Jacaranda, the Venue for TEDxPindi
The word Jacaranda finds its origins in the genus of plants which are native of South America. The plants have blue and violet flowers which are appealing to the eyes and because More »
Favorite TED talk – “The Politics of Fiction”
There are many TED speakers, each having their own powerful stories to share with their captivated audience. They touch the people with their words, leaving an indelible imprint, and while, it was More »
Crescent and Star on Green Field – Fluttering since 1947
August 14, 1947, through the gushing streams of blood and among the heap of dead bodies there emerged a nation on the map of this world which vowed to protect the socio-political More »
Pindi, the City Hosting TEDxPindi
Rawalpindi, also known as Pindi, is a city located on Potohar plateau which enjoys close proximity with the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad. Pindi itself is the fourth largest city of Pakistan in More »
TEDx – It’s about everything!
In my opinion TEDx events are all about socialization and enjoying the amazing creativity, imagination and talents that God has gifted mankind with. If you are an attendee you meet new people, if you are among the organizers and volunteers then you learn about team work and get to know about your strengths on how to pull off an independently and mostly the student organized event, if you are the curator then you get the opportunity to know about your leadership skills, the ability to convince people, manage your networking relationships and last but not the least – self esteem sky rockets the flame of entrepreneurship and self actualization. TEDx provides the chance to bloggers for satisfying their curiosity, to sponsors – an opportunity to make themselves known more and press to let their readers know about the healthy discussion-based events happening in their environment.
TEDx has always been an inspiration for me, learning about innovations in the most exciting fields of Technology, Entertainment and Design has always intrigued me to grab the opportunity of becoming the part of this event every time. TEDx not only brings networking opportunities but it is also about simple ideas that your own local people have, one gets the chance to talk about unbiased, non political and no-religion based discussions. It provides us with the time to understand that there are things which are at par then these routine discussions and issues. The events strike an amazing balance between our needs of belonging to the height of getting awareness about our very immediate environment.
At TEDx events I met with people whom I barely knew before, just knowing about their names and profession was complete knowledge I had about them, but attending this event helped me in knowing them more, interacting with them not through the television screen or learning about them through Facebook or Twitter but talking to them in person. TEDx has always been an electrifying, exhilarating and memorable event to attend, enjoy and get motivated to do something on my own because TEDx promises about letting you know for the ideas that are worth spreading!
Posted by Anum Jawed
Join us at TEDxPindi
Keeping in view the enthusiasm displayed by our participants, we were endeavoring to go ahead with the event. But reconsidering the worsening security situation in the country, we believe it is best to postpone TEDxPindi for the time being. New details will be communicated to you asap.
Registrations are still open. We recommend you to register asap due to a limited number of seats available. Invitations are being sent on a rolling basis.
Please email us the following details to TEDxPindi@hotmail.com
Full name
CNIC
Contact number
Date of Birth
Day, Month, Year
Field of activity
Company / Organizations
Why do you want to attend TEDxPindi?
Jacaranda, the Venue for TEDxPindi
The word Jacaranda finds its origins in the genus of plants which are native of South America. The plants have blue and violet flowers which are appealing to the eyes and because of this it is planted in other countries as well. The name itself provides the reason for choosing it to be a club’s name that provides exotic and pleasurable experience of services being rendered.
Jacaranda Country Club lies in the suburbs of Islamabad. The beautiful and calm place away from hustle and bustle of city life gives a soothing feeling to visitors. Newly constructed Defence Housing Scheme owns the houses being constructed with latest designs and architecture in the area. These houses surround the club and there lies an alley of little shops on the outside of the club.
The club provides facilities relating to various activities ranging from sports to entertainment in terms of karaoke and cinema screens. Sports activities include swimming pools, twelve lane bowling alley, Gymnasium, etc. Moreover, it has exquisite wedding halls and restaurant known as Jacaranda Grill which provides fun and a fine dining experience.
