RESTORE GREEN_URBAN FORESTATION DONE RIGHT

 Imagine a forest in the middle of the city, trees clustered together, birds chirping, traffic noise blocked out.......not to mention the oxygen rich benefits....what would you say to that?

Just awesome!!! 

Luckily, we have someone right here in Lahore, doing just that!

 Restore Green is a wonderful initiative by Bilal Chaudri that is working to create urban forests in and around Lahore,

Having visited one of their projects, I was amazed by the success they have been able to achieve in just a few months. Planting and reviving native species only, their MIYAWAKI model is fast, cost effective  and cohesive with local conditions. Being 100% organic and sustainable, this forest is there to stay!

Once taken to a certain stage, the plants become strong enough to   sustain the highs and lows of the weather, more because they are native of this land and soil and do not require extra care like imported species do.

The forest not only includes flowering plants but fruits and vegetables trees as well, bringing back the bio diversity with it, including birds, insects, worms, squirrels and so many more breeds of the kind.

With almost 10,000 plants and trees in a small patch of land, this sustainable urban forest is a model worth replicating in areas across Pakistan.

Planning a trip to the Urban Forest was an absolute delight as the living example was right before us...We not only experienced the coolness and pleasant temperature change while touring the forest, but spotted very interesting bio-diversity as well. The dense forest blocked out all the noise pollution and the birds replaced it with their sweet chirping.....I wondered how amazing would it be to have a Reading Circle or an art activity there soon.

Bilal was a wonderful and patient guide and not just adults, but the kids also enjoyed the experience thoroughly.

The icing on the cake was the tree planting activity 

Pledged to be a volunteer for this cause whenever and wherever needed.....We can't all make a forest, but we can all plant a tree!

#RestoreGreen #ClimateChange #ClimateReality

Dear Abu

Dear Abu,

I have been thinking of writing you a letter for the longest time but have been doing it all in my head, a million times perhaps, but  never finding the time to pen it down, or maybe it’s the devil that is stopping me because expression of love or gratitude does not go well with his plans, whatever the reason, today I am fighting all excuses and am resolved to get done with this, once and for all.

Abu, as children, no blessing is greater than the blessing of parents for they protect their children from all harm, keep worries away from them even if they themselves are engulfed by them and try their utmost to provide them with a life that is full of love,happiness and fulfillment. That is how it was for us. You and Ami put all your time and energy in giving us the best life that you could and no greater was the realization of this than after I became a parent myself. I have very fond memories of my childhood. I remember how we used to look forward to you coming home and we would stand in a line and greet you by saying adaaab adaaab and how ami used to get ready just before you were about to reach home so a joyful family was there to welcome you when you entered home. I remember the amazing trips you took us to, they are my best childhood memory. We had no idea that it took money, effort and energy to make it all happen, it was a very normal thing for us, we just 'had' to go on a vacation in summers and you always took us. I remember your laughter, your naughty looks, your youthful energy, your adventure stunts, arranging for bbq and karahi cooking in the mountains, taking us to as far as pattika, kuttan, saran, neela and shogran; places that many people never get to explore. It is now that I am finding out how very few kids really get to travel so much within their country as much as you took us around. You always had that passion for traveling and adventure and the temperament too. Your and amas appreciation meant the world to me, which is why when I got a medal, my happiness was seeing how happy and proud you were. I still remember how your face was lit up and what joy it brought you and ama. I remember the duty you and Ami gave to pick and drop us to school, college and then at job. And theres so much more that you have done for us, so much that you didnt let us find out, so much that you worried about or prayed for without us knowing, so much that concerned you but you kept it to yourself, so much that you stood up to with a brave face and a strong soul.

Abu, theres one thing I especially want to mention to you..I dont think I ever really acknowledged it like this but you never discriminated between your sons and daughters and gave us your love, trust and confidence so unconditionally, without which we wouldnt be who we are today. Your love and concious treatment of equality for your daughters, your belief that your daughters have the potential to follow their passion and dreams, your encouragement for us to pursue our passion helped us develop our personalities and potential. Today, I try to replicate all that as I am upbringing my own daughters....

