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hobby MOOD
STREET Town
talk issue A
pet subject RESPONSES
TO LAST WEEK'S
In many ways, Mustafa
Mehmood is a typical seventeen year old. He balances studying for his
A-levels with the burden of applying to colleges. The weekends often find him
unwinding with friends at local hangouts or lounging in front of his
television. But Mustafa is different
from many teenagers in that he devotes several hours a day to his
extracurricular passion -- music. Seven years of piano lessons have
culminated in the ability to play Music is more than a casual
hobby for this young lad. He regularly meets up with his group of five who
call themselves the 'Frozen Chapters'. They dish out a delectable mix of
piano, guitar, electronic drums and vocals. All their toil and trouble seems
to have reaped rich dividends -- they have already recorded six complete
songs and caught the attention of a music agent who may provide them with a
professional breakthrough. None of this has come
without pain. Practice spaces have been hard to come by with the group
retreating to sound proof studios at the Lahore University of Management
Sciences whenever they could gain access. They relied on friends to offer
space for their gigs and publicity, setup and sound quality fell squarely on
their inexperienced shoulders. They had to tame electronics and computer
software in their quest to compose mellifluous melodies and patch them into
recordings. So what does it take to
create the 'Pakistani Idol'? Supportive parents who are willing to foot the
bill for expensive equipment and lessons is a good start. It helps if the
parents have a zeal for music of Where do aspiring Junoons
venture to pick up the tools of their trade? The options within our fair city
are somewhat limited. Guitar World with multiple outlets in our neighbourhood
is the most cited destination for Salman Ahmed wannabes. On any given day you
will find a gaggle of starry-eyed young men strolling by its rows of guitars
in an endeavour to select the perfect instrument within the constraints of
their wallet. The store owes its popularity partly to the complimentary
lessons it offers with each purchase. Keyboards are much more rampant with
options available from Hall Road to Al-Fatah. In putting together a band,
the basic instruments are just a part of the equation. Amplifiers, sound
systems and recording devices are pivotal to performance. But their
availability in the city is scarce given the limited demographic they cater
to. "You won't really find the equipment needed for a professional band
here," insists Mustafa. "Your best bet is to look abroad." And what about those who
would prefer to play Mozart and Strauss to satiate their musical appetite?
The only grand piano you are likely to spot in our vicinity is the one in the
Pearl Continental lobby which never seems to be accompanied by a pianist. You
may come across a handful of violins and whistles, but more exotic
instruments like a saxophone or cello are non-existent. And even if you do
manage to grasp an elusive classical instrument, you will likely struggle to
coax any coherent symphonies out of it. "I was willing to invest in a
violin and eager to learn how to play," says Ahsan, a college student
"but I just couldn't find someone who could teach me." Indeed,
newspaper classifieds do advertise the occasional keyboard, guitar or vocals
teacher but opportunities for tutelage in the classical realm are notably
absent. Music, whether classical,
rock or pop is among the healthiest outlets for our youth. Studies have
established that children who devote time to listening to and playing music
develop enhanced mental faculties. We promote debating and dramatics in our
schools but somehow the myriad forms of music have always lagged behind. Our
musicians blossom, courtesy independent initiative; more communal clubs for
them would allow more to experience what Mustafa has. Like other performing
artists, musicians feel audiences are fickle, hence their chances of
commercial success are slim. Young people thus content themselves with
pursuing a primary profession in school and consigning their jamming sessions
to their free time. But if fate were to cast them that golden opportunity to
rock for a living, would they take it? "Nothing could beat that,"
says Mustafa, his eyes gleaming and mind drifting off to the concert stage.
I can't
seem to stop reeling from what my friend Munib told me recently. As I hit one
of my web-regulars-in-times-of-no-mood-for-anything, namely Orkut, my mind
drifts to whatever I'd just got to hear. There
was a girl in Munib's German language class who'd act in a strange way, and
famously so. A
super-thin, baby-faced, bespectacled 'cutie', Ayeda was all of 1.5m. On top
of that, she had a very academic and serious -- almost morose demeanour.
