cancer
Emblems of hope

Breast cancer survivors talk about the challenges this disease poses. Breast cancer is curable but it kills 40,000 women every year in Pakistan because women do not reach hospitals in time

By Fareeha Sultan
"It was in November 2004 when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. The shock that we experienced was toned down by the reassurances of the doctors that breast cancer has a very effective treatment. Within a month or so, my mother was operated upon. Then started the regular grinding chemotherapy doses which went on for six months.

MOOD STREET
Bound to book

By Aziz Omar
Life slows barely to a crawl here. This place doesn't normally witness the rush of devotees like other places of worship, mainly Muslim ones such as mosques, darbars and mazars do. No azan or bell tolls that creates the general ambience of other holy places. Just chanting of verses in low voice from the Siri Guru Granth Sahib in the central chamber.

Town Talk
• Glass Fusion 
Exhibition at Croweaters Gallery till February 5. 

• Exhibition of works of 23 Saarc students at Alhamra, The Mall till February 8, from 9 to 5pm daily. 
• Exhibition of Syed Mumtaz Ahmad's works at Shakir Ali Museum till February 10, organised by Pakistan National Council of the Arts. Ph: 9230213, 9230410 

interview
'Set up small libraries'

Shameen Syed has contributed a lot in the field of education as a librarian for decades in United States. Currently she is working at Lahore School of Economics and helping the institute to set up and expand their library.
By Zaman Khan

TNS: Please tell us about your background? 
Shameen Syed: I was born in India and raised in Pakistan. I acquired a Master's degree in political science from the Government College Lahore and got married to Professor Anwar Syed soon after that. Our stay in Pakistan was short, for he accepted a teaching post at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and we moved to the United States.

You must be jockeys!
Here is what goes in the making of a radio jockey and why they speak the way they do
By Naila Inayat
In 1950 an American writer, Fran Lebowitz once said, "Radio news is bearable. This is due to the fact that while the news is being broadcast, the radio jockey is not allowed to talk."

 


cancer
Emblems of hope
Breast cancer survivors talk about the challenges this disease poses. Breast cancer is curable but it kills 40,000 women every year in Pakistan because women do not reach hospitals in time


By Fareeha Sultan

"It was in November 2004 when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. The shock that we experienced was toned down by the reassurances of the doctors that breast cancer has a very effective treatment. Within a month or so, my mother was operated upon. Then started the regular grinding chemotherapy doses which went on for six months.

When her chemotherapy was completed, every one of us felt so relieved. Her recovery was so fast that in just a couple of months, she even started playing badminton with us. Everything looked so normal.

It was almost a quarter to three in the afternoon when my mother's blood pressure became undetectable, and after what seemed to be a long while, the ECG monitor showed a straight line. This was the end of it. End of all the pain for mum, almost the end of our lives for us. She was buried in our native village the next day and with that started a difficult journey without mum. Now, during daytime our home as only servants. Father heads to his office, all of us siblings to our colleges and universities. Then the home turns into a mere house," says Bushra Tufail, a young B.Sc honours student and eldest of five siblings.

Bushra and her siblings are not the only ones who have lost their mother because of breast cancer. This disease takes 40,000 lives every year in Pakistan.

"The basic reason for such a high death toll is ignorance and taboos attached with breast cancer. Many women come to us quite late, while with early detection the chances of survival are ninety per cent," says Dr. Farogh Zahra, breast surgeon at Ganga Ram Hospital.

Yet, there are some who not only braved this disease but also quite willingly share their stories in an effort to improve the lives of those living in ignorance.

Shahida Hussain, 59, Director Performing Arts at Lahore Grammar School, was detected with breast cancer five years back. She casually mentioned presence of a dimple in her left breast to a friend who alerted her and forced her to go for checkup. She got her mammogram done and ultimately underwent surgery. Then started the real struggle. There were 6 cycles of chemotherapy and with every therapy came the side effects, hair fall, nausea, swelling and so on but her determination led her through all that.

