‘Sindhu’ to ‘Indus’ – the mother, the nurturer- a magnetic calling for millions over millennia. Not just a river, she has been home to societies and cultures for over 7000 plus years.The first step is recognizing heritage at a deeper, more profound, celebratory, soulful architectonic conversation …

Over refreshments of artisanal vegan snacks created by Chef Hamza Azim, spend a Sunday afternoon understanding the mystique of the River Indus. The Indus River Valley Institute (IRVI)invites you to a presentation/get-together on the enigmatic River Indus, with architect/cultural anthropologist Zain Mustafa through his body of work!

The Indus River Valley Institute (IRVI), Pakistan’s first Culture & Heritage think Tank for research & Development, set up in 2022 in an idyllic rural earth based setting- on the outskirts of Islamabad- aims to bring the language of an erudite cultural identity to a singular space, with dialogues, data, research, collaborations, curated courses and residency programs, reclaiming the lost 12 nation family members of the bioregional Indus lineage. A blood line history that has been often forgotten or marginalized…

sA family ride

Fatima Jinnah Park also known as Capital Park or F-9 Park, is a public recreational park that spans the whole of Sector F-9 of Islamabad. It is named after Mādar-e Millat Fatima Jinnah, the younger sister of the founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah. At 304 hectares (750 acres), it is just smaller than New York's Central Park. . It was designed by Michael Japero, and was inaugurated in 1992. The park’s original master plan was prepared by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and was revised in 2005 by Pakistani architect Nayyar Ali Dada.

Fatima Jinnah Park's vast acreage is mostly covered by greenery, with a few man-made structures dotting the landscape. Most of the park area is effectively a wildlife sanctuary, except for a few areas of the park that are close to residential districts. A well laid network of footpaths lies inside the park, with neat grass and a few statues.

Recently a new pump track and cycling routes have been added within the F-9 Park, this month we will explore these!

It is an easy ride for everyone to join and it’s on the road and on slight off roads so all kinds of bicycle can join.

'Don't put them in a cage, let them fly free...'

Birdwatching at dawn at Rawal lake.

As the winter season with all its festivities is nearly over, we bring you a very different programme-as our feathered guests will not stay here long and will be flying back home soon, don't miss this opportunity exclusively with our group!

According to reports, the Indus Flyway is one of the seven routes- around the globe- that birds use to escape severe weather conditions, and feed and breed in some cases. The migratory birds escape the harsh cold in Russia and China and travel more than 4,500 kilometers to enter Pakistan from the North- and following the mighty Indus River all the way down to the South- stopping at more than 300 water bodies and wetlands dotting the land!

Cranes, ducks-mallards, common pochards, common teal, northern pintail, northern shoveler, cormorant, snipes, stints, plovers, gulls and score of other birds fly to Pakistan every winter. Unfortunately, the number of migratory birds visiting Rawal Lake in the winter season has dwindled, apparently due to habitat destruction and increasing human activities in and outside the Rawal Lake.

And for those of you who are wondering- "Twitchers & Dudes" are terms popularised by Lynn Horton- a free lance writer and bird watcher:'Twitchers are bird watchers who travel long distances to see a rare bird & Dudes are enthusiasts who enjoy the surroundings and are happy even when unable to add new, rare and exotic birds to their journals...'

For photography buffs/ and enthusiasts: Do bring your own binoculars and cameras to capture some memorable moments!

Also a good idea to bring along refreshments!

Join us to learn more about the 'Orange' season in Pakistan!

'We only sell, what we grow'...Khalis farms is conveniently located in the suburbs of Islamabad. It is a small family run enterprise that organises fruit pickings on a regular basis and promotes healthy community activities!

Oranges & other organic vegetables will also be available for sale!

We will collect at Bilal Nursery ( Corner of Chak Shahzad/ Kuri Road)at 10:30am sharp and drive to the farm from there.

WhatsApp location pins will be shared with all participants

Presentation/ Conversation

“I am interested in people and their environment and long term projects related to that...sort of personalized portraits of people in and around the city. My main interests are portraiture and photo journalistic documentation highlighting various classes and creeds around the country. Mostly city life, with an emphasis on the common man…”

Arif Mahmood is recognised as one of the foremost photographers in Pakistan.With a degree in Business Administration from the USA, he started his journey with photography in 1985, on his return to Karachi.

He also has approximately 29 publications to his credit compromising of limited edition portfolios and books which include group publications as well. He has exhibited his work in over 50 group exhibitions on a National and International level and has had 17 solo exhibitions in the domestic gallery circles to date.Two of his photographs are in the permanent collection of the museum of Fine Arts Houston USA.

Website :www.arifmahmoodphoto. com

Day Trip

Rohtas Fort is a symbol of the determination and strength of its builder, Sher Shah Suri. The Fort, 12 km in circumference, is located 110km from Islamabad in a gorge 16 km North West of Jhelum City. It has has 12 gates, remains of old palaces, 68 towers, 3 deep wells and 12 – 18 meters high/3 – 5 meters thick fortification walls. The construction of the Fort started in 1543 and took over three years to complete.