People from all around the city visit Jacaranda for various functions, seminars, weddings and dinner parties. The place serves not only for entertainment purposes but a huge hotel is also under-construction and has been made in a circular path giving it a lovely view and exciting sightseeing opportunities.
The place is no doubt is as lovely as the name says, it is actually a whole new experience which calls for diversity in terms of services offered, to the diversity in terms of its members. TEDxPindi invites you to experience it.
Posted by Anum Jawed
Favorite TED talk – “The Politics of Fiction”
There are many TED speakers, each having their own powerful stories to share with their captivated audience. They touch the people with their words, leaving an indelible imprint, and while, it was a hard decision to pinpoint exactly which one I liked best – Elif Shafak’s 2010 talk “The Politics of Fiction” was clearly the winner in the race.
She is a bestselling Turkish writer, winning accolades for her work from all around the world. I first came to know her when I stumbled upon one of her books “The Forty Rules of Love” – which immediately made me want to draw hearts for her.
Shafak is charismatic. Being a storyteller has given her enough power to weave her words together in this intricate and delicate web and as she told stories about her superstitious grandmother, and the tales of Istanbul, she managed to add in dialogues about the stereotyping mindset that is lurking behind every door. In certain situations however, like fear, we tend to forget our differences. We forget about cultural notions, and stigmas and it seems so trivial, for just a moment that you wonder why you held a grudge or a bias against someone you never even had a chance to know.
This made me laugh, probably because the entire statement is so relevant to the situation in Pakistan. With so many ethnic and religious communities residing in the country, there is a shady power struggle happening in the tall strapping buildings, in the mud strewn alleys and even out in the open. We tend to focus so much on these differences, this programmed prejudice that we forget about our similarities.
I’m a struggling writer, unpolished around the edges and one of the reasons, why Shafak draws me in is because she understands that books have this magic to open up minds and hearts, and stories that “move like whirling dervishes, drawing circles beyond circles” connect people regardless of who they are, or what background they belong to. So it seems that when we read books, we’re allowing ourselves to pry on characters we won’t even dream of befriending in real life – in reality, books are powerful enough to change your beliefs and your ideas.
“Books have saved the introverted, timid child that I was — that I once was.” You’re right, Elif. They rescued me too.
Posted by Tayaba Iftikhar
Crescent and Star on Green Field – Fluttering since 1947
August 14, 1947, through the gushing streams of blood and among the heap of dead bodies there emerged a nation on the map of this world which vowed to protect the socio-political rights of the Muslims. It was this piece of land which transformed the ambassador of Hindu- Muslim unity into the Quaid-e-Azam of Pakistan. Muhammad Ali Jinnah wasn’t a scientist, poet, philosopher or a religious scholar. He was an adept lawyer who used his political acumen to win the biggest case of his life in the international court. A strategically important actor at the international political stage and a resilient gem. Quaid was told many times that his Pakistan will not survive for long. Jinnah surrendered his breath as a price for the emergence of Pakistan. Pakistan lost her father just one year after birth. After 23 years, the Eastern wing of this ideological state had to afloat as Bangladesh. The slogans of unity, faith and discipline began to diminish.
From the fall of Dhaka to the judiciary movement in 2007 which ousted the US tamed dictator of Pakistan, hopes for the future dwindled. Almost 30 years were granted to the military men for forging Pakistan into what it was destined to be. The first and till now the only civil martial law administrator of this country was hanged to death. Constitution chalked by this political martyr was abrogated from time to time by the dictatorial fists. Pakistan became an acknowledged nuclear power in 1998. In 2001 after the 9/11 terror attacks, it entered the global war on terror at the beck and call of the US. The faltering economy never stabilized even after the influx of aid which was presented as an incentive for obeying foreign commands. Extremism and religious bigotry rose to a point at which the governor of Punjab, Salman Taseer was murdered by his own guard. However, a seemingly democratic coalition government led by the slogan-raisers of ‘food’, ‘shelter’ and ‘water’ made the most startling events possible. It was for the first time that the US Navy Seals carried out a raid in broad-daylight at Pakistani soil. The nation had no choice other than confessing that its Prime Minister was disqualified and the dictator departed after receiving guard of honour. Energy crisis, power crisis and circular debt rose to unprecedented levels. Corruption, nepotism and money laundering broke records.
