NLX's Tri-Entity Carnival

Dressed up as a fair ground, with halogen balloons strung up the staircase railings, crepe ribbons and coloured flags along the skybox and library extension, Nixor immersed itself into a day on festivity and joy. Organized and executed by Nixor Logistics, the Tri-Entity Day Camp, in which the three not for profit entities; Adopt an Orphanage(AAO), Meri Bhi Aik Khuwaish Hai (MBAKH) & Taleem Sab Kay Liye (TSKL), participated; was perhaps the first major event of the highly anticipated GSD week. 

As soon as the clock ticked twelve in the noon, the little fissions of activities buzzing around turned to full-fledged preparations with the jumping castle being erected, face painting stall being prepared as well as an out vendor bringing in a huge swing. Not just this but the auditorium was getting ready to accommodate for a movie screening and even the mundane library extension got itself donned up as a venue for a competition with tables, chair, blank papers, colour pencils and a variety of stationary. 

Basically, each of three not for profit entities; AAO, TSKL, & MBAKH, had to bring in their kids from their respective work places, for example AAO’s Sirat-ul-Jannah kids, and take part in the three main activities; the art competition held in the extension, a movie screening, and later a fun carnival of sorts. 

For about two hours, the kids scribbled away onto paper, each projecting their imagination, dreams and happiness with colors and bouts of laughter in an atmosphere which was heavy with mirth on the children’s side and satisfaction on the volunteers’. After this some snacks were given to them and they were taken to the auditorium for watching a movie. Many debates and votes later, a movie was finally selected: ‘Chain Khuli Ki Main Kulli’, which I believe was a good choice, seeing most of the kids were orphans and the movie focuses on how being an orphan does in no way restrict the opportunities and favorable fortunes life has to offer.

 Next, the volunteers took them to the cafe for lunch, and right after that, they were taken off to the basketball court where the Ferris wheel and jumping castles were waiting for the children and voila! Anything after that were just children running around from one place to another in sheer enjoyment, while the poor volunteers in sweat, trying to control them. Along with the rides, there were quite a number of stalls like 'Pin the tail', 'Hit the can', and 'Ring the bottles'. If not all of these things were not enough, NLX also managed to conduct a magic show which was quite popular with the kids. With the sun almost down, along with the volunteers’ energy; the children sat down to eat, after which the winners of the competition were announced. 

From an observer’s point of view, the event was executed exceptionally well. Not a single fault could be found in the effort put in by the entities, especially Nixor Logistics. It was clearly evident that a lot of thought, hard work and goodwill was put into this endeavor. From the arrangement of rides to decoration, each and every thing ran smoothly aiding in making the event a success. 

‘Mujhe aaj bohat maza aaya’, a little boy from Mashal Orphanage answered when I questioned him after the event, giving the entities the main reward they were looking for-the kids’ enjoyment, and the thesis for my article.

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Whither Literature

Of the myriad of problems, issues and headaches plaguing our nation, there is one that is often overshadowed and overlooked. It is mutually concurred to be a problem by many but is seriously pondered upon by very few.

Our literature, our reading habits and hence our desire to advance intellectually has declined, greatly usurped by WhatsApp, Candy Crush and Bollywood, and all that is today’s version of what to Churchill was the ‘odious apparatus of Nazi rule’.  Not to say that modern social networks, video games and everything else that the average child is up to his neck in are a complete and utter menace to society, but the scales being tipped far too heavily to one side has negative consequences.

Television star Groucho Marx once stated, “I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.” He might be turning over in his grave knowing that unfortunately, so many Pakistanis, young and old, man and woman, have served to follow his golden principle the other way around. Appreciation of Urdu literature seems to have evaporated as well. Poems composed by greats such as Faiz Ahmed Faiz seem to have been restricted to rote learning in schools, then shoved aside and forgotten, their true meaning never fully comprehended. Not to mention that the audience for Mushairas and Qawwalis also seem to have slowly faded away. 

You may have heard all this before, but the sheer magnanimity of the situation begs repetition.