Certainly not the kind a 'hottie' like Munib would hit on. But,
Munib was an exception. He had a thing for girls who were 'different'. And,
that's when the trouble started. In a
class of only 9, Ayeda would not mix up with anybody -- girl or a boy. She'd
move to a lonely bench, and prefer to bury herself in a Paulo Coehlo book in
case the teacher wasn't in yet. Though That
kind of began to grow on Munib who was now looking for a good opportunity
(or, shall I say, a good reason?) to strike a conversation with her. Weird as
it sounds, he had not been able to talk to her -- after the class was over,
that is. Every time he planned to take off from the argument where the
teacher finished in the class, it wouldn't work. Ayeda would vanish with the
speed of lightning. In the
doorway, it was a wasted effort, again, because Ayeda would never let their
eyes 'meet'. Munib's raspy-voiced 'hello' fell flat, since Ayeda glided right
past, looking constantly elsewhere, and not acknowledging his presence in the
very first place. Was she
coy? Or, was she playing hard to get? He'd rationalise, theorise, and even
philosophise. To no avail. "Forget
her, yaar. She is not capable of even a smile," his friends (me
included!) would tell him. He'd
also curse himself for wasting his time and breath on such a 'loser'. But,
the fact was, curiosity had now got the better of him. Boring
or not, Ayeda was the mystery lady, as far as Munib was concerned. For all he
knew, she could be a very deep and profound person, or just a 'drama queen'.
The urge to snoop on her was growing stronger by the day. The date
for Finals was announced, and Munib went into a temporary phase of
depression. All this while he had fought the temptation to rush things,
because he didn't want to spoil what (he still hoped) could be the start of a
great relationship. One
afternoon, when most of the students had left, Munib headed into the computer
lab, wanting to kill time. It was dark and quiet inside. The only lights one
could see were those flashing from the monitors that were switched on. The
only sound, that of keys being pressed variously. Passing by the computers
that were lined up in a row, Munib was about to settle down on a terminal
when his attention was caught by a pouty Angelina Jolie, in all her glory,
staring out from an Orkut page that flashed across a computer screen. Munib
stopped to linger for a moment, as it was one of his favourite pictures.
Suddenly, he noticed the profile name above the picture. It said, 'Different,
not Indifferent'. Shocked, Munib pulled back from his position. He had
recognised the name. This was the same ID whose messages had lately flooded
his own scrapbook. This was the 'mystery' lady who had professed to a huge
crush on him, "bordering on insanity" (the profile said). This,
despite Munib having set his relationship status on Orkut as 'committed'. Sensing
the presence of a stranger standing over her head, the lady who was working
on the computer, turned to look behind. To Munib's horror, it was none other
than Ayeda herself. He almost choked. While Ayeda looked completely
mortified. So much
for a girl who seemed one-of-a-kind. Or, 'different', if you like. Munib is
a happier man now. And, shall I say, wiser. He has realised that he was
chasing an 'illusion'. That it's ok to have an Orkut 'persona', but not ok to
mask your reality. And, I am reminded of a whole lot of girls I've known who
pretended to high literary tastes, exclusive interests, and polished manners
but eventually turned out to be lame. I
remember this young, pretty thing from my Masters days who was the 'pride of
the Psychology department'. Well, Saima was one of the toppers. And, she also
once famously threw a tantrum in the class only because the teacher wouldn't
spell her name right: It was supposed to be spelt as C-y-m-a. I've
also had the 'honour' of knowing one 'ambitious' journalist who expressed her
inability when asked to do a feature on the 'She couple' -- because it
involved 'perverts'. No adult stuff for our see-no-evil-hear-no-evil Miss
Goody-two-shoes, please! I have
more respect for girls who drool over the likes of Brad Pitt and George
Clooney and end up marrying baby-faced, nice-and-clean, boys next door who
would rather show their tender side more too often than flash their six-pack.
