Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space. They are published in good faith with a view to enlightening all the stakeholders. However, the contents of these writings may not necessarily match the views of the newspaper.
Teachers play a big role
The world celebrates Teachers’ Day to honour teachers for their sincere efforts in imparting knowledge to students. Teachers’ Day celebrations are meant to convey the message that we care for teachers, just as they care for us. On this day, students often dress up like their teachers and teach their juniors in classes, in the same way they have seen their teachers doing. Sometimes, teachers also sit in the classrooms and act like students, reliving the time when they were students themselves. This creates a bond of understanding between teachers and students.
Teachers play a major role in shaping a child’s career. Since children spend a lot of time in school in their formative and impressionable years, teachers wield a great influence on them. In most cases, countries celebrate a local educator or an important milestone. This is the primary reason why different countries celebrate this day on different dates of the year, unlike many other International Days. However, most of the countries celebrate the Teachers’ Day on October 5.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
Fighting corruption
Corruption is one of the major problems in Pakistan. Corruption is misuse of public property, position, power and authority for fulfilling personal gains on an individual or group basis. Corruption has grown to such a level that it has given rise to criminal activities. It is a slow poison that kills rule of law in the society and destroys economy of developing nations. Until and unless, strict steps are taken, corruption cannot be removed from Pakistan. When a person starts doing corruption, it’s a matter of times that he/she will start getting involved in deeper corruption. Corruption compromises genuine rights of every citizen. Corruption degrades economic and infrastructure growth of a country. It is not limited only to specific sectors and covers a wide range of departments and sectors. According to 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International, Police in Pakistan remains top most corrupt institution followed by other civil and military institutions.
We can stop corruption by exposing corrupt activities and risks, keep public sector dealings transparent and accountable and ensure public sector employees act in public interest. Fighting corruption should be topmost priority of every government so that rapid control can be ensured.
NAVERA AARA
Hyderabad, Sindh
Huge electricity bills
In recent months, an unsettling trend has emerged, causing very serious concern among people and that is a sharp increase in electricity bills. As we flick switch and watch our appliances come to life, we’re met with a disconcerting reality — our electricity bills are climbing higher than ever before. This unanticipated surge has left many wondering: What exactly is behind this sudden rise in the cost of keeping lights on? Various factors contribute to complex landscape of energy pricing and understanding these intricacies is crucial for consumers to make informed decisions. I explore some of the key elements driving this phenomenon i.e. Supply and Demand Dynamics, Fluctuating Fuel Costs, Infrastructure Upgrades, Policy and Regulation, Technological Advancements. As we navigate this period of heightened energy prices, it’s an opportune moment for communities, policymakers and industry stakeholders to engage in a meaningful dialogue. Together, we can work toward sustainable solutions that balance the needs of consumers, environment and the economy. In conclusion, recent surge in electricity bills underscores intricate web of factors influencing energy pricing. By advocating transparency, we can collectively address this challenge and pave the way for a more affordable and sustainable energy future.
MARYAM AZHAR
Karachi, Sindh
Showering strategies for buffaloes
The productive performance of buffaloes is suffering due to the adverse effects of heat stress. Current heat mitigation strategies, such as the use of hosepipes and ponds, have proven inadequate and consume a signifi-cant amount of water. Existing literature indicates that a more efficient approach involves applying smaller quantities of water over multiple sessions to cool the animals. This study was undertaken with the primary objective of optimising a showering strategy to alleviate heat stress in Neeli Ravi buffaloes, encompassing three distinct experiments. The first experiment focused on optimising showering cycles in flow rates. Subsequently, buffaloes were subjected to various cooling sessions based on the optimised flow rate within specific cycles. Additionally, the behaviour of buffa-loes was observed at different Temperature-Humidity Index (THI).
The findings of this study have led to the conclusion that a showering cycle consisting of three min-utes of active cooling followed by a 3-minute break, using a flow rate of two litres per minute, is the most effective method to maintain buffalo body physiology. For optimal results in enhancing animal productivity, it is imperative to conduct a minimum of five cooling sessions, each lasting one hour, within 3|3 cycles at a 2-liter flow rate during daytime.
SYED ISRAR HUSSAIN
Lahore, Punjab
