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TheNation

november 20, 2011

InSIgnIa

ShoES mAkEThA WomEN

rEndEzvOuS

On ThE gO!

ThE BRITIShcouNTRySIDE

ESCapE TO ThE

Mughalaffair

Mughalaffair

STYLE

InTErvIEw

ThE VoIcEquRAT-ul-BAloch:

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rendezvous

IntervIew

on the Go!

Read about what makes Insignia the shoe brand irresistible

The power house Qurat-ul-ain Baloch speaks of her inspiration as a singer

Take a walk across the British countryside and read how less has changed in the rural England

inside this weeknovember 20, 2011

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26 IntervIewTake a trip with us along with the epic journey Spinal Beetle

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style

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Art

Take a look at Tena Durrani’s latest collection as she infuses Mughal art in her ensembles

62 horoscope Astrological forecast for the week

56 hollywoodAntonio Banderas and Salma Hayek talk about how lucky and proud they are to be a part of Puss in Boots

64 pIcks of the weekGo through the smart wish-list for the best buys and best picks for everyone

Review of a new cuisine opening its door for the people of Faisalabad

Report on Pakistani Calligraphic Exhibition held in Jeddah

2408 Qurat-ul-Baloch: the VoiceShoeS maketh a womanIntervIewrendezvous

Sunday pluS

editor’S note

Editor-in-ChiefMajid Nizami

Deputy Managing DirectorRameeza Nizami

Editor The NationSalim Bokhari

Editor Magazine:Emanuel Sarfraz

Editorial Staff: Bishakha Khadka Kunwar, Madiha Syedain, Sadaf Pervez & Navirah Zafar

Creative Head:Faiz-ur-Rehman

Creative Team: Talat Mahfooz Butt, Shoaib Qadir, Faisal Fazal, HM. Nouman

For advertising:Bilal Mahmood, 0300 - 8493206Muhammad Zaeem 0301 - 8463306Salman Ahmed 0300 - 4116792Shiraz Akbar 0333 - 2310851Khalid Sheikh0345-5130728

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TheNation

We are back with another exciting issue of your very own magazine, Sunday Plus. This week we are in conversation with Javed Siddiqui, the director of the latest Pakistani shoe brand ‘Insignia’, who talks about what really makes the brand irresistible. Take a tour with us to the lush green British countryside. You would love the beautiful landscape and the rich cultural heritage of England midlands and Pennines. We are also in conversation with pop sensation Quratul Ain Baloch. Meet Knak Mani Dixit the Nepali activist who is championed the cause of spinal injury rehabilitation. He was in Pakistan for an epic journey from Khatmandu to Peshawar in his spinal beetle. S+ scratched upon her outer surface just to find the sensibility and passion that derives QB to excel. In the art section read a report on the calligraphy exhibition held in Jeddah. This week we present review of Faisalabad’s popular restaurant Oriental. And this week in our ‘Picks of the week’ section, we are again presenting a little something for our readers to quiz their mind with.

Send us your comments and feedback at [email protected]

November 20, 201108 Sunday PluS

rendezvous

“Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world.” - Marilyn Monroe

Cinderella would still be sweeping the floor, without her glass slippers and Dorothy would still be stranded in Oz

without her bejeweled pumps. Shoes have always been an

object of fascination and mythical powers since ages from

fairy tales to our real lives.

n reality, Philippine’s First Lady Imelda Marcos is renowned to be the world’s best-known shoe collector, who has even opened a museum for her footwear with more than 3000 pairs of shoes. Carrie Bradshaw of SATC confessed, “I’ve spent $40,000 on shoes and I have no place to live? I will literally be the old woman who lived in her shoes!”

I am no different and I am a person with serious appreciation for shoes. For the last

few months, I have been out on a serious shoe hunting spree for that perfect pair of black pumps. But I was disappointed to find that most of the local brands in Pakistan import those cheap, low quality “Made in Bangkok” shoes and bags and sell under their local labels at prices higher than the heels of the stilettoes. But then I found Insignia, and my search is finally over. If you don’t know Insignia by now, you really are missing out. Insignia is a high

end fashion brand, recently launched in Z- block DHA and M.M Alam Road. Their designs cater international standards and quality along with affordable prices for cus-tomers ranging from middle to high class. Their distinctive designs are at par to any international brands with prices to die for.

Insignia’s range of accessories of foot-wear and bags focuses on practical classics and elegant daywear for those on the run. Take a pick from sky-high pumps, brogues

I

INSIGNIA:

By Bishakha Kunwar

November 20, 2011 09Sunday PluS

rendezvous

“Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world.” - Marilyn Monroe

or just stand tall in their feline-finished laced booties to that perfect pair of nude peep toed platform heels that are hotter than ever. Another must-have this wedding season are their necklace pattern studded heels. It adds that traditional finish to any Pakistani ensembles. Just keep in mind that when you wear these, people may start talking to your feet!

Their shoes are literally like sculptures for the feet. After seeing their newest collection, you will all be queuing up to buy a pair of our own. Insignia is indeed devilishly decadent and what better time to indulge than this season? Sunday Plus caught up with Javed Siddiqi, Director of Market-ing and Sales of Insignia to talk about what really makes Insignia irresistible!s+: How would you describe your design philosophy?InsIGnIA: Our design philosophy is to create innovative designs according to the latest fashion forecasts and trends. Our idea is to produce good quality and functional designs and every piece has a style statement of its own.s+: How did you start this com-pany? What inspired you to open insignia?InsIGnIA: The main purpose of open-ing a high fashion brand in Pakistan is to provide a platform that is equivalent to the international designs in the fashion mainstream all over the world. Hence, we are providing high fashion quality designs available locally,

instead of going abroad.s+: Your shoes and accessories look like they are made with love, the quality and styles are immaculate and the designs are unique. so where did your love for footwear come from?InsIGnIA: We work on our designs considering the latest fashion trends and produce a limited set of designed shoes that are made to perfection each season. Every piece has its indi-viduality and is a trend setter. s+: do you have in-house designers who design for your brand?InsIGnIA: Yes, we have a team of in-house designers working on new collections each season throughout the year.s+: do you design here and use Pakistani products for its making in abroad? In which country is insignia made?

InsIGnIA: We have international design houses in various parts of the world, like China, Brazil, Malaysia & Singapore. Our products are made internationally from the conceived idea to the final product.s+: As compared to other interna-tional brands like Charles and Keith, nine West and Aldo, what are your plans of action to penetrate into the already captured market and win hearts of shoe loving women in Pakistan?InsIGnIA: Well the response of two shops is excellent and that means we

The idea is to introduce a brand in Pakistan which is up to the level of leading high fashion brands all over the world. Insignia provides that high standard along with good quality and exclusive designs


rendezvous

have already penetrated into the market because the segment we are catering is totally neglected as the competitor brands are not doing anything in original leather and we are the first company in Pakistan who is doing fashion leather shoes in a very affordable pricess+: As the market is flooded with local cheap brands, what niche does insignia seek to target and cater to? InsIGnIA: The idea is to introduce a brand in Pakistan which is up to the level of leading high fashion brands all over the world. Insignia provides that high standard along with good quality and exclusive designs, whereas most of the local cheap brands lack in quality and are not up to international standards. It provides a platform to have Pakistan as a country to be recognized internationally in the fashion fraternity. s+: What challenges have you faced in the local market in Pakistan?InsIGnIA: Main challenge so far, is to cater the people who are ignorant of the

latest fashion trends and are not willing to experiment and stick to the conven-tional designs available in the local market instead. And furthermore they don’t know the difference of original leather which is safer for our feet.s+: What are the price range of your shoes and accessories?InsIGnIA: Price ranges at Insignia range from 3000 to 19000 rupees including casual and formal products.s+: Where else in Pakistan do you plan to expand?InsIGnIA: Our next opening will be in Islamabad and after that we will focus on Karachi market.s+: How flexible are Pakistani women about experimenting in term of colours and new designs?InsIGnIA: As the fashion industry is expanding, people are getting much aware of the latest fashion trends and they are developing a sense of style and class. People are now very much flexible regard-ing experimental designs and demand

fresh arrivals and want the designs to be colorful and extraordinary. Insignia provides them with just that. s+: Favourite pieces of footwear from your collections?InsIGnIA: From our casual collections, the peep toes, knotted brogue, strappy wedges are our favourites and for the formal section, we love the necklace pattern wedding stilettoes with studded diamantes. s+: Which shoe do you think no girl should be without?InsIGnIA: There are various styles of shoes ranging from casual and formal flats to high heels. But one shoe that beats them all is the ‘Chapal’ which is a must have for majority of the girls. s+: Apart from insignia, what other brands do you like?InsIGnIA: Among many great brands all over the world, Alexander McQueen and Gucci are producing good work.

(Coordination by Sana Bhatti)

There are various styles of shoes ranging from casual and formal flats to high heels. But one shoe that beats them all is the ‘Chapal’ which is a must have for majority of the girls.

UP & RISING

November 20, 2011 12 SuNday PluS

How long have you been in the industry? Hira: It’s been roughly one year and 3 months since I

came to Pakistan from Dallas. But have been pretty active in work related to the media for about 10 years in the US.

