Don't worry let few more people join up and this will be a success.
@RescueRanger want to join in.
My two cents:
I have been a member of this excellent forum since 2008 and since the years have passed several members have matured and remained others have left and moved onto pastures new, however with the exception of a handful of colleagues and professionals/opinionators I have noticed that the average age of a forum member is young within the 16-25 year bracket.
So many passionate young people in Pakistan fritter their energies away in wasteful politics, costly endeavors both in terms of monetary and time lost. When we are young we feel invincible and want to take on the world, this arrogance of youth is what makes youth the best and also the most dangerous time of our lives.
As a father and mentor to few, let me pass along a few tips for the young and passionate members on this forum. Before you do anything, research the word "Citizenship skills" aim to incorporate these into your daily routine as much as possible. Set an example by not throwing litter, by collecting litter from the floor and disposing of it properly, reminding your friends and family of their civic duties, if you are parent impart these skills to your children!
In Pakistan we are all used to the term "Para, Likha Jahil". So before I offer any input on this let me start by quoting from
Quaid-E-Azam:
My young friends, I look forward to you as the real makers of Pakistan, do not be exploited and do not be misled. Create amongst yourselves complete unity and solidarity. Set an example of what youth can do. Your main occupation should be in fairness to yourself, to your parents, in fairness to the State, to devote your attention to your studies. If you fritter away your energies now, you will always regret.
Now This is my advice to my passionate young PDFians would be the following:
Learning, from childhood through to when you leave university your energies should be solely focused on learning. Imagine your life as a cake and divide it into three slices, spend the first third of your life focused on learning. Learn at home from your parents and family members, in School and at College, read, absorb new ideas and accept different beliefs and opinions. Aim to Excel academically and in your everyday life.
Even if you cannot afford University or College, use the power of the internet to develop code, some of the wealthiest and most talented tech entrepreneurs have no university degrees.
Earning: The second third of your life is making money
By the age of 25 you should be in full-time work, aim to work hard and unless you were born with a silver spoon or win some sort of Jackpot the likely hood is that you will need to work to support yourself, your family and your studies/passion. Aim to research the job market/career you want to get into, spend the first five years of your working career learning and making mistakes, choose one mentor in your career/company and learn his good habits, shadow his success but be original.
Remember when you select a career/profession choose something you are passionate about, don't become a millennial and hop from job to job, time waits for no one!. Select one path. focus on it and aim that by the time you hit 40 you should become an expert in your chosen field so you can maximize your annual earning potential and maintain a good quality of living.
Remember that kitchen khabo per nahi chalta and you can't help anyone else if you yourself don't have a roof over your head, clothes on your back and food in your belly!
Finally, when you build your stock and have enough to support yourself and your family and are comfortable in your standard of living, this is the time you can focus on the third part of your life which is
returning.
By this time in your life, you should be around the 50 mark and this is the ideal time to return not only through your checkbook but through experience and donating the most precious asset you have at age 50, your time. Pick one field close to your heart and contribute!
If you can be a good citizen, responsible in your actions, kind, empathitic and one who spreads light in the darkness, you will contribute more to Pakistan than any NGO, Grand project or cliche program with song and dance ever could!
Just my humble opinion!