Has it not been said and proved that the best way of shaking those cobwebs out of the little grey cells is through a good book? And that the muscles of the brain can hardly find a better stimulant than good literature? Would it not be criminal to deny that exposing oneself to more and more words inevitably causes them to be weaved into ones’ vocabulary?  It is more than obvious of course, what that can do for you: Being able to speak with articulation gives you a confidence like no other. Whatever knowledge a book is able to impart may leave you better equipped to deal with challenges, and is something that can never be taken away from you.

The dearth of reading coupled with a local education system that has utterly massive room for improvement in the creativity sector, has lead to a dearth of creativity and critical thinking skills. Literature has the power to introduce to you ideas and worlds and characters beyond your wildest imaginations. Processing and comprehending these flexes those brain muscles more than you may know and this boost to your creative power is something that can benefit you in any situation. Having opinions on the workings of a plot, understanding and analyzing the various aspects of a story, something that can happen automatically without you forcing yourself to, lends itself to building creative analytical skills, also something that will serve you well in life.

With ‘whither literature?’ I also have the burning questions, ‘whither tolerance?’ and ‘whither empathy’?  Qualities such as these that make up the very foundations of any society seem to be in short supply here.  And that is where literary fiction comes in.

Readers, especially those who tend to be totally immersed in a novel, find themselves establishing an emotional connection with characters, effectively empathizing with them in times of tragedy and trying to understand the way they think.  And when readily acquainted with new ideas and cultures, one gains a natural tendency to understand and tolerate a belief or concept that was hitherto unknown.

This malady of course does not plague only those of the middle and upper classes. The lives of the tad less privileged of our society are also devoid of reading and literature, largely due to the lack of resources and education provided to them. Literature and intellectual advancement rarely occurs to those who find it difficult just to make ends meet.  But when a reading culture is created in society and its importance is established in the minds of people, especially teachers and parents, and schools at every level begin to actively nurture the reading and literature in its students, the benefits shall be far-reaching.  

One has enough material to go on and on when it comes to the necessity of literature in our lives but I shall refrain from doing so. Simply, whenever next you feel stressed out or have some free time on your hands, pick up a book, whatever language it may be.  Make it a habit. Start reading every day. You may find a world you never realised could be created. You may learn things you never knew or may embark on a journey you never felt you could take. One thing you will not do is regret it. 

By Imaad Hasan

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AAO's Valima Organized by NLX

As soon as I entered, the ambiance was characterized by light music playing in the background, and lights gleaming down upon the beautifully decorated stage and seating area.

The volunteers rushed to set everything up, some carrying bottles of water, some checking the arrangements for food, and all of them ensuring that the setup was just perfect. They wanted to make this day the most memorable day for someone. They wanted to bring smiles to little faces, it was evident this day was to be special.

Very soon kids from the orphanage came pouring in, happy to see their friends from Nixor. The kids had a certain smile on their face, of uncertainty tinged with delight. They hadn’t been to a lot of such events before, and so their expressions were understandable, and a little while after settling in, their faces said it all. They were enjoying themselves to the fullest, some even running around. For some catching up with their pals from the AAO brought them unparalleled joy.

NLX put their hearts and souls in to this event and it showed in every aspect of it. The seating area and the stage reflected their efforts. They were so well placed and well decorated that it didn’t even seem as if the event was taking place at a school.

There was a performance by the students for the attendees, which everybody loved. A couple of songs were sung which are a trademark of these kinds of events. Then the food was served, the volunteers put up plates and food at every table, trying to make sure everybody had ample to eat. They carried filled dishes of rice and handi to each table as the attendants patiently waited. Meanwhile, up on the stage the typical ‘Rasams’ took place. There was also a blue and white cake according to the theme which was cut right before the Rukhsati. The bride and groom both looked cheerful and content.

When asked about the favorite part of the event, an AAO volunteer Rahul said, “As we were arranging the kids for their departure to SUJ. A 5 year old girl came running towards me, hugged me and said thank you! This was the favorite part of the valima for me” It was the dedication of the volunteers that was able to stir up such deep emotions and make such an elaborate event a success.

