Low Graphics Site
 
 
 
 
 
 
|
|
|
|
August 13, 2007
|
Monday
|
Rajab 28, 1428
|
Traditional fervour also a rain victim
Traditional fervour also a rain victim
Apart from the heavy casualties and widespread damage, the fresh spell of rains has marred the Independence Day programmes and activities which would otherwise have been at their peak these days. Most of the outdoor programmes scheduled for Aug 9 to 12 have already been deferred and about the rest one is not sure the nature would allow a smooth and peaceful sailing.
What agitates our mind is that should such routine, scheduled or even sudden cloudbursts deter us from celebrating our Independence Day with the traditional zeal, zest and fervour. We, as a nation, do not have a good impression abroad, one reason being our habit of finding some pretext to postpone or cancel, without any regret, a scheduled event, for example general election, recruitment in government departments, grant of land to landless, export of a consignment offered at a rate lower than what it is at the time of shipment, release of funds for public welfare projects, reopening of roads and many other such things beneficial to common man directly or indirectly.
No doubt the incessant rains on Aug 9 and 10 had made it almost impossible for invitees to attend the Independence Day programmes, but the postponement of ‘fervour’, if there is any, in celebrating the event is not understandable.
It seems that patriot Pakistanis in Karachi have put off demonstration of the fervour, zeal and zest to some other date or occasion. Hundreds of thousands of colourful buntings and green flags seen flattering until before the rains in every street of the city and on the facade of most households, shopping malls, commercial complexes, government offices, etc have vanished, apparently swept away by the rains.
Traders dealing in the items like buntings, flags, caps, badges, etc are baffled by the diminishing interest of Karachians, though because they might have thought that the rain was a boon, mean double business. Perhaps their expectation is nothing but misgiving or illusion. They might also have sustained losses in material as rains had caused flooding and destroyed merchandise at many shops.
Although, rain is not expected to stage a come back on or before the Independence Day, there are slim chances of the outdoor festivities taking place as scheduled in the coming days. However, indoor programmes may mark the event and make headlines of the nation celebrating its national day ‘with great zeal and fervour’.
While the rain was at work pounding stocks of paper flags and buntings at different stalls, I heard a young trader uttering: “I will order printing of only plastic buntings, flags and caps next year.” Good idea! I thought. At least this will help the nation retain its traditional fervour which is fragile enough to sustain rains.
In fact, the fervour had already subsided to the lowest ebb before it was given a new life by General Ziaul Haq, who had even compromised on some of the principles of his programme of Islamisation by granting greater freedom to the PTV in presenting dance and music programmes, though the generosity was confined to the Independence Day programmes and, later, those relating to the referendum that extended his tenure as president to an indefinite period.
What the incumbent president may compromise on is yet to be seen. The momentum is there with the Independence Day and presidential election approaching fast.—Awam
Who’ll stop the downpour?
Every time it rains in Karachi it seems as if a Noah-esque deluge will wash away everything in its path. At least that was the feeling this writer got when the heavens burst and nature unleashed her fury in the form of heavy, constant downpours that started on Aug 9 and lasted – in dribs and drabs – till the wee hours of Aug 11, with the possibility of more on the way as this piece is being written.
It was a show unlike any other. Access was free and opened to all, cutting across the boundaries of class, creed and credit score. Everyone was a witness to nature’s select, if a little wet, symphony.
The usual havoc was witnessed in the city, which gave us in the newspaper business banner headlines, while our friends in the electronic media were more preoccupied with disasters of a more unnatural, political type.
Thankfully the death toll was somewhat lower than what was recorded the last time it rained in Karachi, mainly due to the absence of killer gale-force winds.
A major concern of many was how to get home. And for those who ventured out during the heavy showers, the concern did not prove to be unfounded, for the roads of Karachi had, for that brief, drenched period, turned into the canals of Venice.
But unlike the popular image that comes to mind of that Italian city, with gondolas lazily navigating the waterways, there was nothing romantic about this scenario.
As this writer, along with office colleagues, plied the flooded roads of Karachi in the company car on Thursday night, hoping that the vehicle would not stall in the at times knee-deep water, the scope of the storm’s devastation became quite clear.
Scores of people, including families, were stranded as the distinction between the pavement and the road was obliterated. Some tried (mostly in vain), to push-start their vehicles, while others abandoned them where they were and preferred to walk.
Our vehicle fared much better, but this streak of good-luck would only last till North Nazimabad’s KDA roundabout, notorious for becoming an inland sea each time it rains (thanks to the water collecting from the nearby mountain of Pahar Gunj). At this Rubicon, the poor hi-roof gave up. As the vehicles floated by, sleeves were rolled up and shoes were taken off as we all came together, wading in knee-deep water, to push the poor automobile onto higher ground.
But this was only the beginning of the saga. For those who lived in the area, a short combination of walking and swimming landed them at home. Others, though, who lived further away, did not reach home till after the muezzin called the faithful to Fajr prayers. Mind you, the expedition had left the office at 2am.
The situation on Friday night was not much better, as a spectacular lightening show turned the night into day, accompanied by orchestral rolls of thunder.
But even in the midst of this chaos, Karachians could be seen trying to keep up a façade of normalcy, as this writer witnessed numerous weddings taking place in marriage halls on the way home on Friday night. Wonders never cease.—QAM
Greener look
It is heartening to note that with the very recent showers and the addition of a few new parks in some posh areas, Karachi has got a greener look. The addition is indeed very encouraging, but what about the existing parks, many of which are in a state of total neglect?
One such spot is the Jheel Park situated close to Tariq Road in Block 6, PECHS. People living in the area must have witnessed the transformation of a once beautiful park into a garbage dump.
With its lake bordered with coconut trees and well-maintained lawns and flowerbeds the park was an ideal family spot for everyone. It was a place where one could relax and kids could romp around for fun. There was a small mosque too, nothing very fancy though just a cemented platform, I doubt if anyone still goes there to offer prayers as the park is now the haunt of drug addicts and gamblers.
Gone is the splendour and the grass, all that remain are the dusty grounds and a lake overgrown with reeds. One of the entrances is now used for dumping garbage. The neglect we showed to what we had in the past is enough to predict the future of the newly developed parks.—H.A.
Compiled by Syed Hassan Ali
Email: karachian@dawn.com
|