Sunday Plus Weekly Magazine

February 27, 2011

STYLE | TRENDS BOOKS | INTERVIEWS | GOSSIP | q&A | SOCIETY

TheNation

Why Was Pakistan singled out from hosting world cup?

close and personal with stunning noor and comedianSaad Haroon THe monumenTS of BurHanpur

quEENof DRApERy

AyEShA f. hAShWANI:

BejewelledsecretSick of dull and boring necklines? Ayesha’s pieces will usher you towards the romantic days of spring and make you shine with the right hint of bling and encrusted necklines from day to night.

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Get close and personal with queen of drapery Ayesha Hashwani

Will the PCB break its silence over what has been done to Pakistan cricket?

Actress and TV host Noor talks about her life and style

Right-arm fast-medium bowler Rana Naveedul Hassan on World Cup

Meet stand-up comedian Saad Haroon

inside this weekFebruary 27, 2011

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FashIon art

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PICks oF the week

DéCor herItage

soCIety

movIe

Sunuba presents the most innovative yet quirky hair styles

See the beautiful masterpieces of Shahid Jalal

Fly away with the encrusted and flowy ensembles of Ayesha Hashwani

Go through the smart wish-list for best buys

Create sophistication and style with Amna Saeed

Learn about the monuments of Burhan-pur

Report on the happenings and events in your metropolis

Review and premiere photos of Holly-wood blockbuster ‘No strings attached’

2414 Stand up for a comedianchariSmatic noorIntervIewIntervIew

Sunday pluS

editor’S note

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Dear readers we are back with another exciting issue of Sunday Plus. The Cricket World Cup season has set in and we bring the best stories for you. Learn what happened behind the scene when PCB became silent while Pakistan cricket was at stake. Right-arm fast-medium bowler Rana Naveedul Hassan gives an overview of the World Cup. A host of celebrities are ready to meet you this week including designer Ayesha Hashwani, actress Noor and stand up comedian Saad Haroon. From the hospitality business we present to you Kamran Sheikh and décor specialist Amna Sheikh. Get introduced to the paradisiacal birds of Pakistan. And don’t forget to see our section ‘Picks of the week’ for best buys. And don’t forget to see our section ‘Picks of the week’ for best buys.

We await your feedback at [email protected]

Stay with us every week to enjoy the Sunday Plus.

Editor-in-ChiefMajid Nizami

Deputy Managing DirectorRameeza NizamiGroup Editor:Salim Bokhari

Editor Magazine:Emanuel Sarfraz

Editorial Staff: Bishakha Khadka Kunwar, Madiha Syedain, Sadaf Pervez & Navirah Zafar

Creative Head:Faiz-ur-Rehman

Creative Team: Shoaib Qadir, Faisal Fazal, Talal Waheed, HM. Nouman

Marketing: Bilal Mahmood, Muhammad Zaeem & Salman Ahmed

For advertising:0300 - 84932060301 - 84633060300 - 4116792

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February 27, 201108 Sunday PluS

rendezvous

By Bishakha Khadka Kunwar

After arriving in the fashion scene in 2005 armed with a dream to create designs and experiment with cuts, colours and silhouettes, Ayesha F. Hashwani launched her label, AFH. Since her launch, Ayesha has only gone form success to success and has evolved into a fine designer who is beautiful as well as imaginative in her designs. No question about that.

legant, glamorous and feminine, this young designer has mastered the unique style of drapes with a hint of minimal embellishments. Her designs are equally elegant and sophisticated as they are chic and glamorous with modern edge to them.

Playing with prints and colours and rich fabrics including voiles, chiffons, silks and charmeuse, the forte of this beauti-ful designer lies in working with sheer fabrics, beads and crystals and has come to be recognised for her work across varied shapes, flowy fabrics. It seems Ayesha has always been fascinated by the flow of life and this transcends into her work. From length of her drapes to the attention of her detailing, each piece speaks one language-Movement.

Her creations-like her- are fun and youthful with a sig-nature style of the jewelled encrusted necklines in both prêt and formal wear. In fact when it comes to Ayesha, always expect the unexpected, but rest assured the end result will be absolutely glamorous.

Her designs have caught the fancy of many celebrities. Internationally her latest collections are stocked in Hong Kong (Sanskrit boutique), Dubai (Studio) and Toronto. Ayesha exhibited her prêt line at the multi brand boutique Carma in New Delhi in 2010. Nationally, her collections are available in Karachi, Khayaban-e-Muhafiz Defence, and at multi label boutique Melange in Islamabad.

With three discrete collections under her brand namely prêt a porter, semi formal and formal wear, even the most eastern ensemble of AFH, maintains a modern western edge to it. Ayesha’s brand has come to be synonymous with refinement and luxury.

She is one of the new breed of designers who are rapidly gaining grounds. She is one of the young designers who bring a whole new style vocabulary to our closet and translate her love of fashion into her clothes. She speaks to Sunday Plus about her ultimate dream destination, celebri-ties she would love to dress

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ueenof drapery


• What is your design philosophy?While there is so much to still figure out, for now I would have to say that I like to have fun and stay original with my work. At AFH we like to stay simplistic, yet chic, with embel-lishments in vibrant eclectic colours. each cre-ation demonstrates an understated elegance, accentuating the femininity of a woman without hiding her strengths.• What does success mean to you?Success is a moving target for me and my brand. I don’t think we ever achieve “it”. I feel that if you think you have achieved your great-est success you clearly have decided to stop pushing yourself.• Who inspires you the most?I am inspired by international design houses’ Alice by Temperley and elie Saab.• What does prêt mean to you?A ready-to-wear line marketed in a finished condition and sold in standard sizes that are able to go!

• What does couture to you mean?High level of sewing and dress-making tech-niques made by hand.• When will couture come to mean more than just bridal in Pakistan?I think we’re getting very artsy and creative with time. With a platform such as fashion week made available to us, it gives us an incentive to go all out there.• What does vintage fashion has that con-temporary fashion never will have?Age, design and availability of the outfit.• Your favourite muse…My muse would have to be influenced by Greek goddess’s attire. It has to be graceful, comfortable and beautifully draped. • What does easy chic mean to you?Pairing one dressier piece with a less dressy one.• Your day starts with…A mug of hot water with a slice of lemon.

• You are addicted to…Cupcakes!• Dream destination…Maldives• A crazy holiday memory…Driving through the Black Forest and other quaint towns, catching trains to various cities in europe, skiing and moving around with tons of luggage with 3 of my cousins and sister. We had the ultimate european adventure. It was a riot every step of the way.• An unknown fact about you…Used to do 80-90 laps in the swimming pool non-stop. I love swimming.• One thing I’d like to change about myself…I am a workaholic! I need to learn how to switch off.• Up for grabs on your shopping list…The new Ipad • A must have for you…Good friends!

Hair, Makeup: Depilex pHotograpHy : Fayyaz ahmeD Model : aamina Sheikh

rendezvous


• Favourite Designers… Roberto Cavalli , Etro,Temperley, Chanel and several others.• Thing I treasure most in my wardrobe… The wooden hangers that don’t crease and ruin my clothes.• Style statement… Little Black Dress (LBD)• 3 Must-haves in anyone’s closet… Jeans, white silk blouse, statement necklace.• Brands you like….. Chanel, McQueen, Balmain, Lanvin• Perfumes……. 24 Faubourg, Hermes

• Beauty crime…Having pig tails as a hairdo.• Style Icon…Angelina Jolie• Celebrities you would love to dress…Angelina Jolie, Sienna Miller.• Would you rather dress politician or royalty and why?Definitely royalty. Politicians have too many re-strictions. The glamorous gowns and bling are my forte so would love to be able to do that.• Who do you think is the most over-rated

designer?Vivienne Westwood• Personal strength…Tend to be a perfectionist.• Your first fashion creation…Crushed cotton kaftans with a jewelled brooch.• Personal Weaknesses…I am too sentimental.• A city that inspires you…Paris, for its style, architecture, romance.• Best thing about being a Pakistani…

For being in the country where it all began for me.• One thing I would change about Pakistan is…Stand united! Not each to their own.• In life if given a second chance would you do anything differently?I would live it just the same way, love the same people and make the same decisions.• Your journey so far…long and insightful.

rendezvous

cloSet conFiDential


interview

By Sajid Ali

CharismatiC Noor


interview

H H H

n Q: what was it like growing up in the film industry?

n It was fun because I was famous even when I was six years old since that’s when I launched my career! It was interesting but because of the fame I couldn’t concentrate on my studies much. I guess I was always an actor. Growing up being a film-star is not an easy job.

n Q: Did you have any problems with acting, as a child star?

n I was always very confident and loved the camera. I was very comfortable with it and acting was not a problem for me at all. It was like playing with my dolls.

n Q: which do you enjoy more: model-ling, tv plays or films; and why?

n Films, definitely because they have a different charisma; the charm of the big screen is undeniable and it is also the biggest medium.

n I enjoyed modelling too but my experi-ence with films is outstanding. As far as television is concerned, I felt com-fortable because people in the industry are generally well-educated and so there are no hassles that one faces in the film industry.

n Q: You have worked sporadically; how has that affected your career?

n I think it has affected my career positively because I had left the film industry for six years and it’s very rare that you receive the same warmth from the audience after such a long hiatus, as I have received.

n Q: the audience has really wel-comed me; i was very apprehensive and i knew that i would have to work very hard, but i have received a better response than last time. Has your stay in Dubai developed you as an artiste and bring you any exposure?

n Not as an artiste. I was looking at a lot of projects there and was even offered an Indian movie but because I was pri-marily a wife then, I developed a lot as a person. I had a lot of friends there, and there was an unusual positive attitude in my behaviour. Living in Punjab you are exposed to a different culture; there

are a lot of wannabes and people are into showing-off, but it wasn’t like that in Dubai. I observed women working really hard over there and that brought a major change in my attitude. I am more patient now because of my time spent in Dubai.

n Q: Your personal life hasn’t been easy. Comment?

n Well, what can I say! My personal life has been very difficult; I guess i would put it down to bad luck.

n Q: what lead to your break-up?n My husband had converted to Islam at

the time of our marriage and there was a proper Nikah, but later he succumbed to family pressure and reverted to Hinduism. This was the basic reason for our break-up.

n Q: if you receive offers from india now, would you take them up?

n I have got three offers so far, but have refused all. I am not in favour of acting in Indian movies because all they do is sell the physical beauty of our girls and degrade them. I think its best that we should be happy with what we have in Pakistan.

n Q: what has your work in Pakistani films taught you about our industry?

n Unfortunately, all I’ve learnt is that we are very far behind from Bollywood and Hollywood.

n Q: which of your films is your favou-rite and why?

n ‘Mujhe Chaand Chahiye’, because it was my first movie. I really liked my character, and I had a major role in it. I was crying when it was released. It will always be my best movie because it gave me the experience of a lifetime.

n Q: who is your favourite film/serial director and why?

n I really like Syed Noor; then there’s Hassan Askari Sahib and Shaan as well. I think as far as serials are concerned Babar Javed is the best director.

n Q: what is your opinion about the current state of Pakistani drama?

n I think we are getting better; there was an era when we had started following Indian soaps, but now we are more into reality-based dramas. Haissam is doing

a great job; Babar Javed’s plays are really good as are Mehreen Jabbar’s.

n Q: what kind of a play or film would you like to work in?

n I would like to do an action-movie as I haven’t done any so far. The play would have to be one in which I can be a drama queen.

n Q: tell us the truth behind the nadia Khan Show fiasco?

n It was a set-up; Nadia Khan had called my husband to tell him that I would be appearing on her show and talking against him. She knew he would react and come to fight it out with me, and when he made an appearance in the lobby of the hotel where the show was to be shot, she had hidden cameras filming our argument, which she showed on-air. After my husband realized that he had been set up he filed a case against her and she was banned from doing a show for six months in Dubai. She was kicked out of Geo for the same reason.

n Q: which commercial of yours do you like the most and why?

n The Warid ad because I love my smile in it! Why have you not appeared in more music videos? I have done one of Jawad Ahmed’s but have not received any more offers.

n Q: How do you compare the televi-sion industry with our film industry?

n There’s a humongous difference in terms of technology; television has more educated people and fresh blood. In films we have the same old directors and technology.

n Q: How do you feel about taking on the challenge of hosting in Morning Show?

n I am nervous, excited and happy, and frankly I don’t know what I will do on the show. I have been working on it for the past two months by watching all morning shows and I hope that I do a good job. I have had to shift to Karachi because of it, and I always love to do new things. It’s a different direction for me, and I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Noor has moved from modelling to films to television. Her role in her debut film ‘Mujhe Chand Chahiye’ garnered appreciation both for her acting talents and her delicate features and lovely long tresses. After a long hiatus Noor is back to grace the mini-screen; personal upheavals not withstanding, with all her energy and spunk. Raring to be the new face of a morning show, this talented lady takes out time to speak to us.


