A Season of Pause — Winter Break in Punjab Brings Relief, Joy and Reflection As frost sets in and mornings grow colder, the people of Punjab get a much-anticipated pause. The Punjab government has announced that all public and private schools across the province will observe winter vacations from 22 December 2025 to 10 January 2026. For many families — especially in places like Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Multan, and other central/southern districts — this annual break is more than just days off. It is a season of relief, reconnection, and possibilities. Why the Break Matters (Beyond Textbooks) ❄️ Health & Safety First December and January bring biting cold, dense fog, and often treacherous commuting conditions across Punjab. For kids traveling long distances on bikes or school transport, early-morning cold and low visibility pose real risks. The winter holiday gives children a chance to avoid harsh weather and reduces chances of cold-related illnesses. Many parents feel a sense...

Live-In Relationships in the Modern World: Good or Bad? Who Supports Them and Why? A Critical Look in Light of Modern Trends and the Noor Muqaddam Case The modern world is experiencing major shifts in how people view relationships, marriage, and personal freedom. One of the most debated topics today is the rise of **live-in relationships**—a setup where two adults choose to live together without getting married. While this trend is becoming common in many Western societies, it has also sparked discussions, criticism, and moral concerns in countries like Pakistan, especially after tragic incidents such as the **Noor Muqaddam case**, which raised serious questions about safety, exploitation, and social boundaries. What Is a Live-In Relationship? A live-in relationship is a mutual arrangement where two adults live together as partners without the legal contract of marriage. It is based on: Personal choice Emotional companionship Freedom from traditional responsibilities No...

Importance of Physical Games in Public Schools: Building Strong Minds and Stronger Nations Description “Importance of physical games in public schools, benefits for students, and top Pakistani athletes like Wasim Akram and Arshad Nadeem who emerged from public schools.” Physical games have always played a vital role in shaping healthy, disciplined, and confident students. In Pakistan, public schools have traditionally been the backbone of sports development, producing many national and international athletes who made the country proud. Despite limited facilities in many areas, government schools continue to nurture raw talent and provide a platform where passion often matters more than resources. In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, promoting physical games in public schools is more important than ever. Let’s explore why. Watch my exclusive Interview 1. Physical Games Improve Students’ Health and Fitness Regular participation in sports helps students maintain ...

Fee Gap Between Public and Private Schools in Pakistan: Understanding the Real Picture. In Pakistan, the fee gap between public and private schools exists—but the reality is very different from what we see in many other countries. Here, most *public school teachers are far more qualified*, better trained, and receive higher salary packages compared to the majority of private-school teachers. Meanwhile, most private schools charge fees based on reputation, not on teacher qualification or educational standards. Let’s explore why this gap exists and what it means for parents and students. 1. Public Schools: Highly Qualified Teachers With Strong Academic Backgrounds Government schools in Pakistan hire teachers through competitive exams and strict merit criteria. This means: Most teachers hold MA / MSc,M phil even Phd degrees. Many have *B.Ed or M.Ed* as professional qualifications. They receive *fixed government salaries*, which are higher and more stable than private school sa...

Haar Na Mani – A Motivational Urdu Ghazal by Afzal Shakeel Sandhu غزل مَیں زندگی سے لڑتا رہا، ہار نہ مانی کوشش سدا مَیں کرتا رہا، ہار نہ مانی دل تو غمِ حیات سے لرزاں رہا مگر پھر بھی مَیں سیدھا چلتا رہا، ہار نہ مانی جتنی رکاوٹیں بھی میرے سامنے آئیں ایک ایک سے مَیں لڑتا رہا، ہار نہ مانی اس عارضی جہاں میں پل کی خبر نہیں صدیوں کا پانی بھرتا رہا، ہار نہ مانی ترکِ تعلقات پہ غمگین سا تو ہوں اس بات سے مُکر تا رہا، ہار نہ مانی یہ انتظارِ شب ہے یا صدیوں کا انتظار ذحمت شکیل کرتا رہا، ہار نہ مانی افضل شکیل سندھو Description: یہ غزل افضل شکیل سندھو کی تازہ تخلیق ہے جس میں زندگی کی جدوجہد، رکاوٹوں کا مقابلہ، صبر، امید اور نہ ہارنے کا جذبہ خوبصورتی سے پیش کیا گیا ہے۔ اس غزل میں شاعر نے دکھ اور جدائی کے باوجود حوصلہ قائم رکھنے کا پیغام دیا ہے۔ “ہار نہ مانی” ایک ایسی غزل ہے جو ہر اس شخص کے دل کو چھوتی ہے جو زندگی میں مسلسل کوشش کر رہا ہے۔ یہ غزل موٹیویشن، حوصلہ، صبر اور استقامت کے جذبات پر مبنی ہے اور قارئین کو ہار نہ ماننے کا سبق دیتی ہے۔ English Description: PoetryRang PoetryRang ...

🎙️ Exclusive Interview with Afzal Shakeel Sandhu In this inspiring interview on One Cup of Tea with Rana Mujahid, renowned poet and teacher Afzal Shakeel Sandhu shares the story of his practical life, teaching career, and poetic journey. From his early days in education to his deep passion for Urdu and Punjabi poetry, he opens up about the challenges and inspirations that shaped his path. Throughout the conversation, Rana Mujahid asks thought-provoking questions about: ☕ The beginning of professional life 📘 Teaching experiences and life management as a teacher 🖋️ How the journey of poetry started 📚 Favourite poets and literary inspirations 🎤 The balance between being a teacher and a poet 💬 A special message for readers and fans Watch my ghazal KITAB E ISHAQ The interview includes around 24 meaningful questions, along with the recitation of Afzal Shakeel Sandhu’s own poetry. It’s a heartfelt session filled with wisdom, experience, and love for literature. 👉 Don’t forge...

winter season becomes short in pakistan ? 🌍 The Confused Season — Summer or Winter? It’s already the 9th of November, yet the weather seems undecided — is it summer or winter? If we wear warm clothes, it feels hot; but if we step outside in light clothing — especially in the morning — we feel cold. Everyone is still caught in confusion, unsure which season has actually arrived. This situation clearly shows that global warming and climate change are not only affecting Pakistan but the entire world. The seasons that once arrived on time have now become uncertain and unpredictable. In the past, by mid or late September, winter would begin to settle in, and people could be seen wearing warm clothes. But now, even in November, there are no real signs of cold weather. These changes are harmful for everyone. The greatest drawback of industrialization that the world is witnessing today is environmental change. Because of these changes, floods, storms, and earthquakes have become more fre...

Paper Marking,Why I Considered Myself Unfit for Board Paper Marking Poetry Mehfil Contract period In 2014, I got my salary regularized because we had been regularized as employees in 2009 when Shehbaz Sharif was the Chief Minister. Before that, we were working on a contract basis. A group of our teachers filed a case demanding that our service should be counted from the date of joining. The case went on in various courts but no clear result came out. Therefore, in 2014, I decided to convert my salary into a regular employee’s pay scale. As a result, the salary became very low because contract employees used to receive a 30% special allowance which was discontinued, and the salary was also fixed from the first stage of the basic pay scale. How i started marking Keeping these conditions in mind, I started thinking about alternative sources of income. Immediately, I decided to participate in board paper marking. Before that, many of my colleagues had suggested that I join them in...