It’s Just Another Revolution Around The Sun

Written by: Muhammad Shaafay Saqib

Edited by: Noor Ul Ain Adeel

Graphic by: Uzair Hussain

It’s this old-fashioned new-year thing.

It happens every year.

Near the end of every year, humans look fondly towards the next. It’s time for hope and real change. Bask in this wonderful, regular marker in the timeline of our lives that looks at us to tranquilly correct the mistakes of the year prior. Especially after the momentous turbulence of 2020, it becomes therapeutic to wait for a hero in the new year, no, the new decade, as a shining glimmer of hope that change is imminent, for as the clock ticks itself on, our problems may turn itself off. As the sun sets, our old, toxic adventures can ride down away into the golden road. This is the time. It is. We feel. Except.

It’s arbitrary.

It doesn’t matter.

Nothing will change. This year will be just like the last. The year, as most widely considered, is merely a solar concept. It need not matter when you start executing your plans for the year; if January the 1^st suits, good for you. Otherwise you may decide on June the 27^th, or rather April the 22^nd, before settling on December the 19^th. There are those who rest the weight of their resolutions on the start of the year, then fail (dishonor on their cow, no question), and unnerve while their optimism scurries with its claws under floorboards. It does not have to be this way. Because.

It’s just another revolution around the sun.

Nothing needs to happen right now.

Do you know how many calendars there are? Neither do I, but there are a lot. The Gregorian Calendar, whose trendsetting dates form the raison d’être of this piece of writing, is a solar calendar, marked by our position around the sun. On the other hand, we have the Hijri calendar, a lunar calendar marked by the glimmering phases of the moon. Then there are those who can’t choose so we have the Hebrew lunisolar calendar. Calendars come and go — even the Gregorian existed not about four hundred years ago. It replaced the Julian Calendar in 1582, adjusting errors to align more accurately with the planet’s circling of the sun. To make this correction, it added eleven days. All at once. Dumped. Understandably, some were aghast. They demanded their eleven days back! Nevertheless, it was a small, slight incremental change that helped make things better in the long run. They got over it and it never really should have mattered. In fact, a few days prior to the publishing of this article, it was still 2020 in the Julian Calendar. Hence.

Happy (another?) New Year!

Do you feel real change, again?

You want real change? You need a revolution. Slice up the feudal monarchists like the French did, under romanticized guillotines in public displays of capital punishment (ouch). The self-absorbed foreign queen requested that you eat cake, so you storm the Bastille, overthrow her government and start decimalizing everything.

……………………The Storming of the Bastille

March on like they did, in love of your country, but also the number ten. The ten isn’t random; they did do it. They tried to decimalize the darn clock. For a while, France lived ten hours a day, each in 100 decimal minutes with each of that in 100 decimal seconds — imagine if that stuck. Sure, they had their functional justifications, of which there were many, but in the end… why? Clocks are our clocks, days are our days, and weeks are our weeks.

No.

It may have meaning, but it’s all arbitrary happenstance. Change it. Who cares? Your community and nation bear meaning, while community and nationhood are coincidental. Most of us didn’t choose and so we just were. Friends bear meaning, but friends are only chance. They are a product of where we lived, whether we moved or where we studied, among many playing factors. Family bears the most meaning, but family is only random. We feel like we have structure and reason but beneath it all, it’s determined chaos and capricious, irrational evolution. Nearly everything can be changed over time, even the definition of time itself. Yet, somehow, it all carries meaning to us. We hold. We endow. We love.

We meander through a world that is constantly changing in ridiculous ways, and perhaps we did not need 2020 to tell us that. Planning is amazing, but fate-interlaced-chance is inevitable. Why mark the time to change solely at dawn, when change then happens at dusk? Your thoughts continually revolve around your mind, building and replacing bricks in your brain, little by little, piece by piece. The feeling is of the determined and chaotic simultaneously, like a butterfly that caused a tornado, or a neatly defined structure no longer after an earthquake. In spite of the metaphorical bedlam, an impetus of the arbitrary, we will give meaning to it all, because that is what we do as humans. Give meaning to each second, as a chance to start anew and hoist ourselves in the right direction, embracing the sense of calm that comes with staying within the topsy-turvy roads of betterment, hope, and love for one another. Just like political upheaval, it may seem like the year is just happening and it makes no sense why it should be like this, good or bad, but we will still try to find meaning and that is okay. You know why? Because it helps us take the next, gradual step in right direction, and know where we are going in the grand scheme of things.

