Glory returns to Swat

Published in Us Mag, The News on 6 April 2012 

http://magazine.thenews.com.pk/mag/detail_article.asp?id=2256&magId=9

Three years back, Swat  reverberated with the sound of gunshots and bomb blasts. Its citizens had become hostages in their own houses, and their children had forgotten to smile due to the violent rule of Taliban. The natives of Swat lived in dreadful conditions, but thanks to the successful operation of Pakistan Army, ‘Rah-e-Nijat’, peace has been restored here.

When the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) organised a week long ‘Ski and Smile in Swat’ festival at Malam Jabba resort last month, the innocent faces of the people of Swat beamed with joy. A large number of people from different parts of the country came to participate in the event. The festival was arranged in collaboration with the Army, the Royal Norwegian Embassy and Right To Play - an international development and humanitarian organisation, which focuses on children’s sports.

Skiing festival is been an old tradition of Malam Jabba in which the main attraction of the region, the PTDC hotel, had a significant role. Tourists used to stay at the hotel during festival days, which was good for the economy as well as for the image of Pakistan. Regretfully, the militants destroyed the 72-room hotel and its chair-lift, installed by the Austrian government. Due to this, many foreign tourists faced difficulties as there is no other hotel of standard in the valley. The government should reconstruct it again in order to promote tourism and attract more people to Swat.

I was lucky to attend the festival, this year. On reaching Swat, a cold breeze welcomed me, but as I moved up to Malam Jabba, the snow waited for me with open arms and the weariness of the tedious journey vanished. 

Two things caught my eyes immediately; the ruined PTDC hotel and the colourful skiing track that was clearly visible from where we stood. Seating arrangement had been made for the audience and soon we joined the people gathered there to witness the rehearsals. While waiting for the rehearsals to start, a kids’ team came forward with their coach. The kids were not over 10 years of age and were the natives of Swat.

“The kids have made the skiing boards and rods themselves,” informed their coach. “They have observed the players who visit here with their well-maintained skiing gadgets and tried to emulate their skiing kits.”

The success of a show depends on rehearsals; therefore, the rehearsals for the flag hoisting ceremony, prayer recitation and order of announcement continued for two days. Finally, the snow festival was inaugurated by the Norwegian Ambassador to Pakistan, Cecilie Landsverk, by hoisting the National flag. On the occasion, veteran politician and Awami National Party (ANP)’s senior leader Afzal Khan Lala, Operation Commander Major General Ghulam Qamar, Pakistan Army’s spokesman in Swat Col Arif Mahmood and others were also present. Peshawar Corps Commander Lt Gen. Khalid Rabbani was the Chief Guest on the prize distribution day. The event continued for eight fun-filled days with attractive competitions like demo skiing by professionals, informative and guided tours to the ski slopes, live musical evenings, tobogganing, snowman building, snow trekking coaching classes etc. Over 45 skiers, including children and professionals, took part in five major ski disciplines.

Bacha Hussain won the Giant Slalom in which skiers ski between different sets of poles or gates. WHile, the eight-year-old, Zakir Hussain, topped the children’s competition. After the prize distribution ceremony, Peshawar Corps Commander Lt Gen. Khalid Rabbani, said he perceived the event not as a closing ceremony, but an opening ceremony for more such events. 

Swat is considered as the Switzerland of Pakistan because of its natural beauty and low temperature. With a little help from the government, Swat can get back its former glory.

Published in Revolution Flame Public messages
April 15, 2012 4:56 pm  

Brothers

No matter what color,
We are brothers.


We look alike,
we are brothers.


Let’s close the doors,
Let’s be apart from this world


As this world doesn’t know,
the meaning of word Brother

Written By : Noor Ul Ain Hanif
 Photo Credits : Hmad Asghar

   Published in Revolution Flame public messages

Coin One

My childhood memories lies,
under the journey that start from the rupee to the coin


At that time one rupee was worth enough,
That I could buy the whole world,


Lolly pop, ice lolly, road side snacks were the main stuff,
That I used to enjoy after school with my buds.


But soon the rupee turned into a coin,
And everything starts moving up in price.


