination room can be an interesting place to observe. You might find these precious 3 hours of anxiety filled with striking experiences specially in University of Karachi.

As the examination drama starts, beware if you stand among those students who are studious enough to solve their paper themselves, you will be bombarded by greetings as you step in your department by the most unexpected and unfamiliar faces asking you to help them during paper.

These formerly discussed “newly-born best buddies” of yours will not even spare you in the examination hall. They will request you to sit around them which is by the way equivalent to a suicide attempt because they will keep on yakking and asking the most stupid questions and ignoring them is just not a ‘Bliss’.

Once you look around, you may find some of your fellows not to mention “guys” passing smiles to each other. God knows what on earth makes them so happy but soon you too will realize that they fall in the category that waits for the ‘Ghaybee Imdaad’ (divine assistance).

Some students follow the tradition of sneaking in others answer sheets but it is quite old fashioned when modern means like cell phones and not to forget the all the time famous “pharra’s” (micro) are available.

After the first hour, the unnoticeable invigilator will rise from the corner being tired of issuing fruitless instructions to the stubborn students. He will start playing his part in the drama and keeps on moving the students from one seat to another like he is shuffling a deck of cards.

Last but not the least you will notice the famous “Khudaai Fojdaars and Bhai’s” sighting like an eid-ul -fitr moon during exams sitting outside the class on a comfy sofa waiting for a solved question paper to be delivered to them. Do not worry! Its just a matter of game, name and fame.

The curtain drops and the drama is over as the scheduled time ends. Hats off if you become successful in solving your paper amidst this melodrama.

THE STORY OF A LEAKING ROOF..

By Ifrah Ali Khan

Once upon a time, in the Karachi university, existed a department, "like no other". NO! NO! it was not the name of the department but yes could be considered as its second most name. The most traveled one, the most tiring one and yes the most sophisticated one. Completely cut off from the rest of the university happenings. Under the blue sky, surrounded by the clusters of greenery, was a department called Mass Communication.

No doubt, the building was referred to as one of the beautiful buildings of the entire Karachi university. Made with the usual cement and bricks, there was another material used in its construction and that was glass. And only the usage of glass had made that department look quite unique from the rest of the departments of the university. Cut in the triangular style, supporting the rest of the structure of the building, they always gave a different look to the department. Used in the walls and more beautifully and artistically on the roof, those glasses made department look so pure!

Students of the department enjoyed the beauty to the fullest until they came to know a fact regarding the glassed roof, i would rather say a "truth"  because as it is said that, " the truth is more important than facts".

It happened in June July for the first time when the thoughts of the students regarding the structure of the department slightly twisted. June July are the months of rains and so it rained. But the strangeness crossed the limits when the students came to know about the leaking part of their department - the leaking roof. As it was raining outside, just with a slighter intensity. it was raining inside the department as well. The scene really disappointed the students as they were unable to shelter themselves under their OWN ROOF! and how could they!? As per their knowledge regarding the department, it was completely a new thing to them that their so-called "Good" department's roof lacked the ability to resist rains. Students not only suffered due to the leaking roof but also faced the unhygienic conditions due to the stagnant water inside the department.

The causative agent behind the whole scenario was unknown. Guessed as if it was due to the improper fixation of the glasses or might be because of the gaps between the glasses. No matter whatever the reason was, once and for all the roof was made with great expenses and so the story of the leaking roof continued.............   

Cut your calories..

By Hurma Khan.

If you are slim and smart without doing any thing, its a blessing no doubt because once you put on some weight it is hard to put it off. You have to go through strict diet plans ( with patience while keeping your hands off from your favourite eatables) tiring exercises and brisk walks ( that are too time consuming especially for professionals and household women, who have to extract extra time from their tough routine). But how would you like if you do nothing and your weight remains stable (smiling ??) yes! it is possible if you are a student of "Karachi University" that offers you to easily burn 100 or more calories a day.

• 

Our new dept of Mass Communication is situated near the rear gate of the university. If one starts to walk from Silver Jubilee to the Mass Comm dept, his/her stamina ends reaching the door of the department but as practice makes a man perfect and experience makes him master, eventually one gets use to it.

