Submissive labour

Pakistani women who work in industrial areas are stuck in a whirlwind; with minimal facilities, nominal salaries and strict job rules. You! takes a look at the condition of women working in Korangi Industrial Area

 By Sheher Bano

What made women's labour particularly attractive to the capitalists was not only its lower price but also the greater submissiveness of women.

 - Clara ZetkinWhile the world celebrated International Workers' Day on May 1, the women workers of Pakistan still have a long way to go before they achieve their rightful place in the society. Just a glance at the industrial area of Korangi will reveal the harsh working environment and bitter lives of an estimated 50,000 women working in the vicinity. They travel all the way from areas like North Karachi, Landhi and Malir to Korangi so that they can earn a living. They not only face challenges at work but are also responsible for educating their siblings or children, marrying off the female members of the family and at times even making arrangements for their own dowry.

Mumtaz is one of the many working women in the Korangi industrial area whose story is depressing yet not unique. She was married off to a lawyer and was leading a happy life as a housewife. But after the death of her husband, she was forced to work in a garment factory in order to nurture her 11 children. She gets a meagre pay of Rs. 2500, which all goes into the house budget. The landlord of their house was sympathetic enough to let the widow keep a small portion of the house on little rent. To help her out, her three elder children started to work as well, of whom two are in the same factory. Similarly, the private school where the rest of her children are studying also wrote off their fee.

As far as the facilities are concerned, the workers in the factory are given 10 days annual leave with no medical cover. At work there are no unions or platform where workers can raise their voices. "Factory owners become harsh towards those who speak for their rights. So, we prefer to stay quiet, else we can get in more trouble," narrated Mumtaz. 

After the death of her husband, she had to sell all her jewellery, valuables and household items. Her daughter Mehwish, after completing her Bachelors in Fashion Designing from Punjab University, did some odd jobs but ultimately unemployment forced her to take a packing job in the same factory. "Designing clothes is my passion and I even did my specialisation in it. If I had financial support, I could have started my own boutique," lamented Mehwish.

Khadeeja bears a similar life. She earns a living through cropping work in the Korangi Industrial Area on contractual basis and gets Rs. 90 per 100 pieces. After her father died, her mother remarried leaving her to bear the responsibility of her 11-year-old brother along with her own eight children. She is a divorcee and hence the sole earner of the family. Earlier, she used to work as a maid and did bead work for extra income on the side. However her job as a maid, besides being humiliating, didn't bring enough money to run the house. With no transport facility available, she goes to work on foot even in the extreme hot months of the year.

Shahnaz, a graduate, has been working in a chicken feed farm for the past four years and is earning Rs. 5000 per month. A divorcee, Shahnaz complains that the company does not cover the medical for her or her children. At times, even with protection, she develops a cough due to the nature of her work. However, when she gets ill during work, the company arranges for the medical treatment. "We can't even ask them to give full time medical allowance because if we raise more of our matters, we might infuriate our employers. And, we can't afford to get expelled from our jobs," shared Shahnaz.

Samira works as a quality checker (QC) in an ISO-certified factory in Korangi, which deals in jeans and denim pants. Although the company takes care of its employees with many incentives and facilities, Samira feels that the Rs. 3500 she gets for her intricate work is not justified. As far as promotion is concerned, it depends on the level of education and the experience of the worker so one has to wait for a considerable period of time to expect a raise. Unfortunately, union activity is not allowed in her factory, hence there is no platform available for the workers to put their concerns forward.

Let's now see what Saba goes through in her daily routine. She has been working in a garment factory for the past five years as a checker and is getting Rs. 4800. None of the workers are allowed to sit or speak to other colleagues. If someone talks, their supervisor takes a strong note of it. The lucrative overtime offered can't be undertaken by most of them because the factory is located in a remote area. The transport facility is available for all workers, but in case of any unpleasant incident the driver or the industrial unit refuses to take any responsibility. "On 27th December, we reached home in the middle of the night, because the driver dropped us at odd places and we had to walk back home. While, if we miss work because of a strike, our salary is deducted," said Saba.  

