Insight The Grammarian Lahore Grammar School Islamabad November 2023 From the River to the Sea Championing Civil Rights Brilliant Grammarians
Art Photography Art & Photography 5 7 Women Running Businesses Today Championing Civil Rights Negative Effects of Fossil Fuels on Health From the River to the Sea Unravelling the Ongoing Crisis in Congo Articles 11 12 14 16 17 Word of the Month A Search for a Lost Memory Silence Can’t Confess Ibrahim Saahi Koi Kehta Hai That Girl was a Peculiar Puzzle Wayfinding Somnolence Just Another Day at the Office The Most Useful and Useless Elevator Poetry & Writings 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 28 29 MUN Society STEM Camp Pastoral Care Art Camp Business Camp Fall Food Festival Life at LGS 38 40 41 42 42 43 Films of the Year Movie Review TV Series Review Book Review I am the Mockingjay Books & Movies 45 46 47 48 49 Istaara Amjad Aleena Khan Counsellor of the Year Zainab Waheed Raudzah Bangash Achievements 31 31 32 34 35 Contents A Note from the Editors Welcome to the grammarian insight’s newest edition. Featuring inspiring literary pieces and thought provoking political commentary, this month's issue denotes the distinct talents and interests of our fellow students. While some advertise their favorite books and movies, others share captivating columns on topics like artificial intelligence and women in business. Join us as we delve into life here at LGS and introduce you to some of our most brilliant grammarians, as well as their contributions to our institution. Stay tuned for more editions! Also, keep an eye out for the category covers, the pictures are all student submissions! 3 Editorial Board 50
A vague sentiment of yearning, melancholy, boredom, and homesickness. Тоска́ /Toska/ (noun) According to author Vladimir Nabokov, it is « a sensation of great spiritual anguish, often without any specific cause. At less morbid levels it is a dull ache of the soul, a longing with nothing to long for, a sick pining, a vague restlessness, mental throes, yearning. In particular cases it may be the desire for somebody of something specific, nostalgia, love-sickness. At the lowest level it grades into ennui, boredom ». Russian Something feeble, sluggish or tedious. Gnagnan /ɲɑ̃.ɲɑ̃/ (adjective and noun) The very sound of this word evokes a sense of doleful listlessness and almost induces one to yawn. Interestingly, unlike English equivalents such as « lazy », « dull » or « nonchalant », gnagnan can apply to almost any kind of word, ranging from someone’s personality, a boring movie scene, a stale dish, or even the drabness of the weather itself ! Don’t feel like going out for a walk with your friends ? Just dismiss it as gnangnan ! Don’t like the novel you’re reading ? It’s probably too gnangnan for your sophisticated taste ! Is the latest show you’re watching too soppy and sentimental ? That’s gnangnan too ! French Someone who always has a bad mood in the morning. Morgenmuffel /mɔrɡn̩mʊfl̩/ (substantive) The closest English equivalent is « morning grouch », but this still does not reflect all the nuances and tones that « morgenmuffel » carries with it. This is the sort of person who can’t stand being spoken to for the first few hours of the morning without their ritualistic cup of coffee, whom you would never want to get on the bad side of in the morning, and simply someone who just needs some time and contemplation to be able to get into the normal groove of their day. So, are you a « morgenmuffel » too ? German Something that disappears quickly, like the way vapor dissipates into the air. Evanescence /iː.vəˈnes.əns/ (noun) This poetic word can be used to describe any moment, feeling, or spectacle that disappears all too quickly out of sight or memory. We can talk about the evanescence of sand slipping through our fingers, of a shooting star soaring across the sky before it vanishes, of the sun melting as it drowns beneath the horizon, the fading embers of a fire, or even a momentary thought or memory that passes away seamlessly. English Words ofthe Month the sound of a quill pen صریر خامہ (noun) This exquisite Urdu term encapsulates the poetic resonance of the quill pen as it gracefully dances upon parchment. This mellifluous expression captures the symphony of creativity, echoing the timeless elegance of written artistry with each stroke of the pen. Urdu /sareer-e-khama/ by Asra Fatima
Art &Photography picture by Sajal Khan AS
A r t Abiha Fatima AS Sajila Asif A2
Freya Noor A2
Photography Noor ul Jannah
Saad Abdullah A2 Ayesha Waseem A2 Shahood Waqar A2 Roshaan Bajwa AS Ahmed Afaq AS
Mashal Ahmed AS Mashal Ahmed AS Noor ul Jannah A2 Sajal Khan AS Sajal Khan AS
picture by Saad Abdullah A2 Articles
Women are assuming leadership roles and guiding their businesses toward unprecedented success in the fast-paced environment of today's corporate world. In addition to altering industries, the surge of women-led enterprises is motivating future generations to break down barriers and smash glass ceilings. Let's review some recent initiatives demonstrating women's extraordinary accomplishments in business as we delve into this powerful trend. The days of a predominantly male workforce in business are long gone. Women are currently leading innovation across numerous industries by founding companies and running corporations and businesses. Consider Jane Rodriguez, the woman behind "GreenEats," a company that delivers eco-friendly meals. She realized the need for sustainable food options and turned her idea into a successful company, highlighting the contribution of women to sustainability activities. Women Leading in a New Era: Pioneering Businesses Collaborative Ecosystems: Promoting Growth Networks Collaboration and networking are now essential for women's business success. A supportive environment for exchanging experiences and insights is being fostered by initiatives like "WomenConnect," a network that connects female entrepreneurs globally. This interconnectivity resonates with the larger movement for gender equality and gives women the strength to overcome obstacles and increase their impact. Breaking Funding Barriers: Women Raising Capital Securing funding has frequently been a challenge for women-led businesses, but recent developments are changing the narrative. Platforms like "FundingHerVentures" offer tailored funding opportunities for women entrepreneurs. Jennifer Ramirez, founder of "StyleRevolution," a fashion tech startup, secured significant funding through such platforms, demonstrating the potential of women-run businesses when financial barriers are overcome. Diverse Business Models that Promote Diversity Women business owners are promoting diversity in their businesses and in the products they offer. The founder of the cosmetics company "InclusiveBeauty," Maria Nguyen, is changing beauty norms and advancing inclusivity. Her company epitomizes the transforming potential of accepting diversity and resonates with contemporary customers. Women navigating entrepreneurship and life in "Balancing Act" Women company owners frequently struggle with balancing their personal and professional lives. The founder of the wellness website "HealthyHarmony," Jessica Chen, is one of several well-known people who freely share how they manage their work-life balance. Others are motivated by their experiences to follow their passions while putting family and self-care first. In conclusion, women are changing leadership, creativity, cooperation, funding, diversity, and work-life balance in the business sector. In addition to bringing innovative goods and services, their endeavors also help to create a more inclusive and equitable economy. Such advancements make it evident that women in business are not only influencing the society we live in today but also building the groundwork for a more promising future.
Championing Civil Rights: In the 21st century, Pakistan and Afghanistan have witnessed significant civil rights movements that reflect the progressing social and political prospects of this region. These movements are a result of numerous challenges, which include political instability, social inequality and the struggle for fundamental human rights. Triggered by social and political unrest, these campaigns have surpassed borders, inspiring change and challenging the existing status conditions. The Pashtun, Baloch, Hazara and Afghan communities have been imperative to these civil right movements, advocating for social and political change in their individual locales. Despite diverse cultural backgrounds, these communities share a yearning for justice, equality, and cognizance. This article analyzes the social and political dynamics that have incited their movements, drawing attention to the challenges faced by them. The Pashtun struggle for justice: The Pashtuns, predominantly residing in Afghanistan and Pakistan, have been at the forefront of these human rights movements since the 19th century. They have highlighted issues regarding extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and access to quality education, healthcare, and infrastructure in different regions including Waziristan, most parts of Pakhtunkhwa, and northern Balochistan, which is dominated by Pashtuns. Since 2014, the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) led by Manzoor Pashteen, has advocated for Pashtun rights. This includes protesting for the removal of landmines from Waziristan that pose a threat to the Pashtun children. This peaceful movement, believing in Bacha Khan’s Non-violence ideology, is struggling for basic human rights and to end ethnic and racial profiling of Pashtuns in Pakistan. Baloch advocacy for autonomy: Baloch activists, originating from the Balochistan region encompassing Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan, have passionately fought against economic exploitation and human rights violations. In Iran, Baloch activists have raised concerns about cultural and economic deprecation, seeking recognition for their language and cultural identity within the Iranian state. For their struggle of autonomy and self determination, Baloch activists have faced subjugation and disappearances, yet their perseverance has amassed international consciousness, acknowledging the challenges faced by Baloch people. by Wazma Khan Nasar Pashtun, Baloch, Hazara and Afghan communities.
