FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
Cover Story
18 When one for the road becomes one too many When you booze and cruise, you always lose
Features
26 Beating about Bush Bazaar Afghanistan isn’t just the graveyard of empires, it’s also a great place to get their gear
29 The Shadow of Sadequain Sadequain’s legacy like his greatest work, is in decay. It’s time we changed that
32 2013: What kind of an animal are you? Exit the Dragon, enter the Snake!
34 The Buzz is all about Bees
26
The honey business sweetens life for Chakwal farmers
29 Regulars
6 People & Parties: Out and about with Pakistan’s beautiful people 37 Reviews: Check out the Oscar contenders 38 Healthy Living: Defeat the Vitamin D Deficiency
32
4
Magazine Editor: Zarrar Khuhro, Senior Sub-Editor: Farahnaz Zahidi, Sub-Editors: Ameer Hamza, Heba Al-Adawy and Dilaira Mondegarian. Creative Team: Amna Iqbal, Jamal Khurshid, Essa Malik, Maha Haider, Faizan Dawood, Samra Aamir, Sanober Ahmed. Publisher: Bilal A Lakhani. Executive Editor: Muhammad Ziauddin. Editor: Kamal Siddiqi. For feedback and submissions: magazine@tribune.com.pk Printed: uniprint@unigraph.com
PEOPLE & PARTIES
The 5th International Women Leaders Summit is held in Karachi
Rafia and Hina Imtiaz
PHOTOS COURTESY NEW WORLD CONCEPTS
Ayla Majid
Najma Khan Wafa Shabbir Shamama Arbab
Nasra Hassan and Aamir Niazi
Huma Baqai Kara Babrowski
6 FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
PEOPLE & PARTIES
Gitta and Kanwal
Amna Babar and Madiha Qaiser
PHOTOS COURTESY VERVE PR
es in Lahore ch n u la t e tl u o ip sh g Master Celeste fla
Arsalan and Juggan Kazim
Kamran Sheikh, Afshi, Naveed Malik and Talat
Ayesha Noon and Yasmin Khan
8 FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
Natasha
Umair
Usman Bukhsh and Fahad Sheikh
FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
PEOPLE & PARTIES
Huma and Amna
Nayyer Ali Dada, Sadia and Zara
PHOTOS COURTESY VERVE PR
Ursula
Shahzad, Mehreen Syed and Mehdi
Meekail, Shahzad and Natalia Monica Peracha
Mandeep, Haroon, Asim, Amjad Ali and Mazhar
10
Hina FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
PEOPLE & PARTIES
LH Laiqa Hasan Salon & Spa launches in Karachi
Laiqa Hasan and Wardha Saleem
PHOTOS COURTESY ANASTASIA PR
Iraj
Nadya Mistry
Qusar Ahmed and Anoushey
Tapu Javeri
Adeeba, Sheen Lakdawala and Anita Anil
12 FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
Neshmia
FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
PEOPLE & PARTIES
Areeba Habib
PHOTOS COURTESY ANASTASIA PR
Noreen Abrar Hasan and Maria
Kiran Mian
Shehla Asghar Nadia Hussain
Nazia Malik
14 FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
Noreen and Ayka
Ambreen
FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
PEOPLE & PARTIES
Sana and Zara
PHOTOS COURTESY SAVVY PR AND EVENTS
Saira Rizwan launches her flagship store in Lahore Hina Butt and Natasha
Faisal and Saira
Mahwish
Sara and Malika
Sara, Yasmin and Saira Amna and Mona
16 FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
Saba Maham and Mariam
PHOTOS COURTESY SAVVY PR AND EVENTS
Alyzeh and Amna Kardar
Hamna Amir
Meg
Sonya
Asad Mirza Saira Rizwan and Aneeka
17 FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
“Drive safe, yaar.” This is the typical weekend sendoff as hosts of parties and impromptu dinners begin collecting the wine glasses and empty beer cans and say goodbye to their guests. There is rarely a debate on if anyone is “okay” to drive, and for the most part, everyone gets home.
naling, break the speed limit and signals alike and speed by so
But on occasion, the tales begin to filter out — of the young
payment of ‘blood money’ under the country’s Qisas and Diyat
men and women injured, of mangled cars, of cops asking questions, of pain and of parties gone wrong.
18
Pakistanis’ utter disregard for traffic rules is made even more
evident on weekends, when people frequently turn without sigFEBRUARY 17-23 2013
fast that even presidential cavalcades seem like a procession of turtles by comparison.
And just a few months ago, one man — reportedly driving
while inebriated — ran over and killed a man and a woman on Karachi’s Korangi Road. The case was eventually settled after a laws.
With alcohol being ‘illegal’ in Pakistan (except for non-Mus-
lims and foreigners), the debate on drinking, much less drunk-
driving, is non-existent. Unlike the US, where advocacy groups
such as ‘Mothers Against Drunk Driving’ have driven the debate
he/she may have had is under control and there is unlikely to be
amples available here. There is, similarly, no notion of having
alcohol or drugs means eight penalty points on the license. Not
and raised awareness, there are no similar organisations or exa ‘designated driver’ — someone who is abstaining from alcohol for the night and is fit to drive at any hour of the night, and most people avoid calling cabs if they’ve had too much to drink.
According to Pakistan’s driving license rules, “tighter rules ap-
ply for drivers who have been disqualified for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of alcohol, drugs or narcotics. Such drivers will not regain their license until thay (sic) have satisfied the Medical
Adviser at the Traffic Police Office that any drink / drugs problem
any road safety risk if he drives.” Driving under the influence of
surprisingly, alcohol doesn’t even get a mention in the tests required to obtain a license in Karachi.