Its an agony especially for the students of 1st nd 2nd year, who have to walk twice or even thrice a day to take their subsidiary classes in arts lobby, thus for their convenience they do take precautionary measures, so you will find students wearing shoes instead of slippers, wearing sun shades, putting on sun block, holding umbrellas and taking lifts and rickshaws.

Two years ago when I joined KU my body mass was 45kg but thanks to the long routes of KU and to the dept I belong i.e Mass Communication, my body mass has decreased to 41kg.

Many of relative aunts used to ask me, Dear! you were already slim and day by day you are getting more thinner, why? I smiled and answered them, its because I am the student of Karachi University and my department is one of the farthest department of KU.
One of my aunt who is worried about her obesity and wants to put off some weight, I always give her a kind suggestion to join KU, by the end of your masters program it will be a pleasure for you when u take a degree as a smart student.

So if u really like my advice,get yourself enrolled in KU and start exercising your calf muscles, believe me its the best way to cut your calories...

Gym-Khana

By Saniya Khan

When walking from the Silver Jubilee gate towards the Pharmacy department,on your way you'll happen to find an ancient structure which at first will give you the impression of an old rusty building whose door on opening will make a creaking sound....Except, that the door will not make a creaking sound because it's always open so you can enter like a king in the Gymnasium of Karachi University.

Your sight needs a little adjustment when you step in the gym as it's a bit dark in there because a little sunlight from the muddy windows and few electric lights cannot properly illuminate the big hall.

On right hand there is a chamber where fitness machines have been put for the fitness freaks,so what if the fitness machines are a little outdated they have still kept the name of the place.

And then there is an All-purpose hall, which on regular days serves as a play area for badminton,table-tennis,cricket,yes all in one place because there is no sectioning done in the hall according to the sports,and then occasionally it is turned into an exhibition hall and all the book fairs and fun fairs are held in there.

While being there and waiting for your turn to grab a tennis or a badminton racquet as soon as it gets free you can amuse yourself by watching the pigeons visiting their fellow pigeons from one nest to another and flapping their wings when greeting each other on the high rise windows of the gym.

In all a little restructuring and updating of the Gymnasium can do the trick but due to the recent cut in the funds provided to the University this seems difficult,but we must never loose hope.

Funds blockage cause restless nights for Dr. Pirzada Qasim

By Nabeel Hashmi

When the government announced that universities should manage running the institutions on their own and no funds would be further allocated to them, Vice Chancellors of universities across the country were shell-shocked.

The initiative by the government may be the result of the roles of universities in verifications of degrees of politicians in transparent manner. For the first time the universities did some thing good but it backfired badly.

Well, one shouldn’t be that surprised by the reaction of finance minister as it was on the cards. But, what really excites me is the thing what will happen if government orders the audit of Karachi University.

 

The VC of Karachi University should not over react on the funds issue as the same inquiry action could be thrust upon his dealings and distribution of previous funds.

The Karachi University in one of the biggest educational institution of the country, millions and millions of rupees are sanctioned to meet the demands of the students, teachers, staff etc.

Only Allah knows how much corruption has been done by the administration from years just for their individual benefits and to fulfill their never ending lust for money. Still their hunger for money is no way nearer to end here and they are planning to increase the fees of students. Whatever the issue may be but always the students have to suffer due to problems of educational institutions.

 

Manners anyone????

By Suzanna Sardar Masih


Last week while trying to get to my first class of the day I came across an extremely disturbing scene. At the check post the security lady as usual was shouting at the top of her lungs “apna apna id card nikal len” at all the girls passing through the narrow opening between the makeshift barriers. That is nothing new ofcourse, this is the daily routine for the students of the University of Karachi, but what followed next was absolutely shocking to say the least.

Out of nowhere the security lady grabbed a girl out of the line and pushed her to the side so hard that she nearly fell on the floor, all the time shouting “apna card nikal len kab se keh rahi hun….. phir hamen daant parti hai”. The poor girl and all the people around just looked at her in shocked surprise while she continued her ranting. Being guilty of not having a university issued ID card myself and dreading the same fate ever I quietly slipped out of the line and continued on my way to my department. All the while wondering does that behaviour suit an employee of the biggest public sector university in Pakistan.

