Impact of Pakistani Dramas. Part 1

Pakistani Dramas have been reigning the television arena not just in Pakistan but all over the world since long. 

These shows have every ingredient to make them a perfect must watch. 

A compelling plot, good-looking rather realistic looking characters, crispy dialogues, fewer episodes (serials that go on forever are so irritating I tell you, they make mockery of the entire plot which goes from no where to no where). 

Apart from all this, some Pakistani Dramas have really had a message to give. They have the power to make you cry, to laugh, to feel the plight of the protagonist. 

But above all, they have the power to impact you. To move you.

Although, a plethora of Pakistani dramas have been released till date, not all have the same charm or impact. 

I was wondering that why had I never done a post on Pakistani Dramas that I have watched and most importantly the ones that had an impact on me? 

So I decided to do a series post. Since I have watched so many of them, luckily the good ones mostly and so they will make up to this list of course. 

I will not really go in into their story lines since you can easily read that on Wikipedia and other websites, will kist mention my own feelings and most importantly what kinda impact it had on me. 

Beginning with my list: 

1)DASTAAN 

Genre: Romance/Drama

Writer: Samira Fazal. Novel by Razia Butt

Producer: Momina Duraid

Directed by: Haissam Hussain

Episodes: 23

Dastaan is based on the novel Bano written by Razia Butt. It depicts the partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan and takes place between 1947 and 1956.

Dastaan is the story of a girl named Bano and the incidences that occur with her at the time of partition. 

I began watching Dastaan last year (I watched it again when it was aired on Zee Zindagi in India, a lot of it had been cropped). Anyways, so it was recommended to me by a relative of mine. 

It started off so well, a cute love story harbouring between the lead roles namely Fawad Khan as Hassan and Sanam Baloch as Bano. 

Fawad was a charmer as always and Sanam Baloch a cute and innocent girl. 

But how and what the story progresses to gave me shivers. I cried like anything watching the atrocities done on Bano and their family. This tale is beyond moving. 

You can't stop crying and you can't stop watching it too. 

At the end of the serial, one tends to feel so sick in the heart. One feels exhausted and unsatisfied.

I simply can't put the feelings of turmoil one goes through during and after watching this Drama.

Sanam Baloch as Bano is excellent. She has proved her mettle as an actor in this one. You feel terribly bad for the protagonist. 

This serial had such an impact on me that it stayed too long with me. 

Not recommended for weak or sensitive hearts! 

This was the first part of the series. We shall discuss more serials in the coming parts. 

Stay hooked!

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

Impact of kindness

"Kindness is a language the a dumb can speak and a dead can understand". 

The power of a gesture is beyond the comprehension of a human mind. It may seem very trivial and we all are hearing it since time immemorial. A gentle touch, a kind smile, little help but these acts of good will have an unexplainable impact on fellow beings. 

We have always heard stories of kindness. Wherein, a kind word changed someone's heart or a slight gesture of love and care was so impactful that it melted some one's soul. 

I remember reading a story where a girl had recently shifted to a new place. With new people, new place she was simply unable to adjust herself. She had also had some trouble in the recent past.

She went to school each day only to find that all her classmates had their own 'groups and friends' and no one really bothered to befriend her. She felt lonely c

All of it had made her extremely depressive. 

One day, precisely a day before christmas she felt extremely sad and uncared for. So she decided to commit suicide.

She wrote a letter to her family and others to tell them her condition and was determined to give her life that day. 

As she came out to post the suicide letter she had written, suddenly she found a card on her name. 

She was shocked and surprised. When she opened it she found it was a card from a guy at school who wanted to be her friend and had invited her to christmas party tomorrow. 

This gave her a new hope and she ditched the idea of suicide that day. 

Amazing isn't it? What a deep impact just a little care and love had on her mind! It saved her life. Gave her hope. 

But what if she hadn't opened the letter box? Or what if she had continued the implementation of her plans? 

