In most professional fields, career stability is a very important trait that companies look for in new employees. It is important to demonstrate long-term commitment to your company and focus on the development opportunities within that company. Conventional HR wisdom holds that hiring managers prefer job candidates with years of experience at their previous companies. Employers want candidates with stable track records, the ones who have demonstrated loyalty and commitment to their firms. The Dilemma of Career Stability Some job candidates are penalized for too much job switching displayed on their résumé, while others are labeled ‘stagnant’ for staying too long in one job. However, in today’s world, recruiters and hiring executives say that two years at a job is about the minimum length of employment you should stay. This standard of job stability varies by age and field of profession. Employers like longer track records in financial and purely corporate professionals. However, sometimes the recruiters in the field of technology, arts, advertising and communication tolerate, and rather encourage more job-hopping. Also, when you are younger, frequent job switching is more acceptable than when you are older and much experienced. On the other hand, more than ten years at the same company may be too long and disadvantageous. When a candidate has been at one company for a longer time period, the concern often is that the person is stalled in his career and is not expanding his skills aggressively enough. Moreover, there is another fear that no matter how qualified the candidate is he would not be able to adapt to a new company if he has been at another one for too long. However, the question which would pop up in minds of the people who are reading this article is that if staying at a job for a longer period of time is so important, then how exactly can an employee be able to practice career stability? Useful Tips To Pursue Career Stability Even when changing industries and technologies and the crests and troughs of the market pressurize to make us out-of-date, it is likely to have a longer, more dynamic and satisfying career. Following are five helpful suggestions through which you can pursue career stability: Career Planning Career planning makes a person to think suitably about their positive and negative aspects. All about their interest and their creativity becomes possible through properly analyzing ourselves. Think what we want to do and finding out more about the kind of training, education and skills we will need to achieve our career goal is the core objective of career planning. Identify exactly where you want to be in the next five years and then break down the steps you need to take to get there. However, if you do not have a plan to start with, you will run the risk of being bounced around. Effective Communication If you think you do not need writing proficiency or social skills on your job right now, you might need those skills in order to move up or just to maintain your job. Professional career experts say that the people who get ahead are more outgoing, more assertive, carry themselves with confidence and communicate well. Even if you are shy, you can still stretch yourself by taking a business communication/writing class and there are also some organizations that can help you practice public speaking. Career Networking Even in the best of economic times, there is no position, company or even a career, is completely safe. When employers are hiring new staff, their first inclination is typically towards employee referrals or internal searches. Both the job seekers and professionals need to have a network of contacts that can provide them support, information and any new job. By continually networking with people in your company, and also outside your company, in your profession and outside your profession, you can increase your opportunities and knowledge exponentially and seize opportunities you would not ordinarily hear about. Suitable Flexibility Being flexible about career planning and career management is very important. In addition to career planning and identifying exactly where you want to be, also create a more general plan, a sort of ‘plan B’, of personal ethics, job characteristics, pay scale, duties and work environment that would be satisfying, just in case you longer have the job you want. Career experts say that with a broader master plan that suits your needs; you will be able to take advantage of other opportunities, maybe even better opportunities, which align with your overall values and goals. Continue Learning You must keep learning new things in order to broaden your horizon in your professional field. Once you start learning something new, you will become excited about your job again. You may have all the skills you need to do the job you have now. However, if you want to move up the ladder of career growth, you will definitely need a broader range of skills. You should take a good look at the job qualifications of the position you want and get the necessary training for it. But do not expect your company to train you and manage your career. These days you will probably have to pay for the training you need. However, if you choose to keep learning during your professional life, it will turn out to be one of the best things you can do. Career Stability – A Synopsis Although, career stability is a situational factor and also varies from one individual to another. However, its importance cannot be undermined. One of the basic ways to reach suitable stability in job is by keeping yourself refreshed and updated. A fresher approach towards your career may lead you to a longer and more progressive stay at your employment. Volunteer for new duties. There may be new opportunities in your own organization that let you stretch your abilities and extend your skills. By participating in such volunteering opportunities, not only that you will learn new skills, you will also be automatically networking and socializing with others in your field, especially those who were not on your radar before. Above all, raise a question to yourself, whether you have the passion and commitment for the career you have chosen. Career length distinguishes successful long tenures from unsuccessful short stints and partially reflects the contributions of an employee to the goals of the employer. There are well-defined standards that quantify career stability and productivity, which together contribute to the overall success rating for an individual employee.

In most professional fields, career stability is a very important trait that companies look for in new employees. It is important to demonstrate long-term commitment to your company and focus on the development opportunities within that company. Conventional HR wisdom holds that hiring managers prefer job candidates with years of experience at their previous companies. Employers want candidates with stable track records, the ones who have demonstrated loyalty and commitment to their firms.

The Dilemma of Career Stability

Some job candidates are penalized for too much job switching displayed on their résumé, while others are labeled ‘stagnant’ for staying too long in one job. However, in today’s world, recruiters and hiring executives say that two years at a job is about the minimum length of employment you should stay. This standard of job stability varies by age and field of profession. Employers like longer track records in financial and purely corporate professionals. However, sometimes the recruiters in the field of technology, arts, advertising and communication tolerate, and rather encourage more job-hopping. Also, when you are younger, frequent job switching is more acceptable than when you are older and much experienced. On the other hand, more than ten years at the same company may be too long and disadvantageous. When a candidate has been at one company for a longer time period, the concern often is that the person is stalled in his career and is not expanding his skills aggressively enough. Moreover, there is another fear that no matter how qualified the candidate is he would not be able to adapt to a new company if he has been at another one for too long.

However, the question which would pop up in minds of the people who are reading this article is that if staying at a job for a longer period of time is so important, then how exactly can an employee be able to practice career stability?

Useful Tips To Pursue Career Stability

Even when changing industries and technologies and the crests and troughs of the market pressurize to make us out-of-date, it is likely to have a longer, more dynamic and satisfying career. Following are five helpful suggestions through which you can pursue career stability:

Career Planning

Career planning makes a person to think suitably about their positive and negative aspects. All about their interest and their creativity becomes possible through properly analyzing ourselves. Think what we want to do and finding out more about the kind of training, education and skills we will need to achieve our career goal is the core objective of career planning. Identify exactly where you want to be in the next five years and then break down the steps you need to take to get there. However, if you do not have a plan to start with, you will run the risk of being bounced around.

Effective Communication

If you think you do not need writing proficiency or social skills on your job right now, you might need those skills in order to move up or just to maintain your job. Professional career experts say that the people who get ahead are more outgoing, more assertive, carry themselves with confidence and communicate well. Even if you are shy, you can still stretch yourself by taking a business communication/writing class and there are also some organizations that can help you practice public speaking.

Career Networking

Even in the best of economic times, there is no position, company or even a career, is completely safe. When employers are hiring new staff, their first inclination is typically towards employee referrals or internal searches. Both the job seekers and professionals need to have a network of contacts that can provide them support, information and any new job. By continually networking with people in your company, and also outside your company, in your profession and outside your profession, you can increase your opportunities and knowledge exponentially and seize opportunities you would not ordinarily hear about.

Suitable Flexibility

Being flexible about career planning and career management is very important. In addition to career planning and identifying exactly where you want to be, also create a more general plan, a sort of ‘plan B’, of personal ethics, job characteristics, pay scale, duties and work environment that would be satisfying, just in case you longer have the job you want. Career experts say that with a broader master plan that suits your needs; you will be able to take advantage of other opportunities, maybe even better opportunities, which align with your overall values and goals.

