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a women lake miracle
A journey between two moons As Karachiites settle
down after indulging themselves in Eid delicacies and fiesta, Kolachi
recaps the Holy month of
However, despite the terror threats in public places, railway stations were crowded with passengers waiting for their trains to celebrate Eid with their families in other cities. Moreover, the Ramazan shopping bonanza remained popular among the masses too. Children went in droves to buy Eid cards as women thronged shopping malls in huge numbers to buy matching accessories and mehndi stalls apply henna. Although high prices and inflation caused a great deal of strife to the buyers as they had trouble planning their budget, shopping spree kept alive its spirit right through the end – even if meant window shopping only.
Text by Abid Hussain. Photos by The News. women entrepreneur Stitching her way to success Rida designers like Tahira Petiwala are introducing a new form of cottage industry in Pakistan. Kolachi reports. By Sabeen Jamil She is humble enough
to admit but Tahira Petiwala, after having designed Ridas (traditional
burqa of the Bohra community) for This small, yet slowly, rising industry comprises mainly of women entrepreneurs like Tahira, who have been designing and making Ridas in small single-room workshops at their homes for years. By doing so, they have helped Rida making thrive as an industry. "It is a running business that ensures growth for almost everyone attached to it," says Tahira, 45, who has been running a shop in Najmi market in Saddar for the past three years now. Tahira's designs cater to the Rida observing women of all age groups and made for almost every occasion. From a working girl to a house wife, Tahira's Ridas help every Bohra woman look trendy. However, she is specifically famous for her bridal collection and wedding Ridas. So much so that she has now earned a brand name for herself 'Jamali's', she reveals with a broad smile on her face adding sheepishly that exhibitions of her collections are one of those Rida-exhibitions in Karachi that every woman in the Bohra community wait the entire year for. "More and more
Bohra women are opting to observe the Rida now." Tahira tells that
the recent wave of adhering back to one's There were not enough Rida makers in Karachi when Tahira started designing Ridas on commercial basis a decade ago. Bohra women had started observing the two paired dress for full time and as a religious obligation just a few years ago with women in Karachi in 1980s along with the rest of the world. The members of the Bohra community in Karachi term it a revolution as on the one hand, it revived a religious tradition, while on the other hand it revolutionised the way Bohra women would dress. This stressed the need for more Rida makers to cater the growing demand as there are over 35,000 to 40,000 Bohra community members in Karachi alone with roughly 16,000 women. Earlier though,
"very few women in Karachi were skilled in Rida making that
time," Tahira explains that the cutting and stitching This was the background that inspired Tahira to become a Rida designer herself. "I had a motto of work," she tells adding that though she got married at an early age, she wanted to utilize her creativity in some constructive work. "I wanted to make Rida look beautiful enough to be observed by every girls with zeal instead of mere obligation, "she says adding that it was very challenging to make the Rida fashionable while retaining its religious significance. "But I accepted the challenge," Tahira continues that a decade after working to overcome the challenge, she is satisfied that she did not fail in that. Having learnt to cut a Rida from her mother and applying her gifted skill of designing, Tahira was able to put some 75 samples of unique Ridas at an exhibition as her debut. Tailored and stitched by herself in the small basement of her husband's house, these Ridas were received as hot cakes by Karachi women. "They were all sold out," Tahira tells. From there began a not-so-long journey of the designer that has sold hundreds of Ridas at dozens of exhibitions so far. This journey has not only helped Tahira establish herself as a Rida designer, but also made her content with the fact that she was able to make Rida in Pakistan trendy enough to attract those local buyers who would otherwise frequent Indian markets for the purpose. "India is far ahead of us in Rida designing," she says because it caters to a large market of Bohra community residing in the country and is years ahead of Pakistan in terms of bridal wear. "So much so that a heavily worked upon bridal Rida may cost Rs50, 000 there," Tahira tells "while even the most expensive and heavily worked upon Rida in Karachi doesn't exceed Rs11, 000 rupees," she adds. The raw materials for Rida available in India are so unique that she visits Indian markets at least once a year to shop for them. "Sometimes I spend Rs100, 000 shopping from a single shop alone in India," Tahira adds that depending on the demand of buyers she even shops form there twice a year. Tahira adds that though there is a long way to go to compete with India in terms of this trade's industrial value, Pakistan has a lot of potential in this business