I just stumbled upon a beautiful message from WordPress. It has been a whole 7 years since first I joined this amazing platform. Time flies so fast. Feels like yesterday.
The first time I heard about WordPress was through a few blogs that I have been reading back in my school days and early college days. For the first few months, I didn’t even know what a blogging platform was but when I felt the need of something more than a social network to publish my designs, I had to search. Yes, that was still the Orkut era for me and I was obsessed with gothic art (I’d call it art just to make it sound a little better). Basically, I didn’t want my friends and family to see those piece of whatever (okay I have changed my mind, it’s not art) but I still wanted them to exist somewhere on the internet. Back then, the whole family shared the PC and you know what I mean.
I did not end up publishing them but it did open a whole new world of possibilities. One of them is how I make my living today.
So, thank you WordPress for this awesome ride so far. I hope we stick together for long.
In Pakistan, natural disasters like earthquakes and monsoon floods claim thousands of lives each year. Millions more are affected, and billions of Pakistani rupees worth of infrastructure are damaged as a result of such calamities. Take, for example, the floods of July-August 2010 that affected 20 million people and claimed several thousand lives. Or the earthquake of October 2005 that killed almost 78,000 people and disrupted the lives of 2.5 million more.
Advanced technologies can help predict calamities like earthquakes and floods and enable people at risk to take precautionary measures in time. For a developing country like Pakistan, this is not a job the government can tackle alone. Every citizen has to step forward to build disaster-resilient communities. With the right information made available at the right time, we can reduce the impact of these disasters on our society.
To strengthen communities’ resilience to natural disasters, Code for Resilience—an open innovation challenge supported by the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR)—partnered with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Technology Board, the University of Engineering and Technology-Peshawar, the World Bank, Code for Pakistan, Peshawar 2.0, and the Water and Sanitation Program to engage civic hackers in developing solutions to some of the greatest challenges facing Peshawar city in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province of Pakistan.
The three-day Peshawar Civic Hackathon was attended by 89 participants who were organized into 23 teams. Several government agencies, including the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), and FATA Disaster Management Authority (FDMA), joined the Hackathon, providing their problem statements—some of which are available at www.CodeForResilience.org. Civic hackers then put together their ideas on how technology-based tools might address these problems. A total of five teams dedicated their time to creating disaster resilience-related solutions.
During the three-day event, hackers received a variety of support. Already available software tools that could be easily redeployed were highlighted through the “app” repository on the Code for Resilience website. Representatives from the PDMA and FDMA were also available at specific times to answer questions from the teams. Mentors were provided to help the teams with the technical aspects of building their solutions.
Teams developing disaster resilience tools were also given individual brainstorming sessions on the Code for Resilience Online Innovation Challenge, which is designed to provide additional time and support to civic hackers to take their solutions to a new level with the support of expert mentors. Grand prize winners of the challenge will be awarded an all-expenses-paid trip to pitch their tools to an audience of disaster risk management experts gathering for the Understanding Risk conference in London this July. Each team was given a demo on how to create an account on the Code for Resilience website using GitHub and how to submit the application for the Online Innovation Challenge on the first day.
Among the 20 total teams who made it through to the final day of the event, four teams were working on a disaster resilience-related problem statement. After the marathon development session, each team was given four minutes to demonstrate their application. Five judges with rich backgrounds in relevant fields evaluated the “apps,” keeping in mind criteria such as problem-solution fit, potential impact, prototype, and ease of deployment. The official criteria by which apps were rated were published on the official hackathon webpage a few days prior to the event.
The Minister of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Technology Board (KPITB), the host of the event, attended the award ceremony along with the Managing Director of KPITB and Vice Chancellor of the University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Peshawar.
The winning teams of KP Hacks 2014.
The eight winning applications are:
First Place: Smart Life Saver
Second Place*: Messiah, an Android application that sends emergency alerts to a bounded network of family and friends at the push of a button.
Third Place*: Rehnuma, an SMS-based government information portal that connects citizens to key government services, including emergency services.
Audience Favorite: Instant Appointments
The Aitzaz Hasan Prize for Education: Schools Ka Ehtisaab
Best Disaster Resilience App*: Disaster Survey Management (DSM), a smartphone-based tool that provides a way to conduct quick and efficient digital surveys about the housing needs of populations that had previously been displaced by conflict.
Best Open Source Redeployment: Rotti Kapra Makan
Best App for Government Problem Statements: No Kunda
* – Indicates a tool created in response to a disaster resilience problem statement.
From the winning teams, three will be offered six-month fellowship opportunities at KPITB.
