International Youth Day'19

Do you know that 68% of Pakistan's population is under the age of 30? Pakistan's National Youth Policy, 2009 defines youth as people between the ages of 15-30 years which makes up 27% of Pakistan's population. These numbers roughly translate that there are a lot of young people in Pakistan and also that the youth of Pakistan is going to determine the fate of Pakistan in the years to come.

United Nations has declared Aug 12 as "International Youth Day" and the theme of this year is "Transforming Education". To commemorate this event, UNDP and UNFPA alongwith SOL invited me to the celebratory event of IYD at the Aiwan-e-Quaid, Islamabad.

The Article 25A of Pakistan's Constitution promises education to all children of school-going age. Keeping in mind the enrollment and retention of students in schools, this year's theme on IYD focused on transforming eduction with all the resources available in this digital era. The program focused on interactive sessions with youth participants on health, education, entrepreneurship and future of work in Pakistan where youth leaders share their experiences and success stories encouraging youth to become active in the national development process.

• Speaking at the occasion, Ignacio Artaza, the resident representative of UNDP said "Lets make sure no young person is left behind in today's world".
• Ana Maria Leal - Youth representative from UNFPA focused on good quality education, sexual health access and well being to the youth of Pakistan leading to a more inclusive and productive nation by harnessing our thoughts together.
• Yusra - Founder of NGO Agahi asked "You being youth, I would ask that what are you doing as member of the society'.
• Ehsan Gul, Youth Change Agent and Head of Experimentation at UNDP said "You have been blessed with a voice, use it to raise important issues and work on solutions. Your life must be focused in purpose and that purpose must be beyond your career aspirations".

The Keynote session of Dr. Fateh Muhammad Mari (Head of Operations & planning HEC) talked about some wonderful resolutions they are coming up with to maximize digital learning, virtual classrooms and smart libraries. All of these steps will transform education in Pakistan according to today's needs.

The Minister of Economic Affairs, GoP Mr Hammad Azhar gave a beautiful keynote session inspired heavily by Allama Iqbal's vision of Shaheen relating it to the youth of Pakistan.

The keynotes were followed by  spotlight sessions, in which Navera Waheed - CEO Orbit Education focused on the use of AR to help students understand complex systems.

Salman Shahid - the CEO of Kamayi talked about his venture which aims to connect blue-collar employees with potential employers.

Then the event was divided in break out sessions of youth with the mentors:

• Session on "Entrepreneuship" by Fasieh Mehta - Program Manager, NIC Islamabad.
• Session on "Health Education" by Makiya Javed - Growth & Partnership specialist - Sehat Kahani
• Session on "Future of Work" by Abdullah Saqib - South Asia Regional Coordinator VIAMO

The session ended on a high energy by the youth, pledging to transform education by submitting their ideas to make it big.

#DadiCool campaign by Waves Pakistan

Hey folks,

I am back at my blog after long and what better than to talk about a campaign that got me groovin' a little bit haha.

So all of you millenials having hipster dads must have listened to the old groovy number by Boney M from Dad's collection called "Daddy cool". It had such an intriguing vibe to it that it is relevant even today, also the dace moves in the song were something extra. So Waves Pakistan while introducing their new Alpha Triplet Deep Freezer thought of spinning the classic Daddy Cool song into something modern, cool, chic with the legendary Bushra Ansari. Not only the campaign emphasizes upon the new looks of its Alpha Triplet deep freezer but also how in this hot, humid, summer of all times, 

Waves new Deep Freezer has things sorted for you.

 The ad begins with an old, grumpy Bushra ji throwing tantrums at her family who are all seated boringly in front of the tv screens. 

As soon as she touches the new Waves Alpha Triplet Deep Freezer, she transforms into a cool, chic 

daadi dancing to the grooves of the classic song Daddy Cool into #DadiCool.

Watch the full ad here

The dance moves were so catchy, I couldn’t resist tapping my feet to the tune on tiktok:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzZ_6YlH7oG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

With this ad, Waves Pakistan has given the women of our families a solution for keeping our meat, veggies and fruits fresh in the scorching summer. Also, the new Alpha Triplet freezer has the following advantages:

• Digitized Touch Control Panel
• Proximity lights that operate on Motion Detection

With Eid-ul-Azha around the corner, if you are looking for a good solution, go buy the new Alpha Triplet Deep Freezer and let your worries dance like #DadiCool away.

