I-MARC'14

Written by: I-MARC'14 Newsletter team
Edited by: Bakhtawar Ali
PC: Uzair Riaz Photography,studio 92

The inaugural event of I-MARC 2014 Day 1 and the harbinger of the I-MARC three-day legacy…the activity ‘Ba-Ikhtiyar Mukalim’ truly did justice to the name marked by sheer energy, enthusiasm and creativity. The activity commenced with peaking anticipations and enormous vigor of 9 teams, 108 participants who were dying to ink out their linguistic artistry and passion for their national language. A short video was shown at the beginning which was the crux of the activity based upon the imaginary country of ‘Rustaministan’. Elections in ‘Rustaministan’ were right around the corner and the two main rival parties, ‘Aam Awami Party’ (AAP) and ‘Majlis-e-Rustamin’ collided against each other.

During the activity, short simulations were conducted where a success rally was done by members of the victorious party with their flag in hand and clamorous voices echoing through the overcrowded auditorium. Then, all of a sudden the auditorium was raided by “party jiyale” who kidnapped the team captains leaving a tense and awestruck atmosphere behind.The participants were given 40 minutes to showcase their linguistic skills and draft their final Urdu newspapers. All the teams were determined to fight against censorship and all odds so prevalent during this era in order to unlock and display their hidden potential; hence they presented exceptional and original masterpieces.

Tamseel Ghar was the second milestone down the lane of activity on the first day of I-MARC 2014. The theme ‘Breaking the shackles of yesterday’, was met to its fullest by the participants as they delved into the pages of history, with their seven-minute-long enactments. The teams had been provided with collages of 4 pictures each prior to the main event. These collages depicted the social atrocities of yesteryears, such as ‘Suttee’, plight of immigrants to Pakistan, black magic and religious disparity. Teams moulded their performances around these themes. They did a commendable job and presented a plethora of emotions.

The judges included Faisal Qureshi, Aijaz Aslam, Nadia Hussain, Tipu Sharif and Naveed Raza. The judges not only commented on the positive areas of the performances but also offered suggestions and advice for further enhancement of the participants. The activity concluded on a constructive note, with the judges providing great feedback and opportunities for improvement.

The Guests' Verdict about the Event:

Hira Siddiqui: “I am impressed with the kind of activity the management team has conducted. It’s a great initiative.”
Tipu Sharif: “The performances in the theatre activity were better than last time. The event is more disciplined, the venue is decorated well and I can see the enormous effort the management team has put in. It’s evident. Great work.”
Faisal Qureshi: “Once you’re on the stage, you’re the king. Baki sab ki aisi taisi.”

The second day of I-MARC 2014 dawned with an air of mystery, suspense and speculation. The theme brought to light was ‘transforming the present’ and the participants proved their mettle, as they set about their job unraveling the crime with zest, thinking caps on.

The first activity was ‘live reporting’, based on a simulation witnessed by all the teams. The scene presented revolved around a stalwart - a talk-show host Naveed Shah, who while interviewing the captain of the cricket team and a cricket analyst regarding involvement of the former in match-fixing deals, took a break promising to return with a bang got shot. Pandemonium and mayhem ensued as a fatally wounded Naveed Shah was whisked away into an ambulance, while the police jostled with the overwhelming crowd thronging the spot.The participants had 50 minutes to prepare a video showcasing the live report of this event. They were judged on their objective stance, their eye for detail and the quality of the video which they recorded.

The second activity for the day, ‘investigative journalism’, followed suit. The big question to be answered was why a person as important as Naveed Shah was murdered. The first segment of this activity was given 1.5 hours where clues where placed at 9 designated locations. The participants had to put two and two together, be Sherlock Holmes and use the clues and documents to envisage and envision whether the murderer was a co-host, a political party, an agency or someone else. Later, 40 minutes were given to solve and prepare to present the case as a live anchor.The teams breathed in moments of stress, pressure, pure tension and insecurity, till they emerged victorious as successful media anchors.

The day concluded with participants commendably transcended to the present and met every challenge that came their way.