Comment

By AAmer WAqAs ChAudhAry

One cannot expect the sport to survive in the country when the BCCI-dominated-ICC is bent upon isolating Pakistan as a cricketing nation. Pakistan’s status to host international matches had been uncertain for some time after the Champions Trophy was shifted out, India cancelled a tour when it pulled out of a bilateral series and Pakistan had to play all of its home series at neutral venues. However, worn-out Chairman PCB Ijaz Butt himself provided the pretext to the ICC when he said nobody wanted to play in Pakistan following the attack on Sri Lanka’s touring cricketers.

On one hand, if the law enforcement agen-cies had failed in protecting the Sri Lankan cricket team, on the other certainly PCB and foreign office hawks have failed miserably in projecting the country’s positive image and bettering its prospects in the face of hostility mainly led by the neighbouring country. This amply depicts their inherent ‘potential’ of not doing better at international fronts. Resultant-ly, the cricket-frenzy nation has been denied the right to watch cricket matches of the on-going World Cup. The International Cricket Council had moved away Pakistan’s share of 16 matches and distributed them among the other three joint hosts – India, Sri Lanka and

Bangladesh – but the PCB would still be paid the hosting fees.

Whereas India, having almost the same situation and worst preparations for the ICC world cup, has come to the fore as a nation which can lead the world of cricket. Even now law and order situation in India is precarious as well. About the security arrangement for the tournament, Chief Administrative Officer of the Board of Control for Cricket in India and World Cup Tournament Director Ratnakar Shetty said recently, “Things have changed in the last two years. The police have a mecha-nism of continuously monitoring the security issues. The threat perception varies from team to team, and that is an aspect that is being looked into by the central government.” Being an Indian, he did not further say anything about his country’s fluid security situation.

Now the PCB will be paid around $ 400,000 for every match it was supposed to host, and could not be held in the country, ostensibly due to security concerns. This is not a favour to Pakistan since under the host countries agreement signed by the co-hosts with the ICC, all host countries will get around $ 400,000 per match they host. The amount could be as high as $ 500,000, but $

singled out?Why Was Pakistan

Chief Executive ICC Haroon Lorgat tells PCB to be patient on

return of international cricket!

It is time that Pakistan Cricket Board must break its silence over what has

been happening against it in the recent times. Earlier,

the ICC took away the Champions Trophy, and then

it deprived it of the World Cup purportedly for ‘security

reasons’. The question is: If Pakistan is unsafe for the

event, then how are other parts of the subcontinent

falling easily within the range of terrorists?


Comment

400,000 is confirmed.It is also being attributed to another fact.

This was basically the solution worked out to the dispute between the PCB and ICC over the issue of hosting rights, which led to the PCB sending a legal notice to the sport’s world governing body after the shifting of the matches in 2009. The ICC had, after Pakistan withdrew its legal notice, agreed that although no matches would be held in Pakistan, and the PCB would be paid hosting fees per match. Moreover, Pakistan would also get a share of revenues from gate receipts, ground advertising and sale of hospitality boxes at the venues where its share of matches would be held now in three other countries. Only the host nations get paid hosting fees by the ICC; the other par-ticipating nations will get their share of the overall revenues of the ICC from the World Cup. The ICC had informed the PCB that its dues would be cleared 90 days after the end of the tournament according to procedures. Recently, also the ICC had also cleared most of the dues of the PCB it had held up due to the failure of the Board to submit audited ac-counts of previous years, including Pakistan’s share of revenues from the ICC Champions Trophy and the T20 World Cup.

This means that even though teams might not be touring Pakistan, the PCB

would find itself in a healthy financial posi-tion after the World Cup. Perhaps this is one of the reasons that we find the PCB in slumber and not fighting for its rights.

Last year, following the spot fixing controversy, and subsequent erroneous and outrageous statements by Ijaz Butt, the Board was facing the threat of being suspended as a full member by the ICC. Prior to this, on October 12, the ICC held a meeting with Butt to discuss his inflammatory state-ments about the ECB, where he claimed that English players were accepting payment to lose matches. However, the ICC had since made it clear that sanctions would be applied to the member, Pakistan, rather than an indi-vidual of its management. This amply depicts the state of affairs for Pakistan cricket at the international level. To avoid such embar-rassing situation in the future, the PCB had introduced a revised code of conduct for its players in line with recommendations made by the ICC for stricter implementation of anti-corruption laws. This ICC also stated that if the Board didn’t implement the laws, then Pakistan could be looking at suspension from International Cricket, which is pretty bleak a picture of the game and its supreme governing body in Pakistan.

Earlier, 16 matches, including a semi-final, were moved from Pakistan after the militant attack on Sri Lankan team in Lahore on March 3, 2009. On April 17 of the same year, Pakistan was stripped of hosting rights for the World Cup because of the ‘uncertain security situation’ in the country, as was maintained by quick-to-react ICC, which was done with regret. “It is a regrettable decision (but) our number one priority is to create certainty and...deliver a safe, secure and suc-cessful event,” the ICC statement said.

It was taken with a pinch by all, especially the former legends of Pakistan cricket. For-mer captain Zaheer Abbas was of the view the PCB must make it clear to the ICC that it would boycott the World Cup if it was held in Asia. “It’s a great loss for Pakistan cricket

and for that I would blame the ICC and India which has pulled out its support when we needed it the most,” he averred.

Former PCB official Saleem Altaf could not figure out what had transpired at the ICC meeting in Dubai for the decision. “But it is disappointing as we were keen to host the World Cup matches and were working hard on a security plan to convince the ICC and other countries,” he maintained.

Former captain Javed Miandad was of the view that Pakistan cricket was going through bad times and unfortunately the support and understanding we expect from the ICC and other countries was not forthcoming. “There was still time left for the tournament and the Board was willing to do everything to keep the World Cup matches and host them safely,” he said as being part of the Board, but nothing positive happened in this regard.

Former Chairman PCB Khalid Mahmood does not endorse the idea that Pakistan was singled out, “since Pakistan is facing terror-ism, but cannot be equated with any other country where no team has been attacked.” He believes that Pakistan’s lobbying was poor though law and order was not ideal in India either, but tourists were not under tar-get. “The Pakistani government is slacking in providing the security, and this failing of the government, law enforcement and the PCB has resulted in withdrawing of matches,” he adds.

Another former Chairman of the Board Tauqir Zia says that we are to be blamed for this, as it does not serve the ICC or the other countries though India has been indulg-ing in anti-Pakistan propaganda regarding security matters after terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan Team. “We have to counter this at all levels besides proving to the world that Pakistan is a safe country for playing after holding league matches comprising foreign players,” he advises.

H H H


interview

MADIHA SYEDAIN

ana naved-ul-Hasan, is a cricketer who plays for the Pakistani Test and One Day International teams. He also plays for Sussex County Cricket Club in England and the Tasmania Tigers in the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash competition.A right-arm fast-medium bowler capable of generating good pace with late swing, he is a genuine strike bowler although prone to leaking runs. He often bowls the reverse-swinging yorker in one day cricket and has good control over changes of pace, although he is notoriously expensive. Rana is also a useful attacking lower-order batsman with 3 first class hundreds. He left playing cricket due to personal reasons during 1995-1999.

Naved-ul-Hasan, made his international debut at the Cherry Blos-som Sharjah Cup on the 4th of April immediately after the poor 2003 Cricket World Cup campaign in which Pakistan were eliminated in the first round and a number of players were dropped. Playing against Sri Lanka, Rana took the wickets of Hashan Tillakaratne and Prasanna Jayawardene in consecutive balls but failed to take a hat-trick. Despite several good performances he was soon dropped from the side for alleged disciplinary problems [1]. With injuries to key members of the Pakistani pace attack he worked his way back into the side before once again falling out of favour with the national selectors and unable to stake a claim ahead of emerging young fast bowlers such as Umar Gul and Iftikhar Anjum. His career best figures are 6 for 27, made in a victory over India in Jamshedpur.

On 22 July 2009, Rana recalled in Pakistan ODI squad for Sri Lanka as well as for the provisional 30-man squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2009 and a day later Pakistan Cricket Board awarded him a ‘C’ category contact. After a disastrous tour of Australia in January, Naved-ul-Hasan was banned for one year along with several other players receiving different types of consequences.

For the 2010 season he was signed by Sussex as early-season cover for compatriot Yasir Arafat. Sussex have turned to the now 32-year-old as Arafat will be with his country’s squad for the ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies until 21 May.

while talking to Sunday Plus of the nation, rana naved-ul-Hasan talks about his aspirations

new strategiesSunday Plus caught up with right-arm fast-medium bowler RANA NAVEED UL HASSAN to know

Time To devise

R

and prospects of Pakistan in world Cup 2011.Madiha Syedain: How do you compare the cur-rent team with the one in 1992?rana naved-ul-Hasan: There is a huge differ-ence between both the teams, 1992 Pakistani team had a great batting line and consisted of legendary players like Imran Khan, Wasim Akram etc whereas today’s team is a combination of amateur and expert cricketers. However, that does not mean that we can’t win but it is hard to compare the two. MS: Should Pakistan cricket team adopt the same strategy for this World Cup?rnH: I think they should play with their own pace and play according to their circumstances. At the moment Pakistan has yet to reveal its strategy beginning from small teams like Kenya and then moving on to big teams. MS: What are the prospects of Pakistan team wining the World Cup?rnH: I am very hopeful and positive that we are going to win the World Cup 2011. We MS: How do you see the current opening pair?rnH: We have to accept the decisions of select-ing committee and give new players a chance to prove their mettle in the World Cup. Though, I had certain expectations from Sohail Tanveer who has gained repute for his unorthodox left arm bowling action and particularly for the suc-cess it has gained him in the Twenty20 format of the game. But in his absence, Mohammad Hafeez & Kamran Akmal and others are surely going to play well.MS: Are you satisfied with the selection of the team? rnH: Yes! We showed good partnership in New Zealand which emphasised the fact that if you

have good openers, the middle order works itself out. India has showed good opening against Bangladesh and I believe we can too make a difference. MS: What are the weaknesses that you consider our team has to watch out for? rnH: Our fielding is not good and we need to work on our fielding issue, but we played really well in New Zealand and dropped less catches and have to show the same spirit in this regard. MS: As the World Cup has started what do you think about the conditions and pitches? rnH: The conditions and pitches are very suitable for Pakistani team. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh pitches are pretty much the same and I don’t think our team would face any problem in this regard. We have an edge over Western teams who find it difficult to play here as the ball bounces low frequently. MS: What advice do you like to give to our team? rnH: Captain should let each player play accord-ing to his capabilities.MS: Why is it being said that Pakistan has the potential to reach only to semi finals?rnH: I believe that they can win the World Cup 2011!MS: Your favourites after Pakistan…rnH: India, Pakistan and Sri LankaMS: What do you think about domestic cricket of Pakistan? rnH: We need to make cricket academies in all the cities of Pakistan in order to streamline our talent.

