Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Mohali Mystery

Pakistan News & Features Services

Mohali Mystery, authored by Ehsan Qureshi, revolves around the semifinal match between Pakistan and India in Mohali which the hosts managed to win after an absorbing contest which generated as much interest after the event as before it. 

The entire book, in which the author has described in detail about his journey and stay in India in his typically fluent style, is in four colour to captivate the readers. 

Book Details: 
Title: Mohali Mystery 
Subject: Cricket 
Pages: 260 
ISBN: 978-969-8893-10-1 
Price in Pakistan: Rs 1,000 
Year of Publication: 2013

Asian Glory

Pakistan News & Features Services

Asian Glory, authored by Syed Khalid Mahmood, has chapters dedicated to the various aspects of the tournament besides a brief history of the sub-continental teams in the past nine editions of the World Cup. Light has been thrown on the side issues of the richest sports event to be held in this part of the world. 

Book Details: 
Title: Asian Glory 
Subject: Cricket 
Pages: 164 
ISBN: 978-969-8893-09-5 
Price in Pakistan: Rs 600 
Year of Publication: 2012

Crash of the Titans

Pakistan News & Features Services

Crash of the Titans, authored by Ehsan Qureshi, is an account of the ICC World Twenty20 Cricket Tournament 2010 which was held in the West Indies. It is acclaimed as the first book on T20 cricket to be published in Pakistan. The scorecards, match reports and statistics make it a complete package about the event. 

Book Details: 
Title: Crash of the Titans 
Subject: Cricket 
Pages: 164 
ISBN: 978-969-8893-08-8 
Price in Pakistan: Rs 600 
Year of Publication: 2011

Reflections

Pakistan News & Features Services

Reflections is a collection of Syed Khalid Mahmood’s top 50 articles on posted on his famous blog www.skmsports.com during its first 15 months, starting from October 2008 to December 2009. Not surprisingly the majority of articles are on cricket but there are features on other sports as well like bridge, chess, hockey, table tennis, karate and tennis. 

Book Details: 
Title: Reflections 
Subject: Sports 
Pages: 144 
ISBN: 978-969-8893-07-1 
Price in Pakistan: Rs 500 
Year of Publication: 2010

Cricket Milestones

Pakistan News & Features Services

Compiled by Shahzad Ali Khan, one of the globally acclaimed statisticians, Cricket Milestones offers value for money to the followers of the game as this handy book contains a lot of records which are never to be broken. The feature of the book is the section of the first-timers to the various landmarks in all formats of the game, including Twenty20 Internationals. 

Book Details:
Title: Cricket Milestones
Subject: Cricket
Pages: 102
ISBN: 978-969-8893-06-4
Price in Pakistan: Rs 200
Year of Publication: 2009

Fiasco

Pakistan News & Features Services

Ehsan Qureshi authored Fiasco upon his return from the Caribbean where he had witnessed unprecedented chaos, drama and tragedy during the course of the Cricket World Cup 2007. It is an eye-witness account of the tragic death of Pakistan’s coach, Bob Woolmer in which the author was falsely implicated. The book reveals a lot of stories which were not published earlier elsewhere.

Book Details:
Title: Fiasco
Subject: Cricket
Pages: 280
ISBN: 978-969-8893-05-7
Price in Pakistan: Rs 800
Year of Publication: 2008

Monday, December 30, 2013

Cricket Fever

Pakistan News & Features Services

Cricket Fever, authored by Syed Khalid Mahmood, recaptures the thrill and excitement of 16 bilateral series between arch-rivals Pakistan and India from 1952-53 and 2007-08 when the last Test tour had taken place. Every tour, having generated enormous interest on both sides of the border, has been analyzed separately and the eye-catching action photographs of the historic matches add value to the book. 

Book Details: 
Title: Cricket Fever 
Subject: Cricket 
Pages: 144 
ISBN: 978-969-8893-03-3 
Price in Pakistan: Rs 300 
Year of Publication: 2008

Mission Caribbean

Pakistan News & Features Services

Mission Caribbean, authored by Syed Khalid Mahmood, was brought out on the eve of what was intended to be the biggest sporting extravaganza in the Caribbean. The book has highly useful resource material for the students of the game as there are brief profiles and photographs of all the 240 participating cricketers from 16 countries. It also chronicles the performance of all the participating teams in the past editions of the tournaments. 