What do you think of the Bushra Ansari transformation, comment below.

Review: Actor In Law (2016)

'From the makers of Namaloom Afraad' was enough to drag me to the cinema to watch this & I'm glad I wasn't disappointed at all. Nabeel Qureshi has done a remarkable job with such a refreshing thought & the way our societal problems are address amidst humour& comedy remains notable. There wasn't even a single dull moment in the movie but I felt the end could have been better & less dragged. 

Fahad Mustafa outshines in every frame, in every scene & looks flawless with his acting. Brilliant work!

Mehwish Hayat has done full justice to her role. She looks gorgeous, has carried her attire throughout the movie effortlessly & supported Fahad with her acting. The only negative thing about her character was the poor dialect she used for her Parsi personification. I don't know if it was the dubbing or herself, but that could have been improved way better.

Om Puri has been phenomenal as always. Thank-you for accepting this film. We are happy to have you working in Lollywood. 

The characters played by Fahad's sister has been very supportive. Everything from her voice, to her dressing, to her daily chores..the girl has done exceptionally well. Way to go!

It was refreshing to see the judges part played by some of the most iconic actors and they lifted the game up.

Atif Aslam & Shani Arshad have done a good job with the music whereas one song by Rahat Fateh sounded like an exact rip off from 'Om Shanti om' (Chhan se Jo toota koi sapna). 'Dil dancer hogaya' & title song have both been shot & directed beautifully. 

Fizza Ali Meerza with her personification of 'baby doll' was nice & I think the little details included in the movie Incorporated in the dialogues is very impressive. ISKO AUR BRIGHT KAREIN!

Refreshing to see Ahson Talish & his character was on point. Rehan Sheikh, Khalid Anam, Alyy khan, Saife Hasan & Saleem Mairaj all were impressive in their characters. Not to mention Nayyer Aijaz who appeared for a small role but left a mark. 

Thank-you for the women ogling point made in the movie. Couldn't have summed it up better. 

I wished to see more of Karachi in the movie. For those seeking a good laugh,please go out & watch this movie in the cinema. This is an absolute paisa wasool!

Actor In Law (2016)

My Pakistan-Awargi Affair!

Pakistan ...famous for its benevolent people with so much cultural diversity in language, food, traditions & history. On its 69th birthday, I bring you some of the most awesome places in Pakistan..

Disclaimer: I am going to burst your bubbles about how a single girl shoudn't travel in Pakistan alone since she's NOT safe. Watch out my journey here ..

Chitral top!

A view from Shakar pariyan Islamabad

Enroute to Abbottabad via Hazara

Abbottabad - BAck in the mountains of Thandiani... there is a LOT of SNOW!!!

Badshahi mosque-  Lahore

A beauftiful view of Badshahi mosque from Cocoo's den

BZU - Multan  :)

Noor Mahal - Bahawalpur 

Sheikh Zayed International airport - Rahimyarkhan

The newly built Multan International Airport (Muhammad Bin Qasim Airport)

Pakistan - India border - Wagah, LAhore

The majestic Monal at night (Islamabad)

SWAT!

The famous ghanta ghar chops in Multan

This "Balay ki chai" is next level dope. Multan

The mazar of "Peer Karman Wala" in Okara

Waiting for my Raj outside the field cuz im scared of snakes .... :P (Depalpur)

Monal in the day .. Europe shorope? Islamabad

Forward sports, Sialkot .. the official manufacturer of Adidas footballs 

Pearl Continental, Peshawar 

Hanging out in Kohat :D

The Kohat Tunnel is a 1.9 kilometres long road tunnel constructed with Japanese assistance. Bombed twice by Taliban, this tunnel approaches 29.8 Km road. It is also known as Pak-Japan Friendship Tunnel.

Coffee Cakes anyone? 100 years old shop in a bungalow in Hyderabad offering the best coffee, chocolate & macaroon cakes in town!

