Everyone

Good Citizenship Programme - RoadSense

KK-PSO RoadSense Programme
Introduction

According to available statistics, 26% of fatal accidents on Karachi roads involve young people. Where all drivers need to be mindful on the roads, we need also to make our future generation aware of traffic rules and procedures for the sake of their own safety and for them to grow up as responsible citizens. It was for this purpose that the KaravanKarachi–PSO Road Sense Programme was devised. This programme was a collaborative effort of KK, Traffic Police and City Government (Transport department) and was sponsored by Pakistan State Oil Company Ltd. It was developed by experts in the field to achieve the best results.

It was our intention to reach out to as many schools as possible and help the registered schools conduct programmes according to guidelines and manuals prepared for this purpose. The participant schools included an array of private and public schools. Winners and participants were awarded prizes and certificates respectively.

Components of the Programme
The KK – PSO Road Sense Programme had the following components:

• Function at PSO House Podium, Clifton Road (Last Wednesday of every month throughout the year 2002 starting from 30th January, 2002)
• Outreach Programme: Road Sense Week (5 day programme alongwith Road Sense Manual for schools to conduct in-house Road sense Workshops)
• Monthly Road Sense Poster Competition (Exhibition of Posters made by schools participating in the programme during the month)

A large number of private, public schools disabilities participated in this programme. The schools, children and parents all participated enthusiastically in these programmes. This helped us to address this very serious issue and to raise awareness amongst all these groups regarding Traffic Safety. The Poster Competition was an added attraction as children came forth with bright ideas on various aspects of Traffic Safety and presented them through a kaleidoscope of colour. The monthly Poster exhibitions held at PSO House served to further encourage the children.

The PSO House Assembly held on the last Wednesday of each month included an address by the Chief Guest, a briefing regarding traffic rules and road safety procedures and a demonstration by the Traffic Police. The children would then participate in a Question Answer Session and a Road Sense Quiz. The programme would end with prizes for the winners followed by Street Theatre and Refreshments. The children thoroughly enjoyed every segment of these Assemblies which introduced them to Road Safety measures in a fun way.

Various Workshops were conducted by schools under the Outreach Programme. The first three were held at Shahwilayat School, Hampton School and Government schools respectively.

The first road Sense Week was inaugurated on the 14th of January, 2002 at Shahwilayat School which was the first school, to participate in the KK-PSO Road Sense Programme. On the 15th, Shahwilayat students will work on their entries for the PSO Road Sense poster competition and Traffic Police Officers deputed by DIG Traffic gave a live demonstration on traffic rules and answered questions. On the 16th there was a poster making competition and a quiz competition on Road Sense. A Grand Quiz was held on the 17th and on the 18th parents were invited to the poster display and were asked to sign pledges. The 20 best poster out of these were selected for the Monthly Road sense Posters Competition at the PSO House Atrium.

KK-PSO RoadSense 1st Workshop
Venue: Shahwilayat Public School
Date:15 Jan, 2002

KaravanKarachi’s First Road Sense Workshop took place at Shahwilayat Public School in Federal “B” Area. This initiative is part of an ongoing KaravanKarachi Road Sense Programme.

SubInspector (Traffic) Atiq and DSP Mariam Kazi gave a demonstration of traffic rules and safety to two hundred students and answered their questions. They focused on spreading awareness amongst the youngsters about safely walking on footpaths, negotiating traffic when crossing roads and how to behave in moving vehicles.

The students asked SubInspector Atiq a range of questions from “Why do traffic policemen accept bribes?” to “Which side of the road should one walk on when there is no footpath?”

Poster Competition: Shahawilayat students are taking part in an ongoing Poster Competition on Road Sense. They held their workshop around a model road they had constructed in their school, which included toy cars, zebra crossings, footpaths and stop lines. Many of the students had also made themselves traffic signal caps and sashes which they wore through out the demonstration.

KK-PSO RoadSense 2nd Workshop
Venue: Hampton School
Date: March, 2002

KaravanKarachi’s Second Road Sense Workshop took place at Hampton School. This initiative is part of an ongoing KaravanKarachi Road Sense Programme.

SubInspector (Traffic) Atiq gave a demonstration of traffic rules and safety to two hundred students and answered their questions. They focused on spreading awareness amongst the youngsters about safely walking on footpaths, negotiating traffic when crossing roads and how to behave in moving vehicles.

The students asked SubInspector Atiq a range of questions.

Poster Competition: Hampton School students are taking part in an ongoing Poster Competition on Road Sense.

