COVER STORY

Aaleen Nawaz

Us Magazine has been a part of my life since I was 12. It's the longest association I've ever had with a magazine! Being an avid reader of Us, it was only natural that I decided to write for them, too. Currently, one of the best magazines running for our youth; the best thing about it is that it always encourages fresh and upcoming talent.

The writer is a full-time art instructor and part-time freelancer. She writes book reviews because of her innate love for stories.

Rutaba Tanvir

For the most part, I have lived a very nomadic life. Strange things happen to you when you become habitual of living like that - and I am no different. You can become attached to certain absurdities and if not given a proper channel to understand them, you may lose yourself to that strangeness. Us was that channel for me. (My knight in shining armour!:p) Writing for this magazine has been a phenomenal experience. It has tolerated my teenage angst and dealt with the confusion in my mind like an adept therapist. It has helped me find my voice. Most significantly, it has introduced me to brilliant people - some of whom are now very important people in my life. For all this and more, Us will always hold a very special place in my heart. More power to you, Team Us!

She is studying Psychology.

FD. Sheikh

I must say I am indebted to this mag. Us has brought me respect, fame, confidence and above all some beautiful people in my life who helped me discover some hidden gems in me. Thank you, Us!

An old contributor, he is a Chartered Accountant by profession and writer by heart.

Ali Suleman

My first article in Us was published in May 2007, and I have been contributing on and off ever since. Recently, I was given the opportunity to do a series on “Etymology” and I guess you guys are putting up with the nerdy talk quite nicely.

The thing I like the most about Us is that they always take you along and make you feel like you are a part (and an important one) of the whole picture. From writing competitions to Us stars, Us knows how to engage its contributors and readers. I found the editorial team very appreciative and it is great that they are always looking out for talent.

The best gift Us gave me is in the form of great friends who are actually the most precious possession you can ever have. Thank you Us for everything!

Ali is an Islamabad-based telecom engineer, 'converting' to MBA these days. Awfully unorganized, but a genuine foodie; loves to collect books (and sometimes reads them too!); crazy about linguistics and math; finds solace in history, philosophy and literature; too touchy about his newly found interest in photography; and has the tendency to judge people on the basis of their opinion on Faiz and Ghalib.

Ahtisham Awan

My experience with Us has been very encouraging and worthwhile. I sent one of my poems to Us magazine and it got published the first time. The second time, I sent another poem and that got published, too. Us is a great publication that's unearthing the hidden talents of the young generation of Pakistan. Keep doing the good work!

A budding poet, Ahtisham is a third year MBBS student of Frontier Medical College, Abbottabad.

Anam Afzaal Chaudhary

It was the 'bestest' moment of my life when I saw my poem in my favourite magazine. A truly proud moment!

A contributor to the 'Poets' Corner'

Aroosa Mushtaq Malik

Although it has been a while since I sent anything to be published in Us, but back in the days when I did, it was always wonderful to see my name and work in print. I'd wake up earlier than usual on Fridays, get the newspaper and open the magazine right up to the poetry section. And even after getting published several times, I would still squeal with joy seeing my poem in the “Poets' Corner”. It was a fantastic experience and a real boost for my confidence. Thank you, Us, for helping me become a better writer/poet.

The writer studied English Literature and Linguistics as her majors. As a literature buff, she has been studying literature as a core subject since matriculation. Has recently joined Daastan to work in their Literary Fellowship Programme that aims to promote Literature in Pakistan.

Arsh Azim

Seeing my name in print for the first time at a young age was like becoming an internationally published author! I still adore that moment! Undoubtedly, it has been a great pleasure to be a part of such a wonderful platform that showed me who I really am. Writing is my passion, and Us helped me discover that!

Arsh is an avid reader and a budding poet

Flight Lt Faheem

I can still feel the joy I felt around 10 years ago when I saw my name in print; it was just a four-liner in “Poets' Corner” that made my day.

A poet who gave up writing poetry to defend our borders.

Bushra Mustafa

What I felt seeing my name in print for the first time in my favourite magazine is hard to put into words. Us is not just a magazine with words and pictures, it's an institute where young writers get an equal chance to showcase their skills. Just a request: please make “Poet's Corner” a mandatory part of the magazine.

Bushra is a regular contributor to “Poets' Corner”.

Faryal Shuaib

Us magazine is the only standard magazine that caters to the youth of Pakistan, and voice their opinions on youth-related matters. It's really great being a part of the magazine as a writer. Thank you for providing young people a platform to un-tap their hidden creativity. Keep rocking!

Having studied English as a major, she is a content and creative writer.

Javaria Waseem

I was 13 years old when my first poem was published in Us. I have come a long way since then, but seeing my name in the magazine every now and then still makes me joyful. Us feels like home; it took me in and gave me space to grow as a writer.

She likes to write and illustrate.

Hira Nazir

I have known Us mag since my childhood. For me, Us was a learning tool and then writing for it was the most delightful experience of my life. In the 14 years of my writing journey, I was able to share my thoughts and ideas with a large audience across Pakistan. I got a chance to polish my writings and learn from some other amazing Us writers. With every piece I wrote, I got better and better.

Cheers to the bonding we share, more power to you!

A dental surgeon by day and a writer by night, Hira secretly wishes to become a best-selling author some day.

Madiha Ghafoor

I got my hands on Us for the first time ever in 1998 and still devour it weekly. It started off with a simple and goofy greeting to loved ones and friends when I was a teenager myself. I can still vividly recall when I saw my name in the “Poets' Corner” for the first time and started jumping crazily on my bed. That didn't go too well with my mom, though. I've had a total of five articles accepted over the last few years and the thrill and pleasure of acknowledgment have always been there. Sometimes cheques took time, but I never minded that! Us has truly matured over time, which is great!

She is a Senior Medical Officer.

Mariha Ghazal

Us magazine is the right place to interact with fellow youngsters. I believe writing is a powerful way of influencing others. It touches the heart and shakes one to the core. It is one medium where one's guard is down, and a person is in his raw and vulnerable state, letting everything out and not shielding anything. To engage with young people and be able to talk to them about common issues, like fear of public speaking, peer pressure or career choices can make a huge difference in their lives. Today, I am glad to have been able to write for Us magazine, and I hope to be able to write more in the future.Writing about life, complexities of human emotions, thoughts, feelings and human behaviour is her forte. She won the “Oxford University Press Short Story Writing Competition 2013”.