The amount of hard work that went in to making this Valima happen was tremendous but it paid off. It was happiness, it was the smiles on the faces of all the kids, it was the joy in the eyes of the bride and groom and most importantly it was the emotions that it spread around that made the sweat and blood worth it. It was a message of love for others around us, it was a message to spread happiness and fill many hearts with joy with the expectation of nothing in return except internal satisfaction.

It was all thanks to this event that I was able to make a couple of friends from the SiratUl Jannah for myself. I know that whenever I see them I will recall this valima and be reminded of how something that we work towards can help so many people and bring a smile to so many faces.

By Shaheer Ullah Saeed

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The AAO Wedding

The AAO Shaadi organized by Nixor Log-X took place on Sunday 4^th of October. Walking inside into an entirely transformed basketball court, the whole place was strung with fairy lights and it was easy to forget that I was standing in Nixor. Gone were the sweaty guys playing ball with the sun shining upon them in all its glory. Instead a striking stage for the bride and groom was set up, along with seating arrangements for the rest of the guests over a finely carpeted floor. A rickshaw photobooth was seen beside the stage and a mehendi stall was also set up, much to the excitement of the girls. Flowers and twinkling lights completed the arrangement, and one could immediately see the hard work that must certainly have gone on behind the scenes.

The event kicked off with the arrival of the kids from Sirat ul Jannah. Dressed in their best clothes, smiles upon their faces evident as they flocked around the cotton candy machine and posed for selfies, these kids were without doubt the center of everyone’s attention. Upon their arrival it seemed as if all the volunteers forgot their worries, instead, each one seemed eager to keep the kids as happy as they seemed.

The arrival of the groom was greeted with drums and firework candles and thanks to the competent management of NLX, the event proceeded efficiently with the Nikkah and the bringing of the bride to the stage. The guests were kept entertained by the spontaneous as well as prepared dances of the AAO volunteers and dinner was later served followed by the Rukhsati. A very exhausted but extremely pleased Aarass Nadeem rejoiced seeing the function play itself out, it being her very first event as CEO of NLX, and believed that if one puts their mind to it, nothing is impossible.

Despite the groom arriving late and throwing the planned schedule a little off track, one could not help but admire the smooth running of the things throughout the evening. NLX members, who had been on campus all day, displayed never ending energy, as they ran about making sure everything was on track and not hesitating to complete whatever task was put on hand. Any small glitches were immediately straightened out. I observed NLX working as a unit, doing everything from mopping floors upon an accidental leakage of water, to making small wedding favours to hand out. As Arsalan Bachani, CEO of NLX, pointed out, team work is a key part of an event management society, because one person’s negligence would reflect on the whole team’s, hence everyone has to learn to work together and cover up for each other. On behalf of AAO, Zobia Akhtar the CEO, felt NLX did an amazing job they have high hopes for working alongside them to execute further events. It seems mind blowing that a group of 17 to 19 year old students could organize and execute an event of this magnitude, but as the CCO of NLX Fatima Baber put it, ‘That’s what Nixor is all about.”

At the end of the day, the most important thing was the happiness that this small group of Nixor Sharks was able to bring to the beautiful couple and the young orphans. The sentiments and work of AAO when combined with the logistic skills of NLX, made the function a unforgettable one for every person in attendance. The Nixor Community wishes the newly-weds a joyous and prosperous life ahead.

By Roha Sitwat

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The hoof that tramples my rights

Lo and behold, it is that time of the year again. When bells and bleats can be heard in the streets, heralding the return of another Eid-ul-Azha.  Members of prestigious herds, in all their glory can be seen filing into the homes and hearts of many.

But hang on for a second, there is something rather unpleasant that accompanies this Holy Holiday every single time it comes around. Unpleasant though is a light word. Stronger words like ‘utterly revolting’,’ undeniably criminal’ and ‘perfectly blasphemous against the laws of social propriety’, would be rather fitting.

It is not the concept of the slaughter that I am against. I do believe in notions of vegan-ism or vegetarianism. But I do believe one thing. That I have a right to walk through my neighbourhood without having to clench my nose and protect myself from the smell that pervades the air. That I have a right to walk through the streets without fear of stepping into something unwelcoming. That I have a right, as a citizen of this country, to walk freely on Eid day without having to avoid streams of red colour. (Okay so, it wasn't one thing)

My rights are being trampled under a hoof of tyrannous oppression ladies and gentlemen. A hoof that is symbolic of a violation of everything that my constitution grants me. Freedom of movement, unimpeded by something an animal decided to do. Freedom of getting my regular 8 hours, uninterrupted by bleating and mooing. Freedom from the chore of having to wash my tyres because someone decided to open their gates during the qurbani.

