Abdul Sattar Edhi: A superhero without a cape!
Five years ago on 8th July 2016, Pakistan lost a gem. A person whose kindness transcended boundaries. A person who changed the dynamics to help people selflessly and made history not just in Pakistan, but in the whole world. That person is Abdul Sattar Edhi.
Abdul Sattar Edhi
Abdul Sattar Edhi was a Pakistani humanitarian and philanthropist who founded the Edhi Foundation. Edhi Foundation runs the world’s largest volunteer ambulance network, along with various homeless shelters, animal shelters, rehabilitation centers, and orphanages across Pakistan.
He was born in Bantva, in the Indian province of Gujarat, and moved to Pakistan in 1947. From age 11, he really focused on his mom after she was paralyzed. At the point when he was only 20, he began what turned into the greatest social administrations network in our country.
What is Abdul Sattar Edhi famous for?
Abdul Sattar Edhi has consistently developed a cross-country association of ambulances, facilities, maternity homes, and mental asylums. Moreover, he established various blood donation centers, orphanages, morgues, shelters, adoption centers, kitchens, and a 25-bed cancer medical clinic. All are controlled by approximately 7000 volunteers and a little paid staff of instructors, specialists, and medical caretakers. Edhi has likewise by and by conveyed prescriptions, food, and dress to exiles in Bosnia, Ethiopia, and Afghanistan. He and the drivers of his ambulances have saved lives in floods, train wrecks, civil contentions, and traffic accidents and collisions.
Helping beyond boundaries
After the September 11 assaults on the World Trade Center, he gave $100,000 to Pakistanis in New York who lost their positions in the ensuing financial emergency.
Generally wearing a simple gray kurta, scraped shoes, and astrakhan cap on his head, Edhi diagrams his way of thinking in the Mithadar dispensary where he launched his foundation over fifty years prior.
Edhi – a people’s person
Strikingly, a lot of the Edhi Foundation’s $10-million spending comes from private donations from Pakistanis. In the 1980s, Pakistan’s then-President Zia ul-Haq sent him a check for 500,000 rupees, Edhi sent it back. The Italian government offered him a 1,000,000 dollar gift. He denied saying, “Governments set conditions that I cannot accept,” he says, declining to give any details.
He often used to say that, “I tell people that, because I am working for you, the money must come from you.”
For quite a long time, this implied that Edhi would refuse to ask for the benefit of his developing social projects. For years, Edhi would go on to the street and beg on the behalf of needy people.
Abdul Sattar Edhi awards
Abdul Sattar Edhi was granted many national and international awards in his life, those included:
National Awards:
- Nishan-e-Imtiaz, civil decoration from Government of Pakistan (1989)
- Silver Jubilee Shield by College of Physicians and Surgeons, Pakistan, (1962–1987)
- The Social Worker of Sub-Continent by Government of Sind, Pakistan, (1989)
- Pakistan Civic Award from the Pakistan Civic Society (1992)
- Shield of Honor by Pakistan Army (E & C)
- Khidmat Award by Pakistan Academy of Medical Sciences
- Human Rights Award by Pakistan Human Rights Society
- Recognition of meritorious services to oppressed humanity during eighties by Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Government of Pakistan, (1989)
- Honorary Doctorate degree from the Institute of Business Administration Karachi (2006)
International Awards:
- Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service (1986)
- International Balzan Prize (2000) for Humanity, Peace and Brotherhood, Italy– Lenin Peace Prize (1988)
- Paul Harris Fellow from Rotatory International Foundation, (1993)
- UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize (2009)
- Ahmadiyya Muslim Peace Prize (2010)– Largest Voluntary Ambulance Organization of the World – Guinness Book of World Records (2000)
- Hamdan Award for volunteers in Humanitarian Medical Services (2000) UAE
Abdul Sattar Edhi death
On 25 June 2013, Edhi was hospitalized because of failing kidneys. It was declared that he would be on dialysis for life except if he finds a kidney donor. He later passed on 8 July 2016 at 88 years old because of complete kidney failure, on a ventilator.
One of his last wishes was for his organs to be donated. However, because of his chronic weakness, just his corneas were donated. Then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif declared national mourning and announced a state funeral for him. He was laid at rest at Edhi Village in Karachi.
Who is running Edhi Foundation now?