Hazara resilience in the name of persecution: The Hazaras, primarily a Shia Muslim ethnic group, have been victims of religious intolerance across Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Hazara community's pursuit for civil liberties includes demands for protection from sectarian violence, political representation, and unbiased access to education and economic opportunities. Their struggle is symbolic of the challenges minorities face in these regions. Afghans long road to civil reforms: The Afghan people, after decades of conflict, aspired for a peaceful and stable society but with the fall of Kabul and democratic regimes in 2021, Afghan hopes for a brighter future were crushed. The abrupt withdrawal of international troops left the nation in turmoil, raising concerns about the preservation of civil rights: especially for women, minorities, and other vulnerable populations. In this advanced age, Afghan girls and women are left behind in every sector whether education, jobs, healthcare, or just having fun like we all do! Barbarism once again prevailed over the Afghan nation and the world just watched. These movements have faced petrifying challenges, including government restraint, violence, and international disdain. However, they have also achieved remarkable accomplishments in raising awareness and impacting policy changes. The Afghan, Pashtun, Baloch, and Hazara communities serve as powerful examples of sturdiness and determination. Through their collective battle, they continue to inspire masses around the globe to confront oppressive systems. As the world watches their struggle unfold, we must stand in solidarity and support their quest for justice, equality, and human rights. ه کوم ن و سره مې ن و ف ر ت د ټولو داېَ خ د ف په طر و پښ تن د بوله سې ېمَ ر مې مه ف کا یږې اد ی وم دې ښه ن وا کې والړ یس خ ل ب ه ا ت . ف په طر و پښ تن د ې والړ ېمَ چ ام ن ه یم بد ز In love I am with all the blessings of Allah Do not call me an infidel for I stand with pashtuns You stand on the side of evil, yet your name is remembered honorable And I am disreputable for standing along with pashtuns. Abdullah Muqarai
"جی، میڈیکل رپورٹ آگئی جس میں آپ کے پھیپڑوں کے سرطان کی تشخیص ہوئی ہے“ ڈاکٹر کے یہ الفاظ سنتے ہی داس ُا حامد کی دنیا اجڑ گئی“۔ ایک خاموش آنسو حامد کے چہرے پر گرتے ہی ان گنت خدشات، اولاد کی خواہشات اور بے شمار ادھورے خواب پل بھر میں آنکھوں کے سامنے دھندلا گئے۔ اس نے اپنی تمام عمر چکوال میں ایک پہاڑ کی قبر نما 200 فٹ گہری کان سے کوئلہ نکالتے ہوئے گزار دی تھی۔ جہاں وہ اپنے بچوں کے روشن مستقبل کی خاطر محنت مزدوری کرتا ہے۔ تمام عمر زہریلی گیس، مادوں کے اخراج اور آکسیجن کی شدید کمی کے باعث اب زندگی کی امید س کے سامنے دھندلا سی گئی تھی۔ اسے حکومت کی جانب ُا سے علاج میں مدد کی امید ہے نہ ہی کوئلے کی کان کے مالک سے کوئی آس۔ حامد پاکستان کی استحصالی فوسل فیول انڈسٹریز کی بے حسی کا شکار لاکھوں کان کنوں میں سے ایک ہے۔ دیگر شعبوں کی طرح یہ صنعت بھی حفاظتی اقدامات اور انتظامات سے محروم ہے جس کے باعث ورکرز سانس کی بیماریوں، گھنٹوں جھک کر کام کرنے کے باعث ہڈیوں کے چٹخنے اور دیگر طبی مسائل کا شکار ہیں، لیکن یہ خطرناک صورتحال صرف اس صنعت تک محدود نہیں بلکہ دیگر شعبوں میں بھی حالات کچھ ایسے ہی ہیں۔ فوسل فیول انڈسٹری سے نکلنے والی آلودگی دنیا بھر میں گرین ہاؤس گیسز کے اخراج کا تین چوتھائی حصہ ہے جس کے نتیجے میں پیدا ہونے والی فضائی آلودگی طرح طرح کی بیماریوں اورقبل ازوقت موت کی بڑی وجوہات میں سے ایک ہے، اسی وجہ سے سالانہ 4.6 ملین افراد زندگی کی بازی ہار 95 ًا جاتے ہیں۔ زیادہ سنگین امر یہ ہے کہ ان میں سے تقریب فیصد اموات قطب جنوبی کے غریب ممالک میں ہوتی ہیں جہاں غریب اور بے بس عوام پہلے ہی مسلسل فضائی آلودگی کے نشانے پر ہیں۔ ترقی پذیر ممالک پر مشتمل ہونے کی وجہ سے اس خطے کے شہری شدید ترین آلودگی کی زد میں رہتے ہیں۔ یہی فضائی آلودگی دنیا بھر میں دل اورپھیپھڑوں کی بیماریوں، فالج، نمونیا اور دمہ کے امراض پیدا کر رہی ہے۔ یہ اعدادوشمار دلخراش حقیقت کے عکاس ہیں: زیادہ افسوسناک پہلو یہ ہے کہ وہ معاشرے فیول انڈسٹریز کے تباہ کن اثرات کا زیادہ شکار ہیں جن کا اس صنعت کے پھیلاؤ یا زہریلی گیسوں کے اخراج میں کردار نہ ہونے کے برابر ہے۔ یہی "ماحولیاتی نا انصافی“ ہے اور اسی لئے یہاں سے جنم لینے والی ماحولیاتی تبدیلی سے صحت پر مرتب ہونے منفی اثرات کا جائزہ لینا زیادہ اہمیت کا حامل ہے۔ سیلاب سے فصلوں کو پہنچنے والے نقصان نے غذائی قلت بھی پیدا کی ہے، جس سے پاکستان میں شدید غذائی کمی کے شکار بچوں کی تعداد میں اضافہ ہوا۔ پاکستان میں 2022 کا تباہ کن سیلاب پوری دنیا کے لئے ماحولیاتی تباہی کے خطرناک اثرات سے نمٹنے کے امکانات کا کیس اسٹڈی بن کر سامنے آیا ہے۔ اس بھیانک موسمیاتی بگاڑ سے سیلاب سے متاثرہ علاقوں میں شعبہ صحت میں سنگین بحران پیدا ہو گیا۔ سیلاب سے صحت کے 1400 سے زائد مراکز مکمل یا جزوی طور پر تباہ ہوئے۔ سیلابی پانی میں گھرے عارضی کیمپس میں رہنے والے پناہ گزین پینے کے صاف پانی سے محروم رہے جس سے پیچس اورہیضہ جیسی وبائی امراض نے علاقے کو لپیٹ میں لے لیا۔ سیلاب گزر گیا مگر اپنے پیچھے تباہی کی داستان چھوڑ گیا اوراس کے ٹھہرا ہوا پانی مچھروں کی افزائش گاہ بن گیا جو ابھی تک ملیریا اور ڈینگی کا باعث بن رہا ہے۔ تباہ کن سیلاب سے متاثرہ علاقوں میں فصلوں کو بھی شدید نقصان پہنچا جس سے پاکستان بھر میں شدید غذائی کمی کے شکار بچوں کی تعداد میں اضافہ ہوا۔ فوسل فیولز کے صحت ن اثرات ُک انسانی پر تباہ زینب وحید
