Glory days: Lyari’s students shine on stage
Trying to change perceptions, Noble Academy organises talent show on Thursday.
Azad Baloch FC owner Jihand Shaukat Ali practises with his team in the Lyari football ground. PHOTO: EXPRESS
KARACHI:
The residents of Lyari believe that most of Karachi’s citizens don’t like them. They are certain that out of the 18 million people in the city, very few would willingly set foot in their neighbourhood.
“When people look at us their eyes are filled with loathing and disgust,” said Waqas Baloch, 12, while talking about how living in their neighbourhood was just a little different from anywhere else in the world. “The fear or those who caused the fear are no longer here. Lyari has become peaceful. Please don’t be scared anymore.”
For the children of Lyari, it is difficult to come to terms with the area they live in. Once famous for great boxers and footballers, Lyari is now known for gang war and encounters.
Trying to change these perceptions and celebrate 17 years of providing education to the people of Lyari, the Noble Academy organised a talent show on Thursday at Noorani Hall, Nawa Lane near Gabol Park.
Waqas came up on stage and moved the audience with his charged words. “We are the true democrats. We introduced Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. We are the ones with the great sportsmen. So why don’t people in this city consider us their equals?”
Performances such as dance sets on Shukrya Pakistan, Muskra Pakistan and Barra Dushman Banna Phirta Hay were thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated by the crowd.
According to Tayyab, a class-one student, education was important and the only way to overcome problems in society.
“Education is important for girls and boys,” said Irum, another student. “An educated girl will know about her rights and that is very important these days.”
Aqsa, who has just started studying in class 10, said that peace in Lyari can only be maintained if students participated in extra-curricular activities. These, she added, would keep teenagers involved and keep them away from crime.
“Our children have a lot of talent,” said a senior teacher at the academy, Musawwar Ali. “They can compete anywhere. The law and order situation in the area has disturbed our youth. They need space to grow and nurture their talent.” He added that a little support from society could make a big difference for these children.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Ali said that the students were slowly coming out of trauma. “They have witnessed violence first hand,” he said. “They have seen explosions, fights, bullets in the air. They need to forget now.” He added that many of these students were not being given any opportunities and now was the time to change this.
“I have just witnessed how talented the children of Lyari are,” said Nisar Ahmed Chandio, a faculty member of the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University, Lyari. Having taught at the university for four years, Chandio said that the people were peaceful and wanted to prove themselves.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 4th, 2015.
The residents of Lyari believe that most of Karachi’s citizens don’t like them. They are certain that out of the 18 million people in the city, very few would willingly set foot in their neighbourhood.
“When people look at us their eyes are filled with loathing and disgust,” said Waqas Baloch, 12, while talking about how living in their neighbourhood was just a little different from anywhere else in the world. “The fear or those who caused the fear are no longer here. Lyari has become peaceful. Please don’t be scared anymore.”
For the children of Lyari, it is difficult to come to terms with the area they live in. Once famous for great boxers and footballers, Lyari is now known for gang war and encounters.
Trying to change these perceptions and celebrate 17 years of providing education to the people of Lyari, the Noble Academy organised a talent show on Thursday at Noorani Hall, Nawa Lane near Gabol Park.
Waqas came up on stage and moved the audience with his charged words. “We are the true democrats. We introduced Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. We are the ones with the great sportsmen. So why don’t people in this city consider us their equals?”
Performances such as dance sets on Shukrya Pakistan, Muskra Pakistan and Barra Dushman Banna Phirta Hay were thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated by the crowd.
According to Tayyab, a class-one student, education was important and the only way to overcome problems in society.
“Education is important for girls and boys,” said Irum, another student. “An educated girl will know about her rights and that is very important these days.”
Aqsa, who has just started studying in class 10, said that peace in Lyari can only be maintained if students participated in extra-curricular activities. These, she added, would keep teenagers involved and keep them away from crime.
“Our children have a lot of talent,” said a senior teacher at the academy, Musawwar Ali. “They can compete anywhere. The law and order situation in the area has disturbed our youth. They need space to grow and nurture their talent.” He added that a little support from society could make a big difference for these children.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Ali said that the students were slowly coming out of trauma. “They have witnessed violence first hand,” he said. “They have seen explosions, fights, bullets in the air. They need to forget now.” He added that many of these students were not being given any opportunities and now was the time to change this.
“I have just witnessed how talented the children of Lyari are,” said Nisar Ahmed Chandio, a faculty member of the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University, Lyari. Having taught at the university for four years, Chandio said that the people were peaceful and wanted to prove themselves.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 4th, 2015.