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Free download Dolls, Toys and More

Posted on 21 September 2012 by shirazi

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Thatta Kedona

Posted on 09 August 2012 by shirazi

Thatta Kedona is a project of the first Pakistan international NGO network in rural area where handmade quality dolls and toys are crafted using all indigenous material and traditional designs based on cultural and folklore themes. The workmanship of the dolls and toys has acclaimed international recognition and clientele through their participation in numerous international events, exhibitions, fairs and display at International Doll Museum Iceland and Deutsche Gesellschafr zur Foerderung der Kultar, Germany. These toys are the embodiment of dreams, hopes and most of all self-reliance of the hands, which breathe a part of the soul into them.

This is a holistic project. Handicraft is in the spot on the stage but the project has a cultural philosophy. Education, science, agriculture, hydrogeology (drinking water project), appropriate technology (men center with around 18 young men), public health (basic health unit with 7 ladies), economy (marketing, distribution), tourism and communication, are all is practice.

Goals

Self-help activities at a grass root’s level
Holistic village development
Empowerment of women
Income generation
Income generation
Literacy and vocational training

Philosophy

Preservation of cultural heritage
Reduction of migration to cities by creating additional income in the village
Future is in the rural areas

Awards, Special Invitations

Best Doll Making in Pakistan via Lok Virsa, Islamabad since 1995
Pakistan’s only world wide project, special award for the 21st Century, Hanover, Germany in EXPO 2000
Special Invitation from Consul General in Dubai on Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai, UAE since 2001
Silver Award / 2nd price by UN-IWSA (International Women Solidarity Association) in Izmir, Turkey in 2004
Pakistan Pavillon in Aichi, Japan in EXPO 2005
Participation and or Collection
Lok Virsa, Ethnological Museum, Pakistan
International Dolls Museum Flateyri, Iceland
International Museum for the Children, Izmir, Turkey
Puppet Museum, Lahore

Participations and or Collections

Lok Virsa, Ethnological Museum, Pakistan
International Dolls Museum Flateyri, Iceland
International Museum for the Children, Izmir, Turkey
Puppet Museum, Lahore
Private Collectors
Kawakami, Japan
Carew-Reid, Australia
Rein, UAE
Farah Naz, Canada
Bano Makdoum, USA

Dolls of the World – Project Description

Dolls have always been there Proof of this is found in the escavations in South America, the Subcontinent, Japan, Italy, Greece, and other sites all over the world. Made out of sa number pof materials like wood, wax, clay, cloth etc., they were not only a toy but used also as religious symbols and cult items for example as miniaturized images of persons.

Even today they are used by many people as fetish. Today, the experts are not sure what was the first purpose of the dolls; as a toy, out of which the cult figure developed or the cult figure which became a toy.

Over and above their value as toys with educational value, dolls are realistic documentation of past and present times and therefore important source of our knowledge about the games, life, living and work conditions and economy. They are important cultural carriers.

Dr Senta Siller established different projects in Pakistan, Cameroun, Columbia, etc., in which small but long-term progress was made towards development of rural areas, help towards self-sustained development, discouragement of urbanization by way of income generating projects in the rural areas through production of certain types of handicraft items. Dolls are manufactured here lovingly and clothed in traditional dresses and accessories. Fabric design and types of clothing are revived and take an important place in daily life.

Dolls from Pakistan

The women project established by Dr Siller in 1993 in the pakistani province of Punjab, which has in the meanwhile also added a men centre, has 120 women members and it is generating income. The women here work not on full-time basis but in a traditional way so that family and field work is not compromised and festivals of different types, common in villages, can be celebrated as usual. The village Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka has about 1200 residents. The villagers established the NGO Anjuman-e-Falah-e-Aama in 1991, which co-operates with the DGFK e.V. (German Society for Promotion of Culture). The Anjuman itself co-operates with six further projects in the country.

Dolls from Cameroun

Three co-operatives (Akwatinuighah, Akaankang, HandiCraft CAT) are functioning since 1998 in Bamenda, the capital of the North-West Provinz in Cameroun, which is located near the border to Nigeria. Also this NGO co-operates with the DGFK, Germany. Bamenda has about 60000 residents living on seven hills, who speak eight different languages. Apart from the men of CAT, over 100 women manufacture a variety of handicrafts.