I can understand that with the current condition of the city, security personnel have to be extra careful and watchful of their charge, but to humiliate a student like that is just unacceptable. Especially when usually it is not the students fault that they do not have an ID card. The respective authorities fail to issue cards to students on time and when the student highlights the issue he or she is sent on a wild goose chase to the various Admins and departments involved in the process. I myself have had this experience of chasing after people for my ID card all year long in the first year and I am still without one!

Its not just the lower level staff that behave so indifferently with the students even the clerical staff and the office personnel show such apathy towards the students problems that we tend to avoid them altogether unless it is absolutely necessary. What happened that day was completely unasked for, Im not saying that students are perfect innocent angels all the time I am only asking that they deal with us in a more humane manner. It is all about give respect and take respect.

Mongrel standards in university of Karachi ...

By Fahad Ullah Dar.

Woh jo Bantay they Dawa-e-dil, Gham ki dukan saja gaye....

Beginning with such a big name University of Karachi having more than 23,000 regular students enrolled in different courses but still with this huge population we are still unable to sort out our minor issue’s and we have to roam around the political students and entreating them to get our work done, am still unable to find the answer; are we vilest or they are superior? This question will be always unsolvable and its like the unknown assassinator who kills but the government is always unable to find like we are always unable to find the answers of our questions from the authorities.

Lets start from the morning; entering in university. I go to university by a Taxi everyday in the morning and the path to enter is the Maskan gate which is nearer  to my Mass communication department but after moving a bit from the gate there is a big check post located where you will find the security personels and the government security too (Rangers) for the security purpose and everyone has to stop here except the few who are my question marks; who are they and why aren’t they been stopped? But as always “bhae humein kya pata , yeh hamara kaam nahin aap unse aur phir woh kahein gay unse” and the mystery will remain the same , lets go back to the check post again and on the first day I was too stopped for no reason I was looking good like a gentlemen and quite presentable but still I was stopped and I saw people going in without being stopped and what they were doing was that they just slow down the speed say hello, hi , salaam and then bhuummm bhuumm shooooo , but in last due to my polite way begging him ‘let me enter in’, made my taxi go in and I think the Pathan security wala allowed me for another reason too :p

Well jokes apart, it’s not just the morning issues that instigate me to write on this issue though I know am not going to make a big difference but to myself at least I will, because my soul will not be in peace with out asking, why didn’t I? instead of knowing that this is somehow wrong. I don’t blame the people here but the authorities for it who made us think that we are vilest but somehow a few of the students too are responsible because they want a shortcut for everything and for that they use these political students and from here all this starts.

If the university authorities were good at management without being bias , the system would have been more better, having low ratio of complains but the issues don’t stop here and the list is getting bigger and bigger day by day.

Seriously museum..

By Maham Tanveer..

"The Foundation Stone Of The Zoological Laboratories Of The University Of Karachi Was Laid By His Majesty Dr. Muhammad Zahir Shah, King Of Afghanistan, on Wednesday 5th of February 1958" is the introductory stone at enterance, possibly placed on 5th February 1958, its condition tells. These zoological leboratories were then transformed into a museum - "when" was not told by the attendant during survey as he said that all information is carried by (ever absent) superwiser. This museum is located in Department of Zoology, with Marine Reference Collection and Research Centre at right side and Botany Department at left side.

Containers of insects are placed in the enterance pessage with labelled diagrams too. Inside, museum is divided into 3 parts with reptiles and amphibians at one side, invertebrates at other and basement carries mammals, birds and eggs. One thing I must identify is that the total beauty of museum is in its variety of species and beautiful collection of soft feathery birds to glittering butterflies, animals far from common eye to really horrible creatures of forests. The museum holds real quality of its creepiness as my friend did comment at enterance "EEewww"... Another good thing is the plastic models of organs or systems etc for better understanding.

With so much adorable collection, I am delightful to say that there is applaudable management to maintain the museum. Many glass containers are broken or forcefully held together with elfy. The containers are hazy with dirt or whatever but one would be incompetent to see the stuff inside. Some bottoms are also broken.

