Thatta Kedona

Culture is a Basic Need

Empowering Communities: A Visit of Hope
Saturday, May 9, 2026

Member of National Assembly (MNA) from Okara, Mr. Nadeem Abbas Rabera, paid a surprise visit today to the village Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka to see the handicrafts project Thatta Kedona. During his visit, he toured different sections of the handicrafts center and was briefed about various challenges faced both by the project and the village community.


Mr. Rabera praised the quality of the handicrafts, especially the beautiful ethnic dolls prepared by the rural women. He appreciated the dedication and creativity of the artisans and assured his support in addressing important local issues.

Among the matters discussed were the construction of a tough tile-paved street leading to the handicrafts center, a less than one-kilometer soling road from More Shaikhu to the Village, and the transformation of the old pond area into an entertainment and recreation park for women and children.


The visit brought great encouragement to the women associated with Thatta Kedona and raised hopes for positive developments in the village.

Labels: ,

posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:19 AM, ,

Off to Thatta Kedona
Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Tradition and Future

Unimaginable – a generation ago, the journey from Lahore to Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka (TGD) took eight hours; a round trip in one day was hardly possible. Tongas and rickshaws were the usual means of transport in rural areas. There wasn't a single gas station between Lahore and Okara.

The situation improved with the construction of the Lahore-Multan Highway, so that visitors, by car or bus (e.g., from universities), increasingly visited the village of TGD.

Sustainable tourism developed. Guests could stay overnight with accommodation and meals; thanks to the drinking water project, fish could be offered for local consumption; neem tree leaves for insect repellent were available, as were sugarcane spread and fresh buffalo milk.A prize was regularly awarded for the most beautiful mud house (Preservation of Cultural Heritage).


Historical sites were highlighted in the surrounding area (the fort in Gogera, Lord Berkeley's cemetery near Gogera / separatist terrorists rebelled against the occupiers – the first days of independence); the publication "Dolls, Toys and More" by S A J Shirazi, published by Feroszons, draws attention to places of interest: Patoki, Sahiwal, Okara, and Sher Garh.

The project's sustainability in this context was repeatedly hampered by major political events (nuclear tests), security concerns, and natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and pandemics, so that domestic and international guests and visitors could take advantage of the pleasant temperatures between September and March.

TK (Thatta Kedona) lives on, preserving its traditional character. Local culture and looks optimistically to the future:


-In 2019, an art project (Artist in Residence Peter Hecht) was successfully carried out,

-In 2021, the crime novel *The Village of Dolls* by Hans Sachs was published,

-In 2024, Dr. Gwendolyne Kulick received her doctorate with a research dissertation in which the TK project also played a role.


-In 2025, after 25 years, the doll project participated in the Bazaar 2025 in Berlin with its own stand, under the patronage of Dr. Senta – a wonderful sign of the connection between tradition and the future.

Labels: , , , , , ,

posted by S A J Shirazi @ 3:15 PM, ,

Thatta Kedona is more than dolls and toys

The special thing lies in the versatility of the project initiator

When the article "German Connection" by Asgher Javed appeared in Nation, Sunday Plus, April 27, 2008, p. 14, readers were probably unaware of the connections between the three women in the village project; among other things, Ruth Pfau had a connection to Mango-Pir near Karachi with the workshop for leprosy patients there, and Annemarie Schimmel had a connection to TGD because of the vibrant local, traditional culture.


In one case, the Ruth Pfau Basic Health Unit was created, and in the other, the Annemarie Schimmel Cultural Complex, where theater performances, film screenings, and village music concerts took place!

Senta Siller's work was not only that of a -researcher (fieldwork in the Five Provinces), -designer (dolls based on village life), -producer (marketable items), -teacher (training village women), -marketing strategist (museums at home and abroad), -networker (Schimmel-Pfau-Kenoyer-Salima Hashmi/Ex-NCA Lahore, DSFestival, Expo 2000, 2005), but she is rightly considered an anthropologist. All of this demonstrates the visibility and awareness of local village culture, bridging the gap between science and culturally informed consumption, while also creating sustainable measures for village women.