صاف توانائی کے حصول کا خواب شرمندہ تعمیر کرنے اور اس کے نتیجے میں ماحولیاتی انصاف کے حصول میں بنیادی رکاوٹ اشتہاری صنعت میں بے پناہ سرمایہ کاری ہے، تاہم یہ امرنظر انداز نہیں کیا جا سکتا کہ 2009 میں کوپن ہیگن کے بعد سے ہر سال ہونے والی ماحولیاتی کانفرنسز )COPs )میں ن کا ُا کلائمٹ فنانس کے جو وعدے کئے جاتے رہے ہیں، بنیادی مقصد صاف ایندھن پر منتقلی یقینی بنانا ہی ہے۔ ماحولیاتی تبدیلی کے زیر اثر ضرورت مند ممالک کے ساتھ اس وعدے کا وفا نہ ہونا ایک طرف قطب شمالی کی حکومتوں کی دنیا کو محفوظ اور پائیدار مستقبل دینے میں عدم دلچسپی کا واضح اظہار ہے تو دوسری جانب یہی امیر ممالک قابل تجدید توانائی کی جانب پیش رفت کے بجائے فوسل فیولز کے مزید پروجیکٹس شروع کر رہے ہیں۔ یہ صورتحال ثبوت ہے کہ کس طرح یہ امیر ممالک فوسل فیول انڈسٹریز کو تحفظ دے کر اپنے مستقبل کی منصوبہ بندی کر رہے ہیں جنہیں ماحولیاتی تباہی اور غریب ممالک کی آہ و بکا سے کوئی سروکار نہیں۔ ماحولیاتی بگاڑ کے ذمہ دار یہی کلامٹ کرمنلز ماحولیاتی تبدیلی اور اس کے تباہ کن اثرات کو دنیا سے پوشیدہ رکھنے کے پروپیگنڈے پر بھی اربوں ڈالر جھونک رہے ہیں۔ یہ ملک ایک طرف کلائمٹ کانفرنسزکے انعقاد کو اسپانسر کر رہے ہیں تو دوسری جانب موسمیاتی تبدیلی کا عفریت دنیا بھر میں قوموں اورمعیشتوں کی تباہی کا سبب بن رہا ہے۔ گلوبل نارتھ حکومتوں کی جانب سے شفاف کلائمٹ فنانسنگ میں عدم دلچسپی اور فوسل فیول انڈسٹریز کے لئے دل میں نرم گوشہ "ماحولیاتی انصاف“ کے حصول میں سب سے بڑی رکاوٹ ہے۔ ماحولیاتی تبدیلی کا مقابلہ کرنے کے لئے قول و فعل میں تضاد ختم کر کے عملی اقدامات کی طرف پیش رفت وقت کی اہم ترین ضرورت ہے۔ ماحولیاتی تبدیلی کے باعث گھر بار چھوڑنے والے پناہ گزینوں کی صحت کے تناظر میں خصوصی توجہ دینے کے لئے ڈاکٹرز اورشعبہ طب سے تعلق رکھنے والے دیگر پروفیشنلز کو ساتھ ملا کر پالیسی سازوں کے ساتھ مذاکرات کو نتیجہ خیز بنایا جا سکتا ہے۔ ان لمحات میں جب دنیا ماحولیاتی تبدیلی کے حوالے سے اس نہج پرپہنچ چکی ہے جہاں سے واپسی ممکن نہیں۔ ہمیں اس سنگین مسئلے سے نمٹنے کےلئے فوری اجتماعی اقدامات اور ہر فرد کو انفرادی طور پر اپنا کردار ادا کرنے کا بھی وقت آگیا ہے۔ دنیا کے لئے فیصلہ کرنے کی گھڑی آن پہنچی ہے۔ سوال یہ ہے کہ دنیا کو ماحولیاتی تبدیلی کی تباہی سے بچانے کے لئے ہم انفرادی اور اجتماعی طورپر خود کاوش کرنا ہو گی اور ہمیں بچانے کے لئے کسی اور سیارے سے کوئی مسیحا نہیں اترے گا۔ آج سب کو خود سے سوال کرنا ہے کہ اگر ہم لمحہ موجود میں عملی اقدامات نہیں کریں گے توکب کریں گے؟ کیا ذرا سی بھی تاخیر بہت دیر ہونے کا باعث نہیں بن جائے گی؟ صحت کے اس بحران کے اثرات البتہ برابر نہیں کیونکہ خواتین اور بچیاں ماحولیاتی بگاڑ سے نسبتا زیادہ متاثر ہوتی ہیں۔ خواتین اور بچیاں موسمیاتی آفت سے مردوں کی نسبت زیادہ متاثر ہوتی ہیں۔ اسی وجہ سے 2022 کے سیلاب میں ساڑھے چھ لاکھ سے زیادہ حاملہ خواتین طبی سہولیات و ادویات اور لاکھوں بچیاں بنیادی اشیاء سے محروم رہیں۔ عاملہ خواتین کو ڈاکٹر، دائیاں اور ادویات تک دستیاب نہیں تھیں۔ یہ تمام حقائق ثابت کرتے ہیں کہ کلائمٹ چینج محض ایک ماحولیاتی مسئلہ نہیں بلکہ سماجی نا انصافی کا اظہار ہے جو بھوک و افلاس، بیماریوں اور معاشرتی مسائل کو جنم دیتا ہے۔ یہ حالات متقاضی ہیں کہ ماحولیاتی تبدیلی کے حوالے سے کسی بھی عزم اور کوششوں کو نتیجہ خیز بنانے کے لئے صنفی نقطہ نظر سے بھی جائزہ لیا جائے اور خواتین کی برابر شرکت اور نمائندگی یقینی بنائی جائے۔ خلائی تحقیق کے امریکی ادارے "ناسا“ کی تحقیق عندیہ دیتی ہے کہ اگر آئندہ 50 سال میں صاف اور قابل تجدید ایندھن کی جانب منتقلی یقینی بنا لی جائے تو فوسل فیولز سے پیدا ہونے والے کئی چیلنجز پر قابو پا کر تباہ کن خطرات کم کئے جا سکتے ہیں۔ اسی طرح قبل از وقت اموات، اسپتال پر مریضوں کا بوجھ، ملازمتوں کا خاتمہ اور فصلوں کی تباہی کی وجہ سے ہونے والے نقصانات کو کم کیا جا سکتا ہے۔
From the River to the Sea From the river to the sea, the blood of 12,000 Palestinians flows freely. As time goes on, this river claims more lives, increasing in volume and size, and those who drown in it are forgotten and consigned to oblivion. Their bloodlines wiped from existence altogether. This month’s 12,000 will join the 38,000 of the past, and soon they too will become yesterday's news. Late at night, I often sit and wonder whether the air strikes would be louder than the cries of their people. Some nights, I think I'd prefer if the air strikes were louder; you couldn't hear your loved ones cry out in pain and helplessness. Other nights, I am sure that hearing the cries would infer some sign of life remaining and help ease the soul and mind. I have yet to decide which one I'd rather fall asleep to, not knowing which one of these nights' sleep would be my last. Perhaps I think too much, but late at night, in my warm and sheltered room, I often wonder how many pieces I’d have to find my son or daughter in for my cries of pain and agony to fade into cries of war. How many pieces of rubble must I turn over, tears I must wipe, graves I must dig, till I pick up a rifle and condemn myself to hell? The answers to these questions change every night. Some nights I wonder just how valuable a Palestinian life is. I believe the slaughter of 12,000 cats or dogs would cause outcry and indignation from the entire world. Never would anyone let such a massacre of dogs take place. No, it must be less, similar to a rat or a snake, animals we use as test subjects and slaughter in the name of science. Yes, rats, it is. It must be why the Israeli Defense Minister claims they are bombing human animals. I wonder if it helps him sleep better at night. I am of the belief that modern-day cinema has desensitised us to the concept and visualisation of death. However, seeing the videos emerging from Gaza used to send shivers down my spine; never had I seen such loss of life documented at this scale before. Now, I have become accustomed to them, and what haunts me more than the bloody, dismembered corpses are the looks on the faces of the children left alive, seeing the innocence wash away from their faces in real-time, their childhood stripped away from them in front of my eyes. This is why I am ashamed to admit that upon hearing of the deaths of countless patients and premature babies in the Al Shifa hospital, I felt a sense of relief. Knowing that those babies were blessed with death before they could even begin to comprehend the curse they had inherited from living in the Gaza Strip. by Muhammad Tariq Bakhshi A2 12,000. Such a number ought to have been rounded up or down. I've always wondered what it would be like to be one of those fatalities. The ones that get lost in estimations. They say numbers never lie, but just how insignificant must your life be for it to be forgotten in statistics too?
