*Sub: GUPSHUP FORUM - MATTERS OF NATIONAL INTEREST *
National Interest? soon ISI guys will be knocking on my door :) Anyways the rest of the response is not an official pak.org stance but my personal reponse to your questions.
*Sir, *
ji janab..
** Gupshup is a good forum but it in fact is really being used as a "gupshup" for which sub continent society is famous of. That is why west rightly believes people of Pakistan, India, and surrounding asian countries mostly waste time in "gupshup" even in offices and homes rather than using the time for some concrete jobs. **
Building understanding, Bringing People closer and sharing of information and knowledge is constructive work. Pakistanis in the west need to be aware of their history, of issues and conditions and of a multitude of viewpoints. The history of our nation will indicate that there is a lack of communication and mutual understanding between groups divided along the lines of sect, religion, provinve and language. Only if people did more open "gupshup" with others
we would be stepping in a positive direction.
** There must be many other reasons too for the development of west but one element which surely many like me must have observed while working with europeans is that they do not waste time and they recognise value of time and they do not have any minute for "gupshup". **
Depending on what is considered work. Much of american business is built on gupshup..i.e. making contacts and building a network. Power lunches, happy hours, golf outings etc etc drive more business than people realise. Sure there is a time for work and a time to relax.
Work Ethic has little to do with socialization. That is the reason that Italians who take afternoon breaks and naps have comparable GDP to the brits.
** When they are idle and resting if there is any discussion that is on "issues" rather than "gupshup". **
strongly disagree. The gupshup among americans is pretty much about sports etc rather than the missile defense system.
In actuality you will find the majority of westerners to be unaware of many national issues or details.
** Pak.Org GupShup mostly 70% is waste of time and a really "gupshup". Some 30% of it is really valuable food for thought containing good issues. **
If you look at the diversity that makes up this place you will understand. There are various age groups. While I understand a need for a more intellectually stimulating discussion, surely the interests of a 28 year old are different from someone who is 17.
*Though asking the Pak.Org to reduce it to serious issues will be a useless attempt as many believe since 15 years each government concentrated on development of good TV programmes, increasing timingS & channels etc only to keep people concentrated on such luxuries to avoid their attention to real serious issues, *
Pak.org is a medium and does not dictate the topics being discussed. The gupshup forum has been subdivided into special interest areas just so people can discuss issues with likeminded people. Whether the topic is devaluation of Pakistani Rupee or a comparison of Junoon vs Vital Signs.
nevertheless being a true Pakistani I feel my responsibility to request that this forum may be converted into real serious "Forum" of discussion on topics of national interests only.
I have previously moved your posts, as well as requested you to post your thoughts in Pakistan Politics section. You will find plenty of topics of a national interest nature there.
*However till something is done may I request that since pak.org has a sort of official support its administrators may seriously consider forwarding those clippings which contain some point of larger community interest or complaints or comments of such a nature which have value and contain common sense to concerned higher authorities and their replies be pasted when received beneath the complaint/comment so that outcome is known and there is a debate over such issues. *
The members are free to forward any posts to government agencies and offices to get replies and share them with the rest of the membership.
*It may also be considered that such issues which are serious in nature and of general national or community interest may not automatically cleaned off from the clipping board rather these stay until final replies from concerned are not received or a special board for such clippings is created on which members should not have access but only administrators. On receipt of any comments from any reader or member concerning such a clipping may be pasted below the original by administrators so such clippings may show right from beginning the development. *
This is how it works here. No post is removed unless it is in the wrong section and thus moved. People repy to the post and thus you can see the chronological development and discussion of the topic.
As far as an admin access only forum where responses from queried parties are pasted is a bit tough because #1- time factor #2- possible lack of response from the queried authorities.
I appreciate your interest in having more serious discussions here. Realize that different forums under gupshup have their own flavor and appeal to a different audience. I would suggest you visit political affairs, Pakistan politics, Religion and Kashmir Affairs to get your fill of serious issues.