Dolls from Columbia

The co-operative Tantomejor was established in 1999 in Saboya and it works in the meanwhile with three other initiatives. Saboya has about 6000 residents near Chiquinquira, the capital of Departemento Boyaca, north of Bogota. Also this NGO enjoys cooperation of the DGFK. Over 100 women are engaged in the manufacture of handicraft items.

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Consumer behaviour

Posted on 02 July 2012 by shirazi

Why consumer behave the wired way?

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Do you think DealFun a scam?

Posted on 24 September 2011 by shirazi

DealFun.com is a penny auction site growing in popularity. Penny auction websites claim that users can win new, popular, and expensive items for extremely discounted prices. Deal Fun allows new users to purchase bid packages ranging in cost from $69.00 to $119.00. The more expensive bid package you purchase, the lower the cost of the individual bids. The smallest initial package offers 115 bids at 60 cents per, and the largest package offers 200 bids at 35 cents per. After you purchase your initial bid package, you may purchase subsequent packages priced at 60 cents per bid. Each bid you make on an item raises the price of the item one cent. The winner of each auction must pay the winning auction price within 72 hours in order for their item to be sent to them.

Do you have any experience with DealFun.com? Do you think dealfun.com scam?

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Consumer psychology

Posted on 21 September 2011 by shirazi

Significance of consumer psychology by S A J Shirazi in Profit, Pakistan Today

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Computer repair Los Angeles

Posted on 15 September 2011 by shirazi

In this age when every thing (OK, almost every thing) starts at computers and people have their valuable assets stored in them, computers have become very important machines. No one, particularly those who have integrated computers in their lives and or work, can afford to have malfunctioning in computers. But still, computer crash, malfunction and so many other things happen to them. That is when you wish that instead of dismantling the work station and taking computer to mechanics or calling them in and waiting, you can repair them in a jiffy. That is where Mobile Computer Repair can help in Los Angeles, the Valley and Thousand Oaks. In case of computer problem, call and leave the rest to them. What is more, they offer free telephone support.

Computer repair Los Angeles technicians make PC and Mac computers easy to use. They take out the frustration of PC installations, help you optimize the configuration of your PC components, and will revolutionize the way you use your PC or Mac. Explore Mobile Computer Repair and see how useful they can be when needed.

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Gift Ecomomy

Posted on 14 September 2011 by shirazi

This article by S A J Shirazi appeared in Profit, Pakistan Today, August 10, 2011 issue

The concept of sharing economy is as old as society itself. Economic model based on bartering, lending, trading, renting, gifting, and swapping (commonly called collaborative consumption) has always been present in all civilization in one form or the other. Only the ongoing boom of collaborative web technologies has accelerated sharing on the pace that was never possible before. The growth is more evident online.

Loosely defined, sharing economy is a business model in which shared goods or services are distributed via a market place to a community of users. The basic idea is to better utilize existing assets. Connected population can better participate in organized sharing of goods that would otherwise sit unutilized. Many of us are probably already participating in this fast growing trend. Anyone who has created software for download free or posted information online for users to benefit is already participating in the trend. Those who are using online marketplaces to recycle physical goods creating less of a need to produce new products or are facilitating an economical and convenient ways of sharing are also aiding collaborative consumption.

Initially, sharing economy concerns followed business-to-consumer market strategies. Over time, peer-to-peer models are mushrooming. Peer-to-peer models are much more capital efficient than their business to consumer counterparts because they do not require major capital investment to acquire assets. Instead, they rely on a community to supply them, typically in exchange for a revenue share of the transaction.

Growing fast, sharing economy stands at one of those interesting points in time where no one knows how big it might grow. Social technologies have already changed the concept of a community and consumers’ behavior. What in the past was about ownership is now about access.Traditionally, the growth of conventional economy has always based upon larger inputs from finite resources. That is not sustainable long-term solution. Still, armed with theories that disregard physical limits, conventional economy has been successful in creating incredible wealth and technological progress, notwithstanding the depletion in existing resources to near exhaustion. Almost all resources are running out, leaving little for generations to come. Environmental hazards that come with exploiting resources, like climate change, ecosystem devastation, and biodiversity loss.

