Modern Montessori Training graduation

THE twenty-third graduation ceremony of Modern Montessori Training (MMT) for this year’s batch was held in Karachi yesterday.

This teachers training course, offered and managed by New Century Education (NCE), was attended by over sixty students divided into morning and afternoon sessions.

Rayed Afzal, director of NCE, while congratulating the graduates on their hard work over the last eight months, laid emphasis on the fact that obtaining the diploma was only the start of the journey and not the termination.

“For the national development of a country, money is not important and neither is the presence of minerals. It is in fact the level of education that people in that country posses and part,” he added.

The ceremony comprised of a diploma distribution session that involved presentation of certificates to all graduates for the year. Special awards were then awarded to students who had perfect attendance throughout the entirety of the course as well as for having the best portfolio and the best teams in extra-curricular events organised during the course.

The level of dedication put into the course was depicted by one of the students winning the perfect attendance prize who had attended classes even on her Nikah day. Another student, Rukhsana Amir, winning the best portfolio prize as well as four other prizes, had spent late nights researching, drawing and producing the award-winning portfolio while having three children and a husband to look after.

Former MMT graduates also shared their views and their current involvement in the field of child education during the course of the evening. Family members of the recent graduates were called upon stage to share how life has changed for them and their family during the last eight months.

NCE is the only establishment providing professional Montessori-level training in Pakistan. Over the course of the last ten years, it has produced over 900 fully-trained teachers ready to impart their learning onto Montessori students.

© Faras Ghani 2006

Published in Star newspaper 13th Nov 2006

Our bright future

The graduates of Lums organised a concert at Karachi’s Royal Rodale early last week that was attended by over 250 ardent local music followers, including friends and family of the band members. The two hours of solid rock music that followed included tabla and mild keyboards on the side.

After almost an hour’s waiting in the lounge — albeit with plenty of food and drinks for sale and a hearty reunion of school and college friends visible — the audience was ushered into the auditorium with its bands and the light and sound technicians ready to rock.

The Band started off the concert with a few slow covers, getting the audience in the mood, while plenty more kept filling up the vacant seats and the light settings went through its trial phase. The band consists of vocalist Fawad with Arsalan and Ali switching between guitar and bass, Saadi on drums and a helping hand from Kenan on keyboards, who stood solemnly in a dark corner of the stage, fiddling with his mobile phone while playing.

Having been formed at Lums and being part of its music society, they have not yet written any songs of their own, but have been performing for over five years and continue to do so, taking time out of their corporate careers for the stage. And judging by the cover quality and music, they will surely be recognised as a promising addition to our music industry if they hit the professional mark.

A short break followed The Band’s stint with a promise of more performances to follow. As the guards changed, the audience witnessed a joint production of ADP (Aunty Disco Project) — a Karachi-based band that is in the process of recording their album due to be released by the end of the year — and Kenan & Humaira. This combination unexpectedly worked well, with ADP’s rock music and Humaira’s serene vocals and Kenan once again providing the keyboards. Singing covers for Alanis Morissette, Dido and Jewel, Kenan & Humaira reached their peak in their solo performance of My Immortal by Evanescence, with Humaira’s voice and Kenan’s apt keyboard play earning substantial appreciation.

This stint marked the return of ADP which, in the shape of Omar Khalid, boasts one of the best drummers that the country has ever seen. He never faltered from doing what he does best, even when one of the drum sticks fell to the floor. This one-handed brilliant attempt was probably missed by the majority of the audience because they were engulfed in watching the guitarists put on a great show themselves. Playing covers as well as tracks from their upcoming album, ADP, though not as impressive on lyrics as they were with their music, had viewers applauding on their feet.

As the event rounded off later than expected, members from the audience started approaching the band members, praising them for the colourful display of music and vocals. If you hear the words ADP, The Band or Kenan & Humaira in a concert advert, do make sure to attend the gig; you won’t be disappointed.

© Faras Ghani 2006

Published in Images (Dawn) 1st Oct 2006

Superman to the rescue

The auditorium at the Royal Rodale in Karachi witnessed a full house last week for a charity event organised by aCaus (A Collective Aspiration to Uplift Society). The event included screening of Superman Returns, with the proceeds going to a group of women who earn their livelihood by stitching and selling clothes. With the money raised from the event will be used to buy 20 sewing machines to be donate to these women to ease their financial burdens.

