Setting a new record: Lyari sends out invite to come sing the national anthem

By gathering 150,000 people to sing the anthem, the Lyarians hope to break India’s record.

KARACHI:

By gathering 150,000 people to sing the Pakistani national anthem on September 6, the people of Lyari not only hope to spread a message of peace and patriotism, but also to break India’s record of arranging the largest gathering to sing an anthem.

Under the platform of Lyarians, the youth of Lyari are organising the event at Lyari Stadium, near Lyari General Hospital, on Pakistan Defence Day. Campaigning for the event has already started through multiple social media websites and more than 1,500 participants had registered till Tuesday evening.

Those interested can visit the Lyarians’ Facebook page where they will be asked to submit their first and second name and their personal email. The registered visitors will be then kept updated through emails. The participants have been advised not to bring the printed ticked on the day as the organisers will provide them their tickets at the entry points before they enter the premises.  There is no ticket fee for participants and neither is it limited to a certain community.

“The event is being arranged for Pakistanis, not for a certain community,” said Gulab Jan, a member of the organising committee. “We want to show our patriotism on Pakistan’s Defence Day. The message is not limited to Lyari or Karachi.”

The organisers claim that the event will break India’s record of organising the largest gathering to sing their national anthem. “They set a record of over 120,000 people singing their anthem and we’ll beat that figure,” said Jan.

Since the capacity of the Lyari stadium is for 50,000 people, the remaining participants will be adjusted around the ground and at the main road. The organisers seem confident that the event will be an unforgettable and memorable one.

An open invitation

All political parties and civil society organisations will be invited to participate in the event. The organisers will put up Pakistani flags, banners and panaflexes across the city, inviting citizens to show unity and participate in a gesture of patriotism.

A comprehensive security plan is being made for the event, which will also include female security guards.

“It is an open invitation for all - Lyari is not a no-go-area. All the Karachi’ites should come and see how Lyari is safe for all communities,” said another organiser, Zamzam Saeed. She said that the area is peaceful but through a conspiracy, its image was being portrayed negatively.

The organisers said that there were two options of registering for the occasion - “Either you can just participate in the event or be a volunteer of the national record,” Saeed told The Express Tribune.

Jan added that the campaigning for the gathering, which aims to be the largest of its kinds, will be at its peak after a week. “The volunteers will all be dressed the same,” he said. “It will be a one-of-kind crowd and we feel that is an honour that the assembly is being arranged in Karachi’s heart.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 21^st, 2013.