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Spring/Summer 2018 | 19
Hawk Talk
Alcott Hawk’s Call
Reviews, Views, News and Voices of the
young hawks as they claim their places.
N E W S L E T T E R- 2 0 1 8 - 1 9
WHAT’S INSIDE
News: what we have been upto? Opinions, Views and Voices Musings and Creative pieces
— page 03
— page 12 — page 14
Academic Year 2018 | 19
YEAR IN REVIEW
Here it is the first issue of our newsletter the “Hawk Talk”!
The newsletter is a work of our passion and we have
spent much time in designing and anthologizing stories
that we thought reflected the true spirit of life at Alcott .
“Hawk Talk” evolved from a very simple idea. It began
with a discussion in the office of the Dean, Ms. Yasmeen
Rajbhoy. She expressed her desire of developing a
platform for the students to document their experiences
at the Alcott College. Yet it also became a stage to a Sub-Editors
pervasive belief on the campus that the life at Alcott
College holds a unique and a central place in lives of the Omer Shahnawaz Syed Sahan Zaidi
students. The Hawk talk allowed the vibrant hawks to
voice their opinions and speak of their novel ideas and Omer may appear to you as coy and Sahan is a team player and a “people
interests in a genre that resonated with them the most.
complacent. He harbours though person “. He comes to life when he is around
A few of the write ups are the product of discussions in the
a dynamic, fiery soul, ignited with his friends and yet his music sometimes
writing classes where the Hawks found an opportunity
for free expression; learning to communicate
imagination, dreams and poetry. shies away in crowds.
effectively, narrating, reporting, persuading and
reviewing the genres and ideas which appealed them
the most. It harnessed their individual creativity and
helped them rethink of their roles in their context. Mohid bin Abid
Hope you would enjoy and encourage the love and hard
work they have put in to bring about this publication. Mohid is everybody’s SWAT team on the
dial! He likes playing forefront and, more
Happy Reading!
often than not, he says a “Yes” to every task
The Editor- Ms. Qurratulain Raza
he is entrusted with.
Abdul Razique Mohsin Ahmed Shayan Mustafa Zeeshan Fazal
Team Leads
3
NEWS
Alcott Welcomes
This September marked the dawn of the
Alcott College along with its first official
batch of 2020 was welcomed in its
state-of-the-art campus. Alcott realizing
college is a time when students discover
themselves and grow both academically
and develop distinct personalities
provides its students opportunities
beyond academics to socialize and make
strong social communities of their own.
Alcott held its first official Welcome Party
as a way to greet the new batch of 2020 on
the 20th of October 2018 at the Airmen Golf
Club. The fun began from morning when all
the students left college by boarding on a
bus together. They were set to start their day
at the Airmen Golf Club. Airmen is known
for its ambience and serene atmosphere
and for leisurely activities which it offers.
The students were able to participate
in relaxing activities such as swimming,
horse-riding and much more, growing
closer as a community sharing one of
the first memories they created this
academic year. The trip was organized by
our event management team through a
unanimous vote casted by the student
body, making it not only the first of the
democratic step but also a remarkable
experience for everyone part of it.
By Laiba Ali Khan
4
Alcott Open House
Alcott held its first ever official public event along with the induction
of the first batch, the Alcott Open House. The event was to signify
the start of a new mission, the initialization of Alcott and getting the
word out there that Alcott is strong, firm and exponentially growing.
A mere idea which later turned from an ordinary conversation into the
open house. The discussion revolved around how things in life can be so
chaotic and imbalanced, about how at times life isn’t always all in order
and symmetry and can sometimes be as chaotic and wild as the circus. We
wanted to bring the concept of the circus and remind everyone that they are
the ringleaders, that each and every last one of us is the ringleader of our own
lives and we are in more control than we think we are. The Open House was
prepared entirely by the students, the decorations and artwork, the stalls
and activities and games was the combined effort and dedication of the
student body which was much applauded by the audience and the visitors.
5
Hawks on fire!
Bonfire 2019
Sure you need to study for the future,
but what about the tales that you grow
up with, what about the memories,
the adventures, the mischief and the
enjoyment? Fairy lights scattered
throughout the campus and filament
bulbs lined across the courtyard. The
management sure knew the perfect
way to calm the educational storm that
was stirring a chaos within the students
after the Mid-Term Examinations.
creating an everlasting bond.
The flames that rose above us all, the
mixture of the orange and red, the
crackling of the wood and a soothing
burning scent was enough to extinguish
the storm within the students. Alcott’s A well lit photograpgh of the bonfire!
first Bonfire was everything it should have
been, under the stars, with just enough
light to enjoy the flames that crackled
and popped. The barbeque that made
our mouths water, the music that our
bodies swayed to and the friends that
were in attempts to chat the night away.
