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Events

The Winners Awarded | First Derajat Off-Road Jeep Challenge Race Concludes

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PESHAWAR: A top official said on Monday, March 29, that more cultural festivals and traditional games would be organized in Dera Ismail Khan to attract domestic and foreign tourists to the area and boost tourism in the province.

Speaking at the awards distribution ceremony of the first Derajat off-road jeep and motorcycle challenge race, Secretary Sports, Tourism, Archaeology, Culture, Museums, and Youth Affairs Department Abid Majeed said that the second leg of Derajat Festival was postponed owing to the third wave of Covid-19 pandemic.

He said that the cultural festival would now be held in the upcoming September.

“The government is taking tangible steps for the promotion of local cultures, traditional games, and boosting tourism in every nook and corner of the province to lure more tourists and visitors,” the official said, adding that it would help create employment opportunities for the local populace as well.

Federal Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was the chief guest at the concluding ceremony.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA), Frontier 4×4 Club, and Dera Ismail Khan District administration had jointly organized the three-day event.

Sahibzada Sultan was declared the top winner of Derajat off-road jeep challenge race followed by Zain Mahmood and Nadir Magsi.

In the Women’s category, Tushna Patel clinched the first position while Maheem Sheraz stood second and Salma Marwat third.

Trophies, medals, and cash prizes were given away to the positions of all categories.

Twenty-eight racers, including Jaffar Magsi, Nadir Magsi, Babar Khan, Salma Khan Marwat, Maheem Sheraz, Laila Akhunzada, Irshad Kakakhel, Zain Mahmood, Raza Saeed, Asif Fazal Chaudhry, Faisal Khan Shadi, Bewarigh Mazari, Awais Khakwani, Malik Qadir Nawaz, Shahab Haider, Asad Khan, Nauman Saranjam Khan, Saud Majeed, Umar Iqbal Kanju, Sheryar Khan, Zafar Khan Baloch, Nasir Khan, Gohar Sangi, Tushna Patel, Jamila and others participated in the pre-peered category and covered 118 kilometers track from Yarak to Gloti.

The racers performed well during the 118km race on the track from Yarak to Gloti after passing through Paniala, Rahmanikhel, and Abdulkhel.

Twenty-nine drivers participated in the stock category while 22 racers performed in the professional pre-peered category.

‘Nowruz’ Celebrations | Serena Hotels Organizes The Event

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ISLAMABAD: Serena Hotels held a colorful Nowruz celebration event in collaboration with the diplomatic missions of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the banner of its Cultural Diplomacy Initiative.

Nowruz – which means ‘new day – is an ancient celebration of spring dating back to around 3000 years; today is celebrated by around 300 million people belonging to different faiths and ethnicities across the world. In 2010 the United Nations adopted a resolution to officially recognize the International Day of Nowruz.

The event included beautiful cultural performances as well as stalls by the participating countries featuring their local handicrafts and heritage products. The First Lady Mrs. Samina Arif Alvi was the Chief Guest at the occasion. A number of notable dignitaries from the Diplomatic Corps, Government, and Corporate Sector also attended the event.

CEO Serena Hotels South and Central Asia Mr. Aziz Boolani thanked the First Lady and the collaborating countries as well as the attendees for their participation. “At Serena Hotels, we believe in creating positive linkages that can bring value to the society, and our various Diplomacy initiatives follow this overarching mission. The Nowruz event at Serena Hotels has become a yearly feature and a unique platform for the Nowruz celebrating countries to come together to celebrate this UN-recognized festival collectively,” he said.

“Nowruz, a spring festival that has been celebrated across different regions for centuries, reminds us of what we have in common,” said H.E. Atadjan Movlamov, Dean of Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Turkmenistan, thanking the First Lady Mrs. Samina Arif Alvi for her participation. “Today’s event shows that Pakistan stands for peace, development, and progress.”