“There are laws,” says Ahmed Chinoy, the head of the Citizens-
Police Liaison Committee (CPLC). “Drunk driving is prohibited… drinking is illegal. There is a need to enforce these laws.”
Statistics on drunk driving however do not exist, because few
cases are charged officially. Drunk driving hardly ever gets a mention in the press, save for the odd report about someone
(Continued on page 22)
FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
19
COVER STORY
“
The problem with leaving your car behind and calling a cab is that you wake up far from your car and then it’s a hassle to retrieve it the next day
being found inebriated or the occasional letter to the editor call-
to the steering wheel.”
been injured or even killed in drunk driving accidents can serve
he was surrounded by a number of people asking him if he was
Saad Khan* was injured in an accident after his car nearly
and that saved me from further damage. I had cut my tongue
ing for stronger regulations. But the accounts of those who have as a cautionary tale.
swerved off the highway a few years ago. “I was at a friend’s place, drinking — not even drinking heavily actually — and left around 1 or 2 am. My friends asked if I was fine, and I felt I was, because I did this pretty often.”
okay. “I was still disoriented, but I had been wearing a seat belt
quite badly and there were bruises everywhere.” The passers-by pulled him out of the wreckage of the car, and a well meaning cab driver helped collect his possessions and drove him home.
The episode left Khan feeling nervous and he now never gets
Khan was driving on a steep section of the highway and a truck
behind the wheels of a car that doesn’t have a seatbelt. Howev-
because of the alcohol he had consumed. By the time he noticed
to drive home even if you have been drinking. “You think you
came up in front of him. He says his delayed reaction was likely the truck, he slammed the brakes “a lot harder than was needed”.
“There was still a lot of space between the truck and my car,
and I was going around 90 to a 100 km/hr. The wheels abruptly
22
Saad Khan passed out. By the time he regained consciousness,
turned to the right and the car went out of control. It was going off the road — and there was a pretty big drop — but I just held on FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
er, Khan echoes a familiar refrain: that you have no choice but should be careful and not have too much to drink, but at the end of the day, it’s a matter of whether you can discipline yourself.”
Adil Aslam* lost a friend in a drunk driving accident a couple
of years ago. “It was after a party, and he was clearly drunk. I
had put him in a car with a friend who needed to get home and
The standard field tests: • Try to walk in a straight line, heel-to-toe. • Tip your head back with eyes closed and try to touch the tip of your nose with the index finger. • Stand on one foot. • Recite all or part of the alphabet, forwards or backwards.
If you feel that you, or someone you know, is too drunk to drive, here’s how you can be sure Administer the (In)sobriety test You are considered drunk you are if... • Can’t talk without slurring words. • Cannot multitask • Have weak coordination, control, and reaction time. • Thinking appears to have slowed. made sure that his girlfriend was driving. After they dropped the
Drive down any major city’s main streets on a weekend night,
friend home, at some point he convinced his girlfriend to let him
and you can spot a number of cars being stopped by the police.
cident. He crashed the car straight into a wall,” he recalled. The
registration papers, and answer a couple of questions about what
drive. The next thing we heard was that they had been in an acgirl survived with injuries, but Aslam’s friend was not so lucky.
Alcohol, along with reducing inhibitions, also impairs motor
function and judgment. While those around you can usually tell
that you’re in no shape to drive, saying this to an intoxicated per-
son usually gets the response: “I’m not drunk.” While some may actually realise that it would be safer not to drive themselves,
the majority of drunk drivers naively believe they’ll be fine, their confidence artificially boosted by alcohol.
Others have devised rules for themselves. Mohammad Ali*, in
his 30s, says that he has a “third gear rule” — not driving higher
One by one, the drivers get out, let the cops check their car or the they’re doing and where they are going. There’s no breathalyzer test, and cops asking questions about alcohol are often more concerned about the quantities present, and the money that can be
extorted, as opposed to whether the drivers are a danger to themselves and others.
“You see these police mobiles parked in Defence on the week-
ends and checking cars?” Chinoy says. “They are only extort-
ing money from people who are drunk and driving. People are stopped; they pay the police and then go away.”
Khan recalls having been stopped by the police. “Once, they
than the third gear after drinking. When asked if it would not
found beer in the car and the other time, they could smell it on
leaving your car behind and calling a cab is that you wake up far
said no officer has ever tried to take him to the police station or
be safer to simply not drive at all, he replies, “the problem with from your car and then it›s a hassle to retrieve it the next day.”
The third gear rule seems to work for him, as he has rarely been
stopped by the police. Others of course, are not as lucky.
my breath. One cop was drunk himself, so he let me go.” But he
the hospital. “They assume they can get money or alcohol out of the person, and that’s how it usually ends.”
DSP Zameer Abbasi, who has served at the Gizri and Frere police FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
23
COVER STORY Look me in the eyes! Here is how you can make sure your friend is not too drunk to drive back home: • The Eye Jerk: The horizontal gaze “nystagmus” is an involuntary jerking of the eyes when they attempt to follow an object moving across their field of vision horizontally. Move your finger across your friend’s field of vision. If the person is under the influence of alcohol you’ll notice that the eyes will jerk. The greater the level of intoxication, the more profound the jerking. • The Eye Bounce: Another noticeable sign of intoxication is that the eyes “bounce” (literally!) when they are at the extreme limit of horizontal tracking (i.e. not able to move any farther in that direction).
stations in Karachi, doesn’t dispute that officers are often paid off. But he claims it depends on how cops are “tuned” by their in-
charge, quoting episodes where he’s stopped influential young
officer, and the police have no authority.”
