SSGC holds first-ever in-house talent hunt competition “Claim to Flame 2013”
Organized by the Corporate Communications Department
To call the ‘Grand Finale’ a success would be an understatement as in fact it proved as a resounding success as it gave employees an equal opportunity to unearth their hidden talents in multiple categories that included singing, acting and special instrumental performances. The contestants were short listed through their performance during the auditions, judged by professionals form industry that included famous script writer Sohail Alam Khan and veteran actor Siddique Ansari. Legendary film star Ghulam Mohiyuddin who attended the acting audition as guest shared important tips with the contestants.
The most unique attributes of the event remained the fact that it promoted inter-departmental harmony and teamwork as it was open to all employees who stood eligible to participate in the contest. There were lots of exciting prizes to motivate the participants as well as the audience in recognition of their efforts to encourage art in an organized fashion. The initial feedback given by the employees and celebrities was very heartening as the jury was highly impressed on the exhibition of rich talent by armatures and promised to return to the next edition of the contest that showcases immense potential talent in SSGC. The event also attracted many sponsors who encouraged and lauded SSGC’s effort to promote art and played a vital part in the success of this talent hunt program.
Renowned celebrities from showbiz industry constituted the jury in the Grand Finale to evaluate the talent of performers. They included Khaled Anam, Ehteshamuddin, M. Warsi, Aslam Shaikh and Imran Nashad. After meticulous considerations based on well worked judging criteria, the jury awarded Sohail Jaleel of CRD as the winner of singing competition who was followed by Rashid Mahmood of IT and Mohsin Raza of Services Department who bagged second and third prizes, respectively. Other singers who made it to the Finale were Danish Javed (CCD), Asim Ali Zaidi (S&M), Rahim Khan (CFC) and Mirza Asghar Baig (Measurement) who knocked out many contestants during the auditions. All singers were backed by professional session band and fabulous sound system to boost the quality impact of the Finale.
An acting competition was also held comprising of 25-minutes short skits. Two teams of 4 members each, contested this competition. Rashid Ahmed (IT) led his team with Abdul Rasheed Kalwar (Admin), Rozina Ejaz (Transmission) and Salim Khan (Billing) as members, while Dr. Quratulain Noman (Medical) headed her team comprising of Dr. Sheeba Ansari, Faraz Amin (CC&B) and Mansoor Khan (Finance). After entertaining performances of the teams, the jury tabulated results to announce Rashid Ahmed’s team as the winner of the acting competition.
Iqbal Hussain and Ali Akber Kerio of Stores Department enthralled the audience with their splendid performances as they played famous cultural tunes on traditional musical instrument ‘flute’. Bilal Shafi Patel a famous blind singer also gave a remarkable performance as not only he entertained with his melodious voice but with his ability to expertly play the keyboard. The Grand Finale was decorated with many lucky draw prizes for the audience along with certificates and giveaways for all those who participated, even in the auditions.
The event concluded with admiration from the judges and audience alike, smiles al over, chanting of crowd and high hopes for next year’s edition. The untiring efforts of team CCD were lauded from all quarters as the team left no stone unturned in ensuring the success of the event.