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                        <title>The Express Tribune</title>
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			<title>Taxila boy sets world record, scores 28 A's in O levels</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/241665/taxila-boy-sets-world-record-scores-28-as-in-o-levels</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/241665/taxila-boy-sets-world-record-scores-28-as-in-o-levels#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 29 Aug 11 09:06:32 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=241665</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Syed Zohaib Asad set a new world record for Pakistan by achieving 28 A’s in O-level examinations.]]>
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				<![CDATA[A Pakistani student from Beaconhouse has set a new world record by achieving 28 A’s in the University of Cambridge’s O-level examinations.

Nineteen-year-old Syed Zohaib Asad who belongs to Wah Cantonment in Taxilla aced in subjects like world geography and travel tourism in Pakistan.

He had to gather content all by himself, given the reason that these subjects were unique and are not covered well.

Zohaib expressed his concern for Pakistan and said that he’s worried about the rough phase that Pakistan is going through.

But Zohaib is hopeful and holds a belief that the country can be steered out of crisis through hardwork and honesty.
"I see the problems of Pakistan in line with the political scenario, the economic condition and educational structure. I aspire to contribute in the economic sector and will join the ministry of finance one day."
Zohaib’s father Syed Asad Ali said that he is grateful to Zohaib’s teachers who taught him devotedly.
"It’s a pleasure for me that he has done a great job, not just for our family, Pakistan but the whole Muslim community."
He further said that Zohaib is going to Canada for pursuing higher studies with an aim of doing something big for his nation when he returns.

Last year, a student in Islamabad, Ibrahim Shahid, had set the previous world record by scoring 23 As in Cambridge O level exams. Shahid, a student of a private school in Islamabad, sat for 24 subjects and scored 23 As.]]>
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			<title>Sultan Golden: Kids, don’t try this at home</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/235164/sultan-golden-kids-don%e2%80%99t-try-this-at-home</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/235164/sultan-golden-kids-don%e2%80%99t-try-this-at-home#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 19 Aug 11 15:50:28 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[sher.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=235164</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan’s stuntman Sultan Golden aims to break more records.]]>
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				<![CDATA[“If you’re scared of dying, then you’re certainly not cut out for these dangerous stunts. You need to have a strong heart as this is not a hobby everyone can take up,” says an older and bearded Sultan Muhammad Khan Golden, Pakistan’s first daredevil to have broken several Guinness World Records in car and bike jumping.


He shot to fame in 1984, when he jumped over 15 cars and drove through three burning wooden walls. Following this, he rode through a 60-foot long tunnel of fire at Minar-e-Pakistan. However, it was in 1987 that Golden received international fame, when he jumped over 22 cars, covering a distance of 249 feet with a motorbike to break the previous world record and enter the Guinness Book of World Records. In 1990, he also performed the first reverse car jump and then four years later he set the T-Bone Dive Motor Car jumps record over 249 feet.

In his prime, Golden, with his athletic physique, used to come to the shows dressed in a leather jumpsuit as crowds of thousands of people gathered to watch him perform some of the most dangerous stunts of all time. In many ways, he is Pakistan’s very own Evel Knievel — the American daredevil who, in his career, attempted over 75 ramp-to-ramp motorcycle jumps.

Although his talent, coupled with his charisma — stemming from his Pashto speaking origin — drew huge crowds, Golden harbours immense regret because of the lack of support and facilities provided by the government. “I never earned a cent from doing this. I had to create my own environment, bring my own cars and finance my own shows,” said Golden. “However, I did not stop as I wanted to do this for my country and that’s what mattered the most.”

Even today, at the age of 51, Golden has the enthusiasm of a teenager. “I want to break more records,” said the jumping specialist. “I was offered a lot of money by promoters to break records in the US or Dubai but I rejected them. My hope is to break more records in Pakistan.”

His latest adventure is predominantly focused on breaking the motorcar reverse-speed world record, set by American John Smith, on Lahore’s ring road. Smith had made the record in 1994 by covering 806 kilometres (km) distance, while driving the car in reverse, in 13 hours and 48 minutes. Hoping to raise the bar higher with another record, this time in his new red SUV — which is heavily altered with extra wide axels and wide tires — Golden is awaiting permission from the government to use the highway for the purpose. “I have been trying to get approval from the government to drive a car reverse at 120 km per hour,” says Golden. “Unfortunately, they said that there is a security risk as there are too many people at my show.”

