Insights

Muslim astronomers inherited much of their learning from the Ancient Greeks. This included the geocentric theory about the Universe. The geocentric model could be used to explain the apparent movement of the sun and stars and to make accurate predictions In the world of Mathematics, Islamic mathematicians built further on the works of Greek, Indian, Persian and Chinese mathematicians. Islamic mathematicians were keen in comprehending different number systems and developed algebra and geometry which was important in architecture. Al-Razi He was a skilled surgeon who has the record of composing the largest medical encyclopedia. His relentless research helped in explaining the nature of several diseases. He made a breakthrough by finding a treatment for kidney stones and was renowned for his immense study of chicken pox and smallpox. Al-Razi was the first to use opium as anesthesia. Also, he developed many surgical tools. Ibn Sina The famous scientist recognized...

There comes a special time in a sportsperson's life when they are at the peak of their form and skill, nothing seems unassailable. They have seen it all, been there, experienced the international cricket pressure and now it is their time to stun the world with their innate brilliance. The 36-year-old Irfan who hasn't played for Pakistan from last two years, out of nowhere managed to bowl the most economical spell in the history of T20 cricket by just conceding one run! He got two crucial wickets including T20's boss Chris Gayle's prized scalp who had no answer to Irfan's hostile pace and immaculate accuracy. There were 23 dots and three maidens in the spell of his life while playing for his side 'Barbados Tridents' in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Many balls went past the edge as batsmen failed to make contact with the ball for the most part of his stunning spell. St Kitts and Nevis Patriots' batsmen had a torrid time, looking like a bunch of...

After these recent controversial elections culminated in a long-awaited win for Imran Khan's PTI, the new Prime Minister has made many tall claims and set very ambitious goals in his first address to the public. There are many obstacles in Khan's way in his pursuit of bringing radical changes in an inherently slow-moving constitutional democracy. There is no doubt about Khan's sincerity and will to execute his plans but does he have concrete plans and policies and more importantly does he have enough skillful, competent, capable minds and experts in his arsenal to get the job done? First criticism towards PTI's cabinet is the presence of faces who were part of General Musharaf's regime or who had been on the frontline for PPP and PMLN. This does not bode well for the #NayaPakistan rhetoric that Imran Khan had been using religiously over the years. It will be wishful thinking to expect any revolutionary reforms under the command of these familiar politicians. In thi...

Do you think that there may be senses which do not necessarily receive information only from the environment, but rather from within us as well? (For example, how do you sense that you are hungry? If you hold your breath, which sense 'senses' that you need air? How do you sense the need for belonging?)   - Why? Do you think that the definition of sensation needs to be expanded? a) We can expand the concept of conventional 5 main broad senses to a wide range of senses after close inspection and by giving it a deeper thought. The example highlighted in the discussion forum question about feelings of hunger is linked with digestive system, the cravings or hunger pans are due to stomach (a muscular bag) contractions and the subsequent activity in the pituitary gland releasing the appropriate hormones. All bodily systems are wined up together and all activities themselves give rise to new senses. The sense of emotion, getting those goose bumps or feeling sympathy upon recallin...

Sparta was indeed a very brutal dictatorial state based on aristocracy and oligarchy in its purest form. It proved to be the best example of cruel dictatorship for the following many military regimes like Hitler’s Nazi Army. It was not a democracy. A dual king monarch were present hailing from legendary tribes and they were always chosen regardless of their caliber, capability or any form of vote-but solely on the fact of ancestral roots. Furthermore, there were Ephors, which originally were three in number, later they were five, along with the higher assembly just like the modern Senate called ‘Guresia’ which was comprised of 60 year or above senior citizens who would play a very major role in judicial, foreign policy and military organization decisions along with ephors/magistrates. Guresia, basically was the legislative assembly; law making duty was assigned to them which was only based on the warrior state making agenda, rather than the aspirations of all Spartans, helots an...

I believe education is right rather than privilege for the affording class only, education is the key to almost every issue, the failure of education spread has lead to the failure of Pakistan state to achieve its potential since 1947. Pakistan is not looking committed to raise its education budget, which is equal to the money spent on building few flyovers and bridges in Lahore alone by the present PMLn government. (geo news  bulletin  report, 7-2-2014). The negligible budget allocated is also mismanaged; administrative incapacity has allowed corruption to thrive. Consequently, high rates of adult illiteracy, gender and regional disparities, and uncoordinated public, private and religious systems of education. In South Asia, only Afghanistan is lagging behind Pakistan, therefore the country is barely prepared to cope with the challenges faced by one of the most populous country in the world with majority of Youth Population. Moreover curricular reform of Madaris is als...