Hamara Karachi festival was a step towards revival of the city's cultural activities and held the Karachiites spellbound, and Karachi illuminated and echoed with lights and melodies.
The festival continued for around 13 consecutive days across the metropolis, attended by public from all walks of life, in real terms, witnessed the city's cultural diversity for which it is known in the world.
It was kicked off in a splendid manner on January 06, at Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC) Building by the fireworks and national songs played by Rangers band.
On January 07, a walk was organised by CDGK, led by Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil towards Quaid-e-Azam Mazar, along with a large number of people with a view to strengthen unity in their ranks.
Foreign diplomats, ministers, advisers, members of provincial assembly and city council, army and ranger personnel, scouts, students and youth also participated in the walk. Foreign diplomats include British High Commissioner, Hamish St Clair Daniel, Consul General Switzerland, Martin Bienz, Polish Consul General Irenuesz Marles, Iranian Deputy Consul General Majdodin and Afghan Consul General Abdul Muqtader Forzanfar. Daylong celebrations continued across the city as a part of 'Hamara Karachi' festival.
On January 08, the CDGK hosted a movie 'war of the world' for general public, which was shown free of cost. Talking to newsmen, Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil said that 'Hamara Karachi' festival was organised with a view to create harmony amongst the city's inhabitants and highlight the city's positive image across the world.
Cinema shows were continued from January 08 to 13, in nine city cinemas from 11 am to 2 pm every day. A celebrity singer Rahim Shah in a musical show enthralled the audience with his marvellous performance, which was attended by more than 10,000 people.
Pak-Hind mushaira was also hosted by CDGK, in which Pakistani and Indian poets Professor Sahar Ansari, Raza Chughtai, Majid Khalil, Anwaar Barelvi, Javed Saba, Naqash Kazmi, Anwar Shaoor, Khush Ber Singh, Tahir Feroz, Sagar Khayami, Naeem Akhtar and others recited their poetry.
On January 09, CDGK organised a cricket match between Naib Nazim eleven v/s Showbiz eleven at a National Stadium Karachi. A theatre 'Azadi ke Mujrim', besides a stage drama to glorify the independence hero, Muhammad Ali Jauhar, was also performed.
Musical and cultural shows were the most dominant segments of the festival echoed by the renowned singers who enthralled the audience with their melodies.
On January 10, City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal along with Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil witnessed the students' march-past. The student also played national songs on bands during the ceremony.
Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil inaugurated a painting exhibition at the Art-gallery Clifton, in which various paintings on the city's old building, with a view to highlight their significance were displayed.
On January 11, Turkish Consul General, Erdem Mutaf termed 'Hamara Karachi' festival glittering indicator of the city's cordial atmosphere and peace. Erdem called on Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil at her secretariat who later accompanied her in a walk in the vicinity of KMC building during the performance of the Saddar Town school student's band.
Seminars on various issues as part of the festival were also organised to acquaint the general public with problems they are faced with and a way to their resolutions. In this regard, a seminar was held by City District Government Karachi (CDGK) in collaboration with Sindh Development Social Services Programme (SDSSP) on 'The role of women in the local body system and their representation in various monitoring committees'.
During the seminar, the economic side of the women was brought into discussion. Speakers called for just opportunities for women in the society. They observed that the social system was a major hurdle keeping them out of the mainstream affairs.
On January 12, a children festival was organised at the KMC building, which was attended by 550 student from 100 schools. In the festival 65 paintings on Karachi were displayed. Fun festival, beachfront carnival, firework, opera, stage dramas, musical shows and many other such programmes were organised all the daylong.
On January 13, a free camp was organised by Spencer Eye Hospital to provide free treatment to patients. A French opera was performed at the Arts Council Karachi.
On January 14, a donkey-car race from Keamari town office to Gulbai was organised to fascinate the festival with the diversities of perforce in the city. Cultural shows, cycle-race, beach carnival, a polo match and several other events were organised on that day. Najam Sheraz also performed in a musical show.
On January 15, Senate Chairman, Muhammadmian Soomro termed Karachi unavoidable city of the country, while talking to Nasreen Jalil. Several cultural and musical shows were continued during the day.
On January 16, The Mayor of Kolkata city of India, Bhattacharya Bikash Ranjan said the holding of events like 'Hamara Karachi' festival could help bringing people as well as the governments of two countries close to one another.
Bhattacharya lauded massive awareness campaign launched by City government regarding preservation of old buildings of Karachi by holding Platinum Jubilee celebrations of KMC Building.
Najam Sheraz performed a song 'Ye Muhabatoon Ka Shehr Hai' on stage along with Mustafa Kamal, Nasreen Jalil and Farooq Sattar during the programme hosted in honour of the Kolkata's mayor and his wife. While, celebrations around the metropolis continued in all 18 towns.
On January 17, Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim addressing the gathering at KMC building called 'Hamara Karachi' festival a step towards resurrection of healthy activities in the city.
An inter-faith programme was also held to bring the Christian community into the city affairs. A 20-member delegation performed the Turkish 'Darwesh' dance during the programme. Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil along with Arbab Ghulam Rahim visited a Bazaar at KMC complex where more than 100 stalls were set up.
On January 18, the eventful 'Hamara Karachi' festival had come to an end marking the 75th establishment anniversary of the illuminated Old KMC Building, with a hope to resurrect the city's social and cultural activities, besides creating harmony amongst its inhabitants.
The foundation stone of Old KMC building was laid in 1895, completed in 1930 and inaugurated in 1932.
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