Here comes Ramadan - for the benefit of the ordinary and extra-ordinary

Every now and then I find a message from a good Muslim that tells others to brace for the scared month of Ramadan - the audience includes both the ordinary and extra-ordinary (though not intended at all).

For the ordinary Muslims, it is a month of forgiveness, bag immense and countless bounties that Allah showers on its worshipers. These ordinary Muslims thrive mosques for evening prayers, stand for more than hour to listen to the recitation of the Holy Quran and return home to wake up from just a few hours of sleep to get ready for another day of fasting.

But ever wondered that during the Traveh prayers, there are also some extra-ordinary Muslims, who too offer their prayers with immense concentration and 'khuzo-o-khushoo' but when they go to the business the next day, they are different men altogether. From looking like the ordinary the night before, they become extra-ordinary when it comes to business.

And then starts a day of manipulating prices, holding on to stocks to allow the prices to rise and then sell merchandise at rates higher than the ordinary - far above the reach of the ordinary.

Although it is just days before the Ramadan sets in, when I went out to buy meat today, I found meat shops empty. I was told that the prices of goats has suddenly sky rocketed and it is difficult for them to buy them. Likewise poultry prices are already touching Rs. 200 (dressed). And if that is not all - pakora vendors will soon mushroom on roadside to sell the much liked fast-breaking food at prices that one can only afford to eat a couple of these expensive but almost essential item of Ifrar.

So by the time the Ramadan finishes, the extra-ordinary would have swelled their bank accounts looted from the ordinary and the faithful and would then embark upon for Umrah for a business well done - thanking the Almighty for His blessings.

I was recently in Germany just before Christmas - and I found big stores putting on their merchandise on sale, some even up to 70% - allowing the ordinary to enjoy Christmas. I did not see any price hike and it everything just looked festive - not in a fleecing mood at all.

And I just wondered where have we gone astray - why we forget the basic teachings of Islam which have been adopted by others - others whom we keep cursing the day long. But have we ever pondered why Allah's blessings do not reach us?

I leave the answer for you. Happy Ramadan anyway !!

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Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy's Saving Face wins First Ever Oscar for Pakistan

It is both sad and happy occasion that Pakistan wins its first ever Oscar on a documentary film that is about a heinous crime committed in Pakistan - the acid throwing, mostly targeting women. Although there are no reliable national statistics, but as per an estimate more than hundred cases are reported of people attacked with acid, majority of the victims being women. The figure could even increase if all incidents are reported and registered. The crime is generally committed against wives by the carried out in the family home, by husbands or in-laws or by failed lovers.

The life of the acid victims is a nightmare for the rest of their lives living with dis-configured faces, burnt bodies and scars. Acid throwing menace not only happens in Pakistan but most East Asian countries like India, Bangladesh and Cambodia.

Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy wins Oscar for her Best Documentary (Short Subject) Saving Face

Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, a Pakistani journalist, documentarian and an Emmy nominated dared to pick up this inhuman practice as  subject for her short subject documentary 'Saving Face.' Sharmeen, who has directed several documentary films, won an Emmy award in 2010 for her documentary Pakistan: Children of the Taliban.

'Saving Face', directed by Oscar and Emmy nominated filmmaker Daniel Junge and Emmy winning Pakistan director Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, іѕ thе ѕtοrу οf two women frοm Southern Punjab whο аrе victims οf acid violence and their battle for justice and their journey of healing.

Let us hope that the awareness created through this documentary brings a change in the attitude of our people and help stop the violence against women.

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A Japanese boy's spirit of sacrifice

Awhile ago, I wrote a post "Do the Japanese believe in God more than others?" It carried the unmoving tales of sacrifice, courage, determination, strength of character of the Japanese and resolve to fight back a calamity from the Nature. But today, I received an e-mail from a friend, carrying a unique example of the spirit of sacrifice which to me is unparalleled of its kind, specially in an hour of extreme distress and need. And I thought I must share it with my viewers so that we ponder over more on my earlier question: Do the Japanese believe in God more than others?

The letter, written by a Vietnamese immigrant Ha Minh Thanh working in Fukushima as a policeman to a friend in Vietnam, was posted on New America Media on March 19. It is a testimonial to the strength of the Japanese spirit, and an interesting slice of life near the epicenter of Japan's crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. It was translated by NAM editor Andrew Lam, author of "East Eats West: Writing in Two Hemispheres. " Shanghai Daily condensed it.