The perfect man found a perfect partner in Bilquis Edhi who worked alongside him to help the poorest people. And as even today after his death, Bilquis and their son Faisal continue to work tirelessly to carry on Edhi’s mission. Bilquis once said, “Everyone said I was crazy to marry him. Friends joked that while they’d go on picnics, he’d take me to graveyards.” But Bilquis, like her husband, committed herself through and through to serve humanity with all her strength.
Also Read: Women Empower Wednesday: The kind gem of Pakistan Bilquis Edhi
Abdul Sattar Edhi – a humble gem
Edhi might have become a politician or a well-off man yet he didn’t serve the poor for his own benefit. He claimed just two sets of garments, never took any compensation from his association, and lived in a little apartment close to his principal office.
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Even though Edhi had little things for his own, he lived a grand life in eyes of the people through his kindness. His virtues were strong and he was a people’s person. His contributions to Pakistani society are unmatchable. And today we give him a tribute for the legacy he has left behind!
FAQ
Abdul Sattar Edhi was a Pakistani philanthropist who built a nationwide network of humanitarian centres offering a wide range of life-saving services to the people of Pakistan.
Bilquis Edhi with his son Faisal Edhi and Daughter Kubra Edhi are personally involved in all operations of the foundation.
Edhi was awarded Nishan-e-Imtiaz from Government of Pakistan and Ramon Magsaysay and Lenin Peace Prize along with more awards.
Edhi passed away due to kidney failure on 8th July 2016, in Karachi.
Abdul Sattar Edhi’s grave is in Karachi.
Women Empower Wednesday: The Footballer Hajra Khan
The only sport Pakistani ‘awam’ usually takes interest in is Cricket. It sometimes even feels like the national game of Pakistan. But the need to get recognition and funds for other sports is real. Hajra Khan is one of those names who are breaking many stereotypes with her sheer brilliance and amazing game, that too in Football. Today, it’s all about Hajra Khan.
Hajra Khan
Born in 1993, Hajra Khan is a Pakistani Footballer who is also the captain of the Pakistani women’s national football team. She plays as a striker and a midfielder. Khan started playing for the national team in 2009 and led as a captain in 2014.
Since the beginning, Khan’s dream was to turn into a professional athlete however not a footballer. She was found by Diya W.F.C. mentor Sadia Sheikh when she was searching for a provincial team. Khan then debuted at age 14 and scored nine goals in three games for DWFC, which won her the Top Scorer of the competitive grant.
Domestic and International football career – Hajra Khan
In January 2014, she chose to leave Diya and join Balochistan United. Khan won the Pakistani ladies football title with Balochistan United in 2014, scoring the only goal against previous club Diya in the final. She then, at that point acknowledged a proposal to play for Maldivian club Sun Hotels and Resorts FC in the FAM Women’s Football Championship.
Read More: Women Empower Wednesday: The Powerlifter Twinkle Sohail
In summer 2015, Khan went through a month in Germany and went to pre-season preliminaries with four clubs. Hajra couldn’t acknowledge a transfer offer from MSV Duisburg because of visa issues. She then became the only Pakistani player to score 100 goals in her club career. Furthermore, she joined Sun Hotels and Resorts Maldives club on 24 May 2015. Hajra right now plays for Pakistan Army.
World Records of footballer Hajra Khan
Hajra Khan is internationally acclaimed for being a rising athlete as she’s played for Equal Playing Field to explore new horizons and smash records for female athletes.
Furthermore, Khan managed to set the world record for playing in a football match at the lowest altitude in the history of the game at the Dead Sea in Jordan.
Moreover, this was not the end to Hajra’s success story though as she went on to set two more world records the same year 2019 in Lyon, France. She participated in the world’s longest football match which lasted for three and a half hours consecutively where she managed to score 4 goals by herself.
Also Read: Women Empower Wednesday: Defying stereotypes with Arooba Faridi
No one rejects that the footballer fills in as a good example for different women throughout the globe. The women, who desire to resist the shackles of male-controlled society with expectations of seeking after their fantasies. Way to go, Hajra!
Mufti Tariq Masood rejects Domestic Violence Bill 2021, says it’s for donkeys and horses!
Mufti Tariq Masood, not again!
Living in this country where religious scholars or fanatics reject everything is the hardest pill to swallow. Anything that doesn’t fill their own purpose and their own profits gets rejected. Mufti Tariq Masood jumps again with his statement that the new bill for Domestic Violence 2021 is for donkeys and horses, and we think is he serious?