Incidentally, village dolls are housed in the Lok Virsa Museum in Islamabad, and thanks to the IWSA Prize, village toys found their way to the Children's Museum in Izmir!

It all began with the production of the film "Amjad's Village," a 24-hour glimpse into village life in TGD. An interesting article by Maqbool Malik, "Planning of a Model Village," was published in Dawn in 1994. Numerous articles by journalists have praised the project, which, through Senta Siller, has received several awards, including one from UNESCO in 2007, recognizing it as the outstanding doll project in South Asia. Ultimately, it's all on the path to UNESCO World Heritage status.

Labels: , , , , , , , ,

posted by S A J Shirazi @ 11:08 AM, ,

Addressing the Clean Water Crisis in Our Village TGD
Thursday, May 8, 2025


There is a growing crisis in our village due to the severe shortage of clean drinking water. This problem is worsening with each passing day, and the consumption of polluted water continues to cause serious health issues, including diseases such as hepatitis and other waterborne infections.

Several years ago, our local NGO, Anjuman-e-Falah-Aama (AFA), managed to restore the decades-old water supply system. However, due to financial limitations, we were unable to install a proper water distribution system at that time.

Thanks to the generous support of Mrs. Aliya Nadeem, wife of our late friend and devoted supporter of our village project, Mr. Nadeem Wahid Siddiqui, we have now been able to take a vital step forward. Mrs. Nadeem has kindly funded the installation of a water distribution point on the outer wall of the village Pump House, making clean water easily accessible to all villagers. Four water taps have been installed to ensure that people can collect water in an orderly and dignified manner, without the need to crowd or push. The clean drinking water is provided free of cost, and we hope this initiative will significantly reduce the prevalence of waterborne diseases in our village.


We, the members of AFA and the residents of the village, express our heartfelt gratitude to Mrs. Aliya Nadeem for her invaluable contribution. We also pray for the soul of Mr. Nadeem Wahid Siddiqui - may he rest in peace and be granted a high place in Jannat (paradise).

Labels: ,

posted by S A J Shirazi @ 2:04 PM, ,

NAD‘s Greenland in Dolls' Village TGD - A unique Tree Plantation Drive
Thursday, March 13, 2025


Mr. Nadeem Wahid Siddiqui, a writer, poet, and media advisor associated with Germany's international broadcast network DW, was a close friend and supporter of Thatta Kedona, our village handicrafts initiative. In addition, he was a genuine friend of nature. He departed from us over a year ago. His wife, Mrs. Aliya Nadeem, recently sponsored a tree planting charity in our village Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka in District Okara, Pakistan. Initially we have planted about 150 different fruit plants in addition to a few flower species. In this area, we plan to do more. We appreciate Ailya Bhabi's kind donation.

Labels: , ,

posted by S A J Shirazi @ 3:38 PM, ,

Dr. Leila Masson
Friday, June 28, 2024



Dr. Leila Masson, a Lahori by birth, established the Village Dispensary in Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka (Okara) back in 1992 as a part of her House Job after completing her medical education in Berlin, Germany. Now she is a leading pediatrician and lactation consultant specialized in nutritional treatment for children's problems with health, behaviour and development. Currently she is based in Sydney, Australia. Thank you Dr. Leila Masson (Siller).

Read more »

Labels: ,

posted by S A J Shirazi @ 4:36 PM, ,

Health hut, kitchen garden and family-friendly work with arts and crafts
Thursday, May 16, 2024

From the archive

The health movement initiated by Dr Leila* was continued by Dr Senta Siller from 1993 under the title One Baby-One Tree.


The women of the village who were involved in the handicraft project received a tree to care for at an event at the beginning of the school year with the handover of teaching materials for each child born and registered in the BHU. They became indicators of women's activities.

The village NGO's water project financed a deep well that made the tested water available to the villagers.

