Book Review: Asian Glory

By Bushra Almas Jaswal

Cricket is a sport which runs through the bloods of people in South Asia; the most populous subcontinent where people follow this sport with great passion and enthusiasm. The World Cup 2011 had a special significance for Asian nations as three of them, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka entered the semifinals and one of them won the title.

‘Asian Glory: Cricket World Cup 2011’ by Syed Khalid Mahmood is a comprehensive narrative of the achievements of Asian cricketing nations; Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the World Cup 2011 with a detailed background of the their achievements since the inaugural World Cup in 1975 till the World Cup in 2011. 

Presenting a smooth panorama of glimpses from past, of Pakistan’s major victory coming in 1992, India winning the World Cup a couple of times in 1983 and the latest edition in 2011 and Sri Lanka winning the World Cup in 1996, the book refers to the glory of Asia in cricket with three out of four teams in the World Cup 2011 were from Asia. 

The author has highlighted the major performances by star players from Asian teams with Dhoni and Yuvraj from India, the role of Gary Kirsten, Indian coach in their title victory, performance of Kumar Sangakkara and Tillekeratne Dilshan throughout the World Cup from Sri Lanka and performances of Mohammad Hafeez and Umar Gul from Pakistan. In cricket no game is considered bigger enough than a Pakistan versus India match, so the author has discussed the excitement of Pakistan-India semifinal as well.

Alongside major highlights of the World Cup 2011, the author has also discussed few controversies such as suspicions of match fixing and spot fixing starting right from the inaugural game between Bangladesh and India. Another talking point was UDRS the Umpires Decision Review System which was first used in this World Cup received mix responses. 

Overall this is a very good book highlighting the glory of the Asian nations in World Cup editions; it also provides insights into successes and controversies of the World Cup 2011 alongside major performances by the Asian players. 

Printed in paperback the book fully portrays the excitement of the World Cup 2011 with glimpses of all major events and key moments highlighted in colour pictures. 

Written in a soft-flowing continuation that captures the reader's interest from start till end, the book is a must read and a keepsake for both; serious sports readers as well as leisure/pleasure readers and a welcome addition to the recorded history of cricket in Asia. 

***For further details about Asian Glory, please write to jumbopublishing@yahoo.com or call Asad Raza at 0333-2304024

Jumbo Publishing’s Festival of Sports Books concludes at Habib Public School

Pakistan News & Features Services

The Festival of Sports Books, organized Jumbo Publishing, the leaders in sports publishing in Pakistan, at the Habib Public School (HPS), Karachi, concluded on October 25. It had started on October 23 and continued for three days instead of the originally planned two days. 

The extension was granted to facilitate the students of the HPS who have had a passion towards sports books. Quite a few of them availed the opportunity of purchasing high quality books at generous discounts. 

The stall of books set up in the primary section of the HPS in particular generated tremendous interest as the junior students showed incredible appetite for reading which augurs well for the future of the country.

The availability of the popular sports books at high discounts was an added incentive to them for buying their personal copies. 

Focus on World Cup and Top of the Charts, having cover price of Rs 500 each, was available for Rs 100 each while Mission Caribbean and Cricket Milestones, whose retail price is Rs 200 each, was being offered for Rs 100 each. 

Asian Glory, whose cover price is Rs 600, was sold at Rs 200 while Reflections and Cricket Fever, having retail prices of Rs 500 and Rs 300 respectively, were available at Rs 200 each.

Jumbo Publishing’s Festival of Sports Books extended at Habib Public School

Pakistan News & Features Services

The Festival of Sports Books, being organized Jumbo Publishing, the leaders in sports publishing in Pakistan, at the Habib Public School (HPS), Karachi, has been extended by a day and it will continue, during the school hours, on October 25.

The extension, in what has now become a three-day festival, was necessitated in view of the tremendous interest shown by the students of the HPS who have traditionally remained inclined towards sports. 

The HPS students, who actively take part in sports activities on a daily basis at the campus under the supervision of qualified coaches, are also encouraged to participate in other extra-curricular activities besides concentrating on academics. They have a period reserved for library visit every day.

A stall of book was also set up in the primary section of the HPS on the second day of the festival to facilitate the enthusiastic students who displayed tremendous interest in the books on the subject of sports being offered at incredible discounts. 

Focus on World Cup and Top of the Charts, having cover price of Rs 500 each, will be available for Rs 100 each while Mission Caribbean and Cricket Milestones, whose retail price is Rs 200 each, will also be offered for Rs 100 each. 

Asian Glory, whose cover price is Rs 600, will be sold at Rs 200 while Reflections and Cricket Fever, having retail prices of Rs 500 and Rs 300 respectively, will also be available at Rs 200 each until the stocks lasted.