21Sunday PluS

interview

about prospects of Pakistan winning the World Cup 2011.

February 27, 2011

Newsbites


By AAmer WAqAs ChAudhAry

H H H H H H

H H H

The effort is not to disappoint cricket-frenzy nation, while the stake-holders will lose money in case of India’s early exit!

India is deemed to be the financial powerhouse of cricket. Experts are of the view that exit of India and Pakistan from the 2007 World Cup was a disaster for the tournament. The sponsors, broadcasters, tour opera-tors, West Indies board – all lost a lot of money. So in order to save skin of all the stakeholders, co-host India has been given an easy way-out intentionally!

World Cup Tournament Director Ratnakar Shetty had admitted that the fixtures for the mega event beginning on February 19 were made to favour co-hosts India and other top teams making it to the knock-out stage.

Shetty, also the Chief Administrative Officer of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, confessed that the organisers did not want to take a risk with a format like that of 2007, when India and Pakistan made an exit in the opening round.

Asked whether a lot of matches featuring minnows have been scheduled in order to tweak it in favour of India, Shetty replied, “I will not be honest if I say no. Economically, we all know that India is the financial powerhouse of cricket. The exit of India and Pakistan from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 was a disaster for the tournament. The sponsors, broadcasters, tour operators, West Indies board – all lost a lot of money.”

“The format was changed in such a way that it gives all the top teams a chance to compete. We have gone back to the same format that was used in 1996,” he added.

Pakistan’s World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan has predicted the ‘dew factor’ will play a critical role in the outcome of World Cup matches. “Apart from the related strengths and weaknesses of the participating teams, I think the dew factor in day and night matches will decide results,” has said the great Khan.

“I think any team batting second will have a huge advantage as the ball keeps on getting wet. When the outfield is wet and bowlers find it hard to grip the ball,” says cricket-turned-politician, adding that during March and April in day and night matches, pitches tended to be flatter because of the warm weather. “In 1996, Sri Lanka won the final at Lahore because they chose to chase and ended up getting the advantage of heavy dew making life very difficult for the Australian bowlers,” he substantiates.

36 of 49 matches have been scheduled as day-night fixtures, including the quarter-finals, semis and final.

“On current form, their team combination and the fact they are playing at home, I would say India start off as favourites,” Imran Khan predicts, while believing that the only factor that could undermine Indian team, is the expectation and pressure of playing at home. “Otherwise India has a very strong side and their batsmen should be devastating on Indian pitches,” he avers.

To him, India’s Virender Sehwag and Yusuf Pathan as two players, who could make a big impact at the tournament. “They are the most powerful and clean hitters in the sport today. Plus they have wisely included a leg-spinner, Piyush Chawla, to partner Harbhajan Singh in the World Cup. I have always believed that leg-spinners are essential in ODIs as they are attacking options and take wickets.”

Easing out indiaintentionally!

‘Dew’ to play Due role

inDia as favourites


INtervIew

By Sadaf Pervez

Wearing the expressions of amusing mood, Haroon started with his sophisticated observations of everyday nuances. He does not live in Lahore, and he felt strange about giving road directions in Lahore: go to MM Alam road. Proceeding further, his art of manipulation disclosed with asking of questions from the audience. It was all about spontaneity that burst the audience into the fits of laughter. It is easy to recall the punch lines: Rana is a very common name in Lahore, why not use Rani instead. What do I have? I have styllleee.

There is little effort to do where the politicians have themselves taken the roles of a popular soap opera in the rapidly changing political scenario. He rather sidelined the political scene, and used serious subjects but very much relatable. It was hilarious to watch the ‘Daku song’ while relating to Raymond case with his intention to shoot a film ‘Everbody hates Raymond.’ Then it was about uniform of

He is witty. He is hilarious. It is a must to say that the stand-up comedian, Saad

Haroon superseded the expectations as his jokes

in his last show in Karachi were quoted as mundane

and repetitive. Though it does not matter if the old

ones can crack the silence. This time he was carrying

the baggage of mostly new gags, it was one of the mesmerising nights

to let the audience to enthral.

comedianStand up for a


INtervIew

Guantanamo Bay’s prisoners, Dubai as a spaceship and framed image of Muslims as terrorists.

He does not like Bollywood movies. To him spending three hours it’s like to have a relationship and what if one has to see them in 3-D. He smirked; the room filled with the uproar of laughs and huge sound of applause.

It was exhilarating experience to see Saad Haroon perform in Lahore for three days. In his short visit to Lahore, Sunday Plus got the opportunity to get up close with Haroon:

Sadaf Pervez: why comedy?Haroon: There was no perceived

intention to be what I am today. I was all settled with a job, but was involved in improvisation of theatre in the time being. Soon the fascination with the performing arts became my passion, so here is I am an entertainer, a comedian.

SP: Is it easy to be comedian in Pakistan?

Haroon: Nothing is easy in Pakistan. In any field over here you have to strive hard to flourish to the end successfully. Like wise, I have to create something that can please everyone which is quite hard itself in our society.

SP: when you started it was only a bunch of people in the limelight, now each private channel is catering to this genre. How do you see the standard of comedy in Pakistan?

Haroon: It is growing. There was a time when the opinions could not be

passed freely. Now less restrictive prac-tices has nurtured a lot new comedians, satirists and humorists to emerge a new culture of comic relief. It is appreciative that people have chosen this genre. But still to make the difference, we need more people to fulfil the demand of increasing population.

SP: How do you pick lines to poke fun? Any inspirations…

Haroon: There are no inspirations. Anything can come any time even in the middle of the thing. The only condition is that it has to be funny to bring a smile.

Cultural and religious issues are such high sensitivities that could erupt into controversies at ease in the society like ours. What is the point in venturing with risky lines?

It is one’s point of view that how he perceives what I say. No pun intended. If I take such lines, the only aim is to bring issues in light so that they can be discussed openly. It is never to harm anyone’s feelings but to intercede for the social change.

SP: Besides being a comedian, what do you intent to do in future?

Haroon: An entertainer is basically a story-teller. So I will like to narrate stories while adapting them into the big screen by making good films, which should be a pride for all Pakistanis. Further I wish to roam across the world to represent my country to make myself a proud Pakistani.

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interview

By Bishakha Khadka Kunwar

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On the catwalk, the quirkier the betterSunuba: When it comes to hairstyles, most of us especially in our part of the world would prefer to play it safe. Seriously where’s the fun in that. But at a recent hair show aptly titled Alternate: Hair and Makeup story, Sunuba spa and salon transcended the mundane and the usual outlook and created a show that was as eclectic as it was creative with flaming makeovers ushering us into the season’s hottest trends and hues for our hair.

unuba brought a dazzling showcase of creativity and drama that translated into the runways of Royal Palms like never before. In what could be considered as one of the most daring hair shows in the history of Pakistani fashion, the story presented by Sunuba was no less than a fairytale that took the models’ mane to the max and created such glitzy and opulent show that had never been done before. Think modern Marie Antoinette and Lady Gaga inspired looks with operatic headgears, vol-umes, exaggerated bouffants. In addition to the outra-geous hair creations, the models also sported matching Gaga-esque flamboyantly bombastic makeup that fea-tured a wide array of crazy accoutrements. The lights, the stage, the drama: The show begun and the rest is history. The team at Sunuba did prove the fact that on the catwalk, the quirkier the better. Bilal Mukhtar of BM events said, “ The creativity showcased by sunuba is beyond what has been ever done in Pakistan. It is creativity par excellence.”During the early eighteenth-century, European fashions were distinctive for their extravagant use of wigs, hair extensions, curling, crimping, rococo hairdos, and the fontages as high as four times the head. Stuff like cush-ions, wigs, and wires were used to have their hairstyles reach new heights.

The similar scene was recreated with contemporary strokes by Sunuba. Models wore their hair augmented with pads, pinned on extensions, puffed up into a pompadour in front with coiled braids at the back, hair surmounted and elaborated by ornate mirrors, small light bulbs, headdress, flamboyant feathers (especially the one with peacock feathers), flowers and even stuffed birds. The choreography was done to make the models look out-of this world with spiky costumes and gothic makeup. The majority of the models on the ramp

PerFeCt LOCKS: This Rastafarian dreadlock inspired look is meant for the bold and the beautiful


interview

Think modern Marie Antoinette and Lady Gaga inspired looks with operatic headgears, volumes, exaggerated bouffants. In addition to the outrageous hair creations, the models also sported matching Gaga-esque flamboyantly bombastic makeup that featured a wide array of crazy accoutrements. The lights, the stage, the drama: The show begun and the rest is history. The team at Sunuba did prove the fact that on the catwalk, the quirkier the better.

looked like novices, but again it was a hair and makeup show and the attention was aptly done. The team at Sunuba managed to showcase 50 world class looks. You couldn’t ask for more.

Sunuba managed to push the limits of traditional hairstyling by using extensive props to achieve the desired look and man-aged to create blow-by-blow drama on the ramp. For all of you who love to experiment with your hair, take a cue from these styles, cuts and trends. You don’t have to emulate it literally. Just take a cue on twists and turn and make a point yourself. So for a more creative and ingenious look for an upcoming party or a concert, Sunuba spa and salon might be the right place to head the next time you want to add some spunk and spark to humdrum boring look.

