Things that people like me have learned over the years have been beautifully jotted down by Omer B. Washington
I've learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them. I've learned that no matter how much I care, some people just don't care back. And it's not the end of the world. I've learned that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it. I've learned that it's not what you have in your life, but who you have in your life that counts. I've learned that you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes. After that, you'd better know something.
I've learned that you shouldn't compare yourself to the best others can do, but to the best you can do. I've learned that it's not what happens to people, It's what they do about it. I've learned that no matter how thin you slice it, there are always two sides. I've learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them. I've learned that you can keep going long after you think you can't.
I've learned that heroes are the people who do what has to be done When it needs to be done regardless of the consequences. I've learned that there are people who love you dearly, but just don't know how to show it. I've learned that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel. I've learned that true friendship continues to grow even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love. I've learned that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.
I've learned that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that. I've learned that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself. I've learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn't stop for your grief. I've learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become. I've learned that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean that they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.
I've learned that sometimes you have to put the individual ahead of their actions. I've learned that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different. I've learned that no matter the consequences, those who are honest with themselves get farther in life. I've learned that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you. I've learned that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.
I've learned that writing, as well as talking, can ease emotional pains. I've learned that the people you care most about in life are taken from you too soon. I've learned that it's hard to determine where to draw the line between being nice and not hurting people's feelings and standing up for what you believe. I've learned to love and be loved. I've learned...
As far back as I can remember, I was afraid of cats. Those fluffy little things that millions adore. But I was terrified of them. Their presence caused me absolute terror.But God gave me these wonderful cats which came in my life four years back whom i have ignored throughout my college life, without even realizing how much caring they were. Fluffies, you might be mad at me for being such a bad and self-obsessed friend who has never been there for you.As you know, I was trapped somewhere and now i have set myself free.Today, i am there for my lovely dovely fluffy cats out there for all the talks and gossiping because you are the ones whom i eventually need in my life. Here's the modified version of Mr.Fluffy Cat's poem for my sweethearts.
Fluffy, the day you were on my life's board From that moment on, you are the one I adore. 4 years of fond memories have passed, My love for you will always last.
You are the best friend I have ever had, You are always there for me when I am sad. There is not much you ask in return, Yet, from you, so much I learn.
You have taught me to laugh and smile, To be sensitive to your meows when you haven't seen me in a while. To realize that people like you too are family, But most of all, to love what surrounds me.
I cannot imagine my life without you my friend, But to think you will always be with me, I can not pretend. We have an understanding between us that will never die, Even after you must say goodbye.
You make my life so worthwhile, Through your purrs you make me smile. So let us give cheers, Baby, its been great to spend some beautiful and meaningful years.
NUCES Karachi is holding a Global Entrepreneurship Day on November 19th, 2008 at the Auditorium of NUCES Karachi, Main Campus.
All students, faculty, staff, NUCES-Alumni, companies, colleges and other universities are welcomed & encouraged to attend the event.
Important:
Attendees external to NUCES should register themselves through sending an email to sami.ullah@nu.edu.pk, with the following details before Nov 18th, 2008, 2 p.m.
Note: If multiple members are coming from the same organization, their head can register via a single email with the list of people coming from that organization.
Someone sent me the following email.I am blogging his words as i know all my male friends out there would like to read such a thing.So, pardon girls for this highly chauvinist post ;)
In general, men are looking first for physical attraction at a woman. Many of them consider that if she is beautiful and well dressed, its the perfect partner they are looking for. But they don't know that behind this appearance its hiding something worst.
Maybe this happened to you too. After you began a relationship with her you found out that she is not exactly what you want and what you expect. She hurt you and dumped you when you last expected. Many men are chasing after a woman who lied them and used them. But, in order to stop this, you should know from the beginning which types of girls you should avoid for to not be hurt again.