Yes To Corporate Social Responsibility | Legend Islamabad Initiates Trees Plantation Campaign

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ISLAMABAD: As a part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, Legend Hotel Islamabad has initiated a tree plantation campaign, starting with its hotel in Islamabad on the 16th March 2021. In the same context, the management of the hotel has invited some of our celebrities and the press to join them in this environmental activity, and make it memorable. After the tree plantation ceremony, there was an environmental awareness press conference by Mr. Azeem Qureashi and Ms. Laila Zuberi.

“We regard our media as the real tool to motivate the masses and another corporate sector to participate in such drives, making Pakistan Green,” said Azeem.

The event was followed by a sumptuous lunch in honor of the guests and media.

International Women’s Day | Serena Collects Women Empowerment initiatives

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ISLAMABAD: Serena Hotels hosted a Women’s Day Breakfast and Crafts Bazaar to acknowledge the trailblazing women of society and to provide support and representation to women social enterprises.

The wife of the President of Pakistan Mrs. Samina Arif Alvi was the Chief Guest at the occasion which was attended by prominent women leaders from politics, sports, healthcare, and charities as well as other segments of society including journalists and members of the Diplomatic corps and their spouses.

An exhibition of social enterprises for women empowerment as well as organizations working to support persons with disabilities and social justice was set up which included a colorful crafts bazaar. The exhibitors included the Pakistan Foreign Office Women Association (PFOWA), Behbud Crafts, Indus Heritage Trust, Mashal Association, Andaaz, Rozan, Nomad Gallery, Care for Special Persons Foundation, Aga Khan Economic Planning Board for Pakistan, and Pakistan Air Force Women’s Association (PAFWA).

CEO Serena Hotels South and Central Asia Mr. Aziz Boolani said that Serena Hotels is working to create a workplace where everyone can advance, and a culture of equality that unlocks human potential. “We are proud to be the first EDGE (Economic Dividends for Gender Equality) certified hospitality company in Pakistan. Today we celebrate the achievements of women and pledge to collectively create an inclusive world.”

Promoting Art & The Artist | ‘ArtRegent’ Gallery Set Up At Regent Plaza Hotel

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KARACHI: Last week Governor Sindh Imran Ismail   inaugurated the ‘ArtRegent’, an art gallery at Regent Plaza Hotel & Convention Centre. The new gallery is opened with the joint collaboration of ArtKaam Gallery and Regent Plaza Hotel & Convention Centre   for the Art Lovers of Karachi.

A large cross section of the city’s elite, including industrialists, a very representative gathering of Karachi’s responsible citizens,  businessmen, Artists, Media  Personnel and professionals had responded to the invitation of Mr. Zubair Baweja and made the  event a  very impressive evening.  

Being the Chief guest while addressing the event, Governor Sindh Imran Ismail said that in order to encourage new artists, their art pieces should be exhibited so that the existing art in the country  be appreciated and new art galleries should be set up in the country for the promotion of new art and the artists.

Speaking on the occasion, Managing Director Regent Plaza Hotel and Former Vice President Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mr. Zubair Baweja said that in the past the lifestyle was different from the current lifestyle. I was also fond of painting which is evident from the archeological finds. In those days when there was no paper canvas, people of that time used to paint on stone which we can still see in “Chaukhandi Cemetery, Jewelry and flowers have been made on the graves of women while swords, spears, shields and other weapons have been painted on the graves of men as it is not possible to read the writings of this period.

Mr. Junaid Hamid, CEO  ArtKaam Gallery also addressed the gathering and said that  painting is an art that has been going on for centuries as human beings are full of passion to be beautiful and like the beautiful things. Beautiful signs are scattered everywhere that makes a person interested in Painting. He said that despite the passage of hundreds of year the painting of Mona Lisa which has become immortal is as popular among the people as it was in the past.