6
No one of us knew that a couple of
hours of playing parlor games would
create a family under the umbrella
of Alcott College. None of us knew
that we would be dedicating an
entire night in cherishing laughter,
creating an everlasting bond.
Abdul Razique may appear to you as an
epitome of control. Delve deeper and you
will meet a soul embracing his inexorable
energy, smiling to each curve ball being
thrown his way , handing out sarcasm.
He wants to change the world, but before
that he needs a break.
Habib Visits
One of Alcott’s core missions is to facilitate
students with placements in the universities of
their choice. The students are counselled and
are helped academically so that they could pick
the right university for their future academic
endeavor which could help them fulfill to pursue
the academic field of their choice successfully.
As a part of the career counseling programme,
Habib University, paid a visit to the college and
held a short session to help the students and
give them the much needed information about
academic streams and programmes of the
Habib University. As it is one of the leading liberal
arts and science institutions, Habib explained
the the concept of how various universities
work and the different atmosphere which is
provided in liberal art institutions. The students
were given activities to do as the session
progressed to keep the students engaged
and interested as they gained knowledge
about higher education and different fields of
education that they may pursue after A-Levels.
7
Hawk Fest 2019
Hawk Fest was a mega inter-
college sports tournament
organized by the Alcott college
that spanned over three days.
Alcott welcomed colleges like
Lyceum, Nixor, Beaconhouse,
Cedar and others to display
sportsmanship and to participate
in competitive sports activities.
Being an inclusive event, it Caption: Nam posuere neque nunc, hendrerit Caption: Nam posuere neque nunc, hendrerit dictum
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but there was equal female a pulvinar justo. Nulla suscipit maximus magna justo. Nulla suscipit maximus magna sed congue.
respresentation in matches of
Futsal, basketball and table tennis.
In the first circuit of matches
we had Futsal, Basketball and
Cricket matches. The venue was
spacious with grassy grounds
and ideal Futsal and Basketball
court. The crew worked vigilantly
organizing and monitoring
all events and of course
overlooking the much needed
arrangements of lunch and tea.
The second day was a buzzing
and busy day with the semi-final
matches coming to a conclusion.
By the end of the third day, the
enthusiasm was at its peak.
By the end of the third and the
final day the enthusiasm and
excitement was as its peak as
the winners stood victorious
hugging, screaming and laughing.
8
We witnessed the finalist and the
winners of different categories lift
their medals and trophies. in the
closing ceremony of HawkFest
held Alcott College Campus. All
the colleges were warmly invited
with their coaches and the winners
were applauded and appreciated.
Everybody thoroughly enjoyed
the mega-event and the Alcott
Community beamed with pride
on the final day for hosting such
a successful event collaboratively.
By S. Sahan Zaidi
9
First Aid Training
Indus Blood Drive
T he Civil Defense Authority visited Alcott College to hold
the First Aid Emergency session for the student body
to prepare students for emergencies and dangerous
situations that may potentially happen. The students were
briefed on prevention of injuries and how to navigate exits/
A
lcott not only educates students
academically but also on how
to be better human beings.
Being charitable and selfless is a part
safe spots in case of an emergency, on how to handle panic of being moral human beings as the
in stressful situations and what to do and what not to do. world needs more people willing
to give back to everyone around
B asic medical first-aid was explained and the students them who may be less fortunate.
A
were taught how to help others that had been injured
through demonstrations of how to handle their injuries lcott joined Indus Hospital in its
until professional help arrives. They were taught how humanitarian mission to spread
to tie knots for bandaging wounds and how to help the awareness of blood donation,
emergency services, this also included textbook definitions its necessity and how much donating
of various types of injuries like broken bones and deep blood can help so many people. Indus
cuts. The commitment from our staff, volunteers, and Hospital visited the college as a part
the students enabled us to conduct a successful exercise of Alcott’s Blood Donation Drive and
that tested our ability to respond in the event of any such motivated the students to take part in
emergencies. We are committed towards improving donating blood for the ones in need.
students’ life and ensuring that they are prepared to face
any of such circumstances.
