His Highness the Aga Khan's 1994 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (...

Peter Mansbridge Interviews The Aga Khan

Words of wisdom. I can also see a realistic appraisal of the roots to present day tumultous situation in a book titled "After the Prophet" by Lesley Hazelton published 2009 - A book towards reducing the "Clash of Ignorance".

AKU Commencement December 2013: Islamic Quest for Intellectual ExcellenceIN HONOR OF MAWLANA HAZAR IMAM'S UPCOMING SPEECH AT HARVARD (http://wcfia.harvard.edu/event/jodidi-2015)  let us view this short clip of Mawlana Hazar Imam's address at Aga Khan University Commencement in December 2013 in which he talks about the Islamic Quest for Intellectual Excellence!"On a day like this, we can also take renewed strength from our past, and from a great legacy of Islamic accomplishment in pursuing educational excellence. That legacy has long (and it has) been an inspiration to me, even from the time when I succeeded my (late) grandfather as Imam in 1957, when I was a university student at Harvard. That’s some time ago!My grandfather, Sir Sultan Muhammed Shah Aga Khan, was deeply aware of Islam’s rich intellectual heritage. Of equal significance, he was also convinced of the enormous importance of higher education for the future of the Ummah around the world. He had engaged personally in developing educational opportunities for Muslims in pre-partition India and was largely responsible for creating Aligarh University. He saw that effort as fulfilling a tradition going back one thousand years, to the role of his predecessors, the Fatimids, in founding the Azhar university and the Dar ul-Ilm in Cairo, known through the ages as the 'House of Knowledge.'He knew as well about other great Muslim institutions of scholarship and culture which flourished over many centuries, serving the whole of the Ummah and much of the known world, engaging the most advanced thinking from many cultures, ethnic groups and faith communities.It was true of the Fatimids 1,000 years ago and of the Abbasids in Baghdad even earlier. It was true of the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th century as well as the Ottoman Sultans, including Mehmed the Conqueror and Sulayman the Magnificent. And there were many others; the Safavid ruler Shah Abbasin Sifahan in Iran, and the great Timurid Sultan, Ulugh Beg, who built the world’s greatest observatory in Samarkand. You have just heard about some of the great intellects who flourished under these auspices.Whenever and wherever it may have been, in the Middle East, or South or Central Asia, or Northern Africa, the most brilliant periods in Islamic history were marked by an expansive quest for intellectual excellence. It was this tradition that I inherited from my grandfather — and it was not a static tradition, but one that was built around the power of new knowledge and the great adventure of learning how to go on learning."- Mawlana Hazar Imam2013 Aga Khan University Convocation Ceremony (Karachi, Pakistan)19 December 2013http://www.nanowisdoms.org/nwblog/10686/
Posted by Ismaili Gnosis on Friday, October 16, 2015

Steps Towards an Egalitarian/Knowledge Society - Eye WitnessObservations

Pre-Election 2015
Debate between all candidates – “Why should we vote for you?”
Obtain a commitment from candidates to continue efforts to work towards a ROAD-MAP claimed, even if they fail to win.
Funded by AKRSP,
Facilitated by KADO through a joint invitation from HDF, Sujo Hunzo, and Pamir Times and held in Ali abad Hunza.
The proceedings shared with populations through cable TV.
Post Election Events:
Brain storming Session:
Venue: Karimabad Hunza
Participants: Concerned Intellectuals (including PHDs and other highly educated Hunzukutz). LSO Governance.
Purpose:
Debate possible formation of a “THINK TANK”.
Workout an outline ROAD-MAP for multi-stake efforts.
Motivate eight LSOs in Hunza to move towards NETWORKING – a pre-requisite towards availing potential of CPEC.
Funding: AKRSP (see TARGET number two)
Facilitated by KADO and HDF.
Proceedings shared on Facebook by Ikram Najmi of Sujo Hunzo.
LSO convention:
Theme:  “Public Private Partnership”
Venue:  Karimabad Hunza.
Participants: DC and AC Hunza and Line Departments, Chairpersons of 76 LSOs in GB and Chitral, RC Hunza, AKRSP Manager/Staff of AKRSP, Brigadier Hisamullah Beg SI(M) (for a special advocacy for two topics viz. “Better Future – Reorientation,- Self Help is the Best Help” and consensus on a name by all LSOs in GB/Chitral to represent them in PCECC and steps towards NETWORKING of LSOs as an essential step towards availing possible impact of CPEC on the region).
Purpose:
Advocacy with Government for initiating Legislative process in GB on the lines of what has been accomplished in KPK (as shared by Chairman LSO of NETWORKS in upper Chitral).
Sharing with government officials the long term development plans evolved by various LSOs.
Need for integrating “Public Private Partnership” in Government ADP in GB.
Funding and Facilitation of Event:  AKRSP

