Petrichor Magazine 20th August 2019 Third Edition

Featuring Cover Article at the forefront on the destiny of KASHMIR

E N V I R O N M E N T C R I S I S & H O W T O W I N I T ?

A S U F I J O U R N E Y P O E T I C E X P R E S S I O N S

D E P R E S S I O N R E M E D I E S I N T E R E S T I N G S T O R I E S

A R T T H E R A P H Y I N T E R E S T I N G T R A V E L O G U E

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Kashmir: A silenced spectator of its own destiny by Fatima Hassan

Kashmir with its own voice suppressed is the talk of the On the other hand, as India tries to keep the world out of world. With most of the world giving statements that Kashmir issue it also says that India welcomes bilateral reek of indifference, Pakistan is still desperately trying to solution but with a condition for Pakistan to stop make the world come together and resolve the Kashmir terrorism. Pakistan has fought a long and hard war issue. On the other hand, India with its aggressive against terrorism and does not want any more conflicts unilateral moves is trying to convince the world that while the Indian Permanent Representative to UN, Syed Kashmir is Indian Territory and Kashmir issue a purely Akbaruddin, delivered the stance of New Delhi saying Indian business, their wishes till now seem to be that the Pakistan must “Stop Terror to Start Talks”. This takes world should leave India alone in this matter of Kashmir. Pakistan back to finding the only solution in a multilateral way because India and its blame on Pakistan India revoked the article 370 of Indian constitution on of terror can stay as long as they wish and with it any August 5 and divided it into two Indian union territories. possible dialogues shall remain delayed. Indian move not only seems aggressive but also fearless, it is true that India is stronger in economy and strength Huge Indian Military presence continues, the autonomy than Pakistan and they clearly believe that they can still removed, and the democracy failed as the Kashmiris handle the situation as long as it remains between only are kept restricted to their homes against their wishes India and Pakistan. The situation is not to remain this with a communication shut down. Their leaders arrested, simple, because Pakistan does not remain quiet. their voices suppressed, and their right of self- Pakistan promptly employed all the diplomatic and determination snatched as two countries try their best to political ways to internationalize the issue to make India employ peaceful or aggressive ways to own Kashmir. rethink its decisions about scraping the special status of The tragic life moves ahead as the Britain watches with Kashmir. Pakistan has succeeded in its venture so far indifferent eyes the horrors caused due to their that it has successfully made the United Nations Security unfinished business. Let’s hope the world awakens Council call a meeting and discuss the Kashmir issue for although it has a history of always getting a little too the first time after 50 years. The UNSC approved that late. Kashmir is a disputed territory and showed concern about the plight of Kashmiris who have been under curfew since August 5. However, the response was not one that Pakistanis were expecting, but neither did it favor the Indian stance.

Pakistan’s Permanent representative to United Nations, Dr. Maliha Lodhi, said in an interview that UNSC showed shock and deep concern about the Indian revocation of article 370. The article 370 protects the demographics of a Muslim-majority Kashmir and gives it a limited autonomy. Dr. Lodhi said that “Let’s consider what India has done by this action which is illegal, illegitimate and unlawful. What they have done is to fly in the face of Security Council resolutions that have been on the council’s agendas for 70 years.” She believes that “UN has outstanding responsibilities to deal with this issue”.

India violated International Law and 11 Security Council resolutions with its revocation of article 370, it also violated Simla Agreement (1972) and Lahore Declaration (1999), which focus on peaceful and bilateral solution to Indo-Pak conflicts, by deploying hundreds and thousands of Army in Kashmir, imprisoning Kashmiris in their own homes and doing it all as a unilateral decision and as an Internal Indian affair.

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Born to be Happy how it happens, even when it happens to us-means that by Zunaira Zahid we often “Born to be happy” associate breakthroughs with an external force. In fact, That’s my last until the duchess painted on the wall, enlightenment, the imagination was entirely Looking as if she were alive. I call synonymous with higher power: That piece a wonder ,now, Fra Pandolf’s hand being creative meant channeling the muses, giving Worked busily a day, and these she stands voice to the ingenious Was courtesy, she thought, and cause enough gods (inspiration) Because people couldn’t understand For calling up that spot of joy creativity, they assumed She had a heart – how shall I say? that their best ideas come from somewhere else. The Too soon made a glad imagination was outsourced”

The above-mentioned verses is of the Robert browning Hippocrates, a Greek physician, 2400 years ago poem “The Last duchess” which is based on historical proposed “Four humors theory”. The four cardinal events involving alfonso, the duke of ferrara who lived in humors were Blood, phlegm, choler (yellow bile) or the 16th century. As the duke shows the visitor through melancholy (black bile). HUMORS are the fluids of body his palace, he stops before a portrait of the last duchess, that were thought to determine a person’s temperament apparently a young and lovely girl. The duke begins and features, depending on which humor predominates reminiscing about the portrait session, then about the and make a person’s nature happy, phlegmatic, irritable duchess herself. He claims she flirted with everyone. The or sad. Modern Science called these humors duke in fact caused the duchess’s early demise: when “NEUROTRANSMITTERS” i.e. dopamine or serotonin. her behavior escalated “[he] gave commands: then all These neurotransmitters are associated with various smiles stopped together”. This Poem and its context abnormal state i.e. bipolar disorder, depression, engage its reader on a psychological level. hypomania, mania, dysthymia and many other psychiatric illnesses. So, there are some people who just The duke killed the duchess because she was in habit of BORN TO BE HAPPY and stay happy for no good reason. being happy all the time, so duke thought that she Bad circumstances don’t matter for them. No bad flirted with everyone. Actually, the last duchess has a experience counts. They know how to be happy in worst joyous temperament with an exceptionally positive conditions. Sadly, most people fail in their quest for mood and disposition. This state is called hyperthymia. happiness. Empty success, Shallow pleasures and Hyperthymic people are so cheerful despite life’s immediate Gratification seem to dominate our culture misfortune, energetic and productive. Studies have more and more. shown that hyperthymic temperament promotes efficient performance of complex tasks under time So, what determines Happiness? pressure or extreme conditions. Despite this positive There is a Genetic predisposition for Happiness that characterization, hyperthymic can be complicated with accounts for roughly 50% of your happiness. Some depressive episodes manifesting as a softer form of people win the genetic lottery of life and some people bipolar illness. Bipolar patients become so depressed lose. If you are one of those unlucky people seemingly and suffer from severe panic attacks and cause extreme doomed for misery, don’t give up just yet! There’s Still mood swings that include emotional highs (mania) or 50% of your happiness left. External circumstances emotional lows (hypomania). include money, status, jobs, cars, beauty, beautiful houses and other external things that we chase in A psychiatric illness called dysthymia is mirror image of pursuit of happiness. Since we cannot control our hyperthymia. Dysthymic people suffer from a chronic genetics and we can only play our past to control our even mild depression throughout their life. Dysthymic external circumstances. Actions and Thoughts accounts people are always down with dreary pessimism and for 40% for your happiness. So. If u want to change your remain glum. Dysthymia is a psychiatric illness but happiness baseline for good, there’s two ways to do hyperthymia is not an illness; as it is no harm to be that: Change your thoughts and actions. happy and extrovert all the time. People who suffer from bipolar disorder and hyperthymia are very creative people.

JONAH LEHRER in his book Imagine: How creativity works writes: The Sheer secrecy of creativity-the difficult in understanding

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Thoughts: Actions: door to ego and love is the key to humbleness. Allah’s Keep a GRATITUDE Social Skills right upon us is to Love Him, not to question Him. JOURNAL Self esteem Loving someone needs to love everything what the Forgive yourself and other pe ople Humor beloved loves. Sufism frees oneself from the prisons of Learn to love yourself Exercise fears. It allows one to hear God instead of fearing Him, to Have GOALS Get enough sleep see Him with the heart not merely with the eyes and to M editate Laugh talk to Him in His language. No doubt Fear of God is strongest deterrent against the violent streak in humans. We often look for happiness in the wrong places or But one should abstain from wrong deeds with an blame bad luck in the genetic lottery for our misery but intention that Allah doesn’t like those actions. God is through changing our thoughts and actions and much simpler than men are making Him. All He wants is external circumstances, we can all become happier. for us to live our life without hurting each other, and Once you realize that, happiness becomes a choice. ARE that’s all. God is not cruel and rigid, instead He is the U WILLING TO MAKE IT? most Merciful and Loving reality. This allows one to pray in Love of God not in His fear. Because the search for truth is enough of an incentive to keep going. Sufism (The path of Love) by Aiman Sabir The essence of Sufism is in doing good and leaving the From the day of creation of this universe, everything evil. To purify oneself. Because God is pure and he yearns to find the most awaited reality. The paths, makes the pure hearts His dwelling. This is the utmost languages, cultures, traditions and religions may differ, thing to reach God. Doing good is easy but refraining but the quest is the same. To find the One. On one hand, from Haram is too difficult. The example is so easy to Sufism is the path full of trials while on the other it is the understand. Your heart is like an air-conditioned room realm of happiness. It is the passion and feeling felt in and your eyes are the windows opening to the outside. If the hearts and a conversation between the souls. you open the window, cooling goes to the outside and

the room remains hot. Likewise, if you open your eyes to Nafs and the soul, the perfect rivals. One lives in denial, Haram, your Eman vanishes from your heart. You must the other in trial, both the reflections of Mother Nature. have the eyes as clear as Toor in order to witness His God is an enigma that calls for exploration. He is so Noor. Sufis claim that they see God. They do. Because great who wants us to know Him in consciousness. when a person believes that everything belongs to Him Regarding Islam, the basic definition of Sufi mysticism is: and to Him, we shall return, everything becomes a “Practicing Shari ’a with Love“ manifestation of God. One should have eyes to see Him.

In ancient times, the mystics worked so hard to find God. The biggest confusion in the field of Sufism is Religions. Abstaining from Dunya, cutting oneself from worldly All religions are basically threads of different hues that things and isolating oneself to find the One was a are attached to Love and realization of the One. common practice those days.

“ Religion is the sigh of oppressed creatures, it is the But Islam brought the best concept and the best way to heart of heartless world and the soul of soulless reach Him. Apart from a hundred thousand sajood, conditions.” ~ Elif Şafak regardless of all the rolling beads, away from the ostentatious worshiping of people like goats, Islam Actually, Sufism is not a religion. It is a path. It is an emphasizes on the basics of His love, Submission. essence of every religion. That’s why there is much

diversity in this field. From the time of Owais Qarni R.A The mystic approach starts with destroying the Idol of till today all the Sufis brought the light of Islam through I-ness and ends in becoming the house of God. the candle of love. In short Sufism was present even Because ego is the greatest barrier in the path of love. A before Islam, but with the revolution brought in this man just has to destroy his ego to cultivate the plant of world by Rasool Allah s.a.w, the concept of Islamic faith in order to have Allah on his side. principles of Sufism emerged. With this, there was an

innovation in Sufism, it was refined and redefined. One searching for God is actually God in search of him. Today, if someone wishes to be a follower of Sufi path, And Sufis know this hidden connection; it is not about I, He should follow the teachings of Rasool Allah s.a.w, His it is about You. companions and tabaieen. He would never go astray.