Dr Seemin Jamali, who heads the Casualty department at Ka-
men in Karachi for traffic violations. According to him, police
rachi’s Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, describes the profile
test to ascertain the level of alcohol in their system. “If someone
dents. “Usually these are people who enjoy having a drink, and
officers haul away anyone driving under the influence for a blood is rude and is misbehaving, then they are definitely taken in,” he stresses. “The person and the car are both booked.” Those driv-
ing under the influence, he says, are always found in the upscale neighbourhood of Defence and are men aged between 20 and 30.
of those who end up in the hospital after drunk driving incithen they start driving. They’re very prone to having accidents, often crashing their car into poles or on traffic islands. They are brought into the hospital by ambulances or passers-by.”
For the few who end up going through the legal process, charg-
Ideally, Chinoy says, these drivers need to be taken right away
es are usually filed under sections of the Pakistan Penal Code that
always, the problem in Pakistan boils down to enforcement: Chi-
negligent driving’, which carries a 10-year sentence and diyat.
to a public hospital to be tested and charged accordingly. But, as
24
of alcohol is less, then the report is ‘reserved’ by the medico-legal
noy says medico-legal officers can be bribed to produce any report one wants. DSP Abbasi has another complaint: that if the “level FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
include unintentional murder committed as a result of ‘rash or ‘Rash driving’ that endangers lives carries a two-year sentence and/or a Rs1000 fine.
“
Instead of looking for booze, the police should be looking for drunk drivers
You’re never too drunk to use an app • If you have nobody around to take your test, download the “BreathalEyes” app on your IPhone. This app lets you know if you’re too drunk to get behind the wheel. It tracks eye movement to estimate the blood alcohol level and discerns the eye waggle from left to right as you look at the maximum deviation from side to side.
DSP Abbasi believes that the punishments for drunk driving
isn’t surprising that these cases end up being haggled over
lice officers’ testimony in court. The CPLC chief notes that the
sponsibility? Most people are willfully ignorant of the conse-
need to be made stricter, and more weight should be given to po-
reason these cases are never reported in the press is because there is always a settlement, a “muk mukaa”.
Aslam, whose friend died in a tragic car crash, says
that there should be repercussions for driving under the
and settled. But at the end of the day, is this the state’s requences of getting behind the wheel with even one drink in their system, let alone more, unaware that they could easily become a statistic tomorrow.
“It was always in the back of my head,” Aslam says,
influence of alcohol and that the priorities of the police
when asked whether anything had changed as a result of
should be looking for drunk drivers. The focus should not
a driver now, but we still don’t. It is totally out of conve-
need to change. “Instead of looking for booze, the police
be on ‘badnaami’. Serious action should be taken — it shouldn’t be a Rs500 payoff. There should be no social stigma attached to it.”
Given that the police force is barely equipped to investigate
simple cases of theft, let alone testing for drunk driving, it
his friend dying in the accident. “We should go out with
nience — ‘the driver isn’t available, he’s been awake since
the morning’. It’s stupid. We should’ve learnt our lesson.
I’ve failed to realise why we’re not more careful. That’s one of the things that strike me over and over again.”
*Names have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
25
FEATURE
beating about
bush bazaar
The last thing Bush expected when he invaded Afghanistan: Bush Bazaar TEXT AND PHOTOS BY ZAHRAH NASIR
It helps to have a sense of humour when browsing through Bush Bazaar in downtown Kabul. And it is even better to have a companion to laugh with as you wander. Named after the American president George W Bush, the bazaar features all types of military gear and accessories, many of which seem to have literally fallen off the back of a truck. Getting to the ‘Bush’ Bazaar, previously known as ‘Lenin Bazaar’
during the Soviet occupation, is no easy feat, even for a true Kabulian like my friend Sohail. Simply instructing a cab driver to take you there is an adventure in itself. It also happens that there
is not one but two Bush Bazaars and the taxi driver will drive you to whichever one happens to be the closest. This time it turned out to be the wrong one.
“Hey! Wrong Bush Bazaar,” Sohail told the cab driver as the car
screeched to a halt amidst heaps of socks, boots and other army gear dumped on both sides of the jam packed road. Even light hearted
arguments sound volcanic in Pashtu and this was no exception; the
26 FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
cab driver claimed that he had negotiated payment to ‘this’ Bush Bazaar and not ‘that’ Bush Bazaar. He was quite reluctant to drive all the way to
the other Bazaar and only agreed after we negotiated a sizeable increase in the fare.
I’ve always found the sight of the omnipresent ISAF armed personnel
carriers rather disturbing. Then much to my agony, one of these intimidating metal monsters rammed into our cab! The infuriated cab driver jumped out of the car and started arguing with the security
personnel. Despite the police presence, a crowd started gathering and the situation could have turned explosive any second. I breathed a sigh of relief when our cab finally rattled on.
The real Bush Bazaar was a bit of a letdown at first sight, hiding
behind tacky and corrugated iron blocks of run-down buildings near the
Sharae-e-Naw District. I was expecting it to be disorderly, colourful and loud, but the bazaar had unusually clean cement walkways and open fronted shops.
“The cleanest bazaar in Kabul,” announced Sohail, “probably the
most expensive one too!” Bush Bazaar, until recently, was frequented by foreigners and so the Ministry of Health imposed strict hygiene regulations and for once, even rigorously checked expiry dates on food items.
Sadly, the best goods stolen from the US Army en route to Afghanistan
no longer arrive in Kabul. “Since the border clampdowns, the best of the stuff gets no further than Peshawar,” Sohail explained, “if someone
is looking for stuff like guns then there is no point in looking here. Hijacked weapons never get past Pakistan and neither do the vehicles that some stolen containers contain.”
Those containers are auctioned off in a smugglers bazaar just outside
Peshawar where bidders pay a minimum of Rs100,000 for a container.
Many who bid actually have no clue what they are seeking or getting. If they are lucky and hit a jackpot, they may just find something worth
the money. But often, a couple of lacs are forked out for a container full of toilet rolls. It’s a mystery box game at the best of times.
