NaSCon 2016 - Bringing Students Together

NaSCon is one of the biggest events  organised by FAST National University Islamabad that invites students from all across Pakistan to compete in extraordinary activities. This year, NaSCon is expecting an audience of over 3000 to participate in 50 different competitions relates to business, technology and engineering.

This year, NaSCon has invited me to be a speaker and Judge at their poetry competition.I think  that it is a great chance for students to present their ideas and their love for extra curricular activities.

Here are the details:

“Takhaeyul ki Uraan - Flight of Fancy” is a poetry writing competition for registered students of colleges and universities all over Pakistan! Its the second time this competition is being held in FAST-NU Islamabad’s NaSCon! So join us and show us your skills in writing Poems and Ghazals!

Register here

Rules and Regulations:
• You can write either in Urdu or English
• There shall be a winner for English and one for Urdu.
• There will be only 1 round of 120 minutes. No extra time will be given.
• Your poem/ghazal must not be any more than 30 verses!
• The required stationery will be provided to the participants.
• The participants will be given a scenario, or a theme to write on.
• The participants will be awarded points based on relevance to the theme, style of delivery, poem structure and uniqueness of their material.

For detail and further information contact :
Gulraiz Niazi : 03055121719

Venue: A.K. Brohi Road H-11 Islamabad

http://nascon.org.pk/

Startup Expo to Introduce Ideas in Pakistan

Startup Expo is a country-wide platform that brings forward brilliant, young, entrepreneurial minds to put on display their products and market their ventures.

The various features of the event include:

Startups Exhibition

The hub of all entrepreneurial activity that invites the 100 startups emerging in the market that qualify to exhibit ideas, demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit and promote innovation.

Corporate Exhibition

A platform for all the corporate entities where they showcase their latest products and services, meet with industry partners and customers and examine market trends and opportunities.

Startup Conference

Engaging panel discussions and inspirational keynote speakers touching various aspects of the revival of the economy to encourage and promote local startups. Startups will not only be encouraged to present new ideas and innovation but their efforts will also be recognized and rewarded in the set categories identified to promote positive competition in the Award Ceremony.

Workshops

Learning workshops on the art of social media strategies for the startups with the ideas that inspire will be extended this opportunity so they can take back useful knowledge and hone their skills.

Investor Pitches

Startups hand-picked by Startup Expo can pitch ideas to the jury. Doing so will allow them to get acquainted with this exercise and prep them for the future.

FreelancersMeetup

An opportunity for all the freelancers out there to meet and network with the IT industry and a forum for them to learn and gain useful knowledge in the respective field.

Press Conference

Prominent and distinguished guests from the government will highlight the significance of entrepreneurship for the economy of Pakistan and the role that government plays in this development.

Food Festival

Food stalls selling a wide assortment of food delicacies will be present for the attendees to take a break throughout the day. For the kids, several games and activities will be organized including soap soccer, magic show, costume characters, etc.

Concert

To unwind at the end of the day, all participants and attendees will be invited to a live performance by Mustafa Zahid and Roxen.

For more details, visit: Startup Expo

Written by Hadiya Rahman

Sherry Khattak talks Music, Passion and Pakistan Music Industry

Coming from Karachi, today we bring you one of the most talked about musicians in Pakistan, Sherry Khattak. From covers of famous songs to Nescafe Basement star, Sherry has made a place for himself in this world filled with music and poetry.

Here are his thoughts on Music, Life and More Music!

Tell us about your beginnings as an artist?

Well to be honest I never knew exactly when it all started for me, I remember being a music freak back in my school days, so much that I made a deal with my parents to buy me a guitar if I get good grades, and it all started from there.

What lead you to create your own band and work in the music industry?

Unlike others i was lucky to work in a studio right after i started music, So I was well aware of how to work in a studio, sooner I was fortunate enough to own my own studio and make music for myself.

Tell us more about your band?

Overdose has been a bit off the map these days, Since we all are now busy in Nescafe Basement 4, We have an English original in the pipeline that we'll be releasing right after the season ends.