Book Details
Title: Mission Caribbean 
Subject: Cricket 
Pages: 124 
ISBN: 978-969-8893-02-6 
Price in Pakistan: Rs 200 
Year of Publication: 2007

Top of the Charts

Pakistan News & Features Services

Top of the Charts is Jumbo Publishing’s second book on the mega event of the World Cup 2003 which was hailed to be the greatest-ever sporting show to have been staged in the continent of Africa. Authored by Syed Khalid Mahmood, the book contains profile and photographs of the top 25 performers of the tournament. 

Book Details: 
Title: Top of the Charts 
Subject: Cricket 
Pages: 188 
ISBN: 969-8893-01-6 
Price in Pakistan: Rs 500 
Year of Publication: 2005

Spotlight on World Cup 2003

Pakistan News & Features Services

Spotlight on World Cup 2003, authored by Syed Khalid Mahmood, was the first book to be published by Jumbo Publishing. It contains contributions from other renowned personalities as well, besides the bulk of the narration from the author. There are write-ups on the various aspects of the high-profile event which had taken the African hosts, Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe by storm. 

Book Details:
Title: Spotlight on World Cup
Subject: Cricket
Pages: 188
ISBN: 969-8893-00-8
Price in Pakistan: Rs 500
Year of Publication: 2005

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Brief Profile: Amna Farzand Ali

Pakistan News & Features Services

Amna Farzand Ali has been hailed as one of the most promising and highly talented library professionals of the new generation, having already announced her presence in the field.

Having graduated in arts, she did her Masters in Library and Information Science from the prestigious University of Punjab, Lahore, in 2012. She already has the plans for higher studies with automation and digital libraries being her subjects of particular interest. 

She is currently serving as a librarian at the University of Central Punjab in Lahore. She had previously worked, also as a librarian, at the British Education & Training Systems (BETS), Lahore. 

Amna Farzand is a proactive library professional who regularly attends workshops and seminars besides contributing articles. She is fond of accepting challenges and she is determined to make her way to the top. 

She came into prominence by securing first position in the short article competition of Info@PULISAA 2013 and she received the best author award for her article titled: The rise of Fluffy Computing and Libraries. 

*** Amna Farzand Ali has reviewed Mohali Mystery

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Book Review: Mohali Mystery

By Amna Farzand Ali

Cricket is the game that has become a source of enthusiasm, happiness and sorrow among the lovers of this sport not only in Pakistan but around the world. Although it is an intellectual challenge to document something on this sport.

Gideon Haigh, an Australian journalist, who writes about sports especially cricket, had once remarked that the appearance of a completely fresh and unpredictable cricket book was a rare event. Indeed there are only a few worthy writers who continue doing it for decades with passion and dedication. 

Ehsan Ali Qureshi is one of those prolific authors of Pakistan, having done a series of World Cup books with ‘Mohali Mystery’ being the latest publication. His eye-witnessed accounts of the most prestigious global cricket event, held after every four years, are worthwhile addition to the literary world of sports books. 

The foreword of this book has been penned by a superstar cricketer, Rashid Latif, who was also a former Pakistan captain. He has summarized Pakistan’s journey in the World Cup, sharing his thoughts on glories and agonies in the marquee cricket event. 

Actually this book ‘Mohali Mystery’ is based on the author’s own travelogue experience of the Indian cities of Mohali and Mumbai. Mohali’s Punjab Cricket Association Stadium was the venue where the Indian cricket team defeated our national cricket team in the World Cup 2011 semifinal.

The writing style of the author is smooth and elegant. He has shared his experiences about his stay in India during both the big matches in such a way that the readers can derive the similar feeling by going through it. He has also highlighted the different ‘tourist attraction places’ of the Indian cities and the open-arms hospitality of his Indians companions. 

The inclusion of Shahid Khan Afridi’s interview seems the best addition to the content. Ehsan Qureshi conducted this interview in which the then Pakistan captain has tried to clear all the controversies regarding the match-fixing and the suspicious dropped catches of Sachin Tendulkar in the all-important semifinal. 

Shahid Afridi has also mentioned the political aspect in a light mood. Because the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, along with some state dignitaries was also there to attend this ‘cricketing debacle’ at the Mohali’s Punjab Cricket Association Stadium. 

