FarihaMunirShahTimes

The final group photo.

When Shakespeare assigned the dialogue of 'Beware the ides of March', to the character of soothsayer in his play, 'Julius Caesar', he could not even have imagined that centuries later, the alumni of department of English, Bahaudin Zakria university, (or O'DELL as the prefer to be called) would select the same date, 15th of March for their first formal reunion in the year 2014.

O'DELL, which is actually short form of OADELL, 'organization of alumni of department of English language and literature, came into existence in March 2013, when a renowned teacher of the department Ramna Fayyaz, and Fariha Munir Shah (former visiting faculty member) gathered a good number of old students of the department on one platform and organized an informal gathering in Ramada, Multan. Ramna was elected the treasurer of the organization, whereas Fariha Munir was elected as the lifetime chairperson of O'DELL.Whereas, Mustafa Kamal became the president.
This year, O'DELL was officially endorsed by the head of department, Madam Saiqa Imitiaz and the reunion was arranged on a bigger, greater level, on the university grounds, in the newly built, independent building of the department.
Another factor, which acted as a catalyst for organizing this event; was the presence of three dynamic old students like Hassan Muhammad, Asif Ansari and Ashfaq Rehman, who are now stationed in Multan as members of district administration and police force. They made great efforts to take this event to a bigger level, which it truly deserved. They put in, lots of efforts, on personal and official level, together with Ramna Fayyaz to make it a great success. The reunion was divided into three parts. First was informal session, which started at 4 pm. It included, a chariot ride. A free ride for all the guests to tour, the marvellously pruned, tremendous acres the university has spread onto. The entire buiding was adorned with fairy lights. Little hand made candle lanterns, carved out of paper by the students of the department. Pictures of the yester-years, were framed and put on display for all to see. Flower arrangements and flower petals, added colour as well as scents in the air. Ramna Fayyaz's creative was behind these artistic additions. The informal session also turned out to be the best part, as welcome tea was served in the brand new hexagonal lawn. Sidra and Sumera Khalil, alongwith a gentleman entertainer, invited the guests to different games. Like, the competition of eating qulfis, wearing bangles, singing, etc. It was totally a fun filled time. Where people remained relaxed and at ease, to rekindle old friendships with classmates from years gone by. Enjoyed, the treats of samosas and gol gappas, reminders of the days of university canteen. Not to forget the LOVE JAIL, where people were arrested on request by paying the money and their friends were invited to pay for their release. Surely an entertaining part.
Fun Gala continued with the spirit of festivity and jubilation. Following a brief interval at sunset, for Maghrib prayer.
After that, all the guests were taken to the palatial auditorium. Where the formal session of the show started with the recitation of holy Quran and a hymn to glorify the personality of the holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammed (peace be upon him). Head of department, Madam Saiqa Imtiaz addressed the gathering. The participants were requested earlier to submit the slide shows of the pictures of their student life. Uzma Asif was among those, who contributed the beautiful memories of the past in form of a slideshow but the show was completely stolen by the genius of Hassan Nasir. The slide show he created, not only had pictures but also videos of all of his friends and class fellows, their various trips and class room sessions, lots of music and dancing. It was something, which made everybody roll down the floor, laughing their hearts out in the beginning but within minutes, had everybody in tears as well, reminding them of the times gone by. It was a great treat for the eyes and ears of the entire gathering. It was even bigger and better than the professional singer, who kept on entertaining the audience till the end. Finally, the entire gathering was taken upstairs, on the terrace, for the scrumptious, sumptuous barbecue dinner. Full of traditional food and sweets to relish. Ramna Fayyaz had also arranged, flying lanterns as a treat for the eyes of the guests, alongwith the dinner.The reunion concluded with a sparkling green tea. And the musical show went on late till midnight.
The next alumni reunion is planned to be organized in March 2015. We wish and pray to see all of these bright participants again next year and year after year to follow. Alongwith many more newcomers in O'DELL. God bless you all.

The Informal session: 4 pm to 7pm

Standing: Hassan Nasir, Ashfaq, Imran, Rao Tahir.
Sitting: Rubaila, Rabia, Qamar, Fariha Munir Shah, Uzma Shaukat & Uzma.
Ground: Sehrish, Warda, Anum.