None of the women working in the area gets the minimum wage of Rs. 6000, which is fixed by the government. Women who work on a per piece basis have no loan or advance facility available. And because they are on contractual basis, they are not even entitled to any privileges or rights provided to the permanent employees.

When asked about workers' problems and the role of factory owners, Mian Zahid Hussain, Chairman All Pakistan Lubricant Manufacturers Association, reported that the pick and drop facility is provided to all female workers with strict warning to the transporters regarding their safety. "In the wake of a situation like that of 27th December when the whole city was in chaos, no one could really be blamed. The management tries to ensure the safety of every worker but sometimes things turn the way you don't plan them to go."

Speaking specifically about unions he said that they are allowed by law, but their misuse has created problems for the factory owners in the past. The industry can't afford a strike, due to petty issues created by the unionists. However, the labour leaders have matured and instead of resorting to aggressive tactics they now settle issues in a docile manner.

The major industrial countries of the world work on value addition and export their products on higher prices. Pakistan is lagging far behind in this sector. One of the main reasons is the lack of latest technology. If the industrialists ship in modern machines, they will be able to produce more in less time. This will make the market more efficient and will benefit the workers in return.

Short contracts, no or very limited medical cover, nominal salary, strict job rules and forced overtime with no extra money compels these women, specially the young ones, to change their jobs frequently. In addition, the absence of unions causes the women to confront their employers, and in most cases they are fired from their jobs. The women, who choose to stay, have no other option because finding another job is a hassle all in itself. All we can do is to hope that the hardwork of these women pays off and they soon get a friendly working environment with sufficient facilities for them and their families.

Bridging the gap

The term teenager is used to signify a frightening time for parents because their once adorable little angels are now desperate to get control of the world. But, you can turn this nightmare into an adventurous ride by some simple rules...

By Hafsah Sarfraz

Your son wants to go to a late night party and come back when it ends, no matter how late it is and your daughter wants the latest model of the most expensive cell phone. Don't worry, there's nothing wrong with them. It's just that they have become teenagers! The term teenager is used to signify a frightening time for parents because their once adorable little angels are now desperate to get control of the world on their own. In such situation, most parents become anxious about how to react and handle their children.

Parenting teens may seem to be a nightmare but it is not really a big deal. You just have to follow some simple rules for that.

Give them their space

The first rule of parenting teens is to give them their space. Parents often don't recognise that their children have grown up and now they have different needs and wants. Some parents, understandably, have a very hard time dealing with it. However, to help your teen become a young adult, you'll need to give them their legroom. If you notice warning signs of trouble, then do intervene and be strict when required. But, try to understand that shouting and screaming at them for merely wearing their choice of dress or using gel in their hair will only make things worse for you as well as your child.

Trust them

Trusting your teens is another important aspect of parenting. It will help them move away from the wrong deeds as they will be burdened with their parent's trust on their shoulders. And if you constantly keep an eye on them and monitor their every single act, there are chances that they will rebel against you.

Communicate

Communicate with your teens on daily basis. Even if it is just asking about their school/college day or what are their plans for the weekend. Often, parents strike up a conversation and move to education and academics immediately. Teens get irritated by constant inquiries and stop conversing with the parents at times. Make sure; whenever you sit to talk, don't move directly to studies. Choose something of their interest and later ask about their edification activities. It will help you develop a better relationship with your kid.

Put yourself in their shoes

Look into the whole situation from their perspective. Put yourself in their position and then think what you would have done if you were to deal with a similar situation. Today's society is different from the one you had in your teens so try to comprehend their state of mind. In some cases, you just have to let go and trust your upbringing. 

Prevention is better than cure

If your child is suddenly missing classes, sleeping late, not introducing new friends or his/her grades are falling... don't ignore! Parents often wait till the symptoms gets severe but don't get yourself into greater mess. It's easier to cure the signs rather than the disease hence, don't ignore small issues.

Find an alternative for NO!

A direct NO may seem rude to your children and they may develop negative feelings towards you. So try to find an alternative for your refusal and explain them the reasons behind it. Listen to their point of view as well and come up with constructive counter answers so that they understand your perspective as well.