O
ne of the students, Shahnawaz Aamer
had this to say about the experience:
“
Donating blood is one of the most charitable
acts a human being can do for the people of his/
her country and when the staff of Indus Hospital
came to our college to accept blood donations,
the thought of a needle piercing into my arm
frightened me but I gathered the courage to do
it because if I gave my blood, I would be saving a
life, my fear for the needle was nothing compared
to how much my blood and courage could help
someone else. Although I was first to volunteer,
seeing all of my friends join me and for everyone to
be facing their fears so proudly gave everyone the
sense of togetherness and that we were capable
of doing so much if we worked for it together.“
10HEALTH
Pakistan is the sixth most
populous country in the
world with a population of
over 191 million people. An
estimated 30 to 40 per cent of
all deaths in Pakistan are due
to cardiovascular diseases
which claim more than
200,000 lives every year in the
country while coronary artery
disease is now the leading
cause of death in Pakistan.
At least 12 Pakistani die every
hour due to heart attack. An
artery supplying blood to the
heart is known as a coronary
artery, in CAD the inner layer
of the artery is damaged. This
damage can be caused due
to various factors, including: There are several ways in which you can prevent
your risk of developing coronary artery disease, like:
•smoking
•eating meals high in • A healthy diet which provides full nutrients.
cholesterol You should avoid food containing saturated fats, because
•inactive lifestyle these will increase the levels of bad cholesterol in your blood.
•high blood pressure
• Quit smoking.
Unhealthy fats in our diet
increase the risk of fatty • Be more physically active.
deposits in our inner wall
of the artery, this buildup Being healthy reduces your chances of developing high blood
of fat can block the artery pressure. Regular exercise will make your heart and blood
leading to a heart attack. circulatory system more efficient, lower your cholesterol
level, and also keep your blood pressure at a healthy
11Opinion
Is It Good to Give in to Peer Pressure?
As we all are aware peer pressure is the phenomenon where we tend to get
influenced by the lifestyles and the ways of thinking of our peers. Peer pressure may
be seen beneficial, but it is most often observed to have negative effects on society.
The thoughts, behavior and tastes of fashion, music, television and other walks of
life of the masses are often seen having a deep impact on society. We tend to get
influenced by the lifestyles of our peer group. The changing ways of life of our peers
often forces us to change our ways of looking at life and leading it. It’s a human
tendency to do what the crowd does. Few have the courage to resist the peer pressure
and be their own selves rather than being one amongst the lot. Peer pressure has
become a big part of our teenage lives. Whether they are at school or work, peer
pressure can affect their output and even impact their general outlook on life.
Teenagers tend to follow the crowd. If they are caught in the act of smoking or
A
drinking they cite peer pressure as the main influence behind their actions. It ccording to research, if properly harnessed, the
is a continuous struggle for parents to figure out how to help teenagers deal same pressure can motivate individuals to stay
with peer pressure, especially when they aren’t always around to oversee their focused and work hard towards achieving their
activities. What parents fail to understand is that in some instances peer pressure goals. Positive effects of peer pressure on teenagers
in the right environment can work for the benefit of their child. When a teen are also evident by the example of a student who is
makes the right choice under peer pressure doesn’t that count as a plus point? motivated to get good grades because his friends are
getting good grades – an action that can be attributed
to positive peer pressure. Positive peer pressure can
help you reflect on your actions and amend your
ways to become a better individual. Observing others
working hard to achieve their goals will encourage you
to step up your game and strive towards something
positive. When a teen knows that his teammates are
practicing hard to become better basketball players
then it will directly affect his own performance. He
will put in twice the time and energy to raise the level
of his game and ensure he has a place on the team.
H
aving a group that exerts positive peer
pressure can also help you give up bad habits
and pick up healthy ones that can shape
both your personality and your future. A change
in perspective about life and motivation to do well
because of pressure from your peers may become
inspiration in that instance. Therefore, it is better
to learn something from peer pressure by adopting
good habits and avoid succumbing to its negative side.
An analytical approach of looking at peer behavior
can act positively. Recent studies too have shown
that peer pressure might have an upside to it too; that
in certain environments peer pressure can inspire
an individual to be a more focused and determined
individual. by Ilsa Mobin
12A day for the She-roes HE SAYS:
Toxic stereotypes and behaviors are common in all groups
On the occasion of Women’s day, the Hawks sat down
for a talk. While we commemorated the important
of people, which also includes men. For decades, men have
she-roes of our contexts and history we also spoke been the providers and the caretakers of the house with
of what needs to be done. They had meaningful no exceptions, they’re placed in the position of leadership
conversations on gender roles and inequality in all my
classes regardless of their religious beliefs, ethnicity and
and responsibility and thus their decisions have to be smart
socioeconomic backgrounds. They watched powerful and emotions cannot sway them, but this has lead to men
videos of advocacy and answered the following questions: that show emotions being labeled as “Weak” or “Womanly”.