This is how the letter reads:

Brother, How are you and your family? These last few days, everything was in chaos. When I close my eyes, I see dead bodies. When I open my eyes, I also see dead bodies. Each one of us must work 20 hours a day, yet I wish there were 48 hours in the day, so that we could continue helping and rescuing folks. We are without water and electricity, and food rations are near zero. We barely manage to move refugees before there are new orders to move them elsewhere. I am currently in Fukushima, about 25 kilometers away from the nuclear power plant. I have so much to tell you that if I could write it all down, it would surely turn into a novel about human relationships and behaviors during times of crisis.

People here remain calm - their sense of dignity and proper behavior are very good - so things aren't as bad as they could be. But given another week, I can't guarantee that things won't get to a point where we can no longer provide proper protection and order. They are humans after all, and when hunger and thirst override dignity, well, they will do whatever they have to do. The government is trying to provide.

supplies by air, bringing in food and medicine, but it's like dropping a little salt into the ocean. Brother, there was a really moving incident. It involves a little Japanese boy who taught an adult like me a lesson on how to behave like a human being. Last night, I was sent to a little grammar school to help a charity organization distribute food to the refugees. It was a long line that snaked this way and that and I saw a little boy around 9 years old. He was wearing a T-shirt and a pair of shorts.

It was getting very cold and the boy was at the very end of the line. I was worried that by the time his turn came there wouldn't be any food left. So I spoke to him. He said he was at school when the earthquake happened. His father worked nearby and was driving to the school. The boy was on the third floor balcony when he saw the tsunami sweep his father's car away.

I asked him about his mother. He said his house is right by the beach and that his mother and little sister probably didn't make it. He turned his head and wiped his tears when I asked about his relatives.

The boy was shivering so I took off my police jacket and put it on him. That's when my bag of food ration fell out. I picked it up and gave it to him. "When it comes to your turn, they might run out of food. So here's my portion. I already ate. Why don't you eat it?" The boy took my food and bowed. I thought he would eat it right away, but he didn't. He took the bag of food, went up to where the line ended and put it where all the food was waiting to be distributed.

I was shocked. I asked him why he didn't eat it and instead added it to the food pile. He answered: "Because I see a lot more people hungrier than I am. If I put it there, then they will distribute the food equally."

When I heard that I turned away so that people wouldn't see me cry. A society that can produce a 9-year-old who understands the concept of sacrifice for the greater good must be a great society, a great people. Well, a few lines to send you and your family my warm wishes. The hours of my shift have begun again.

.... Ha Minh Thanh

Related Links: | Earthquakes | Floods |

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International Women's Day - 8th March 2011

Equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women. 

Read more at:

Jahojalal

Pakistanpaedia

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21st February - International Mother Language Day

The International Mother Language Day has been observed every year on 21^st February since the year 2000 under the patronage of the UN to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. The theme for the year 2011 is “The information and communication technologies for the safeguarding and promotion of languages and linguistic diversity.”

Speaking and taking pride in one’s mother tongue is of utmost importance. It is sad observance when preference is given to speaking international languages like English, French or German and feeling low to express oneself in one’s own native language. Like many other countries that were once ruled by the British, some people consider it prestigious to speak or write the English language at the expense of local languages. Even some many intellectuals and men of letter are prejudiced to the teaching of local languages, particularly the formative periods in our basic schools. And that is the reason that even after six decades of independence, the lcal languages schools are looked down upon by a small but powerful community brought up in English medium schools. 

I visited Iran sometime ago and found use of Persian more than any international language. Even bank cheques were in Persian and the entire computer network of banks and business outfits was based on Persian language. Translating a foreign language in one’s mother tongue makes it richer and adds new words to its vocabulary.

On the contrary we have the habit of inserting English words as it is into our mother tongue Urdu or whatever regional language we speak. This is depriving our languages from flourishing, expanding and progressive. For example in Persian a university is Danishgah, but it is sad to observe Wafaqi Urdu University as we have failed to find a suitable word for university in Urdu. Likewise the German Autobahnen has been translated as utoban in Persian. We still call Supreme Court as Supreme Court in Urdu and Election Commission as Election Commission. This is an easy way out for our linguistic experts, but for the development of Urdu, we need to take pains to make to more exhaustive and meaningful.

Likewise listening to news in any regional language gives an impression as these are being spoken in Urdu or English. Sadar-e-Mammlekat is spoken as it is in Punjabi and so is Wazeer-e-Azam. Even these days there is an increasing trend to incorporate Indian Urdu into Pakistani Urdu. Suddenly we find “darmian (in between) to be replaced by “beech”, Ibtada (beginning) replaced by “shroowat,” and many more such insertions. And our drama writers, considered to be the pillar of Urdu and its progress have succumbed to this onslaught and have replaced our own Urdu with alien words.