and the industry is fast growing and establishing a market. "No one related to this industry is on the floating point, every one is growing," Tahira says. It is estimated that almost 100 tailors, some 150 shops and an uncountable numbers of embroiders and block printers are associated with this business on commercial basis, while there is no record of those women making a couple of Ridas put up on sale occasionally. "Every next door woman making a Rida earns quite some money against it, occasionally," Tahira says and provided that this industry is organised and administered well, it is no wonder that it would fast become a new form of cottage industry catering to the local as well as clientele in America, London, Dubai, Canada and other countries from where "members of the Bohra community visit my shop and buy even the most expensive Rida," she adds. Photos by Zahid Rahman lakelife Rising hopes of fishermen; unfulfilled promises of the govt By Jan Khaskheli The delayed Manchar Lake housing project has added to the miseries of the fishermen who have been putting up with the repeated injustices meted out by the government. Thirteen years ago in
1995, when the PPP-led provincial government launched the housing
project for fishermen near the The project was initially launched by the PPP-led government in 1995 to accommodate the fishermen families. The government also identified the deserving families and sites for establishing four villages. The site identified for one of the villages was in Jhangara Union Council and the other three in Bobak Union Council – all situated near the bank of Manchar Lake. Under the said project, the first village, Haji Abdul Rehman Mallah comprises 200 homes, Haji Qadir Bakhsh Mallah village consists of 300 homes, Haji Malook Mallah village of 375 homes and some 150 homes make up the fourth village, Maula Bakhsh Mallah. Apart from this,
under the project, the government was to donate 375 boats, 375 engines,
fishing nets and bicycles to the The provincial government purchased the land in 1995 following which allotment orders (of the plots) were issued to the families. The plots were spread over an area of 2400 sq ft each. Before the announcement of this project, the fishermen community had been quite marginalized. There was no concept of education among the community and even the young members of the children were not enrolled neighbouring educational institutes due to poverty. It has been learnt that poverty struck the fishermen community in this area when lake water became toxic due to the discharge of poisonous agricultural and urban waste released into the lake through the mega water project 'Right Bank Outfall Drainage (RBOD)' flowing from upcountry areas. This toxic water affected marine life and the lake was rendered useless, which was a source of livelihood for hundreds of families. Following the
tradition of their forefathers, children of fishermen are born and
raised on the boats and spend their entire life at However, the former Chief Minister Sindh Arbab Rahim, whose government re-launched the development project, raised the hopes of this ignored community until bureaucratic hurdles and political instability once again sabotaged the project depriving the people of basic housing facility for long. Mustafa Meerani, a local activist told Kolachi that at the time (in 1995) the population of the lake comprised some 25,000 people. But later when the Manchar Lake became polluted through the foreign funded RBOD, a large number of families migrated to other water bodies in search of livelihood. The remaining population deriving their livelihood from the Manchar comprises approximately 10,000 to 15,000 people. Most of them are still living at their traditional boats under the lake water in shape of boat villages, referred by different names. Although the present PPP-led government decided to continue with the project and awarded contracts to initiate construction work at 120 homes in Maula Bakhsh village as well, the work could not be completed in the stipulated time of two months. Activists say it is the responsibility of the Department of Fisheries to monitor and implement the project. Meerani revealed that
that when the project was initiated recently, some 'corrupt elements'
within the community were active According to Meerani, activists witnessed that substandard construction material was being used to construct the boats. After much hue and cry, the government took notice following which the community formed an 11-member committee to monitor the entire project and implement the same in close cooperation with concerned contractor, government officials and the community elders, he added. He said the PC-I prepared for the project shows the actual cost of a single boat was Rs50,000. The government had allocated fund for the purpose, but the community observed that the contractor was building small boats, which could be purchased at Rs25000. The remaining amount from government funds was being pocketed by the concerned officials. The lake was the only source of livelihood for fishermen and agriculturists as well, who used the water to irrigate lands of two Talukas, Sehwan and Johi of the Dadu district around 15 to 20 years ago. But since the government found it fit to discharge