Continue Learning

You must keep learning new things in order to broaden your horizon in your professional field. Once you start learning something new, you will become excited about your job again. You may have all the skills you need to do the job you have now. However, if you want to move up the ladder of career growth, you will definitely need a broader range of skills. You should take a good look at the job qualifications of the position you want and get the necessary training for it. But do not expect your company to train you and manage your career. These days you will probably have to pay for the training you need. However, if you choose to keep learning during your professional life, it will turn out to be one of the best things you can do.

Career Stability – A Synopsis

Although, career stability is a situational factor and also varies from one individual to another. However, its importance cannot be undermined. One of the basic ways to reach suitable stability in job is by keeping yourself refreshed and updated. A fresher approach towards your career may lead you to a longer and more progressive stay at your employment. Volunteer for new duties. There may be new opportunities in your own organization that let you stretch your abilities and extend your skills. By participating in such volunteering opportunities, not only that you will learn new skills, you will also be automatically networking and socializing with others in your field, especially those who were not on your radar before.

Above all, raise a question to yourself, whether you have the passion and commitment for the career you have chosen. Career length distinguishes successful long tenures from unsuccessful short stints and partially reflects the contributions of an employee to the goals of the employer. There are well-defined standards that quantify career stability and productivity, which together contribute to the overall success rating for an individual employee.

Politics

Pakistan - corruption amnesty fallout

Arrest warrant for Interior Minister, travel ban on Defence Minister

  2009-12-18

  Lawyers celebrate after Pakistan's Supreme Court on Wednesday announced its decision
(Photo: Reuters)

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Pakistan's Interior Minister, Rehman Malik, while Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhta is barred from leaving the country. This is the first fallout after the Supreme Court removed an amnesty protecting politicians from corruption charges.

Mukhtar told local television he had been due to go on an official visit to China, but that his name was on an "exit list" restricting travel, and that federal authorities said he could not leave.
"It was in connection with a corruption case. But there is no corruption case against me - it is only an enquiry which is pending against me for the past 12 years. I will strongly defend myself in the court," Mukhtar said.
He is one of thousands affected by Wednesday's decision to annul as "unconstitutional" a 2007 amnesty that protected politicians and senior ministers, including President Asif Ali Zardari, from corruption charges. Neraly 250 people are reported to be on the exit control list.
The ruling has rattled the US-backed civilian government in Pakistan, with the opposition demanding the resignation of Zardari and his entire cabinet.
The National Reconciliation Ordinance was passed in October 2007 by then-president Pervez Musharraf, who was under pressure to hold elections and end eight years of military rule.
Meanwhile the United States on Thursday accused Pakistan of delayed hundreds of visas for US contractors and officials, adding to tension between the allies in the war on terrorism.
State Department deputy spokesperqon Robert Wood said the US government has raised its "serious concerns" at very senior levels with Pakistan, but added that the cause of the delays is "unclear."
He warned that the delays risked undermining US-backed efforts to fight terrorism and boost the economy in Pakistan.

Pakistan minister court summons

Friday, 18 December 2009
 

Rehman Malik is one of thousands who benefited from the amnesty

A judge in Karachi has summoned the Interior Minister, Rehman Malik to appear before an anti-corruption court.
It follows a court ruling this week which ruled out an immunity granted to the minister and thousands of other Pakistani officials.
Mr Malik is one of around 250 officials whose corruption and criminal cases have been re-opened.
On Thursday Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar was barred from going to China after he was stopped at the airport.
Mr Mukhtar said immigration officials prevented him from boarding the plane for an official visit.
The latest developments after the supreme court ruled on Wednesday that an amnesty protecting senior members of government was unconstitutional.
Only recently has it been revealed that more than 8,000 politicians and officials benefited from the legislation.
Those under investigation are barred from leaving Pakistan but the others have so far not been named.
Presidential immunity
The BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Islamabad says that the ruling has thrown Pakistan's political administration into turmoil.

Many ministers may now have their movements curtailed

Our correspondent says that calls are growing for the president and the entire government to step down - something presidential aides have said will not happen.
The controversial amnesty was brought in by the previous president, Pervez Musharraf, and its removal opens the way to possible prosecution for allies of the current President, Asif Zardari.
Mr Zardari himself faces several pending court cases against him in Pakistan but is protected by presidential immunity.
Before taking office, he spent years in jail after being convicted on corruption charges he says were politically motivated.
Pakistan's main opposition, the Pakistan Muslim League-N of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, has called on the president to resign.
Exit list
Mr Mukhtar told local television that his name was on the "exit list" restricting travel and that the federal investigation authorities had said he could not leave the country.
He told Geo TV that he had been planning to visit China for three days on an official visit in connection with the delivery of a warship.
"It was in connection with a corruption case but there is no corruption case against me - it is only an inquiry which is pending against me for the past 12 years."
He said he would "strongly defend" himself in court.
The amnesty was introduced by Mr Musharraf in order to allow Mr Zardari's late wife, Benazir Bhutto, to return to the country and stand for office, with the aim of a possible power-sharing deal with Mr Musharraf.
She returned to Pakistan from abroad after the so-called National Reconciliation Ordinance was signed into law, but was assassinated soon after.

Arrest warrant for Pakistan interior minister

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 
 

 

Interior Minister Rehman Malik is among the 52 high-ranking officials for whom arrest warrants have been issued.

A court in Pakistan has issued an arrest warrant for Interior Minister Rehman Malik amid growing political turmoil in the nuclear-armed country.

Arrest warrants have been issued against 52 individuals including federal ministers and some of the persons sitting on key government positions.

Earlier, Pakistan's anti-corruption agency stopped Defense Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar at Islamabad International Airport on his way to China for an official visit.

Nearly 250 other top officials are also barred from leaving the country as political turmoil deepens following a Supreme Court on revoking an amnesty deal which shields President Asif Ali Zardari and many other government officials from prosecution.

The 2007 National Reconciliation Ordinance allowed Zardari and his late wife Benazir Bhutto, a former prime minister, to return from self-exile without facing corruption charges.

Revoking the amnesty could challenge the legality of Zardari's presidency and raise corruption cases against some of his close associates.

The developments have plunged the country into political turmoil amid rising militancy.
 

PUBLIC WARNING!

PUBLIC WARNING!

BEWARE OF FRAUDULENT COMPANIES/ NON-CORPORATE ENTITIES/ INDIVIDUALS
The General Public is once again warned not to be misled by fraudulent activities/schemes of deposits, loans, investments etc. launched by certain companies/non-corporate entities /individuals through advertisements (print and electronic media), agents, brochures, websites, emails and hoardings etc. The modus operandi of such schemes is briefly explained below for the benefit/information of the general public:

·   Employment Scams in which the job applicants are asked to pay some amount on one pretext or another along with job application.

