Hail storm in Islamabad.

There was a brief hailstorm in Islamabad yesterday afternoon.

First, dark clouds covered the sky and there was some rumbling and flashes of lightening.

Then hail stones began raining down in earnest and like me, many people could be seen snapping photographs of the cold, icy balls.

It was a brief shower and was soon over. The hail stones also melted quickly. 

 

I read somewhere that hailstones can be as large as oranges and grapefruits but mercifully, these hail stones were the size of peas and grapes.

Can you imagine getting hit on the head by a hailstone the size of a grapefruit? 

 

Dino Park at Marghzar Zoo, Islamabad.

The zoo in Islamabad is quite a small one. 

However it offers a rare treat for the residents and tourists which is not available in any other place in Pakistan. The novelty at the Marghzar Zoo is the installation of 24 life-size sculptures of dinosaurs.

Visitors to the Dino Park are able to visualize the Jurassic Era in which the now extinct terrestrial reptiles roamed freely. 

The Dinosaur Park at the Marghazar Zoo is the only of its kind in Pakistan. Somehow I feel the models of the prehistoric species are far better off than the live animals on exhibit in the zoo as there is insufficient space for animals and they are placed in very small cages.

Some of the species whose models are on display are the Brachiosaurus, Argentinosaurs, Tyrannosaurus, Deinonychus, Polacanthius, Triceratops, Spinosaurus etc. complete with plaques to give detailed description of their era, habitats, eating habits etc.

With the beautiful Margalla Hills in the backdrop, this is a perfect place to spend a Sunday afternoon with children, a picnic basket and of course, a camera. 

(click on pictures to enlarge them)

Pakistan Monument Museum, Islamabad

It is grand, it is vast and it is absolutely magnificent!

Welcome to the Pakistan National Monument which is located at the west viewpoint of the Shakar Parian Hills in Islamabad. The monument is dedicated to those martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the future generations of our beloved country.

Once you enter the wrought iron gates, you come across a path that diverges in two directions. On the left is the Pakistan Monument Museum. The place is truly awe inspiring and one must commend the efforts of the designers, artists and sculptors who have preserved our precious heritage and rich culture in such an extra-ordinary way.

The multi-dimensional, life-like exhibits in the museum display our journey from the advent of Islam in the subcontinent to the struggle for freedom and the desire of Muslims of sub-continent to have a separate homeland of their own under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

I cannot really do justice to the grandeur and magnificence of the displays which are very vivid in colour and rich in detail. The history of the Indus Valley Civilization, the arrival of Islam in the subcontinent, the majestic Mughal era, the Freedom movement of 1857, the poetry and dream of Allama Iqbal and Jinnah’s peerless leadership is brought to life before our eyes.

There are realistic statues, wonderful paintings, pictures and colorful backgrounds to bring history to modern era. We can easily spend hours here absorbing our wonderful historical heritage. The upper floor of the museum houses an Audio-Visual Centre where there are rare speeches, photos, videos, documentaries and national records. A special section for children offers video games, interactive quiz, music and movies related to our forefathers struggle and many sacrifices for the sake of our homeland. A section of the museum also depicts the country’s development and success in various fields.

The entry fee for the museum is Rs 20 for adults and Rs.10 for children. Mobile phones have to be switched off and no eatables are allowed inside. The visitors are not allowed to touch the artifacts. It is important that we respect and follow the rules and not argue with the caretakers so that this museum remains in this pristine condition.

The Pakistan Monument is located across from the museum. The petal-shaped granite structure has been designed to reflect the history, culture and unity of provinces of Pakistan. The inner walls of the petals are decorated with murals which show important landmarks of Pakistan like Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque, Khyber Pass, Minar-e-Pakistan etc. There is also a metallic crescent that is inscribed with sayings of Quaid-e-Azam and poetry of Allama Iqbal. The monument is surrounded by green and well groomed gardens that give a very serene impact.

There is a large circular terrace at one end of the monument from where one can have a terrific bird’s eye view of the capital city. This section is called the Islamabad View Point. A lift is also available for the physically handicapped people to take them to the upper level to see the monument.

The Pakistan National Monument is a fantastic tribute to those who sacrificed their today for our better tomorrow. We can show our gratitude and appreciation only by working hard for the progress and development of this wonderful country of ours.

Long Live Pakistan !!