SMOKING, KISSING STATUE IN PAKISTAN COLLEGE

Saima enjoying a smoke in college, a student of National College of Arts Lahore . Notice back nails paint on hands and toes


Sculptor of Man Woman kissing on swing, National College of Arts Lahore
Mosaic tiles Monalisa , National College of Arts Lahore

Lone statue from British era of Alfred Woolner stands outside National College of Arts Lahore,
Hijab clad painter, National College of Arts Lahore 6. Western graffiti art at canteen, National College of Arts Lahore
Western graffiti art at canteen, National College of Arts Lahore
Subtle nudes in Ink painting art, National College of Arts Lahore
PHOTOS BY RASHMI TALWAR

"OASIS" OF FREEDOM IN LAHORE COLLEGE PAKISTAN, ...SMOKING, KISSING-STATUE ET AL …AS SEEN BY AN INDIAN

"OASIS" OF FREEDOM IN LAHORE COLLEGE IN PAKISTAN...SMOKING, KISSING-STATUE ET AL ..... …AS SEEN BY AN INDIAN NATIONAL COLLEGE OF ARTS LAHORE WHERE GIRL STUDENTS WEAR JEANS, SMOKE FREELY AND INTERACT IN LIGHT HEARTED SHAIRI WITH OPPOSITE SEX WHILE A STATUE OF A KISSING COUPLE WELCOMES THE VISITOR , FIND MORE WITH RASHMI TALWAR …….. Even as nearly 10,000 people watch the popular 'Beating Retreat Ceremony' at the Attari-Wagah Indo-Pak joint check post, someone shouts-" look at the Pakistan side"! They turn to see-- separate enclosures for Men and Women at the Wagah Side of Pakistan. For the motley crowd of Indians and foreigners present, the scene is a true confirmation of widespread reports of discrimination among sexes. Although onlookers return with the excitement of the thrilling ceremony they also carry a vivid impression of ancient prejudices still prevalent in Pakistan. But set afoot just 25 Kms of the dividing Radcliff line into Lahore, Pakistan and the views may change. With scores of private schools and institutes in Lahore having co-education, the mixing of sexes is as ordinary as in India. Of course the lines may still be drawn among sexes in government institutions of Lahore but in the private institutions the atmosphere is far from constrictive. That religion plays a significant role cannot be denied in a theological state like Pakistan corresponding to which, all educational institutes have a Islamic prayer room and mats for the purpose. However "National College of Arts Lahore" truly seems to be an 'Oasis of Freedom' in more ways than one. At the entrance itself this institute can stump you over ! Beyond the beautifully carved marble fountain from mughal era in the centre of the well manicured lawn, sits a statue of a human like couple on a swing. The metallic brownish statue of the couple is shown in a "kissing posture". One looks and looks closer but the boy and girl lip- locked in metal forever in wild abandon, continue eternally-- unmindful of the stares they may attract-- not so much as in their existence but the fact that they are housed in a country that boasts of decrying all matters of sexual or so called western behavior in public. Where the lifeless arts too hold no special privileges. Rather time and again the artist and their art attracts the ire of the religious zealots, admits an Asistant Professor NCA. But this statue has been the stamp of the institute for years and even country heads like President Parvez Musharaff during his visit here laid no objection to it, is the proud contention of registrar of the college Prof Nadeem Hasan Khan. Khan says the statue was created by Artist Khursheed Gohar and has never encountered any adverse comments. It is also surprising that just outside the premises of the college a statue of Englishman Alfred Woolner 1878-1936 – Prof of Sanskrit and Vice Chancellor of Punjab University from 1928 to 1936 -is the lone surviving human sculptor in whole of Lahore or even Pakistan after locals vandalized and destroyed all statues belonging to English era or when Pakistan was created as a pure Islamic state . All sculptors either found their way into the Lahore museum or were waylaid by private collectors. The students of this college not only contribute to the liveliness of Lahore with a annual huge displays of colored lighted paper floats on the waters of the canal proudly called "Lahore di nehar "--a must watch for any tourist but the whole pathway trees along the canal are aesthetically lighted adding to the glow of the city by night . Huge butterflies, Shikara , lotus flower, peacocks stand anchored in the waters glowing subtly with gossamer lights. Although one may not describe the freedom prevalent here from merely one aspect another sight at the college completely zaps you. Sample this scene between a girl student and a Male professor in the college premises…. … "Prof Do you have one last fag left? Saima (name Changed), there is only one cigarette and you never spare me any from your own pack, he pouts. Come on Prof I will give you a whole pack but just spare me this one." Saima gaily takes the new cigarette brings the last glowing butt of a near dead one close to one end , expertly sucks and lights up the new one, throwing the smoldering butt smartly twisting her sandal heel over it . …. When asked to pose for a picture for an article Saima feels elated, has no qualms about its publication and happily models with the fag, showing off her black painted finger and toe nails . A woman sub editor with newspaper The Nation says many of these institutes have late night mixed parties with drinks et al and smoking amongst women is all too common. She is not far from the truth as the Basant Festival In Lahore has nightlong soirees of barbecue parties on terraces that may cost one upwards of Rs 10,000 on prime locations for flying kites for a single night. A further stroll in the premises of the college brings more striking things that completely negates some preset ideas of the country with its gutsy struggling readily defying new generation. A whole portion of a nearly 20 feet high wall of the college has Leonardo Da Vinci's most famous Monalisa in beautiful mosaic art. While the Registrar of the college exclaims that "nudity in explicit form is out of bounds for students or teachers" but that hardly deters a student who paints a mono coloured sketch of man in subtle nudity. He is not far from a veil clad girl in another room whose bold black strokes adorn a canvas or a group of students enjoying a chat in the prayer room even as boy offers namaz . A visit to the canteen surprises one with American style graffiti on the walls with famous American cartoon characters. The atmosphere here is lively amongst students and teachers with the jean clad girls and shayrana mahaul that is the inborn culture and character of Lahore-- a boy being pressured by classmates to attend his lecture leaves them laughing with a tease ---"thokrey maar ke apni mehfil sey uthatey bhi ho , aur ek pau sey daman bhi daba rakha hai " or a reply –"woh, ke har ehdeh mohabbat sey mukarta jaye , dil woh zalim ke usi shqs par marta jai " ……………………..eom