Let’s calm down. Change things up a bit.

A tiny shift could happen right now.

It’s just another revolution inside ourselves.

To New Beginnings

Written by Zunaira Saadat
Edited by Muhammad Hamza Waqas Awan

CORONA. QUARANTINE. 2020ISTHEWORSTYEAR. LIFEHASCOMETOAHALT

I think these are the most common things I hear, every single day since the last March. And it’s not some puzzle as to why this has become a new norm. However, we here at NCSC know how to tackle each battle. Recently, the recruitment drive 2020 allowed us to expand our family with the addition of some of the most brilliant minds of NUST. But is any recruitment complete without a proper welcome to the society? Definitely not. So how, with an ongoing pandemic did NCSC make the impossible, possible?

A timely formation of the organization committee, followed by the creativity of the event heads, was the perfect kick-start towards the event’s success. Within a short duration of time, all the invitations were sent and the platform decided upon.

Keeping social distancing a priority (and the fact that that was the only option), MS Teams came along to save the day. On 12th December at 5.30 pm, the NCSC family gathered to meet each other, as virtually as was possible. The twist here being the theme ‘Cosplay’ set for the 2020 orientation. As instructed, each individual dressed up as their favorite character and showed up, ready for the day.

• 

• 

Following the perfectly balanced and well planned schedule, the newbies were welcomed by Dr. Bahadur, faculty sponsor NCSC and informed them about the success of the society and its impact. Next, each team of the society was introduced, and the audience informed about its functioning and contribution to each event that takes place in the engine of NCSC. A special video was played, recapping the events hosted by NCSC in the very recent past. Needless to say, the video touched my heart as I recalled the events I’ve been a part of because of the society, and the lives I was able to bring the smallest, yet long-lasting change because of it.

Once the newbies were well-acquainted with the works, it was time to break the ice! First off, a little game called Off-track/ On-track set the stage. Giving the audience a chance to reveal their true (weird) side as they worked their minds on what works are to be done, and those to be avoided, in the most fun way possible.

• 

At NUST, and therefore NCSC as well, the diversity presented is something no one can overlook. Therefore, giving this diversity its due acknowledgement is a must. To do this, a little game called Aliens have landed was planned. Through this, individuals got the chance to introduce their language and cultural differences in a creative and interesting way.  By the end of it, the walls were seriously down, and a connection was successfully established between the old members and the new ones. Following this game, creating a story was set in motion, which further helped bond and obviously was fun to be a part of.

NCSC has been home to some of the most talented individuals since its inception. Adding to that has always been a privilege and an honor. This year, the recruitment was different, and so was the orientation, but against all odds, NCSC, because of its durable and determined work force, stands and will continue to stand strong, ready to face whatever comes its way and always emerge victorious.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Join NOW, or forever hold your peace!

Written by Khadija Asad
Edited by Noor Ul Ain Adeel

Psst, did you hear? Registrations for NUST Community Service Club’s recruitment drive just opened! Oh, what’s NCSC you ask? It’s only the biggest and coolest society ever! We’re a bunch of leather-jacket-wearing, motorcycle-riding, rebels-with-a-cause on a perpetual mission to stir trouble change. Alright, the former might not be true, but the latter definitely is.

One of NUST’s oldest societies today, NCSC’s history goes all the way back to 2007; the year it was founded. Since then, we’ve grown colossally and contributed positively to the society at large. Not to toot our own horn, but seeing how NCSC has multiple MacJannet Prizes and HEC Social Integration Program Awards under its belt, I’d say we’ve been doing a pretty decent job so far. Don’t believe me? Just watch (or read on ahead) for a quick intro to some of NCSC’s biggest projects and events:

1. Blood Donation Drives:

If there’s one event that just screams NCSC, it’s our trademark Blood Donation Drives. Held once per semester, these BDDs are held in collaboration with organizations like Jamila Sultana Foundation and Sundas Foundation to help provide relief to thalassemia patients all over the country.