Unraveling the Ongoing Crisis in Congo In Africa lies a nation, where decades of colonial exploitation and conflict intertwine: the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) grapples with a horrifying crisis that the international community has failed to resolve. From conflicts between militant groups to extrajudicial killings by peacekeeping forces, civilians have been subject to extreme levels of violence. According to the UNHCR, following the conflict, more than 5 million people have been displaced within the country. In several host countries, refugee camps have exceeded capacity. Overcrowded camps have led to the spread of diseases, exacerbating the health crisis. The civilians who are able to seek refuge within refugee camps aren’t protected either. Often times, people within refugee camps face sexual assault and other forms of violence. In 2023 alone, eight UN peacekeepers in Congo have been detained following allegations of sexual abuse. As a result, DRC has called for the withdrawal of all UN peacekeeping forces from within its territory. Any form of protest against the United Nations is being suppressed using lethal force. The mayor of Goma banned a protest organised by a sect called the Natural Judaic and Messianic Faith Towards the Nations. The aim of this protest was to demonstrate against the UN peacekeeping mission. Moreover, military officers are responsible for participating in violent crackdowns, aimed at protests, that have resulted in numerous deaths. The UN refers to Congo as one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises. Poverty, violence and hunger have plagued the region for decades. Despite the worsening conditions, the international community has shown utter disregard for the civilians of congo. The crisis in Congo is not a national issue; it's a global concern that requires international cooperation, compassion, and sustained efforts to change the narrative of a nation burdened by conflict. by Nawal Hamid A2
W Poetry& ritings picture by Sajal Khan AS
I am looking for a memory Where I would see myself Clinging tight to the pole of resilience That would, someday, lead me to brilliance I am looking for a memory Where I would see myself Pouring out the tears of gloom To I am left, to nomore soon I am looking for a memory Where I would see myself Breaking out the rituals of life Merely, vehicle of words I'd drive I am looking for a memory Where I would see myself Laughing, at the eyes that scream When they see, of what I can dream I am looking for a memory Where I would see myself Playing with the cards of loss To win the smile I would come across I am looking for a memory Where you would see yourself Moving beyond what you had to fight Gulping the bitterness of what was right I am looking for a memory Where you would see yourself Brightening up from the light of stars Healed from that bunch of scars I am looking for a memory Where I would see myself Using it all, what I had saved Before I end up, in that dusty grave A search for a lost memory By Safa Almas picture by Saad Abdullah A2
There was a moment that flew by like a gust of wind, a moment in which many thoughts came alive, but there were no words to untie them from my mind, although silence should've been enough to disclose my thoughts, as these thoughts were just a feeling, a feeling that turned into a cloud of pain looming in the sky, but silence doesn't say everything, does it? from that moment onwards, I tried to live freely, like the waves flowing in the sea, like the sun always shining, I tried to live without any fear, fear of what would happen if my thoughts were set free, out in the open for the world to see, but it's not always that easy Silence can't confess by Hassan Kadir picture by Ayesha Waseem A2
Yeh Yaqeen ka safar asaan nahi hai Har koi jo isko sar karle aam nahi hai Na nafrat thi na bewafai thi Lekin phir bhi muqaddar mien judai thi “ “ “ “by Ibrahim Saahi picture by Aiman Hassan Khan A2
Esha Raazia picture by Sajal Khan AS کوئی کہتا ہے نظر جھکا کر بول کوئی کہتا ہے نظرملا کر بول ہماری بول میں اتنا غم ہے کہ آنکھوں کا رخ اب معنی نہیں رکھتا
picture by Sajal Khan AS That Girl was a Peculiar Puzzle That girl, she was really interesting, like a puzzle, you know? Her lips were always thirsty, and her eyes were as vast as the sea! When she saw the sun, it would turn yellow, and she would venture out even in the winter rays. She was afraid of her own shadow, like a lone dear in a desert of thoughts. She would come and go, and she would experience a mix of laughter and tears. In the midnight hour, she would have conversations with the moon. Her house, like a temple, stood in the distance, and she was like a goddess within. Her delicate body would glow all night long. She had the power to stop strong winds at her ankles. She would confide her secrets to anyone who would listen but there was someone who held a hidden picture. Last night her heart shattered, or maybe it was the first time she truly expressed herself. Why be indifferent to the beauty of the sun when she could sit on her doorstep in her own world?
This is what they never tell you: you are always, always running out of time. (The world tells me, you are too small, and I listen and I keep going – stumbling onto a bus as it trembles to a start, stepping onto a plane, my life packed neatly into two suitcases. I’m always going somewhere. My heart is always in my throat.) The email juts out in my inbox, beckoning me to its promising opportunity. A sustainable future, it vows, to the children, clasping hands in the promotional image, to pave a new way for this world. To hold close, first and foremost, commitment and loyalty to their togetherhood. The internship application to the Commonwealth Forestry Association hitches my breath. I think, briefly, of the massacred mango forests of Multan, and move to another email. I make it a point to not look at clocks too much. That is why my fingers are always prickle, clutching desperately at the straps of my bag as I barely catch the campus bus in time. Humans are detrimental, the plumes of smoke on the roads whisper to me. I simply sit down in the haze, on the worn plastic seats, fingers curling around the edge. The poems seethe about Time, you see, how it always follows, always taunts as it passes, its heels kicking dust into your face. My encounters with Time have always been more rooted in avoidance. Today it is the elderly man beside me, counting steadily through his tasbeeh. “You should take it,” my fingers tighten over the edge of the seat. “The opportunity,” I shuffle. “Do you want to be late?” The radio in my earphones sings a hymn of the rising seas in the south, and how Lahore reclaims its thrones in air contamination records. The failure of political programs, the bold, bold claims of saving the world. Someone coughs into their hand, and the woman in front of me adjusts her mask. The world will never be the same again. The old man keeps counting. I don’t look at his face, wait patiently for half an hour, swaying in tandem with the bus. My haste is palpable when I reach my stop, gathering my things into my arms. The doors open, and I hear a deep, “Be careful, now.” I turn, despite my stomach’s twisting. The old man is no longer there. What most people know about Time, although perhaps not consciously, is that it is relentless, omnipresent, There. Waves of heat roll down the road outside my exam hall, and I am waiting once more. The temperature coaxes my temper from its trembling dormancy, so when a middle-aged woman settles into the seat beside me, fixing her dupatta over her head, I clench my teeth. The woman makes no sound, until: “You have not decided.” The email remains unanswered in my inbox, holding four days of silence. Pave a new way. Reaching uncharted territory, outdated solutions, irreparable, unfixable. The billboard on the other side of the road paints the glory of a new housing scheme. Later, I would blame it on the heat. “What, d’you want me to fix the world?” I had looked at her, the woman. I should not have. She laughed. “Fix the world! You cannot fix the world!” There wasn’t a single cloud in the sky that day. There was no tree for me to take refuge under once I emerged from the hall. Wayfinding by Mishaal Adnan picture by Humza Anwar A2 My mouth is acidic for the next few days, and I inch closer to the expiration of the internship application. The woman's words sit heavy in my ribs, which I can do nothing for besides breathe in (filtered air), and push against the current of the crowds on busy university streets.
Two days later, when the Prime Minister announces a new tree plantation drive, I say, “Am I not a good person, then? If I don’t take the opportunity you throw me?” It is the same bus, seven in the evening. It is almost empty. The suited, pristine woman standing next to me hums. “Do you think you’re a good person?” Detrimental. It is in human nature to live, and human nature to exist in all its repercussions. Her mouth quirked upwards. She scrolled idly on her phone. “Maybe you’re not good, sure. What you are doing, however, is looking for an epiphany.” The bus shudders tiredly to a halt, and a mother gathers her child in her arms before he jostles. I stand, weary, to leave. “Epiphanies are made, by the way, you make them,” she says. I hoist my bag onto my shoulder. “People may not be good, but you are too focused on the wrong things.” I ignore her, and file out. Time is not linear, contrary to how we perceive it. It circles around me after that, as if it were amused. “Ignore? Or forget? Words are lovely disguises, which would you prefer?” It said that to me as an elderly man again, his eyes piercing pools of green-gray. I almost told him a story of my Nana, whose life’s trailing ends were washed, softly, mercilessly, away by Alzheimer’s. I could have spun a prettily worded tale about how humans cower at being forgotten, yet our Human-ness doesn't really require memory. Detrimental, I still thought, how we use ourselves the same way we do the world. Detrimental, sure, but he remembered how to love his children, Nana. His grandchildren, too. “But people aren't villains, or heroes. They're just people.” My pen stops. She smiles, a little wrong. “The thing about people is-” A bell rings, dully, and she speaks no more, but – Humans, people, if anything, are creatures of wanting. Muffled chatter rises in a cloud around me. I bend down to pick up someone’s fallen notes and return it to them. A student holds the door open for the others to leave. The girl is nowhere to be seen. Laughter bounces off the concave walls. I realise, belatedly, that my pulse is fluttering. My mother’s bemused voice, unprompted, rings in my ears. In waqton main bhi hamare log haste rehte hain. The world is still hurtling towards something. People never, never stop wanting. Yet, we brush the leaves of trees with our fingertips. Yet, we cup the mud of the earth in our hands to sow more life, caress animals, feed them. Yet, we love. Yet, we make our mistakes and we grieve them, we anger and we laugh and we try and we try and we try, despite the nature of our greed. Maybe I had told myself I couldn't commit, when in reality I simply just don't know how to. A day before the expiration of the internship application, I answered the email. ” “Guilt,” a teenager in my grocery aisle had grinned as they passed by, and I had resolutely kept my eyes forward. I have no odes to compose about Time. Its companionship does not provide guidance.