The PDMA and FDMA showed their interest in continuing their support for the teams to launch their pitched solution.
The Peshawar Civic Hackathon demonstrates how, through innovative solutions and collaboration between local developers and responsible government agencies, the challenging task of creating more disaster-resilient communities can be made possible.
As I turned on my laptop this morning, the first thought that crossed my mind was to pen a few words about the cricketing god, the little master, the man who stands alone with so many records that an entire cricket team couldn’t achieve them in ages—the one and only Sachin Tendulkar! Four hours later, my post area in the editor remained empty. Countless thoughts swirled in my mind, yet I found myself unable to write a single word. I simply didn’t know where to begin. Summoning the courage to write about someone who wields such tremendous authority over a game with their exceptional talent rendered my words seemingly inadequate. If you firmly believe that one cannot exaggerate this much about someone so close to one’s heart, you might have a slight idea of what I’m trying to convey.
The adoration for Sachin is unmistakable. Even for a fan of the opposing team, there exists a silent support that inevitably emerges because one cannot deceive themselves for long. The undeniable fact remains that Sachin has taught millions to love cricket. He entered the game during a foundational moment of its evolution. The game of cricket underwent substantial changes after his arrival, and the contributions made by the little master cannot be encapsulated in this modest post by a single person.
Sachin, through his talent and unwavering determination, has achieved milestones that an individual cricketer could only dream of. He has been a team unto himself. He has been extraordinary. He has exceeded expectations by a thousand miles, far surpassing what any fan could ever anticipate from a star. He is the man whose work speaks volumes for him!
There is so much more to express, yet I fear, as I mentioned earlier, whether my words suffice to honor Sachin. I will conclude this small tribute to the living legend of cricket by quoting two individuals who need no introduction.
“Sachin Tendulkar is the Muhammad Ali and the Michael Jordan of cricket.” – Brian Lara.
“There will never be another Sachin Tendulkar.” – Shane Warne.
As Sachin Tendulkar’s last test match approaches, millions around the world are paying their respects in their own ways. I join you all in saying THANK YOU, SACHIN.
It was 2:00 AM on a bone-chilling long vacation night, the kind where the freezing cold dissuades anyone from daring to expose even a single body part outside the warmth of a sleeping bag. Despite the bitter cold, I ventured out. I had made plans to visit the Hon Pass with a few friends, eager to witness the first light of dawn grace the breathtaking mountains encircling the Hunza and Nagar Valleys.
Ascending to the top of the Hunza Valley once more was an exhilarating experience. Two years ago, my initial visit to the Hon Pass had left me awestruck. The beauty and grandeur of the place were beyond compare—a sight that photographs alone cannot do justice to. The Hon Pass truly demands a visit if you seek to be captivated by something more than just a mere picture-perfect view!
As the first rays of the sun began to cast their golden hue upon the landscape, the magnificence of the mountains seemed to come alive in a spectacular display of nature’s splendor. The valleys below slowly stirred to life, bathed in the ethereal glow of dawn. The serene beauty of that moment was a testament to the sheer magnificence of nature, an experience that words can barely capture.
Standing atop the Hon Pass once again, with the chilly breeze cutting through the silence of the night, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for being able to witness such an awe-inspiring sight. The Hunza Valley, with its majestic peaks and tranquil valleys, never fails to leave an indelible mark on one’s soul.
The experience of witnessing the sunrise at the Hon Pass is more than a mere sightseeing venture—it’s an encounter with nature’s grandeur that etches itself into your memory forever. The beauty of this place is beyond words; it’s an experience that beckons you to return, again and again, to behold its timeless allure.
At Hon Pass (4257m) The Hunza Valley, Rakaposhi and Diran Peak in the background. Photo by Wasim Zapoo
I visited the Hon Pass for the first time in 2010. Photo by Imtiaz Ali
A few more pictures from this year’s Trek to Hon Pass
Me at Hon Pass (4257m) The Hunza Valley, Rakaposhi and Diran Peak in the background. Photo by Wasim Zapoo
I visited the Hon Pass for the first time in 2010. Photo by Imtiaz Ali
After completing college (which I passed with the bare minimum marks), I’ve been more active in exploring social media platforms. One of the many names out there is Facebook, which brings a lot of promising features.
One feature on Facebook that I’ve spent time setting up is the fan page feature, which is an entirely new idea for reaching out to audiences with specific interests. It can represent a person, an organization, a business, a hobby, or anything else you want to showcase to the world.
A Facebook fan page is essentially a public profile that allows individuals, businesses, and organizations to promote themselves, their products, or their services. It acts as a dedicated space for engaging with your audience and building a community around your brand or interests.
