KARACHI: That’s how book launches should be: short, sweet and to-the-point. And that’s why it is important to keep putting out books on a variety of subjects so that reading habits could be re-developed in a society that’s fast becoming apathetic to the culture of reading.

A book on how to cook vegetables titled Sabzian Pakayey Imrana Maqsood Ke Sath, by Imrana Maqsood, was launched at the author’s residence on Saturday evening. It was a well-attended event, marked by some witty, succinct speeches by the writer’s friends, relatives and colleagues.

Noted satirist and humorist Anwar Maqsood, Imrana’s husband, was the first one to speak on the occasion. He spoke highly of her vegetable cooking skills. Commenting on how the title of the book was agreed upon, he said he had suggested to his wife that it could be Sabzidised (a witty use of the English word subsidised). He then told the audience that in Urdu the phrase sabzi bannana (making vegetables) was used in Punjab, whereas the correct phrase was sabzi pakana (cooking vegetables), hence the title Sabzian Pakayey. He also acknowledged Feroz Sons for publishing the book.

Zubeida Tariq, a known expert on culinary arts, said the book would develop food lovers’ interest in cooking and eating vegetables. She pointed out that usually in our part of the world people made heavy weather of cooking vegetables, whereas it needed a lighter touch. She said eating vegetables sharpened our thinking faculties as well. Distinguished poet Zehra Nigah drew the attention of the audience to the significance of book publishing. She said every book had its own worth. She lauded Imrana for making an effort to pen a book on a subject (cookery) which was ‘in’ now.

Eminent media person and former minister for information Javed Jabbar went down memory lane when Imrana and Anwar Maqsood got married. He talked about a Super 8 camera because of which he was able to film the couple’s wedding.

Mr Pasha, who represented the publishers, touched upon the difficulties that they went through putting out the book. However, he said, once he read the manuscript, he fell for it and bought it himself. He termed it a successful venture (kamyab kavish).

Imrana Maqsood said though cooking meat was no mean feat, cooking vegetables was an “artistic” undertaking. She then spoke on the individuals who influenced her in the art of cooking, foremost of which was her mother-in-law.

Actors Sanam Baloch and Abdullah Farhatullah also spoke. The programme was hosted by Yasir Hussein.

Published in Dawn, May 4th, 2015

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