CareForHealth: Zoe Viccaji and Sara Haider Sing for Mental Health
Written by: Sadeem Shaikh Posted on: February 29, 2016 |
Sara Haider sings for mental health
This past weekend, dozens from all age groups came together at The Arts Council in Karachi to watch Zoe Viccaji and Sara Haider perform some of their most popular songs. Unlike most other concerts, Saturday’s event was a fundraiser for a critical problem in Pakistan: mental illness. Spearheaded by CareForHealth (CFH), an organization working tirelessly to rehabilitate and reintegrate mental health patients into mainstream society, their first ever fundraiser also had Coke Studio’s Omran Shafique and actress Sanam Saeed present in the audience. The concert successfully inaugurated CareForHealth’s awareness campaign about an extremely significant issue that is often overlooked in our society. Alizeh Valjee and Lalarukh Haris, co-founders of the organization, were also present at the occasion.
Food stalls of local franchises such as ‘Chai Wala’, ‘Bond Street Waffles’ and ‘HomeChef’ helped make the night even more enjoyable. A talented underground band by the name of Taraboa took stage first, delivering great renditions of English classics such as Bon Jovi’s Keep the Faith and Chris Cornell’s version of Billie Jean. Next, Sara Haider made an exciting entrance with a cover of Bruno Mars’ Locked out of Heaven. This was followed by Strings’ evergreen track Anjaanay Kyun, which brought the crowd to their feet. Jumping around on the stage with great energy, the rising star made the audience feel like they were a part of the performance as well. Adele’s Hello and Noori’s Yaara were two more covers that completed Haider’s diverse set list.
Zoe Viccaji in concert
With Omran Shafique, Sara Haider and Zoe Viccaji on stage at the hour mark, it felt like a reenactment of Coke Studio, only with an amusing rendition of Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk. In contrast to Haider’s jazzy vocals, Viccaji segued into a more country and folk tuning. One of her most loved tracks from Coke Studio, Ishq Kinara, was the first on her list. She next performed Jisnay Bhi Aana Hai from her first album. Her set list was as diverse and inclusive as Haider’s, including Nazia Hassan’s Aap Jesa Koi, Elvis Presley’s Jailhouse Rock and Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’, effortlessly putting the audience in a dancing frenzy.
With the purpose of raising funds for a pressing issue demanding immediate attention, the concert drew significant numbers to The Arts Council. This goes to show that a lot of people are willing to aid in mitigating the effects of mental illness in our society. It is hoped that similar events will be held in the future as well, helping to ease the pressure on organizations such as CareForHealth, and further making a move toward an integrative, inclusive Pakistani society.
Sarah Haider, Zoe Viccaji and Omran Shafique perform 'Uptown Funk' by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars
As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.
Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.
Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.
YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.
Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.
Nong Rong
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
January 2021
Video message by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Black Day of Indian Occupation of Kashmir
Video message by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Black Day of Indian Occupation of Kashmir, 27 October 1947, when Indian military troops forcibly occupied Kashmir illegally, claiming a fraudulent ‘Instrument of Accession’ which never existed as documented by eminent British historian Alastair Lamb! Kashmir & Palestine are examples of illegal occupation & continued Resistance to Repression! There are so many commonalities in Kashmir & Palestine: both under brutal military occupation of foreign powers, both are facing an indigenous, popular, spontaneous & widespread Resistance & Uprising, both are in violation of UN Resolutions which haven’t been implemented, both are witnessing an attempted change in the demographic balance, both are facing the use of rape as a weapon of war, both are testimony to double-standards & hypocrisy of Western powers on human rights & fundamental rights, and both conflicts have an element of racism and Islamophobia, while enduring peace, security and stability will remain elusive in both regions, South Asia & Middle East, until these issues are resolved in accordance with popular aspirations.