The original intent in building the fort was to block the possible entry of the Mughal Emperor Humayun, who aftehad fled to Iran. The second objective was to punish and defeat the turbulent Gakkhars who had control of the valley and were allies of the Mughals.The fort could not have been more strategically located – protected as it was by ravines and the river Kahan. However, it lost its importance as a frontier garrison when Akbar built the great fort at Attock on the Indus in the 1850s.

Conservation and restoration work is underway at Rohtas to bring back to this great edifice, some of its past glory !

Trip Itinerary

0800: Departure from Islamabad (Assembly Point: In front of United Bakery, Supper Market F-6, Islamabad at 7:45 a.m.)

1030: Short stay at Gujar Khan for refreshments

1100: Arrival at Rohtas Fort and sightseeing tour of Fort

1330: Free time (bring your own refreshments)

1500 Departure for home destination

1730 Arrival at Islamabad.

In Conversation with the translator and subject’s nephew, Wasif Rashid

“My Uncle Rao Khilafat’s memoirs showcase the less-than-glamorous life of ordinary sepoys in World War Two. Joining up was an escape from grinding poverty and perhaps a commission...several British Indian Army officers, Sandhurst trained and even more pukka than the British, published their memoirs after the war. Gen Ali Hamid has recently written an excellent account of Sahibzada Yakub's imprisonment in Avezzano. Uncle.was incarcerated in the same camp!

What followed can best be described as hell on earth: forced marches across the scorching heat of the Libyan Desert, a near drowning in Palermo harbour, internment in Italy, escape and other adventures, such as falling in love with Clara. Packed off to Java after Italy, Uncle's peculiar odyssey finally ended in Java, his back shredded by a mortar shell.

A life lived to the fullest…”

For 'foodies' an opportunity not to be missed!

The Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community lives in over 40 countries and blends local cuisines while retaining their Arabic, Mughlai and Gujrati sway. Their food reflects its influence from its early settlements in Yemen and the Indian subcontinent. Served with different items in a large round 'thaal' (platter) with 8-10 people eating from it, mostly seated on floor, it reflects community living! Traditionally, the meal starts with a pinch of salt to clear the gut, cleansing the palate and help fight several diseases.

We have selected the most popular items for the menu: Beef cutlets as a starter, Dhaba gosht as the main course, traditional Bohra chicken with chapati, daal chawal with mutton, and palida daal soup, lagan seekh made with minced beef and the delicious Malida dessert.

Some of these dishes will be demonstrated and others served along with cultural briefing by Munira’s Oowais who caters to her community, in addition to others with taste and appreciation for this very special cuisine.

Mukshpuri is the second highest peak of the Galiyat region and one of the most beautiful tourists attractions throughout the year. During the winters it becomes a winter wonderland with all its glory.

Join us for a 'snow' hike this time and enjoy the place to the fullest. We meet up at the United Bakery and go together on the chartered Coaster. The hike is not too hard, but snow will make it challenging. Please come fully prepared!

Some tips that will help you with the hike...

1- Footwear is important. 'Gaiters' can be a good addition for such adventures.

2- Dress in layers.

3- When you are cold, it is tempting to not drink as much, or only drink coffee and hot chocolate. But you’re still sweating under all those layers, and your body needs water and electrolytes. Be sure to take sips of water when you stop. Keep enough water with you.

4- Hiking poles are handy on snow hikes.

Along with the necessary precautions, don't forget to bring cameras as the views will be amazing.

Director: Rob Marshall

Screenplay: Robin Swicord, based on the novel by Arthur Golden

Cast: Ziyi Zhang, Ken Watanabe, Michelle Yeoh, Gong Li, Tsai Chin, Suzuka Ohgo, Togo Igawa, Mako, Samantha Futerman, Elizabeth Sung

Academy Awards: Cinematography, Art Direction, Costume Design

Screen Actors Guild Nomination: Best Actress (Ziyi Zhang)

The film is a feast for the eyes with superb cinematography, costume and production design and a score by John Williams and cello solos by the great Yo-Yo Ma.

A sumptuously faithful and evocative film adaptation of Arthur Golden's celebrated novel tells the story of a young Japanese girl who is sold by her impoverished family to a geisha house to support them by training as and eventually becoming a geisha. The film centers around the sacrifices and hardships faced by pre-World War II geisha, and the challenges posed by the war and a modernizing world to geisha society.

The story is told exclusively from the point of view of the titular geisha (Ziyi Zhang). We see her life from a poverty stricken child to her years spent in servitude, her training and emergence as a geisha, her brief reign that is interrupted by the war, and her re-emergence as a geisha. Along the way she faces kindness from a handsome businessman (Ken Watanabe), bitter opposition from a rival (Gong Li) at the geisha house, and strict but loving training by a veteran geisha (Michelle Yeoh).