During BDD season, our dedicated council can be found scouring all of NUST, like bloodhounds on a scent trail, sniffing out potential donors and bringing them to donate – by hook or by crook (just kidding… or am I?). Throw in some good-hearted (for the most part) competition between all the schools, delicious food, overall good vibes and you have yourself a recipe for bloody (pun intended) success. Just at our last BDD, a grand total of a whopping 605 pints were collected as a result of the OCs blood (literally), sweat and tears!

Blood Donation Drive’19

2. Al-Qalam:

Seeing how education is the most powerful weapon for changing the world – and boy does it need changing now more than ever – everyone deserves equal access to it, irrespective of financial and social status. Thinking along these lines, NCSC launched the Al-Qalam Project back in 2015, with the aim of sponsoring underprivileged children by paying for their academic expenses. Under this project, monthly donation drives are carried out throughout campus and the money then distributed among enrolled students. Currently, over a 100 students are registered in the program. That’s over a 100 lives that now have a shot at a better life!

Al-Qalam program

3. Fempower

One of NCSC’s most powerful projects to date, Fempower is all about empowering HER. The 2017 MacJannet Prize winner, this project aims to celebrate the resilience and sheer strength of the female spirit, which even after weathering violent storms, bounces back anew, stronger than ever, like a phoenix rising from ashes.

Under the dynamic leadership of some ah-mazingly talented women, Fempower sponsors the vocational training of underprivileged women and widows, giving them the means to achieve financial independence and build their own future, rather than remaining at the mercy of a ruthless society. Here’s to Fempower reaching new heights in the future!

Fempower Breast Cancer Awareness play

4. Orphans kNOw More

NCSC currently has two orphanages in the OKM family, Aghosh Al-Khidmat and Apna Shelter Home. Weekend council trips to them can only be described as life changing experiences. Meeting the adorable kids, with their sunny smiles and contagious laughter, so ecstatic to have visitors and even more elated to see the goodies brought for them, it really does put stuff into perspective doesn’t it?

Once introductions have been made and everything’s settled – or as settled as can be, with these hyperactive youngsters bouncing about – commence the activities, both fun and educational. Thus begins a roller-coaster of emotions; excitement, intrigue, the occasional disappointment at losing a game, and much, much more. By the time you leave, your heart is full and brain pensive and you walk out of the orphanage a changed person.

OkM’s trip to Aghosh Al-Khidmat

With a glorious legacy behind us, we hope to grow even more in the future. Become a part of all that awesomeness and apply away, because together, we CAN make a difference!

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

NCSC x Sundus Foundation – Restoring Blood Banks

by Hafsa Jawad

A recent study showed that Pakistan is in need of an increased effort to motivate blood donation. The country, despite its large population has a donation rate of less than one percent.  There is now a dire need for Pakistan to increase this percentage as even a one percent donation rate would be sufficient for the country’s needs.

Keeping all this in mind, NCSC collaborated with the esteemed Sundus Foundation, to hold a door-to-door blood donation drive. The drive was held keeping in mind all the mandatory precautions and tenets of social distancing that the ongoing pandemic demands. Willing donors could register if they wanted to donate, after which a mobile unit would come to their homes to collect the blood. The purpose of this donation drive was to contribute to Sundus’s depleting blood bank.

The Sundus Foundation is a renowned organization known for its great work. They take the safety of their donors very seriously and work efficiently and tirelessly to create a safe and hygienic environment for their donors to donate in. For the donation drive their doctors wore all the necessary protective gear (e.g. gloves, mask etc.) needed to avoid any potential problems caused by human contact.

The Prophet, upon be peace, said: “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.” (Al-Tirmidhi)

Around 5000- 9000 children with β- Thalassemia are born every year in Pakistan. Bearing in mind these statistics it is easy to see why we need to step up our efforts towards increasing blood donation. With the coronavirus steadily declining, we hope that more people will be willing to do this Sadqah and donate blood to this noble cause by visiting the closest Sundus Foundation’s center to them.

