Last month, our school arranged a science exhibition, and everyone was excited to showcase their creative projects.

My best friend, Sara, and I were planning to work together, but our teacher made new groups and, unfortunately, we were separated. I decided to make a unique project, and discussed it with Sara. Later, she accidentally told her new group members about my idea. She didn’t do it intentionally, but things took an unexpected turn.

The leader of her group decided to plagiarise it and claim it as her own. When Sara realised her mistake, she tried to stop her, saying, “This project idea belongs to my best friend!”

But the group leader refused to listen. Sara told me immediately and I became furious with her, and our friendship felt like it was hanging by a thread.

She tried to explain her side and was truly apologetic for her mistake, but I ignored her and kept blaming her. My group members, however, encouraged me by saying that we would make our project even more eye-catching and perfect. Although my heart was heavy, I reluctantly began working again.

Days passed, and I still didn’t talk to Sara.

Finally, the day of the science exhibition arrived. Everyone was excited and the school corridors were filled with colourful and breath-taking projects. Visitors started coming and every group was busy encouraging one another, hoping to win the award.

When it was time for Sara and her group to present their project, something unexpected happened. Their model failed to start, and their presentation ended before it could even begin.

On the other hand, our presentation and project went very well. In the end, our hard work paid off and we won the award for the best project.

Some hours later, one of my group members told me that one of the reasons we won the award was my friend, Sara.

She had secretly cut the wire of her group’s project, so their model didn’t work. I felt deeply regretful for saying such hurtful words to her earlier. Even though what she did was wrong, she never meant to harm me, nor did she want her group to plagiarise and lie.

My heart felt heavy with guilt, and I immediately went to her to apologise. She also said sorry, and we both realised that true friendship is about forgiveness and understanding.

Published in Dawn, Young World, December 13th, 2025

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Have you ever heard news about scientists, researchers or Nobel laureates receiving awards and wondered about the inventions or discoveries that were recognised? If so, The Franklin Institute’s Case Files, a website that gathers a historical archive and documentary record of the Institute’s awards programme is definitely for you.

The site brings together the names of awardees’ achievements in science, technology and engineering, with their biographies, inventions and contributions all in one place.

The Franklin Institute’s Case Files page serves as a digital archive of The Franklin Institute Awards, tracing back to the very roots of the Institute, founded in 1824, when it started recognising notable scientific and technical achievements.

The website itself is very simple, mostly text and links, with no flashy graphics or modern layouts. Its main focus is on the archive of awards given over the years, from inventors to mathematicians and even companies.

You can explore the site through the main menu at the top, which is a bit of a distraction in itself. For example, the top menu has a lot of sections: exhibits, events, support, shop, museum map, education programmes, blogs, podcasts and awards. It can get a bit confusing to find the Case Files section because it’s hidden under “Awards.” Those of you who will visit the site for the first time may find it hard to get to the section, but once you reach the Case Files section, you won’t regret the time you invested in searching.

This section is informative, as it actually pulls you in. It shows the history of science in a way that feels easy to understand, with people and the things they created that changed the world. The nice part is, it doesn’t just talk about the famous names; it also includes those lesser-known inventors and the stories of how they came up with their big ideas.

So to open the new vistas of your mind or read the stories you didn’t know you were missing, just visit: https://fi.edu/en/awards/case-files

Published in Dawn, Young World, December 13th, 2025

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Nowadays, almost everyone is obsessed with brands. If someone owns a branded item, they instantly feel superior and start flaunting it.

A Rolex and an ordinary watch both show the same time, yet people spend huge amounts on the Rolex simply because of its brand name. People prefer a non-PTA iPhone over a PTA Nokia for the same reason. This brand fever has spread so widely that ending it seems impossible.

If we cannot end this obsession and must still keep up with the world, then the best solution is to make ourselves a brand. Think of the popular salons on Instagram. They proudly post pictures of famous models and actresses, writing, “We styled them.” Others see it and assume, “If a celebrity goes there, it must be good.”

In reality, it’s the person who adds value to the place. When they walk in, the salon’s name shines. Here, the person is the brand and their presence alone carries worth.

Paid promotions are another example. Many people have built successful careers this way. Brands reach out to them because they have created their own identity and influence. If a cricketer signs an ordinary shirt, it immediately becomes special; the power lies in the person behind it. Instead of running after brands, our focus should be on building ourselves as a brand. When that happens, brands will run after us. Not just brands, people, opportunities and success, everything is attracted to those who work on themselves. Such people are magnetic.

We see this everywhere. Coaching centres put up pictures of their toppers outside their institutes. Schools and universities post photos of their talented students because they are the ones who make the institution’s name shine. That is why institutes offer scholarships to gifted students. Even without earning fees from them, they know that one talented child will attract ten more.

When choosing a college or university, the first thing we check is the faculty. If a renowned professor teaches at a small institute, students will flock there. If a well-known doctor sits in a tiny clinic, people will still visit because the real value lies in the person, not the place. Sadly, many people still chase labels, forgetting that a truly valuable person needs no tag; they stand strong on their own.

All this may sound inspiring, like a beautiful dream, to be a person valued everywhere, attracting the best opportunities. It reminds me of Allama Iqbal’s famous quote: “Raise yourself to such a height that before every decree of destiny, God Himself asks you, ‘Tell me, what is your desire?’” This means that when we elevate ourselves, everything we want begins to come towards us.

But dreams alone achieve nothing. The real dream is the one we see with open eyes, the one that keeps us awake with passion. Who says dreams don’t come true? Pakistan itself was once the dream of Allama Iqbal, and today millions live in it. But fulfilling a dream requires effort, patience and a kind of stubbornness, like a child who keeps crying until he gets his favourite toy. When you have that stubbornness for your dream, the hard work won’t feel tiring and your dreams will eventually come true.

Published in Dawn, Young World, December 13th, 2025

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