The chief guest, Governor Sindh Imran Ismail cut the 116th birthday cake of Rotary International while President of Rotary Club of Karachi Nexus Kausar Aslam presented a shield and bouquet to the special guest Sindh Governor Imenil as an honorary member. Prof. Dr.Farhan District Governor of Rotary International 3271 were also present on the occasion.

This is the third art gallery in Pakistan in 3 years by Artkaam Gallery.

Baloch Culture Day | Celebrations All Around Balochistan

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QUETTA: Men, women and children dressed in their ethnic dress and celebrated Baloch Culture Day with great fervor & zeal across the province on Thursday, March 2.

Many musical, cultural and literary functions and ceremonies to mark the culture day, were organized across Balochistan including Gwadar, Panjgur, Kharan, Chagai, Dalbandin, Nushki, Kalat, Khuzdar, Mastung, Bolan, Sibi, Nasirabad, Jaffarabad and other respective areas.

An impressive event was held at Balochistan Press Club in which all aspects of life in Balochistan were highlighted. Cultural stalls displaying Baloch cuisine, embroidery among others were also set up.

Moreover a shopping mall in Quetta was decorated and many families were seen enjoying the day in their cultural dresses.

The Balochistan Assembly also marked the day as many politicians including provincial Minister of Health Rahmat Saleh Baloch showed up dressed in ethnic attire.

The event highlighted the significance of different elements of Baloch culture including its heritage, embroidery designs and cuisine.

Stalls were set up to allow people to get a real taste of the rich Baloch culture with mouth-watering Sajji on one side and stalls on archeological sites on the other. Folk singers also mesmerised the guests with their vocals.

Balochistan Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti said that Baloch nation has a rich culture and language which we are promoting with marking Baloch Culture Day.

These views were expressed by Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, during ceremony of Baloch Culture Day at Millennium Mall.

He said that the culture Day provides an opportunity of sharing happiness and having get together, adding, that culture is a key factor which plays a pivotal role in the development of any people.

He said that Baloch people respect women, guests and elders during war because of their rich culture.

the Sibi Mela (festival) began with fanfare and pomp and show in Balochistan’s historical district of Sibi on Thursday.

The annual fair in Sibi is certainly a factual reflection of ancient cultures of the province and people living here for centuries. This event has been helpful to create harmony, national cohesion and love among people of the province and country at large on one side, while on the other side, it has also been financially beneficial in promoting the business of livestock and agriculture.

The four-day Sibi Mela from March 2-5 started at Sardar Chakar Khan Stadium Sibi. Balochistan Minister for Agriculture Sardar Aslam Bizenjo was the chief guest of the opening event.

‘Tourism Australia’ Top Aussie Tourism Conference is Back

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SYDNEY: Major Aussie tourism conference, Destination Australia, is back in 2017, where Australia’s leading tourism decision makers and marketers all convene to share their insights with the industry.

The event will be held on March 16 at Doltone House Hyde Park, Sydney, with just 300 spaces available at the conference.Top executives from leading companies including Google, Facebook, Skift, Mastercard, HSBC, IPG Media Brands and Tourism Australia will cover the following topics:

  • The top global megatrends defining travel in 2017
  • How Tourism Australia is tapping into high-yield international markets to increase spend
  • How global political, economic and demographic trends will impact Australian tourism
  • People search on Google trillions of times every year. What are the latest insights for travel?
  • The key factors are in growing demand from Asia’s growing middle class.
  • How the world’s most successful brands connect with consumers
  • The rules of simplicity that lead to amazing business success

“Destination Australia is a wonderful opportunity for our industry to take time out from their busy day to day to focus on the big picture, relevant trends and best practice and also take a peak over the horizon at what lies ahead,” Tourism Australia’s MD John O’Sullivan.

“In an industry as dynamic and fast-changing as ours, I think these sort of forums are invaluable and I’m sure everyone who attends this year’s event will leave feeling inspired and also richer for the experience. Once again, we’ve got a great line-up of speakers, some stimulating topics and a mix of contributions from both inside and outside of our industry.”