UNDP Pakistan launched its second National Human Development Report - unleashing the potential of a young Pakistan highlighting some significant statistics for youth development. Youth form 64% of Pakistan’s population with an equal split between male and female. Out of this cohort, 25% have received no education, 16% have completed primary education, 40% reached the secondary level, 9% have completed higher secondary and only 6% received higher education. Regarding employment, the report indi...

Most of the time when I think of mental health disorders (more specifically depression and anxiety), I tend to shut down and go very brief and crude. Especially in the past year or so, I’ve put it in a box and labelled it as something soul crushing, destructive, draining, energy, life and joy sucking, crippling and paralysing (I am aware of the fact that I am also describing Dementors. These are creatures JK Rowling used as a metaphor for depression and she did such a brilliant job). I’ve learnt...

My neighbourhood is blessed with lot of children; sometimes when I watch them playing I often remember when I was like them. I could remember vividly my days as a boy. Then, I always took the lead role in most games especially while playing with tires (rolling bike tires around the street). I have a specially modified one which other children crave to play with; the feeling then was like the one who owns a Bugatti Veyron in this present day. I always protect my tire at all costs and wouldn’t all...

All of us dream of a better world- better education, health, safety and security, progress of humanity, love and peace, economic welfare and so and so on. But, what is the key in bringing this about? How can we solve the problems our world is facing? How can we be able to tap into our creative intuitive inside of us? How can we unlock our potential locked deep inside of us?The key is education. But, I feel this key has gotten old and rotten. I think education should be redesigned so it can help...

It’d be great if you could do anything in the world without feeling fear or any negative feelings. Unfortunately, these feelings are instilled in us from a young age (e.g. “Don’t do that or this will happen”). Eventually, you become so cautious that instead of taking action, you seek permission and confirmation. This is a belief that eventually becomes unconscious and automatic in us as we grow older – even though you probably don’t even know that it’s controlling you and everything you do. Over...

I am a ghost of this old grim-looking four-story building who has seen struggles of this institution through times. I have witnessed a lot of students pour their efforts and faith to learn. I have heard the cries of joy every time they win in competitions; the proud announcements of achieving the national and international standards; and the silent, but piercing accusations blamed at anyone, but themselves. I am the ghost lurking in the hallway of the ground floor, watching students as th...

This summer feels hotter than last year. Nowadays, I am easily exhausted because of the heat. Currently, in Seoul, the number of tropical nights is increasing continually every year. I often go to a coffee shop to avoid the heat. Sometimes, I often see a heap of disposable cups in the trash of these coffee shops. When I see the rubbish heap, I usually think of ‘How many trees are sacrificed to make them?’. I have a one question for you. Do you know about the hidden danger of disposable cups?To s...

Feel proud to be yourself!In the colors of life don't mix yourself in it.Have your own identity.A great example lies in the sky full of stars. Be different like a moon.In a garden, be the flower everyone notices. Feel proud of who you are.Be proud of your home.Live as a first class citizen.Break the chains of 'isms'.Make the world a better place. And if you fail...Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, start all over again.You are born unique why die as a copy. “ Be yourself; everyone else is alr...

A week ago, I watched a movie named ‘I feel pretty’, directed by Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein. The story follows the character, Renee. Renee is a person who has very low self-confidence. However, one day Renee has an accident and since then, starts to see herself very pretty. From this point on, Renee's life changes dramatically. She begins treating people with dignity wherever she goes, and succeeds to join a company that she wanted to work for for a very long time. Eventually Renee realize...