"I have fought with breast cancer with a positive attitude. I never thought that I will die of cancer. My only concern was my children especially when they had lost their father long time back. This thought forced me to follow the treatment religiously. When my six weeks of radiation treatment ended, I was in school the next day. While going through chemotherapy I never lied on bed. I never wore a scarf or a wig. I used to move around with bald head because this was the way God wanted me to be."

Samina Ali, Manager Customer Services at a leading architectural firm, came back from USA in 2005. When she first noticed a dimple in her left breast, she thought it was a part of ageing process. Six months went by when her elder sister on a routine check up to her gynecologist also took Samina with her. On inspection the doctor immediately referred her for mammography and biopsy. No fear and no apprehension could change the test results. Being a health conscious person, it took her some time to cope with the fact. "It is a painful process. Your body changes, there are no hair on head, no eye brows, no eyelashes and there is swelling. People who don't know stare at you, say hurtful things."

Kauser Sheikh, an English language teacher is another example of grace and courage. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1991. She has lived through it quite elegantly and now wants to give her time and experience to help other women confronting the same problems.

Darakhshan 33, a house wife and mother of two daughters was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was only 20 years old. She detected a lump in her breast but ignored until it became too hard. After having eight cycles of chemotherapy she underwent surgery and radiation. "It was a painful experience. On the occasion of my brother's wedding when I saw myself in mirror after getting ready, I was very upset .There were no eye brows, no eyelashes, but luckily it all ended and now I am leading a happy family life."

Things that are common among all these women is they all have full support of their families, friends and colleagues and a common concern for not having a support system in Pakistan. "I have been lucky enough to be surrounded and supported by my sister, nieces Sara and Nadine, and friends, but one needs extra help, apart from the surgeons hospitals should hire some professional psychiatrist, because being diagnosed with a disease like breast cancer is a great shock for a woman. Only the physical pain remains for 2/3 years, not to speak of emotional distress. What has happened to me, what should I do, how long I am going to live? these are the immediate thoughts that come to mind and one must get the answers, some encouragement, some hope," says Miss. Sheikh.

Same are the views of Samina Ali. "There is no support system in Pakistan. You need a person who could tell what is going to be the next stage. There are so many little things one requires information on. I still remember a young unmarried girl who used to come from Multan and she was so poor that she had to borrow money for every visit. I remember a woman whose breast was literally oozing out and she kept on placing chapati and relying on spiritual medication. Due to all the problems I faced and after seeing such examples I feel that it is my duty to enlighten others now that I have recovered."

Shahida feels that ideally there should be separate doctors for those who recover because for doctors the patients suffering from the disease are more important. That's logical but those who have recovered have justifications of their own. The fear of recurrence of cancer never leaves the person who had it once as if the enemy is hiding just round the corner to attack any moment they become slack. So they want complete attention. That is why there should be a support system for patients like an arrangement where they can talk to each other, share their experiences, guide each other etc.

"The aim of Pink Ribbon Campaign Pakistan (PRCP) is to fortify the struggle against breast cancer by raising awareness. Campaign is also actively working to set up a Survivors' net work so that they could share their experiences. Every where we went we have always met at least one woman who either herself is a survivor, or her mother, sister, aunt or any other close relative died of this disease, even then very few women have the courage to come up and speak and be an example of hope. Therefore, we term these women very valuable and are establishing contacts with them to chalk out the plan not only for a survivor's network, but also to increase awareness level among Pakistani girls and women," said Omer Aftab, National Coordinator, PRCP, while replying to the concern of these women.

In a country like ours, life of women suffering from breast cancer becomes more miserable as it is one of those subjects which are still surrounded by myths, pushing them to fight on several other fronts along with combating this deadly evil. This makes it necessary to talk about it and create as much awareness as possible. Tomorrow is international cancer day, let's make a pledge to unchain ourselves from unnecessary stigmas and join hands to raise maximum awareness so that homes can be saved from turning into mere houses.

