UNICEF launches Generation Unlimited Youth Challenge

 

UNICEF has always worked to make future of our youth brighter and secure. Keeping their mission in mind this year they launched a program, Generation Unlimited Youth Challenge, to assure every young person aged 10 – 24 is in some form of school, learning, training or employment by 2030.

In the first leg of the challenge 16 UNICEF countries participated for the challenge Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM). The reason behind this theme was that girls from underprivileged backgrounds discontinue their studies or are absent from their classrooms due to their periods which effects their overall learning. This in return effects their self esteem and education.

To conduct the challenge in Pakistan UNICEF partnered with School of Leadership (SoL). Multiple teams participated and presented their ideas to how make conditions better for girls during their periods. Out 5 global winning teams, one of them is a Pakistan team called ‘ The Red Code’. The team received grant worth $20,000 to bring their idea to life.

In order to celebrate the big win a function was held in honor of the entire activity in Islamabad in which multiple notable personalities were present including Minister of Climate change & Environment Ms. Zartaj Gul Wazir.

The winning team 'The Red Code' Mahin, Sana and Sara are supporting better menstrual hygiene with information & sanitary pads for disadvantaged girls and women in Pakistan. The Red Code run awareness workshops and provide women with reusable, cloth pads which are stitched by home-based workers to support self-sustaining micro-entrepreneurship.

Coca Cola Pakistan Celebrates International Costal Clean Up Day

Many people have stopped going to Seaview in Karachi altogether because of heeps of trash around the coast. It is disheartening. Everywhere we go in the city we are bound to see trash lying around on streets or public space. It’s high time we claim our public spaces and make them trash free. First and foremost DON’T THROW TRASH AROUND. And if you see some lying around roll up your sleeves pick it up and throw it in the bin. If the trash is too much organize a clean up drive !

That is what Coca Cola did last Saturday, organized a beach clean up drive on the International Costal Clean Up Day. More than one hundred volunteers participated in this activity, titled Beaches Without Waste. Volunteers included students, corporate executives, professionals, social activists and digital influencers.

What are you doing to keep your city clean?

 #BeachesWithoutWaste #CoastalCleanupDay2018 #CokeCoastalCleanup

Hari Chai

If I cut my veins open there will be more chai in them than blood. However, with my wedding right across the corner, I decided to cut my unhealthy habits and add more greens in my life. And it’s not fresh veggies that green but I decided to switch to the lighter side of chai. That is the less doodh pati and more green tea.

But gulping down green tea on daily basis is not everyone’s cuppa of tea. I usually am not very fond of the original green tea taste but since I had to had it on daily basis I decided to try different flavors. Tapal green tea came to my rescue! I tried their flavor selection pack and got other flavors as well, was completely hooked to their Apple Cinnamon, Lemon and Mint Flavors. The peach flavor is good too if you want to make iced green tea which I do with honey in it!

What has happened after me switching to green tea?

Green tea is not a magic potion which will magically make me lose weight overnight but it is a lifestyle change. I have cut down carbs from my diet, increased my physical activity and have started consuming green tea which is actually making me feel good about myself. I am not lethargic all the time, my skin is brighter and I have shed few pounds as well. Overall it has been a win-win situation for me. Ab wakai fit hongi mein ;)



#FitHongiMein #TapalGreenTea #GreenTea #HealthyLiving 

Reel On Hai: Promoting Art on the Streets

Go to any metropolitan across the globe and you will see it brimming with art and culture. Every popular street or corner will have a certain artwork present which people associate with that city. However, in Karachi, we lack such art on streets. In past few years the trend of creating art for city streets have picked up though and thanks to some brands it is getting visible as well to common people.

Pakistan Cables in partnership with Karachi Biennale Fund decided to bring art to the streets and different popular landmarks of Karachi. The idea was super simple, Pakistan Cables provided their cable reels to different artists to utilize them to create art and place them across the city. Fifty-seven local and international artists were part of the project.

The results were stunning. From different painting styles to utilizing the reels for recreational purposes, each and everyone was a masterpiece representing the rich culture of Pakistan. Some of the interesting locations of the reels are Moin Khan Academy, JMPC, IBA, Zamzama park and Karachi zoo.

To give this project, even more, life Pakistan Cables Limited announced the launch of a coffee table book, ‘A Reel On Karachi – Art Installations in the City’ at the Alliance Francoise de Karachi in an event which was widely attended by members of the business, art and social communities.

The launch event included a stimulating panel discussion hosted by renowned Karachi based actor, Mr. Sajid Hasan who engaged with the panelists recollecting Karachi’s evolving history and the impact of Reel on Hai to the city’s landscape. Panelists included Ms. Marjorie Hussain (Art Critic), Mr. Arif Hasan (Urban Planner and Activist), Mr. Mohsin Sayeed (Public Outreach Committee and Journalist) and Ms. Masuma Khawaja Halai (Chair, Public Outreach Committee).

“This book captures the story behind the project and takes its readers on a journey through Karachi brilliantly!”, stated Ms. Halai.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Fahd K. Chinoy, Executive Director, Pakistan Cables Limited who commended the Karachi Biennale Trust for setting up an exemplary partnership based on a shared purpose of honoring community trust and of giving back beauty to Karachi.

