3rd Karachi International Water Conference- The Future of Water

Hissar Foundation which is known of its deliberate services for water, food and livelihood security holds an international water conference every two year for the last couple of years. The conference has gained immense applause and huge attendance status within the region due to its catastrophic ways of addressing the issues of water that the world is facing in today’s modern age. Since, we know that Pakistan is surrounded by all natural water habitats and its central location has made the conference more depth, greater value and enforced to maintain the focus on the issue. A huge numbers of participants attended the event from across the borders and within Pakistan and South Asia. This conference is all about the future of water, which is why the organizers themed it and relate it to youth, women, poor communities and marginalized groups. 

Being the pioneers of the establishing a foundation that find solutions and alternatives to water crisis and highlights issues thereby raise voices against them. Hisaar Foundation has gone far in deep remote areas where water crisis is at its peak. By identifying the problem they figured out the right and best solution along with their partners and with the help of the community and other supporting bodies. Their efforts will always be remembered by the people of this country. The foundation has successfully severed in many large cities to smaller towns with its remarkable projects with respect to water sanitation and water consumption projects.

I was honored to be invited as a session guest to the conference by the “Starlinkpr”. It was my first ever visit to the water conference. I was anxious to visit this conference since its inception but could not make until last time. However, this I made a chance to attend the conference where, I learned about in depth the intensity of crisis and the issues being faced by the world at large. The conference was of two consecutive days started from 21Nov 2017 and ended on 22 Nov 2017.

Day 1 

The governor of Sindh, Mr. Muhammad Zubair had arrived at the Hisaar Foundation as a chief guest 3rd KIWC 2017 at Movenpick Hotel Karachi, Pakistan. The governor of Sindh then inaugurated the opening ceremony of the conference along the chairman of the Hissar Foundation.                                                         

                                                                            

governor of Sindh, Mr. Muhammad Zubair 

                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                        

Day -2

Urban water- new times, new paradigms- was chaired by Dr. Noman Ahmed (Professor NED University), Co-Chair Dr. Piroska Paksi (Budapest Water Works). The presenters of this session were Mr. Syed Fakhar Ahmed (Karachi Electric), Ms Farwa Hussain (Habib Uni), Mr. Anwar Rashid (Orangi Pilot Project)Dr. Zaigham Habib (Scientists and Consultants), and Dr. Piroska Paksi (Budapest Water Works). The presenters shared their shared contributions in finding the solution to the water issues and highlighted the gap that still requires some work to be done. 

Presentation by Dr. Zaigham Habib (Scientists and Consultants) on the session Urban water- new times, new paradigms. 

Mr. Anwar Rashid (Orangi Pilot Project) presenting his research, shedding the light on the water issue on Urban water- new times, new paradigms 

Mr. Anwar Rashid (Orangi Pilot Project) presenting some key facts and figures.

Dr. Piroska Paksi (Budapest Water Works) presenting her research on the way Budapest Water Works during session on Urban water- new times, new paradigms 

The next presentation was followed by Ms. Farwa Hussain presenting her works on Urban water- new times, new paradigms. She also worked in collaboration with Mr. Zain Mustafa as a research student. 

Mr. Zain Mustafa (Architect) presenting his research projects philanthropic projects in Sehwan and Ranikot Fort in Sindh, Province. 

Mr. Zain Mustafa worked with this man in his town to provide clean water 

Mr. Zain Mustafa with children of village in which he worked 

Mr. Zain Mustafa with the people of village along with his team to provide solution to water crisis

Mr. Zain Mustafa listening to peoples problems

Mr. Zain Mustafa's one of his key findings to to provide continuous clean water to the villagers

Mr. Zain Mustafa's one of his key findings to to provide continuous clean water to the villagers

Advocate Rafay Alam (Water Lawyer) presented legal key facts & laws related to water crisis. 

After Tea Break Session... 

Our Common future - righting the wrongs of water entitlements-  Mr. Rafay Alam( water lawyer) presenting on session Our Common future - righting the wrongs of water entitlements

After Tea Break Session... 

When Albert Einstein meets Alan Turning- Water solutions from the world of science & technology. The presenters were Dr. Abubakr Muhammad (LUMS), Mr. Manan Aslam (MNS Uni Multan), Dr. Fritz Poerschke (expert rainwater harvesting), Mrs. Shehla Batool (Quaid-e-Azam Uni). 

Ms. Shehla Batool presented some of her research work based on water solutions below.

More glimpse from the Exhibition 3rd KIWC 2017 

More glimpse from the Exhibition 3rd KIWC 2017 

At the Gallery a small exhibition, where The WISY AG- exhibited their prototype of Rainwater Filtration & Harvesting System.