The readers of this book will also find the comparative analysis of previous World Cup matches and the performance charts glimpses of the cricket stars of the Pakistani and Indian teams. It also contains the profile of the players from other countries who performed well in the mega event. 

Last but not the least, Mohali Mystery also contains detailed score sheets of all the matches of the World Cup 2011. While browsing the score sheets the readers would find some interesting commentary about the super players of winning teams who influenced the matches significantly. 

The inclusion of statistical analysis of the previous World Cup matches offers a source of handy information for quick referencing of historical records for the ease of cricket lovers. Besides the informative contents of the book; layout design, paper quality, the lively captured pictures of the semi-final and the final matches along with pictorial coverage of the public places of India are eye-catching. 

Keeping in view the cricket-mania within Asia, this book should be a part of personal collection as well as acquired by the libraries because it will attract cricket-loving readers. 

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

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Jumbo Sports Books to steal limelight in KIBF 2013

Pakistan News & Features Services

The month of December generally brings smiles on the faces of Karachiites as the weather becomes pleasant with the arrival of mild winter and then it also announces the arrival of the annual event Karachi International Book Fair (KIBF). 

The ninth edition of the KIBF, being organized by the Pakistan Publishers & Booksellers Association (PPBA) with the collaboration of the National Book Foundation, is due to be held at the Karachi Expo Centre from December 5 to 9 is less than a week away and there are already billboards across the thoroughfares reminding the folks about the dates of the event. 

The sports titles brought out by Jumbo Publishing, also famously known as the Jumbo Sports Books, will be stealing the limelight of the bookworms in the KIBF where thousands, if not more, publications will be on display on hundreds of stalls for five days on a trot. 

The Jumbo Sports Books are considered unique for their contents and high quality of production. The 10 titles on offer during the KIBF will be Spotlight on World Cup 2003, Top of the Charts, Mission Caribbean, Cricket Fever, Fiasco, Cricket Milestones, Reflections, Crash of the Titans, Asian Glory and Mystery Mohali.

Reliving Cricket World Cup 2011 with Asian Glory, Mohali Mystery

Pakistan News & Features Services

Jumbo Publishing, the market leaders in bringing out sports books in the region, has enriched the cricket literature by producing a couple of books on the Cricket World Cup 2011 which was held in South Asia for the third time in 24 years. 

By producing Asian Glory and Mohali Mystery, Jumbo Publishing continued their tradition of doing two books on a single edition of the Cricket World Cup. 

They had also published two books on each of the last two World Cups. Spotlight on World Cup 2003 and Top of the Charts covered the different angles of the World Cup 2003 while Mission Caribbean and Fiasco were related to the World Cup 2007.

As in the past, the two books on a single event are different to each other. Asian Glory, authored by Syed Khalid Mahmood, has chapters on the various aspects of the tournament besides a brief history of the sub-continental teams in the past nine editions of the World Cup. 

Mohali Mystery, written by Ehsan Qureshi, revolves around the semifinal match between Pakistan and India in Mohali which the hosts managed to win after an absorbing contest which generated as much interest after the event as before it. 

The entire book is in four colour to captivate the readers. The attractive pictures as well as the accompanying section of statistics add value to the book.

One thing, other than the subject, also is common in both the books. They offer reading enormous pleasure and the cricket enthusiasts will enjoy the description of what was hailed as the greatest sporting show on earth.

Rewinding Cricket World Cup 2007 with Mission Caribbean, Fiasco

Pakistan News & Features Services

Jumbo Publishing, having emerged on the scene in 2005, created quite a sensation by bringing out of a couple of worthy books related to the Cricket World Cup 2007 which was staged in the Caribbean for the time. 

Mission Caribbean, written by Syed Khalid Mahmood, was brought out on the eve of the mega event while Ehsan Qureshi authored Fiasco upon his return from the Caribbean where he had witnessed unprecedented chaos, drama and tragedy. Both the books have historical value. 

Mission Caribbean is a more than useful resource material for the students of the game as there are brief profiles and photographs of all the 240 participating cricketers from 16 countries.
Mission Caribbean offers a lot of information regarding the performance of all the participating teams in the past editions of the tournaments. 

Fiasco is an eye-witness account of the tragic death of Pakistan’s coach, Bob Woolmer, following the stunning defeat at the hands of Ireland. 

