| 05 September 2004 | Sunday | 19 Rajab 1425 |
Chaudhri Rehmat Ali
'Unfulfilled vision'
French ban on headscarves
Russian school carnage
Mirpurkhas-Khokarapar railway
Pakistani in Egyptian jail
Shepherd's umpiring
Swimming find
Internet service providers
Cricket team's performance
Surgical gloves
PIA decision
To send a letter to the Editor
Click here
This is with reference to the letter "Compulsory maths for science students" (August 31) by Prof Muhammad Ali Rajput of Hyderabad about his local university making mathematics compulsory for students taking biosciences. He would like the Higher Education Commission to get this requirement removed.
The role of mathematics in science and society generally is misunderstood by the common folk. This lack of understanding is also prevalent among educational policymakers, most of whom were put off by mathematics as students. Their conservative plans result in creating a large population of 'educated' individuals who are unable to think logically and analytically. It also makes professionals, untrained in mathematics, unable to assess and analyze data systematically.
Professor Rajput and others who are unaware of this dimension would do well to read the excellent book Innumeracy by John Allen Paulos and his regular newspaper column at http://tinyurl.com/4tyhh. Mathematics, thankfully, is much more than what these 'uses' indicate.
The fact that the exciting subject of mathematics is taught so poorly makes it very unpopular for students in schools, who soon develop an intense dislike or fear of it. This can, however, be reversed through proper understanding by decision-makers of mathematics' pivotal role in modern society.
A way to make the subject interesting is to introduce more exciting books in the curriculum and school libraries, provide access to a wealth of Internet resources and audio-visual material for teachers and students at all levels. A vigorous nationwide programme of mathematics education ought to be a top priority if we are to begin to think and reason in quantitative terms and in turn to act rationally.
Special incentives encouraging mathematics teachers to excel in their subject is also essential. A large-scale exciting mathematics training programme at open and virtual universities ought to be instituted. There is already a lot of material available globally that can be quickly adapted by these universities. The secret of success, as with any other subject, is to make mathematics truly interesting.
The Higher Education Commission on its part needs to create a greater awareness of the need for mathematics at all levels. In fact, it should make mathematics compulsory for students of physical and biological sciences as well as the arts and humanities up to the graduate level.
Medical graduates should definitely get two years of solid applied mathematics. This may seem drastic to many, but no one has said that significant educational progress is going to be easy.
Q. ISA DAUDPOTA
Islamabad
Chaudhri Rehmat Ali
Mr Kunwar Idris in his letter (August 24) has not appreciated the decision of the government to bring back Chaudhri Rehmat Ali's mortal remains to Pakistan and has invited historians of the Pakistan Movement and surviving freedom-fighters to decide whether Rehmat Ali's remains should be brought from England to be buried in Pakistan.
Chaudhri Rehmat Ali circulated his pamphlet entitled "Now or never" in 1933 to the delegates of the Round Table Conference and to other political leaders. Sir Aga Khan advised the delegates not to criticize the idea of the Pakistan Movement. Encyclopaedia of Islam, published in 1937, mentions in detail the "Pakistan Scheme" written by Chaudhri Rehmat Ali, founder of the Pakistan National Movement.
In 1938 Chaudhry Rehmat Ali had a meeting with Hitler in West Germany and explained to him the demand of Pakistan. The German newspaper Volkischer Beobathter published the aims and significance of the Pakistan National Movement in India on 12-12-1937. Noted Turkish journalist Khalida Adeeb Khanam also interviewed Chaudhri Rehmat Ali and published his interview in her book Inside India.
On March 1, 1939, Dr Ziauddin invited Sir Muhammad Yamin Khan, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Zafrullah Khan and Syed Muhammad Khan. Barrister Syed Muhammad Hussain explained the aims and objectives of the Pakistan scheme but Sir Zafrullah Khan criticized it. Mr Jinnah after hearing the speech of Syed Muhammad Hussain said: "Why we should not adopt this scheme?"
At the time of the Lahore Resolution, the Quaid-i-Azam sent a telegram to Chaudhri Rehmat Ali at Karachi and asked him to attend the historical session, but the chief minister of Punjab, Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan, banned the entry of Chaudhri Rehmat Ali in Lahore.
Mr Idris is requested to read the latest book written on the subject by Nisar Ahmed Kissana. The nation is thankful to ex-prime minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, his cabinet and the Pakistan Muslim League for the wise decision which was unnecessary delayed by the previous regimes. Those who criticized the Quaid-i-Azam and the Pakistan Movement are now politically established in Pakistan.
AZAD BIN HAIDER
Karachi
'Unfulfilled vision'
We have experienced, alternately, 11-year periods of demagogy and oligarchy - 1947-58, 1958-69, 1970-77 (the period was broken because of the breaking up of the country), 1977-88 and 1988-99. Demagogy and oligarchy are flanked by tyranny and dictatorship, with democracy delicately perched in the middle. Traces of tyranny and dictatorship were visible in the name of socialism and Islamization, but the ideal of democracy, which is based on principles of liberty and equality, could not be achieved.