I can never forget the constant support, confidence and encouragement you gave me so many times in my life, times when I doubted myself and you showed faith in me, times when I feared and you gave me courage and confidence. There's one instance I vividly remember. It was Mrs. Phalibus's farewell and as head girl, I had to give a speech in her honor. I was feeling quite clueless and confused, fearing that so many people will already be saying so much about her, how will what I say ever matter or count! And you said something beautiful. You said, 'People have been praising the moon for centuries yet that hasnt stopped anyone from praising the moon still. Everyone does it in her own way...and that's what makes all the difference. You praise too, but in your own way...'

Theres so much I've learned from you ; your affection towards people younger to you and your regard for elders that won you many friends, especially your affection towards strangers, from shopkeepers to waiters; your quiet financial support to the needy ; your integrity and honesty in your work ;your hospitality to your guests ; your patriotism for Pakistan ; your love for Sufism and Punjabi ; your faith in Allah and submission to His will...

As children, we don’t realize at how many ends are parents are struggling and what lengths they go to to give us the life we have. We are lost in our own little troubles that, at that time, seem like the most important matter in the world to us. It is only when we become parents that we realize what goes in the mind of a parent, how many angles we have to consider when taking a decision, how everything has a price, be it putting fuel in the car or putting bread on the table. We realize how parents compromise their own needs and desires for their kids, make sacrifices that children don’t even have a clue of. I don’t know how many times you sacrificied your own plans and needs for us, when our happiness became your happiness....But I want you to know that you are very special to me, I may not be able to voice it, may not be able to show it as much as I'd like but I love you very much. I dont look at you for too long, fearing my eyes will well up with all the love I have for you, all the years I see gone by as you gave your heart and soul to make us who we are today... I know there were times I made mistakes and maybe I still do...but I also know that you will find it in your heart to forgive...actually theres somehting i want to tell you from a daughters perspective, or even from a son....we all want our parents to be happy with us, proud of us, full of joy and love for us....but we all are different human beings too...some kids have the same traits or talents as their parents and so they seem to make it happen with quite ease...but some kids are different, their strengths, talents, opinions and approach is different but they too, seek the love, approval and support of their parents.... Allah is most kind, he not only put love of children in heart of parents but also love of parents in the hearts of children....Some of us just struggle a little more in expressing it effectively but it is what we all are seeking....it is in your presence, in your support, in your shade that we find solace, comfort and peace... the world may laud us but it is your look of pride and approval that we truly desire...although we may struggle to communicate all this...that is why I have put it all in words...I felt I needed to tell you all this, admit all this because many times there is so much we want to say and yet it is left unsaid.....especially words of love, gratitude and acknowledgement.

Thank you, thank you so much for all that you have done and are still doing for all of us...thank you for giving us the best a parent could give a child, thank you for the sensitivity of ensuring that you dont deny your children what you were denied as a child, thank you for a home and a childhood of love, laughter and joyous memories, thank you for the protection, guidance and endless support, thank you for the patience and generosity, thank you for the hugs and duas, for the smiles and jokes, for the respect and affection, for the time and talks, thank you for the sense of patriotism you instilled in us, thank you for the values you raised us with, thank you for teaching us to rely only on Allah, thank you for being a wonderful husband, father and Nana. May Allah continue to bless you abundantly and may the years ahead be filled with many more beautiful memories...

Much love,
Sadaf

My Moment of 'Eureka!'

It had been bugging me for a long time; the battle between humility and confidence. I asked many people, many  trainers, many teachers but the conflict was still unresolved. It wasnt that complicated though, just that in my humility, I was unable to feel confident about my skills for how much did I really know, for how much could I really deliver or claim to deliver, Questions starting with What if.... surrounded me. What if I mess up, what if someone more learned counters me, what if I don't live up to expectations.

No answer seemed to satisfy me. Some said confidence is you having belief in your skills and arrogance is belief that there is noone out there better than you! Confidence is 'I have skill', arrogance is 'I am the best there is!' I had belief in my skill but I had doubts too; I am good but am I good enough!!? Is my skill anything special or is it just another speck of sand in the desert? Would anyone really value what I say or write or do?

That lack of faith held me back for a long time, from a lot of things. I didn't want to make claims I feared I might not be able to live up to. Then I asked my mentor

Q: I still doubt my ideas. How can I feel confident about them? Like the book club, reading circle, training?

A: The doubt arises because of the consideration over the results/outcomes (expected by you or people) but an effort with noble intention would never cause doubt. You leave the result of an effort to Allah and the doubts will die.
Confidence suits the Creator, not the creation. What suits us is only humility and bowing in need of His grace, no matter how noble our intention and fool proof our effort!