HAPPENING In AMRITSAR -LAHORE INDIA-PAKISTAN OR ANYWHERE IN WORLD

HAPPENING In AMRITSAR -LAHORE INDIA-PAKISTAN OR ANYWHERE IN WORLD

Beautiful Heritage of SARAI AMANAT KHAN AMRITSAR

PHOTO 1: DELHI DARWAZA OF SARAI AMANAT KHAN, AMRITSAR
PHOTO 2 : LAHORI DARWAZA OF SARAI AMANAT KHAN, AMRITSAR
PHOTO 3 : JAIL CELL OF SARAI AMANAT KHAN, AMRITSAR
PHOTO 4 : MAGNIFICIENT CIRCULAR DOME OF SARAI AMANAT KHAN, AMRITSAR
PHOTO 5 : RARE AKBARI PILLAR NEAR SARAI AMANAT KHAN, AMRITSAR
PHOTOS BY RASHMI TALWAR

SARAI AMANAT KHAN , AMRITSAR

GATEWAYS OF OLD SARAI AMANAT KHAN , AMRITSAR
BY RASHMI TALWAR
AMRITSAR
"In exercise of power conferred by rule 32 of the ancient monuments archaeological sites and remains rules 1959 (of AMASR Act 1958) The central government has declared the area upto 100 meters from the protected limits and further beyond it upto 200 meters near or adjoining protected monuments to be prohibited and regulate area respectively for the purpose of mining and construction. No person can make any kind of construction/excavation/ mining operation within prohibited and regulated area without the written permission of the Director General, Archaeological survey of India, New Delhi. Whosoever unlawfully undertakes any mining operation or construction shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three months or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees or with both. ………Archeological survey of India (Chandigarh) This blue warning board is written at the "SARAI AMANAT KHAN" MONUMENT PRESENT STATE OF THE MONUMENT However it was seen by this writer that the adjoining areas are being used as residences with new constructions. This was evident from the fact that while the monument and its adjoining areas are constructed with "NANAKSHAHI BRICKS" the new construction uses ordinary thick modern bricks . many of the adjoining portions are also being used as animal sheds and shelters. Also the restoration work undertaken hardly gels with the structure's construction . on many occasions movie production houses use the sarai in a historical backdrop . While the rooms in the arches are portrayed as jails without due permission from the ASI , they only connive with the local guardian of the monument and use the premises for photo shots . In the process many of the monument's structures are misued by using nails and others articles to launch lights and other paraphernalia used for filming . The beautiful 'SARAI' is situated in village Amanat Khan located 35 Kms South-East of Amritsar on Tarn Taran-Attari road. The Gateways and Sarai was built by 'AMANAT KHAN', the Mughal noble and calligrapher of the magnificent Taj Mahal. PROTECTED MONUMENT The warning reads on the Protected Monument reads: "This monument has been declared to be of National Importance under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological sites and remains Act 1958 (24 of 1958). Whoever destroys, removes, injures, alters, defaces, imperils or misuses. This monument shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to 3 months or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both". THE SARAI WAS BUILT ON A SERENE PORTION OF LAND It comprises of small cells around a big quadrangle with two imposing Gateways known as LAHOURI DARWAZA –which is white inlaid with fine glazed tile and Persian calligraphy and on the opposite side is the DELHI DARWAZA of red sandstone of RAJASTHAN and file filigree work can be seen in the upper balcony . Both DARWAZAS are placed in the center of eastern and western wings. A mosque, well and open space for horses and bullocks etc. were provided within the quadrangle. It has a "prayer Chamber" and is entered through arched opening. The roof is spectacularly made with Nanakshahi bricks in a grand circular rising upto the dome The spandrels of the arches are decorated with fine glazed tile work. The gateways, both similar in design, consist of two chambered central passage with rooms. The façade has two arched recesses, placed on either side of the central opening above which are Projecting balconies, executed in triviate style. The remaining portions are being decorated with arched recesses in low relief to the outer corners are added two octagonal towers crowned with Cupolas. The edges of the arches, the spandrels and two small panels are decorated with glazed tile-work. The colored designs show floral scrolls and GULDASTAS placed in between foliage. (Notification No. PN 19571 Dated 25.06.1928).

