Journey of a Saudi Girl from Karachi to Jeddah

 Journey of a Saudi Girl from Jeddah to Mumbai (Reem)

“Your talent determines what you can do. Your motivation determines how much you are willing to do. Your attitude determines how well you do it.” 
― Lou Holtz

“Being women I am always attach to my mother, but the early death of father at the age of two years bring me more closer to her, I was living with a young widow mother who provide me shelter, she never thought of remarriage but always concentrate on her children future and for that she sacrificed her present. I was always keen to get higher education, meanwhile I get a marriage proposal from my family who are Saudi National, and this is how I migrated to Jeddah Saudi Arabia, but I use to visit Karachi every three weeks to continue my education, From my college to Masters I completed all my studies from Karachi, From University of Karachi I received my Degree of Masters in Journalism, for all those who look at my current life must know before every beautiful morning there is a dark night.” said Sameera Aziz in a low voice.

  On Thursday 4^th June, I went to Arts Council with my friend to watch a Local show named “Nag and Nagan” and I got a chance to meet Ms. Sameera Aziz, she shared her contact details with her for future contact and from there I got a chance to know her and able to write an article on her, we started to communicate on watsapp, I told her that I am a blogger and use to write stories on Humans, I shared a thought to write a story on her life and her contribution to the society, she happily agreed and shared her pictures and information for my reference.

Sameera Aziz is an ispiration for all women and a thought provoker for all those who think that Saudi Women are back worked and Camel rider, She is a famous Saudi media personality. A highly educated Saudi woman, she’s well known for her intellect, professional competence and integrity. She is a Journalist, film maker, director, script writer, radio presenter, novelist, speaker, social worker and activist. She is a Jeddah-based Saudi citizen. She is most notable as a radio presenter of her weekly show ‘Marhaba with Sameera Aziz’ in Asian Radio Live, which is based in the United Kingdom. She is the president of Asian Information Agency (AIA), a Worldwide News Service.

She is recognized as a first Saudi female Bollywood director and writer, as Saudi film Industry is about to grow, Sameera Aziz is putting her effort to promote film industry; People want to know about the Saudi woman. Before that there was a Saudi Movie named ‘Wajda’ released in 2012 focusing on a Saudi girl that how society crushes her desires, the people who are curious about the Arab culture, their curiosity will be useful for this film. Saudi women are always being portrayed as a victim of social norms. Let the world know that our heroine ‘Reem’ – a Saudi woman of today – gets the liberty to find her identity. Let the world know about the real life style of today’s Saudi women.

The Film will be produced under Sana Solkar Production which is the first ‘Saudi Production House’ in Bollywood owned by Sameera Aziz in Mumbai with the partnership of Mr. Aslam Solkar (an Indian producer). The creative team of this production house is very experienced, qualified, hardworking and professional from Bollywood film industry.

This story is based on the issues and effects of cross-cultural marriage. This is a story of a Saudi girl, Reem; whose mother is an Indian woman.  After getting the divorce from Reem’s Saudi father, she returned to Mumbai, India – leaving her 8-month-old daughter Reem with her Saudi father and Saudi step mother in Jeddah. Reem has been living a happy life with her agnate siblings. In fact, one of her younger brothers is her good friend and she shares every secret with him. He supports the right of Reem to make her own choices.

One day, after her graduation, it coincidently revealed to Reem that her real mother was an Indian woman. Reem gets surprised and mystified. Now she wants to know her genuine identity.  She becomes curious to know about her real mother, her curiosity lead to Postponed her marriage, Reem goes to India with the excuse of taking further education.  She then starts searching her actual mother there with the help of the information she has gathered in Jeddah. Her father did not know her real motive of her stay in Mumbai until the last.

Will she find her mother? How? What kind of struggle she will do in India to reach to her mother? She has a maternal half-sister as well in India and she is the 2^nd heroine of the film. She will also find her ‘Mr. Right’ in India who is an ‘angry young man’. Both ignore each other. He realizes his deep feelings for Reem only after her departure to Saudi Arabia. She returns to Jeddah just to obey her father’s order.

Now in this situation, Reem’s marriage with her love will be possible?

You will see it in the film.