Did you always know this is what you wanted to do? Hira: Not always, but

since an early age I knew I wanted to be involved in some form of fine or performing arts. The goals naturally got more specific as I discovered myself while growing up.

How easy/hard has it been breaking into the industry?Hira: Depends on what

path you take. There are various ways to go about it. If you take the more difficult path of doing everything by the book, it might take longer but you have greater lasting power.

What are some of the problems/hurdles you’ve faced? Hira: Mainly adjusting to a

new set of work ethics.

Do you feel the industry welcomes new comers?Hira: It really depends on who the newcomer is but

I would say yes. People are always in search of fresh faces and if those fresh faces have any spark or potential then they may last.

What inspired you to take the leap and join the industry? HIra: I have sort of done a

“touch and go” in the Pakistani media

industry years ago but I returned to the US to finish my college education and get some work experience. One fine day I decided it was time to come back finish what I started.

What advice would you give to others trying to break into the industry? Hira: Be willing to learn

from others but don’t give up on who you are in order to just “make it big.”

What styles/themes do you work most with? Hira: I mostly like doing work that has some sort

of edge or where I feel I can bring my uniqueness.

Do you have a particular style or do you prefer experimenting with everything?

Hira: Everyone has a unique personal style but it’s hard for me to define it myself. That being said, I do like to ex-periment so that I can learn what works and what doesn’t.

Who do you look up to in the industry? Hira: Lot of people. I am not that tall. :)

Looking back, do you wish you’d done anything dif-ferent when it comes to your career?

Hira: Be more vocal when it comes to photo shoots and their styling.

What comes next? Hira: More acting, hosting and music projects.

Hira Tareen:New face oN the ramp

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on the go!

By Emanuel Sarfraz


on the go!

As a journalist we have always lived the life in the fast lane following our busy schedule or for that matter without any schedule late nights and early mornings. Life in London is fast. Majority of Londoners live in suburbs and take the tube daily to reach their workplaces. During the working days no one has much time for anybody or anything.

Not much has changed in the lifestyles of rural England. We in the sub-continent have grown up studying and reading the British poets and writ-ers. Our system of education is strongly rooted in the British system of education. Students prefer to study in British institutions for higher educa-tion rather than going to the USA, Australia and New Zealand. About 1,000 students are doing

their PhDs in different subjects in UK on Paki-stan government scholarships. Those studying on their own in graduate and undergraduate de-gree programmes are in great numbers. Travelling around UK is not a problem if you plan in advance whether you go by train or bus. Travelling by train is expensive but can be a wonderful experi-ence considering the beautiful countryside one sees on the way. Due to financial constraints I, however, decided to travel by bus.

Tickets if brought online and well in advance are a lot cheaper. Travelling from London to Leeds cost me just nine pounds, as I had bought the ticket online. If you buy the ticket on spot before

the Britishcountryside

escape to the

A view of the countrysidefrom Castle Hill

Dewsbury Council Hall

Marsden Moor Heritage Trail

On way to Moor


on the go!

travel it can cost you as high as 30 pounds or 40 pounds. Victoria is the place where all bus terminals are located in London. Travelling by tube I arrived in Victoria about 20 minutes to 1pm. District line trains are slow and often stop for reasons unknown. The train journey to Victoria that should have ended in 20 minutes took almost one and a half hour. The bus terminal is almost three blocks away and the walk was tiring with my luggage on hand. I arrived at the terminal at 1 pm. Since the boarding time had passed, I missed the bus. Sweating after the exhausting walk, I went to the customer service centre and requested for a new ticket. They showed me the rules of the company that said if you miss the bus there is

no refund and neither will you be issued a new ticket for the same amount that you had paid. “Since you are a visitor to the UK, gentleman we are giving you a new ticket without charg-ing you any fine. Next time make sure you don’t miss the bus,” the man at the customer care centre said very politely.

This incident and many others changed my perception about British people. The most common words that you hear ‘pardon’, ‘sorry’, ‘hello’ and ‘hi’ from the strangers who bump into you or walk by while travel-ling around England. From Leeds I went to Dewsbury, a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees in West Yorkshire, where I based myself for some days to go around the countryside nearby.

Walking is the best way to discover the British countryside. The first long walk that I took was at the Marsden Moor Heritage Trail. It is spread over 5500 acres that is approximately the size of 5500 football

pitches. Much of the open moor, blanket bog and upland grasslands are protected for its special mix of habitat and wildlife. The moor may look bleak but it is home to large numbers of breeding birds such as curlew, golden plover, twit and a variety of birds of prey. Mountain hares and foxes live here along with lizards, frogs and many insects, which provide food for the birds.

Cool breeze blew throughout the walk which continued for at least eight to 10 miles. There was no sound except for the wind that continued to blow in abundance. At the highest point the wind was unbear-able as it made a sound in the ears that became unbearable after some minutes. Families, couples and loners could be seen enjoying the picnics at a number of places. As a courtesy they would offer you whatever they have – be it sandwich, coffee or some cold drink that they had brought along. We too politely refused all the offers. Foxes are slithery creatures. You would see them around the corner and the next moment

Water reservoir near Huddersfield

Tram in Nottingham

Food Court in Trafford Centre near Manchester

Victoria Tower on Castle Hill


on the go!

they would have disappeared. Visit to the moor reminded me of the many situations in Thomas Hardy’s novels wherein the heroin or the hero in desperateness and frustration went to the moor land for walk. Wherever you move around the countryside in England it reminds you of all the poems. The nursery rhyme ‘Mary had a little lamb’ echoed in my ears as I saw the lambs in the open lush green fields. The whole of England is lush green giving you a refreshing feeling. Walk-ing down by the farms the people of all ages were very friendly.

There are hundreds of small towns and cities that have their own special part in the history. I believe one can spend a lifetime exploring them but the thirst would not end. I would give you an example of Castle Hill in Huddersfield. It is the highest point of the area and gives you beautiful views of Pennines –a low-rising mountain range, separating the North West of England from Yorkshire and the North East. The country folk call them the backbone of England because Pennines are an important water catchment area with numerous reservoirs in the head streams of the major river valleys. Coming back to Castle Hill, it has a long history. There was a medieval castle on the hill around 800 years ago. The castle later became a hunting lodge before falling into ruins around the year 1320. It was a perfect place to light a beacon to warn of attacks. The first beacon was used on Castle Hill to warn of the Spanish Armada in 1588. People tried unsuccessfully to build a town on Castle Hill. All that remains is their water well. During the 1800s many religious and political groups held meetings on the hill.

Today it is a popular picnic spot. Sometimes social and political activists hold their meet-ings here due to its historical significance. Such examples of places steeped in history are countless showing the richness of the English countryside.

For a person coming from Pakistan that has its own rich cultural heritage spanning nearly 10,000 years, the land of Britain was a pleasant surprise considering the way Brits have preserved their cultural heritage. From barn at a small country farm to centuries old pubs, churches and buildings the conserva-tion efforts are amazing. The food is nutri-tious and tasty. Lahoris are known for eating a lot. But I would say otherwise. We eat spicy and oily food. The quantity of intake is a lot less than the Brits. The traditional English breakfast consists of eggs, cooked beef, sausages, fried bread, baked beans and mushrooms to go with tomato or apple juice. Milk, cheese and yogurt are things that should not be missed. There are more than 400 varieties of cheese available. The most popular is cheddar, which too comes in six varieties – mild, medium, mature, vintage, farmhouse and West Country. Tea and coffee are equally popular. It was interesting to see many people pouring the milk into the cup first, so as not to crack the porcelain. Fish and chips, is perhaps the national food of England. Almost all the places that I went to even in small villages there were shops or restaurants selling this dish. The fish (cod, haddock, huss, plaice) is deep fried in flour batter.

There is a church street in almost every town. It was interesting to note that all towns whether small or big have a night

life. People from the nearby villages come to spend the weekend and there is a lot of street dancing. Though I did not meet any nasty incident, I heard that a section of young Brits have turned racists in the recent years. If you bump into them, they start beating you if you are an Asian. Then I saw and met Street Angels. These are volunteers who help the police in dealing with wayward people like them. They are all over the place Friday and Saturday nights looking after people who fall in trouble.

The English countryside with the eternal green all around and beautiful streams roll-ing by are a place not to be missed. England being an island has breeze blowing all the time. I wonder what it would be like in winter. Coming from hot weather country we prefer the summer and autumn of England only. The visit this fall was no doubt a memorable one.

There are more than 400 varieties of cheese available. The most popular is cheddar, which too comes in six varieties – mild, medium, mature, vintage, farmhouse and West Country.

