Karachi was a city in which people not only had regard for each other, they upheld each other’s rights and personal freedom within the norms of decency
I have practised the application of Educational Technology (teaching through electronic media) for 30 years. My job in Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), Islamabad, was absorbing as well as highly interesting. During this period I came across diverse categories of teachers and the taught.
AIOU imparts education through the Distance Education Systems. Course material dispatched to the students through mail is supplemented and complemented through the electronic media. The units (lessons) are comprehensively explained and elaborated through radio and television programmes, and non-broadcast media material. Irrespective of age, gender and domicile, the University is ‘open’ to learners from all over the country. Thus, way back in 1975, the university’s Institute of Educational Technology coined a befitting motto that remained affixed at the entrance to the first improvised radio and TV studios of the university — Education for all. It became a catchword for the consultants from abroad, and the university’s motto is now the slogan of the United Nations.
Students admitted to the AIOU come from different walks of life. Among them are the employed persons desirous of improving their educational qualifications, and upgradation of their knowledge. A considerable number of students come from the trade, commerce and industrial sectors to enhance their skills. Numerous courses such as Kitchen Gardening and Childcare are extremely popular with the housewives. You would be surprised to know that among the students of the university are teachers from all over the country who are associated with the primary and secondary schools, vocational institutions, colleges and the universities. They join the university to obtain professional certificates, diplomas, BA, BSc, MA, MSc, MPhil, and PhD. Over five million students are enrolled with AIOU in Islamabad.
Now, let us come to our subject of discussion, heterogeneity. Without referring to the academic atmosphere prevailing in most of the universities in Pakistan, I would explain the term heterogeneity as I experienced it in the AIOU. During my long association with it, I, not even once, saw students go berserk and unruly or resort to violence, arson and vandalism. We did not experience student unrest, agitation and armed encounters either on the main campus at Islamabad, or at any one of its 38 regional campuses spread throughout the nook and cranny of the country.
Does the university possess a magic wand for maintaining peace and tranquillity at its campuses? Or have the administrators acquired the services of Rangers to maintain discipline? Peace maintained through the Rangers and police happens to be superfluous. It dissipates at the slightest provocation. Anything forced doesn’t last long. The formation of student community within the open learning genesis of the University is heterogeneous. It is heterogeneity that nurtures forbearance, understanding and tolerance. Age-wise, a number of students are in their teens, whereas the eldest student on record is an 88-year-old woman who had obtained a certificate in Elementary Arabic, Al-lisanul Arabi. Retired and serving civil and military officers are on the enrolment of the university. Housewives, vendors, shopkeepers, Naib Qasids (peons) and watchmen are also among them. Gender-wise, a substantial number of female students is enrolled with the university. Ethnic diversity among the students is even. They come from all over the country. Heterogeneity has made it possible to manage over half-a-million students smoothly.
Prior to Partition, the composition of the inhabitants of Karachi was heterogeneous. Parsis, Christians, Hindus, Bahais, Iranis, Malabaris, Bohras, Sikhs, Zionists and numerous sects of Muslims lived in peace and harmony. They spoke different languages, English, Hindustani, Sindhi, Urdu, Gujrati, Marathi, Madrasi, Persian, Punjabi and various dialects of the subcontinent. Their culture and traditions were different. They dressed up in diverse ways. They went to different places of worship such as mosques, mandirs (temples), churches, synagogues, gurdwaras and fire temples. The heterogeneous dwellers of pre-Partition Karachi did not kill each other. They did not violate each other’s places of worship. They respected each other’s faith and beliefs. What would sound amazing to present-day Karachiites is that they participated in each other’s festivals with enthusiasm.
Karachi was a city in which people not only had regard for each other, they upheld each other’s rights and personal freedom within the norms of decency. Just one example will reveal how far the people of old Karachi were tolerant.
Fredrick’s Cafeteria was one of the decent restaurants in Saddar, Karachi. On the ground floor of Fredrick’s Cafeteria, one could relish tea or coffee with pastries, patties, cutlets and sandwiches. It was hub of the cricketers of Karachi who, after practising at the nearby Jehangir Park, always had their tea at the cafeteria.
On the first floor of Fredrick’s Cafeteria was a bar. It was a popular bar and was frequented by well-to-do young and the old alike. After entering Fredrick’s Cafeteria, no one was bothered who climbed the stairs and went to the bar on the first floor. It did not pose any problem to anyone.
Today, there are no bars in Karachi, but there are private places in posh localities in Karachi where people drink like fish. People belonging to the same faith kill each other with impunity. They grab each other’s properties. They swindle and cheat one another. In heterogeneity it doesn’t happen, but in homogeneity it does.