There
are many examples that I could quote here. And, knowing fully well that I
would be risking a big-time offensive from the feminists lot if I tell boys
not to be 'miss'led. Because there is no such thing as a 'different' bandi.
There are insecure and confused girls, just as there would be insecure and
confused boys. But, then boys don't claim (and act) to be 'different'. This
is decidedly a girlie thing. And, to quote a clichΘ, 'Girls will always be
girls'.
Exhibition at the Alliance Francaise of the internationally renowned Didier
Randot. Discover his latest works on the everyday life in Pakistan.
Exhibition on till Friday, June 22.
Exhibition of Shafique Farooqi's paintings of 'Whirling Derweshes' at Hamail
Art Gallery.
'Beat The Heat' Summer Festival today at Liberty Roundabout, Gulberg at 6pm.
Fee: 100 rupees. Live
Concert by Soul, Kain, Zeek, 2D, Lithium & Drainage. Venue: Micasa School
System near Gaddafi Stadium, 31 E-1 Gulberg III, Lahore.
Classical Concert by Arirang Quintett (Germany) at Alhamra, Gaddafi Stadium
on June 20, Wednesday at 7pm. For pass for the concert contact
Annemarie Schimmel Haus Lahore.
Nazir Ahmad Music Society stages a concert every Saturday at Government
College University at 1:30pm.
Puppet Shows for everyone every Sunday at Peerus Cafe at 3pm. Free.
Puppet Show for children every Sunday at Alhamra, The Mall at 11am.
Insufficient
police patrolling on city roads at night has created a sense of insecurity
among the people including journalists, paramedics and employees of other
departments who work at night. Lahore
is a big city with activities continuing till late night. Mostly, the
marriages and other functions take place at night and those who attend them
need to feel secure. It has been observed that police patrolling in congested
areas is much better leaving the deserted areas unattended. Besides, some
people who offer Fajr prayers regularly, also feel insecure while going to
mosques. "I
have been performing night duty at APP, a state-owned news agency for the
last eight years. My office is located at China Chowk and I leave office
daily for my home on Wahdat Road at 2am," says Paramedics
and employees of several departments who perform duties at night are
terrorised on account of increasing street crimes. Apart from them,
passengers coming from airport, railway station and lorry adda in the morning
also feel insecure. Talib says the incidents of killings by Pathar and
Hathora groups in recent times have also created panic among the people who
travel for their jobs. All this
is because of ineffective patrolling in the city, Talib says. Police
patrolling is sometimes visible on main city roads but in smaller areas and
streets there is no security. He suggests that city police in collaboration
with local people should re-introduce old dated system of 'Thekri Para' which
is most effective in controlling street crimes. We have heard about this
system from our parents and grandparents, he says. Tajammal
Gurmani is a journalist working at Indus News channel. He says night time
security barriers in Model Town Society and iron gates in Township and Iqbal
Town installed by the local residents for security purpose at the open ends
of streets have created problems for people moving at night. This is only
because of the scarcity of proper security arrangements. One feels trapped
when one wants to get home only to find these gates closed "I
pass through Canal Road and Ferozepur Road twice or thrice a week to be on
duty to Children's Hospital Lahore at night. During the whole route I don't
see a single policeman," says Muhammad Abbas, a doctor who is resident
of Jauhar Town, Lahore. Due to improper patrolling, women cannot move or
commute at night increasing the need to improve security in the city, the
doctor adds. Bushra,
a nurse on night duty at a private clinic on Sehr Road Lahore says her duty
hours end at 4am but she cannot leave the clinic due to transport and
security problems. She leaves the hospital after dawn, to reach her home at
Harbanspura. "I feel unsafe while commuting late at night because of
improper security arrangements," she says. Besides, organisations
employing women in night shifts do not offer them pick and drop service. "It
is the responsibility of the police to provide security to people who perform
duty at night", says Khurshid Ahmed, General Secretary Pakistan Workers
Federation while talking to TNS. Proper security measures should be
introduced to combat the street crimes that hamper movement at night, he
says. Besides,
employers should provide pick and drop service to their employees to make
them feel safer at night. According to labour laws, it is the responsibility
of the employer to provide pick and drop facility to a woman who is bound to
perform duty upto 10 pm, says Khurshid. "Its
true that security at night is less than it is during the day but we have
