Nestlé Unites Pakistan for Healthier Kids Aaj Se

Nestlé Pakistan hosted a pre-launch bloggers event in Lahore for its national United for Healthier Kids campaign. The event was to create awareness amongst social media influencers about the importance of introducing children to a healthier lifestyle Aaj Se.

United for Healthier Kids is a program that aims to engage children from the ages 3-12 and embolden parents, siblings and teachers to motivate them. Partners like Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform, Geo Network, Jang Media Group, Lahore Grammar Schools have joined Nestlé Pakistan to influence the behavior of young children.

Nestlé Corporate Media Manager Atika takes the stage -TDF

                                                       

The information session revealed the deplorable state of our kids’ health.  Here are some of the startling facts in numbers:

·        

• Pakistan one of 34 countries where 90% of the global malnutrition problem lies.
• 1 out of 3 Pakistani children is iron deficient.
• 43.7% children under the age of 5 have stunted growth.
• 31.5% children are underweight.

The movement features three major resolutions:

1. Move More Sit Less

As the famous saying goes ‘a healthy body leads to a healthy mind’ which is why the first and foremost objective is to get children involved in physical activities. Using the laptop, tablet or gaming console for longer periods of time should be discouraged and children should join at least one sport to get their daily dose of exercise.

2. Choose to Drink Water

Not many people realize how essential it is to stay hydrated. The reality of the situation is that 89% people are under-hydrated in winters while 54% don’t drink enough water in summers. Water or freshly squeezed fruit juice should be given to children instead of fizzy drinks.

3. Choose Nutritiously Varied Options

It is vital to construct a healthy and well balanced diet plan for children to ensure they receive the recommended amount of all major food groups. It is a common misconception that taking small meals after a short interval is the key to losing weight when one proper meal is the way to go.

Recording all the action -TDF

                                    

The event featured a quiz competition to test the minds of bloggers present. Keeping with the ‘Move More Sit Less’ theme, a game of musical chairs was next. Also inspired by cricketer Misbah-ul-Haq, around 20 boys and girls took the Misbah pushup challenge completing 10 pushups.

United for a behtar kal aaj se -TDF

                              

To get more information on the campaign follow the hashtag #U4HKAajSe on Facebook Twitter and Instagram.

Kapray Comes To Lahore

The One-Stop Shop for the Entire Household!

Kapray took the whole nation by storm this weekend, launching half a dozen stores all over Pakistan. Out of the six, two retail stores opened in Lahore (Y-Block DHA and Fortress Square) on 18th December 2015. 

I was invited to the opening night of the Y-Block outlet which is adjacent to HKB. The store is huge and has 6 levels including a basement. This large space is divided into 4 sections of the store, namely: Kapray Man, Kapray Woman, Kapray Kids and Kapray Home. You can restock the whole family's wardrobe as well as remodel your home all from one brand!

Classic kurtas to stylish sweaters, the store has got it all! Don't be fooled by the name of the brand, the store has a large collection of footwear and accessories as well. And when I say accessories I don't just mean ties and belts but also leather breif cases and laptop bags!

Men's section

I particularly liked this sweater for men. Isn't it festive and perfect for the holiday season?

                                       

There are many styles to choose from and women also have the option of buying ready-to-wear kurtas and trousers or getting the same prints in unstitched cloth. You can match shoes, bags, jewelry, scarves with your outfit there and then. There is no need to scrounge the market to find the perfect tights to go with the shirt.

Unstitched for those who want to add their own touch.

They have amazing shoes and bags too!

The kids section is painted in a bright colour scheme and also has a play area to keep the little ones occupied. And how can I forget the Home section which had furniture as well decorative items for your bed and bath. 

Kapray Kids

Such a pretty floral arm chair!

The launch was hosted by the stunning Juggun Kazim who gushed over the chic designs and the quality of the material. Other celebrities in attendance were: Pakistani cricketer Muhammad Yusuf, Ali Noor and Ali Hamza of Noori band and top fashion models.

Noori performed a number of songs on the audience's request and confessed to this being their first unplugged performance. The brothers were decked in outfits by Kapray Man. 

Juggun looking flawless in a Kapray kurta and acessories

Noori rocked the house!

The first Kapray store opened its doors to Karachiites this summer, and soon won a place in the hearts of shoppers with their wide range of fashion choices and affordable prices. To make the collection more accessible to their customers, Kapray has also launched their very own e-store. 

Want to see more? You can visit www.kaprayonline.com to view their catalog and order your very own "kapray" from the comfort of your own home.