Labels: , , , ,

posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:12 AM, ,

Of the Power of the Small
Thursday, February 8, 2024

To preserve traditional cultural assets

by

Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch

No matter what is conceived or initiated, - more or less quickly the thought process moves to mass thinking and mass production; The motive in the background is to be able to participate in global events.

Even if such thought processes are understandable due to the global spree, still the preservation and support of small-scale and unspectacular projects are necessary.

It is not the globalization and digitization that represents the basis for the future, but the increasingly disappearing analog, the cultural asset that has emerged at some point - similar to the arctic seed vault in Spitzergen in the area of plants and horticulture.

It is urgently needed to support the delicate shoots of such projects is urgently needed, including the preservation of the environment.

The usual commercialization of such projects is counterproductive and destructive!

Labels: , , , , , ,

posted by S A J Shirazi @ 1:38 PM, ,

ڈاکٹر سینتا سلّر پاکستان میں
Monday, February 21, 2022


ضلع اوکاڑہ کا گاؤں ٹھٹہ غلام کا دھِیرو کا اپنی رنگا رنگ گڑیوں اور درجنوں دیگر دستکاری مصنوعات کی وجہ سے پاکستان میں ہی نہیں بلکہ پوری دنیا میں ڈالز ولیج یا گڑیوں کا گاؤں کے نام سے جانا جاتا ہے۔ ٹھٹہ کھڈونا کے نام سے مشہور دستکاری برانڈ شروع کرنے والی جرمن مصورہ اور ڈیزائنر ڈاکٹر سینتا سلّر (Senta Siller) ہیں، جو پہلی بار 1990ء میں اس گاؤں میں اپنے ایک پاکستانی شاگرد امجد علی کی دعوت پر آئی تھیں۔



اسی گاؤں میں پیدا ہونے والا امجد علی جرمن دارالحکومت برلن میں جس ادارے میں پڑھ رہا تھا، سینتا اُسی ادارے میں اُستاد تھیں۔ گاؤں کی خواتین کو اُن کی دستکاری مصنوعات کی بدولت اضافی آمدنی دِلوانے کے خواب کو سینتا سلّر نے عملی شکل دی اور مسلسل چَودہ برس گاؤں میں کئی کئی مہینے قیام کرتے ہوئے خواتین کی تربیت کی۔ ساتھ ساتھ اُنہوں نے گاؤں میں تعلیم اور صحت و صفائی کے بھی کئی منصوبے شروع کیے۔

86 سالہ سینتا سلّر کی اِنہی خدمات کے اعتراف میں اُنہیں گورنر پنجاب چوہدری سرور کی جانب سے جمعہ اٹھارہ فروری کو گورنر ہاؤس لاہور میں منعقدہ ایک شاندار تقریب میں گورنر ایوارڈ سے نوازا گیا۔


بعد ازاں اُسی روز الحمرا آرٹ کونسل میں ڈاکٹر سلّر کے ساتھ ایک شام منائی گئی، جس میں اُن کے درجنوں جرمن اور پاکستانی دوست شریک ہوئے۔


بیس فروری اتوار کو ڈاکٹر سینتا سلّر اور اُن کے شوہر ڈاکٹر ناربرٹ پِنچ ( Norbert Pintch ) ایک تاریخی دورے پر گاؤں ٹھٹہ غلام کا پہنچے، جہاں گاؤں کی خواتین کے ساتھ ساتھ ضلع اوکاڑہ کی کئی معزز شخصیات نے بھی اُن کا والہانہ استقبال کیا۔ گاؤں میں جب وہ اپنی پرانی ساتھی خواتین سے ملیں تو کئی جذباتی مناظر دیکھنے میں آئے۔