THIS was my moment of EUREKA! I finally saw it, I finally understood! I could never be sure of results or outcomes for who can see the future! I can only pray, have faith and put in my very best, with the belief k Woh izzat rakh le ga, Woh hai na, Woh sumbhaal lai ga! For a long time, I had been carrying the burden alone, my actions contradicted my words, my sermons of faith and belief in Allah otherwise I wouldnt have felt so alone, so vulnerable, so 'at risk'. If I had really believed that Allah was right there, with me, beside me, near me, ALL THE TIME, then I wouldn't have worried so much. If I had really felt His presence, I wouldn't have stressed so much :) Woh itna Raheem hai, Woh kaisay apnay bunday ko sherminda honay de ga, Woh izzatain rakhnay wala hai, Woh mehrbaan hai, Woh sumbhaal le ga....There's so much comfort in this!

And it has come at just the right moment, when I needed it so badly. So here I go, venturing into my parallel training career with Pinnacle :

I have more faith and confidence in His rehmat than in my potential:)
jahan mushkil nazar aaye, wahan Khuda nazar aya....
phir na mushkil nazar aaye, na muhskil ka koi saya...

Celebrating Women's Day at PEL

I tried my best to avoid the topic of women rights and empowerment for the longest time as I felt that my perspective on the matter didnt go in line with the existing norms. However, the more I avoided the path, the more I ended up walking it.

And what had never happened before, did! I was introduced to SHE, a campaign that looked at the concept of women empowerment differently; men and women not at war with each other, but a team, trying to build a better world, together! Just what I believed and so I became a part of SHE.

With women's day just around the corner, it was an honour to be invited by PEL to represent SHE and speak on their event on Women's Day celebrations. Having been in constant, friendly correspondence with Komal Saghir from PEL, I was hoping for a pleasant experience. What greeted me, however, was beyond my expectations:)

From the reception to the closing, the event was marked with thoughtful gestures, meaningful activities and tasteful decor. Fairy lights adorned the interior with pink and white balloons adding a mood of festivity and joy. The beautiful slideshow of female employees with their personal messages for women's day made me reflect even more on the different dimensions of this day and its dimensions.

The event was both inspirational and informative with guest speakers sharing their personal experiences, struggles and achievements as a female and employees being briefed about policies regarding harassment, their input and insight adding depth and value to the policy draft.

Zainab Saeed from Kashf foundation shared her insight about the impact they have made as an organisation, empowering many to make the journey from adversity to comfort. Her analysis was that women tend to spend more on the household than on their personal needs, using their income on education, nutrition or home products.

The atmosphere was so positive and friendly that I decided to skip the boring formalities and jumped straight to speaking from my heart. My first request that we give Komal a big round of applause for organizing such a beautiful event and to make it a habit to appreciate each other whenever we can. It is unfortunate that as a society, we tend to be more critical than encouraging and thus the behavior becomes a norm everywhere. Getting in the habit to appreciate each other can break this bitter cycle and spread positivity. We started with acknowledging the most important woman in our life, our mothers, who juggle between being a chef, doctor, teacher, home manager, event planner, wardrobe designer,etc, staying on-call 24/7 and yet are called, just a mom! We realized that the most beautiful and commendable quality of Pakistani women is that they understand, realize, cherish and fulfill their role as a mother and a homemaker knowing that they are raising the leaders of tomorrow. And on top of that, they pursue their dreams and aspirations too. But all this does not and cannot happen in isolation. Here we need to acknowledge the beautiful support system that the women of this nation receive in the form of their parents, husbands and other family members. Though this is obviously far from being the complete picture, but the day called for celebrating the journey forward that Pakistani women have made.

It was an absolute delight to see that PEL has women employees in almost all departments, from accounts to marketing, from technical to quality assurance. Even today, very few companies provide the facilities that PEL is providing to its employees, in the form of day care, common room, gym, etc.
The absence of a daycare is one of the major causes why many women have to give up their jobs and career when they become mothers. PEL's understanding that men and women have different needs when it comes to work, making it a gender-friendly company in the true sense of the word.

Speaking on the topic of harrassment, we also discussed how the need is to start gender sensitization from homes, where mothers need to inculcate values of respect, empathy and non-discrimination in their sons, raising them to be kind, respectful and dignified gentlemen. However, in reality, many times women themselves discriminate between sons and daughters or are the cause of despair in another woman's life. This attitude needs to change, we need a society where women support each other and become a source of strength for one another.

