| November 28, 2006 | Tuesday | Ziqa'ad 6, 1427 |
Historic library neglected
THE venue of the third Test match may have changed to Karachi, but the script remained the same on opening day. Pakistan played the same eleven players, batted first after winning the toss, had a run rate under 3 on the first day, Hafeez was bowled between bat and pad, Farhat went wafting at one outside off stump, Inzy struggled with the bat, Razzaq toiled for 7 off 50 balls and Yousuf made a hundred after being dropped.
A HISTORIC library of the city, which was established at an old vegetable market in 1935 adjacent to the birthplace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, has become a picture of neglect. Almost all valuable books in it have been roughed up and are covered with dust. The furniture is also broken.
On another day much would have been made of Hafeez's clichéd gap, Farhat's dangerous liaisons outside off stump, Inzy's failure to get to a half century yet again and Razzaq's boring Test batting.
But on Monday Yousuf was bigger than the match. When I had first written as early as the Lahore Test of the potential record, even I had harbored slight doubt of the possibility. Over 500 runs against a bowling attack that was becoming annoying to batting sides.
But there has been no shortage of divine help coming to Yousuf's aid as he has strode majestically toward the magical target of 1710 that has become something of a holy grail for the bearded Yousuf.
Yousuf it seems has banished whatever self doubt he has carried over the years and overcome those careless starts that have dogged him. He has surged forward as if there is a guiding voice that speaks to him everytime he walks out to bat: 'You are a child of heaven. Go forth with confidence.'
He has spoken of his recently gained inner calm. It has been anything but in opposing captains.
But it's not only the inner voice that has been with him. Luck has been beside him like a bodyguard. It helped him outlive the edge that went under the wicketkeeper. I cannot remember one batsman who has been dropped so often over a period of three Tests. By last count it was eight.
It is comical that the tourists have continued to drop the man who is not just in form, he's making his own and at will.
But perhaps he was a few nafils short in his build up for the big day. He broke one world record today but has been held back for the one that no doubt he cherishes most. Eight hundreds in a calendar year makes him the top performer but there are 47 runs for him to get in the second innings, the last opportunity that he will get to break Sir Viv Richards' count of 1710, made in 1976 with the help of seven hundreds.
It has been charming to read Brian Lara promising to fight to defend their former captain's record. It speaks of Lara's commitment to history. It is a defense of an honour. By doing so Lara has spoken of the band of brotherhood, the allegiance with their heroes past. It is OK for him to allow himself past his countryman's record of 365, but he will defend it when someone else dares near a record that his countryman holds.
So it was that he was the targeted man as the tourists aimed to block him from going past Sir Viv. When he reached his hundred, it seemed he was destined to cross it early tomorrow morning. But the West Indians had been praying too. As Munni Begum sang Woh yaqeenan sonay ga doain meri, kya tumhara khuda hai, humara nahi? (He will surely listen to my prayers, Is He only your God and not mine?)
For the moment Yousuf can rejoice in five hundreds in five Tests (Sir Don Bradman has six in six, the most successive hundreds registered in Tests), and over 500 runs and now needs 43 to break Zaheer Abbas's Pakistani record for the highest runs aggregate in a 3 Test series, which he achieved by bashing India in 1978-79. But before that he must surpass Salim Malik 557 (v Aus 1994-95) and Younis Khan 553 (v India 2005-06).
But one reason why this must rank as the best innings Yousuf has played this series, is the fact that this was a more difficult pitch to bat on for Yousuf.
He is at his best when the ball comes on to the bat, for he is a timer and a caresser who shrewdly uses the pace of the ball for his strokes. Yesterday, he had to adjust himself and play late but he still managed to time with near perfection. It was a classy knock and not just played for the record.
Elderly readers pointed out that the library building was run down and was not being repaired. The power supply connection has been cut due to non-payment of electricity bills and readers have to study books and newspapers sitting outside. The number of books in it is about 10,000 and no new books have been provided in the library. It was stated that the library was first being run under the supervision of the municipality and later it was handed over to the education department.
The readers expressed resentment against the education department and the city district government for not revamping the library and demanded that the building should be repaired and new furniture and books be provided and the power supply connection restored. When contacted, the librarian said that he had informed the department concerned about the pitiable condition of the library time and again but in vain.
THE working of schools could not be improved and most of them were running without qualified and senior teachers. According to a survey conducted by this correspondent here, at least 60 vacancies of senior teachers were lying vacant in 175 secondary schools of the district, including girls’ schools.
Instead, junior teachers have been posted on 20 seats. It was stated that 10 seats of Grade-17, 25 of Grade-18 and a dozen of Grade-19 in boys high schools and 10 seats of Grade-17, two of Grade-15 and one of Grade-20 in girls high schools were lying vacant since long.
The education department appointed some 200 junior teachers in these educational institutions some of whom became headmasters and headmistresses. Senior teachers, taking exception to these promotions and postings, were reluctant to work under their juniors.
The organisation of teachers demanded of the government to appoint senior teachers in all high schools by promoting them in accordance with the rules to improve the education system. When contacted, the district education officer said that the lists of teachers have been forwarded to the education department for promotion orders.
THE anti-dengue fever spray could not be started in the district despite the unanimous resolution passed by the district council meeting here. Members of house, including district nazim Fiaz Ahmad Chattha and naib nazim Jamal Hassan Manj, urged the city district government to start the spray instantly.
They said here the other day that the district council had unanimously demanded that the spray be started and had handed over an estimated Rs2.1 million to the city district government in this regard. It was stated that the district nazim gave approval for buying machines and pesticide and forwarded the relevant file to the district administration for final approval.
It was stated that the district administration was reluctant to grant approval for such a huge amount for the purpose, saying there was no dengue fever virus in the district. However, they were of the view that two dengue fever cases have been reported so far and that fumigation should be carried out immediately.
SINCE the franchised bus service was launched in Gujranwala by winding up commuter wagons and mini-busses the problems of passengers, including women and children, have multiplied. It was stated that the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) cancelled almost all route permits of 800 wagons plying on GT Road between Gujranwala, Wazirabad, Ghakkhar, Rahwali, Aimanabad and Kamoki under the Transport Society of Gujranwala. Consequently, passengers, including women and children, have to travel standing on buses.
The local chamber of commerce and industry and other organisations of citizens have demanded the winding up of buses and the restart of the wagon service. It was stated that reckless drivers of these buses on GT Road have crushed dozens of people so far.
THE Gujranwala Electric Power Company (Gepco) chief executive Rana Muhammad Ashraf Zahid gave appointment letters here the other day to the sons of those linemen who died on duty working on lines.
He handed over the appointment letters to Akhlaq Ahmad son of Imtiaz Ahmad, Khuram Shahzad son of Mian Khan, M. Navid son of Muhammad Nawaz and Maqsood Ahmad son of Wali Muhammad. He said that these boys were recruited as assistant linemen in the company to help overcome the financial problems of their families. He urged the line staff to adopt protective measures before climbing pole.