Desperate girl
-it is the type of the girl who spend all her life laid out, looking for a perfect life, and suddenly she discover that she gets old and she doesn't get married yet because she hasn't met the perfect man for her
-she wants desperately to get married no matter who the guy is or what he does
-she is pressed by the time and is ready to marry with a jerk as long as he has marriage material
-watch out because if you marry one of this, you have to spend the rest of your life with her
Materialistic girl
-usually is good looking and well dressed
-is looking very well outside but inside it is a bunch of money hungry taker
-she is looking all the time after boys which are staying very well with their wallet
-she expects that a man should finance her entire life just because she is biologically female
-she is very friendly, nice at the beginning but after some time you'll see that no matter how much you give her, she wants more
-she is greed personified
-she is interested only in what she wants and not others feelings
-stay away from this kind of girl because she will dumped you after she spend all your money
Angry girl
-she is the type of the girl which sees life like a battle
-anything what is happening or is told to her is seen as a insult at her address
-has also a bad opinion about man, sees only the wrong sides of a man
-she is always upset and angry
-usually she likes to take out of context everything what is said to her and to interpret the words like she wants
-you don't have any future with her, she has a simmering anger at men which can explode at any moment
Insecure girl
-she is very nice and treats men very well
-but she suffers by frustration
-is wracked by anxiety about making the wrong decision
-she has to think twice about what to do, what to wear, where to go, what to eat
-she needs constant reassurance that she's attractive and worries incessantly
Stupid girl
-this type of girl likes to speak a lot but she doesn't say nothing smart
-she likes to say always gossips about the others, but when you want to talk something important with her, she is not able to make conversation
Uptown girl
-she is very rich
-everything she has is better than yours and she wants to make sure that you know it
-she only dates the best of best
-is entirely focused on herself
-she is very selfish, self-indulgent grown up as '' daddy's little girl''
-needs to be constant center of attention no matter what she does or where she goes
Childish girl
-everything in life hurts this kind of girl
-is the type of girl who cries a lot, every innocent comment or criticism will upset her
-avoid this kind of girl because if you are dating one you will have to spend all the time apologizing even if you didn't make any mistake
-avoid also long term relationship with her because she is capable of suicide if you want to leave her and all the blame will be thrown on yourself
Elusive girl
-is the type of girl who is afraid to start a relationship
-she might be hurt in a past relationship and so subconsciously avoids or sabotages new relationships in the present
-she look interested at the beginning but after a while she runs away
-is the type of girl who likes to send mixed messages so you'll never understand her
Talking girl
-it is a big difference between somebody who is able to make good conversation and have sense of humor , and somebody who always have to make a comment about everything
-it is the type which is very hard to please and always has to say something about everything is happening or speaking around her
Romantic girl
-this lives in her own world, of movies and romance novels
-she is very dreamy, imagining things, expecting Prince Charming to come after her
-she doesn't know how the real world is
-she was grown with the idea that she is a princess
Dragger girl
-this kind of girl will always make you feel bad even there is no reason to feel that
-it is always worrying and she can never be happy, everything around her is a total drag
-even if a wonderful thing happen to you, she will make you feel like it was the worst thing that could happen ever
Controlling girl
-she likes to have the total control in your relationship and on you too
-wants to control you in everything you do, you wear or eat
-if you try to control her too, she will get angry, cry, scream or use any deceptive female tactic until you give up
Flirting girl
-she flirts with anybody and flaunt her sexuality at every opportunity
-has a big power of attraction
-exist the risk to dump you in any moment if somebody better comes along
With all these types of girls you should avoid, it is now more easy for you to make a good choice about your next girlfriend; but remember that not all the women are the same, maybe there is somewhere a good, carrying woman just for you
Faiza, the bandeya girl suffers a relentless blow to her name and her talent, while the incorrigible Khawar Jawad enjoys his 2 minutes of fame, marketing Faiza's composition as his own. The masses know her as the Bandeya girl, but long before that, Faiza was already composing and that was when "Kahan Hoon Mein" happened. However, a business split resulted in a jilted Khawar releasing the composition as his own. In order to right the wrong, Faiza released the song this October. However, due to lax copyright rules in Pakistan, she might not be able to do much, while her song gets publicized, sold, mixed and remixed without her consent in other countries, all without single credit to and the link
This may not reap any monetary benefits for Faiza, but will help in correcting a moral wrong. Stop Piracy. Download her song with HER name and more importantly, HER consent, from here.