Regardless, he says that it has become his mission to break more records and he will be announcing a date in the near future for a show. “The fact is that people love to watch these shows and that is evident as they come out and support me, but it’s still the government’s duty to provide security.”

Golden also adds that the influx of illegal racing in the country is due to the lack of resources to hone talent. “Kids aren’t being provided with facilities, so they are putting their lives at risk by performing on the streets,” says the stuntman, who has also worked for the promotion of daredevil stunts in the country. Golden has been trying to push the government to set up a school and develop an area for motorcycle and car tricks.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 20th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Recognition: PM gives Rs1m to record breaker student</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/234746/recognition-pm-gives-rs1m-to-record-breaker-student</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/234746/recognition-pm-gives-rs1m-to-record-breaker-student#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 19 Aug 11 01:30:10 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[azmat.malik]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=234746</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Ibrahim Shahid had scored 23As in his O’ levels in January.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Thursday announced a prize of Rs1 million for Ibrahim Shahid, who made a world record by scoring 23 As in his Ordinary level exams in January.


In an exclusive interview, Ibrahim told The Express Tribune that he will struggle to eliminate poverty and work for the improvement of education in his country.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Ibrahim said his parents always stressed on the importance of hard work, which ultimately lead to his accomplishment.

He said he would pursue a degree in electrical engineering after completing his Advanced levels.

He said the sole purpose of his life is to improve the standard of education in Pakistan, and he is willing to dedicate his entire life for this purpose.

He said he was recently invited to Bangladesh for a five-day tour by Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr Muhammad Yunus, where he worked as an intern for five weeks.
He said he had also served as the school ambassador at Beaconhouse School System, during which he was sent to United Kingdom for a two-week trip.

He attributed his success to hard work and his parents’ and teachers’ — especially Muhammad Afrasiab and Umair Qureshi — efforts.

Ibrahim’s mother, Aliya Shahid, said she has always inculcated the importance of education to her children so that they could rise and work for the betterment of the country.

Ibrahim said that besides academics, he also took active participation in several sports activities including football, table tennis and cricket.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 19th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s legacy remains</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/232885/nusrat-fateh-ali-khan%e2%80%99s-legacy-remains</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/232885/nusrat-fateh-ali-khan%e2%80%99s-legacy-remains#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 16 Aug 11 15:11:35 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category><category><![CDATA[Music]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=232885</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The soultouching singer was an icon whose music resonates in qawwali evenings.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[World-renowned Pakistani musician Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s 14th death anniversary was observed with a Quran Khawani in his native Faisalabad, reported the Daily Express. Various events — to be attended by personalities from different fields of art — were also scheduled to be held in Britain, as well as his hometown.


The soultouching singer was an icon whose music resonates in qawwali evenings and in any discussion about Pakistani music. Even after so many years of his passing, his music continues to inspire audiences around the world.

Born in Faisalabad on October 13, 1948, he was Ustad Fateh Ali Khan’s fifth child. With qawwali ingrained in the family — a 600-year-old tradition — there was little surprise that Khan also mastered the skill. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Khan holds the world record for the largest recorded output by a qawwali artist.

Mostly singing in Punjabi and Urdu, Khan also sang in Hindi, Braj Bhasha — a dialect of Hindi — and Persian. One of his best performances was “Haq Ali Ali” which infused folk style and traditional instruments. According to nusrat.org, the versatile musician not only sang for Pakistani films but also contributed to Bollywood in the films Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya and Kachche Dhaage as well as the title song for the film Dhadkan.

Reaching great heights of success, his artistic influence made its way to the western world. He reached out to western audiences through his work with Peter Gabriel on the soundtrack to The Last Temptation of Christ in 1985. His work has also featured in the song “The Long Road” — a track in last year’s film Eat Pray Love.

Having been ill with kidney and liver failure, Khan passed away on August 16, 1997 in London at the age of 48.