But the fun don’t end here,
Soon Head and Tail becomes the key of every problem


Now there’s no value of the coin One,
It seems that world has forgotten the coin


But it lies in my memories,
It’s ‘chan chan’ sound echoes in my memories


Written By : Noor Ul Ain Hanif
Photo Credits : Hmad Asghar

The patriotic melodies of Pakistan

Blog published at Blogs.unique Pakistan, 15th April 2012http://blog.uniquepakistan.com.pk/home/the-patriotic-melodies-of-pakistan-by-noor-ul-ain-hanif/#.T4qj_dwZAwI.facebook

What are the elements that burn the flame of patriotism in souls? National anthem sing by putting hand onheart, National flag flying freely in the air, and piece of enthusiastic poetry or prose, hence the list is long but National songs are on the top. Music is the food of soul. It has the power to change the mood of a person from sad to happy and happy to sad. In the same way, it can refill an empty emotion less heart with love and patriotism for the nation.

In the past history of Pakistan a number of National songs have been sung by well-known singers, Alamgir, Mehdi Hasan, Amjad Hussain, Nayyara Noor and Vital sign are few names. It’s a fact that almost every singer has devoted a song to the nation.

Let’s have a look of the journey of National songs and their impact on nation.

“Nayay Diloon Ki Musafatoon Ko Ujalna Hai

Wafa Say Aansoo Ka Saathoon Ko Sanbhalna Hai
Umeed-e-Subh-e-Jamal Rakhna Khayal Rakhana

Khayal Rakhana”

Anything clicks in your mind? Well, More or less everyone has heard

these lines or might have sung them too in every school function or other National festivals. The above passage is taken from the song Khayal Rakhna by Alamgir which he sung with Benjamin sisters. These are the melodious voices that have lightened the dark musical past of Pakistani pop-industry. Alamgir is one of the most talented singers of Pakistan, who has sung many dulcet tracks that are enjoyed by both old and new generation. He has given a new direction to Pakistani pop music and became inspiration of youngsters.  Nowadays his song Keh dena is on everyone’s lips which he has sung with famous foreigner singer Kristie Yung.

Alamgir has devoted an exclusive album named “Sab ka Pakistan” to the country which contains all his patriotic songs. The album also contains tracks by the King of Ghazal, Mehdi Hassan that are also wholly for nation. Many of the songs were popular and accepted with great nation pride.

Not only male singers have contributed in this patriotic journey but female singers also and Nayyara Noor is one of them. Simple woman with beautiful face and mellifluous voice has given the nation two national songs that are more or less sung by every Pakistani no matter of what age: Watan ke mitti and Iss parcham k sayee talay hum ek are the names.

Anybody among you knows which song was released in 1987, part of band’s debut album that was released in 1988 and whose entry was like “Agaye tey chaa gaye”!! Any guesses?

Yes, you guess it right!

“Dil Dil Pakistan, Jan Jan Pakistan” by Vital sign.

It was the zealous song that became the identity of nation. Every National festival, cricket victory or other  patriotic events are incomplete without this song. Its passionate lyrics have the power to pull-out the patriotic element of every Pakistani.  The song was written by Shoaib Mansoor and sung by Junaid Jamshed, Its music video was filmed in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad. This video is one of the very first pop videos of Pakistan. Compared to its contemporary videos, it is quite simple and less elaborate. According to the facts, in 2003, BBC World Service conducted an international poll to choose ten most famous songs of all time. Around 7000 songs were selected from all over the world. According to BBC, people from 155 countries/islands voted. Dil Dil Pakistan was third in top 10 songs.

Talking about Dil Dil Pakistan so how can we forget Jazba Junoon

Hai Jazba Junoon

To Himmat Na Haar

Justajoo Jo Karey Woh

Chuay Asmaan

It’s a song with an in depth meaning what a lyrics! Don’t lose hope just give your best. Never let the spirit of passion or enthusiasm down. It’s a song by the Pakistani sufi rock band Junoon from Lahore. It was formed in 1990 by songwriter/guitarist Salman Ahmad, Brian O’Connell and former vocalist Ali Azmat. Junoon.

The song is written by Salman Ahmad. It uses blending of rock guitars and bluesy vocals with eastern elements like the use of tablas, raga-inspired melodies and traditional Pakistani folk music. Moreover, this song became the signature song of the 1996 Cricket World cup.

In spite of this golden treasure, young blood of Pakistan has also contributed their efforts to the national songs it include: Fakhir Mahmood’s, Dil na lagay, Aye Jawan by Awaz band, Strings Mein tau dekhonga, Thus, there are many singers who have taken the Pakistani pop industry to a new height but in this journey of reaching goal, they have never forget Pakistan. Therefore, they keep introducing new patriotic songs after an interval.

Pakistan Zindabaad!