Comments are also welcome at Faiza Mujahid's Page on Facebook.
When kids from 2007 and 2008 batch come up to me and say "Rafaeel Bhai, i have been inspired by your personality and want you to guide me", the only thing that comes to my mind is "WTF? Are they fools giving me such an honor? How can a highly unstable person like me help them out?" Perhaps, its not their fault.I have always looked up to my seniors as well but the culture was somewhat different at that moment of time. We have been like obedient siblings to our seniors.There used to be conflicts and few disagreements with them at some moment of time but the most important and beautiful thing was that we never let the disrespect come in between that.Nowadays, the attitude is that you have been paid to help the juniors and they have the right to insult you in campus or other public forums .Anyways, lets not deviate from what i should be writing here actually.
The person photographed above on the left hand side is also one of my mentors. I was a volunteer in IEEE WEEK 2004, when suddenly Waqas Bhai asked me that we need to do invitations for SOFTEC and you are in my team.I was reluctant to join as by that time i had made up my mind to work for IEEE and had no idea what SOFTEC was all about.Sohail Athar (Batch 2003) told me more about the scale of SOFTEC and i thought of giving "SOFTECing" a try.
I think it was late September 2004 when Waqas Bhai took me into the SOFTEC office for the first time.Those days it used be in the "A" (Now called 'M') Block, infront of Academic Office.This room is currently the "Accounts Office" of the university. It was there when i first saw this bulky dude giving instructions of setting up the office table, computers and other office equipment in place.By that time, i didn't know that he was the President of the society.Anyways, Waqas Bhai asked me to help Aemad in clearing up the mess and getting things right in the premises.That's how i started out my SOFTEC journey.
I spent like 9-10 fruitful months with this gang.But being the president of the society, Umair Bhai had been a true inspiration. After a discussion session with Nauman Bhai in Spring 2005, i planned that i'll go for SOFTEC as per the 'A' plan.I always had been following Umair Bhai and others to learn out maximum before they eventually leave the campus, after their graduation.
Though me and Umair Bhai have so many similarities but i wouldn't discuss them all because some people would raise objection of a long blog post :) . Quoting few, turning from smart dudes to fat asses during our stay in FAST-NU, being cry babies, volunteer to AVP to President, once in a blue moon asthma, deviation from technical undergraduate degree and various other things make us men from the same pathway. The biggest similarity which has made me write this post is something that i don't want to share at this moment of time but that is surely something exciting which i would share with Umair Bhai personally some time.
Coming back, Umair Bhai forgot about SOFTEC last year and he didn't even realize that one of his kids is striving hard out there struggling to pull of an event under crucial circumstances. However, i think this is somewhat personal and i think one is not bound to be there for you as he/she has other tasks in life other than helping out people at FAST.
After graudation, Umair Bhai opened up a company called "Gambittech". I planned the next day that i'll be going the same way.However, few months later Umair Bhai abandoned the project and moved to Mantaq Systems.
Currently, i plan to do a startup right after my graduation.There are dozens of people out there who are saying "You'll fail like Umair Moheet! because when you graduate , you think you are ready to take on the world but in reality you even lack basic work ethics. See the example of Sharjeel, Adil and Yaser.They have worked for 2-3 years before starting their own successful venture."
But, "What Roofi is a Roofi who can listen to anybody" ;). I am not afraid of falling down because i know i would atleast learn out of it as in the case of my past bad experiences.
"Please, don't stop me! I want to play this game! Let me follow the footsteps of Umair Moheet Khan! May be there is a light in this tunnel this time over."
On Sunday, 26th October 2008, i took part in the "I Beautify Lahore" campaign with my FAST-NU colleagues which was arranged by Samaa TV , Ankahi and Loose Ends Pakistan.It was great to do a community service project and give out the message that together we can "make a difference".
After the whole exercise, what i realized was that we need to change the basic human attitudes in Pakistan first.If we manage to do that somehow, nobody can stop us in becoming a developed nation.