The character of Reem will be presented as a ‘Mohajjaba” (head-covered) Saudi girl. However, she will not wear Abaya in India. She is very beautiful, humble, confident and educated girl.  She will be wearing the trousers and long shirts, same as our modest Saudi-Arabian girls usually do when they travel abroad. Her expensive Saudi-Arabian costume will be the unique thing for audience.

Some 30 minutes’ shooting of this film will be done in Jeddah as per as the storyline.  I will take a good advantage to present the beautiful and positive things, happening and amazing locations of city of lights ‘Jeddah’. Jeddah is full with landmark locations, historical places and best infrastructure.

Her main target is to present a modern and educated Saudi youth to show the world that – the new generation of Saudis, are not harsh and ignorant. They are not among those people who have spread the hatred by their terrorism acts. They are not abusers; they do love others; They do care others…. Young Saudi generation is decent, confident, humble and highly educated. They have a sense to be socialized and to protect their values and identity at the same time. Each object in the camera frame and dialogue in the script will ultimately give some positive message to the viewers about Saudis.

Bollywood has explored Dubai, Egypt as well as many other Arab countries. It is only Saudi Arabia, which is not being explored yet. It’s first time that Saudi actors are acting in a Bollywood movie and they will deliver the dialogues in ‘Hindi’ without dubbing. After 9/11 arena, Saudi-Arabian women get lots of attention of the world. Whatever the Saudi-Arabian women do; it becomes the talk of the town.

Being a Saudi lady journalist, radio presenter and film maker, Sameera Aziz has been getting lots of attention. She is sure that people will like to see that what she is going to present them in an entertaining film.Speaking about her goal and reason to write and direct this film, Sameera Aziz says that film is an animation of person’s imagination. The writer can powerfully convey his ideas to his viewers by directing his film. “For developing the better understanding, we should interact with the world and reach to the people by communicating with them in their language.  Therefore, with the mission of peace and love, and to present myself as a bridge between Saudi Arabia and the rest of the world, I aimed to enter in the Bollywood industry with a new, decent and powerful story,” mentioned Sameera Aziz.

Sameera Aziz is working to bridge the gap between Saudi Arabia and the rest of the world. She appeared in TV channels with her pleasant smile to correct the misconceptions about Saudi Arabia and to work for the correction of weaknesses. 

"Every society has positive and negative. We have some weaknesses too. We will control and correct those weaknesses and we will go on with the world with peace and love," she said. 

 “When I entered into Journalism and Activism, I threw away my glass bangles. Fragility is not femininity. Let's be the women of 21st century.”
Sameera Aziz

Street Actor.. The Journey of a beggar from Shikarpur to Karachi

Street Actors (Beggars) have existed in human culture following before the beginning of written history. Asking has happened in many social orders the world over, however its predominance and accurate structure shift.

Numerous religions have endorsed asking as the main satisfactory method for backing for specific classes of followers, including Christianity, Hinduism, Sufi Islam, , and Buddhism, normally to give a route to specific disciples to concentrate solely on otherworldly advancement without the likelihood of getting to be gotten up to speed in common undertakings.

If we start to classify beggars, religious beggars got the most benefit because of their appearance and fake association with Sufism. 

On the busy streets of I.I Chundrigar road there is a food street known as Begum Gali, which is the center of attraction for all food lovers, it provide variety of food on different prices. I was sitting at a Burger corner with my friend for lunch, when a mysterious person grab our attention by asking for money, He was wearing green dress and green cap, he had a picture on his chest displaying Shrine of Lal Shehbaz Qalandar, His name was Ghulam Qadir and he was claiming himself as the follower of him migrated from Shikarpur to Karachi making the Tomb of Abdullah Shah Ghazi as his home.

I thought he was hungry and begging to get some food to feed himself and his family, so I offered him food, "I don't want to eat, I am full and I just need money" he said, I asked him, "Are you drug addict and begging money for drugs?" but he didn't accept that and kept asking for money, I advice him to sit with us, so he quietly settled down. we started to ask him random questions about his life and family, "My family is living in Shikarpur, I have 5 sons and three daughters, one of my son and daughter are married and rest of the children are school going and are studying in different standards" said in low voice.

