Intercollegiate Urdu drama and calligraphy competition held

Islamabad: Islamabad Model College for Girls (IMCG) (PG), F-7/2 had the honour of hosting Intercollegiate Urdu Drama and Calligraphy Competition 2024 here on Thursday.

A galaxy of budding stars descended upon the college to display their acting prowess on the topic of ‘Current Affairs.’ For calligraphy contest, the participants were asked to inscribe the Quranic ayah 94:5.

The chief guest for the occasion was an eminent bureaucrat, Parveen Qadir Agha, whose services for Pakistan span over several decades. A Harvard Law graduate, she has served as Federal Secretary (BPS-22) of the ministries of Women Development, Special Education and Social Welfare and of Population Planning. After retirement, she served as vice-president of the International Islamic University, and its Director Female Campus for two years.

She is also the life-chairperson of ‘The Perveen Shakir Trust’, a cultural and literary Trust working for the promotion of Literature, since 1995. The honourable judges for the competition were Syeda Ibtisaam Naqvi (president, Science Society, QAU), Muaafia Sheikh (Educationist, APS Fort Road) and Syeda Fareeha tul Ain Rizvi (Lecturer, NUML).

The host, Omaima Farooq, greeted the students, staff members and participants from eleven competing colleges. After the welcome note, the performances commenced. The host college, IMCG (PG), F-7/2 put up a poignant performance on the plight of the fellow Palestinians at the hands of the occupying forces.

The spectacle was a stark reminder to the teary-eyed audience that their Muslim brethren were facing unspeakable atrocities in Gaza. Similarly, the performances highlighted issues like lack of religious harmony, increasing deforestation, child labour, and gender-partial attitudes.

Parveen Agha praised the performances and the choice of subject. Highlighting the significance of education for women, Agha urged the young students to make devoted efforts for the progress of their beloved country, Pakistan.

The winners of the competition in the category of Best Urdu Drama were 1st position: IMCG (PG), F-7/2; (surrendered in favour of Federal Government College of Home Economics and Management Sciences), 2nd position: IMCG F-6/2; and 3rd position: IMCG Bara Kahu and consolation prize: IMCG Humak.

The result of calligraphy competition were awarded to1st position: Aleeza Malik, IMCG (PG), F-7/2; (surrendered in favour of Kinza Zahid IMCG, F-6/2; 2nd position: Esha Rehman IMCG, F-10/2; and 3rd position: Imaan Fatima IMCG, F-7/4 and consolation prize: Areesha Abbasi IMCG (PG), Margalla, F-7/4.

The trophy was won by IMCG (PG), F-7/2; which was surrendered in favour of IMCG, F-6/2. The Principal Dr. Fauzia Tanveer Sheikh presented the college insignia to the chief guest. Dr. Fauzia Tanveer Sheikh, thanked the chief guest, in-charge Student Council, and the judges for their support in making the function a success. The principal stressed the cathartic element attached to stage performances. The ceremony ended with a rendition of the national anthem.