Celebrities are like twinkling stars when looked at the sky. But there is a difference. Some stars are very prominent and can be seen every night. Others glimmer here and there.
Similarly, just a few days back one such shining star launched his album. Launching videos and albums have become a norm. The planning, too, is stereotype. Book a local hotel or an atrium and bang! Your album is launched. Shehzad Roy, one of the most serious minded musicians came up with a unique and offbeat idea that depicts patriotism. He didn’t go around inviting the top notchers - the who’s who of the city. He went and launched his ‘Qismat Apnay Haat Mein’ at the juvenile jail arranged and released by AAG the youth channel of GEO TV. Accompanying him was the comic duo, Azfar and Mani and last but not the least – the person who brings a smile to your face the minute you meet him - Faisal Qureshi.

The space was limited but the effort was great making it a memorable event for not just the juvenile detainees but also the press and few invited guests. For some time now, Shehzad has been wanting to revive the school at the juvenile detention but so far he has not been able to attain what he desired. “Hopefully, it will happen. I hope they make the situation better for children in the juvenile section. I really appreciate the co operation of the IG Prisons and the DIG that they agreed to launch my album here,” added Shehzad in a quick chat session with MAG. “In due course, it may happen. I mean the re establishment of the school.” This is the first time that something of this nature, in a detention centre or jail, has ever been presented.
It was a well-organised event. The launch of Shehzad’s latest offering was well received by everyone. The spirit of sharing was communicable among the people present. There was also a slapstick performance by the favourites of youth - Azfar and Mani. But the show stealer, however, was the video, screened within the environs. ‘Laga Rae’ was the video which had everyone, either tapping their foot or rhythmically moving their heads to the thumping analogue beat.
Later, hi-tea was served and enjoyed by everyone. Something that caught my eye and touched my heart was that while the hi-tea items were quite a few, they were not only devoured by the guests but were also distributed amongst the inmates - children in the juvenile detention. It was exemplary. Way to go, Shehzad, Geo and AAG! Laga Rae…

We have started an organization by the name of YBDA i.e.Young Blood Donors Association.....
Our aim is to create an awareness about blood donation.

We say that

"Donate your blood to save lives and make a difference!!!".

Even the educated do not know of their moral obligation to donate blood and are much less aware of the fact that donating blood helps rejuvenate the body’s blood production mechanism,which has many hidden benefits.

Unfortunately, there is a serious lack of volunteers to donate blood and 30 percent of professional blood donors are HBV,HCV or HIV positive.Unscreened or improperly screened blood is the main factor involved in person-to-person transmission of lethal viruses.Volunteer blood is safe,helps improve donor lives and gives time to blood banks to keep an inventory of blood,plasma and platelets, which allows hundreds of bags of blood to be made available for use in emergencies.

Blood is very important in many medical situations such as serious accidents, organ transplants,major surgery and supporting patients with blood-related disease like haemophilia and thalassaemia.

Most hospitals and medical centres are always having a shortage of blood due to a lack of donors which often results in delayed surgeries and treatment, which can lead to complications and even death in patients.

Just as you would want aid from other in times of emergency, it is important that we help to save the lives of others as well.

Our Organizations' 1st Blood Donation Drive will be held on Tuesday,26th of August 2008 at Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre Blood Bank...Timings:10am onwards....

Your donations will be stored & given to the patients during the holy month of Ramadan..!!!

We kindly request you all to come and donate your blood to save lives and make a difference because you people reallllly can!!!!!

Thanks
Faizan Javed

Ali Haider sings ‘Jeeyay Mera Pakistan’

While some of our musicians joined hands to sing Pakistan’s National Anthem recently, some are still relying on their individual songs this Independence Day. Ali Haider is one such singer who is releasing a patriotic song called ‘Jeeyay Mera Pakistan’. He has even altered his name by adding Mohammad before Ali. Our sources reveal that he plans to launch all his spiritual and patriotic projects under this name. For the rest, he is simply Ali Haider.

Coming back towards the song, this is being shot in different cities of the country at their important locations say, Faisal Mosque, Islamabad; Badshahi Masjid, Lahore; Mazar-e-Quaid, Karachi and in the northern areas. Sounds like a five minute tour guide of Pakistan. The video is being directed by Nadeem Kazmi who has previously directed Shehzad Roy’s ‘Khudi Ka Sir-e-Niha’.

The melody of ‘Jeeyay Mera Pakistan’ is by M. Arshad and he has used a number of classical instruments such as tabla, nal and sarodh. It has an overall mellow feel attached to it. This is not the first time Ali Haider has come up with a patriotic song but let’s see how much he has improved over the years. Plus, we still have to figure out if changing his name really helps him!

link: The News International - No. 1 English Newspaper from Pakistan