The two beautiful hostesses pf the informal session,
Sidra and Sumera Khalil.

The most favourite teacher at department of English.
One of the pioneers of O'Dell, Ramna Fayyaz.

Madam Saiqa Imtiaz. The head of department of English B.Z.U, Multan

Three Musketeers, performing their final task.
Asif Ansari, Asfaq Ahmad and Hassan Muhammad
The tripod which held the entire event, members of organizing committee.

The beauties with brains, the most glamorous at the event,
Narjis Qureshi and Warda Kazmi.

Anum Rehman, Zainab Shaukat and Ramsha Zabta.

Uzama and Uzma with Qamar Khushi in the middle.

Mustafa Kamal, held as a captive of LOVE JAIL.

Asad Javed with a friend.

Rao Tahir, singing his heart out to get 1st position.

Hassan Muhammad, fighting for the 1st position.

Fariha Munir Shah giving away the prize to Hassan Muhammad

The bangles, waiting for the competition.

Here comes the competition. Who is quicker to wear the maximum.

Uzma Raza, eating the qulfi for the competition.

The buggy ride.

Dr. Naveed, travelling down memory lane. Mustafa Kamal hiding behind him.

Mr. Mustansar Lodhi, caught in the LOVE JAIL.

Even the famous dance of Ashfaq Ahmad couldn't help free Mr. Mustansar.

The registration counter.

The formal session:7pm to 9pm

The head of department, Madam Saiqa Imtiaz, addressing the gathering at formal session.

The formal session, inside the hall.

The full quorum.

The singer of the show.

Everybody having a good time.

Dinner: 9 pm to 10 pm.

Ramna Fayyaz with few of the alumni.

Qulfi celebration.

Old becomes Gold.

The final show: Flying lanterns.

The decorations.

These lamps were made by the students of the dept.

The hostesses of the event.
Left to Right: Shahida, Hania Shahid, Ittrat Bano and Ayesha Najeeb.

March is observed as a month of festivity around the world. A great spirit of celebration prevails all across the globe. Events like, St. Patrick's day, Mardi Gras, Basant, Holi, jashan-e bahaar, etc, are observed in every corner of the Earth. To welcome the spring and to rejoice the short bonus of Nature. When flowers bloom, colouring the surroundings, filling the air with sweet fragrance.

Multan is no exception, when it comes to exuberance and merriment. Therefore, the city of saints remains busy in weddings and garden parties during this month. The atmosphere is specially filled with joyfulness and effervescence, throughout the spring.

The women of South Punjab have a tradition of their own, quite similar to holi. For the information of those who do not know. Whenever, a baby boy is born in a Seraiki family, the ladies from the family of the child's father, carry heaps of dry colours and visit the mother's family and celebrate by throwing colours on them and applying on the faces of their women. As expected, the members of the opposite party try their best to run around and escape this jubilant attack. But interestingly, it is an all women's show. No male members are allowed to step in.
And this is exactly what all the members of 'FMS committee' and 'friends of SOS' witnessed in their party for the month of March. When, on Wednesday 19th March Haniya Shahid Khokar arranged a superb 'rung' party in the spacious, well pruned, effulgent, backyard of her opulent house. Though, the reason to celebrate was the birth of spring.
Haniya Shahid (also well recognized by her maiden name, Haniya Tasneem Sultan) runs the 'friends of SOS' committee party and is also a member of FMS committee. And by chance, she had her turn in both the committees. So, she decided to throw one grand party and invite all the members together.

From SOS, she also had other partners as hosts of the party, which included, Mrs. Shahida Wadood, Ayesha Najeeb and Mrs. Ittrat Bano ( Mrs. Mujtaba Gillani, wife of the brother of former P.M. Mr. Yousaf Raza Gillani).

Coming back to Haniya again. This extremely talented girl is a marvellous combination of scintillating beauty and exceptional intelligence. She is one of the few ladies of the city of saints, who possess great sense of style and are growing, younger, prettier, even more stunning every day.

