| 04 April 2004 | Sunday | 13 Safar 1425 |
IT boom in India
Election rigging allegations
'On talking garbage'
Umpiring in Multan
Israel: breeding or curbing terrorism?
Breaking the law
Neglected library
Consumer loans
Need for an Awacs
A sidelined bowler
Pollen problem
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I am writing this letter with reference to the news item "Syllabus to be discussed by religious leaders" (March 29).
It is incomprehensible as to why a need is felt to discuss the contents of the syllabus with a body that is not even remotely associated with education. Matters related to education should be left to educationists to decide as to what is to be taught.
The malaise lies in the fact that our archaic education system is controlled and managed by bureaucrats who seek solutions in a bureaucratic manner. Every now and then the so-called champions of the cause of education demand removal of "controversial contents", without properly defining and identifying them. Unfortunately, the Zia legacy of tampering with the education system on the pretext of Islamization of education has been a total disaster and only ended in fiasco.
Rather than marching forward we lost our direction and even after a lapse of 56 years we are still clueless as to what is to be done. I wish that all those who are crying hoarse for the removal of "controversial contents" show their magnanimity and let the educationists decide the future of our children. If they can forge an alliance and remain united under the banner of the MMA, why then insist on having different Islamiat textbooks for Sunni and Shia students? They would do a great national service if they propose to the government from the floor of the National Assembly that students should be taught Islamiat from one book all over the country.
The government must also revamp the entire scheme of studies from classes I to XII. The mandarins in the ministry of education are oblivious of the ground realities and play havoc with the destiny of millions of children by continuing with a system that has no relevance to present and future. It would not be a matter of surprise that an English textbook prescribed for intermediate level by the Sindh Textbook Board has been taught in our colleges for almost four decades. The world has undergone a sea-change in all these years but our students are still reading outdated and obsolete material.
In this era of globalization and flow of information, our students are told that "Iran's emperor is Reza Shah Pehlavi and he has visited our country twice" or "Arabs live in the desert and it is very difficult to find water there and one could see heaps of sand all around" through Hilal Urdu book series classes I to VII. The entire education system, especially in government-owned institutions, is incompatible with the present-day needs, creating confusion in young minds.
Let us hope that we can bring in a sense of discipline in our academic circles. Neither the World Bank, Unesco, Asian Development Bank or the European Commission nor the bureaucrats controlling administration and finances will bring any change. It obviously has to come from within. For this, educationists, philanthropists and social scientists have to resolve to rescue this nation.
CDR. (retd) NAJEEB ANJUM
Karachi
IT boom in India
A number of letters have appeared recently in these columns about the IT boom in India. Being a resident of Bangalore, which has transformed from being an idyllic pensioners' paradise to a rapidly growing IT centre, I feel that this transformation did not happen overnight.
One needs to remember that among all the states of India, Karnataka had the highest number of engineering colleges. Bangalore, being the state capital, already housed technical centres of excellence such Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, National Aerospace Limited, Bharath Electronics Limited and Indian Space Research Organization. These centres always required engineers and scientists.
However, changes began to take place in Bangalore during the Y2K software implementation in the late 1990s. Many IT companies began to spring up all over the city, paying engineers better salaries than most government employees get. Bangalore has since capitalized on this rapid need for engineers.
Given the cosmopolitan outlook of the city (it's rare to hear the state language Kannada being spoken here) and its salubrious climate, the city became the darling of IT investors. One must also not overlook the fact that we have had a very responsive state government which wanted to take IT to its masses.
Companies such as Wipro, Infosys, Satyam and HCL all have their beginnings in Bangalore. Today, a similar initiative is being taken by the people of Bangalore - adopting difficult and challenging work times to service call centres for the US and Europe. Almost all major IT and technology companies of the world have their presence in Bangalore each investing millions of dollars and recruiting engineers and scientists on a large scale. American accountancy firms today use Indian chartered accountants to file taxes in the US.
The rise of Bangalore is a lesson to many developing countries of what can be achieved. I am sure Pakistan too can replicate the Bangalore success on its soil given that India and Pakistan share many commonalities.
BRIJESH PRABHAKAR
Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Election rigging allegations
Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT) chief Mohammad Tahirul Qadir has alleged on the floor of the National Assembly that elections 2002 were rigged. He said that in his constituency bogus votes were registered. He presented to the speaker counterfoils of the bogus votes and challenged that in case his allegation is proved wrong he would resign from his National Assembly membership. Another allegation came from MNA Mian Riaz Pirzada who said he had also been a victim of similar manipulations.
These revelations are only the tip of the iceberg. Election/Selection 2002 was an expensive way to keep power and give legitimacy to the existing set-up. It was therefore amusing when NRB chairman Danial Aziz claimed in a TV programme the other day that the elections were transparent, as no white paper had been published to establish the contrary. He totally ignored the white papers issued by Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians and the PML-N soon after the elections.
