Punjab's Rich Heritage: Thatta Kedona's Handicrafts at Punjab Industrial Expo
Friday, April 25, 2025
Thatta Kedona, the renowned Pak-German handicrafts initiative from the picturesque village of Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka in District Okara, is a standout participant at the ongoing Punjab Industrial Expo. Known for empowering local artisan women and preserving traditional craftsmanship, Thatta Kedona is showcasing its iconic collection of ethnic Pakistani dolls and a wide range of beautifully handcrafted products that reflect the rich cultural heritage of Punjab.
The expo, which brings together over 200 skilled artisans from across the province, was inaugurated by Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb at Global Village, Johar Town, Lahore. Running from April 22 to 27, the exhibition offers live demonstrations of traditional and industrial crafts, including calligraphy, linocut, sketching, handloom weaving, black stone carving, mehndi art, silver jewelry, and more.
With free entry for the public, the event is not just a marketplace but a vibrant cultural experience, featuring artisan showcases like Thatta Kedona, traditional Punjabi food stalls, and a variety of engaging recreational activities. Visitors are warmly invited to explore the unique handicrafts and stories behind each piece at the Thatta Kedona stall—a true celebration of creativity, culture, and community.
Labels: Culture, Punjab, Punjab Industrial Expo, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 2:12 PM,
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Transition of the Village Project
Saturday, October 8, 2016
Since the beginning of the project 25 years ago when Dr Senta Siller and Dr Norbert Pintsch set their feet here, the Dolls Village (Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka) is changing at a very fast pace. Those who are familiar with the project know how the village has transformed in the past quarter century and how it stands out not only in Pakistan but also at international level.
Now the transition has gone to the wonderful new level.
Soon after his arrival in Pakistan this time, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch met with Mr Shahbaz Sharif, CM Punjab on on 30 October 2016. On the interest and instructions of CM Punjab, Okara district is taking a fresh look at the Project. Many of the senior district administrators have visited the Village and want to contribute to the uplift of the Village.
First meeting in this connection was held (on 3 October 2016) with Secretary Energy Punjab where solarization of the Village was discussed. It was agreed that work on provision of Solar Power at the household level will start soon. (Friends of the Dolls remember that Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka is already one of the first Punjab village where solar power was installed in Women Art Center building.)
On 4 October 2016, office bearers of Village NGO AFA along with Dr Norbert Pintsch and Mr Aamir Rafiq met with DCO Okara. The DCO was also forthcoming and plans to uplift the village Schools (there are two primary Schools in the village), provision of furniture for students, conversion of Village Pond into a Children Playing Park, disposal of gray water and appointment of Lady Health Worker in the village were discussed.
Next day, Dr Norbert had a meeting with Punjab Small Industries Department who promised to declare Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka as Model Artisan Village of Punjab and promised to promote the Dolls Making Skills at National and International levels. He also said that Thatta Kedona products will be displayed in Small Industries outlets through out the country.
On academic front, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch delivered a lecture at the Institute of Social and Cultural Studies, University of the Punjab on 6 October 2016 on the topic of “City-Village-Development, between holistic models for rural areas, of the prevailing general situation, to the closed system”.
Dr Norbert Pintsch is working fast on the transition of the all NGO to the local office bearers. Hope is that locals will be able to take on the NGO work to next level without any dependence soon.
Labels: AFA, CM Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, Dr Senta Siller, Networking, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, Punjab, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:13 AM,
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Indus River Basin Water Management System
Monday, May 28, 2012
The Punjab Province of Pakistan is blessed with five major rivers and their numerous local tributaries. All of these five rivers originate from the snow capped peaks of the Himalayan Mountains. After traveling hundreds of miles through the high mountain valleys, these rivers ultimately enter into the plains and plateaus of Punjab via the Frontier Province of Pakistan, the State of Kashmir, and India.
In fact Punjab owes its very name to these rivers as in Urdu/Persian languages the word simply means ‘five waters or five rivers’. Perhaps no other area in the world could claim that many major rivers flowing through it in that close proximity of each other. In that sense Punjab is unique. But what makes it further unique is its river link canal system first devised by the British in early twentieth century and then expanded by the Government of Pakistan under its Indus River Basin Water Management System. The complex Punjab Rivers and Link Canals System could very well be classified as one of the twentieth century engineering wonders.
In fact Punjab owes its very name to these rivers as in Urdu/Persian languages the word simply means ‘five waters or five rivers’. Perhaps no other area in the world could claim that many major rivers flowing through it in that close proximity of each other. In that sense Punjab is unique. But what makes it further unique is its river link canal system first devised by the British in early twentieth century and then expanded by the Government of Pakistan under its Indus River Basin Water Management System. The complex Punjab Rivers and Link Canals System could very well be classified as one of the twentieth century engineering wonders.
Labels: Punjab
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8:07 AM,
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