The carnival dazzled people through numerous attractions of light, a light parade, fireworks and other fun-filled activities; all proceeds were donated to Lady Dufferin Hospital

Karachi – January 27, 2017: With the hope to light up lives of others, Dawood Public School (DPS) organized “DPS Festival of Lights”, a fundraising event full of shimmering lights and unique illuminated artifacts. The fun-filled festival aims to generate funds that will help the deserving patients visiting Lady Dufferin Hospital. DPS Festival of Lights is sponsored by Engro Foundation whereas Karachi School of Business and Leadership (KSBL) assisted as social outreach partner of the event. The festival was similar to its international counterparts with shows, fireworks, food stalls and much more.

The school transformed itself for the festival and mesmerized visitors with displays made of various lights. Each of the school marked its presence with an extraordinary display including stick-men made of lights and giant flowers made out of LEDs!

One of the main attraction at the festival was children’s ‘Olper’s Light Parade’. Groups of little girls appeared with glittering costumes, followed by lit-up hula-hoops, aeroplanes, and other decorated ornaments that added more colours to the cavalcade. The well decorated truck carrying a fairy princess reigned the parade. The fairy princess was attired in a specially designed “fairy costume” made entirely of elegant purple LEDs with white LED light wings.

The festival had numerous fascinating performances including Tron Dance by Shehzad Danger Crew and a thrilling fire performance. DPS students had several stalls that engaged visitors in constant bargain hunting for various delicious snacks and fun games. The activity aimed to teach children how to interact with people and make transactions in real life.

Sharing her excitement to be part of this activity Rabail Soomro of Class 8 said ‘DPS Festival of Lights is a great platform for the students to hone their entrepreneurial skills. From coming up with business ideas to making marketing strategy to grab customers attention at the event gave all of us to use our limited resources in a creative way.’ ‘The best part of the festival is that we will be helping deserving patients through the proceeds, this is how we would like to play our part in the cause.’

The spirit of helping others was at its peak throughout the festival. Volunteering parents helped eager blood donors at Indus Hospital blood donation camp.

Young visitors also had a great time enjoying a wide array of amusement rides including Victorian-horse ride, mini trains, merry-go-rounds and much more. People savored scrumptious food delight at their ease along with rides. The entire event was made possible through the unwavering efforts of teachers, supporting staff and students of DPS.

Acknowledging the efforts of students, teachers and staff of DPS at the Festival of Lights, Dr. Zaryab Sethna said: ‘The valiant efforts of bringing lights back to Karachiites through a festival and raising funds for Lady Dufferin Hospital shows how children and adults alike can use their imagination in bringing happiness in the world.’

Lady Dufferin Hospital is a not-for-profit organization that is providing best possible medical care to women and children irrespective of socio-economic backgrounds. The hospital has over 300 beds and state-of-the-art medical facilities including obstetric, gynecological and neo-natal pediatric services. The hospital caters to thousands of patients who cannot afford good quality of medical treatment. According to a report by ‘Save the Children’, Pakistan is amongst the highest Mother Mortality Rate of 276 per 100,000 live births and the under-five child mortality rate of around 89 deaths per 1,000 live births during the last a decade or so.

The health indicators in Pakistan present a gloomy situation especially when it comes to maternal and infant mortality rates. According to report, “Ending Newborn Deaths,” in 2012 Pakistan had the highest rate of first-day deaths and stillbirths at 40.7 per 1,000 births, followed by Nigeria (32.7), Sierra Leone (30.8), Somalia (29.7), Guinea-Bissau (29.4) and Afghanistan (29.0). On the other hand Pakistan’s Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) is 299 per 100,000 live births. The situation itself speaks the importance of the issue to be taken seriously.

The day ended with a spectacular display of fireworks enthralling the audience at the culmination of the festival.