In a country where the domestic violence rate is extremely high and problematic statements like these are nothing but a dreadful reality. In a recent bayaan, Mufti Tariq Masood said that man has the right to be harsh on his wife and children to ‘preserve the family.’ He further said that once he beat his son and he has stopped bunking classes from school. He states that Senate’s Domestic Violence Bill 2021 is for donkeys and horses, not for the welfare of humanity.
Mufti Tariq also said a few days ago that women dentists are the real problem behind unfaithful men. And lady doctors should not treat male patients.
Read More: Mufti Tariq Masood says that women dentists are the real problem behind unfaithful men
In response, an outrage started on Twitter. A user replied,
Another user replied,
And this bill rejection comes right after a video on Facebook got viral where two brothers were beating his sister and mother brutally with a helmet and a hammer because she asked for a ‘virsa‘ (land dispute).
Domestic Violence Bill 2021 rejected in the senate
Domestic violence in Pakistan is a valid and horrific reality and people think it is okay because it is common. Twitter was trending with a hashtag that says ‘we reject domestic violence bill 2021.’
We live in a society where Law enforcement authorities do not view domestic violence as a crime and usually refuse to register any cases brought to them. Ansar Abbasi along with Mushtaq Ahmed (Jamaat-e-Islami), Atta ur Rehman (Jamiat-e-ulema-e-fazi and Rana Maqbool from (PMLN) rejected the bill. Abbasi tweeted,
In reply, a user replied,
Domestic violence cases in Pakistan
According to a report Pakistan is ranked as the sixth most dangerous country in the world for women and the second-worst in the world (ranked 148th) in terms of gender equality by the Global Gender Index 2018.
Although Pakistani society discourages reporting, the NGO White Ribbon Pakistan reports that 47,034 women faced sexual violence, over 15,000 cases of honor crimes were registered, and more than 1,800 cases of domestic violence and over 5,500 kidnappings of women took place between 2004 and 2016. Moreover, according to the media reports, more than 51,241 cases of violence against women were reported between January 2011 and June 2017.
Sustainable Social Development Organization also revealed that domestic violence cases increased in 2020 by 200 percent. Furthermore, a spike of up to 360 percent was witnessed during the month of March 2020.
Moreover, the crimes included early child marriage, child abuse, child labor, domestic abuse, kidnapping, rape, violence against women, and murders. It has been found that more than 90 percent of the felonies were committed against children and women.
Want to add something to the story? Comment down below!
Book Review: A Promised Land by Barack Obama
A Promised Land is the main volume of Obama’s arranged two-volume edition. He sold it alongside his significant other Michelle’s memoir ‘Becoming’ for a record-crushing $65 million out of 2017. On its first day of sale, it sold 890,000 copies in the US and Canada. It opens by drawing Obama’s initial life and political profession prior to specifying in comprehensive thoroughness. His experience on the public political stage, starting with his 2004 Senate crusade. It leaves off in May 2011, with Osama bin Laden dead and Donald Trump all over news, yelling about a birth certificate.
A Promised Land by Barack Obama
A Promised Land is luxuriously filled with details of Obama’s own experience. Barack’s ‘mother,’ for instance, is an incessant presence, particularly in the prior segments of the book. At the point when she is determined to have uterine cancer, Barack welcomes her to come and live with, or close, his home in Chicago.
In any case, mother says no: she’s glad to remain where she is in Hawaii under the eye of her aging mother ‘Toot.’ Maya stays in contact with Barack, providing details regarding their mom’s health decline.
But when she calls to him to tell him that her mother has passed on, his trouble is increased by a feeling of disgrace that he was not there at her bedside.
Over and over, for example, when Obama is attempting to get his medical services program passed by Congress, he recollects his ‘mother’ and, supplicating and trusting he will not let her down on a task he realizes she would have endorsed, sobs a bit.
Barack Obama and his love for his Toot
Concerning ‘Toot,’ she lived on until late 2008 and, only a couple days before the extremely significant important presidential election, Obama made a 36-hour outing to Hawaii to bid farewell to her.
Tutu passed on in a matter of seconds thereafter and at his last mission rally, Barack talked about his granny: how she had grown up during the Depression and dealt with a mechanical production system while ‘Gramps’ was away during the conflict. ‘She was one of those legends that we have across America,’ he told his crowd (p. 199).
Legends, and calm legends!