KK-PSO RoadSense 3rd Workshop
Venue: Government Schools
Date: April, 2002

KaravanKarachi’s Third Road Sense Workshop took place at Government School. This initiative is part of an ongoing KaravanKarachi Road Sense Programme.

SubInspector (Traffic) Atiq gave a demonstration of traffic rules and safety to two hundred students and answered their questions. They focused on spreading awareness amongst the youngsters about safely walking on footpaths, negotiating traffic when crossing roads and how to behave in moving vehicles.

The students asked SubInspector Atiq a range of questions.

Poster Competition: Government School students took part in an ongoing Poster Competition on Road Sense.

KK Poster Competition
Shahwilayat Public School, February 2002
Hampton School, March 2002
Government School, March and April 2002

The students from all schools made interesting and thought-provoking posters on the theme of Road Safety. As part of their KK PSO Road Sense Workshop students were asked to make posters on the theme of Road Safety and Traffic Rules as they understood them. This poster competition was held to give the students an interactive way to demonstrate their understanding of traffic rules. Their posters depicted scenes on roads, how accidents are caused through carelessness and people breaking traffic rules. The posters, which were displayed at the PSO House atrium, really showed that even though children don’t drive, they are aware of the mistakes grown ups make. Posters marked with the PSO logo represent the winning entries.


Road Sense Walk
A Road Sense Walk was also conducted by KaravanKarachi on April, 21st , 2002 to reinforce the need and importance of programmes such as the Karavan Karachi Road Sense Programme. This event also provided the opportunity to not only involve the general public but also to place before the general public the enormous work done by school children under the KKPSO Road Sense Programme. The walk was conducted from Polo Ground (Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed Road), going past the Gymkhana Club, past Hotel Metropole and end at Fatima Jinnah Road (rear of Frere Hall) At Fatima Jinnah Road arrangements were made for theatre performances especially by Street Theatre Groups as well as schools. The whole route was gaily decorated with banners and buntings. The mounted police alongwith police bands and numerous school bands performed at the Road sense function and added a festive air to the whole event.

Good Citizenship Programme - Environmental Improvement

PSO-Karavan Mera Pakistan

The sad neglect of our heritage treasure and human resources is causing irreparable loss. Whether it is the renovation and care of our historic buildings to save our environment or the enforcement of road safety rules to inculcate road sense, we need to educate our future generations to make them aware of their social responsibilities, enabling them to grow up better citizens.

The Good Citizenship Programme was a collaborative effort of Karavan Karachi, Traffic Police and City Government Transport Department and Human Rights Education Programme and was sponsored by Pakistan State Oil Co. Ltd. (PSO). It was devised by experts in the field to achieve best results.

PSO-Karavan Environmental Improvement Program
Karavan Compact Partner School children to paint classroom on self-help basis
Rashid Minhas Educational Complex, Liaquatabad Town, 25 April, 2005

This event was a PSO-Karavan Environmental Improvement Program under the KaravanPakistan Compact. The objective of the activity was self-help by community involvement and empowerment initiatives. A total of 50 Rashid Minhas Shaheed schoolchildren who are part of the Karavan Online Classroom volunteered towards the effort, while 20 students of another Karavan Compact Partner school namely Woodland Secondary School joined hands with them to paint a classroom at Rashid Minhas Shaheed school.

Under this programme students of the government and private schools ? to paint the classrooms in Rashid Minhas School so that the children of the school would realize the importance of a clean environment and to feel proud about keeping your school clean.

After the successful launching and completion of the Karavan Online Classroom which included an English Language course followed by a computer course, KaravanPakistan has made another first by launching the Karavan Online Club at Rashid Minhas School which will provide the students with access to a vast body of knowledge and it is hoped orientate them towards research. The Karavan Online Club was made possible due to the keen interest of PSO personnel and computers donated by HUBCO.

By means of this and other programs that are in the offing, KaravanPakistan intends to open a window to the 21st century for these students and enable them to face and stand up to the challenges of the times. Simultaneously through the Environmental Improvement Programs we can demonstrate how a little effort by the community can go a long way in improving and changing the environment.

All those participating in this PSO-Karavan Environmental Improvement Program were awarded certificates in a special ceremony to be held at PSO House, Clifton Road on the 26th of April, 2005.

PSO-Karavan Environmental Improvement Program
Karavan Compact Partner School children to paint classroom on self-help basis at
KPT School, Keamari, 13 May, 2005

This event is a PSO-Karavan Environmental Improvement Program under the KaravanPakistan Compact. The objective of the activity is self-help by community involvement and empowerment initiatives. A total of 40 KPT school children who are part of the Karavan Online Classroom have volunteered towards the effort, while 40 students of two other Karavan Compact Partner schools namely Woodland Secondary School and Generation’s school have joined hands with them to paint a classroom at KPT school.