It tells the story of the author’s implication in the infamous case which was subsequently denied. Fiasco is much more than a travelogue or a simple review of the tournament. 

It reveals a lot of stories which were not reported earlier elsewhere. The scorecards and reports of all the matches make it a complete publication about the event which had proved a disaster on many fronts, much to the dismay of the hosts.

Recapturing Cricket World Cup 2003 with Spotlight on World Cup 2003, Top of the Charts

Pakistan News & Features Services

Jumbo Publishing got off to a flying start in 2005 with the publication of their maiden book, Spotlight on World Cup 2003 which contained the highlights of the Cricket World Cup 2003 organized for the first time in the continent of Africa. 

They followed it up with another book, Top of the Charts, which also related to the same event later in the year. It was quite unusual to find two different books on the same subject and by the same author, Syed Khalid Mahmood. 

Both the hardbound titles were well received in the market and Jumbo Publishing had succeeded in making a mark right away. Some reviewers had gone on to compare both the books with the best ones in the business.

The positive press to the first couple of books brought out by Jumbo Publishing provided them the much needed recognition in the starting which subsequently enabled to them make even greater impact in the field in the following years. 

Spotlight on World Cup 2003 contained contributions from other renowned personalities as well, besides the bulk of the narration from the author. Light was thrown on the various aspects of the high-profile event which had taken the African hosts, Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe by storm. 

Top of the Charts profiled the top 25 performers of the World Cup 2003. The book contained eye-catching photographs of the elite list of cricketers who made the tournament their own by their spectacular performance.

Jumbo Publishing’s Perfect 10!

Pakistan News & Features Services

Jumbo Publishing has carved a niche for itself by bringing out quality sports books year after year to be acclaimed as the market leaders in the region in this particular field. 

They have achieved a record of sorts by having brought out as many as 10 books on the subject of sports during a span of eight years. 

It has been a remarkable journey from Spotlight on World Cup 2003 to Mohali Mystery. In the interim period they have produced Top of the Charts, Mission Caribbean, Cricket Fever, Fiasco, Cricket Milestones, Reflections, Crash of the Titans and Asian Glory.

Friday, November 29, 2013

Brief Profile: Rashid Latif

Pakistan News & Features Services

Rashid Latif, a former Pakistan cricket captain, is recognized as one of greatest wicket-keepers produced by the country. Besides being very safe behind the stumps he was also a handy batsman in the middle-order.

He has been a fearless person all along, on and off the field. He is known and also feared for calling a spade a spade. He has not been afraid in sharing his thoughts openly and his candid opinions have quite often shaken those in the corridors of power in the Pakistan cricket. 

He has also not hidden his feelings about the controversial issues, having been in forefront in speaking about match-fixing and other critical matters.

Born in Karachi on October 14, 1968, he made his first-class debut in only his 18th year and he started playing international cricket four years later. He scored a match-winning half century in his maiden Test against England at The Oval in the summer of 1992. 

He played 37 Test matches in which he scored 1,381 runs at an average of 28.77 with 150 being his highest score. He caught 119 batsmen and stumped 11 which took his aggregate of dismissals to 130.

He also appeared in 166 One-day Internationals, scoring 1,709 runs at an average of 17.42 with his strike rate being 76.39. He amassed three half-centuries with 79 being his highest. His total dismissals in the shorter format of the game were 220 comprising of 182 catches and 38 stumpings. 

He had announced his retirement from international cricket in dramatic circumstances during the course of Pakistan's 1994-95 tour of Zimbabwe but he was installed as captain upon his return. He was reappointed as the national captain in 2003 but his tenure didn’t last long. 

Following his retirement from first-class cricket in 2005, Rashid Latif has been engaged in coaching assignments. He has set up his own Rashid Latif Cricket Academy in Karachi, which has produced quite a few successful cricketers. 

***Rashid Latif has contributed foreword to Mohali Mystery

Foreword: Mohali Mystery

By Rashid Latif 

Despite the advent of the shorter format of the game of cricket, the ICC World Cup, held after every four years, remains the most sought-after cricket event and the enthusiasts of the game wait for it anxiously. It’s a dream of every cricket playing nation to win the World Cup.

But at the end of the contest, after all the thrills and excitement, only one team has to be crowned and the others have to wait for another four years. Pakistan annexed the trophy in 1992 but the dream to retain it was shattered in 1996. 

