Abu Dhabi Crown Prince donates generously to let students invest in books

Pakistan News & Features Services

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC), offered a grant worth three million Dirham in order to encourage the students to purchase books during the 23rd Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) 2013 held in the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from April 24 to 29.

   

Dr Mugheer Al Khaili, ADEC's Director General, expressed his appreciation towards the generous offer, adding that the ADIBF remained one of the most significant cultural events organized in Abu Dhabi over the last two decades. 

"As usual, our prudent and generous leadership is keen to allocate funds necessary to allow students to buy books through ADIBF. In our keenness to encourage our youth to participate in the ADIBF, ADEC has communicated with all schools across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in order to facilitate student visits to book fair. Students will be exposed to various useful experiences and activities, including Abu Dhabi Reads campaign activities at ADEC's pavilion," Dr Al Khaili was quoted as saying. 

ADEC has actively participated in the ADIBF in order to help create a generation equipped with knowledge and up-to-date technology necessary to contribute to the UAE's socio-economic development.

   

This comes in addition to the ADEC's Abu Dhabi Reads campaign that aims to promote reading among students and community members in general. 

Ms. Hanan Al Sahlawi, ADEC's Strategic Communication and Media Manager, said that the ADEC's Abu Dhabi Reads campaign pavilion at ADIBF offers wide variety of activities in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Municipality and the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi. 

"Targeting Kindergarten and Cycle 1 school students, various activities, such as free reading, storytelling and language competitions, are designed to achieve the four principles of the campaign, which include Fun, Knowledge, Opportunities and Inspiration," Al Sahlawi added.

Focus on digital publishing during Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2013

Pakistan News & Features Services

The 23rd edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) 2013, held in the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from April 24 to 29, kept pace with the changing times and enhanced its focus on digital publishing by doubling the size of its eZone with speakers from Europe, UK, US, India, UAE as well as a strong representation from the Gulf region. 

   

Abu Dhabi has rapidly become the hub of the Arab book trade and the point of reference for booksellers, publishers and distributors in the Arabian Gulf region. The ADIBF has been providing a platform where publishers, booksellers, agents, cultural organizations and media exchange ideas and identify business opportunities. 

Since 2007 it has been organized by KITAB, a joint venture between the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage and the Frankfurt Book Fair. The ADIBF forms part of KITAB’s strategy to transform Abu Dhabi into a major centre in the publishing world. 

The ADIBF 2013 turned out to be yet another success story with the participants and visitors hailing the annual event.

   

The thousands of books on offer were not the only attraction for the huge number of visitors as the heavy agenda of panel discussions, presentations, talks, and networking opportunities was even more cutting-edge this year trade visitors enjoyed an exciting and very dynamic line-up of over 30 sessions that brought together over 50 industry experts, professional speakers, market leaders, and trendsetters to share opinions and ideas on contemporary publishing topics. 

There was a diverse and stimulating cultural programme hosted over 100 authors and featured more than 200 sessions at a number of venues that included the Discussion Sofa, The Tent, GCC Stage and Tawaqee.

   

This year's ADIBF once again featured the winners from the prestigious Sheikh Zayed Book Award, and gave book lovers the opportunity to meet the winner and shortlisted authors from the International Prize for Arabic Fiction 2013 in the Discussion Sofa area which was followed by a book signing. 

The winners of The National and the ADIBF short story competition were announced during the Book Fair and the event offered budding UAE writers an opportunity to attend a panel discussion with celebrated short story writers with guest speakers offering a master class for aspiring young writers.

Federal Urdu University organize impressive World Books Day ceremony

Pakistan News & Features Services

The Federal Urdu University, Karachi, organized a seminar on the World Book and Copyright Day 2013 on April 23 at the Baba-e-Urdu Dr Maulvi Abdul Haq Memorial Library, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, to highlight the importance of books and promote reading culture in the society.

   

The librarian, Fozia Bano, who played the pivotal role in arranging the ceremony, delivered the welcome address in which she acknowledged the support of the management of the University and also thanked the eminent speakers present on the occasion. 

Having done extensive reseearch on the subject she shared the audience in detail about the historical background of the World Book and Copyright Day.

   

Prof Seema Naz Siddiqui, who heads the University’s Research and Publication department, spoke about the role of books in the character-building of human beings. She recalled the services of the former librarians of the university having set an example for the others to follow with their dedicated efforts. 

Dr Rais Ahmed Samdani, Director, School of Librarianship, touched upon the subject of libraries and explained its importance in the development of a nation. Agha Noor Mohammad Pathan, Director, Academy of Letters, traced the history of books. He called for the digitalization of the precious and rare books in order to preserve them for posterity.