He continued, ‘there are a ton of calm legends like that’, parents and grandparents, he said, who, working hard all their lives, have the satisfaction of seeing that their children, grandchildren, and maybe their great-grandchildren live a better life than they did. ‘’That is what the issue here is,’ Obama concluded. ‘That is the thing that we’re battling for.’ The next day, he was elected President.
Barack Obama and his office administration
The book further contains many sections on Obama’s administration’s efforts to confront and reverse the financial crisis of 2008. Obama promised voters that, once he gets into power he will create a healthcare policy. Will tackle and solve the problem of climate change. Obama gave attention to all these projects. During 2009 when he was awarded Nobel Peace Prize he knew he might soon find himself committing more soldiers to war (the ongoing conflict of Afghanistan) rather than to introduce another era of peace.
In conclusion
All through the book, Obama links personal and public. Regardless of whether it’s his mother or his grannie, Michelle, or the daughters. Or the expert companions and associates with whom he turns out to be close (or goes against). The composition is loaded with character on character—his own not least. He is perpetually pondering about his inspiration and his abilities, particularly when thinking about campaigning for office.
FAQ
Barack Obama was the 44th president of the United States of America in office January 20th 2009 – January 20, 2017.
Barack Obama grew up in Honolulu, where his mother went to school at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Obama began a close bond with his maternal grandparents when he was a child. His mother remarried to Indonesian Lolo Soetoro in 1965.
Barack Obama’s recent book is ‘A Promised Land.’ His book is an Autobiography Political memoir published by Crown on November 17th, 2020.
Obama primarily prepared the speech himself after learning he had been picked to deliver it in early July, with subsequent modifications from the Kerry presidential campaign.
World Social Media Day: How Social Media has changed!
Consistently June 30 is praised as World Social Media day to feature how it has arisen as a major tool for communication. From connecting individuals from all edges of the world to assisting influencers with developing their image and helping columnists to cover significant news occasions, social media has become a distinct advantage or a game changer for the world. It has made it conceivable to interface people from around the globe and bring them simply a click or a touch of a fingertip.
History of World Social Media
World Social Media day was first celebrated by Mashable on June 30, 2010 to focus on the effects of it and its job in worldwide correspondence. Mashable is known to familiar to online social media to associate different societies, developments, and fandoms. The main online media stage – Sixdegrees was launched in 1997 and was established by Andrew Weinreich. The site allowed clients to list their loved ones and had different fascinating highlights like announcement sheets, bulletins, school affiliations and profiles.
Also Read: On World Radio Day it is all about evolution, innovation and connection
The world in our hands
Around the globe, billions of people utilize it consistently, and that number simply continues to grow. Indeed, it’s assessed that by 2018, 2.44 billion individuals will utilize social communities, up from 970,000 out of 2010.
The pros of Social Media
We use it for all aspects of our lives – in our own connections, for fun, at work, and sometimes in our studies. To place it into some specific situation, consistently, we on the whole send in excess of 30 million messages on Facebook and around 350,000 tweets.
Easy access to news
We no longer need to tune into news channels or sit around 9pm to catch the bulletins anymore. Social Media does for it every minute. We can now keep a track on minute-to-minute trending news, breaking and what not. 40 per cent of the Millennials now rely on digital outlets rather than news.
Connected souls, virtually
You can now stay connected with everyone through social media. Pandemic made us connected through it. Send a text or make a video call and you can stay in touch. It is nowadays the most preferred form of meetups and conversations, virtually.
Explore, and explore some more!
You can now explore cultures and countries and cities and the places you want to visit. Nothing is left as a surprise for you. You can now discover it yourselves.
Broadcast your moments
You can broadcast your favorite moments live now through social media. Either it’s a party or a great concert, live stream it! Throughout this pandemic, some of our favorite bands including Coldplay played little concerts over Instagram live and people from all around the world enjoyed and requested their favorite tracks!
Civil participation and politics
Civic participation has made it easy for everyone to the concepts of how we govern and is governed. Eileen Guo of Impassion Media says, “Social media allows citizens to be the source of ideas, plans, and initiatives in an easier way than ever before.” Furthermore, she says, “Whereas politicians and government officials once had to travel to interact with citizens, now online town halls strengthen the connections between them while providing a platform for direct input on government initiatives.”