Allah Paak says in Quran: Amidst the war of intellect and Love, Sufis ignore the If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission former and stand with the latter. Because intellect leads to Allah), never will it be accepted of him; and in the to vanity while Love teaches humility, intellect is the hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost

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(All spiritual good) – (Surah A l-Imran, ayah#85) The minute you begin to see perfection-your life changes. You begin to see what you encounter as an Still there’s a point. If you find someone praising God opportunity to learn. To choose being strong in relation and searching for Him in his own way, never call him an to an adversity. To choose self-love in relation to an infidel. You never know when he’s going to be blessed abusive or toxic relationship and walk away. To choose with His love. If someone loves God and waits for Him, being forgiving in an experience where you feel even if he is not a Muslim, he is not irreligious either. betrayed. To choose patience & faith in a situation Maybe he is a mystic if not a Sufi. where you can’t seem to have what you pray and hope for. To choose inner peace in a world which comes off as If ever I define Sufis then I’d call them Secrets. Because chaotic. when they enclose the greatest Secret in their hearts, they themselves become secrets. Shouldn’t I reveal the Your wounds do not define who you are. Use everything secrets of Sufis? you learned from the awful experience to be stronger, wiser, more confident, loving, talented and They have Faith without Doubts unapologetically comfortable in your own skin. The Reality without ostentation biggest confusion in the field of Sufism is Religions. All Uniqueness without Prejudice religions are basically threads of different hues that are Humility without Vaunt attached to Love and realization of the One. Submission without Complains. “The wound is the place where the light enters you” ~Rumi May your light within continue to heal you. See the Perfection! b y Mahnoor Don’t bully yourself Why ALLAH whose loving would allow so much suffering - a question that is constantly asked. Why do by Fehria Fatima Awan Do you often feel disgusted because people don’t treat we go through pain? Why do we suffer? Why me? you the way you treat them? Does that make you angry?

And frustrated? Why is that? Why is it impossible to "Often it's the deepest pain which empowers you to grow overcome the dire to expect less from others? Why all into your highest self" ~Mewlana Jalaluddin Rumi the quotes going viral all over the internet never happen

to pay impacts? It’s because we never learn to treat our The sword of the faith is one who defends the way. God own selves any better. We never pay attention towards doesn't cause or want for us to suffer but we are the our own suffering. ones who choose to interpret it as suffering. Everything The longest relationship you are going to have with is imperfectly perfect. It’s all part of divine plan. Seeing anyone is with your own self. We human beings when perfection in everything enables you to recognize when are in a relationship we sacrifice every inch of possibility darkness fills your path - it’s for the candle light in you to to make it stronger. You know no one would love you un burn brighter and illuminate the darkness. till you won’t learn to make your self-worth loving. And

like they say that ‘beauty comes from inside ‘ , likewise

your happiness comes primarily from your heart . If you’ll A candle light cannot experience itself in the presence see yourself in the mirror each morning as a bully, and of the sun. However, we curse the darkness. We get you start your day with body shaming, hating your nose superstitious and suspicious. Even accusing others and your complexion, by comparing your hands with without basis. We declare God has abandoned us. He’s others and self-hate, then take it or not - No one, i say No is angry with us. He wants to punish us. We begin to One else would ever appreciate your assets. curse every experience we go through. We curse at the fact that we can't find a job yet - that we've experienced The satisfaction which only you could give yourself failure on an endeavor - that those we loved betray us. would never be handed over to you by someone else. Instead of seeing the perfection in all of these & being Stop waiting for others to say good things about you grateful at life presenting opportunities to us in order to and start appreciating yourself. Whenever you think you bring out aspects of ourselves and to choose the highest did something good whisper applaud to yourself, pat choice always. The essence of life itself is for you to be your shoulders, every morning see yourself in the mirror able to experience and be who you are and who you and appreciate the body Almighty compacted you in. choose to be in relation to what you are experiencing. Stop bullying yourself and complaining that people

aren’t nice towards you. Stop frowning at yourself in the Life happens to you perfectly. mirror. Be gentle to your heart. Don’t push it too hard - it’s fragile.

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Heavy Metals Contamination of Water Conse quences and Solution by Mahwish Talib Contamination of water is a topic of serious discussion “Water is life, do you so far globally. Water gets polluted in several ways think the same for mainly sewage released from industries which get mixed contaminated one?” with water bodies, causes serious health concerns for aquatic life and humans as well if not properly treated. In addition to this, Major constituents of contamination of water due to heavy metals not only industrial sewage are heavy metals. Lead, arsenic, pollute water, but chromium, mercury, cadmium, Nickle are highly toxic for plants are also all life forms if their quantity gets increased in body of vulnerable to the an organism above the safety level set by WHO (world hazards likely to be health organization). According to a very recent study generated by done in Tanzania, for example, the average daily intake carcinogenic metals. for lead (Pb) (63 mg/person/day) was above the Metals mixed water permissible highest tolerable daily intake of 0.21 when showered to mg/person/day endorsed by WHO/FAO. Due to their crops, it may alter the higher density, variable ions, ability to form more than alkalinity (pH) of soil. one complex compound as compared to other metals, making them the subject of great interest for Hence the uptake of this contaminated water and soil by researchers, and especially when it comes to the matter plants become a topic of serious concern. of health malady and global warming the harmful Researches conducted in the recent 10 years show that impacts of these metals in water or food become in Pakistan water contamination is increasing alarmingly inevitable. Other microbial and chemical pollutants are due to the improper industrial waste disposal, set up of also responsible for spreading this pollution by their big factories in populated areas, lack of awareness and dirty activity. negligence from management toward this carelessness. Besides, environmentalists also discovered that water disruption badly promotes climate-changing patterns and automatically increasing the temperature of the atmosphere causes the glaciers to melt, altering the water cycles leading to an increase in the possibility of droughts and floods in near future. Recent research conducted (in 2018) also showed that major contaminants that are present here are microbes, metals especially arsenic and lead as well as saline contamination due to over-extraction of water and decreased water table is a big fraction of pollutants in ;Research exhibits that Pakistan lies at 80th rank among Pakistan. Approximately 50% of deaths and 40% of 122 nations on the account of drinking water quality. In hospitalized people are due to water-related issues in 2014, 7000 water samples were analyzed, 50% of them the country. Every 5th child under the age of five is were found to be contaminated with coli form and heavy suffering from water-borne diseases. Diarrheal problems metals. Hence uptake of polluted water promotes 20 to are the 2nd most serious cause of death among children 40% of all diseases in the country. This contamination and each year about 361,000 children die due to this caused a loss of approximately 0.6-1.44% of the issue. country’s GDP. Our earth is covered with seventy There is a great need for dialogue between concerned percent of water and less than one percent is freshwater, departments that can bring the subject of water the rest number consists of marine and ocean-based continuations and their solutions under discussion. water. In Pakistan being a developing country much of Planting factories on improper areas, poor system for the water is not being treated properly hence causes elimination of sewage, selling metal-contaminated water health illness of both bacterial and viral type common to in the name of pure water by different brands, severe i.e., typhoid, diarrhea, dysentery. Moreover, inadequate information spread by media, lack of higher level intake of arsenic (As) can engender bladder awareness among public all are the main factors , cancer. playing role in increasing ratio of pollution. Through Another research conducted in 2014, in Pakistan campaigns, social media activity, founding a committee according to which only 25.61% (rural 23.5% that set safety measures and emphasizes on law and and 30%urban) of the total population have access to order for factory owners this huge problem could be safe and drinkable water. resolved.

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The aching heart and the blinking eye; in lieu of Pakistani aspirations by Laraib Afzal Agreed, by the fact that democracy happens to the form matter is not only a debate between the civil military of government that by common consent can resolve all polity and their rifts, but a more serious dimension is in issues that fall in the domain of public and state affairs, the realm of deliverance, whose statistics aren’t only yet a contestation it happens to be in all cadres of time haunting, but shadowing. Amidst the blinking eye in the and regions. Like the heart pumps blood, democracy has urge f optimism, and the aching heart in the realization to pump development in all domains of life, as promised of harsh realities. by the essential liberal model of democracy at the There is an empty gut that has the potential of burning expense of human rights guaranteed to all, minus empire into ashes. Human security, when denied moves disguise. A study reveals that 49.3 percent of the world's societies not only into underdevelopment and population lives in some form of democracy whereas malnutrition, but plague their generations for centuries, only 4.5 percent of people live in full democracies. of leaving them unable to cope along the modern demands health malady and global warming the harmful impacts of society and word. Recent surveys in the domain of of these metals in water or food become inevitable. child care, women protection, employment, human Other microbial and chemical pollutants are also rights acclaim well, that how futile democracies responsible for spreading this pollution by their dirty annihilate the very basic social fiber, rather the human activity. fiber. Democracy essentially is a political model that speaks Words speak and figures shout; this can be quoted well over how the pursuit of good governance can be in our case. Right to food comes as an uncontested materialized when the conception of sovereignty is fundamental human right that every state has to ensure perpetuated in devolution for assuring public to its citizens, in both urban and rural settings. Nearly 60 supremacy. The field of actions than can vary from social percent of the population is facing food insecurity and to economic, political to military or culture to media malnutrition is highly prevalent, as stated per the world circles. Pakistan being born as a weak nascent state in food program (WFP). Reports also yield that around 44 the name of religious freedom, ousted on its first route to percent of Pakistani children, who are below 5 years of democracy as late as 10th –20th March 1951, only in the age are a victim to stunted and impaired growth and provincial assembly of Pakistan. around 15 are suffering from severe and acute forms of The footprints of circumstantial evidence, of the malnutrition. imbalanced political and social developments, of our beloved state, are embedded in the chronology of what A statistical enumeration of the starvation of infants in is remarked as the colonial history of the Indo-Pak Thar (Sindh), which accords to 450 deaths in 2018, 479 subcontinent. Thus a vivid and degrading structural and in 2016 and 398 in 2015 depicts the picture well. Not institutional imbalance struck Pakistani terms of societal, only a matter of food, but the physical being itself under economic and political dimensions of development of assault, haunts the promise of development in the worst the long and farsighted cherished state. of nightmares. Intellect suffers at the worst when fed not well, both in terms of food for body and food for The democratic norms and values were befitting the thought. This then follows up the society to the murkiest fetal state, in which thaw state affairs were to run. shadows of underdevelopment, destabilizing it both as a constitutional democracies offer like; a responsible and society and as a state. sovereign parliament, free fair and regular elections held in respective tenures, supremacy of constitution, A report reveals that around Almost 12 children are independent Judiciary, rule of law, civilian control over abused in Pakistan every day. This paints a haunting the armed forces, political life free from military picture of the cognitive constructs do we carry along. involvement, safety to minority rights, provision of basic Pakistan’s overall literacy rate remains static at 58 human needs and guarantee of freedoms and human percent, of the total 203,904,251 citizens. rights alike that of movement, expression, association and assembly. The despotism of time is when it loses its healing power to the people, if it keeps on repeating itself. The demand Ironically, the country’s constitution has been abrogated for reforms in both execution and legislation is far more twice (1958 and 1969) and suspended thrice important in this relevant age, where challenges come (1977, 1999 and 2007). What development and human from within and without. To tackle the issue of amenities can be guaranteed, if the social contract is development, in debt crisis and inflation, human security either denied or violated? More than half of its political needs to be prioritized, to ensure a smooth passage of life has encroached by military generals. Five elected democratic development. governments have been removed by the army. The

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some questions to yourself that Who create the MEDIA INFORMATION LITERACY message? Why this message is being sent to you? What by Pirah Aijaz Memon is the reason behind this? Is it beneficial or harmful to “Literacy is one of the greatest gifts a person could you? What techniques are used to attract your receive.” (By Jen Selinsky) attention? Always remember that someone is doing this job. Someone is creating and must be a reason behind The above quote depicts the theme which is hidden this. And basically, understanding the reason is the gist behind the term “Media Information Literacy”. Today, of media literacy. would like to draw your attention to the most important issue of the present era. As per need of it, I would like to The content of print as well as electronic media directly emphasize on some points regarding this and I’m sure it affect the minds of people of all ages and gender. The would grab your attention. As we know that, media is a news, political discussions, dramas, children programs means of communication since decades. It is the way to and all other contents of newspapers, T.V channels and communicate with people through print media and radios leave impact on the humans which could be electronic media as well. They deliver the content positive as well as negative effects. Television, radio, through different ways that reaches and influences the newspapers, magazines are traditional way of masses of society. Now, before going in its depth, we communication and gradually mass media involves must know what media literacy is and why it is important various ways of fastest communication through internet in our lives? Media literacy is a common phenomenon (social sites – Facebook, Instagram, twitter and but with a new approach to education in 21st century. including different kind of applications) which compels Media literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, us to think in a certain way. So, now everything is create and understands the meaning and purpose of digitalized. It is a matter of fact, that they all are messages. In simple way, we can say that it’s all about fascinating tools of information, but their main focus is the awareness related to the content delivery through to exaggerate the things to create a sensation among mass media. Their purpose of delivering the content is the masses of society. to attract the viewer’s and reader’s attention which affects their lifestyle and a way of thinking. We watch Summing up, as it’s a broad concept so we need to more number of advertisements every day, and there is a re-search about this to dig out the hidden facts. I just message which is hidden behind the content either it is tried to clear the basic concept behind this but being a good or bad, but the thing is this, when we watch such citizen of Pakistan, we need to raise awareness on that kind of content, we always perceive it in a way as the kind of sensitive issues which helps to re-build our media wants to show us which affects our lives. In this society with an optimistic mind set. way, media literacy is about to develop the ability to think critically, analyze and evaluate the content to stop unwanted messages you received through various techniques of mass media. Hence, print, electronic and digital media plays a significant role in our lives. Social media explores the way of delivering number of unwanted contents to the people which is not beneficial. We consume internet on regular basis and on average we receive a load of messages through ads, videos, et cetera. If you know how to analyze the content, you will be able to create the meaning of their unwanted messages so that you can think in a different manner which helps you to stop wrong interpretation.