Let us create a safer and healthier Pakistan, together!

Al-Qalam Wins MacJannet Prize!

by Sana Shafiq

“I’m collecting this month’s donations for the Al-Qalam Program now. If anyone wants to donate, please do so.”  This is something you must have frequently heard around in your departments. If not in this form, then in some mildly severer version like: “It’s a whopping 100 man, you surely spend a lot more pretty much daily!” Well, these were the class executives for Al-Qalam Program: the hard-working individuals who collected donations from all over the student body. You might be wondering, what is Al-Qalam Program?

It is a project launched by 2 passionate individuals from NUST Community Services Club in 2015. The driving force behind it was the stark number of out-of-school and dropout children in Pakistan in the year 2015-2016, as provided by the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS). By analysis of these statistics, it was noted that the major cause of this was the financial crises subjected to these children’s families. Being students of a prestigious institute, they could evidently realize the necessity of education. Indeed, quality education is the right of every individual. Understanding the gravity of the situation, Al-Qalam program was launched. Al-Qalam literally means ‘The Pen’ in Arabic: undoubtedly a powerful symbol of education. Under the program, monthly donation drives are conducted throughout the campus.

At the ground level, donations (i.e. Rs.100 per student) are collected from the student body by the class executives, which then work their way up to the school ambassadors and the board of directors. After hassle-free bottom-up collection and processing, donations are disbursed among the registered children. Directorate of Student Affairs aids the entire process. The transportation, security, expenses, supplies, halls, classrooms or any other administrative requirements are coordinated by a faculty advisor and two support administration officers. Currently, we have over 100 students enrolled in the program.

Recently, Al-Qalam Program won the third place for the 2020 MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship, deeming it one of the best student-run community services projects in the world! For this, they will receive $2,500 (Rs.400,000) to support their cause. This served as a catalyst for the involved student’s efforts and motivation, whether they were the ones working for it, or the ones benefited by it.

Al-Qalam has been living up to its legacy, succeeding on every step. Yet, it has many steps to ascend, for a good deed must continue, constantly benefiting the society it exists in. For that, we all must join hands and carry on helping in eradicating the gloom in the world by spreading the light of education.

Does Liquid Gold Run in You, Too?

by Khadija Asad

The last two weeks had been a constant battle. A bruising, never-ending, battle that had been full of anguish and uncertainty of its outcome.

The ruthless COVID-19 pathogen had inconspicuously entered into their human host’s body one day when he breathed in contaminated droplets left suspended in the air.

The invader had then hijacked one of the host’s healthy blood cells and proceeded to wreak havoc in the following days by multiplying and making more copies of itself, leaving an endless trail of dead blood cells in its wake.

The white blood cells had sensed the presence of the assailant almost immediately and had responded by launching an immune attack. Whole legions of WBC descended onto the battlefield (in this case, the bloodstream) and fought tirelessly, though at some points it felt like a losing battle.

Faced with an unknown enemy, it had taken the WBC some time to recognize, and wipe out, the antigens by creating the right antibodies—the magic bullets that had ultimately annihilated the invasive pathogen.

The battle had been won, the virus eliminated. But these little warriors’ mission was far from over. Because somewhere out there, cells like themselves were fighting the same battle, against the same foe. But while their host human had emerged victorious, someone else might not be as lucky.

They had the weapon in their arsenal, it was now time to give it to someone else. The antibodies in their host’s blood would now go on to help someone else.

The needle was almost inside their human’s vein now. Humming with energy for the purpose they were about to serve, blood cells began lining up and making their way via the catheter to the machine that was to process them.

Inside the machine, plasma (or liquid gold as it’s so frequently called for the lifesaving antibodies that it contains) was separated from other types of blood cells and collected. The rest of the blood cells would be delivered back to the host’s bloodstream while the plasma would go on to serve a greater purpose.

The whole process took a total of only 90 minutes. 90 minutes to give someone a new lease on life, to donate not only potentially lifesaving plasma but something even greater- hope.

 

A Silver Lining

by Eesha Irfan

If you could wish for one thing during this time of self-isolation, what would it be?