 


MOOD STREET
Bound to book

By Aziz Omar

Life slows barely to a crawl here. This place doesn't normally witness the rush of devotees like other places of worship, mainly Muslim ones such as mosques, darbars and mazars do. No azan or bell tolls that creates the general ambience of other holy places. Just chanting of verses in low voice from the Siri Guru Granth Sahib in the central chamber.

To an outsider like me, it seems just a volume of classical hymns based on musical ragas. Yet to Sikhs all around the world, it is the one true physical form of the 11th and final Guru and is eternal in its character. And this is not just in any gurdwara that this particular presence of the everlasting guru resides. It is the most important of them all, the Gurdwara Janam Asthan or the commemorative site of the birthplace of the founder of Sikh religion, Guru Nanak Dev ji. So I was basically standing at the Holy Kaaba equivalent of all Sikhs.

Holy books and scriptures such as the Quran and Bible are no doubt treated with respect, sworn upon, placed in a special stand (rahel) while reciting from and placed above the head when storing it away. The Guru Granth Sahib however, is in a completely different league when it comes to being revered by its believers. During the day and while it is being recited, it is to be placed on the Manji Saheb or a special throne, with a canopy hanging over it. Furthermore, a volunteer performs Chaur Sahib Seva or special devotional service to the Guru Granth Sahib by fanning it with an implement made of loose strands of Yak hair. More respect is given to the eternal Guru by covering one's head at all times whilst also being barefoot. Reading the Granth Sahib from cover to cover takes around 48 hours of continuous reading with each granthi putting in two hours of recitation sessions. However, the guru has to rest at night too so a designated bedroom has been established near the recitation chamber/throne room. This is complete with a master bed with sheets and blankets and even an air-conditioning unit to boot!

Being at such place makes one realise that the daily bickering and rat race that we are so obsessed with can mean so little for one who holds the entity of Guru Granth Sahib in such high esteem. What we revere are our bungalows, cars, social and professional connections and above all the central medium of exchange that is money. True that these are essential items to get by in today's modern interconnected world but they are just that -- implements with which to get by in life and not a source of awe and inspiration.

The Sikh community attaches much importance to one apparently inanimate object whereas the average person in general doesn't even value the living ones. We may take a thousand baths, use oodles of cologne and perfume to fumigate ourselves and don the latest pret but we still wouldn't be able to rid ourselves from the filth of ill will and the stench of greed. So it's not all about being spiritual and performing rituals (religious or social) but rather being intrinsically bound to some core principle or guiding value, whatever might have been borne out in the course of life's struggles.

 


Town Talk

• Glass Fusion

Exhibition at Croweaters Gallery till February 5.

 

• Exhibition of works of 23 Saarc students at Alhamra, The Mall till February 8, from 9 to 5pm daily.

 

• Exhibition of Syed Mumtaz Ahmad's works at Shakir Ali Museum till February 10, organised by Pakistan National Council of the Arts. Ph: 9230213, 9230410

 

• Group Exhibition of Landscape Art opening at Ejaz Art Gallery on February 6 at 5pm. The exhibition will continue till Feb 20. Artists: Abid Khan, Amjad Naeem, A.Q. Arif, Asim Amjad, Faheem Baloch, Najmi,

Zara David and Iqbal Khokhar.

 

• Polo: Punjab Cup at Lahore Polo Club today at 10am.

Handicap limit: 7-12 goals.

 

• Polo: Aibak Cup at Lahore Polo Club from Monday Feb 4 to Sunday, Feb 10. Handicap limit: 8 to 14 goals.

 

• 18th Pakistan International Education Exhibition 2008 at Pearl Continental Hotel on Tuesday, Feb 5 and Wednesday, Feb 6 will have over 125 booths of national and international exhibitors.

 

• Puppet Show for Children every Sunday at Alhamra,

The Mall at 11am. Fee: Rs. 5/10.

 

• Puppet Shows for everyone every Sunday at Peerus Cafe at 3pm.


interview
'Set up small libraries'
Shameen Syed has contributed a lot in the field of education as a librarian for decades in United States. Currently she is working at Lahore School of Economics and helping the institute to set up and expand their library.

