Let’s face it: despite PTV’s apparent unwillingness to keep itself abreast with modern trends (particularly in terms of graphics and computer-generated images) it’s always nice to see it celebrate its birthday on Nov 26. The programmes that the network ran that day merited viewing. Though the big event at Islamabad had its good and not-so-good moments, what came as a pleasant surprise was Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s presentation of songs that he has sung for Indian films.

The most delightful idea that PTV came up with, perhaps prior to the birthday, was a quick re-running of some of the memorable episodes of its popular quiz show, Kasoti. It wasn’t the programme that made you nostalgic, but the guests you saw on it had you go down memory lane with a longing for the past. Some of them are not among us anymore, but their persona, their talent, and their achievements are still etched on our minds.

There was the inimitable and graceful Azra Sherwani, the top notch humour poet Dilawar Figar (both have left this mortal world) and some people who nowadays have grey strands in their hair but were much younger when they first appeared on Kasoti. It was a sweet travel back in time.

While it’s not healthy to live in the past, it’s never a bad idea to take a leaf out of some great people’s books and move forward in the light of their accomplishments.