I think everyone would have varying answers to this question, but what’s evident is that the Corona-virus pandemic has taken a lot from all of us, things we never realized we took for granted until it was too late to hold on to them or get them back.

For many of us, it’s the normality that we miss as a university student; how every day brought new challenges, new experiences, new people to meet, or just the same old people who’ve come to mean more to us than we’d realized. We miss our hustle and bustle filled days, even more so now that each day feels so monotonous and unexciting compared to our past topsy-turvy routines.

It’s insane how in just a few days, our world turned upside down. We’re often fearful, wary and uncomfortable with change but a change this fast and at a global level is even scarier, and I realize many of us can’t help but be anxious in this state. Not only does the thought of going back to how things were make us nostalgic and melancholic, but it reminds us of how much uncertainty there already is and how much longer it’s still predicted to carry on for. Everything is so unsure. During times like these, having friends around you who understand and relate can make a world of difference, but being so far apart from them physically adds a whole other toll on us.

Things are really confusing, we all realize that, we go through it every day and it’s scary that nobody has the answers or solutions to this.

But I think the silver lining here is how we can all still be connected through this.We live in a digital age where we can all stay connected (within limits, granted). I realize that’s nowhere near the same as being physically present around the people we love, but it is still worlds better than not being in contact, not being aware, and living in the uncertainty of not knowing what’s happening to the world outside and the people in it. Rather than being able to do silly things with our loved ones in person, it’s amazing if you think about how people can still do silly things over the web instead, like all the viral trends, for example. They make us laugh and keep us together in the oddest ways but it makes a big difference to us in our staccato-like everyday lives.

These are troubling times and it’s mentally, physically, and emotionally taxing to be going through this. But we have the consolation that we’re not going through this alone. You have the people you live with, your neighbors, strangers from all over the world who are all facing this. And that’s such a powerful thing if you think about it, the relentless solidarity, the whole world united in its pursuit of self-isolation to stop the virus from spreading; each one of us contributing a little every day, making so big a difference even if we don’t feel like we are. We’re in this together. No matter where you are and who you’re with, there are people all around you who can relate, who you can talk to, who understand, and who are willing to be there for you.

And when this pandemic finally ends, as all things must, we’ll know then more than ever how important our friends and our loved ones are, how not to take the little things for granted again, and hopefully, we all get to start anew and be better and more grateful versions of ourselves. Maybe then we’ll see that we are capable of surviving storms, and though some of us may be scratched and bruised, we can still stand strong and shine bright and happy, because we’re survivors, and we’ll get through this, together.

“There is a strength within us that we can’t even comprehend until it’s called upon. We are, at our core, built to survive.”
~Claudia Gray

 

A Peek into Eye Camp ‘20

by Saad bin Muhammad

The eyes are your body’s most highly developed sensory organs. In fact, a far larger part of the brain is dedicated to vision than to hearing, taste, touch, or smell combined. We tend to take eyesight for granted; yet when vision problems develop, most of us will do everything in our power to restore our eyesight back to normal.

Have you ever imagined what it would be like not being able to properly differentiate between different colors or even not being able to recognize them at all? Wouldn’t it be heartbreaking if you weren’t able to properly see people and things that bring you happiness? Or not being able to enjoy the beauty of the countless blessings of God we see everyday around us? If you can do all this and more without any aid you should thank God for the incredible blessing of sight.

Realizing the importance of sight, NUST Community Services Club (NCSC) organized a two-day Eye Camp on 3rd-4th March, 2020 at NUST Medical Center in collaboration with Al-Shifa Eye Trust Hospital and Lokal Eatout. An astounding 677 registrations were recorded in total. The location was filled with not just studentsbut people from different parts of society. To make things convenient and simple for everyone who showed up, volunteers were present at all times to guide incoming people and assist the doctors.

A registration desk was set up right outside NUST Medical Center and people were asked to provide basic details about themselves to register and were then given a token. Before having their eyesight examined by a doctor, a person sitting right outside the office initially checked the eyesight using an ophthalmoscope. They were then asked to wait for their turn.People were sent inside in groups of 4 to ensure everything went smoothly and everyone was given sufficient time.

