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Cover Story: Some reflections on the past and future
So once again, it is that time of the year. Fourteenth of August, the day that made us what we are today: a Nation of independent people, striving towards betterment in a free country. On this day some very important thoughts happen to cross our minds: green flags flutter, lights are flashed on different buildings and monuments thereby giving the city a festive look. Besides this, the country echoes with the sound of patriotic national songs being sung in every nook and corner.
But our Independence Day should not just be a celebration of decorations and festive songs. It is an opportunity to reassess our past, analyze our achievements and criticize our mistakes. On this day we must also plan for the future, this is very important to make this nation a unit of confident, successful and strong Pakistanis.
What do our youth think about Pakistan’s past? And what plans do they have for the future? “Well, I think we have come a long way since our Independence. I just seem awe-struck to think how the Independence movement gave us Muslims a separate identity, in this part of the world,” ponders a school-goer.
“As a nation, we have achieved quite a great deal too. The country has produced many great scientists and doctors and engineers. And look at all the hardworking farmers and professionals that toil day and night to make this country great. I believe, when it comes to manpower, our people are the best in the world,” declares a friend.
“When I look at our past,” comments a college-student,”I really find it amazing to see that we were the first Muslim country to become a nuclear power. In the Muslim world, that is quite an achievement. But we should not just hang on to our past achievements and feel that our part is done. Indeed, there are several other tasks yet to be fulfilled, for us to be labeled a developed nation. But for this, we need to analyze the areas where we lack.”
“I think the biggest reason why we’re behind several other nations today,” pouts an O’ level student, “is that our literacy rate is very low.”
“Yeah,” pipes in a class fellow. “I think our government should sacrifice everything to make quality education the foremost priority for our people, specially the youth and young ones.”
A high-schooler ponders, “If we search through the past into our present, we will find that people here are looking around for means of basic survival. I don’t see any poverty alleviation over the past half a century in Pakistan.” “Yes. So I guess for the future”, adds a classmate, “the biggest job to do is reduce poverty. People can only be expected to work for the country once their basic needs are satisfied.”
A girl who is doing her A’ level says, “I would really like to see an increased level of tolerance in our country. That is only possible through increased awareness”. When inquired about what sort of tolerance would she like to see, pat came the reply, “Well, ethnic, religious, gender, social. Increased tolerance of other religions, races or creeds would reduce so many incidents of state terrorism that we have witnessed over the past years.”
“Child labour is a big issue in Pakistan”, declares a college-goer. “I just hate to see children running barefoot on streets selling flowers or water. It’s a violation of basic human rights. We must do all we can to curb this problem.”
“I feel that until now,” observes a high-schooler, “people have not been getting two basic things. That’s the cause of all the problems we’re facing right now. If everyone is provided with proper employment and quality education, I think we would be able to join the league of developed nations soon.”
“She’s right I think,” adds a friend. “We wouldn’t even be bothered about population explosion or corruption or crime or intolerance or drug abuse, etc. if everyone was well-settled and educated. All these problems sprout from a general sense of dissatisfaction, and from a lack of education and awareness.”
“Once everyone has been provided with their basic needs, we can expect a much more loyal and positive attitude towards development, from the people,” comments an O’ level student. “The government needs to stress the importance of social development and must come up with programmes for this purpose. Look at the amount of people affected by floods over the past few days. We should have been better prepared for such a scenario.”
A business student comments, “Well from my point of view, one way to the path of national benefit would be to reduce imports and improve and increase our exports. That can really improve our economy a great deal.”
“I wanted to comment upon the international standing of our country,” stresses an A’ level student. “Being an Asian country, Pakistan should foster improved and friendly relations with its neighbours. We can build a strong Asian unit that way.”
“Precisely!” adds an associate. “Nurturing affable relations with neighbours would be a solution to many state problems. Imagine the amount of funds we could channel towards developmental work, rather than the defence sector. I find it silly to spend so much on weaponry, etc. when we can utilize that amount to improve our nation as a whole. Friendly neighbourly relations would also improve foreign aid and investments in our country. It would only be in our economy’s best interest.”
O yes, all these thoughts are noble indeed. But when asked about a conclusion to this collection of thoughts, most of the youth were unanimous on one issue, that our country can achieve all that it has to, once all of us become more patriotic and harmonized towards national welfare.
And August 14, Independence Day, is the perfect excuse to develop a strong patriotic spirit. On this happy note, hence, we turn off the limelight on this discussion. Happy Independence Day!
Pakistan zindabad
Like the previous years, this year too we celebrated the Independence Day of Pakistan with zeal, zest and fervour. On this memorable day, we witnessed fluttering flags and decorated and illuminated streets and buildings. But we all know well that all this bears no fruit. Spending huge amounts of money on decoration and lighting seems an extravagant and waste. Tell me folks, do developed countries or other progressive nations ever spend as lavishly as we do on occasions such as these? I guess in order to celebrate Independence with zest and fervour we need to first understand the true meaning of freedom. As rightly said by G.B. Shaw who equates independence with responsibilities: “Wise men have warned us against ignoring some precautions, that may lead to the loss of independence.”
Celebrating Independence Day in a wise and responsible manner is the duty of each and everyone of us. As the day approaches, it reminds us of the paramount reason our ancestors fought for a separate homeland, freeing us from the shackles of the British and the Hindus. We fought for independence to be able to exercise our rights and practice our own religion and culture freely.
In the sub-continent, after the fall of the Mughal empire, Hindus hailed the British rule as it seemed as a deliverance from the Muslim yoke. The British promoted the Hindus and suppressed the Muslims. The hatred of the British and the Hindus left the Muslims at the brink of social and economic ruination, their properties were confiscated and they weren’t provided with jobs. Hindus took great advantage of the situation and superseded the Muslims economically and educationally. In short, the British policy was ‘pro-Hindu’ and ‘anti-Muslim’.
After the defeat in the war of independence in 1857 the Muslims started from scratch and a lot of leaders emerged to lead the Muslim nation to freedom and independence.
Allama Muhammad Iqbal through his stirring verses awakened the suppressed souls of the Muslims. He rekindled in the Muslims a sense of self-respect, self-determination and self-realization, and later actively participated in the freedom struggle, and then Quaid-i-Azam led the Muslims to the most cherished goal of their life — a separate Muslim state.
So folks! Contemplate for a while and I’m sure you’d see that spending lavishly on this occasion is not at all feasible. Some ways of celebrating Independence Day in a constructive manner are listed below:
* Be a part of constructive activities on this memorable day and motivate others not to waste money on decoration.
* Organize special functions at educational institutions and highlight the reasons for independence.
* Look for needy people in your vicinity who require help and provide them with monetary assistance or whatever they need.
Each one of us can make a positive contribution. It’s time to make a resolution that it’s now our responsibility to prepare ourselves to take care of our sacred land and follow in the Quaid’s footsteps. It won’t be long before Pakistan would be a shining star not only in Asia but in all of the world. Happy Independence Day!
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