Our First 1000 Definitive Days

In the health and nutrition sector, Nestlé has always maintained its giant presence. It is great to see the multi-national using their position and resources to promote a serious issue. 
As part of their "Start Healthy, Stay Healthy" campaign, a bloggers meetup was held at Pearl Continental, Lahore on 17th October 2015. 

The objective of the event was to educate people on the importance the first one thousand days of a child's life have on their physical and mental development. Dr. Huma Fahim, the medical adviser at Nestlé, shed light on the impact nutrition received from conception to age two has on a person's whole life. Her presentation included startling facts such as 43.8 percent Pakistani children under the age of five suffer from an iron deficiency. Also a person attains up to half of their adult height by the age of two. 

Dr. Huma Fahim - The Digital Factory

All the local "tweeps" (Twitter users) and bloggers were in attendance. The guests were encouraged to live tweet about the event to pass on the facts and tips learned from the session. The event was a great success in promoting healthy lifestyles because not only are we the leaders of tomorrow but also the future parents and care-givers responsible for raising a better generation.

Tweeting away - The Digital Factory

Nestlé's initiative to engage the younger audience are to be commended and I think such events should be held on a regular basis. 

Group Photo - The Digital Factory 

Follow the hashtag #First1000Days on Twitter and Instagram to learn more.

City Mornings

I am waiting for the college bus. It's 7:05 a.m. The birds are about, searching for breakfast and the Sun still needs its cup of coffee to wash away the grogginess.

 Among all this I observe the woman who comes to sweep the road and sidewalk. I think she's hired by the Municipal Authority or maybe the Town Council; irrespective of that she shows up ever morning without fail. In the blistering cold she dons a thin sweater and drapes a frayed shawl over her body for warmth.

I watch her hands moving effortlessly, a simple twist of the wrist and the broom collects all the litter, stray leaves and dust. I cannot bring myself to stop looking; at all the waste lying on the road being swept up, gathered and thrown away by this lady. Purifying it of all the corruption, immorality and horror.

The Universe is in equilibrium again.

Window

When she talked, she never revealed anything about herself. 

You could never guess what she was thinking. 

Her emotions were masked by a stony expression.

But if you looked closely. 

If you ever caught her when she was staring out the window or engrossed in her work, you would realise, that she was an open book afterall. 

For all her hopes and dreams and fears were right there.

Her eyes giving it all away, while she was in her own world. 

Unaware.

Vacancy

When they first met, there was static in the air. She tucked her a loose strand behind her ear and her hair stood up on top of her head. He laughed.

They both attended the same parties but she steered clear of him. She hadn't gotten over their embarrassing first meeting.

Their friends would tell them how perfect they are for each other but she wasn't looking for a relationship and made sure he knew it.

Every time she glanced his way, he died a little inside. He couldn’t take it anymore.

He sold his heart online so he would never have to feel this way again.

Let go.

Sweat was slithering down my back. 

My heart was pounding fast, like the beat of a snare drum.

That familiar laugh kept ringing in my ears.

I heard the lock turn and the door creaked open. The masked captor was back. With a kitchen knife. Imagination running wild with possible torture techniques he would subject me to, my mind wandered to a long forgotten movie about the mafia which I never finished because it was too gory. 

"Eat it" he said pushing a plate of rotten sliced apples towards him. 

My hand struggled to hold a piece of apple because I had been handcuffed to the bed frame. Using my thumb and fore finger I ate it in one bite.

"Please!" I whispered. "Let me go."

Within seconds the knife was at my throat and his breath on my neck. 

"Just like you let me go?

LET ME GO IN THE WOODS ALONE!"

***

"Truth or Dare?"

I didn't know how we ended up playing this moronic game with the neighbourhood kids. It probably had something to do with the long summer day which kept dragging on and on.

I was 11. My brother was 12. 

After a monotonous round of "Who do you like?" questions (none of which were answered truthfully) the bottle landed on my brother. 

Trying to impress everyone he boldly picked Dare. 

"I dare you to go into the woods and bring back a few wild berries to prove it." said one kid.

"But my parents say there are dangerous animals out there" a meek protest offered by the youngest in the group.

"He shouldn't have picked Dare then if he didn't have the guts." 

Someone started clucking like a chicken and everyone sniggered. 

Willing to prove he was brave enough my brother got up and headed towards the woods. Kids cheered him on and I was amongst them, proud of my big brother. He disappeared into the cluster of trees and we waited. We waited and waited. After fifteen minutes fear began to gnaw at my insides. I didn't believe the campfire stories to be true. We went there to pick berries all the time. No one volunteered to go look for him with me. Scared, all of them went home. I had no choice but to call my parents.

A missing person's report was filed. A community search was arranged. Dogs sniffed through every inch of the area. But we never saw him again. Not until my kidnapper took off his mask and slit his little sister's throat.