Being one of the youngest salons in the lot, the hair show was a big spectacle to my surprise. The event was packed with some bold hairdos that some might call it a slight overdose: But most of us felt that we did not have enough of hair and that’s why I came feeling I learned so much about hair. Sunday Plus talked with Ubab Hurrain of Sunuba spa and salon about the spectacu-lar show and the hair trends for 2011.BKK: what was your inspiration behind

the show Alternate: Hair & Makeup story? Can you tell us more about the styles that you showcased on the ramp?Sunuba: The Pakistani beauty and fashion industry has been expanding recently, and while we saw growth and experimentation in the fashion industry, the hair and makeup industry in Pakistan wasn’t doing much cre-ative and inspiring work. If we look around the world, not only the U.S. and Europe, we see such experimentation and creativity expressed even in markets such as China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. We had been exposed to such work in international competitions and had been doing this type of work abroad.We wanted to introduce our international work in the country. We wanted to show the world that Pakistan too has talent and creativity, and artists here also work on International standards.BKK: Your hairstyles are quirky yet imaginative; do you feel that Pakistan is ready for such a huge change?Sunuba: Everything comes into imagina-tions first, then into actual existence. This is our imagination which we have put into practice. In shows, the artist always exhibits the outer limits of her creativity. We wanted to show how imaginative and creative we

tHe HeireSSeS: This hairdo is not for the faint hearted. Play with dual tones for a contemporary updo.


interview

can be. The workable design and styles we make for our clients are of course different and more practi-cal, based on what the clients want. The show is to illustrate what all we can accomplish with hair, the styling on clients is based on the vision of the client.BKK: You get to stay on top of all the latest trends! Can you name some upcoming hair trends for 2011, as far as what’s hot in colour, what textures and cuts women should be look-ing out for, etc?Sunuba: We see classical hair trends returning in 2011. Styles and colours will be inspired from more natural themes. We, however, also see an increasing interest in colour such as fuchsia, blue, purple in hair amongst the younger and more experimental clientele.BKK: As far as taking care of hair, what are some simple things anyone can do to pamper her hair on a daily basis?Sunuba: Healthy and nutritious diet is the most important ingredient in hairs that are lustrous and give a natural glow. Regular scalp massages to im-prove circulation and blood flow to the hair follicles is also very important for nutrient delivery and thus healthy hair.Moreover, in our day to day styling routines, choos-ing good quality products can make a lot of differ-ence. For example, if you use heat-styling on your hair, then you must use heat protection products in

your hair to minimize damage.BKK: Okay, the pro has spoken! what are your favourite styling products right now and why?Sunuba: L O’real Vive Pro Gloss style range is my favourite, it gives excellent control with a very natural glow.BKK: if a woman is bored with her hair, what’s your advice for a quick and easy style switch to get her out of that rut?Sunuba: The easiest way is to get a new hair cut. Gives you a new look to play around with. It is dif-ficult to illustrate hairdos in written form. However, we do personal grooming classes where we teach quick and easy styles to do yourself.Hair accessories or extensions can also be a quick and easy way to spice up your everyday look.BKK: what kind of hairstyle are you yearning to do on a celebrity, whom you would help develop a new look?Sunuba: We would love to do edgy looks in cut and colour. We feel that our celebrities should lead the way in innovative styles and techniques.BKK: what do you like best about your profes-sion?Sunuba: I love the aspects of creativity and innova-tion in our profession. Making a woman look good is making her feel more confident and self-assured. We feel proud whenever we are able to add that to a woman’s life.

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FeAtHerY CArnivAL: Bouffants are back and how! Take a cue from modern day Mad Men’s Joan Harris with her big sexy bouffants. Recreate the look with full and voluminous ladylike hairdos and add some feathers to fly high.

FLAMinG MAKeOverS: This season is all about fierce and vibrant hair colours.

blog

The Chronicles of Monsieur… A Trip Back in Time Greeting fellow Food Lovers of Pakistan, I shall refer to you as “the Fbunch” for the sake of familiarity from now. So when did people start putting good food on a fancy plate and selling an ambiance for it? Well, all this “majma” that you are looking at and experiencing (development and opening of restaurants) has in a way been directed by yours truly (me) since 1984…

My first project was Ménage,(for all of you wise enough to remember) it was the first restaurant of its kind in Lahore and at the time, I had just come in from New York and I was just trying to make a very quiet, yet elegant statement. I can’t say that it was a complete first, because I remember, as a child, there were many magnifi-cent restaurants and clubs to go to in Karachi (that’s where I grew up). So, it was not the first time for Pakistan, but in Punjab it could have been. I had this huge thing of making an Institu-tion out of the hospitality business and I still feel very strongly about it today.If I do a project, I get too passionately involved in

it. I hate fast food but then I’ve done fast food, out of whatever reason because I got passion-ately involved. I think it has more to do with what I get myself into as I probably get too involved with my Hospitality Projects. But my most passionate project is probably Ménage. I was very very…new here; I didn’t have my rights and wrongs adjusted. With everything and anything that I wanted to do, somebody would tell me that it was impossible to do. And the desire to prove them wrong drove me further.My most recent project to claim is Veranda Bistro. It’s indeed a popular & trendy venue in Lahore. Well that would seem natural as after all, the concept and design is mine so I don’t mind saying so myself, as they say “if you have it, Flaunt it!” Veranda Bistro is about five thousand square feet, very romantic and has many small but luxurious dining rooms, and of course the Veranda and a Courtyard to court an appetite or that woman of your dreams…Veranda Bistro is all about the love for the Mediterranean, not the women but the food. (Eat the food, dream about the women).One of my favourite projects has to be Zouk which is on its 16th year of operation and has become an Icon. Strangely enough, I do feel if Ménage was still running today it would prob-ably be as popular as Zouk. Not to take anything away from Zouk, some of you may not know this but it started off as just a burger and a sandwich place with a little bit of Thai thrown into it. I kept on throwing in more and more Thai recipes till it achieved the niche it has today.There was another restaurant I did in Faisalabad called China Town, it was enormously huge. It was Faisalabad’s Ménage. And till the last day, it had extended queues of people waiting to dine.

Every design is emulation of the mind or of what you have seen, of what you have experienced, perhaps even unconsciously. All my projects are controversial in design and in the cuisine and a lot of people say that the designs and interior has been copied off from somewhere. Strangely enough, I haven’t been to Singapore or to Morocco….So now that you know a lot more about me. The F Word is going to be fun take on restaurants and food trends around towns. After all, food and restaurant reviews happen all over the world so why not Lahore, especially since we love our food as much as we love our women. And poignantly speaking, some Sardars love their food even more! So till next time, I might be coming to a restaurant near you to do a review for our food loving “F bunch”. Take it with a pinch of salt!

Kamran Sheikh is Pakistan’s Premier Food Consultant and Critic who has been credited for creating some of the _nest restaurants concepts and food menus in Pakistan including, Veranda Bistro, Cafe Zouk, Gun Smoke, OPTP, & The Chameleon at the Royal Palm Golf & Country Club. He has travelled extensively around the world and is a true food connoisseur and critic well respected amongst the educated elite in Pakistan. Here on ‘The F Word’ Monsieur Kamran shares his epic journeys to global kitchens of the world and talks about the ups & downs of local food trends, and venues. Take it with a pinch of salt!


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The F WordBy Kamran Sheikh


decor

Amna saeed

on the wall!

MirrororMi

rrA quick look at the mirror before dashing out of the house in the morning is a routine for most of us. Unlike the mirror that Snow White’s step mother owned, our mirrors unfortunately do not answer our questions, but they do reflect our souls and we do talk to them. Mirrors are often considered to be a reflection of yourself and how clear you are about your goals and ambitions. Mirrors are commonly used for the purpose of expansion. Wall mirrors not only add light and a cheerful atmosphere but make the room look larger, lighter and nicer.

Here are some general tips as how the mirrors can be placed properly in order to enhance the place:

l Simply lean a large decorative mirror against the wall. It will increase the size of your living space, while adding a nice decorative touch at the same time.

l If your living space is small and lacks natural daylight, position a mirror opposite mirrored furniture. This will double the effect and make your room seem much bigger

l Place a mirror over your fireplace. Choose one that is narrower than the fireplace, but is rather tall at the same time. This will cre-ate the illusion that your room is also a very tall one.

l Hanging a mirror in a square room can really enhance it. Place the mirror so that it reflects a white wall. This will make you r room look less boxy and much larger.

l To make your small and over-furnished bedroom look spacious, just use mirrored panels on your wardrobe. This simple and not sophisticated trick will produce striking results.

l If you’ve got something that you want to show off, e.g. a marvelous painting or a sculpture, just hang a mirror opposite it and you will show it off twice.

l Hang huge-sized mirrors opposite each

other. The endless reflections will make your small and even windowless room seem bigger, brighter and more welcoming.

l When using floor mirrors you should be really careful. Though they are made from materials that are robust and non-slip, you should set them only in such places where there’s no risk of slipping.

Well, Mirrors are considered to be such amusing pieces of glass, which allows us to have a look at ourselves. But apart from serving as the reflection mediums, they are capable of much more.

I’ve also studied this amazing theory in Feng Shui which says that mirrors are used for cures as well. Feng Shui is “The Chinese ancient art developed 3,000 yrs ago reveals how to balance the energies of any given space to assure health and good fortune for people inhabiting it. Feng means wind and Shui means water. In Chinese culture wind and water are associated with good health. Feng Shui says, the mirror helps create a space with strong and positive energy and providing a calming and refreshing effect. Where they capture positive energy they’re also capable of repelling negative energy.

After 3 yrs of consistently working, Amna Saeed successfully launched her brand “The Furniture Gallery” in 2010. Her philosophy is based on ‘cuts and curves’ bringing beautiful shape and style to wood giving her pieces a comfortable, vintage, antique as well as modern feel filled with style, sophistication, combined with that of an appreciation.


decor

l Choose clear, non-distorted mirrors (no ripples) and no mirror tiles. Tiled mirrors break up energy and add con-fusion to the reflected image

l Clean your mirrors frequently to ensure a clear image

l Make sure that your mirrors reflect beautiful surroundings. Position mir-rors to pick up pleasing views of the outdoors whenever possible

l Place behind the Kitchen stove. A mir-ror hung behind the stove top burners magnifies Wealth.

l Place a Foyer Mirror to the side of the Front Door - never directly across from the Front Door. A mirror placed across from the Front Door represents strong repelling energy and can push anyone entering there right back out the door

l Place square & rectangle shapes for balance; Octagonal shapes for power; Circular shapes for unity.

l Hang high enough to see your entire

head; no chopped heads or the viewer may be challenged with a negative self-image

l If placed in the east, then it is sup-posed to direct positive energy in the areas of family and health, in the southeast direction, it brings you luck in financial activities, and in the north it governs your career.

l In Feng Shui, The Bagua mirror (Octagonal shape) is a very powerful object which deflects and absorbs negative energy. This mirror is very powerful and can cause a lot of harm as well.

LeT’S Go THrouGH THe FenG SHui mirror pLAcemenT TipS:

The use of mirrors and Feng Shui together is something that needs a lot of study. For those who believe in this theory would not want to experience the ill effects of wrong placement of mir-rors. The Feng Shui methodology of mirrors is very interesting therefore; it is advisable to always consult a professional before you decide to hang mirrors in different areas of your house to absorb positive energy.Experiment with mirrors and find out what an amazing differ-ence they may bring to your room and your life.

style


bonitaSeñoritaHer creations-like her- are fun, youthful with a signature style that also exudes sophistica-tion. In fact when it comes to Ayesha, always expect the un-expected, but rest assured the end result will be absolutely glamorous.

style


bejewelledSecretBejewelled secretSick of dull and boring necklines? Ayesha’s pieces will usher you towards the romantic days of spring and make you shine with the right hint of bling and encrusted necklines from day to night. Who says jewelled touches are only for the after hours?

style

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fly awaywith me...Ayesha’s work transcends beyond the length and the drapes and mesmerises us with her exceptional attention to detailing that speaks one language-Movement. Softly draped and easy to wear, her ensembles are a mix of easy silhouette, layered fabrics with girlish air to it.


style


whiteflamencoOne of the most preferred colours for spring 2011, white should not be missed, espe-cially in unusual combinations, asymmetrical with electric shades, of which again, we recommend Ayesha’s classic jewelled pieces. Regardless of how and why you choose to wear, you will not regret it.

styleDesigner: A

sifa & N

abeel Photographer: Faisal Farooqi at Dragonfl

y Stylist: Khaw

ar Riaz


VintagetwiStThink spring, think parties. For those who covet more embroi-dery, here is what Ayesha has to offer for spring. With cuts that are contemporary yet vin-tage feel to it, her silhouettes are unique and equally flat-tering. Embrace the season’s lust-worthy collection and put your stamp on AFH.

