r
o yf a d
Annual Edition | Oct - Dec 2014
o pt E u RE gn
N IO T IP pk
F . CwR.vmag S UB ww
Si
S
Something for everyone!
Sania Maskatiya Lakmé Fashion Week 2014
Celebrities And Their Favourite Cars Erwin Sikma Exclusive Interview
Could There Be Life On Other Planets PFDC L’Oreal Paris Bridal Week 2014
Happy Wedding Season
Contents
Inside Vmag... Disclaimer:
o pt E nu RE
N
IO F IPgT.pk CR ma BSww.v
Sig
SU
Every reasonable effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, as of the time of publication. However errors, inaccuracies and omissions are possible. VMAG, its employees, editors, designers, printers, publishers, advertisers and all other associates take no liability or responsibility for any loss, damage and/or distress resulting from use of or adherence to any information made available through this magazine. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of VMAG, its employees, editors, designers, printers, publishers, advertisers and all other associates. Nor do we endorse or approve of any of the products and/or services mentioned within. No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced in whole or part without written permission of the publisher.
Annual Edition | Oct - Dec 2014
r
o yf da
w
Something for everyone!
Sania Maskatiya Lakmé Fashion Week 2014
Celebrities And Their Favourite Cars Erwin Sikma Exclusive Interview
Could There Be Life On Other Planets PFDC L’Oreal Paris Bridal Week 2014
Happy Wedding Season
Cover by: LeReve Beauty Lounge 44 B/1, Gulberg III, Lahore. (Off MM Alam Road) Phones: 042-3575 55 91, 042-3575 55 97 Mobile: 0300-437 82 25, E-mail: info@lerevebeauty.com www.lerevebeauty.com
TRAVEL 5 Great Tourist Attractions in Mauritius
06
HEALTH, BEAUTY & FITNESS Healing Herbs: 5 Medicinal Uses for Basil
07
HAPPENINGS Pinar & Brand Lounge Launch
08 10 12 14 16 18
9Lines Pop Bazaar Exhibition The House of Aphrodite™ Launch Sania Maskatiya Lakmé™ Fashion Week 2014 Zara Shahjahan Lakmé™ Fashion Week 2014
My First Bike by Carmudi 4 | VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014)
Editor’s Note Another quarter is gone and another edition of Vmag is here. With this edition we wrap up our first year of publishing, thank you all for making it possible. I know you’re eager to start reading the magazine but before you get to it, let me just tell you that we’ve got some good news and we’ve got some even better news. First off we’re going to bring you more exclusive content and interviews, starting with this edition’s interview with Erwin Sikma, CoFounder and Managing Director of Carmudi. Next up we have some exclusive deals and offers for you guys and gals inside. We’ve also covered the PFDC L’Oreal Paris Bridal Week 2014 in all its glitz and glamour along with a whole lot of other events. In all the awesomeness, I almost forgot to mention that we have launched our very own Blackberry mobile app. So head on over to the App World and download it to stay up to date with us. Vmag is now also available on Magzter, you can download their Android and iPhone app for free and enjoy the magazine in all its digital glory. I like to keep my ramblings short even though I was told after our last edition that people do indeed read the editor’s note. Be sure to give us your feedback and visit our website for bonus content and event pictures. I hope you like our special wedding season cover featuring Mahrosh by LeReve Beauty Lounge Signing off, on behalf of my team and myself, I’d like to once again thank our readers and subscribers for following the magazine with such loyalty, our advertisers for trusting us with their brands, PR and event agencies for inviting us to amazing gatherings and letting us share the joy with our readers and of course our writers and contributors for the awesome content. Next time you’ll hear from me it’ll be 2015, so a very Happy New Year to all, well in advance. All the best, Imran Johri Managing Editor Vmag Designed By: REBELS (03214779091) info.rebels@gmail.com Printed By: MARS COMMUNICATIONS 0300-4471532
Contents
Vmag goes mobile
HAPPENINGS Lala Textiles showcases Empowerment of Women PFDC L’Oréal Paris Bridal Week 2014 A Fiftieth Birthday Lock&Lock: Live Healthy, Eat Healthy
20 22 32 34
HOME, SHOPPING & LIFESTYLE
36 Michael Kors 37 The Timeless Allure of the Diamond
FOOD & DRINK The Science of Baking Bread
39
MONEY & BUSINESS Psychology of the Marketing Term ‘Organic’
40
AUTO ZONE
42 44 46
Erwin Sikma Interview The History and Benefits of Synthetic Oil Celebrities and Their Favourite Cars
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & INTERNET Rayman Jungle Run Review For iPhone Could There be Life on Other Planets?
Download our BlackBerry Mobile App today and stay up to date with all the latest happenings.
48 50
RANDOM WRITES
52
An Unnatural Urge
ARTS, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT
54 The Khumariyaan US Tour 56 Book Review: Neil Gaiman’s Stardust 58 Movie Review: Skyfall 59 Must See Zombie Films For This Halloween 60 Furqan Shafi
Now Android and iPhone users can view the magazine through the Magzter App. Download the app today from the Play Store or App Store and start enjoying Vmag.
VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014) | 5
Travel
5 Great Tourist
Attractions in
Mauritius
By K. Ong
The sub-tropical climate, fantastic beaches, diverse wildlife, and multi-ethnic population of Mauritius make the country’s tourism industry one of the most robust in the world. In January 2012 at the World Travel Awards, Mauritius garnered its third World Leading Island Destination award as well as World’s Best Beach award. Famously known as the only known habitat of the extinct Dodo bird, Mauritius has many tourist attractions that can turn your stop at the island country into a memorable and fun-filled vacation. Here are five Mauritius tourist destinations that you should not miss.
Black River Gorges National Park One of the most enthralling tourist attractions in Mauritius is the hilly stretch of greenery in Black River Gorges National Park. Sightseeing at the Black River Peak, the tallest point in the island, lets you take in the expansive rainforest. The national park protects many species of animals and endemic plants, including the Mauritian flying fox, pink pigeon Mauritius cuckoo-shrike, Mauritius kestrel, Mauritius parakeet, and Mauritius bulbul.
the park a major tourist attraction in the island. The dunes sport red, purple, brown, violet, green, blue, and yellow clay. Chamarel Park also has another famous attraction, the Waterfall of Chamarel, a beautifully plunging drop of approximately 100-meter column of water crashing down into a gorge.
experts to become active within the next thousands of years. If you are fascinated by geological forces and upheavals, then visit Murr’s Volcano.
Gabriel Island (Îlot Gabriel) Situated near the Round Island and Flat Island, Gabriel Island is popular for its pristine beaches. A protected natural reserve, Gabriel Island touts crystal clear water that makes it a perfect site for snorkeling and diving. If you want to relax on the beach, this tourist attraction in Mauritius should be on your list of places to visit.
Chamarel Park The seven-colored clay landscape in Chamarel Park is a geological curiosity that is truly unique to Mauritius, making
Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao) A holy lake for Mauritians of Hindu faith, Grand Bassin or Ganga Talao is located in a remote mountainous area in Savanne. According to devotees, the peaceful lake is said to be connected with the sacred Ganges of India. Pilgrimage by the Hindu community is done in Grand Bassin every year. The lake is also home to the tallest statue in Mauritius, the statue of Shiva, which stands at 33 meters.
Trou aux Cerfs (Murr’s Volcano) Located in Curepipe, Trou aux Cerfs is a dormant volcano with a small lake at the crater. From the crater, you can watch a major part of Mauritius. Also known as Murr’s Volcano, Trou aux Cerfs is 605 meters high. It was formed millions of years ago and adjudged by
6 | VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014)
There is a micro-nation named Ladonia that has a national anthem which is just a sound produced by throwing a stone in water.