·   Scams in the form of lottery schemes which attract people to earn wealth overnight through wagering. They make billions and give ads of people receiving prizes to attract more people. In reality, the winners are just actors for the advertisement.
·   Real estate scheme/projects soliciting investors to purchase properties in Pakistan by promising high gains and abroad by promising residency permits as well. The projects/properties exist only on paper. After obtaining sufficient funds from investors they disappear.
·   Deposit Schemes in which the general public is promised unusually high profit/mark-up. They give assurance of deposit safety and guaranteed regular high profits. For some time they pay profit regularly. Once they have accumulated enough deposits, they disappear.
·   Loan Schemes in which they promise loans of huge amounts for any purpose on easy terms. They ask borrowers to fill forms, pay certain fees and then keep telling them that they have submitted their case to a bank and will get it soon. In this way, they get a lot of prospective borrowers to pay fees and make a lot of money.
·   Introducing brokers of foreign brokerage houses, a type of business not covered under local laws. These concerns offer their services to clients in return for heavy fees. Most of the clients lose all of their hard earned money without any legal cover. They use bogus trading software to cheat their investors
·   Multi Level Marketing, Ponzi and Pyramid Schemes requiring new customers to bring certain number of more members in a geometric progression. The process of membership reaches a stage of saturation when the whole structure collapses and only a few people at the top of the scheme make money. Some companies also use this technique in the guise of sales strategy to sell otherwise unmarketable products at exorbitant prices.
·   Cheating through post, e-mails, phone calls, SMS by offering unexpectedly exciting prizes, lucky draws and sweepstake, and false promotions. Such approaches are designed to trick the innocent people to part with their money.

The general public is, therefore, advised in their own interest to be prudent while making any investments and to verify that the entity they are dealing with is duly authorized/licensed by the relevant authority to carry on its business. Appropriate advice from independent legal or financial professionals regarding the risks involved is advisable. The list of entities licensed by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) & Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) is available at their respective websites. For further clarification in respect of these entities, you may contact SBP or the SECP at the following addresses: 

Jamal Abdul Nasir Daudpota Joint Director Banking Policy & Regulations Department, State Bank of Pakistan I. I. Chundrigar Road, Karachi. Tel. No: 021-32453532 Fax No: 021-99212506	Muhammad Siddique Director (CL) Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan NIC Building, 63 Jinnah Avenue, Islamabad. Tel. No: 051-9210205 Fax No: 051-9207863

__._,_.___

Career Networking – A Good Recipe For Professional Success

 Career networking is a significant milestone in one’s professional life. In some organizations, especially in Pakistan, when employers are hiring new staff, their first inclination is typically towards employee referrals or internal searches. Both the job seekers and professionals need to have a network of contacts that can provide them career support, professional information and new vacancies, if any. Productive networking does not mean making use of your contacts for all they are worth. It means participating in a process of give-and-take, where people benefit from and help each other.

Career and professional networking means to establish relationships so that you can enlist support and comfortably ask for ideas, advice and referrals from those with hiring power. Leslie Smith, of the National Association of Female Executives, defines networking as the process of “planning and making contacts and sharing information for professional and personal gain.” The importance of career networking should never be underestimated. It is very obvious that career networking goes hand in hand with professional growth and job hunting.

Career Networking and Social Media

With the Internet buzzing with social media, there are many ways to use social media in order to network, and eventually find a job. Social networks allow all parties involved to better search for and reach their target.

LinkedIn

Basically, LinkedIn is a site that allows you to connect to the professionals you know. It also allows you to see profiles of other professionals, and to connect with them. You can also send emails to the people in your LinkedIn contact list and ask them for career support or advice. Kay Luo, the Director of Corporate Communications at LinkedIn, says, “The main reason that companies are using LinkedIn is to find passive job candidates. Another reason why companies are using LinkedIn, is because referrals from their employees are highly valued because they typically have a higher success rate (hence the popular “employee referral bonuses”). LinkedIn helps companies leverage the networks of their employees.”

Twitter

Twitter is a social networking and blogging media that utilizes instant messaging, SMS or a web interface. People and companies use it in a variety of ways, including job search and career networking. Twitter allows you to connect with people on the basis of common interests. This is indeed a great way to do some professional networking in an easy way. Twitter has a job search engine that searches Twitter for jobs  whichmatch the keywords that you enter. In order to be noticed, your Twitter name should be your actual name, as it will help in your search engine results. The more complete your LinkedIn profile, the more chances you will have to be found and to be contacted. Use your LinkedIn profile like a resume and provide prospective employers with detailed information on your skills and experience.

Facebook

Facebook is mainly used for connecting with friends or people you know and reconnecting with people in your past. However, it can also be an effective professional and business networking tool. While using Facebook as a tool for career networking, sometimes the line between social and professional contacts gets blurry. However, If you are careful, and use your connections wisely, you can ultimately get what you want form the social media websites. If you decide to use Facebook for professional networking, take a close look at your ‘Profile’ and decide what you want business contacts or prospective employers to see. Post content relevant to your job search or career along with the routine status updates. In order to be taken professionally on Facebook, be very careful what you share with the world.

Career Networking For Job Seekers

You never know where you might find someone who can help with your job search. That is why it is important to be open about the fact that you are searching a job and need assistance. Develop contacts with friends, family, neighbors, college alumni, people in associations and anyone who might help generate information about the job opportunities.  You can take a direct approach and ask for job leads or try a less formal approach and ask for information and advice.  Contact everyone in your list;  you may be surprised by the people they know and in how many ways these contacts can help you.

Informal networking is quite effective in a job search. If you are attending a gathering or any other type of party, it is appropriate to mention in casual conversation that you are seeking employment.  Accept all the invitations you receive because you never know where or when you might meet someone who can provide assistance about job search.
Formal networking is very effective as well. Try going to business, social or association meetings or events.  You will find that many of the participants have the same goals you do and will be glad to exchange business cards.  If you are shy or do not find any chance of formal networking, try to volunteer for some organization of your field, where you can meet and greet people and make new contacts.
Career Networking For Professionals

Even if you are not looking for a job at the present, career networking should be a part of your routine. In this era of global financial recession, you never know when you might find yourself in need of a new job. People have suddenly and unexpectedly lost their jobs without any prior notice from their employers. If you have a good professional network in place, and contacts that you keep in touch with, it will be much easier to get started on a job search than if you do not have any and are starting from the scratch. If you do not meet your contacts very often, it does not take long to send an email or a message just to say hello. Meeting the people you have only known online is helpful as well. That makes your personal connection even stronger.

Career experts have long stressed the significance of professional networking for career growth. Through networking, we can learn about job opportunities, particularly those we wouldn’t have had access to otherwise. However, job search should not be the prime focus of your networking efforts. Your network can prove to be a very useful mean, when it comes to other aspects of your career. Taking the time to build and maintain your network is well worth the effort. Those connections you make today can help you move along the career ladder tomorrow.

Solution For Pakistanis

Keeping in view the turmoil and problems in Pakistan, we would like to address our Pakistani members here and put forward a SOLUTION to help them come out of the present situation inshallah. When nations face such times, the solution is not to READ various zikrs as ALLAH says “WE DO NOT CHANGE THE CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE UNLESS THEY CHANGE THEMSELVES”. We need to DO what our LORD is telling us rather than devising our own solutions. So how do we change ourselves?

Here are 5 steps to DO it:

1. Stop blaming others. Be it politicians, leaders or other internal or external forces, we need to stop blaming them.

2. Find out the root of the problem. We need to see what the root of the problem is. What do you think it is? The answer and truth is that we have become distant from Haq. Allah says “When truth comes, falsehood perishes…” If we were a part of Truth, if we had Truth inside us, NO falsehood could ever rule, harm or destroy us. But “Tan e bay ruh sey bayzar hai Haq, Khuda e zinda Zindoun ka khuda hai.” (Iqbal)

3. Return to Haq. Every single person needs to look inside himself and see how close or far he is from Allah and His Messenger (s.a.w). How much Haq he or she has inside. Then break the idols of our animal self, lust for money, status, fame, sex… love for all other than Allah are our gods for whom we are living our lives rather than Allah. This does not let us qualify as true Muslims. So cleanse ‘yourself’ from these ‘other gods’ and return to ONE GOD.