What is a Facebook fan page?
Facebook fan pages are similar to Facebook profiles. They allow fans and customers to connect with you and stay updated on your latest activities. Fan pages are more popular than Facebook groups because they offer more embedding options and allow you to publish posts in the news feeds that appear on your main account page. You can also add widgets to your website for your fans and customers to access your live-streaming activities. Additionally, you can use a “Become a Fan” button to grow your fan base.
How to create a fan page?
Recently I have received a few messages about the creation of a Facebook fan page. Note that I am not talking about a group which is different from a fan page. I will add another article soon about the differences between Facebook groups and fan pages. A lot of people get confused about how to start creating a fan page. This is because you won’t see any option or link to create a fan page. I am adding some useful pictorial steps for the creation of a Facebook fan page.
Step 1:
Login to your Facebook account and go to this URL (http://www.facebook.com/pages/). You will now see a page as shown in the below picture.
Creating a Facebook fan page
Step 2:
Now click the “Create a page” green button on the top-right of the page. Once you have done that, you will see another page same as shown in the below picture.
Creating a Facebook fan page (Step 2)
Step 3:
Now select a suitable category for your page, choose a name for it, enter your full name in the Electronic Signature Box, and Click “Create Page”. you are done! You will soon see your empty fan page. You can make it more interactive and attractive by adding display pictures and more tabs.
A blank facebook fan page
Extra Tips:
Once you create a page, you’ll need to provide some basic information about your page, such as the name, category, and description. Make sure to choose a name that accurately reflects your brand or interests. The category you choose will help Facebook suggest your page to relevant users.
Once you have filled in the necessary details, click on the “Create Page” button. Congratulations! Your Facebook fan page is now live.
Now that your fan page is set up, it’s time to customize it to reflect your brand and engage your audience effectively. Here are a few tips to make the most out of your fan page:
Upload a profile picture and cover photo that represents your brand or interests. These visuals will be the first thing visitors see when they land on your page, so make sure they are visually appealing and relevant.
Write a compelling “About” section that clearly explains what your page is about and what value you provide to your audience. Use keywords that relate to your niche to optimize your page for search.
Start posting content regularly to keep your audience engaged. You can share updates, articles, photos, videos, or anything else that resonates with your target audience. Experiment with different types of content to see what works best for your page.
Interact with your followers by responding to comments, messages, and reviews. Building a strong community on your fan page requires active engagement and communication.
Promote your page to expand your reach. You can invite your friends to like your page, share your page on other social media platforms, or run paid advertising campaigns to target specific demographics.
Remember, building a successful Facebook fan page takes time and effort. Consistency, quality content, and active engagement are key to attracting and retaining followers. So, dive in and start creating your own Facebook fan page to showcase your passions, connect with like-minded individuals, or grow your business. Good luck!
Links:
Got to this link to see all the pages you have linked
Go to this link to see all the pages that you manage
Like this tutorial?
Join me to get more updates about Facebook Pages & Groups
Welcome to my corner of the internet, where I’ll be sharing the little joys and practical discoveries that make up my digital world. This blog is a new venture for me—a space entirely my own to share my activities and thoughts. While I’ve been writing about tech and social media on other platforms, this feels like a significant leap into a more personal space online. I’ve been toying with the idea of a self-hosted blog for quite a while, but various constraints, with laziness topping the list, held me back.
If you’ve stumbled upon my Blogspot writings, you might have noticed my tendency to cover a myriad of topics. I find comfort in exploring diverse subjects, and that’s a part of my style that’s here to stay. Alongside my random musings, I plan to delve more into areas like entrepreneurship, digital media, volunteering, social media, web design & development, internet marketing, photography, filmmaking, and my travel experiences. Expect a mix of the expected and the unexpected!
So, why this fresh blog, you ask?
Well, it’s about freedom. I’ve made the shift from the Google-owned Blogger to WordPress, and it feels like the right fit for me. WordPress offers simplicity along with fantastic features, and the best part? It doesn’t burn a hole in my pocket. It gives me the creative and technical freedom I craved, which wasn’t as feasible with Blogger.
What’s new in my blogging toolkit?
I’ve got my hands on a sleek and customizable theme and a bunch of handy free plugins, courtesy of WordPress. These additions are gearing me up to take this new blog to new heights.
I’m genuinely excited about this fresh start and am determined to do better with this blog. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the small group of individuals who read even my most lackluster posts and took the time to leave a comment. Your support means the world to me, and I’m thrilled to have you along for this new chapter of my digital journey.
