Tuesday, June 26, 2012

SOAP OPERA EXTINCTION





Soap Operas are dramas first produced by radio and later television which takes us into the high profile lives of some made for television families.Their love lives and business ventures,social issues and political rivalries.The main audience was female for these soap operas as they were first aired on radio in 1930s,the story line created was more appealing towards women listeners.These shows took the name 'Soap Opera' because the were sponsored by soaps and shampoo making companies like Procter and Gamble ,Lever Brothers,etc.These shows were set in exclusive mansions ,characters were high profile socialists and the story always ends at a cliff-hanger.People go away to far offplaces and come back,patients wake up after years in coma,love triangles and social circles are fun to watch.Sometimes these soap operas remind us of Sheherzad's "tale of 100 nights".These stories have been going on and on for a very long time and some over 30 years.They were all aired during day time,attracting stay home ladies.
It all started in 1930s when the very first soap opera was aired on radio.It was in 1950s that Soap Operas were broadcasted on Television.As the World Turns and General Hospital were the two initial soap operas followed by Guiding Light ,One life to Live ,Young and the Restless and the most recent Bold and the Beautiful which is set up in the fashion district of California.The stories have drama,suspense ,twists and turns .......even the dead become alive after some change of events.
After almost 55 years, now the viewership of soap operas has declined greatly mostly due to the huge popularity of talk shows,evening sitcoms and reality shows.....or maybe due to the new fun box 'You Tube' where u can watch and upload all kind of funny,serious and at times crazy videos.
Now people and mostly ladies are working in and out f the house,they spend the free time in front of the computer rather than the TV.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Notebook of Alzheimer's

Notebook of Alzheimer's

The book and the movie Notebook is about a lady who had a beautiful life with her husband but who was suffering from Alzheimer's .She forgot everything about her past, her family....yet her husband stayed with her and took care of her , he read about the incidents of the past ....the beautiful past they both once shared !both the book and the movie were major blockbusters .....it touched our hearts how precious are our memories and the importance of love and companionship!
Well Notebook was a novel and later a movie but there is a real life story about a person suffering from Alzheimer's and his wife which has touched not only my heart but of too many people!
Sandra Day OCorner was the first lady appointed to US Supreme Court.She had a very successful career and a happy married life with her husband John. Her husband who was also an attorney moved to Washington DC with her and left his practice in NewYork.
Later on in his life he started showing signs of Alzheimer's , his wife took care of him while taking care of her busy career.After some time when his disease progressed she had to put him in an institution for Alzheimer's patients. She visited him every day but pretty soon he had no memory of her or their children. He made a new girl friend in the institution .. another patient who he talked to and hold hands with. Even then his wife never complained or stopped visiting him. Her point of view " I am happy that he is happy, I cherish all the memories I have of both of us and all the happy times we had together".
Mr John O Connor died few years back but his wife Sandra still talks about him, their three kids regard their mom as not only a great mother , a devoted wife but simply as a Hero for everyone!

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

FATHER OF UAE CRICKET.....ABDUL REHMAN BUKHATIR



FATHER OF UAE CRICKET

Abdul Rehman Bukhatir was the person who introduced cricket in UAE,he built the first cricket stadium in Sharjah in the early 80s and invited teams from all over the world.Sharjah Stadium entered the Guiness Book of World records for hosting the most number of international matches which is 202.Sharjah has provided a wonderful facility to hundreds of cricketers worldwide and it was all because of the dedication of one man......Mr Bukhatir.
He watched and learned to play Cricket in Pakistan.He started day/night one day Cricket events in Sharjah.People still talk about Javed Miandad's six on the last ball.
He brought the sports to the land of sand dunes and desserts!
The Cricket Mela started attracting Bollywood movie stars,Pakistani TV starts,Business Moguls from Asia and Australia.People started to visit UAE to watch their favourite teams play!
It is true he was second pioneer after Kerry Packer who redifined the game of Cricket!
Now after 30 years there are so many more Cricket Stadiums in UAE,the game is so much more popular and the excitement level so very high!