Tell us more about the type of music you make, what inspires you?

I never tend to isolate myself under one specific genre or type of music, I love experimenting and Nescafe Basement has groomed me a lot in making music, If you see the original song I did in last season and the song I did this season you'll clearly see how I have improved in song writing and experimenting.

Have you worked with any other artists?

I have worked with alot of great names whom I always look up to, artists like Xulfi, Gumby, Omran Shafique, Meesha Shafi, Adeel Khurram and many others.

You also work as a producer, could you tell us more about that experience?

I love being in the studio, when I'm back in Karachi, I'm busy in my studio and when I'm here in Lahore I work as an assistant producer for Nescafe Basement, in short my whole year is spent in studio working and doing what I love.

Would you say that you are closer to fulfilling your dreams?

Well I guess I'm pretty close.

What are your thoughts on the kind of music playing today, in this day and age?

It's great! I have seen such great talent in the past few years, all we need now is a boost in the industry and I think music shows like Nescafe Basement and Coke Studio are playing a huge part in it.

What would you do or say to improve peoples’ perception of music?

I would listen more, and like we musicians experiment in music people should change there listening often, Try finding new bands and singers once in a while.

How has it been like to work on Nescafe Basement?

It has been life changing for me, this is my second season and every day I feel like I have improved, watching everyone and learning from them every year what more would anyone want.

Do you have any advice to give for the kids starting out and for those who are trying to make it in this industry?

I would say never give up, keeping at it is the key making good choices will always make you sustain in what you do.

There you go guys. Another great week for Beyond Sanity Publishing. Reach the artist here:

Follow Sherry On Facebook

View him on Instagram!

View YouTube videos here!

Hira Ali Creates Magic with Revelations!

Ever since I started working, I always pictures Hira Ali, the  CEO of Revelations Event Management and Decorators to be a mentor and inspiration for every young girl wanting to make their place in the world. She is very professional and very friendly at the same time, she motivates and encourages so many people in Pakistan and even around the globe.

Revelations has created so many beautiful events together, exquisite photography, delicious catering, decor that would make you say 'O Dear God, I want this on my birthday'

So Beauty? Check.

Confidence? Check.

Success? Check.

Be Inspired. Here we go!

Define yourself?

I'm a workaholic and I strive for perfection.

What is it like being a woman who work as an equal to men and pulling off events better than them?

It feels great hahaha. Being able to stand proud and happy at the end of every event makes me feel great.

Is Pakistan supportive of working women?

At first they weren't but now the trend s changing and are yes very much supportive.

What was the most exciting event of your career?

Everyday is a new day, with new people, new places so I think that day is its yet to come.

Where is Revelations headed in the next 5 years?

It started between friends and now, it had become Islamabad's most sought after event management company. In the next 5 years, I see it very ahead of its game.

What makes Revelation exceptional?

We're the pioneers in the field of thematic birthdays that makes the magic happen. Till now, we have organized more thematic birthdays and weddings planned than any other event management company in Islamabad.

Name some of the achievements Rev scored.

Making magic happen and being the reason behind people's happiness is the biggest achievement anyone can ask for.

What is reason behind women not adjusting in this men's world?

Who said it's a men's world? (Smiles)

What was the biggest career decision you made other than Revelations?

This is what I wanted all the way. Revelations is who I am.

What kind of people do you hate to work with?

Over confident, Nosy & Fake. Might sound rude,but trust me, when you are in this line of work, you get to meet all sorts of people.

How do you see event management in Pakistan?

Event management has created a huge industry for itself in the past few years in Pakistan and no doubt that it is one of the most successful businesses in Pakistan.

Hira Ali for Beyond Sanity Publishing

Luke Evans?-No wait, It is ROHAIL KHAN!

Born in Pakistan's biggest city Karachi, Rohail Khan tells us about his aims and goals in life. He has worked with so many brands and kept us stalking our social media to look for a Luke Evans look-alike, guy with curly hair.(I did that too!) Getting to know him was a great deal of fun. He is such a down to earth fun lovin' person.