Some of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s top hits

“Afreen Afreen”

“Sun Charkhe Di Mithi Mithi Ghook”

“Tere Bin Nahin Lagda Dil Mera Dholna”

“Yeh Jo Halka Halka Saroor Hai”

“Mae Ni Mae Mere Geetan”

“Haq Ali Ali”

“Akhiyan Udeek Diyan”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 17th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Pakistan creates new anthem record</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/231080/karachi-creates-new-anthem-record</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/231080/karachi-creates-new-anthem-record#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 13 Aug 11 21:35:52 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=231080</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Karachi creates national anthem singing record]]>
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				<![CDATA[Enthusiasts gathered in Karachi  to create a new record for the most number of people singing a national anthem simultaneously - and they succeeded. 

According to witnesses and event management, 5,857 people gathered at a stadium in Khadda market area of Karachi and beat the previous record of 5,248, achieved by students, staff, faculty and alumni of MSU-IIT (Philippines) who sang ‘Lupang Hinirang’ Philippines’ National Anthem, at the MSU-IIT gymnasium, in Iligan, Philippines, on 1 September 2009.

The record breaking attempt was organised online using Facebook and Twitter and even included a last minute tweeting frenzy as the record-attempt faced failure of falling short of a few hundred people.

In the end, the required number of people gathered at the spot and as the clock struck 12, the jubilant crowd started singing the national anthem "Pak sar zameen" to mark Pakistan's 64th independence day and set a new world record.

The record itself will be unofficial until formally recognized by Guinness World Records.

View a video of the complete anthem record here.]]>
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			<title>Taking the plunge: Pakistani journalist takes leap of faith</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/215558/taking-the-plunge-pakistani-journalist-takes-leap-of-faith</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/215558/taking-the-plunge-pakistani-journalist-takes-leap-of-faith#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 23 Jul 11 04:24:02 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[fazal.khaliq]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=215558</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Sherin Zada, an Express TV reporter, sets a world record in skydiving.]]>
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				<![CDATA[“Tandem skydiving is only for the brave of heart,” Sherin Zada was told when he arrived to cover the Spirit of Swat event recently.


Zada, the Express TV reporter, was there to provide media coverage to Andrew, a UK-based skydiver who was getting ready to set the record for flying the largest Pakistan flag over Swat Valley by jumping from a height of approximately 10,000 feet.

“When they said that, I thought nothing could require more courage than being a journalist in Pakistan,” Zada recalls, saying that was all it took for him to make an attempt at the sport.

“Some of my colleagues tried to persuade me not to go ahead with it. They said it was too dangerous, but my mind was made up.”

Zada suddenly remembers the adrenaline that rushed through him as the jump drew nearer. “My heart began beating faster … when I looked down just before I was about to jump, I could see nothing but the clear sky and the ground at a distance…”

Completely unaware that he was about to set a world record, Zada, jumped.

“I had no idea I was about to set a record, but when I hit the ground I was told that not only was I the first journalist, but also the first Pakistani to have jumped from 10,000 feet. My jump proved that journalists can accept any challenge.”

Not only did Zada set a record, he also covered the event for Express TV while he was floating in the air.

Edited by Saarysh Zuberi

 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 23rd, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Cricket: A chronicle of landmarks in Test Cricket</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/210341/cricket-a-chronicle-of-landmarks-in-test-cricket</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/210341/cricket-a-chronicle-of-landmarks-in-test-cricket#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 15 Jul 11 09:51:41 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[afp]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=210341</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[1877 marked the inception of test cricket in the world of sports.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Landmarks in Test history ahead of the 2,000th Test, between England and India, at Lord's starting on Thursday:

1877: Australia and England play what is later recognised as the first Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Charles Bannerman scores the first Test hundred in a match Australia win by 45 runs.

1920/21: Australia, led by Warwick Armstrong, inflicts a 5-0 Ashes thrashing on England – the first whitewash in a five-match series.

1928: Don Bradman makes his Test debut but is powerless to prevent a colossal 675-run defeat by England in Brisbane and is dropped.

1930: Bradman rewrites the record books by scoring 974 runs – still a record – in a five-Test series as Australia win 2-1 in England.

1932/33: The most controversial series of all time sees England captain Douglas Jardine instruct fast bowlers Harold Larwood and Bill Voce to bowl short to the Australians on and outside leg stump, with a packed legside field. 'Bodyline' helps England win the Ashes but leads to a diplomatic row.

1938: England's Len Hutton scores a record-breaking 364 out of a total of 903 as Australia are hammered by an innings and 579 runs, still a record margin.