Designer: ayeSha f. haShwani Hair &Makeup: raana aniSpHotograpHy: ayaz aniS MoDel: aamina Sheikh

report

ccording to one of the actors, the film’s cast will include big names from both sides of the Atlantic, but the identity of the A-list celebri-ties heading this way in summer remains a closely guarded secret.Not even the name of the movie has been confirmed, but actor Wiqar Ali Khan was willing to reveal the movie is a romance based on factual events, and will be shot in the UK, India and Dubai.“The story is a love triangle of three people and has a twist,” said Khan, the former vice president of MTV Pakistan and one-time presenter, who has secured a leading role in the film. “What we can tell you is it is set over three continents and has mainstream appeal. It will also feature big celebrities.”Khan said he met the Dubai-based Indian director of the film, Arshad Yusuf Patan, dur-ing a recent visit to Dubai to host the Masala Awards at Atlantis hotel.After auditioning for Patan, Khan was offered the role of a male model in the film. Having posed for Calvin Klein in the early 1990s, the character shouldn’t require much research on his part.“The film will be shot on 35mm format with a British crew and technicians from

Hollywood,” Khan said. “The pre-production is complete and locations have been chosen. The production of the movie is scheduled for June 2011.”In addition to employing local crew, the unnamed project will also give rising talent from the UAE a chance to star alongside established actors.The growing interest from international production companies looking to shoot in the UAE is largely a budgetary move, accord-ing to Aline Lahoud, a Lebanese producer for Dubai-based VIP Films. “Budgets have decreased because of growing competition in the market,” she said.Ms Lahoud said many advertising agencies were opting to shoot television commer-cials here, too. “We work especially with companies from Spain, France, Germany and the Netherlands. I would say the attraction is a mixture of weather, good budget and locations.”David Shepheard, the director of the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, said a positive aspect of international co-productions was their ability to draw a creative team from around the world who could then impart their knowledge to the local industry.

“This type of partnership allows everyone on the team to benefit from different manage-rial and creative knowledge, and experiences being shared,” Mr Shepheard said.“Productions seek local talent from a practi-cal and business point of view: obviously, [local actors] know the UAE culture and working practices. But it also saves the production money to hire local crew and technicians. This is something we encourage with international productions.”Jana Barnard, a production researcher for VIP Films, said local cast and crew were often hired for these productions.“International co-productions do create more business for the local market and allow for the sharing of experience,” she said.But Ms Barnard warned that while these productions had been a boon to the local industry, not everyone was poised to profit.“International companies look firstly for a trustworthy local partner, followed by an enticing fee,” she said. “There has been a real production boom in the UAE, but a few companies closed shortly after opening due to lack of business.” (Courtesy The National)

Hollywood has had its turn, and now British film executives are gearing up to shoot a major motion picture in the UAE.

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Joint venture of artists

Feature

By Hareem Deeba

o, how would that moment be – when one fine day, while towards the workplace on your way, you find a tea café? Wouldn’t that be a moment of glee, when you’d know that’s the place where you wanted to be, a place no less than heaven – offering 70 blends of tea?

No Kidding and no day dreaming! I am all sane and in my senses. If you don’t trust me then visit the Supermarket, Sector F-6, Islamabad, and you’ll be the next witness of this newly established blissful place, right at the top of the United Bakery and KFC, formally known as “Chaaye’ Khana”.

Launched on Friday, January 14, Chaaye’ Khana (tea café’) is surely a treat for tea lovers. The ambiance of the place is such that you’d feel like you are in a comfort zone and the first sip of your favorite aromatic fluid will take you to the world where you’ll be drowned in the sea of sentiments, you’d feel the breeze of poetry and there will be no coming back till you consume the last drop.

Once you climb up the staircase, you’ll be able to see the glass door across which, the tea planet waits to welcome you. The interior is admirable with warm beaming light, cozy sofas placed at the corners, the bookshelf placed in the middle which, in a way, divides the set-up, a counter bar at one side, chess available at a corner table and not to forget – the great wall of 60 fusions of tea tins that will be the center of your attention once you step in the café.

The range of tea offered at Chaaye’ Khana includes – Black Tea, Green Tea, White Tea, Rooibos Tea, Oolong Tea and Herbal Tea in diverse flavors. You’ll find almost all kind of teas starting from typical Doodh Patti to Fruits Teas to Earl Grey or something you haven’t even heard of. Along with that, the café offers a breakfast menu, bakery items, special food items and desserts. Omelettes, sandwiches, salads, soups, muffins, brownies, pies, trifle, are some of the offers of the place. The breakfast is served from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on weekdays and 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on weekends.

You must be thinking that the place sounds expensive, right? Well, remembering the strong and lasting tang of tea on my tongue, I feel that a cup of local Chaaye’, offered at Rs. 60 is worth taking. The price of other teas may sound like a

reason to the weight loss of your wallet (only if you wish to visit the café regularly), but then - to explore the treasure of tea, you’ll have to consider spending few bucks.

I find Chaaye’ Khana quite an interesting place to spend some of my mornings at, as for people like me, who really live for tea, it’s actually the place we could ever wish for. It lives up to my expectations all in terms of costs, aroma and environment and I am sure that it’ll keep improving further with the passage of time.


Chaaye’ Khana:for the love of tea!What is the first thing you desire of, when you greet the sunshine every morning to kick-start your day? While at work, when you feel drowsy, what is that thing which boosts your energy level? What turns a sleepy head into an active mind in a way that it start flowing ideas as if – a brand new battery has been inserted in it? The answer is simple – A cup of tea!

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movie

Natalie Portman's first comedy of the year and a return to the big screen for director Ivan Reitman. But is No Strings attached any good?

Confusinglove story

It’s been a mighty successful month for Ms. Natalie Portman with her engagement, pregnancy and Golden Globe. There’s nothing like destroying a streak of victory with this bad flick! The Oscar-nominee teams up with the painfully one dimensional Ashton Kutcher in Ivan Reitman’s, No Strings Attached.

Emma (Natalie Portman) and Adam (Ashton Kutcher) are life-long friends. In order to protect their friendship, they make a pact to keep their relationship strictly “no strings attached.” “No strings” means no jealousy, no expectations, no fighting, no flowers, no baby voices.

It means they can do whatever they want, whenever they want, in whatever public place they want, as long as they don’t fall in love. The question becomes- who’s going to fall first? And can their friendship survive?

Despite its flaws, though, No Strings Attached is a solid romantic comedy with some decent laughs that is raised up a notch by Port-man’s likable performance. If you’re not a fan of the genre, then it’s not going to win you over, but it’s charming in places and worth a look if you’re after some slightly less demanding fare.

No StriNgS AttAched

Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman

Elizabeth Meriwether

Colin Owens

Greta Grewing


movie

THe PLoT:No Strings

Attached is the blandest of roman-

tic comedies and only attempts to give itself an

edge through a half-assed at-tempt at raunchy humour and salty

language. It sets up situational comedy that would feel stale in a 1980s sitcom

and populates these unfunny scenarios with people who feel designed to serve the purpose of a bit rather than actual human beings who stumbled into a comedic situation. The only truly funny thing about No Strings Attached is how proud it is of its reversal of gender roles, which would be a feat worth applauding if the film had come out in the 1950s. Devoid of chemistry and humour, No Strings Attached is a romantic comedy that lacks both romance and comedy.

THe GooD: Supporting Roles: When supporting

characters outshine your leads (…leads as famous as Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher) it’s time to call cut and toss the production. The few bursts of laughter from the audience came directly after de-liveries by Mindy Kaling and Greta Gerwig, who play Emma’s roommates.

THe GooD/BAD: Ashton Kutcher:

Usually Ashton Kutcher movies being ut-terly stupid. For this, he earns a gold start for consistency with his unwavering ability to be precisely himself. There are zero surprises here.

Cheesy: T his movie is very cheesy. So if you’re into

that, you’ll potentially find this picture amusing.

THe BAD: Natalie Portman:

Really? You’re vying for an Oscar nod while promoting this horrifying display

of cinema? I send condolences to her publicity team. Portman, who rarely fails to please, came up short this time around. She hasn’t really scratched the surface of comedy since Garden State, and it’s quite clear why. Not only was she completely un-hilarious but generally speaking, she simply couldn’t commit to her charac-ter. There was nothing fluid about this performance stocked with conversations destitute of believable sentiment and poorly delivered one-liners. Each scene presented what seemed to be a different version of the same character.

oveRALL: Here’s the sad fact:

Plenty of teenage girls will DIG this movie for its eye candy and “aww” moments. Those of you looking for something with a little more substance should kindly purchase a ticket to another film.

DiReCToR: Ivan Reitman GeNRe: Romantic Comedy WRiTeRs: Elizabeth Meriwether, Michael Samonek CAsT: Natalie Portman, Ashton Kutcher, Olivia Thirlby

THe PLAyeRs:

RATING: 4/10H H H H

Jake Johnso

Kevin Kline

Kat Dennings

Mindy Kaling

Lake Bel

Lake Bel

shades of Natura


art


art

Recently, a solo exhibition of a renowned and talented artist, Shahid Jalal was held at the Ejaz Galleries, Lahore. The exhibition included more than

45 pieces mainly the paintings of the sights of two famous gardens of Lahore including Jinnah (Lawrence) Garden and Linear Park, Model Town.

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ART


By Madiha Syedain

self taught artist and engineer by profession

shared his love for Mughal architect and artistry

with audience through numerous watercolour

paintings. Dr Toor is a resident of Lahore and

has been painting since 2005, he has produced

a diverse body of work exploring the nuances of

watercolour, often in combination with intricate

drawing effects rendered with pencil and pen.

With subject matter ranging from flowers and

historical sites to architecture, Dr Toor’s work

highlights some of Pakistan’s richest heritage.

While talking to The Nation Sunday Plus

Magazine, Dr F D Toor’s stated, “it all began in

April 2004, when I started paintings buildings

of Mughal era and shared my love for Nature,

I have worked as an engineer in the Atomic

Energy Commission of Pakistan all my life and

never held a paint brush in my adult life. When

I retired, I received an ample opportunity and

encouragement from my friends and family to

fulfil my passion of painting.” The dream was to

paint the flowers, the mountains and all the finer

things of life.

His canvas also reflects a mathematical

style in art, for example the Mughal monuments

like Jahangir Tomb, Hazuri Bagh, Hiran Minar,

Masjid Wazir Khan are drawn and painted in

fine geometrical style. “Ever since, I was a child

I was fascinated by Masjid Wazir Khan and used

to watch the activities of the Mosque from my

window. The tall minarets of the Mosque reflected

the majesty of Allah and attracted me to ‘preserve

the beauty in my hands.’ Unfortunately, we haven’t

done much to preserve our Islamic heritage like

Turkey or Spain did, these pieces of history are

becoming ruins and need our immediate attention.

My collection reflects an effort to protect them

from becoming a remnant.”

In the beginning, the self taught artist found it

difficult to express his artistic endeavour in water

colours but once the journey began, he never looked

back and has displayed some 100 paintings at the

exhibition which is almost half of his total work he

has created since April 2004. The style is simple

yet impressive and unique. His work carries a balm

for an eye that has seen nothing but pains in life.

The exhibition of water colours, ‘Mostly

Mughal’ by Dr F D Toor’s was inaugurated by Syed

Baber Ali, who shares an equal fascination and love

for colours and nature and believe that beauty is a

very essence of life.