Here comes the catch. Undoubtedly, the power and impact of every single act of kindness and love is remarkable but we need to be receptive. 

Being receptive means that we should keep our hearts and hope open to such acts and gestures. 

We should be ready to accept and have faith. 

We should be ready to give and take. 

The impact can only be created and sustained if people keep on giving as much as they receive and vice versa. 

Also, we should try to be kind and caring as much as possible. You don't know how many lives you can touch and heal just by these little gestures.

Faith is a very important aspect of it all. If you have your hopes and trust high, things will get easier for you. 

We all receive our share of love, kindness and care. Now its upto us whether we want to let it pass by unnoticed or whether we open ourselves to let it create the desired impact on us. 

The choice is yours. 

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

2-line stories

The greatest way to create an impact is through writing. A pen is mightier than a sword is an age old dictum and its so very true. 

Words can bring it a lot of change. Although, all forms of writing are equally impactful when written that way but I feel that stories have a special power to connect and resonate with the readers. 

Maybe its the characters they identify with or its closeness to reality, a well written story definitely leaves a lasting impact on our memory. However, writing stories is quite a task. Creating a sensible and tight plot then sketching out characters who are interesting and unforgettable. Next relating them to your story and finding a perfect balance. 

The twists and turns. Right timings to insert them. 

Crispy dialogues. Power Packed narration and finally an impeccable ending. 

Getting together all of them is extremely difficult and a single mistake can prove suicidal for the entire story. 

I have never been good when it comes to writing stories. Whenever I tried my hand at it, I either stopped midway or the story always turned out to be a tragic one. 

Perhaps, I read too many thrillers and tragedies. Uh! 

So to keep things easier I simply write "2 line stories". With the belief that a single line is sufficient to turn the plot upside down, I and many others pen these stories in 2 lines. 

Presenting you Eight 2-line stories that I wrote. 

I am not that good. Just tried to keep all elements intact. Lets see of I manage to create some impact. Hope you like them. 

1) There was complete darkness all around. I felt alone and afraid. 

Suddenly he kissed me. My heart a-glowed with light again. 

2) Tears rushed like there was no tomorrow as she stared the laptop screen.Something had died within her. 

That something was hopelessness. She had finally cleared her medical exams. 

3) Her delivery was due tomorrow. Today her husband expired in a car accident. Her smile was filled with hope. 

Tomorrow her baby shall see the light of the day, irrespective of its gender.

4) she leaned on the pole. Holding it tighter, turning and twisting over it. 

She had failed to grab a seat. Ladies compartment in the metro train was quite crowded today.

5) The silence of nights, reminds me of promises

We made. You broke. I shattered.

6)I had lost myself completely in the depth of YOUR kohl

When the redness of HER juicy lips recovered me! - story of a playboy;)

7) For some night brings sleep. For others peace. For me it brought a desire. 

A desire to kill, myself. 

8) I sat in anticipation. Nervous but hopeful. Today was finally my day. Finally he came

and bought me for 500 bucks. I was the new, chotu. 

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

Impact of Homeopathy on the medical world

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win". -Mahatma Gandhi

When Samuel Hahnemann discovered homeopathy in 1796, nobody knew what impact it could create on the medical world.

It was only when in the 19th century homeopathy began to prove its efficacy against deadly diseases of that time, so much so that by 20th century one-third doctors in America were Homeopaths that the world realised that a system of medicine was born to save people from heroic drugging, leeching, cauterisation and other mal-practices of so called modern medicine.

The tremendous potential of 'like cures like' was out in the open for the world to witness and be cured by. 

Homeopathy has been rising by leaps and bounds since its inception. It suffered from innumerable attacks and so did its followers but time and again this science has proved its mettle.

Our medical world has always been dominated by the giant pharmaceutical companies. It thrives on money and money alone. 

