This is a quote I have been hearing for a long time. My friends tell me horror stories about incidents which happened with people to keep me on full alert if something similar happens to me so I would know what to do and how to react.

• The most essential and the first thing to have if you want to learn from others is the habit of listening. Even if you’re asking questions, let the other person complete their answers before you move to another question. If you really want to know and learn, always listen attentively and patiently.

Recently only I was telling more like updating a friend the happenings and activities in my life upon his asking. I kept talking and talking. I told him about the type of issues I write on. He listened with a lot of interest and concern. The kind of feedback he was giving me was from a very established frame of thinking. I thought I would leave him in awe telling him the gossips but as it turned out he left me in bewilderment.

What I learned from this meeting is if someone genuinely asks a question, always leave them content, providing all the information. When you are done, now it’s your turn to listen to them.

• Always be around positive people, you never know they will give you a good advice which stays with you for life.

Experienced people are not always elders, they can be of same age or even younger. You learn from everyone, do not exclude someone merely on the basis of age.

My 6-year- old cousin taught me to how to use and play with Bay Blade. It’s one of the best ways to spend your time, hold competitions and make friends. This is what a young child taught me.

• Keep your mind open to new ideas. Sometimes you follow the custom and traditional ways of handling problems occurred, but if someone is giving a different solution, you should ways appreciate their views. Always welcome feedback since someone may provide you a point to ponder over.

As you grow and learn, the experiences from your decisions will make or break your personality. So keep in mind to keep everything right and positive.

I had woken up on the aggravated day of 20^th May, trying to access Twitter to vent and what not. I thought something was wrong with my phone or I was daydreaming because the timeline wasn’t refreshing. Basically Twitter was unreachable. I quickly messaged a friend via Facebook saying my worst fear, seeing it turn it into reality that is was twitter really blocked? A kind soul she is who told me ways to get to it, allowing me to tweet like a gangster when there was actually a #TwitterBan in Pakistan.

Twitter was banned yesterday for no more than 9 hours and I would like to ask why? Did it really bring an outcome? What kind of a point was trying to be proved? People were still able to tweet and making trends like #UnblockTwitterInPakistan.

The reactions were mixed. Some thought it was outrageous to put a stop to the voice of youth. While some were glad that now my daughter/son will finally spend some time with us.

Some thought it was boring. Alayna* said “Atleast share your stuff on Facebook, over there people know you and would care on the other hand Twitter is full of strangers”

Akbar* said “Why do you have to tweet that I yawned, I woke up, I stretched, I got up, I sat down, I got up again. It’s bizarre!!”

People are laughing and verbally abusing on Twitter like its nothing. Twitter is being misused.

To think rationally, when Twitter got banned people were protesting and chaos was happening all over, why don’t they protest when the price of petrol gets hiked? So I’ve been told to think a little less emotionally. Twitter is just providing us a way to pass time, it has not yet proved anything good happening to Pakistan’s youth. Twitter should be used correctly. Raise your voice for something good, you are raising your voice to save Twitter but don’t care about ongoing issues in our country?

I used to be a Twitter #addict, still am sometimes. I just want to point out that Twitter has been given such importance. I never thought news channels would be reporting the banning and unbanning.

Some people even said that this Twitter ban has united us, well, if we could be united in other things like charity, being humble, saving lives, and promoting good things about Pakistan.

*Names changed for privacy.

Recently 5 players from the IPL were caught spot fixing. Those players were caught in a TV sting in which they claimed that they were paid more money in black compared to the contracted amount. As shocking as it was and how the spot fixing issue in Pakistan was made into SUCH a hype, Indian Media did a clever tactic by giving heat to the Shahrukh Khan controversy. Shahrukh has been run down with allegations that he misbehaved with a fan and pushed a security guard and abused. He was also said to be drunk. Shahrukh Khan has been banned from the Wenkhede stadium for 5 years. We do not know if these accusations are true but this ‘issue’ is given far more importance then the spot fixing issue. There was no announcement whatsoever which would tell us the if the players are getting punished or banned.

An Australian player misbehaved with a women and abused her fiancé in a five star hotel in India. This news as well was given a bigger fraction of the news bulletin on our Pakistani channels.

Is this really fair by media to promote those things which have no relevance? Only making a big deal about those reports which will distract us from the real question. Why is the news about spot fixing in IPL suppressed? This matter needs to be addressed and I wonder how cleverly media especially the Indian Media gave extra importance to that piece of information which doesn’t even have a point to exist.