   

The University’s Registrar, Prof Fahimuddin, urged the students to avail the opportunity of enlightening their minds by making use of the available resources at the library. 

The ceremony, conducted by Saira Naz, concluded with the presentation of awards to the university students who visited the university library most often.

Punjab University celebrate World Books Day with great enthusiasm

Pakistan News & Features Services

The University of the Punjab (PU), Lahore, has been in the forefront in promoting the book culture and they celebrated the World Book and Copyright Day 2013 on April 23 with tremendous enthusiasm.

   

The PU Department of Library & Information Science in collaboration with the PU Library, the Pakistan Library Association (PLA) and the Punjab University Library & Information Science Alumni Association (PULISAA) organized a walk and a seminar to mark the occasion. 

The walk, with colorful banners and placards held aloft by the students, started from the LIS department at 10 am and reached Al-Razi Hall where more students, faculty members and library professionals joined it with the messages of promoting books reading and their role in society. 

The seminar on the Role of Books, Reading and Libraries in the Modern Age: Scholars’ Perspective was followed by the walk. The University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran, was the chief guest in the seminar in which Orya Maqbool Jan, Secretary Archives and Libraries, Government of the Punjab and Prof Dr Arifa Syeda Zehra, historian and writer, were the guest speakers. They highlighted the importance of books and reading in the society. 

   

Orya Maqbool regretted the lack of interest of the governments in establishing public libraries, acknowledging that books, reading and research played a vital role in the development of society and nation.  

Prof Dr Arifa Syeda Zehra stressed on the value of books and reading in a literary manner. Prof Dr Kamran Mujahid urged that the books should be priced on the lower side and they should be made available at the youth’s doorstep. 

Prof Dr Kanwal Ameen (Chairperson, DLIS) advised the young librarians to modify their roles and become information providers. She asked the audience to set a tradition to gift books to each other to promote reading habits. 

Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood, President, PLA, thanked the participants, guest speakers and event collaborators for making the day.

Berner, Grey and Arancibia to also speak in upcoming Yale Publishing Course

Pakistan News & Features Services

Mary Berner, Ethan Grey and Patricia Arancibia have also been confirmed as speakers for the Yale Publishing Course 2013 to be conducted at the prestigious Yale University during the month of July.

   

According to the details made available by the organizers, Berner, President & CEO, MPA, and Grey, Senior Vice President/Digital Strategy & Initiative, MPA, will be speaking during the YPC course of Leadership Strategies in Magazine & Digital Publishing to be held from July 14 to 19 while Arancibia, Head of Europe, iBookstore, Apple, will be sharing experiences during the YPC course of Leadership Strategies in Book Publishing due to take place from July 21 to 26. 

In another recent development related to the course, the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME) and the Yale Publishing Course (YPC) have declared Dennis Lewon, Editor-in-Chief, Backpacker, as the recipient of the 2013 ASME Scholarship to the YPC course of Leadership Strategies in Magazine and Digital Publishing.

   

Meanwhile the YPC will also be making its presence felt during the Book Expo America 2013 to be held in New York from May 30 to June 1. An invitation has been circulated to visit the Yale University Press booth #1943 where Tina Weiner, Director, YPC, and Amy Shah, Communications Officer, International Affairs, Yale University, will be personally attending to the queries regarding the course. 

The enrollment is limited to 70 participants per programme and so far the organizers have had a great response in registration. The spaces are filling up rapidly and the interested publishing professionals have been advised to apply quickly reserve their spot.

SSUET Chancellor Adil Usman appreciates Jumbo Karachi Guide, sports books

Pakistan News & Features Services

 

The Chancellor of the Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, Engr Mohammad Adil Usman, who is also the President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), has appreciated the high quality of books produced by Jumbo Infomedia and Jumbo Publishing. 

Engr Adil Usman, a great grandson of the legendary Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar, was presented a copy of Jumbo Karachi Guide by its Chief Editor, Abdul Qadir Qureshi, while authors Ehsan Qureshi and Syed Khalid Mahmood presented their latest sports books to the SSUET Chancellor at his chamber on April 27.

   

The soft-spoken Engr Adil Usman, who studied at the historic Aligarh Muslim University, reckoned that the literary and cultural activities were vital in the development of a nation and such initiatives merit recognition. 

He went through the various chapters of Jumbo Karachi Guide and considered it as a very useful and handy book worthy to be presented to the visiting dignitaries. He praised Abdul Qadir Qureshi for putting together so much information between its covers.

   

The SSUET Chancellor was also impressed with Ehsan Qureshi’s recently published ‘Mohali Mystery’ while he lauded Syed Khalid Mahmood on authoring ‘Reflections’ and ‘Asian Glory’ which were presented to him on the occasion.