برسوں بعد ہونے والی اس ملاقات کے دوران سینتا سِلّر کی آنکھوں میں بھی آنسو آ گئے۔ اس موقع پر ایک مجوزہ سینتا سلّر اسکول آف ہوم اکنامکس کا سنگِ بنیاد رکھا گیا۔ تختی کی نقاب کُشائی خود سینتا سلّر نے کی۔ ایک مختصر تقریب سے خطاب کرتے ہوئے ڈاکٹر سلّر نے کہا کہ اُنہیں ایک بار پھر اس گاؤں میں آنا ایک خواب کی طرح لگ رہا ہے۔ اُنہوں نے کہا کہ اس گاؤں میں اپنے طویل قیام کی وجہ سے یہ گاؤں کچھ اس طرح سے اُن کے دل میں بس گیا ہے کہ وہ جرمنی میں بھی اکثر اپنے خوابوں میں خود کو اس گاؤں میں چلتے پھِرتے دیکھتی ہیں۔


 تقریب سے اُن کے پرانے شاگرد اور آج کل گاؤں کی مقامی تنظیم انجمنِ فلاحِ عامہ کے صدر امجد علی کے ساتھ ساتھ اوکاڑہ پیشنٹس ویلفیئر ایسوسی ایشن (OPWA)کے رُوحِ رواں شیخ عبدالغفور اور معروف ادبی و سماجی شخصیت محمد اسلم طاہر القادری ایڈووکیٹ نے بھی خطاب کیا اور ڈاکٹر سِلّر کی خدمات کو خراجِ تحسین پیش کیا۔ اس دوران گاؤں کو جانے والی شکستہ سڑک کی تعمیرِ نو کی ضرورت اور گاؤں میں صاف پانی کے منصوبے کے لیے وسائل کی فراہمی کے مسئلے پر بھی زور دیا گیا۔ تقریب کے مہمانوں میں ایگری ٹورازم کارپوریشن آف پاکستان کے ڈائریکٹر طارق تنویر اور معروف زرعی ماہر و محقق ساجد سِندھو بھی شامل تھے۔


بعد ازاں جرمن مہمانوں نے دستکاری مرکز کا دورہ کیا، جسے سن 2016ء سے سینتا سِلّر ڈیزائن سینٹر کا نام دے دیا گیا ہے۔ اس موقع پر گاؤں کی خواتین اور علاقہ معززین کی جانب سے اپنے ان دونوں جرمن مہمانوں کو مختلف قسم کے تحائف بھی دیے گئے۔

Follow on Twitter, Like on Facebook 

Labels: ,

posted by S A J Shirazi @ 11:18 AM, ,

TGD Vegetable Garden
Saturday, January 25, 2020


Since mid January 2020 our village TGD has its own special Vegetable Garden. We have planted different seeds, including coriander, white radish, carrots, green chilli, spinach and turnip in the lawn surrounding village Water Pump House. It will ensure food self-sufficiency and food security for the inhabitants of our village Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka (District Okara, Punjab, Pakistan). 

Labels: , ,

posted by S A J Shirazi @ 12:35 PM, ,

Tap Water Comes to Our Kitchen
Thursday, August 8, 2019



There is another big success and a milestone for our village NGO Anjuman-e-Falah-e-Aama (AFA). There was HAPPINESS all around, when the Water Pump House in our village opened its doors on the first day of the new year 2020. It was as if all the families were just waiting for this fresh, pure and clean drinking water facility. We are charging just one rupee per liter to cover the electricity bills and other costs. Thanks Almighty!

Labels: ,

posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:41 AM, ,

Water Pump House in Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka
Thursday, June 13, 2019


The Water Pump House in the village Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka (TGD) in district Okara, Pakistan is functional now. Thanks to the donations by the German Embassy in Islamabad and many other, more than 1000 people have now excess to 406 feet deep pure and clean drinking water. Administered by the local NGO Anjuman-e-Falah-e-Aama (AFA), this is the first project of its kind in the area. It will help to reduce the risk of Hepatitis C and other diseases.