In this programme the students of all the schools took turns in painting the classrooms in the KPT school. This programme has as its objective self-help by community involvement and empowerment initiatives. The students of KPT not only participated in painting their classrooms but also talked animatedly with the guests.

The KPT school too is a beneficiary of the Karavan Online Classroom where students are given a month long English Language Course followed by a Computer Course.

By means of this and other programs that are in the offing, KaravanPakistan intends to open a window to the 21st century for these students and enable them to face and stand up to the challenges of the times. Simultaneously through the Environmental Improvement Programs we can demonstrate how a little effort by the community can go a long way in improving and changing the environment.

All those participating in this PSO-Karavan Environmental Improvement Program were awarded certificates.

Karavan Heritage Mural - Taxila Canvas

The Timeless Ruins of Jaulian

Gandhara – the very word sets of images of a culture unparalleled in its aesthetic expression. The centre of Gandhara Culture was Taxila. Jaulian, a historically significant site is famous for the ruins of a monastery at the summit of a hill. The Gandhara Heritage Fest PSO-Karavan Heritage Mural Painting Initiative was held by KaravanPakistan in collaboration with Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Taxila, Risalpur and Wah Cantt Schools.

Children painted beautiful murals utilizing not just the physical heritage site but its spiritual, cultural and aesthetic components.

The Taxila Heritage Murals form part of a larger canvas that includes Heritage Murals from Karachi, Lahore and Bahawalpur: all depicting in the beautiful language of art the silent majesty and significance of the Heritage Sites of Pakistan.

The Heritage Mural also allows students to form a close bond with these sites and observe them minutely with the added knowledge of their historical significance.

The Gandhara belt in Pakistan extended on a wide area with Taxila as its main centre and represents this invaluable chapter from our history. It was to celebrate this portion of our history and a physical vestige of this great civilization in the form of the Buddhist monastery of Jaulian that the PSO-Karavan Heritage Mural Painting Initiative was held at Jaulian.

The children have made beautiful portraits that are poignant reminders of our emotional and spiritual heritage ensconced in these heritage sites. One of the most magnificent murals painted in this stretch of the Heritage Mural Initiative by schools shows Buddha serenely sitting under a tree as a halo of light surrounds the scene and the tree becomes the source of all blessings. Other murals depict the feeling and concept that this site sets off in the minds of the children.

These murals not only show the knowledge that the children acquired about the Buddhist civilization but also that they realized the true spirit of the message of the Buddha, which is peace and caring, a message increasingly of great importance in a world ravaged by disputes.

Karavan Heritage Mural - Bahawalpur Canvas

PSO-Karavan Rohi-Cholistan Heritage Mural

On the 1st of October, 2004 KaravanPakistan held the PSO-Karavan Heritage Mural Initiative as part of the three day Rohi-Cholistan Heritage Fest at the Nur Mahal State Palace. School children from government and private schools from all over Bahawalpur and the adjoining areas took part in this Initiative. Their colourful and brilliant depiction of the Heritage Sites of Rohi-Cholistan; the Derawar Fort, Nur Mahal Palace and Durbar Mahal Palace was truly a sight to behold.

Karavan Heritage Mural - Karachi Wall Painting

PSO-Karavan Heritage Wall Mural
January 15-16, 2005

The I.I.Chundrigar Road Heritage Wall Mural Painting Event was a multifaceted programme developed by KaravanPakistan. It not only made the participating students aware of their civic responsibility but also inculcated in them care and concern for their heritage. It was an opportunity for them to showcase their paintings on a permanent basis in one of the busiest sections of Karachi.

Over 140 students belonging to 16 Karavan Mera Pakistan Compact Partner Schools (both private and government) gathered on Sunday 16th January from 2:00p.m to 5:00p.m. to portray the city’s heritage as seen through the eyes of the youth of this great metropolis. The drawings were made in preparation of the painting session on 15th January morning.

This programme was part of a concerted effort by the City District Government to improve the environmental conditions of I.I.Chundrigar Road by means of tasks directed towards road and pavement construction, lighting, cleanliness and improved traffic management. The Mural Painting Event was designed to discourage graffiti and chalking on walls which disfigure public property and in consequence the city’s environment.

KaravanPakistan joined hands with the Chundrigar Road Outreach Subcommittee to encourage a partnership between heritage, art and commerce and to develop a stake in the city through the involvement of young people.