1948: Bradman leads Australia on a 4-0 unbeaten Ashes tour of England. Bradman, needing four in his last Test innings for an average of 100, is bowled for nought and has to settle for 99.94.
1955: New Zealand bowled out for 26, the lowest Test total, by England in Auckland.

1956: England off-spinner Jim Laker becomes the first bowler to take all 10 wickets in a Test innings, against Australia at Old Trafford.

1958: West Indies all-rounder Garry Sobers breaks Hutton's record with 365 against Pakistan in Jamaica.

1960: Australia and West Indies produce the first tie in Test history, in Brisbane.

1964: England fast bowler Fred Trueman become the first bowler to take 300 Test wickets, against Australia at The Oval.

1970: South Africa begin their apartheid-enforced Test exile.

1977: Australia beat England by 45 runs in the Centenary Test in Melbourne – exactly the same result as the very first Test.

1977: World Series Cricket sees the game's top players signed up by Australian businessman Kerry Packer. Test cricket threatened but WSC ends after two years when Packer gets the television contract to show Australia home matches.

1986: India and Australia play out the second tied Test, in Madras, when Maninder Singh is lbw in the last over to off-spinner Greg Matthews.

1990: New Zealand's Richard Hadlee becomes the first bowler to take 400 Test wickets.

1992: South Africa return to Test cricket, losing to the West Indies.

1994: Brian Lara breaks Sobers's record with 375 against England in Antigua.

1995: After 15 years and 29 series, West Indies' unbeaten series run ends with a 2-1 loss at home to Australia.

1997: Sri Lanka pile up 952 for six against India in Colombo – the highest Test total of all-time.

2004: Lara makes the first quadruple century in Tests, against England in Antigua, to regain the world record he'd lost to Australia's Matthew Hayden.

2006: Pakistan become the first side in history to forfeit a Test when, after being penalised five runs for alleged ball-tampering by Australian umpire Darrell Hair, they refuse to take the field against England after tea on the fourth day at The Oval.

2010: Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan becomes the first bowler to take 800 Test wickets when he takes a wicket off his final ball in Tests, against India.

2010: A tabloid sting operation indicates Pakistan captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif are all prepared to deliberately bowl no-balls in a Test against England at Lord's as part of a spot-fixing scam. The trio are all eventually banned by the ICC.

2010: India's Sachin Tendulkar scores a record 50th Test century, against South Africa in Centurion.]]>
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			<title>Karachi youth hope to sing their way into the record books and beat India while they’re at it</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/195168/karachi-youth-hope-to-sing-their-way-into-the-record-books-and-beat-india-while-they%e2%80%99re-at-it</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/195168/karachi-youth-hope-to-sing-their-way-into-the-record-books-and-beat-india-while-they%e2%80%99re-at-it#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jun 11 20:57:50 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[robin.fernandez]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=195168</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[2,000 volunteers needed for August 14 event at Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The youth of Karachi are planning a huge Independence Day present for their compatriots this August when they will attempt to break the Guinness world record for the largest number of people singing a national anthem simultaneously.


The present record - which was set in Pune, India, on January 12, 2010 - featured 104,637 people singing 'Vande Mataram,' one of India's most popular national songs. However, some confusion exists about the 2010 record, because "Vande Mataram" is not the actual national anthem of India.

"We have contacted the Guinness World Records to rectify this record… We are waiting for their response and correct record details," said Abid Beli, an entrepreneur with the heart of a social worker and one of the focal persons organising the record challenge in Karachi.

Should that record be set aside, the previous one set by 5,000 plus people singing the Philippines' national anthem Lupang Hinirang would be recognised again. Either way Abid and his fellow organiser Waqas Pai say they and their volunteers will be prepared.

On August 14, they are hoping to attract a record crowd in Karachi's Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim to sing the national anthem and rewrite the record -- in Pakistan's name this time. Permission to use the ground has been sought from the city district government Karachi and other agencies and the organisers expect approval some time later this month.

Several of their well-wishers have suggested that the anthem-singing record be attempted in multiple locations such as Lahore, Islamabad and other cities and also simultaneously in the United States, the United Kingdom and other parts of the globe. This may sound like a good idea but Abid shoots it down, citing logistical headaches. "The event is not very far away, and we have to put a lot of things together," he says matter-of-factly.