Yet the nation resisted the Earthquake of 2005 and the floods of 2010 like a concrete wall. It nurtured individuals like Ali Moeen Nawazish, Sitara Akbar Buruj, Ibrahim Shahid, Arfa Karim Randhawa (late) and Babar Khan. The Pakistani flag hoisted in the Arthur Ashe stadium (USA) as Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi reached the U.S open tennis doubles final. The Chief Justice brought his son to book. His blatant suo-moto notices unveiled a lot of ugly faces. 18th and 19th amendments to the constitution restored the original draft of 1973 with powers in the hands of the parliament. Pakistan being the fourth most talented nation in the world has still much to be proud of. With the lengthiest track record of success, the best known Intelligence so far on the global scale of records is ‘ISI’. Pakistan trains one of the bravest armies in the world. This leaves a question mark for those who dare to declare it as a failed or banana state.
65 years are equal to hours in the history of any country. Admitting the fact that the political set-up lacks maturity, will and patriotism, this young nation has a long distance to cover. If it can assemble the domestic affairs with insight and discernment, then it can depict its true strength. Our problems are of local nature, the weakness within allows foreign intervention and involvement to penetrate. The fragmented nature of our decisions, actions and plans accompanied with the devils of provincialism and illiteracy has impeded the journey that is leading towards a progressive Pakistan. The need of the hour is to get united, make education a necessity and work with utmost dedication in all the sectors simultaneously. Despite all odds, the white crescent and star on the green field, continue to flutter that is contrary to what Pakistan’s enemies prognosticated.
Posted by Fakiha Hassan Rizvi
Pindi, the City Hosting TEDxPindi
Rawalpindi, also known as Pindi, is a city located on Potohar plateau which enjoys close proximity with the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad. Pindi itself is the fourth largest city of Pakistan in terms of population. It is more than 3000 years old, making it one of the oldest civilizations of the world. A Buddhist establishment in Taxila lies very close to Pindi.
Pindi is home to one of the most diversified ethnic societies in Pakistan. In addition to Potohari and Punjabis, Pathan community from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmiris from Kashmir also live in the city to earn their bread and butter. Furthermore, military headquarter of Pakistan Army is located in Pindi, so, a large community of military officers and their families choose Pindi for permanent residence.
Despite having such a diversified population, literacy rate in the city is second to only the capital city Islamabad. Some of the best universities and colleges of Pakistan are located here. Most of the urban population’s basic source of income is regular office jobs rather than businesses or agriculture and thus Pindi standouts in Pakistan for having the best educational institutions in the country. The oldest university in the world according to Guinness Book of World Records, Takshashila University was in Taxila, a sub-town of district Pindi.
Pindi enjoys a sub-tropical climate and it is quite humid here most of the year. It gets cold in winter and not-so-hot in summers with the frequent rains ensuring that the residents enjoy a pleasant weather overall.
Pindi is strategically located. Tourists usually camp here before proceeding to enjoy the beautiful northern areas of Pakistan, such as Sakardu, Gilgit, Naraan Kaghan and Sawat etc. Pindi is also the market for all the goods imported from China and people from all over Pakistan come to Pindi to buy goods at an affordable price. Raja Bazaar is the most famous shopping place in Pakistan and the most crowded too. You can find everything you need in Raja Bazaar if you have time and a parking place to park your car.
Some of the must visit places in Pindi are Raja Bazaar, China Market, Lok Virsa Museum, Ayub National Park, Jinnah Park, Rawalpindi Golf Course and DHA Jungle Park.
Pindi is one of the most interesting citys of Pakistan and majority of the people who come to live here prefer to stay here permanently.
I hope you will enjoy experiencing Pindi and TEDxPindi.
Posted by Fahaad Humayun