Kotri Barrage is a barrage on the Indus River between Jamshoro and Hyderabad in the Sindh province of Pakistan.

Gujranwala 

Punjab Fields ....... Where are you my Raj?

LUMHS, Jamshoro

Beautiful sunset at Nooriabad (Highway from Hyderabad to Karachi)

Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore

The largest national park in Pakistan, Hingol, Balochistan

Hinglaj Mata mandir, Balochistan

The amazing beach of Karachi

Mirpur, Azad Kashmir 

A typical Karachi evening

A beautiful sunset at Karachi beach

Mirpur Azad Kashmir

The inhabitants of the valley are the Kalash people, who have a unique culture, language and follow a form of ancient Hinduism.

Ghanta Ghar - Faisalabad

National Stadium - Karachi 

"Yoon hi ulajhti rahi hai zulm se khalaq,
Na unki rasam nai hai na apni reet nai,
Yoonhi hamesha khilaye hain hum ne aag mein phool,
Na unki haar nai hai, na apni jeet nai ..
Jo tujhse ehd-e-wafa iste'aar rakhte hein,
ilaaj-e-gardish-e-lail-o-nihaar rakhte hein" (~Faiz)

69th Jashn-e-Azadi mubarak. Pakistan Zindabad! 

Kya Yehi Muhabbat Hai ..

Raat Khoob Gehri hai,
Tumko sochta hooN meiN,
Duur tak andheray meiN,
roshni si hoti hai,
Roshni bhee aisi kay,
Jis k saray rangoN meiN,
Tum hee jagmagatay ho,
Tum hee muskuratay ho,
Meray dil k aangan mein,
Muheeb gehra sannata hai,
Jab bhee aa kay behta haim
Tera naam leta hai,
Muheeb gehra sannatta,
Tera naam leta hai toh,
Goonj Goonj uthta hai,
Mujh ko mausamoN se kia,
Mujh pe tera mausam hai,
Soch ka har ek manzar,
Tujh pe aa k rukta hai,
BarishoN mein, main tanha,
jab udaas hota hooN,
Teray lams ki khushboo,
Mujhko gudgudati hai,
Phool khilnay lagte heiN,
Dhanak bhee muskurati hai,
Chehra ek kitaab hai,
Meray chehray pe shayed,
Tera naam likkha hai,
Laakh meiN chupaooN bhee,
dost parh hee lete heiN,
Dost aakhir dost hee heiN,
Pooch hee letay heiN,
Ye jo ek talluq hai,
Tere mere beech ka,
Mujhko khud nahin maloom,
Kya yehi muhabbat hai ?

(Reproduced Work.
Jahanzaib ki kitaab "Bus Tum hee Ho" se iqtibaas.
All rights reserved)

In pursuit of happiness

People often ask me "what is happiness". Not because I am an authority, but because I guess, they relate my smiles to happiness.

We all have our dark sides. The sides we dont want people to know about. The sides which reveal the real us. The one which resides in us and connects us to our souls. We dont want everyone to peek in it. Only those, who we trust , can go deep inside to see that part of ours. And once they do, they know the real us. That leaves us a lot vulnerable too. 

I really dont know what happiness is. Just that I know, it exists in a lot of forms. Sometimes, in little things such as a good cup of coffee at work when I didnt have breakfast, a surprise call from a bestie I didnt talk to in a long time, when Boss asks you to take a leave from work and rest. Or sometimes in bigger things, when our partner understands our needs more than us, when bhai gets you an ipad even before you tell him, when your day at work goes wrong and you have a bunch of friends who will listen to your rants till you get over it. Sometimes, happiness is knowing you kept a promise you made, even when it wasn't working in your favour, or guiding kids about their future, because you know how difficult was it to find your way into career with any counselling, saying thank you to the guy who wanted to sell you a flower at the traffic signal, or just noticing the warmth in the eyes of your special one when they tell you that they love you.

What makes me happy might not make you happy because our happiness is defined by our own needs/wants & desires. But there are intangible things that make me the most happy. It can never be calculated, the net worth can never be estimated, but happiness for me is touching lives. For me "contentment" is happiness. Contemplating over the best usually strives me to get the best, but the race doesn't involve running over other's emotions.