Unless one takes pride in one’s indigenous language (s), on is unable to understand one’s culture, traditions and folk heritage.  It is through the language that the folktales, similes, proverbs and other literary forms of the society are conveyed to teach societal morals and values and eventually socialize the individual.  More reliance and preference to foreign languages is taking a heavy toll on the development and maturing of the mother tongues spoken in different parts of the world. Rather in some cases a large number of languages are on the verge of extinction and people are gradually shifting to new trends and started to forget their own traditional languages.

Mother tongue is also important in the upbringing and development of the children. As a child matures, his/her language develops and, through language, the child gains an attachment to one’s culture and traditions. Unless one is brought up listening to the folklores of one’s own area in its original dialect, one cannot grasp the richness of one’s language. Linguistic experts are of the opinion that the most suitable language for teaching basic concepts to children is the mother tongue. Dr Tariq Rehman, a learned scholar writes, “The 21st of February reminds us that, despite this inequality of power between our mother tongues and the languages of power (referring to English as it is the language of government officials, technocrats, military, elite and the rich), we must not give up hope. We must be conscious of the significance of our mother tongues, which give us identity; which are repositories of culture and which, in the final analysis, make us what we are. If we start speaking other languages and forget our own, we would not be ‘we’, we would be clones of an alien people; we would be aliens to ourselves.”

There are people who read own culture from books in English rather than reading the actual text in which these were originally written. This trend is dangerous as this blocks the true understanding of one’s heritage. There is thus a need to make an endeavour to promote the dissemination of one’s mother tongue, as this would encourage linguistic diversity and multilingual education, besides developing awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions. Such efforts can induce solidarity based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue the world over.

The theme this year too stresses on the use of information technology and media to promote indigenous languages and safeguard these from pollution and sidelining lest these become extinct at the cost of foreign languages. I do hope that instead of holding seminars once a year on this day, concerted efforts are put in by all concerned to promote own indigenous languages and enrich these for the sake of their future and expansion, rather than extinction.

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The Pandora’s Box opens

When Raymond Davis killed two Pakistani motorcyclists, perhaps many did not expected, but few,  that this single incident would in time open a Pandora Box that would have farfetched ramifications on the Pak-US relations.  And the way the US government, including the president and many others, responded and asked for immunity for the man clearly showed that there was more to the status of Davis as a technical member of the US Consulate.

The news that has now broken out vindicates fears of those few who felt a rat in the episode right from the onset. A diplomat doesn’t carry a large cache of sophisticated weapons, satellite phones and dozens of magazines – only mercenaries do or people under cover appointment that are always at risk of being exposed or being apprehended.

Raymond Davis had earlier been caught taking photographs in sensitive military areas, but like any white man, he was let free. This time he “chose to be known” by his act of murder. Now a diplomat won’t do a thing like this as he is above all these gun-running adventures. The insistence of Mr. Kerry Lugar that davis should not be tried on espionage in itself carried a confession by this highly placed US official about the true identity of the man that he in fact is a spy and a cover agent of CIA. While these were mere speculations a few days before, but now the Guardian of UK has ratified the concerns of so many.

More news track RD’s link with TTP, the Taliban that US abhor and insist on Pakistan to eliminate them.  As per a news report, RD (Raymond Davis) has had ties with 33 Pakistanis, of which 27 are from TTP and defunct LeJ. The revelation is astonishing, and again to some not so, as many believe that the Taliban game is sponsored covertly by the US in a bid to create chaos in Pakistan and make Pakistan so vulnerable to these mercenaries clad in the disguise of so called soldier of God so as to find an excuse to “safeguard” Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal and ultimately ship these out of Pakistan for “safe custody.” This has been the end game of a long drawn strategy that some think got underway the day Pakistan carried out nuclear tests.

As for the diplomatic immunity, US itself has duel standards over it when it comes to committing crimes on US land by other diplomats. In 1997, when a drunken Georgian diplomat overran and killed a 16 years old girl in USA, the US government immediately asked Georgia to invoke the diplomatic immunity of their diplomat for the purpose of trial. Even a Pakistani diplomat and permanent representative at the UN, Mr Akram, when caught in hitting an office employee, Pakistan was asked for withdrawal of his diplomatic immunity. But when a US diplomat killed an Australian in a road accident, the US requested for immunity which was granted. With these double standards, the mightiest democracy rules the world and is presently pressurizing Pakistani government to “immediately release the US diplomat” despite the fact that it took days for the US government itself declare him a diplomat.

The case of RD would not have been made public had there been a military government in place. But despite all ills of the present government, it is a democratic government which has to answer to its people for any wrong or hasty decision. The media has played its role well to apprise people of the facts and what lays behind the face-value of RD, though in some cases overdoing it. And the case under question is not only against RD, but four more like him who came as back support to RD, violated one way traffic rules, overran another motorcyclist, who died on spot, and the vanished and are since hiding in US Consulate Lahore.