4. .Follow Prophet (s.a.w). Allah has promised that if we FOLLOW Prophet (s.a.w), He would love us and when He loves a person, He says ‘I become the hearing with which he hears, the sight with which he sees, the hand with which he strikes and the foot with which he walks..” (hadith qudsi) We need to FOLLOW him (s.a.w) in everything… on personal, social, professional, educational, political, religious, moral and every level.

Do not confined Allah within the mosque and limit following him (s.a.w) to physical appearances or rituals alone. Hold on to Allah in your attitudes, in your thinking homes, schools, universities, offices, markets, and wherever you go and whatever you do.

5. .Invite others to Haq. Once we do this, we need to call our families, our friends and then others to Haq. If we are not true Muslims ourselves, our word will have no effect. So BE MUSLIMS first and then call others to Haq. “Wo Saher Jis Sey Larazta Hai Sabistan e Wujood, Hoti Hai Banda e Momin ke Azan Sey Paida.” (Iqbal)

The entire solution to what is happening is Pakistan and what is happening to Muslims around the world has been summed up in a single verse by Allama Iqbal:

“Ke Muhammad se Wafa Tou Ne Tou HUM Tere Hein, Ye Jahan Chez Kya Hai, Loh o Qalam Terey Hein.” (If you are loyal to Muhammad WE are yours, not only this world, but the Pen and Tablet are yours). Being loyal to Muhammad (s.a.w) means FOLLOWING him.

(Please absorb this message and pass it (email or however) to every Pakistani and other Muslims you know so that those who are feeling lost or wanting to do something for their country or ummah are guided in the right direction. BUT remember your message will have no effect if you are yourself not striving to have Haq within you.)

 

join us here on facebook where we are striking to FOLLOW our Prophet (s.a.w) and CHANGE our condition http://www.facebook.com/pages/I-wanna-follow-my-Prophet-saw/194337788912?ref=nf

Question: On Stress and the Family

"I hate family get togethers because my aunt
always make me feel guilty about not taking
care of my mother better...

How can I avoid feeling this guilt and sadness
and still be part of my dysfunctional family?"

******************************

*****************

The Coach's View

Family get togethers, for many people can be
very stressful times - and whether they are
during the holidays, summer vacations or just
about any other occasion, they can be an
invitation to regress into the past and allow
past behaviors to be tolerated.

Family tradition can be a strong force for good
AND for upset.

The key is to take some control over how you
engage in these occasions and situations,
instead of letting them control you.

For example, I had a client who had family
reunions once a year and she was expected to make
a particular dish. It was expected that she would
make that dish according to her grandmother's
recipe even though she did not particularly enjoy
them.

She was also expected to have dinner with all her
in-laws at least one of the weekend nights, even
though she did not feel appreciated by them and
found their language offensive. And finally, she
was expected to bring flowers for the dining room
table and no one ever appreciated or approved of
the arrangement she brought.

The question you could ask yourself is do you
really have to do these things? Or have you just
chosen to do them because you were unwilling to
say "no"?

Why do things that make you miserable? Make a list
of the pros and cons of doing these things and
observe the answers you get. This should remind
you that you DO have a choice even though we
sometimes forget.

My coaching is to challenge your assumptions. What
would happen if you chose to do something differently?
If you chose not to make the expected dish but
requested that someone else make it? If you had an
arrangement delivered and did not personally attend
the in-laws dinner?  They might be annoyed - and so
what? Could you make it up to them later by seeing
them individually throughout the year?

The key is to be conscious about what you're doing.
Don't unthinkingly do things the same way just because
that's how you always do them. If your old ways of
being aren't working, if they're not making you happy
and causing stress, it's time to do something different.

Sunday, December 06, 2009

Attention! Coming Through! (PIC)

i.imgur.com —
770 Diggs in Offbeat - Submitted Dec 05, 2009 01:33 pm

Recession's Over (COMIC)

editorialcartoonists.com — Happy days are here again, The skies above are...blub blub blub
621 Diggs in Entertainment - Submitted Dec 05, 2009 11:51 am

Tim Tebow Cries at End Of SEC Championship

bustersports.com — Tebow crying? Not surprised. However, Tim Tebow crying in defeat to the Alabama Crimson Tide was certainly a bit of a surprise. Video of Tim Tebow crying
513 Diggs in Sports - Submitted Dec 05, 2009 05:07 pm

Apple acquires music service Lala

reuters.com — Apple has acquired digital music service Lala, as the dominant online music retailer explores new models for selling songs. Terms of the deal weren't disclosed by Apple, which confirmed the purchase on Friday.
358 Diggs in Technology - Submitted Dec 05, 2009 09:11 am

12 Games You Must Play this Christmas

techradar.com — The amazing thing about Christmas is you finally get some time to play those games you've been reading about all year. Here are our essential 12 games you really must put some time aside to play this Christmas.
322 Diggs in Gaming - Submitted Dec 05, 2009 10:21 am

Obama the Mortal: Democrats Weep

washingtonpost.com — Obama's messianic cult simply expected too much of him... Some parishioners in the Church of Obama discovered last week that their spiritual leader is a false prophet.
315 Diggs in World & Business - Submitted Dec 05, 2009 11:53 am

Joakim Noah Calls LeBron "Bitch," LBJ Takes Exception (Vid)

notqualifiedtocomment.com — Whether you agree with him or not, you have to love the balls on Noah to call the NBA’s biggest superstar a bitch.
305 Diggs in Top Video - Submitted Dec 05, 2009 09:37 am

‘Fear of fear’ can lead to depression

futurity.org — People who are overly anxious often find themselves in a Catch-22 of fear so intense it results in depression.
287 Diggs in Science - Submitted Dec 05, 2009 03:43 pm

Five Deliciously Deceptive Desserts (Pics)

blogs.sfweekly.com — We've noticed a fun trend in dining: Deceptive desserts fashioned to look like something other than what they are, whether another sweet item or something savory.
252 Diggs in Lifestyle - Submitted Dec 05, 2009 02:20 pm

25 Best Christmas Movies - PICS

chicagotribune.com — Yes, they come out with new holiday movies every year. But we've got our favorites and the season isn't the same without them. Take a look at what films made our best-ever list.
191 Diggs in Top Image - Submitted Dec 05, 2009 03:38 pm

Email Etiquettes – An Important Aspect of Professional Communication

Email etiquette and manners have been around for years, but they are far more important in this age than ever before. Implementing proper email etiquette into daily cyber communication should be a custom for everyone. A person, who displays proper etiquette while writing an email message, not only feels good about himself he also makes those around him feel important and respected. Email etiquette are important in a social environment, as well as in a business setting. Displaying proper email etiquette will get you noticed and, obviously, being noticed is great in many aspects.

Netiquettes

‘Netiquettes’ is the name given to the email etiquettes by the cyber gurus, which means the etiquettes of communication via Internet. Although netiquettes concerns all the various customs and conventions we follow when writing and sending messages through Internet, but in this article we will particularly discuss the emailing etiquettes of both the current employees and the job seekers.

People normally adopt email etiquettes by observing what others do, and gradually incorporate their actions into our own communications. We expect that after reading this article you would be able to develop your own style of writing an effective email.