Variety of cheese

Nottingham city centreView of countryside near Halifax


interview

By Navirah Zafar

The VoiceQuraT-ul-Baloch:

Deep to its core, Qurat-ul-ain Baloch’s voice (also known as QB) had us intoxicating and humming to the beats of ‘Panchi’ early this year. The intensity she brings in to a song had us questioning is she a seasoned pro or a beginner in the music industry.Having no formal training as a singer QB knew she had the props but needed inspiration to come out and let her voice be heard.Doing a rendition of Reshma’s song she knew she was in this for a long run. Not having a long list of beats to her name, QB is still experimenting with the music she wants to be known for. Aperfectionist at heart she wants no qualms to be left when her first album hits the stores, working on her first album QB wants her listeners to be enthralled with what she has to offer, hence the wait seems necessary. Talking to the power house Sunday Plus scratched upon her outer surface just to find the sensibility and passion that derives QB to excel forward.

S+:why didn’t the music enthusiasts hear of you before coke studio, where were you hiding?

QB: As i mentioned early, I was around. Infact couple of tracks were out before Coke Studio happened. The first cover i did was of ReshmaJi’s, ‘Ankhian nu ren de’ and the other one was ‘Peera’ which i did with Khawar Javad. Both tracks became YouTube hits and had me put on the music map of our country. The ball kept rolling from there and God had greater plans for, so here I am.

S+:the re-runs of ‘Panchi’ and ‘wohHumsfartha’ has caused quite a stir among the youth and adults alike, is QB a one hit wonder or is greatness being cre-ated in the realms of your studio?

QB: I’m here for the long run and yes perfection is my motto, so to put the best in the market takes little more effort and time. For me to put up an album it needs to be more than satisfactory, it needs to have a stamp

on what QB is all about, the passion, and the sensibility of how I see music and how it should sound like.

S+: Does QB only believe in perfor-mance and live music or are we going to see a shocker video from you in the coming months?

QB: Live performances gets my adrenaline pumping, it sparks the right emotions I as a singer need to give to my audience, me ‘enjoying it’ would not be appropriate but saying ‘ I love it’ would be spot on. A video is in the making, when the right time comes my listeners will be enthralled by what they will see and hear.

S+: How was your experience perform-ing and wearing an ensemble of Fahad Hussayn in Bridal Couture week 2011?

QB: It was surreal,a moment worth cherishing. It was all Fahad’s scheming to put me down in a strong look, with over the top jewellery, acute make-up and a heavy yet gorgeous sari to go with it. I was touched and gratified when Fahad asked me to be a part of it. Putting myself in his hands and creations had me at ease, as he being a dear friend; he did not have me questioning the look once as I knew he was a perfectionist and idealist.

S+: if we see the list of songs you have performed, they are mostly cover songs or OSt, when will see the real QB shine?

QB:It’s in the making. I want to satisfy myself with my work before someone else can judge me and say I haven’t put my 100%. Music is what i will do for the rest of my life because it has given me a new meaning to life!

S+: what is your ethnic foundation and will we see a fusion of the classical with contemporary?

QB: That’s what my forte is. Even if i cover the classics, i improvise them in a way that both our youngsters and adults can catch on and they can get a charge out of it as well. So since my original work is still yet to be released, the disclosure is my work is going

tobe a fusion of different genres. My attempt is to explore music and the music captured within my soul. And i cannot wait to share it with my fans.

S+:they say a musician leaves a part of his/her personality in any project he/she does, what has QB given to projects she has worked for or what signifies your presence in the project?

QB: The aim to give the best, the feel and the most important, meaning to emotions is what i have contributed to every project i have done so far. And I’m very humbled to say that beyond doubt it has been noticed and appreci-ated. Thank God for all His blessings upon me, the support of my parents and the unceasing love and kindness from all my fans, I’m on my way to make my destination.


interview

And the music is…

QB is… Straight-forward, outspoken and a boxer.instrument you play…Wish i could! Might have played drums once, IN MY DREAM! A personality quirk found in you…cracking my knuckles 20/7.A line or quote that inspires you…“You are braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think” - Christopher Robin (Winnie the Pooh).Who would you term Genuine music Royalty in Paki-stan…Strings and Hadiqa Kiyani.

First thing you learned when you performed for a jammed packed audience or stage…try not to trip on stage from too much excitement.Quote a line from your favourite personality…”Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe” - Albert Einstein.What do you find most exciting about music today…it has gone across the counter, the reality of music is dying.Your Music Anthem is …Ain’tno sunshine when she’s gone.

Aperfectionist at heart she wants no qualms to be left when her first album hits the stores, working on her first album QB wants her listeners to be enthralled with what she has to offer, hence the wait seems necessary

I have known Dixit as a prominent civil rights activist, an advocate for an ‘open society’, challenging monarchy and its autocratic regime in 2005 and now challenging the

reigning Maoist party heralding the peace process. But his philanthropic endeavour and active effort to promote welfare for the spinal injured patients was something that was not known to many.

A sub-continental spin behind the wheel is almost passé these days, but Dixit’s spirited venture is so rare that very few even dare to dream. And to top his vigour, his choice of wheel was a 1973 Model Volkswagen Beetle famously known as Spinal Beetle. This is not the first spinal drive for this 40-year-old Beetle. Spinal Beetle Drive was originally kicked off with a cross sub-continental drive twice, in 2002 and 2005, from Kathmandu to Dhaka, Bangladesh.

At Sunday Plus, we managed to catch up with Dr. Kanak Mani Dixit and know the intent, his magnanimous drive and his journey across the sub-continent in his Spinal Beetle.

THE REAL FACEDuring their 12-day adventure, Dixit gave people across

the sub-continent an opportunity to associate with the “real face” of the cause. Dixit’s evident passion for this cause tells us his own story. This concept of Spinal Injury Rehabilitation Centre materialized after Dixit fell off a cliff while trekking in

Dr. Kanak Mani Dixit, Founder of the very first Spinal Centre of Nepal and Editor and Publisher Himal Media, set off on a sub-continental road-trip from Kathmandu to Peshawar

in his Volkswagen Beetle. This, however, was no ordinary road trip. Dixit along with his wife Shanta Dixit and son Eelum, made an epic 1100 mile, cross-Sub Continental journey travelling along the Grand Trunk Road, from Kathmandu-Lucknow-Delhi-Amritsar-Lahore-Rawalpindi-Peshawar, to raise USD 110,000 from the 1100 mile journey, at the rate of USD 100 per mile from friends and supporters, for Spinal Injury Rehabilitation

Centre in Nepal helping those who lack knowledge about spinal injury and its treatment. They were accompanied by a back-up jeep driven by Suman Khadka, with Naresh Nakarmi (VW Beetle specialist).

INTERVIEW

November 20, 201126 SuNday PluS

By Bishakha Kunwar

The epic journey ofSPINAL BEETLE

DR. KANAK MANI DIXIT

INTERVIEW

SuNday PluSNovember 20, 2011 27

Nepal a decade ago where he was stranded in a ledge of the cliff for four days before getting rescued. He suffered from a severe spinal injury (C6, C7 and T1) and was the fortunate one to get proper treatment and recover completely within the next year. As he had learned it first-hand, for Dixit there was no better way to assist than by starting Nepal’s first Spinal Injury Rehabilitation Centre. His infectious enthusiasm for this cause makes him an excellent story teller and his road trips have sparked a sub-continent wide conversation and movement for the spinal cause.

THE INSTITUTIONThe Spinal Centre Nepal was opened by

the efforts of Dixit along with his friends and family and was inaugurated by Sir Edmund Hillary (the first person in the world to summit Mount Everest) on April 2002. The centre offers physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nursing, medical care, counselling

and home rehabilitation. The centre mainly spreads words of prevention through aware-ness campaigns. The Spinal Centre is run by the non-profit organisation Spinal Injury Sangha – Nepal.

WHY SPINAL DRIVE?Dr. Dixit stressed on three main reasons

for undertaking his journey, “Personally, Lahore is very close to my heart. I believe that the old cities like Lahore and Lucknow are being overshadowed by the capital cities and need revival. Apart from this personal con-nection, three main reasons for undertaking this journey were: firstly as our institution is a non-profit organization, it constantly is in need of funds and we always look for innova-tive means to raise money.

“This time we have a slight emergency as we are now expanding our services from 38 beds to 51 beds due to the exponential rise of road traffic accidents and accidents related to fall from steep terrains and cliffs.

“Second reason is to raise awareness on spinal cord injury issues across the sub-continent and thirdly beyond spinal injury my main concern is also to emphasize on the issue of overland connectivity between the South Asian countries.

“I have done something out of the ordinary to bring VW Beetle when vehicles are not allowed to cross the border. Why can-not the issue of spinal injury become a tool

DIXIT INTERACTING WITH THE PATIENT

VISITING THE REHABLITATION DEPARTMENT AT MAYO HOSPITAL

1100 MILES JOURNEY OF SPINAL BEETLE

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INTERVIEW


to connect people of South Asia especially overland connectivity?”