RD is one of so many cover agents freely roaming in streets of Pakistan under disguise of tourists and diplomats. Had RD not overreacted and acted immaturely, perhaps such covert operator of CIA would have gone on and on with their assignments to work out a mechanism to weaken Pakistan and ultimately launching the end game.

The unexpected and sudden outburst of public anger against governments in Tunis, Egypt, Bahrain and more so in Libya are no ordinary events. These are to be viewed with utmost caution and detailed analysis as such a move may already be underway to create unrest in Pakistan. Any mishandling of the RD case would have serious consequences on the bilateral relations of the two countries and on the War of (T)error launched by US since invasion of Iraq after 9/11.

The families of the slain motorcyclists are under immense government pressure to withdraw their case against RD as reported in a local newspaper, while the general public is of the view that the case should proceed and be decided by the court of law. Already in despair, the widow of one of the victims committed suicide as she saw no hope of getting justice, adding her blood to the three already slain young men at the hands of the so-called diplomats.  What will be the decision of the court and later the course of action by the government; I am keeping my fingers crossed.


Related reading: The last dying words for the US president

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Apathy of another kind

When the floods hit Pakistan last July, all private channels stormed into the muddy waters to capture events not captured by others and took credit of being the first to reach the desperate people. The Punjab Chief Minister took pains to reach the flood victims on a motorcycle; taking a “lift” from someone heading towards the flooded area (I wonder why he staged the drama). A few ministers, and even the president and the PM clad in beautifully creased attire had photo sessions with the shivering people still stranded in mud and slime. And then by and by, events other than floods became more important and media hype too died down to report other issues.

Angelina Jolie flew all the way from her cozy abode to sit like ordinary people with the poor women on a village cot and was angry when she was given gifts in a state banquet in her honour. She went back disgusted and unhappy as she could not find the hearts bleeding and eyes crying over the tragic loss of life and property in the higher ups of the government.

Even there is no more talk of the so called model villages for the flood victims, but we do hear construction of parliament lodges at an exuberant cost of Rs. 3 billion for the already filthy rich members of the parliament. We also hear of import of bullet proof cars but not a mention of taking flood victims back from their now tattered tents braving the severe winter.

I have voiced my concern a number of times and I am sure none of these would have been read by anyone. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has been continuously voicing its concerns and is of the view that the problems of the flood-hit population all over Pakistan seem to have come off the priority list even though the difficulties facing the affected people remain as challenging as ever and in some areas have even aggravated.

Conducting a survey and ascertain the damage and needs assessment in 33 flood-affected districts across the country, the HRCP is of the opinion that the government policies to deal with the post-flood situation lack consistency and do not take into account the dissimilar needs and the varying nature and extent of damage in different areas. HRCP has also pointed out towards serious allegations of corruption in distribution of material and financial assistance by the official and non-government organizations. Discrimination on various grounds, including political and official patronage, have also reported in provision of assistance and in reconstruction.

The role of the NDMA seems minimal or even to the extent of saying non-excitant to provide and implement any worthwhile and comprehensive strategy for the rehabilitation of the flood affected people. The much trumpeted Watan Card has died its own death after paying a paltry Rs. 20,000 to flood victims, which even has not reached everyone. The second tranche of Rs. 80,000 is not in sight.

The work to restore the destroyed infrastructure, including roads, bridges, schools and health facilities is pathetically slow paced. People are finding difficulties in going back to their flood hit areas as in most of the cases either the flood water is still standing or has made the area look like a quagmire. Those who have made it to their desolate lands have not been given seeds and other assistance to relive their lives and continue with the cultivation. Farmers and tenants who lacked influential patronage missed out on financial and material assistance, including seeds and fertilizer, building material or work for their subsistence, are now finding it difficult to start afresh.

We need to keep talking and reminding the government not to forget the poor who have suffered and lost their life long belongings and desperately need our help. Our media too needs to find time and send their teams to continue monitoring the plight of the flood victims, lest these poor are forgotten forever

Related Reading:

Flood victims woes forgotten - HRCP

Flood victims – the devastated people forgotten forever

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Our leaders need to learn from the Venezuelan president

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People win over Egypt – would in Pakistan too?

While for all practical explanations, Egypt had a democracy; its president remained more than a monarch, never willing to “abdicate” for the last many decades. Even at 82, he still wanted to go on and rule Egypt as long as he lived like all other monarchs of the Arab World. But the people finally though that they had enough of man who took over Egypt after the assassination of Anwar Sadat.