Her cloak billows in the cold, bitter wind, and her violet hair laps against her face. Her determined amethyst eyes glance up at untold evil, wide and her eyeball trembling. His serpentine gaze bores into her, his gaint, crimson figure towering over his daughter. Rachel tries to move, and nothing seems to work. She stands her ground, as her father glares at her with displeasure. "You live only because I allow it, what hope can a mere child have of defeating her all powerful father?!" He bellows, as the earth tremors with his might. Rachel looks around, the scene making it past her cognition. She tries to respond, but again, she remains tongue tied. Her father laughs, his devilish scoff ringing in her ears. Her breathing hitches, and she feels the familiar sensation of falling through an endless void. It is a nightmare, nothing more. She wakes, partly. Her eyes remain closed, her heart readily thumping against her ribcage, her lungs operating as if she had run a marathon. She reminds herself it was only a nightmare. Rachel decides to open her eyes. Panic sets in as she makes an effort to attain locomotion in her arms to try and pry her eyes open. She feels the urge to scream as her attempts remain futile. "Rachel," she feels soft fingertips on her shoulder. The sensation of being touched is enough for her to regain her senses. Her eyes dart open, and she gasps softly, flexing her fingers for good measure. "Sorry for coming in, but I got worried- you missed breakfast." Kori stands by her bedside. Rachel notices dim sunlight diffusing through her thick, purple curtains. "I must have overslept. What time is it?" Rachel asks. She rarely ever wakes late, but when her friend says it's three in the afternoon, she can't help but wonder if her period of no movement was as long as it felt. Rachel finds herself grateful to the universe for not sending any schoolwork her way on a day she is confused. She spends her time pretending to be engrossed in her book, though her attention remains solely on the events of morning. She does not know how to interpret the situation, and let's the book sit without a page turned on her lap, as she stares at the meaningless words, pondering over the episode. Night creeps up, and Rachel finally is jolted back to reality when Garfield chucks his controller into the T.V screen upon losing a game. His curses fade into the background, as lethargy sets itself firmly throughout her body, just as she decides to call it a night. She sits on her bed, her palms pressed softly against the same covers she was laying on when her body imprisoned her earlier. She does not notice just how long she keeps awake, thinking of what exactly happened to her in the morning, or if it was just a fragment of her subconscious mind that had imagined the situation. She desperately hopes it was the latter. She does not stop to properly consider sleep paralysis, although it did run its course through her brain along with a multitude of other theories ranging from being poisoned to a dark spell, but alas, occurrences like sleep paralysis are semifictional to her. Somnolence by Hussain Abbas
It lasts less time, no nightmare accompanies it. It becomes easier for Rachel to dismiss. This specific episode felt almost non-existent when she finds herself again, as the alarm continues to ring. The sun seems to be up, and shining, Rachel has clearly slept long enough, yet her eyes prick, and seem red when she glances at her phone.She runs a hand through her hair. "Rach?" She hears Gar's voice. "Come in." She says, unable to understand why her own trembles. "Rachel?" He asks with concern. Rachel has her back turned to him, and she can feel his grassy eyes on her and his eyebrows furrowed in worry. "Yeah?" "Your alarm is still on." Rachel shuts it instantly. "Yeah, sorry. What's up?" Gar wrings his hands. "You overslept two days in a row. And from all the years I've spent living with you, you aren't a late riser." "Get to the point." Rachel deadpans. He casts her a nervous glance. "I'm worried about you, Raven." Her stomach squirms for a split second, and she desperately tries to contain the heat beginning to gather in her cheeks. Rachel instead, rises from her bed nonchalantly, and begins to tie her hair. "I don't know what there is to be worried about." She shrugs, keeping her gaze leveled with his. Garfield nods, then uneasily shifts in his spot. "Hey, Rachel?" "What is it now?" She asks. "We're friends, right?" "I don't know, Garfield. We've been living under the same roof for years, what would you say?" She replies, giving it her best effort, but to her astonishment, her sarcasm still sounds halfhearted. His shoulders slackened. "Yeah, right. But, if something was going on, you'd tell me. Right?" He asks after a pause. Rachel's eyes brim with tears, her hands cold. She nods. She has seen such movies, where a character would experience immobility, but more often than not, there was a demonic presence involved in the scenario. However, Rachel is certain that there is no demonic presence in her apartment complex. Sleep burdens her, and as Rachel finally rests her heavy head against the pillows, she notices the inky sky turning blue. Her alarm shakes her awake. As awake as she can be, Rachel is hit with the exact feeling of the day before, but this time, it seems more intense. She feels a tug in her stomach, as if she's being suspended from a height and bounced from a string like a yo-yo.
‘Just another day at the office’ Ever since old Mr. Henley decided to cash in his retirement two years too early, things were never the same. The new guy they had brought in as his replacement was a real piece of work, some trust fund kid in his late 20s who was given the job of commanding us grown men around. The boardroom had this real bright idea of wanting someone younger with newfangled concepts when our sales were at their record highest last quarter. I had to go buy new shoes just last week can you believe that? Apparently, my ‘choice of attire’ wasn’t professional enough for the workplace. People down in the IT department were quitting in crazy amounts because this guy always has something to criticize about the tech, their work and even going so far as to calling out their master’s degrees. Well, just because daddy knew a few people in the Yale alumni and got you a free ride in does not make other people’s work invalid. Just last week, John of all people got into a verbal scuffle with the guy. Oh poor John, the guy who had never dared to talk back to his bosses, much less stand up with his head high in the workplace was chewing this guy out in a booming tone, much unlike his. The thing is, we aren’t the sort of workplace environment to not accept new management, God knows in the last 10 years I’ve worked here, I’ve seen some real duds walk through that door, but it’s just something about this guy’s attitude that really makes us all HATE him. That dripping with arrogance tone, his ‘I’m superior to others’ gait while strutting around the office and his teeth, damn his teeth, those fake, glow in the dark, whitened to the point of no return teeth. by Aahmed Kashif So with this new character of a boss, came new rules and objectives, now I’m one to be open minded about such stuff even going so far as to sacrifice my own comfort if it leads to better monthly reports, but some of these new rules were beyond ridiculous, like we can’t use the vending machines anymore? Break time has been cut in half? These new work hours were driving us insane while all he had to do was sit around in his office all day. Sean, the guy next to my office starting weeping in the bathroom for god’s sake because his wife was giving him trouble for working too much. We were working overtime and at a pace we hadn’t worked at before, while he popped in every now and then to neg someone. I’m not one to not give credit where credit is due but this guy pushing us to work like donkeys had resulted in double the record monthly statistics we were getting before. But when this revelation came about at the end of the month, that drove us all crazy, we knew that at this rate, this guy is confirmed to be staying for the time being and that the boardroom is going to bend their knees in front of him when they hear this. Me personally, I was a workaholic either way, so maybe I was more prepared to handle the workload more than these other guys were. I noticed that as time went on, we all became accustomed to the work and frankly, a little addicted to the dopamine of receiving record high sales in the whole city. The boss remained as inactive as ever but every time he walked across our floor, these grown men would start preening themselves in order to avoid the insecurity of being called out. I started remembering old Henley, he’d take us all to drinks every weekend or whenever we had to celebrate end of month statistics, then his habit of day drinking too or just showing up with a hangover at noon. Probably not the most efficient of environments to work in, but I remember being free and being able to slack off when I could. Again, I give credit where its due, this guy may be really hate able but he sure as hell has found a way to whip these guys in shape and produce results.