The cons of Social Media
Depression, loneliness and FOMO
In ‘New Studies Show Just How Bad Social Media Is For Mental Health,’ Alice G. Walton writes, “As the researchers expected, people who limited their social media use to 30 minutes felt significantly better after the three-week period, reporting reduced depression and loneliness. Especially those who came into the study with higher levels of depression. Interestingly, both groups reported less FOMO and less anxiety in the end,” FOMO stands for “fear of missing out.”
Emotional insecurity
Furthermore, Social Media is making people insecure. Teens are insecure by social media and feel pressured to do certain things to look ‘cool.’ The race of coming up to the so-called ‘pretty’ standard or the so-called ‘rich’ standard is causing insecurities.
Cyberbullying
Furthermore, cyberbullying is one of the most discussed cons of social media. Whether you are a good person or a bad person, if you use social media frequently you will get bullied by strangers. Online threats, comments, and cancel culture are also now an instilled part of our society. This cyberbullying has made people suicidal and at greater risk.
Scams and hacking
Moreover, online hacking and scams become a part of life with social media. People click on wrong links and end up losing their sensitive data. And sometimes their bank’s details and end up losing a big chunk from their bank account without making a transaction.
Conclusion
With everything taken into account, these platforms have been the reason for some benefits and weaknesses. Online media has assisted numerous organizations with developing and advance themselves. And it has also assisted individuals with tracking down a superior method to interface and speak with each other. Then again, it’s likewise given numerous individuals issues including psychological well-being, emotional weaknesses, waste of time. With social media being a major piece of individuals’ lives, it’s essential to comprehend the effect it’s made. And what it could mean for the eventual fate of this world.
Women Empower Wednesday: Defying stereotypes with Arooba Faridi
Everyone dreams to fly on, however sometimes people do not know how to fix the wings. Our basic societal stereotype is attached to women just becoming doctors and engineers without even getting to practice it. The saddest part is, this is happening just to get a ‘Good Rishta,’ in our society. Among these stereotypes and sad realities, a girl is kicking mountains and making her place in society. Let’s meet Arooba Faridi the youngest Pakistani Aerospace Engineer.
Arooba Faridi
Faridi hails from the Gulshan-e-Hadid region in Karachi and is the third born in the family. Since her dad and sibling are both in the field of engineering, Arooba normally floated towards this field. After getting inspired by her father’s work in Pakistan Steel Industry, her interest in electronic devices got developed at a young age. Arooba was a different child since the beginning, when young girls play with their dolls, Arooba was always seen with a spare part of a machine as a toy.
Dreams over limited resources!
Seeking a career in aerospace design wasn’t an easy journey for Arooba as her family battled with financial limitations. Her father worked at the steel mills and his pay was restricted. Thus, to get the aviation confirmation, she needed to take tests that expense around 25,000-30,000 rupees for every paper. The cash must be paid in euros as the tests were directed by a German and British establishment.
Also Read: Women Empower Wednesday: Roshni ka Minar Zahida Kazmi
Arooba Faridi becoming the youngest Pakistani Aerospace Engineer
Despite difficult financial circumstances, but support from her family, a mere 23 years old girl with dreams taller than any mountain, achieved them. Faridi gave her exams and joined Hawk International Aviation Company, where she worked for 5 years. She received her certification from the institution in 2019 and became an Aerospace engineer.
No room for error
Faridi now deals with a variety of small aircraft on her job every day. She also regularly maintains 19-seater planes or smaller. It is definitely a great responsibility since the whole flight is at risk if the situation goes otherwise. So, what Arooba does has no room for human errors. Furthermore, these duties involve inspection of its body, engine and the entire structure. Moreover, all aircrafts must always be inspected before and after every flight.
Last, but not least young women like Arooba Faridi are becoming a prime example that through sheer determination, resilience and not giving up, anyone can achieve any dream they want. No matter what background they have or what religion they belong to if they have a positive approach towards their dream, no one will stop them.
Book Review: Lights Out: Pride, Delusion, and The Fall of General Electric by Thomas Gryta and Ted Mann
Lights Out: Pride, Delusion and the Fall of General Electric
General Electric is a mythic enterprise. It was all at once the biggest, most impressive organization on the planet. Its establishing story incorporates the pioneer Thomas Edison and lender J.P. Morgan. Its incredible CEO Jack Welch, who composed five-hit books on leadership, turned into a model for a whole age of executives. At the point when GE began utilizing Microsoft programming in our initial days, that gave us a tremendous lift on the lookout since GE was such a bellwether organization.
