Ghalib and books

February 2008 is almost over but subcontinent’s peerless poet Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib still rules the hearts of connoisseurs of Urdu literature about one and a half century after his death on February 15, 1869. This was perhaps the reason why some men of letters decided to establish a library named after him in Karachi.

Ranked high among city’s libraries, Ghalib Library was opened nearly four decades ago. The library is in fact an offshoot of Idara-i-Yaadgaar-i-Ghalib, which was founded by Mirza Zafrul Hasan in February 1968.

The idea behind the venture was to set up an institution that would promote literary activities and research and especially cater to the needs of those who wanted to carry out research on Ghalib and other prominent literary figures.

Faiz Ahmed Faiz was founder president and Mirza Zafrul Hasan was founder secretary of the Idara.

In 1969, Ghalib centenary was commemorated on a grand scale by the Idara-i-Yaadgaar-i-Ghalib. Leading men of letters, not only from Pakistan but also from India and other countries, took part in the programmes.

Realising soon after establishing Idara-i-Yaadgaar-i-Ghalib that the objectives of the institution could not be fully served without a well-stocked library, Mr Hasan decided to set up Ghalib Library. He even went from door to door collecting books for Ghalib library from donors who could not come to the library for one reason or another. He was supported and helped by personalities like Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Muslim Ziai, Begum Aamna Majeed Malik, Mushfiq Khwaja, Sibt-i-Hasan, Mumtaz Hasan, Dr Jafer Ali Hashmi, Mukhtar Zaman and scores of other prominent personalities from all over the country.

Appeals were made for donations and the response was simply overwhelming perhaps because people at that time wanted to help and contribute. Books and money poured in from all over the country. Many scholars sent books from India. Sadequain donated a few of his paintings, especially created for the occasion. He even designed and painted the signboard and insignia of the library. Finally the library was opened on Sept 1, 1971.

The Idara and library were eventually made a cultural centre where literary figures and personalities like Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Ralph Russell, Nabi Bakhsh Baloch, Ibn-i-Insha, Mushfiq Khwaja, Ghulam Rasool Mehr, Shaukat Subzwari and Farman Fatehpuri attended literary and cultural gatherings. Writers, poets, journalists, intellectuals and artistes used to frequent the library.

The library, housed in a spacious and well-lit building, now boasts over 35,000 books and 50,000 issues of some 600 journals. The library keeps a very good collection on ‘Ghalibyaat’. Apart from its invaluable collection of books and periodicals on Ghalib, it has published a good number of books on one of the greatest poets of Urdu.

The periodical section is another feature Ghalib Library is known for. It has a complete record of some very rare periodicals. Some 19th century and early 20th century journals are the valued treasure library is proud of. One can find rare magazines like ‘Hasan’ (Hyderabad Deccan), ‘Music Gazette’ (Faizabad), ‘Rafiq-ul-Atibba’ (Lahore), ‘Doctor’ (homeopathy magazine) (Lahore), Al-Mualij (Amritsar), Ghar Ka Ved (Amritsar) and ‘Oudh Punch’ (Lucknow), to name a few.

Hundreds of college magazines also adorn the library. More importantly, about 2,000 special issues of literary journals are stocked here. In addition, letters written by authors and intellectuals are preserved in the library.

Today when the concept of global village has made its presence felt in every sphere of life, the tireless efforts of our devoted intellectuals during the last so many years will bear little fruit if the books are not made available on the internet and accessible to the young generation. And a poor soul like me expect that the library will be digitalised before we observe 140th death anniversary of Ghalib in February 2009.—HA

‘V’ for wishes

It’s just a single vote — that’s what it is when a polling officer unfolds a ballot paper and updates his count. However, that single stamp is a lot more than merely a vote and we are far ahead of the time. Our politicians should have realized this long ago — we all hope it’s not too late.

The nation went to the polls recently, for the sixth time in the last two decades. The general elections 2008 were somehow different from the previous five ones in that the build-up to it was energized by media freedom and then was greater awareness among the voters. The world’s eyes were focussed on Pakistan more intensely than ever before primarily because pre-poll rigging misgivings haunted the electoral exercise. And yet prized media freedom and voter awareness took people’s expectations to new heights, adding to greater accountability for our next set of rulers than any of their predecessors.

That fateful stamp on the ballot must have meant a bag of flour for a wage earner who had to spend half of his day making a living and the rest of its in an endless quest for wheat. A vote could have also meant a wish for sufficient electricity, a hope for a sense of security, an aspiration of being well-employed, an appeal for timely justice or a voice against inflation — these little stamps together make a huge set of expectations and constitute a test that our rulers must pass. Those ballot boxes are filled with countless dreams which our politicians must respect and fulfil, for hopefully they are standing in front of a different audience now.— Haris Siddiqui

Flower power

For those with a soft spot for all things green, recent developments in Karachi must seem heaven-sent. Along with the opening of Bagh Ibne Qasim a while back, the latest addition to the city’s horticulture is the completion of the University of Karachi’s Botanical Gardens.