In a world where everyone’s in a haste to do their tasks, nobody has time to stop and marvel at the wonders of nature and what is the best way to do this other than through sight? We take these blessings for granted. What better way is there to connect with nature other than seeing and admiring every pattern etched on a leaf or a ray of light being cascaded by a droplet in a beautiful pattern? Take a step back and connect with the most primal sense, the sense of sight, to be grateful for everything that surrounds you.

Heaven: An Old Age Home

by Zunaira Saadat

As we grow up, we often stay oblivious to the fact that our parents are growing old. In many cases, instead of taking them as a blessing and a breathing source of knowledge and wisdom, we consider them an extra mouth to feed. In such cases, they are abandoned from the comfort of their homes and force them to spend the remainder of their days around strangers, engulfed in their loneliness and the forever wonder of where they went wrong. They are left, in old age homes.

On Saturday, 22nd February 2020, team NCSC arrived an hour before noon, and were welcomed with joy and love from the elders, an instant bond was formed. Soon enough, the two generations faced each other off in some challenging rounds of ludo (and boy were they good). Reaching mid-day, absorbing the gentle heat of the winter sun, these respected members of our society shared the tales of their past. From the mischiefs of childhood, the daring acts of youth and the sacrifices of adulthood, they narrated it all. Contrary to one’s expectation, the seniors described every path of life with a smile on their faces, and recalling the memories of their past made their eyes sparkle, as if they had relived those days merely through words.

Cloth Donation Drive’20: Of Warm Sheaths

by Zunaira Saadat

It was the first week of December. With each elapsing day, the wind turned icy cold, accompanied by long nights and the stillness they brought in. The only words in my mind were: Winter is here. Therefore, being the shopaholic that I am, I availed the free time on hand and set out to gather all the warm sheath I needed against this ice-cold weather for the next few months. I’m sure just like me, most of us did the same. Stepping out of the warmth of our abode, we usually don’t spare a second to think what this harsh winter is like for those who can’t afford the basic necessities of life.

NUST Community Services Club (NCSC) took it on themselves to look out for these individuals of this society. Thus began the week long clothes collection for the Cloth Donation Drive (CDD) 2020. The students, faculty and the in dwellers of the residential area of NUST were encouraged to play a part in this collection. Working tirelessly from Monday to Friday, the members of NCSC collected, sorted, ironed and neatly packed the collected items which mainly comprised of warm clothes of all sizes, sweaters, jackets, shoes and bed sheets. All the packed items were loaded in boxes, ready for distribution the following Sunday.

On Sunday, 9^th February, the NCSC volunteers set off to serve. The receptive community chosen was a Christian colony in H-8. With their timely arrival, the NCSC family unloaded all the boxes and neatly set the items for distribution. Clear sections, separate for men, women and children were made for ease of the conferrers. As soon as the members of the community finished their Sunday prayer, they were warmly welcomed to the venue. In order to avoid over-crowding, neat lines were made. With tokens in their hands and excitement on their faces, the folks eagerly waited for their turns. The volunteers made sure each and every individual got the chance to pick items of their size and their desired choice. In no time, the sounds of masses selecting their favorites filled the area, enhanced by the laughter of children with new clothes in hand, their eyes full of impatience to go home and try the new attire.

The sun shone brighter than ever with the passing minutes as the crowds started to disperse and exit. It was then that I remembered to check the time, and to my surprise, 3 straight hours had passed by in the blink of an eye! The catch here was, seeing the smiles on the faces of those people, and the way the elders of the community showed their gratitude in prayers of well-being for the volunteers put my heart at ease to no extent. This very response is the driving force behind the work that NCSC does, and attaining that ensures the success of each event.

As I write these final sentences, I can feel the heat of the sun intensifying. Now all I can think is..winter is gone.