Basic Manners Of Communication

“Please” and “Thank You” are two simple words, yet they carry a great deal of meaning and are very powerful. These words are the basic etiquettes of communication and are potentially influential on the sender’s image. People may not notice these words when they are mentioned, but if you forget to use them, you will look disrespectful and ungrateful.

Be Brief and Concise

When writing an email for either a potential employer or a current boss, try to be to-the-point. Get to the subject of conversation as quickly and briefly as possible. However, in doing so, please do not leave out necessary details.

Accurate Spelling and Grammar

Accurate spellings and correct grammar are one of the most essential elements of email etiquettes. Do not try to guess the spellings of a word. Use the spell-checker; however, do not rely entirely on it. Good grammar is equally important. Usage of incorrect spellings or grammar in the email leaves an idea of an incompetent or careless correspondent.

Subject Line

Write the subject line in such a way that it summarizes the body of the e-mail. While writing the subject line, ask yourself, ‘will the recipient know what this e-mail is all about’. A well-written subject line makes it easier for the receiver to understand the essence of the message.

Do Not Use Abbreviations

Usage of abbreviations in emails, sent from either a professional or a job seeker makes your message look awkward and unprofessional. People use ‘U’ instead of ‘you’, ‘plz’ instead of ‘please’, and ‘thanx’ instead of ‘thank you’. It is fine to use abbreviations for personal emails or chat, but business email should have a formal format. Of course, frequently used abbreviations such as Mr. and Mrs., FYI, FYC, inc., and etc., are fine, but usage of slang language is not appropriate.

A Decent Email Address

Take a look at your email address. Is it appropriate enough to be sent to a prospective employer? Email addresses like prettygirl@isp.com are awkward and ridiculous for professional usage. Try to get a more formal address; perhaps your first initial and last name would be good. If do not want to change it for some reason, consider making a separate one for professional use only.

In case, you are working at a place and have a company registered email account, you are advised not to use it for job hunting purposes; use a personal account only.

Forgetting Attachments

If the reason for sending an email is to send a file, remember to include it. Professionals and job hunters, both sometimes forget to attach files, which results in absolute embarrassment. One strategy of avoiding such a blunder is to attach the file before writing the email.

Tone Of Communication

No matter who you are sending the email to, the pitch or tone of your professional communication should be moderate and respectable. Avoid writing your message using all upper case letters. It looks like you are shouting out your message. Also, do not use all lower case letters as it will make your email sound like you are mumbling.

Email writers often use ‘emoticons’ to convey a certain tone. If you write to someone frequently and you have a less formal relationship then emoticons are okay. However, if, you are writing to a prospective employer, it is better to stick to words only.

Confidentiality Of The Email

One should realize that emails are never confidential. It is laughably easy for others to read the contents of your email without your knowledge or permission. So, it is advised to avoid writing anything obnoxious or absurd in the emails.

Also, if you are working in a company and are using their official account, it becomes more likely that every email that you send and receive is scanned for certain words that are held ‘unacceptable’. Emails with such content are isolated and are kept in a record. People can be restricted or even fired if continue to send or receive these kinds of emails frequently.

Replying To An Email

Writing a reply to an email is also very important and requires much concentration. Do not ‘Reply to All’, unless it is necessary. Perhaps only selected people need to see your email. Also, when replying to an e-mail, use the ‘Reply’ option in order to keep the message in the ‘thread’, and make it easier for the recipient to follow-up with the previous conversation.

An email may be your introduction to someone you have never met before. Job seekers should keep in mind what a prospective employer might think on receiving a poorly written message, because your correspondence says a lot about you and your personality. Under no circumstances should you use offensive language. Make sure that you paint your picture as  a respectful, friendly and approachable person in the receiver’s mind. Take your time putting together a proper and well-written message and read it over several times before you send the email. Sometimes, just rearranging your paragraphs helps a lot. Once you hit ‘Send’ you would not have another chance to correct what you have written in the email message.

Regards,

Muhammad Suhail

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Alert: India Preparing for Nuclear War?

Link: http://pakalert.wordpress.com/2009/11/26/alert-india-preparing-for-nuclear-war/

By Zaheerul Hassan

Reliable sources stated that Pakistani authorities have decided to move her forces from Western to Eastern border. The move of forces would start soon. The decision has been taken after receiving the threat from Indian Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor to strike Pakistan on November 22, 2009. Indian Chief warned that a limited war under a nuclear overhang is still very much a reality at least in the Indian sub-continent. On November 23, 2009 Pakistan Foreign Office Spokes man Abdul Basit asked the world community to take notice of remarks passed by the Indian Army Chief. He also said that India has set the stage and trying to impose a limited war on Pakistan. There are reports that Indian intelligence agencies have made a plan to hit some Indian nuke installation, alleging and then striking Pakistan. It is also added here that India has started purchasing lethal weapons. According to the careful survey a poor Asian country (India) has spent trillions on purchasing of Naval, Air force and nuke equipments.

Thus, Indian preparation simply dictates that she is preparing for nuke war. The Kashmir conflicts, water issue, borer dispute between China and India, American presence in Afghanistan, Maoist movements, Indian state terrorism, cold war between India and regional countries would be contributing factors towards Next third world war.

Indian Chief’s statement by design came a day earlier to Manmohan Singh visit to USA. The purpose of threatening Pakistan could also be justifying future Indian attack on Pakistan. Therefore, Islamabad concern is serious in nature since any Indian misadventure will put the regional peace into stake and would lead both the country towards nuclear conflict. Islamabad probably conveyed her ally (USA) regarding danger of limited war against Pakistan; she has to cease her efforts on western border for repulsing Indian aggression on eastern border. In fact, Indian government and her army chief made a deliberate try to sabotage global war against terror. In this connection Pakistan Army Spokesman Major General Athar Abbas time and again said that India is involved in militancy against Pakistan and her consulates located in Afghanistan are being used as launching pad.

It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan has deployed more than 100,000 troops on the border with Afghanistan and is fighting a bloody war against terrorism. Her security forces are busy in elimination of foreign sponsored militancy. Thousand of soldiers have scarified their lives not only for the motherland but to bring safety to the world in general. Pakistan is a key ally in the war on terror and the threat of withdrawal would alarm the USA as it could seriously hamper NATO troops fighting in Afghanistan. Pakistan is a nuclear power too and is able to handle any type of Indian belligerence.

In this context, earlier Pakistan Army Chief of Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has categorically expressed at number of occasions that Indian attack would be responded in full strength while using all types of resources. On November 25, 2009 General Kayani stated that the nation would emerge as victorious in the on-going war against extremism. While addressing a ceremony at Police Lines he paid rich tributes to the Frontier police for their valuable sacrifices in the war against terrorism. At this occasion General Kayani revealed that Pakistan was founded in the name of Islam by our forefathers and each one of us should work for strengthening the country and should made commitment towards achieving the goal of turning the country into a true Islamic state. He also announced Rs.20 million for the Frontier Police Shuhada Fund.

In response to Indian Army Chief’ statement he also put across the message that the protection and solidarity of the country are our main objectives as our coming generation owes this debt to us and resolved that any threat to the sovereignty and integrity of the country would not be tolerated. The General made it clear that Pak Army has the capability and the capacity to fight the war against terrorists and adversary too. He praised the sacrifices rendered by the security forces and high morale of the troops. Lt General Masood Aslam, Commander 11 Corps, IGFC Major General Tariq and IGP NWFP Malik Neveed Khan were also present at this historic moment.

