Current Final

Category: Lifestyle

  • Rain damages ancient Buddhist heritage site in Taxila

    Rain damages ancient Buddhist heritage site in Taxila

    Recent rains in the country have not only created hurdles for human life, but old heritage sites are also being affected by the storms. First, the small wooden entrance gate to the Shahi Qila in Lahore was damaged due to the rain and now the rains have damaged an ancient Buddhist heritage site in Taxila.

    As per details, the double-headed eagle Stupa located at Sirkap is crumbling fast. An architectural marvel, the double-headed eagle Stupa is made of Kanjur stone and was originally plastered with lime.

    The second city of ancient Taxila, Sirkap is significant in the archaeological history of Pakistan as it is among three of the 18 Buddhist sites of the Taxila valley with intact sculptures. The site which has relics dating back to the Achaemenid, Greek and Kushan periods has been classified as World Heritage Site by the Unesco.

    According to the curator of Taxila Museum, Sirkap was founded by the Bactrian King Demetrius, who conquered the region in the 180s BCE. The city was expanded by Gondophares who also built the famous double-headed eagle Stupa and the Temple of the Sun.

    Apart from the double-headed eagle Stupa, the recent torrential rains have also caused severe damages to scores of priceless stucco sculptures of the Buddhist period (2–5th century AD).

    The government and others responsible have not taken the necessary measures to preserve and protect these heritage sites, which these sites may soon cease to exist if things continue to be like this.

    Irshad Hussain, the deputy director of the archaeology department, said the department was facing a shortage of staff from the last 15 years as no recruitment has been made and employees were retiring every year after reaching their age limits. He said after the 18th amendment the site had been handed over to the provincial government. However, he added that the department had planned to erect a protective roof over such endangered stupas to save them from natural elements such as rain.

  • All you need to know about Congo virus

    All you need to know about Congo virus

    Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever, commonly known as Congo fever, is a viral disease that spreads through tick bites. The virus infects wild as well as domestic animals like sheep and cattle.

    Humans are infected when they come in direct contact with blood or tissues from infected animals or bites of infected ticks. Crushing of infected tick could also result in infection. The infection spreads to other people if they come in contact with the patient’s infected blood or body fluids.

    According to Agha Khan Hospital, Congo virus does not survive high temperatures, and well-cooked meat does not pose any risk of transmission of the virus.

    What are ticks?

    Ticks are scientifically classified as Arachnida (a classification that includes spiders). Ticks require blood meals to complete their complex life cycles.

    Tick

    Symptoms

    A person infected with the virus may show general symptoms like high fever, headache, joint and muscle aches, nausea, stomach pain, sore eyes and loose motions. He may suffer from severe bleeding, jaundice, and photophobia (sensitivity to light).

    If you experience any of the above symptoms and suspect that you may have been exposed to, or if you work in an environment where Congo virus is likely present, seek medical advice immediately.

    Prevention

    • Reducing the risk of tick-to-human transmission:
      • Wear protective clothing (long sleeves, long trousers)
      • Wear light-colored clothing to allow easy detection of ticks on the clothes
      • Use approved repellent on the skin and clothing
      • Regularly examine clothing and skin for ticks; if found, remove them safely
      • Avoid areas where ticks are abundant and seasons when they are most active.
    • Reducing the risk of animal-to-human transmission:
      • Wear gloves and other protective clothing while handling animals notably during slaughtering and butchering procedures.
      • Routinely treat animals with pesticides two weeks prior to slaughter.
    • Reducing the risk of human-to-human transmission in the community:
      • Avoid close physical contact with CCHF-infected people;
      • Wear gloves and protective equipment when taking care of ill people;
      • Wash hands regularly after caring for or visiting ill people.
  • 2.5M polythene bags confiscated in Islamabad

    2.5M polythene bags confiscated in Islamabad

    Special teams of the Ministry of Environment have made raids in different areas of Islamabad and removed 2.5 million polythene bags during the operation.