From the desk of  WISY AG

From the desk of  WISY AG

 After Lunch Break Session... At the closing session

Biggest announcement by Mrs. Simi Kamal at the end of the MOU signing... One of the best moments and a loud cheering moment out there for students who are connected to this prestigious field.

The Big Announcement

 At the closing session... The MOU signing & the team from Hungary along with team of Hisaar Foundation. The proud moment for the entire team of Hisaar Foundation and the nation.

The MoU signing 

At the closing session Dr. David Grey (Visiting prof. Oxford University) sharing his association with Hisaar Foundation in the vague of searching the solutions to water crisis and being part of their esteemed conferences. 

Dr. David Grey (Visiting prof. Oxford University)

At the closing session... Glimpse from the Hisaar Foundation Conference including summary of all sessions, conference deceleration and closing address. A small documentary is presented before the closing lets take a look below by Mr. Ashraf Kapadia (Governor HF)

A small documentary  

Mrs. Semi Kamal presenting memento to Mr. Zulfiqar Halipoto at the launching ceremony of his book

Mrs. Semi Kamal presenting memento to Mr. Zulfiqar Halipoto at the launching ceremony of his book 

At the closing session Dr. Claudia Sadoff (IWMI) presenting some of her thoughts and works contributed for solution to water issues and crisis. 

At the closing session... Mr. Aman-ul-Haq, head of Engro a close partner of Hisaar Foundation in the whole journey shares his experience with the visitors and participants of the seminar. 

The sponsors of the Hisaar Foundations in successful organization of the event Engro Foundation, UBL, The Asia Foundation, Global Water Partnership, CAP-NET, ASSA Consulting, Nestle, Raasta, NewsOne, PPAF, Sind Medical Stores (SMS), THARDEEP Microfinance Foundation, CDRS, TVONE, PAKOMAN, WWF, IUNC, NRSP and K-Electric. 

Hisaar Foundation organised the overall event remarkably well in lined with all mentioned apprehend programs. The organizers  were party in the event that they chaired as they themselves striving hard to date to find radial solutions to water and sanity crisis within the country and across the borders. Being part of the conference which is itself a global cause I have learned the people devastation and needs and found myself to be blessed with such necessities of life. 

Beauty week

It’s the esteemed wish of every girl to look beautiful and unique from the other. In the vague of achieving the desired wish DMTR, arranged the festival loaded with discount offers, giveaways, simple competitions and what not one could imagine under one roof on a single platform.  

I will not be wrong in saying that the week that has just passed is the “week of beauty”, where there were many beauty related festivals going on in the city of lights, i.e. Karachi. The Dolmen Mall Tariq Road Team conducted grand event “Festival of Beauty” that lasts for five consecutive days Wednesday, 18th October to Sunday, 22nd October 2017, only at Dolmen Mall Tariq Road.

The event rocked like its previous events, where the giants of Cosmetics, skin care and hair care companies show case their range of products from both nation and international chains. The event was enticed with beauty, glamour and lifestyle. All the leading brands from L’Oreal – Maybelline New York, Massarrat Misbah, J. Cosmetic and fragrance and to Makeup Revolution; Skin Care brands to Hair Me Out booth…

Makeup Revolution was among the most visited spot of the event. Every time I tried to check out its collection I got failed in doing so. Girls, young and aged ladies all were attacking to the stall. 

The crowed as you can see enjoying the event, engaged in buying cosmetics from their favourite brands. During the five day event there was huge discount offers from clothing to home and decor items as well.  

There were small stalls nicely decorated with small lights and loaded with cosmetics just like this one on the right... The brands were NYX, MUA, HUDA Beauty etc.  

It would not be justified if did not mention the way DMTR treated their special guests with, a grand dinner and a giveaway to every guest invited for coverage from Media to bloggers. What a splendid weekend show has be put up by the team Dolmen Mall Tariq Road. 

Lovely Giveaway

Dinner By McDonald's 

Bloggers Squad at the event "Festival of Beauty"

Books n Books

"There is no friend as loyal as a book- Ernest Hemingway"

Books are also an incredibly relaxing form of entertainment I believe. In simple words I would rather say that they are your true friends. It gives simple pleasure and relaxation of mind and soul a true match of each other.

 “Books are the perfect entertainment no commercials, no batteries, hours of enjoyment for each dollar spent. What I wonder is why everybody doesn’t carry a book around for those inevitable dead spots in life”, said by, Stephen King.

There are vast numbers of collection of books on various topics by which one can gain immense knowledge and become wise. These could be based on fiction or non-fiction stories, novels or perhaps narrations and etc. books tell us about different culture and norms, their values and customs. It’s a complete new world where you discover new ideas, clues for new inventions and much more. The more you go deep in it the more you discover it.