Health, Beauty & Fitness
Healing Herbs:
5 Medicinal Uses for Basil B By Jasmine Stone
asil is a popular culinary herb that is often used in Italian and tomato-based recipes. There are hundreds of varieties of basil, each with their own unique properties. While dried basil provides an inexpensive and flavoursome addition to many dishes, fresh basil can easily be grown in most homes and used straight from the plant. Aside from the many culinary uses of this wonderful herb, basil also has a whole range of medicinal uses.
1. Stress Relief
Basil has a calming effect on the human body and can act as a natural sedative. It can be used to help you unwind at the end of a long day, cope with ongoing stress and reduce anxiety levels. Basil can also help with insomnia, particularly if it is stress induced. For acute stress, anxiety or insomnia, chew 10 fresh basil leaves. For chronic stress or anxiety, chew a few leaves once or twice a day and try to add basil to your cooking.
2. Respiratory Problems
Basil is often used as an ingredient in cough syrups and expectorants. You can make your own remedy for coughs, sore throats and respiratory problems with just a handful of fresh basil leaves. To make your own remedy, cover the leaves with water and bring to the boil. After a few minutes of boiling, remove from the heat and leave to cool. Once cool, strain the liquid and use as a soothing drink or mouth gargle to help ease respiratory problems.
3. Colds and Flu
Basil contains antioxidants that can help to strengthen your immune system and reduce the severity and duration of the symptoms associated with colds and flu. Basil can also help to prevent infections and aid your recovery from illness. Add basil to your cooking or chew fresh basil leaves two or three times a day. To help relieve a head cold, make a steam inhalation by placing a few basil leaves in a bowl and adding a little boiling water.
4. Wound Healing
Basil contains antibacterial properties that can help to prevent infection. Basil also helps to soothe sore skin, reduce inflammation and promote the healing of wounds. Apply fresh leaves directly to the wound or make a poultice to draw out any existing infection. To make a poultice, place one cup of chopped fresh basil leaves into a saucepan and add two cups of water. Simmer the mixture for two minutes, before removing from the heat. Dip a piece of gauze or muslin into the cooled liquid and apply to the affected area.
5. Indigestion
Basil is an excellent digestive aid that can be used to alleviate flatulence, indigestion, nausea and other intestinal problems. Basil contains antispasmodic properties that can be useful in the treatment of many digestive problems. For acute digestive problems, try making a homemade basil tea. Take some fresh basil leaves, rinse in clean water and place in the bottom of a cup or mug. Fill with boiling water and leave for up to five minutes, before passing the liquid through a sieve to remove the basil leaves. Fortune cookies are not a traditional Chinese custom. They were invented in early 1900 in San Francisco.
VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014) | 7
Happenings
Pinar Store Launch Pret store Pinar along with multi designer store Brand Lounge were launched in DHA, Lahore. The event was managed by Bilal Mukhtar Events & PR.
Asma & Aisha Imran
Nazish & Anisha
Asad & Mehreen
Areeb & Azkah
8 | VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014)
Abdullah Sultan
Happenings
Fareeha, Daisy & Zofishan
Fia & Mehar Gillani
Hadi, Ali & Rabiya
Sana & Khizra
Mariam Mamdot
Anum & Zeeshan
Maria & Wasi Haider
Zainab & Rida
Mehreen & Umber
Shumaila, Javaira, Sumaira & Irum
VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014) | 9
Happenings
“POP Bazaar”
The brainchild of Hassan Iqbal Rizvi and Saad Shahid, 9Lines held their Eid exhibition “POP Bazaar” of kitsch and yummy products in Xinhua Mall, Lahore. The event was coordinated by Bilal Mukhtar Events & PR.
Sabeen & Mariam
Wahaj, Aisha & Ibrahim
Muneezeh, Fatima, Hira & Hassan
Abida & Iqbal
Aleena
Abdullah, Zainab, Fatima, Maryam & Yasmin
Zarmina
Armish
Ali
Mahnoor
Nida
Mansour Ahsan
Mahrukh, Saba & Hajra
10 | VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014)
Happenings Anam & Khadija
Zara
Hassan Iqbal & Saad Shahid
Sarah, Airaj _ Mahnoor
Fatima & Zehra
Saba & Saleha
Yousaf, Lubna & Maryam
Belal
Nida & Zoya
Tayyaba, Rabia & Aisha
Minahil
VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014) | 11
Happenings
Sumbal & Hammad
12 | VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014)
Juggun & Sumbal Hammad
Photos Courtesy: Pinhole Studio
VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014) | 13
Happenings
Lakmé
Fashion Week
W/F W/F 2014 2014 Collection Collection
“We are thrilled to be participating for the first time on such a large scale in India through Lakmé Fashion Week and to represent the contemporary face of Pakistani fashion. As we look to expand our brand regionally and internationally, platforms such as Lakmé Fashion Week and prior to this, consideration for the Woolmark Award, give our brand excellent exposure and an opportunity to grow.” – Sania Maskatiya 14 | VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014)
Happenings
Photos Courtey: Lotus PR
VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014) | 15
Happenings
ZARA SHAHJAHAN SHOWCASES
‘City of Gardens’ at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2014 Acclaimed couturier Zara Shahjahan participated at the prestigious Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2014 on Wednesday 20th August 2014. For the label’s debut showcase at the platform, Zara Shahjahan exhibited a new collection titled “City of Gardens” which drew inspiration from the modern woman. “City of Gardens” is the embodiment of harmony, romance and femininity. With this new line of ensembles, Zara Shahjahan infuses the
16 | VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014)
serenity of vintage florals with modern silhouettes to weave together a collection that represents grace and femininity in the modern woman. Speaking about the brand’s participation at the event, Zara Shahjahan said, “I feel honoured as well as humbled to be a part of such an esteemed platform such as Lakmé Fashion Week. Lakmé Fashion Week is renowned across the subcontinent and with seasoned designers on board; we are really excited about showcasing
Pakistani fashion in India.” Currently the brand has its flagship store in Lahore and is available nationwide through multi-brand stores including PFDC The Boulevard and L’atelier in Islamabad. Premier designer label Zara Shahjahan is a subsidiary of Fast Retail Apparel, a holding company which also manages high street brand COCO and upcoming brands MEN Co. and COCO Home.
Happenings
Photos By: POPxo.com / Richard Pereira
VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014) | 17
Happenings
Possibilities collaborated with Carmudi and Roshni Homes Trust to present
‘My First Bike’
Ali Izhar, Maryam, Erwin Sikma, Hajra & Khawaja Shirjeel
Possibilities collaborated with Carmudi and Roshni Homes Trust to present the first ever event of its kind, ‘My First Bike’. The event was held on September 4, 2014 at the Eastern Marquee, Canal Bank Road, Lahore where Possibilities held a group exercise to assemble bikes and proceed to donate them to underprivileged and orphaned children. The event aimed to donate to the children their first ever bikes. The event was attended by Erwin Sikma (Global MD Carmudi), Ali Izhar (MD Carmudi Pakistan), Ahmed Dar (President Roshni Homes), Khawaja Shirjeel (Director Fundraising Roshni Homes Trust), Qaiser Abbas (Leadership & Team Coach Possibilities) and many more. Anwar Dar, Erwin Sikma, Khwaja Zahid and Ali Izhar
The Award Ceremony
18 | VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014)
The Award Ceremony
Happenings
Khawaja Shirjeel, Maryam, Ali Izhar, Erwin Sikma, Anwar Dar, Khawaja Zahid and Qaiser Abbas
Speaking about the event, MD of Carmudi Pakistan, Ali Izhar, said, “Associations with such organizations help us collectively make a social impact in terms of welfare and they give us a chance to give back to the society. We at Carmudi strongly believe that happy children make for a happy future!” Carmudi is one of the leading online vehicle platforms in Pakistan offering private customers, car dealers and other partners a car trading platform that helps them sell and find cars, motorcycles or commercial vehicles in an easy and
effective manner. The portal contains a wide range of car models including but not limited to brands like Honda, Toyota, Suzuki, Daihatsu, Mitsubishi and more dealing with both brand new and used cars. Possibilities is a leading Management Development & Consulting company operating both locally and internationally. They specialize in Leadership Development, Executive Coaching, Team Building and Change Management and have been working with over 200 Clients and reach out to
approximately 50, 000 individuals every year. Roshni Homes Trust is an orphanage established in the year 2002 and aims to provide quality life to orphan children aged between 3-5 year olds. The organization works on developing, implementing and sustaining a successful role model and program to improve the conditions of orphans. Roshni Homes Trust is a member of numerous prestigious organizations such as Child Rights Convention, Geneva, IFCO, ISPCAN and CRIN.”