There is cleanliness issue too. The vases are used as dustbins with even betel-leaf spittles. The unfortunate crocodile's mouth contains wrappers of Tulsi, Panpasand, Century etc. I am doubtful if the dead and preserved crocodile loves betel-nuts or it might be done by those mischeivious spiders living in corners of walls :P

There is problem of insufficient lighting too. I would appreciate it if they have done it for the sake of "Save Electricity Scheme" as I have not seen the practicality of this scheme anywhere else in KU. Another problem is of absent name cards but..... hats off to all management team.

And now comes the most stunning problem - the security issue. The big whale jaw of about nine or ten feet is standing with support of wall and other head bones are placed in succession. We comfortably entered the office as there was no one to stop us and _____ and keys of locked shelves were "very safely" placed on the office table. Anyone is able to damage the museum property or even carry away anything in bags. There is a store type of place too where chemicals are placed unlocked - many must be very expensive - again anyone can steal them.

I think this is the duty of Zoology students to appeal for better management or voluntarily work for maintaining the museum but I am doubtful that they even visit these so called laboratories. They have a precious property __ if they care!!!!

Welcome to The Department of Mass Communication.....

By Sharjeel Ali Khan

 

When one enters into the department of Mass Communication, there are a lot of check posts which a person has to pass through, to reach the class room.

First comes a table, which is placed on the left hand side, right at the entrance of the department, having a bunch of people sitting or standing by it. Crossing them at the angle of 90 degree, there are a couple of benches at the back door of the department where at least 10 to 15 students are always sitting, gossiping, or playing Ludo.

On the right side, there is a Photostate shop which is never seen empty.  Groups of students are always hanging around screaming somethings like, “MERA PEHLE SET BANADEIN… H.I KA HANDOUT HAI 2^ND YEAR KA? … MADAM ASMAT ARA NE PHOTOSTATE KE LIAY KUCH RAKHWAYA HAI KIA?”, etc.

On the left side, there is a small canteen with a person standing there, well known to each and every student of the dept,  "Abdul Bhai". The Stairs adjacent to the canteen look like a part of it most of the time or place for tea. Students are often scolded by the teachers especially Fauzia Jaffery and Sadia mehmood not to sit there.


There is a backyard too. It is also another place of gossiping and students use to sit there when they are in mood to bunk their classes. It is a vast empty land, which looks something like an "African Savvanah".  This place also serves as a parking lot area where teachers and some students park their cars.  In the morning, most of the adventurous ones (especially girls) go for a walk in the pet jungle but nowadays they are afraid of due to wild craetures which are found there due to over grown grass....

L.E.J.

By Tooba Altaf

Long walks to departments, not so peaceful environment of libraries, overgrown greenery, point problems, political culture, cleanliness issues and what not. Enough of the negativity about Karachi University though it is reality. Now let me share with you a bit of positive side of our very own Karachi University.

So, here is what I am going to talk about ? L.E.J. formally known as Latif Ebrahim Jamal National Science Information Centre. It has a lot of features like video lectures, video conferencing and a digital library.



But obviously the most appealing is the digital library. One can have access to a very fast internet system for free. All you need to do is to enroll yourself and get a card. Then you can do your all surfing and stuff in a fully air conditioned room.
They have a highly organized system. You need to deposit your bag at the entrance and then show your card before entering the main building.

There is a very spacious prayer area as well but only for men. Another best thing is the water filter. A board is hung on the wall near filter which tells you when the filter has been changed. The washrooms are exceptionally clean; I guess the cleanest washrooms in whole of Karachi University for students.

But there are some draw backs as well like it is situated at a very distant place so it consumes a lot of energy to reach there. Usually, near semester end, it is over flooded with students who themselves are over loaded by the assignment pressure so it is really tough to get a place at that time. There is no proper prayer area for girls.

And the saddest part is that our very Facebook addict youth is mostly found with their Facebook logged in which is not right to do. If there is a facility then it should not be misused.

Strange Wilderness

By Syeda Zehra

For all those who are adventurous, thrill seekers and nature lovers, a visit to University of Karachi (UoK) is a must once in a life time. Imagine thousands of acres of land with shrubs and greenery all over the place and strange animals. Creatures that are not only different by appearance but also have unexpectedly weird characteristics.