Venue: Karimabad Hunza

UPDATE DEC 2020

Political Action towards an Egalitarian Society

My proposal to all candidates contesting for a seat in legislative assembly in GB:

I hope you concentrate on legislation to result in establishment of DISTRICT and VILLAGE governments in GB as a replication of what PTI has done in KPK - Necessary step in establishing an EGALITARIAN SOCIETY in our region.

FILE A PETITION

Petition Submitted Successfully. Your Tracking ID is 20201202C538

What is an Egalitarian Society: An egalitarian society is one where every person is entitled to equal rights, receive equal treatment and opportunities. These societies comprise of groups of people who agree to live together in these societies as egalitarianism as one of their core values.

Egalitarianism is the position that equality is central to justice. Egalitarians think, firstly, that unfair life prospects should be equalized. Secondly, that equality is the most or one of the most important irreducible intrinsic or constitutive worth(s) of justice. Thirdly, that welfare should be increased.

Outline of an Egalitarian Society:

Extracts: "An active Civil Society can open the door for an enormous variety of energies and talents from a broad spectrum of organisations and individuals. It means opening the way for diversity. It means welcoming plurality. ......three critical underpinnings of a quality Civil Society — a commitment to pluralism, to meritocracy, and to a cosmopolitan ethic.

This means that initiatives cannot be contemplated exclusively in terms of economics, but rather as an integrated programme that encompasses social and cultural dimensions as well. Education and skills training, health and public services, conservation of cultural heritage, infrastructure development, urban planning and rehabilitation, rural development, water and energy management, environmental control, and even policy and legislative development are among the various aspects that must be taken into account.”

“An important facet of modern development thinking is that societies can best strengthen themselves by mobilizing their own dynamic forces rather than relying on external support and direction.”

Sources:

1. Book Titled Where Hope Takes Root

2. Civil Society Learning Material

3. Set of TALIMAT Publications.

4. Webcast dated 11th July 2017.

5. AKRSP: https://www.akdn.org/pakistan/akrsp

6. An extract from TALIMAT: 

TOWARDS KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY

A knowledge society refers to a society in which the creation, dissemination, and use of knowledge play a central role in economic, political, and cultural life. It is characterized by an increased reliance on information and communication technologies and the ability of individuals to access, process, and use the information to improve their lives. The knowledge society values education, innovation, and the exchange of ideas, and seeks to create conditions that support the development and application of new knowledge to solve problems and meet human needs.

TELEMEDICINE

SASLLC - Model High School Karimabad Hunza - EDIP - Educational Development and Improvement Programme.

facebook:


