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COVER STORY: Independence Day
Congratulations! Today is the 57th birthday of our country! A lot is being done to celebrate this day. The whole country is brightly lit up with green flags. Starting from your house to the tops of Minar-i-Pakistan, green national flags and bunting are waving, smiling and singing. Even cars, buses, motorcycles and kids’ bicycles too are decorated with lovely little flags to celebrate the occasion. Kids enjoy themselves immensely running around with flags. Strains of national songs can be heard from every nook and corner. Television channels and radios air a lot of special programmes to celebrate this occasion.
Preparations for this day begin weeks ago. The country is painted green with flags, badges, stickers and bunting. Both kids and adults, take part in the preparations whole heartedly.
Today we are celebrating our independence. The day when our homeland was created — back in 1947. Pakistan was born after tremendous struggle and sacrifices. The concept of a separate nation was first introduced by Sir Muhammad Allama Iqbal in 1930. The name of this country was suggested by Chaudhry Rehmat Ali in 1933. As defined by him, Pakistan means ‘the land of the pure.’
In 1906 a political party, the All-India Muslim League, was formed. In March 1940 it declared the formation of a separate state for Muslims as its final demand, known as the Pakistan Resolution. And just after seven years since the passing of the Pakistan Resolution, Pakistan was born. It came into being as the fifth most populated and the largest Islamic state in the world, with the largest migration of people in history.
And so, what gift will we give to our country on its birthday? As citizens of Pakistan, it is our duty to live up to the dreams and visions of the creators of Pakistan. The future of our country depends on us. Pakistan has abundant mineral resources. It has some of the highest mountain ranges in the world and can boast of many talented individuals as well. God has provided our country with abundant resources and gifts — it only depends on how we use them.
We can do many things to improve our homeland. Even small things count. On Independence Day, we can plant some seedlings in a local park, or put up hand-made dustbins. We can also keep the green bunting you have decked our house with and use them on Independence Day next year instead of buying new ones. In this way we will be saving paper.
You can discuss with your friends and siblings the problems our country is facing, such as electricity and water shortage, illiteracy, etc. Think about what can be done. For example, you can decide to switch off extra lights in your house to save electricity. You can also contribute a few hours each week to teach your maid and driver’s kids.
The Quaid, in the speech on his vision of Pakistan on August 11, 1947, said: “... And I am sure that with your support and co-operation, I can look forward to Pakistan becoming one of the greatest nations of the world.” Live up to this vision!
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