Jumbo Publishing, Jumbo Infomedia participate in National Book Day walk

Pakistan News & Features Services

Jumbo Publishing and Jumbo Infomedia were represented in the first-ever walk for the promotion of books which was held in Islamabad to celebrate the National Book Day on April 22.

   

It was a momentous occasion as the bookworms of the federal capital got the opportunity to walk for a noble cause. They gathered from different parts of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi to walk from China Chowk to Dee Chowk in Blue Area at the designated time early in the morning. 

Javeria Khalid, Director, Jumbo Publishing and Jumbo Infomedia, was delighted to have taken part in what she described as a memorable event. 

“I am quite excited to be here. Walking for a cause is always satisfying but it’s really terrific to be doing it for the promotion of reading habits in the society. A very healthy tradition has been established today and we must compliment the organizers and the co-organizers for turning this dream into reality,” she remarked. 

“The most gladdening part of this walk is the overwhelming participation of the students. All of them seemed to have enjoyed the experience here today. I am sure they will spread the word around at their schools and colleges,” Javeria Khalid hoped. 

The walk was organized by the federal branch of the Pakistan Library Association (PLA) with the collaboration of the Federal Directorate of Education, the Department of Libraries and the National Book Foundation.

Islamabad comes alive with historic walk on National Book Day

Pakistan News & Features Services

History of sorts was created on April 22, 2013 when the first-ever walk for the promotion of books was held in Islamabad’s Blue Area. The National Book Day has been observed in Pakistan for the last few years but it was for the first time when a walk was organized to celebrate the occasion.

   

Nearly one thousand participants, mostly students, walked from China Chowk to Dee Chowk in Blue Area, Islamabad, for raising awareness about the books and for the promotion of reading habits. 

The students and teachers from different educational institutions, alongwith the representatives of the civil society, enthusiastically participated in the walk to mark the importance of the National Book Day. Mobile libraries being run by the Bright Star Trust also joined the walk. 

The federal branch of the Pakistan Library Association (PLA) organized the walk with the collaboration of the Federal Directorate of Education, the Department of Libraries and the National Book Foundation. 

Kazim Ali Syed, Azim Khan Marwat, Mohammad Kamran, Dr Sajid Mirza, Mohammad Arif, Kamran Hameed, Dildar Khan, Bashir Khan, Raja Mohammad Ibrahim, Mohammad Umar Farooq, Raja Javed Iqbal, Iqrar Hussain Sheikh, Mohammad Tariq, Israr Ahmed and Abdul Raziq were the prominent library professionals from the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi to have participated in the walk. 

Speaking on the occasion, the Director of the Department of Libraries, Syed Ghayour Hussain, who is also the Secretary of the PLA (FB), highlighted the value of books, libraries and reading culture for the development of a nation. 

“Our country is facing formidable challenges today. We, a nation of 180 million, are blessed with priceless resources, both material and human. We can take on challenges by equipping our youth with education coupled with high moral values,” he observed. 

"Today’s walk will help in creating greater awareness about the books among youth and citizens of Islamabad and Rawalpindi in particular. It’s also a step forward towards improvement of library facilities in Pakistan,” Ghayour Hussain reckoned.

Jewellery designer Kiran Aman celebrates success in book form

Pakistan News & Features Services

Noted Jewellery designer Kiran Aman chose a novel way of celebrating her nine-year success in the field. She asked nine extraordinary female photographers to exhibit their work and compiled it in a book ‘Kam Sukhan’ considered a must-add to the coffee table collection

   

Her brand Kiran Fine Jewellery (KFJ) has earned fame and recognition. The book ‘Kam Sukhan’ which was launched at Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture, Karachi, won her new friends. 

A complimentary copy of ‘Kam Sukhan’ was presented to all the guests in the launching ceremony and they were highly appreciative of the book, being an arrangement of nine photographers’ images and stories behind them. The theme of Kiran’s work, the book and the celebration was described as the essence of women. 

From her inhibitions, struggles, and fears, you’ll learn of patience, forbearance and resolve; and in time you will find that her spirit, ever-daunted, is a pearl made of steel,” Kiran observed. 

She designs jewellery pieces calling them “extensions of her” and works only in gold as its strength, warmth and malleability are authentic representations of the women wearing her brand. The dexterous clickers were each given a white, diagonal wall to showcase their images and a chance to speak about their work. 

While each lady had her own style, some that stood out were mirror, cloth and canvas printing; projections, reflections and papers were also used; and every single photograph was excellent in its own way. 