1. Why is it important for men and boys to be a part of the
It’s an issue that people still cause to this day, as young
discourse? boys are told that “Men don’t cry” or “Don’t be a wuss”. A
male with emotional issues is looked at condescendingly.
2. What instances of gender inequality, sexist social
norms or stereotypes are dangerous and unfair for both
T
genders? he issue can be fixed and is slowly improving as time progresses, if young men
are taught to be accepting and supportive to other people, it’s part of human
3. Why should we feel not attacked by each other’s emotion to be sympathetic towards other humans and people should be aware
point of view and how to broach the subject objectively. of how to react and how to better treat a friend or a companion if they’re not at their
best mental state. As humans, we go through thick and thin and it’s only human to
Students also exchanged their views on case studies such as: react to things the way we do. For me, my best friend has taught me how to react
-the Nairobian decline in sexual assaults after boys were when issues arise and how to be helpful and lend a hand to people without making
taught the concept of consent and how to stand up for things worse. By Omer Shahnawaz
girls instead of teaching the girls self- defense which
did not affect the statistics of assault incidents at all,
-the gender imbalance caused by one child policy of
China in which a majority chose to keep male children,
SHE SAYS:
-the problem of female feticide in India, - the prevalent “Feminism” is still regarded as a bad word. Most of you might think/ misperceive it
acid attacks statistics “crimes of passion” in South Asia, as a movement aiming for female dominance to counter unfairness of patriarchal
-violence towards vulnerable, societies when it in reality it is advocacy of women’s rights on the ground of equality
-unreported rape cases owing to victim blaming in of sexes i.e. equal opportunities to education, growth and to succeed. Women all
South Asia to topics such as gender wage gap to around the world face crimes that are gender based: they are isolated, abused ,raped,
disproportionate Women’s legislative representation tortured. Let’s not look at this from the perspective of two different sexes but from
in reproductive health policies all over the world. the perspective of humans. There is a lot of work being done for women. If we look
around we could see women are deprived of voice or opportunities of speaking
We also discussed how gender stereotypes are up for their health, hygiene, education which are part of their basic human rights.
dangerous for all. One of the greatest successes of
the session was that many of male students began There many She-roes we can look up to in our contexts women like Maruim Mukhtair
a healthy discussion on advocacy for women and the first female combat pilot of pakistan who died in a crash on duty she was later given
also began standing up for them on online forums. the state award for her bravery and commemorated her life in a film too. Another is that
They carried the discussion forward too amongst the of Malala Yousuf Zai who worked for women education and was given the noble prize
members of their families, friends and communities. the list could go on but the need in our society is for good people who understand and
encourage such work. Yet it is this very misogyny that despite Malala winning the Noble
Peace Prize she is not esteemed by many back home. Even film maker Sharmeen Obaid
Chinoy who won the first Oscar for Pakistan is loved abroad but is facing flak in Pakistan
for raising voice against “Acid Victims” or what may be perceived as a “negative issue”.
We live in the 21st century but have we overcome our inherent misogyny? how many
of mothers, sisters , wives and daughters are helped by the men of our homes in
work? How many of us work outside the toxic gender stereotypical roles assigned to
us? And if someone does, how many of us support them? We need to make gender
equality a natural way of life so much so that being “like a girl or a woman” is no more
a derogatory phrase. Let’s bring this change! Let you and me be the reason for this
much needed change. by Laiba Ali Khan
13MUSINGS
Mis understandings But she was treasured only for the founds
Rounding the arounds, Capable of cherishing,
Always part of the lost and founds More than she was cherished
Didn’t cherish, None of them would’ve held ever,
And was never cherished The bonds, to them, dearest than her
Unable to miss, Was missed more than she knew,
Yet yearns to be missed And missed every time with a passion new
Bounded by the bonds, She deserves to be crowned
But, of them, was never fond For all the pain, without complains, she
consumed
Treated the fresh wounds, The pain which, even in desperate times, she
And the old ones herself in rounds
Yet she failed to realize, refused to exhume
How her real eyes, And just like that, every time this routine resumed
Fed, to her, the real lies,
And destroyed her real life After all, of what use is the endured pain without
a serving conquer?
Why? What’s a conquer without its newfound
To put her down, kingdom?
Present her as a clown, What’s a kingdom without its throne?
So that she would drown, What’s a throne without a king?
Inside her own frowns, And what’s a king without his queen?