By Zaman Khan

TNS: Please tell us about your background?

Shameen Syed: I was born in India and raised in Pakistan. I acquired a Master's degree in political science from the Government College Lahore and got married to Professor Anwar Syed soon after that. Our stay in Pakistan was short, for he accepted a teaching post at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and we moved to the United States.

TNS: How did you join library?

SS: After settling down and getting familiar with the new environment, culture and people I started looking into possibilities of keeping myself intellectually occupied. Being essentially a centre of higher education, housing two colleges and universities, Amherst was a beautiful place to live in, raise children, and pursue scholarship. But it did not offer many career opportunities other than teaching. I had no interest in that. That left librarianship which appeared to be intellectually just as fulfilling.

The university library was housed in a 26-storey building with a huge collection of materials to support education, research and needs of faculty and students. The senior librarians here were extremely learned and did a splendid job of directing researchers to relevant materials. This whole environment attracted me further to librarianship as a profession. I got admission to the School of Library and Information Science at the University of Rhode Island which was within commuting distance, enabling me to be a student, wife and mother, all at the same time.

The programme required 36 credits of course work plus a dissertation. It took a lot of hard work and balancing of quality time between home and campus before I received Master's degree in Library and Information Science. Soon after that I started working as a reference and information librarian at the university library in Amherst. I liked my interaction with the student community, guiding and directing them in their pursuit of knowledge. I kept this position for 25 years until we decided to move to the Commonwealth of Virginia five years ago. Here my career took a turn from university to public library and I must say it broadened my horizon of American libraries and librarianship.

TNS: How do you compare Pakistani libraries with that in the USA?

SS: It would be like comparing other institutions and professions in a highly developed society with those in a developing society. I did not have the occasion to use any of the public libraries as a student in Lahore. The ones I used were the Punjab University and Government College libraries and these also sparingly.

An academic library is essential in an educational institution. The librarians guide students and faculty in research methods and sort out pertinent information from print and electronic media. They prepare bibliographies and also offer courses on the use of library services and resources. First year students are baffled by the enormity of the collection and need guided tours. After a long struggle the academic librarians have been able to achieve faculty status and benefits such as sabbatical leave. They work with the faculty through committees to ensure that the collection is not developed haphazardly.

TNS: How do you rate Pakistani libraries?

SS: I had an opportunity to visit academic libraries in Pakistan three years ago when the US embassy asked me to lecture at some of the country's major universities regarding the place and role of libraries in the American society. I met librarians and learned about their systems. While generally in fair condition, I found that the ones in private institutions were well equipped with electronic resources, had impressive buildings and sizeable collections. More notable among them were the Agha Khan Medical University library and the private special libraries. The staff there were professional, some of them with foreign MLS degrees or training. They were knowledgeable on new trends in librarianship. Their overall condition corresponded to the funding they received from their parent bodies. The institutions of higher learning in Pakistan are providing students with course related library materials. Besides the information technology has brought previously hidden wealth of knowledge right on the desk top. It can't replace books but it is extremely useful in its availability. I noticed also a significant increase in the number of library schools that were producing new graduates, many of whom found jobs in academic and private corporation libraries, or overseas in the Middle East. The Pakistan Library Association is an important forum for voicing the librarians' concerns and has done much to promote library automation and networking. The Higher Education Commission has been supporting access to information for scholars, researchers and practitioners.

TNS: There is a general concept that a librarian is a clerk, what would you say?

SS: It took the west more than a century to change the public image of librarians from clerk to teacher. In Virginia I have been associated with the Fairfax county public library system as a reference and information librarian for about five years. The system performs an important role in the community. It maintains a huge collection of research, information and recreational materials. It has programmes and services for preschoolers, students, adults, elderly and newcomers to the country. Programmes offered include story hour for children, homework help for students, old favourite movies for elderly, English classes for immigrants, use of several computers with free internet service and basic computer training.