Now, let’s move on to next point, in this competitive era, media literacy is a broad concept which need to be understand. Media literacy helps to understand the different messages which they send through different sources of communication. As we can see, majority of kids are now consuming internet on a regular basis and due to this they take huge amount of information via Artwork by Arshba Talib viral video clips, advertisements, video games, mimicry videos even there is a violent message behind this. Young generation perceive this information in its own way which affects their mind. Just think about it and ask

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W hat’s Wrong with us? people who are trying to cope with this cruel world. b y Farah Irshad Disturbing news related to bad treatment with women is We find talking to people so hard. But texting is a piece all around us. Recently, news about the murder of a ten- of cake for us. Maybe because we don't know how to year-old girl - Farishta, circulating on social media. She express ourselves through proper words but we are was being raped and brutally killed in the Capital experts in using emojis. territory - Islamabad. One argument particular group of people give that women are responsible for harassment We don't adore people's beautiful laughter and because of their uncovered heads and revealed dress. mesmerizing voice anymore because we are too busy Lets the argument be accepted for a time being but looking at their Instagram photos. molestation and sexual assault of young and under-aged girls are unfathomable. They have nothing to grab the We are so busy watching reruns that we don't take time attention of the opposite gender, they do not even reach to see the sparkle which comes in our loved one's eyes the age of puberty. If under-aged girls are the victims of when they talk about something they adore. sexual abuse in our country then there is something wrong with the mentality of the people. Why women are We don't bother to notice the pain in someone's eyes not safe? Why they are the victim of eve-teasing and when they are faking a smile because they put happy harassment? Because we are not ready to give her the statuses on Whatsapp. status which she deserves. Whenever she stands for her rights, the patriarchal society labels her as rebel and Recurrently, we forget to hold our dear one's hands disobedient. We - the people of developing countries because we are too busy holding our mobile phones. are ignorant of the fact that human beings are the superior creature of God, and women cannot be We are too afraid to reveal our true feelings because excluded from this category. Nevertheless, traditional deep down we believe that it's the sign of frailty. thinkers, particularly of patriarchal society, give them the status of second being. Those orthodox minds We are too busy texting that we forget to write thank you remain adamant on their stance. Unfortunately, the notes to our beloveds. proponents of this mentality are myriad of numbers that their opinion matters. Owing to this a woman has been We are stuck on phones, we want the truth but we don't striving for her rights since ages. No matter how many want to be honest. rights she is bestowed with, these rights are not being recognized, if recognized to some extent, they are being We want happiness, without letting go of the sorrow snatched. This picture shows an uncivilized society. within us. Where women are not treated well. Contrary to this, there is a civilized Nation, who is being called civilized We want someone to text to, for some reason, and the foremost one is, it does not But not someone to have a conversation with. indulge in the Labyrinth of first or second being. It believes in equal treatment. It does not try to play with We've forgotten that people are much more than their the natural process. Civilized Nation knows that social media accounts, their fit and lean bodies, and progress is not possible if the big ratio of the population their successful careers. would remain mentally disturbed. In addition to this, condemnation and sympathies to victimized women are We lack depth and that's everything. not enough. Stern actions against molesters, justice for victims and finally vanishing of ill mentalities are the need of the time.

M y Generation bwyo nEdimera sno mAbebtiamseis why it is so arduous for people of my generation to maintain lifetime relationships? Maybe because we have forgotten how to connect our souls. Instead, we keep connecting our social media accounts. We give respect to those having a huge bank balance, not to those who help and serve us. We praise those having beautiful features and lean bodies and forget to appreciate those tender-hearted

Artwork by Zaira Naeem www.PetrichorPages.com 9 Petrichor Magazine Article Y our Beautiful Heart Find a single motivation in your life, for me, it’s writing. I b y Fehria Fatima Awan write my heart and I feel the pain is gone. Similarly, find Ever heard of a saying that ‘you are pretty when you are one motivation which could help you keep going. Don’t happy’?. It’s a very simple sentence but it holds all the sink, but float through the horrible tides. Your weight in the world. Just a random guess that there motivation could be your paintings, your doodles, you might be days when your 3 am thoughts make you cry, could talk to your sister, your mother, or a friend, you cry in so much pain that you couldn’t scream louder as it could play games and let the pain pass. Do any of this or might get other people awakened. You cry because you more, so that you Wouldn’t have to cry and so that your receive hate, probably on a daily basis, you cry because beautiful heart could end it’s suffering. you think life is unjust ONLY towards you and you are helpless in doing anything about it , you cry because you might think that ONLY you are failing while the rest of the world is at peace , you cry because of people, H OPE your job , your hopes wrenching , your dreams breaking apart and this cry is so loud - trust me, so loud b y Zunaira Khan that it’s heard in heavens . I hope so. A statement we usually use, when the reality seems to be opposite to our desired expectations. Still, I am not saying all this because I wanted you to feel the hope is there. We believe for a miracle that can take pain again. In fact, I wanted you to know that the pain is place. not only yours, as the same goes to me and every other person besides, and you might not even realize. I have A person whose father is dying, a mother whose child is seen people posting Hadith and pious quotes and then missing, a man who has small pocket to fulfill the desires tagging people in memes which imparted hatred to of his kids and waits for salary, a student whose results somebody. I have seen people being nice on faces and is about to come, a girl who is getting on in years but no praising overwhelmingly yet making fun at the backs. I proposal, a white-collar person who cannot beg but have seen people laughing loudest in public and yet looks at a suited booted to help him looking at his broken. I have seen happy people coming up to me and condition, an army officer whose wife waits for his safe saying that they had been going through real mental arrival from border, a patient who's dying but the spark stress and they need someone to talk to. All these of his doctor don't let him lose the battle n so on. There ambiguities to elaborate that, Life is the most is nothing but hope even if the results contradict our unpredictable thing happening to every single soul and expectations. the suffering only aches your Beautiful heart. What we can do is hope only. Satisfying ourselves For a small reason, I want to recall a very personal thing I saying Yes, my son will come back, no my daughter is witness to date. I was into writing and reading since I not getting old but beautiful, yes, I will get well soon, No was 14 as far as I remember. I was getting good at I will get a salary n then I will fulfill all needs at home, writing and especially my linguistics were improving. My yes, This man looks kind, he will surely help me. friends used to take my help in writing their stuff and managing their assignments. The more I grew older the more my vision explored. That was truly a thing for me to And we lose when someone refuses. We don't lose feel good about myself because I knew that I was because the expectations aren't met but the energy in us getting better. For some alien reasons many amongst my which strengthens our metabolism gets Shrinked. own friends started to make fun of me behind my back, they started to tag each other in memes which had the For the last 15 years, the "Vision Hope Model" grew joke for the fancy writers, which for them was only me stronger, bolder and became an established distinctive and I was certain. This pinch of jealousy and hatred business model aims at enforcing a movement towards a behind my back really wasn’t a pleasant experience. I better future in restoring one’s dignity. According to see such stuff every day. You know I read somewhere this, there should be a vision, but hope should be the that ‘Not everyone who stands beside you doesn’t mean main element. they are with you ‘, and I totally believe in that. My core In our daily lives, if we look around at least one person reason to tell this thing was only to let you know that comes to us with hope. Maybe we are not in the Your Beautiful heart doesn’t deserve to hurt and you condition to help or support, but one word of courage don’t deserve to cry at 3 am. will urge him to stay strong for whatever he is going through. Think about it!

www.PetrichorPages.com 10 Petrichor Magazine Article L ife Goals vs Family Values background of education in the family, usually this goes by Khadija Arif on to the next generations as well. Children at this stage are too young to stand for themselves. Sometimes they Conflicts are an essential part of existence. There is not are forced into labor to earn for the family and are left a single person who is exempt from having been a prey out from becoming something which they might have, of some tussle, at any part of one’s life. Even the forces had they the power and free will to be. of nature constantly undergo conflicts. One must dominate in every case, but the other one is never ready When students reach higher levels during education, to surrender, so the battle continues. Sometimes the they grow knowledgeable and mature. They want to case remains unresolved till the end. study and choose the paths of their own accord, as they Humans are created with inborn abilities and hidden are in a better position to understand their preferences talents. We as thriving, evolving creatures keep and their outcomes. Usually, students do what they like acquiring and learning from our surroundings. We all to, but there are many who are bound by the will of their have some aims, goals or desires which we want to parents, or financial status. For example, a boy is not pursue and fulfil. All of us have various abilities and able to pursue Medical Studies because his family skills, both ingrained and acquired. We want to make cannot pay the expenses. On the other hand, a girl something out of our lives and leave a good name wishes to study Music, but her family background or behind. We never like to get our skills wasted away. So elders would not allow her to. In the former case, the we set some goals, those life-long purposes or boy would have to work to make his ends meet or objectives which we strive for and want to achieve since replace his passion with something lesser; and in the our early days. As we grow older, we develop and latter, the girl will either rebel (a thing far from likely in become mature. Adulthood is the time when we our society) or simply kill her passion. consider ourselves to be perfectly able to do something. Towards the end of educational life, we are fully ripened It is then that the “contraries” start to pull us in opposite and prepared. We are eager to put our knowledge to directions. We try to hold on, but sometimes must let go. practice and become something we wish to, but many Those who fail in pursuing their dreams are affected by students part with their education half-way due to numerous factors. There are many obstacles to hinder pressure from their family. Mostly, men are burdened by us. Apart from health issues, poor financial status, lack of financial troubles and they are supposed to earn for ambition or simply an ill fortune, the family is something their family; women are usually hindered by marriage. that stands in the way more often. Family values are a Many girls get married during their studies and must set of, say, rules and regulations which one is supposed quit it, whether they like it or not; and men who get to to follow, both instinctively and forcefully. These values work abandon their education to focus on their early- differ in different parts of the world. In the East, the age careers. Sometimes women too are bound to earn family is considered something very sacred and a vital due to certain circumstances and their attention is part of life. Here, family values are more than often diverted to feeding the family. Thus, family values play imposed and forced, especially women are constantly their role to a good extent in putting obstacles. victimized by the battle between self and society. Life goals make us soar sky-high, but family values try to No matter what kind of education one has, everyone bring us down. Usually, our goals are related to our does have a strong ingrained urge to step into practical education, career, and marriage along with the lifestyle. life, to put one’s knowledge and skills to use and make More than often, these are at war with the values and something out of one’s life. Here also, family values traditions set by the society which one is bound to jump in and halt. Even in choosing the profession of follow. If one breaks the bonds and has one’s own way, one’s choice or aptitude, family pressure is present. This he or she is called a rebel and becomes an outcast. is mostly found in women’s cases, as they are too Society, or family likes to put barriers and obstruct the restricted to follow their own preferences. In most cases, way of one’s free will. Individuals are led to crush their they are simply not allowed to work as it is considered desires and live a life not their own. “modernity”, especially if there is no family history or Education begins at the very onset of life. We learn and culture of working women; and even if they are, they get knowledge so that we become humans. In many don’t have as much freedom of choice as is the right of parts of the world, individuals are deprived of this very every individual. Most of the fields are occupied by men, basic right. Either the elders don’t have the means to so they are compelled to go towards other less pay for their children’s education, or they simply do not vulnerable paths where is least or no male exposure. want to. In most of the underdeveloped countries, the Men usually don’t have much trouble but if they do, it culture or family background of the individuals does not has something or the other to do with family values (at let them become what they want to. If there is no the very least, they will choose a career path preferred by their elders).