Erwin Sikma, Qaiser Abbas and Ahmad Dar with the children
VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014) | 19
Happenings
Lala Textiles showcases
Empowerment of Women a t Aalish a n Pak ista n Li f e s t y l e E xh i bi ti o n 2014!
Film Maker Mahesh Bhatt, Mr. Pervez Lala, CEO, LALA walked ramp with Orphan girls
20 | VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014)
Pervez Lala - CEO LALA
Photos Courtey: Lotus PR
VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014) | 21
Happenings
2014
22 | VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014)
Happenings
VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014) | 23
Happenings
24 | VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014)
Happenings
VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014) | 25
Happenings
26 | VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014)
Happenings
VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014) | 27
Happenings
28 | VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014)
Happenings
VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014) | 29
Happenings
30 | VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014)
Photos By: Faisal Farooqui and his team at Dragonfly
VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014) | 31
Happenings
A Fiftieth Birthday By Arif Mahmood
Sharoot
and Ally Adnan may well be the best known couple in Dallas for throwing the most elaborate, enjoyable and entertaining parties; invitations to these exclusive events are highly coveted and people fly in from all over the country to partake in the festivities at the Adnan home. Little wonder than that the who’s who of the Pakistani community in Dallas was looking forward to Ally Adnan’s fiftieth birthday bash, for months, with great excitement and enthusiasm. And the party did not disappoint. The theme of the party was Pakistani Truck Art. Ally Adnan designed the decorations, invitations, party favors and even the cake for the event himself, using motifs and colors from Pakistani trucks. People flew in from both coasts to attend the event which featured three (3) music programs. The first was Khumariyaan, the KPK based band from Pakistan, currently touring the United States and making waves in the world of music by rousing performances in the toniest of venues including the Kennedy Center. Aamer Shafiq, Farhan Bogra, Shiraz Khan and Sparlay Rawail of the band delighted the audience with their highly creative and aesthetically pleasing interpretations of Pashtun music. The second performance was by vocalist Asad Abbas who performed to rave reviews in Season Six of Coke Studio and is presently working on his first album. Asad sang hits of Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, Mehdi Hassan, Muhammad Rafi and Noor Jehan to the delight of everyone who was present. The final performance was by Pakistan’s leading tabla player, Haroon Samuel, who recently moved to the United States and is fast becoming the most sought after percussionist in Indian and Pakistani music circles. Haroon performed a classical solo of teentaal to the highly appreciative audience who were amazed by his knowledge, repertoire and skill. Music was not the only item on the entertainment roster. Party games – including Passing the Parcel – kept the audience engaged for hours as they competed for truck art-based clocks, mousepads, t-shirts and other tchotchkes. The all night soiree ended in the early hours of the morning when guests were given good bags with truck art-themed favors including coffee mugs, pens, combs and playing cards. Arjumand Hashmi, Assim Kazi, Ismail Jilani, Madiha Farooqi, Mona Kazim Shah, Salman Bakhtiyar, Sana Enver, and Shireen Khan were amongst the guest who attended the event.
32 | VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014)
The Birthday Party
Sarah Berriche
Salman Siddiqui
Khumariyaan
Sairah Zaffar, Shazia Farooq, Madiha Farooqui, Hina Tanzeem, Seemi Hassan
Sindho Kazi, Sharoot Adnan
Laides Enjoying the Music
Sharoot Adnan, Rania Adnan, ALly Adnan, Sheheryar Adnan
Happenings
Shazia Farooq, Aunna Farooq, Mona Kazim Shah, & Zeeshan Shah
Assim Kazi & Sindho Kazi
Muhammad Farooq & Shazia Farooq
Shazia Farooq & Sunna Farooq
Goody Bags
Seemi Hassan & Mujtabah Hassan
Farhan Bogra, Azim Ahmad & Asad Abbas
Khumariyaan
VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014) | 33
Happenings
Lock&Lock Live Healthy, Eat Healthy - Lahore Activity Ambar & Fakhra
Ainnee
Ainnee
Areej,Khulwat, Ayesha
Dr Farzeen Malik
34 | VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014)
Amad & Sila
Arslan
Dr Zarqa
Ambar Ahmed
Dr Komal & Dr Farzeen
Ayesha, Sambreen & Huda
Happenings
Dr Komal & Shahpara
Dr.Komal & Dr.Farzeen
Sumiya
Khulwat
Marian Joseph
Photos Courtesy: Pitch Media Inc.
Dr Zarqa & Fariha
Fakhra
Maisoon & Ambar
Rubia
Shahpara Saleem
Huda
Mariam
Sila
VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014) | 35
Home, Shopping & Lifestyle
The Timeless Allure of the
Diamond
By Bonnie Conrad
While there are many gemstones on the planet, none is as beloved as the diamond, and the allure of diamonds cannot be matched. Diamond jewelry has long been a symbol of love and commitment, and the diamond continues to be the epitome of beauty and elegance for jewelry lovers around the world. Just what makes this seemingly simple stone such a sought after treasure? What is it about the diamond that makes it such a favored gift and a symbol of love and marriage? The answers to these questions are as varied as individual human beings, but there are some basic things that make diamonds so special.
Diamonds are rare
– While you may not guess it after shopping at all the jewelers in the mall, diamonds are in fact quite rare. In order for a diamond to be created many environmental factors must fall into place in just the right way, and this makes the diamond one of the rarest of all gemstones.
Diamonds are durable
– While a diamond may look fragile at first sight, in fact diamonds are among the hardest and most durable materials on the planet. A quality diamond ring will last a lifetime, making it the perfect symbol of a lifetime of love and commitment.
Diamonds are beautiful
–
Of course durability and practicality can only carry the diamond so far, and every woman knows that diamonds are perhaps the most beautiful gemstones on the planet. Diamonds are as beautiful as they are rare, and this beauty makes them the perfect fashion accessory for any man or woman.
36 | VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014)
Scientists can turn peanut butter into diamonds.
Home, Shopping & Lifestyle
MICHAEL KORS
Awarded
First American Original Award from Dupont (1983 & 1995)
Elle/Cadillac Fashion Award for Excellence equally American sporty pragmatism, at once supremely luxurious and eminently wearable.” Interview magazine My it be shoes, bags, couture or accessories, Michael Kors’s continues commitment to flawless fashion has resulted in the label ballooning to a multi billion dollar empire, of witch the Michael Kors watch line has played no small role.
Michael Kors is the leading American fashion designer for the Michael Kors collection, Kors Michael Kors, and Michael MichaelKors signature and sportswear. It is a label synonymous with luxury and quality, producing sleek, sophisticated high street fashion, couture, accessories and sports wear. Though the Michael Kors label recently celebrated their 30th anniversary the selfnamed designer has a successful carrier that spans from his teenage years. Today Michael Korshas a loyal following amongst the
most successful and jet set of the elite. From pop culture icons like Jennifer Lopez to the inspirational power players like Michelle Obama. Michael Korsvision of immaculate style, combined with the highest quality at all levels of production, gives his products an unparalleled beauty.
“Fashion math,” being just one of the Kor’isms used as a philosophy for the design and functionality of the Michael Kors watch line, gives it an unparalleled aesthetic.We have the pleasure to bring to you this most prestigious gem of the Michael Kors line.