deputed police including SPs, DSPs and mobile police in various parts of the
city," says Capital City Police Officer (CCPO), Additional IG, Malik
Muhammad Iqbal while talking to TNS. He says policemen perform duty round the
clock. The
Punjab government has recently introduced shift system in the major cities of
the province. "I have demanded recruitment of more policemen for this
purpose. 2500 policemen have been recruited recently in the department who
are being trained. After their training is over the shift system will be
introduced in the city reducing the duty hours of a policeman to 12
hours," he says. The CCPO
tells TNS that of shift system in the city will intensify police patrolling
at night which is a lean period with little activity. Similarly, there is
less street crime at night as compared to the day time, he asserts. "We
have activated Mujahid squad to check street crimes and measures are being
taken in this regard," he says. When
asked about the incidents of 'Hathora group' and 'Pathar group' that took
place recently, the CCPO said that a police team has been formed, headed by
an SP which is busy in investigating clues to these groups in order to arrest
the criminals involved in these heinous crimes. "We have intensified
police patrolling in the areas where these incidents were reported. Apart
from this, we have also introduced 'Thekri Pehra' with the cooperation of the
people to keep on eye on criminals involved in such activities.
Zoonosis
is the term applied to a group of diseases that are transmitted from animals
to humans. A vital aspect of responsible pet ownership is safe management to
thwart the spread of zoonotic diseases. Ringworm
infection is one of the common zoonotic diseases. Contrary to its name, ring
worm is not a worm problem but a fungus termed 'Dermatophytes'. Dermatophytes
are plants that live on the skin, eat skin and hair. There are three
different types of fungus that can cause ringworm but the most predominant
one found in dogs and cats is 'Microsporum canis'. TRANSMISSION:
During clinical practice I have observed that some people keep very close
physical contact with their pets out of pure love and affection for them but
I think nothing is more important than your own health. Children are
particularly vulnerable to contracting skin infections from cats and dogs
which may be suffering from fungal infection, mange mite infestation etc.
Actually 'ringworm' infection in dogs and cats is highly contagious and
children particularly catch it very quickly. People of any age may catch this
disease. This fungal infection spreads in people and pets by contact with the
fungal organisms. However, for infection spread it is not necessary to have
direct contact with an infected animal because fungal spores can live in the
environment for a long time. They can be found in carpets, beddings, towels
etc and can infect you or your dogs, cats when they come in contact with
them. The
fungus can live for months in soil as well if the nutrients are available.
Their incubation period is 10-12 days. This means that following exposure to
the fungus, about 10-12 days will pass before any lesion appears. Infected
dogs generally always have a skin lesion at the site of infection, whereas
infected cats can carry the visible fungal lesions or can transmit it without
actually having skin lesions. In other words, cats can have the fungus on
their coat or transmit the fungus to other animals and people without having
any noticeable lesions themselves. SIGNS OF
RINGWORM INFECTION: In dogs and cats ringworm infection generally appears as
a red, crusty, rough area of skin with broken hair and hair loss with very
little itching associated with the infection. The characteristic 'ring' that
we see on humans doesn't always appear as a ring on dogs. These lesions grow
in size and often become irregular in shape. The disease is more common in
puppies and kittens. DIAGNOSIS:
When a suspected case of ring worm is brought to veterinary doctors, first of
all we refer the case for laboratory diagnosis. Diagnosis and treatment of
ringworm infections require a fungal culture and sensitivity test. In the
light of test report we suggest the treatment and also advise the owner about
their safety. However, cats that might be carrying the fungus but have no
lesions can be diagnosed by culturing a sample of the coat after brushing the
cat. An ultraviolet light can be used to diagnose ringworm. However, this
technique is not very accurate as only 30% of the fungal infections will show
positive. TREATMENT:
Treatment of infected cats and dogs is usually recommended to accelerate the
recovery and prevention of the fungus transmission. Treatments involve
bathing with anti-fungal shampoos and application of anti-fungal creams,
lotions or ointments that decrease severity and transmission immediately.