www.PetrichorPages.com 11 Petrichor Magazine Article T he King ANSWER. Similarly, it was tough for me because I was by Bashair Naeem taking the responsibility to CONVINCE my readers the power or DECISION MAKING and SIGNIFICANCE of Every father's a king! He begins as an autonomous and making the RIGHT DECISION at RIGHT TIME. authoritarian figure, governing the life, formulating their humans, and ends up feeling like being ruled, relied The quote of the famous philosopher “Moses Ben upon, and governed if not effectively. His shoulders Maimon” commonly known as “Maimonides” urge me to raise the sack of accomplishments and appreciations take this risk: and a bag of errors, though few compared to his “The risk of a wrong decision is preferable to the terror triumphs but still theirs. They may not be as serious as of indecision” they seem. They may not be as grave as they appear to his children, but does it matter? He’s an ancient king, for YOUR DECISION – YOUR DESTINY! now, the one with query cargo. He is the one in a Sometimes our destiny is based on our decisions. We deadlock situation on a game board, while the carving shape our destinies ourselves. Whether our decisions on his face's skin exposes the lifestyles he had to go would lead us to the peak of fate or drown us deep through. inside. But a fear of being drowned would never lead us to the peak of fate. Unless you do not experience the The dad is that one magical embodiment that is the first “Force of getting down” you may not reach the height of love of his daughter and the first champion of his son. success. His dad treats a girl as a princess. The sand of time is so “Good decisions come from experience and experience delicate it never gets understand when his princess-like comes from bad decisions”. daughter's dad becomes protective. The exclusive Truly said... May be without experiencing a FALL you interventions, the symbolic gestures and the may not RISE. outstanding attention he shows to his girl, strengthens Tony Robbins quote: her concept of being a princess. The father's daughter's • “It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is internal nourishing to coach her for her life's upcoming shaped”. battles of her life. His violent stare that tames her, the serious voice that he utilizes to frighten her, can never DECISION VS EMOTION: be clear of worries that he suffers for her. It demands The moment of deciding and a moment of being years for her to become what she is to be a Princess to emotional must not collide. The collision of these two be empowered. ⠀The King’s princess. moments would result in a disaster. It would thoroughly burst out the situation for which you needed to decide. The king begins to give in to old age's decaying hands. A famous Indonesian motivational speaker and But it is never intended for this ancient king to feel consultant “Mario Teguh” said: worthless. Every time he fails, her soul is starting to • “Never make a decision when you are upset, sad, panic, and she is helping her dad in his ordinary jealous or in love.” challenges of life. That's where a girl knows that she is True! Your emotion should be set aside while you are always been her father's daughter, not a princess. For making any decision. Do not mingle your emotions with "Princess" is a title without any sentiments, while the practicality of the situation. Make yourself stern, be "Daughter" reflects her infinite passions for her father, unbiased, be practical and then decide. but this daughter is not only a daughter, she is the daughter of an aged, weak man who is now no longer BUILDING AND FIRMING ON A DECISION: there. The girl is left to weep only. ⠀Even if she had Take a glance at all the consequences of a situation, been a princess, she could not have reversed the turn of think of the positive aspects of your decision and count Fate. She wanted to be the daughter of his father: for all the negativity too. Take advice and then finally set “Princess” seemed a little foreign to her now that the your brain to plan... Put all rubbish thoughts aside, relax king was no more. your mind, look at the positivity, take a deep breath and DECIDE... ONCE YOU HAVE DECIDED, STICK TO IT... NO CREATURE IN THE UNIVERSE SHOULD DARE TO PUT Decision Making YOU OUT OF YOUR TRACK... NOR YOU HAVE TO ALLOW bMyy Minafihrammit yF:aisal YOURSELF FOR A LITTLE OR MORE CONVENIENCE...!! Writing an article on DECISION MAKING was a tough decision. But once I decided I stuck to it. Bit “Sometimes you make the right decision, sometimes you confusing...?? make the decision right”.(Phil McGraw) A question must have arisen in your mind that why was it I cannot write more words after Phil McGraw’s words... difficult to decide!!! You would need a CONVINCING His quote concluded my article well...

www.PetrichorPages.com 12 Petrichor Magazine Article P akistan VS PAKISTAN (Narrative) PAKISTAN VS PAKISTAN BASED ON RELIGION: by Maham Faisal Religion! The most disputed topic of our country, where Pakistan vs Pakistan! Such a sophisticated topic. Super people reach their extreme anger or love on whatever delicate and risky at its height. Does the question religion they follow. Pakistan being an Islamic state and arise?? That's why I have initiated with HORRIBLE Muslims being its majority, still, we are arguing whether ADJECTIVES?? to perform Rafadain or not. We Pakistanis are arguing whether to perform a five-time or three-time salah. I Because Pakistan vs Pakistan is not just a topic for me as don’t understand! Why we cannot mind our own a WRITER not it should be just a topic for its READERS business?? too! It is a responsibility upon me to convince my Why do we want to change the whole world along with READERS the concept of VS between Pakistan and us? Why is it necessary to prove ourselves RIGHT?? Pakistan and to clarify the intention of writing this My dear readers! Religion is something which is 100% debating topic. for you. It’s SACRED. Do not humiliate it by dragging others into it. H ISTORY OF PAKISTAN VS PAKISTAN: “Do what you are heartily willing to do and let others do Pakistan vs New Zealand the 2019’s ODI (one day what they wish to.” international), this match inculcates a new thought in me when Ricky Ponting after been defeated by Pakistan; Pakistan VS PAKISTAN BA SED ON POLITICS: said: • “Pakistan beats whoever they want to beat. And Politics! Another disputed, dramatic, envied, malicious they loose from whoever they want to... It’s not Pakistan factor of our country. We all are sitting idol waiting for vs opposition; its Pakistan vs Pakistan.” our leaders to do something for us, arguing and attending rallies to support whom we are supporting. S CENARIOS MINGLING IN MY MIND: Detriment to our own people just to support who we are This statement was embossed deep in myself. The supporting. phrase PAKISTAN VS PAKISTAN pinched me every now and then. Anchors, newscasters, news channels, P AKISTAN VS PAKISTAN BASED ON EDUCATION SYSTEM: reporters, everyone started mingling in my mind. Education system! The most important factor for any At times, our political leaders keep my head occupied, state. Generations rely on this system. sometimes our religious leaders started speaking • “If you want to give the world legends, focus on your straight to my mind, sometimes the debate on URDU or education system.” ENGLISH to be an official language urges me to keep thinking and sometimes the irrelevant school of thought We Pakistanis are disputing on whether to follow the that is prevailing in our society started circulating provincial text or O\A level system. Whether to follow the around me. federal board or to follow a Cambridge system. These devastating points urge me to pick me a pen and highlight some of the issues. We are not united in one system which leads to an imbalance set of minds. Even the literary group of our society is swinging in between literacy and illiteracy. Pakkiissttaann vVs SP PakAiKstIaSnT AhNas PbHeYeSn ICoAbLseLrYv eOdR s ePvIeRrIaTl UtAimLeLsY: spiritually as well as physically. First, the biggest argument took place in 1971 which leads to the separation of Bengalis and this Bangladesh came into existence. Whereas terrorism by so-called PAKISTANIS was once the biggest issue of Pakistan. But the patriotic group of our country ended this war with giant bravery and many more examples were observed under the heading; physical war among Pakistanis. Next comes the spiritual argument I.e. Pakistan vs Pakistan spiritually. This is undoubtedly observed several times a day. It includes everything. Whether it is based on religion, politics, education system, language or a silly debate on whether the moon has been sighted or not.

Artwork by Zaira Naeem

www.PetrichorPages.com 13 Petrichor Magazine Article

Marriage is another epoch-making turn in life. It is more W hat to do when no one gets you lasting than education and career as it is the matter of a b y Hina Liaqat lifetime. Even in choosing one’s partner, the will of You feel like no one will understand, or worse, no one family prevails. Elders try to thrust their choices on their will even to listen; no matter how hard you try to explain. children. Although they intend no harm, in doing so they But you don’t blame them because you can’t understand cause much. In many cases, men and especially women yourself either. When you can’t figure your own self out, have no freedom of choice. Mostly their will is not how the hell will you be able to communicate with other sought, and sometimes they don’t even get to know or people in a way that will make sense to them? You don’t see their future spouse. Women are asked only if the want to bother anyone nor be accused of just thinking elders approve of the candidate. Family members settle too much. You don’t want to be vulnerable only to have everything among themselves. Forced marriage is not your feelings invalidated. So you decided to keep necessarily the one in which individuals are pressurized everything in, trying to get a hold of the whirlwind of and threatened, also emotionally blackmailed. That one emotions boiling inside you. But you know too well that is more of forced marriage when individuals do not have you can only handle so much. And deep inside, you’re the courage to approve or disapprove and they simply hoping that there is someone who will hear you out do as commanded. Marrying someone of one’s own without judgement. The chaos in your mind is what choice is mostly considered defiance and a major sin. makes you unique and beautiful. And anything unique They are threatened to be expelled and cut ties with. As and beautiful is not meant to be understood but to be a result, elopements take place which gives birth to accepted and appreciated instead, so why bother trying further evils like family disputes and honor killings. to make everyone understand? Just let it be. Those who truly care for you will stay no matter what, so you don’t No matter what one aims or wishes for, the family have to defend or explain your decisions to anyone. It’s becomes a hindrance in one way or another. In any kind your life live it without apologies. Just do the best you of social injustice, family values do have a hand. Apart can do, no one can do more than that. So you have to from loftier aims of life, one must come face to face with believe in yourself when no one else does that makes family in other less important things too. Lifestyle, you a winner right there. preference of friends, driving a car and many such petty things are affected and usually crushed by family values. The unseen shackles bind the emotions and feelings too. The fear of violating the pre-set standards and its Anxiety's transcendence over Joy. consequences curb the freedom of passion, resulting in by Momina Ahsan rebellious personalities and wasted talents. Sometimes, it seems like there's no gleam,every nook is full of dark extreme,like the depth of the woods where it There is no doubt that the values set by one’s family are feels like the loneliness prevailing, like the darkness not meant to harm or hurt the individual. Young ones are making soul suffocate,like the negativity making the too inexperienced to have seen the world and choose soul grabbed in the web of Black smoke- This is Anxiety the right path every time. They do need help and where fear prevails,darkness overwhelms,man forgets all guidance, but the enforcement of rules and the adamant the charms,all the pleasures,all the blessings given by attitude of elders against their ideas can cause more Allah Almighty, it seems like suffocation will make the harm than good. Some way must be found to reconcile body exhaust,tears roll over the face. Have you noticed the values of the family with the free-spirited aims of the why it happens? individuals. Children should be guided in a proper way towards what seems the best for them, and rigid values Negativity - aspect of darkness,enemy of gleam. It must be changed or discarded altogether. Without prevails because of the Staggering Faith. The faith,the reconciliation, the conflicts in our life can never be believe on the LORD OF LORDS, in the soul made by resolved, nor the inevitable disruption is avoided. That LORD, the soul which was created to feel blessed, the soul which was born to please creatures inferior to him, the soul called Superior to all,feel so miserable that others pity on him,staggering faith throws him to the Failures,fear,depression. But He forgets, Where there is Darkness,there is Shine-Dazzling Light. " Be a Warrior,Not a Staggering Miserable Creature"" So, when Anxiety transcends over Joys,Remember all the charms,all the enchants,all the Blessings and let the Be Superior like the light of Hope,and not the darkness dazzling ray of hope brim out of Deep Darkness,showing making one lost". light towards the faith and not to lost in the web of pessimism.

