IF many of us may find it rather hard to say that the year 2002 was a good one, quite a few would be willing to settle for ‘Not Bad.’ To be honest, Karachi had seen some terrible years before the one that is saying good-bye to us now. As compared with the years spent under the governments of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, it was a less disturbed twelve-month period.

They say grumbling can be good for health. It lets the steam out. Goodness knows the average man and woman in this city is very good at grumbling. Perhaps because there is so much to be perpetually grumbling about. Take the air we breathe. It is far from clean, let alone wholesome. What is redeeming about unclean air is that it is the same for all of us - the filthy rich and the poor alike.

Opinion would differ (as it must in a democratic ambience) whether air is less clean in Karachi or the water we get. There is no counting the complaints about the quality of water we drink and wash with. Going by complaints, we shall have to conclude that water in Karachi is more unclean than the air. This is like saying the hungry lion’s teeth are more deadly than the cobra’s fangs. Both kill - dirty water and unclean air.

By comparison, the water problem would seem to be the more to be deplored. It has two sides, both unlovely. It is unclean and also inadequate. So many localities just do not get enough water. Paucity is complicated by fitful supply. You never know if you would get water, nor how much of it will come through on any day. There is no such uncertainty about air. The air would be there. Thank goodness for small mercies. What would make the passing year look less of a torment than has been the wont of this city is the near absence of political unrest, rumpus, or turmoil. We witnessed less of mysterious disappearance or killing, barring the terrorist violence. No doubt, there have been reports of extortion (Bhatta) but relatively fewer than in the ‘90s. A great deal has been said about the way the general election was conducted and gone through. Campaigning here was not marred by the kind of violence seen elsewhere.

It was largely business as usual in crimes related to motorcars and motorcycles.

The term more often used about this crime has been ‘lifted.’ Perhaps ‘stolen’ or ‘snatched’ sounded less elegant, or just too banal or routine. Or, may be this crime was seen to be out of the ordinary, calling for a special idiom. So, this kind of ‘lifting’ has continued with such regularity that it has ceased to be worth writing home about. No big headlines.

The city has seen a surge of publicity about the special “Madadgar 15” service by the city police. Once in a while, newspapers have carried letters from appreciative citizens who found it worth their while to dial “15.” One must say a good word where it may be due. Some years ago, the Islamabad police sponsored a jingle on PTV that said: “Police ka hai farz madad aap ki.” In Karachi “15” is making news, but without that kind of jingle. Is it modesty?

One doesn’t have statistics readily available but the impression is growing that there were more deaths on the roads in Karachi during 2002 than in previous years. Nobody has cared to make a systematic study of factors behind these wholly avoidable tragedies. If the drivers of fast-moving vehicles are less careless, we may have less loss of life on our roads. Also, if the drivers of public transports are better trained, risk to life may be reduced.

The Karachi University campus has been the arena for a series of protest demonstrations, not excluding disruption of academic disciplines. More teachers have been prominent in these indelicate enterprises, than students. Everybody has a right to hold an opinion and also to express it. Apparently, the teachers do not feel good about the government’s new approach to higher education.

Nobody in his right mind would question the teachers’ right to hold whatever opinion they choose to hold. Nor can there be any question about expressing that opinion in an effective and purposeful manner. What the lay citizen may question, however, is the street agitation resorted to. There has to be a qualitative difference between teachers’ protest and factory workers’ angry demonstration. That difference was not visible in teachers’ demonstrations.

When college and university teachers give vent to their resentment or protest, it had better be in the form of a dignified debate, discussion or seminar. The effort should be to mobilize educated and enlightened public opinion. Taking to the street should be viewed beneath the dignity of senior teachers. Causing disturbance on the campus is the last thing one would like university teachers to figure in.

A notable feature of the year was the ‘coming of age,’ so to speak, of the Expo Centre in the heart of Gulshan-i-Iqbal. An institution of this kind was indeed badly needed. Within a few months of its becoming operational, the Expo Centre has been the venue of some remarkably successful exhibitions that could claim international attention and appreciation. The city is definitely the richer for its Expo Centre. It is a major plus point for 2002.

There are two ways of looking at a glass half filled with water. Some would see it as half-empty. Some as half-full. The former will be crest fallen, the latter will be wearing a soft smile. Take your pick. May be it is better to be on the smiling side. Let us say good-bye to 2002 with a simper and welcome 2003 with hope.