Pakistan Army Chief visits of western border reflect his commitment to root out the foreign sponsored militancy from the area. This rooting out is directly helping global war on terror, whereas on the other hand his counter part (Indian Chief) keep on yelling and dreaming of striking Pakistan. He probably has forgotten that Pakistan is a responsible nuke power and capable to defend and strike. In 2001 and 2008 at the occasions of attacks on parliament and Mumbai, both the nations close to a nuke war, this was averted by interference from the world community India and USA. At that time too security officials have also told NATO and USA that they will not leave a single troop on the western border incase of Indian threat.

Pakistan is facing a serious economic crisis and terrorist attacks present most serious threat to the country’s internal security. The political and military leadership knows that it is not an ideal situation for them to go for war, but they would not be having any choice to defend the country if threatened by India. Moreover they would be justified in moving her forces from her western to Eastern front. USA, if serious in elimination of global militancy then she has to ask India to resolve regional issues with the neighbouring countries instead of trying to hijack the war against terror. American think tanks should also review the remarks of Indian Army Chief Gen Deepak Kapoor in the light of India’s offensive nuclear doctrine. The doctrine of a fake nuke power (Indian) reflect the hazardous and aggressiveness of nuclear theory and prediction of third World War.

In the wage of above debate, the world community and USA should ask India to stop fanning terrorism. USA should review the nuke deal with a fake nuclear power prior of signing NPT and CTBT. Foreign Office Spokesman Abdul Basit also quite right in saying that India’s dangerous and offensive nuclear doctrine is serious hazard to global peace. It is true that also that India has long been working on the so-called ‘Cold Start’ strategy and preparing for a limited war. Thus, Pakistan has to pay more attention on her Eastern front under the prevailing adverse security environment and Indian General Kapoor’s threat to her.

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India war deployment details: Pakistan has no choice but to fight

Link: http://pakalert.wordpress.com/2009/01/15/india-war-pakistan-has-no-choice/

by Moin Ansari
Rupee News

War is inevitable in South Asia. Pakistan has no choice but to fight. Bharati (aka Indian) intransigence and insistence on war mongering will inevitably lead to war which surely will escalate to a nuclear exchange. Bharati insistence on punitive sanctions on Pakistan and a host of boycotts is not reverberating with Washington or London. While both capitals are empathetic to towards Delhi, both capitals are unwilling and unable to take action against Islamabad. Bharat’s military strategy banks on archaic and pre-1998 philosophy does not take into account the new realities in South Asia.

Pakistan Army is equally strong in armor, capable of giving a fitting response to any Indian military adventure. Main Battle tanks Al-Khalid and Al-Zarrar are the backbone of Pakistan’s armor Corp’s. Both are Pakistan made. Pakistan’s tank armory comprises :five hundred Al-Khalid MBT’s; 320 Al-Zarrar type 85 II MBT’s, 500 Al-Zarrar MBT’s; 450 79II AP (Chinese type 81 upgrade, and 570 T-80 UD MBT of Ukranian make. In addition Pakistan has 880 Type 59, which were procured from China in 1970.This makes a total of three thousand six hundred and twenty tanks. All Pakistani MBT’s except T-59’s have 125 mm smooth barrel guns. Indian armor offensives in Kashmir, Punjab, and Sindh would be effectively challenged by Pakistani armor and mechanized formations, depending on PAF’s ability to keep the skies over the battle areas clear of Indian Air Force. Pakistan Observer. Air Marshal Ayaz A Khan (R)

Bharat has superiority in numbers in aircraft and men. However, there are huge issues with the aircraft. Bharat’s Flying Coffins make up the bulk of the air force and these are unreliable. In a pre-1998 conflict Bharat would utilize  planes to bomb targets. The IAF would then wait for the PAF and then engage it on Pakistani soil and in Bharati air. The would send waves of air craft to disable the PAF. The strategy would be to gain superiority in the air and then take out any army that is advancing towards Bharat to engage the advancing Bharati army.

Air power is likely to play a key, if not a decisive role in any future major or minor India-Pakistan armed conflict. The aim of Indian pre-emptive strikes will be maximum destruction by surprise air attacks, combined with shock commando action. A possibe scenario is; intensive bombing of the target to be followed by attacks by armed helicopters and ground assault by heliborne Commandoes. An overview of Indian Air Force and Pakistan Air Force will help comprehension of IAF’s offensive capabilities, and defensive capabilities of Pakistan Air Force. Indian Air Force has 3000 aircraft including training, transport, helicopters and 800-1000 combat air craft, which operate from sixty air bases, including Farkhor airbase in Tajikistan.. Six hundred IAF’s strike and air defense fighters are expected to be operational. Pakistan Air Force has 630 aircraft, which include 530 combat aircraft, with 400 operational at any time. In 1996 India signed an agreement with Russia for the purchase of 90 Su 30 Mk-1 multi-role fighter-bombers. In 2004 a multi-billion licence was signed for building additional 140. 240 Su30-Mk-1’s were ordered, 120 are already in service. With a maximum speed of Mach 2.3 and range of 8000 Km with refueling and ability to carry tons of conventional munitions and nuclear weapons, it is a lethal and menacing weapon system for the strike and interception role. Other IAF’s advanced strike and combat aircraft are: 51 Mirage-2000 (of Kargil fame), 60 Mig-29’s (for air defense), 250 old Mig-21’s (110 have been refurbished with Israeli help), 47 Jaguars and 70 Mig-27’s for ground attack. 220 LCA Teja’s under manufacture at HAL Bangalore will start entering service in 2010… IAF’s fighter pilots are well trained and have out shone American pilots during joint exercises. Pakistan Observer. Air Marshal Ayaz A Khan (R)

This conventional wisdom has been made obsolete by three factor:

1) Pakistan has a very large of potent arsenal of short, medium, long range and cruise missiles.
2) Pakistan has more than 150,000 reserve soldiers that are trained to go deep into Bharati territory and cause mayhem and chaos in Bharat.
3) Pakistan has a very large inventory of Nuclear Bombs which will surprise many experts.

The Conventional wisdom dictates that Pakistan will respond with planes. This may not be what will actually happen. Pakistan may simply respond to Bharati attacks with missile attacks on Bharati bases of Udhampur (near Jammu)  Leh, Srinagar, Udhampur, Jammu, and Pathankot (total 96 aircraft). Oher targets for Pakistan Hataf 3 and Hataf 4 missiles are the Bharti bases in the Punjab at Amritsar, Adampur 17, Halvara, Chandigarh, Ambala, Bathinda, Sirsa and Suratgarh (Total 332 Aircraft).

