Terror and Social Media | Government should black out Internet during the crisis

Disclaimer: I am not trying to be insensitive to anyone by this post. But I do want to share my views regarding how the situation should have been handled more better.

I honestly feel the decision was made in haste about the change in gun law. Instead of going straight to the media and releasing the statement, Gun laws will change. Prime Minister should have created a "War Room" to monitor the situation 24/7  to make a swift decision. This is easily doable with the help of security agencies, intelligence unit and security advisors. In fact, there should be a permanent war room to monitor natural and unnatural disaster. 

But these days thanks to the advent of the Internet and Social Media, the news about terror is spread out to the world like a wildfire. The attack on Christchurch has also proven that terrorist can livestream the event all over the internet. 

We are emotional beings when we see someone suffering we are immediately filled with grief. When we see a violent attack on innocents our emotions burst into anger. The media reports don't do any good, they are actually fueling this anger with an immediate breaking news report. 

Leaders are literally forced to immediately organise a press conference and talk to media and this also leads to making a regretful statement in front of the media There is no need to consult the media prematurely

If the internet was blacked out, the live footage of the attacker would have been stopped from circulating over the web. 

Also, there are chances of controllers behind the attack are watching media coverage and conveying the same to the terrorists in operation. This was not the case but it had happened before. So it is better to disable civilian access to the internet for the duration of the crisis.

No leader should be like Fraser Anning, the person has not only tried to spread hatred through an official media release but also put Australians in the harm's way. This kind of people should not be voted to run a country.

Only can TRUE LOVE can help to STOP these hatreds around the world.

True Love comes from God

Should Guns be banned? or Should law become tough to acquire a Gun licence?

Today, I had an interesting conversation on my Facebook Newsfeed. My friend who has a keen interest in guns posted on his Facebook banning guns is not the right way to neutralise the gun violence.

Many of his friends and cousins commented on this in the support of the ban in the gun law.

So, should guns be banned or there should be a change in the law to acquire a gun licence?

Well, I don't have a keen interest in guns like my friend. But I am seriously against the bias passing of the law on the ban. Maybe authorities could add an extra layer of verification of the person who wants to acquire a gun licence. But even the extra layer of verification won't deter a terrorist to acquire a gun to cause terror among the people. Terrorist like a normal everyday citizen does not care about the law. The truth is they have a problem with the law and the system. I am not saying I am supporting terrorism. But this is the truth which is hard to digest.  

This statement might cause a problem among today's political leaders around the world because this is not a politically correct statement. People out there are filled with emotions, they want to see swift action be taken against the perpetrators. In the bid to please their subjects, our leaders make statements in the media without proper investigation and without understanding the depth of the problem. We do live in a broken world there is no way the change in law cannot solve the problem in one go as you think.

The change in law can only increase the restriction on law abiding citizens. There are other ways a terrorist/bad guys can acquire a weapon. For eg: the underworld market, the dark web. For the past two days, I have been seeing the popular slogan on facebook profile pictures, that says, "We Stand Strong" and "This is not who we are". The best way to deal with the terror attack is, not changing our way of lives. Stand together and show them we are not afraid of this kind of terrorist activity. 

Article to read:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/111343558/panic-buying-of-guns-ahead-of-ban-sparked-by-christchurch-shooting?fbclid=IwAR0ANobitdGR1OjasENZi8amPiHMe4bvnH64daSFXBTAalT2HLRXT_50cq8

My Heart breaks for this beautiful country, Pray For Christchurch | Kia Kaha Christchurch | We Stand With Christchurch

We stand with Christchurch This is a tribute to the victims who died in the terror attack on two mosques on 15th March 2019 at Christchurch, New Zealand. The attack resulted in the death of 49 people and wounded more than 40 during Friday prayers at two mosques. Together let's pray for Christchurch Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. -Martin Luther King Jr.

* A missing people's register has been set up at https://familylinks.icrc.org/new-zealand/en/Pages/Home.aspx

* Families and friends can also register missing people on 0800 115 019. * Victim Support has launched an official fund for the support of shooting victims. Donations can be made at https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/christchurch-shooting-victims-fund# * If you need advice or support with mental wellbeing call or text 1737 anytime to talk to a trained counsellor.

Tomorrow (Sunday, 17th March 2019) In all of the services at Auckland Baptist Tabernacle (429 Queen Street, Auckland CBD) we will be taking time to reflect and pray for the Muslim community in Christchurch and across our country. Please do join us for this.

Things I love about Auckland

Auckland, New Zealand's biggest city. One of the best cities in the world to dwell. But sad to say, Auckland does get a tough rap from tourists. In the past ten years, I have seen many travellers and even some of my friends avoid Auckland or see only has a gateway to enter New Zealand or stay for a night before heading to beautiful Kiwi pastures -- Rotorua for thermal pools and the smell of Sulphur, the beaches of Bay of Island, wine and dine at Marlborough and sky diving and mesmerising landscape at Queenstown.

As some of the travel bloggers have mentioned, Auckland is heartless and soulless. Let me tell you Auckland is not that bad  

Here is the list of best things I love about Auckland.

1. Walkable CBD

If you are living in Auckland, you don't need your own car to get around the city centre and nearby suburbs of Ponsonby, Parnell, Newmarket, Mt. Eden, One Tree Hill and Remuera. These localities are well-connected to CBD by public transport. If you want to go from one end of the city (Britomart) to another end of the city (K'rd)  you can simply take a ride on Citylink the big red bus. It's free if you are transferring from the train, ferry or any bus coming to CBD or just pay $1. And if you don't want to use CityLink you can simply WALK!