    Since 14th August polythene bags have been completely banned in Islamabad under the Clean and Green Pakistan campaign. Teams are visiting different areas of Islamabad daily and checking stores if they are still using polythene bags.

    The ban on the use of polythene bags in Islamabad involves a permanent ban on its manufacturing, trading, and sale. The Ministry of Climate Change has introduced cotton bags as an alternative.

    The Sindh government has also announced plans to make the province a plastic bag-free by October 2019. On the other hand, Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar has also said that the approval to ban plastic bags in the province will be accorded in the next meeting of the provincial cabinet.

  • Punjab government announces monthly stipend for acid attack survivors

    Punjab government announces monthly stipend for acid attack survivors

    Spokesperson to Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Gill has announced a monthly stipend for girls and women who have survived an acid attack. 

    Gill made this announcement during while visiting an acid attack survivor in Gujrat. He also gave a cheque of Rs 500,000 to the victim’s family.

    Speaking on the matter, the spokesperson said, “We’ve paid more attention to paying off the country’s debt. For one year, we applied the policy of human welfare and will focus on it more in the coming years.”

    Along with announcing a monthly stipend for acid victims, Gill assured families that culprits will be punished for their crimes. He asserted that the government stands with the survivors, adding that the government has also legislated on the matter of abolishing the practice of acid attacks.

  • The best drinks for your heart

    The best drinks for your heart

    We are all obsessed with tea, coffee, soft drinks and juice. But which drink is good for your heart?

    Coffee and Tea are good for you says Harvard University

    The Harvard Medical School, in its Health Publishing article, says that tea and coffee are actually good for you. They contain healthy compounds which help with artery inflammation and some studies show that people who regularly drink either coffee or tea have lower rates of heart disease. Over time, caffeine also raises your resting metabolic rate which can help with weight control (if you don’t add cream or sugar).

    Juices isn’t really the best for you. Better to eat fruit

    Juices, even 100 percent juice boxes, are not good for you. They have lots of sugar which are easily broken down in your body and spikes your insulin. You’re better off eating whole fruits than having them in liquid form.

    Soft drinks are terrible for you

    Soft drinks are terrible for your diet (but you knew that already). The added sugars contribute to weight gain, heart disease and diabetes.

    Popular Sport drinks aren’t the best for your body

    Sport drinks also have added sugars and artificial flavors and even though the electrolytes are good for your body, you’re better off drinking water and getting electrolyte nutrients from food.

  • Three millennial humanitarians, you should know about

    Three millennial humanitarians, you should know about

    The Oxford dictionary describes a humanitarian as someone who “is concerned with or seeking to promote human welfare.”

    Abdul Sattar Edhi, Lady Diana, Martin Luther King and Angelina Jolie, to name a few, are world-renowned humanitarians who have dedicated their lives for humanity.

    On World Humanitarian Day, The Current brings to you three millennials who are working towards making the world a better place.

    Rizq

    Rizq, a social enterprise, works towards preventing food wastage. Run by three LUMS graduates, Rizq collects food from hotels, restaurants and marriage halls, repackages it and then distributes it among the needy. Rizq also provides the poor with monthly rations.

    Their #Ramazan Dastarkhwans across Pakistan are truly special and watch the video for a tour of one in Lahore.

    https://youtu.be/sv91cpiqrSg

    Tayaba Org

    Remember the boys who went viral after the India Pakistan Cricket Worldcup match for their antics? You’ll be surprised to know that one of them runs an NGO which is making water transportation easier through H2O wheels in one of Pakistan’s poorest areas – Tharparkar. The wheels enable women and children in Thar carry water easily and in a shorter period of time.

    https://youtu.be/EV7nJaorvVQ

    ACF Animal Welfare

    ACF (Ayesha Chundigar Foundation) is a non-profit organisation based in Karachi, which rescues and rehabilitates animals. The welfare also has the first-of-its-kind animal shelter in Pakistan for injured and unwell stray animals such as dogs, cats, donkeys, horses and camels. The foundation also has rescue service ambulances, which actively help injured animals.