Happiness is not a condition. It is a package that comes with all its highs & lows, odds & evens, perks & benefits. It doesn't come to us wearing the perfect face of glory. It comes to us, in many forms, at times touches us with the most subtle of emotions & leaves, with a trail for us to follow. We miss it at times, because we strive for perfect moments. We lose it because we want approval from others. We disown it because its not what our expectations were built on, We abandon it because we think we deserve better. Not a very wrong approach may be .. But what if .. those perfectly imperfect moments of happiness were all the glory we ever would have in our lives. 

Our relations, our families, our friends, our special ones, they all make an important part of our lives. How much effort do you put in to bring them happiness? How many times do you dream for them via your eyes? How long have you been struggling to make them happy? If you strive for happiness, if you strive for serenity, if your long for love, love others and the Karma would send happiness your way.

I am mean & selfish. The only person I strive to keep happy is myself.
I cannot give much happiness to others, but may be a smile, I can give, which subtracts nothing from my own happiness but adds a value to your lives with a positive thought. 

To all those reading .. thank you, as I continue my journey of life .. in pursuit of happiness..

- FR

Short Story: Love Is Blindness

It was a cold night.

There were 35 final year students who went from their university, to visit Babusar Top, the highest point in the Kaghan valley, Pakistan, known for its breath-taking beauty.

It was a pleasant July evening. The boys were ready to do some Bar-B-Q. The girls were helping them out. It was their last night together and the next day they all had to leave back for their hometowns. 

Mina was devastated. The thought of leaving Ali was making her anxious. Ali & Mina were friends since high school. Their likeliness changed into something more serious during the last few months of college & during this trip, together, they actually fell in love with each other.

Ali was busy helping his friends make food. Mina just couldnt hold her anxiety.

"I dont know why is he just not coming to talk to me. He knows we wont be able to meet after this day is over", Mina exclaimed to herself. 

Ali came over to the tent to pick up his watch, saw Mina walking anxiously. He came towards her: "Whats the plan? If you think walking in this cold would help you reduce weight, then i must tell you, you are badly mistaken". Ali giggled. Mina was furious, and walked away.

As for most of the boys, Ali thought .. "Oh yeah. She must be on her days. Mood swings, you know. These women!" and went back to his friends.

The food was served around the bonfire with the girls tapping their feet to Ali's strumming over the guitars. He was a pathetic singer and still tried to look cool by singing all the songs in the world he could remember. Had it not been for Sajjad, his classmate, who had an excellent voice, Ali would have made even the crows sound better.

Good food, good music, good atmosphere ..and then , there were the final moments of their tour's highlights. Tears of goodbyes, Hugs of warmth, gratitude of laughter and the ability to leave that place with a bigger and better person in everyone, held everyone close. They all vowed to remain in contact with each other.

Back in her tent, Mina was silent. Ali went towards her. They both sat down together. Their was nothing except the sounds of silence between them. The silence was heavier than the chilled wind blowing in their face or the flames of fire between them. They knew. It was much deeper, darker & stronger than they had imagined.

Ali held her hand. Mina lowered her gaze. He saw something that rolled on from her cheeks to fall down over the back of his hands. It was a small drop of tear with hundreds of emotions enthralled in it. He lifted her chin up ..there was an ocean of emotions in her eyes. He saw her sadness and happiness both at the same time. Her comforts & fears combined. Her gratitude of having him near to her and the pain of losing him away to distance, everything, in those fraction of seconds. His eyes were misty. He took her hands in the palms of his hands and told her decisively .... "You are the best of everything that surrounds me, Mina".

These werent just words. They were emotions drenched in the potion of love. She clamped her hands in his hands together. Looked him in his eyes to just tell her that she believed every word he says. He held her close. She rested her head on his lap. It was their moment. They knew ..they had to live it, no matter what their future held, it was that moment that they had to live.