The ongoing protesters braved the powerful government resistance, inhaled unbearable tear gas, and received rubber bullets, besides facing bans and blackouts of internet services and closure of their mobile telephones for weeks but in the end they won. The crowd gathered at the Cairo's Tahrir Square cheered and danced when Hosni Mubarak announced to resign on Friday.

It is a great day for the oppressed people of Egypt who thought they had it enough of the over three decades long rule of one person, deciding the fate of one of the oldest living countries of the world. So much has been the impact of Mubarak’s step down that the oil prices saw a significant dip and the Benchmark crude for March delivery fell $1.21 to $85.52 in midday trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The over joy of the people in streets was so ecstatic that they hoisted soldiers onto their shoulders and families posed for pictures in front of tanks. It may be added here that the Egyptian army played a dominant role in supporting the public opinion and forcing the president to step down.  The emotionally charged people danced and embraced each other, some even kissed the ground and thanked Allah for ridding them of the tyranny of the one man rule.

Well after Tunisia, it was Egypt where people won. We in Pakistan are facing a similar situation, where the three years old democracy has done more harm to the country as compared to the three decades rule of Mubarak in Egypt. The state is in a state of quandary ever since the return of the NRO blessed democracy in Pakistan. Every state organ has been corrupted and each day a new scandal surfaces worth billions of rupees. It is the heart of the Supreme Court to brave the onslaught of cases of corruptions it is dealing every day.

The Friday reshuffle of the cabinet has come as a big dismay for the Pakistanis as the new cabinet has same old faces, many of which are NRO beneficiaries. People had thought of seeing a positive change when the previous cabinet was dissolved, but all hopes have died down for a better tomorrow, at least for now.

The opposition in Pakistan has proved to be as docile as a lamb which doesn’t seem to have any steam left init to force the government to have mercy over the sorry state of the country. The friendly opposition posed by PML (N) has done more harm to the country than the government itself by only writing letters to the government but showing only mild opposition in the parliament, only to save its government from crumbling in Punjab. Another party head sits in the comforts of England and boasts of changing the destiny of the country. The masses are really fed up of the rhetoric but are leaderless to rise their voice against the abject poverty, rampant corruption and looting and plundering of the country.

The flood afectees continue to rot in the now torn and tattered tent villages, while lodges for the few and privileged continue to be built. No one really seemed to be having an iota of concern for the miseries of the common man who continues to suffer and become more oppressed and poorer every day. But unfortunately no messiah is in sight, while the pied piper takes the country to point of no return.

Photo courtesy: AP/Ben Curtis/Yahoo News

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Give while you are still living

Yesterday I watched a small clip about a king and his fortunes on the net. The list of king’s possessions could make anyone feel jealous of him. The list talked of the largest fleet of cars, one of the biggest armada of sea vessels and air craft equipped with all modern gadgets and comforts besides a swimming pool. The clip showed his palace where everything was made of gold and diamonds. He had a palace with unaccounted number of suites, ballrooms, banquet halls, sports facilities and large tracts of green prairies where he rode on the finest horses in the world. And don’t ask me to tell you how much wealth he has.

This reminded me of a anecdote a friend once e-mailed me. And I am sharing the same as I find some relevancy between the anecdote and the wealth of the king. The story goes like this that a very rich man once asked friend, "Why it is everyone is always criticizing me for being miserly. Everyone knows that I have made provision to leave everything I have to charity when I die?" "Well," said the minister, "let me tell you about a story about the pig and the cow. The pig was complaining to the cow one day about how unpopular he was. "People are always talking about your gentleness and your kindness," said the pig. "You give milk and cream. But I give even more. I give bacon and ham. I give bristles and they even pickle my feet! Still no one likes me; I'm just a pig. Why is this?" The cow thought for a minute, and then said, "Well, maybe it's because I give while I'm still living.

This fictional conversation leaves us much to ponder. Even if one’s grave has walls of gold with diamonds studded into it and one is laid on a cushioned mattress, it would be of no use as the dead body would not be able to feel any comfort. It is only while one lives that one can make others happy by parting with a part of one’s empire and wealth so that the needy too could live happily. Otherwise a dead poor or rich body would just be the same in the grave, being eaten away by worms irrespective of its previous status when it was alive.

Rich people around the world have coffers and vaults over flooded with wealth, diamonds and precious artifacts, which suddenly one day would find another master after the death of the previous. And sadly the new master would continue to add rather than sharing with those who need it.

So let us not be remembered like an animal most hated – let us be giving like a cow while we are still living.