    The owner of ACF, Ayesha, with a donkey

    ACF picks up strays, after which they undergo a spay/neuter/release program. When the animal becomes healthy, they are released back into the community in areas, identified as safe zones.

    A foundation also holds unique donkey camps in different donkey/equine populated areas of the city including brick kilns and coal mines, through which they provide medical treatment, food and water to the donkeys educate the owners on the animal’s behaviour and handling.

    Todd’s Welfare Society

    Also, an animal rescue initiative, Todd’s Welfare Society is run by a group of young adults who help, save and rescue injured, sick, neglected and abused animals in Lahore.

    Todd’s recently opened an animal shelter in the outskirts of Lahore where they provide animals with shelters and nurse them to health. Animal lovers can either adopt an animal and take them home or provide for their sustenance and other needs.

  • Winners of The Current’s photography competition

    Winners of The Current’s photography competition

    The Current on Saturday held an online photography competition. We received a lot of entries and some of them were really good, which made it hard for us to choose the winners.

    Here are the top three photographers:

    3rd Best Photographer

    Talha Ch

    2nd Best Photographer

    PHOTONLOCKER Cinematics

    AND the WINNER is….

    Winner

    Genetic Films

  • #TheCurrentWala reviews Koonda Chaari

    #TheCurrentWala reviews Koonda Chaari

  • Benefits of eating bananas every day

    Benefits of eating bananas every day

    Bananas are probably the most readily available fruit. They are easily available all year round and are a fruit basket staple. More than that, the banana is something that will taste good with anything – you can have it as it is or add it to your fruit salad or make a shake out of it – it’s that versatile. Plus it contains only 90 calories.

    And the good news is that eating a banana every day is very good for your health.

    Bananas are good for the heart

    Bananas are loaded with potassium which is an important electrolyte that helps in regulating heart function. According to a study done by the University of Leeds, increasing the consumption of fiber-rich foods such as bananas can lower the risk of both cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD).

    Maintain gut health

    Bananas are full of soluble fiber which slows down digestion and keeps you feeling full for a longer time. Which is why bananas are the perfect breakfast meal.

    Perfect pre-workout meal

    Bananas are rich in carbohydrates that keep you full throughout your workout sessions which is why they are considered to be the best energy-boosting pre-workout meal.

    Boosts mood

    Bananas contain amino acid and antioxidants, like dopamine, which play a vital role in boosting one’s mood.

    Assists in treating anemia

    If you have a low blood count, then it important for you to include bananas in your diet as they have a high iron content, which is essential for the development of red blood cells. Anemia leads to fatigue, shortness of breath, and paleness.

  • Murders of husbands by wives on the rise in Lahore

    Murders of husbands by wives on the rise in Lahore

    In an extremely bizarre turn of events, more and more wives in Lahore are murdering their husbands, either with their own hands or through hired killers.

    According to reports, eight of such instances occurred in the last year alone. The reasons behind the murders are often stated to be domestic disputes or marital misunderstandings.

    According to Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) Operations Ismail Kharak marital disputes are the main cause behind such incidents. He elaborated that abusive husbands compel women to commit such crimes.

    “The story usually revolves around the husband being unjust and abusive to his wife. In some cases, the woman’s marriage takes place against her wish due to factors such as poverty,” he said.

    He added that in some instances, cheating or second marriage is the reason behind the murders, while substance abuse and addiction is also a cause.

    A lawyer pointed out that women get frustrated when the law doesn’t protect them and their husbands are not punished for their actions which is why they decide to take the law in their hands.

    Meanwhile, a religious scholar said that one of the reasons for a rise in such incidents is a lack of moral values. He added that parents should take the wishes of their children into account at the time of marriage.