Shahrukh Khan with the bash with Salman Khan, a physical fight with Shirish Kunder, the claimed affair with Priyanka Chopra and now the nonstop IPL controversies. Shahrukh, we get the point you want attention so that we may give your movies a good rating, we like you but behave yourself.

The spot fixing issue needs to be pulled back to thought and why is it being unfair with Pakistan? Something to think about.

Image courtesy: from the internet.

For all those who aren’t aware of what a gift to music lovers Coke Studio is, it’s a show which has popular as well as new singers, drummers, guitarists and so many types of artists which really need to be applauded for providing hardcore music fans of different genres songs which have substance.  The visual experience makes the whole package worthwhile!

In Pakistan, there are so many languages and cultures, when someone sings a song such as Pashto, Sindhi or Baluchi, the words used are so common and good to hear that one thoroughly enjoys the songs. The whole atmosphere is created and you are entertained to the fullest. Coke Studio has truly done that.

Season 5 episode 1, released yesterday only, developing a massive interest in youngsters includes quite a few special songs. This episode featured artists like Atif Aslam, Bohemia, Hadiqa Kiani and others.

I was expecting a lot from the song Charkha Nolakha by Atif Aslam and Qayaas and how it crossed my expectations. The lyrics which are in Punjabi are ever so beautiful and are written with genuine feelings. The singer from Qayaas has a deep, chiseled voice and is a treat for the eyes. Atif Aslam has done an impressive job. A bit which I could extract from www.cokestudio.com.pk:

Aja Har Charkhe De Gere
Translation: Come with every turn of the wheel
Mein Tenu Yaad Kardi..
Translation: I yearn for you
Jiyon Tere Pyar Mein Karu Intezar Main Kisi Se Kaha Jaye Naaaaaa
Translation: Live in your love I wait for you, cannot tell anyone
Jalon Tere Pyar Main Karon Intizar Main
Translation: Burning in your love I wait for you
Kisi Se Kaha Jaye Naaa
Translation: Cannot tell anyone

Mera Eh Charkha Noulakha Kure….
Translation: This spindle of mine is priceless

Another song which caught my interest, Paisay Da Nasha by Bohemia.  If you hear it for the first time you will think it’s a rap-serious song, believe me it is. According to the song, a man is only valuable when he has left and is no more. I love the whole concept of talking about your personal experiences and crafting them in a song. Thumbs up to Bohemia for saying the right things and meaning them.

So because of the song name and the popularity of Hadiqa Kiani, I specially listened to Kamlee. It is a fine effort by her, her voice is always pleasing to the ears. I like how electric guitar and drums are playing in the background as she sings a Punjabi song. If you understand proper Punjabi, the lyrics are asking questions, shaking up your thoughts.

The Pashto song Larsha Pekhawar Ta by Hamayoon Khan is a very charming song. I’ll call it a ‘meetha’ song. In this song, a girl is asking her loved one to bring her back a black kameez and fresh flowers from Peshawar which leaves you thinking about the girl’s innocence. The singer not only has done a good job but has satisfied the song’s potential.

If it’s on Coke Studio, it should be worth listening. Tum Kaho by SYMT is tolerable. I would listen to it twice maybe. It’s a nice effort, I do not want to dissect it by saying bad things about it. Just that it wasn’t up to the standard of Coke Studio.

The experience of the first episode was worth it, but can not wait for the future episodes. I’m sure they will be mesmerizing and the songs will be on repeat on my playlist!

What I could grab from the 10 second news bulletin was how teachers were tried to be choked and abused because they did not allow cheating in exams.

“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.”
- Cynthia Ozick

Teachers with the anticipation of spreading their wisdom to delicate minds, are one of those special people in the world who deserve our utmost respect.

They spend their life dedicating to teach their students what they have to face in the world ahead. They don’t just teach they enlighten us. Teachers who held our hands when we were scared to ride the swing, who were there when we needed a serious advice and sorted out the most difficult things in our minds.

“A good teacher is like a candle – it consumes itself to light the way for others.”

-Unknown

They are serious sometimes strict with us because they want us to learn and garner experience under our belt because what we have to face in the future is much more difficult.

Our teachers are like our parents, we spend more time with them compared to our family. What they teach us remains with us for our life. They inspire us what we truly want to be. In each grade/class we have a teacher who has truly been there teaching us humanity, honesty, humbleness and what possible things we might need and should be careful of. School, college, universities wouldn’t be the same without their assignments, strict curriculum and attendance.