I am reproducing the contents of the PDCN  scheme as understood by former vice principal of Government Model High School Karimabad:
“The main objectives of this Centre are as under:
1.      To provide FREE quality education at doorsteps.
2.      To enhance teaching quality of the schools.
3.      To provide access to better coaching tools for teachers.
4.      To access the coaching material of best educational institutions of the world.
5.      To avail the opportunity of free education available on inter-net around the world.
6.      To enhance the LIFE SKILLS of educated population and provide LIFELONG LEARNING opportunities.
EDIP - Educational Development and Improvement Programme - of PDCN Gilgit has established this facility in 2010 in this school as LRS - Learning Resource Centre - for the school as well as for few other feeding units of this school. Its main objective being enhancement of quality of teaching learning and to provide missing facilities specially IT related gadgets and equipment. More than ten brand new computers have been provided along with the DSL connectivity. Other facilities student chairs, and teaching kits for all the teachers of LRS and short/long courses arrangements have also been made at PDCN Gilgit and IED Karachi. This computer system was not operational for the last nearly one year due to some inevitable circumstances. But after brigadier’s intervention we have a bright chance to use this facility for multiple purposes in the best interest of students in particular and teachers in general. Educated general public of the locality will also take benefit according to the schedules.
Although the facility is available 24-hrs a day, it is being planned that SASLLC and Open University, be open at least for 12 hours daily. Mr. KARIM KHAN has been requested to facilitate this Centre from 9 am to 3 pm and office has moved to this Centre. TKN volunteers will look after the centre from 3:00 pm to 8.00 pm daily. An income generation mechanism will enable the school to offer a compensation package for the time taken by these volunteers. Mohd din, A.H/M will assume the role of Honorary VC of this facility while Mr Karim Khan and Mr Aurangzeb will act in the capacity of DEANs. An Academic council will also be formed very soon.”
I feel it is a moral responsibility as well of all right thinking individuals to make all efforts to reach the noble aim of imparting quality education.
In this context I am enclosing the scanned copy of the “Inspection and Maintenance Report” for the “Learning Center”. I have noticed this state since I arrived back in Hunza since May 2015. Kindly recall my telephonic request in this regard and stance of the school.
It is now my proposal that you may kindly initiate a “non-obtrusive” regular reporting through your IT in- charge, who visits all the fourteen centers through a regular schedule and gives you an “INSPECTION REPORT” on the state of items provided by PDCN and its utilization and also helps restore functionality of hardware in each center.

ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION – SPECIAL LINES in Hunza

Posted by Hisamullah Beg on Sunday, July 12, 2015

 Egalitarian and democratic societies are the desired approaches in the 21^st century world. Good governance certainly means dispensation of services on these principles.

Last year, the administration had taken a wonderful step towards such a policy by attempting to undo “SPECIAL LINES” and distributing available power equitably in central Hunza.

After my return to Hunza this year, I have noticed that the SPECIAL LINES have been restored thereby creating a class of PRIVILEDGED/UNSCRUPULOUS few and DEPRIVED majority.

I am venturing to suggest that this unjust practice be dispensed with.

NOTE: I have optionally joined the DEPRIVED class by refusing to have a SPECIAL LINE.

Relevance of Network of Local Social Organisations (LSOs) in GB to China-Pakistan Economical Corridor (CPEC)

RELATED: GAWADAR-KKH, MILITANCY ON KKH, INTERNATIONAL DESIGNS, SECTARIAN CONFLICT, ALTERNATE VIEWS ON SECTARIAN CONFLICT, KEYNOTE SPEECH. BELT and ROAD

Respected Senator,

I had the opportunity of attending the launching ceremony for CPECC and listening to your vision and apparently visible views towards helping common citizens through this movement.

Here was this valid question of who should be included as a consensus representative from GB?

I want to draw your attention to the grass-root developments that are taking shape in the region in the form of LSO networks, WORKING ON THE BASIS OF self-help TOWADS A BETTER AND HARMONIOUS FUTURE.

A BRIEF THAT YOU CAN READ ON THIS LINK WILL PROVIDE A PRELIMINARY IDEA ABOUT THIS GRASS-ROOT NETWORK, WHICH YOU MAY INTEGRATE FOR COOPERATION RATHER THAN A SINGLE PERSON OR A SMALL GROUP OF AMBITIOUS PEOPLE.

The link:

http://hisamullahbeg.blogspot.com/2015/02/words-of-wisdom-from-guide.html

To gauge the back ground for this proposal, please recall the targets for each of the LSOs (transposed from those originally given to the mother institution – AKRSP)

1. TARGET ONE: In twenty five-years’ time span, improve the economic conditions so that populations in Northern areas and Chitral can meet the ever increasing costs of health and education and also become SELF SUSTAINING.

2. TARGET TWO. Groom indigenous leadership capable of establishing democracy (pre-requisites for meritocracy, and pluralism) and also capable of planning for a better quality of life for their future without external inputs.

3. TARGET-3: “Facilitate establishment of Knowledge Societies in the program Area” – included in 2003 to the two fundamental goals.

Spotlights: Knowledge and Resource Sharing through Partnerships

Spotlights: Knowledge and Resource Sharing through Partnerships

TOWARDS KNOWLEDGE SOCIETIES