The sad part was that none of those lawyer movement supporters and other student committees turned up raising slogans "Hum Mulk SAJANAY Niklay Hain, Aao Hamaray Saath Chalo".
Anyways, i would like to thank Sir Faisal, Ma'am Reema, Adnan Bhai and the rest of the Loose Ends Pakistan team for providing us a wonderful opportunity to express the tiny patriotism left inside us.
If you follow Mr. Faisal Qureshi at the Television Networks, I would prefer that you stop reading this post further. If you have been a big fan of his “Youth Responsibility” talks, I would request you to please click the “close” button and navigate away immediately.
Whenever Sir Faisal, Ma’am Reema and Mr. Adnan Maqbool team up for a show in Lahore, I try my best to attend the talk hoping to listen something new. But this
always ends up on not littering, driving lessons and what not.Ok fine, we are uncivilized citizens living in a jungle but is this the only responsibility we have as a nation?
On 23rd October 2008, while sitting on a comfortable chair of the FAST-National University, Lahore Campus’s Faculty Meeting Room at 7:00 p.m. with representatives of 3 top event management companies and one of the socially conscious CEO of our motherland, I was thinking something and wondering if Sir Faisal has ever wondered why people like me come again and again to listen to him. I wish it would be have been great if i would have attended sessions of Ms.Marryam Chaudhry (M.D., Corporate Communications) instead who was just sitting right opposite to me.
People like me know Sir Faisal as C.E.O. of Kolachi Advanced Technologies, Managing Director of Blue Ice Technologies and nonetheless as one of the successful entrepreneurs in Pakistan. We, the engineers, computer scientists and business administration students look up to him as a mentor but he has other issues at his hand to take care of. He wants to tell this educated minority that they have created all the mess and they should be ashamed of it. What about the majority that is creating all the fuss?
I know i am an animal but I do not smoke, I don't eat "PAAN" and we are the minor crime partners in all what he has been blaming us for. We are not the targeted audience. Sir Faisal is lecturing those people who'll eventually leave this country and his efforts and time would go to waste. Perhaps if I come to the point straight, Sir Faisal is also a partner in making people leave the country because being the head of 2 technology companies, he never lectured multinational and his colleagues about the "Corporate Social Responsibility".
Does "Corporate Social Responsibility" only means that you have to donate to Edhi Foundation, fund ads of Fatmid and other NGOs.No Sir No! I don't know Sir Faisal's view point on CSR but all i know is that none of these CEO's have ever done any serious effort in retaining the youth within this country because they too are SELFISH. Though i am exactly half of his age at this moment of time, but i have been through the CSR policies of all major Telcos, Multinationals, Banks, Software Houses and Engineering Firms."Educate A Child" programmes and what not? But what about the people who as per their college or university degree are considered as "educated".
Few reasons that why educated lot moves out of the country and becomes "parasites”. The amount of money these graduate students take home after all the hard work, bills and related taxes is peanuts. Government takes income tax and what not but fails to provide medical and other facilities which are normal outside the Pakistani territory. Same is the case with the corporate sector. These engineers and technicians are offered about $5000-$9000 salary with all other facilities outside the country and thus they move out for a good future because eventually they have to support their existing family members as well as raise their own family.
"Cleaning Walls" would be of what use to most of us? Lets take Pakistan as a wall of height 20 ft..Considering that i am 6 ft. tall, without a ladder I would only be able to reach the max height of 7 ft. At that 15-20 ft. height, our leadership and future leaders who are currently being educated at Cambridge and Oxford would come and would throw paint balls to spoil what i have cleaned. They'll drop black paint from that height and this would eventually affect the wall that i have cleaned up till 7 ft. All of us know that children of these "OWNERS OF PAKISTAN" would come after getting foreign degrees and would be made the Ministers. Pakistanis have been made to understand that these are your limits and we are the land lords. You are peasants so never ever try crossing us if you want to live here else you are welcome to move to the other land.