www.PetrichorPages.com 14 Petrichor Magazine Health D epression: Causes & Remedies b y Muneeba Saeed Depression needs to be treated timely as the affected Now-a-days our society is facing some major issues, person can face severe problems like severe headache, depression being the most common one. Let's talk about insomnia, chronic pain or in severe condition suicide what depression is? Depression is basically a medical attempt. It is necessary to tackle it timely, there are some illness that negatively affects the way you feel, the way solutions to overcome it. you think and the way you act. The good point that I want to share here is that the Depression is treatable! Some remedies to cure depression are narrated here. Take out time for yourself, take a break from your Feelings of sadness and loss of interest in activities you monotonous routine and pay attention to who you once enjoyed is mainly a form of Depression. Some of actually are and what you actually want. Have proper the reasons behind depression are Physical, sexual, or meals, as a balanced diet not only keeps you physically emotional abuse or painful past experiences that greatly but also mentally healthy and fit. If you maintain a good increase the vulnerability to clinical depression. Some health, you feel energetic to cope up with the tough drugs, such as isotretinoin (used to treat acne), the challenges of your life. antiviral drug interferon-alpha, and corticosteroids, can also increase your risk of depression. Get enough sleep, as your brain is like a machine that needs rest. Do exercise regularly to keep the functioning Another reason behind depression is Conflict. of body and brain in a good condition, take deep Depression in someone who has the biological breaths and do your best, often consult with a vulnerability to develop depression may result from psychologist. Share your problems with someone who personal conflicts or disputes with family members or can help you out and the last but not the least, be friends. Sadness or grief from the death or loss of a careful about your prayers, as they are responsible to loved one, may increase the risk of depression. maintain your spiritual health.

A family history of depression is sometimes also responsible to increase the risk. It's thought that depression is a complex trait, meaning that there are probably many different genes that each exert small effects, rather than a single gene that contributes to disease risk. The genetics of depression, like most psychiatric disorders, are not as simple or straightforward.

Depression is also caused by major life events. Even good events such as starting a new job, graduating, or getting married can lead to depression. So, can moving, losing a job or income, getting divorced, or retiring. Some personal problems such as social isolation due to mental illnesses or being cast out of a family or social group can contribute to the risk of developing clinical depression.

Sometimes depression co-exists with a major illness or may be triggered by another medical condition. Nearly 30% of people with substance abuse problems also have major or clinical depression. Even if drugs or alcohol temporarily make you feel better, they ultimately will aggravate depression.

Artwork by Zaira Naeem 15 Petrichor Magazine Story W e and the Shores Ah, not sure if one day I'll look back on these days with b y Nida Irfan nostalgia and miss my Moany McMoan face because since last four-five years I'm experiencing the same old s**t. I just want it to be over as soon as possible... ugh.

Sorry for the blabber everyone so HELLO I'm Olivia Spencer a girl who is on this planet "hurth" since last 19 years with glitch in her head but who cares I'm Beautiful , as beautiful as a piece of pineapple cake dipped in BBQ sauce , just kidding I have no insecurities about my looks because someone once told me beauty lies in the eyes of person so I might be beautiful to some and ugly to others, different people with different definitions of beauty so this thing doesn't affect me at all.

I'm a pure Latino with a sexy accent, catchy eyes, perfect figure, loved by countless boys, walks like a victoria secret's Angel and full of other great traits in my dreams. Artwork Zaira Naeem Yeah in dreams because according to my mommy PROLOGUE: darling I'm a disgrace to her Spanish side I know nothing about Spanish except few words like "Hola Pappi" and That night she couldn't control herself, went outside of my mommy darling is allergic to these two words. her house walking on road heedless of the wild wind, willingly letting go off her self respect because she Basically, I'm mestizo my mother is from Costa Rica and knew the reward of it, she knew that sometimes losing it Dad from the Netherlands and I'm 101% sure you people in front of such person is like building a castle with would not like to listen to their love story or else your bricks of strength , maturity, peace, respect, loyalty and pure virgin ears would be tarnished. most importantly Love. She was scared, scared of herself because she was not strong enough to cope with Let's talk about their products apart from me I have two the situation. This time life was gifting her with a huge little brothers and an annoying elder sister who's a pile of unmanageable obstacles, the dreary weather was carbon copy of Penelope Cruz, she's blessed with not missing a chance to play with her tears. Her beast Latino's features but duh that chick is so full of herself was not tameable, he was born to sway. This nature of that boys are dying to have her but she hasn't dated him was making him more enviable, He had his own once I think one day she might fuck her own self. battles to fight, she knew that she was becoming a hurdle for him like a sharp thorn in a garden but she Enough of family crap now let me tell you people about couldn't recoil. my qualifications. I just graduated from High school and after THIS BORECATION I'll apply for college. I do a part- time job at Aric's Workshop that man is the sweetest and CHAPTER. 1 Summer Vacation kindest 60 years old being, my Honey bear. But Vacation should be called BORECATION. Well, I feel a bit nowadays his workshop is closed as he is in Bali to ungrateful for hating them so much because this is the spend summers there with his extended family and I'm only time I don't feel imprisoned by a routine appointed enjoying the misery here. by others. Whenever summer comes my mood suddenly takes a 180. On the very first day, too many feelings hit Let's wrap up this Myself Essay, as I'm late for the dinner me all at once exhaustion, frustration, anger, or else my mom would not miss a chance to start her anxiousness, loneliness, impatience it's so hard to rant about my attitude. process them all. And then after a few days, seasonal sensory overloads start appearing (Those are more toxic than the family's annoying aunt's voice).

Story will be continued in the coming editions of the Magazine.

www.PetrichorPages.com 16 Petrichor Magazine Story S truggle for losing inner peace We may get inner peace by making the world, a better b y Uzma Ashraf place to live in. That is, if the outer world is peaceful, a Today, during making our math’s assignment I big deal of inner world will automatically become unconsciously asked my friend who was seated beside peaceful. we may also get inner peace by doing me that what could be the best birthday gift for meditation and giving at least ten minutes to feel our someone? She sadly replied peace – inner peace! Can blessings and the purpose of existence this may really you provide someone? She asked. help in getting inner peace. I could not move my eyes from her, and I was staring at her continuously with pity eyes without giving an Let’s try to make this world peaceful by collaboration answer because I was unable to give the answer to her rather than competition, spreading happiness, not question. Then another question raised in my mind, do sadness, providing ease, peace, and trust not doubts, people really need peace? Are they really deprive of fear, and anxiety. inner peace? Early morning without having breakfast we rush On a very happy note: stay blessed and happy. towards university due to the fear of absences and a heavy fine of late coming, continuously taking classes from 9:00 am to 2:35 pm makes us exhausted. And then LIFE NEVER CHANGES we bear the burden of assignments, presentations, and by Moattar Khalid quizzes because for the good grades we need good If you think that life could change, and you sit on your sessional marks. hands aimlessly, you are nothing, just a fool waiting, for In this busy student life, we really don’t have that a kitten to hatch out of an egg. Life is a convention, a much time for ourselves. We are in the queue of those sensation, a vibe. It is the fuel that keeps igniting your who are behind the grades because the identity of the engine to catch the pace of the world. If the engine runs student is with his/ her grades even you don’t have out of work, you ought to replace its parts, not the fuel mental peace or you lose your peace, for people you are making it run in a smooth way. Just like that if you run good if you have good grades, as we live in hostels far out of fuel, you go to the places where you think that from our families. No one cares, no one looks after, we you could fetch it. need love, affection, attention, and care but we get nothing without getting good grades, mean we are Life never changes, that is the person who changes and struggling for losing our inner peace, it sounds weird! in turn, life just starts giving more output of the filthy input. Had you ever listened that the time stopped in a This is the routine of our lives mean we students are country, due to the death of the king? Life threw roses at very busy in making good grades that’s our job we are in somebody's house while he or she woke up after taking a competition of getting good grades. So, there is a tea? possibility of losing peace. You might be thinking that how the competition of If you are wise, probably you'd say, "What the hell this grades may cause to decrease inner peace, you’ll surely crazy dude is saying?", but if I'd say, somebody went to a find an answer by reading my complete blog. city from a village, worked hard, bought a villa, a luxury Generally, if we analyze why we people don’t have car, and now he is happily married. Everyone would inner peace? The answer is because our outer world is believe that, and they would start preaching his story to not peaceful. We are surrounded by so many worries, the entire world. This way life did nothing to him, that tensions, distress, anxiety, and troubles. was he who did, the best he could do with life. Therefore we are surrounded by these obstacles because we are not happy! We are not happy with what Indeed, everyone had seen the bunch of jokers, at we have, we are always in search of more and more and colleges who do nothing just come, enjoy, disturb others we want more because other people have more. We run and go, while the wise one comes, seek, learn, flourish behind the worldly things and we have the lust of and leave to teach the world. Life was the same in both achieving big that curiosity for achieving bigger seizes cases, but it was the attitude of those people, that made our inner peace. We give the sacrifice of our inner peace it fruitful or fruitless. for the sake of getting more. Another thing which becomes the cause of losing inner Life is fuel and the quality of fuel differs. External factors peace is, we are discouraged by society, we are matter, but anyways it works and keeps on working. Ups surrounded by those people who make us feel guilty and downs are necessary to make a journey beautiful, so and inferior. competition, jealousy, low self-esteem and has life. Life is a voyage where destiny, and the way feeling of inferiority leads us to loss inner peace, the never matters, but the way the traveler walks runs and success of others is our failure and that attitude drives it matters. Don't wait, if you are grabbed by bad becomes the cause of our less inner peace. situations, go and be the change, to see the change.