Discuss rather than lecture

Usually parents scold their children for their mistakes but it is of no good to any of them. Instead of lecturing, discussion is a better option which can sort out the problems in a feasible way. Parents should remember that it is the transitory phase between adulthood and childhood so don't expect overnight mature decisions from their side. Naturally, they will take their time to evolve. So, you need to discuss, negotiate and understand the conflicting needs of maturing teens.

Strengthen the bond with them

Talk about their problems, issues and hardships. Help them out and come up with possible solutions. Remember, always suggest but never impose a decision. Let the young ones make their own judgement. Take them out for recreational activities and do the things they enjoy. For instance, play games, watch movies and etc.

These are numerous ways to bridge the gap. Choose the most suitable one and start making an effort. If teenagers want to dye their hair, paint their fingernails black or wear funky clothes; it may be worth thinking twice before you object. They want to experiment with things that will make them look cool in their group. Try to understand that and let them do something which is harmless and temporary.

Remember that ill manners do not reflect negativity in the youth, it only point fingers at your parenting. So make sure you use these steps to build a better relationship with your kids. Happy parenting!

The material girl

Practically every girl wears it at some point in her life: costume jewellery is a great asset to any piece of clothing or outfit that she's wearing

Girls are usually conscious about the way they look and how others perceive them. Certainly, you would prefer to be as presentable as possible whenever you go out. The jewellery you wear reflects your own personality as much as your choice of clothes. Is there a right or a wrong piece of jewellery? Perhaps what is wrong for one individual may be the true desire for another. Our vanity is one of the primary reasons why the fashion industry continues to do well year on year. Every girl yearns to adorn herself with jewellery - an expression of style and attitude. In line with the higher demand in fashion is the growing need for jewellery and accessories. Practically every girl wears it at some point in her life: costume jewellery is a great asset to any piece of clothing or outfit that she's wearing.

With gold prices going so high, those who prefer the warmth of gold can find affordable accessories in plated costume jewellery. The main thing that everyone loves about costume jewellery, however, is the fact that it is much  more pocket friendly than any other type of jewellery. Compared to the precious metals and other gems that other type of jewellery is made up of, costume jewellery is composed more of lesser metals, different types of gems and even plastic. Even though costume jewellery is made out of less expensive materials, though, does not mean that it's less fashionable or doesn't add style or flare to the outfit you're already wearing!

There are many quality manufactures of high-end or 'fine' fashion jewellery that produce lines of 'costume' jewellery that are much more affordable but looks expensive. When you are shopping for inexpensive fashion jewellery, look at the materials. Coloured glass beads will stand the test of time better than beads that are painted. You can find lots of natural, semi-precious stones, such as agate, shell and turquoise made into wonderful fashion jewellery accessories.

Costume fashion jewellery can be an expression of a fun-loving free spirit. Using fine jewellery for a girl's night out can be a wonderful way of focusing more on having a great time than how you look. When you want to impress, choose fashion jewellery that has sparkle and glitter. And nothing works better than cubic zirconia - it has that expensive look of diamonds that can make you feel like a million-dollar star - without the cost.

Costume fashion jewellery is also a great accent to give as a gift. Many guys choose to buy costume jewellery for their girlfriends or wives if they're looking for something inexpensive, yet creative, to give as a gift! Many girls wear costume jewellery on special occasions, and on those days on which they want to wear something extra special.  Fashion jewellery's designs always give you a sense of individuality and also self-awareness. Because fashion jewellery is all about taking what is popular at the time, you can enhance your personality with it in a perfect way. When it is worn by fashion conscious people, it expresses their unique personality and display a real sense of fashion.

When it comes to latest trends of this season, the focus is on 'pop'. The modern 'Material Girl' knows that jewellery trends are all about complementing the outfit and not overpowering it. When wearing a solid bright colour, pick jewellery in more minimal colours. For example, wear a soft orange coloured pair of earrings with your neon orange dress. Gold and silver tones are also great to do this. Add a pop of style with the size of the jewellery piece you choose. Black and white is considered the 'new in thing' this season. But, don't make a mistake by thinking that you can only wear black and white accessories. Add a pop to your look with brightly coloured accessories. It's amazing how a thick red bangle, a yellow choker, or a bright blue pair of earrings can bring depth to a monochrome outfit. The trick is to pick one bright colour and wear it sparingly. This fashion jewellery trend is fun and glamorous.