The exhibition was attended by many which in-

cluded prominent artists like Nayab Shami, Saeed

Akhtar and Murad Khan. They were of the opinion

that Dr F D Toor’s work reflected his fascination for

Mughal history and architect shown in a trimmed

aesthetic style which carries a soothing impact for

the onlookers.

The Alhamra Curator, Tanya Suhail also at-

tended the occasion and said, “The works of Dr F

D Toor is done more on architectural lines, he has

a perspective of an amateur which shows his deep

rooted love for painting.”

According to a renowned architect Kamil Khan

Mumtaz, “Toor has an individualistic style

which has been expressed in a skilful manner.”

One of his closest friend and colleague

Mehmood Hassan pointed out, “Toor works

has a depth and a refinement which has

been expressed in a brave and skilful

manner.”

Overall the exhibition was attended

by students, art community and people

from all walks of life with an aim that

art is free of any boundaries and

creativity can be achieved at any age.

It also created an awareness among

the masses that we need to save

our heritage which is on the verge

of decline.ASometimes a person doesn’t need a formal training to be an artist it is an inborn talent which

comes to life on canvas. The recent solo exhibition of ‘Mostly Mughal’ by Dr FD Toor held at

Alhamra Art Council reflected a painter’s strive to save the heritage and beauty.

A tribute to our heritAge

January 30, 201120 Sunday PluS

Heritage

Monu

Ment

s of


By Dr. Shaukat Mahmood

In 1388, Malik Nasir Khan, the Faruqi dynasty Sultan of Khandesh founded Burhanpur city aand named it after a well known medieval sufi saint, Burhan-ud-Din. Burhan-pur became the capital of the Khandesh sultanate. Later, Miran Adil Khan II (reigned 1457–1501), another sultan of this dynasty built a citadel and a number of palaces in Burhanpur. During his long reign, Burhanpur was trans-formed to a major centre for trade and textile production. In 1601, Mughal emperor Akbar annexed the Khandesh sultanate and Burhanpur became the capital of Khandesh Subah(province) of the Mughal empire. In 1609 Jahangir appointed his second son Parvez to the governorship of the Mughal provinces of the Deccan, and the prince chose Burhanpur as his headquarters. Burhanpur is a beauti-ful city with a lot of historical monuments existing in its expanse, primarily from the ruling times of Shahjahan, the great Mughal emperor. A fact unaware about Burhanpur is that Mumtaz Mahal took her last breath in the Ahukhana of this city and her original grave still lies on the banks of Tapti River. Ahukhana though dilapidated building is known as the second Taj.

Burhanpur was an important outpost of the Mughals. Shahjahan spent a considerable time in this city, and helped add to the Shahi Qila, originally built by the Faruqi rulers on the banks of the Tapti River. The main attrac-tion at the palace is the hamam or the royal bath. It was specifically built for Shahjahan’s wife, Begum Mumtaz Mahal, so that she could enjoy a luxurious bath in water scented with khas, saffron and rose-petals. Even today, the ceiling has many intricate paintings. One of these paintings depicts a monument which is said to have been the inspiration for the Taj Mahal. One of the amazing facts is that the Taj Mahal was originally supposed to have been built at Burhanpur. The site chosen for it still lies vacant near the Tapti River. Mumtaz, in whose memory the Taj Mahal was built, died in Burhanpur while giving birth to her fourteenth child.

Burhanpur has many historical monuments like gurudwara, Dargah-i Hakimi, Dargah-i Hakimi is one of the best Dawoodi Bohra mausoleum complex in India. Jama Masjid, ahukhana, Shahi Qila, rajghat, Biwi ki Masjid, Badshahi Qila, tomb of Nasir Khan, raja ki Chhatri and Khooni Bhandar. a beautifu Mughal palace called Mahal gulara is situated on the outskirts of the city.

The Ahukhana was the hunting lodge of the Faruqi kings. In 1609 AD, when Akbar took over the fort he stationed Prince Daniyal here, who was very fond of hunt-ing. Daniyal did a lot of beautifying around the Ahukhana, adding the hauz( a water pond), gardens and many other elements of landscape architecture commonly associated with the Mughals.

Very few people know that Shahjahan had two wives namely Akabadi Mahal and Qandhari Mahal before he married Arjumand Bano Begum and he had seven more after her death. Those seven wives were Hasina Begum Sahiba, Muti Begum Sahiba, Fatehpuri Mahal Sahiba, Sirhindi Begum Sahiba, Shrimati Manbhavatti Baiji Lal, Sahiba and Lalavati Baiji Lal Sahiba. Beside this during one of the military expeditions when he stayed in Burhan-pur he came across a beautiful and charming dancer Gul Ara. Shahjahan was so overawed by her charms that he fell in love with her and married her. It is reported by the chroniclers that had very alluring voice and through her singing she was known as Bulbul-i Hind (the Nightingale of India). Shahjahan built a palace for Gul Ara. This still survives and is known as Gulara Mahal. It is one of the salient historical monuments of Burhanpur. A massive beautiful garden surrounded the palace of Gul Ara. There’s also another garden here which is associated with Shah Jahan’s daughter Alamara Begum called Bagh-i Alamara.

Burhanpur


Review

H H H

One man’s mission of mercy

lthough Grennan learns that Nepal is in the middle of an endless civil war, he reasons that that’s just an exaggeration: “No organization was going to send volunteers into a conflict zone.” He knows next to nothing about the Nep-alese language, history, customs and food. And, ironically, he lacks even “a single skill that ... would be applicable to working with kids” when he arrives in November 2004 at Little Princes Children’s Home (named after Saint-Exupéry’s “Le Petit Prince” by its French founder) in Godavari, a bus ride – and a world – outside Nepal’s capital of Katmandu.

For three months, Grennan lives with, takes care of, teaches, and comes to deeply admire and love the 18 Little Princes – 16 boys and two girls. Eventually, he makes a shocking discovery: The children are not orphans. They are from the isolated northwest province of Humla – a stronghold of the Maoists, Nepal’s most extreme rebel army – and were taken from their parents by a human trafficker.

With a never-end ing civil war, Maoist insur-gents resorted to abducting even the youngest children to repopulate their depleted forces. Desperate parents sold whatever they could to pay virtual strangers who promised to protect and educate their children away from war. Too often these strangers were child traffickers, selling the boys as domestic slaves, shipping the girls to brothels; Little Princes’s founder had rescued the 18 children from a powerful traf-ficker virtually above the law.

Grennan can’t imagine the horrors and

tragedies these children – who are so quick to laugh and smile – must have survived. Soon they become “my” and “our” children. Their resilience, determination, and boundless love change the direction of Grennan’s life.

When he leaves for the rest of his world tour in January 2005 he promises to return. One year later, he eagerly lands back with his Little Princes for another three months. The joy of witnessing two of his Princes reunite with their mother is dampened by the discovery of seven additional trafficked, starving children in need of rescuing. But by now it’s April 2007 and Nepal is exploding in political turmoil. The country is not safe for foreigners and Grennan must leave. But before he goes he makes arrangements for the seven children to be moved to safety.

Three weeks later, while job hunting from his mother’s New Jersey home, Grennan receives “the e-mail … that changed everything”: “The seven children were gone.”

If you’ve never believed in miracles, this book could convince you otherwise. By September 2006 – with the matched determination of a fellow Little Princes volunteer, Farid Anit-Mansour – Grennan establishes his own non-profit, Next Generation Nepal, named for “the lost generation of kids.” He raises enough funds to get back to Nepal and support his own children’s home. Not only will he search for his “seven needles in a haystack,” he will eventually risk life and limb to reunite his trafficked children with their faraway families. He’ll also somehow manage to find his soul mate, whom he woos,

21st-century e-style, from thousands of miles away. Like the children he writes about, Grennan has boundless resilience and determination, in addition to self-effacing humour and tunnel-vision devotion.

Little Princes is a true story of families and children, and what one person is capable of when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds. At turns tragic, joyful, and hilarious, Little Princes is a testament to the power of faith and the ability of love to carry us beyond our wildest expectations.

Go buy multiple copies... invest in a miracle or two or more.

About the Author: Conor Grennan is the founder of Next Generation Nepal (NGN), a non-profit organization dedicated to reconnecting trafficked children with their families in post-war Nepal, and the author of the memoir Little Princes: One Man’s Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal (William Morrow). Since NGN’s inception, Grennan has made several return trips to Nepal and helped reconnect more than 300 children with their families.

a

TiTle:Little Princes: one man’s Promise to Bring Home the Lost children of nepalAuthor: Conor Grennan, No of Pages: 304, Price: Rs 1,125.00, Genre: Inspirational

Synopsis: At age 29, Conor Grennan quit his international public policy job with peripatetic intentions, ready to invest his “entire net worth on a trip around the world.” His first stop was a three-month volunteer stint in an orphanage in Nepal. He readily confesses that his lofty decision originated in earning bragging rights, as well as combating any forthcoming criticism about the “unrepentantly self-indulgent” nature of such a trip.

January 30, 2011 20Sunday PluS

FeAtuRe


H H H

Review

Synopsis: Islam is different, it is not only a religion, but also a complete code of life. Its do`s and don`ts are based on scientific reasons. Laws and directives, covering social, economic, political, familiar and educational life are all as per the needs of human beings. Be it distribution of wealth and property, matters of marriage, issue of human rights, all find tacit and clear-cut mention in the Holy Quran and Holy Hadith, the original sources of Islam.

Islamic law is, but the injunctions laid down by the Holy Quran. Besides Quran, Traditions of the Prophet Muhammad is the second source of Islamic Law, which address every aspect of human life.

Encyclopaedia of Islamic Law is the most authentic source of knowledge, which has been prepared with painstaking efforts. A ready reference for every scholar as well as general readers, it covers a variety of issues-common and specific-in its fold without an iota of doubt.

Synopsis: Discover the true genius behind history’s greatest “madmen”. From Dr. Frankenstein to Dr. Jekyll, the image of the mad scientist surrounded by glass vials, copper coils, and electrical apparatus remains a popular fixture. In films and fiction, he’s comically misguided, tragically misunderstood, or pathologically evil. They Called Me Mad recounts the amazing true stories of such historical luminaries as Archimedes, the calculator of pi and creator of the world’s first death ray; Isaac Newton, the world’s first great scientist and the last great alchemist; Nikola Tesla, who built the precursors of robots, fluorescent lighting, and particle beam weapons before the turn of the twentieth century-and more.

Synopsis: The eagerly awaited new book from the Emmy-winning, Oscar-hosting, Daily Show-anchoring Jon Stewart--the man behind the megaseller America (The Book). Where do we come from? Who created us? Why are we here? These questions have puzzled us since the dawn of time, but when it became apparent to Jon Stewart and the writers of The Daily Show that the world was about to end, they embarked on a massive mission to write a book that summed up the human race: What we looked like; what we accomplished; our achievements in society, government, religion, science and culture -- all in a tome of approximately 256 pages with lots of colour photos, graphs and charts.

After two weeks of hard work, they had their book. EARTH (The Book) is the definitive guide to our species.

Synopsis: Hugh Miles lives in Cairo and is engaged to an Egyptian woman. Twice a week he plays cards with a small group of Arab, Muslim women and through this medium he explores their lives in modern Cairo, the greatest of Arab cities. It is a secretive, romantic, often deprived but always soulful existence for the women as they struggle with abusive husbands and philandering boyfriends. The book is a window onto a city - and a way of life - which is at a crucial juncture in its history. Hugh Miles, who knows the Arab world intimately, is the perfect guide.