He was acting like that his is about to get unconscious due to low blood pressure, so he asked me to offer him a soft drink, I called the shopkeeper and advice to bring a drink for him, he was about to left but Ghulam Qadir instructed him to get Coke for him, the way he said shows that he is brand conscious and never prefer to drink other than Coke. 

He came to Karachi from Shikarpur only to feed his family through begging, He knows that this is the best occupation which has enough profit that can give his family a good livelihood, he use to visit his home once a year and rest of the time he beg at different streets of Karachi and at night he came back to the Tomb of Abdullah Shah Ghazi and sleeps over there. 

On asking about his religious knowledge he was unable to recite 1st Kalma, even he don't know how to offer prayer. When I kept on asking different questions he started acting like he is getting heart attack and make weird faces and making the way to escape, so we left that person.

When he left, A thought came into my mind that how these people take religion as a business and occupation and make people fool by simply adopting the getup of Sufi's and wear different costumes which shows spirituality in eyes of our society.

Society needs to change, We should condemn these people and never give them money because they don't deserve this, they are professionals and take this as an occupation.

I was thinking that I am doing a job to feed my family, I offer my services to an organization which in returns gave me salary which fulfill my needs, but this person has no worries he is just enjoying his life roaming from one place to another and keep on begging from people and sending money to his home, may be his family think that he is not a beggar and working in Karachi, may be on his way back to Shikarpur he wear good dress to show that he is doing a respectful job in the city and make his family and all the district fool.

Through the imaginative eyes

That old building with its shake walled damp cellars and dark cloakrooms and a tunnel shaped entrance attracted me to go inside and explore, the walls were dark yellow and look like an ancient architecture, regardless of fantasies of immeasurable achievement, I had feelings of aggregate annihilation. Something needed to happen, to keep me from the move. 

A lady was sitting at the entrance of the old building, It was an old Temple situated at Soldier Bazar Karachi, according to her it was the center of preaching for Hindu community in Sindh. The young Photojournalist visited the place with IAMKARACHI team and all of the them were busy in taking photographs, He break the ice and started to communicate with the old lady about her life and experience, her dark eyes were small and deep, her silver hairs describe the time lapse she had experienced, her face were full of wrinkles, she was busy in chewing tobacco a.k.a (Pan), a thought came into the mind of the photographer, he aims the lens toward her and capture one portrait.  

On his way back, he wrote the life story of old lady and shared with his seniors and , they liked the story and decided to invite that lady as a guest on their event. In front of all guest she invited her on the stage and gift her framed picture and a bouquet of fresh flowers, during the exhibition, the young photographer confronted and greet her, the lady got excited as she recall all the moments spent with that boy in Temple, she ended up asking innocently, "They called me here, will they pay me as well?"

The young boy get shocked by the question as he didn't expect it and never thought about it before, many things start to come in his mind, he thought that it was his fault that he give hope to old lady as when he meet her, maybe she start thinking about that her good days will be coming and people will support me, then he think what an old lady will do with a framed portrait and flowers who don't even have proper food to eat, pure water to drink, and new clothes to wear, who is living in an old house which has no luxuries. It will be of no use for her.

The lady will be beneficial for both the publishing authority and the photographer, but the subject in the photograph will remain behind the scenes and will get no benefit out of it. 

But there is another side f the story that the photographer was thinking, maybe the lady was already aware of the fact that if they are inviting her in their event they will help her out as well, and the greed that comes in the mind of the lady motivates her to visit, and if IMKARACHI team help her financially she will get habitual and always look for opportunities to earn some extra money.

In the end, the lady left the exhibition area with her family, IAMKARACHI team got busy with their guests, the only person left behind thinking was that young photographer, who felt guilty that maybe he gives false hope to the lady who was living her life anonymously, maybe she will get famous through her portraits but will never get any benefit out of it.

Society needs to change..

There are so many subjects which needs attention and time to listen to their stories and to give them importance, our society should accommodate those people like the way IAMKARACHI is doing by giving opportunities to the young photographers to visit their city, write stories and spread the message of love and peace.

Five things you must know about Pakistan Chowk

Pakistan Chowk is the center of attraction for all the food lovers and business community, as it provides tasty food at low cost. There are 5 things you must know when you visit Pakistan Chowk.