The film started almost on time; the minor delay gave the audience an ample chance to grab snacks. The semi-private event was attended by over 250 people, including acquaintances and well-wishers of the organization who turned up in significant numbers.

Even though the on-screen experience left much to be desired (inferior video quality and the image shifting off the screen) and the sound tab was a tad bit too high for our ears, the viewers’ behaviour remained impeccable. Late-comers were constantly being ushered in, but with a higher-than-anticipated crowd turning up, some had to settle on the stairs.

Raising money to buy sewing machines is not all that has been planned by this particular group. Plans are already underway for further fund-raising events. “We will try and hold an exhibition after Eid where these women can display and sell their dresses as well as attract interest from certain few parties,” said Sabeen Bashir. They will also try and introduce retailers to the group so that the markup lost to the middleman is retained.

As the curtains closed down, it was not only the audience that went home satisfied and pleased, it was also the hardworking organisers as well as the group of ladies who now have caring hands supporting them in their life’s work.

© Faras Ghani 2006

Published in Images (Dawn) 24th Sept 2006

Happy Independence Day Pakistan

© Faras Ghani 2006

Laughing for aCaus

Applause and appreciation resonated around the jam-packed Royal Rodale auditorium as Blackfish exited after a delightful performance last Sunday.

The two-day event, organised by aCaus (A Collective Aspiration to Uplift Society) and featuring The Thespian Society as well as Blackfish, attracted over 500 comedy-lovers and helped raise precious funds that will provide medicine to patients in the Civil Hospital. aCaus is a professionally managed, non-profit organisation established in January 2006, which comprises a group of individuals from the corporate world who are working for the uplift of society.

The event, while attracting people of all ages, surprisingly started almost on time, and those scattered outside the auditorium indulging in phone conversations or snack-sprees were ushered in as soon as the stage, lighting, sound and performers were ready. The Thespian Society, directed by Mariam Farhan, who is also the Academic Director of the University of London External Programme at Jinnah University College, enacted their play, Table Manners. Acted out by the Programme students, the play comprised a series of events that occur over a weekend in Mother’s house when Sara (Sumaiya Matin Khan) and her husband Reg (Ali Sohail) come to visit Reg’s sister, Annie (Mariam Farhan) before she sets off on a weekend trip.

While it is assumed that Annie is planning to go away with the goofy vet, Tom (Ali Murtaza), it is, in fact Norman (Ali Shaukat), married to Annie’s sister, Ruth (Amna Khalid), who has offered to take Annie away without informing Ruth or anyone else. It is only after Sara’s unfaltering interrogation that Annie reluctantly reveals whom she has chosen as her partner for the trip and why.

The twists and revelations that followed left the audience awestruck by the young cast, wherein some had acted for the very first time. It also left most in stitches as a result of the unstoppable fits of laughter that even surfaced, at times, on the performers’ faces.

While Table Manners, with its numerous food-related scenes, set off many-a stomachs growling with hunger, anticipating the arrival of Blackfish on stage after the break made for a pleasant conversation over munchies. The delayed and extended break also provided a chance to mingle with various celebrities present at the occasion and a chance to question the performers.

The arrival of Blackfish was marked by a rousing and extended ovation (presumably because the majority of audience members had previously attended their shows). While introducing the group, Sami Shah, the group coordinator, explained how Blackfish would be going about their routine on stage, urging and warning the audience that their involvement will have a major say in how successful the performance is.

Blackfish, for a first-time viewer like this writer, was truly brilliant, and one realised that all the hype surrounding their performance is, in fact, rather true. The expert improvisation from the group — and the selection of skits — involved the audience through and through and set off the auditorium walls vibrating with laughter, proving that the group had lived up to their audience’s expectations yet again.

“It’s been great to see so many people turning up for this charity event and witnessing great performances by not only The Thespian Society but also a job well done by aCaus,” said Sami.

Members of aCaus were present to brief the visitors on the cause behind the event as well as to give them an insight into the organisation. It was also pleasantly surprising to see that the audience members had actually turned their mobile phones off — a feat rarely practiced in most live shows here. Even the stage backdrop had been kept simple (a plain black) so that more funds and time could be set aside for the real cause instead of indulging in window-dressings.

Perhaps one of the very few disappointments was the lack of choice on the food menu; but then again, keeping the greater cause in mind, it is definitely pardonable. The technical side of the event went glitch-free, with the lights and sound system tuned up very well.

