Explanatory writing. Life without air conditioners

Life without air conditioners.

Of all of the great inventions that have come along in the history of mankind, it is hard not to put the invention of electricity right up at the top, as so many other inventions since seem to be dependent upon it. Lighting, television, radio, and all of our home appliances quickly come to mind next. They are such an integral part of our daily lives that we now regularly take them for granted. And flying right under the radar is the invention of air conditioning, a feature that is so important in our lives for many health reasons as well as comfort reasons that one is compelled to ask where would we be without it?

For instance, without air conditioning, summer time becomes unbearable in many countries that are near the equator like Pakistan. Temperatures can reach over 45 degrees celsius  in cities like Karachi for several days at a time. This is the reason why at some points, city officials advise that residents limit their outdoor activities during the day. This includes jogging, shopping or even gardening. 

So let’s imagine if these homes have no air conditioning unit in any of the homes. Then, it really wouldn’t make much of a difference whether they were inside or outside. In fact, they wouldn't have anywhere to go so as to get maximum comfort. In actuality, comfort would be the least of their worries. Trying to avoid a heat stroke and dehydration would be the primary objective. This is the main reason why having a reliable air conditioning unit is so important.

A severe heat wave with temperatures as high as 49 °C (120 °F) struck southern Pakistan in June 2015. It caused the deaths of about 2,000 people from dehydration and heat stroke, mostly in Sindh province and its capital city, Karachi. The heat wave also claimed the lives of zoo animals and countless agricultural livestock. At the peak of the June 2015 heat wave, the number of corpses exceeded local capacities for storage or burial, as the emergency efforts proved insufficient to prevent enormous loss of life.

Clearly, the development of the air conditioning system is a necessity, not just to bring comfort to everyday lives but also to create favourable environments for the people.

Sunday survey 05 April

Sunday survey 05 April

Remote control operations removes tiger’s collar in India

A remote control operation was carried out in India to avoid the device choking the animal, as tiger population increased.

Family attacked, man killed after eye-teasing

Some Mananghar people barged into a house in Sukkur, killed one person and injured others, thus were taken into custody and interrogation by the police.

Suspected coronavirus patient dies

An old villager, who was referred to another hospital by the Indus hospital, died although Indus had 11 ventilator machines.

Govt backtracks, orders bakeries to remain closed

The bakeries were ordered again to remain closed during the lockdown as social distance was not being maintained there.

Ill-equipped police run high risk of contracting virus

40% of the police force were exposed to coronavirus as the punjab government provided very few protection equipment, which is below expectations.

 

Sunday survey 12 April

Sunday survey 12 April

KU soon to have Covid-19 testing capacity

Karachi university will soon have a testing lab ready for covid-19 and the sindh government also sought help to procure testing kits from abroad.

Boy from isolated Amazon tribe dies of virus

A boy from the Amazon tribe died from coronavirus and inadequate medical care

“Don’t do silly things”: Europe tries to stop Easter travel

European countries tried to stop Easter travel and the officials warned of the potential risk of removing restrictions.

11 localities sealed over Covid strike

The police sealed 11 more localities of Lahore due to confirmed cases of coronavirus.

Short film on tragedy of partition released

A short film on the tragedy of partition was released from the eyes of those that lived through it.

Sunday survey 29 March

Sunday survey 29 March

Prisoners released

Balochistan home minister paid a fine on behalf of 20 prisoners and ordered their release to prevent the virus from spreading in prisons.

PAF officers, staff to contribute to corona fund

Pakistan Air Force officers and staff announced to contribute all or part of their salary to the corona fund.

Crowd storms to PTI office to get free rations

Crowds of people stormed the PTI office to receive free rations which caused the police to arrive.

UN Panel urges halt to Syria fighting as virus strikes

UN panel commented that the warring parties should stop in Syria, as the virus spreads, to avoid further catastrophes.

Virus prevention methods turn violent in parts of Africa

Africa’s first day of curfew caused chaos resulting in police taking drastic measures to control the crowd.

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Being Neighbourly

Being Neighbourly – Abdal Hakim Murad

Abdal Hakim Murad starts off with the praise of Allah. Moving on to Reconnecting with our biological order. He talks about religion being about interaction with others and human beings as social animals. Our interactions with others tell us about ourselves. Our tradition is not about isolation “khalwa”. Our aloneness becomes bearable when it's joined with the existence of other souls. All our aspects of the sunnah are collective ones, some nawafils are solitary and some others. But other principles are mainly collective. 

Next he talks about Ramadan, though is a solo act, brings a collective spirit and more family time and community time. Together everyone feasts over the book of God.

He then talks about what actually a near and a far neighbour and describes their various rights. According to the teachings of our Prophet SAW we need to be really considerate towards them, so much that before selling off a land we should offer it to our neighbour first, as it may be of benefit to him. 

Guests and neighbours should be honoured and shown hospitality, they should be served and treated nicely as its their right and important in islam. We need to be good, caring, thoughtful neighbours who look out for them as it will increase our status as a ummah as well. The neighbours will eventually appreciate islam and its beauty.

The fasting month instills this even more, courtesy to others as its part of the “adab” these adabs are fundamental parts of islam.

He ends his speech by making a short prayer and talks about Muslims being the people of dawah, showing concern for others, feeding others and being good neighbours and a good ummah.

Sunday survey 22 March

Sunday survey 22 March

Edhi prepares to meet virus challenges

The Edhi foundation trained their rescue staff and reserved proper ambulances to protect people from virus, efforts were made to train more staff from Sindh.

Cambridge cancels May, June exams

Cambridge international has cancelled all May, June examinations this year in the country and has given the option of re-entering for future exams.

British police nab toilet paper thieves

British police discovered stolen toilet papers and hand wash after stopping a stolen vehicle, finding it as something unexpected.

Mardan villagers protest lockdown

Villagers protest for not providing necessary supplies during lockdown, while officials claim to have provided free food to the slain person’s family.

Haripur police arrest man for raping a teenage girl

Haripur police arrested a man for raping a teenage girl, the officials said it was the second incident reported within a week from the remote district.

Sunday survey 15 March

Sunday survey 15 March

Man killed, body set on fire

Unknown suspect murdered and burnt the victim, who was a hafiz, hence the police were investigating the motive of murder.

Women’s tennis event postponed

Women’s tennis tournament was postponed due to coronavirus and will be held in Islamabad, and consist of different categories.

Hindu group touts cow urine as elixir for coronavirus

Hindu activists held a cow urine party in the indian capital and a leader referred to it and cow dung as a treatment for coronavirus.

Apple to close retail stores worldwide

Apple Inc said it will close all its stores, except those in China, to minimise coronavirus transmission as thousands of people have been infected and died worldwide.

Nust offers cheaper coronavirus diagnosis facility

The scientists at Nust have established a diagnosis to detect coronavirus, in collaboration with some institutes.