Kyrgyz Migrants Run Away From Russia
November 17th, 2008
Mirsulzhan exemplifies the problems with migrants in Russia, who are now coming back to Kyrgyzstan due to the Financial Crisis, and insists that the crisis will hardly influence Kyrgyzstan (RUS).
What To Do With The Culture?
November 17th, 2008
Our Washington-based contributor Maksat Askerov is a student, who has moved to the U.S.A. this year, and he writes everything he sees and feels among the Kyrgyz youth there, about transformation of their culture, and questions if the Kyrgyz can proceed be a Kyrgyz everywhere, including America (KYR).
Tax Freedom Day In Kyrgyzstan
November 9th, 2008
Mirsulzhan liked the Adam Smith Institute’s Tax Freedom Day idea, and question, if we utilize this methodology in Kyrgyzstan, so what is the date when Kyrgyz citizens become working for themselves, not for the Government (RUS).
The Kyrgyz Opposition Has United?
November 4th, 2008
Mirsulzhan reports on and analyzes the Media Event of the Opposition, where they demonstratively united against the current Regime (KYR).
The Most Prestigious University - The Most Criticized One
November 4th, 2008
Mirsulzhan does not agree with Ishengul Boljurova, Minister of Education of the Kyrgyz Republic, who thinks that AUCA does not meet any standards of quality education (RUS).
A Kingdom for a Horse
November 4th, 2008
Peter comments on the Turkmen president’s sudden enthusiasm for all things horse-related, which has prompted him to sign deals worth dozens of millions to build new racetracks across the country. (ENG)
PM without business = Businessman without associated “family”
November 1st, 2008
Mirsulzhan critisizes Kyrgyz PM Roza Otunbaeva’s statement, that a parliament member should not have a business (RUS).
Investor! Come and Feed Me! - The Another Tale On Energy Crisis&Reform
October 31st, 2008
Mirsulzhan analyzes the current state of the energy sector of the Kyrgyz Republic, shows modern trends, and criticizes terms of a tender on energy privatization, which creates heavy burden for each investor (KYR).
Chinese Information Expansion Or Diversification Of Information Channels?
October 30th, 2008
Mirsulzhan is surprized at reaction of Kyrgyz political scientists and journalists who believe that CCTV-9 might be a real information resource, which destroys information security of the nation (RUS).
Cracking Of a State Web-site
October 28th, 2008
Mirsulzhan publishes a screan-shot of a cracked State web-site, where hacker has written his critics against the Kyrgyz President (RUS).
Kyrgyzstan To Radically Change Its Army
October 27th, 2008
Mirsulzhan reports on the decision of the army commission to move from universal service to contract form of military duty (RUS).
Should We Learn The Formula Of Power Of Mr.Bakiev?
October 25th, 2008
Mirsulzhan announces about the premier of the TV-show “Formula Of Power” by Mihail Gusman, RTR-Planeta, where the main hero is Kurmanbek Bakiev (KYR), (RUS).
Russian Influence. The Kyrgyz Opposition Wants To Be a Friend
October 25th, 2008
Mirsulzhan analyzes reasons of the mysterious visit of Kyrgyz opposition leaders - Tekebaev, Sariev, Kekshenkulov and Omurkulov to Moscow this week, and questions if we could maneuver in geopolitics (RUS).
Soros-Kyrgyzstan On Stream Again
October 25th, 2008
Mirsulzhan congratulates the Kyrgyz branch of the Soros Foundation upon second wind, because this international NGO after a long thought and planning, has created a new strategy of work (RUS).
World Economic Freedom: Kyrgyzstan is a Leader
October 24th, 2008
Frazer Institute has published again its world economic freedom ranking, where Kyrgyzstan became one of the leaders on State Regulation of Economy among 141 countries, and outrunned Kazakhstan. Mirsulzhan questions, if Kyrgyzstan is praiseworthy (KYR).
21-Year Girl Became A Chairwoman of City Parliament Commission
October 24th, 2008
Breaking news! A 21-year student was appointed as a chairperson of the commission on economics, investment and external relations of the Bishkek city council today, October 24, - Mirsulzhan reports (KYR).
Kyrgyzstani Is Alive.
October 22nd, 2008
A citizen of the Kyrgyz Republic stayed alive after the aircrash in Koktobe, Kazakhstan, on October 19, 2008, reports Mirsulzhan.
Few Words About Abdijalil Nurpeisov
October 22nd, 2008
Nurgul Sulaimanova, a student of linguistics in Bishkek, analyses novel of Kazakh writer Nurpeisov, and compares it with statements of Ernest Hemingway (KYR).