EMPHASIS ON LINKAGESDixit mainly intends to spread the mes-

sage of goodwill. He further elaborated, “One of the major reasons is to bring together a South Asian network on spinal injury rehabili-tation.” Dixit emphasized on the need for linkages through networking via centres like the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Para-lyzed (CRP) Dhaka, which has developed into an internationally respected organisation focusing on a holistic approach to rehabilita-tion. CRP is active in Sri Lanka, Nepal and many other countries. Thus Dixit informed

that each year Asian Spinal Cord Network (ASCoN) holds regional conference that covers all aspects of spinal injury management, treatment, rehabilitation and provides a common platform for people in the Asiatic region to come together and net-work with others region-ally and internationally by sharing ideas about the latest developments and innovations in spinal injury manage-

ment. The conferences have been hosted in Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, and Vietnam and Dixit suggested that Pakistan to join the league of this networking as there are many lessons that we can learn from Pakistan. Dixit lauded the extraordinary efforts made during the 2005 earthquake and emphasized on the need for countries like Nepal to learn from this miraculous recovery.

EXPERIENCE IN PAKISTAN“Right from walking through the Wagha

Border, the graciousness with which our friends and officials at the Pakistani im-migration greeted was overwhelming. We

were excited as the customs in the Indian side took a little longer, so we arrived here just in time for the Wagha ceremony. I was a dramatic experience to watch the ceremony. The way they marched and paraded added to the value of my Pakistani experience. Later we watched a play on Bhagat Singh at the Ajoka Theatre which was a contrasting experience between the flag luring ceremony at the Wagha to Bhagat Singh fighting for the South Asian independence before parti-tion. So the meaning of the play was very interesting. Also our trip to the Mayo Hospital was successful as we were offered two fellowships in Rehabilitation Medicine for Nepalese doctors. It has been an incredible experience.”

He further added, “I not only chose Pakistan to raise funds and spread the awareness of spinal injury rehabilitation, but also to prove a point that overland connectiv-ity is not far and is definitely doable. I believe in the catchword “overland connectivity,” as we need mass people-to-people connectiv-ity overland in buses and trains. If a 40 year old car can do, why can’t we do it? And I have a duty as a Nepali to travel via India to Pakistan and try to soften the barriers. So I believe that Nepalis can be the torch bearers for South Asian connectivity as we are more welcome in all the countries than others

H H H

DOCTORS OF MAYO HOSPITAL WITH KANAK DIXIT AND HIS TEAM

WHAT THE BEETLE IS THINKING

I am nearly 40. Yet am

venturing out on an 1100 miles drive to Peshawar..all for a cause..to help recoup some

dignity into the lives of the spinally injured in Nepal. I think I can..i think I can..I know I can!Wont you help?

Just sponsor $100 per km of the journey. Help bring back smiles of the spinally injured patients and their families too..just go to www.sirc.org.np

for details...hai?

Huge on ScareS, LigHt on Mythology

movie


THe PLoTAfter brief cameos from the original film’s

Katie (Katie Featherston) and her sister – and second film star – Kristi Ray (Sprague Garden), the movie shifts to 1988 where their stepfather Dennis (Smith) has moved in. He makes wedding videos, while his wife Julie (Bittner) is independently wealthy and has two young daughters: Katie (Csengery) and Kristi Ray (Brown). Kristi has been talking to an imaginary person named Toby, and after a night where Dennis records something ghostly during an earthquake, he begins to videotape everything. And then the ghosting gets worse.

THe GooD Jump Scares: Do you like them? These films have a pattern. They lure you in to a sense of quiet and then you see something, then either something jumps at the camera, or something moves fast, or a human is dragged around. But no matter how you steel yourself, the film is going to surprise you and make you jump.

A Better Sequel: The last film spent a lot of time being boring. There’s nothing inherently wrong with a little bit of boring in a horror film because often the audience is waiting in anticipation of what’s coming next, and so sometimes that can make the wait for release more exciting. In the second film it slipped into tedium, where here the filmmakers know what they’re doing, so even though the film has to have lulls, it never becomes as tedious. They also use a moving camera, which – though the gag is always the same – manages to work

Realistically, Oren Peli‘s 2009 film Paranormal Activity should never had generated a sequel. There’s not much of a story to tell and explaining why people are haunted by ghosts is just as likely to ruin the mystique as expand on it. But 2010′s Paranormal Activity 2 was also a huge

hit, and so a year later there’s a third film. And unlike the last film – which went back and forth in time- this time it’s entirely a prequel. The results are more effective, but it works better as a haunted house film than as a story.

Nikki Grahame

Bronagh Waugh Yvie Burnett Lucien Laviscount

pretty much every time.Haunted House: These films work on

a very simple principle – everyone at some point in their life has heard a noise in the middle of the night, or been awake and not wanted to go into a dark corridor or down to a basement. This film is very successful at tapping into that fear, and it functions much like a haunted house. At this point in the franchise there’s no real dread left – especially in a prequel – but like a good haunted house, someone’s going to yell “boo!” loud enough to make you jump.

THe BAD:The Conceit is absurd at this point:

Without harping on the fact that the video is in widescreen and of a quality unimaginable in 1988, the film has people taping themselves while they’re watch-ing the footage they’ve shot. When The Blair Witch Project modernized the “found footage” concept, the way that film was constructed was rock solid, and played on the audience’s ability to not see things. In recent years it’s been embraced by studios looking to make films cheaper (shot on video, can’t show everything), though the first Paranormal Activity at least felt believ-able. At this point the narrative conceit is as organic and truthful as a pizza guy showing up in a porno.

Boo!: These films are now stripped down to stick figure characters who have something weird happen to them, and then

things gets terrible for them by the end. Though this is better constructed than the second film, at this point, it’s the exact same things happening over and over again. Effectively at that, but it’s simply being startled.

What it explains: This offers a modest explanation of why there’s been a haunting, but it opens the door to more questions. And though it may be silly to ask what a ghost’s motivations are – at this point, you have to assume that the ghost or spirit involved likes playing for the camera. Perhaps the next film will explain that, but when the film suggests why there’s been these things happening, it’s mostly groan inducing.

oveRALL:When you push out a film like this a

year, it’s interesting to compare it to the horror films of old. Is this any better or worse than Friday the 13th Part 3-D? These are the crappy horror films of their time, and perhaps they will be viewed with a fondness that previous generations felt for the Universal horror films of the 1930’s and 40’s, or – more recently – Freddy Kruger, Jason Voorhees and Michael Myers. But like many of those films the first in the series were usually good or had good ideas, but the further you continued the franchise the less menace the central threat has, and = for the most part – the sequels just try to copy what made the original work. This film

movie


At the Premiere:

the PLAYerS:

director: Henry Joost & Ariel Schulman

cinematography:Magdalena Gorka

actors: Chloe Csengery, Jessica Tyler Brown & Christopher Nicholas Smith

writers: Christopher Landon & Oren Peli

genre: Suspense/Horror & Sequel

rAtiNG: 6.5/10

PARANORMAL ACTiviTY 3

Bobby SabelKatie Price Lizzie Cundy ironik Gabriella Ellis

Mike Hough

sets out to make the audience sit on the edge of their seat, scream, jump, and per-haps talk back to the screen. On that level it is very successful. A film doesn’t need to have great characters or a great purpose or a great story to be effective.


style

Mughalaffair

Inspired by Mughal art and architecture, Tena Durrani’s latest collection fuses ancient patterns with contemporary fashion. Her bird motif jackets and her exclusive brooches are the start of an exciting evening affair.


style

style


style


stylestyle


Model: Marvi Sarfraz

Photographer: Kohi Marri

Hair and Makeup: Bina Khan

Jewellery: Prince Jewellers and Diamond Arena

Co-ordination: Voila PR

Designer: Tena Durrani

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society

Metro Cash’n’Carry Store recently organised “Family Fiesta” which started off with a grand fashion show. The event was managed by Bilal Mukhtar Events & PR.

Family Fiesta

LAHORE:

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Alyzeh & Fia1 Sara Gillani & Bilal Mukhtar 2 Fiza Ali43 Natty & BablooGul & Xille 5 6 Mohsin & Ali Shah

Dirk7 Wafa & Sahar8 9 Ayesha & Waqar 10Amna Babar & Sadia

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society

Aminah Haq

Jenna & Ash

Fiza & Fawad

Sadia Faisal

Sebastiaan

Salma & Turab

Amna Babar 2

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November 20, 2011 40 Sunday PluS

haloween partyVerve organised it’s much anticipated annual Halloween party in Lahore where the crème de la crème of Lahore turned out in full force and partied till the wee hours of morning.

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Sunday PluSNovember 20, 2011 41

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Mr & Mrs Shoaib Malik

Shammal & Rida

Ash,Ahmer, Uzma with friends

Zubair & Emania

Asif Kamal & Ursula

Madiha & Omair

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Accessorize me!

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Accessorize launched their latest outlet at Sitara Mall.

FAISALABAD:

3 Shahaid & Jannat

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Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of Accessorize at Sitara Mall

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Saima Saeed & Sonia Khurram

4 Mrs Faiq Javed

5 Naureen with her friend

6 Anushka & Munize

7 Dabir, Aleem & friend

8 Sharmeen Asim & Jannat Shahid

Sonar (Jewelry Designer) with Model Nadia Hussain

societyCOLOURS WITH A CAUSE

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Roots School System DHA 1 Campus, Islamabad organised the “ Roots National Arts Spectrum 2011: A fusion of Art & Empathy”, a three day marathon including inter-school / college talent competitions as well as a spectacular fund raiser for the Girl Child Foundation Popularly known as LGCF: The Grand Roots National Art Spectrum Fund Raiser was a fusion of art and empathy. Top models of Pakistan including Nadia Hussain, Mehreen Syed and Sofia Mirza “walked through times” showing various civilizations, showcasing chic and elegant collections of top designers of Pakistan like Ali Xeeshan, Rani Emaan’s and Zainab Mushtaq.