The third day of IMARC’14 began with the theme of future that offers unrestricted tools of media. Mr. Javed Jabbar gave an enlightening session on the future of media and the 5 paradoxes of mass media followed by Q&A session. Thereafter the event activities began where teams had to envision the future through photography activity and research-based activity. In photography activity, themes were designated to teams and they were required to make a digital poster by taking camera clicks on the spot. Ultimately, the team proved their talent by showcasing some creative e-posters that was much appreciated by none other than Tapu Javeri. Afterwards, in research-based activity, teams were assigned themes like fashion, entertainment, music, etc and had to come up with presentation based on issues surrounding the theme at present, international benchmark and solutions with regard to the issues highlighted to improve in future.

All in all, the Program Design and the overall event were unanimously appreciated from all the participants as they find dearth of such media conventions in the country.Well,it’s time to take it international!!

The Politik'14

Written By: Maida Ajmal
PC: Impressions Photography

IBA Social Sciences Club organized a mega event Politik’14 which took place from 27th to 30th March 2014 at student activity centre, IBA Main Campus.It aimed to impart deep philosophical knowledge on the various aspects of political science. The central objective of this event was to promote the sense of responsibility within the students towards their nation and to make them better citizens so it was a very good opportunity for all participants.

Day 1 started with participants reaching the venue in the morning with full enthusiasm. Mustafa Ilyas a brilliant student of IBA BBA-6 as well as an amazing photographer was selected as the day champ for this day. He welcomed all the participants and divided them in clusters with Cluster Facilitators or Legal Advisors appointed for each group. Some of the CFs who stood out were Babar Mobeen, Sidra Ajmal, Maria Wadiwala, Zeeshan Chaudhry and Taqi Rizvi. The event kicked off with the outstanding session of Jibran Nasir. Then there was a referendum activity done. In the meanwhile to refresh the participants there was a performance by Ali Gul Pir sponsored by Candy land with free Chilli Milli giveaways which surely rejuvenated all of them. Afterwards there was a session by PML-N president Karachi Nehal Hashmi from whom participants asked many controversial questions. In the end there was an activity to select slogans for different parties that were formed along with posters.

Day 2 was even better! Jemima khan’s video was shown sponsored by Pak Sar Zameen ngo. Abdullah khan came as a guest speaker who was a member of PTI and the relative of Imran Khan; he also spoke a few words of wisdom and along with him came Naz Baloch of PTI. Wahid Ali Shah once again an outstanding student of IBA was chosen as the day champ who carried out a very informative and interesting activity with the host Waseem Badami and the person who was invited as the guest was Faisal Sabzwari of MQM, also Moiz Khan who is part of IBA faculty was chosen as the moderator and Dr. Huma Baqai also made this activity better by her presence. End of day couldn’t have been better than the comedy and jashan night in which there were amazing performances by Ali Raj, Faraz Nafees and Moiz Khan.

Moving on to day 3! It was the elections day, the day when participants came all ready to get the taste of real elections in Pakistan. Firstly the groups were asked to send forward a representative to speak for their party and then there was a panel discussion. Mustafa Ilyas again acted as the day champ and hosted this activity. Terrorist group with their amazing slogans and aim to establish a country called Tharkistan surely gave everyone a good laugh and an idea of how the minds of terrorists work. Finally there were elections by all participants and when the votes were counted and terrorist group won with a majority even though they were not even a party. This was a simple demonstration of rigging. Afterwards there was a guest speaker session by Khawaja Izhar of MQM. Day ended with a social at dream world resort where there were numerous enjoyment activities for everyone in a secure environment.

Finally and smoothly team Politik managed to reach the final day of the event. Saud Shahid, a student of IBA and part of terrorist group (in the event) gave a speech and the surprise element was disclosed as he himself was made the day champ which was surely a twist to the game. VP chamber of commerce Muhammad Idrees made his presence and also Farooq Sattar(MQM) spoke a few words which surely impressed many people. Also Zubair Umar and Nehal Hashmi from PML-N came as guest speakers. Finally a student of IBA Tabish Hashmi arrived and spoke a little. Afterwards there was a closing ceremony in which the winners were announced and the management team was introduced and thanked.

Nabeel Shafique(Treasurer), Abdul Rehman(VP) , Omar Tariq(Advisor) and all other management team of Politik worked tirelessly day and night to make this event one of a kind and to leave a mark in the minds of people. And it surely turned out that way.