Discussing this years theme for International Women's Day, Be Bold for Change, we realized how we could interpret it in our own way, defining bold and change according to our own understanding of the terms. We interpreted it as a call for change in access and right to life and education for girls, change in access to opportunities, facilities, mobility, change in the way we raise our sons and daughters and not to forget, the need for men to change and become bold enough to speak up in support of women and facilitate them in whatever capacity that they can.

Kiran Khan, international swimmer and Pride of Pakistan shared her personal journey of struggle to make name in a field that had been unexplored before. It was inspiring to hear how she overcame mutiple challenges and hurdles and pushed her way through to make a mark on the sports arena.

The amount of thought and effort that had been put into the event amazed and impressed me. The small activity of lighting up diyas and arranging them in an order so as to form the logo of Women's Day was both symbolic and pretty. Another one involved small messages for women's day to be written and fixed in flower pots, put together to form the word, PEL. After the session, together we all set dozens of balloons free in the air, with the banner, Happy Women's Day.

But the celebrations continued and we were escorted to their beautifully adorned mess, where Women's Day celebration cake awaited us. It was a treat to attend an event of such class and taste and to interact with women so positive and confident.

May all women in Pakistan find ease in their journey and may we rise above gender and become a source of strength and encouragement for each other, irrespective of age, race, gender, faith or ethnicity!

HAPPY WOMEN'S DAY EVERYONE!

t was an honour to represent SHE at PEL on their Women's Day celebration event on 8th March.

My Account of the Lahore Blast

When human needs and human emotions are so similar, how can we choose pain and agony for each other

A friend had gotten me in touch with Olga. We were to meet at 10:00 am at Second Cup, Z block. As I entered, I spotted her as I recognized her from her Whatsapp display picture. We exchanged the regular pleasantries and we headed upstairs to have our meeting. Representing a women empowerment initiative,Wowoman, that began in Azerbaijan in 2015, she shared her plans to expand the setup in Pakistan. It was quite an interesting discussion and as planned, the meeting ended around 11:00. She booked her uber and we were heading downstairs, when suddenly there was a huge blast. Through the glass walls of Second Cup, we saw massive clouds of smoke and dust with glass shattering everywhere. There were big pieces of material blown up in the air while we were still in a state of denial and shock. Has there really been a blast, I wondered. Is this it? The end of my story? We rushed to the back of the shop where the staff was already gathered. I wondered if there was a back exit but there was none. We stood there for what seemed like forever, thinking what to do. I expected the roof to fall on us any second but wasn't too confident about the idea of stepping outside too, as everyone feared that there might be another blast, or firing. Is this for real? Am I really witness to a bomb blast? (The thought was just too strange to accept)

And then I weighed the options; would I rather die under a roof collapse or go out in the open air and risk death a different way:) For some odd reason, I didnt panic nor did I fear dying. If somethings meant to happen, it will. I decided to step out but my friend resisted. So I went out by myself and what I saw seemed something out of a movie.

People were rushing around, there was smoke, glass, cars with their windows smashed, one car completely destroyed, I heard screams from somewhere up in a building of women crying for help, I saw a guard all covered in smoke and dust, grey from head to toe, and I thought to myself, this is what its like in movies. I wanted to do something to help but wasnt sure if it would be wise to stay. And all this time, my driver kept calling to me, 'Baji, hurry up, lets go, get in the car!'

Miraculously, the car escaped damage as the windows had been pulled down coincidentally. I signaled to my friend again to come out and join me but she didnt and despite not wanting to, I got into the car and left.

Totally shaken and extremely traumatized, I called Usman and told him that there has been a blast and I was there. Although I was fine, yet the near death experience had shaken me. It wasnt fear for my life, I feel, it was more the fear that the enemy is so close, so close to our homes, to the places we go to every day, to the life we thought was still safe.