‘The tale of the most useful and useless elevator’ In the heart of Islamabad, there is an apartment building next to the busiest sector of the city, it’s a very old rickety building with faded beige paint signifying that the building was once white in its infancy. Inside the building was an elevator soon as you entered the front door into the lobby area. A standard silver elevator, nothing more to it, with a huge X scribbled across it in red sharpie. What most new people didn’t know as they entered that building was that the elevator wasn’t actually out of order and worked perfectly fine, or at least fine enough to be considered serviceable after all these years. Why the huge red graffiti indicating otherwise you may ask? Well the answer is pretty simple, you see, when the building was being constructed, the contractor had funnily enough ran away with the money, leaving the construction of the elevator to be halted and leaving the owner very distressed, to add further insult to injury, every contractor had started moving away from that specific elevator technology and the parts the owner was left with were incredibly outdated. Eventually, something was figured out and from parts found here and there the elevator was finally completed. Due to its interesting history, the elevator had a knack for being out of order almost majority of the year, so the lobbyist eventually drew an appropriate symbol in permanent marker rather than just use a sign. by Aahmed Kashif That elevator had been there since the start of the building and had in turn witnessed everything in the building’s history. If it could talk, it would probably tell you about the time a man with a gun had walked in its doors with the intention of killing his brother and his family that fateful day, or the elevator might choose to tell you about the time it got stuck midway with a family inside it, who had to wait 19 hours in that claustrophobic nightmare to eventually be saved. It also probably remembers the time when a few political party politicians had come inside it to stay in one of the rooms to stay inconspicuous when planning their revolt on the parliament. Not to mince words, but this building having seen that much action in the thirty years in which it stayed erect was very rare and unlikely considering it was one of the poorer neighborhoods of the shiny capital city. This elevator constantly remained a living oxymoron of being the most useless thing in the building the yet also the most eventful. Every day, the poor residents of that apartment complex had to suffer going up multiple flights of stairs, with many instances of people getting late for work, people trying to awkwardly haul furniture up the stairs, old ladies tripping and falling off the stairs, young kids trying to glide on the rails and end up hurting themselves. The poor lobbyist would have to watch on and have his lines always prepared to justify the faulty elevator. Every time a new lobbyist would be hired throughout the years, they would have to be given the briefing in similar fashion. See the thing was, this particular apartment complex had a really unfortunate owner, the owner was living abroad and taking money from his tenants while being nonchalant about any repairs that had to be done to the building, he too, had become tired of trying to fix that old lift and was unwilling to spend copious amounts of money to get the new technology, so the lift stayed in its unfortunate state of working a portion of the year and being out of order for the rest, being a sort of money black hole for the owner, while the tenants lived on becoming almost used to the lift’s tendencies as living in better circumstances wasn’t an option for them either.
Achievements Grammarians Soaring High picture by Sajal Khan AS
Istaara Amjad We are honored to announce that Istaara Amjad(A2) has been awarded the honorable High Achievers award at this year's High Achievers and Counselors Recognition Ceremony by EducationUSA. The award celebrates a few select high school students from around the nation for their exemplary performances. Along with her regional and national academic distinctions, Istaara has won multiple parliamentary competitions and has been chosen as one of the top 40 debaters in the country. As fellow students, we would like to congratulate her on her newest accomplishment and wish her luck in her future endeavors. Aleena Khan Having won a 20% scholarship to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Cambridge, Aleena Khan certainly stands out as one of our most brilliant grammarians. The scholarship was secured as part of a rigorous essay competition with over a thousand applicants on the prompt “The meaning of life”. With extensive research and outstanding skill, Aleena blazingly swept the board with her remarkable essay! We could not be more proud of her and hope that her time at Cambridge will be an illuminating and enriching experience.
Year Counsellor of the We are immensely proud to announce that Mr.Safi has been honored with the 2023 Counselor of the Year award by EducationUSA at their Annual High Achievers and Counselors Recognition Ceremony. In just over a month since his appointment as head of counseling here at LGS, Mr. Safi Khan Sumbul has become a vital source of guidance to countless students. This month, we sat down with him to talk about his work to highlight the significance of academic counseling to students and to congratulate him on his prestigious award. “Sir Safi is very dedicated and genuinely cares about helping us succeed. He helps out with whatever we need in the hefty application process on an individual basis” -Istaara Amjad(A2)
“Working at LGS has been nothing short of a dream for me. The students here are remarkably supportive and welcoming. They know what they want to do, the application processes, they are self-aware and have done their research. However, they are also open to new ideas and are respectful of any critique, which makes the work we do together productive and efficient.” What has your experience at LGS been like? Why is academic counseling important for highschool students? “Oftentimes, students are confused on how to approach their aspirations for the future. As counselors, we aim to bridge this gap, creating a culture where kids are free to recognise their individual talents and objectives. Every child deserves to have someone in their corner during this period of self discovery and I am grateful to be a part of a distinguished institution like LGS where students are encouraged to reach their full potential” What inspires your work? “My passion for this work stems from my interest in helping people and wanting to make a difference in the world. I believe the best way to do so is to motivate and enlighten the future generation as they set foot to go out into the real world.” A Message to the Students “I believe that a good counselor is at the cornerstone of every student's success. Getting to know your academic counselor is something every student should prioritize. Start early! There’s no rule that you should only meet with a counselor when you start A2. I would encourage students in O-levels and AS to set up counseling sessions as well. Get a headstart and plan things out in advance. You know where to find me! If we create a culture where every student believes they need to improve, not because they are not good enough but because they have the potential to be even better, then there is no limit to what they can achieve.” “I applied to various universities in the US, each with their own set of prerequisites. While the process was quite stressful, Sir Safi was always encouraging and made time to address any concerns I had. With deadlines around each corner, Sir Safi helped me develop strategies to organize both my time and work, more efficiently.” -Mehak Aslam (A2)
ab Wah Zain eedZainab Waheed, a climate activist, journalist and student of A2 at LGS Islamabad, has been selected by UNICEF as their Youth Foresight Fellow! In this prestigious Fellowship, Zainab will contribute to UNICEF's groundbreaking research, and work with UNICEF's country office in Pakistan for national-level advocacy projects. Zainab was selected from over 1400 applicants from around the world on the basis of her climate advocacy, which also makes her Pakistan's representative to the United Nations' Youth Force, and multiple international climate conferences. Kudos Zainab! Continue embodying the Grammarian spirit and making Pakistan proud!
Raudzah Bangash Raudzah was first introduced to The World Scholars Cup - an international academic enrichment competition - back in 2018 when she, herself, was a student in the program. From the small local round to qualifying for the Global round held in Barcelona, Spain, to qualifying for the Tournament of champions held at the prestigious ivy league Yale, to now, creating the same events in which she once took part in
Raudzah doesn't just help to organize the rounds; she even performs in them! You can see her starring in the opening performance at almost every Global. As an ex-scholar and now team member, when she judges a debate or creates debate topics, she knows what it was like to be a debater; when she scores an essay of the topic she gave, she knows what it was like to write one; when she proctors the multiple-choice test - the "Scholar's Challenge" she knows what it was like to not know the answers. She has a humility intricate with her sense of humour — a selfawareness beyond her years that helps her to understand, learn from, and strengthen those around her. Raudzah was and will be an amazing gap year; she is already a brilliant young thinker who will add meaningfully to the learning experience of over 3600 participants from over 40 countries. The World Scholars Cup team is very grateful to have her and look forward to continue working with her. Over the summer she volunteered with the world scholars cup team, helping organise the Global Rounds in London, Bangkok, Doha and Seoul. Her volunteering with them at Yale is an important step toward her joining them for a "gap year"- a yearlong position traveling the world with their team as they hold non-profit events for students across the world.