Why don't these CEOs show some social responsibility in making "Leaders". Making the youth stand against those forces who'll come from outside and start ruling us. Have they ever tried contributing for an Innovation, development of Incubation Centers or Social Services Centre for the nation to contribute back? At least people like us can develop products and solutions in order to make the life better for the people of Pakistan. We can commit 3 hours a day for developing technologies that could help Pakistani public.CAP (Citizens Archive of Pakistan) as he covered in one of his programs is doing a similar job. If this is done, the youth would take ownership of these community projects or I would say one day taking my kids around the city i would say "We developed Traffic Solution for this area which was funded by some ABC Software Solutions and XYZ Engineering Firm and then we eventually gifted it to the Government of Pakistan".
However, if you'll go to these socially responsible organizations and ask for sponsorship in terms of Drama, Concert or Fashion Show, from Brand Managers to Marketing Managers to CEO's everybody would be interested to pour everything for partying. But why they hesitate in contributing to projects that add to the development of society and the young educated lot?
I have been attending Startup Insider sessions of P@SHA and other organizations. I would also like to acknowledge their efforts of developing the entrepreneurial germs inside me. The speakers who are mostly CEOs would encourage you to be entrepreneurs, do something mind blowing but after these sessions whenever some of them are contacted to help in setting up the own company or proper mentoring, they'll show you cold shoulder or would want you to develop the idea for them which they'll eventually sell out as their organization's product. We are producing 8000 engineers a year whereas India is producing 500,000 engineers a year and all the educational institutes and organization there term it as their social responsibility to place these students in the right organizations. Mostly the organizations select their targeted talent in his/her 3rd year at the undergraduate school and start working on them. Here, its been 6 months and most of my batch mates having sound knowledge of Telecom Engineering are helpless and jobless.T hey are ready to work free for organizations but no one wants them to even enter their premises as they don't have any "reference". If they try to do a start up, nobody is there to help them financially and morally. One of my friends who never wanted to leave this country even if he would have got minimal pay, had to move out because of the HR managers of these top multinationals and "socially responsible" organizations. What he said to me before his departure was "Rafaeel! Friend, I always wanted to clean up this whole dirty car (Pakistan) but they didn't even let me wash the tyres. My father has retired and we both have found jobs outside the country and I am relocating just because they don't put faith in me. I would even advise you to relocate because at least they give us the opportunity to earn bread and butter." His words seriously made me weep that day.
All my seniors took education from here and now working in big giants like Microsoft, Google, IBM and what not. Today, i think they made the right decision for themselves, their families and the country because people like Sir Faisal never came to an institute saying
"Son! If you have got that fire and spark inside you, I would mentor you in setting up your own firm and making a difference"
He's a techy guy but his organization perhaps never felt it necessary to take responsibility of few students and develop them as leaders. Here, I would like to appreciate those institute professors like Dr. Umar Saif (SCI) and NUST's Technology Incubation Centre director who are more socially responsible than the CEOs of these Socially Responsible Firms in Pakistan.
Did Ma'am Reema and the other partners from her company ever thought about instructing some FREE courses for the "Management Students"?
Did Adnan Bhai ever open himself to mentor students who want to know about TV Production?
The answer would be perhaps "NO" because all of us seem to be very busy and selfish. We would never ever want a kid of today to bring his/her own firm and enter the competition. This is how much socially responsible we are.
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* (Every Junior Batch considers their final year the best batch and their first SOFTEC as the "Best SOFTEC".That's a fact)
Batch 2001 and partially 2002 have mentored me to the present "Rafaeel".Tribute to senior batches is over due but that would come on this blog on a later stage.But on a short note, these are the people who taught me how to deal the world and most importantly developed "sense of ownership for the Alma Mater" and contributing back to the institute.
It was early 2005 when Burhan & Nauman Bhai said to me "Roofi, Be Selfish!".Though, I realized the true meanings of these words at a much later stage but i kept wondering
"Why Burhan Bhai said so?". "Isn't he the nice guy that we all know of or he's another politician out there?"
Lets fast forward this story uptil the year 2007.Til now, apart from other stuff i got to know one thing that seniors surely know much more than us.Moreover, some incidents took place during these years which made me firm that i would never contribute back to this institute no matter what.
