Celebrating diversity: Youth given platform to present their talent

Programme organised by USEFP brings students from across Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Technical glitches were not good-enough to hold back effervescent youngsters eager to show-off their talent at ‘USEFP’s Got Talent’ event. The first-of-its-kind talent hunt platform held at a local university enthralled a high number of participants who had come to see youngsters perform live on Saturday evening. 

The talent was raw and training was minimal. Despite the nitty-gritty details, around 30 university students from Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Lahore had made the final cut from close to a hundred for the finale.

Just like any teenager around the world, Pakistani youngsters hooked to popular talent hunt television shows were aware of what the format is like. They had 90 seconds to demonstrate a unique talent and impress a panel of judges. In their gleaming outfits and with their hairstyles intact, some students performed in groups while others had mustered enough courage to perform solo. Most of them were either singing or dancing, while others demonstrated unique talent of mixing a few styles of both, break-dancing, playing the drums, piano and even local instruments like flute, tabla, ghungroo and rubab.

The programme was launched to provide Pakistani youth with a platform to showcase their talent.

With the spotlight glistening over Shamak Qamar, the audience was enthralled by the student’s maestro-like piano performance. While Encore Group --- a trio from Westminster school that sang to the beats of the guitar --- also captivated the entire hall within 90 seconds. Singers Najiullah Hussain and Janat Mobeen got the crowd chanting ‘once more’ and Umar Mustafa during his break-dance exhilarated everyone with his moves.

Director and model Aisha Linnea Akhtar, Shahbaz Shigri, Laura Djuragic, Fizza Hussain and RJ Wes Malik were the judges of the competition. Passing diplomatic comments after performances, the judges had structured their responses tilting them towards positive remarks to encourage students to continue working with their talent and not to give up.  The winners of the competition received Ipads and kindles.

The event was part of the 15th International Education Week, which is an opportunity to promote and celebrate the benefits of international education and cultural exchange. Started as a joint initiative between the US Department of State and Department of Education, IEW is part of the effort to promote global learning programmes and encourage future leaders to study, learn and exchange experiences in the US.

According to a press statement, USEFP Executive Director Rita Akhtar said “Students don’t have enough opportunities to show their talents. US universities encourage talent and achievement and offer superb programmes in the performing arts and music and this talent show is a good way to highlight this.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd, 2014.