PAL brings to light legendary Punjabi poet

Islamabad: Maulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri, one of renowned poets of Punjabi language in his poetry covers a variety of subject relating to religion, Sufism and spiritual love, said Muhammad Mansha Yad presiding over a seminar arranged by Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) last week.

Sahibzada Masood Ahmed was the chief guest on the occasion while Dr Gohar Noshai, Dr Arshad Mehmood Nashaad, Mir Tanha Yousafi and Abdaal Bela also attended the seminar.

Muhammad Mansha Yad appreciating PAL’s project entitled, ‘Makers of Pakistani Literature’ stated that through this project PAL has managed the availability of books on life and works of prominent, classical as well as contemporary writers on concessional prices. Maulvi Ghulam Rasool is a poet of all seasons and a legend in all genres of poetry and his poetry is a source for cultivating of humanity.

The guest of honor Sahibzada Masood Ahmed, who is a grandson of Maulvi Ghulam Rasool commented that Maulvi Ghulam Rasool emphasized the universal value of brotherhood in his poetry and turned it into an effective tool of betterment of Islamic values. He said that both books of Maulvi Ghulam Rasool titled, “Yousaf Zulaikhan” and “Dastan-e-Ameer Hamza” are assets of the Sufi tradition of Punjabi poetry. Dr Gohar Noshai said that Maulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri is one of the prominent poets of Punjabi language and his poetry is an asset in Pakistani languages and literature.

Mir Tanha Yousafi expressed his amazement over Maulvi Ghulam Rasool’s command on language and style. He decorated his poetry with symbols and words from Arabic and Persian languages in a way that the readers didn’t find them unfamiliar, Yousafi said.

Abdaal Bela, Director General, PAL thanked the guests. PAL’s book, “Maulvi Ghulam Rasool Alampuri: Life and Works” under the series of publications, “Makers of Pakistani Literature” was also launched in the ceremony.

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Miniature paintings depict social desire for male child

Islamabad: Life of a woman is not a bed of roses in our male chauvinist society before marriage. She continued to suffer right after the marriage too under social and family pressure, when choosing the gender of first baby is concerned, as every husband wants a son from his spouse, rebuffing the notion that all is in the hands of Almighty.
This ill practice penetrating in Pakistan’s social milieu over the years no matter the husband belongs to lower class or the upper this practice is still on. Highlighting this pivotal issue that put wife into emotional anxiety, Habiba Zaman, a young artist from Lahore, exhibited his cache of 11 miniature paintings at Khaas Gallery.
The other young miniaturist Shoaib Mehmood in his collection of eight paintings pinpointed the western cultural onslaught in Pakistani’s society.
Habiba uses pink and blue colors quite frequently symbolizing the gender. In majority of her works, she painted under garments of minors in blue and pink colors – the hanging blue undergarments are up way down while the pink is down way up, candidly highlights that what the husband requires.
A graduate of National College of Arts (NCA), Lahore with major in miniature paintings, Habiba said that pregnancy was a part of a woman’s life when she started developing maternal instincts and anxiously awaited the birth of her newborn child irrespective of the gender.
Habiba said in our society, majority of women were put under social and family pressure to have a son and what “I have tried to show in my work is a woman’s emotional self” when she is under this pressure, despite her having no control over it. “My paintings show what she endures when this expectation of her that she should bear a son and not a daughter rules her life, taking away her excitement and adding anxiousness to it.

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Little Beaconites stun audience with their talent

Islamabad: Students of the Beaconhouse School System, Kindergarten Branch, F-8/2, mesmerized their parents at the Annual Parents Day.
The campus was decorated with colorful balloons and adornments. The guests were received at the gate by a schoolgirl dressed as a fairy. She gave scrolls of the program to the incoming guests.
The program started at the given time after the arrival of the chief guest, Shehar Majeed, head of the School Group III. She is attached with the Beacon house School System for twenty years.
The program started with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quraan and their meaning. Headmistress Fariha Usman welcomed the guests by saying that no stone is left unturned to groom the children and their abilities are polished in the best possible manner. The students of Kindergarten, and classes one and two then showcased their skills in Taekwondo. The children broke the marble and wooden planks with their hands and freestyle kicks.
The Kindergarten class presented an English play ‘The Giant Stew’, which was complete with animal costumes. They also presented the song ‘We Are the World’ giving a message to the audience that everyone should get united to save the world. An Urdu poetry recitation ‘Pahar aur Gulahree’ was then presented by the KG students.
It was amazing to see the young children reciting Urdu poetry of Allama Iqbal with such fluency. English poetry recitation ‘Try Again’ was also presented by the KG class. English play ‘The Pied Piper of Hamelin’ was also presented by students of classes one and two giving the message of fulfilling the promise. The Parents Day concluded with the Prize Distribution Ceremony 2009-2010.
The chief guest, Shehar Majeed, appreciated the tremendous efforts of students, principal and teachers for making the Parents Day a memorable event.

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USAID celebrates women’s Day

Nasir Mahmood Kharl

Islamabad: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) celebrated International Women’s Day by hosting a panel discussion to provide inspiration, motivation, excitement, connection and opportunity to the women entrepreneurs in Pakistan. The theme of the event was ‘Stepping into Success’, which highlighted the role and significance of women micro entrepreneurs, particularly the rural women in the national economy.

The event was organized by USAID through its entrepreneur’s project implemented by MEDA, who is an active International NGO in economic development and related sectors.

The wife of US Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Marilyn Wyatt was the chief guest at the auspicious occasion. A ceremonial cake was also cut by the chief guest and others to mark the diamond jubilee celebrations of the commemorative day. While sharing her thoughts, Dr. Marilyn Wyatt has said that gender inequality is evident in the employment sector. This leads to very limited opportunities for women to venture into domestic markets with their own businesses, she added.

Dr. Wyatt told that USAID is endeavoring to change through its entrepreneurs program in various districts across the country. She said we are creating business and livelihoods prospects for the women. She further said that USAID has already made a significant breakthrough in the economic revival of 7200 conflict affected of people in Swat, of which 60% are women micro-entrepreneurs.

The discussion engaged selected women micro-entrepreneurs from all over Pakistan, along with an interactive session with representatives of academia, women chambers of commerce, media, export promotion bureau and women rights organizations as part of the audience. The essence of the discussion was to highlight challenges and opportunities for women micro entrepreneurs in Pakistan, particularly from the rural areas and those affected by natural or man-made disasters. The dialogues also captured the role of women in the overall economic growth of the country and the role of USAID in harnessing the potential of women micro entrepreneurs.

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