UoK is famous for squirrels, running all over the place. They live on giant trees. Observing them is a delightful experience. You may find them in the PG (Prem Gali) munching leftovers one moment and the other moment they are gone.
Early in the morning you might hear the sweet and unrecognizable chirping of birds that you have never seen or heard of. I once saw a bird that was somehow a cross between a dove and a crow by appearance.
There are cats that are slightly different from the ones found in the rest of the city. The reason is whether you shout at them, throw things at them or run; they will keep on staring at you or sometimes start following you, Pretty hard for those who have cat phobia (chuckles).
The most mysterious and hard to believe creature is found inside the ‘jungle’ behind the department of Mass Communication. A giant lizard referred as ‘a Komodo dragon’ by the students of the department is very famous.
The butterfly lovers should also visit the place because butterflies are not a rare sight in UoK along with various bugs. The recent monsoon rains have added thousands of frogs croaking all the way.
University of Karachi is indeed a place with diversity not only in academics but also in wild life.

What’s the time!!!

By Hurma Khan

“Time is money”, very funny! No one can deny the importance of time in our daily lives. When it comes to educational institutions, it becomes mandatory for students to be punctual about their class timings, exam schedule etc.

As students step in the department of mass communication right in front of the entrance glass door, one can see the only wall clock welcoming them and that also with inaccurate time. Not only this, the clock is so small in size considering the size of the hall of department that it is very hard to view it from a little faraway. There is a need to place a new big size clock so that it can become for people to view the timings.

Several class rooms in the University of Karachi are deprived of clocks and the teachers have to ask students, “What is the time or how much time is left”. The negligence of pupils needs by the administration is alright but at least they should take steps to facilitate the teachers with respect.

 

The inappropriate clock timing dilemma has left me fuming several times as I have missed my points due to error-stricken clock of our department. I wish sooner or later the wall clocks in the university will either be placed or replaced for the easiness of students keeping in mind the problems they have to face because of this issue.  

CLEANLINESS, THAT'S ALL WE NEED!

BY IFRAH ALI KHAN
According to a hadith of Prophet (S.A.W.W), "Cleanliness is half faith". Means if a Muslim is observing cleanliness, he/she is done with half faith. Now one can imagine as to how much cleanliness is important for every Muslim. Here cleanliness not only means keeping oneself tidy e.g having baths twice a day, changing clothes everyday etc but it also means keeping ones surrounding healthy and clean. Just keeping oneself neat and tidy isn't enough, one should keep his/her environment clean too.

The reason behind sharing such sentences is to make one aware of the cleanliness issues that we suffer as the students of Mass Communication department.

As one looks at the building from outside can claim that it is the most tidiest department (as it gives such impression) but the inside story is only restricted to those who study under that roof.


There are various elements that contributes towards the unhygienic condition of the department. The very first and the foremost element/people responsible for it are our sweepers. Now here is a need to mention the number of sweepers we have and that is......... two! YES! only two sweepers deal with the cleaning thingy at the department. Now one can have a very clear idea as to why we suffer with cleanliness issues.
 


The two efficient sweepers of our department are the V.I.P'S in my eyes. They enter the department just when it is the time for the students to get start with their classes. I mean there is no difference in the arrival timings of the sweepers and students!

Now lets discuss the invisible work that our sweepers do. Why invisible?? because according to them they do but isn't seen by anyone! One can find a lot of trash on the stairs, corners, classes and corridors of the department. The condition of the washrooms is just too pathetic. (REMEMBER! here i am only pointing at the girl's washrooms). One can find a tons of usual  trash that includes bundles of used tissues, hair clips, wrapper of food items etc. I simply don't get the point of taking/eating the food stuff in the washrooms!

Then again one can find a huge number of spiderwebs in every corner of the department, including the classes as well.
If one looks at the backyard of the department can see the useless wood cuttings, hard boards, broken water coolers, wood cards and a lot more things. These things not only occupy the useful spaces but also provide the shelter to many dangerous reptiles and insects.