Sunday, June 17, 2012

A PAKISTANI AMBITION AN AMERICAN DREAM


A PAKISTANI AMBITION AN AMERICAN DREAM

The Story of Shahid Khan a Pakistani / American who has bought the Jacksonville Jaguars a NFL team as the first owner from an ethnic minority,ever.He also made the Forbes list of the richest people this year.Shahid Khan" s story is a story of rags to riches , story of a teenage Desi student who arrived in the United States with no money but many dreams. His story is the American story of " opportunity" and " triumph".He studied and worked part time at the same time.The 16 yr old from Lahore settled in Illinois dealing with snow blizzards and new culture but worked hard. He slowly and gradually bought the company he used to work for ...Flex and Gate.Shahid Khan stayed in a $2 YMCA when he came to Champaign,IL about 45 years back now his networth is $2.6 billion.He worked hard to make Flex and Gate one of the largest auto parts companies in United States with over 12,500 employees.He also owns a chartered jet company named Flight Star.
This year Shahid Khan bought the NFL team Jacksonville Jaguars , he is an avid sports fan. He says" this was my lifetime dream to become owner of an NFL team".He not only loves football but has always enjoyed the sports of cricket, he has proposed to help PCB launch an International cricket league in Pakistan.
His story of perseverance has been the talk of town!
Yes anything is possible in America!

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

WHY DID WALT DISNEY PICKED A MOUSE TO SPREAD MAGIC IN THE WORLD

It is believed that a lion is king of the jungle , a dog man" s best friend but why did Walt Disney picked a mouse to be a super hero ......a k a Mickey Mouse who has taught the people of the world to fly on a magic carpet, ride space ships and forget all worries and act like a kid.
I guess a mouse was easy to draw or looked cute wearing clothes or maybe just because he had a cute name .....Mickey!
Well what ever .....Mickey Mouse welcomes guests from all over the world everyday to a place where dreams are made ....Disney World. It is a magical place where people forget everything and act like kids, they fly on magic carpets and with flying elephants.Meet prince and princess even presidents.They twirl in teacups ,twist with movie characters and fly like the wind!
Thank you Mr Mouse rather Mickey Mouse and of course Mr Disney for selecting a mouse to be our tour guide to the land of fantasy!

Monday, June 11, 2012

150TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST JOESPHS COLLEGE,KARACHI

ST JOESPHS COLLEGE/ST JOESPHS SCHOOL KARACHI

There are many convent schools and colleges in the sub continent run by Roman Catholic Archdiocese ,such schools and colleges are famous for enlighting the students with discipline,character and excellence in education.St Joesphs School and College located in Saddar ,Karachi is a very prestigious school and college.
St Joesphs College was established in 1948 at that time it was the only college for girls in the city.
The college provides a platform for women to understand the potential she possessses and the dignified role she can play as a responsible citizen.
Notable alumni of the college are Mehreen Jabbar,Shahida Jamil,Fauzia Kasuri,Seema Munaf,Huma Waseem,Saadia Rashid.
I myself am a proud St Josephian !!!!

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

a dessert for $25,000


A DESSERT CAN COST $25,000..........
FROZEN HAUTE CHOCOLATE

IF you are in a mood of chocolate dessert and would like to spend $25,000 then go to Manhattan,NY."FROZEN HAUTE CHOCOLATE" is a joint venture between Serendipity 3 and Euphoria Jewelers in New York........a famous ice cream store and another famous jewelers.It is infused with 5 kg gold,has edible gold paper on it and is served in a crystal bowl surrounded by diamond and gold bracelet.It has few layers of chocolate ,cocoa and cream in it!!!

Sunday, June 3, 2012

ART OF HENNA REACHES NORTH AMERICA


ART OF HENNA

The "Art of Henna" is an age old tradition.Henna is a plant ,its dye is used to colour hair,leather or make designs on hands.It has been very popular in Asia and Africa.Brides put henna on their weddings,people decorate their hands with henna during religious celebrations and parties.It was in the last decade that Henna Tatoos,which are temporary tatoos have become very popular in North America.One can see Henna Tatoo or Mehndi Art stands in carnivals,shpping malls and parties.