As said by Ray Bradbury, “A book has got smell. A new book smells great. An old book smells even better. An old book smells like ancient Egypt”.

The person who reads books has wiser personality and yet distinctive one. If one person keeps reading books would definitely feel change in itself in many ways like outlook, attitude, and way of talking and so does overall lifestyle. When a person reads more he/she becomes more active and productive both in personal and working life. As this, keep one in touch with the new discoveries and what had been achieved in past.

Books have their own values and cannot be replaced by technology and still they are written by many authors and published and sold in huge quantities and read by large readers. As said earlier, it’s a deep ocean of thoughts and ideas that brings you closer to nature and humanity. In a sense that when you read books you come to know about people behavior, their reactions and actions, their attitudes and of course you come to know the Devine nature of God i.e. the beautiful world he has created like the trees, the oceans, the forests, the rivers, the mountains, the rivers and valleys, space and atmosphere all what is and what is not? Adding to it, a book makes you learn how to live a simple and honest life. How to tackle the life’s crucial problems and dealing with them.

Books have greatest impact on everyone’s life in a way if one makes it a habit of reading it he/she would never be felt alone in his/her life. Likewise,

 Cornelia Funke said “Some books to be tested some devoured, but only a few should be chewed and digested thoroughly.”  

They are best pass time and they never let you bored. But for this one must be having fond of reading books. Because reading is something present inside you. It’s another person living in you. I would say one more thing here that reading should never be imposed on kids because this makes them dislike reading rather than making them reading books. For this, a child should taught at an early age that how good reading is for him/her is, then only he/she would realize its importance and their interest would also develop. However, there are many books available in the market for every age say from 2 year old kid to 90 year old man. Kids usually like colorful books with few words easy to read and learn. I would congrats to Disney who have done a lot of work and published such books that not only attracts kids but elders too towards their collections. On the other hand, for teens and older have books like Harry Potter, Penguin Popular Classic Collection, Hobbit, some other like adventurous books, novels, history, political, health, and philosophy.

Furthermore, books can also be given as present. I remember when I was 9 years and passed 4^th standard my first present by my father was “My First Oxford Dictionary” (complied by Evelyn Goldsmith and Illustrated by Julie Park). Later, when I began my O-levels I was presented by my father Illustration and Fact Finder (Dorling Kindersley). Meanwhile when I was doing my academics I read many novels such as Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin, Jane Eyre, Plays of Shakespeare and etc. Since then reading books are part of my routine life and I always take out sometime from my busy schedule and read books. They could be novels, motivational and self-improvement or any other subject of interest.

In addition to this, every year, here in Karachi, Pakistan, a large book fair is organized i.e. Karachi International Book Fair. I never miss that one. In fact, whole year I wait for it desperately. Publishers, authors, writers, media, print media from round the globe take part in it and exhibit their publications and books, magazines. There you will find vast range of books and magazines. Whenever I visit there I felt a sense of wisdom and I feel as if I’ve come to a different world. Over there you find separate section for kids where they can play, paint and color and win the games. This encourages them towards reading and participating more in such games that increase their knowledge and make them wise and sound. Now coming back to the point the main reason to share all this with you is basically to tell how books can play an important role or bring change in your lives.

Nonetheless, importance of books cannot be measured in terms of monetary value; it’s far beyond than it. No matter on what subject you read, every subject has its own value in its own place. It always gives you a sense of completion when you are done with it unlike with the electronic media that it doesn’t provide you peace of mind and body.

Charles William Eliot said “Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and most patience of teachers.” Enjoy reading!

The Scream of a Girl...

 "The best protection any woman can have... is courage."- Elizabeth Cady Stanton

A girl when stepped out from home she face things she never thought. At every step she needs to fight for her rights, life, well being, job, family and for herself. This is the story of every other girl who stepped out of home face the same. Why she has to come across such things that at times ruined her whole life? No one has the answer... 

A girl when born her parents celebrated, like they have won the race. The happiness that shines on their faces , heart smiles when sees a daughter and feet started floating in the air. The sky shines with bright stars and home lightened beautifully to celebrate the birth of a new little princess. Mother started thinking about her teenage and father wants to bring the entire universe, just to see his little princess smiling face. When everyone was busy in their celebrations someone down the street sitting getting jealous and planning to ruin the life of the little princess for no reason except for the sake of his own lust. And, the same story goes year by year till her death... 

"Most fathers don't see the war within the daughter, her struggles with conflicting images of the idealized and flawed father, her temptation both to retreat to Daddy's lap and protection and to push out of his embrace to that of beau and the world beyond home." - Victoria Secunda