There's a constant flow of new books, and the ones that have low circulation in the two preceding years are weeded out. These valuable services are all free of cost. The revenue sources include a proportion of the property taxes that the county collects -- some federal money and private donations. Many volunteers devote their time to help out with organising sales of recently discarded books. The book sales are an eagerly awaited event for the community to get useful books at low cost. As an information librarian I am out there with people who wait in line with their questions and requests and appreciate my guidance. Needless to say I feel gratified. 

TNS: Would you like to throw light on 'Anna Libraries' in Mohallahs?

SS: Thinking of public libraries in Pakistan I am reminded of the so-called Anna Library which was a neighbourhood (mohallah) facility that rented out novels and story books for a small fee. It was initiated and carried on by enterprising private individuals, usually small shopkeepers who are no more and their activity has long since disappeared.

TNS: How things could be improved in Pakistan?

SS: Some people in Pakistan still think of the public library as a room or two full of old, dusty books, magazines and newspapers with an attendant sitting on a side, lost in his own novel or dozing until a visitor awakens him. More often the visitor has come in to read the newspapers lying on a table or otherwise spend the time of day with other retired old men. This image needs to be changed. Existing public libraries can be improved with proactive media and leaders for raising needed funds. Donation of money and time can do wonders for each community by setting up small libraries. At the grass roots level community leaders can create awareness of the importance of this project. It takes only a few dedicated souls to make a big difference. Setting up of libraries is also an answer to the high cost of books where they will be borrowed by the users. One of the impediments to the development of libraries has been that our people, for the most part, are not given to reading. This too has to change to create a library culture in the country.

TNS: How to promote reading habit among general public?

SS: This may require extensive research but reading aloud to children from infancy can help them develop an enduring interest in reading books. These children are known to be successful in school and later in the professions they choose. In Pakistan this approach would apply to a small section of population only because of its high rate of poverty and illiteracy.

TNS: What are you doing here in Pakistan?

SS: Currently, I am a visiting librarian at the Library and Documentation Center of the Lahore School of Economics. The college already has four well stocked libraries at its City and Burki campuses. Their collection focuses on business, economics, finance, mathematics, statistics, Pakistan economy and politics. Current and timely information is available through print and online journals of reputation. There is an online library catalogue to connect users to these valuable resources. The most recent library, named Social and Basic Science Library was inaugurated on March l, 2007. As I was visiting the Burki campus then I participated in selecting and developing a basic collection for it in the fields of art, religion, literature, classics (English and Urdu), biography of notable personalities, South Asian society, politics and Indo-Pak history. This was to give students and faculty access to interesting and relaxing literature away from the world of business and finance. Meanwhile, I enjoyed visiting local book stores and browsing publications of which there appeared to be an amazing amount, especially regarding South Asian studies. This semester I am continuing the same mission, and in addition I am trying to set up an audiovisual collection. All of this makes my stay at the Lahore School truly constructive and worthwhile.


You must be jockeys!
Here is what goes in the making of a radio jockey and why they speak the way they do 

In 1950 an American writer, Fran Lebowitz once said, "Radio news is bearable. This is due to the fact that while the news is being broadcast, the radio jockey is not allowed to talk."

This feeling still persists in the modern age. In fact it has heightened with this boom in our radio industry in the last few years. The radio is back in our everyday lives. According to the list of FM radio licenses issued by Pemra, there are 96 FM radio stations across Pakistan. In Lahore there are seven FM stations, namely: 89.0, 91.0, 100, 101,103, 104.6, and 106.2. Amongst the younger lot there is a common belief that if you are over 18, with a strong command over language, pleasant voice and love music, being a radio jockey (RJ) is a new career option open to you.

However, I feel nostalgic when it comes to radio. I remember its early days and am not comfortable with what it has turned into. My grandmother who lost her eye-sight in her later years, was only dependent on this box-like thing called radio. I remember she would tune into AM for latest news bulletins, talk shows based on social-religious themes and Oh Gosh! was she updated or what. So many times I got scolded by her because of fiddling with the 'tuning'.

