By Syed Shams Uddin Date: December 11, 2024 Theme: Mountains Matter: Connecting Ecosystems and Communities. International Mountain Day (IMD) 2024 focuses on the vital interconnectedness between mountain ecosystems and human well-being. It underscores mountains as critical sources of water, biodiversity, renewable energy, and cultural heritage, sustaining not only the lives of mountain communities but also millions of people worldwide. The gigantic mountain ranges of Asia—the Karakoram, the Hindu Kush, the Himalayas, and the Pamirs—are collectively referred to as the "Third Pole of the World" due to their remarkable ecosystem and unparalleled significance in the global climate and hydrological systems. These ranges are home to the largest ice reserves outside the polar regions, encompassing a vast network of glaciers, snowfields, and high-altitude wetlands that act as critical water towers for billions of people across Asia. Why "The Third Pole"? The term "Thir...
By Syed Shams Uddin QUITE INTERESTINGLY,Ubaid Khan's Facebook post dated December 5, 2024, reflecting on the exercise of 'power and authority' by individuals during their tenure and their eventual retirement upon reaching the stage of superannuation, brings forth the following noteworthy conclusions and points for reflection: 1. The Ephemeral Nature of Power: Authority is transient, and no position of power is everlasting. Those who wield it must remember that their tenure is limited, and they will eventually return to the ranks of ordinary citizens. 2. Legacy of Conduct: The behavior and decisions of individuals in authority define their legacy. Acts of fairness, empathy, and service create goodwill and respect, while arrogance and apathy lead to resentment and disapproval. 3. Accountability to Society: Upon retirement, officials find themselves surrounded by the very people they once governed. Their treatment at the hands of society becomes a mirror reflecting their co...