Abid says it was Waqas, an IT wizard, who came up with the idea of a national anthem day. A little research helped the two men find a relevant record category on the Guinness World platform. "We have already opened a claim ticket with the Guinness World Records, mentioning our record bid," he pointed out. "They have acknowledged our record attempt and will take around four weeks to respond with their requirements and suggestions for the record."

Neither of them has ever sung before a crowd or attempted anything like this previously. Yet they and every single person present at the venue will have to sing the complete anthem loud and clear, as per the rules of the Guinness Book of World Records. "So everyone will be singing for themselves and for the crowd," he explained.

Their motivation for the event is drawn from the conditions prevailing in parts of the country that struggles to beat a terrorism stereotype. "No one is spared the turmoil in our country from the common [person] to an industrialist and from showbiz personalities to politicians. Everyone is affected," Abid explained.

To deflect some of the gloom and doom and lift the spirit of the people, the two men turned to the national anthem and drew strength from it. There was an outpouring of public support for them. "People are excited and enthusiastic about breaking the record," Abid said. "This event will send a strong message to the world that the people of Pakistan are standing tall for their country and are there for their country."

Initially, they invited their friends and colleagues on their Facebook event page. But then young university students and others spread the word and joined the initiative. Already, people have begun to register as volunteers for the event - which will be held in the fasting month of Ramazan. Nevertheless, people have promised to turn out in large numbers to break the record, organisers say. At this point they say they are looking for about 2,000 volunteers.

Abid recognises the need for sponsors and is in contact with some prospective firms. Sponsorship would be needed especially to invite the Guinness World Record judges to witness the event and award the certificate on the spot. The organisers would also have to raise funds for the judges' fees as well as hotel and travel expenses. In addition, Abid says, "We will require a lot of marketing and a lot of celebrity endorsements for this event". But it is well worth the effort because Pakistanis believe they are capable of crossing this and many other milestones.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 24th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Pakistan's Portuguese wonder: Magic  fingers</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/185598/pakistans-portuguese-wonder-magic-fingers</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/185598/pakistans-portuguese-wonder-magic-fingers#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 12 Jun 11 09:29:26 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[noel.correa]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Music]]></category><category><![CDATA[Magazine]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=185598</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Ralph D’Aranjo is not only an experienced guitarist, he is also a member of Pakistan’s tiny Portuguese community.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Ralph D’Aranjo is one such person. Ralph is not only an experienced guitarist, he is also a member of Pakistan’s tiny Portuguese community ­— a community that has made an enormous contribution to the establishment and running of missionary schools all over the country. 

In Pakistan’s early days, Portuguese artists were quite active on the music scene too, but as time went on, many of these maestros either passed away or emigrated.

Ralph, however, has been playing classical guitar for over 50 years, and has no intention of going anywhere. He is also in the unique position of being the only musician who has played (under one contract) in a five-star hotel in Pakistan for over thirty years.

Ralph began his musical journey at the tender age of 12, when his father presented him with a brand new guitar on his birthday. Two years later, he found himself heading for Europe. He tried to settle down in Germany after touring countries like Iran, Turkey and Greece by road. When he didn’t end up making a home for himself in Germany, he returned to Pakistan and started a musical career in a nightclub band.

This was back when Pakistan still rocked, and nightclubs were a big part of the social scene –from 1970 to 1979, Ralph played in various pop bands as a lead guitarist in almost every hotel, nightclub and discotheque in Karachi. Midway House, Beach Luxury, Horse Shoe Disco, 2001 Plaza, Three Aces Nightclub, Peacock, Lido, Taj and Nasreen Room … the list goes on, and Ralph’s played at them all.

But when the cabaret era came to an end, it was time to move on. He stopped playing pop music in 1979, and joined the Hotel Intercontinental (now known as the Pearl Continental Hotel). He played in the Nasreen Room for a few years and with the dawn of the 80s, he teamed up with Alex Rodrigues, who was a saxophonist, and Louis D’Souza, who was a pianist, and formed a jazz trio band.

A lot has changed in the past three decades, and just as in Bryan Adams’ song “Summer of ‘69”, the band members started drifting apart. The first person to leave was Louis D’Souza, who emigrated to the US in 1990. He was replaced by David Jospeh, who also emigrated in 1995, but to Canada. Christopher Carvalho was the next musician to join their band. He played with the band till late 1999, when he passed away. Ferdinand Goveas was the next replacement and continues to play with the band at present. Alex Rodrigues, the band’s original saxophonist, breathed his last breath on November 21, 2001. He was replaced by Dominic Gonsalves, who immigrated to Australia in 2007.