1)  Healthy Ride 

Horse Cart is the attraction of Pakistan Chowk, which you usually see standing with their owners near the chowrangi, which is the famous mode of transport since British rule, the road proceeding towards DJ Science College is another famous old heritage of British rule.




 I am damn sure, after enjoying the ride on horse cart, if someone asks you, Have you enjoyed the ride? Your answer will be definitely

2)  Chana Chat

Chana chat is a famous food items, which is heavy on stomach but lighter on your pocket, 30 rupees is enough to make your stomach full, People from different areas often come to enjoy the tasty chat, which is serving people for more than 15 years on the same place. Opposite to it a person with Samosa’s and Chips chat offer you his services on the same price of 30 rupees, which is enough for a normal person diet.

 


 The taste of the chat is so yummy that you will fell in love, you never care of the plate in which you are eating and the hygienic factor, because sometimes you have to let it go these factors to enjoy fully and make your mood like this..
 

3) Samosa Chat

The famous chat seller, serve their customer with two samosa and bunch of chips and pakoray in one plate with chatni and ketchup to make it spicy, It costs you only 30 Rupess. The taste of the chat is awesome, and best for spicy food lovers, even people who never step out of their air-conditioned cars sit easily on footpath and enjoy the taste of the street food. In the days of Ramzan, people wait for hours to get Chat for their Iftari, Shopkeeper start making atleast 4 hours before the time of Iftar.



The chatni adds spice to the chat, and it is a gift for all the spice lovers, else what you can get in a 30 rupees plate which is full of spice and taste.. You never care about manners to eat and the place to eat, you just hold the plate in hands and start eating it like no body else is watching you because every body is busy enjoying their food.

4)  Finger Chips

On the streets of Pakistan Chowk, an old and famous Chips seller fries chips in an open Karhai to serve the food lovers with their tasty and unique taste, the quality of the chips is that they are crispy, and even 20 Rupees plate if enough to serve two people and enlighten your mood. 

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Some-people take finger chips as their lunch because it is enough to full their stomach, fried chips with coated crisp can change your mood and make you feel awesome. Some people take food as their part of the day, who seeks different food to change your mood and taste.

5)  Dal Chawal

On a buzy street of Pakistan Chowk, a person is standing for more than 30 years to serve their customers with traditional Dal chalwal and Kabab with Achar and Chat masala, Every time there are bunch of people standing on the road having plates in their hands and enjoying the tasty Dal chawal, a lot of needy people visit daily who can’t even afford food and this wise person always accommodate their hunger by serving them plate full of rice and Daal without knowing anyone. Different people pay extra money to serve those people who can’t afford food to serve mankind.



A plate full of Dal chawal, with achar on one side and Masala on the top is enough to make your day and complete your lunch, I can can say that once you start eating the famous Dal Chawal, It will be hard for you to stop eating and most the people end up at eating more than one plate.



Written By:
Hammad Shakil

Purana Khel Naye Yadain .پرانا کھیل نیی یادیں

پرانا کھل نیی یادیں

مجھے آج بھی وہ پرانے دن یاد ہیں، جب تفریح کے لیے کسی چیز کی محتاجی نہیں تھی. جب دوست  سچے ہوا کرتے تھے. دوستی کا دارومدار سوچ اور ہم آہنگی پہ منحصر تھا، شاید اس وقت فقط ایک پرانا اور پھٹتا ہوا ٹائر ہی کھیلنے کے لیے کافی تھا. سڑکوں پر اکثر کچھ معصوم بچے ایک ڈنڈا ہاتھ میں لیے ٹائر کو دوڑاتے ہوئے 

نظر آتے تھے. مجھے لگتا ہے شاید انکو جو مزہ اس انتہائی معمولی سے ٹائر کو دوڑانے میں آتا تھا، شاید وہ مزہ آج کل کے بچوں کو جدید وڈیو گیمز میں بھی نہیں اتا ہوگا. 

کراچی کی سڑکوں پہ بے خوف و خطر گاڑیوں کے بیچ سے  بڑی مہارت سے ایک پھٹے ہوئے ٹائر کو نکلنا کسی فنکاری سے کم نہیں تھا.