A science like homeopathy which covers all criteria of an ideal system of medicine being cheap, safe, no side effects, easy to administer, minimal dose with maximum impact is bound to create uneasiness and insecurity amongst the medical mafia. 

This insecurity is fought through empty speculations, accuses and stone hurling on homeopathy and its supporters. 

Skeptics tend to ignore the evidence based research and studies.  

They ask for reasons on why it works and how it works and when they aren't able to understand any, they simply refute it all and label it as a mere 'placebo effect'.

Blindfolding themselves to the prompt cure and beneficial attributes it possess.

Little do they know that truth has the power of emerging out as self evident and self explanatory.

The impact of homeopathy on medical world is growing and becoming difficult to overlook and underestimate.

source: www.sarahmalikdelhi.blogspot.com

Brilliant results have been found not just in the clinical trials but also practically.

The impeccable performance of homeopathy in cases of innumerable skin diseases, child and maternal health, psychiatric disorders, lifestyle disorders is impossible to ignore. 

The World Health Organization estimates that complementary and alternative medicines, such as homeopathy, are used by over 500 million people annually worldwide. 

The Royal Family of Great Britain has used homeopathy for three generations and has been its strongest advocate.

In India, over 100 million people use homeopathy as their only form of medical care. According to an A.C. Neilsen survey in India, 62% of current homeopathy users have never tried conventional medicines and 82% of users would not switch to conventional treatments. 

It is evident that the impact of homeopathy in medical world cannot be negated. 

As Mark Twain said

"The introduction of homeopathy forced the old school doctor to stir around and learn something of a rational nature about his business. You may honestly feel grateful that homeopathy survived the attempts of the allopaths to destroy it."

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

Media and the mind games

"In almost every act of our daily lives, whether in the sphere of politics or business, in our social conduct or our ethical thinking, we are dominated by the relatively small number of persons...who understand the mental processes and social patterns of the masses. It is they who pull the wires which control the public mind." -Edward L. Bernays

The world today might appear to be crazily connected and extremely well informed but thats just the tip of an iceberg. Reality is diametrically opposite to it.

In this age of social media, where it takes seconds for a single piece of information to go viral, all of us are happily surviving in the pseudo shield of being 'well unformed' 'vigilant' and 'updated' with our times. 

We log in to our facebooks, scroll our twitter accounts and open whats app on our phones and find that there is so much to read and know.

One by one, we blindly gulp down all the 

news buzzing on our feed-lines and time-lines. 

Of Course, if its shared on the world wide web, it has to be right and anyhow, who on earth has the time to find out. The news appears sizzling and sensational enough, it ought to be shared and passed on. Right? 

No matter the source, if the news is madly being circulated, we just tend to read the most popular and juiciest bits and jump in the judgemental bandwagon. 

Speculating and discussing as if we were the experts of that particular subject. 

Amazing isn't it? 

What we fail to realise is the heart of the matter. 

'What is the source if the news'?

'Has it been thoroughly researched before being written'?

'Does it serve any sort of propaganda'?

'Is this piece of information complete or just parts of it'? 

Source www.al-hunafa.blogspot.com

The lure of sharing and getting unnecessary appreciation has triumphed our basic reasoning and intellect. 

But have you ever thought as to who really triumphs? Who really manages to create a false impact on you and get into a win-win situation always?  

It is none other than the media. 

Media has long been playing mind games with us. It has never been hidden that through the media, political parties and their dirty propagandas tend to widely thrive not just in our talks but somewhere deep into the minds too.

The arrival of social networking and micro-blogging has served media just the right board to play with our minds. 

They can easily circulate any half true or at times completely false information and let people relate to it, accept it and even spread it. 

Its very to similar to how back in school and college days, one of those innocent and naive looking girls would be easily able to sweet talk and spread. The others girls would easily be preyed into transferring her half-baked rumour from ear to ear leading to incessant gossips. 

The interesting part about all of it is, there never exists even an iota of truth and whatever fragments are mistakenly present,get lost in the mist of secret air too! 