To date, Ralph continues to play with a jazz outfit at the PC Hotel. It is here that the hotel’s patrons drop by every evening to enjoy a variety of music from the likes of George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, Rodgers and Hammerstein, to tunes ranging from The Blue Danube to the relatively recent repertoire of Miles Davis, Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck and Clark Terry.

“We are not only known for our jazz music, but also for blues, ballad standards, Caribbean music, Latin music, the cha cha cha, the tango, waltz, bolero, rumba, and bossa nova,” says Raplh proudly. “Through these past thirty years, we have been also performing for our foreign guests at the hotel, playing music that is indigenous to their countries: be it French, Italian, German, Spanish, Malaysian, Indonesian, Sri Lankan, Chinese, Japanese … you name it and we play it!”

Ralph also had to recently deal with a personal tragedy, as his wife passed away on July 7, 2010. Cheryl D’Aranjo had suffered from a rare disorder called the Guillain Barre Syndrome, in which the body’s own immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system. Naturally, Ralph and his two daughters Pamela and Linda were shattered, and he still talks of what a beautiful person she was.

Despite all these setbacks, and the many changes in his band’s ensemble, Ralph D’Aranjo says he is still here to stay! Ralph will be applying for a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records soon, claiming to be the only guitarist who has played under one contract in the same establishment for over thirty years.

Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, June 12th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>O level student scores record 23 As</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/108500/o-level-student-scores-record-23-as</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/108500/o-level-student-scores-record-23-as#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 24 Jan 11 16:32:29 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Student from Islamabad sat for 24 subjects and scored 23 As in attempt to set world record.]]>
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				<![CDATA[A student in Islamabad, Ibrahim Shahid, set a new world record by scoring 23 As in Cambridge O level exams.

Shahid, a student of a private school in Islamabad, sat for 24 subjects and scored 23 As.

Attributing his success to his parents, Shahid recalled an incident where his teacher in Australia had written him off, stating that he would "never excel". He added that every child is special and everyone has their own capabilities.

Earlier, Ali Moeen Nawazish, also a Pakistani student, had set a world record by securing 23 As in A level Cambridge exams.]]>
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			<title>2,503 push-ups: Pakistani breaks world record</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/101744/pakistani-performs-world-record-2503-pushups</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/101744/pakistani-performs-world-record-2503-pushups#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 11 Jan 11 05:09:54 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=101744</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Wrestler Munir Ahmed completes 2,503 push-ups in an hour and 25 minutes to become a world-record holder.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistani wrestler Munir Ahmed on Monday registered his name amongst world record holders with his herculean 2,503 push-ups.

The phenomenal struggle, which bettered an Indian’s record, lasted for an hour and 25 minutes.

The world-record-setting demonstration was witnessed by thousands of spectators in Sheikhupura’s company bagh.

Talking to the media on the completion of the task, a proud Ahmed said he was ecstatic at this feat for his country.

In a show of patriotism and empathy for his fellow countrymen, Ahmed also announced that all the proceeds from the event will be donated to flood victims.

Last month, nineteen girls from different A’ Level institutions across Karachi, including Karachi Grammar School and Southshore School, managed to break a previous record by fitting into the vehicle with its doors closed for five seconds.

The previous record was held by Climb FitTeam of Australia who compressed eighteen students into a standard SmartCar at the Warringah Mall, Sydney Australia on January 25, 2010.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Guinness book of world records: 19 girls and 1 car on top of the world</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/90394/nineteen-girls-one-car</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/90394/nineteen-girls-one-car#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 16 Dec 10 05:00:54 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Hassaan Khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category><category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=90394</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Nineteen girls managed to fit into a smart car to get their names put in the Guinness Book of World Records.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Aymen Saleem, a second-year A’ Level student at Karachi Grammar School, was browsing newspaper headlines in her living room, when she came across a story about the world’s largest cake. The story sparked her curiosity and soon enough she was searching for her very own record to break. After a quick search on Google, she found the perfect challenge. All she needed was 19 willing girls and a Smart Car, a two-door micro-car manufactured by Daimler AG in  France and Germany. Luckily for Aymen, she happened to have one of them parked in her very own driveway. It was a birthday present from her father Yousuf Saleem.