The truth was;
Always part of the losts and founds, -Nermeen Naveed
14Been in bed since you woke up and now it’s 12 pm? It’s okay! Go freshen up
No Zero Days and maybe do something small, do one push up or write one line in what
you were working on. Giving up one thing leads to giving up more and
We all have good days, ordinary days or just okay days. But there are it turns into the feeling of falling into a dark hole where its easier to give
some days when you just wake up with a weird empty feeling inside, up entirely after a few days. At some point, we’ve all been guilty of saying
days when you feel like a lone plastic bag, with out the energy to do “What is practicing one question gonna do?” or “Revising just a single class
anything at all. At those moments its hard to remember moments when won’t get me an A, its pointless”. The most important thing is to make sure
you didn’t feel this way. Whether you feel lost at work or as if every there’s no more zero days, no matter what you do even small and seemingly
thing just drained you inside out- and it’s tough to shake the feeling off. insignificant steps when done consistently can lead to amazing results.
These bad days can turn into bad weeks, the bad All you need to do is be consistent on the no zeros, once you start
weeks into bad months and it clouds over everything. getting strings of 1s, it only gets easier to be consistent and productive!
Being a mental health professional, I feel this is very good for people who Even if what you do doesn’t feel like too much, it’s like keeping
battle anxiety, depression and other emotional and mental stress. I recently yourself running and preparing for working harder, no matter
stumbled upon a concept called “No More Zero Days” by reddit user ryan01 how small the step you did a lot more than you think you did.
A zero day is a day in which you haven’t done anything towards your Truth is, if you feel good; you’ll feel good and it works the other way
goal or dream. These can be explained as binary 0’s and 1’s. Either you’ve around too. A lot of things slowly add up, whether its for the good
progressed (1) or haven’t (0), the idea of a No Zero Day is to take any or bad, you are strong enough to decide and control it. I promise
small or large step towards your goal, to have string of 1s instead of 0s. myself that from now on, I’ll try my absolute best to make every day
a #NoZeroDay! And I hope whoever this reaches joins me in this
journey! By Omer Shahnawaz
SPORTS
PSL Cup 2019
This is PSL season and Pakistan is running high PSL fever but where
does the PSL come from and when did it become so import ant for us?
The PSL stands for Pakistan Super League. It’s the T20 franchise league that was
founded in Lahore in 2015 with 5 teams initially. It now comprises of 6 . One of the
most awaited and critical match between two team is of the traditional rivals Karachi
King and Lahore Qalander. The two most aggressive teams have been the most
competitive ones with strong players too. Especially, the Lahore Qalander debatably
has the presence of AB Devillier who is famously known as MR. 360 for the fact
he can shoot the ball in any direction and hence hyperbolically associated with it.
The rival team Karachi Kings is blessed with a player Babar Azam who sticks to the
pitch and returns when his century is completed. Apart from this, these teams also
have great bowling line ups. Two solid bowlers in each team. Lahore Qalanders have
signed a young talent from Pakhtoon Shaheen Afridi who probably is the most famous
rising star recently in PSL. In such a young age he got wickets of the most famous
and professional player. On the other hand in his rival team we have a well-known,
experienced and a very professional fast bowler named Mohammad Amir who is very
famous for his remarkable Yorkers which even the most experienced player can’t play.
This most awaited match is on the 10th of March in Karachi’s Home Stadium
and I am rooting for Lahore Qalander because of Mr.360 and Shaheen Afridi.
(The Article was written before the finals of PSL and therefore reflects Authors’s
predictions only. On 16th Feb Lahore Qalanders won against Karachi King by 22 runs and
28th Feb Karachi King won over Lahore Qalanders by 5 wickets. Both teams didn’t get
to face each other again in the tournament and Quetta Gladiators took the cup home!)
by Zain Nauman
151992: The Ignition!
Watching Imran Khan lift the World Cup in the Melbourne Cricket Ground, symbolised for every Pakistani the possibility of
success in the face of impossible odds. Self-belief is so often lacking in young nations which were subjugated to colonial rule
for centuries. That moment united a country.
that engulfed it from time to time, even leading to prison terms for some players. Yet,
even in this gloomy environment there were performances that gave hope such as
O
ver three decades, Pakistan cricket has reaching the semi-finals of the 2011 world cup and attaining the top spot in test rankings.
been on a rollercoaster ride, which peaked Despite these rare successes, what was clear to everyone was that a revival was
in the 1990s. This was a time when it also not possible without bringing international cricket back to Pakistan. If Pakistan
sunk into the depths of hell, on a tour to England. cricket were to witness a renaissance and emerge from its dark ages, it needed
After the victory at the MCG, Pakistan put forward to engage the millions of fans in the country, bringing cricket to their doorstep.
world-beating teams at the next two World Cups.