We fail to realise what a fool we are making of ourselves while reading, believing and then proudly sharing tonnes of false news created tactfully by the media each day. 

Not even giving a thought to the fact that how bad an impact such ignorant actions will create on the generations to come.

Every passing day, we continue to ease the work of media. For the extent of their reach continues to grow each day and the amount of effort they require to do so is minimal. 

All media needs is to create a story build in sensationalism, with a little spice, topping it with religious hullabaloo and voila! We are all set to attack and gulp it down. 

Letting it impact us and those around us.

Its high time we give a thought to what are cruel and cunning game media is playing. 

They say you can't fool all people all the time but due to our naiveness media is actually accomplishing just them. 

Lets open our eyes dear friends, lets reject that what is wrong. Lets strive to find the truth and only share that which we are absolutely sure of. 

Lets accept and respect transparency. 

Quoting Philip G. Zimbardo

"The most dramatic instances of directed behavior change and "mind control" are not the consequence of exotic forms of influence, such as hypnosis, psychotropic drugs, or "brainwashing," but rather the systematic manipulation of the most mundane aspects of human nature over time in confining settings". 

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

5 books that had an Impact on me

Although my favourite genre when it comes to books is 'thriller'. Nothing can beat the adrenaline rush created by a nerve chilling, fast paced thriller.

I have never considered myself the greatest of book lovers and probably that's why never thought of reviewing books or sharing my experiences of them on my blog.

But off late I realised that being a blogger it is my duty to spread around and share the things I learn and know. Be it books or quotes or an age old study or latest advancements, what fun in keeping it to yourself when you can actually let it reach far and wide. 

So, here I am sharing with you, 5 awesome books that actually left me wondering, thinking,analysing,deeply contemplating and much more. 

I list them here in no particular order and so needless to say that I like all of them 'almost' equally. 

1)The road less travelled by M.Scott Peck 

Source - www.sarahmalikdelhi.blogspot.com

This book was published in 1978 by Morgan Scott who was a psychiatrist and has written it largely based on his own experiences during his practice. 

I somehow found this book as a gift in the year when I was at my lowest. I was really on the verge of breaking down and every page of this book did a lot to lift me up.

Scott's narrative is so impactful and motivating that you tend to inculcate it in your life. Be it his philosophy of delaying gratification or selfless love, it is just so marvellously written. 

This is one of the books that needs to be chewed and digested, time and again. 

2)No body's perfect by Kimberly Kirberger

Source - www.sarahmalikdelhi.blogspot.com

During my school days, I was a great fan of the famous 'chicken soup series'. And they taught me a lot about compassion and handling peer pressure the right way. 

No body's perfect which is written by the co-author of chicken soup series is also one of the many books I read in my teenage and some the stories by young writers left a great impact on me.

3)Brida by Paulo Coelho

Source - www.sarahmalikdelhi.blogspot.com

 I know, some of you might be turned off by the mention of Paulo Coelho and some of you might find on The Alchemist worthy of any recommendation by I have been a faithful reader of Paulo Coelho till about 2 years back and have read almost ten of his books of which only Brida could create an impact upon me.

I loved this book and have been recommending it to all those who believe in magic realism. 

4)Doctors by Erich Segal

Source - www.sarahmalikdelhi.blogspot.com

To start with,I haven't read his cult favourite book 'love story' yet and you might think what is so impactful about Doctors.

Yet, I connected with this book on a lot of levels. The medical college phase reminded me of my own anatomy and surgery classes and I could identify with the problems faced by doctors over the world. 

Barney was a charmer, one of my favourite characters of all times. 

5)The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini -This is an amazing book set against the backdrop of tumultuous events in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Taliban regime. 

Although it is considered a propaganda fiction by some, I found it to be an impactful story in many ways.

I would love to know what stories have impacted you? Do suggest me some in the comments below. 

Happy reading! 

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.