ISLAMABAD:

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Hina Omer , Zainab Mushtaq (Designer) & Rabia

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Riffat Mushtaq (Founder Director Roots School System)

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Amber Imtiaz with khadeja Mushtaq (Director)

5 Sobia (Makeup Artist) , Rani Imaan (Designer) with Khadija Mushtaq (Director Roots)

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Mehreen Saeed, Ali Xeeshan & Nadia Hussain

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society A DECADE OF LIFESTYLE

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The Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently held the 11th Women’s Lifestyle Exhibition at the Royal Palm Golf and Country Club. The event’s media was managed by Voila PR and PR was handled by Savvy Events and Verve.

LAHORE:

3 Amina Sibtain

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Shehla Akram, Romana, Kaukab & Ayesha

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Amina Saeed & Bilal Mukhtar

4 Ayesha Nasir & Sehyr Anis

5 Farah, Nilma Naveed & Madiha Abrar

6 Shaista Perviaz

7 Shehla Akram & Naveen

8 Saeera Hassan, Ayesha & Amina Saeed

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9 Aden

10 Aamir Mazhar & Rima Farid

Erum, Mr. Thariani & Irshad

Mr. & Mrs. Shahbaz

Kulsoom Dawood & Nargis Soorty

society

Direct Dil se…

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One of Karachi’s most well-known charities, Developments in Literacy, recently held a special showing of play ‘Karachi: The Musical’ at the Karachi Arts Council. The event’s media and PR was managed by Voila PR.

KARACHI:

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Shehzad, Dada, Fawzia, Nargis, Kulsoom Dawood, Asma, Afshan, Sherezad & Sabeen

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LAHORE:

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Iqra and Reema Amna and Alizeh

Natasha Hussain & Omar Satti

Zehra and Sophia MareehaFatima and Bushra AftabFizza Saleem21

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November 20, 2011 46 Sunday PluS

ExchangE your fashion

8 Zehra, Asifa and Anem

Fashion Exchange launched their flagship store at Vogue Towers, MM Alam Road. The designers at Fashion Exchange showcased hottest trends of the season in spectacular western and eastern collection for Autumn/Winet 2011. The start studded event was hosted by Natasha Hussain, who was accompanied by supermodel Nooray, Sara Gillani and many more. The event was managed by J&S.

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Sunday PluSNovember 20, 2011 47

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‘Pakistan - a nation founded as a homeland for South Asian Muslims, most of whom follow a tolerant, nonthreatening form of Islam - has become a haven for al-Qaeda and domestic jihadist and sectarian groups.’

RIGHT OFF THE SHELF


John R. Schmidt, author of The Unraveling: Pakistan in the Age of Jihad, professorial lecturer at the

Elliott School, and the senior U.S. political analyst in Pakistan in the years before 9/11, discussed the domestic policy choices and external factors which have led to this result.

The Leaders of Pakistan: According to the author, Pakistan as a nation has changed drastically within the last decade, and that as much as external factors – such as American involvement in the region – are important, much of that change is due to state choices. Schmidt agreed, arguing that the puzzle lies in the fact that Pakistan’s leaders have always held personal religious beliefs that are strongly at odds with those more militant beliefs of radical Islam.

Understanding how these same leaders led to the rise of jihad begins by understanding the leaders themselves:

Civilian Political Class: Schmidt noted that Pakistan’s civilian political leaders are appropriately known as “feudals,” given that their preferred method of political rule is by dispersing state resources through patron-age networks.

Military Professional Class: The military, on the other hand, is the product of an extremely meritocratic system that leads to the only professional organization in Pakistan, said Schmidt.

The Interaction of the Two Classes: Rule of Pakistan has alternated between these two classes, Schmidt said, leading to considerable tension between them. The result has been a political system that is

oriented toward the short-term, and with no real desire to tackle the long-term problems facing Pakistan.

The Social Compact: Tellis added that despite the tension between the two classes, they have established a social compact in which the military allows the feudal classes to preserve their influence in exchange for allowing the military a large degree of control over national secu-rity issues. This compact binds the two classes together, and ultimately freezes the prospect of democratization or any sort of political growth in Pakistan.

The Rise of Jihadism in PakistanIndia: Schmidt noted that the Pakistani-

Indian relationship has been plagued with tension since its inception, and that Pakistan has felt a profound sense of griev-

Pakistan on the political front

Title: The Unraveling: Pakistan in the Age of JihadAuthor: John R. SchmidtPages: 288Price: Rs. 2995Genre: Political History

ance over the issue of Kashmir. As a result, it has sought to offset India’s conventional superiority by turning to the unconventional means of surrogate actors.

Surrogates against the Soviets: When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, Pakistan turned to surrogates to fight the occupying power, Schmidt said. Pakistani resources, along with those of the United States and Saudi Arabia, were used to strengthen the jihadist surrogates that were fighting within Afghanistan. By the time the Soviets were finally driven out, the jihadist groups had grown very powerful, and a sense of radical Islam had spread across the region.

Exporting Jihad to India: The conclusion of the anti-Soviet jihad coincided with an uprising in Indian-controlled Kashmir, said Schmidt. With an opportunity to needle its long-time nemesis at hand, Pakistan encouraged jihadist groups to switch their focus from Afghanistan to India and Kashmir.

Jihad in Afghanistan’s Civil War: In

the meantime, Schmidt noted, Pakistan continued to support its surrogate groups in Afghanistan against Indian-backed groups. However, by the mid-1990s, Pakistani-backed groups had lost much of their influence. At the time, a new movement of radical mullahs was rising in the south of Afghanistan, and Pakistan switched its support to the new organization, called the Taliban.

Things Fall Apart: The Jihadist Blow-back

The Unraveling: As the twentieth century came to an end, Pakistan’s erst-while proxies began showing new signs of independence, Schmidt added. In the east, Pakistan’s jihadist groups sparked a major conflict with India when they began to target civilians. In the west, the Taliban sheltered Osama bin Laden, embroiling Pakistan in an imbroglio with the United States.

September 11: After the 9/11 terrorist attacks occurred, Pakistan was forced into an alliance with the United States. This

alliance caused many former surrogates to turn against Pakistan, even as Pakistan continued to shelter others to the United States’ displeasure, explained Shmidt. When Pakistan did act, it often created new problems, such as the rise of the Pakistani Taliban.

The Principal-Agent Problem: Tellis noted that this deterioration in control and relations was an example of the principal-agent problem, in which an agent increasingly gains the capacity to carry out its agenda, which often differs in some respects from the agenda of the principal. Tellis raised the issue of at what point in Pakistan will the gulf between the two agendas become wide enough that Paki-stan actively turns on its former agents.

He concluded that the army remains the only institution within Pakistan powerful enough to stop the jihadist political force, even if all of Pakistan’s former surrogates turned against it.

RIGHT OFF THE SHELF


Synopsis: Few books have had a more profound impact on human history than the Qur’an. It shapes the beliefs, lives and behaviour of over 1.5 billion Muslims, who regard it as the Word of God, revealed to the Prophet Muham-mad. Speaking directly to Muslims, it has been the basic source of law, morality and politics for over 1,400 years. Almost everything that happens in a Muslim society is a direct or indirect product of what the Qur’an says. But what does the Qur’an really say? How should it be read and interpreted? What is the significance of its teachings, if any, for the 21st century? In this enlightening and highly readable book, Ziauddin Sardar, one of the foremost Muslim intellectuals of our time, offers a refreshingly new interpretation of the Qur’an. Emphasising plurality and inclusiveness, Sardar demonstrates the importance of reading the verses of the Qur’an in the context in which they were revealed, and highlights the relevance of its teachings for today. Argumentative and lively, Reading the Qur’an is an insightful guide to understanding the Sacred Text of Muslims in these conflict ridden and distressing times. Whatever one believes or does not believe, the central importance of the Qur’an in today’s globalized world cannot be ignored.

Reading the Qur’anAuthor: Ziauddin Sardar | Pages: 406 | Price: Rs. 2695 | Genre: Religion

H H H

Synopsis: True leadership isn’t a matter of having a certain job or title. In fact, being chosen for a position is only the first of the five levels every effective leader achieves. To become more than “the boss” people follow only because they are required to, you have to master the ability to invest in people and inspire them. To grow further in your role, you must achieve results and build a team that produces. You need to help people to develop their skills to become leaders in their own right. And if you have the skill and dedication, you can reach the pinnacle of leadership-where experience will allow you to extend your influence beyond your immediate reach and time for the benefit of others. The 5 Levels of Leadership are: 1. Position - People follow because they have to. 2. Permission - People follow because they want to. 3. Production - People follow because of what you have done for the organization. 4. People Development - People follow because of what you have done for them personally. 5. Pinnacle - People follow because of who you are and what you represent. The author shows you how to master each level and rise up to the next to become a more influential, respected, and successful leader.

the 5 levels of leadership: Proven Steps to Maximise Your PotentialAuthor: John C. Maxwell | Pages: 304 | Price: Rs. 1395 | Genre: Business/Management


art

By Azhar Javed

eputy Minister for Information and Culture Saud Al Sheikhi in his inaugural address said that relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arab is deep routed and historic. He said that holding of such exhibitions will give further impetus to the fraternal rela-tions between the two countries.

