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KaravanPakistan - Karavan Heritage Murals
Karavan Online-Classroom
IntroductionA ship container transformed into a cyberstation, equipped with 4 computers is what The Karavan Online-Classroom developed by KaravanPakistan is all about. It is within this microcosm that a window to the 21st century is opened for children from government schools in low income areas. The Karavan Online-Classroom has successfully toured two government schools in Karachi and implemented its course which includes a one month English Language Refresher course, through which children are taught about heritage and followed by 2 months of a computer course. The first school was Rashid Minhas School and the second was KPT (Karachi Port Trust) School. To maintain the computer skills acquired by the children in this course, Karavan Pakistan has established an Online Club, initially at Rashid Minhas; the second will be setup at KPT School. It is via these efforts of KaravanPakistan that we hope to develop productive members at all levels in society who are in sync with the rest of the world.
Heritage Cleaning Events - Cholistan
Historic Fort at Darawar in the Cholistan Desert.
Karavan Heritage Safeguarding Event, Darawar Fort, Sunday, October 3 2004
In the quest of its aim to spread awareness about the many wonderful heritage sites in Pakistan and the importance of taking care of them in order to preserve them for future generations, KaravanPakistan has steadily been holding events at various historical monuments throughout the country.
Its journey began from the streets of Karachi and after trekking through Lahore where it celebrated the world heritage site of Shahi Qila, the next stop for KaravanPakistan in its Heritage Cleaning Initiative was the cleaning of the Darawar fort in the Cholistan Desert which was part of the 3 day KaravanPakistan Rohi-Cholistan Heritage Fest. This Heritage Cleaning Initiative, as are all KaravanPakistan Heritage Cleaningh Initiatives, was made possible through public participation.
The ruinous state of this magnificent structure was distressing to say the least. Students from five schools accompanied the Karavan team to clean up one of the most beautifully decorated rooms in the fort. Most of the schools participating in the Heritage Fest showed great enthusiasm in taking a trip to Darawar Fort to clean its walls and floors; and it wasn’t just students but 100 people including Mr. Jorge Sequeira Director UNESCO who volunteered to clean this historic structure.
The cleaning was undertaken under the guidance of cleaning experts to ensure that no harm or damage accrued to the historic structure or to themselves For this event cotton gloves and masks were distributed among the participants for their own safety while soft bristle brushes were chosen for the dry cleaning of the Fort. Even this simple equipment used to clean the walls and remove dust from the floor of the fort with the help of plastic pans made an incredible difference to the fort’s appearance.
The Cholistan Forts are remarkable for their picturesqueness with their bastions and fortifications built with mud and brick. They have guarded the desert for centuries past but are today in a sad state of neglect and disrepair. Many of the Forts have been lost without a trace.
This Heritage Cleaning Initiative was organized to draw attention to the plight of these historic forts and to foster the ‘duty of care’ among the general public. In view of the impending destruction, it is essential to preserve all those historic structures that have lent character, charm and romance to the silent desert. The focus on the safeguarding effort is expected to also help revitalize the life and crafts of the Cholistan people.
School children (on back seats) waiting for briefing by archaeologists of Department of Archaeology, Punajb (in front).
More school children in anticipation of the briefing.
School children engaged in heritage cleaning.
Heritage Cleaning Events - Karachi
PSO-Karavan Heritage Cleaning Initiative
Holy Trinity Church, Abdullah Haroon Road
Saturday, 4th December, 2004
KaravanPakistan’s efforts to safeguard heritage in the form of historical buildings have always involved the general public, schools and people from diverse walks of life.
The cleaning of the Holy Trinity Church was done under the aegis of the Karavan Mera Compact Adopt-a-Historic Building Programme. Following the programme the Trinity Methodist Girls Higher Secondary School had adopted the Holy Trinity Church. Thus Karavan Committee Members and two of the partner schools of the Compact, namely Shahwilayat School and Woodland Secondary School, joined hands with them to clean the church.
The Holy Trinity Church (Garrison Church) was constructed in 1855 (the construction began in 1852). The church was originally designed by Capt. John Hill with changes later being made to the design by John Brunton. The church tower originally consisted of five storeys rising to a height of 150 feet, with search lights installed at the uppermost storey so that it functioned as a lighthouse too. The uppermost two storeys were removed in 1904 for safety reasons. The church being a garrison church also has memorials to those who served in service of the British Empire.
In this event 135 students cleaned the historic structure in order to foster a sense of pride and ownership of their heritage. This event was made more enjoyable with the delightful band and Christmas carols sung by the students of the Trinity Methodist Girls School.
The Programme of this event is as follows:
1415 hrs Assembly
1430 Recitation from the Holy Quran
1435 Welcome by Ms. Irene Pearl, Principal, Trinity Methodist Girls School
1440 Introduction by Ms. Yasmeen Lari, Chairperson Karavan Initiatives
1445 Address by the Chief Guest
1455 Briefing and distribution of cleaning kits by Ms. Shanaz Ramzi
1505 Cleaning and washing of historic structure
1700 Refreshments
Wallace Bridge, I.I.Chundrigar Road
Sunday, 9th January, 2005
The Wallace Bridge on I.I.Chundrigar Road was selected as the focal point of a Heritage Cleaning activity under the Karavan Mera Pakistan Compact on Sunday, 9th January, 2005. This assembly of a 100 children was addressed by Ms. Samina Peerzada (Film and TV actor) to provide encouragement in their work of safeguarding the historic assets of the city.