As you stroll through the bazaar, you can see jars of caviar, packets of
coffee and freezers full of parmesan cheese, while young children chase you with their wheelbarrows for hire. The bazaar has been better days, but they are long gone, the shopkeepers and the children say.
Shoddy Chinese rip-offs have now infiltrated Bush Bazaar and genuine
US military apparel is fairly difficult to find. The same goes for the ‘look
good’ backpacks, all of which are at least twice, if not thrice, the price of identical items sold in Pakistan. But the army boots are genuine indeed and definitely tempting, despite their inflated prices.
The bazaar, deserted on this bitter cold winter afternoon, is slowly
becoming a hub for second-hand clothes. But if you have the eye of
a hawk and a soft spot for quirky items, a lot of treasure is certainly waiting out there.
When I noticed a strange, metal contraption with thumbscrews and
vicious saw blades, I was alarmed. It seemed like the latest model of a
Many who bid actually have no clue what they are seeking or getting. If they are lucky and hit a jackpot, they may just find something worth the money. But often, a couple of lacs are forked out for a container full of toilet rolls
medieval torture machine. To my relief, it turned out to be an elaborate FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
27
FEATURE
meat slicing and mincing machine for amateur cooks like myself. Then, we came across a contraption that seemed like it was meant
to hold broken limbs together — we weren’t wrong on this one, for it was in fact a pair of bendable leg supports used to prevent skiers from breaking their legs.
The bazaar, deserted on this bitter cold winter afternoon, is slowly becoming a hub for second-hand clothes. But if you have the eye of a hawk and a soft spot for quirky items, a lot of treasure is certainly waiting out there
Much to our amusement, we were greeted with signs that read
‘Mobile gorillas’. The term turned out to be nothing more than a brand name for heavy duty, plastic travelling trunks. We also
found some sad-looking parachute harnesses, lying empty of the parachute itself.
The food items, mainly of American origin, were quite interesting.
‘Warfighter Recommended’, ‘Warfighter Tested’, and ‘Warfighter
Approved’, along with ‘US Government Property — Commercial
Resale Is Unlawful’ were emblazoned across the vacuum packed, ready to heat food packets. Curiously, ready to eat Pork chops were also on sale.
In the end, while the miniature camouflage backpacks, the
talking Pashtu dictionaries, the gun scopes, the watches and the assortment of dismantled computer equipment all sparked my interest, nothing could beat the roasted peanuts sold on the traditional ‘thela’ outside.
It just goes to show that while armies and conquerors come and
go, sometimes leaving their trash behind, the true delights of Kabul
28
will always remain quintessentially Afghan. FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
FEATURE
the shadow
of sadequain He should be counted among the Van Goghs and Michelangelos of the world, yet Sadequain’s legacy, like his greatest work in the historic Frere Hall, is in decay
BY DR SALMAN AHMAD
Sketch by Eqbal Mehdi
This month marks twenty six years since Sadequain left us. The subject of many books, documentaries, and the focus of doctorate theses, he nonetheless remains an enigma to most. The people of Pakistan know him but they do not know why they know him, despite having named several institutes and at least one banquet hall after him. He deserves a place in the pantheon of great artists, alongside legends such as Van Gogh, Michelangelo and Rembrandt yet his name languishes in relative obscurity. His story, so compelling and intriguing, has not been fully told, especially at the global level. Sadequain, who passed away at the age of fifty seven, is widely
regarded as one of the most important Pakistani artists of the 20th century. He did not simply produce ordinary paintings to earn a FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
29
If I was given the choice of owning a shining city of gold provided I gave up painting and poetry, and the other choice was being whipped, even then I would choose to continue my work living, but instead created
monuments as a gift to humanity, as a
never
And he was praised for it; the October 16,
is nevertheless the largest calligraphic
how
by 35 feet, it spans the entire ceiling and
Sadequain gave him several thousand
means of expressing the fire in his soul. 1962, edition of the Parisian newspaper
Le Figaro noted, “Sadequain adds up the impression of space, density, volume and
the reality of matter, which transforms
an abstract thought into a material fact in plastic.” Another Parisian paper, Le
Monde et La Vie, compared him to Picasso. This was a triumph indeed; the French
had set aside Sadequain’s foreignness and
accepted him as an artist comparable to the great master who spent most of his
adult life in Paris. Not that this meant a
great deal to Sadequain himself, who lived only for his art.
But Sadequain’s contributions were not
just limited to art; his impact on the field
of literature is also immense. Faiz Ahmed
Faiz noted that, “when Sadequain’s pen moved, not only the universe, but also the
past, present and the future moved with
mural in the world. Measuring 80 feet depicts the mysteries of Arz-o-Samawaat
(The Earth and the Heavens). While the Frere Hall mural is one of only two ceiling
murals painted by Sadequain, the other being in the Lahore Museum, Sadequain’s
other monumental murals adorn the halls of the State Bank of Pakistan, the
National Geophysical Research Institute
FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
rupees to buy a rickshaw, and the only
condition was that he had to do was take Sadequain wherever he wanted to go. This arrangement lasted for some time
until one day Sadequain said to him, “You are free now. You don’t have to drive me around anymore.”
In an article in The Friday Times, the
about Sadequain. In one instance he
others.
The
combined
number
and
surface area of Sadequain’s numerous murals exceed those of Michelangelo and Diego Rivera combined. Sadly, the Lahore
museum mural has been dismantled and is now languishing in a dusty storeroom.