General Electric, a mythic enterprise
Incidentally, “mythic” is the ideal word for GE. The partnership has come colliding with Earth in perhaps the greatest downfalls in business history. Its labor force has been burrowed out, from 333,000 workers in 2017. And dropped to 174,000 toward the finish of last year. Its offer cost has fallen sharply. In 2018, GE was dropped from the Dow Jones Industrial Average after over a century in the record.
GE’s fall isn’t the aftereffect of pioneers fostering a superior stream motor or wind turbine. It’s anything but’s an instance of through and through misrepresentation, as Enron. It’s a common example of blunder of an excessively unpredictable business.
Lights Out – The book in review
This book co-authored by Thomas Gryta and Ted Mann investigates what went wrong with the organization General Electric that led to its downfall. By September 2008, the monetary emergency was in full bloom. Banks were coming up short, markets were staggering. And the public authority mixed to forestall an absolute breakdown of the U.S. monetary framework. Battered financial backers recoiled at the assumption that another corporate behemoth may abruptly fall. Few were glancing in the area of General Electric. A world-popular modern organization sitting on an enormous account division: GE Capital.
Read More: Book Review: Atomic Habits by James Clear
For GE’s situation, the seeds for the defeat have been planted sometime in the past. The book contains some fascinating subtleties of how GE squeezed up income in the industrial business. A region where it is thought this is substantially more troublesome than in monetary services however clearly isn’t.
Jeffrey Robert Immelt’s contribution to GE
For GE’s situation, likewise, the hybris of the initiative assumed a major part. One decent detail for example was the way that Jeff Robert Immelt consistently flew with two organization jets to have a replacement in the case that anything would defer him with the one he was really sitting in.
(Jeffrey Robert Immelt is an American business executive. He previously served as the CEO of General Electric from 2001 to 2017. And the CEO of GE’s Medical Systems division from 1997 to 2000)
As per the book, particularly in the later long years of his reign, Immelt was considerably more centered around making a story than in really dealing with the organization.
One model was for example filling an immense structure with a large number of coders IT experts to “digitalize” the organization however not really having an arrangement how to do it.
Interestingly, investors were well aware of the company’s profit smoothing for a long time. But were more than happy to accept as long the profits are going up.
Also Read: Book Review: Good Habits Bad Habits by Wendy Wood
In conclusion
The book is a good reminder that even the best organizations on the planet can disentangle rapidly if things turn out badly. Also, that particularly with huge organizations it is difficult to see from the external how great these organizations are really proceeding as long they have force.
Thursday Tunes: 5 Pakistani artists you shouldn’t miss this week!
It’s all about music for Pakistan these days. The new Pakistani bands are making strides in the industry. We have been seeing many emerging artists in Pakistan and today in Thursday Tunes we are featuring some tracks so that you can loop through this weekend and enjoy them as we do.
To Get Her by Natasha Noorani
To Get Her by Natasha Noorani might be an underrated song with surely doesn’t lack any emotion. Natasha’s work always contains quality. Voiceover artist and an ethnomusicologist by profession, Natasha has made different types of music with proper knowledge behind everything. This song is deeply connected with how a woman is indifferent in her emotion and how a man wants to have her attention and how she is trying to make it better. Now working as a Singer and Music producer Natasha’s recent single ‘Choro’ is setting a benchmark.
To Get Her lyrics – Natasha Noorani
I find comfort and peace,
Was a possibility,
And in the moonlight,
He was calling out to me,
I have stayed in comfort for long,
The way that you have yet to see
Filhaal by Towers
The band Towers formed four years ago under Bilal Baloch, Changez Basir, and Ashir Bhatti. The songs are written by Bilal on guitar, keys, and electronics, in both Urdu and English. The band explores ideas of independence, culture, and personal spirituality. Filhaal is their 2020’s production. The music is ‘vibe-y’ and fun to listen to. The feet-tapping Urdu lyrics are worth dancing on. The most fun part of this song should be the music production, the upbeat tunes give out the clarity of emotions even well.
Filhaal lyrics – Towers
Zalim,
Ankhon se tum bolti hou,
Sunta hi rehjaon mein,
Nazroun se har pal ko pal se jorti hou,
Is pal to apnaun tou?
Aa theher in lamhoun mein,
Bhool jaa use rehne de,
Hum saath saath hain.