It was heart-warming to witness the presence of young people at a theatre-related event in Pakistan, showing how comedy has made its impact and served as a colourful invite to the younger generation. All-in-all, the two-day event provided a weekend of laughs, bringing out some of the finest talent in theatre and stand-up comedy in Pakistan.

© Faras Ghani 2006

All about Eve - the hairshow

Renowned hair stylists and beauticians got together last Monday for a training session and hair show at a reputed hotel.

The event, organised by the Pakistan Hair and Beauty Association, also saw the launch of a brand of hair care products. The event was hosted by stylists Angie Marshall and Rehana Iqbal with beauticians and hairstylists including the likes of Anne Patrick, Shaheen Rahim, Salman, Ruth Paul and Peng Qureshi.

The stylists demonstrated their specialties in different haircuts and hair colours that would suit the cuts. Models were dressed up backstage with costumes by Rizwan Muazzam, chosen to complement the haircuts they were about to get.

“It was different from other events and it was nice to see different salons and beauticians getting together under one roof,” said Angie.

Salman, younger brother of stylist Saquib, showed how one haircut could be slightly adjusted to suit different occasions. From cut to curls and blow-drying to clipping it up, the demonstration was quite impressive. Following the cutting, hair was subjected to colour that would not only match the hairstyle but also the current Pakistani trend and the weather conditions.

Peng Qureshi, meanwhile, cut and blow dried her model’s hair dead straight and experimented with blonde colour with traces of mahogany, dying hair in the shape of a diamond. Other stylists experimented with different temporary colour combinations to demonstrate the different options people have for particular cuts.

All in all, it was a colourful and entertaining event organised by Silky Coloration that enlightened amateur stylists and enthusiasts alike.

© Faras Ghani 2006

Ah, the Fashion Show :)

The Motorola-sponsored Fashion Show (read The Official Motorola V3 launching ceremony) had the lights, colours and the food to keep the otherwise dawdling night rather interesting.

Attractive ladies donning elegant wear, and that is just the audience. The hosts tried tad bit hard. The technical glitches omnipresent. The food queues massive. The presentations and speeches boring.

And then walked on the catwalk the models. Displaying Maheen’s and Imran Qureshi’s collections, they grabbed the spotlight. Literally.

So much was the audience overwhelmed that they were reluctant to visit even the beckoning buffet tables.

Followed the stunningly attractive models on the catwalk and the not-so-attractive buffet was the one-and-only diamond studded pink Motorola V3 which was auctioned off for Rs. 300,000 and presented

The night was finally signed off with a grand live performance by Strings who’s late arrival helped people digest their feastings in the meantime.

All in all, a fascinating night equipped mightily with dazzle and attractiveness and a great performance.

© Faras Ghani 2006

Family, a waste.

Raj Kumar Santoshi shows us glimpses of his imitable talent to assemble a cast of top stars, cobbling up an effete script, shooting on foreign soil and then dishing out generous dollops of tripe.

Shekhar Bhatia is a cook who loves his family dearly, particularly his wayward younger brother Aryan (Aryeman). When Shekhar is not managing his catering business or fending off marriage proposals, he is forever extricating Aryan out of one or the other scrapes. Still, he has the time to fall in love with a charming doctor Kavitha (Bhumika Chawla) and gets married to her.

Tragedy comes calling even before the henna on the bride's hands disappears when Shekhar is killed by crime lord Viren Sahi (Amitabh Bachchan) while out looking for his brother Aryan.

An enraged Aryan wants revenge on Viren Sahi. So, he hatches a plot to kidnap Viren Sahi's entire family so as to draw the thug into the open.

The storytelling is often imbalanced. Santoshi keeps jumping into a beehive of activities. This time he doesn't always emerge with a coherently designed pastiche of anger and catharsis. And though Abbas Ali Moghal's stunts are riveting they lack the electric immediacy of what we have seen before.
Bad music makes this bad movie terrible

© Faras Ghani 2006

Zinda, the review

Neither a rather different story-line nor the charming and skimpily-dressed duo of Celina Jetly and Larra Dutta can save this movie from being branded a waste.

Zinda features Bala (Sanjay Dutt), a software engineer, who is taken without warning and locked up for fourteen years in a cell. He begs and pleads for answers but all he gets is a regular grooming and change-of-clothes session.