He said that Saudi nation hold their Pakistani brothers in high esteem that could be noticed by the presence of great number of Saudi citizens attending this exhibition. He said that the Arabic script enjoys spiritual beauty that has been clearly reflected in the art of Pakistani calligraphers on display.

The Ambassador of Pakistan Muham-mad Naeem Khan in his welcome address said that the participation of 16 top award winning calligraphers from Pakistan in the exhibition reflects the strength of relations between the two countries. He said that the exhibition also depicts that Pakistan

has preserved its Islamic heritage, culture and art. The Ambassador said that the history of calligraphy in Pakistan is as old as the arrival of Islam in South Asia. He admired the work of calligraphers.

The Consul General of Pakistan Abdul Salik Khan said that Pakistan has remained a cradle of artisanship and cal-ligraphy for centuries and has been glob-ally acknowledge. He said that exhibition is an opportunity for those who admired Arabic calligraphic beauty to come and visit the exhibition and benefit from the experiences of world class Pak Calligra-phers. The participants of the exhibition have lauded the efforts and struggle for Pakistani calligraphers to highlight their works at the exhibition especially they thanked to Deputy Consul-General, Imran Ahmed Siddiqui and Manager NADRA, Jeddah, Abdul Haseeb

Nearly 200 calligraphy arts by the

renowned Pakistani calligraphers in various Arabic scripts have been put on display in the exhibition. The exhibition has attracted the attention of Saudi citizens and diplomats.

In order to showcase the work of great calligraphers, an exhibition of Arabic cal-ligraphy organised by Pakistan Consulate General at Sheraton Hotel.

The work of 16 major calligraphers from Pakistan will be displayed in the exhibition.

Pakistan is one of the major centers of calligraphy in the Islamic world. It has produced calligraphers of great repute.

Arabic language and its script arrived in areas now comprising Pakistan in 712 AD. Since then, for over 13 centuries the tradition of calligraphy has been care-fully fostered, nurtured and passed on to younger generations as a sacred gift and the most prominent ingredient in the cultural identity of the country.

D

The exhibition “Allama Bil Qalam” was recently organised by the Consul General of Pakistan in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Artwork of 16 renowned Pakistani calligraphers were exhibited.

wins sAUDi HEARTscAlligRApHypAkisTAni


art

In old times Lahore, Multan, Thatta and Peshawar were great centers of Ara-bic calligraphy in Pakistan. Now Karachi with its unique style has been added to the list of these local centres.

Asghar Ali by profession is a cal-ligrapher and his works speaks itself. He remained official naqqash (calligraphy and designing) at Masjid-e-Nabwi for seven years and did calligraphic designing at Madina-al-Munawara for eight years. His affection for calligraphy grew when

he worked there under the guidance of master calligrapher Shafiquzaman. He returned in 1998 and devoted himself solely to excelling in calligraphic art. It is now 18 years since he took up painting landscapes and calligraphy. He has to his credit participation in the group shows across the world and also solo shows at top galleries across the country.

They were Asghar Ali from Lahore, Muhammad Ali Bokhari from Karachi, Muhammad Kashif Khan, Karachi, M.

Maqsood Lashria, Quetta, Khalid Javaid Yousafi, Rawalpindi, Ellahi Bakhsh Mutee, Hazara, Afrah Faia, Rawalpindi, Iqbal Ibn-e-Kaleem, Multan, Muhammad Rshid Seyal, Multan, Irfan Ahmad Khan, Lahore, Muhammad Ali Zahid Lahore, Rana Riaz Ahmad Lahore, Muhammad Ashraf Heera, Hafizabad, Hafiz Anjum Mahmood, Fais-alabad, Ali Ahmad Bhutta, Sheikhupura and Muhammad Ali Qadri, Lahore.

Deputy Minister for Culture and Information of Saudi arabia, Saud al Sheikhi inaugurated arabic Calligraphic Exhibition of Pakistani artists in Jeddah.

In old times Lahore, Multan, Thatta and Peshawar were great centers of Arabic calligraphy in Pakistan. Now Karachi with its unique style has been added to the list of these local centres.

society

Roll & Bake extravaganza


Cinnabon Pakistan recently hosted “Bake a Bon Day” at their Gulberg store. Kids Campus Gadaffi Stadium’s 1st graders and kindergarten kids were invited to celebrate the ultimate Roll & Bake extravaganza.

LAHORE:

The ScripT is a three-piece Irish Mu-sic band from Dublin. They are currently based in London after signing to RCA Label Group imprint Phonogenic.

Mark and Danny are former produc-ers who worked with Rodney Jerkins, the Neptunes, Teddy Reilly and Dallas Austin. They were based in the US, but moved back to Dublin where they recruited Glen for their new band. Mark and Danny were also members of a failed Louis Walsh boy band “My Town.” The band signed to Phonogenic in spring 2007, and released an EP on Last.FM.

Their debut single “We Cry” received ‘Single of the Week’ on RTÉ 2FM, Today FM and by Jo Whiley on BBC Radio 1, and was Kevin Hughes’ tune of the week on GCap Media’s The One Network show Music Control. Their second single ‘The Man Who Can’t Be Moved’ was also Kevin Hughes Tune of the Week on Music Control Radio, as well as Jo Wiley’s pet sound.

Their first single “We Cry” was

released on iTunes on April 20th 2008. It was released in stores on April 25, 2008 in Ireland and April 28, 2008 in the UK. The bands next single The Man Who Can’t Be Moved was released on the 25th of July.

On August 8 2008 their debut album was released in Ireland, both through digital download and physical CD release, and was released on August 11 2008 in the UK. The album is cur-rently at number one on Uk iTunes. It is highly expected to get the number one spot on the UK Albums Chart this com-ing Sunday, 17th August.

Science & Faith (album) is the sec-ond album from Irish band The Script. The album was released in Ireland on September 10, 2010 following the release of the first single “For the First

Time” on September 3, 2010.Science & Faith was released in

Ireland and Australia on 10 September 2010. And released in the UK on 13 September. In its first day on sale in the UK, it reached number 1 on iTunes Album Chart.


muSic

Their debut single “We Cry” received ‘Single of the Week’ on RTÉ 2FM, Today FM and by Jo Whiley on BBC Radio 1, and was Kevin Hughes’ tune of the week on GCap Media’s The One Network show Music Control.

The bands next single The Man Who Can’t Be Moved was released on the 25th of July.

The ScripTFor The FirsT Time –

To the good luck of Faisalabad, its inhabitants and visitors a restaurant par excellence has emerged on the Faisal Road in the Civil Lines area of the city.

he place is Oriental Restaurant, very cool in style yet very warm in hospitality and spirit. This is the only place in city which provides mouth watering fusion of Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese cuisine under one roof. The restaurant was opened in April 2009 and within a very short span of time its name has reached every nook and corner of the country. The success story has quite a few aspects re-sponsible. Covering an area of 5800 square feet Oriental is the largest eating place in the city. Its walls, floors, suspended ceilings, lighting, décor, furniture all sing a philharmonic tune in unison. Every single element which makes the interior rich is pleasing to the eyes.

At the entrance a Lilliputian garden spread-ing on steps welcomes you. Though petit in size one can find an amalgam of exotic plants, shrubs, bushes and water features all set in

Japanese style of horticulture. According to fa-mous landscape gardener Seyemon Kusumoto, “Japanese generate the best of nature’s handi-work in a limited space.” This seems absolutely true when we experience the walk through the small landscaped area at the entrance.

Hygiene requires a very special consideration and when I visited Oriental I was particularly keen to see the conditions of the kitchen and of the wash-rooms. Normally an owner of a res-taurant or a hotel would never like that a guest

should see the kitchen. Though my visit was not planned I was gladly taken into the kitchen and it turned out to be a very big surprise as far as cleanliness and hygiene was concerned. What I found was that the kitchen was clean and was maintained in good repair. It was particularly de-signed and constructed to permit good hygiene practices. There were suitable controls in place to protect against pests. Controls were in place to control sufficient natural and mechanical ventilation. Hand washing facilities were as good as of a five star hotel.

The most basic but also the most important factor of any restaurant is the food. There are so many restaurants that get so caught up in the aesthetics of the restaurant like the decor, that not enough emphasis is put into the food. There are so many restaurants that try to create un-usual ambience but at the end of a busy day, all the customers really want is to be satisfied with good healthy food. The answer is the Oriental.