Prosaic by Abdullah Siddiqui ft. Faris Shafi
Abdullah Siddiqui is the youngest music producer and electro-pop prodigy for Pakistan and simply a magnificent artist. A 20 year old singer and songwriter has been making music from a long time. Album after album Abdullah makes music, also collaborating with different artists. Prosaic is one of his collaborations with Faris Shafi. Written and produced by Abdullah himself the lyrics show mad-maturity for a 20 year old. Faris whereas came off with an Urdu rap to compliment the electro-pop feel of Prosaic.
Prosaic lyrics – Abdullah Siddiqui ft. Faris Shafi
Thought I was profound last night,
It’s not affected, it just really isn’t right,
Am I the one in pain again,
Some things are just too good to be true,
And then I beat myself up,
I beat myself up,
Somehow I flower through the rain,
Under the pressure of the everyday sky,
Am I not worthy cause I did kinda try,
Is it resilient to want to not die.
Sweetu by Talal Qureshi ft. Maanu and Hasan Raheem
The trio of TQ, Hasan Raheem, and Maanu are back with ‘Sweetu’ this time. Well, the transition of (Since Eid’s) ‘Kehti Hasan tum hou toxic’ to ‘kehti sab se sweet hun’ went smooth. The music video is shot in Passu-Hunza and has all the trippy feel to it. And the song gets groovier as it proceeds. The slow dance gets all the credits along with Talal’s music.
Sweetu lyrics – Talal Qureshi, Hasan Raheem, Maanu
Mein chaahay bina bhi yun jeet jaon,
Zameen se uth chukay meray paon,
Lagday ne sweet meray geet,
Even jab hon badtameez,
Kaisay humble mein ab reh paon,
Kehti sab se ziada sweet hun,
Sab se ziada sweet,
Kehti baby on repeat hun,
Sab se ziada sweet hun.
The Whale by Takatak
The last pick in Thursday Tunes is this band that is keeping the ‘Metal’ spirit alive in Pakistan. Hailing from Lahore, Takatak is a progressive modern heavy metal band. Deriving its name from a spicy dish of Pakistan, this band has some pretty heavy metal tunes. Produced by Umair Dar and the Takatak, the Whale is a song about running away to find the place where it all begun to turn it over.
The Whale lyrics by Takatak
I’m gonna run,
I’m gonna find a way,
To the centre of the sun,
Turn it over I’m gonna run,
To a place inside where all of this begun,
Turn it over.
So what was your favourite track from Thursday Tunes? Comment down below and share with us.
Women Empower Wednesday: Roshni ka Minar Zahida Kazmi
Women have been fighting for equality for ages and the whole new-age feminists movements are about that. How can women be equal? How can certain things which have been instilled in our society for so long will end and the list goes on. Some people say that these movements are just for the riches. NO, that is not for the riches alone. We have Zahida Kazmi, the first Pakistani female driver whose courage and resilience teach us that any women at any level can feel empowered. It all needs a step towards it and you will get what you want.
Zahida Kazmi
Hailing from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 62 year old Zahida like all the other women was not allowed to move freely. According to her women get killed if they step out of their homes. Zahida initially started driving a yellow cab after her husband passed away and she was left with extreme poverty. Her life became tougher for her so she started driving a taxi.
Unfeared and unapologetic
Kazmi at first began driving a yellow taxi from Rawalpindi to Islamabad air terminal consistently to get travelers and passengers. She used to keep a gun with her for her own safety and wore a Burqa to keep away from any kind of harassment. However, Zahida disposed of these assurances, and become feisty and streetwise. According to her, she doesn’t want to scare off her passengers or gave off any negative vibe through her attire and her appearance. So she started wearing dupatta around her head.
Also Read: Women Empower Wednesday: The Powerlifter Twinkle Sohail
Zahida Kazmi – Roshni ka Minar
In her locality, she is known as “Roshni ka Minar” (Ray or Beacon of Hope). After her husband passed away, with poverty she had her kids. However, with time her sons estranged her and she is all alone with her teenage daughter now.
Unnerving strength
When a woman turns into a widow, she feels as though the defensive shroud from her head has been taken off and the situation with being powerless has been pushed onto her. Widows are generally confronted with two decisions: isolation or reliance. Zahida broke those two barriers and made herself shine through all those cultural boundaries. She faced immense monetary pressures and that turned into her motivation to become the first woman to drive a taxi across Pakistan.
