A Pakistan Link Report
San Jose: On a winter-like Saturday evening in late April 2003, the Morris Dailey Auditorium at San Jose State University reverberated with the sights, sounds and dazzle of Pakistan colors. The occasion was the second annual cultural show organized by the Pakistan Students Association at SJSU (www.sjsu.edu/orgs/psa ), dubbed “Hangama,” and in this case, it happened to be of the very positive kind.
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Music and action
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Not only did a large group of people experience some fun and a feeling of pride in national origin, but the ‘Hangama’ was for a great cause: to help needy children by donating some of the proceeds from the evening to them.
“We decided to divide the money between Iraqi and Pakistani children. The organizations chosen were Child Family Health International and SOS Children’s Villages of Pakistan,’’ revealed Qousain Ali, the VP of the association. So right off the bat, kudos are in order for these young people for thinking beyond themselves and attempting to help others in need.
It has been the observation of this reporter that the PSA’s on campuses all over the United States and Canada could currently use a shot or two of vitality and a revisiting of the nostalgic period of the 1960’s through 1980’s. Pakistan Link could assist in reporting such national cultural events and help the rest of our community recognize and encourage a new batch of young leadership to emerge from amongst our students.(We will - Editor).
But in the case of San Jose State’s PSA Board, it appears that it really did not need our encouragement and has already taken the initiative. PSA President Ali Warriach, VP Qousain Ali, Secretary Danish Abidi, Treasurer Ana Lisa Khan and Nabil Baig along with Professor Mohammed Saleem would appreciate any feedback from us on their website.
All the people who assisted in arranging this event and who are not named here deserve a big hand. It sure was a long evening. It is rare to have such a diversity of entertainment in one sitting (that the almost three page program guide described). Emcees Sher Baig, Qousain, Danish and Sarah Naqvi sure had quite a job on their hands. From the Hamd to the National Anthem, folk dances, comedy skits, and speeches plus a fashion show and a performance by the Mystic Rock Band name KAIF (from Kaifiyat or feeling), this was certainly quite an evening. And you just had to be here to experience it. So with a special thanks to all, let us leave our readers to guess what the PSA at San Jose State has in store in entertainment for us on June 8, 2003. Just one hint! “The Biggest Band in Asia” (Visit their website to find out more).