2. There are plenty of activities you can do in CBD
If you think Auckland CBD is the boring business district, YOU ARE WRONG!
You will be surprised by the different activities you can do in CBD itself.

• Eat and Drink, there are plenty of cafes, ethnic restaurants, takeaways, quick service, eateries. I am sure you will never go hungry in Auckland
  
  Some of the food places you can visit:

• North Wharf, the far end of the CBD
• Viaduct Harbour
• Chancery Street
• O'Connell Street
• Corner of Lorne Street and Wellesley Street.
• 350 Queen Street
• Aotea Square 291-297 Queen St - movies, arcade games and food court
• A walk towards toward Upward Queen Street
• CBD's close proximity to the coast. Auckland CBD is truly blessed to be next to the sea coast. According to health experts, living close proximity to the ocean can have a positive impact on your health and well-being. From my own experience of living by the coast for most of my life, it is one of the best feelings, evening near the coast does have a positive impact on your work and in your studies if you are a student. 

• Garden BackyardYes, CBD has its own backyard, Albert Park and if you are looking for a bigger walk, Auckland Domain is just a few minutes away from the city centre. Longing for an even bigger walk, head to Mt. Eden Domain, it is the tallest natural mountain in Auckland and has the most impressive crater and great views of the city, and if you are sunset lover, go in the evening you will see the beautiful sunset and the golden glow over the city.
• Clubs/DJ'sDo I really need to mention this?
  CBD is full of clubs and DJs. Weekend nights are full on.

3. A quick getaway from urban life. Long weekend?
Low on Budget?
You don't need to go far away
There are plentiful getaway spots around Auckland.

• One Tree Hill, and yes that is the name of the place. It's worth a visit for a walk or a picnic with friends. There are coin-operated public BBQs.  This is the closest place in Auckland where you can see sheep-filled paddocks and cows. Please do not disturb the cattle. 
• The wild west coast, the Waitakere Ranges for walking in the bush or spend time on the fine black sand beaches.
  Warning: For your own safety swim only between the orange flags to be in the visibility of lifeguards.
• North Shore for white sandy beachfront. 
• Ferry to Rangitoto (the youngest volcano) Motutapu or Waiheke Island.

4. Volcanic City

Auckland city is built on an active volcano field. Though most of the volcanos in Auckland are dormant and will not erupt in the future there are chances of the new volcano to erupt somewhere in the city. But you don't need to panic, Auckland as has advance early warning system installed and geologist and closing studying the seismic activity in the region. 

5. Flavours of Pacific Auckland is the largest Pacific city in the world. For the taste of the Pacific island cultures, head to Otara Flea Market in South Auckland on a Saturday morning to soak up to the island music, exotic fruits and vegetables. You can also buy colourful authentic pacific style clothes (sarongs), shirts and crafts including bright colourful mats and huge tapa cloths.

Benefits of being organised

Less Stress means you can Relax more 

 “Organised people are just too lazy to search for stuff.” That’s cute, but I’d rather be the “lazy” one mentioned in the punchline. Less time spent running around means more time. Just, more time to do what I want to do, like, spending time with your friends and family.

Less Stress also means Improved health. The stress I mentioned earlier, which I feel when things start to get out of control, does not promote good health. 

And if you are a parent, you are setting a good example for the kids. There was a time when I spent most of my time behind my computer, working on this or that. I felt productive, sure, but I also worried about the message I was sending to the kids. Adults work all the time? My job is more important than them? I want my kids to become productive, contributing adults, of course, but I want them to enjoy life, too, and that absolutely includes time spent not working.

Greater productivity. When you know where things are, what your goals are, and take care of the spontaneous work as it appears, you’ve got significantly more time and energy for the big goals in life.

An organised life takes some doing, and you’re going to slip up. No one is clean and clear all day, every day! But when you strive to do the best you can, and this is the start (hold organiser in the right hand)

Diversity

Every year at AUT University in collaboration with AuSM organised a diversity week to celebrate diversity in action in our everyday life. We live in a diverse society. Every person you meet at university or in the workplace is different. Since the day I came to New Zealand, this great diversity has impacted the way I communicate and interact with people. I find myself lucky to live in this beautiful city where people from different parts of the world come and live together in peace and harmony.

Many migrants who are living in Auckland today come from a country faced with conflicts, both internal and external. According to Statistics New Zealand, in 2013, there were almost 1 in 4 people that are 23.1 percent people living in Auckland region identified with one or more Asian ethnic groups, compared with 1 in 5 people that is 18.9 percent, in 2006. We have all heard from media sources, the majority of conflict today is happening in Asia.  Every nation is plagued with numerous problems. I am migrant myself coming from India. I know the political problems faced by the country with its neighbours. But here in New Zealand, although our homelands are at war with their neighbours, we live in peace and harmony. I have not just friends, but good friends, the friends that I can call them my best friends are from Asian countries. Even I don’t have any problems to interact with people from Pakistan. I could see true diversity here in New Zealand in regards everyday lifestyle and occupational pursuits.

Today when I look at my photo album, hard or soft version, I see great diversity, a beautiful bond and unconditional love among all the friends from around the world. While the political leaders will take a long time to solve the problems. We citizens of the nations have already overcome the problem through social equality and are living with peace together in New Zealand, far away from our homeland. I hope the world leaders can learn from the citizens of the nations and how we live our daily lives when making policies.