www.PetrichorPages.com 17 Petrichor Magazine Story A Dying Boy: his dream after his departure and he had mentioned it in S tory of Young Boys whose life was saved by the his diary. The Person refused to accept and said no you must live, you have to complete your dreams, God is not person whom he loved piously! going to call you, you have to live, you have to live. But b y Jahan Zaib Brohi He convinced the person to accept him, and There was a boy living far from his parents in a lonely accordingly, the person accepted him but she (the place. Perhaps he was living to convert his dreams in person) started prayers for the life of the boy. She reality, the dreams which he saw with open eyes, not in assured him that she is going to beg life for him from his sleep. He was living there for his education purpose Allah, and she is very firm in her believes at Allah that in a boarding house far and away from his parents, Allah will bless a life to the dying boy. Now the death family, and relatives. He was happy and content with his was at the door of the boy’s house. The scene began education in the first year of his living but in the second boy realized his death at door, his legs became very cold year an unfortunate fell, and he caught by a severe and he was feeling his breath leaving his legs. He disease. A few nights he tolerated the pain in his legs informed the person about his situation, she said; not but later it seemed very difficult for him to bear such leave your legs to be cool rub your legs, please. He said pain in legs. So, he went to several hospitals for there is no energy in my body so that I can rub my legs. treatment and medical checkups. But there was no The person started crying, praying and begging life for a effect of medicines. So, he turned towards his parents to little boy from her Lord. And her lord listened to her let them know about his problem. His parents took him prays. The change began pain started vanishing from to the specialist doctors but there was temporary relief the legs of a little boy and his legs became normal from pain. So, he left his home to continue his education coldness also vanished. And slowly he became normal. at his boarding house. When he reached there the pain Now he was very stiff that his death is not coming was the same, he himself tried to cover his health but anymore to take him. It was the result of the prayers of there was no result. So, he denied his pain and that person. The boy started asking is it my second continued his study. He met a person at least a year ago birth? Is it my second birth? Is it my second birth? from his now, so he thought to share his problem with that person which later proved an angel for him. But he The life of the young, little and innocent boy was saved went on without sharing it with the person. by the prayers of his lover his beloved one, his second heart, his life a girl whom he loved piously, spiritually One day in the evening time when he was alone at and unconditionally. boarding house, he felt a little change in his body and today his pain was unbearable. He realized that now he is not going to live anymore, and this night is going to be his last night. So, he started preparing for his death. He wrote letters for his parents in his diary, his dreams and some tasks for his parents to be done by them. When the darkness of the night fell down his voice suddenly changed and that was the sign for him that now he is very near to his death. Within a couple of hours, he became so serious, and his body started torturing his soul with insufferable pain in his legs, knees and in the whole body. Now he was mentally prepared for facing death and was thinking that he will be no longer after an hour, suddenly an idea came into his mind to share his problem with the person whom he met a year ago. He decided to spend his last minutes with that person, so he sent a text message to the person telling her about his problem and his death which was coming to meet him in a few minutes. When he told the person that he is very serious and going to leave this world within a few minutes leaving his all dreams incomplete. The person refused to accept the fact, but he told her this reality that now he will not be any more in a few minutes. He told the person to help his Artwork by Umama Ayub parents to complete his dreams; his dream was to be the president of his country. He further uttered that all work is done, and he wants his little sister to complete

www.PetrichorPages.com 18 Petrichor Magazine Story “ No one is going to accept a divorced lady!” murdered my happiness. I kept on saving this relation. I A real-based story have been expecting from a bloody dead end. He divorced me last month! I have nothing to live for… I by Aliza Zafar have nothing to do. I should better die. I cannot face my Heavily raining it was when I first saw her cherished in parents. No one is ever going to accept a divorced lady. the joy of happiness, she was bubbling smiles and I have come across what I have been fearing of… laughing with her friends. I was waiting on the university everybody is gossiping that I am characterless. I cannot door for the bus to go home. face this humility. … I lost respect…I…”The life of the young, little and innocent boy was saved by the prayers “never put yourself down in front of anyone. You are of his lover his beloved one, his second heart, his life a your own hero, learn to fight for your right no matter girl whom he loved piously, spiritually and what!” unconditionally. Her voice crossed my ears. “This life is yours, you have to make your own choices Her weeping voice had no control. I wasn’t able to gain and stand stout for them. No one is going to serve you my senses, while listening to her. She was the same girl what you want. ”. who used to fight for her rights, who used to stand for others, who used to motivate every one of us by her She was constantly delivering a “motivational lecture” to encouraging thoughts, a social butterfly she was, who her friends, and then she began to tell them how she remained happy in every situation. I just got into the fought for her attendance issues at the department. I flashback of the day when I first met her, cherished in was getting more and more interested in her story as she joy she used to laugh all the time with friends, a popular proceeded. I jumped into the conversation somehow, personality in the department, crying today in front of and tried to inquire more about how she used to be me, active for her and others’ rights at the department. Though she was a stranger to me, I absorbed positive Who made her that weak? Who broke such a strong and vibes from her, there was a connection between both of stout person? What made her face this situation? Who us in a single string. We got in contact that day; I found snatched her dreams? Who made her realized that she her a complete social butterfly, who used to post every isn’t validated to live any further because she has a title little detail of how she spent her day. I got familiar with a of being divorced? Is it you? Is it me? Is it that so called few incidents at university where she had a leading role norms and cultures of our society? Is it that social in protests. pressure people kept influencing on that strong individual? Then came the day when she got married, the day she has been dreaming of. She used to tell me how she was We need to wake up. We need to grow up. We need to fascinated about her wedding day. No wonder, it’s a eradicate these norms from us. Being divorced does not general norm of our society that daughters are raised so make any women less than any individual in this society. they can get them marry, they inculcate in their She is as respectable as anyone of us living here. No one daughters that one day you have to get married. should be allowed for character assassinations of any Anyhow, we lost contact. I assumed that she might have other individual. Every day, many of us die from inside moved from Pakistan with her husband. by character victimization. We as a society victimize such individuals by our thoughts about them. We need “Please help me! I am breaking down mentally.” to realize that we are the murderers of such individuals A message from unknown number pinged on my cell who commit suicide by our domestic victimization. Let’s phone’s screen at 2 a.m. that night. just get out of this thinking, let’s just live and let others live too. Let’s starts from ourselves, let’s make it happen “I am dying! Ill commit suicide today.” Another message and flourish our society. popped up.

Astonished by this text, I called back in hurry to inquire who that person was. It was her voice, crying so hard that she couldn’t speak clearly. I controlled the situation and ask her to tell me what she was going through in life. “He is a murderer! He murdered all my dreams! He finished me from inside, I tried. tried so hard to save this relation one-sidedly. but all in vain I couldn’t save this relation. He broke me. He broke my faith on love. He

Artwork by Arshba Talib

www.PetrichorPages.com 19 Petrichor Magazine Story A Bird T he Heist b y Khadija Arif b y Manal Abbas

A few days ago, I was standing in the corridor at school, Another minute ticked away.More sweat drops trickled gazing out towards trees and the ground ahead. down Tariq's forehead. Mr.Hameed sat in front of him wearing a crisp white kameez shalwar,the black waist Suddenly, a bird caught my eye. I had seen little coat buttoned to the top and a red silk handkerchief sparrows drinking water from a little pool formed by rain, rested firmly in his breast pocket. but this was a brown colored pigeon, I suppose. What caught my attention was that it was walking hurriedly. It "So?"asked Mr.Hameed. was tip-toeing on its feet and looked like running. I did not avert my eyes and kept looking on. It seemed Tariq's grip tightened on the small box with the key in interesting and entertaining to me. his hand."It’s a huge task ,sir and That manor's huge too. My chances of winning against that security levels are The bird crossed a few (human) feet and jumped on the very-" cemented boundary around the rose bushes. It walked "Low,-Mr.Hameed completed- I know but I am here on it like a circus performer walking on a rope. The bird because no other man in my eyes can do it better than was moving ahead when a teacher appeared from a you. This kind of work requires a brave heart and you classroom and came towards it. I knew the bird will fly have it." away in fear, but it did not. Either it had not seen the "What if I get caught,sir?"argued Tariq his voice teacher, or it stayed because she had gone back without sounding childish in front of Mr.Hameed's deep manly coming any closer. My amazement had increased. voice. "How many times have you been caught,eh?" Tariq kept Then the bird jumped back on the ground and walked silent. It was true that he had never been caught in his back to the same spot in front of me where I had first whole eleven years in the field but this heist was the seen it. On the way, it was putting its beak here and biggest he had ever come across. That manor had been there. From the distance, it looked like the bird was a hot topic amongst his brotherhood. The treasure it touching the ground. But in fact, it was looking on both held within its ancient edifice was enough to spend his sides, trying to find something. I thought it was whole life without bothering to earn a penny. searching for food. "Okay. I 'll do it." Mr.Hameed's eyes brightened with Finally, the bird picked something. It was either a little satisfaction. A smile played across Tariq's lips as he took piece of thin straw or a dried blade of grass. Whatever it hold of the brown envelope containing the required was, the bird picked it in its mouth and flew away at information from the table. The fresh sunday morning once. I came forward to follow its course, but it was already fading arousing the people from their sleep. disappeared inside a big tree. Full of wonder and They were very aware that somebody might overhear delight, I came back, contemplating what I had their conversation so they left the cafe. witnessed. Tariq peaked at the giant edifice standing tall and proud I smiled at the fact that the poor bird covered a long from the wild overgrown bushes present in the forest journey to come back to the same place where it had surrounding the manor. The moonlight made it look started its hunt, only to get a tiny piece of straw. It must creepy. Surprisingly, the security measures for which the be needed for the nest. I was impressed by the bird’s manor was widely known was nothing but only two determination and effort. I learned a great lesson: guards half asleep sitting near the front iron gate.Not a whatever we aspire or desire for, our wishes, aims or single guard was present at the backside which opened dreams – we don’t need to travel a long way and injure to the forest and where Tariq stood. The backdoor of the our feet for them. Sometimes they are very close to us, manor was straight in front of him totally unguarded. only we are not able to see them. Or perhaps God makes Considering it as his luck,he pulled the mask on his face us cover a long distance only to make us yearn so that and made his way towards it.Upon reaching, he the pleasure afterward is coupled with success and unsheathed his dagger and slipped it into the ancient sense of achievement, and we can taste the fruit of hard lock. After a few clockwise and anticlockwise work. And let me tell you another secret: whatever we movements the door unlocked. 'A simple matter of want to get or become, we don’t need to search it here physics, maybe' he smiled to himself. He entered into and there. It is already inside us. We only need to open darkness and switched on his torch. There was a long our eyes and look inwards. corridor and yet another door in front of him. He tried the powder- technique to make sure there were no Which the poor bird probably did not know! lasers which was again a foolish thought for it was hard

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20 Petrichor Magazine Story T he Heist (continued) to imagine the ancient building installed with high- tech He shook her and they opened a little." Hang on okay.I security. No lasers appeared and he walked forward. am going to get you help. Everythings gonna be alright." Tariq slipped his dagger in the door's lock at the end of But before he could get up she grabbed his hand and the corridor but before he could unlock it the door gave started whispering something. She was barely audible way." Okay, now this is a little strange. The door's locked and he leaned in to catch the words" Go..that man on the outside and unlocked on the inside." ..betrayer..trap". With that her grip loosened and her head dropped. " No no no." He shook her but his voice Taking in the new scenario he was awe struck. The room was drowned by the blaring sirens outside. He scooped was stuffed with extra luxurious furniture. He traced his up Marium her blood soaking his clothes. He had to fingers on the magnificent sofas and surprisingly they leave now but before he could move the doors burst looked so new and fresh as if moved in yesterday. The open. Numerous policemen marched in, light struck place was indeed vacant like Mr. Hameed had told him. everywhere and among them a man in crisp white Tariq had memorized the map well so without hesitating kameez shalwar, the black waist coat buttoned to the he started towards the grand staircase at the end of the top shouted in his deep manly voice" room. It took him a lot of time to reach the topmost corridor for the manor had so many floors that he had Arrest the Murderer!" almost lost his count. He was exhausted when he finally reached the topmost corridor. The corridor had several identical doors but Tariq went straight in the one at the far end. According to Mr Hameed it was the room with the treasure. Once inside it wasn’t hard to find the locker. Tariq was filled with glee." It isn’t over yet.come on, I can do this." he thought.

He was about to enter the code when he heard a piercing scream from below and then some hurried footsteps. He froze. It was definitely a female voice. His heart was beating loudly against his chest. He walked out of the room and stood there for a while waiting for something to happen. He listened hard and then he heard a very faint ' help' or was it his imagination? Despite, his heart screaming not to he gathered his courage and made his way downstairs. It was better to confront whatever was there for him rather than be a coward. He found nothing on any of the floors until he reached the last one. The scene that awaited him drained the colour of his face. A woman about his age was scrawled on the ground with a pool of blood around her. It wasn’t as if she was something supernatural for her breathing was rapid and fresh blood stained her modern clothes. The wound on her back was large. Tariq moved a step down and the wooden boards creaked underneath him. The woman looked up , their eyes met and a sense of recognition spread inside him.

" Marium! " he cried and raced towards her. She was his classmate in 10th grade and ever since then a good Artwork by Zaira Naeem friend.