In any restaurant, the only point of contact that customers have with the company is through the service staff. If a restaurant does not select and train the right person for the job, it can ruin the customer’s experience. The service staff is therefore solely responsible to make sure that their customers are happy throughout their visit to the restaurant. The staff should be polite and welcoming, and most of all, they should know absolutely everything about the menu. If a question arises about a certain dish and the staff cannot answer it, the customer feels uncomfortable and will likely be put off. There-fore, the staff should be able to experience all the available dishes and be able to recommend dishes if asked. Knowledgeable staff can make a great deal of difference. Oriental has a staff that will provide you full satisfaction.

Another important factor of the dining experience is the atmosphere. It can be created through many different ways. One of the most effective and efficient ways of creating a warm and inviting atmosphere is to light candles. Oriental maintains imported and scented candles at every table during the dinners this set up entices patrons to sit down and relax. Another added way of creating a pleasant atmo-sphere is the provision of very soft music that neither disturbs the discussions nor it turns the interior into a disco. In a very short period of time Oriental has become one of the most important eating-place and a rendezvous of high profile business people, serenity loving families. It is a place worth experiencing.

.


review

By Dr. Shaukat Mahmood

Cool in style, warm in spiritOriental: eating out in faisalabad

T


hollywood

The BooTsThe CaT, The MyTh...


hollywood

In Puss in Boots, the adorable little creature with the deep voice who became a fan favourite in the Shrek films gets to go on his own adventure. A notorious fighter, lover and outlaw, Puss (Antonio Banderas) sets off with the tough and street smart Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek) and his childhood best friend Humpty Dumpty (Zach Galifianakis), in search of magic beans to grow a beanstalk that will lead them to the fabled goose that can lay golden eggs. Making things rather difficult for them is the notorious Jack and Jill (Billy Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris), who will do anything to see that the trio does not succeed.

At a press conference for the film, Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek talked about how lucky and proud they are to be a part of the film, working without a script ahead of time as the story was developed along the way, and how they got the unusual opportunity to do a voice recording session together. Check out what they had to say after the jump:

when you both first came to this country, you had to struggle to get work. how does it feel to be in a big hollywood movie like this, where there are two latino leads?

ANToNIo BANdERAS: When I first came to America, 21 years ago, I did The Mambo Kings, and somebody on the set said to me, “If you’re going to stay here, you’re going to play bad characters. You’re going to be the bad guy, in movies.” In these 21 years, everything has changed, very much. In a way, it’s a reflection of what is happening in society. There were many generations of Latino people coming to this country, coming from difficult political or social situations in their own countries, and they worked very hard to have their kids go to universities. Well, those kids came out and they are now doctors and architects, or they are on the Supreme Court. That has a reflection in Hollywood. So, we are actually

very proud that our characters are Latinos, and I think it’s good for diversity and cul-tural interaction. This movie is going to be seen by kids, and they don’t judge, in those terms. They’re going to watch the movie and see that the heroes actually have a strong accent, and that is good.

SAlMA hAyEK: I just feel very lucky that I have been able to piggyback ride on Antonio’s superstar career. Thank god, he’s doing so well because every time he gets a movie, I get to sneak in it, even if it’s a cameo. I think that’s how things happen. I’m sure somebody else is going to sneak in because of it. It’s a good chain. I’m very proud to be a part of this movie.

Antonio, did you see the potential in Puss in Boots, from the first moment you were offered the character? how do you feel now that the cat is a star, in his own right?

BANdERAS: In the beginning, it was a recurring character. I didn’t know that he was going to have a long career, of 10 years now. The story with the cat has to do with the first choice that we made, providing him with a voice that actually doesn’t match the body and goes exactly in the opposite direction. The cat is not supposed to talk like that. He doesn’t even talk like me. I created a voice for him that’s deeper

and bigger. That contrast is the source of comedy because it’s not supposed to be like that. We were in competition with the movie at the Cannes Film Festival in 2004, and suddenly there were 12 eruptions in the movie, of people just laughing. After that, I had a dinner with Jeffrey Katzenberg and he told me the idea of possibly continuing with the character in the Shrek series, and then the possibility of having a movie for him, later on.

Salma, how did you prepare for this sexy character?

hAyEK: I really didn’t prepare, at all. I never even got to see the script. (Director) Chris Miller never showed me the script. I just showed up blind. There were no draw-ings, or anything. In the beginning, it was just Chris and I, and he would explain it to me. It reminded me of my grandmother, who used to tell me the most amazing tales, and you had to imagine everything. He would walk me through the production design and explain it to me, and then we’d do the scenes, but I really didn’t prepare. I wish I could tell you something method, but no.

how did you explain to your daughter that you are the voice of Kitty Soft-paws?

hAyEK: You know, I was worried about


hollywood

that because it’s like telling your child about Santa. She really thinks there are cats there. I thought I had some time, but before I could say anything, my character came on in the previews and she said, “Oh, my gosh, mommy, that cat sounds just like you!” So, I said, “Well, actually, it is me.” I had to explain to her that it’s not real. It’s drawings in the computer, and then you talk [for the character]. She was confused for a couple of days, but now she’s so proud of me.

BANdERAS: Ten years ago, my kids were still kids, but now my oldest is 26, and he’s got a rock band in Brooklyn. He just said to me, “That’s a cool cat, dad.” That was pretty much his comment about it.

did you guys get the opportunity to record together at all, during this process?

BANdERAS: The technique is basi-cally just to work individually. I’ve done that for almost 10 years now, with Puss in Boots. But, in this particular case, I asked

our director, Chris [Miller], to give us the opportunity to work together. So, we did a session, and I actually think some of the stuff we did together made it to the movie. The session was great. We improvised a little bit and just did what we wanted to do. If we would have done that individually, it would have been very difficult for the other person to match what the other did.

hAyEK: It was great. I’m just grateful that I had some training with Chris because it’s my first time doing this. I was scared to be by myself, but I was never by myself. Chris Miller is an amazing director. I really cherished the experience I had with him in this. He trained me with it, so by the time I got to Antonio, we really had the character. I knew who she was and it was very solid, so that helped me. And also, he really pushed me to explore improvisation in comedy. In these two years, I think I’ve gotten so much better because of him. He really encouraged me, and it really helped me, by the time I got to do this session with Antonio.

Salma, are you looking forward to having young kids as fans now, and hav-ing them discover your work?

hAyEK: I sure hope so! The ones who discovered me a long time ago, don’t want to go to the movies anymore. I need a new generation, or else I’ll die!

did either of you get physical at all, during the recording process?

BANdERAS: I do, actually. I get really physical. Sometimes I go off the micro-phone and they have to pull me back. It’s just so amazing to me, still. I got to this country without even speaking the language, so the fact that they call me for the use of my voice is such a paradox. When I came to America, I said, “If there’s something I cannot do, it’s going to be an animation movie.” And, here I am. I have a lot of fun. I know that it’s working when I see that they are in the booth laughing, and Chris actually laughed on my take some-times. We ruined a lot of the best takes be-cause of laughter. It’s almost embarrassing to say this, but it’s just easy and fun. You don’t feel that you are spending as much money as you do when you are working on a traditional movie and everybody is just rushing you because there are 200 people there. You’ve got a machine to record the voices there, and if you want to throw out whatever comes to your mind, you’re

You’ve got a machine to record the voices there, and if you want to throw out whatever comes to your mind, you’re allowed to do it. It’s almost like pieces of a puzzle. Then, they take all of that work and these fantastic people on the creative side of the movie put it together in unbelievable ways.


hollywood

allowed to do it. It’s almost like pieces of a puzzle. Then, they take all of that work and these fantastic people on the creative side of the movie put it together in unbelievable ways. Already working in this for 10 years, when Chris showed me the storyboards, I pretty much knew what the final result was going to be. It’s a lot of fun, believe me!

hAyEK: One thing that got really physical with Chris and I was when we were recording one day and the wall came down on us. I’m not kidding! We are alive by a miracle. How it missed both of us, we still don’t understand. The wall broke and landed on the studio floor. I moved right before it fell. I don’t know why I moved, and then it fell. It missed Chris by nothing. So, I was very physical that day. I ran fast!

As a producer on the film, did Guillermo del Toro influence your perfor-mance, at all?

BANdERAS: No, because he stayed behind the scenes. He supervised all of the editing, and I suppose, to a certain point, because he’s also Mexican, he checked out how the Latino feeling of the movie was portrayed. But, he visited the recording studio once, and has travelled with us in promotion. With him, you feel secure, in that aspect. You know that the Latino aspect is going to be there.

Zodiac

Aries The Ram

(21 March to 19

april)

Financial expansion and investments will

be

underway. Sun moving into your 9th house of

luck from th

e 22nd onward will bring a need fo

r

intellectual growth. The acceptance of challenge

and the need to move in all spheres of life is

important.

Retrograde Mercury fro

m the 24th

onward will cause communication errors, fo

rgotten

appointments,

writing

mishaps, computer

problems, work disruptions, delays in tra

veling or

electronic gadgets m

alfunctioning. Avoid buying

computers, cars or signing new contracts during

Mercury retrograde. The solar eclipse on th

e 25th

will create challenges for students pursuing higher

education. Avoid speculative ventures close to the

eclipse. Avoid major health changes afte

r the 24th.