A Building With Tomorrow Inside; Gehwara-e-Aman

by Mariam Yunis

Finally, the last but certainly not the least was an exciting physical activity to understand basic English grammar. The game involved the use of actions to relate with punctuation marks: at the sight of the question mark the children had to stop and tilt their heads, for the exclamation mark they were supposed to hop and wave their hands, for the comma they had to slow down and walk and for the period they had to halt. The kids were made to stand in a line some distance away from the speaker and as the comma, period, exclamation mark and question mark was indicated they would respond and take a step forward if they were correct and a backward step if not. It was organized as a race and the one who finished first was the winner. The race started and everyone got into their element, there was laughter, teasing and we all enjoyed the game. As the saying goes, there is a child in all of us and surrounded by their free spirits we certainly let out the child in us.

As one pm approached it was time to head back and what better way to end the day than chocolate and cake? To unwind and relax we distributed chocolate cupcakes among everyone and crowded together for merriment and some hearty chatter. After that we said our goodbyes with heavy hearts but it’s safe to say that the day boosted everyone’s spirits.

 

Al-Qalam: Access to education

by Sana Shafiq

What is your favorite childhood memory? Running through streets, riding a bicycle, wind whipping through your hair with the sound of laughter echoing all around in the surroundings; it can be any of those, along with plethora of other options. Though, there is one thing we can all agree upon: Most of our childhood was showered with blessings and sheltered with oblivion and carefreeness. Now to think of children who cannot afford these kinds of luxuries, and even necessities like their education: What a stark societal difference exists in the name of the system of classes?

National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) launched Pakistan Education Statistic 2015-2016 which revealed that about 44% of children between the ages of 5 and 16 are not enrolled in schools in Pakistan. Moreover, out of the ones present in schools, more than 60% of them drop out before even passing matriculation. The reason for being deprived from education for these children is mostly financial strife.

As a citizen who is bestowed with the ability to give something to the community, it is our utmost responsibility to help the needy one out in these endeavors. Everyone deserves to be given their basic rights and not be denied of them, especially by putting the label of money on them.

Al-Qalam Program is an initiative taken by NUST Community Services Club to target the educational needs of such children. The program has the agenda to make quality education accessible to everyone, irrespective of their financial situation, and thus, reducing the numbers of drop-out cases and heightening the retention rate of children getting schooled. This program was launched in the year 2015.

In all departments of NUST, Al-Qalam Class Ambassadors are elected, who further nominate Class Representatives from each class. This is the most simplified way to work from the bottom-up and ensure a hassle-free process for collecting donations. It is awe-inspiring; the way a minute amount of even Rs. 100 contributed by a single individual sum up to a significant one when grouped together, indicating the importance of unity. It is indeed standing united against an evil which defeats it. In this case, it is warding off the darkness of ignorance caused by societal imbalance. The spells of donation collection repeat as frequently as once per month, targeting both the student body and the faculty.

Al-Qalam is now successfully sponsoring the education of 130+ deserving children in the areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Taxila, and Wah. However, we have a long way to go to spread the light of education around in our country. For that, the children are counting on the most fundamental person in this matter: You.

FROODs: A hunger-free future!

by Mominah Asif

Not everyone is privileged enough to spend winters in front of the heaters, analyzing the newly out episode of ‘The Witcher’ or discussing how Shahzain turned out to be an absolute villain in ‘Ehd-e-Wafa’. Some people who work tirelessly to ease their lives always stay in the background and are seriously neglected in extreme cold and unbearable heat. While we chew on the most delicate bread, there are some people who are bound to dip stale bread in water and wait for the next day to dawn for another meal.

Living our lavish lives, we sometimes totally ignore how much food is wasted every day. The amount of food that can easily fulfill a family’s needs for the entire week or sometimes a month goes to the trashcans. To stop the food from going to waste and bringing it to the right plate, NUST Community Services Club (NCSC) introduces ‘FROODs’, which aims to collect fresh excess food from event places, restaurants, caterers, and serve it free to those in need, with dignity and love.

Last week, we conducted our first food distribution in front of SMME, where the NG staff at NUST was served with warm and fresh food. Our team of enthusiastic individuals made sure that the food was fresh, and no morsel went wasted. Starting with little steps, we are all set to build a community where none of us has to sleep hungry, where wasting food is considered a big sin and every individual feels responsible for every piece of break that goes to waste. Here is to a hunger-free future!