HOW many of us grumble about the ever increasing inflation rate? Almost all of us, and perhaps justifiably so. But then it’s an age-old trend. Back in the ‘60s life wasn’t hunky-dory either. On Aug 25, 1964 a research report on the cost of living put together by the Central Statistical Office published in this newspaper claimed that the previous month — July, that is — prices of wheat, maida, rice, sugar, pulses, fish, vegetables as well as those of coarse cloth and washing soap increased exponentially. Sadly, the research work didn’t mention as to how to tackle the issue, which is often the case.

It had been 17 years since Pakistan came into existence and Karachi’s young ones were itching to acquire education. So much so that about 6,000 students applied for admission to the University of Karachi to enrol themselves in different courses though there was room only for 1,800 seats. A university spokesman on Aug 26 issued a statement using the oft-repeated words that the institution would allow admission to students only on ‘merit’.

Speaking about the play on words, there used to be a drama circle called The Clifton Players. As part of William Shakespeare’s fourth centenary celebrations, the group staged their version of ‘A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream’ at the Karachi Grammar School. Even the dress rehearsal for the play on Aug 25 garnered applause for their effort. The actors who took part in the production were: Hugh Mead (Puck), Richard Alden (Oberon), Dorothy Heapy (Titania) and Gordon Mott (Bottom).

Let’s talk about another art form now, the art of painting to be precise. On Aug 26, an exhibition of the latest body of work by Cassim Mahpara opened at the Alliance Francaise. The show was formally inaugurated by the ambassador of France, Amedee Beaulleux. It is believed that the French cultural centre had just shifted to a new building. One critic hailed the artworks as being ‘intellectually honest’.

It was a week when a law conference organised by the Pakistan Urdu Majlis-i-Qanoon grabbed most of the local headlines. The conference began on Aug 28 and ended on Aug 30. Apart from reading, and listening to, scholarly papers on the subject, the moot had other attractions as well. For example, on the first day the very well respected Justice A. R. Cornelius, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, opened an exhibition of Urdu law books held at the Arts Council.

The second day of the conference was presided over by Justice S. A. Rahman and six papers were read that day. The issue that gained prominence was the adoption of Urdu as court language. Did anyone pay heed to the papers? My guess is as good as anyone else’s.

Even on the last day of the conference, the same issue came up over and over again. The conclusion of the entire endeavour was a demand put before the government that Urdu should be adopted as the language used in courts.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2014