There are hundreds of stories about
Sadequain’s character. Once a man came
Frere Hall in Karachi, a work that he was
rickshaw.
and the Abu Dhabi Power House, among
University, Banaras Hindu University,
Rubai (a poetry style) of modern times.
working on the mural on the ceiling of the
a
renowned journalist (late) Khalid Hasan
Sadequain. One recounted by journalist
At the time of his death, Sadequain was
drive
to
in Hyderabad, India, Aligarh Muslim
it.” Indian Professor Dr Fareed Parbati
declared him as the greatest poet of Urdu
30
able to finish. It
Nasrullah Khan Aziz is a testament to up to Sadequain and said that he had a
family to feed but no means of earning
a living and the only thing he knew was
documented several interesting anecdotes recalled an exhibition in Lahore, when a group of rich women — part of Lahore’s
then small millionaire’s club — showed an interest in buying more than a few of
Sadequain’s
paintings.
Sadequain
was amused, but he told them that his paintings were not for sale and were he to put them on sale they would not be able
to afford the price. Fittingly, in one of his quatrains, Sadequain laments:
It is meant to enrich the aesthetic sense
It transcends the spirit and resides in the heart
O’ whom should I let know that my painting does
not belong
TV
Amidst the décor of
the ostentatious abode
he
When signing his
Sadequain
He would often say
therefore he did not
In
of Karachi, is now in
up
harsh
poetry,
conditions
away
even
the
then I would choose to
tours
after of
boards
his
commissioned
and
integrity
mounted
on
the
visible cracks between the
the
Sadequain received numerous lucrative for
structural
eaten
ceiling, the mural now has
Middle East in the 1970s, offers
have
colours
more than forty wooden
endure the punishment of and
the
environmental
of the mural. Painted on
continue my work and
During
and
dire need of repair. The
and the other choice was
extensive
painting
dedicated to the citizens
a shining city of gold
whipping.”
one
Sadequain’s mural at
the choice of owning
whipped,
Maqsood
Frere Hall, which was
wrote, “If I was given
being
life.
so fresh that the paint
he
gave
his
had not yet dried.
collection of quatrains,
I
his
during
commented that it was
the prologue of his
and
after
than
then pointed toward
that he had no needs
painting
more
paintings
death
lived like one as well.
provided
had
painted
by his life style he
Bayaz-e-Sadequaini,
that
Sadequain
“Faqir” and judging
anything.
sarcastically
remarked
often used the prefix
need
Maqsood
put it best when
of the upstart name,
personality
Anwar
work
from
royalty, heads of state and dignitaries but he turned all of them down. The newspaper
Tehran Journal reported in January, 1976, “However, none of the (Sadequain’s)
works are for sale and many prospective
buyers have been disappointed by this aspect of his exhibition.” Sadequain never sold his works. He died penniless.
His death was reported widely and
received widespread coverage on television
and radio. Shaista Zaid opened the news by reporting the passing away of the
master. As condolence messages poured
adjoining wooden panels.
Several of the boards show
from all around the country, one note was
signs of water damage due to rain seeping
Times, Dr Ajaz Anwar wrote that as soon as
of Sadequain’s generous gift to Karachi
quite significant. Published in The Pakistan Sadequain passed away, his servant broke
into Frere Hall where a large number of paintings were stored; he got away with
truck loads of artwork and delivered it to a safe storage, before returning to the hospital to report the passing of the legend. He was subsequently arrested
through the roof. Ironically, the state parallels the distress of the city and its inhabitants. As uncontrolled forces eat
away the colours of the city and cracks
form amongst the people, it may be a good time to start repairing both the city and Sadequain’s gift to it.
*the writer has penned several books on
but was released on bail and the stolen
Sadequain, and is the founder of the Sadequain
later began producing hundreds of fakes
dedicated to preserving and promoting the art of
paintings were never recovered. The man
and sold them for substantial sums.
Foundation
USA,
a
non-profit
organisation
Sadequain.
FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
31
FEATURE
Did you know that a Scorpio could also be a Rabbit, a Leo could also be a Pig, and a Taurian Bull could also be a Rat? Banish those merely monthly zodiac signs, for the Chinese New Year is upon us! As the new moon ascends, houses around the world have lit up with brightly coloured lanterns, dragons of silk and bamboo are being paraded in the streets by dancing young men, and families have gathered for feasts, firecrackers and fortune cookies. Also known as the Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year is one of the richest of all holidays in its customs and traditions. It begins on the first day of the lunar calendar (Feb 10) and lasts until the first day of the full moon (Feb 24). At the heart of the Chinese Zodiac are twelve different animals representing the rotating 12-year cycle. And this year is the year of the Snake.
Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Snake are contemplative, introverted, possessive and generally poor Sna communicators. They are also described as Snake very cunning and manipulative — they will most certainly plot to get what they want! Whilst being smart, seductive, and charming, they are also insecure, jealous and slightly dangerous. They rely on gut feelings and can also be hard-working and intelligent. Compatible with Rooster or Ox. Years: 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953, 1941, 1929, 1917, 1905 Famous Pakistanis: Shahzad Roy (1977),Maulana Fazal-urRehman (1953)
A powerful Chinese Zodiac sign, the Ox is steadfast and solid, both goal as well as process oriented. They are hard-working, stubborn, serious and introverted. Often they feel lonely and insecure. They love the comfort Ox of friends and family and can be reliable companions. Compatible with Snake or Rooster. Years: 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949, 1937, 1925, 1913, 1901 Famous Pakistanis: Mian Nawaz Sharif (1949)
322 FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Rat are quick-witted, curious, clever and charming. They have excellent taste and are loyal friends. Rat They can be greedy and motivated by money. They love seeking knowledge and embracing challenges. Compatible with Dragon or Monkey. Years: 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, 1948, 1936, 1924, 1912, 1900 Famous Pakistanis: Veena Malik (1984)
Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Tiger are authoritative, selfpossessed, and have strong leadership qualities. They are charming, ambiTiger tious, courageous and warm-hearted as well as highly seductive and intense. Prone to mood swings, they can be ready to pounce on you at any time. Compatible with Horse or Dog. Years: 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, 1938, 1926, 1914, 1902 Famous Pakistanis: Nargis (1974)
Those Th hose born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of o the Rabbit enjoy being surrounded by family and friends. They are popular, Rabbit compassionate and sincere. They like to avoid conflict and are sometimes seen as pushovers. p Rabbits enjoy spending time at home hom me and entertaining others in their comfort C zone. Compatible with Goat or Pig. Years: 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939, 1927, 1915, 1903 Famous Pakistanis: Rehman Malik (1951)
Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Monkey love to have some fun. They are energetic, upbeat, and good Monkey Mon listeners. But they can lack self-control and often prioritize the self over others. A word of caution: they can be heartbreakers, and are usually bad at long-term relationships. Compatible with Rat or Dragon. Years: 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956, 1944, 1932, 1920, 1908 Pakistani Asif Ali Zardari (1956); Ali Zafar (1980); Famous Pakistanis: (1980 Shahid Afridi (1980)
T ose born under this powerful sign are enerTh Those g getic, warm-hearted and charismatic. They are lucky at love and slightly egotistic. They are natural leaders and they will do all that Dragon is necessary to remain on top. Compatible with Monkey and Rat. Years: 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940, 1928, 1916, 1904 Pakistanis Imran Khan (1952), Abdul Sattar Edhi (1928) Famous Pakistanis:
Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Rooster are practical and resourceful, observant and analytical. Roo They are honest and trusting. Many Rooster are perfectionists and neat freaks. Compatible with Ox or Snake. Years: 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969, 1957, 1945, 1933, 1921, 1909 Famous Pakistanis: Chaudhry Pervez Elahi (1945); Ayyan Ali (1993)
Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Horse love to roam free. They’re energetic, sharp witted and self-reliant. Horse Although they love traveling, they are wise with money matters. Also they are great seducers. On the downside, they can be impatient and sometimes come across as wanderers. Compatible with Dog or Tiger. Years: 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, 1942, 1930, 1918, 1906 Famous Pakistanis: Wasim Akram (1966)
Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Dog are loyal and faithful. At times, they can be guilty of telling Dog white lies. They can be temperamental, moody, dogmatic and sensitive. They excel in business but have trouble finding mates. Compatible with Tiger or Horse. Years: 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970, 1958, 1946, 1934, 1922, 1910 Famous Pakistanis: Mahira Khan (1982)
T Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Goat enjoy being alone in the G at Go Goat company of their own thoughts. They are imaginative and creative. But they can also be unorganized, insecure, and anxietyridden. They need lots of love, support and reassurance. For them, appearance matters a lot. Compatible with Pig or Rabbit. Years: 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967, 1955, 1943, 1931, 1919, 1907 Famous Pakistanis: Pervez Musharraf (1943)
Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Pig are extremely nice, good-mannered and tasteful. They are perfectionP Pi Pig ists who love to indulge in aesthetics and to seek knowledge. They enjoy helping others. Although they are not snobs, they can be exclusive in their friendships. But if you annoy them, then beware their wrath! Compatible with Rabbit or Goat. Years: 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971, 1959, 1947, 1935, 1923, 1911 Famous Pakistanis: Atif Aslam (1983), Reema Khan (1971)
333 FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
FEATURE
the buzz is all about
bees
In the rainfed district of Chakwal, where the Salt Range hills mark the boundaries of the Potohar Plateau, the beauty of the land is in stark contrast to the plight of those who eke a living from it. In the last five years, successive crop failures of groundnut, once a dream
The i nott honeybee is born knowing how to make honey; the younger bees are taught by the more experienced ones
crop for Chakwal, have plunged farmers into despair. Some are forced to take loans, while others are moving to urban centres in search of jobs. “We are left in great difficulties by the dry spell that persisted during the groundnut growing season, as the majority of us could not reap a good harvest. Many of us have landed in the debt trap�, complains one 61-year old farmer. With little or no savings, these farmers take loans in order to pay for crop inputs and other expenses, and a single bad spell or natural disaster can push them over the edge. Faced with such arid prospects, one farmer named Ibrahim decided to
In arid Chakwal, honeybees come to the rescue of groundnut farmers
sweeten the deal by turning to honeybee farming. Now, as he wakes every morning to plow, weed and sow, his honeybees are already at work in a different quarter. Ibrahim, who cultivates a small plot of three acres, is among the few farmers who have discovered the immense potential of bees and berry trees (Ziziphus) in the region of Chakwal. These amateur apiarists are few in number, but steadily
34 FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
BY SALEEM SHAIKH
on the rise. “I am no longer worried if my groundnut crop suffers,” says the farmer turned-beekeeper, while examining the wooden bee-boxes strewn across the plot of land where he cultivates groundnut. “Income from beekeeping has helped me survive crop losses,” he says as his bees busily extract nectar from the berry blossoms, Ibrahim’s honeybees aren’t the only ones generating a buzz. The farmer himself has turned into a leading pioneer of beekeeping in his small village and more and more farmers are approaching Ibrahim to teach them about the procedures involved in apiary. Working with honeybees — known for their propensity to sting as much as for their discipline and work ethic — is no easy task, and would-be beepkeepers should know, of course, that if you deal with bees you’re almost certainly going to get stung. In fact, many professional apiarists would consider the sting as a trademark of their work, saying that you’re not really a beekeeper unless you’ve been stung at least once. Only with some training and practice can a beekeeper handle his bees into confidence. The potential hazards of beekeeping for an amateur farmerturned-beekeeper could range from physical harm (and even death if you happen to be allergic to bee stings) to (ultimately) an investment in a failed colony. So far, Ibrahim has taught as many as twenty-one farmers about beekeeping. “It is heartening for me to see that farmers, who have adopted beekeeping besides growing crops in the area, have sustained last year’s groundnut crop failures thanks to additional income from selling honey in the market,” he says proudly. The enterprising and newly converted apiarists could not have transitioned into their new trade were it not for the assistance provided by the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP). Between 2008 and 2011, the NRSP launched the ‘Livelihood Enhancement and Protection Project’ (LEPP) in conjunction with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) where 150 farmers in different villages of the Chakwal district were trained in beekeeping. As a result, many farmers have seen improvements in their lifestyle and have started sending their children back to school.