agricultural water through the RBOD, both the communities are facing difficulty. The toxic water is not suitable for consumption, marine life or cultivation, forcing the community to opt for alternatives for the survival of their families. Due the increasing marine pollution in Manchar Lake, certain fish and birds species are depleting and water vegetables are being destroyed too. Besides, the pollution has also led widespread waterborne diseases. The community is facing acute shortage of drinking water too. Recalling their blissful days, the old fishermen said there were days when there was an abundance of fish, bird species and water vegetables for their earning as well as for their families' nutrition. "The people of Manchar looked healthier and were generous too. They used to celebrate their marriages with traditional enthusiasm." However, the RBOD effluent has occupied thousands of acres fertile land and villages from different sides, displacing hundreds of fishermen, agriculturists along with their families. Communities that migrated to safer locations have not yet received compensation from the authorities either, said activists. Earlier, the lake received most of its fresh water from River Indus, and surrounding hills, apart from the torrential rain and floods, but there is a drought-like situation in the mountainous areas depriving the River Indus of fresh water. The Manchar Lake consequently receives no fresh water and on top of it, effluent is being discharged into it through RBOD and other waterways threatening those dependent on the lake for their livelihood. Some environmentalists earlier suggested that the government establish a Manchar Development Authority, so violators can be held accountable. They blamed the government departments, including Sindh Wildlife, Fisheries, Irrigation and Tourism departments for their lack of interest in resolving the problems of the area. "The concerned departments that are responsible for the improvement of these water bodies are not playing their due role," they complained. Moreover, there is not a single hut for tourists visiting the area, which proves that the Manchar Lake is not a priority of the Tourism Department, say observers. Now that government has launched a laudable project, it should also make arrangements to monitor the scheme and prevent corrupt practices, as pointed out by the activists, to improve the living conditions of this deserving community.
miracle By Fasahat Mohiuddin The name Azaband has
been known because of miracle cures of serious and minor bone fractures,
arthritis and serious limb One of Azaband's clinics is located at Golimar, at the end of Lasbela Bridge, where Habib Azaband's grandson, Wazir Ali, examines and treats more than 500 patients daily along with his daughter-in-law Bano, who gives advice to women. Talking to Kolachi, Wazir Ali says that their Desi Illaj (Local remedy) is a gift from God passed on by his grandfather, Rehmatullah in Junagardh, India who received it from a Sufi saint. Since then, he explains, their family has been providing this treatment to their patients. "This is a gift from our elders. We do not have time to acquire education but this skill requires presence of mind and physical fitness," explains Ali. The nominal fee charged by the Azabands is Rs50 while the crepe bandage fee is borne by the patient. "We treat the patients with home made pastes and ointments, we do not have any allopathic medicines," Ali said. They also provide free of cost treatment to patients suffering from Diabetes. Speaking about their
humble beginnings, Wazir Ali says that he was born in Karachi and his
family migrated from India in 1947. Wazir Ali says that just by examining the person physically, who has a broken bone or a minor fracture, he can tell where the affected area is going to be even before the X-ray has been done. "I can mark the area with a marker and after the X-ray, it is usually discovered that I had found the precise location of the injury," Ali adds with pride. Today, the whole Azaband clan remains busy with these traditional methods of treating ailing patients. At one of the clinics, Wazir Ali's son, Naushad was found treating patients most of whom were old women or people with injured and bandaged limbs. Talking about the amount of patients they have to deal with, Naushad explains that he is relatively free during the day, and it is at night when most patients turn up at the clinic anxiously awaiting thier turn. The clinic at Golimar has been practicing the 'Desi Illaj' for the last 40 years. Adjacent to this clinic, there is also an X-ray machine where the x-rays are taken before starting any treatment of mild or minor fractures. Before starting the treatment, we ask the patients about their medical history for instance whether they have Diabetes or not, explains Naushad. After the examination and diagnosis, the patients have the x-rays taken. After the x-ray, the diagnosis is confirmed and the treatment commences. The process includes a massage of the muscles and some ointments and pastes. After the patient is cured, another radiograph is taken to check whether the patient has been healed. The clinics continue to serve thousands of patients who can only dream of visiting orthopaedic surgeons for their problems.