Here are some of the questions I asked him, to get to know more about his journey in life and entertainment industry.

When did you decide that this field needs you?

Its not about needs, I have always been into performing arts since an early age. I always wanted to flaunt my talent on a bigger screen and got a break through a couple of years back.

How did you manage to keep your feet stable in this ever changing industry?

Now that's a tricky question, it depends on your learning process. I always make sure whatever the trend is going on, I have to make my moves according to it.

What are your three favorite things about what you do?

The feedback from my friends and followers, the inner happiness and the professionalism.

Do you believe media is positive towards Pakistan?

It's a paid world, money talks. But some of the brands and faces are doing a fantastic job to make Pakistan proud.

What projects are you working on these days?

I am in talks with some brands, looking to step in drama industry and make my exposure games stronger.

What was the best thing that ever happened to you?

My family and rest is yet to happen I guess.

What kind of a friend circle do you have?

I am very limited and I hardly have 4 to 5 friends and we are just like the James Franco, Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill of the film 'This is the End'.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

Somewhere better where I am today with some more achievements in my bucket.

You can follow his on Instagram Here!

And his Fan forum on Facebook Here!

Buy Our Books-Beyond Sanity Publishing

Hello There!

Thank you for  coming! Please order the books here:

Psychaotic

The Youth Of Pakistan

The Tales Of Crucified Blunt

Mirrored Voices: Emerging Poets Anthology

Mirrored Voices: Best New Poets

Mirrored Voices: Best Contemporary Poetry

To order signed copies, Please drop an email at:

irumzahraofficial@gmail.com

Or see:

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Harper Lee Passes away at 89- Why?

“You never really understand a person… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” 

And yesterday I heard the news, Harper Lee passed away. This year is filled with deaths of people in Literature and music world. I can't even begin to understand why.

Is the world done with legends?

Are they not a part of us anymore?

More importantly, are we sure we can live in a world without them putting their art and words in our lives?

Harper Lee had a Tom boyish life when she grew up in Alabama, US. She died before she could celebrate her 90th Birthday. I guess all she wanted was to see the world in her perspective and she did, she wrote about all she felt growing up, and wrote about the life everyone was living. Differences are present in every century, in every culture, but to revolutionize thoughts every time someone is treated in  a way they feel alienated, is something Harper Lee accomplished.

I've heard so many quotations from her first master piece over the years that have now become crystal clear and they give meaning to all she she wrote.

I'm positive that I don't have a unique approach or thought that someone else hasn't already articulated around. To Kill a Mockingbird is one of those books which is a legend in literary culture for standing apart thematically and stylistically.

“She was almost in love with him. No, that’s impossible, she thought: either you are or you aren’t. Love’s the only thing in this world that is unequivocal. There are different kinds of love, certainly, but it’s a you-do or you-don’t proposition with them all."

The world isn't done with legends yet, we are not saved yet. we are still lost souls looking for our missing puzzle piece, a place where we belong. A place where we are all treated equally and without any discrimination. Peace isn't all we crave. We long for 'belonging'

We long for our misplaced faith, we find it in the most uncertain of ways. Some might find it in love, some find it in the realms of chaos. Either way, you are bound to find your way. That's why legends stay with us forever, I mean if I take out this book after ten or twenty years I will know exactly how it made me feel. And if I am blurry on the details, I will read it again. Someone would see me reading the book in my favorite coffee shop or a foodie place and they will be inclined to read it again too. And if not again, there is always a first time for everything.

And No, I am not okay with these legends going away from us. There is so much they could teach us, there is so much they could give us, so much they could say, so much they can write and all that is lost as they pass away. Then we miss them a little less every year.

May you rest in piece, our legend and I wish we are able to keep you in our thoughts and in our lives forever.

“I need a watchman to tell me this is what a man says but this is what he means, to draw a line down the middle and say here is this justice and there is that justice and make me understand the difference.”

Irum Zahra