Having this truth intact that our sweepers are few and the work is more, one cannot neglect the role of students in this regard. The sweepers alone cannot be blamed for the unhealthy environment because the students too takes part in spreading the litter around. The students are the actual "litter louts" who throws anything/everything just anywhere! They fully avoid using bins, contributing immensely towards the dirty atmosphere.

This issue can only be resolved through an increment in the number of sweepers in the department, plus! the students stops being  the litter louts and starts using the dust bins.

Go Green!!!

About 100 feets ( or it can be more) from the well known Pharmacy department in the most vacant area of the University of Karachi you will find the Mass Communication department which nowadays is giving the impression that it has suddenly emerged from the midst of the "Greenland",though it was definitely constructed well before this land became a Greenland.

This sudden outburst of greenery around the department after the recent monsoon rains came as a blessing for those who usually dont wear coat shoes and cherish taking a walk around the department in the scorching sunlight, as once you start walking in the grass your feet become invisible due to the thickness of the grass, so now no one needs to worry about their feet's getting tanned, but be careful! whether sunlight reaches your feet or not thorns and bushes can definitely give scratches to your feet.

This wild grass has provided the insects with a breeding ground and sooner or later rare species of insects will be seen in and around the department instead of household insects...I wonder when the National Geographic team is going to come in search of the worlds most rare insects found only in the GreenLands of Mass Communication department.


There is surely one thing on which no one can argue,and that is the fertile land of the Mass Communication department, and its not just the land which is fertile but the stairs leading to the back of department are equally arable, doesnt matter if they are broken or have never been constructed at all, you can see bunch of grass growing on its steps and this is all that matters! Doesn't it?


If the green situation continued like this then that day is'nt far when herdsmen long with their cattles will come and turn the ground into a grazing land.

DASTAAN-E- RESEARCH FORMS

By Maham Tanveer

“Research form” is one of the mocking techniques planned by KU admin of “forms diaspora”. You FACE different types of forms during KU journey including admission forms – once, fee forms – per semester, objection forms – every time you resolve the objection out but what about these research forms???

You will face these forms while solving math questions, chatting or possibly fighting with your friend, trying to sleep in point or even trying to cross a KU road. I have filled these forms with yellow, orange, red, purple markers just to avoid same questionnaires from same students again and again but in vain!!! It is also not their fault indeed. These are provided by their respective teachers who formulate these in initials of their teaching careers and are well-aware of the results too. Everyone knows the “just-to-fulfill-formality” of these forms but who is going to explain teachers about this?? And I really don’t understand that what is the reason behind assigning a research form to a second semester minor student????

Anyway, if I were to prepare a research form about KU, my form may look like this:

1. Why did you choose KU?

1. You were desperate
2. You are desperate
3. You wanted to be desperate
4. Apki mat mari gaye thi.

2. What do you think, is there a conspiracy that when you go to university, the teacher does not come and when you don’t go, the teacher comes?

1. yes
2. no
3. may be
4. I don’t know

3. How many hours do you play indoor games in university premises daily?

1. 2 hours
2. 3 hours
3. 6 hours
4. Whole day long

4. Which game do you prefer to play?

1. UNO
2. Cards
3. Luddo
4. Truth or dare
5. Some other game

5. Why do you prefer this game?

1. because you think you are genius enough
2. because you think others fool
3. some other reason

6. What is the best quality to push others in point?

1. over-weighed
2. persistent
3. use of elbow techniques

7. What is the reason that outsiders enter the university premises so easily?

1. Because check post aunty wear black glasses
2. Because check post aunty wear red lipstick
3. Because check post aunty is always busy in setting her hair style

8. Do you think that new teachers tremble while teaching while old ones tease the students?

1. yes
2. no
3. may be
4. I don’t know

And now comes the stupid most question!!