Zahida Kazmi is definitely a motivation for all those women who think their lives have ended with losing their loved ones. She is a Beacon of Hope for everyone!
Book Review: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Jane Eyre is a novel by Charlotte Brontë. It was first distributed in 1847 as Jane Eyre: An Autobiography. Broadly thought to be a work of art, it gave new honesty to the Victorian epic with its sensible depiction of the inner existence of a lady, fighting her battles with her desires and social condition.
Charlotte Bronte
Charlotte Brontë (goes by Currer Bell) was an English novelist and poet, the eldest of the three Brontë sisters whose novels became classics of English literature.
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She enlisted in school at Roe Head in January 1831, aged 14 years. She left the year after to teach her sisters, Emily and Anne, at home, returning in 1835 as a governess. In 1839 she undertook the role of governess for the Sidgwick family. But she left after a few months to return to Haworth. Her sisters opened a school there but failed to attract pupils.
When did Charlotte Bronte write Jane Eyre?
They started writing and published their first novel in 1846. Her debut novel ‘The Professor’ was rejected by the publishers. The second novel ‘Jane Eyre,’ was published in 1847. Charlotte was celebrated among writers for her coarse writing and stories that are closer to reality, within a short time.
Jane Eyre Book Review
The tale starts with Jane living at her aunt’s, Mrs. Reed. Mrs. Reed and her children are rude towards Jane. And one night Mrs. Reed locks Jane in the ‘Red Room,’ a haunted room for the family. Mrs. Reed sends Jane to Lowood School where the dean, Mr. Brocklehurst, is likewise remorseless towards Jane. Conditions are poor at the school and Jane’s dearest companion, Helen Burns, dies of consumption. Jane later turns into a teacher at Lowood.
Jane Eyre’s life struggles
After teaching for 2 years, Jane longs for new encounters. She acknowledges a tutor position at a house called Thornfield, where she teaches a vivacious French young lady named Adèle. The recognized servant Mrs. Fairfax manages the place. Jane’s boss at Thornfield is a dim, ardent man named Rochester, with whom Jane winds up falling in love. She saves Rochester from a fire one evening, which he asserts was begun by a smashed worker named Grace Poole. But since Grace Poole keeps on working at Thornfield, Jane reasons that she has not been recounted the whole story. Jane sinks into despodency when Rochester gets back a wonderful however horrendous lady named Blanche Ingram. Jane anticipates that Rochester should propose to Blanche. However, Rochester rather proposes to Jane, who acknowledges it disbelievingly.
Beyond tragedies
Upon the arrival of their wedding, a man turns up at the congregation to pronounce that Rochester can’t wed as he is already married. Rochester uncovers about his marriage, asserting his better half Bertha, is distraught he actually needs to be with Jane. Jane can’t be with Rochester when he is already married so she flees, getting homeless and afterward sick. The Rivers family takes her in and nurture her back to wellbeing.
Luck beyond tragedies
Jane was without money and hungry. She is forced to sleep outdoors and beg for food. Then three siblings Mary, Diana, and St. John Rivers take her in and instantly become friends. St. John is a clergyman and Jane finds a job and was revealed that her uncle John Eyre has died and left her 20000 pounds. Furthermore, she finds out that Riversees and her are cousins and they all decide to divide the inheritance equally with her three found relatives.
Why was Jane Eyre important to Charlotte Bronte?
Charlotte Brontë recognizes Jane Eyre from the rest of the women of her time, offering her courage, persistence, and self-sufficiency, recommending Brontë’s reverence of those characteristics that are regularly suppressed in women.
Also Read: Book Review: The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
In conclusion
To sum it all, Jane Eyre is a simple story showing how important one’s struggles can be when it comes to life, loneliness, and love. And in the end, things get settled.
FAQ
The novel follows the story of a simple girl Jane, and how she battles through life’s struggles. Jane has many obstacles in her life – her cruel and abusive Aunt Reed, the grim conditions at Lowood school, her love for Rochester, and Rochester’s marriage to Bertha.
She esteems a sense of pride, self-truth, and she isn’t willing to think twice about in any event, for those things she wants most. Truth to self is esteemed regardless of anything else. This, to put it plainly, is the focal subject of this novel, and the supporting of Jane’s person.
Jane Eyre is broadly viewed as one of the first feminist novels, however. Jane’s activities are profoundly established in her ethical convictions, and the capacity to settle on a cognizant way of life decisions for herself is inarguably feminist.