Perhaps the Ainslie Henderson's song explains all the feelings that i have hidden in there.Frankly, sometimes i act as an optimist and think that every thing happens for good.So after a long struggle, i have now moved on wishing her the very best in her life.I sincerely pray that she gets whatever she wishes in her life :)
Keep Me A Secret
I'm trying not to feel you but you just brushed by and if you dare to cross that line you know my toes will step on fire
ohhh sizzle when its face on face and skin on skin i'm trying to keep you out and i'm trying to keep me in
100 million eyes behind these walls watching ya, hearing ya, knowning ya
keep me a secret, keep me out your arms keep my kisses off your lipstick stop me swallowing your charms keep yourself a secret, lock up all your doors i'll keep you out of my dreams just you keep me out of yours
i needn't not to notice you but you unwrap my eyes and don't let embraces linger try to keep our arms untied see there you go again you're making me mad cos i'm drawn to this danger ohhh and its making me mad
100 million reasons to ignore wanting to be with you
100 million eyes behind these walls watchin ya hearing ya knowing ya
all im asking is for nothing and if nothing is enough for you ohh leave it i said keep me inside your head under your breath
When you have it for the first time, you think you've got what you have always wanted.The feeling is inexpressible.The whole world seems beautiful.But when you are out of it, you roll off like a fish out of the water.Same happened with me.
SOFTEC 2008 Closing Ceremony (Evening, August 31, 2008)
“The winds of change are in the air. The future becomes reality in the blink of an eye, as quickly as the reality of today becomes history. Never before has the pace of technological advancement been so rapid, and never before has it offered so much in so little time.”
Respected faculty, Chief Guest, sponsors, participants, ladies and Gentlemen,
Assalam-o-Alaikum!
I stand before you today as President of SOFTEC 2008, hardened by a thousand tough decisions, having faced hardship, toil, and the constant threat of event cancellation. A long way indeed from how I started out. In 2004 I started as a volunteer in the first international SOFTEC. It was a rigorous and fitting initiation for what was to come later. We volunteers (like these) stood there terrified as a larger than life Belal Hashmi proceeded to drill into us the numerous merits and benefits of being a part of the SOFTEC society. I remember even now that he managed to communicate to us what a privilege and honour it was to serve SOFTEC.
Fast forward four years. I was handed over the team, and I took over with the idealistic belief that things would start getting done automatically as soon as I take charge of the office. I could not have been more wrong. The first piece of news imparted to me as SOFTEC President that Mr. Belal Hashmi, a constant in all the previous SOFTECs and without whose guidance, help and support none of these events would have been possible, would be stepping down as society advisor. It took me the grand total of 72 hours to realize what a huge blow that was to SOFTEC 2008 and the university in general. Hurdles were encountered at every turn, hurdles that were so smoothly handled by Mr. Belal Hashmi with such complete control, were turned into obstacles and obstacles into obstructions. And that was just the beginning. The political situation in the country continued to deteriorate, with security becoming more and more of an issue every day. I think it would be folly to turn a blind eye to events in the country and pretend that they did not affect us. A substantial amount of sponsorship which is provided by the Government of Punjab to SOFTEC was not received this time due to the political instability in the country. A number of other sponsors were also reluctant to be involved. As recently as last Thursday the event was at the threshold of cancellation. But I would like to give special thanks to REDMATH’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr.Raja Akbar Hassan who understood and acknowledged the efforts put in by the students for this largest student run event in Pakistan.He has been a true inspiration.I salute you Sir!
I would also like to thank PTCL’s GM Consumer Services, Mr.Irfan Chaudhry and Manager Mr.Hassan Zafar.Gratitude goes to Mr.Faizan Mubarak and Mr.Shahid Latif at GEO Television Network, Ms.Saadia & Mr.Imran Bhatti of The News and Mr.Sarfraz Niazi of FM91 as well as Mr.Farid Sabri of Sabri Stores without whose help it certainly would not have been possible to hold this event.