تصویر میں پانچ بچے ٹائر دوڑا رہے ہیں، عام سے کپڑے پہنے ان بچوں میں یکسانیت اور بھائی چارگی نظر آتی ہے، کون سا بچا غریب کا ہے اور کونسا امیر کا پہچانا خاصا 

مشکل عمل ہے، کیوں کہ اس کھل کے لیے نہ ہی یہ بچے کسی برانڈ محتاج تھے اور نہ ہی کوئی اور بات ایسی تھی جو ان کے بیچ میں امیری غریبی، ذات پات کا فرق پیدا کر سکتی تھی. 

خوشی ایک احساس ہے اوراس کا  تعلق امیری یا غریبی  سے قطعی نہیں ہے. شاید ضرورت ہے آج کے بچوں کی تربیت کو بہتر بنانے کے لیے ان میں چیزوں کی اہمیت کو 

کم کیا جاۓ، تاکہ بچے کھل کے لطف اندوز ہوسکیں.

نظریں آج بھی متلاشی ہیں ان معصوم بچوں کی جن کے کھیل انتہائی سادہ اور دوستی انتہائی گہری ہوا کرتی تھی. شاید ٹیکنالوجی نے جہاں ہمارے اوپر بہت سے احسان کیے ہیں 

وہیں اسنے ہمیں بہت سی ایسی تفریحات سے دور کردیا ہے جن کے لیے نہ ہی پیسے کی ضرورت ہے نہ چیزوں کی، ضرورت ہے تو ایسے دوستوں کی ہے جو کھل کے لطف اندوز ہو سکیں.

شاید جیسے جیسے وقت گزرتا  جا رہا ہے ویسے ویسے یہ یادیں دھندلی، انسانیت ناپید اور بھائی چارگی ختم ہونے کی کگار پہ ہے. ضرورت ہے ان پرانی یادوں کو پھر سے 

نیا کرنے کی ہے، پرانے کھیلوں کو پھر سے اپنانے کی ہے.  ورنہ شاید وہ معصوم کھیل جو کبھی ہماری زندگی کا حصّہ ہوا کرتے تھے، ہماری انے والی اور موجودہ نسل اس کو نہیں اپناے گی جس میں بہت برا کردار ہمارا اپنا ہوگا کہ ہمنے اس نسل کو غیر اگاہ رکھا.

آج کل کے بچے جو ان سستے کھیلوں سے لاعلم ہیں ضرورت ہے انکو واقف کرنے کی، ضرورت ہے انکو بتانے کی کہ خوشی ایک احساس ہے اور اس احساس کو حاصل کرنے کے لیے کسی چیز کی قید نہیں ہے.

حقیقی اور سچی خوشی کا احساس پانے کے لیے فقط ایک ٹائر اورایک ڈنڈا ہی کافی ہے.

Ganga The Temple Girl

Happiness is a state of mind!!

Be Happy not because everything is good, but because you can see the good in everything.!

Meet Ganga, An old lady living in the historical Temple of Soldier BazarKarachi, Pakistan. She came to Pakistan to spread the message of her God. She has 3 sons and all of them are married and living peacefully. Although they are living their life below the poverty line, but she believes that coming to Pakistan is her own choice and she has no regret on it, while sharing her story she was frightened and kept on saying "Beta Koi Musibat Na Hojae Mere Lie" she has so such to share.

According to her before the partition she got chances to meet Nehru and Quaid e Azam many times, when she came to Pakistan she was a teenager. She use to sell Hindu Statues to feed her family. She didn't allow me to take pictures of her cart which contains statues and some other things related to the spirituality.

To her Happiness is to get proper food and PAN. The picture os happiness is simple in her mind that no one complains about you and you are the reason of other's happiness.

Everyone living there think that the lady is half mad and talks a lot, but she has so much to share, but nobody is ready to listen What she wants to say?

In our busy life and schedule, we ignore the common people and those who are the part of making of our country, who are part of the history of our beloved city.

She remembers the old KOLACHI when everyone was living peacefully, there were no relation building on the basis of religion and race, religions are built on the basis on humanity, not on the basis of status.