9. Do you think that this form will complete my research?

1. Yes
2. No
3. May be
4. I don’t know

I am leaving my piece incomplete because I want my friends to add their questions via their comments in this research form J

What a Plan and What development greatttttttt

By Nabeel Hashmi

I would like to share this inside story with all the students of university of Karachi that the department of planning and development is following the footsteps of our Pakistan cricket team or I should rather say that our cricket team is following the footsteps of officials of KU, in both cases one word define them perfectly “ CORRUPT ”.
Planning and development officials had sanctioned five million rupees for construction of a squash court and development of Valika cricket ground into a grassy field with a turf pitch which is in front of the pharmacy department.
It’s a pity that funds of 3.8 million rupees were approved for the cricket ground and only God knows where have they spend that sum because the ground present a picture of land with wild grass that only grew due to the recent monsoon rains. The curator who is working on the development of the ground is the same man who turned the deserted piece of land in NED University into a lush green stadium.
When I asked him about the final sum which was spent on NED’s field his answer left me bemused. Astoundingly only 1.1 million rupees were spent and that ground is ten times better than the Valika cricket ground of KU.
Not only this they had a task of building a squash court as well and what an excellent eight wonder of the world they have build. A squash court understandably supposed to be an indoor game but the eight wonder has no roof. When I saw that court I couldn’t stop laughing for minutes.
The system in our society is weak but one should not only blame that system to be corrupt its a responsibility of individuals to stand up against the challenge without sacrificing on their characters.

Thori si toh lift karaden

By Suzanna Sardar Masih


For the thousands of students studying in the University of Karachi the title would evoke memories of all the instances in their life on campus when they would have had to ask a passing vehicle for a lift to the gate, Arts Lobby, Pharmacy or various other spots on campus premises. The wide expanse of the university can be tiring for students to cover on foot as they try to get to and from their major to minor classes. The absence of a proper transport system within the varsity leaves students no choice but to take lifts from private vehicles plying the university roads.

Taking a lift is a very common activity in KU; in fact some might argue that your experience of KU life is incomplete without it. Having been studying here for almost two years now, I have become quite familiar with the process and have compiled a list of the kind of lifters (the nice men and women who are kind enough to give us a lift) many of us may have encountered.

The helpful souls
These people would see you standing by the road in the burning heat with your arm outstretched, they would take pity on you, stop, and ask you to hop on.

The chatty types
As soon as you are in the car they would start bombarding you with tonnes of questions about where you study what your subjects are and all topics under the sun. You have to be careful with what you talk about with them or else you might just get out of the car with them knowing everything from your family background to the last time you vaccinated your cat!

The at-your-service-ma’am types
This usually is a guy or a couple of guys who seem to be driving around the university all day long just to help damsel or rather damsels in distress. He would stop, give u a huge smile ask where you want to go and just happen to be very conveniently going the same way. Well even if he isn’t he says he will manage so whose complaining.

The wont-stop-at-any-cost type
This particular person would see you from a distance and realizing what you are upto would push the accelerator even faster and speed past you without a second glance. Sometimes they might glance at you with an apologetic look but that could very well be your imagination running wild.

The maybe-if-I-ignore-them-they-will-disappear type
A variant of the above kind this particular uncle or auntie would just pretend you are not there. You might be stretching your arm out as far as it can go, you might be wearing the heaviest chunkiest shiniest most reflective bangles out there, you might even be standing in the middle of the road but of course they cant see you ignorance is bliss remember.

The Nascar driver
You start cursing yourself as soon as you get in this particular persons car. The driver extraordinaire will drive at breakneck speed will brake abruptly and consider driving straight on a perfectly straight road an insult to his talent of snaking through traffic only he can see. By the time you get out your stomach is taking twists and turns of its own so good luck keeping that paratha you ate for breakfast down.

The Ok I'll stop...... yeah right type
This sweet person would drive towards you slow down to a stop a few steps ahead of you and as soon as you walk up to get in he will push the accelerator and drive away snickering (yeah very mature!) leaving you uttering a series of things I wouldn’t want to mention here.

The music lover
This person would be listening to the latest music (read Bollywood music) with speakers at full blast and feels obligated to refine your taste in music or perhaps ruin you eardrums or both. Reminds me of a time when a bunch of us girls got in car without realizing the obscene English song playing in the background. To our utter embarrassment the guy turned up the volume and we had to look away from each other for fear of laughing out at the shock on our faces. Thankfully that passed quickly.


All in all the KU lift experience is an entertaining if not educating experience. Try it and find out.