Thus various schools were invited by KaravanPakistan to create murals on the Pakistan Railways boundary wall located on I.I.Chundrigar Road. The size of each mural being 10’x7’. The murals portray the cultural and natural heritage of Karachi and the dynamism and diversity of its people. The murals attracted a lot of attention from passers by as the hectic and frantic commercial activity on Chundrigar Road was pleasantly interrupted by this colourful event.

The young artists who participated in this Event showed their creativity as is evident in the pictures of the Murals drawn. The murals were much appreciated by the general public and the institutions whose offices are on I.I.Chundrigar Road. The murals present an enduring portrayal of the city and its culture and reflect the creativity and dynamism of the people of this country.

Karavan Heritage Mural - Karachi Canvas

The Karavan Heritage Mural began in January 2004 at the Shahi Qila, painted by school children of Lahore. In 2004 it was approximately 400 feet long and today in 2008 it is approximately 1700 feet long and increasing.

This is an ever increasing mural which will continue to grow as more and more children paint various heritage structures. Not only have students contributed to this mural but also the children and women from the earthquake area have added to this amazing canvas and this has helped them to overcome that traumatic time. All the murals painted at these events will be added to the earlier sections and displayed at each venue where children’s assembly takes place. The painting of murals will be a continuing activity by Schools Heritage Wallay Societies in various cities. The Karavan Heritage Mural represents the culture and heritage of Pakistan as seen through the eyes of young people.

The series of Karachi Mural painting Events are:

State Bank Annexe         September 5, 2004
Quaid-e-Azam House      April 23, 2005
Frere Hall                     January 28, 2006
KMC Building:                May 20, 2006
Sindh Assembly Buiding   April 12, 2007

Karavan Heritage Mural - Lahore Canvas

Shahi Qila Mural Painting Event
The Shahi Qila Mural Painting Event which was part of the Shahi Qila Heritage Fest was the starting point of the KaravanPakistan Heritage Mural Painting Event

Young students from different schools of Lahore indulged in viewing the Badshahi Mosque and the Shahi Qila from the perspective of art and creativity hence giving birth to a colourful and vibrant perspective on the heritage sites of present day Pakistan.

The primary objective of the Mural Painting activity in Lahore, as elsewhere, was for the future generation to get familiar with Pakistan's heritage and to enhance their sense of belonging with their country. The beauty and defined architecture of these historical buildings portray a culture rich in art, aesthetics and successful administration which allows an individual to develop a sense of spiritual and peaceful awareness through the surroundings.

Pakistan's heritage provides hope for the present and future generations to feel pride for their nation and to be a proud Pakistani. The Mughal Emperors of the sub continent have bequeathed a unique legacy unsurpassed and unparalelled in the history of mankind. Amongst the forts, palaces, mausoleums and mosques built by the Mughals the most memorable are the Agra Fort and its counterpart in present day Pakistan, the Shahi Qila. The construction of the citadel was taken up in earnest by Akbar perching it on high ground, on the banks of a branch of the river Ravi that commanded an all-encompassing view of the Walled City lying below.

The citadel is divided into different sections, each creating its own world within its quadrangle. The main sections of the Shahi Qila are the Diwaan-e-Aam Quadrangle ,the Moti Masjid Quadrangle, Jahangir's Quandrangle, ShahJahan's Quandrangle, Paien Bagh and Khilwat Khana Quadrangle and the Shahburj Quadrangle.

Built by the last of Great Moghuls, Aurangzeb, the Badshahi Mosque is among the largest mosques in the world and sports almost 145' tall minarets, assuring the mosque's visibility from great distances. The whole masjid is placed on a raised platform, in the tradition of mosques built during Shahjahan’s period, lending an immense scale to the monument. Today tastefully lit up at night, it presents a mystical appearance of deep alcoves and bulbous white domes allowing 60,000 worshippers to pray at any one time.

The breathtaking grandeur of the Shahi Qila was enhanced on colorful murals painted by young students bringing the awe inspiring citadel back to life with vibrant splashes of colors and a vivid imagination evoking a sense of belonging within the new generation and a respect for their nation's heritage.

The Shahi Qila was beautified and its existence was given a new and energetic meaning from the perspective of the young artists. The arches of the building were defined with strong, curved lines giving it depth with dark colours. Texture was added on the brick walls with strong tones of earth shades, and form combined with colour brought back life to the monument.

Men and women painted in elegant attire portrayed prosperity, and good living. The bond and love shared between a mother and a child was enhanced on one of the murals of the Shahi Qila and the figures of men as warriors were painted as forms of protection and strength. Bright coloured kites, the blue skies, beautiful flowers created in the paintings depict hope and freedom. The grace and exoticness of a painted peacock signifies the royalty that once existed at the Shahi Qila. Similarly, murals of the Badshahi Mosque are rich with delicate motifs of petals and leaves and Moghul miniatures that were carved through the imagination of a child and made vivid on canvas. The portrayal of birds around the dome of the Badshahi Mosque is a reminder of peace and spirituality which the young artists felt within themselves amidst the surroundings.