That is why ecologists were the first to support sharing economy as a phenomenon. Ecologists and environmentalist view economic fundamentals by making a distinction between growth and sustainable development. While growth can be defined as an increase in output, sustainable development means increasing the quality of human well-being by a given output. By focusing on the latter, ecologists believe that our society can progress without destroying the ecosystem that sustains it.

Sharing and renting more stuff means producing and wasting less stuff, which in turn means producing less and that is good for the planet we live on. In addition to this green element, best thing is that collaborative consumption has new opportunities for entrepreneurs to make money. As per careful estimate, sharing economy as a whole is a $110 billion plus market and it is growing as a perfect fit for an cyber lifestyle in which “digital natives” (those born after 1980 and are now growing up during the digital revolution) can participate with trust. One can see the growth in the rise of big businesses like car rentals and media companies whose millions of subscribers pay a fee to share a car part time or download DVDs they want. In addition to the so many successful examples, a huge new opportunity is already driving new businesses and renewing old ones.

Let us take a look at human factor in collaborative consumption. Collaboration is human nature in the first place. Digital natives have discovered that consumption and capitalism are not necessarily the doors to happiness. They are connected; they know that the world is now a group of interest based communities ripe for collaboration. The tools the digital generation embraces and the platforms that are coming up every day are making it possible to collaborate more.

Sharing is first of all a human experience, probably as old as our existence, but after the rise of rampant consumption, “sharing with” is the new humanized experience.

Local market scouting reveals that all businesses from bartering, lending, trading, renting, gifting, to swapping are already running in Pakistan since pre internet era still working the old ways. They need to adjust to the age of collaborative web technologies. The bottom of the pyramid in Pakistan is much wider than most people realize. Collaborative consumption phenomenon that promises austerity will sure find great demand.

Is collaborative consumption really the answer to rampant consumerism, a change in the air? While the exchange economy may have been appropriate for the industrial and post industrial age, the sharing economy is coming back as we proceed through the digital age and yes, it can change so many things.

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Invest in Gold

Posted on 14 September 2011 by shirazi

Buying gold and silver needs to be an informed decision. Given the market trends, gold is one of the best investments of all times. Those who are looking to sell gold coins or buy gold bars must start at neatly laid out site Gold Crown Jewelers – company that buys gold, silver, platinum, US mint coin sets and diamonds and pays the best price. What is more, Ann Arbor Jewelry also trade in old for new and that gives you double value for your unwanted used jewelry. Call or fill up simple information form online and leave rest to them. They will get back to you in a moment.

In addition to buying Gold, Gold Crown Jewelers specializes in high end custom design and fabrication of Silver, Gold and platinum jewelry of all kinds including wedding sets with diamonds, wedding sets with precious gem stones, matching sets, wide selections of natural diamonds and natural gem stones, right hand ring designs, bracelets, rings, chains pendants as well as in store jewelry repair. Explore the site and see what they offer and how.

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Ergonomic sleek furniture

Posted on 14 September 2011 by shirazi

Everyone likes quality, modern and ergonomic furniture at home (and elsewhere). The quality of furniture used in home where I spend most of my time and where I come back to relax and recharge is very important to me, personally. It is also important for me at office where I create. I like a modern sleek furniture beautiful decor and contemporary styling.

I came upon Interior Trade Furniture while looking for stack chair and am pleased to find what I was looking for. Similarly Eames chairs are also attractive as well as ergonomic. Have a look and see what is on display. The site is resource rich and very users friendly. There are good images and enough information with each product to make an informed decision. Please note the discounted prices given with the products. This will give you an idea of how much you will be saving while shopping at Interior Trade Furniture. .They offer safe and secure shopping online. Also there are multiple option for payment. Have a look and see more. Better still try them.

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Toronto Properties

Posted on 13 September 2011 by shirazi

Selling and buying properties is one of the most important decisions in life. It has long term implications for anyone involved. This has accelerated the growth of real estate business. More so in case of cities like Toronto.