'Assalam o Alaikum Pakistan' brought back the radio friendly days with FM 100 being launched as the first private channel. It was refreshing to hear these new voices, the programming content, format along with the technical instrumentation were also in line with the set universal broadcast standards. Later FM 101 was set up as a counter-part of FM 100, though it had its own novel programming format which did click initially with the listeners but later both the channels succumbed to monotony.

These days all we hear on radio is nothing but constant chaotic modulation. From bad language to poor knowledge of music it seems everything has gone completely haywire. Sometimes I think how the word "theek hai na or theek hai" entered the local vernacular? As long as I remember it was our ex-cricket skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq who used it persistently at his famous post match conferences/interviews. But then it was taken forward by his devotee, opening batsman Imran Nazir who in most of his interviews would explain his point of view by saying 'Asal mein who na aap tu samajh he gaey ho gay theek hai na, theek hai, theek hai na.'

Yes it used to be surprising as well as humorous, but now it has become some sort of a 'formula' (like one used in films to make them instant hit) to make up for not being able to put forth a discussion or prolong a conversation in case of the current breed of radio jockeys.

"R J is a job that is new and exciting if you love music being RJ is not just another job, it is for those who are keen on understanding the subtle nuances of the medium. Then, if you are the right one the sky is the limit in this career. However, there is no regular fixed course one can enroll in to get a training to be an RJ as yet," tells Sabiha, radio and broadcasting professor.

No doubt that this job is exciting and its fun but is that all you require for becoming an RJ, because if it's all fun and frolic then anyone can do it.

Rana Umair, a Marketing professional and RJ of famous show Sleepless Nights on FM 100, negates this perception while talking to TNS he tells that the youngsters who are recruited, first pass through auditions. Once they succeed in that they get one or two months training. Panel training is the next step the trainee RJs get. Machine friendly training, in which they are taught to operate the systems such as library comprising of cds, songs, que sheets -- they operate it themselves (off air). After this an RJ is launched on air. In the first few shows he gets an opportunity to share the microphone with the senior RJ (not DJ).

Apparently, there is no emphasis laid on the language and all that is seen during the audition is the accent and confidence which without any doubt is roaring in our youngsters. Umair further reiterates that young jockeys should not be given the 'sms' service initially because this leaves them with no alternative service other than following the set customs which is absolutely unfair on the part of a young jockey.

Maybe it is not only unfair with him but also with the listeners who are taking in so much sleazy stuff which on a lighter note could be hazardous to health in terms of noise pollution.

"How many times in a day will you hear an RJ tell you the process of sending an sms, it is fine if he repeats the number. The audiences are not that dumb that they don't know how to write a message."

Dr Ajaz Qureshi, famous for his Evening Drive Time Show now Power Drive on FM 100 has another standpoint. He says, "Radio is not being taken seriously. The selection criteria for RJs is not stringent. Fresh graduates are hired for the profession which is against economics. Then the salaries given to these young people is a joke."

"Often the jockeys are unaware of the music content that they are playing; they don't know the name of the movie from which the song is being played. This is the minimal requirement of their profession. On one of the shows the RJ played a song from movie Sawariya and kept saying "yeh gana film Om Shanti Om say hai aur Shahrukh Khan bhudhay ho gaey hai inko yeh harkat (referring to the famous towel sequence) suit nahi ki," says Faiza a regular listener. Dr Ajaz sheds light on this phenomenon by saying that one makes a broad outline for a show, there is no script as such which then reflects lack of background knowledge.

Language confusion is another thing coming out of the mechanical box. The first query is why do they speak flippantly? Are they sitting in their bedrooms or drawing rooms? So many people listen to them and all they have to say is few slangs here and there. "Language confusion is not an issue only with jockeys. In fact it is a characteristic found in our society; whatever you speak is a reflection of your society. With the vast access of internet things have become easy. When we started our careers there wasn't this massive use of internet, we used to make our own programmes, there was more authenticity, but now you have technology at your hand," says Dr Ajaz Qureshi.  

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