The most beautiful element of teaching is that our prophets were teachers, Hazrat Muhammad salalhu wale wasalam, has taught us the way of living, told us from right and wrong. The true roots of teaching came from our prophets.

“The ink of the scholar is more sacred than the blood of the martyr.”  Hazrat Muhammad (salalhu wale wasalam)

My favorite teachers told me a lot of things, from being a good human being to always speak truthfully. I have learned from them what no one can teach me, they have taught me to be what I want to be BUT being successful in it with the highest of achievements. I can’t ever thank my teachers enough, they made me who I am today.

Students learn a lot from this phase of their life. They know how to divide their time in studying, breaks, revision to that extent that a single disturbance may result in time wastage.

The worst thing during this time is when you’re giving up your life achieving your dreams and still there is pressure to get better from family. Some parents understand the situation since they realize that their children know from right and wrong. Their children know that an educated mind is a successful mind. While on the other hand, cousins, relatives AND parents pressure you to get into prestigious universities. Not allowing sleep just sitting on the chair facing the table and studying continuously.

Here are the following symptoms basically warnings which will let you know a person is giving their serious exams so that you may stay away!

1. Their face has an attitude problem.

When you meet them in normal days, you will see them laughing, cracking jokes but months before the exam, you try to talk to them and I seriously tell you they will shoot you down insulting your whatever leftover ego. They talk less and when you approach them talking on anything except the subjects they are giving, they get irritated.

2. They want you to constantly appreciate them.

Believe me, I have gone through this and when I’m studying I constantly need to be told good things about me. This is the same thing with a lot of other people I have observed. They want to hear good and positive things to keep them motivated which is very effective.

3. They have impossible demands.

“Mom I don’t care if it’s 3 in the morning I want pizza now”. They tell you impossible needs and wants if you don’t listen they get in a crappy mood blackmailing that their grades will be affected, so you can’t do anything except get up from your cozy bed and get the pizza.

4. They have an I-hate-food/sleep problem.

Begging them and stuffing their mouths with food so they get energy. While there are some exceptions who eat and sleep right but mostly students don’t have time to look up from their books so the mothers are making bites and making them eat food and telling them to sleep early.

5. They need silence.

Even a tiny sound and they hear you. They need 100% concentration and when one person is giving exams the whole family is involved, thus the best thing we can do is give them the atmosphere of calm and quiet.

6. Their normal conversations is about specifications of the heart or demand and supply.

Yes, they talk about studies as girls do gossips, with full attention and sparkle in their eyes. It’s basically because so they can understand better and easily.

In their dreams as well they are stressed and keep getting awkward situations to cope up with such as being late for exams, going on the wrong date, sitting in the wrong room.

Good luck to all those who are giving their papers. May all of you get A stars and 100% scores. Wishing you all the best.

To make sure you achieve high grades give your exams in this manner!

The man who was truly a treasure, the man who completely changed the television industry. When he was shooting for a show, Mr. Burger, I had a chance to do a scene with him. Well, actually I was 8 years old and while he was delivering his dialogues along with his co-actors I was eating oranges.

I never had a chance to interact with him, although I used to watch him from afar. The way he acted and showcased his talent, I could see that he had a thirst of bringing the best of his ability. Anyone would say he had a sense of humor, but I would say his personality was a humorous one, he had the power, the knack to make anyone laugh, which is one of the greatest gifts God could give to anyone.

He was amazing, only after centuries do people like Moin Akhtar are born. He had so much knowledge about the Pakistani communities, the culture, he used to impersonate and present them with so much perfection, it seemed as if he actually belonged to that heritage.

He could mould himself according to any situation any role he was given. His vision was broader, stronger. He had political knowledge and awareness of our country. They way he presented the problems faced by the people living here and abroad used to be very accurate.

His shows are countless. He started from radio, making his mark there then going towards stage and then finally television.

The shows that he did with Anwar Maqsood were very deep and showed reality. It seemed as if Moin Akhtar was speaking what was in our hearts, what we had been wanting to say all along.

He used to be very supportive towards his actor colleagues, he used to promote them. He also tried to shift his talent to others, I think he was strongly intelligent and used his talent to his full capacity, which only few can do.

Today, we miss him, remember him and wish that God blesses his soul and gives him the highest place in Jannah. Ameen.