Life at LGS picture by Hussain Moghal A2
MUN Society In the dynamic world of Model United Nation Conferences, (MUN) LGS Islamabad has emerged as a victorious spotlight, showcasing exceptional talent and prowess in the area of debate, diplomacy and leadership. The school’s absolutely fantastic and stellar performance at the Headstart Model United Nations (HSMUN 24) and Beaconhouse Margalla Model United Nations (BMUN 24) is a proof and testament to the remarkable aptitude and talents of its delegates as well as the guidance of their dedicated MUN coach, Muhammad Afraz Khan. Amidst the fervor of HSMUN. The committees echoed with the resonating and enthusiastic voices of our young debaters, engaging in heated debates that left an ever-lasting impact throughout the entirety of the event. The hustle and bustle of the committees were met with the eloquence of our delegates who navigated through complex situations and political as well as geopolitical scenarios with finesse. Four Best Delegate (BD) awards, seven Outstanding Diplomat (OD) awards and a myriad of special and honorable mentions absolutely adorned our delegations' achievements. The friendship and the camaraderie among our delegates formed an environment of intellectual rigor, leading to the school’s triumphant Best Delegation Win. LGS Islamabad definitely stole the spotlight by earning themselves the coveted Best Delegation award. Underrated and unaffected by the challenges LGS Islamabad carried its winning momentum to BMUN. The committees buzzed with intensity. The hallways echoed with the echoes of impassioned debates from heated moderated caucuses to fruitful unmoderated caucuses. LGS Islamabad’s unwavering commitment to excellence and diplomacy was evident yet again in every committee, earning numerous accolades and recognition from their peers, chairs and judges. Our delegates once again continued to shine by securing six Best Delegate (BD) awards alongside with numerous special and honorable mentions and outstanding diplomat awards. The LGS Islamabad’s MUN society proved their prestige yet again by clinching another Best Delegation award at Beaconhouse Model United Nations 2024. by Muhammad Abdullah Mughal AS Triumphs of LGS Islamabad’s Headstart Model United Nations (HSMUN): Beaconhouse Margalla Model United Nations (BMUN): A Continuation of Excellence
Behind this cascade of victories stands the eminent MUN coach, Muhammad Afraz Khan, whose profound leadership played a pivotal role in shaping these success stories of LGS Islamabad. His guidance and mentorship empowered the young delegates to excel, fostering a spirit of collaboration among them. In a nutshell, LGS Islamabad’s victory at both HSMUN and BMUN is a testament to the school’s commitment to excellence, diplomacy as well as debate. The numerous awards, including the most prestigious Best Delegation award, underscores the exceptional talent and dedication of our delegates as well as the invaluable leadership of Sir Afraz. A f r a z K h a n The Architect of Success The journey was challenging, the debates were heated, but in the end, LGS Islamabad emerged victoriously, leaving a permanent impact and an indelible mark on the MUN circuit around the city.
Lahore Grammar School Islamabad’s STEM society showcased exceptional talent and hard work at the EMSTEM competition, leaving an indelible mark on the scientific landscape. Out of three teams sent by the school Team A stole an awesome victory in the Scinapse Surge (Trivia) category. Their hard work, from an intense buzzer round to a life-size monopoly in which only those who answered correctly could progress, truly paid off! Meanwhile Team B displayed unparalleled detective skills, securing the Sherlock Showdown category and reinforcing LGS’s dominance. Team A on the other hand weren’t behind as they clinched the prestigious Best Delegation award through their enormous hard work and dedication. The competition featuring scientific buzzer rounds, experiments, and cerebral challenges, highlighted the students’ multifaceted talents. With a total of three awards and the coveted Best Delegation trophy out of six, Lahore Grammar School Islamabad affirmed its commitment to excellence in STEM education, setting a benchmark for future endeavors. LGS Shines at EMSTEM by Muhammad Abdullah Mughal AS EMSTEMSTEMJoin the STEM Camp to get in on the fun! ST E M S T E M S T
PastoralCare Pastoral care refers to emotional, social, and spiritual support. It involves providing guidance, counselling, and assistance to individuals or groups who may be facing various challenges or seeking personal growth. We create a safe environment for students to come and share their problems that they might be facing regarding mental health, friends, and studies so we can guide them and take the appropriate actions required. We take pride in acting against any sort of bullying that the students may face on the school premises. Our goal is to ensure that every student feels heard, supported, and valued. We also collaborate with teachers and parents to provide a holistic approach to student wellbeing. Under Dr. Hussain’s directives, pastoral care can be formed in any school, starting from pre-school all the way up to university. Some of the responsibilities of the members of the pastoral care society are to identify physical and emotional issues of students and report them immediately. Inappropriate or unpredictable behaviour of a student must be reported to the Central Office. While action is taken to ensure, they do not indulge in that behaviour again. However, if the issue is serious, the student might be removed from the school, after consultation with the central office to ensure protection for the rest of the student body. Teachers need to identify any odd behaviour such as inactiveness, or if a student is using any harmful substances. In order to ensure a safe and healthy environment, teachers, coordinators and the principal have to take responsibility for every students wellbeing. Proper pastoral care inquiry is to be followed if a crisis occurs by reporting it immediately to the central office. Every child’s case must be kept private and discreet and cannot be discussed with anyone other than the concerned parties. by Tehnia Azeem A2 by Hashim Afridi AS
Business Camp Art Camp The Arts Camp is an afterschool session held by students passionate about all forms of art every week to make every student a part of something big. It exposes students to a plethora of other opportunities and forms of expression, beyond the vital fields of academics, debates, and sports. To cement LGSI’s stellar track record in each of those fields, we want the arts society to carry on an equally strong legacy - making this school a holistic haven for every kind of mind to thrive in. Students explore new techniques in various categories; performance arts, sculptures, paintings, and so on. We have already explored various art forms in the sessions held including traditional art, drama, performance art, and music with a jamming session in collaboration with our very own music society, and hope to foster a community rooted in creativity and companionship through this camp. At LGS we value the freedom of expression of an individual and hence the sessions will culminate in a festival to be held sometime in January. Introducing to you, LGS's own Business Camp! Allowing students to explore the field of business by providing them exposure beyond the textbook, the camp has proved to be quite fruitful in terms of allowing students to bring their inner business personalities out and exposing them to real-world situations. With hopes of innovating young minds by impelling them to use their critical thinking skills in solving complex global financial problems by providing viable solutions, the Business and Economics Society of our school has been the first in Islamabad to take an initiative such as this. Equipping students with the necessary skills of how to deliver a perfect marketing pitch to playing monopoly and to presenting their business model with marketing plans, financial forecasts, and strategic analysis, are just some of the activities we have carried out. Join us in our future sessions to showcase your business talents because much more is coming! by Mahzaib Salman A2 by Hassan Kadir A2
It wasn’t an ordinary day at LGS. It was Autumn Fest. It was marked with the occasional A-level student arriving with a baked item bundled in double shoppers. As 1 o'clock approached the school staff began hauling in the metal tables and with a flick of white sheets, the stalls were set. Slowly, students hauled in their delicacies and decorated them on the tables. Brownies, pastas, cinnamon rolls, and the like; are fit for a chilly afternoon. The bakers excelled at their work but the art students had made equal effort in adding to the autumn colors of the festival. Their decoration could be seen marked at eloquent intervals on the ramp creating a welcoming warmth. Last, but most enthusiastically, the student crowd arrived. Bored from the morning shift, ready to peck at something amicable to their preference and to animatedly comment on the decorations that were put up for their amusement. Some went as far as to get their hair dyed blue or indulge in some other odd craft at the one or two stalls, owned by students who had opted to implement a unique idea over food and art. Altogether, the LGS ramp saw a small but sweet opening to the 2023 winter season. Fall Food Festival by Rafiah Nasir A2
Books Movi&es
Best Films of theYear
Past Lives Celine Song’s directorial debut, a film about two childhood friends who reconnect after decades apart, expertly deconstructs genre tropes and paints a bittersweet picture of fate and leaving people behind. Song’s screenplay is brimming with humanity and an almost mystical sense of realism. Her direction is so subtly kinetic, the camera drifting from one perfectly composed shot to another. The film’s slow pace and dreamlike cinematography eases you along, and the editors are never scared to somewhat uncomfortably linger on a face; linger on a feeling. This unflinching trust in the incredibly subtle performances fosters a particular sense of intimacy and emotion, something that would not be as prevalent otherwise. As mentioned earlier, the core narrative of the film surrounds two childhood friends who are “reunited for one fateful week as they confront destiny, love, and the choices that make a life.” We all have people in our lives who we have left behind, or who have left us behind. People who once meant the world to us. People who we loved, grew up with, confided in, and bore our souls to. People who now—despite everything—exist only in our minds as distant memories, as remnants of a life we so desperately long to experience just one last time. ‘Past Lives’ acknowledges these feelings of longing and regret, but doesn't allow said regret to define the characters or negatively impact their newly made connections. It touches on the ‘what ifs’ of it all—the quiet contemplations of what could have been—without losing sight of what is. There is this quote by author Samuel Miller that I think perfectly encapsulates the film’s themes: “I am a mosaic of everyone I have ever loved, even for a heartbeat”. So many lives shape our own; their unique mannerisms and nuances become a part of who we are. So many people impact every facet of our existence, even if they aren’t meant to be in our lives forever. What if this is all that we are to each other in the end? Just hazy specks or impressionistic patterns that make up the mosaic that is life. But what if that isn’t the case? What if some of our stories are intrinsically interlinked? Our fates—or, as the movie puts it, "In-Yun"— cosmically intertwined. We will never actually know for sure, and this feeling of uncertainty is pretty scary. Not knowing if and when someone will completely drop out of your life, not knowing which relationships will blossom and which will burn, is completely and utterly terrifying. Terrifying, but also sort of beautiful. Movie Review by Humza Anwar