TAurusThe bull

(20april – 20 May)

After the 22nd, your eight house of fi

nances

will receive a boost. Y

our financial p

rosper-

ity is happening. Nonetheless, financial

complexities are likely on the 25th due to

the solar eclip

se. It is a good perio

d to get

rid of re

dundant things, old emotional p

at-

terns and useless relationships. M

ercury ret-

rograde on the 24th will

place a stumbling

block in matters related to love, creativity

and children. Joint fin

ancial ventures need

to be reviewed properly

. Deception m

ay lurk

in such matters. Your s

pouse or partner w

ill

have far b

etter luck in

finances. In

timacy is-

sues may crop up close to the eclip

se.

GeminiThe Tw

ins

(21 May – 20 June)

From the 24th onward, your ruling Mercury

in retrograde motion will lead to scattered

mental energies, unpredictable outcom

e

of events, confused frame of m

ind and

unsettling domestic circum

stances. Avoid

implem

enting drastic changes in your

family setup or at hom

e. Major career de-

cisions should be placed on hold. The so-

lar eclipse on the 25th will bring changes

in your current relationship or marriage.

Flawed relationships or partnerships may

end abruptly. Your spouse or partner may

redefine his views, his image and evolve

in different ways. Group activities are fa-

vored. Personal moves m

ay go wrong.

Health will be delicate after the 24th.

CAnCer

The cRab

(21 June – 22 July)

The new Moon on the 25th symbolizes

an excellent time to put seed into the

ground, to start new ventures or open a

new business. Avoid major decisions dur-

ing the void-of-course Moon during these

timings on the 23rd from

4:04 am till

6:58 am and the 25th from

4:04 am till

6:58 am. Mercury turning retrograde from

the 24th onward may cause a turbulent

relationship with your siblings, cousins

and neighbors; disrupt traveling plans

and lead to comm

unication problems.

Be wary of secret enemies during the ret-

rograde period. The solar eclipse on the

25th will cause major shifts in your work

scenario. New job options may becom

e

available. Old jobs may undergo endings.

Till the 23rd, be careful with regard to fi-

nancial decisions. Leo 2011

The lion

(23 July – 22 august)

Retrograde Mercury from the 24th onward

will adversely influence your friendship circle

– avoid major rifts and shifts in connection

with your friendships. Your financial planet

turning retrograde also warrants financial

budgeting. Avoid making major purchases

or any significant financial undertaking

from the 24th onward. The solar eclipse on

the 25th will bring changes in your roman-

tic arena, children and creativity. Caution in

love is advised close to the eclipse. Career

will advance via right connections. Greater

speculative urges will be observed. Tone it

down after the 24th. Monetary dealings

may be undertaken before the retrogres-

sion.

sCorpio

The scoRpion

(23 october – 21 noveMber)

Your social planet turning retrograde

from the 24th onward, social activities

may suffer or perhaps unfulfilled aspi-

rations may overwhelm

you. Delay in

investments and outside capital; joint fi-

nance issues and tax concerns may also

crop up. Losses may be incurred at som

e

level or issues of after-life may haunt

you. The solar eclipse on the 25th will

bring changes in your financial thinking.

Your personal power will be high on the

23rd-24th. Your sTAr

THis weekDr. Zaibun nisa


ZodiacGeminiThe Tw

ins

(21 May – 20 June)

From the 24th onward, your ruling Mercury

in retrograde motion will lead to scattered

mental energies, unpredictable outcom

e

of events, confused frame of m

ind and

unsettling domestic circum

stances. Avoid

implem

enting drastic changes in your

family setup or at hom

e. Major career de-

cisions should be placed on hold. The so-

lar eclipse on the 25th will bring changes

in your current relationship or marriage.

Flawed relationships or partnerships may

end abruptly. Your spouse or partner may

redefine his views, his image and evolve

in different ways. Group activities are fa-

vored. Personal moves m

ay go wrong.

Health will be delicate after the 24th.

VirGo The ViRgin

(23 august – 22 septeMber)

With your ruler, Mercury becom

ing retro-

grade from the 24th onward, confusion

regarding personal matters and ca-

reer direction will prevail. Avoid drastic

changes in your professional or personal

life. Arguments and debate will appeal

to you. The solar eclipse on the 25th

will bring drastic changes at home, with

family m

embers and dram

atic scenes in

your domestic setup. Im

pulsive or pre-

mature action in your profession m

ay

have difficult repercussions. Accidents

can occur.

sAGiTTArius

The aRcheR

(22 noveMber – 21 DeceMber)

With your career planet turning retro-

grade from the 24th onward, career

prospects may slow down and inter-

rupted professional pattern may be

experienced. Misunderstandings in rela-

tionships, significant partnerships, close

friendships and marriages m

ay emerge

with the possibility of a break-up. The

solar eclipse on the 25th will bring

changes in your personal style, self-im-

age and appearance. Watch your health

on the eclipse day.

pisCesThe Fish

(19 February – 20 March)

With Mercury turning retro

grade on the

24th, fears or misunderstandings may

cloud your existing relatio

nship or mar-

riage. You will

also face difficulty in in-

teracting with

your family m

embers. The

solar eclipse on the 25th will b

ring drastic

changes in your c

areer and professional

reputation. Old career patte

rns may be

shed in favor of new ones. H

ealth will s

uf-

fer due to

the eclipse.

AquArius

The waTeR beaReR

(20 January – 18

February)

With Mercury retro

grade from the 24th on-

ward, superficial love atta

chments will d

win-

dle – favorin

g long te

rm partn

erships. Issues

regarding children may also crop up afte

r the

24th. Matte

rs related to

joint finances, in

vest-

ments, debts, loans and ta

xes may also experi-

ence delays and turbulence. T

he solar eclipse

on the 25th will b

ring major shifts

in your social

circle.

LibrA The scales

(23 septeMber – 22 october)

With retrograde Mercury from

the 24th

onward, disruptive travel plans, mishaps

related to foreign lands or overseas con-

nections and spiritual shake-ups are

likely. Charitable activities will also ex-

perience glitches. Solitude may becom

e

a source of fear or confusion. The solar

eclipse on the 25th will bring changes

with regard to your siblings; disrupt

travel plans and cause a complicated re-

lationship with relatives and neighbors.

Your personal power will be at its peak

on the 21st-22nd.

CApriCorn

The goaT

(22 DeceMber – 19 January)

With your travel planet retrograde after the

24th, travel delays, difficulties in dealing

with overseas elements, spiritual misap-

prehensions or education mishaps may be-

come a norm. Retrograde Mercury will also

negatively influence job-related matters,

employment scenario, your work-relation-

ship with colleagues or simply your working

environment. Legal matters can emerge

around the 25th due to the solar eclipse.

Avoid changes in your diet or exercise regi-

men after the 24th.


Shamaeel Ansari, an established name in the fashion industry for over 25 years, has now expanded to stocking at Emporio Taneez, Karachi.This will be a great step forward for Shaameel as it will make her brand more accessible to the market.

Location : 136-137, Level One, Park Towers Mall, Clifton

PICKS OF THE WEEK

November 20, 2011 62 SuNday PluS

Shamaeel Expands

Zahra Saeed Lifestyle will be exhibiting a brand new line of home décor pieces. Presenting a wide array of accessories ranging from lamps, frames, candles, office ac-cessories, bar accessories, pillows to bathroom accessories in a European style sampler store, the Zahra Saeed Lifestyle Brand offers a little bit of everything for your home. She has handpicked everything from across America by Zahra Saeed herself. Also, on display will be Zahra Saeed’s exclusive fashion line which includes Western and Eastern Wear.

Check out the Zahra Saeed Lifestyle for fashionable retail for your home and yourself on Thursday, 24 November 2011 from 11 am till 8 pm at 10 Q, Lahore.

Home Décor by Zahra Saeed

Located in the centre of Gulberg, ‘Wonderful Vie’ has opened its doors for decor loving enthusiast of Lahore. Having a long list of products ranging from; home décor, lamps, chan-delier, centre pieces, handicraft and accessories, wonderful vie is here to make a statement. This shop is an amalgamation of vari-ous art and decor pieces from Ikea index, Indonesia, Thailand and Kenya. To add an ‘oomph factor’ to your already existing décor a visit to this awesome shop is a must.

Location: 2A/P, Gulberg II (Opposite Yum Restaurant), Lahore. Call: 0345- 4510010

We at Sunday Plus are sharing our exclusive recommendations with all our readers. Read on for the best buys, the trendiest brands and the most enticing eateries that you need to know about. We slog through the jungle to bring you the hippest happenings and must-have information, right here in your copy of Sunday Plus: your essential weekend luxury.

Wonderful Vie

HOTTEST, NEWEST, LATEST…

Espresso’s Swiss Choco-late Walnut Brownie is made with premium cocoa and fresh walnuts and is topped generously with a rich chocolate sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s crackly on top with a soft gooey interior, fudgy and rich, buttery and seri-ous. If you like a brownie that melts on your tongue with a flood of chocolate, then wait no further enter and indulge in this Chocó mania.

Location: Espresso Cof-fee House , Lahore and Karachi

Choco Mania

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