“The idea that fashion might be throwaway or exist purely as a vehicle for provocation or as the product of some tortured, art-damaged process is as foreign to Kors as the idea that someone might not want to look nice or be happy. His own work bears out that ethos: His collections operate at the nexus of a kind of classically American, Jackie O-era notion of glamour and an
For more information or availability inquiries get in touch with us at: +92 42-042-35213458, 042-35400610
VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014) | 37
Why advertise in
?
Simply ask yourself the following questions: • • •
Why should people have to pay to see your ad? Have you seen a free magazine with this quality? Does Vmag not offer ‘Something for everyone’?
No longer do you have to keep your ads hidden behind the clutter at newsstands and bookshops. We’re high quality in every way ensuring your ads share the awesomeness with us. Something for everyone ensures your ads get the maximum exposure. Contact us today to advertise in the coolest magazine ever and get your message out and across with a bang. Email: editor@vmag.pk Mobile: +92-321-8625575 38 | VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014)
www. v m ag.pk
Food & Drink
The Science of
Baking Bread
It’s hard to resist the smell of fresh-baked bread. Although bread is one of the staple items in any kitchen, few people try to make their own. The same amateur chefs who will attempt to make a complex meal with multiple steps and ingredients perceive bread making as some mystical process. But bread making is a matter of chemistry, not magic. And while mankind has only been making haute cuisine for a few hundred years, basic bread has been around at least 30,000 years. Ingredients All variations of bread have four basic ingredients. They are flour, water, yeast and salt. Each ingredient contributes to the chemical reaction which results in a loaf of bread. Understanding what each of these ingredients contributes to the process will help to demystify bread making. Most bread recipes start with yeast and water. Water activates the yeast, which starts the chemical reaction. More water results in stickier dough and a flatter loaf of bread. Too little water prevents the loaf from rising. Yeast creates a reaction with flour that causes the dough to rise. This process, which is called fermentation, releases gas bubbles in the dough. The more yeast you add, the faster the dough rises. Almost any yeast that you buy in
a supermarket will work for your bread. Instant yeast that is put into envelopes can be mixed directly into the loaf with the rest of the ingredients. Active dry yeast will need to be started by mixing it with water first. Flour is the base for any bread recipe. Without flour there is no bread. Flour can be used from any type of milled grain from wheat to corn or rice. The type of flour that you use will determine the type of your bread. For example, corn flour results in corn bread, while rye grain flour goes into rye bread. For most bread, any type of supermarket flour will result in an adequate loaf. Salt helps control the chemical reaction of the yeast and flour. Salt also adds flavor to the bread. The Process Most bread recipes have the same basic steps. In each of these recipes you stir the ingredients together to form dough, knead the dough for 10 minutes and then allow it to rise until it is doubled in size. Then you punch down the dough, form it into a loaf and bake it. Kneading and stirring are two different things. Stirring combines the ingredients. Then once they form sticky dough, kneading helps to release a protein in the flour that is known as gluten. The gluten forms irregular strands that allow the gas bubbles to form inside the dough. Without kneading, your bread
Coconut water can be used (in emergencies) as a substitute for blood plasma.
By Tracy S. Morris
will form a dense, brick-like texture. When the yeast is fully activated and the gluten is released from the bread, the dough will take on a smooth texture similar to that of modeling clay. Once the kneading is done, the dough should be left alone to rise. During the rising period, the yeast will ferment, releasing gas into the dough. The gluten strands will hold this gas in the dough in irregular pockets. This is what gives dough its texture. The dough should rise until it has doubled in size. Some recipes call for the bread dough to be punched down and the bread to rise again. This releases some of the gas in the dough and frees up more food for the yeast. Just before the final time that the yeast rises, the bread should be formed into a loaf. Then the dough should be left to rise and double in size again. Then the bread is baked. Chefs who produce artisan bread have simply had more practice at baking. As they have made mistakes in the chemical process of baking they have learned the tricks that it takes to make their next loaf better. With similar practice and the willingness to make adjustments, anyone can learn to bake a delicious, flaky loaf that it sure to please!
VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014) | 39
Money & Business
“Organic”
The Consumer Psychology of the Marketing Term
By K. Ong
Appealing to many health-conscious consumers, the marketing term “organic” may be slapped on a product label in order to generate sales. But before you go around ushering your product with its “organic” halo into the marketplace, you might want to read and understand what marketing researchers have found out about it. Organic Labels Lead to Consumer Bias and Some People Are More Susceptible to It The marketing buzzword “organic” can create what scientists call the “health halo effect.” It makes consumers believe that the food is way healthier than one that does not contain the label.
40 | VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014)
Researchers from Cornell University were able to uncover that the organic label can even influence a consumer’s perception of calorie content, taste, and value. The organic label makes edible goods seem appetizing. However, certain groups of people are less susceptible to the marketing sway of the word “organic.” The term has less effect on discerning consumers who have a habit of reading food nutrition labels. Moreover, people who practice eco-friendly
There are GPS shoes available that will guide you home by simply clicking the heels together.
Money & Business
behavior, like those who go for recycling, biking, hiking, and other pro-environment pursuits, are not easily persuaded by organic labels.
The Term “Organic” May Mean Unappetizing Food to Some People
preference to buy the apples. They were also willing to pay higher prices for the apples. It looks like selling locally grown food bodes well for marketers.
Beyond the Organic Label: Green Labels Can Make Food Seem Healthy Junk food that’s devoid of anything close to nutritive may seem healthy to the consumer’s eye if the packaging is green. It is not fair, of course, but the color has a distinct way of altering the consumer’s perception of the food’s nutritive value. A Cornell researcher involved in the study published in the journal, Health Communication, said that consumers may perceive a certain candy bar as a healthy treat when its calorie label is green compared to when it sports a red or white one. And for health-conscious shoppers, the effect of green in denoting something that’s healthy is far more evident.
All in all, perception According to the findings of the study published in the November 2012 online issue of the journal Appetite, the use of the organic label for marketing can backfire. Preaching the merits of organic food to pro-environment people may give them a negative impression of the product.
is everything in marketing and packaging products. The more
Vermont Apple Growers Get a Boost with “Locally Grown” Label A 2008 study that appeared in the journal HortScience had promising findings. Consumer groups who bought apples differed significantly in their buying habits when confronted with the organic label. But when the apples were said to be locally grown in Vermont, both consumer groups had strong Google tried to sell itself for $1 million in 1999.
a marketer understands that, the more frequent he can generate sales.
VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014) | 41
Auto Zone
Exclusive Interview
Co-Founder and Managing Director of Carmudi, sits down with Vmag for an exclusive interview.
Erwin Sikma While
at Rocket Internet, Carmudi’s incubator, Erwin founded 12 classifieds ventures in Asia. Known for his passion for cars and entrepreneurship, he has scaled up Carmudi’s operations into 18 countries within a short span of 6 months.
Company serving large corporations and institutions across the U.S., Russia, China, Middle East and Europe. Previously, he had been responsible for Sales and Marketing for Heineken in Sierra Leone and supported Kempen Capital Management on topics such as currency hedging.
Before making the decision to become an entrepreneur at Rocket Internet, Erwin was a strategic adviser with McKinsey &
Erwin was born and raised in the Netherlands. He holds a Master’s degree with distinction in Financial Engineering.
42 | VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014)
Erwin is very interested in discovering different cultures and exploring nature and architecture. He is an active outdoor person and is regularly participating in sport events like iron distance Triathlons. He is passionate about bringing top notch online services to emerging markets and providing the transparency and security that people deserve.
Auto Zone Would you explain to our readers what exactly Carmudi is?
terms of potential from the rest of your areas?
Carmudi is the online marketplace for vehicles in emerging markets across the globe. Professional dealers and individuals buy and sell cars, motorcycles, trucks etc. through our online platform. Carmudi stands for quality and has a state of the art website and mobile application to make it very easy for people to use. Carmudi has a strong and experienced team that supports its professional clients and guarantees the quality of the platform and the content available.