 A free e-book version of “A Reel on Karachi” is available at the Company’s official website: www.pakistancables.com

#ReelOnHai #PakistanCables #Art #Karachi 

Mental Health

On world mental health day, I am writing for you to understand the importance of mental health. This is not only for the people who suffer but also their loved ones.

 To live, to be with a person who has depression not only requires courage but also understanding and patience. To be the support one has to be strong enough to endure what is coming towards them. So on this day, I will acknowledge those loved ones as well who have been a tremendous support to the people who have had any mental illness or are currently suffering from it.

If you at any given point recognize the signs and symptoms of depression or any other mental illness please don’t ignore them. If you cannot get professional help don’t feel shy to talk to a loved one or a person you trust.

Few things I know that have helped me when I have been depressed are

1. Diversion. Be it in any positive form, listening to music, reading a book or watching Hallmark movies. It helps a lot.
2. Talk. Vent it out. Don’t hold it all in yourself. Cry if you want to. There is no shame. But don’t rely on it. Once you have cried your heart out, pick yourself up and start working on yourself.
3. Work out. It helps
4. Meditate, in any form you like. It surrounds you with positive energy
5. Travel if you can, even within the city explore any place you have never been to.
6. Have a hobby. Something that you like to do. Anything constructive, anything random, it is totally up to you.
7. Eat well. Don’t overindulge on junk. Eating fresh and healthy makes you feel good within few days
8. Wear bright colors, lipstick or perfume. It’s a small step but again it helps
9. Do mindful sessions (Search on YouTube for videos)
10. Don’t forget to sleep. 8 hours. Get up and take a nice shower
11. Never stalk anyone on social media and compare your life with theirs. You don’t know what their story is.
12. Spend some time with nature (Animals or Plants). It soothes your soul
13. Dance. With friends or alone doesn’t matter. Turn the music up and dance

If you are having mild depression these things might help you. These might not be suitable for clinically depressed people or people with any other chronic mental illness.

Parents, please educate yourself if your child is showing any unusual behavior. Friends, please start noticing your loved ones. It’s not necessary that if you have gone through a trauma you will be depressed or will have any other mental illness. Everything in one’s life can be perfectly fine yet one can be suffering through it.

If one can’t see mental illness it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist. It is not a joke. It is not something to be taken light-heartedly. Educate yourself, acknowledge its existence and help yourself and others around you.

1

Apney Dil Ka Rakhain Khaas Khayal

Tabba Heart Institute creating awareness through #ProjectDKL on World Heart Day

Project Dil kay Liye or in short #ProjectDKL is an initiative taken by Tabba Heart Institute to create awareness on heart healthcare this World Heart Day. As a part of the project, Tabba Heart Institute conducted an activity at LuckyOne Mall from 22^nd to 24^thSeptember 2017.

Not many people are aware of the fact that Cardiovascular diseases account for nearly half of all non-communicable diseases mortality. Over 17.5 million people die every year due to heart diseases.It is vital for people to know the importance of a healthy heart and thus reduce the risk of heart diseases.

World Heart Day is celebrated on 29^th of September all over the world to inform people around the globe that heart disease and stroke are the world's leading cause of death.To further amplify this noble cause and continue with their promise to celebrate World Heart Day each year,  Tabba Heart Institute takes great pride in initiating Project Dil Kay Liye this time. Tabba Heart Institute is one of the best and most comprehensive cardiology services providing institute in Pakistan, recognized by American College of Cardiovascular Diseases for its efforts and contribution.#ProjectDKL serves as a platform to create awareness about heart diseases encouraging people to focus on their heart’s well-being and keep it healthy and happy.

https://www.facebook.com/Tabba.Heart.Institute/videos/10156625404643452/

Project DKL is a way of life, it aims to create a healthy environment, encouraging people to switch to a healthier lifestyle through exercising, eating healthy, quitting smoking & getting regular medical checkups done.

During the activation of #ProjectDKL at LuckyOne Mall, thousands of people were engaged in healthy activities and games.People were given several giveaways on answering a health-related quiz and playing healthy games.

Moreover, the hashtag #ProjectDKL was one of the top Twitter trends on Saturday, 23^rd September 2013 with Twitteratis, Journalists and even nutritionists like SaddafFayyaz sharing positive tweets on the hashtag.

You can also join in the conversation on the hashtag.

Don’t forget to keep your heart healthy.

For more follow Tabba Heart on:

www.facebook.com/Tabba.Heart.Institute

www.tabbaheart.org

Coke Studio 10's Finest: Naina Moray

What makes a song unforgettable?

The music of it, composition, powerful lyrics, melodious
vocals and the feeling it leaves you with.

Naina Moray has all of it. One of the few songs which stole
my heart in first go. With multiple layers of different instruments and fusion
of two songs, not even once I felt the song is out of sync or any part is
forced in. Every instrument, every word, every sound in the song is seamlessly coming
together to make a master piece. I only wish Aamir Zaki’s solo was a bit longer
though.

If you are a fan of classical music this song will leave
your soul in ecstasy. It unquestionably is Coke Studio’s finest produced song
and is at par with Chaap Tilak and Paar Chana Dey.

#CokeStudio10 #MusicForSoul #NainaMoray  #FilmyJoyo #OnRepeat