Kyrgyzstanis Gathered In New York
October 22nd, 2008
Our Washington-based author Maksat Askerov has taken part at a meeting of Kyrgyzstanis in New York, where they have also talked to different public and political activists of Kyrgyzstan (KYR).
New Security Council Secretary is assigned
October 16th, 2008
Asel informs that new Kyrgyz Security Council Secretary is assigned (ENG).
Finding Kvas, and Kazakhstan, in Astana
October 7th, 2008
Molapse shares his travelogue impressions and photos from the trip to Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan (ENG).
Re NurNabk and Rakhat Aliev
September 30th, 2008
Marat posts curious observations concerning the interrelation between the cost of Nurbank shares and political troubles of its former main shareholder Rakhat Aliev (RUS).
Pure theft
September 29th, 2008
Aba complains that his blog entry was illegally copied by the Russian separatist website, modified at their own discretion and reposted under his name (RUS).
Friday Photo: New landmark of Almaty
September 26th, 2008
Adam posts pictures of Esentai district, which will include Mariott hotel, residences, offices, retail etc - a projects that changed the Almaty cityscape (RUS, ENG)
New rules for cats and dogs
September 26th, 2008
Adam reports on the new rules that the Almaty city administration has introduced for those who own domestic animals and for those animals that do not have their owner (RUS).
Police brings charges against politicians
September 24th, 2008
Adam reports that the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhsatn has brought criminal charges against four high-profile opposition leaders, accusing them of cover-up of a criminal (RUS).
Bicycle Lovers On a March
September 24th, 2008
Adam reports that amateur cyclists of Almaty together with the green movement are organizing a bicycle race in the Kazakhstan’s southern capital (RUS).
Re Stocks of Kazakhstani companies
September 23rd, 2008
Marat analyzes the trends of price of Kazakhstani companies that are listed on local and international stock markets (RUS).
Shell + KMG
September 22nd, 2008
Adam reports that Kazakhstan’s state oil-and-gas company KazMunaiGas would create a joint venture with Royal Dutch Shell Plc to handle the production segment of the Kashagan oilfield (ENG).
Almaty Airport Update
September 22nd, 2008
Adam writes how the construction of new terminal of the Almaty airport goes, and posts several rendered pictures of its expected look (RUS).
on June 12th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
interesting article and a beautiful picture.
i wonder about the methods of research and questions asked.
I think very few people tend to give negative answers, out of politeness. it is believed, that spreading about one’s private feelings [esp. negative] or complaining is generally seen as weakness of character. The complaint doesn’t count to one’s virtues, so people tend to avoid doing so. I can very well imagine people giving positive answers, because they wouldn’t spread about their worries with strangers. i assume, many also think they are happy, or want to make an impression that they are wealthy happy. Complaining in my view has to do directly with ungratefulness, which is vice, moral weakness. there is a lot of work done in the society on a personal level to tend to think positively, and be grateful for what they have got, and being thankful for not having it worse, like the neighbor aka Alisher, for instance. on a social level, no matter how poor the people are they tend to collect loads of money in order to organize some beautiful festivities, or buildings of houses tend to have much nicer [nice looking] front than the rest of the house, which is the case in many other places around the world i think.
but i find it difficult to make such a conclusion, that people are happier because they say they are happy. but one conclusion can be made for sure here. Central Asians tend to give more positive answers, and supposedly, think positively and hope for the great future of their countries….
[these are just my impressions, i grew up in Samarkand; i have been thinking about Uzbek society and people, while commenting on your article]
regards,
nafis
on June 12th, 2007 at 10:45 pm
My theory is that the more happy people are the less drive they may have to achieve things. On that grounds I think there should be a direct correlation between happiness (or lack thereof) and the economic progress (allother things being equal).
I aggree with the definition of happiness mentioned in the article and how it correlates to objective and subjective reality.
But again all said and done, it is more of a subjective thing rather than an ojective one. If I judge my success according to what people achieve in Tajikistan at my age I should probably be quite happy (and I am to a certain extent, don’t get me wrong).
BUT I don’t think I am there yet and that creates a little dissapointed, which in turn fuels my drive to go out and achieve more.
Bottom line: The moment when we stop seeing areas which can be improved (that comes only if we adopt a critical look at our lives) we stop moving forward, so in many ways being “unhappy” is good at the end of the day.
It is sort of like saying: “Greed, ladies and gentlemen, is GOOD”. (a quote by Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) from 1987 film “Wall Street”)