This activity was part of a series of activities under the PSO-Karavan Mera Pakistan programme organized every month in order to develop a sense of pride and foster a culture of sharing. It was a continuation of various activities held by KaravanPakistan during 2001-2003, and throughout 2004 in several cities ranging from Karachi’s Old Town to Lahore’s Shahi Qila and Bhawalpur Palaces and Derawar Fort.
The 19th century Wallace Bridge is a historic landmark of the city and has been gravely neglected. It represents the arrival of the railways and consequent prosperity to Karachi. When large quantities of grain were brought from Punjabs canal colonies to Karachi by railway the city became famous as the largest exporter of wheat in the whole British Empire.
The Bridge is situated close to the nineteenth century historic City Station, at one time known as McLeod Station, when in fact I.I.Chundrigar Road was also known as McLeod road, named after John Mcleod, Deputy Collector of Customs who served in Karachi during early 1850’s.
The cleaning of the Bridge, composed of buff coloured sandstone, was carried out as gently as possible with clean water and mild detergent suitable for historic structures. After the removal of layers of dust, scrubbing with bristle brushes was done to remove the dirt, soiling and whitewash or other paint.
KaravanPakistan Partner schools that took part in this activity were Shahawilayat Public School, BayView Academy, Woodland Public School, Rashid Minhas Government School and KPT School at Keamari.
Historic P& O Plaza (Bandookwala Building) Cleaning
by Karavan Virsa Volunteers, 5th -6th February 2005
The cleaning of Bandookwala building by Karavan Virsa Volunteers was part of Heritage Fest Organized by Karavan Pakistan on I.I.Chundrigar Road. The cleaning initiative was undertaken in association with adult and child volunteers. All this activivty took place in a fun filled carnival like atmosphere.
The cleaning and washing of the 30 foot high façade of P& O Plaza, was the first major voluntary effort by Karachi’s adult citizens to improve the city’s environment through heritage safeguarding. In this the fifth Karavan Heritage Cleaning Initiative several companies avolunteered their officers and personnel as workforce. The companies which provided over 100 volunteers to undertake the cleaning effort include Shamsi Builders, Shaheen Construction Company, Ziauddin and company, CALECO, Adnan Asdar Associates, Pakistan State Oil, FTC Management Co. Ltd. And ALCOP.
The Cleaning of the 250 foot long façade began on the 5th February morning and continued till the evening of the 6th. Children who participated in the performances in the Heritage Fest later took part in the Cleaning Initiative according to heritage guidelines and under expert guidance.
KaravanPakistan by means of such Initiatives and drives aims to foster a sense of identity and pride, and to preserve heritage for a culture of peace, national integration and development
Quaid-e-Azam House Museum, Fatima Jinnah Road
Saturday, 28 May, 2005
The PSO-Karavan Quaid-e-Azam House Museum Heritage Cleaning Initiative on 28th May, 2005 was one in a stream if similar events held throughout 2004/2005.
The Quaid-e-Azam House Museum is a modest but charming house built in the Cantone ment. The house was probably built in the 1890’s and was originally owned by the Parsi magnate Sorab Kavasji and Dina Katrak and later was brought by Quaid-e-Azam. After the Quaid’s death his sister Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah lived in the house from 1948 to 1964. The Quaid-e-Azam House was initially called the Flagstaff House. The striking elements of this building that create its charm are its simple arcading, carved pilasters, semicircular balconies and sloping roof using red clay tiles.
This structure is a heritage site not simply because of the number of years it has been standing but also because of the people who have lived in it and the events it has witnessed. From being a requisitioned residence to General Hind,G.O.C., to serving as the Headquarters of the Combined Opposition Parties during the general elections of 1965, it has silently witnessed the many twists and turns of Pakistan’s turbulent political history. The building now serves as a museum that houses the Quaid’s furniture, relics and other items.
It was to celebrate this national monument that 74 children from 5 Karavan Compact Partner Schools congregated at this historic site to clean the Museum building which is an essential and undeniable part of our history and invaluable due to its association with the Quaid. This activity based on heritage safeguarding initiatives created an awareness about this historic asset while simultaneously providing our youth with a platform for contributing to this process. The Event ended with the distribution of participation certificates amongst the school children.
Frere Hall, Abdullah Haroon Road
9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Saturday, 17th September, 2005
This was the first cleaning activity by Karavan Pakistan of the new school year. It was to focus on safeguarding this monument that 100 children from 9 Karavan Compact Partner schools congregated at the historic site to clean it and thereby renew our historical association with this heritage site. This activity formed part of KaravanPakistan Heritage Cleaning Initiatives which allows our youth to participate in the process of safeguarding our heritage while simultaneously creating an awareness of these assets.
Frere Hall is a significant landmark of the city for a variety of reasons. It was constructed in honour of Bartle Frere, to commemorate his services as the most dynamic “Commissioner in Sinde”. It is to Bartle Frere that the modernization of Sind is attributed. Another aspect of its historical importance lies in the fact that the completion of Frere Hall coincided with a change in the policy of the British Government. Having annexed Sind it had to enlarge the scope of civil works in order to accommodate new civil functions for the effective governing of the Empire and therefore required buildings for this purpose. One of the most prominenent buildings of Karachi today, Frere Hall is looked upon in considerable fondness by the city’s inhabitants.
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 PakistanThe 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 JaulianGandhara – 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 MuralJanuary 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.