Jumbo Publishing’s Festival of Sports Books commences at Habib Public School

Pakistan News & Features Services

The Festival of Sports Books, being organized Jumbo Publishing, the leaders in sports publishing in Pakistan, got underway at the Habib Public School (HPS), Karachi, on October 23.The two-day festival will continue, during the school hours, on October 24.

The students of the HPS, who are encouraged to take part in the sports in a big way at the campus and beyond, took keen interest in the books on the subject of sports being offered at incredible discounts.

Focus on World Cup and Top of the Charts, having cover price of Rs 500 each, will be available for Rs 100 each while Mission Caribbean and Cricket Milestones, whose retail price is Rs 200 each, will also be offered for Rs 100 each. 

Asian Glory, whose cover price is Rs 600, will be sold at Rs 200 while Reflections and Cricket Fever, having retail prices of Rs 500 and Rs 300 respectively, will also be available at Rs 200 each until the stocks last. 

The HPS, one of the most prestigious educational institutions of the country, has had a history of producing outstanding athletes who have made it to the national teams. 

Hockey legend Sohail Abbas, who holds the world record of scoring the highest number of goals in international hockey, was also a proud product of the HPS.

Jumbo Publishing’s Festival of Sports Books at Habib Public School on October 23, 24

Pakistan News & Features Services

Jumbo Publishing, acclaimed as the leaders in sports publishing in the region, will be holding Festival of Sports Books at the Habib Public School (HPS), Karachi, on October 23 and 24.

The highlight of the two-day festival, to be held during the school hours, will be the sale of some of the best books on the subject of sports at incredible discounts. 

Focus on World Cup and Top of the Charts, having cover price of Rs 500 each, will be available for Rs 100 each while Mission Caribbean and Cricket Milestones, whose retail price is Rs 200 each, will also be offered for Rs 100 each. 

Asian Glory, whose cover price is Rs 600, will be sold at Rs 200 while Reflections and Cricket Fever, having retail prices of Rs 500 and Rs 300 respectively, will also be available at Rs 200 each until the stocks last. 

The students of the HPS, who are fortunate to be blessed with the top of line sports facilities at their campus, are expected to take keen interest in the upcoming Festival of Sports Books, being held soon after the Eid-ul-Azha vacations.

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan launches Mittra’s novel

Pakistan News & Features Services

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan launched author Vipul Mittra's novel 'The Dream Chasers' in Mumbai on September 26.

The Bollywood legend, who has been entertaining the audience for more than four decades, has figured out that it’s tough to be an actor. 

“I am having a tough time being an actor and do not have the capacity to take up non-film works like penning a book,” he remarked while speaking at the book launch. 

"I do not have the capacity to write a book. I am having a tough time being an actor. To start another profession would be very difficult for me" the megastar candidly replied when asked about what kind of book he would like to write. 

Talking about the book, he said memories of college and school days remain etched in mind forever and life becomes tough once a person enters the professional life.

"We get into life and face all the struggles. I may forget what happened with me yesterday or today but I will never forget college and school days, teachers, girlfriends, restaurants as these moments make our life enchanting," Amitabh Bachchan, also referred to as the Big B, observed. 

He disclosed his plan to be a part of the team that would be restoring legendary actor Charlie Chaplin's 'Floor Walker' at MAMI festival this year. 

"There is a group of people in Switzerland who have decided to reinvent many works of Charlie Chaplin that the world does not know. This is my attempt to bring those films up, to reprint them and bring them to the people," he revealed. 

He said that many film personalities, mainly from the West, want to contribute to the restoration exercise. "There are prominent film personalities who are contributing funds to restore these films. I have made a small contribution and chosen this film," he added.

Chandigarh Book Fair to be held after 18 years

Pakistan News & Features Services

After nearly 18 years, the Chandigarh Book Fair will be held from November 13 to 18 later this year. Preparations are on in full swing for the event, which will be organized by the Chandigarh administration, in collaboration with National Book Trust, New Delhi. 

The Deputy Commissioner, Mohammed Shayin, recently attended a meeting to finalize details of the event for which a facebook page has already been created. 

More than 100 publishers from across the country will participate in the fair. Events like kavi darbar, symposia, lecture by eminent author, discussion with author, meet the author and calligraphy workshop will also be part of the Chandigarh Book Fair whose committee is trying to tie up with eminent authors of national and international repute. 

 There will a separate corner for children and plays will be staged side by side. NSS volunteers from schools and colleges will help senior citizens and children take a round of the fair. A common pool of old books will be created to inculcate the habit of reading among poor children. The general public will be invited to donate old books to needy children.