… giving away my most precious Pakistan souvenir :/ but I think it’s put to a good use in this card for a dear little friend (lol, not so little anymore)
First swim since the warm waters of the Arabian sea
Last week while Stand up paddling down our river on Potsdam that is more like a string of lakes with little islands in them, I came past a boat that went but the name of ‘waterphile’. I thought immediately that a truer word has never been spoken. Life without regular immersion in water is just not possible for me. So, I am very glad that the long overdue summer has finally begun in Germany. Of course, you can go to swimming pools in the winter, but that is just not the same thing. It’s like eating and apple as compared to a pomegranate. (Since the latter’s name in German is literally translated ‘grenade apple’ it is obviously on a higher rank thank the meek ‘apple’). Needless to say that the calming effects of the surrounding nature compare favourably to the noisy environment of the cramped pool. The skin doesn’t get damaged by chlorine. But what I would suspect is responsible for the brain freeing effect that swimming has on me is the oxygen content just above the water that is higher than in the air that we usually breathe. So, I think this is how I will start my day tomorrow. Yesterday, I had my first water melon and I thought this is a sign that summer has begun but it really is only today that I have been immersed in the waters of the Havel river.
Pakistani film Josh to hit the screens this Eid
We have been following the upcoming filmmakers and their work on feature length films since the past few months. With a handful of films under production and some set to hit the theatres soon, everyone can finally anticipate watching good movies coming out of our local cinemas.
After a gap of two years, a Pakistani film Chambaili hit the theatre last month and is successfully running across the country.
Blackbox Pakistan
22 Things Happy People Do Differently
This article is from Chiara Fucarino. Enjoy!
There are two types of people in the world: those who choose to be happy, and those who choose to be unhappy. Contrary to popular belief, happiness doesn’t come from fame, fortune, other people, or material possessions. Rather, it comes from within. The richest person in the world could be miserable while a homeless person could be right outside, smiling and content with their life.
:D
Tender for running Pakistan
Tender No. GOP 2013/193CTR/PTL/TEN/420
Tender Notice for Running the Country
The Government of Pakistan requires the service of an International Organisation to run the country for a period of twenty-five years.
Country Background:
It is generally believed that Pakistan was created for the Muslims of India. However, there is still debate in the country regarding the ideology of Pakistan. Some say that Pakistan came into being so unexpectedly that no one had the time to define its ideology.
‘Research came to my drawing room’
KARACHI: Oozing with confidence, writer Shazaf Fatima Haider eloquently answered questions put to her by Hani Yousuf at an event meant to know the genesis of her novel ‘How It Happened’ and the art and science of publishing on Tuesday evening.
The first question, rather expectedly, was about how the idea of the novel came about. Ms Haider replied the idea emerged from her everyday experiences, particularly with reference to arranged marriages where obese ‘aunties’ scrutinise girls and accept or reject them.
wished I could have been there or at least watched the live stream online.
Day 8: Stoned to misery
Day 8: Stoned to misery
Locations: Rattu-Chah, Dandot, Choa Saidan Shah, Kalar Kahar
I am sure I cannot use the words 'dirt poor' and 'hard labor' the way I have been previously, as I saw both these in play when I met these stone crushers last evening.
They were quite forthcoming and I decided to spend the next day with them at the gypsum quarry near Dandot to talk politics with them.
Kill the call
Hello viewers, welcome to another episode of ‘The Fundo Foodie.’ Yes, my cooking show is just like most other cooking shows in Pakistan where chefs share very Arabic sounding thoughts on faith with recipes of some very French sounding dishes.
So my dear ummahs and ummies, let’s start today’s show with a valuable spiritual tip: After a hearty meal, make sure you don’t burp more than three times.
Hadn't read Nadeem F. Paracha in a while. What a great writer.
Transgenders: The new voter group in town
KARACHI: There’s a new voter group in town – Pakistan’s transgender community. With newly granted voting rights, members of the Khawaja Sarra community can now vote and contest elections not as males, but rather as recognised members of a third gender.
Enter President of the Sindh chapter of the Gender Interactive Alliance (Gia) Bindiya Rana, a transgender social worker and rights activist who decided to take the plunge and contest elections from provincial assembly seat PS-114.
"Riffee Khan, an AIDS health worker by profession, who is also the treasurer of Gia and holds two MA degrees, chimes in and says that people often ask why members of the Khawaja Sarra community resort to begging on the streets.“There’s only so much we can do,” she explains. “We are nothing in front of the government. If the government provides a vocational training centre for members of our community, then our people wouldn’t have to beg or indulge in other questionable activities.” "
