Rawalpindi is a city with rich culture and a lot of history, its beauty can not be captured enough.
Together they are known as the Twin Cities of Pakistan.
Let us all take a glimpse into the lives of People of Islamabad and Rawalpindi who we pass without taking a second glance. To you they maybe strangers but to some they are friends and to some they are family.
Said By Owner Mr.
Ahsan Mahmood of Humans of Islamabad and Rawalpindi ( An Organization ).
Islo Times : How did this whole team formed and who are the people behind
it?
Ahsan Mahmood : I was planning on having a project like this for a couple of
months but there always was a glitch due to which I had to postpone it or to
cancel it overall. It was Ramazan, when I did a video for an Islamabad based
underground artist, and it had a lot of these shots of random people. The
response was very positive on the video and a senior at my university gave me
this idea of starting Humans of Islamabad & Rawalpindi and that is how it all
started. Initially, I was the only person but soon I changed it from a one man
show to an HOIR team. Sarah Ansari, started working for me as the content
editor and Hammad Yousaf, a very good friend of mines as the Marketing guy.
Islo Times : Such a unique idea adapted what response have you guys
received from the audience?
Ahsan Mahmood : If you ask me honestly, the response from the audience has
been a little disappointing. Although we have been able to attract people but
the constant support and feedback is lacking. But we have had amazing feedback
and response on our projects. Specially the one which focused on today’s youth
and Positive use of Social Media.
Islo Times : Are you guys getting any support for what you are doing?
Ahsan Mahmood : Of course, as I mentioned earlier we have had amazing
support from the audience on our projects. Also, people who were contacted for Interviews
were very supportive and kind enough to spare time out for us. As far as
monitory support is concerned, no we do not have any such support.
Islo Times : Else than photography are you guys going to come up with
short movies or some documentary to show the unique Rawalpindi and Islamabad?
Ahsan Mahmood : Oh Yes, certainly we are! We recently updated a status about
a project being finalized. That project is a documentary which will include
interviews, stories of people and stuff related to this.
Islo Times :You guys are only covering Islamabad and Rawalpindi ever
thought of covering other cities as well because Pakistan is no doubt full of
beauty, nature and has a diverse culture as well?
Ahsan Mahmood : Well, this is a global trend you can say, the “Humans of”
series is a wide spread phenomenon actually. After HONY many other people have
started many “Humans of” pages. Regarding covering other cities, first of all
it’s not feasible for us to cover them. Also Lahore and Karachi have their own
“Humans of Karachi” and “Humans of Lahore” respectively, so there is no point
for us in covering them as well.
Islo Times : How many other people out there are doing the same work as
you guys are doing?
Ahsan Mahmood : As I mentioned earlier, Humans of Karachi and Humans of
Lahore are doing a brilliant job. There are many other who take street
portraits and sometimes have stories along them as well. But except people at
Humans of Karachi, Humans of Lahore and us, no one is consistently doing this
at a platform where everyone can view them.
Islo Times : If you guys a get a chance to portray the beauty, nature and
other things for Switzerland and on the other hand its Pakistan which country
would you choose and why?
Ahsan Mahmood : It’s not about covering Pakistan or Switzerland. We all live
in a global community and as citizens of the global community, it is our duty
to protect and make this globe a better place to live. Of course we have our
affiliations and according to our papers, we belong to this land which is
Pakistan and it is our also our duty to protect Pakistan against any other who
tries to harm us, and to portray an image of Pakistan to the world in the way
it is not being portrayed right now. I would certainly choose Pakistan, because
if we try to play our part sincerely in portraying Pakistan, we are successful
in playing our little part which was required of us in making this world a
better to live.
Islo Times :Any message for the people out there?
Ahsan Mahmood : My message would be to not just think in terms of being a
Pakistani, but to have a global mindset and think as a True Pakistani in regard
to all of us also being a part of the International community. Show your love,
support and commitment to your nation in a way that it helps your country
progress as a part of the global community.
Islo Times : Views about Islotimes?
Ahsan Mahmood : A great initiative and a brilliant platform to spread the
word.
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| Photo Credits: Irum Tariq |
Official Facebook Page : http://www.facebook.com/HOISBRWP