“Burdened with glorious purpose”. An iconic quote no marvel fan is unfamiliar with. Loki, the god of mischief, was first introduced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2012’s ‘The Avengers’. His character was shown to be a self serving, power hungry individual who sought to rule the throne of Asgard. He believed that was his purpose, to control the nine realms conquered by his late father. But was it really? The show, ‘Loki’ explores the alternate reality of the character in which he is sucked into a previously unexplored entity known as the Time Variance Authority or the TVA for short. Here he learns that every decision, every outcome that has ever come of his life was preplanned and monitored leaving no room for freewill to play its part. The magnitude of his disbelief was greatly emphasised upon as every action of Loki and his fellow characters in the past had no significance, making all of them seem worthless in an endless cycle of so called ‘reality’. The first season ended with the reveal of the person behind it all, the man who held the fabric of existence in his palms, “He Who Remains” The second season is a follow up on the previous events that unfolded, commencing with a recap of the big reveal. The main purpose of this season was to highlight the importance of Loki being part of a unit, working with the friends he made along this new journey, especially Mobius, an analyst in the TVA for something bigger than himself and what he believed in. This season continues the transitional arc of Loki’s character from wanting to be a tyrant ruler people unwillingly obey to being just a man who wants to give people a choice in the way their lives are played out. Empathy and benevolence are shown to be Loki’s star traits. After multiple tries of trying to fix the damage brought upon by the TVA, Loki is hit with the cold realisation that no matter what he does, what’s bound to happen will happen. From there we see an instantaneous growth of character. The brilliance of Loki forming the idea of rewriting the timeline, altering the course of events from the core of reality. The show is a rollercoaster of events and emotions up to the point where the finale beautifully brings the character’s story to a full circle, showing his true power and the true meaning behind Loki being burdened with glorious purpose. “Most purpose is more burden than glory” Loki TV Review by Dawood Hassan Khan
The Brothers Karamazov A dramatic murder mystery that results in a thrilling trial in the courts of 19thcentury Russia, The Brothers Karamazov is a classical piece of work that makes for a highly captivating and enlightening read. Dostoevsky examines, in depth, human nature by employing a distinct set of voices, through his characters, to argue various perspectives on topics like God, morality, and justice. Set in the late 19th century, the book follows the Karamazov family: the father, Fyodor Pavlovich, an immoral drunkard disliked by the entire town, and his three sons, each of whom is presented with various moral and spiritual dilemmas throughout the novel. The oldest son, Dmitri Fyodorovich, is extremely short-tempered and overly passionate. Ivan Fyodorovich is regarded as the pragmatic brother who contradicts orthodox faith in his conviction for logic, and the youngest, Alyosha, a devout novice at the local monastery, is loved by all. Familial conflict and a twisted love triangle lead to a gruesome murder in the town. The case spreads all over Russia and is investigated in true “Russian fashion,” as Dostoevsky is able to both play with the reader’s mind and perception about crime but also find the grayest of areas between right and wrong. Dostoevsky uses the murder mystery plot as a backdrop to introduce the arcs and conflicts faced by the characters, which he later uses to build upon larger themes such as atheism and morality. Riddled by long monologues, some of the most famous chapters in all of literature, such as Rebellion and The Grand Inquisitor, put forth arguments that challenge traditional faith and organized religion. As the characters engage in extensive theological discourse, thoughtprovoking anecdotes about human suffering and the existence of God highlight the internal conflicts of the characters as well as the contrast between faith and doubt. Initially planned to be the first of a trilogy, Dostoevsky sadly passed away a year after finishing The Brothers Karamazov, and this magnificent piece of literature never got the sequel it so deserved. Regardless, this book can stand on its own two hind legs just fine. Considered the capstone of his work, The Brothers Karamazov continues to inspire authors and philosophers today and will likely continue to do so for many years to come. Review by Fatima Khalid and Muhammad Bakhshi Dostoevsky’s B o o k
I am the Mockingjay ″‘The bird, the pin, the song, the berries, the watch, the cracker, the dress that burst into flames. I am the mockingjay. The one that survived despite the Capitol’s plans. The symbol of the rebellion.‘” I think it’s a little sad, to be standing here, drawing a parallel between a dystopian world intended to showcase the murk human beings are capable of, with the reality of five million Palestinians brought about by the actions of capitalistic tyrants no less malevolent than the ill-intentioned President Snow. The similarities between the atrocities committed in Panem by the government and the Peacekeepers and the targeted genocide west of us are distinct when viewed collaterally, from the false glimmer of hope when the Israelis open a safe passage to migrate to nations readily in support of Palestine which bears an unfortunate resemblance to the idyllic hoax of the life of a victor. However, the despondent reality of Haymitch Abernathy and Finnick Odair, 2 hunger games victors, is truly a wretched parallel to the grotesque reality of the prohibition of the falsehood of Palestinian migration. President Snow’s tactic to using hope to strike fear into the hearts of the oppressed certainly doesn’t seem to be underutilized. The sickening overlap between censorship and shadow-banning of X and Instagram users stories and tweets attempting to raise and spread awareness and President’s Snow decision of not legitimizing the Districts’ campaign to secure basic human rights and fight back is only further proof how a book showing such a downright mortifying dictatorship is only mirroring the colonial issues we face in real time. Manipulative misinformation and blatant censorship isn’t where Israel stops their propaganda and homogenously neither does the Capitol. The indistinguishable likeness of Israel taking advantage of celebrity ethos in order to mobilize internet fandoms against the victims in the situation, often with respective government’s threatening and coaxing said celebrities, with the Katniss and Peeta being blackmailed into projecting an image of loyalty to the Capitol in order to protect the people they love. Global media, especially large tech conglomerates are dominated by the Israeli narrative, largely due to Jew ownership, another frightful similitude to the bestseller, where the Capitol dominates and controls any and all media output to the Districts, leaving the victimized deceit of the oppressor as the solitary perspective. However, this analogy doesn’t only run as deep as its bleakness. No, because the Districts had their Mockingjay. A beacon of hope, strength and humanity, a symbol of truth and justice. When the Capitol bombed hospitals full of innocent men, women, and children, Katniss stood fearlessly and spoke to her nation with compassion. Against the Capitol’s efforts to stifle the voice of the Districts, she was steadfast. So, when the Mockingjay sings against injustice despite adversity, can we not? Ask yourself if it’s worth feigning disinterest or remaining insensitive or neutral when you have a voice, a voice that can sing like Katniss did, recite the story of the hanging tree and whistle change into existence. Had she been silenced, she would’ve become just another piece in Snow’s game, but she chose to become the symbol of liberation. And the same way Katniss’s video upon her reaction to the bombing launched the full scale campaign for independence of Panem, your contributions to raise awareness on online platforms can do the same. So, I implore; use your platform, take advantage of your privilege, side with humanity and justice simply because you can, be an icon of hope and compassion for those who cannot help themselves. Always remember: ‘It’s not over until the Mockingjay sings.’ But perhaps the most overwhelming correspondence of Suzanne Collins’ fantasy world of districts and the story of the ground Israel (isn’t real) is tearing into is the words of this universe’s Ceaser Flickerman, of the person firing missiles of misinformation, censorship and manipulation from behind the lens of a camera. Israel’s propaganda of victimization is congruent to the Capitol and District 13’s manipulation of the masses, seen clearly in Israel’s use of an elderly Palestinian for safe corridor propaganda, torturing the man to manipulate you and I, viewing through our phone screens, just as Snow had Johanna and Peeta captive, using their status to lure the gullible victims of the Capital into a false sense of security and safety for the people of the Districts. by Hussain Abbas
The Editorial Board Aleena Khan (AS) Asra Fatima (AS) Fatima Khalid (A2) Humza Anwar (A2) Hussain Ahmed Moghal (A2) Muhammad Tariq Bakhshi (A2) Muhammad Abdullah Mughal (AS) Nawal Hamid (A2) Rafiah Nasir (A2) To get in touch with the Editorial Board, feel free to contact us at [email protected] Lahore Grammar School Islamabad A levels Editor in Chief This magazine started when I still had hair. Since then, several hours of sleep have been sacrificed over many nights to put together this edition of the Grammarian Insight. The goal of this magazine is to appreciate the talents and achievements of excellent Grammarians. I hope that the effort of this remarkable group of people makes you just that much prouder to be a Grammarian.