Seriously.                                                                                                              

What right do individuals have to park their goats and sheep where I would want to park my car? What right do they have to pollute the streets with blood so that they don’t have to clean up their own porches and gardens? Show me some clause, some amendment, some article of our constitution that permits people to discomfort and inconvenience others due to the reasons mentioned above.

I fully believe that people should not lower the sanctity of the sacrifice by forgoing rules of propriety. Keep your beast where it won’t stand in my way. Clean up after your animal and try to keep it as less vocal as possible. Common sense dictates a local community setting up some enclosure where all the sacrifices can take place with minimal fuss and bother. Minimal repercussions for others. But what is that cliché about common sense not being very common?

So if you are one of those criminals, indulging in the aforementioned transgressions, kindly quit it. Or if you aren't and know someone who is, then get them to kindly quit it. Share this and further the noble cause of “Insan Ban Kar Qurbani Karo”. And make Eid-ul-Azha a momentous and joyous occasion for one and all.

By Imaad Hasan

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Love Stories

So this was prompted by the loads of junk also referred to as chick flick novels that have become the rage these days. To be honest, I couldn’t stand another minute before writing on this because apart from a chosen few, cliché love stories are seriously starting to get on my nerves.

Each starts off with a bad boy and a timid goody two shoes who’s never let loose, never gotten drunk, never skipped class. But then she falls in love with the ever popular and everyone’s desired bad boy and voila there’s a connection! (If life were that easy for the rest of us, rishta aunties would go out of business) Now the boy falls for our heroine who is the geekiest girl you could ever imagine and drops not-so-subtle hints blatantly right in her face to which any girl would immediately react to but no! Our heroine will be still seeing him through the glasses of ‘Can never happen’ and therefore chooses to ignore it thinking he’s out of her league. (Which to be honest, he is.)

Oh, but then they catch themselves in random situations and stolen moments which render them both breathless and the girl spends nights lying awake in her bed smiling at the ceiling, (but no dark circles ever appear because duh love is the cure for everything perhaps even Ebola). Yet even after numerous encounters nothing happens and here the writer builds up a tension between the two and attempts to intrigue us. After about ten more chapters of beating about the bush, it finally happens and we would rather be spared the excruciating details thank you very much. If I wanted to read that, I would have gone elsewhere.

Anyway, the best part is that the bad boy whom we were introduced to in the beginning has entirely vanished at this point and has been replaced by an angel sent from Heaven above. Just a few days of being with the nerdy girl converts the guy into a Saint. Of course they become a couple but since it all cannot be that easy, the author involves a hurdle between the two, maybe a misunderstanding, or a secret untold till this point but together the Terrific Two get over that as well and continue with their happily ever after.

N.B.-I’m not against love stories. I’ve read countless good ones but fact of the matter is, originality is something rarely found these days. It is a sad world indeed.

Written by Roha Sitwat

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The NHPL Experience

Bright lights adorned the court, bathing the ‘pitch’ in a brilliant illumination. Crowds gathered in increasing numbers while players and spectators alike milled around expectantly, conversing, practicing. Sweat-drenched volunteers sprinted hither and thither putting the final touches on the preparations for one of the most exciting and most anticipated events of the summer.  

And so, with Shayan of Alums thundering down the pitch to bowl the first ball, the Nixor Hospital Premier League kicked off. From the get-go one could observe the passion and heart on display as the next bowler Faraz clean-bowled the batsman on the first ball of his over. The Eagle Sharks could only muster a target of 17 runs, which the Alums achieved comfortably although with a bit of an anti-climax: a wide ball gave them the last run.