The PPP had an elaborate state-of-the-art set-up for parallel vote counting. The election cell started with collecting data before the elections. It was found that the votes polled in densely populated areas were far less than those in deserts such as Thar. Each constituency where a government-sponsored candidate won, the total votes polled exceeded the averages in countries which have a per cent literacy rate.
A group of dedicated men and women, some from outside the Pakistan People's Party, worked tirelessly to put together a white paper. Excerpts from it were released soon after the elections.
In view of the persistent allegation of rigging, as again voiced by Dr Qadri, there should be legislation for electoral reforms and the setting up of an independent election commission formed with the consensus of mainstream political parties.
ENGR. RUKHSANA ZUBERI
Senator, Via email
'On talking garbage'
This is with reference to your editorial "On talking garbage" (March 21).
You have rightly pointed out that "our economic managers have become so engrossed with the task of setting things right at the macro level that they have assumed an attitude of total indifference to the mounting problems of the common citizens".
You have correctly exposed them by showing the true picture of our economy, specially with regard to the rampant unemployment, rising cost of living and the increasing poverty in the country. In fact, it is the State Bank governor who has been throwing 'garbage' in the eyes of the people of Pakistan and not the print media.
It is really shocking to know that the man who discouraged savings by reducing returns and closing almost all avenues and making them unattractive for savings blames people for not saving enough. He even wanted to cap the national savings schemes but unwillingly continued with it because of the issue's social and political implications.
The economic managers have provided no relief whatsoever to the common man, financial or otherwise, during the last four years. In fact, certain reliefs which were available to them have been withdrawn. Still officers claim that inflation is under control and is 3.8 per cent when GST alone is 15 per cent, which was not there before their arrival.
If we conduct an impartial survey of the last four years, we will be driven to the conclusion that our economic managers have played havoc with the lives of the common man, senior citizens and small individual investors.
ARSALAN SHAIKH
Karachi
Umpiring in Multan
This refers to the report "Inzamam's dismissal may prove costly' (Dawn, March 31).
The standard of umpiring in the cricket Test at Multan left much to be desired. Pakistan was the victim of two atrocious decisions by the Australian umpire which may prove disastrous for the team. Mr Omar Kureishi has explained the axing of Inzamam. While respecting his keen observation regarding Youhana's 'dismissal', it is pointed out that the wicketkeeper and the bowler did not appeal in unison (the latter joined the former after a couple of seconds), nor did the slip fielders demonstrate any enthusiasm. My impression was confirmed by commentator Iftikhar on PTV, who also regretted that the relevant channel, for reasons best known to it, was not showing replays.
It is surprising that the latest technology is only used to determine a runout or whether or not the ball has touched the ropes. Technology would have helped arrive at a just and fair decision had it been used in the above situation. It appears that a feeling exists among the umpires that a reference to the latest technology may show their inefficiency.
Should the batsman whose personal prestige and that of his team is at stake have the right to ask for adjudication by the third umpire assisted and helped by the match referee?
KHAN A. SHAMSHAD
Karachi
Israel: breeding or curbing terrorism?
This refers to Mr Paul A. Peters's letter "Israel: breeding or curbing terrorism?" (March 31) where he remarks: "The killing of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin is a spindle around which more September 11s could be born." He cannot be far from reality. Israel is wilfully breeding terrorism; massacre of Palestinians by Israeli forces in the last more than 50 years under the garb of peace and stability is a testimony to the fact that Israel wants to invoke Palestinian terrorist acts.
When Israeli prime minister Ben Gurion came to office in 1948, he asserted: "The status in Palestine will be settled by military force." That policy has been carried out by successive Israeli prime ministers in the form of continuous brutality and oppression of Arabs in lieu of dialogue and understanding. Israel has killed hundreds of thousands of Arabs, and displaced millions of Palestinians, Syrians, Lebanese and Egyptians. And now Ariel Sharon, President Bush's "man of peace", is erecting a 700-km-long wall on the West Bank, right in the heart of the Palestinian territory.
Israelis seem to have forgotten the Sinatic covenant with Prophet Moses, that is justice, which is concerned with recognition of human rights and righteousness. The ruthless oppression and suppression of Palestinians is neither just nor right. It is pure cruelty. Edward Said believed that it was because of the Holocaust that Israel found itself being exempted from the judgment yardstick applied to other nations. This exemption, he argued, was used by the Zionist state to exploit and persecute the Palestinians who had played no role whatsoever in the Holocaust. It was the great injustice of history that Mr Said tried to fight throughout his life. There is tremendous injustice to simply dispossess and remove and cleanse ethnically Palestinians.
In the wake of 9/11, President Bush, referring to Osama bin Laden, said: "Wanted, dead or alive," instead of bringing the man to justice, if captured, according to international norms. So long as these basic injustices are not addressed, "peace" is a confection hastily put together between a group of discredited leaders. The Israeli wall and persecution of Palestinians have not stopped suicide bombers, who have nothing to lose but their lives. Ironically, the state of Israel itself founded on terrorism is pampered and nurtured by America, "infinite justice" of President Bush is no more than verbosity.