Credits

Coordination: Thomas Fernandes (0345-8003050)

Compilation: Shaza Khalid

Jewellery: Nasim Zehra

Model: Rachel

Photography: Micky & Momey

Make up: Sobia Mustafa (0300-5004645)

Styling: Rezz Ali Shah

Infertility: not forever!

Asherman's syndrome is a tricky disease that can cause many complications including infertility. You! takes a look at its causes and treatments...

By Abdul Wasey Durrani

Asherman's syndrome occurs in women who've had some sort of traumatic episode in connection with the uterus; may be due to miscarriages, abortions or intra-uterine surgery-particularly those related to a D and C (Dilation and Curettage), wherein the products of conception are scraped off from the inside of the uterus. In D and C, a metal rod (curette) is used to scrape off any remnants of a foetus present in the uterus and during this process may injure the uterus, resulting in Asherman's syndrome.

"D and C is a delicate procedure and requires a steady hand, in the absence of which, incidences of Asherman are maximised. However, sometimes the placenta may be preset so deep into the endometrial lining that there may be no choice but to injure the uterine wall while performing curettage," shares Dr. Samia Khan, R.M.O at the Jinnah Medical College Hospital (JMCH). Samia.

While pregnancy related issues account for 90 per cent of the cases of Asherman syndrome, adhesions sometimes also occur following pelvic surgeries like caesarean section, fibroids or polyps' removal or genital tuberculosis and schistosomiasis (a parasitic infection).

 "It is basically caused by the scarring inside the uterus that creates intrauterine adhesions - fibrous bands that form between the walls of the uterine cavity. This scarring is believed to result from aggressive scraping of the uterus in the presence of infection. It can also occur after surgery inside the uterus, such as the removal of fibroid tumours or polyps. As the adhesions fill the uterus, sometimes blocking the cervical opening, menstrual flow can diminish or stop altogether. Thus, Asherman's syndrome is suspected if you have undergone uterine surgery and then your periods are very light. The condition can be very mild or severe and can irreversibly damage the uterine cavity," says Dr. Saima.

Symptoms   

Some women with Asherman's syndrome may experience pain at the arrival of menstruation. This indicates that the cycle has begun, but the blood has no escape route because of a blockage by the adhesions. Other symptoms are:

* No menstrual flow (amenorrhea) or decreased menstrual flow

* Infertility

* Recurrent miscarriages

These symptoms are more likely to indicate Asherman's syndrome if they occur suddenly after a D and C or other uterine surgery.

Diagnosis 

Direct visualisation of the uterus via hysteroscopy is revered as the most reliable method for diagnosis. Other methods include sonohysterography ( SHG) and hysterosalpingogram (HSG).

Prevention

Ideally, prevention is the best solution. Usage of a drug called misoprostol rather than using a D and C for evacuation of the foetus can potentially reduce susceptibility to Asherman. The advantage of misoprostol is that it is efficacious, safe and an acceptable alternative to surgical management for most women.

Alternatively, D and C could be performed under ultrasound guidance rather than solely depending on the surgeon's visual/spatial skills. This would enable the surgeon to avoid injury by end scraping the lining when all retained tissues have been removed safely.

Treatment

Asherman must be treated by a very experienced surgeon via hysteroscopy (sometimes assisted by Laparoscopy). Though a lot of surgeons have different opinions about the usage of scissors, still it is recommended to treat Asherman by avoiding energy sources inside the uterus (this means removing scars with scissors rather than with energy-generating instruments such as resectoscopes or lasers).

"There are different methods to prevent re-scarring after surgery for Asherman's syndrome. Sometimes a balloon stent (Foley catheter or Cook stent) filled with saline is inserted in the uterus for up to three weeks to keep the walls of the uterus apart as they heal to prevent the reformation of adhesions. Along with that, hormonal therapy with synthetic or conjugated oestrogen is usually prescribed following the surgery to stimulate endometrial growth which thereby prevents the walls of the uterus from re-adhering," informs Dr. Samia.