Though the land mafia has had a field day gobbling up public land left, right and centre, building concrete monstrosities to fill their ever-expanding bellies over the past few decades in the city, these parks and gardens are at least some consolation for those who realize the value of wide open spaces and lush, green gardens.

However, as a colleague pointed out, the shifting of a popular flower show from a more central location to Seaview a few years ago has deprived a large portion of the population from enjoying the many different varieties of flowers in full bloom come springtime.

Once upon a time, the flower show in question used to be held at the former Polo Ground, located off Dr Ziauddin Ahmed Road. However, it was then shifted to a park by Seaview in the DHA, which is fine and dandy, but it deprived many who could easily commute to the Polo Ground due to that location’s easy access via public transport. The frequency of buses and coaches that frequent Seaview is far less than the number that pass by the old Polo Ground.

Many of this city’s citizens — even those from more well-off backgrounds, financially speaking — live in stuffy apartments where there is little access to fresh air and greenery. Hence, flower shows like the one mentioned above are welcome additions to the city’s social calendar that add a splash of colour and vivacity to an otherwise grey existence.

One is not against the DHA hosting a flower show. However, perhaps more locations should be added so that even those from less affluent backgrounds can enjoy the colourful flowers. As they say, in this case, the more the merrier! Perhaps the people that arrange these flower shows, along with the relevant folks in the CDGK, should consider the above.—QAM

Compiled by Syed Hassan Ali

Email: karachian@dawn.com

Garbage removal

Sir,
This is to bring to the notice of the Sindh provincial and local governments that in Buffer Zone, heaps of garbage are littering the roads and polluting the environment. The green-belt prepared and maintained during the tenure of the previous local government is now a garbage dump. As soon as one enters Buffer Zone’s Sector 15/A/5 from People’s Chowrangi, one is welcomed by the fragrance of stinking garbage, which has spread on half of the road, despite the presence of newly made kachra kundis.

There is no one clearing the garbage or cleaning the streets and the side-roads are full of small garbage dumps and overflowing gutter lines.

Despite repeated complaints, no one has taken notice of the problem. I would request the nazim to please look into the matter and being a Muslim please ensure that ‘safaai nisf imaan hai’ for the people of Buffer Zone, just as he is concentrating on Gulshan and other areas.

AISHA JALIL

Buffer Zone

Gas leakage

Sir,

A complaint was lodged with the Sui Gas Complaint Centre on Jan 28, 2008, about the leakage of gas (complaint no 2759640848). Their mobile van came on Jan 29 and went away saying that the leakage would be plugged by the department concerned.

So far no one has come to rectify the problem, despite repeated telephonic reminders. Will some highin the SSGC respond to our complaint?

PROF S.K. HASAN

Consumer No 2759640000

Karachi

Park in danger

Sir,

Since last year, the Site Town management has been throwing untreated animal waste into a park situated near Old Golimar. The Trans Lyari Park was frequented by many visitors who came there daily for fresh air.

The town management had drawn up plans to make fertiliser from the solid waste, which was to be dumped into a compost site in its jurisdiction. But it has now decided to use the park for the purpose of dumping waste, which has polluted the area.

This goes against the promises made by the highIn October 2001, former city nazim Niamatullah Khan declared that the Gutter Baghicha would become a model park so that residents of Trans Lyari would have an open space for healthy activities.

President Musharraf also directed the authorities to build the park on an area of 480 acres according to international standards. City functionaries are trying to nibble away at the land and 217 acres are under threat of encroachment. This should not be allowed to happen. We appeal to the president to direct the CDGK not to use their powers to construct a housing scheme on this site.

M. SALEEM BALOCH

Karachi

Fire hazard

Sir,

Muhammadi House is a high-rise office building located on I.I. Chundrigar Road. It is under the management of the PNSC. Recently, the PNSC has ordered its back door to be closed. Earlier, they had sold off half the width of the front passage of this building to a bank, which has converted it into an office. All this has been done in deviation from the original, approved plan of the building.

The PNSC building itself was twice engulfed in fire last year. The whole country watched in horror as the fire brigade tried to rescue the people trapped inside.

Now, Muhammadi House, a building of more than a thousand people, has only one passage of less than six feet width available. In case of a fire, this building would become a death trap.

All appeals to the PNSC to open the passage have fallen on deaf ears. We request the city nazim to order the KBCA to ensure that the passages of this building are restored to their originally approved plan. Both the front and rear passages need to be opened to enable people an easy access and exit.

MOHAMMAD ALI

Karachi

Romance in Karachi

Sir,

I would like to thank our leaders for providing us such a great opportunity – and that too free of charge – of having a candlelight dinner with our loved ones on a daily basis. Otherwise, going to a restaurant would make quite a dent in the wallet.

Thank you and please keep on doing such acts, through which you will be greatly remembered and loved.