Israel has been choosing the most deadly strategic ruses to realize the Zionist objectives and implement its expansionist plans in Palestine. Organized massacres by the Israeli army are committed against Palestinian villagers to force them out of their homeland. This is an outlandish move to breed terrorism that does not need an intellectual to foresee the impending bloodbath.
PROFESSOR (DR) P. NASIR
Gujrat
Breaking the law
It is Monday, March 15; and the time 4pm. The place: Karachi's Teen Talwar roundabout. The scene: a procession of MQM supporters with flags flying on cars, vans, buses and motorcycles, jumping the red light with not even the slightest thought or consideration for traffic coming from the other side or of endangering the lives of other people. And that too with police vans escorting these people and they too breaking the law.
What a perfect example set by the governing party and that too at a monument symbolizing unity, faith, discipline. I wonder what the party chief will have to say on the phone from London.
A. REHMAN
Hyderabad
Neglected library
Due to negligence and apathy on the part of the Lyari Town administration, Karachi, the Lyari Mulla Fazil Library, which is the only general library in the area, has been facing many problems for quite some time, some of which are listed below:
- The assistant librarian and other staff are absent most of the time. In the morning, a sweeper holds the seat of the assistant librarian who cannot help visitors locate the required books. Book borrowers, including women, have to wait at least for two hours for the librarian. At times they have to go back disappointed, when the librarian does not come. Other staff also come and go at will.
- There is an acute shortage of chairs and tables. This situation has forced visitors, particularly students, to go to Liaquat National Library etc.
- Most of the old furniture is in a shabby condition.
- The library is stuffed with old-fashioned books, contrary to the demands of students and other readers who need new books.
- Apart from poor lighting and a few ceiling fans, there is no water-cooler or a washroom in the library premises.
The library needs proper management and punctual and qualified staff, otherwise the working of the library will further aggravate. It is hoped that the relevant higher authorities, specially the city nazim who is keen to see the growth of a library culture in the city, will take steps to revamp the library.
MUMTAZ MAHAR
Karachi
Consumer loans
This refers to Wing-Cdr (retd) Syed M. Ahmad letter "Booms never last" (April 1). While it is true that most economies are subject to economic cycles, it does not automatically mean that consumer loans should be curtailed for the fear of a future downturn.
Consumer loans give a boost to the economy, support investment in the manufacturing sector, assist in creation of jobs and increase trade. Loans provide incentives to consumers to work harder or get second jobs and that in turn helps the economy as well.
All developed countries support commercial banks to provide consumer loans. In fact, in the United States, during recession, the government gives tax refunds and encourages consumer buying to get the economy out of recession.
There is no doubt there will be loan defaults and bankruptcies. That happens all the time in all developed countries. However, with prudent lending and risk reserves such commercial banking costs can be absorbed.
Why pay rent to a landlord when you can pay off the loan mortgage and own the house/ apartment in 30 years? Same goes for a TV, a fridge and a car.
MUHAMMAD TARIQ RAJA
Houston, USA
Need for an Awacs
Now that the United States has decided to designate Pakistan as major Non-Nato ally, our government should purchase an airborne warning and control system (AWACS) from the US. India has just signed a contract for the purchase of such a system, worth more than a billion dollars.
Pakistan also needs this system to cover it western border with Afghanistan. We do not need such surveillance on our eastern border with India, thanks to cricket and Track-II diplomacy. However, if circumstances change, we can utilize this technology to keep an eye on our border with India, too.
What has happened in Wana clearly indicates that we require this technology to cover border infiltrations into Pakistan from across the western border.
I hope the government will manage to obtain this system from our major ally, the US.
DR WAQAR A. MALIK
Islamabad
A sidelined bowler
I support the demand by Mr Ahmed Ali Memon (March 28) and Mr Zulfiqar Ahmed (April 1) that former cricket captain Waqar Younis should be given a chance to play for Pakistan again. After the team's poor performance in the World Cup last year, a rebuilding process was started, and we saw some new talent emerge.
However, both the selection committee and the Pakistan Cricket Board should be realistic as regards the process of transformation or rebuilding the national team. In this connection, they should not ignore the fact that a blend of experience and youth should be part of their strategy if desirable results are to be achieved.
After all, almost all players, including Saqlain Mushtaq, Shahid Afridi, Moin Khan and Inzamamul Haq, have made their comebacks after the disastrous World Cup performance. What, then, is the point in keeping the great performer Waqar Younis away from international cricket?
MALIK MURAD ALI
Karachi
Pollen problem
In its morning telecast the other day, a PTV World person said it would take the local administration three years to remove all trees that were generating pollen problems for people in Islamabad.
In a documentary report shown on PTV World before a discussion about pollen allergy in Islamabad, one could see people from all age groups who are being affected by pollen allergy. The administration should take immediate steps to address this situation.
If the government cannot rid the city of these pollen-generating trees on its own, it should call for volunteers from the public to help it cut down the trees. I am sure many people in Islamabad will volunteer.
YASIR KIANI
Rawalpindi
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