Her eyes were witness of many stories and incidents that took place in our city, she was the witness of the Old Century Hindu Temple Which was demolished in Karachi soldier Bazar by a builder, that make almost four huge families of 150 members homeless, but still she has no complain on her lips, they are only smiling. Wrinkles on her skin looks calm and beautiful when she smiles, at the age of almost 90's she is active and working as a normal person, because she is happy.

Share the words to promote ‪#‎peace‬ and ‪#‎humanity‬. They are our‪#‎people‬.!!!

Every religions teaches about humanity and love, don't treat and judge people on the basis of their race and religion. Treat them as Humans if you want to get the same treatment from Allah.

#Peace ‪#‎Make‬ ‪#‎Karachi‬ ‪#‎Peacefull‬ ‪#‎Spread‬ ‪#‎love‬

Soldier Bazar Old Building Owner

"History is a Greek word which means literally, just investigation."
Arnold Toynbee

While roaming on the streets of Soldier Bazar, we found this person name IMTIAZ KHAN and got a chance to know about his interesting story that is yet untold and may be many of us are unaware about it.

Imtiaz Khan is the recent owner of the old building and the Son of Bahadur Khan, who worked with Britishers in 1920's. He sells grass at this famous building for years to earn his livelihood. Days are passing but yet no one remembers about the history of this building. In late 1920's this building served as the stable for British horses, and his father is the one who look after it. Those who think that Karachi is unsafe place, this place is the superb example that shows peace.

I can easily imagine the life of his father and his family before the partition, they got the fame, recognition and respect and they were living the life easily with the luxuries of that time. But time has dramatically changed, the son of the Famous Parsi Building owner is living his life hand to mouth, but still he is happy and believes that whatever happens is for a reason, he is happy with all the good memories of his family and the building that he owns.

I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

Life is all about mysteries, whatever happen today will not remain the same forever, we have to accept the reality that time never remains the same.

But main thing is that we have to be happy in whatever situation life get us in, because the one thing remain same in every state that is smile, we can smile in good times as well and in hard times as well, all we need is courage and will power to face the realities.

Disable Person With Abilities

Happiness is a state of Mind

It was the same day as it used to be. I was in 9th grade. I am a resident of Drigh Road, some railway tracks connects this area. Just when I was about to cross the road with a bag on my shoulders, I was hit by a train. I had an injury on my head due to which I went unconscious on the spot. My legs were on railway tracks and rail passed by my legs. Period! "

"I still remember the moment when some people gave me the clothes, bag and register of my son, I lost away my consciousness on the spot"
Says the mother of 25 years old disable.

Added further;
"The only fear was, what will I say to David when he will ask for his legs?
This question killed me every single moment, but as David came into the state of consciousness, his words made me shocked "

"I said to my mother that the tragedy has already taken place. All we have to is to face the challenges."
Said the young boy in a wheelchair.

"As I came back to him, I came back with a promise. A promise of not exploiting my disability."

"Sitting in this same wheelchair, I accomplished so many of my dreams. I restarted my studies after a year gap and finally did my intermediate.
I started watching YouTube videos in order to see how a disable person spends his life. I approached many people via YouTube and finally made my personal channel. 3000+ views within 2 days was actually an achievement. 

Fortunately, I started becoming an inspiration for many.
Becoming an inspiration was the greatest achievement.

I started some computer courses since it was a dream. I did the course of computer networking, CCNA, network plus and more.

And.. The best part is, I am a very good basketball player too. Although I am still unable to achieve much, but yes, I can play it very well. I usually play it at my workplace."

"I work at St. John's School as a receptionist."

"My son for whom I once went to buy a wheel chair.. Saying this may seem easy, but only a mother can understand what it feels like to buy a wheelchair for her only young son.
But, now I can proudly say that from these same roads I went to buy a wheelchair and now from these same roads my son goes to his workplace. Earns for us. Supports us."
Said a mother with wet eyes and shaky voice.

"Days were tough and the time was difficult. My god was/is the pioneer of this courage."

"If a physical disability stops you, it means you're mentally disabled.
Find fortunes in adversaries and you are half way done."
David John.

Boat Sailor

Happiness is a state of Mind ‪#‎Story_6‬

As I've grown - dare I say it - older, I had hopes of indulging my dreams of being a sailor.