Like every other thing in life, there is an exception in Asherman too. A variant of the disease is one in which the walls of the uterus do not stick together - 'Unstuck Asherman'. It is caused by the complete obliteration of the endometrial lining i.e. the layer of cells responsible for the menstrual cycle is no longer capable of replenishing its stores. This results in complete infertility as the uterus is incapable of allowing the zygote to implant.

But all is not that grave for the women with this syndrome. Although sometimes more than one procedure is necessary, in most women it can be cured after surgery. Approximately 70 - 80 per cent of women who are infertile because of Asherman can have a successful pregnancy after treatment.

Letters

Dear Nadine Khan,

I am a 24-year-old guy. I have been working for a well reputed national company for the last four years. Some six years back, during my student life, I fell in love with a girl. Her name is A. She is my cousin too. She is some three years younger than me. I expressed my love for her in a straight forward manner. She didn't refuse then but after some time she refused my love and betrayed me in such a manner that despite being a male I cried in front of her. From that specific point, I distanced myself from her, reconciled with the situations but my love for her did not end. Later, I don't know at what moment, I started liking her elder sister. I expressed my feelings to her and after thinking the matter over, she replied positively. She loved me as much as I loved her. She shared all her feelings and her thoughts with me. My parents also came to know about us and we got engaged in early 2007. After some time serious differences developed between us and she refused to marry me. She conveyed this message indirectly through someone I know.

During February 2008, I received a message from A showing her desire to talk to me and I agreed. She talked to me about this and that and hung up. After that one call she sent me text messages and I also replied to her. A asked me if I still loved her and I said that she was not more than a cousin and a friend. I still love her but I didn't show any emotions because she had rejected me six years back. How can she fall in love with me now? She told me that she had realised her mistake and was ashamed of her behaviour towards me. I told her that for me, it was history and I didn't want to discuss it again, but she kept insisting. I told her that I was going to be her brother-in-law, but she refused to listen, and told me that she was ready to lay down her life for me.

Now, her elder sister (my fiancee) has given me indication that she has no objection if I make up with A. I need your valued guidance and advice: can I trust her? I still love her and have loved her for six years. And as far as my engagement with her elder sister is concerned, I trust that I can compel my parents in a very peaceful manner to go for A.

 A True and Confused Lover

Dear True and Confused Lover,

'Once bitten, twice shy' is so widely used that everyone understands its implication. Except you! My dear boy, this A, who took you for a ride, broke your heart and made you cry is not a trustworthy person. She let you down so badly without caring a straw for your emotions because she probably had someone else in mind. Now that you got engaged to her sister, she wants you back! She doesn't have the decency and warmth not to steal you from her own sister, and you think that she has turned over a new leaf. How weak and lame can you be? You seem bent upon ditching the girl who accepted you when you were down. You say differences crept between you two and she indirectly conveyed to you the termination of your engagement. Could these differences have crept up as a result of your relationship with A?

Do you think it's a game to get engaged with a girl after being rejected by her sister and then ditching her just because her mean sister seems to have had a change of heart and mind? Can you not understand the humiliation your fiancee will have to face at being rejected by her fiance because of her own sister?

If you are a fickle person, you will let yourself be persuaded by A and hurt your fiancee badly. It will create a rift between sisters and embarrassment for your parents. Just because your ego was hurt in the past, and now you feel upbeat because the girl who rejected you has come crawling back to you. How gratifying for your self-esteem!

I think you should have a serious talk with your fiancee and try to remove the misunderstandings probably created by her catty sister. Good luck!

Dear Nadine,

I am a 22-year-old girl doing MBA from a reputed institute and I feel I have no one turn to besides you. I am so depressed that I don't feel like living. I am not the same girl I used to be - talkative, loving and helpful. Despite having friends and best friends, I am very lonely. I miss my mom a lot. She meant the world to me and now it's been nearly five months since she expired untimely. I dream about her, talk to her in my dreams, and when I wake up I realise she can never come back.