Finally set free on the streets of Bangkok, Sanjay, together with a desi cab driver Jennie (Larra Dutta), drives around for clues after realizing his wife Nisha (Celina Jetly) has been murdered while he was locked up.

In his search for the truth and his captives, Bala runs and chases through the claustrophobic streets of Bangkok. When he finally arrives, he uncovers more than what he had bargained for.

Zinda has no group-dances, only background vocals including the Bollywood debut of our very own Strings.

Even though the premise of Zinda is refreshingly different, it's not the type that would appeal to Indian moviegoers.

© Faras Ghani 2006

Hajj. At it again.

Jan 2006: Stampede at Jamarat kills over 360 people and injures over 289. Collapse of Makkah hostel housing pilgrims kills 76.

Feb. 1, 2004: 244 pilgrims killed and a similar number injured, some critically, in a stampede during the devil-stoning ritual.

March 5, 2001: 35 killed in stampede during stoning of the devil ritual in Mina.

April 9, 1998: About 180 pilgrims were trampled to death when panic erupted after several fell off an overpass during the stoning of the devil ritual in Mina.

April 15, 1997: Fires driven by high winds tear through a sprawling, overcrowded tent city at Mina, trapping and killing more than 340 pilgrims and injuring 1,500. Aid workers and diplomats said the death toll was at least 500.

May 23, 1994: 270 pilgrims, most of them Indonesian, killed in stampede in Mecca as worshippers surge toward cavern for symbolic ritual of “stoning the devil.”

July 2, 1990: 1,426 pilgrims, many of them Malaysians, Indonesian and Pakistanis, killed in Mecca stampede in overcrowded pedestrian tunnel leading to holy sites.

July 9, 1989: Two bombs explode in Mecca , killing one pilgrim, wounding 16. Saudi authorities blame Iranian-inspired terrorists and later behead 16 Kuwaiti Shiite Muslims for bombings. Iran denied involvement.

July 31, 1987: 402 people, mostly Iranian pilgrims, killed and 649 wounded in Mecca when security forces clash with Iranian staging illegal anti-U.S. demonstration.

Nov. 20, 1979: About 1,200 Sunni Muslim extremists storm the Grand Mosque in Mecca in what Saudi officials later said was an attempt to kidnap King Khalid and force him to abdicate. Some 75 extremists, including their leader, killed in battle around 38-acre complex. Another 170 captured and many beheaded. Scores of Saudi military personnel were also slain.


Another year. Another disaster. Even with the quota system in place to prevent overcrowding, an increase in the number of pilgrims is witnessed each year. An increase with tragic results; stampedes accounting for over two-and-a-half thousand deaths in the last fifteen years including 650 in the last five.

Stampedes, as it turns out, can be held accountable for majority of the fatalities. It is for that reason that scholars have recommended restricting the number of Hajjs performed by an individual to one, not only to limit the crowd but also give others a chance to perform the pilgrimage. Muslims who have already performed Hajj should donate the cost to those who are dying from starvation, or to help build a school for those who are unable to educate their children.

Suggestions are coming in to expand the time-frame in which the Pebble-Throwing ritual can be performed; from sunrise to very late at night. And instead of performing it themselves, the weak and elderly can delegate someone to perform this ritual on their behalf thus making the process quicker and more efficient. This should limit the tumult that is often witnessed and has resulted in stampede-related casualties.

Saudi officials have already increased security presence this year to prevent accidents and provide assistance, supplied more fire-proof tents to prevent a repeat of the ’97 fires and have food and water stalls readily available.

Given that the majority of pilgrims are from outside Saudi Arabia, it should be the duty of all Muslim nations to fund the organizing of Hajj as well as chalking out a definite plan to combat stampedes and accidents.

Scholars in every country should talk to the pilgrims and join them in their pilgrimage, if possible, so as to teach them the importance of gentleness and serenity throughout these blessed days which would avoid a repeat of the stampede scenes been witnessed.

Hajj goers each year should go through an orientation process outlining the realities that are present at Hajj – heat exhaustion, trampling, lack of room and space etc. They should be told to look out for one another and various worse-case scenarios should be in constant practice by the authorities.

Better planning, share of ownership from the entire Muslim world, an increase in the available funds, limiting the number of pilgrims and Hajj can be a disaster-free event on the Muslim calendar.

God willing, of course.

© Faras Ghani 2006