BSF traps One Bangladeshi

AMRITSAR OCTOBER 24, 2008 BSF traps One Bangladeshi RASHMI TALWAR TARN TARAN (AMRITSAR ) October 24, 2008--- BSF's 08 Battalion on Friday nabbed one Bangladeshi Nitin Bishna of village Janetta in Bangladesh while he was trying to cross over to Pakistan from the Khalra sector . BSF personnel Vipin Kumar nabbed the Bangladeshi at BoP (Border out Post) no 145 while he was attempting to cross the barbed wire. A case has been registered xxxx

Rs 98,000 in Indian fake currency seized from Indo- Pak border village

AMRITSAR OCTOBER 24, 2008 Rs 98,000 in Indian fake currency seized from Indo- Pak border village RASHMI TALWAR TARN TARAN (AMRITSAR ) October 24, 2008---- As much as 98,000 in fake Indian currency were seized from one Jatinder Singh of village Havellian Naushera Dhala on Indo Pak border, falling in the Tarn Taran district, on Friday. SP Special Narcotic Cell (TT) while talking to the press said that the SNC had set up a decoy and laid a trap for Jatinder son of Gurcharan Singh of the village. The deal between an SNC decoy and the smuggler was sealed at Rs 10,000 for fake currency of One lakh Rupees in Rs 500 denomination. When Jatinder came with fake currency he was nabbed by the sleuths of the SNC informed SP SNC Gurpeet Singh. a case has been registered against the accused. According to SNC Paramjit Singh is the mastermind behind this gang of Indo Pak smugglers. xxxx

DLH-CHD-AMRITSAR high speed train gets nod for pre-feasibility report from Lok Sabha

AMRITSAR OCTOBER 24, 2008 Delhi-Chandigarh-Amritsar high speed train gets nod for pre-feasibility report from Lok Sabha RASHMI TALWAR AMRITSAR October 24, 2008--------- Even as the issue Mumbai to Ludhiana freight corridor's extension to Amritsar is held in abeyance the Ministry of Railways has decided to conduct pre-feasibility studies for construction of high speed passenger corridors equipped with state of the art, signaling and train control system for Delhi – Chandigarh – Amritsar corridor . along with this studies would also be conducted for three other "high speed rail " corridors including ' Pune – Mumbai – Ahmedabad'; ' Hyderabad – Dornakal – Vijayawada – Chennai' and 'Chennai – Bangalore – Coimbatore – Ernakulam' . The proposed section will be having dedicated tracks solely for running trains at speed of 300 to 350 kilometers per hour. These trains will have state of art technology, traveling comfort and on board services. The Rail ministry said presently, technology for such trains is not available with Indian Railways. Detailed requirement of technology will be assessed during the course of pre-feasibility study. Till now, global tenders for engaging a consultant for Delhi– Chandigarh – Amritsar and Pune–Ahmedabad have been invited by Ministry of Railways. Minister of State for Railways Dr. R. Velu informed in a written reply in Lok Sabha . xxxx

