US MAIL

Feedback

Hello Eddy,

I hate commuting, but can’t do anything. Just came across a ‘piece’ in your magazine ‘Vending machines dispense short stories to bored French commuters’ (Dec 2) and began wondering how I could kill time everyday while commuting. Can I read a book or a magazine? No, I can’t because the van is constantly moving in all direction. Can I listen to a podcast or watch a movie? I guess not, the noise pollution wouldn’t let me do that. I just can’t think of anything else! Can you guys publish an article on things ‘Pakistanis’ could do while on a long weary commute.

Shazain Saeed, Karachi

Hello Ed,

I am a movie buff, so would like to thank Sameen Amer for “The Green Room” page.  I wish you guys also had a regular movie review page. The sad thing is I have to read crappy movie reviews online to decide what to watch. I want to read some authentic stuff; please do publish movie reviews.

Anwar Khan, Karachi

Farewell feelings: will miss you!

“Education is the key to success”. Whenever, I reminisce about my childhood memories, this quotation echoes in my mind. My parents repeatedly advised me to excel in my education. Even when I am about to leave college, I derive comfort and encouragement from such memories.

Soon, I will be stepping into my professional life. It’s very exciting but at the same time I am very nervous.

The most difficult part is to leave my college, Cadet  College Kohat. I’ve spent a memorable time here. I have few words to say to my college: My dear alma mater, I will always remain indebted to you. I feel ready to face the world because you have prepared me for it. I will never ever forget you.

Waqar Khan

Query

Dear Editor,

Your magazine never disappoints me and every time I read your stories, I appreciate their originality and freshness. The cover story ‘Death-mind, soul and body’ by S.Z was a wonderful read! I am no longer scared of death! I think we should also have death cafes in our part of the world where one could comfortably chat on the topic of death and loss.

I would like to write an article ‘Honing your writing skills’. Please tell me how long it should be; a cover story or a one-pager?

Umm-e-Habiba, Bahawalpur

Umm-e-Habiba, the topic sounds relevant, but before you finalize your story, send us the outline. There is ample material online on this topic, so we would just see how different your ideas are. If your ideas are strong and unique, we can even take it as a cover story. For one-pager and two-pager, the word count is 550-650 and 1100-1200 respectively. For cover story the word count should be 1500-1800 words.

Happy writing!

Reflection

Narrated by ‘Ali (R.A)

The Prophet (S.A.W) sent an army unit (for some campaign) and appointed a man from the Ansar as its commander and ordered them (the soldiers) to obey him. (During the campaign) he became angry with them and said, “Didn’t the Prophet order you to obey me?” They said, “Yes.” He said, “I order you to collect wood and make a fire and then throw yourselves into it.” So they collected wood and made a fire, but when they were about to throw themselves into, it they started looking at each other, and some of them said, “We followed the Prophet to escape from the fire. How should we enter it now?” So while they were in that state, the fire extinguished and their commander’s anger abated. The event was mentioned to the Prophet and he said, “If they had entered it (the fire) they would never have come out of it, for obedience is required only in what is good.”

Sahih Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 89, Number 259

Editor:

Lubna Khalid

Us Magazine, 4th Floor, Al Rahman Building,

I.I.Chundrigar Road, Karachi, Pakistan.

E-mail for contributions and letters: us.mag@thenews.com.pk

Facebook: Us Magazine - Pakistan

No items without the full name and address of the sender will be accepted. We regret we cannot reply personally to the e-mails.