Honeybees communicate with one another by “dancing” so as to give the direction and distance of flowers
Honeybees oneybeess are entirely herbivorous when they forage for nectar and pollen but can cannibalise their own brood when stressed
The honeybee has been around for 30 million years
A honeybee ne eyb bee visits 50 to 100 flowers during a collection trip. The average honey bee will actually make only one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in its lifetime 35 FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
FEATURE But beekeeping needs to be more than just a side business, since crop failures are projected to increase in the coming years. According to the UNDP, Pakistan’s agrobased economy is under severe threat from climate change. Glacier melt in the Himalayas is projected to increase flooding over the next two decades, followed by decreased river flows as the glaciers recede. The projected fall in crop yields will then increase the risk of hunger and decrease food security. In the face of these grim prospects, beekeeping has been recognised as a viable climate-resilient alternative, requiring less labour and investment, and yielding
Four species of honeybees are found in Pakistan. The indigenous species are Apis dorsata, Apis cerana, and Apis florea. The occidental species is Apis mellifera
high returns. According to Raja Munir Hussain Janjua, the regional programme officer at NRSP: “Alternative livelihood plans like beekeeping can help farming communities adapt to shifting weather patterns and mitigate their impacts on their lives.” With the onset of autumn in the district of Chakwal, berry trees blossom in abundance, allowing the beekeepers to extract Sidr (berry) honey. For many a honey enthusiast, the Sidr honey is to Pakistan what the famed Manuka honey is to New Zealand. Thanks to its strong medicinal properties, Sidr honey has a large market in Saudi Arabia, Yemen and other Middle Eastern countries. While honeybee products, especially honey and beeswax, are great sources of nutrition, and medicine, the bees themselves play an even more important role. As crop pollinators, they support agricultural production, forestry, and the maintenance of biodiversity. They also help to combat soil degradation by enhancing the replenishment cycle: more pollination leads to more seed set and plants, and ultimately less soil erosion, less flooding, and a more conducive environment for sustainable living. Farmers who have successfully utilised the potential offered by bees and berries in Chakwal have seen their incomes soar. Three years ago, Hakim Ali purchased ten wooden boxes of hives for Rs34,000. Today, he owns nine-
Honeybees ess are vital crop pollinators, but recent research has indicated a mysterious decline in honey-bee colonies. This could adversely affect global food production
ty boxes worth Rs1,020,000. Zafar Pervez Sabri, a senior expert at PPAF says: “Having seen tangible socio-economic impacts on the lives of farming communities in droughtprone Chakwal district, we have plans to expand these alternative livelihood plans to different parts of Pakistan, particularly Bhawalpur and Tharparkar.” Beekeeping has yet to receive proper government patronage, but plans seem to be under way. According to, Dr Zafar Iqbal, the chairman of the NDMA, efforts will be taken at the national level to promote climate resilient plans throughout the country. Such measures on part of the government and non-profit organizations will go a long way in empowering farmers against the impending
36
impact of climate change in Pakistan. FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
REVIEW
swept away BY NOMAN ANSARI
The Impossible is not a horror film, yet it is one of the most chilling films I have ever seen. Directed by Juan Antonio Bayona, this film is based on an extraordinary story of a Spanish family that survived an actual tsunami. Twice in the opening credits of the film, the viewers are told that the amazing narrative which is about to sweep them away, is indeed a true story. At the centre stage of the act is the resourceful physician Maria Bennett, whose brilliantly harrowing portrayal by Naomi Watts has earned her a 2013 Academy award nomination. Maria here is shown to be a courageous woman, who along with her thirteen-year old son Lucas (Tom Holland) is swept away without warning from a resort in Thailand. The Impossible, through some fantastic CGI, shows the massive impact of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which has now gone down in history as one of the world’s worst natural disasters. The film displays the awesome might of the tsunami waves, as buildings and people alike are broken and torn apart like mere sand castles on the beach. Maria, herself, is tossed like a rag doll by this unstoppable force of nature. Indeed, at one point, Maria is like a frog in a blender,
in two minds BY NOMAN ANSARI
Perhaps it is fitting that Silver Linings Playbook, which features a group of characters with more than a few loose screws, is a little… maddening. Directed by David O Russell, this romantic comedy/ drama is for the most part a wonderfully whimsical film with a cast of sweet and interesting characters, who in their bouts of anxiety, depression, delusion, and paranoia seem to be made for each other. Yet as the film progresses, it sheds its unique narrative and regresses to the paint-by-numbers Hollywood treatment, and quite disappointingly ends up employing every romantic comedy cliché in the playbook. The film stars Bradley Cooper, who gives an excellent performance as Patrizio “Pat Jr” Solitano Jr, a man with bipolar disorder. Pat Jr was sentenced to a mental health facility by the courts after brutally assaulting the man his wife, Nikki, was having an affair with. Now, with expectations that border on delusion, Patrizio hopes to get back together with his spouse, while being counseled by his court mandated therapist Dr Patel (Anupam Kher), who tries to keep Pat Jr grounded in reality. After all, the cuckolded Pat Jr beat his victim nearly to death when he came home to find him in the shower with his wife, with their wedding song cruelly playing in the background. But Pat Jr finds it difficult to stay balanced, especially whenever he
as she is painfully and repeatedly struck by debris, making her survival, as well as the fact that she manages not to lose Lucas, all the more incredible. The family that Maria leaves behind is husband Henry (Ewan McGregor), as well as her young sons Tomas (Samuel Joslin) and Simon (Oaklee), who hope against the odds for the survival of their loved ones. Here, Ewan gives a fantastic performance as a father who tries to find strength for his traumatised children and a man who won’t give up on his missing family. Meanwhile, Maria is given great support by Lucas, who turns to help countless other survivors, as the two try to endure the deathly aftermath of the natural disaster. The film’s main character is based on María Belón Alvárez, who has now gone on to become an advocate and spokesperson for survivors of tsunamis. After watching The Impossible’s highly emotional ending, I can understand why she later stated “The tsunami was an incredible gift. I embrace life. My whole life is extra time”.