In the Carmudi sphere it is on the top of the other countries. It is a huge market, the people are very open for online services and we see a huge demand for our products. We also get very good responses from the market. So we are confident that Pakistan is one of our best markets.
Carmudi is currently live in 18 countries and growing its presence quickly. Carmudi is also expanding its offering in several cities across the largest countries in the world. Carmudi launched officially in Pakistan beginning of 2014 and is already the best online marketplace of the country with presence in more than 5 cities across the nation. Why the name Carmudi? The name sticks and it is related to cars. It is also a name that is universal so it can be used in all the countries we are present. We believe that a global company needs to have a global name, like all big brands have to distinguish its uniqueness and develop a more personalized association between us and our clients. Why did you choose to launch Carmudi in Pakistan? Pakistan is a high potential market in terms of GDP, population, internet penetration, adaption and growth. The country is however already ready for online services and adapting it at a rapid pace. New investments in mobile internet will accelerate the shift from offline to online. We are here to provide this high quality service to all Pakistani’s. How has the response been from the Pakistani market? Extremely good. We have signed up more than 80% of all professional dealers in all cities in Pakistan and they receive many phone calls and emails through our platform. Our mobile application is very well received in the market. We are now even investing more, so all Pakistani’s know that Carmudi is the place to go to for buying or selling vehicles.
During your recent visit to Pakistan, did you find it different from how foreign media portrays the country? If so, would you care to elaborate?
What makes Carmudi stand out from other similar websites? Quality and the Carmudi Standard. We are very strict on quality information, strong diversity of inventory, no-fraud, up-todate listings and have a very strong and capable team that supports professional dealers in selling their vehicles. On top we are a German based company backed by internet specialists from Rocket Internet. We have shown that we are the player to beat in each of our 18 markets.
Pakistan is often in the news due to political or social unrest. Unfortunately this overshadows all the good things that happen in the country. I feel that the Pakistani’s are still very positive about their country and want to move forward. I am looking forward to more entrepreneurs that are going to support this development. We did a talk about this at LUMS and saw that the country is up for some very exciting new ventures. What is your favourite Pakistani food? Was there a particular desi dish you really enjoyed during your trip or did you stick to more continental/fast food? I really enjoy the Pakistani food. In my trip to Lahore, I visited a place called Andaaz and really loved the ‘kebabs’ and ‘gulab jamuns’ there!
What are your future plans for Carmudi in Pakistan? Anything interesting coming soon that we should know about?
We’ve been told you have a passion for cars, has this always been the case?
There is a very interesting product development coming up very soon. Furthermore you will hear more about us very soon.
I love to move around and I love to explore the world. So having a car has always been a passion for me so I can get out of the city and explore new places and nature.
Doing business in Pakistan can at times be frustrating, have you had any problems? Sure, we are a start-up and trying to build a business in an emerging country like Pakistan. We have tons of issues each day, but we are entrepreneurs and have issues for breakfast. We don’t look at problems, we look at opportunities. And that is why we grow faster than most other businesses. We take risks and get going.
What car are you currently driving? Unfortunately, I am mostly a passenger in either a plane or taxi as I am travelling a lot to grow Carmudi across the globe. What is the greatest challenge you have faced as an entrepreneur?
From your experience here in Pakistan, is there anything that really stands out in your memory?
The feeling that you can always do more! This is probably and instinct that every entrepreneur has.
On the business side it is the quality and drive of the people we have in our teams. Very smart and motivated people that want to make our business big and learn useful skills in the meantime.
What advice would you give to the aspiring youth of Pakistan?
Besides I have visited Lahore and Karachi and loved the cultural heritage and vibe in both cities. I especially loved the Fort, Kings Mosque and of course the Pakistani food!
Take a risk. Start your venture today and not tomorrow. Pakistan has so much potential and needs people like you to provide new products and services in revolutionary ways!
Where would you rank Pakistan in
VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014) | 43
Auto Zone
The History and Benefits of
Synthetic Oil
The
term ‘synthetic oil’ sounds like something you wouldn’t want in your car. After all, we’ve been taught that synthetic and artificial are words to avoid in our food, so why not the care of our automobiles, too? The truth is that synthetic oil can be better for your vehicle when compared to non-synthetic oil, simply because of the additives it contains to provide better lubrication and longer lasting performance. So what is synthetic oil? It is a mixture of oil and additional chemicals that are not traditionally found in crude oil. Synthesized oil is produced as a way to meet certain needs in lubrication, where processed crude oil would not be enough, or the performance factor would be too low. In fact, synthetic oils are used in just about every aspect of
44 | VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014)
lubrication imaginable, from lubricating hundred ton mining equipment to keeping the family car in great condition. Germany was the world’s first major producer of synthetic oil during World War II, as the country was low on resources towards the end of the war and needed a way to get more out of its meager supply of crude oil. Germans used their synthetic product to keep factories and vehicles maintained to continue the war effort, while some synthetic oil found its way into the homes of civilians as a source of heat. After the war, the creation of synthetic oil was adopted by most industrialized nations and by the 1960s, it was more common to use a synthetic oil than a non-synthetic oil. Major world powers such as the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and Australia all developed their own synthetic oils for use in their respective countries. Since the technology to create synthetic oil
has been perfected over the nearly 70 years it has been in use, there are several clear cut advantages to using synthetic products over non-synthetic. The first and most important benefit is the addition of artificial ingredients helps to ease the dependence on oil, so we are not requiring nearly as much to run our vehicles and other machinery. Aside from reducing dependence,synthetic oil and its additives also produce less oil sludge, meaning cars and machines that are lubricated with synthetic oil tend to have better performance for a longer period of time. Major additives to synthetic oil include ingredients to help cars have a better time starting in cold weather. Synthetic oil lubricates engines quicker and more efficiently so it does not take as long to get a vehicle ready in colder weather. This performance boost is just another reason why synthetic oils are more beneficial in their use than traditional non-synthetic products. Aside from all the performance and efficiency boosting properties of synthetic oil, it is often cheaper than non-synthetic oil as well. As such, it has become commonplace to see many oils available on shelves in auto supply stores that contain the word synthetic somewhere. There are few benefits in using a naturally produced oil when modified oils do their job much more efficiently. There are 1 billion cars currently in use on earth.
VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014) | 45
Auto Zone
Car mudi Presents CELEBRITIES AND THEIR FAVOURITE CARS! The love of cars for everyone remains eternal. From vintage beauties to new tech oriented supercars, everyone has their own favorite. Our very own Pakistan celebrities have some of the most interesting choices. Carmudi, the leading online platform for buying and selling cars, has dug out Pakistan’s favorite celebrities talking about their favorite cars. And in case you are inspired to add a couple of these to your fancy fleet, check out the 200,000+ Carmudi collection on the go.
Ali Zafar
My love of cars expands from vintage to the new-borne technology types. Mercedes Mclaren is one of the supercars to make way with the most amazing electronic stability and an otherworldly look to it. That’s one car that I would absolutely love to own someday.
Adnan Siddique
A car is a sacred thing for every man. I love to drive anything that makes me feel at ease and proud of the car I own. My absolute favorite is the Wrangler Jeep. A jeep feels absolutely amazing on the road. People who don’t understand should know it’s a Jeep thing. Easy, breezy and the person driving feels like the King of the road. 46 | VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014)
Auto Zone
Javed Sheikh
I have always had a special interest in cars, but what I love is depends on my own ease and comfort. My eternal love remains the Rolls Royce, basically because I believe its design sets it apart from every other car. It’s fast, with some of the most interesting features and eye pleasing colours. Other than all the technical details, it’s perfect for extending my long legs ;)
Abbas Hassan
My love of cars has two sides. I am either drawn to the latest cutting edge sports cars or to old vintage cars wit a classic charm. I’ve had the joy of driving some amazing cars lately. You might see a sneak peak of Lamborghini Aventador in my next music video, which is my latest love. Other than that, I love the idea of revving down the highway on a sunny day in a vintage convertible 1969 Boss Mustang. If I could own a car it would definitely be one of these two.