They Called Me Mad: Genius, Madness, and The sCienTisTs Who Pushed The ouTer liMiTs of KnoWledGe

enCyCloPaedia of islaMiC laW [seT of 10 VoluMes]

Author: John Monahan Pages: 304 Price: Rs 1,275.00 Genre: Science Fiction

Author: Dr. Arif Ali Khan & tauqir Mohd, Khan (eds.) Pages: 10 volumes Price: Rs 49,900 Genre: Religion & SpiritualityThe daily shoW WiTh Jon sTeWarT PresenTs earTh (The

BooK): a VisiTor’s Guide To The huMan raCe

(Pre-order) PlayinG Cards in Cairo: MinT Tea, TarneeB and Tales of The CiTy

Author: Jon Stewart Pages: 256 Price Rs.2,395 Genre: Humour

Author: Hugh Miles Pages: 275 Price Rs.995 Genre: Fiction



Review

H H H

o Dust Consigned subtitled ‘Elegy on the Plight of Woman’ “mirrors history, documents the present and envisages the future. She has given a new focus to the noble cause of justice to womankind.” This comment by Prof Syed Abul Khair Kashfi is, I think, the most succinct and most relevant description of Feza Aazmi’s monumental work. In this book Feza Aazmi has focused exclusively on the injustices perpetrated on women since times immemorial. He has poured out the anguish of his wounded heart in these verses. The spontaneity and melodic rhythm of his poems make an instantaneous impact on the reader. The hallmark of Aazmi’s expression is a cascading natural flow of ideas and words free of any artificiality. Feza has compared a mother’s love to ‘mellow dewdrops and the placid mystique of galaxies on distant horizons’. According to him, ‘if human beings are the crown of creation, a mother indisputably is the best of God’s creation’.

Herself a Legal luminary, Justice Majida Razvi pays deserving tribute to the poet and the poem. She says “It is my wish that this book may become a cause to create revolution in our society in the favor of the woman”.

This book of Feza Aazmi is a most effective exposition of the present society. In fact, in every verse he illustrates the revolutionary, progressive and noble precepts Islam heralded and stand for but which due to the prevalent ignorance of the common Muslims have become subservient to the ancient and medieval practices of other religious societies, especially those of Christian church. Feza Aazmi indeed has fulfilled a critical social responsibility, which one is inclined to describe as poetry of resistance. The backdrop of this poem and the mood in which Feza Aazmi composed this epic verse spread over 200 pages is aptly described in following lines:

In the stillness of autumn night

DrenchedIn droplets of falling dewDistraught byThe battle of life miserableAnguished by the hurt painfulOf race humanPetrified by theWoes of mankindIn the solitude of backyardAs I sit holding the brimful cupOf human miseryImages bloodcurdling and goryScenes of heartrending brutalitystalk my visionThis monumental literary work has been very

rightly acclaimed by eminent scholars and intel-lectuals. Dr Manzoor Ahmad noted philosopher says that “Feza Aazmi has come to project a distinctive philosophy of life and times

Dr Anwar Sadeed well-known literary critic and columnist writes: “The rise of contemporary poetry with a purpose has changed the world of literature from a desolate wasteland to a dazzling garden and Feza Aazmi seems to be the solitary traveler on this road.” Prof Fateh Mohammad Malik Chairman National Language Authority, academic of repute avers “Feza Aazmi’s verses live and glow in the same manner as that of Hall’s Mussaddus and Iqbals Shikwa and Jawabe Shikwa Prof Syed Abul Khair Kashfi, researcher and noted intellectual adds that” The hallmark of Aazmi’ s poetry is a cascading natural flow of ideas and words.”

The book of 200 pages divided into 14 chapters is a poetic magnum opus. It is seventh in a series of eight book-length poems together representing an evolutionary creative process. There are two elements common to all seven poems: Intense dissatisfaction with the condi-tions as they exist at the moment in the world and a burning zeal to change these. The poet has made a strong impassioned plea to all the concerned actors and characters to realize the gravity of situation and join hands to change it. Against this commonality of idea and objective,

there is a diversity of scope. The first Kursinama relates to the ruling class of Pakistan, the next one Marsiyae¬Marg-e-Zameer is expression of anguish over and the infinities of society. The third, Azabp-e-Hamsayagee (The Agony Trail) is the painful tale of Indo-Pak relations stretch-ing over half a century. From the Graveyard of Civilization is a strong negation of Huntington’s theory of the clash of civilizations.

Feza Aazmi has developed his own style, technique, imagery and mode of expression. It is quite different from that of short poems and especially from urdu ghazal. The first chapters of his books are generally allegorical and make copi-ous use of imagery to set the stage for unfolding the thematic contents of his poem. Accord-ingly the first chapter of To Dust Consigned is beautifully lyrical and describes the intent of God Almighty in creating this world. For the reader he paints the picture of a world which was intended to be an abode of beauty not only in physi-cal terms but also in terms of human values, balanced compositions and noble moral values, equality and justice being the very core of this divine proposition. On this touchstone he tests the conduct of man.

In the name of Adam and EveMan or womanOriginate they all from the same by-lanesOf dust downtroddenThus was fashionedThe world communityOn this foundation restsThe edifice of humanity0’ Man distraughtDrunk on the wine headyof Gender superiorityOpen your eyesAnd see the reality

MagnuM Opus On thePlight of Women

TTiTle:to Dust ConsignedAuthor: Feza Aazmi

EnvironmEnt

Nuzhat Saadia SiddiqiPhotographs: Ghulam Rasool/WWF – Pakistan

Paradisiacal Birds of

eyond the rush and dust of our mechanical cities, our country is home to some of the most rare and beautiful birds in the entire world. These feathered beauties have natural habitats in marshes and mangroves, in forests and in parks, and even in your very own lawn. Quickly adapting to man-made ecological changes, the ever-resilient birds continue to delight those who look for beauty in their flight and in their song. Here are a few of them, from the highest wetlands in the North to the dry, desert like terrain in the South, our neighbours in nature, the paradisiacal birds of Pakistan.


B

EnvironmEnt


Common ShElduCk

Egyptian-vulturE

Bar hEadEd gooSE

grEEn tit

Slaty hEadEd parakEEt

wood pECkEr

Pakistan

Diary of a Tree Hugger


By Nuzhat Saadia Siddiqi

hen confronted by a lady who called a con-servation campaign to save our forests ‘yet another money making scam’ at the WWF – Pakistan & Allied Bank’s Rising Star Nature Carnival the past Sunday, a passionate activist took a stand. In the span of just two minutes, he uttered so many natural and obvious truths about the purpose trees serve to make our lives better that the lady soon gave up her previous statement and left the small stall convinced of the validity of the cause. It may have been a small victory for the activist, who, along with his team, dealt with hundreds of people trying to put down their hand prints to pledge their support for Pakistan’s forests. But it was a greater victory for the cause itself, which no longer needs to be restricted by high-minded rhetoric and scientific jargon. It needs to be brought to the level of the masses who are, in every sense of the world, the inheritors of the land, and who will ultimately be saviors or destroyers of the world.

A vibrant, loud, and candid take on some of the most pressing environmental issues, WWF – Pakistan’s annual Nature Carnival was both a breath of fresh air and a somber reminder of how environmental issues are everyone’s business. The carnival was focused on bringing together families, students, teach-ers, civil society leaders, entertainers, sports persons, and opinion makers for a day out in the sun at the lush Race Course Park in Lahore on 13th February. The fact that the park is lit up at night by solar paneled lights and is home to some of the finest plant species in the town added to the entire aura of the event. There was music, games, quizzes, a puppet show and a magic performance, and there were skits and songs prepared by school children and college students on issues as diverse and as important as climate change, carbon emis-

sions, deforestation, species conservation, the importance of wetlands, solid waste manage-ment, the hazards of plastic bags, impact of air and water pollution on health, industrial waste, threats to blind Indus Dolphin, and organic farming. Those who came prepared with the facts enlightened those who had just come to enjoy, and those who were only there for entertainment still left armed with facts that may make them rethink their lifestyles.

So what went into the making of a Carnival attended and appreciated by thousands of people? ‘Sheer will and nerves of steel,’ said Sania Khan, a WWF – Pakistan employee who oversaw the event. And it was apparent from the sheer size and magnitude of the event that she was absolutely right. When further asked about the history of the event, she related the 15 year old history of the Nature Carnival, which has now become a tradition for WWF – Pakistan in spring, to make learning about conservation fun and exciting. ‘It helps people understand the necessity of environmental awareness,’ added Anwar Nasim, who is the Director Operations at the organization. ‘It shows the older generation and the new one how all hope is not lost when it comes to sav-ing our natural resources.’

Additionally, it tears away young children from their increasingly video-game-and-TV centric routines and brings them out in the sun, which helps them develop social skills and build confidence. Indeed, in a country where parents have actively started discouraging their children from outdoor activities for fear of kidnapping and bomb blasts, a safe and secure activity such as this was a godsend. Ahmed Mustafa, an IT professional and resident of Karachi, had brought his and his sister’s chil-dren to the festival. Upon inquiring what his interest was in the Carnival, he informed that

he had always been impressed by the scien-tific aspect of nature conservation and wanted his own children and nieces to understand that you need to have a heart as well as an analytical mind to get work done for whichever aspect of the environment you wanted to work on. On the other end of the spectrum was philanthropist and artist Abrar-ul-Haq, who was the Guest of Honour at the event, and likened preserving nature to serving God’s will for safeguarding the beautiful creations of the Almighty. Both aspects of conservation spoke to the thousands who had come to attend the event, and clearly inspired the congregation which consisted of people from 7 months of age to full 77 years!

As Sania Khan herded children towards the stage to announce the Lucky Draw winners, as Zabreen Hasan and Nadia Aine told the attendants that they had run out of their bolt of cloth for the ‘Hand in Hand to Save Our For-ests’ hand print campaign, as Hammad Naqi Khan gave his last media soundbyte about the socioeconomic impacts of environmental problems, as Ali Hasan Habib confirmed that all proceeds from the Carnival will go towards nature conservation, I was left with the thought that we don’t just need a brave new world. What we truly need is a new outlook on how we choose to learn about green is-sues. We need to step out of our depths and challenge our own perceptions about why is it necessary to save the mangroves or worry about our carbon emissions. We need to check facts and double check them when we take a stance.

And what we ultimately need is to be brave and resilient in the face of uncertainty. Nothing else can prepare us for a brighter, greener future.

More than Justa Brave new worldChapter III:

W

food


Apple Pie

Banana Custard Pudding

“This is my mother’s apple pie. This is the recipe I use all the time and I love it. I also use a dash of nutmeg so if you wish you can put that in too”

“Banana custard pudding is easy to stir up anytime,” assures field editor Hazel Fritchie of Palestine, Illinois

INGREDIENTS n 6 cups thinly sliced apples n 3/4 cup white sugar n 1 tablespoon butter n 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon n 1 recipe pastryn 9 inch single crust pie

INGREDIENTS n 1/2 cup sugar n 1 tablespoon cornstarch n 1/8 teaspoon salt n 1 1/2 cups milk n 3 egg yolks, beaten n 1 teaspoon vanilla extract n 1 medium firm banana, sliced fresh mint

DIRECTIONS1. Prepare your pastry for a two crust pie. Wipe, quarter, core, peel, and slice apples; measure to 6 cups. 2. Combine sugar and cinnamon. The amount of sugar used depends on how tart your apples are. 3. Arrange apples in layers in pastry lined pie plate. Sprinkle each layer with sugar and cinnamon. Dot

top layer with small pieces of butter or margarine. Cover with top crust. 4. Place on lowest rack in oven preheated to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Bake for 10 minutes,

then reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake for 30 to 35 minutes longer.