On Wednesday, Aymen and 18 other girls, from different A’ Level institutions across the city, including KGS and Southshore School, managed to break a previous record by fitting into the vehicle with its doors closed for five seconds. The current official record holders are the Climb FitTeam of Australia who compressed 18 students into a standard SmartCar at the Warringah Mall, Sydney Australia on January 25, 2010.

The girls managed to meet the challenge at the BBQ lawn of Creek Club in front of a jury at a historic event organised by Karim Mohammadi and Rehan Elahi. The chief guests included the federal adviser on textiles Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, adviser Sharmila Farooqi, Sindh Assembly Speaker Nisar Khuhro and former cricketers Wasim Akram and Saleem Yousuf. The girls had been through the drill numerous times. They positioned themselves and with precision crammed one by one into the two-door car in layers. Within a minute they were all inside the car and not only did they manage to break the world record, they managed to stay in the car for a gruelling 10 seconds, double the current record time.

“I want parents around the country to encourage their children to achieve greater things and believe that when you try, you achieve,” said Aymen. Other participants Tanya Pabani, Fatima Ismail and Zahshanné Malik were thrilled about their feat but more interested in meeting Wasim Akram.

Baig said he had initially been sceptical but was won over after he saw them fit in the car in three layers with one literally on the floor mat. Aymen’s parents Yousuf and Shireen told The Express Tribune that even though at first they felt it was just another outdoor activity, they provided them with a coach Hassan Aslam once they realised how determined they were.

The participants included Sarah Ahmad, Hafsa Naveed, Alina Akram (the extra in case someone got injured), Zashanne Malik, Fatima Ismail, Rabbya Kamran, Anam Afridi, Muneezeh Jamal, Hala Faruqi, Dania Fayyaz, Sana Ghazi, Sana Currimbhoy, Zoya Currimbhoy, Hiba Javad, Sana Javad, Nadia Khan, Neha Salauddin, Rida Ashraf, Eman Samir, Tanya Pabani and Aymen Saleem. The team coaches were Hassan Aslam, Sharam Saleem and Shereen Saleem.

Pakistanis in the record books

Most Men’s Squash World Team Titles

The most men’s squash world championship team titles won is six, by Australia, in 1967, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1989, and 1991; and Pakistan, in 1977, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, and 1993.

Most World Championship Squash Titles

1975, Jansher Khan has clinched the title eight times, with his relative Jahangir coming close behind winning six titles

Fastest Cricket Bowler

The highest electronically measured speed for a ball bowled by any bowler is 100.23mph (161.3km/h) by Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan) against England on 22 February 2003 in a World Cup match at Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa.

Largest Mosque

The largest mosque is Shah Faisal Mosque, near Islamabad, Pakistan. The total area of the complex is 18.97 ha (46.87 acres), with the covered area of the prayer hall being 0.48 ha (1.19 acres). It can accommodate 100,000 worshippers.

Largest Football (Soccer)

A football made from artificial leather PV-PVC and hand-sewn by staff at Ihsan Sports of Hajipura, Sialkot, Pakistan, had a diameter of 4m (13ft 1in) when measured on 30 June 2002.

Heaviest Weight Lifted With Ear

The heaviest weight lifted using only the ear is 51.7 kg (113 lb 15 oz) by Zafar Gill (Pakistan), who lifted gym weights hanging from a clamp attached to his right ear and held the weight for seven seconds on May 26, 2004 at Lahore, Pakistan.

Largest Volunteer Ambulance Organisation

Abdul Sattar Edhi (Pakistan) began his ambulance service in 1948, ferrying injured people to hospital. Today, his radio-linked network includes 500 ambulances all over Pakistan, and attracts funds of US$5 million a year.

Youngest Cricket Test Player

The youngest Test player ever is Hasan Raza (Pakistan) who made his debut, aged 14 years 227 days, against Zimbabwe at Faisalabad, Pakistan on 24 October 1996.

Largest Flaming Image Using Candles

The largest flaming candle image took place at the Serena Hotel in Faisalabad, Pakistan when 48 people lit 8,154 candles to create the Sandoz logo on December 31, 2003.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 16th, 2010.]]>
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