Our boys came closer to retaining the title in 1999, only to fall at the last hurdle, but in 2003 and 2007 events proved to be total debacle. Elements of suspicion and doubt shrouded the way Pakistan had lost the final of the 1999 World Cup. There was severe criticism when the star-studded team crashed out in 2003 while the whole nation was jolted when Inzamam-ul-Haq and his men flopped even more miserably in 2007.

I was a member of the team during the 2003 World Cup held in South Africa. It was really disappointing and disturbing for all of us not to have gone beyond the first round, despite having an experienced and potent outfit.

Shahid Afridi, a part of the World Cup in 1999, 2003 and 2007, was entrusted with the responsibility of leading Pakistan in 2011. He didn’t have a formidable outfit on paper but he had quite a few seasoned campaigners at his disposal.

Pakistan remained a mixed bag in the league matches as they lost to New Zealand but registered victories over defending champions Australia and hosts Sri Lanka to be counted as serious contenders for the title. By having bulldozed the trio of Australia, Sri Lanka and the West Indies, Pakistan had enhanced their reputation and these three victories in particular raised hopes of bringing back the title after 19 years.

Pakistan lost to India in the semifinals after being in dominating position for most part of the match which made the defeat look a bit mysterious. The veteran Misbah-ul-Haq was under fire for slow batting and Afridi was criticized for not taking power play at the right time which ruined their chances of making it to the final. 

The Indians, as expected, reached the final and eventually regained the title after a lapse of 28 years by hammering Sri Lanka in the final. It looked as if the CWC 2011 was tailor-made for them to lift the crown. Like anyone, I was also surprised at Pakistan’s loss in the semifinals despite putting India under pressure for so long. Rumours travelling through grapevine pointed at something fishy behind the defeat.

There was also an element of shock and mystery when the Pakistan team, upon their return, was honoured by federal and provincial governments as if they had brought home the title. Shahid Afridi’s team was accorded red carpet welcome despite losing the semifinal whereas the whole set up of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was changed when the team, under Wasim Akram, lost to Australia in the final in 1999. What a contrast indeed!

Pakistan’s bad luck had started a year earlier when the ICC had stopped them from playing host to their quota of the World Cup matches on security grounds and the tournament was co-hosted by the trio of Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka.

I had raised the issue during the World Cup 2011 which concerned the reduction in the number of participating teams. I have had the feeling that the matches involving the ‘minnows’ provide the opening to foul play and there are greater opportunities of ‘fixing’ them.

*****For obtaining a copy of Mohali Mystery, please write to jumbopublishing@yahoo.com or call Asad Raza at 0333-2304024. It is priced Rs 1,000 in Pakistan.

Friday, November 8, 2013

Festival of Sports Books creates buzz at Customs Public School

Pakistan News & Features Services 

Jumbo Publishing’s Festival of Sports Books, held at the Customs Public School, located in the Block 6 of PECHS, created a buzz on November 6 and 7 and there was plenty of excitement at the campus on both days.

The Principal of the Customs Public School, Raisuddin Siddiqui, who is widely known for motivating the students to take part in sports and other co-curricular activities besides academics, visited the stall and appreciated the move of Jumbo Publishing, acclaimed as the leaders in sports publishing in the region, to offer books at generous discounts during the festival. 

The teachers as well as the librarian of the Customs Public School were also proactive and their efforts facilitated the students in having a good look at the titles on display and sale during the festival which was extended by a day. 

The sports titles were offered at very high discounts on both days. Focus on World Cup and Top of the Charts, having cover price of Rs 500 each, were available for Rs 100 each while Mission Caribbean and Cricket Milestones, whose retail price is Rs 200 each, was 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 also available at Rs 200 each.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Festival of Sports Books extended at Customs Public School

Pakistan News & Features Services

Jumbo Publishing’s Festival of Sports Books being held at the Customs Public School, located in the Block 6 of PECHS, has been extended by a day and it will continue during the school hours on November 7.

The festival generated great interest among the students of the Customs Public School who are encouraged to participate in co-curricular activities by the management and the teachers. 

 Jumbo Publishing, acclaimed as the leaders in sports publishing in the region, are offering the books at generous discounts during the festival in which Focus on World Cup and Top of the Charts, having cover price of Rs 500 each, are available for Rs 100 each while Mission Caribbean and Cricket Milestones, whose retail price is Rs 200 each, are being offered for Rs 100 each. 