The number of spectators may have been a tad bit of a let-down but those present did not give the impression that it was the middle of the night. Chatting animatedly and holding earnest discussions of the events that were unfolding as well as cheering jubilantly at the success of any team, the crowd was life and soul of the event. Their wide-eyed observations of the games, as well as the sounds of exuberant laughter depicted fully the enthusiasm that seemed to envelope the very air.  The air that was rich with the aroma of rolls, pizzas and bun kababs which the audience regularly flocked to as time passed and hunger set in. They were undoubtedly buoyed up in this regard by the constant marketing of the food stalls by the pair of witty commentators, Zaid and Usman, who insisted that some of the players would have been playing better had they ate a few rolls and had a can of the ‘Epic Energy’ energy drink which was a sponsor for the event.

Our commentators did not let a dull moment pass, with comments such as ‘Ye Saud buhath achi bowling kar rahay hain, inhon nay aaj iftari mein kya kaya tha?”  After a bowler from Team X bowled several wides to Sir Nadeem, batting for The Great Whites, it was in their highly distinguished opinion that the ball itself was in fact shying away from the Dean in fear of being smashed sky-high. Yet it was Danish bhai who went smashing about in that match. The captain of Team X had remarked on his team’s previous loss, “You win some, you lose some. We have three more matches and shall prove ourselves in the next one.” However, it was not to be as a target of 43 and some fierce bowling from Shabbir bhai put paid to Team X. 

Feeling greatly exhilarated after his victory, Sir Nadeem stated, “I can see there is a lot of talent on display and I love the energy being shown.  Cricket is the one thing in this country that unifies its 200 million people and so it is always good to see it being played, especially since I’m a big cricket fan myself. The organisation is good and I like the cafeteria set-up, very up-beat feel to it. I love the fact that it is at night, and that we’re all here having fun, raising money for a good cause, helping someone out, considering the turnout is good and about 60,000 RS will be raised plus concessions.  After all that is what Nixor is all about.”

The tournament was never short of entertainment. From one of the Juggernauts batsman flinging his bat halfway across the pitch and then sliding across the opposite crease as if someone had greased his trousers, to Shahzaib of the same team bowling with such ferocity that his glasses refused to remain perched atop his nose. Of course, no tournament is free from controversy, and this very same match, where the Juggernauts were playing the Master Batters, saw a fair share of it. Was that last shot by the Master Batters a six or not? As a six would win them the match, they insisted it was, considering that the ball had sailed high into the air and landed in a corner of the sky box. But the umpires begged to differ at first, giving them 1 run, but after a good 5 minutes of old-fashioned ’behas’  the umpires ruled it a draw.

The commentators’ advertising was not limited to the food alone but extended to the arcade where a pair of XBOX 360’s had been set up with FIFA. The arcade saw a pair or two of gamers always present, aiming to prove themselves champions at FIFA while others watching with earnest intent. You have not known what concentration and ardent focus is unless you have observed FIFA being played by two gamers who easily convey the impression that their very lives hang in the balance.

Possibly, the most efficient running of the tournament was exhibited by the Game Changers in their match against the Alums. The excitement reaching fever-pitch as the Game Changers needed 1 run of 1 ball to secure the victory with the crowd wholeheartedly cheering both teams on. With a mad dash from both batsmen, that one run was successfully scored.

The clocks were striking three by the time the first semi-final got underway. A nail-biting finish for the Great Whites, winning by 2 runs to face Alums in the final. The final where, although the Alums were only given a target of 13, an intense display of brazen bowling from Shabbir bhai and Tariq bhai, and a last-ball run out gave the Great Whites the win and the tournament.

The captain of Alums, Faraz, looked far too dazed to give any real comment while Sir Nadeem simply remarked, “Who’s your daddy? The admin.”  A scrumptious celebratory sehri of halwa puri followed, as the players and spectators alike gathered for a much-needed and well-deserved meal, conversing good-naturedly and laughing cheerfully in the last vestiges of a night that would be long-remembered.

For in the end, no one won, and no one lost. When such enthusiasm and passion is shown for a fundraiser, revolving around a sport so dear to every Pakistani’s heart, then victory can safely be attributed to all those who, played, worked and watched. As goodbyes were said and people walked out, it can be said that this roaring success of an event is not likely to ever be forgotten.

Article by Syed Imaad Hasan Jafri

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