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The increasing intolerance

While everyone thought for a moment that the Army has been able to control the militants in the northern part of the country, there was a bombshell yet again in the capital city a few days back. Something had been brewing inside and finally exploded with the death of the governor. It was almost similar to the old days when militants roamed the streets to show their muscles. This time it was seemingly a good Muslim serving the cause of those long hidden arms that lie underground, but are more united and aggressive than before. Killing the governor for his big mouth is in fact no service to the cause of the religion, but serving the cause of those who want the present unrest to continue in the country and take the county to the brink of collapse and God forbid its ultimate dilation.

Our religious scholars and leaders fail to understand that at this time when Islam is being viewed in negative words, and dirty hands are at play to instigate the illiterates on sensitive subjects of the religion with a view to find more excuses to dump Pakistan and take control of it, there is a need more than ever before to teach tolerance to their subjects and ask them not to get intimidated on sensitive issues as this is exactly what is wanted. Rather the clerics and the scholars alike are fueling more to strengthen the hidden agenda thtat has been very cleverly planned and executed in our country.

Our revered Prophet Muhammad (May peace be upon Him) was a symbol of extreme tolerance and a person who would not even frown at the worst of intimidation by his enemies. He even did not ask the Angel Gabriel to destroy the people of Taif when they stoned Him and made Him bleed from all over. He even prayed for that old woman who would thorn His way and throw dirt on Him when He walked past her house. He even forgave the killer of his uncle Hamza (RA) whom he had special likening.

It was his very tolerant, humble and logical approach towards His enemies that won their hearts and made them accept Islam willingly and not under duress as many believe in the West. This is in fact the teachings that we should adopt to belittle each dirty effort to create dissent amongst our ranks and stay united rather than flaring up and reacting violently as those hidden hands want. Unless we are rationale and logical rather than emotional and fiery, we will not be able to defeat those who are realizing their aims and objectives by making us respond to sensitive issues such as the very person of the Holy Prophet.

It is even more sad and disheartening to notice that even the black coats loyal to a particular political party have been seen garlanding and kissing the killer of the slain governor. The lawyers are supposed to be the upholder of the law and not supporter of a political party. If they want to express their sentiments as individuals, they should have done so while donning off their black coats. For our political gains, we can go to any extent by instigating lawyers and even law enforcing agencies to avenge our political lost grounds. This is amply clear as to why the dominating political party of Punjab rejoiced on the death of the governor because he was always opposed to their rather dogmatic political views. Taking advantage his murder to score a point over the opponents seems highly degrading.

Our extreme approach on every issue is taking us nowhere but destruction and humiliation. We have forgotten the real essence of Islam and have resorted to bigotry and rigidity. We have already overshot the limits that were likely to keep the country united, progressive and developing. The warning shots which were seen by those who could really hear were way back in the past. We need more than ever before people who can grasp the gravity of the quagmire we have got ourselves trapped in and lead the nation to path of glory, not on path of disgust and destruction.

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Are we choking the earth?

There were times – the good times – when everyone went shopping with a basket in the hand and would come home full of groceries and other things either in open or packed in paper bags, made of newspapers. No extra paper was wasted to make the paper bags as the newspapers which go waste in millions everyday could be used for this purpose. The used paper bags when thrown as rubbish would automatically be consumed by the nature leaving no harmful effects behind. Roads, streets and countryside looked clean and beautiful. The sewerage line continued un restricted and no manhole over spilled.

Those were the good days.

Then came the new era of polythene bags – stronger, lightweight, rain proof, low cost and easy to handle. Soon their use spread in every sphere of life – from grocery stores to packing material – it was polythene everywhere. Going to purchase grocery became easy – go empty handed, come back loaded with many colours of shopping bags made of polythene. Even purchasing milk became easy – no need to carry a utensil from home as we did in our childhood. The milk seller would now pack any quantity of domestic use in the new innovation. This made everyone happy and the practice goes on the world over. Each year many multiple of trillions of shopping bags are produced that we bring home and then throw out – not to rot but to haunt us and our future.

The beginning of the bad days.

Now visit a countryside, and one is horrified to see countless non-biodegradable polythene bags littered all over presenting an ugly look and badly damaging the image of the once beautiful countryside. And as if this was enough. Not at all. These bags do not degrade easily and not do so even in many centuries. Its thermoplastic material which when heated gets softened due to weakening of intermolecular forces and melts, but on cooling it solidifies again. So that means it stays out there for ever.

Experts say that the extremely high presence of these bags is in fact suffocating the earth as a layer of these non-degenerated bags is being formed on the earth surface, making it difficult for the earth to breathe. These nuisance bags prevent sunlight exposure of the soil, thus destroying the beneficial bacteria causing loss of fertility. It also stops water from entering into the soil for its own health while stopping natural greenery to grow as now any natural growth is stopped due to the polythene layer over earth – which is getting dense everyday.