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Ramazan through a trail of memorable images that captured Ramazan for
the citizens of Karachi
With
the sighting of the moon for the ninth month of Islamic calendar,
Ramazan began with traditional zest and fervour. Karachiites gathered
for the first taraveeh throughout the city. Preparations were underway
for buying food items synonymous with the Holy month, such as
vermicelli, dates, pakoras and Jalebis, to adorn their dining tables on
sehri and iftar. As always, mosques played host to the masses by hosting
grand iftaars everyday across the city. As Karachiites settled into
their Ramazan routine, they were greatly hampered by searing heat,
constant traffic jams and repeated power failures, which often sent them
scur
rying
for refuge by hitting the beach. Amidst rising security threats, the
police, too, increased their vigilance to avoid any major mishap.
Meanwhile,
as the last ten days of Ramazan
approached, most of the faithful
eagerly aw
aited
the end of taraveeh while some went a step further to observe Aitekaaf
till the sighting of the Eid moon before they returned home to celebrate
the joyous moments of Eid with their loved ones.
years at the basement of her home, has helped grow a new form of cottage
industry in Pakistan.
own identity this decade has inspired the Bohra community the same way
as it has inspired other communities in the world. "Bohra women see
Rida as a way of self recognition and therefore are blending it more
into their lives now," Tahira adds that this perception has
increased in the market for Rida makers and designers in Karachi with a
lot of them now doing this on commercial basis. "The situation is
quite different than the time I stepped in to the business," she
recalls.
of Rida is an art that every one is not perfect at and when it was made
an obligation only a handful of women in Karachi were well versed with
it. "Those included women in the families of the religious leaders
ofthe community," she tells adding that those women therefore
provided as an institute for the Rida makers of today who are fast
making the trade an industry now.
Manchar Lake, it raised hopes of the community that had earlier been
residing in their traditional boat villages scattered in the surrounding
area of the lake. However, today, beneficiaries of the project appear
disappointed as certain parties with vested interests have been involved
in the manipulation of funds allocated for setting up of the model
villages, including donation of some fishing tools for the fishermen
community.
deserving people. "The idea of donating bicycles was to facilitate
the youth of the community to sell their product in the nearby areas
themselves without being exploited at the hands of the middleman,"
Kolachi learnt from activists in the area.
the sea. The leisure activities of the children include swimming,
fishing, running small boats in the water and poaching birds.
in manipulating the funds – a fact activists pointed out to the
concerned authorities to save the funds for the community.
fluctuations for the poor patients of Karachi for the last six
generations. Though the original proprietor of the clinics Habib Bhai
Azaband is no longer in this world, his legacy continues in the form of
four of his sons, three nieces and several nephews.
His father started this treatment in Kharadar Machee Mainee at a
footpath in 1976 and has come a long way since. "By the grace of
Allah, we have treated millions of patients without surgery", he
says proudly. They have five branches and are still unable to treat many
of the patients. The branches are at Teen Hatti, Karimabad, Kharadar,
Golimar and Garden.