Print

    ChaiChalk: Challenging Stereotypes

    Written by: Zahra Rao
    Posted on: January 08, 2016 |

    ChaiChalk co-founders, Asad Shabbir and Kiran Masood, receive the accolade for winning the Startup Weekend Lahore 2015

    Negativity, by its very nature, has a tendency to seep through cracks and ooze into all forms of discourse. Positivity and sincere actions, on the other hand, sometimes fail to rise above the rubble. ChaiChalk, a social enterprise incubated at the Social Innovation Lab of the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), strives to highlight and bring to the forefront all these instances that illuminate humanity in its purest form.

    The face of ChaiChalk (www.chaichalk.com/) showcases an interesting variety of content. From fictional pieces on lost love to essays on the politics of democracy; from appreciating the literary kings of Pakistan to debating against religious taboos, ChaiChalk seeks to become a voice for all. It primarily aims to “bring focus back on the real Pakistan; to do away with the blurred lines haunting our country, and sharpen our eyes on the horizon.” Their content serves to actively challenge the negative global stereotypes against Pakistan.

    However, ChaiChalk is not merely a blog. It is an ideology; one that is stirring our youth into action to empathize with the weak. In October 2015, ChaiChalk organized a vigil in solidarity with the martyrs of the suicide attack in Jacobabad. It also gathered volunteers and collected funds from various parts of Lahore for the people who suffered losses due to the earthquake that hit Pakistan on October 26th.

    ChaiChalk, LUMS

    Earthquake relief drive in Liberty, Lahore

    ChaiChalk also identified with and responded to Profile for Peace, a campaign initiated by an Indian named Ram Subramanian in hopes of negating the sentiments of a certain political group, claiming that this group does not represent the real picture of Indian sentiments towards Pakistan. The ChaiChalk team took note of this campaign, and wanting to return the sentiment and spread a universal message of peace, harmony and coexistence from Pakistan’s side, posted pictures on social media of young Pakistani men and women holding banners which expressed love and acceptance from our side. However, the most ambitious element to this project lies in the co-founders’ dream of one day turning this start-up into Pakistan’s very own publishing house.

    ChaiChalk, LUMS

    LUMS students holding up banners in response to the Indian 'Profile for Peace' Initiative

    Co-founded by two undergraduate students, currently studying Management at LUMS, ChaiChalk relies heavily on Pakistan’s student body to turn the cogs. Asad Shabbir, the heart of ChaiChalk, is an avid traveler who published his own book titled ‘Leo Solay’ at the mere age of sixteen. Kiran Masood, the brains of ChaiChalk, is a convener at the LUMS Environmental Action Forum (LEAF), known for her go-get-‘em attitude. Together, they make a dynamic duo who have managed to make a family out of the ChaiChalk team, which includes students from various universities like Beaconhouse National University (BNU), Lahore School of Economics, University College Lahore and National University of Science and Technology (NUST). Recently, the team has also recruited three instructors, who will mostly edit the content published in Urdu.

    When asked about the inspiration behind ChaiChalk, Asad Shabbir explains how the idea fit into his hopes of providing writing and publishing opportunities for writers like himself in Pakistan. He explains that he’d always been passionate about writing, and when he returned to Pakistan after receiving secondary education from Germany, he wished to continue writing. “But I quickly realized that there is a lack of opportunities for Pakistani writers…upon doing some research, I soon realized that a lot of Pakistani literature is going to our neighboring countries, a trend that is also visible in our music and film industries. We’re losing a lot of talent to other countries this way”.

    Asad and Kiran truly believe that Pakistan is headed uphill – not only does terrorism seem to be on the decline, but industries like art, fashion, film and music are now thriving. Furthermore, they see great potential in Lahore as a hub for start-ups. “You have many companies popping up that are doing great work and serving to project a better image of Pakistan.” This encouraging atmosphere, coupled with a strong desire to show Pakistan in a positive light, eventually led to the formation of ChaiChalk.

    Asad states that pushing a start-up through its initial stages is no easy task, but is ultimately very rewarding. He relishes the sense of ownership that comes with his various responsibilities. To him, the fact that every member in the team is striving toward a common cause means more than any pat on the back by an outsider. “You go to sleep excited to wake up, because there’s new content, new numbers, and new work to do every morning”, Asad remarks. Kiran points out the tougher side of management, explaining that keeping a team together requires a great deal of dedication and a tolerant attitude.

    ChaiChalk seems to have taken the city of Lahore by storm, thanks to its pioneering blog and forward-looking initiatives. It is small ventures like these that seem to be leading Pakistan away from the ignorant world of stereotypes and into a brighter tomorrow.

     

    Images taken from the official ‘ChaiChalk’ Facebook page


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021