Labels: ,

posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:05 AM, ,

پاکستان میں 'گڑیاؤں کے گاﺅں' کی جرمن ملکہ
Saturday, June 30, 2018


Read in Dawn

Labels: , , ,

posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8:56 AM, ,

A study tour - BNU students in Thatta Ghulamka
Friday, October 27, 2017

A large group of students from BNU (Beaconhouse National University) visited the village Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka in district Okara on 24 October 2017. This study tour was headed by the Associate Professor Aarish Ali Sardar, who is currently teaching in the Dept. of Visual Communication Design at School of Visual Art & Design of Beaconhouse National University, Lahore, Pakistan.


These students wanted to closely study the handicrafts project “Thatta Kedona”, which was initiated back in 1993 by the German designer Dr. Senta Siller and her husband Dr. Norbert Pintsch.
Read more »

Labels: , , , , , , , ,

posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:15 AM, ,

German lady revolutionizes Punjab village
Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Samaa Web Desk

A German woman (Dr Senta Siller) is working selflessly for the uplift of a village life in Punjab. Watch this video about the hard work that she put in to turn this place into a beautiful model village. Saman Iqbal reports from Lahore.

Click to watch

Labels: , ,

posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:28 AM, ,

Family Welfare Middle School Students in the Village
Thursday, October 22, 2015

Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka (Dolls’ Village) comes alive afresh when volunteers arrive there. Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, Monika Kuppler and Marlis are in the village and so many things are happening simultaneously.


This has become a tradition that had students from different universities in Lahore (BNU, PU, UET, COMSAT, NCA, KC and PU) come to the village and show keen interest in local building constructions techniques, use of appropriate technology, village life and traditional rural culture and also interact with the villagers.
Read more »

Labels: , , , , , , ,

posted by S A J Shirazi @ 12:01 PM, ,

Clean water for TGD
Monday, October 19, 2015


Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch with Shakeel Aamir working on TTTC and BHU cooperation on SES expert Marlies Bartkiewicz project to offer filtered drinkable water in the village through the use of herbal material.

Labels: , ,

posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8:00 AM, ,

Activities in Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka
Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch is back in the village for the fall. And there is a lot on his agenda.


He will work with various foundations to manage active support for the Village Project. Amjad Ali, too is in the loop for communication and information. Focus will be on Appropriate Technology in Okara District School.


By Sunday (Oct 18, 2015) two veteran German volunteers Marlies Bartkiewicz and Monika Kuppler will also be arriving in the Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka. Marlies will work with AFA (Anjuman-e-Falah-e-Aama) BHU to train village women and continue her work on herbal cream.

Monika will take her Handicraft, Pottery and Painting of Pottery in WAC to the next level. Similarly, Prof Amir Rafique will visit the village with students from Lahore.


Later, Monika, Marlies and Farzana will be in Bhara Kahu with AFWA (Al Firdous Welfare Association) where Marlies will check up kids and acquaint them with use of natural medicine and Monika along with Farzana will teach them Upcycling.

Stay tuned for more.

Labels: , , , , ,

posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:13 AM, ,

Village Life
Tuesday, October 29, 2013


Labels: , ,

posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:50 AM, ,

Doll's Village is Changing
Thursday, September 5, 2013


With so much happening, Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka (TGD) is changing in the process. The relative prosperity is visible. The serene environment and ambiance is also very pleasing. Quality of life is much better. Villagers are putting their children, particularly the girls in school. The Woman Art Centre is also playing a part in the well being of the villagers. Fruit and flower trees are given to residents for their court yards and they are encouraged to grow their own kitchen gardens. Best of all, an annual quality of life competition is held in the village when best mud houses and brick houses are selected in different categories. Owners of mud houses have lucrative incentives (thanks to Dr. Norbert Pintsch) and they keep their homes in spanking condition and well maintained all the year. This alone has changed the look of the entire village.
Read more »

Labels: , , ,

posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8:00 AM, ,


Popular Posts

How I Work From Home and Make Extra Money?

Why Everyone Blogs and Why You Too Should

Business {Blogging} Proposal

Subscribe by Email

Blog Roll