Image Courtesy: pakistanprobe.com

The morning show frenzy started all because of the famous Nadia Khan. She started the trend of having morning shows, calling up genuine and respected people, creating awareness keeping people informed about various things going on in Pakistan. Shaista Wahidi is in her league while Savera Nadeem, Maya Khan followed her, I’ll talk about them later. First focusing on Nadia jee, she has been in the show business for quite a long time and after her morning shows people genuinely started liking her. I heard comments like ‘your show is a vital change in our lives, really energizes us’. People used to admire her sense of style, the way she talked and I have to admit me too.

Then she did that show where she called up the actress Noor and bad mouthed her husband. The husband came and told Nadia jee and Noor to back off but Nadia showed the ‘husband’ video the next day on the channel. This made the husband outraged; he filed a case against the channel, which banned Nadia jee for 6 months making her resign. She went to Dubai, remember?

Following her, Maya Khan did the same by creating hype doing a controversial show and did quite a drama by apologizing later.

Savera Nadeem did decent morning shows, informative, well researched which served the purpose of moulding the society for the betterment of people.

Back to Nadia, As they say ‘Money is the root of all evil’, she made the blunder of keeping money her first agenda, she fell in the game of rankings. She did complete mismanagement when she returned with another show which is now shown at night. She recently did a show, calling up Veena Malik.

Nadia, what were you thinking? We don’t want to see negative things about negative people. We would much rather see positive about people who have made us proud.

Why are you back doing such acts which are even worse than before? Nadia Khan took a topic which did not need to be promoted. People who didn’t know about the Veena Malik tragedy are now aware of it. These things are only giving us loss rather than benefit. Putting tags likes ‘children should not watch’ creating more suspicion.

I would say Nadia Khan is a talented, intelligent woman; she should put her energy on other events and misfortune which have occurred in Pakistan showing how to lessen them or finding the solutions. She should show something which is in the service of others.

I would say I really used to appreciate that lady Nadia jee I used to be happy to see her, now she’s just another person trying to get attention which I personally think she doesn’t need. She had made her place in our hearts already but now after this Veena Malik fiasco she is just below average for me.

As she looked in the mirror, she had a slight smile on her face, the burden on her heart had been lifted. One meeting with Usman had made her recognize the fact that he could never be what she wants, he will never love her.

She said good bye to him, thanked him for the tea and left. She made it clear with her actions and words that they are friends but she needs her space.

She took a cab and looked at her watch. She still had time for office. She explained the address to the cab driver and sat peacefully.

When she entered, she saw a lot of panic.

What she could gather from around her was that a company which her boss, Fariha, had been after for a long time had finally contacted them for investment for a fashion show. It was very exciting and they were about to visit any minute. Like always, Tanisha was supposed to be there giving introduction which was pretty easy for her.

She was inside Fariha’s room when Farah, the other assistant came in and told them three men have arrived in suits.

“Send them in”, Fariha said calmly.

The meeting was crucial as one of them being the owner of the company Jabbar Haque was asking a lot of questions to make sure if they were capable, reliable and trustworthy. The man was exciting and looked very ambitious for his work.

Tanisha like every time had pitched in her unique ideas and thoughts which got her positive feedback from Jabbar.

It was a successful meeting. The contract was supposed to be signed next week.

Jabbar Haque was a decent man in his early 30s. He always had a busy routine, he had been career oriented since the beginning. It was a prestige point for him to achieve higher.

He had seen sparks of talent and ability in that girl Tanisha. He has been quite impressed by her.

Tanisha stayed late that night since she knew she had to prepare herself for what’s next.

Aggravating are those quotes which have no message, advice and are just there to say that you’re a dumb person who wasted their time reading this quote which has no meaning. Example, “there is no one alive youer than you” and “You’re the first person I think of when I wake up, the last person I think of before going to bed and the only person I dream of”. The point now?

A quote which keeps repeating in my head which is like way over my capability to explain but I’ll try. “Best friends are like stars, you may not always see them but you know that they are always there”. Why would I call my friends a huge ball of gas? Not only that it’s sounds very idiotic.
Now if you want something meaningful which leave you in awe and amazement you can refer to great quotes which are said by Hazrat Muhammad SAW, Hazrat Ali (R.A) and more which include:
“The best of friends is he who is best in behavior and character.“ – Hazrat Muhammad SAW
“Live among people in a manner that when you die they weep over you and while you are alive they crave for your company”. -Hazrat Ali (R.A)