Iqbal has been the intellectual icon in our socio-cultural and political history. His great message either in prose or poetry always proved to be an effective instrument of motivation for adults and kids alike.
The Nazria-e-Pakistan Trust in collaboration with Tahrik-e-Pakistan Workers Trust organised a week long composite package of cultural celebrations to mark the 72nd death anniversary of great poet of the East, Allama Muhammad Iqbal who heralded the movement for a separate homeland for the Muslims of the sub-continent through his historical address at the annual session of All India Muslim League at Allahabad in 1930.
The week long cultural activities commencing April 6 included screening of documentary films, presentation of tableaus, skits and plays, competition in oratory, recitation of Iqbal's poetry and general discussion on various burning issues in the light of Iqbal's teachings. The competition has been categorised in junior and senior students hailing from schools and colleges. Institutional visits to Pakistan Movement Gallery have also been scheduled so that the new generation could well be apprised itself with the history of Pakistan Movement through pictorial odyssey. Various schools have already visited it while many are in the pipeline.
Muhammad Afzal, senior teacher of Government High School, Sultankay viewed the visit as a great source of learning as to how our forefathers fought for the cause of a separate motherland for us. He asked the people to bring their kids to the gallery so that they would also have a direct access towards our glorious past and the relentless movement heralded by the pioneers of Pakistan.
A kid enthusiastically expressed her sentiments following her presentation, 'sir it is indeed wonderful, Iqbal is really a revolutionary genius who created poetry full of commotion and movement towards peace, progress and prosperity'.
Dr Saeed Malik, an eminent intellectual being the judge of the event applauded the enthusiasm and commitment of the participants and termed the teachings of Iqbal as the harbinger of change and movement in the society. Another judge Hanif Shahid declared the philosophy of Iqbal as the true reflections of Islamic teachings.
DESERT HUES OF THAR: If one desires to enjoy the beauty and charm of desert while living in the city, he/she could do so by visiting the Vogue Art Gallery (VAG) where a wonderful exhibition titled 'Desert Hues of Thar' has been on display. Inaugurated on April 7 the event is the outcome of the visual accomplishments by artist S A Noory hailing from Karachi. He belongs to a creative family and therefore, the ancestral ambience reflects in his work.
The exhibition offers 40 art pieces for the sublimation and ecstasy of the viewers. Noory has been portraying mystic themes for the past many years but lately he has predominantly brought Thar desert life through colours, light and shade on canvas. As a sharp observer Noory studied the day to day lifestyle, rituals, joys and agonies of Thari people especially the women folk.
How the desert girls, young women and aged ones convert the barren surroundings of a desert into a colourful and charming ambience. Critic Shamim Akhtar comments on Noory's work as Treatment of light and shadow, powerful modelling, perspective, atmospheric effects and the realistic treatment of canvas is noteworthy. One is struck by the exceptional quality of the play of lines as well as fineness of their execution'. Noory has developed special taste for mysticism. Saints and sufis are his favourites icons, a source of spiritual pleasure and satisfaction.
The artist creates the state of meditation of sufis in mellowed colours with the addition of bright shades so that it becomes a soothing source for the devotee. It is generally understood that thematic exposures about the national heritage should be promoted either through pen or brush for fostering yet more awareness and national integrity.
ECOLOGICAL CULTURE OF THE CITY: The provincial Environment Protection Department (EPD), Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) in collaboration with private sector enterprises have planned to plant over 0.3 million saplings in the city of Lahore to brave the increasing menace of pollution and its subsequent hazards.
It was not long ago when Lahore was titled as the city of gardens with its prime artery as 'Thundi Sarak' (cooled road) which had been renamed as Share Quaid-e-Azam. Though it still maintains a little bit of its old image by having relatively good number of trees on its sides. Lahore with its population of over ten million of people is plunging into a mess of pollution and its allied hazards.
Plantation of 0.3 million saplings of 32 indigenous species would be welcome by all the concerned quarters of the civil society. But what makes people worried is the post plantation alienation and negligence by the relevant departments which very soon crumbles the whole pomp and splendour of the plantation movement. The city should be divided into several zones and sub zones. Each zone and sub zone should further be minimised into small piece of maintainable area to be cared by local people, students and youth living around it.
Best maintained green areas should be given award and distinction so the concerned people particularly the students feel honour and sense of belonging to their respective green area. It is feared that the under planned scheme met with the same fate as previous adventures.
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