If one happens to travel by train, one is appalled (if with conscience) to see the beginning and the end of a town or a city increasingly becoming dumping grounds for these non-biodegradable objects posing risks not only to plants and crops but also to all living beings including humans. Not only this, the fertile lands are also being threatened. As the wind take these bags virtually everywhere and is choking the fertility of the land.

An easy way to destroy the rubbish and litter in most countries, including ours, is to burn the waste in the open. Once the polythene bags burn, they produce dioxins and furan which are mutagenic and carcinogenic (cancer causing). A research says that polythene bags that are red or yellow bright in colour have toxic chemicals like, lead and cadmium and same colour gets leached off and affects the eatables kept in these. In rural areas where cattle grazing is a common site, it is believed that almost 60% animals are affected by eating polythene bags as these disrupts the process of fermentation and mixing of contents that lead to indigestion. These also obstruct the digestive tract, and if not removed by operation can prove fatal.

I once got a chance while administering a small town sized area, and banned the use of polythene bags. I faced stiff resistance – interestingly not from the shop keepers but from the residents as they would carry the basket I had specially got made and was available at each store for a few bucks. The majority wanted shopping bags and not the shopping baskets. I enforced the decision anyway – but I heard after my departure that polythene bags have come back. For as long as the decision was promulgated, there was a drastic decrease in the tonnage of garbage lifted every day as there were no shopping bags.

So it is up to us what we want to do for us and our future and future of the earth we live on. And what do we do? Go shopping empty handed (and bring back monsters polythene bags) or carrying a basket?

Related Blog: Polythene – A bagful of Poison

PS: The post was first published in Jaho Jalal

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Our leaders need to learn from the Venezuelan President

Recently, Venezuela was hit by torrential rains and devastating floods that rendered over 100,000 people homeless and killing some 30. Moved by the miseries of his people, the Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has ordered to erect a Bedouin tent for him, gifted to him by the Libyan president Gaddafi. In the gardens of his presidential palace, while allowing the homeless to move into the presidential palace till arrangements are made for the their shelter. As per a news report, already 25 families have been shifted into the presidential palace. He has even asked his staff to put beds in his office to make more space.

Now compare the devastation by flood in Venezuela and Pakistan. In our case the flash floods affected some 20 million across the entire length and breadth of the country. The homeless still shiver in the cold weather under the sky in tents, which cannot stop the chilly winds from penetrating inside and making the life of the homeless miserable and pathetic. Has their plight has any effect on our leaders? Did anyone made the gesture of vacating his official residence for the flood hit people? Except for few photo sessions during the flood days, the people of the water seem to have been totally forgotten. The showy motorcycle appearances and sitting on ground with the poor in creaseless and well pressed clothes have long been gone. The palatial living by the kings and ministers continues with no disregard at all for the people suffering for want of food, warm clothing and shelter.

A few days back I wrote “Have we forgotten the flood victims?” and aired my feelings. But the recent news and humanitarian gesture shown by the Venezuelan President makes me appeal yet again to all and sundry not to forget the flood victims and continue to help them as long as they don’t get back to their homes. But it seems they would never find any home for them unless they beg or borrow to make a shelter for them.

The world still remembers Haiti flood victims, but no one seems to be caring for Pakistani flood victims as they feel that since their own government and people have abandoned them, why should they extend a helping hand. The credibility issue of the government made many not to open their coffers for the fears of its getting squandered and embezzled. In the end, the people and victims of the worst floods in the history of Pakistan are suffering. I wish Hugo Chavez was our president.

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(Anti) Corruption Day Today

It may be not be very amusing, but while the world celebrates the Anti Corruption Day today, our government chooses not to for the last consecutive three years. Why? I do not need to elaborate. In Pakistan, during the Mush regime, the day was observed in collaboration with the Transparency International (TI) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) – something usually not expected from the dictators. But its non observance under a democratic rule is certainly objectionable and un-understandable.

The decision comes amid reports of large scale embezzlement and corruption in the provision of facilities to the Pakistani Hajj pilgrims during their stay Saudi Arabia and massive kickbacks and commissions feared to the tune of some Rs. 20 billion in award of contracts of some housing schemes. The excavations at Reko Diq in Balochistan, a haven of huge deposits of gold and other precious materials, is also making headlines these days as the contracts have been awarded with no regard to merit through open tenders.

The growing awareness to corrupt and the corruption is the hallmark of observing the 9th of December as the anti corruption day globally. While people only talked of corruption in hidden words some years ago, they are now more vocal and pointing fingers towards the corrupt. As a result, more and more politicians, head of the states and CEOs of major giants are being hauled and prosecuted on charges of corruption.

And rightly so, the observance of the day has its significance as the tax payers’ have every right to know where their hard earned tax money goes and today they vow not to let their taxes be embezzled or squandered which they give to their governments for the better being.