Indian Army has eighteen Corps with 34 Divisions including four Rapid Action Divisions, which would spear head ground offensives. Pakistan Army has ten Corps and twenty five divisions. Indian Army has eighteen Infantry, ten Mountain, three Armored, and two Artillery Divisions. Besides it has five Infantry, one parachute, thirteen Air Defense, and four Engineering Brigades, designated as independent formations. In addition there are two Air Defense Groups, and fourteen Army Aviation Helicopter units. This is a sizeable force, capable of launching major offensives from several fronts. The decentralized command structure will be an advantage, as compared to Pakistan’s centralized Army command organization. Pakistan Army has an active force of 620,000 well trained personnel, with 528000 reservists, and 150000 para-military troops. Pakistan armed forces are seventh largest in the world. Pakistan Army’s doctrine of “Offensive Defense”, evolved by General Mirza Aslam Beg was put to test in 1989 in Exercise Zarb-e Momin. The doctrine is to launch a sizeable offensive into enemy territory, rather than wait for enemy strikes or attacks. In case of Indian land offensive Pakistan Army and Air Force will respond with land and air offensives to gain and hold enemy territory. Before embarking on further offensive, gains shall be consolidated. In 1990 the Central Corps of Reserves was created to fight in the desert sectors , where enemy land offensives are expected. These dual capable formations trained for offensive and holding actions are fully mechanized. Pakistan Observer. Air Marshal Ayaz A Khan (R)

The Shaheens may also land on Rajasthan and Maharshtra. where the Bharti Its fighting units are based at Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Agra, Jodhpur, Uttarlai, Jamnagar and Pune (total 263 aircraft). The Shaheen can also reach Bharat’s two Squadrons of Mirage 2000H at Gwalior which could be a threat to Pakistan (36 aircraft). Within minutes of the strikes against Pakistan 753 of Bhaarti combat aircraft, almost the entire IAF would be in jeopardy.

Pakistan Air Force has 200 rebuilt Mirage- 3’s ( for night air defense) and Mirage-5’s for the strike role. They can carry nuclear weapons. They have been upgraded with new weapon systems, radars, and avionics. Additionally the PAF has 42 F-16’s, 150 F-7’s including 55 latest F-7 PG’s. Manufacture of 150 JF 17 Thunder fighters (jointly designed) is underway at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra. The JF -17 Thunder is a 4th generation fly by wire multi-role fighter aircraft. Eight are already in PAF service. An order has been placed with China for the purchase of 36 JF-10, a Mach 2.3 -5th generation multi-role fighter, comparable in performance to the Su-30 Mk-1 with the Indian Air Force. PAF is on Red Alert, and is maintaining full vigil to intercept and destroy IAF intruders. During the recent air space violation, the IAF intruders were in the sights of PAF’s F-16’s, but were allowed to escape unscathed to avoid a major diplomatic crisis. PAF pilots and technicians are well trained, high professionals, who will be able to prove their mettle in the future battle with India. A comparison of Indian Navy and Pakistan Navy reveals that Pakistan Navy could inflict substantial damage to the Indian Navy. Indian Navy has 16 submarines; Pakistan Navy has ten, some are brand new. Indian Navy has 27 war ships, Pakistan Navy has ten. Indian Aircraft Carrier Veerat, will be a menace, and must be sunk by submarine or air attacks, if it attempts to block Pakistan’s sea lanes or ports. Air Marshal Ayaz A Khan (R). Pakistan Observer

Pakistan can also take out the Bharti tanks and infantry of the following Bharti corps:

• XI Corps at Jullunder,
• 7th Infantry Division (Ferozepur)
• 9th Infantry Division (Chandimandir)
• 15th Infantry Division (Amritsar)
• 23rd Armoured Brigade
• 55th Mechanised Brigade
• two Strike Corps being two Corps and X Corps at Ambala and Bhatinda, respectively.
• The 2 Corps has 1st Armoured Division, 14th RAPID Division, 22nd Infantry Division and 14th Independent Armoured Brigade while X Corps has the 18th and 24th RAPID Divisions, 16th Infantry Division and 6th Independent Armoured Brigade.

The Pakistani machine is built on missile defense..

Pakistan Army has ten Corps including the newly formed Strategic Corps. The Army has twenty six divisions (eight less than India). Two more divisions were raised as Corps reserves for V and XXXI Corps. Pakistan Army has two armored divisions, and ten independent armored brigades. Presently one hundred thousand troops are stationed on the Pak Afghan border to fight terror. Special Service Group-SSG comprises two airborne Brigades i.e. six battalions. Pakistan Army has 360 helicopters, over two thousand heavy guns, and 3000 APC’s. Its main anti-tank weapons are Tow, Tow Mk II, Bakter Shiken and FGM 148 ATGM. The Army Air Defence Command has S.A- 7 Grail, General Dynamics FIM-92 Stinger, GD FIM Red Eye, and ANZA Mk-I, Mk-II, Mk-III and HQ 2 B surface ti air missiles. Radar controlled Oerlikon is the standard Ack Ack weapon system. The ballistic missile inventory of the Army is substantial. It comprises Ghauri III and Shaheen III IRB’S; medium range Ghauri I and II and Shaheen II, and short range Hatf I- B, Abdali, Ghaznavi, Shaheen I and M -11 missiles. All the ballistic missiles can carry nuclear war heads. Nuclear and conventional weapon capable Babur Cruise missile is the new addition to Pakistan’s strategic weapon inventory. Number of ballistic missiles and war heads are almost the same as India has. So there is a parity in nuclear weapons, which is a deterrent. Pakistan Observer.Air Marshal Ayaz A Khan (R)

Pakistani missiles can also reach:

• A new naval base that has been built between Mumbai and Cochin at Binaga Bay
• An advance base at Dwarka.
• and the Navy’s Missile Boat HQ is at Colaba.

Indian armor is of Russian origin. Out of 2295 Indian Army’s Main Battle tanks, 2235 are of Russian origin. The main battle tanks are; 310 T-90-S Bishsma’s (300 are on order), 1925 T-72M Ajeya’s.. The T-90 and the T-72 have 125 mm smooth barrel guns. T-72 though old is the backbone of Indian Armor Corp’s. 268 Ajeya’s have been upgraded with Israeli Elbit thermal imaging systems. 1000 T-72 MBT’s are awaiting up-gradation. There have been several instances of T-72’s gun barrel bursting. 124 Indian made Arjun (heavy 56 ton) MBT are on order. Sixty Arjun’s are in operational service. Arjun’s engine overheating problem has not been solved. Arjun has a 120 mm gun, but is unfit or desert operations. Pakistan Observer. Air Marshal Ayaz A Khan (R)

Bharati brinkmanship banks on the fact that Pakistan will not use Nuclear weapons and destroy 250 Bharati cities ending life for South Asia. This calculation may be misplaced. Pakistan under attack will use Nuclear weapons.

One must look at the India’s possible deployment vis-à-vis Pakistan, based mostly on the Indians’ Order of Battle (ORBAT) during the 2002 crisis. The Indian Army has five Commands. The Northern Command at Udhampur near Jammu looks after Kashmir, the Western Command, at Chandimandir, looks after Punjab and Rajasthan with the borderline at Bikaner, the Southern Command at Poona looks after Gujarat and Maharashtra, the Central Command at Lucknow has a Strike Corps, including the 31st Armoured Division meant for the western border and the Eastern Command at Calcutta looks after Counter-Insurgency in Assam and the NEFA border with China. The Pakistani Armed Forces essentially face India’s Northern, Western and Southern Commands. India has troops earmarked against Pakistan as Army Reserve in both the Central and Eastern Commands.

The Northern Command consists of three Corps: XV Corps at Srinagar comprising the 19th Infantry Division (at Baramula) and the 28th (Gurais). XIV Corps at Leh comprising 3rd Infantry Division (Leh) and 8th Mountain Division (Nimer). XVI Corps at Nagrota (Jammu) is a Corps plus with five Infantry Divisions, the 10th (Akhnur), the 25th (Rajauri), the 26th (Jammu), the 29th (Pathankot) and the 39th (Yol). It also has three Independent Armoured Brigades, the 2nd, the 3rd and the 16th. There is an Artillery Brigade with each Corps. The 39th Infantry Division and the three Armoured Brigades are engaged in Counter-Insurgency duties and form the Command Reserve. The other Divisions are all deployed at the Line of Control (LoC).