VEER ZARA -Real life Indo -Pak Wedding SAGA first time in AMRITSAR

FIRST HINDU INDIAN BOY OF AMRITSAR MARRIES PAKISTANI HINDU GIRL OF PESHAWAR
A BIT OF PAKISTAN'S PESHAWAR BROUGHT TO AMRITSAR ESP FOR THE WEDDING THROUGH SOUND RECORDING OF TEMPLE BELL CHIMES OF ANCIENT MANDIR BY RASHMI TALWAR
/Amritsar
October 13, 2008 ----
A 20-year old Pakistani bride, Anita Kumari in her bridal finery felt lucky and glowed under the shade of the "shaguni " red duppata bespeckled with stars as she approached the wedding 'mandap', shyly stealing a glance at her groom Pawan Kumar (23), amidst sounds of "temple bell chimes" of her 'maika' in Peshawar. Complete with Hindu traditions of ghori , jai mala , saat pherey et al the wedding between a "Hindu Pakistani" girl Anita from North Western Frontier province's capital city Peshawar and Pawan Kumar a Indian Hindu boy from Amritsar was solemnized with much fan fare in the city on Monday.

For the holy city this was a first wedding solemnized between a Indian Hindu boy and Pakistani Hindu girl.
The family of Pawan had migrated to India after Indo_Pak partition but kept alive their relations with relatives in their ancestral town of Peshawar Pakistan . The wedding was an arranged marriage and the bride's s family had come with 13 relatives to the holy city for the wedding .
At the wedding ceremony Anita's family had brought a bit of the bride's 'maika '( Peshawar ) in the form of sound recording of "temple bell chimes" from Peshawar Pir Rattan Nath Mandir - an ancient temple in Peshawar, played during the traditional "jai Mala" (exchanging garlands) ceremony of the couple .
The 400-year old temple in Peshawar is considered holiest among Hindus there with ancient idols of Lord Shiva , Shivling , Krishan –Radha , Ram –Sita –laxman and Hanuman besides Bahiron Nath and Mata where under security by Pakistan government, festivals of Dussehra , Diwali , Navratras and Shiv ratris are celebrated, says the temple in-charge Balwant Ram of Peshawar who had brokered the matrimonial match between the two families .
Anita wearing a heavy mauve and gold lehenga made in Amritsar complete with wedding "chora" while talking to The Pioneer said "my friends and cousins in Pakistan were envious of the fact that I was marrying an Indian. For Pakistani Hindu girls the fascination for India extends even to getting Indian grooms." she laughed and "Yes I feel lucky" she added .
On a solemn note, having seen the hassles that her family went through, Anita said, visas should be eased for weddings between the families of both countries and also for relatives residing on both sides of the Indo Pak border. The bride's family including the bride herself has got the visa only for 45 days, in India .
Anita and her family including her aunts and their children are Hindus but have for the first time witnessed the grandeur of the "big fat" Hindu wedding for real in India.
" We have seen grand Indian weddings only in Indian movies . Islamic Weddings in theocratic Pakistan are mostly low key affairs with limited dishes and ostentation reduced to a minimum, so minorities communities there too have followed the majority communities diktats and adhered to simplicity even in various traditions , financial status also being a major factor", says Anita's father Inder Prakash who is a general merchant in Peshawar.
The bride's mother Giani devi could not make it for the wedding due to ill health but her aunts Jasodha and Kamla besides their other relatives made up the guests from Pakistan from the bride's side .
The groom's father Dhian Chand a kiryana merchant in Amritsar said nearly 1000 Hindu and Sikh families reside in Sind Pakistan . "While many Peshawaris came with us to India in 1956 after Indo –Pak Partition . They kept on percolating in year 1970, then after the Indo Pak war of 1971, again the migration of Peshawaris started to India in 1980 before militancy took roots in Punjab and stricter conditions followed . Even today the mindset among Peshawari Hindus is to migrate to India . Comparing themselves with their counterparts in India they too want to settle here . "When asked if this was another way to migrate the family said "we have only strengthened bonds between our families with a "sacred marital thread" which is pious to both our families . We as families have exchanged visits over the years and now felt we could conjoin our children in holy matrimony".
Two years back Pawan, his father and his mother Indu Prakash had gone to Peshawar where the bride side had liked the boy and had said yes to the wedding between their children although the girl is a plus-2 and the boy is a matriculate .