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

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Jumbo Publishing’s Festival of Sports Books at Customs Public School on November 6

Pakistan News & Features Services

The Customs Public School, located in the Block 6 of PECHS, will be playing host to Jumbo Publishing’s Festival of Sports Books to be held on November 6.

The Customs Public School has been operating under the patronage of the Pakistan Customs since 1990. One of its features is the library, having been renovated and upgraded, a couple of years ago which is also made available for co-curricular activities. 

Jumbo Publishing, acclaimed as the leaders in sports publishing in the region, will be offering the books at generous discounts to the students as well teachers of the Customs Public School during the one-day festival. 

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.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Jumbo Publishing’s Festival of Sports Books held at Happy Home High School

Pakistan News & Features Services 

The Happy Home High School, located in the Block 13-D-1 of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, hosted Jumbo Publishing’s Festival of Sports Books on November 2. 

Large number of students, alongwith their parents, visited the stall of Jumbo Publishing, acclaimed as the leaders in sports publishing in the region, which offered the books at generous discounts during the festival. 

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 offered for Rs 100 each. 

Asian Glory, whose cover price is Rs 600, was up for the grabs at Rs 200 while Reflections and Cricket Fever, having retail prices of Rs 500 and Rs 300 respectively, was also available at Rs 200 each.

Jumbo Publishing’s Festival of Sports Books winds up at Bright Future School

Pakistan News & Features Services

 Jumbo Publishing’s Festival of Sports Books at the Bright Future English School, located in Block 13-D of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi, came to an end on November 1.

Jumbo Publishing, acclaimed as the leaders in sports publishing in the region, started the originally planned two-day festival at the Bright Future School on October 30. 

It also held on October 31 and upon the request of the management of the school it was extended by another day to facilitate their students and parents. 

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, were 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, was available at Rs 200 each.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Mohali Mystery unfolds

Pakistan News & Features Services

Mohali Mystery, authored by Ehsan Qureshi, has arrived. It is an eye-witness account of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 with the focus on the semifinal encounter between traditional rivals, Pakistan and India, held at Mohali. 

It becomes the tenth book to be brought out by Jumbo Publishing on the subject of sports with the earlier titles being Spotlight on World Cup 2003, Top of the Charts, Mission Caribbean, Cricket Fever, Fiasco, Cricket Milestones, Reflections, Crash and Asian Glory. 

Mohali Mystery is the ninth book to be authored by Ehsan Qureshi who had earlier written The Book of One-day Internationals, Pakistan Snooker Book, World Cup 1992, World Cup 1996, World Cup 1999, World Cup 2003, Fiasco and Crash. 

The entire book, elegantly designed, is printed in full colour on art paper having hardbound cover. The feature of the book is the narration of the author’s visit to Mohali and his observations about the semifinal match between Pakistan and India. 

A copy of Mohali Mystery costs Rs 1,000 in Pakistan with the shipment to be taken care of by the publishers without any additional charge. 

**For getting a copy of Mohali Mystery, please write to jumbopublishing@yahoo.com or call Asad Raza at 0333-2304024

Bright Future School extends Jumbo Publishing’s Festival of Sports Books

Pakistan News & Features Services 

Jumbo Publishing’s Festival of Sports Books at the Bright Future English School, located in Block 13-D of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi, has been extended by a day. It will now also be held during the school hours on November 1. 

Jumbo Publishing, acclaimed as the leaders in sports publishing in the region, began the originally planned two-day festival at the Bright Future School on October 30. It was due to conclude on October 31 but upon the request of the management of the school, it has been extended by another day to facilitate their students and parents. 

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

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

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Jumbo Publishing’s Festival of Sports Books at Happy Home School on November 2

Pakistan News & Features Services

The Happy Home High School, located in Block 13-D-1 of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi, which is one of the oldest educational institutions of the country, will be the venue of Jumbo Publishing’s Festival of Sports Books scheduled to be held on November 2.

The Happy Home School, founded by Mrs Maryam Faruqi in a house on Jamshed Road in 1949, has distinguished itself by having developed its own unique system of education over the last six decades. 

It’s regarded as one of the most prestigious school systems, having produced innumerable top professionals in diversified fields. 