FAROOQ TANVIR BEG

DHA

Customer non-service

Sir,

I have been trying since last Ramazan for the restoration of service of my telephone (021 536-3535) but all in vain, and consistently I am paying the PTCL for nothing. On my complaint, the telephone will start working for two days and then again develop a fault.

If you’ve ever had the misfortune of calling up the customer services of this company, they employ a variety of strategies to try and avoid actually addressing your problems.

I attempted to approach and navigate my way in search of someone in Karachi prepared to take my complaint seriously at the cost of increased blood pressure and hours of my life wasted on the phone, but again the efforts were fruitless.

PTCL has an obligation to take care of its customers, and if it is not going to do so, the incompetent officials should be fired so someone more willing and able can take their positions.

IRFAN HAMEED

Punjab Colony

city@dawn.com

The long awaited spring has come but...

Residents of the twin cities, like people of the rest of the country, are feeling the winds of change. The biting cold of December-January has given way to a pleasant spring just as an authoritarian rule has been shown the door by the power of the vote. Tyranny seems to be melting away although the promise of democracy is yet to take shape. There could have been no better fate than this week’s election results for a regime that was a failure all through, from one end of the spectrum of governance to the other. No wonder there is relief and cheer all around.

However, as the weather opens up it brings with it the phase of government formation coinciding with the unbearable irritation of pollen allergy. But may the Ides of March spare us. The allergy is seasonal and can be treated by cutting down some more trees but the bigger problem is how to make the unwanted power structure pack up. It would need not only lot more courage and spirit but may require writing a totally new chapter to overcome the dynamics of contracts, deals and fresh appointments and postings in a unique coalition when the common enemy is no more. The people have played their role by supporting political parties and by voting against despotic rule, energy crises, price-hike and shortage of eatables. They need urgent solution of their problems as soon as the euphoria of change subsides.

At the fag end of its tenure, the Shaukat Aziz administration had admitted that low growth during the 1998-99 and 2000-01 period had raised the poverty level but lowered the levels of inequality, whereas high growth during the 2000-01 and 2004-05 period had resulted in lower levels of poverty but higher levels of inequality. “The higher the inequality in the country, the harder it is for growth to reduce poverty. The reduction in poverty between the 2000-01 and 2004-05 period could have been more had the distribution of consumption expenditures remained the same. Inequality reflects distortions in access to markets, in the availability and quality of health, education and infrastructure services, and in rural-urban distortions — all of which dampen growth and poverty reduction”. Its reversal is a challenge for the new government.

The total enrolment in government schools has been on a steady decline since 2001-02 when it stood at 74 per cent. The overall share has declined from 72 per cent in 2004-05 to 65 per cent in 2005-06 before slightly improving to 69 per cent. Full immunisation of children has declined significantly from 77 per cent in 2004-05 to just 71 per cent in 2005-06, improving to 76 per cent lately. But this means that about one-fourth of the country’s future generation was still outside immunisation. About 30 per cent population still does not have toilet facility while more than 41 per cent people do not have any sanitation system. The number of people relying on private hospitals — instead of government hospitals — has increased from 42 per cent in 2004-05 to 48 per cent in 2005-06. The new government will need to restore public confidence in public institutions not only in delivery of justice but also in delivery of social services.

The people would like to have improvement in their living standards. The price hike and shortage of eatables have eroded the purchasing power of the low income households and those on fixed incomes in the last few years and may have reversed the trend that initially moved towards poverty reduction until 2005 when those living below the poverty line were officially put at 36.45 million. The number may have increased since then given the general price levels. The number of those living on an income of less than Rs120 per day is no less than Rs122 million in a population of 161 million.

Settlement of political issues, no doubt, is important but the most important thing for the common man would be health and education. In Pakistan, infant mortality is 73 per 1,000 live births, child mortality is 100 per 1,000 live births and maternal mortality is 400 per 100,000 lives births. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS among vulnerable groups is 2 per cent. The proportion of population areas at risk of malaria using prevention and treatment is just 30 per cent while the proportion of tuberculosis detected and managed through direct observed treatment short course is only 27 per cent. These figures are alarming and need national attention but a repeat of Social Action Programme would be suicidal, not only for those assuming power but for democracy itself on the whole.

Democracy and rule of law are basic if society has to move forward but having food three times a day is equally important for the people who came out in large numbers — about 45 per cent — to vote for change despite boycotts, threats of suicide bombings and sacrificing their day’s earnings. Fairness and justice demands their tomorrow should be better than today. They would not be wrong expecting democracy to give them food and fruit with honour and dignity, without running after munshis and clerks in the courts.

The challenge is tougher for the new parliament for the fact that it would lack top political leadership. Comprising a second- tier leadership — in the absence of Nawaz Sharif, Asif Zardari, Imran Khan, Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Mahmud Achakzai from the national assembly — the new assembly would not only need to prove that they understand the problems of the vast majority but have the guts to resolve them in a democratic dispensation.