This is affecting everything in my life. This bout of depression comes and goes and I have nobody who can understand what I am going through. Sometimes, little things bring me on the verge of tears. My trivial mistakes make me feel so guilty that either I keep it to myself or apologise profusely for them to my friends. I don't know why I am doing this. How should I stop or overcome this feeling? I am doing well at some subjects, while in others not so well despite studying hard. Nobody knows what I am going through because I can't tell anyone. I just want someone to sit still with me and not say anything, just hold my hand and listen to me. I am scared of being judged all the time.

I don't feel good or bad; I accept it as destiny and move on. I can't crib because God doesn't want to listen anymore. Please help me, I want to come out of this and be successful in life.

Depressed Soul

Dear Depressed Soul,

Parents, especially mothers, are invaluable and irreplaceable. Your loss is indeed great, for losing a mother means losing one's best well wisher who prays selflessly for her child. It is not surprising that you are going through a bad patch, because your natural grief at your loss did not have an outlet. However, five months is a long period, and you must make determined efforts to reconcile yourself to the fact that your mother is lost to you for ever. To start, pray for her when you have time, especially after the five prayers of the day. Talk to your siblings or father, or to your mother's siblings about her. It's all right to talk to her in dreams, but don't make a painful experience out of it. Remember the happy times you had and share them with people who were close to her. Your depression is a result of the pent up emotions; let them out. Don't isolate yourself from others and try to participate in their laughter. My dear, death is irreversible and must be accepted as fate ordained by God. And don't lose your faith in God, girl, He is always there listening to us. It is just that we don't have the knowledge He has and we can't understand His working. Try to reconnect with Him and crib as much as you can. Argue with Him and cry if you feel in front of God; it would lighten your heart and lift your depression. Along with this, take a sport that you like and start playing regularly. Make new friends, go out with them and break from the routine you have been following. You are a sensitive person and hence your feelings are profound and deep, and that is why you are still hurting. Your loss will always be a part of you as long as you live, but you can concentrate on good memories to help you cope with it. Don't make it a burden for yourself to remember your mother. Think of her fondly and always pray for her life hereafter. Good luck!

A flair for Shakespeare

To keep the magic of theatre working, recently a play 'Sufaid khoon' was staged by NAPA Repertory Theatre Company at the Arts Council, Karachi...

By Fatima Zakir

There is no such thing as a born actor, except in the pages of fiction. Acting like any other creative art is so much craft. An actor needs to learn how to breath, how to move, how to use his voice and how to relax. Even after he has gone through all the exercises that drama schools stipulate, he needs to have the experience of putting everything together in front of an audience.

- Zia Mohyeddin

Theatre is one of the finest forms of entertainment. The most complicated and serious message can be put across by enacting it in front of an audience. And the ingredients to produce a substantial play are strong script, smooth dialogues, convincing performances and of course make-believe sets and costumes.

In order to give the Karachiites a true flavour of theatre, recently 'Sufaid Khoon' was performed by NAPA Repertory Theatre Company at the Arts Council, Karachi. Let's start by talking about the theatre company which is the first of its kind in Pakistan. The first batch of NAPA graduated last year and opted to form a repertory company under which they plan to perform six plays within the year. Its aim is not only to promote an appreciation for professional theatre but also motivate the writers to turn their attention to writing for the stage too.

They have started their journey by acting out Agha Hashr's play Sufaid Khoon which has never been staged in its entirety. It is an adaptation of Shakespearean play 'King Lear' but gained accolades due to its poetic dialogues, music, drama and conflict. 

The play revolves around Emperor Khaqan (Talat Hussain) who, at the twilight of his reign, asks his three daughters - Mahpara, Dilara and Zara - to make a public declaration of their love for him. Mahpara and Dilara, engaging in hyperbolic flattery, convince Khaqan that they love him dearly. The youngest and the most sincere daughter, Zara, takes a more forthright approach by stating that she loves and respects him as much as a daughter should. The foolhardy Khaqan flies into rage and summarily banishes Zara from his court, dividing his kingdom between the two elder daughters.

Having acquired control of the crown, the evil daughters precede to expulse their father from their homes. Dispossessed Khaqan is driven into mental instability. The daughters even team up with the malicious Bairum, son of one of the ministers (Sadaan) and plot to murder the king. But caught in their own web of deceit and jealousy, the two sisters along with Bairum are killed instead. Eventually Khaqan, with the help of Zara and her husband, attains wisdom and is able to repossess his kingdom.