Junaid Younus
I am very adventurous by nature. I love exploring different areas and my outdoorsy nature inclines me towards cars which will be my aid on the road. Although my new favorite is the Range Rover Sports 2014, an SUV suits my interests best. It feels great on the road and it won’t leave you on tricky terrains. It has a great performance in terms of speed stability and luxury.
Aijaz Aslam
Buggati Veyron is my favorite. It is one of the most beautifully designed cars. Every part of it is made with perfection. Some of its features are developed by aeroplane manufacturers, its aesthetically pleasing design and its ability to be steady at the fastest of speeds is what makes it unique.
VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014) | 47
Science, Technology & Internet
By Timo, TapArena
48 | VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014)
Kermit was originally a lizard, not a frog.
Science, Technology & Internet
One of the best things Ubisoft has done in recent years (besides giving birth to Assassin’s Creed) was to reboot the Rayman series. The developers must have realised that Rayman’s true strength had always been the excellent platforming action. And so they released a graphically super impressive 2D platforming game with great controls, great gameplay and a very unique soundtrack called Rayman Origins.
intuitively and creates a very nice learning curve. At first I was a bit worried that Rayman Jungle Run might be too easy because the first few levels were no real challenge at all. I was proven wrong pretty soon when I tried to complete one of the challenge levels that you first need to unlock before you can play them. I probably tried that level about 50 times and have yet to complete it.
Luckily, Rayman Jungle Run for iPhone and iPad has a lot in common with its bigger console brother. It looks just as beautiful and is a very polished, very fun game. The biggest difference is the gameplay; while you have full directional control in Rayman Origins, Rayman Jungle Run is an on-rail game where you only need to help Rayman avoid various obstacles. You’ll be doing this by simply tapping the left side of the screen to jump and fly, and the right side of the screen to punch.
The game is split into four chapters with ten levels each. The levels are full of coins that, if you wish to collect all 100 per level, you often have to find secret passages for. Collecting all 100 coins in a level will gain you a special zombie tooth. In each of the four chapters there is one special challenge level that can be unlocked by collecting five of those teeth. All of the levels have a very distinctive art style and look and feel very different. But while they all look different, they also all look equally gorgeous! Rayman Jungle Run really is a beautiful game!
In the first few levels, all you need to do and worry about is jumping. The game will then introduce you to the concept of floating and finally into punching stuff. This is done very
The music in Rayman Jungle Run is very similar, but it does sound very repetitive and might get on your nerves pretty quickly. It doesn’t help that there isn’t a huge variety of songs either. But compared to how much fun I had with this game overall, I can forgive the weakness in the music department. So my verdict is quite clear: If you like beautiful and challenging platforming games on your iPhone and iPad, there’s really no way around buying Rayman Jungle Run. For what it offers I also consider it a steal!
So it looks as good as Rayman Origins, but unfortunately it doesn’t sound quite as good.
VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014) | 49
Science, Technology & Internet
Could there be life on other
Planets?
It turns out this is not an easy question to answer at all because, for starters, scientist still argue over the definition of the term ‘life’.
Since a complete discussion on which is the best way to define it would be way off-topic, we will use this widely accepted definition instead: “a condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic objects and dead organisms, being manifested by growth through metabolism, reproduction, and the power of adaptation to environment through changes originating internally”. We will also informally define ‘intelligent life’ as the condition in which a particular form of life has also developed a technology level comparable to ours. Putting all the science fiction aside, the possibility of another form of life originating somewhere in the Universe is certainly intriguing, although it has been considered only briefly by astronomers and scientists in general due to the lack of proofs which could be found to credit or discredit this theory. Unlike Newton’s Laws or Einstein’s theories, in fact, the hypothesis of extraterrestrial life somewhere in the Universe is certainly not easily verifiable, not to mention the constraints dictated by the laws of Phisics as we know them, according to which, even in the event we somehow spotted an extraterrestrial civilization a million light years from here, it likely won’t be there anymore by the time we try to reach them. The most notable result in the calculation of the possibility of us contacting or being contacted by an alien civilization is a simple formula elaborated during the 1960s by Dr. Frank Drake, which uses the probability concept of independent events to calculate the number of civilizations in our galaxy that we are likely to make contact with. The formula is the following:
N = R * Fp * Ne * Fl * Fi * Fc * L, where: N is the number of civilizations in our galaxy with which we might hope to be able to communicate R is the average rate of star formation in our galaxy Fp is the fraction of those stars that have planets Ne is the average number of planets that can potentially support life per star that has planets Fl is the fraction of the above that actually go on to develop life
50 | VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014)
at some point Fi is the fraction of the above that actually go on to develop intelligent life Fc is the fraction of civilizations that develop a technology that releases detectable signs of their existence into space L is the length of time such civilizations release detectable signals into space. Of course, this formula is vague and doesn’t provide a definitive result, but is still useful in that it provides scientists with a foundation to build their estimations with -- the hard part is, of course, estimating the 8 factors in the formula in order to obtain an acceptable result and, as you can easily imagine, the tuning of just a couple parameters can transform a pessimistic estimation into a very optimistic one. In the last 50 years, scientists have tried to estimate these factors with varied results. Here are the most widely accepted ranges for each parameter: R = 6 to 10 new stars formed per year Fp = 20% to 60% of stars have planets Ne = 0.005 to 2 planets per star can host life Fl = in 10% to 100% of those planets life was developed Fi = 0.00001% to 10% of which host intelligent life Fc = ~1% of which forms of life are willing and able to communicate to us L = who will keep communicating for about 10,000 years. Drake’s original estimation was N = 10, while today’s astronomers believe, based on more accurate parameter estimations, that N is actually closer to 2. Finally, you should remember that this estimation only includes civilizations in the Milky Way, and not into the entire Universe, so the number of reachable civilizations should actually be higher -- although, putting time-space travel and advanced technology we can’t even think of aside, one would say that greater distance tends to imply greater communication difficulties, so it’s plausible to think contact with civilizations in our galaxy is much more likely than contact with civilizations outside it. The sweet scent that lingers after a rainfall is called ‘petrichor’
VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014) | 51
Random Writes
An Unnatural Urge By Sunehra Mehmood
J
ust like a wedding is incomplete without the Nikkah, in the same way it is incomplete without a special ritual known as the sighting of the bride. Wedding guests must, as a matter of course, wait in quivering anticipation while trying to curb their outrage at the lateness of the hour, for the bride to make her entrance. The said bride, on the other hand, would do her utmost to be as late as possible to bring the guests to a fever pitch of anticipation and hunger. What particular pleasure she derives from it is a matter for careful study by sociologists. But it could be forgiven her if she succeeds in mesmerising the gathering. Once she graces the guests with her presence, everyone must, according to long-standing tradition, whisper to their neighbour on either side, “dulhan agai, dulhan agai”. Dinner is soon announced and the guests are in a quandary, whether to satisfy their appetite first or their curiosity. Even if one is a distant cousin of the bride and has only met her once in their childhood and from then on have deemed her so unremarkable as not to merit their concern ever again, one still finds oneself engulfed in this burning desire to see her at least once on her wedding day. I, dear readers, have not yet had the great privilege of sitting on a raised platform, looking like a remote image of myself, pretending for all the world to be a mannequin, and serenely suffering everyone’s eyes on myself. However, I have been a guest at several weddings and that experience has made me certain of one thing: the bride must feel like an animal in the zoo being gawked at for being so completely different. My observation is, however, more likely to be an isolated opinion, not necessarily endorsed by the rest of my sex. As it happens, I have it on the best authority that women gladly suffer such attention, and moreover, they dream about such a happy eventuality and pray for it to hasten. It is an established fact that girls, in general, take immense pleasure in
52 | VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014)
