“Finally, the history exam is done!” exclaimed Zoya, rejoicing at the completion of her mid-year exams.

“Indeed, there is nothing sweeter than the news of holidays! How was it?” said her mother.

“The topics asked were the same as what I had memorised — history exams don’t test understanding. I don’t know why history is even a subject. What would I get by memorising Jinnah’s 14 Points?” said Zoya, dropping a chocolate wrapper on the ground.

After a few seconds of silence, her mother replied, “It is not about memorising the points. It is about understanding the purpose behind them. Once you grasp that, you will feel the years of physical and mental work our Quaid did to make Pakistan, so that children of today can breathe freely in harmony.”

Zoya’s mother picked up the wrapper, threw it in the bin, patted Zoya’s cheek.

This was something Zoya didn’t quite get, because her mind was bored of learning about what happened then, and far more interested in what is happening now.

So kids, the present is a blessing that we cherish with every breath, often without realising it. If I were to continue Zoya’s mother’s point and ask you, “Were our ancestors living in harmony?” what would your answer be?

No, this is definitely not a history re-examination, but yes, it is a deep thought that we, as one nation, should keep in our minds till our last breath.

Consider this: we design our plans assuming that we will not be affected by threats from tyrant rulers of another nationality or religion. That assumption barely existed for our ancestors a hundred years ago. You can’t even imagine that, but we, as adults, can.

Certainly, freedom is not free. To truly feel this freedom that we enjoy today, we need to look at the paths our leaders took that led us here.

What it took to make Pakistan

Jinnah joined the All-India Muslim League in 1913, and guess when Pakistan came on the map? Thirty-four years later. Definitely not an overnight success. This League was intended to put Muslim interests before the British Government. The Government recognised this party, but there was also another party, mostly dominated by Hindus — the Congress. At first, these two parties worked together to end the colonial rule of the British over India. However, a few years later, it became clear that the Congress did not care about Muslim interests.

It was at this moment that Jinnah, along with his team, decided to fulfil the dream of Iqbal. Many dissented, but he remained steadfast and waited for the right time. After World War II, when the British decided to leave India, Jinnah left no stone unturned to ensure the creation of a separate Muslim state, Pakistan, before they departed.

What made Jinnah truly heroic was that he suffered from severe tuberculosis, a lung disease, yet kept it a secret. It is known as one of the most closely guarded secrets of the 20th century. According to many renowned sources, Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, once said that if he had known about Jinnah’s illness, he would have delayed Partition and there would have been no Pakistan.

So, we should thank the Almighty for making Jinnah the means through which this nation came into being. But how? By simply saying thank you? No, a little more than that. At present, Pakistan is not in a stable condition. With many issues arising from within and outside, the best way to be thankful for a gift is to cherish it, preserve it and improve it.

With that in mind, let’s uncover some habits that can help uplift our society and lead our country towards prosperity. These habits may seem a bit cliched to you, but believe me, my young friends, they are the pillars of your personality. When you build yourself on these small but steady foundations, you become a strength for this country.

Let this December 25th be a reminder that nations are shaped by the character of their people. A country rises only when its citizens rise first. So let’s start with the basics that shape both character and community.

Change starts with us

As charity begins at home, we must fix ourselves before pointing out others’ mistakes. The youth of a country is the backbone of its progress and prosperity. If you stay focused on yourself and your goals, and follow your path without getting pulled away by every little distraction, you will shine in whatever field you choose — whether it is arts, sports, technology or anything else. The moment you shine is the moment our country shines. Think of yourself as a treasure of this country, something precious that needs to be valued, protected and nurtured.

Elders play a pivotal role in shaping lives

Elders are not just older people; they are people with experience and wisdom. They can be your parents, grandparents, teachers, siblings, relatives or even neighbours. One of the best ways to show respect is to truly listen to them with your full attention. They have lived through things you haven’t, and their stories can teach patience, hope and wise ways to handle life. When you respect elders, you are also respecting the values that built our country and society.

Respecting the helpers, the staff

Helpers and staff are important too. They make our lives easier by doing work that would otherwise take us hours. That is why we should always be kind and polite to them.

Just last month, our maid took a day off, so I cleaned my room myself. When I took the rubbish out, I saw my neighbour speaking rudely to the garbage collector. It didn’t feel right, for the poor guy was simply doing his job.

Think about it: what would life be like without these people who quietly help us every day?

Know your worth, stay humble

God Almighty gifts individuals with strengths because He is testing them. If you are the strongest boy in class, does it mean you should find targets to bully? No, you become responsible for preventing bullying.

If you are the smartest girl, you should not become arrogant but recognise your responsibility to assist those who struggle with studies. And if you were born wealthy, it does not give you the right to brag or make others feel inferior. These strengths become humanity’s assets when used modestly.

Make good use of the tongue

The words you use show the kind of person you are. They can bring people together or pull them apart. Backbiting, gossiping, spreading misunderstandings and using foul language do not make you look cool or bold. They only reflect poorly on you.

Think for a moment — would you ever want someone to speak badly about your family? Of course not. So choose language that lifts others, instead of hurting them. A nation’s spirit grows stronger when its people speak with kindness and responsibility.

Use resources wisely

Pakistan is facing serious water and gas shortages, so it is our responsibility to use these resources carefully. For example, collect leftover water from washing vegetables or clothes and use it to water plants. When boiling water for tea or food, cover the pot, it heats faster and saves gas.

Encourage helpers or family members to wash clothes in full loads instead of small ones. And if your family has multiple fridges or freezers, ensure they are not running empty. Even small actions help protect the resources that keep our country running.

Revive the ecosystem

With increasing vehicles, factories and construction work, air quality in almost all our cities is reaching crisis levels. The dangers are many — from respiratory problems like asthma and bronchitis to allergies and weakened immunity. We must all come together and do our part.

There are many plants that act as natural air purifiers; have plants around your house, on your terrace and even rooftop. Fruits are a gift from nature too, the next time you eat an orange, sow its seed in a pot and nurture it. Also, keep a small bowl of water outside for birds and stray animals. These actions may seem simple, but if everyone does them, they can make a big difference.

Making Pakistan the best place to live

Trust me, friends, if you are reading this, consider yourself lucky. You have a newspaper in your hand and can read English. Millions of children do not have this opportunity. That privilege brings responsibility — the responsibility to make Pakistan a better place for everyone. One day, when you grow up and take on important roles, you can create opportunities for others. That way, more talented people will stay and work to strengthen our country.

So friends, December 25th is not just a holiday. It is a day to remember how Pakistan was built and the people who worked tirelessly for it. Every little thing you do counts — being kind, helping others, caring for nature, listening to elders, learning and trying your best. When you do good, the country becomes better too. So let Pakistan shine through our small but meaningful habits.

Published in Dawn, Young World, December 20th, 2025