Keeping up with the dramatic trend of his era, Agha Hashr incorporated a number of comic scenes because the audience didn't want to watch a serious story throughout and looked for the entertainment aspect as well. Today, the people are not much different and hence those comic scenes were not removed from NAPA's version of the play as well.

Surprisingly, the costumes worn by the comic characters had no correlation with those used in the serious portion of the play. The comic scenes featured everyday dresses, with male characters normally clad in kurta pyjama or sherwani, while the females sporting a dupatta along with a gharara or tang pyjama. While, the serious side of the play had women in peshwas while men in royal gowns. This incongruity did not seem to annoy the audience even a bit. As far as the sets are concerned, emphasis was given to sceneries instead of proper sets because that's how Agha Hashr used to stage his plays at that time.

Coming towards the performances, Talat Hussain was no doubt the star but the rest of the cast didn't lag behind in any department. The dialogue delivery of Zara (Aymen Ali), Mahpara (Bakhtawar Mazhar) and Sadaan (Saqib Khan) were quite impressive. While Bairum (Paras Masroor), with his timely expressions and perfect-for-a-devil's-role body language, was the show stealer. Besides, Baghlol (Syed Athar Abbas), Guldum (Uroosa Shamim) and Gul Khairo (Farhan Shah) were remarkable in their respective comic roles.

The photography of the play was under the supervision of veteran actor and NAPA teacher Arshad Mahmud while the music was composed by Nafees Ahmed. Not to forget the producer and director of this interesting venture - Zia Mohyeddin. He made it possible by reviving the old spirit of drama and motivating people to revert to theatre houses. 

With not so much work done for stage shows; we hope these little efforts made by the repertory company help the industry establish its name once again and bring out the new talent which is being overshadowed by the already big wigs of the entertainment business. So, if you missed out this one then keep your eyes and ears open for their upcoming projects.

Food for Thought
Gardener's Broth

'Eat to live not live to eat' is an old saying, which a person realises when he gains weight or falls sick. So, in order to keep your weight in check,     

YOU! along with Mrs. Lubna Shariff brings you 'Gardeners broth' which is tasty yet healthy.

Ingredients

Courgette (chopped)                1

Onion (chopped)                1

Garlic      2 cloves

Vegetable stock                1 cup

Peas        1/2 cup

Lemon juice                1/4 cup

Coriander                2 tablespoons

Milk        3-4 tablespoons

Cornflour                1 tablespoon

Bread bowl                 1

Salt and pepper    to taste

METHOD

Boil peas, courgette, onions and half of the coriander.

Mix them together when cooled.

Then, add cornflour and milk to thicken the soup.

Now, add the lemon juice with salt and pepper.

Garnish it with coriander and serve it in a bread bowl.

Picture Perfect
The shipshape look goes a long way when creating a subtle feel for any house.
This week YOU! takes a look at Mr. and Mrs. Rehan's abode who have build up a simple place giving it a classy touch...

By Tazeen Hussain
Photography by:
Zahid Rehman

No matter how much you are interested in heavy furniture and modern accessories, simple and

 clean houses are still preferred by the majority. You can keep the latest bed set and have the traditional jhoola for your living room, but try to keep as minimal furniture as possible. Taking this idea forward, Mr. and Mrs. Rehan have given their small place a neat and cosy feel.

Though both of them are house-proud and are fond of entertaining guests, Maliha takes the credit for most of the house decor except for the paintings. They have an amazing collection of exotic paintings that adorn their entire house. "Rehan adores paintings and since his sister also paints he has access to quite a lot of exhibitions. This helps him get all sorts of pictures which he keeps adding to his collection," says Maliha.

Coming back towards the idea of spick and span, Maliha's style philosophy is quite clear - keep it simple and neat. "I have two small children, of ages five and two, who need lots of space to play and move around. They are in their ages when they want to explore every corner of the house. So, I have no centre tables and no small decoration pieces that can cause accidents," shares Maliha.