decking out and, as for their wedding day, they spend hours and hours trying to decide on the kind of ensemble that would remain in the minds of the people long after she has joined the chubby club. First, however, let’s end that little myth about women dressing up to impress men. The benighted males actually believe that women get all dolled up to please them but in truth, they get pretty to outclass other girls. And, of course, whenever men spot them and compliment them, they felicitate themselves on the secondary consequence of their day-long effort. For those in doubt of this supposition, I ask, what possible explanation can you give for their constant endeavour to never repeat a dress? If they were out to enchant a guy then they needn’t have bothered for men are notoriously dumb in that regard. They never do pay attention to such details as the colour of your nails, or the kind of eye shadow you’re wearing. Indeed, they are so far gone that they would hardly even recognise some of the colours that you put on, like taupe, or whether that particular shade of pink, fuchsia, that you love so much, is even a word. Women are known to cross all boundaries in their attempt to look unnatural on their wedding day. Their hair attains
particular prominence because the pouf on top which provides support to the dupatta is greater and sturdier than the Empire State building. And although it’s supposed to last the entire night, it looks as if it could last a lifetime. As for the make up, one feels that the brides should visit a baker rather than a make up artist for the (un)delectable cakes that they turn them into. One bride, I knew personally, was instructed in the strictest terms by the make up artist not to smile or her face would break. Most men, and anyone else not initiated into the female world, would suppose she was being threatened with physical violence. As it turned out, my friend took the admonition as seriously as if she actually was threatened with violence. And then she wondered why she looked downright constipated in the wedding photographs. Another bride I knew was told under pain of death to wear blue contacts but for the life of her she couldn’t put them on. And that too, blue contacts on eyes that were situated on a face that couldn’t ever be assumed to possess eyes of that colour. To pressurise a girl to wear contacts for the first time in her life, at her wedding day no less, when she’s already so nervous that her hands are trembling, clearly borders on persecution. Interestingly, when that
Random Writes particular bride failed in the end to put them on, the make up artist drew a thick blue line underneath her lower waterline, and whatever conclusions were meant to be drawn by the guests was left to their imagination. But, the question that immediately comes to my mind is this: who exactly would she be trying to fool with suddenly blue eyes? Not the groom, surely. I categorically refuse to believe that she had been browbeaten in order to successfully impress the groom at such short notice. One must sympathise with the groom and admit that the whole situation is quite unfair to him because he hadn’t been given any heads up and, as a result, he ends up looking only a little better than his old ordinary self. Whereas, the people at the wedding, who apparently have nothing better to do, automatically start contemplating as to who looks better, the bride or the groom. Without regard to the fact that such a comparison is utterly stupid since no comparison between two such different specimens of human kind can ever be made, the guests immediately start whispering that the groom is no where in the bride’s league. However, as far as he’s concerned, he can’t have been expected to have a card up his sleeve and produce blonde whiskers or something to match his blue-eyed eastern bride. To get through the wedding day is comparably easier, especially if the bride has refrained from tragically losing one of her fake eye-lashes while on stage, but the real exam starts after it. It actually starts almost immediately after. The unenviable task ahead of the bride is to get rid of that cake and I’m not speaking about the wedding one, and to relieve herself of the structure on the top floor that has been backcombed and hair-sprayed to within an inch of its life. In other words, a young bride has her first test before her: how to resume a semblance of naturality and then suffer with equanimity the first shock her husband must receive of marrying one woman and discovering another in his room. It’s close to 3 a.m., and she’s mighty exhausted. How is an inexperienced bride supposed to face such a humongous task? A while ago, she was surrounded by well-wishers and now she has been left alone to fend for herself in her time of need. It’s hardly
fair and that’s not even close to what the new groom must be feeling, witnessing the transition. This predicament is also faced by other girls, albeit to a lesser degree. Any make up literate girl admits to using things like concealers and foundations and tinted moisturisers and bb creams, and my very recent discovery of this new product that also goes on the face, the primer. One downside of it all, however, is that late at night one is up against the chore of getting the entire make up off of one’s face, and, in all honesty, this should have been part of Hercules’ twelve labours. Moreover, I’m fairly certain that out of
permission. That, in turn, leads to the pretty little pink protuberances on one’s face. So then, it’s off to the stores to buy acne products, all of them synthetic, mind you. And then there comes a big night out, a friend’s wedding or some such, one puts on more make up to hide those blemishes and scars. As anyone with even a moderate amount of sense can deduce we are now at the mercy of the urge to be unnatural and it lands us into the welcoming and very expensive care of the dermatologist. A man’s life is so much simpler. He just has to go out and earn a living. Granted, individual males may have an urge to be unnatural but they do not feel that they are under any compulsion to be so. Women, on the other hand, have to do the same and look pretty while doing it. But do they really? Presentable is one thing, but looking as if you rightfully belong in a beauty pageant is quite another. I, dear readers, must confess to a fear of the beauty parlours. One visit to such an establishment does sufficient damage to one in possession of a very fragile ego, as it lays open to the eye the perfections of the many groomed ladies present there and makes one conscious of all one’s own shortcomings, such as, hair inclined to frizz at the very least provocation and an oily skin, which is in constant danger of being invaded by the Americans in order to get their hands on the oil. Not being overly masochistic, I prefer to stay clear of them as much as possible. But you are not to suppose that my musings in the earlier paragraphs are coloured by my phobia. Indeed, they originate from a wholly different and far more commendable aspect which culminates in this question: what possible justification can a bride provide for keeping us from our dinners?
all of them, this would have been his undoing. No matter how much one goes over it with cleansers and oils and face wash and make up wipes, it refuses to fully budge. It’s as if it has finally found the home of its dreams and kabza grouped it like the local land mafia. Further, it’s just not content to stay low and grounded. It likes to entertain and invites over any old bacteria that’s passing by without a thought to such conventions as seeking the landlady’s
Sunehra Mehmood is a lawyer and a freelance writer who blogs at sunehram.blogspot.com.
VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014) | 53
Arts, Culture & Entertainment
FURQAN SHAFI By Ally Adnan | Photos By Shaharyar Khan
Director Kaleem Rajput’s upcoming serial (title still to be announced) is the source of tremendous anticipation in television circles these days. The plays stars celebrated actors Agha Ali, Sajjal Ali and Yumna Zaidi, all of whom are said to have done well in the serial, but it is the performance of newcomer Furqan Shafi that is generating the most buzz. The handsome Furqan plays a television anchor whose work introduces him to a life that had, heretofore, been unknown to him. While working, he discovers the contrasts between the rich and the poor, the privileged and the under-privileged, the noble and the immoral, and the welleducated and the illiterate. The character grows and evolves as he tries to unravel and understand the dichotomies in contemporary Pakistani society and taken action. “I have worked in several plays in the past,” says Furqan, “but this one afforded me the greatest opportunity to prove myself as an actor. I was surrounded by great actors like Agha, Sajjal and Yumna, whose positive influence helped me turn in a skilled performance. I truly hope that viewers will like me in the serial.” Furqan made his mark in acting with Zindagi Hath Barha ()زندگی ہاتھ بڑہا, Sannata ()س ّناٹا and Rishtay ()رشتے, ِ and feels that the upcoming serial will establish him as a competent actor in Pakistan.
54 | VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014)
Arts, Culture & Entertainment
VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014) | 55
Arts, Culture & Entertainment
N A A Y I R A M U H K CENTER STAGE US TOUR 2014
By Ally Adnan
“The tour was the greatest experience of my life,” says Khumariyaan band leader, Farhan Bogra. “All my life, I had heard that music was the universal language and did not observe geographical boundaries. This tour proved the adage right.” The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa based band recently completed a highly successful tour of the US which included live performances in nine (9) cities and numerous television and radio appearances. “Americans have a very keen sense of music and rhythm,” observes percussionist Shiraz Khan. “It was very heartening to see them take a genuine interest in our music.