The Western Command consists of three Corps, XI Corps at Jullunder, deploying 7th Infantry Division (Ferozepur), 9th Infantry Division (Chandimandir) and 15th Infantry Division (Amritsar), 23rd Armoured Brigade and 55th Mechanised Brigade, the two Strike Corps being two Corps and X Corps at Ambala and Bhatinda, respectively. The 2 Corps has 1st Armoured Division, 14th RAPID Division, 22nd Infantry Division and 14th Independent Armoured Brigade while X Corps has the 18th and 24th RAPID Divisions, 16th Infantry Division and 6th Independent Armoured Brigade.

The Southern Command consists of the XII Corps (Jodhpur) with 11th and 12th Infantry Divisions deployed at Ahmedabad and Jodhpur and the XXI Strike Corps (Bhopal) with 33rd Armoured, 36th RAPID and 54th Infantry Division. There are three Direct Reporting Units, 30th Artillery Division, which usually moves to Western Command. The 50th Independent Parachute Brigade and 333rd Missile Groups (India’s nuclear artillery unit having Prithvi missiles) are meant to be deployed from the Southern Command Area to Punjab and Rajasthan. During the 2002 crisis some formations moved from the Eastern Command to areas facing Pakistan, 57 Mountain Division, 2nd Mountain Division and 27 Mountain Division.

The Indian Aerospace Forces (IAF) consists of five operational commands, Western Air Command (New Delhi) controlling air operations from Kashmir to North of Rajasthan, Southwestern Air Command located at Gandhinagar controlling air operations from Rajasthan to Maharashtra, Central Air Command at Allahabad, Eastern Air Command at Shillong and Southern Air Command at Trivandrum. Pakistan is primarily concerned with Western Air Command and Southwestern Command, with 8air deployments from the other Commands.

Western Air Command has an Air Operation Group at Udhampur (near Jammu) dedicated to occupied Jammu & Kashmir. Its fighting units are based at Leh, Srinagar, Udhampur, Jammu, and Pathankot (total 96 aircraft). In Punjab its bases are at Amritsar, Adampur 17, Halvara, Chandigarh, Ambala, Bathinda, Sirsa and Suratgarh (Total 332 Aircraft).
Southwestern Air Command was previously under operational control of Western Command, it now controls air operations in Rajasthan and Maharshtra. Its fighting units are based at Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Agra, Jodhpur, Uttarlai, Jamnagar and Pune (total 263 aircraft). To back these Central Air Command has two Squadrons of Mirage 2000H at Gwalior which can be switched to the other Commands facing Pakistan (36 aircraft). Total deployment against Pakistan in 2002 was in excess of 753 combat aircraft, almost the whole of the IAF.

India’s Navy has three Naval Commands. Western Naval Command at Mumbai provides naval defence of the Arabian Sea. A new naval base has come up between Mumbai and Cochin at Binaga Bay, with an advance base at Dwarka. The Navy’s Missile Boat HQ is at Colaba. Eastern Naval Command, is based at Vizagaptam with a submarine base, it provides naval defence of the Bay of Bengal. The Southern Naval Command at Kochi is mainly a training base. Both the Western and Eastern Naval Commands will be involved in operations against Pakistan. Their surface fleet consists of one aircraft-carrier, 7 guided-missile destroyers, 7 guided-missile frigates, 3 frigates, 4 corvettes, 10 large patrol craft, 5 fast patrol boats, 3 fast-attack missile boats and 18 minesweepers. They have 1 nuclear-powered submarine and 13 diesel-powered submarines in service (1 Foxtrot Class, 9 Sindhughosh Class and 3 Shashikumar Class). India’s Naval Air Arm with HQs at Goa consists of a squadron of Jaguars and Sea Harriers each, other than 6 Sea-Kings and 20 Cheetak helicopters. The Jaguar squadron (at Poona) is operated by the IAF.

The Indian Navy, which focuses on anti-ship capabilities with an emphasis on attack submarines, has the capacity to support a multi-service heliborne-cum-para-cum amphibious operation, provided it has adequate air cover. This amphibious capability is built around 304th Army Independent Brigade at Vizagapatam. Their Marine Commando Force (Marcos for short) is based at Mumbai, Cochin and Vizagapatam. The Indian Navy has a heavy lift capacity with 2 new 5,600-ton Magar Class Landing Vessels with 4 Landing Craft Vehicles and Personnel (LCVP). Four Polnochny-class vessels have helicopter platforms. They also have 7 locally built 500-ton Landing Craft Utility (LCU). They also have 11 Cosmos midget submarines of Italian origin that can ride the back of Foxtrot-class submarines.

The Indians can deploy four Strike Corps against Pakistan, one each against the Southern part of Azad Kashmir, Central Punjab, Southern Punjab and one against Sindh. They have the necessary balance to focus their attack in a combination of two or even three corps but time and space dictate they cannot move more than one strike corps on any axis and they have to cater for our counter-offensive. Since no ground offensive is possible in the desert without heavy air cover, their air deployment in 2002 suggested that the focus of their strike corps could well be in the south (Western and Southern Commands). One should expect a combined heliborne, para and/or amphibious operation. Both the Indian Strike Corps, 2 Corps from Western Command at Jaisalmer and 21 Corps at Barmer from Southern Command could be reinforced with additional Divisions from Eastern Command (moving through Jodhpur) and have integral Helicopter Attack Squadrons, Engineer, Artillery and Air Defence Brigades. The deployment of the Army’s Direct Reporting Unit, 30th Artillery Division will give the fulcrum of the lines of attack. Jodhpur in 2002 had a concentration of heavy lift MI-8/M-17 helicopters, supplemented by AN-32s at Agra, Gwalior and Chandigarh. Agra is the peace station for another Direct Reporting Unit, the 50th Independent Parachute Brigade.

With all 3 Armoured Divisions and all 4 RAPID Divisions and at least 2 out of 5 Independent Armoured Brigades concentrated in Rajasthan, the resource allocation makes their offensive targets obvious, along the Jaisalmer-Rahimyar Khan axis or along the Barmer-Mirpurkhas axis, most probably both. They could also possibly attempt helicopter troop transportation/amphibious LST and launch XXI Strike Corps for a link-up. They practiced this in 2002. The area between Badin and Sujawal east of the Indus thus becomes vulnerable. Given Pakistan’s counter-riposte potential this could end up being “a bridge too far.” The Indian Navy cannot blockade Karachi Port with the same impunity they did in 1971, our Exocet-armed Mirages and enhanced submarine fleet will keep them well off-shore, even outside our 200 miles territorial limit. Our Navy would love to get the Indian aircraft-carrier within combat aircraft range.

In 2002 Indians moved Directly Reporting Unit 333rd Missile Group consisting of 3 Prithvi Batteries with 4 launchers each to the border areas. Their two Strike Corps in the Rajasthan Desert (2 and XXI) provide a better target for a possible Pakistan tactical nuclear strike. If at anytime our conventional forces lose ground threatening our North-South communications, we will use the weapons at our disposal.

Pakistan has no desire for war but it may be forced on us. We will certainly have grievous casualties and horrific damage in a conventional war even without a nuclear exchange. Unfortunately, we have no option but to fight.