When I got home, I called Olga immediately for I knew how shaken she was. She said she was on the road passing another cafe, Ole and was feeling quite lost and scared. I knew I had to go help her. I told her to stay right there and wait for me. I hardly knew the girl, I had met her only an hour ago,but I felt responsible for her, she is our guest in Pakistan and as her host, I felt I had to look after her. My driver warned me that the roads would be blocked and there would be heavy traffic at the blast site but I couldnt leave her stranded there. We parked the car at a distant and I ran off to look for her. She wasnt there at Ole. I didnt have mobile internet to call her from as she was using her country number. Clueless as to what to do, I looked around, and thankfully, saw her standing far away on the other end of the road. I waved to her frantically and she waved back. I rushed to her and we gave each other a massive hug. We had experienced so much together in that short time that words fell short in communicating that. That hug made up for it, it was a hug a relief, of gratitude, of joy, of sorrow, of shared pain and trauma, of 'being human' for while she came from another country, another religion, another culture and what not, but like me, she too, was a soul sent by Allah, a daughter, a sister, a person who meant no harm to others. She was still a pack of nerves and was full of questions about where my car was, who was driving it, did I know that man driving my car. I held her hand and comforted her. That incident pulled us into a connection unexplainable......

Later, at home, I cried, I cried for Pakistan, I cried for my children for I want them to grow up singing Dil Dil Pakistan and believing in it. I cried, for I can no longer hide the bitter realities from them. I cried for the lives lost, for the people traumatized just like me, for the hatred that is eating up our society, for the divide that is drawing us apart from each other...

in pakistan, nuclear weapons is a very sensitive subject. it is a symbol of patriotism, strength, security, regional balance of power and what not. that is why to promote a cause such as global zero is not an easy task here.

Climate change calls for lifestyle change!

We have all been studying about pollution in school. We know what it is, what causes it and even how to prevent it. Yet, many times our actions defy our knowledge. How many of us conserve energy or resources, how many are conscious of buying climate friendly products or using climate friendly processes in our daily modes of travel, production methods, waste disposal, etc.

The less we waste resources, the more we will have for tomorrow,the friendlier we are towards the environment, the more we will benefit from it.

It seems as if climate change is making itself visible more and more with every passing day. It is evident in the smog we so badly are experiencing these days. Hardly anyone can claim to have been unaffected by it, hospitals swarmed with patients of all ages suffering from sever coughs and chest infections. The floods, droughts and heat waves are an expected occurrence today but its not going to stay the same, it will get worse if we dont change, if we dont change our habits, lifestyles, production methods and processes.

The change is not as scary or impossible as it may seem. Small efforts on our part can make a big difference, all they ask for is consistency and dedication. Even an initiative as small as using environment friendly bags ( of cotton, recyclable material, paper) for shopping or doing grocery can make a difference. Such bags can be used multiple times and can bring down the use of plastic bags down by thousands. Even if one family takes up this initiative and encourages others to do so, an entire community can become plastic-bag-free. Yes, it may be less than even a drop in the ocean but that is how all great movements start. Moreover, if seeds of fruits are not thrown in garbage but kept aside and planted in some open space, many times nature takes its course and little seedlings appear to restore our faith in nature and its everlasting beauty of giving and do we need these natural oxygen-producing factories or not!

We also need to become more conscious of our consumerism behaviour. Just because we can afford something does not mean that we should buy it. Every product, has behind it, a process that involves the input of many valuable resources like water, wood, energy and unnecessary purchase of products leads to unnecessary burden and consumption of these resources. It would astound you to learn that it takes around 1,800 gallons of water to grow enough cotton to produce just one pair of blue jeans and 400 gallons of water to grow the cotton needed for a cotton shirt. Yet, we discard them off without a second thought. Many people hold the attitude that its their life and they have full freedom to decide how they live it, whether they buy a new dress everyday or whether they cut forests to build houses, however, it is becoming more and more clear that our personal, individual choices do have a greater effect and impact and thus, can no longer be viewed in isolation.

Just because I may have the means to buy something, doesnt mean that I go ahead and purchase it. We need to come together as a response to climate change, we need to literally reuse, share and cut down on our consumption patterns to lower the load on our resources to continually feed our evergrowing needs and wants. From clothes to furniture, from toys to books, we need to develop a culture of share and exchange for many of these items become useless after a certain time, once they have fulfilled their purpose, especially books, toys and children stuff like strollers and cots. Instead of throwing them away or storing them up, its best to share them or offer them to someone who may need them. One less pair of jeans thrown is 1,800 gallons of water saved in a way. If such little efforts on our part can help make the world cleaner, greener and more livable, it is definitely not a bad bargain to make.




photo credits: web