They included the fastest bowler in the world, To achieve this, the Pakistan Cricket Board decided to launch the Pakistan
Shoaib Akhtar, an off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq Super League (PSL). Despite obstacles and notable naysayers, Najam
who broke Alan Donald’s record and created a Sethi continued to push the event through, with a clear roadmap in mind.
delivery called the ‘Dusra’ which had never before
seen in cricket. It included a couple of all-rounders, In its first year, PSL 2016 didn’t manage to hold any games in Pakistan but it was successful in
Azhar Mehmood and Abdul Razzaq, giving roping in world-renowned players and producing cricket that was competitive and entertaining.
unrivalled depth to the team. Add to that Saeed Next, PSL 2017 managed to hold the final of the tournament in Lahore. It marked
Anwar, who held the record for the highest One- the beginning of the transition, showing to the world that Pakistan was open
Day International score in cricket. And the crown and capable of hosting matches of an international level, without concern.
jewel, in arguably the most lethal fast bowling
pair in history: Wasim Akram and Waqar Younus. This year, PSL 2018 has spread it’s footprint hosting 3 matches domestically in two
Despite some rare successes, what was clear to different cities, proving that PSL is not a one-hit wonder. And the story continues,
everyone was that a revival was not possible without with plans to host half of the tournament matches of PSL 2019 in Pakistan.
bringing international cricket back to Pakistan. In a short period, PSL has achieved what was unthinkable, just a few years
ago. The tournament has galvanised people, breathed life back into a cricket-
However, the team lost its way as we entered the crazy culture and most importantly, paved the way for the rebirth of the game.
21st century. As some icons retired, others lost form And it is for this reason that PSL is not just a cricket tournament anymore. It has turned
and a team filled with superstars, suddenly found into a symbol of pride for our nation. Its is a story of perseverance, engendering a spirit
itself fielding a playing eleven that could lose to in the people that has the potential to permeate every aspect of our society because
any team on its worst day. The posterboy for the cricket has always been more than ‘just a game’, for the millions who call Pakistan home.
team, during this period of decay, was Shahid Afridi,
a player with great marketing potential but not in Where are the heroes of the future? Where are the legends of this era that little kids will try to
the same category as the stars of the earlier decade. emulate when playing cricket on their streets? It seems as though our current lot of players are
destined to walk into the sunset mocked, scorned, barely liked and conveniently forgotten.
Unfortunately, the worst was yet to come as Pakistan However, as a fan of this beautiful game and one who longs to see the days of glory return I, for
was embroiled in a conflict that swept away cricket one, am still optimistic about our future. All we need is a little more chaos and greatness will follow.
in its midst. A brutal terror campaign signalled
the death of international cricket in Pakistan. The
attack on the Sri Lankan team and images of their By-Muhammad Umer Farooqi
rescue in a military helicopter were a nightmare
for a nation of cricket lovers. It was without doubt
the biggest tragedy in Pakistan’s cricketing history.
During the next few years, the team muddled
along, playing home games outside the
country. It struggled to cope with scandals
16Memoirs of Him
10 July 2018;
He’s sitting in an aeroplane, bound to Turin.
Love of his life sitting beside, his mother.
His son in front of him, and his partner holding his arms.
It was a difficult decision, but they were all with him. He’s
walking into the darkness with just one light...light from
the fire that was still burning strong within himself.
He closed his eyes.
.......
Scene changes.
He’s sitting in the Old Lady’s office. Few Italians in front
of him. Hundreds of thousands outside jumping with Scene changes.
joy. Celebrating his arrival like a hero. They put forward Old lady’s home. Red and blue giants came with a grin on their face. He is
a paper for him to sign. He pauses for a second before standing on the pitch, still giving hope. He knows what’s going to be on the other
penning it down. end. Everyone knew what was going to happen. He said it, he’ll do it. He will fight
He closes his eyes. till his death but emerge victorious.
...... .........
Scene changes. Scene changes.
He’s in a line, a line of Madrid players. Waiting to receive He’s standing few yards out from the goalkeeper. Ball at his feet, no one in
the Champion’s league’s winners medals for the third between and a million dreams on his back. He’s not nervous, nor is he afraid of
straight time. He feels that atmosphere. He knows that he what will happen.
is long way from there. He opens his eyes. Signs his name So many people to prove, so many mouths to shut. His journey so far wasn’t easy.
on the paper. He made his bed, now he has to sleep on it. His journey from here on, will only he tougher. But he is ready to take it.
......... Refree blows the whistle.