Bao Jee is an engineer. Thus, he conducted as many “stress tests” as he could in order to test the capabilities of his product called “THE PRESSEDENT”. Fortunately, I was able to survive most of them.SOFTEC 2008 was planned to give a befitting tribute and farewell to Sir Belal Hashmi but unfortunately due to shortage of funds, I could only implement 35% of my initial plan for the event.I take this opportunity to announce that with the consent of alumni and faculty advisors, SOFTEC’s famous programming competition has been renamed as the “Belal Hashmi Programming Competition” in order to acknowledge the services of this Guardian Angel to the SOFTEC Society for the last 13 years.
SOFTEC Society in collaboration with Student’s Blog is also announcing 3 scholarships of 1500, 1000 and 500 pounds respectively in order to support the higher education of students intending to continue their education in United Kingdom. Lucky draw was conducted for the registered students at the Student’s Blog stall
The lucky students selected after the draw are
1) For 1500 GBP-> Mr. Iftikhar Malik (Lahore School of Economics)
2) For 1000 GBP-> Mr.Salik Nadeem (Garrison)
3) For 500 GBP-> Ms.Maimoona Shehzadi (FAST-Lahore)
I congratulate all the winners of this lucky draw. Student’s Blog Team would contact you shortly.
Managing an event of such magnitude throws pressures of its own. While this pressure is extremely challenging and motivates us all to give our best, there have doubtless been occasions when this pressure might have been taken out on the wrong person or things might have been said that were not meant to be said. I would like to apologize for anything that I might have said or done in the heat of the moment that may have offended anyone. None of it was personally directed towards anyone, and it was all due to the pressures of organizing an event like SOFTEC.
A successful event can never be hosted without a dedicated team working tirelessly behind the scenes. When SOFTEC was originally postponed, much of the final year team resigned. It seemed at the time that canceling the event entirely was a better alternative, seeing that most of the batch would have graduated by the time SOFTEC finally came around. It is at this point that I would like to offer my sincerest thanks to my entire batch mates especially Associate Vice President, Salman Ahmad. Had he not shown the strength of character and determination in the face of disappointment, the whole event would have come down like a house of cards. The Vice Presidents, Bilal Munir, Abeer Hamid and especially Rabia Mohyuddin were instrumental in pulling together all aspects of SOFTEC.
Two sweet batch mates who’ll always remember me as an “animal” for the rest of their lives are the Manager, Marketing & Branding Noaman Azhar and Manager, Software House Enclosure Maria Batool who have been always there for me. Always listened to my crap. Banged their heads in every nook and corner of the region to get the finances for the event. I would like to appreciate what they have done for me and SOFTEC 2008 under such critical circumstances.
Moreover, I would like to personally thank all the volunteers and team members who have done the re-setup of the event 4 times since yesterday afternoon due to the bad weather conditions. Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like you to give a round of applause to these young dedicated volunteers who have spent sleepless nights in preparation for this event and are looking after the security and management of all the respected guests and visitors since last 48 hours.
I would also like to thank my parents especially my mother for being so understanding about my being out of the house for days on end, our Director, Dr. Arshad Hussain for his continued support, our faculty advisor Mr. Aurangzeb, Mr. Agha Ali Raza, and last but definitely not the least, Dr.Imtiaz Tarique, who was the guiding force in the end when all hope had been lost. I would also like to appreciate the efforts of the FAST-National University’s administration for assisting us in hosting this event, and their dedication to the cause was clear the way they fixed the broken underground power line by working day and night to have it repaired in time for the competition.
Many times during this journey, I was pushed and blackmailed on the personal front for taking stand as the SOFTEC President. I thank the Almighty Allah for keeping me steadfast during this course. My believe in the Allah has strengthened in last few months so much so that I am now a firm believer that everything good or bad happens for a reason.
There were some reservations from the junior batch that they would not be given the opportunity to organize SOFTEC. I would like to assure them that they will certainly be hosting SOFTEC, and very soon the new executive body of SOFTEC 2009 will be announced. I sincerely hope that by the time SOFTEC 2009 comes around, the situation in the country would have improved, and the new team will be able to put on an even bigger, better and more well organized event than SOFTEC 2008!