Ali was caressing her hair, and she was lying there as a little kid who needs protection, care and love to all his annoying tantrums. She closed her eyes drifting into sleep. Ali was awake, wide awake! He didn't move a bit. He leaned down to place a kiss on her forehead. He kept on seeing her. Adoring her for all the innocence she had. He looked at her to find a girl who was so madly in love with her. He kept on caressing her hair, because it was her hair that he liked the most. What more can a woman give to his man, than the assurance of providing the comfort of being the most comfortable in a situation as awkward as this. At that moment, he knew .. this woman wasn't only loving him, she was giving him a part of her soul that no man could ever  have again, she was irrevocably vulnerable in love with him. His arms were numb by the pressure of her shoulders, but he didnt move. Because to him, her comfort counted the most. He stared at her face, and found her very ordinary. He smiled, because it was the way she made him feel, that used to take his breath away. He looked at the moonlit sky and saw hundreds of stars shining brightly over them, but none of them could match the brilliance of her face dazzling in the rampage of glowing love. He knew, he was special!

"Baby,a dangerous idea,

That almost makes sense,

Love is drowning,

In a deep well,

All the secrets,

And no one to tell,

Love is blindness"

Happy Birthday Abbu!

“Abbu”, this little word is so full of love & emotions. Everytime, I am knocked down by someone, I remember a voice cheering me up, telling me to stand tall and rise above all my fears.

Abbu. Me. Mom.

As a kid, that too a mischievious kid, I remember asking just too many irritating questions while we drove around the city, and I remember abbu answering all my queries with much composition to make me satisfied.

Fathers are special. Not because they are the ones who made us, but because they are the ones who spent the best years of their lives to supply their children with the best of everything. They do it with a responsibility which is wrapped in love.

Abbu, pops, buddy, daddy, Yaar .. these are all the words I call my dad with. I have known the world through his eyes, I have seen people through his judgement and most importantly, I have seen the other gender through him.

When I used to see him offering help to mom in her household chores, I thought he loved her, But today when I see him offering help to his daughter-in-laws, I know, he’s a thorough gentleman at heart.

I spent the 23 years of my life, wondering to do something, someday that could make my parents proud. For that, I needed a lot of exposure, handling people, knowing to break out of the conventional boundaries. For that I needed a comfortable gesture of being at ease around people. I learned the art of humbleness from him. I gained insights to people, arts, culture, languages, politics, sports via him. He was my first window to music.

He was the first man to hold my hand and introduce me to the world so proudly as his “beti”. I look upto all men in this world, like him, who lift up their daughters/wives/sisters/ from the veils of unaccustomed societal pressures and introduce them to the world, as individuals who have dreams, who have a destiny, who mark an impression with their characters, values & nature. It never means that women should forget their core values. But it means that you are doing something other than the destined chores for you. Giving back to the society, bringing out the best out of yourselves and in turn creating a more equivocal society.

Today, when I look back at all the independence I’ve enjoyed in my entire life as a single girl, I know, not everyone in our part of the world enjoys it. It is because of the unconditional trust my parents invested in me, that has never lead me to lie to them (offcourse without exceptions :P ).

Also, not that, I’ve had a fairy-tale childhood. No. We’ve had our shares of financial constraints, the goods & bads of a typical family life in Pakistan. But I saw my father pulling us out of everything, like a true man who would explain lessons to every heartbreak. And would tell us to not lose faith.

As someone who always stood by me, in my bad and good times, I know I can never pay him back, for his kindness, his love, his youth, his words .. But I want to be here for him, unconditionally. I love you and I love the fact that you love your family, you love us all, even more!

As, the Holy Book says in Surah Bani Israil 17:24:

صَغِيرًا رَبَّيَانِي كَمَا ارْحَمْهُمَا رَّبِّ

(My Lord! bestow on them Thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood)

HAPPY 62ND YEAR YOUNG-AT-HEART MAN! :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ABBU. HAVE LOTS MORE TO COME INSHA ALLAH <3 b="">

2013

 

Ae naye saal bata tujh mai nya pan kia hai
har taraf khal'q ne kyon shor macha rakha hai

Roshni din ki wohi, taroon bhari raat wohi
Aaj hum ko nazar aati hai har baat wohi
Aasmaan badla hai afsos, na badli hai zameen
Ek hindsay ka badalna koi jida't tau nahi