The dagger dropped from his hand into the pool of blood as he pulled off his mask using it to stop her bleeding . He took her head in one hand, her eyes were already closing.

www.PetrichorPages.com 21 Petrichor Magazine Awareness E nvironment Crisis & how to win it? garden flooring. b y Aqsa Seemab Waste vegetable oils (made by frying food, for example) can be turned into a useful kind of Environment is basically a surrounding which provides vehicle fuel called bio-diesel. us conditions for our development as well as nourishment and side by side Giving us beautiful Organic waste should not be a source of environmental contrasts to grow. All the things we are enjoying boldly pollution that has to be gotten rid of by putting it in is one of GOD’s blessings for us on earth. We can say landfills or burned as this could cause other pollution heaven on earth. But do you know what are we doing in problems. It should be a valuable resource that can be return? As it is our duty to save the environmental transformed into various marketable products providing beauty, not to harm the environmental factors, not to go employment and profits. beyond our limits. But we are doing the opposite. We are exploiting the beauty of God, natural resources and much more essential factors. We are causing even the deaths of beautiful birds and animals through the addition of harmful activities by our side.

What do you think? Is it ethical? Is it acceptable? Is it should be counted in our manners?

No! never.

Instead, we are generating wastes hugely. In a very beautified and cherishing country Pakistan, which is full Tip: of wonderful diversities, we are not behaving in a way You can use banana peels for the treatment of a very how we should. It seems like or probably it is a fact that horror disease migraine, as this disease requires lifetime we are just like guests on this earth. So, if we recall, then medication so Instead of that, you can use them. we would get to know that guests don’t act in such manners. Ok, if we are producing waste then why we are not converting the trash into cash? We should because H ow to use: we can. We can use 3R factor, Reduce, Reuse and Take a peel of a banana, put some ice cubes inside of Recycle. Pakistan generates 48 tons of solid waste per it, then tie it with anything or just hold it with your year, which has been increasing by 2% annually. fingers, then put the ice cubes packed peels on your eyes and forehead for 10-15 minutes or until you don’t The best way to use Earth's resources more wisely is to get relief. reduce the number of things that we use to reuse things instead of throwing them away. If we can't reduce or Concludingly, reuse, and we must throw things away, recycling them is far better than simply blending them out in the trash. don’t let the environment to be dirty and exploiting if you need a safe and healthy life. because More than half of Europe’s member states have adopted we are taking out our light bulbs on our own and one or plan to adopt a circular economy. If European day we might be saying that now we are living in dark countries can do so, then why Pakistan cannot? ages.!

Stay green! S ome of the suggestions: Go for the green side! We should use recyclable biodegradable packaging Green doings bring green rewards! even. We should say bye to plastic bags. We should not throw our waste into water bodies as it is causing deaths of innocent aquatic animals. Don’t throw fruits and vegetable peels everywhere instead you can make fertilizer for the fields. Reuse carrier bags at the grocery store for reducing the overuse factor. Waste wood is often turned into new wooden products—such as recycled wooden flooring or

www.PetrichorPages.com 22 Petrichor Magazine Travelogue

10 tourist attractions in China 4. The Summer Palace by Sumayya Ali The Summer Palace came into being in 1153 BC, exists Marco Polo stumbled upon China 700 years back. It is at a distance of 15 kilometers from Beijing. Its other the most gigantic eastern state. Enchantment and name is Yihe Yuan. It spreads over 700 acres. A gigantic enigma are synonymous with it. These people conserve pond has been increasing its beauty since the 14th their heritage. The best tourist attractions in the country century. The following tourist attractions please are here: travelers:

The Hall of Well-Being

1.The Great Wall of China: and Longevity or Renshou Diar The Great Wall of China is a significant primitive The Hall of Happiness memorial. Changcheng or the Long Wall are its other and Longevity or Leishou Tang Hall names. It spans up to 6,000 kilometers. The The lovers of art built Shanhaiguan fort lies to its east, and that the Jiayuguan The Great Theater was in 1891. fort to its west. Passing through Heber, Teintsin and Parks Beijing, one explores the finest parts of Changcheng. Alleys Inner Mongolia, Ningxia and Gansu are one's Arcades destinations. This wall stretches to 16 miles. Ten men can walk through it. The Long Wall saw countless combats. It comprises of many lighthouses constructed 5. The Li River This river starts from Guilin and ends at Yangshuo. It in 7th century BC. Constructors increased its portions spreads across 80 kilometers, and has mountaintops and from 210 BC. Specific regions near Badaling Pass, caverns. Travelers come here for some time. They also Mutiangyu and Gubeikou attract visitors. All are some arrive for a week. Writers and painters come here in kilometres away from Beijing. search of masterpieces. A variety of boats are available

in different sizes. Notable places are:

2. The Imperial Palace or the Forbidden City: The Mount of Unique Beauty The Imperial Palace is the most vital construction across The Reed Flute Cave the country. Lying in the center of Beijing, it is the most Elephant Trunk Hill humungous structure. The Yuan Dynasty originated it from 1271 to 1368s century BC. Twenty-four Ming and 6 . Research Base Centre of Giant Pandas Qing royals inhibited it from 1406 to 1420 century BC. This research base exists in the region of Sichuan. A The royals allowed no commoners inside it. It spreads visitor can see at least 80 Pandas going about their over an area of 120,000 square meters. And, comprises regular lives. There are many exhibitors working to of lighthouses, executive and courtly regions. A 10 protect them. They guide the travelers about these meter wall safeguards creatures in several ways. These adorable beasts are Five white marble Golden River Bridges quite agile during the day. Hence, it is the most The Hall of Preserving Harmony appropriate time to come here. A traveler can give food The Hall of Supreme Harmony to these animals. One can grasp a little panda and can The Palace Museum show one’s concern for them. The Tiananmen Square The Temple of Heaven 7 . The Yangtze River and Gorges: This 15th century construction is one of the most holy This Yangtze River has two other names: across the country. A 35 meters partition guards the Chang Jiang abodes of the royal blood. Long River It is the most significant river in China, and the 3. The Terracotta Army Museum lengthiest in the country too. It spreads over 6,000 In 1970, a few graziers were harrowing waterholes in kilometers. In the list of lengthy rivers round the globe it Xian. When they discovered the Terracotta Army. It is follows the Nile and the Amazon. It has been the main one of the most antique spots of the country. Three avenue for transport in China from the past 2,000 years. huge subterranean holes are located below it. This army Tibet flows to its west and Shanghai to its east. It passes protects the shrine of China’s first king Qin Shi Huang. through 8 territories, and spreads over 1/5th of China. This castle boasts of the following: There are 700 side streams within it. Figures of 8,000 soldiers The 3 Gorges: Sculptures of 520 horses Qutang, Wu and Xiling wrap 200 kilometers up. They 100 carriages begin from Fengjie and end at Yichang. There are These effigies are as old as 280 BC. Being before a awesome scenes, lofty peaks and bumpy precipices grand array of carvings of armed men is a splendid everywhere. experience in itself. One feels like witnessing a march that happened numerous decades ago.

www.PetrichorPages.com 23 Petrichor Magazine Travelogue China Travelogue (continued) This place is for: Those who crave for thrills. Some of the mentioned places are here: All fans of rafts Those who love the old days

8 . Suzhou Gardens The Gardens of Suzhou are among the most vital ancient gardens around the globe. The UNESCO preserves their culture. They lie in Suzhou in the area of Jingsu. They date back to the 11th century.

9 . The Potala Palace This famous place lies in the town of Lahsa in Tibet. The palace has many holy riches, and comprises of 2 further parts:

The Red Palace exists since the 17th century. There are plenty of royal temples, and memories of the kings and of Dalai Lama inside it. The White Palace exists since 1648 BC. It spreads over 90 acres, and consists of the following:

1. Libraries 2. Waiting rooms 3. Bedrooms 4. Lagoons 5. Domes It was a castle once. Dalai Lama lived here. It was a political hub.

10. Shanghai’s Promenade The Zhongshan Lu is well-maintained. This place reminds its visitors of: Parts of Eurasia The Tudor Architecture The Period of Revivalt has: 1. Eateries 2. Shops 3. The arcades 4. Coffee bars 5. A light house 6. A government agency.

Conclusion: All these tourist attractions make china a dream destination for travelers to spend their holidays with family.

www.PetrichorPages.com 24 Petrichor Magazine Poems SENSING BY SENSE LESSNESS I DON'T WANT TO FA DE FOR YOU by Tanzila Rehmat by Laiba Tariq

Write with me; help me out I don't wait for you because I’m stuck with words, please make’em bout! I don't want to fade for you. Take me to an unknown, strange place I still dream of new colors. Where no one can find nor can trace! I still find peace in drawing flowers. Even if I forgot to see the spark, Fill my pen with your everlasting ink My eyes can't stay for long in the dark. Inscribe if in your stomach butterflies wink! I loved you but I lost my soul, myself, I will show you the path where we’d head I can't even find that in my bookshelf. You keep on writing; my lap’s your bed! I was broken, I was shattered. I became rude, full of hatred. Hey, can you hear the sparrow’s singing? I'm not the crying dove. I stroke your hair and my heart is sinking! They say I'm the token of love. The bird on that branch smiles to encounter us So I'm trying to recover and heal. too Covering my sorrows under a smile, the finest Now you can guesstimate how much I love you! veil. Though hard regrets are lying on my lashes, The grass is so green and golden fresh But I'm still brave enough to rise from the Our presence together here heavenly mesh! ashes. Can anyone discern; can they recognize? My mom told me to remain strong and do fight How strong our love is, they can never realize! Until you find hope and shine so bright. I want to make you one thing sure, You get up; caress my cheek; look into my eyes My love and care for you are all pure. I know you too want to knot unbreakable ties! You didn't even realize but I can't forbear Please build in here a shatterproof home anymore. Where you and I live; now conclude this poem! Your eyes aren't blind, but your heart is, by my Lord! This night was same; I had a same dream You are buried in my soul; my pen does scream! The garden that was our little love cage There you still lie in my lap with a pen and page! Absolute Existence I call you My Muse, help me write by Sam Hussain You are dead, but my heart does fight! Masking beneath the crisp of my skin, The day you came, the writer in me was born Devouring on my exquisite ichor, And now you’re gone; again, I feel so weak and It is alive, worn! My fear, my angst of losing you. It’s time so different so strange and oh this I yearn for the similar quietude, insanity this madness The sanity of the heartless world I dwelled in I sense you by senselessness! I can’t be a prisoner, The prison, the stockade of undesirable thoughts. Slithering through my persona, Mutilating my very existence, Life piercing through my heart, Its claws, the talons of reality. I silence my very soul, The quiet is killing the stillness inside me, Your voice soothing the struggle, The sound, the softness brings me back to you.