The school is academically oriented but the students are encouraged children to take part in co-curricular activities such as debates, quiz competitions, science projects and theatre besides sports which is accorded due priority. 

Jumbo Publishing, acclaimed as the leaders in sports publishing in the region, will be offering the books at generous discounts during the festival. 

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.

Jumbo Publishing’s Festival of Sports Books underway at Bright Future School

Pakistan News & Features Services

Jumbo Publishing, acclaimed as the leaders in sports publishing in the region, began their Festival of Sports Books at the Bright Future English School, situated in the vicinity of Hasan Square in Block 13-D of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi, on October 30. The festival will continue for the second consecutive day during the school hours on October 31. 

The students visited the stall enthusiastically and quite a few of them availed the opportunity availability of purchasing some of the best books on the subject of sports at generous discounts which is the hallmark of the festival. 

Focus on World Cup and Top of the Charts, having cover price of Rs 500 each, is available for Rs 100 each while Mission Caribbean and Cricket Milestones, whose retail price is Rs 200 each, is also being 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, are also be available at Rs 200 each until the stocks last.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Bright Future School gears up for Jumbo Publishing’s Festival of Sports Books

Pakistan News & Features Services

The Bright Future English School, situated in the vicinity of Hasan Square in Block 13-D of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi, is buzzing with excitement as their students and teachers look forward to Jumbo Publishing’s Festival of Sports Books due to be held there on October 30 and 31.

The invitation for attending the two-day festival has already been circulated to the students and their parents and judging by the initial response the event seemed destined to be a success story. The availability of some of the best books on the subject of sports at generous discounts is likely to generate considerable interest. 

Jumbo Publishing, acclaimed as the leaders in sports publishing in the region, has set up a stall inside the premises of the school which is wearing festive look with the placement of colourful banners of the event at various installations. 

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.

Monday, October 28, 2013

Bright Future School to host Jumbo Publishing’s Festival of Sports Books on October 30, 31

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 Bright Future English School, located in Block 13-D of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi, on October 30 and 31. 

The feature of the two-day festival, to be held during the school hours, will be the availability of some of the best books on the subject of sports at generous 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 management of the Bright Future English School, founded by Mrs Kazmi, has been laying emphasis on co-curricular activities since its establishment in the 1970s as the students, as a matter of policy, are encouraged to unfold their talents in various fields besides excelling in academics.

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Brief Profile: Bushra Almas Jaswal

Pakistan News & Features Services

Bushra Almas Jaswal is an acclaimed expert of library automation and digital libraries, having a knack for leaving a legacy at the strength of her wisdom, innovation and farsightedness. She has also distinguished herself by designing information literacy programmes and innovative library services.

She has been working as the Chief Librarian and Associate Professor at the Forman Christian College (A Chartered University) in Lahore since May 2007. 

During this period she is credited to have revived an old and almost dead college library into a vibrant, well-used and state-of-the-art, modern University Library, which is fully automated. 

Bushra Jaswal was the driving force behind the establishment of Information Commons at the Forman Christian College in 2012 to cater to the growing need of the students, faculty and researchers to access and use the growing volume of information coming in electronic formats, embedded in online databases, websites, blogs, wiki's and the internet, and required availability of ample computers on campus and developing skills to access and use that information effectively. This was first such facility of its kind in Pakistan.

She worked at the United Nations Digital Library, Islamabad, from May 2002 to May 2007. The library was an online searchable repository of all historical publications, documents and reports issued by the UN Agencies in Pakistan. 

She established a digitization lab and a high speed network to digitize the printed documents and processed them to add into the digital repository for online publishing. 

Earlier she had established the United Nations Common Library to serve 13 UN Agencies in Islamabad, having developed an online catalog and a website containing annotated bibliographies on various social issues in Pakistan. 

Bushra Jaswal served as the Chief Librarian of the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Lahore from September 1985 to March 1997 where she developed a fully automated library from scratch. 

She had previously worked as a Librarian at the University of the Punjab, Lahore, from September 1975 to August 1985. She was credited to have developed a separate library for the newly established Department of Library Science. 

 ***Bushra Almas Jaswal has reviewed Asian Glory

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

Friday, October 25, 2013

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.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

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.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

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.

Saturday, October 12, 2013

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.

Monday, September 30, 2013

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.