"Let's Paper Bag" and "Cross Culture Musical Exchange Evening"

On 18 June, 2011 at

Institute of Hotel Management, RajBagh.

 

(I) LET'S PAPER BAG:

Time: 9.00 am - 2.00 pm

Description: The aim of “Let’s PaperBag!” was to sensitize the youth regarding the hazards of non-biodegradable materials like polythene and give them a chance to develop an alternative themselves, which in this case was a Paper Bag. All the participants brought along 20 old newspapers to the venue which were converted in to PaperBags.

Also, the students did not make one complete bag by themselves, but rather every student was a part of a chain, and was assigned a specified step. This promoted team work and organizational skills in the participants.

Number of Schools: 23

Number of Participants: approximately 350

Number of Paper Bags made: approximately 950

Participants from the Presentation Convent School made the maximum number of paper bags in their time slot.

 

Feedback: The students found the group activity interesting. They liked the idea of a simple paper bag and were happy that they could interact and work with students of other schools. The PaperBags were distributed among the participants on the spot.

 

(II) CROSS CULTURE MUSICAL EXCHANGE EVENING:

Time : 6.30 pm - 10.00 pm

Description: This event was envisaged to bring different Kashmiri musicians on a common platform, in order to create a fusion between music and artists from different backgrounds and cultures. For this activity, Team OYK was helped by Zero Bridge (Mr. Mubashir and Mr. Mohsin), MC Kash (Mr. Roushan Illahi), Mr. Gulzar (the Ladisha), Mr. Irfan, Mr. Bilal, Mr. Zaheen, Mr. Rony and some other musicians and artists.

 

Zero bridge is a New York based band which has Kashmiri roots. The band has been travelling all across the globe from Morocco to Malaysia doing concerts and workshops. Zerobridge has been featured in MTV Desi and have so far released two music albums.

MC Kash (Roushan Illahi) is a world class Kashmiri musician, a well known rapper who became an instant hit all over the world with his maiden song “I Protest” during the summer 2010 Kashmir unrest.

Irfan and Bilal are local artists who are known to be one of the pioneers in contemporary Kashmiri music.

Mr. Gulzar is a folk artist who is well known for Ladishah folk genre.

Rony is a Middle-East musician who plays an instrument called 'Oud'.

 

One of the important aims of the event was to recognize, promote as well as honor the upcoming regional and international music artists of Kashmir.

About Environmental Investment Cards (EIC): To participate in the event, the audience had to buy an EIC for Rs. 200/. The EIC served two purposes:

1. It helped OYK recover the investment costs in both the events. Although, this OYK activity had three sponsors, however, they financed only a part of the total investment. The other part was reimbursed through the money generated from EIC.

2. The larger part of EIC, which we saved, will go back into the environment. OYK will buy Paper/ Jute Bags in a few days and hence, every participant of the event has contributed towards a Greener Kashmir. (Right now we are looking for the best quotes).

Feedback:

The audience loved the performance of the artists from Zerobridge and Irfan-Bilal. The audience enjoyed every bit of the blend presented during the jam in session. The artists created a fusion of their styles and it was appreciated by the audience.

It was for the first time that the youth of Kashmir saw a Ladisha performing live. Mr. Gulzar, the artist was appreciated and loved for his commitment towards this languishing folk art of Kashmir.

MC Kash, Kashmir’s lone hip hop rapper gave his first open air live performance. Seeing him the audience could not resist jumping out of the excitement. His performance was interactive as he made audience sing along, one of his hit songs “Fist Held High”.

Due to some technical troubles, MC Kash performance had to face some problems initially due to the sound system errors. OYK Team deeply apologizes to him and his fans for the unexpected and unavoidable inconvenience, for they felt very bad and their expectations were hurt.

 

Message from the Team: The organizers would like to thank all the participants for both the activities, the “Let’s PaperBag!” participants, regional schools, the artists, the volunteers, and the support people [including media partner (Greater Kashmir) sponsors (Rahim Green, Kashmir Motors, Kanwal Foods), Media, SHO Rajbagh, and of course Venue partners (IHM, Rajbagh).

OYK is a platform where all Kashmiri youngsters can share ideas, discuss issues and work together for the betterment of Kashmir. OYK is not a property of one individual or any particular group of people. OYK belongs to Kashmir. The organizers of this event welcome all sorts of feedback at(ask@oneyoungkashmir.com) with a promise that inshAllah in future we will work together and create more and better opportunities for Kashmiri Youth to connect with each other.

 

In time past, we were;

In time future, we shall be;

Throughout the ages, we have been.

(Lal Ded, Lala Arifa)

 

 

Team OYK.