DIRECTIONS1. In a saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch and

salt. Gradually add milk; cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Stir a small amount into the egg yolks; return all to pan Cook and stir until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Chill for 1 hour. Just before serving, fold in banana. Garnish with mint if desired.

Serve warm or cold.


food

Brownie BisCottiA chocolate version of an Italian favorite. You can substitute milk for the water in the egg wash, if you wish”

INGREDIENTS n 1/3 cup butter, softened n 2/3 cup white sugar n 2 eggs n 1 teaspoon vanilla extract n 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour n 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder n 2 teaspoons baking powder n 1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips n 1/4 cup chopped walnuts n 1 egg yolk, beaten n 1 tablespoon water

DIRECTIONS1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees

C). Grease baking sheets, or line with parch-ment paper.

2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa and baking powder; stir into the creamed mixture until well blended. Dough will be stiff, so mix in the last bit by hand. Mix in the choco-late chips and walnuts.

3. Divide dough into two equal parts. Shape into 9x2x1 inch loaves. Place onto baking sheet 4 inches apart. Brush with mixture of water and yolk.

4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until firm. Cool on baking sheet for 30 minutes.

5. Using a serrated knife, slice the loaves diago-nally into 1 inch slices. Return the slices to the baking sheet, placing them on their sides. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes on each side, or until dry. Cool completely and store in an airtight container.


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society

Saira & Nadia Hussain Sana & Abbas Zarmina & Rana Noman Sidra Hayyat

Sophia & Tahira

Saba Zaman wearing Saim

LabeL Launch

Fashion Designer Saim Ali has launched his label all over UAE including Dubai @ COLLAGE, Abu Dhabi @ GRAFIKA and in Ajman @ ROXX. This high profile event was organised by Amir Mazher.

ABU DABI:

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society

Salmann Ghouri, CEO of Eastern Events and caterers launched his company on Valentine’s Day with an exclusive red carpet event. Event included the performances of Quratulain Baloch, SMYT and Quadrum Band. Delicious cuisine, romantic ambiance and enchanting performance of the bands kept the crowd on their toes till late hours. Hussna Khan of VOX managed the media & PR.

Saleem Sheikh Nina Akbar Guests Nomi, Noori, Ali Saleem with a friend

Mehmood Akbar & Arif Raheem with friends

EastErn launch

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February 27, 2011 58 Sunday PluS

Quratulain with friends

Hussna Asim, Fatima,Humaira & Salmann Ghouri SYMT Band

society

Sunday PluSFebruary 27, 2011 59

Ejaz With friends

Shahyan with a friend Ali Saleem, Salmann Ghouri & Atif

society

Sania Maskatiya launched her much anticipated flagship store in Karachi at a launch well attended by the fashion and media industries and social personalities alike. The event was managed by Samirah Ghani and the store interior was designed by Fatima Salahuddin.

Sania with Shehnaz Ismail Fareshteh Aslam Aamna Haider Isani Ayesha Tammy Haq with Sehr Sattar

Sania Maskatiya with her Family

Maskatiya launch

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Sohail with Sharmeen

Shehla Chatoor Umar Sayeed with Friend Shehrezade & Zahir Rahimtoola

society

Sunday PluSFebruary 27, 2011 61

Asma, Sarah, Sania, Saba & Nazish

Uzra Dawood with Sania Maskatiya Fathma Aamir & Zurain Imam

society

Babar Gori visiting the shop Bushra Ansari Ijaz Aslam Adnan Siddiqui Junaid Jamshed

meat buying

Meat One, a chain of specialty meat shops retailing fresh, export quality meat recently inaugurated its 4th outlet in North Nazimabad. Prominent celebrities and politicians as well as former cricketers were invited to the inauguration that was held amidst much fanfare. The invitees were given a tour of the shop and they appreciated the company’s effort in trying to offer Karachites a meat buying experience similar to international standards. Junaid Jamshed, Inzemamul haq, M. Yousuf, Moin Khan, Adnan Siddiqui, Babar Ghori, Ijaz Aslam, and Bushra Ansari were presented on the event.

KARACHI:

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Adnan, Osman & Col. Zahid

M. Yusuf with Family

Uzma Raza & Mehmood Raza

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Comment


By Wg Cdr MuhaMMad ali

kiing in Pakistan has been in vogue for a very long time. Initially it was not considered to be a sport; instead local residents of snowy mountainous terrain of northern areas used improvised wooden skies to commute in winters. Pakistan Air Force formally introduced this sport as part of the snow survival training for its aircrew. Gradually, the sport gained popular-ity and PAF finally decided to patronise it in the country. Consequently, in December 1990 the formation of Ski Federation of Pakistan (SFP) was the first modest step by PAF, towards promotion of skiing in the country. PAF also offered this facility to government departments, sister services, civilians and students at its Ski Schools at Naltar and Kalabagh (Nathia Gali). Having Air Chief Marshal, Rao Qamar Suleman, Chief of the Air Staff, PAF as its Patron in Chief and Air Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, Vice Chief of Air Staff, PAF as the President, the Federation has at present 18 member association. The association is represented by four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, Federal Capital, the three Defence Forces, Northern Area Scouts, Higher Education Commission, Adventure Foundation of Pakistan, Pakistan Telecommunication Limited, Citi Bank, Civil Aviation Authority, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation and Alpine Club of Pakistan. The Federation is affiliated with the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) and is a member of its executive council. It is also a recognized body with the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB). Internationally, it is affiliated with the International Ski Federation (FIS) and the Asian Ski Federation (ASF). Through these organisations the SFP is linked to the national federations and ski clubs of all member countries. The goal of SFP is to promote winter sports particularly skiing in Pakistan.

Today, there are several hundred ski enthusiasts spread all over the country. National Championships are held annually and Pakistani skiers have also represented the country in international competitions. SFP’s efforts bore fruit in 2010, when it achieved a land mark in sport-ing history of the country. Pakistan, for the first time qualified for the Winter Olympics 2010, held at Vancouver, Canada. Mr Muhammad Abass, an employee of PAF, became the first Pakistani winter Olympian to represent the nation in the mega event. Recently, the National Ski team, under the aegis of PAF, brought laurels to the country by securing second position in the South Asian Winter Games-2011, held in India. In ladies event of the competition, Wali sisters made their mark by bagging one gold and two silvers. Mir Nawaz, won one silver and one bronze in two different events of the competition. Air Chief lauded the perfor-mance of the team in the South Asian Winter Games and awarded cash prize of Rs 500,000/- to each medal winner.

SFP not only organises and offers ski courses in winter for the begin-ners but also plans and conducts annual National Ski Championships. The skiing season in Pakistan usually starts in January every year and various competitions are held under the aegis of SFP. These competi-tions include National Ski Championship, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Cup, Shah Khan and Sadia Khan Tournament. SFP has so far arranged 18 National Ski Championships.

Skiing is an exciting sport, not only for those who practice it, but also for the spectators. This is a sport that not only fine tunes physical skills

and mental coordination, but also provides the thrill of speed, excitement and adventure. Moreover, skiing also provides an opportunity to a skier to break the monotony of extremely busy mechanized urban life, and be close to nature and away from polluted atmosphere. Skiing can broadly be categorized in two types namely Alpine Skiing and Nordic Skiing. Alpine Skiing entails downhill skiing whereas Nordic Skiing is linked to cross-country format. Both types of skiing are common in the world but Pakistan has only Alpine Skiing facilities available, at present. These include slalom, giant slalom, super G and down hill skiing. The competitions that we most commonly see on the television are in the field of Alpine Skiing. The most popular events in which competitions are held are Downhill, Slalom and Giant Slalom. In all these events, the competitor’s ability to cover the distance on a set course from start to finish in minimum time is considered. The three events require different techniques and differ from each other in various aspects.

Ski Federation of Pakistan, under the auspices of Pakistan Air Force, is pursuing its goal of producing skiers of international repute for the country. This would be achieved by promoting the sport and encouraging the youth of Pakistan to participate in this healthy outdoor activity. For this purpose, SFP has chalked out a comprehensive plan, according to which, selected boys and girls are provided with ski gear and equipment, given proper coaching and are exposed to famous ski slopes of Pakistan. SFP also sends skiers abroad for professional training, which helps them to improve their skills and inculcate competitive qualities, furnish them with an outlet to nurture and fine-tune their physical skills as well as mental coordination. Recently two national Skiers were sent to attend an international training camp on Cross-Country skiing organized by International Ski Federation (FIS) in Czech Republic. This will not only help Pakistan ski team to qualify for X-country event besides the Alpine skiing in Olympic Winter Games’2014 (to be held in Sochi, Russia) but is also a pioneering step for establishing Cross-Country skiing in Pakistan. SFP, under its able PAF leadership, continues to bring laurels to the country and is making all endeavours to promote this exotic sport among the youth of Pakistan.

silver lining for Pakistan

Ifrah Wali and Amna Wali at victory stand in India

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us palate to à la mode popular gateways. So get ready as we present our picks for the week. There’s something for everyone.

PICKS OF THE WEEK

When the choice is vast it is always difficult to pick, but knowing the best always makes it easy. KAYSERIA is another brand produced by Sefam Pvt. Ltd.; the company behind Bareeze, promising quality and originality. Kayseria’s designer prints are deeply rooted in ethnic genius and inspired by the universal nature of beauty. Kayseria is a treat for those who believe in the highest standards of quality. Inspiring prints with intricate embroideries and classic ‘Seperates’ (chiffon dupatta’s and capri’s) will definitely add wonders to your wardrobe. On our recommendation a visit to KAYSERIA outlets is a must this season.

When your taste buds grow up and you want a true epicurean ice cream treat, you need to go nuts for the Crunchy Nutcase Sundae at Hot Spot. For all you chocolate lovers out there, here is different take on the chocolate madness; creamy, delicious, super rich and all nutty this sundae is the ‘God’ of all Sundaes. Hot Spot is where the ice cream is entirely homemade, no artificial flavours and using absolutely fresh ingredients.

Most women aspire to maintain healthy hair that is long, thick and lustrous. However, with a constant exposure to factors like dirt, dust and pollution, the hair begins to look dull and tends to lose its luster. We at Sunday Plus have the perfect solution for it, the New ELVIVE Total Repair 5 range from L’Oréal Paris - the first total repair for damaged hair. It’s ingredients such as Pro-Keratin and Ceramide fight against damage, thinning, split-ends, brittleness and dullness resulting in 5 Repairing Actions - Restored Fibre, Stronger Hair, Vitality, Silky Touch, and Healthy-Looking Shine. Their ranges include Restoring Shampoo, Crème Conditioner, Restoring Masque, Deep Repair Treatment Tube, Restoring Night Elixir Leave-In. It is now available at L’Oréal Paris counters across Pakistan.

A number of great new titles have hit the shelves of The Last Word in Hot Spot, Lahore. You should visit ASAP because of the limited copies. Do look for one of the moat anticipated books of 2011, The Collaborator by Mirza Waheed. It is about Kashmir and its beleaguered population taking centre stage with this gut wrenching tale set in the 90’s.


KAYSERIA WONDERS

CHOCOLATE CRUNCH MADNESS

5 STEP HAIR REPAIR!

NEW TITLES STOCKED UP!

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