Haniya remained topper and a distinction holder, throughout her academic life. Did her MBA from B.Z.U, Multan with flying colours. Had the honour of serving as Director of National Bank of Pakistan for four years, during previous government. And is also a constant, most regular, greatest support of SOS Village Multan. Being the daughter of Mrs. Jameeda Malik, a renowned educationalist of Multan, Haniya fully incorporates her teaching experience in smooth functioning of SOS Herman Gmeiner school, shoulder to shoulder with her dynamic friend Mahnaz Fareed. And thus is one of the most valued board members of both, SOS school & SOS village Multan.

Leave aside her skills at academics and banking. Let's return to her splendid home, which depicts her personality as a great home maker, superb wife and an excellent mother. Daniya and Adeena, both her daughters are following the footsteps of their brilliant mommy, by staying at the top in studies. Haniya's husband Mr. Shahid Naseem Khokar, is a distinguished industrialist and also served as the president, chamber of commerce, Multan.

Now, something about the party, the success story of which, has caught the city like a wildfire. All those, who were not there or failed to show up at the ocassion, missed the greatest event this spring.

From an artistically laid 'Rangoli', at the entrance to the backyard, which served as the party area, the entire place was decorated with colourful kites, oil lamps, flower arrangements and fairy lights. A sitting arrangement of atleast hundred women waited for the even greater number of the guests who turned out. Everyone knew, it was Haniya's party, it had to be good, rather going to be superb.

The guests were already informed to wear White clothes, with chunri dupattas and were also warned about the consequences, resulting from the use of dry powdered colours. As Haniya deliberately refrained from the use of liquids, as she did not want the ladies to return in clothes drenched in water. Anyway, almost everybody followed the dress code.

And as mentioned earlier, the party was organized in the backyard of the house. Whereas, the meals were served in the front lawn. No waiters or male servants were allowed in the party area, only female guests were served by housemaids. It allowed the guests to have a complete liberty of rejoicing, any way they liked.

Impressive sound system, with disco lights. Alongwith the Black light, which further enhanced White, added glow to every colour. But before the play of colours and music, a formal start, as is the tradition of SOS functions, took place.

After the recitation of holy Quran, Saadia Yaqoob held the mike and went on to describe all the ventures at the SOS front. Mahnaz Fareed also addressed the gathering and introduced Salma Aslam, a child of SOS, who has been selected for a three week program at 'Vienna International Christian-Islamic university'.

And then the drums rolled, the music burst out, Haniya along with her daughters and few other helpers from the party, making a train after each other, came running in the middle of the gathering, blowing dry powdered colours everywhere and on everyone. All the pretty ladies, glowing in White, were suddenly transformed into Martians and Aliens. Some turned Pink haired and some got faces gone Green. And it invited an unstoppable gaiety and frenzy. Some were running away to hide themselves behind beautifully pruned garden topiaries or in Haniya's lounge to keep their expensive White clothes from spoilage. And some simply jumped in the fun to enjoy the moment. Exchanging colours, painting faces, laughing, rejoicing, stepping up to the musical tunes. And the party went on.

The even more heartening delight was to see, the whole show coming to a temporary halt, during the call for Maghrib prayer. Women barged in the house for Waduh and the entire place appeared like a prayer ground. For the readers of this blog, this information may be surprising but Haniya is among those, who offer prayers five times a day and fasts in the name of Allah Almighty, almost on weekly basis. Another of the positives that she has.

Later, the fun began, where it was stopped temporarily. All the members, including the great grand mothers, grand mothers, mothers and newly married girls enjoyed as if it was some family wedding. Of all the seniors, Mrs. Yasmin Riaz turned out to be a great sport and she also mentioned, the did not enjoy as much at the wedding of her grand child, as she enjoyed at Haniya's party. Because it was only meant for ladies.

Finally the end, all the guests were taken to the front garden, which was transformed into a beautiful, open dinning area. And everybody enjoyed the variety of beautiful cuisine, which awaited them.

Anyway, Congratulations Haniya, Daniya and Adeena!! According to the writer/critic of this blog. This party was among best of the best. Let us see, if there is going to be anything better than this the whole year or not?