Exclusion of the voices of the majority of the people is not the result of only 57 years of domination of the state apparatus by a select elite but a continuation of the centuries-old legacy under which the state apparatus remained dynastic, centralized and feudal in its character without any restraint such as parliament. The emperor's audience with the public was at best a form in which a select few were allowed to formally present their petitions.
By contrast, the discretion of the king of England had begun to be restricted by gradual evolution of parliament. No king ruling England, in the same period that Akbar and Jehangir ruled India, was as absolute in his authority as the Mughal rulers were. No document or binding compact could restrain a Delhi sultan or a Mughal king as the Magna Carta did for King John as early as 1215:
"No free man shall be arrested, or imprisoned, or dispossessed of his land, or outlawed, or exiled, or in any other way harassed, nor will we (the king) impose upon him, nor send him our commands, save by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the land."
Mr Shamshad Ahmad, in his article "Unfulfilled vision" (August 12), has rightly said: "What is important in today's context is the need for Pakistan to be stable politically and strong economically with a moderate, liberal and progressive outlook and impregnable security. Perhaps, in the given situation, there is no alternative to continuing with the current system which has the requisite will and power as well as international backing to take difficult decisions, in both domestic and external domains."
With two more elections under the present system, we hope to achieve the coveted goal of full-fledged democracy by 2010.
FAQIR AHMAD PARACHA
Peshawar
French ban on headscarves
There is usually a lot of concern in European countries about the rights of women to education and how this right is being withheld from them in Third World countries. Yet what is happening in France today is but the same, and very few people are raising a voice against it.
France has imposed a ban on headscarves, which now pits religious beliefs against the desire to acquire education. The choice for the Muslim girl living in France is this: either get an education, or follow your religion. The two are no longer compatible, and many will choose to give up on education rather than abandon their beliefs.
If women are refused education because of a sexist bias, there is an uproar around the world, but if they are refused education because of a religious bias, it is considered acceptable.
There can be no reason for the ban other than to ensure that Muslim women are not empowered through education. It is not reasonable to assume that the secular stance of France is under any threat because a certain percentage of women choose to cover their heads.
A country is not secular because none of its citizens practise religion; it is secular because it is not governed on the principles of a particular faith and accommodates many different religious ideologies.
Already, Europeans and Americans have sidelined religion, pushing it out of various aspects of life, resulting in increased levels of insecurity, amorality and depression amongst the populace. Wiping away the last signs of faith, especially from schools, can only make matters worse. The recent acts of violence perpetrated by school-going children in the United States have been attributed by some to a lack of religious education and may serve as a glimpse of what lies ahead if such bans are enforced.
ZAIN MANKANI
Karachi
Russian school carnage
The Russian school siege which ended in a carnage on Friday was horrific and should be condemned by all; nothing justifies the use of children in conflicts between adults (and that applies to every country and outfit.)
But one thing that is also sad is the lack of responsibility shown by CNN, the BBC and other western news channels. CNN and the BBC reported: "Twenty militants have been killed, including 10 from Arab countries." I fail to understand how dead people without any identification can be labelled as being from Arab countries? The dead didn't get up and say that they were Arabs. Did they? Arabs (Tunisians, Jordanians, Syrians) can be as white as Caucasian Europeans and as dark/black (Somalians, Sudanese) as South Africans and as brown as Indians. This shows the ignorant attitude of the media, which appals me.
I understand that Muslims in general and Arabs in particular are an easy target nowadays, but reporting speculation as fact will only increase the hatred the West has for Arabs and Muslims; and that too without any justification since the nationality or the ethnicity of the militants had not been confirmed by anyone till then.
Sadly, people who condemn Al Jazeera will not condemn the irresponsible attitude shown by CNN, the BBC, etc. Even liberal Muslims notice this bias in the western media.
FAWWAD SHAFI
Karachi
Mirpurkhas-Khokarapar railway
I completely agree with the arguments Mr Salahuddin Mirza has made (Aug 30) in favour of opening the Mirpurkhas-Khokrapar railway to India.
Last December I had the privilege to ride that train in Chhore, a station half way to Khokrapar. It was a treat for an expatriate Pakistani to enjoy the fun of riding on the steam engine. I have shown the photos of my steam safari to hundreds of Americans and Pakistani friends who are eager to go for a ride. Of course the law and order situation has to improve first. There is a great deal of nostalgia attached to such travels.
According to the station master at Mirpurkhas, the track is in proper condition, but there is room for improvement. There are several steam engines in working condition and enough spare parts are available from the ones which are parked in the loco shed.
If a new track is laid, the average speed of the train can be significantly improved. According to his estimate, a round trip costs Rs75,000 for diesel fuel alone. The train is running at a loss due to low passenger load. However, things can improve a great deal due to following reasons:
1. The Mirpurkhas-Khokarapar route will be extremely popular with those living in Sindh as compared to the Wagah route. The increased passenger use will make the train profitable.
2. With some innovation and imagination, the ride on a steam engine-drawn train can be made a tourist experience even for Pakistani travellers. Maybe some folk-dances and music at Chhore where the train makes a longer stop for restocking water, a bazaar, a food court, and stalls for handicrafts made in Thar will add to the experience.