Scene changes. He takes his signature deep breath.
Same city of Madrid. Familiar nights of the ‘Liga de The Old lady can’t watch this.
campeones’. Too familiar opposition. He’s destroyed them She closed her eyes.
in every game before. Everytime he stepped onto that ..........
pitch, those red-blue giant’s faces would turn purple. Scene changes.
Tonight they were not looking worried, he knew why! He Summer evening. Streets of Madrid.
looked down on his shirt, the crown logo was not there A young couple from their all day of roaming around in the capital are heading
anymore. home. They are too tired and want something refreshing.
He closed his eyes. They see a fruit vendor. They go to him.
......... “Señor, can we have some watermelon juice”. A mid-aged man rushes to take
Scene changes. their order. The young lady recognises him. “Excuse me, weren’t you the coach of
Same city if Madrid, familiar night, familiar opponent but Atletico Madrid?”
unfamiliar result. He’s distraught and devastated. On the He closes his eyes.
verge of elimination.
Too many mouths to shut, too many people to prove. He’s And cries.
still not broken.
He closed his eyes. The above story is a simulated narrative based on life of Christiano Ronaldo.
.......
Scene changes. by Hammad ur Rehman
He is standing in the darkness. His all teammates around
him. Millions of black and white fans around him. They
can see only one thing. The fire within him. In the hour of
darkness, only one thing that is lighting and giving them
hope..Him!
He closed his eyes
17TRAVEL The route to Kalam itself is none less than an
adventure with possibility of only two vehicles
passing by simultaneously the roads are very
narrow and have pits and pots here and there.
Where one mistake could very possibly be your last.
Every year many adventure junkies go to
kalam to fulfill their need for adrenaline as
the valley has a lot to offer. During summer
kayaking is common in the swat river in
addition with recreational hunting. Camping
and trekking is also one of the highlight of the
valley as night sky is filled with galaxies and
stunning mountains provides a perfect spot to
Kalam valley is situated in the north of camp and relax under the never ending blue.
Pakistan in the province of KPK near Swat.
The valley is full of lush green sceneries,
traditional folk music and the temples.
The valley has variety of activities to offer and
attracts many backpackers throughout the year.
In summer the valley is roofed by greenery
and many waterfalls sprouting from here
and there. While in winter the valley is
covered in snow with almost no sign of flora.
The hotels at kalam are also extremely cheap you can easily get a room for two for 1500 rupees (11$ roughly). We are not talking
about any ordinary room. The rooms are fully equipped with basic necessities such as blankets, fan, chairs, heater, hot water, Wi-Fi,
clean bathroom and Tv.
The diet in the valley mainly consists of spicy food and meat encompassing different types of karahi, sajji, tikka, kebabs and bar-b-que.
The restaurants are mainly situated along the bank of the river which uplifts the whole experience of eating and deliver aesthetic vibes.
Overall kalam is a great place to visit in order to refresh your mind and body and to break free of the daily routine plus to have an experience to
remember for your whole life. I am sure that coniferous forest and the lush green valleys with snowcapped mountains won’t disappoint you.
By Zeeshan FazaL
18The Life and Culture of Tharparkar
UNESCO defines “Culture” as that complex whole which includes knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, laws, customs, and any other capabilities
and habits acquired by a human as a member of society. ‘Cultural heritage’ is the legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a
group or society that are inherited from past generations, maintained in the present and bestowed for the benefit of future generations.
T
he region derives its name from Thar and Parkar. The name Thar is from Thul the general term for a sand region and Parkar
literally means ‘to cross over’. The desert district of Tharparkar is rich in terms of Culture and heritage. The region is home
to many ancient heritage sites which includes remnants of ancient mosques, forts, and Jain as well as Hindu Temples. Thari
culture is somewhat a mixture of Gujarati, Rajasthani, and Sindhi Culture. However, the Rajasthani culture overshadows the other two.
The region is widely influenced by tradition, which in term preserves its culture. One example would be the traditional mud or brick houses
with conical straw roofs (locally called ‘Chaunras’) which puts the culture of Thar on display. Another cultural aspect of the region would be
the attire of Thari people with women wearing distinct bright and colorful dresses along with bangles in their arms that stretch up to their
elbows. Music, dance and folklore also hold significant weight in the culture of Thar. Local singers (faqirs) along with traditional dances (dandan,
rasooro etc) collaborated with the age old tales such as the ‘Umer Marvi’ breathe new life into the culture of Thar and also attracts tourists.