Her formal drawing room is quite serene and well organised. Here, she has experimented with rich fabric and texture. Done up primarily in neutral colours, Maliha has contrasted these by indulging in accents of deep shades of burgundy and maroon. Her furniture follows a classic line, mainly manufactured from dark sheesham wood. Lovely fresh flowers are kept in corners of the room spreading their fragrance in the entire place. Small, aromatic and deep red candles lighten up the area and further enhance the ambience. "I love fresh flowers and I also have a passion for candles. These little things provide warmth and give a personal touch so that the visitors feel at home," expresses Maliha.

The adjoining dining area is made on modern clean lines. The dining table is of dark brown colour with complementing chairs and light coloured curtains. A lovely painting in maroon and black hangs in one corner of the room. The designed glass door acts as a divider between the dining and the seating area.

The seating area is comfortably decorated with appropriate furniture. "We both hail from Sindh so we made this place a mini Sindh for us. Colourful traditional Sindhi wooden chairs and matching table brings life to this place. As it is the area where we unwind, the colours we used for the upholstery are very subtle and light as well," informs Maliha.

Upstairs is their main living area which is simply decorated like the rest of the home. Here too, the furniture is minimal and easy to maintain. She chose rexine for the sofas because it is easy to clean and spill proof. The colour scheme is of blue and off white. Cushions of striking hues jazz up the place and give it a hip feel. They even have a family memorabilia on display. Along with that, they made place for their home movie theatre, computer and music system in the same area.  To further enhance the beauty of the room, they have placed a colourful centre spread. Not only in this specific part of the home, but overall her carpet collection is pretty good.

The children's room is designed with a lot of creativity. It is done in bright colours with all kinds of toys hanging from the wall, giving it a vivacious look. Here, the emphasis is on space to provide them with enough play area. The material used for their furnishings is soft and smooth to avoid mishaps while the children are busy in their games.

With a lot of focus on open spaces and lively colours, Maliha managed to build up a place which is inviting yet stylish. This is how you can define their house - comfy and tidy!

Chatter Matter
Call from Germany

One of the world's biggest fashion fairs will have a twist of something sweet and desi this year. The Germans have invited the big wigs of the Pakistani fashion industry to grace the event with their talent and skills. Big players such as Karma, Asifa, Nikki of Nikki and Nina, Naila H Maqbool, Ammar Belal, Maria B and others are expected to participate in the fair. Towards the end of July, Düsseldorf will serve as a platform for our leading designers to parade their creations to represent the true culture of Pakistan. It seems that the world is eager to see our hot couture and we think it's quite amazing.  So, all we can say is... Way to go people!

Tera Mera Rishta

The Indian industry is singing 'to phir aao' for Mustafa Zahid. We all know that the lads crooning activity for the movie Awarapan was a huge hit. Now, word has it that that the lead singer from Roxen is going to lend his talent once again to the Indian music scene. This time he is composing and singing for a forthcoming Bollywood film, Runway, starring Lucky Ali and Tulip Joshi. And that's not all, Bhatt Production's sequel to their movie Raaz is said to be another project for which Mustafa has been busy as a bee. Hmmm... our neighbours sure do keep our talent busy! Well we just hope Mustafa doesn't forget his loyal fans back home, and of course we wish him good luck!

Ramchand Pakistani in New York!

Following the footsteps of Shoaib Mansoor, Mehreen Jabbar now joins the rank of film makers who are out to make movies with substance; and the substance always pays off! Recently, Mehreen's movie Ramchand Pakistani was showcased at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival, New York. There were some 200 films that entered into the festival, amongst which Ramchand Pakistani was the only movie from Pakistan. Woah! Good going Mehreen. The story of the movie revolves around a young boy who mistakenly enters India after crossing the Indo-Pak border, and is taken as a prisoner. With Nandita Das and Rashid Farooqui among the leading cast of the movie, no one can really doubt the strong performances. Coming back towards the festival; some 41 countries are participating in it which makes it a true honour for our lady director to come up with her entry. Not to forget that it's her directorial debut on big screen. Well, we all are just waiting to watch it on our big screens too. So girl, soon bring the movie back home after the festival.