3. At this point in time there is very little economic growth along the train route, but a train service can create several secondary jobs along its whistle stops. The beautiful sand dunes provide a real opportunity for dune buggy rides or long camel rides in a real life set-up instead of a short hop at Clifton beach. The camel rides can be a part of camping trail and cookouts under the clear sky (when was the last time you saw a clear sky in Karachi?).
I will say, let us go for it. A great deal of the expatriate community will be happy to bring their kids for the ride. India has a steam safari known as "Palace on the Wheel" which charges around Rs21,000 per day/per person.
GHULAM SHIRAZI
Edmond, OK., USA
Pakistani in Egyptian jail
I am a Pakistani citizen and have been detained in Egypt for the last 10 years, though I have never committed any crime. In these 10 years there were several occasions when the Egyptian courts issued orders for my release, but for the fact that the Pakistan embassy did not show any interest in extricating me from my situation, I am still languishing in jail.
As is usual in jails, I am being maltreated by the security officer. When I demanded to be shifted to the foreigners' cell, he turned down my plea. I am only given dry beans to eat. It is more than two years now when I last tasted meat or chicken.
The security officer also does not allow anyone to visit me. Whenever my sister comes - from far away - carrying food and other items for me, he sends her back telling her that I am not lodged in this jail. I do not know anything about my family - my mother, my children - whom I had left in Pakistan 10 years ago, and others.
I appeal to our embassy in Egypt to get me out of prison. As a Pakistani I have my claim on my government that it should rescue me for I have committed no crime. I once again reiterate that I have got several release orders from Egyptian courts.
MOHAMMAD
(NIC # 135-92-485611, Passport No. H809450, Leman Abu Zabal Jail Section Third Anbarb), Egypt
Shepherd's umpiring
Two bad decisions by British umpire David Shepherd cost us the final match and the cup of the Videocon trophy in Amsterdam. Mr Shepherd may have been a good umpire at some point in his career but it is now definitely time for him to sit home and enjoy cricket.
The Pakistan Cricket Board must take up this issue with the ICC so that some strict measures can be taken to ensure sanctity of the game.
SAAD ZAHUR KHAN
Lahore
Swimming find
We are proud of Rubab for reaching the Olympics. For a Pakistani girl to reach this far is in itself creditable considering the apathy and lack of interest shown by the relevant authorities, as stated by Rubab's father. Laurels to him for believing in his daughter and getting her this far and I hope the Pakistan Swimming Association will learn a lesson from this for the opportunity they have lost in this girl reaching the top for her country.
What this achievement could have meant for a Muslim girl achieving what our men haven't been able to achieve should be realized by all and sundry.
S. BABAR
Karachi
Internet service providers
I agree with Mr Mohammed Hasan's views ("Internet service providers", August 24) regarding his frustrating experience in surfing the Internet and am sure all net surfers, including myself, face a similar situation whether they use it in the morning or at night. It is little wonder that browsing on the Internet has become an unpleasant experience. One has to face so many hurdles while on line that he is compelled to shut down his PC to try again later, of course at the cost of another call.
The problems we have to face include frequent power outages resulting in disruption of data, poor connectivity, noisy phone lines, the server is too busy to serve you or the speed is so slow that a minute's job sometimes takes a quarter of an hour. It appears that Internet service providers and the PTCL blame each other to hide their mismanagement, and in the end it is users like us who suffer for somebody else's fault.
It is for the authorities concerned to look into such complaints and check mismanagement wherever and whenever detected to promote this wonderful gadget that has proved a boon to knowledge seekers.
A. RAUF SOZER
Karachi
Cricket team's performance
The national cricket team looked a completely different outfit in the recently concluded Videocon Cup in the Netherlands. The players looked committed and save some unexplainable silliness from Yousaf Youhana in the final, they were very professional. There was evident improvement in fielding. The bowling was much more disciplined, especially in terms of not giving extras, which have cost us many a game in the past. Razzaq in particular looked effective with his medium pacers.
Another improved aspect was temperament, especially in the final, and our batsmen, unlike in the past, didn't look like throwing away their wickets.
In my opinion, the team's current combination is very balanced and should not be disturbed in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
SHAHRUKH A.K. ABDALI
Karachi
Surgical gloves
Dr Sharaf Ali Shah is right (Sept 2) in demanding customs and sales tax exemption on surgical gloves in Pakistan. All healthcare providers who come in contact with blood, for example while giving injections or drawing blood or any surgical procedure, should be wearing surgical gloves.
Indeed, patients should demand that their healthcare providers should wear gloves before pricking them with any sort of needle, since this reduces the chance that they will contract an infection.
I hope the health ministry will take up this issue soon.
DR ANITA ZAIDI
Karachi
PIA decision
Expatriate Pakistanis and their families living in Pakistan welcome PIA's gesture to provide free transportation home for the bodies of Pakistanis who die abroad. The move will be appreciated by all expatriates who repatriate their hard-earned savings to their families back home and wish to be buried here.
N. KAKAKHEL
Peshawar
You can also send letters to the Editor
Just send your message to the following address:
Make sure you include your full name, postal address, e-mail address, and in the case of Pakistan your day-time telephone number.