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All for a noble cause
lt was a pleasant evening when the unpleasantries of the recent earthquake that devastated the northern areas were discussed at an event organized by Masarrat Misbah to launch Fame (Fashion, Arts, Media and Entertainment), an organization to unite people under a single umbrella and to work for the singular cause of rehabilitation of quake victims.
It was after a long time that Lahore witnessed such an impressive gathering and that, too, on such short notice. The aim of the evening was to bring people belonging to the media and entertainment together. Led by Masarrat, active members of Fame have gotten together and taken an initiative to manage a relief fund for the quake victims, as well as taking on part of the responsibility of rehabilitation of the victims. With short-term goals of generating funds, the body will be responsible for bringing prominent individuals from fashion, arts, media and entertainment to collectively participate and work for the cause.
The tragedy that struck the northern areas of Pakistan on October 8 has left thousands dead and many more homeless. While the full impact of this catastrophe has yet to be assessed, the artiste community has taken part in the relief operations being carried out and plans to keep it an ongoing process. Speaking on the occasion, Masarrat said that under the Fame banner, they aim to organize and carry out charity operations. “We not just intend to work for the earthquake victims, but also for any cause or relief effort there might be needed,” she added.
The founding members of Fame include Aasia Saail (fashion designer), Abdul Qayyum (fashion photographer), Masarrat Misbah, Mir Shakir Mahmood and Tahir Saeed (publishers), Naeem Qamar (model) and Zubair Kumman (fashion designer). The first BoD/ governors from fashion include Masarrat Misbah, Zubair Kummar, Aasia Saail and Abdul Qayyum. From the arts, Nayyer Ali Dada, Salima Hashmi, Naveed Shehzad and Ather Tahir. From media, Mir Shakir Mehmood, Tahir Saeed, Nomi Qamar and Zeeshan Ghaffar; and from entertainment, Mubasher Lucman, Moammar Rana, Reema, and Najam Malik.
All these people were present on the occasion in addition to many other well-known personalities such as Shahnaz Sheikh and husband Seerat Hazir, Usman Peerzada, Faizan Peerzada, Sadaan Peerzada, designers Maria B, Nickie and Nina, event manager Zareen Khalid, actress Samina Ahmed, Adeel Hashmi, fashion photographers Deevees, Mickey, Tony, Naeem Akram and filmstar Laila.
In her speech, Masarrat highlighted some of the problems faced by the quake victims. “We all have to get active and start taking serious measures to generate funds to help people out there who are by now facing extreme weather conditions in addition to hunger and thirst. How can we ever think of not helping them? It is our responsibility to come forward and start assuming our responsibilities. If God has been kind to us, let us help those who are suffering. I ask you to come forward and do whatever you can to help us,” she said.
Others spoke on the occasion, too, and everybody felt thoroughly concerned about the plight of their brethren further up north. They pledged to actively participate in the noble cause. Membership forms were also distributed on the occasion which were filled in by all those present. The body aims to organize various events to generate funds and set a monthly target to be achieved by its members. “It is not a matter of just a few days. It is a long process. The victims will need funds for a long time to come until they are able to find a permanent home. Then they will need cash in the beginning to reestablish their livelihoods,” said Masarrat.
Judging by the enthusiasm generated by those present, one assumes that Fame, a project of Depilex Vision, will be able to achieve its target.
“The condition of the victims is such that seeing is believing. It is hard to describe in words,” said one member who wished to remain unnamed. Those among the community who have been to the affected areas claim their lives have changed after what they have seen.
“It is easy to talk about their suffering while sitting in our comfortable homes with our stomachs full, but once you go there and witness the circumstances in which they are living, you will come back home thanking God for how lucky you are. So let’s all join hands and help those who need our help and whom we can easily help. God help us all and save us from such unforeseen disasters,” said a showbiz veteran, her eyes moist with tears.
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