Our present and future generation are our pride and it is through the creativity and efforts of these young individuals that the cultural heritage of Pakistan can be restored and preserved to eventually create a truly Cultural Pakistan.

KaravanPakistan - Programmes

Gor Khattree Festival 2005

Karavan Gor Khuttree Festival
The KaravanPakistan Heritage Mural is a pictorial representation of Karavan’s journey on the path of creating awareness amongst our youth about the invaluable heritage that they will eventually inherit tomorrow. This journey started from Lahore in the form of Shahi Qila Heritage Fest. Going through Karachi, Bahawalpur, and Taxila,

KaravanPakistan ‘Gor Khuttree Heritage Fest 2005’ has now preserved Gor Khuttree in the form of murals painted by school children. In this festival various schools from all over Peshawar had taken part. School children congregated at the site of the Gor Khuttree Complex from 8:00am to 12:15pm on Saturday, 30th April 2005. This Heritage Fest was held in collaboration with the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, N.W.F.P, Fine Arts department, University of Peshawar and Sarhad Conservation Network.

Gor Khuttree is a well preserved living complex in the Walled City located in the eastern part of Peshawar. Just like the seed contains the essence of the flower, so the inner historic parts of cities preserve the essential character of a city. One of the amazing things about these historic cores is the way in which they preserve the various skills of artisans and craftsmen. Peshawar’s Walled City in addition to this also reflects the influences of all the invaders that it received yet preserving the original flavour. It goes back to at least the 3rd century BC, the present buildings belong to the Mughal, Sikhs and British Periods. Built by Jehan Ara Begum, the daughter of Mughal King Shah Jehan in 1641, Gor Khuttree is a typical serai of the Mughal Period. It has two prominent gateways, and a network of cells of the Mughal Period along the southern and south-western boundaries, a Sikh temple in the south-western section and the British Period Barracks in the southeastern corner.

The history of Gor Khuttree summarizes our nations history in stone and mortar. Its story begins from Pre-Christian times to the Mughal era when Babur, Jahangir and Akbar all visited Gor Khuttree. It has served as the residence and court offices of the Sikh Governor Avitabile. With the advent of the British it was utilized as a Fire Brigade centre. Later the City Police Station and Revenue Offices were set up here.

It was a celebration of our heritage by our youth. This Karavan activity was held in order to foster a sense of pride in our identity and to preserve the physical manifestation of this identity via heritage sites. At the end of this program, as in all KaravanPakistan activities, certificates of participation were handed out to all participants as a token of acknowledgement of their efforts.

I.I. Chundrigar Road Festival 2005

Karavan Chundrigar Road HeritageFest
The Karavan Chundrigar Road Heritage Fest was part of the programme to improve the environment of the Central Business District and to create a more positive image of Karachi. KaravanPakistan joined hands with the Chundrigar Road Cleaning and Outreach Subcommittee to carry out activities which would encourage a partnership between heritage, art and commerce and to develop a stake in the city by involving all sections of Karachi. It was for this purpose that a group of adult and student volunteers from various companies and Karavan Partner schools were brought together under Heritage Cleaning Initiative alongwith a Heritage StreetFest for the children and the general public.

Read on……….

Blast at I.I.Chundrigar Road
by Shanaz Ramzi

A bomb blast! That is so predictable. No, try and be a bit more creative. Such as using the podium of the towering Habib Bank Plaza for some mind blowing performances by Karachi school kids. That was the innovative use that Ms. Yasmeen Lari put it to on the 6th of February, 2005 when over 300 students from 10 Compact partner Schools, ranging from private to government to special schools gave scintillating performances there- in celebration of the diverse culture and heritage of Karachi. The performances ranged from songs to puppet shows to fashion shows to skits to poems recited by the students. You name it, they did it. They had the crowd completely under their spell. One of the highlights of the event was a perfomance by students of a school in Lyari. A truly swinging performance!

The event was coordinated by Ms. Samina Peerzada who was unfortunately unable to attend it and was held in collaboration with Habib Bank. The performances were followed by a cleaning activity at the Bandookwala building, which had been started on the 5th by adult volunteers and had continued till the evening of the 6th . All the participants and teachers were awarded certificates.

In a city fraught with problems, it was a moment of reassurance and reaffirmation in the power of the youth of this city to come together and transform our lives.