Aglay barsoon ki tarah hoon gay qareenay tere
Kisay maloom nahi bara mahinay tere

Janvary, farvary aur march mai paray gi sardi
Aur april, maye, june mai ho gi garmi

Tera mu'n dehar mai kuch khoye ga kuch paye ga
Apni mayad basar kar ke chala jaye ga

Tu naya hai tau dikha subah nai, shaam nai
Warna in aankhon nay dekhay hain naye saal kaye

Be-s'bab detey hain kyon log mubarkbadain
Ghaliban bhool gaye waqat ki kadwi yadain

Teri aamad se ghati umer jahan mai sab ki
Faiz ne likhi hai ye nazam niraly dhab ki!

 

(Credits: Faiz Ahmed Faiz)

 

Dua hai k yeh naya saal hum sub k liye khushyon, muskurahaton aur aman ka pegham le kar aaye!

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013!

K H A T!

"Prime minister k khat na likhne pe Supreme Court ne unhein naa-ehl qaraar de dia" - News
(Na-ehl = impotent, eh?)

"Naye Prime Minister ne halaf utha lia magar kya woh khat likhengay?" - Such ka bhurta bana k geo!

"Khat - To write or not to write" - A deep melancholic write-up by a wanna be at the "tribune blogs". (Article parh k neeche twitter handle ko follow karna mat bhooliyega"

Such are the atrocities of this Khat. Aik Khatt. Saala aik khattt ...(And you instantly know what Nana Patekar said after this. Aqwaal-e-Zarreen)

This khat-khatahat has blown me into the 90's where I discoeverd my first affair of the muhalla once trying to learn my grade 7th english essay at the chhat. Nazzron nazzron mein isharay and full adaon wale romantic scene got me crazy. The heroine was a dusky damsel baji in my galli living right next to my place and who confessed her love instantly to me whe  i said "Baji, aap ---bhai ko daikh rahi theen na" (Using facebook poke effect). She found a reason for her emotions to spread out (Internet us waqt napa'ed tha). Then shen used to give me a khat to give to her "WOH" living few homes across. The bhai jaan was also a full stud piece. And used to reciprocate equally to all her glares & bares.

I was an honest little honey back then too. Neither did I exchanged their love letters, but also never told this to my mom. Else i know, un ki toh band bajj jaani thee :P
Strange enough, although tempted but I never read their letters.

But I did it once. One love letter that was in my brother's room. I read it. And then handed it over to mom gracefully. Fizza Rahman from CIA - Mission accomplished :D

Ejoy some Khoobsurat khatt's from google bhaijaan. Just for fun.

 

Spoiler: Aap meri Khaatir naswaar chhor dain :P

 

 

Spoiler: Haath mein elaichi muun mein badaam, Khat parhne se pehla mera salaam!

 

 

Spoiler: Some love one, some love two, I love one, that ARE you!

 

Spoiler: Aap pant shillt mein buhat ache lagtay hain :D

 

 

Spoiler: Allama Iqbal ki rooh ko thais puhanchate huay un k shair ka zoo-muanee istemal!

 

BUSS??

 PIKTURE ABHI BAKI HAI MERAY DOST..

 

 Here is a collection of some epic love songs on "khat" from Youtube.

 

Respect for the song. But shouldnt Prime minister sahab should also send a phool in his khat. Guaranteed. Mehboob ap k qadmo mein!

 

 

Karishma ji k kapde aur ajay bhai ki jawaani. Full aatish! Jab yeh khat likh sakte hein toh PM sahab kyun nahin. YEH KIA BAAT HUI. MUFTI SAAAB!

 

 

Khat mene teray naam likha. Haal-e-Dil tamam likha (Pata nahin kitne papers per aaya hoga. Plus, paper bhee college register k honge). When they can ... why cant u PM saab??

 

 

Chalo bhai. Inho ne toh khat watt ko b chhor k direct dil pe likhne ki baat kardi. Technology. FTW

 

 

 Forget Bollywood. Rafaqat Ali Khan wins. The real reason for not writing a khatt. Beat that!