Some cases may require systematic anti-fungal and anti-bacterial therapy that
has been shown to shorten the course of the disease and block chances of
secondary infection by bacteria. If no treatment is carried out, ringworm
will run its course in two to four months and the symptoms will resolve
themselves. However, treatment is recommended to save your dog from
unnecessary prolonged suffering and decrease the period of time they stay
contagious. PREVENTION:
Infection can be prevented by careful handling of pets with skin lesions, and
good personal hygiene. Always wear disposable gloves when handling such cases
and avoid their direct contact with clothing, carpets and bed sheets. It
should be remembered that infected people may spread ringworm to their
animals. If your cat or dog has a skin lesion, consult your veterinary
expert. If you develop ringworm, your pets should be examined. It has been
observed in many cases that the source of infection is actually another
person and not a pet. In this
context the most effective measure is prevention through careful sanitation
practices, maintaining safety barriers, avoiding bites, scratches and keeping
your pet healthy. Reasonable precautions and regular check-up by your
veterinary doctor will minimise the spread of diseases. DECONTAMINATE
THE ENVIRONMENT: Use bleach mixed at 1:10 on any surface that can have fungal
spores. It will kill 80% of the spores. Vacuum on a daily basis with a
disposable vacuum bag which contain the spores, steam cleaning of carpets and
furnishings will kill the spores. Don't
forget your pet's bedding and kennel. Wash the kennel with a bleach solution
and wash the bedding in very hot water. If your pet stays indoors, confine
him to one room of the house. Always keep infected or suspected pets away
from healthy ones. Beside
all sentiments and affection for your beloved pet's maintenance, safety
barrier between pet and owner is very important because human health and life
is precious. --The writer is a doctor at the Pet Centre, University
of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore. QUESTION
TOP 10 Public
art displays in Lahore 1. Kalma
Chowk 2.
Alfred Woolner's statue, Old Campus 3. Ghora
sculptures in Defence 4. Kims
Gun outside NCA 5.
Fatima Jinnah's relief (only human sculpture) 6.
Militarymen in relief, Girja Chowk, Cantt 7. Tank,
Fortress Stadium Cantt 8.
Planetarium, Lake Road 9.
Fighter plane outside Town Hall 10. F6
China Chowk Watch
this space for ways to beat the heat! Please
email at shehrtns@gmail.com
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musical chords with the same dexterity most
of us tap our cell phones. He also dabbles in guitar "just for the fun
of it" and most impressively, can compose original tunes and lyrics. 
their own and are keen to ensure their
talents are not lost on the next generation. Having a role-model can give you
that extra spark: Mustafa swears by Eminem as the inspiration behind his
rapping. But most of all it seems to be the innate love for music. "You
can learn to play an instrument and improve by practicing", explains
Mustafa, "but the ability to write your own songs and play them can't
really be taught, it comes from deep inside of you". 
she was quite active in classroom
discussions, and quite articulate, too, you could never accuse her of
indulging 'sweet nothings' -- the typical girlie kind, you know. 
Talib Hussain Bhatti, a
journalist. Talib has to pass through Shadman Chowk and Ferozepur Road but
has never seen sufficient police patrolling on these roads. "Once in a
blue moon, I do get a glimpse of police vehicle driving on this road,"
he says. Talib says there is no safety from criminals who rob people of cash
or other valuables. 