If you are looking for Toronto houses for sale, I suggest you approach Century 21 Heritage Group Ltd – an independent real estate brokerage, committed to providing outstanding service and value to buyers and sellers, by employing and training only the top performers in today’s market – and get their expert advice of houses for sale in Toronto. They offer the best services, information and expertise that will enable you make an informed decision.

Explore information rich and neatly laid out site and see what Century 21 Heritage Group Ltd are offering and how. Better still try them and have an enriching selling and or buying experiences. Best thing is that they advise users on all aspect including questions every buyer should ask. Have a look before you take a first step to buy Toronto condo.

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Electricity by kites

Posted on 10 September 2011 by shirazi

Thatta Kedona

salaPakistani press publicized in the summer of 2010 that a hobby scientist managed to produce as much as 3 volts direct current by launching a 10 square foot kite.

The young man by the name of Shakeel Amir resides in Shirin Muafi, a village close to the city of Okara. The AFA (NGO) Center of Technology Transfer and Training in the village of Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka plans another experiment using no source of power at all (prior experiments required electricity!) to improve the results.

As with other NGO projects, the results of the latest experiments are supposed to improve the situation in the rural areas where insufficient technical infrastructure leads to various shortcomings. There is a continuous demand for decentralized power supply due to the fact that no help from the city can be expected.

NGO Experience
Since it’s foundation in 1993, NGO has tested and implanted innovations prior to any public attention.
1996 first photovoltaic Installation in Punjab in the TGD Women Center
1998 Installation of according technology (Solar hot plates and kitchen modules)
2000 The project is part of Expo 2000 (voted as Asian advanced technology development)
2002 Work involving droplet irrigation for a cucumber project
2003 Joint venture between AFA Pakistan and CAT (Centre for appropriate Technology) / Cameroon
2004 Workshop regarding Appropriate Technology in Adamghot near Karachi
2006 Workshop regarding Appropriate Technology at COMSATS in Abottabad
2008 Preparation for a project regarding passive solar architecture and internet radio to broadcast in rural areas.
2010 Mud Housing Project participation in Lahore with the AT of AFA’s (NGO’s) TTTC incl. Wind Mill.
Background information regarding the Technology

Internationally scientists continue to create new forms of generating electricity. Up to this day most of the solutions were ground based. Selected scientist are now considering the sky.

The system is rather simple and easy to understand. A kite is launched and the more wind you have the higher the kite will ascend, spooling a chord off from a reel driving a generator.

Once the kite has reached it’s final altitude, it is drawn back by an electric motor that uses less energy than the kite produced during flight. The entire act is computer controlled.

A 64-year old Professor Ockels is the head of the Institute For Sustainable Engineering and Technology at the Technical University in Delft, Netherlands. He is a physicist and has been an astronaut on a space mission in the mid eighties. He has been dreaming about kites generating energy for a long time and believes in the sky as a future power supply.

Ockels and his team have conducted experiments with 100 square feet kites producing as much as 10kW electrical power. Enough to supply 10 households. The scientists believe that high flying kites linked with each other can drive generators producing as much as 100 MW to serve 100.000 households. Ockels envisions 50 or more kites as big as soccer fields flying as high as 3.000 feet.

In other parts of the world scientists are also planning kite projects to produce electrical power. Some of them hope to produce a hundredfold of the global demand.

In 2007 an American company by the name of Makani invested 15 million US dollars to produce energy with flying kites. Makani is a subsidiary of the internet search engine Google. The Italy based company Kitegen plans to launch a number of kites to produce as much as 1 GW of electrical power. The amount of power an average coal-fired power plant would produce.

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Handle food with care

Posted on 30 August 2011 by shirazi

Have you ever seen the vendors sporting aprons and hand gloves on grocery or provision stores? Rarely! Presently it is not a common norm. But the fact is that in some countries there is a law that hawkers and food vendors and even temporary stall owners must follow minimum standards of food safety.

Anyone who handles food including small-time food stalls, vegetable and fruit vendors and even big-time restaurants – all have to mandatorily follow basic hygiene rules such as wearing an apron, gloves, using clean utensils and potable water.

Though it is the uphill task to monitor food and other eatables sold by the large network of the street vendors and restaurants but if awareness grows, market forces can help adoption and that will be a collective good for improvement in quality of life.

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