Life in Thar is mainly simple with crafts livestock and handicrafts as the main
livelihood of most people. Carpet weaving, Thari shawls (‘loyees/khattees’)
and hand fans (made from peacock feathers) are some of their most famous
crafts. However recent times have breathed new life into the region with huge
coal mining industries entering the region and electricity being made in Thar.
This is a good step for most locals as employment rates and infrastructure
have significantly improved but it also means that the region is undergoing
globalization which may threaten the rich culture and natural beauty of Thar,
resulting in the culture fading away as globalization occurs. Nonetheless,
to what extent will the influence actually extend?...Only time will tell.
– Mohsin Ahmed
19REVIEWS
Film Review: Gully Boy
The movie released on February 14, 2019. Directed by Zoya Akhtar,
starring Ranveer Singh (Murad), Alia Bhatt (Safeena) in the lead
roles. The film is a musical drama and is inspired from the lives of The main idea which one can get from the trailer and posters of Gully Boy is that it’s going
Indian rappers Naezy & Divine. The film basically deals with the to be a musical movie and many expected it to have a decent album & soundtrack. But
issues of a boy from a lower working class family in the slums of boy they have delivered a modern masterpiece. Many viewers including me aren’t a fan of
Mumbai who doesn’t know that he has a talent to be a rapper. rap music when they went to watch the film but after coming out of the theatre my taste
The film makes the viewer to have a go at their ambitions and their passion in music changed and suddenly I’ve become a fan of rap music just because of this album.
and never settle for less. It makes us wonder about our choices as it shows Lyrics of songs are so hard hitting that you feel them and relate to them as they describe
that everyone gets one chance in their life and it’s only a matter of how the current situation of their country and here in Pakistan we can relate to them as well.
they grasp it and take the opportunity. In one scene Murad’s father is
scolding him that their destiny is to be simple and accept whatever is All the characters have done a fabulous job in their respective roles but the main
happening in which he questions his father that has he ever wondered standout performer was debut Siddhanth Chaturvedi (Mc Sher) as he portrayed the role
that their destiny might’ve been different had he tried something of Mc Sher with so finesse that many thought that he is a rapper in real life, he has been
else. This scene made me feel that we should always try to achieve a scene stealer all along the film even in the song Mere Gully Main he was the main
what we believe in and never settle for anything less than we deserve. attraction but the fact that he has been so convincing has to do a part with Ranveer’s
portrayal of Murad as a mentee that Siddhant’s mentor role shines out bright. Ranveer
The film’s cinematography is a work of art as the slums of Mumbai have never portrays the boy next door Murad with such perfection that a mega star is nowhere
been captured so realistically and vividly as the viewers feel that they see these to be seen during the movie. Alia Bhatt has also done a fine job as loving and violent
type of streets every day. Other than the streets, the different angles during girlfriend of Murad as Safeena, other supporting cast of the film has done a fine job
Gully boy’s rap battles makes the cinematography indeed a work of art as too specially Vijay Varma (Moeen) but one scene in particular of Vijay Raaz in the end in
they manage to make the viewer feel the intensity and what he feels inside. which he sees his son with tears in his eyes is beautifully captured and is really special.
Dialogues of the films are the main part of the movie which differentiates it Overall the film is one of the best I have watched in recent times and is
from other movies on the same topic. The writer hasn’t used any complex or really worth watching for every age group and every type of audience.
strenuous words to get the feeling but instead they have used simple words
which are common in our daily conversation that we feel the emotions the Film score: 4.5/5 By Shayan Mustafa
meaning which the characters are trying to convey behind those words.
Song Review: Green Day – Basket Case
One of the greatest albums from God’s favorite band starts off with a punk-rock
anthem that touches very serious issues, the song is titled “Basket Case’’ and it’s the
first song you hear from the album “Dookie”. Just the opening intro is enough to
convey the concept of the song and what it’s trying to portray “Do you have the time,
to listen to me whine about nothing and everything all at once?” indicates that the
song is about a psychotic trance where what’s significant and what’s insignificant has
been mixed together in a senseless rant, and the lead singer consistently follows
that theme as the music is fast paced and sounds very joyful, the song indicates
how his mental illness has caused the lead singer to feel so chaotic and anxious that
he has to be desperate to gain control “Grasping to control, so I better hold on”.
The song was part of the breakout success album Dookie, that sold 20 million
copies worldwide, and got Green Day to the forefront of the 90’s punk rock era.
by Omer Shahnawaz
20Let’s keep in touch 46-47 Hyder Ali Rd, Rohail Khand Society, P.E.C.H.S, Karachi +9221-34388955 registrar@alcottcollege.com www.alcottcollege.com
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