One of the several floats at the Horse and Cattle Show. PHOTO: ABID NAWAZ/EXPRESS
As the nation struggles to overcome a myriad of crises, the Horse and Cattle Show comes as a breath of fresh air, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah said on Friday, the second day of the show.
Shah, the chief guest at the morning session, lauded the government’s efforts in providing avenues like the Horse and Cattle Show.
Provincial Minister Rana Mashhood said civil and military institutions were working together to pave the way for a peaceful and prosperous nation. “We need to do this together.” He said the military and the government had collaborated on the Horse and Cattle Show and had revived it after 11 years to “put a smile on people’s faces”.
The crowd, consisting mostly of students, was larger on Friday than on the show’s opening day.
Zeeshan Ahmed, a visitor, said his uncle, who had attended the show on Thursday, had raved about the Rangers’ parade. “So I came today to watch it and was bowled over.”
The crowd cheered the Rangers on as they marched backwards while beating drums. The parade comprised 926 steps and 160 movements.
Though the army men faced obstructions while performing motorcycle stunts on Thursday, the performances went smoothly on Friday. The crowd gasped as 10 men on a motorcycle formed a flower.
The audience also greatly appreciated stunts and performances featuring dogs. At one point during the race, as the participating dogs chased a robotic rabbit, a kettle of vultures swooped to within a few feet of the ground and circled the mechanical hare.
Several people in the audience, however, complained about how some of the commentators were unable to follow all the events being held simultaneously at the show.
Asadullah, one such visitor, said the performances by dogs – especially one in which a dog set a hoop on fire – were stunning but had been ignored by the commentator who was, at that time, commenting on the dog race.
Teams representing clubs from Jhang and Sargodha and the Rangers participated in the tent-pegging competition. Among other notable events of the day were the camel tent-pegging and horse dances.
The evening session pulled an even bigger audience. Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majid was the chief guest. Lawmakers Zakia Shahnawaz, Pervaiz Malik and Shaista Pervaiz, too, attended the session. Several senior government officers including DCO Muhammad Usman and the chief secretary were present.
As many as 360 torch-bearing Rangers spelt out Welcome at the beginning of the session. The Mashal Parade received great applause from the audience, especially as their formed jewellery patterns, a fountain and We Love Pakistan, with their torches.
The army’s pipe band played tunes of national songs including Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan. The drummers were led by Naib Subedar Hassan. They marched towards the stage and saluted the audience. The Ranger’s Camel Band, which did not perform on Thursday, took a round of the stadium.
The host, actress Ayesha Sana, said this was the only camel band in the world.
Another popular event was the night tent-pegging.
DCO Muhammad Usman told The Express Tribune that Sunday and Saturday’s sessions would feature parachute jumps. He urged people to visit the show and celebrate Pakistan together.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 7th, 2015.
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