Artwork by Zaira Naeem

www.PetrichorPages.com 25 Petrichor Magazine Poems Conscious Soul E NCHANTED NIGHT WITH MY MUSE by Ayesha Ahmed b y Tanzila Rehmat

Into the world of darkness I’m the poetess and you are the poet She enters with glowing eyes Let’s just create a spellbinding duet! A heart of gold and soul not so old You give me your heart and I give you mine She hears whispers of dusk and dullness Put on the candles and prepare some wine! Those shimmering eyes sight scenes of wickedness My tempting spell-caster, your seductive lure Her wit decides to end these days of twilight Takes me to the sinless ride and oh so pure! But woefully ends up losing her own light Your chanting chants enchantingly without failing Another soul swallowed by this world of The boat of my love I fear, would gently wreck in sailing! darkness No wit can end these days of wickedness Hum my humming bee and warn me about stings But a hope lasts that better days would come Your tune rises and falls prompting the tension in my When brightness would defeat darkness and wings! depression overcome Intone, murmur, whisper or speak silently loud I pray to God for better days I know you’re here; don’t veil do not dare cloud! When the sun shines and no one betrays Eyes are wandering, hands are on the table Fingers are sketching your face even sitting stable! Your gaze is scintillating in the dim light of candle Falling bit by bit; Apologies afore if I fan any scandal! Seek for perpetual contentment in life! by Rutba Khan Pour that crimson Red for the two of us I want to be around people who are not always judging Oh my sovereign, think no trouble and reflect no fuss! you for your choices I can read the fear of losing in your eyes, my entirety Those with whom you can talk about anything without You have my hair as your home Darling, for eternity! even thinking twice The people who make your life ecstatic Those who Have a sip of drink from the glass of my soul allow you to express your concerns without any fear Can you feel the serenity cherishing in your throat? They are nepenthe! Those who talk about the I watch your lips wet; the last drop calling mine philosophy of life and something spiritual Is your presence more toxic or entrancing power of Those who have a desire for a deeper understanding of wine? our universe Those who don't have any pretense or pride and their You come up, hold my hand and stroke my locks whole aura is full of warmth Oblivious to the fact, the world jealously mocks! Those who know how to embrace the sense of The map of your lips to my lips is just a kiss away imagination Un- the bar of distances with the necking sway! Those who seek for perpetual contentment in life Those who are ready to confront the unrelenting My eyes are closing at a snail’s pace conditions with patience There’ something in the air I can smell and trace! As these are the rare and different souls that are so pure It’s you and your being there in front, secured in my because they know that happiness is not about getting gaze what you want, it's being content with what you already I could voyage the world despite of this fog and haze! have! Shush! The chord of the guitar in your heart strums Making my fragile body tear in countless crumbs! I have had an amazing time with you my Muse Far along I won’t argue nor would I to your call refuse!

Let’s just wind up all these lyrics before we sink The travelers passing by would detach us in a blink! Come again in my dream as it’s the only secret place to be I’m enslaved in your love and crisscrossed in your magic tree!

Artwork by Aimen Rimsha www.PetrichorPages.com 26 Petrichor Magazine Poems LOVE ME NOT HATE ME H e died, but he lived! by Sidra Shabbir b y Maheen Amjad

Can get haven in your heart He stood there solemnly as if in deep thought; Being homeless, I've no serenity apart I doubt he would have moved, even if he got shot. My heart groans for myself, for you O my soul mate, restore me His fists were clenched and there was a scowl on his Love me not hate me face; But even these gestures couldn't spoil his manly grace. What act of mine may please you? I am deathly sick with your ado He was thinking about his daughter whose forehead he I suffer in myself alone had kissed; O my soul mate, escape me Apologizing earnestly for the school function he had Love me not hate me missed.

How can I find any clue of your love? About his pretty spouse who, with moisture in her eyes; You are a symbol of tranquility like a dove Had stood in the doorway, waving the last of her good- I want to breathe in you byes. O my soul mate, rule over me Love me not hate me About his crippled old mother, lying in her cot; Whose hand he had held, while she cried a whole lot. Can you understand the fires of my grief? Let's Wind up if you have any fief He shook his head as if to clear his own mind; I want immortality of your love He decided to do it for the love he'd left behind. O my soul mate, join hands with me Love me not hate me In one hand was the gun, the other held the bomb; He had to fulfill the task and it wouldn't take too long.

"Let justice be done!" he cried spiritedly as he ran; Towards the place where stood the enemy's tank. "Poem" by Qurat Ul Ain He pulled the trigger and there was an ear-piercing sound; Now who will say to Followed by eternal darkness that spread all around. you

I'm a painter of grief You know what they say about soldiers who get killed; The picture is sad In this world, he has died, but in our hearts, he has lived! Now who will say to you There is a helpless nature The grave is sick Now who will say to you There is a prison of wounds The chain is thick Now who will say to you There is just love There is no name Now who will say to you In the lines of hands, fate is sad Now who will say to you Everything is fantasy Ain is spared Artwork by Aimen Rimsha

www.PetrichorPages.com 27 Petrichor Magazine Poems Scissors and Butterf ly Wings (Inspired by Maya Angelou ) She by Hareem Fatima by Afshan Shahid Does my haughtiness upset you? When ever i cried i did find comfort in her lap Like the sun and moon is mine She was like a moon shinning in the dark night for me Does my resilience offend you? Whenever i lost courage she would build a mountain of And my silly twisted rhymes? patience for me and rise me again Her prayers create a new urge for me to live. Do you want me to become dirt? She was the precious asset of my life So you can bury my spirits beneath? "She was my Mother" And choose not to be a body of stone? Does it bother you that I still feel and speak?

Have you not sharpened your tools today? Your scissors, your fluffy deceit, your lies? Have you not injured me enough? And do you still not understand That I will rise?

I will rise, I will soar, I will fly I will moan, I will weep, I will sigh I will laugh, I will smile, I will try My wings will never be cut My spirits will never die

I will be kicked, I will be shoved, I will be kissed, I will be loved I will live before I die Whatever happens, I will still fly

Up from above The heavens shall cast down gentle snow To cool my brows after each escapade This lantern of light I hold shall never fade

Up from above While I'm soaring in the skies I will be given warm sunlight To melt again my frozen soul To remind me to never forget my goal Artwork by Zaira Naeem I must continue to rise

And now that it is night, Another battle has been fought My wings drop me off at Jupiter To let my mind cool off in the serenity of nothingness

Times like this, When I lay my armor down, I ask myself and the glittery stars above "Will I be missed?" "Will I be loved?" I wear my tears as a necklace and as a crown Because in this life, this is all I have been given Artwork by Noor Fatima Everything upside down....

www.PetrichorPages.com 28 Petrichor Magazine Poems A Silent Goodbye Anger on Anger by Narmeen Khan by Narmeen Khan

A Silent Goodbye Anger on anger She could feel the morning breeze is of no use Welcoming charming morning heals It controls your mind Sun was about to rise And makes you fool With all his sparkles, lights and delights It born the vein Birds were twittering in a row Destroyed the human inside As hellow to new day saying hurdles to go For its sake people destroyed But she was uncaring Their love ,family and life With all the scanery Regardless! What would happen later Not wanting to take part It commands to do In the whole pleasentary Sins, mistakes and buffers She could see the past It vanish the wisdom, beauty With open eyes And charm inside Could hear memories Being proud on it makes you Roaming in her mind Coward, hatter and later cried Could hear your voice It is the mess that created Even without any noise By evils She was still praying for you It occupied you and With the words that were on its peak Make you devil Did you ever imagine If it is not in your way How much she loved you ? Let it go she could bear the mountains It will proved so fruitul If she could beside you You would later know And yeah! she did so Letting you go, without let that in your know She came to knew that You loved someone else Homeless Girl She did not get jeleous by Kinza Fatima But for you praise that For those sparkles eyes and charming smile I'm a homeless girl, Once with whome she conneced How would it feel to feel home? For the sake of their pleasentary To me, home is someone I am unknown of. She moved towards another way I breathe out poetry. I cry out loud poetry. Making others rejected The words are my fragments of souls. That love and pray remained aye Sometimes, suicide is waving at me Saying to you a silent goodbye through the cracked window of my burnt paradise. By Narmeen Khan If I walk backward, I get aligned with the stars that I stare at the night sky. Suicide was whispering in the oven of Syliva Plath Suicide was swallowing Virginia Woolf in the river's current Suicide was growling in the asphyxiated mouth of Anne Sexton in her car. How would it feel to feel home? Homelessness and abandonment accompanied like an imaginary friend. No, they died beyond a death, lived a thousand times.

Artwork by Zaira Naeem

www.PetrichorPages.com 29 Petrichor Magazine Poems JEALOUSY AND EGO Positivity or negativ ity by Muhadsa Naqvi it's you who choose to focu s on what side... by Farwa Qureshi These are the things That never give you peace Tears were falling from my eyes, After having everything That night I was awakening till night, You will feel poor On the window is stood, Ahhh... All alone as I was lost in wood, Yes you feel poor In front of me fearful illusions were floating, That's why you look on the In that lonely, silent night I was drowning, Happiness of others Abruptly then I heard, And Ego is something A melodious sound, That will stop you Of moving leaves touching each other due to strong air, By achieving true love Fragrance of flower decreasing my fear, You will remain alone Suddenly I realized, You will feel dying Actually, I was focusing on dark sky, But you will never die Not realizing the presence of star's light touching my You will live eye, Half dying Then To moon then my sight went, Half suffering How beautifully it stands, Half wondering That night I learned a lesson, Half being jealoused How easily we focus on negativity, And half being Dirty Neglecting the presence of positivity, As I was afraid of dark night, Neglecting the presence of star's light, Of stong air i was fearing, The Miserability i am living with Instead of feeling it and enjoying sound of moving by Farah Irshad leaves,

The miserability I am living with Is consuming me inside Is there any way of escape? My soul is now tired… The shackles of this agony Look of the world Is suffocating me every time, by Zainab Refuge seems not possible This rope of distress is tight… As if the whole world is looking at Hope of rays are fading away me...; Silence is getting louder day by day One look says a "Stupid bag" . There’s no way to get away Other look around and turn his back...; The path to freedom is far away… One with Smug and Other with Wish. . I took the first step How poor life is this, To change the situation Oh! Wait for a sec, so i could breathe; I gave up immediately One day you are Bitter other day very sweet... I was out of patience. No no I'm not complaining... Now I’m waiting but I don’t know This is the way to liv’in, What I am waiting for But no-one gets the Right to say... I lost the opportunity That you are living the wrong way, That asked me to do more, Everybody Now living in miserability is fighting a battle inside... And complaining to God! Which is other’s out of sight, So, shun the shear sight of the shell.... And live the way You wish to Dwell,

www.PetrichorPages.com 30 Petrichor Magazine Credits Our Prestigious Writers & Contributors Chief Editorial Team Articles Talha Zakir Fatima Hassan Zunaira Zahid CEO Petrichor Pages/ Aiman Sabir Chief Editor Mahnoor Fehriya Fatima Awan Mahwish Talib Laraib Afzal Pirah Aijaz Memon Fatima Hassan Farah Irshad Co Founder Pages/ Eiman Abbasi Chief Editor Zunaira Khan Khadija Arif Bashair Naeem Maham Faisal Hina Liaqat Momina Ahsan Kainat Asif Muneeba Saeed Content Writer/ Editorial Team Stories

Nida Irfan Uzma Ashraf Moattar Khalid Chief Designer Jahan Zaib Brohi Aliza Zafar Khadija Arif Talha Zakir Manal Abbas Chief Editor / Chief Designer

Awareness Aqsa Seemab Muneeba Saeed Creative Team Travelogue Sumayya Ali Zaira Naeem

Poetry Creative Artist / Team Lead

Tanzila Rehmat Narmeen Khan Aimen Rimsha Laiba Tariq Kinza Fatima Arshba Talib Sam Hussain Muhadsa Naqvi Umama Ayub Rutba Khan Farwa Qureshi Noor Fatima Ayesha Ahmed Farah Irshad Sidra Shabbir Zainab Maheen Amjad Afshan Shahid Qurat Ul Ain Hareem Fatima www.PetrichorPages.com 31 Petrichor Magazine Our Message

Become Part of Our Community Our Message

It is a dire need for us to become a strongly integrated society, where one person without thinking twice helps others, support others. Support can be moral, educational, financial, physical or simple words of kindness. But it has to be there. As long as we won't start thinking that way, we can never develop as a nation, we will never be respected. We have to build ourselves and each other and only then can we prophecize for Pakistan, a better future. Greatness lies in staying humble, in lifting others up. The moment you think of yourself as great and look down upon others, or give yourself the authority to judge others, in that very moment you lose the greatness you may have earned with your blood and sweat. Imagine a leader, a great leader, but then he does not teach those leadership skills to anyone else, he does not bother to lift anyone else to that level of greatness, then how will his people survive once he leaves this world? will they not be left unguided and lost? That nation will become weak and disappear and no one will know the story of that one great leader and his greatness shall turn to dust as well. So what do we learn? we learn to help, to uplift others. One person alone can't lead the nation to prosperity, there has to be a strongly integrated network of people who all work and who all chase ambitions and help each other in their chase.

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