hears his wedding song, which causes him to lose all control. He also finds it difficult to now live in the care of his parents, especially his unemployed and crazily superstitious father Patrizio “Pat Sr” Solitano (Robert DeNiro) who tries to fund his restaurant dream by betting on football games featuring his favorite team. Here, Pat Jr is set up with his best friend’s sister in law, Tiffany Maxwell (Jennifer Lawrence), a recovering sex addict who lost her job, and her direction, after the death of her husband. Both Pat Jr and Tiffany are seemingly made for each other, even though Pat Jr continues to long for his wife. It is here that Silver Linings Playbook loses its originality, resorting to overused plot devices, and an ending so sickly sweet that it would even make Bollywood cringe. With eight Academy Award nominations, Silver Linings Playbook features some top notch acting from its entire cast; its narrative provides a lot of humour, but with the severe faults in the film. I believe the movie’s nomination for Best Picture seems more than a 37 little delusional. FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
HEALTHY LIVING
vitamin D: defeat
the deficiency
BY HEBA AL-ADAWY
For a country that gets so much sun, it’s pretty unbelievable that so many Pakistanis are vitamin-D deficient. The first thing you need to know about Vitamin-D is that it’s not really a vitamin at all! It’s in fact more of a ‘sun hormone’ that is
produced naturally in the human body when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Food and sun-light (ultra-violet rays to be exact) are the
best sources of vitamin D. In the case of a vitamin D deficiency, the absorption of calcium and phosphorous is reduced, which can adversely affect the strength of teeth and bones. This can lead to conditions such as rickets, osteomalacia and osteoporosis. Since Vi-
tamin D also aids in reducing cancer cell growth, controlling infections, blood pressure and artery damage, a deficiency can increase
the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases and cancer. A very common symptom is depression, fatigue and being more asthma-prone.
While a deficiency could be a result of insufficient exposure to the sun due to excessive sun block, an indoors lifestyle or simply
wearing the wrong kind of fabric, doctors have also pointed out that in some cases, vitamin D may not be efficiently synthesising in the body.
Vitamin Do’s:
Vitamin Don’ts:
is less than 20 nanograms per milliliter, you need to scale up your
erful (and scary), but once they penetrate glass, they lose their
defeating regime.
ing cannot be done in a glass bubble — at home or in your car.
Get checked: If you have a concentration of vitamin D that
vitamin D intake. Get a check up, and embark on a deficiency
Fun in the sun: take some time out of your busy schedule
healing powers. Under a deficiency-defeating regime, sunbath-
Measure your Vit D by your colour: Just because you
to sit under the sun — preferably between 10 am to 3 pm. Twenty
have a tanned complexion doesn’t mean you have enough vita-
Drink the D: Not keen on sun-bathing? Opt for a glass of vi-
In fact, in certain cases, darker skin tones may require twice the
minutes of sun-bathing everyday would suffice.
tamin-D fortified milk instead — twice a day. Vitamin D fortified
cereals and soy milk could be an option for those who are lactose intolerant, but the fortification of vitamin D milk (regular or soy)
min D in your body, even though may have been out in the sun.
amount of exposure to sunlight to generate the same amount of vitamin D.
Overuse the SPF: Even weak sunscreens (SPF=8) reduce
is the best guarantee for the intake.
your body's ability to generate vitamin D by 95 per cent. Sun-
D are fortified foods and vitamin D supplements. Vitamin D3 ex-
body.
Feed on fish, love that liver: The best sources of vitamin
ists naturally in animal products, and the richest sources are fish
screens can actually create a critical vitamin deficiency in the
OD on D: An overdose of Vitamin D can result in toxicity, also
liver oils. Foods rich in vitamin D3 include egg yolks, sardines,
called hypervitaminosis D. This happens due to megadoses of vi-
good for you too.
complications, mainly a buildup of calcium in your blood (hyper-
fortified whole milk, mackerel and beef liver. Mushrooms are
Top Up: Taking regular supplements of vitamin D, after con-
sultation with physicians, is also a good way to increase the level of vitamin D in your body.
Drop In: Still deficient? Doctors have also recommended oral
doses like “In drop D” or Vitamin D shots (Calcitriol Injections) to
38
Stay in a glass bubble: Ultra-violet rays may sound pow-
tamin D supplements. Though rare, this can result in serious
calcemia), which could result in not just poor appetite, weakness and vomiting, but more serious stuff like kidney problems.
Last, but not least, remember that D also stands for Discipline.
patients with vitamin D deficiency.
A few simple measures to ensure a healthy dose of vitamin D
lar injection of a large single dose of vitamin D is recommended.
vent the onset of serious health conditions at a later age.T
Take a Shot: For special risk groups, an annual intramuscu-
FEBRUARY 17-23 2013
combined with a little bit of discipline will go a long way to pre-