BALOCHISTAN is often in the news for all the wrong reasons. Very seldom does its historicity and richness of culture are highlighted in the media. Isn’t it worth celebrating that Balochistan boasts of centuries’ old civilisation? We often discuss Harappa and Moenjodaro’s ruins, which are relatively well documented, but not that of Balochistan, which is equally significant if we’re to trace our roots.

Prof J. M. Casal was a reputed French archaeologist. In the 1960s, he was an associate director of the Museum of Paris. He had worked extensively in Balochistan. The professor led a five-member French team to the region and his research enabled him to make some startling revelations.

On Nov 10, 1964, after being in the Lasbela area for a while, he came to Karachi. In an interview with Dawn, he said according to his findings, Balochistan’s civilisation was as old as the cultures of Harappa and Moenjodaro. There was likelihood that it may be older. He mentioned that his research was based on the two years of excavation done in the north of Lasbela at a site called Nindo Wari, where his team had chanced upon precious pieces of pottery and clay figures. You don’t know what else Prof Casal was able to unearth. It’s up to our present-day researchers to make his findings public and build on them.

While the Karachi Circular Railway’s test run had already begun, it was on Nov 11 that the service was opened to the public. Most of the young men and women went up and down the train all day long at different stations.

Remaining on the subject of youthful spirit, on Nov 14 the media flashed the results of a study conducted by the Central Public Service Commission. It revealed that the 22-24 age group fared better than the senior lot in the CSS exams.

The emergence of the circular railway had not undermined the value of public transport buses. Not only were they plying the road, a famous theatre play ‘Bus Stop’ written by William Inge was also staged on Nov 12 at the Pakistan American Culture Centre. The performance was directed by Paul Petrie, who was then the principal of the Karachi American School. Allan D’Souza, Doreen Barrie and Muzaffar Ghaffar played the main roles in the play, which, as per a newspaper review, was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience.

There’s nothing surprising in knowing that 50 years back people made time for entertainment, riding trains for fun and watching plays. After all, Karachi had a culturally viable atmosphere. (It still has to some extent, make no mistake.) On Nov 14, to mark the advent of autumn, the Nazrul Academy arranged a variety show on its premises. The programme included joyous songs and colourful dance items. Is it so that post-1971 we have stopped celebrating autumn? Just a question.

Pakistan and Iran have always enjoyed cordial relations. You might argue it’s not the case now, but that’s a matter of opinion. In November Princess Ashraf Pahalvi had been in the country for a week, meeting people and taking part in some important events. On Nov 15, the princess flew back to Iran from Karachi. She was seen off at the airport by Mr and Mrs Bhutto.

Published in Dawn, November 10th, 2014