Their appreciation was both intelligent and knowledgeable.” The tour was arranged as a part of the US Department of State’s Center Stage program and afforded the musicians a number of opportunities to meet with musicians, record labels, journalists and music lovers. “No matter how many tours we have in the future, this one will always be special,” says guitarist Aamer Shafiq. “The amount of love and warmth we experienced during the tour has made us a fan of America and Americans. And the fact that there is no better place to shop in the world than the United States, is going to add to our desire to go back again, and again.”
56 | VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014)
Arts, Culture & Entertainment
VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014) | 57
Arts, Culture & Entertainment
BOOK REVIEW
Neil Gaiman’s Stardust By Shantanud Dutta
Till
I read Neil Gaiman’s Stardust, I was of the firm conviction that Fairy Tales were for children. Adults could read and enjoy them and often did but the main audience for me was always children. However in Stardust, the author has come with a work that gives us a fable, a parable really that portrays life and living, good and evil, joy and sorrow in adult terms, vocabulary and theme. The story in Stardust is about Tristran Thorn, a young man whose father is a human and mother a fairie and who in a rash decision, decides to go into Faerie Land to bring a fallen star back for the girl he loves. Once in there, he gets caught up in all sorts of adventures. The twists and turns of his journey which is contained in most of the book are filled with parable endowed truths of some sublimity. The backdrop of the book is the village of Wall, a quaint Victorian village on the edge of a dark land of witches, goblins, elves and all manner of strange creatures of whom some are good and some are evil. There is a unicorn involved among the characters, flying boats that fish for lightning, a trio of evil witches and seven murderous brothers. The border with the land of Faerie always guarded day and night except for a day once in nine years could well represent our own attempt to keep at a distance and often unsuccessfully – the evil outside. Often enough, the unknown and the stranger is always understood or rather misunderstood as some one who is evil, who is out there to harm us, destroy us.
58 | VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014)
And yet as Tristan discovers, outside the borders, in the land of Faerie, no land and no people can be type caste and good people and bad people exist every where. Some of the witches that he and Yvaine the star who fell to the earth from the skies and who becomes his eventual companion encounter are terribly mean. And yet as they reminiscence later about the witch they wonder if “she transforms people into animals or whether she finds the beast inside us and frees it”
Yvaine, who is immortal but can never ever go back to her mother the moon. On dark moon lit nights, long after eventual husband Tristan is dead, the lonely but immortal star climbs up to the highest point of her palace and looks achingly up at the moon lit sky which was once
Neil Gaiman captures well the many intangibles that are part of being human and those intangible bonds which outlast the ones that can be seen. As Yvaine the star would one day explain of Tristan himself “He once caught me with a chain…. Then he freed me, and I ran from him. But he found me and bound me with an obligation, which binds more securely than any chain ever could” At its most basic, Stardust is a good read; a beautiful book, and most of all, perfect for all ages. Gaiman gives his characters real depth & humanity, even the non human ones and by the end of the book, the reader engrossed in all their destinies, especially that of the star
her home and where she will never ever be able to go back. Perhaps the author wants to remind humans reading his book that immortality is not the unmitigated bliss that we some times imagine it might be.
Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Movie Review
By Elie Faris
This is the end. Hold your breath and count to ten, Adele croons as Skyfall’s breathtaking opening scene comes to an end. A car-turned motorbike-turned train chase in the busy streets of Istanbul is as big of an adrenaline rush as you can get. The one-two hit of Skyfall‘s opening ten minutes is more than enough to keep you hooked in your seat for the ride that is going to unfold. James Bond is assumed dead. MI6 is threatened, right in its heart. And M is taking all the blame for it. But she is resilient and set to find out who’s the player in the shadows causing all this mayhem – after all, it can’t but be someone she has worked with before, someone who knows MI6 as well as she does. Could M and James Bond finally meet their match in the series’ most unhinged villain, so reminiscent of The Dark Knight‘s “The Joker” in its complexity? Daniel Craig’s greatest legacy as James Bond is bringing humanity back to the character. Long gone are the gimmicks, the overt supernatural technologies that filled installments such as “Die Another Day.” Long gone are the days of James Bond being near indestructible, near invincible. Long gone are the days where James Bond doesn’t show
his emotional side. Long gone are the days where James Bond is just a killing machine that doesn’t fail physical tests, doesn’t get shot. Long gone are the days where James Bond is anything but weak. We had gotten a glimpse of that with Casino Royale. It slipped in the horrid Quantum of Solace. But Skyfall is a great return to form for the character and the actor. Judy Dench as M is captivating as the wounded agent who has given her life for the agency that’s now crumbling before her eyes, trying so hard to cling to the only thing she’s ever done well and terrified at the prospect of having everything she knows change. The new additions to the roster such as Ralph Fiennes and Javier Bardem do exceptionally in their corresponding roles. Skyfall boasts a terrific British cast that knows what they’re doing every second they are on screen. Sam Mendes, the director of this installment, has to be credited for breathing new life into a series that seemed to be nearing its final breath with Quantum of Solace, a movie that threatened to bring the reboot to its knees. His take on the franchise roots it in the real world than any other 007 entry, making Skyfall oddly relatable and
For each word he said in Terminator 2, Arnold Schwarzenegger was paid approximately $21,429.
passionate for a movie about a spy agent. Skyfall is definitely an addition to the 007 series to be proud of. It is a movie that will make you stand tall after it’s done and as everything crumbles around our favorite agent. The lengthy run time of over two hours will feel surprisingly short as you’re immersed into their oddly familiar world. I believe it is one of the best 007 movies of the entire series. And as the movie reaches its climax, you realize that Skyfall is where it ends. Skyfall is also where it begins again. So hold your breath. And count to ten.
VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014) | 59
Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Must See Zombie Films for This
This
Halloween, instill the scare factor in your festivities by indulging in some undead cinema. Many would say that zombie cinema began in 1968 with George A. Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead.” While this film is certainly a must-see, many other zombie movies are sure to entertain with their alwaysterrifying, sometimes humorous takes on the undead. As mentioned already, George A. Romero’s “Night of the Living Dead” is the quintessential zombie flick. Lauded for its importance in culture, this movie may seem tame by today’s standards. The movie tells the tale of survivors of a zombie attack, who take refuge in an old farm house. A swarm of undead creatures surrounds the house and the group must either band together to survive, or crumble under their own fear.
60 | VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014)
The 2004 English film “Shaun of the Dead” became a cult classic unlike any other zombie movie in recent history. The film took the horror of zombies and mixed in comedy and a hilarious love story. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost serve as the comedic leading duo, who must save their loved ones from a sudden outbreak of zombies. The film mixes humor and horror so perfectly, it is no wonder “Shaun of the Dead” has achieved such success. It is a must-see for Halloween or any time of the year. Another zombie flick ported out of England is the 2002 film “28 Days Later.” This take on zombies alters what most movie-goers have come to know about zombies. An epidemic quickly spreads and infects the general population with a “Rage” virus, turning normal humans into bloodthirsty monsters. The most frightening thing about
the creatures in “28 Days Later” is their speed. Unlike the slow-moving zombies populating previous movies, these zombies can run at almost superhuman speeds. The movie follows a group of survivors seeking safety – wherever that may be. While “Zombieland” is primarily a comedy, viewers will still feel their adrenaline rushing while watching this 2009 film. Starring Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg, the unlikely duo must find safety during an apocalyptic zombie breakout. While survival is one of the main elements, Zombieland provides viewers with character-building storylines. Humor, love, horror and Twinkies – Zombieland has everything.
The first Jack O’Lanterns were actually made from turnips. Samhainophobia is the fear of Halloween.
Arts, Culture & Entertainment
SOLVED
It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light. Aristotle Onassis Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree. Martin Luther If you’re going through hell, keep going. Winston Churchill You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. C. S. Lewis A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend. A successful woman is one who can find such a man. Lana Turner
Jokes and more...
horror movie
I was on the subway, sitting on a newspaper, and a guy comes over and asks “Are you reading that?” I didn’t know what to say. So I said yes. I stood up, turned the page, and sat down again. (David Brenner)
VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014) | 61
62 | VMAG (Oct-Dec 2014)