The team of ‘Kam Sukhan’ welcomed guests and directed them to the temp photo gallery bustling with people, including celebrities like Mahira Khan, Feeha Jamshed, Nida Azwer, Misha Lakhani, Maheen Khan, Tofiq Pasha and Adnan Pardesy. 

The guest of honour, model-actor Aamina Sheikh also appreciated the photography of each woman. She spoke in length about womanhood and how the work displayed in Kam Sukhan captures the beauty of women.

“To me ‘Kam Sukhan’ was an awakening; I felt that the fate of womanhood and this planet is one, also because it is the woman who channelises life on earth,” Aamina remarked.

Bruno Frisoni launches new Roger Vivier tome in New York

Pakistan News & Features Services

Bruno Frisoni feted the launch of the new Roger Vivier tome, published by Rizzoli New York, with a few friends, including co-host Ines de la Fressange, Coco Rocha and Olivier Theyskens, at the French Embassy in New York on April 12.

   

Frisoni made the rounds at the packed party having chats with with designer Tabitha Simmons, Bergdorf Goodman's Linda Fargo and rocker/model Karen Elson. Elson later took the stage to perform songs from her solo album, "The Ghost Who Walks." 

"Fashion and music really (fit) together. If you look at Nudie (Cohn) and Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris-they inspired each other. A really big part of performance is how you look. I feel sexy in my Roger Vivier shoes and my Saint Laurent dress,” she remarked in an interview. 

Elson had several close pals in the audience, including Simmons and Rocha, who both came in support of their longtime friend. "Karen is the most important part of tonight," Rocha said, quickly pointing out the strappy Roger Vivier sandals she had donned for the occasion and noting her admiration for Frisoni. 

Simmons, who wore a pair of her own label's black stilettos and a Proenza Schouler dress, revealed she is looking forward to some summer travels, which will involve sailing in Croatia with her children and husband, photographer Craig McDean. 

She noted that vacations can spark some of her best ideas. "My recent trip to South America with Craig was for our 10th anniversary and my upcoming resort collection was inspired by it," she added. Simmons, however, kept mum on other details, but hinted the shoes will convey a touch of romance.

KMC chief praises Rehan Khan for putting together Clicks

Pakistan News & Features Services

Syed Hashim Raza Zaidi, Administrator, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), and Commissioner, Karachi, who was the chief guest in the launching ceremony at the lawns of Frere Hall, Karachi, on April 10, showered Mohammad Rehan Khan with praise for having showcased his photographic talents in the form of a book.

 

“It has taken Rehan Khan 13 long years to come up with this compilation of his photographs ‘Clicks’ which is indeed a commendable effort. Although he had taken up photography as a hobby but he has displayed considerable proficiency in capturing the moment and preserving them for posterity,” the soft-spoken Hashim Zaidi remarked in his speech. 

He wholeheartedly congratulated Rehan Khan on doing the book and he strongly believed that it would help in boosting the soft image of the country. 

“Time flies and life goes on but the photographs remind us of the moments having gone by. That’s one way of recollecting history. ‘Clicks’ is an excellent collection of beautiful photographs in which the emphasis seems to be on nature and wildlife,” the KMC Administrator reckoned. 

“It’s really heartening that in Karachi books are being launched almost every day, painting exhibitions are taking place regularly and other cultural activities are also being organized in different parts of the metropolis. Such initiatives are vital to even a fast paced city like ours,” Hashim Zaidi acknowledged.

Rehan Khan’s Clicks launched at Frere Hall

Pakistan News & Features Services

Mohammad Rehan Khan’s photographic skills were thoroughly praised by eminent speakers as his maiden book ‘Clicks’ was launched gracefully at the lawns of Frere Hall, Karachi, on April 10.

   

The setting was just perfect and the weather was extremely pleasant to make the evening memorable and enjoyable for everyone present on the occasion. 

Syed Hashim Raza Zaidi, Administrator, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), and Commissioner, Karachi, was the chief guest in the ceremony which was attended by a large number of intellectuals, athletes, government officials and socialites. 

Besides the chief guest, Mohammad Ahmed Shah, President, Arts Council of Pakistan, Amin Yousuf, Secretary General, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, and Nazir Leghari, Editor, Daily Jang, Karachi, also spoke about Rehan Khan’s multi-faceted personality and complimented him for having retained the passion for photography despite his preoccupations as a top government functionary. 

Rehan Khan, working as Senior Director, Culture, Sports and Recreation (CSR) at KMC, was recognized for his agility and creativity which enabled to shoot from the most difficult of angles. 

In his welcome address, Rehan Khan acknowledged the support of his family and friends in helping him produce the book, which was a labour of love. He disclosed having derived the inspiration for photography from his brother-in-law, Dr Mohammad Rafiq.