My name is Qurban Jumma, I am 10 years old and I have spent half of my life travelling in Sea, I was 5 years old when for the first time my father bring me to the boat, I was frightened, a thought was coming in my mind that I will drown in the deep sea and no one will save me. But as time passes this fear leads me to built a strong and healthy relationship with sea. I enjoy travelling, every day is new for me, I meet new peoples, observe them and learn from them. I use to go to Madarssa to get basic Islamic education to know my religion, what is happening in the world, I get to know from the people I daily meet.

I have 1 sister and 2 brothers, but only I am the one who volunteered to become a sailor, it's not by force but its by choice, I love to travel in the sea.

People who come to explore Mangroves, are so much busy in enjoying the beauty that no one notices that I myself have some story to share.

I always wanted to sail my boat deep in the sea, I always wanted to see the other side of the sea, some use to say there is Mumbai some use to say If we go some miles a head we will reach Dubai, but my dream of going far is not yet fulfilled.

Every day I come on the same place on the same boat but with different people on board with us, I smile with them, enjoy with them and share laughter, to me Happiness is travelling.

I get the same answer again, the boy having no luxuries, who has no idea what's happening in the world, who has no gadgets to enjoy, no toys to play, even he has no time to play with his friends. How is this possible the boy is happy?

I think the answer is, Happiness is a state of mind.. and it varies from person to person, to him happiness is travelling on boat and exploring new places, enjoying the beautiful sights of the sea that brings smile on his face.

Story continues...

Cherry Seller.

Cherry Seller..

It was a sunny day in Karachi with mercury around 40 Degree Celcius. Most have the privilege to sit in shadows of long towering buildings but not all, An old man has to sell cherries before the perishable fruit eventually meet its fate. A long walk of TAJ MOHAMMAD isn't very fruitful for his 65 years life. Each day has passes through same buildings and it seemed that both he and buildings have truly understood each other.

He lost his two children while young, one died of pneumonia, and next one had to go back to his creator bit early after few months of birth, to him the poor person is not who has lack of resources or money but who has lost his asset that's children. They both left him for never ending sorrow. He cleans a single tear from his left cheek, which explain the infinite pain of sad departure of his children.

I softly asked, "Who you live with?" My wife, he replied with the same weak voice. While asking this question one girl just passes by and asked for the price of the cherry box, he replies the box cost Rs. 300, I can easily see the shine in his eyes, a small hope comes in his mind that may be one of his box will be sell but soon the lady leaves without purchasing.

I asked about his life journey, he said "I was born in Karachi, and throughout my life I lived here, I wanted to become pilot when I was but didn't realize that my parents could not afford anything which will open the doors of oppurtunities in my life or can help in fulfilling my dreams, My father was a Lunda clothes seller and whatever he used to earn, it was spent to meet our survival."

He told me that his father couldn't even afford his school fee, the only education that he got in his childhood was basic preaching of Quran that how to recite in nearby Madarsa., he was forced to work his father, "My biggest regret is that I didn't get education, but I always dreamed that I will give education to my children, but that dream never came true because of their early death." he said with empty eyes.

His life is a shocking reminder of how poor people of Karachi daily face the hardships of life, He is not alone almost half of the population of Metropolitan city lives below the poverty line, the gap between the rich and poor is increasing day by day.

One last question I asked him, Baba ji Are you happy with your life? he said, "I am living with my wife, we have no one behind to whom we can save something or spent money for, I am only working to get our livelihood, Yes I am happy that at least I have my wife who always supported me and never leave me in Whatever condition life puts me in."

Happiness is really a state of mind?

There are so many people who are ignored by the society, who are working for their families, they are not beggars even they are not charging them heavy amount, still people use to hurt them, tease them even sometime use abusive language for them that they are charging extra, they are not making palace from this money, may be to some of the people cherry is something that is used for refreshment but to him it is a source of his food for his survival.

Please give respect to the old ones who are still working and feeding their families, those who are working in organizations get performance appraisals and incentive.

Have we ever think who will give performance appraisal to these people? We can appreciate them by sitting with them, talking with them for few minutes and try to spread smile on their said faces from our self.

Your few minutes of giving importance can become the reason of happiness and smile for a long time.