Pakistan is not faring very good on this account and non-observance of this day is of serious concern for every Pakistani. Rather such an act makes others more doubtful about our government’s acts and that’s why it suffers from the credibility issue. Had this not be the case, the world would have come forwards whole heartedly to help the flood victims, who continue to suffer and are braving the severe winters under the open sky for want of funds to construct shelter for them.

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Have we forgotten the flood victims?

Well the plain and painful answer is a big YES. When the floods came, the whole nation got united as we did in 2005 earthquake. A large scale relief effort was undertaken in every street and corner of the country. Truckloads were dispatched by ordinary people and NGOs while the government sat and watched. Had it not been for the massive relief operation undertaken by the army, the death toll would have been colossal.

After establishing the camps and sheltering them temporarily, everyone started to step back. Even the media that had raced to reach the flood hit areas before the other channel, has also new stories to make. Slowly and gradually the sympathies and concern for those poor 20 million people has subsided. Now everyone is worried about Wikileaks rather than those wretched people facing the severe winter cold right out there in the open, HELPLESSLY.

Although the NGOs and people of the country contributed more than the government and the governments, they can and should do more now when people are battling the general winter (as from Napoleonic age). The media also needs to play its part more effectively and bring to forth the sufferings of the people in the open rather than forgetting about the issue as we have forgotten the earthquake victims.

On the internet, we still find appeals for the donation of Haiti flood victims as they have not been forgotten. But we definitely seem to have forgotten these people. And perhaps we have also forgotten that of the 20 million affectees, six million are children. They need our help more than the elders.

Unfortunately due to the credibility issue of the present government, a general awareness in the donor countries could not be created about the sufferings and plight of the people. That is why except for initial immediately needed relief and help, the world too has forgotten these people. Nor the government, nor the media followed the donors and those who could help. The news channels after securing points on other channels by running EXCLUSIVE sliders, have found new stories to take advantage from.

I remember that during the times when Afghan refugees were here in Pakistan, although they are still here in numbers, the Saudi government sent plane loads of meat sacrificed at the Hajj for the Afghan refugees. This time there was no such gesture. The mood of the Saudi government after the release of Wikileaks could be the obvious reason.

It seems we have failed in our cause and pledge to help these poor people. We need to reinvigorate our efforts to help them as long as they are in tents and open. Instead of making model villages which will cost lot of money, we simply need to make houses for them rather than wasting money of building community centres and other facilities as money spent on these can be used for making more houses, which is the priority one. WE NEED TO DO MUCH MORE than mere slogans and hollow reassurances. Let us just help them.

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The Bear Hug

A few days back, a photograph showing a chained bear hugging a child of the bear owner appeared in a leading newspaper with the caption “Bear Hug.” The picture immediately attracted my attention as the practice of using bears to fight with dogs and other unbecoming practices by the bear beaters to earn money is going on for years despite the efforts of the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) to protect these animals from suffering and barbaric treatment.

I immediately wrote to the newspaper editor, drawing their attention to their correspondent’s mindset that had shot the scene for amusement of others rather than projecting the harm and cruelty done to the animals. Obviously the letter was not printed in the newspaper.

Those who care for these poor animals may have read about the ravaging of the Kund Park Bear sanctuary in the Khyber Pakhtunkwa province during the last floods, in which of the 23 rescued bears from the bear beaters, only three could be rescued, while the 20 unlucky perished in the muddy waters of the floods. The sanctuary is so badly devastated that it would take a long time for its reestablishment. The surviving bears have now been accommodated in another sanctuary located at Balkasar.

It is time now that we say no to such feats and display of animals being used to earn money. The wild animals have to undergo a torturous training to tame their wildness and pacify their animal instincts so that these can be used and tortured again for their display in public. One of the most cruel things done to these bears is that they are tied to a pole and made to “fight” with the dogs who are lose. How can a chained bear fight with a loose dog? I am sure if the bear was also loose; he wouldn’t let the dog last long.

If you find a chained bear being used for earning money, please notify the nearest office of the World Society for the Protection of Animals, so that these could be rescued and placed in the sanctuaries for protection in environment close to their natural habitat.

Related Reading: Floods ravage the Kund Park Bear Sanctuary

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Buy Nothing Today!!

Weird? Well for many in Pakistan this may strange. But most people in most of the countries today, the 27th of November, are celebrating the day buy locking their purses and literary not buying anything today.

Why celebrate the Buy Nothing Day? Well those who propagate the idea contend that everything that we buy has an impact on the environment. Thus Buy Nothing Day highlights the environmental and ethical consequences of consumerism. The world population is fast depleting the natural resources by excessive buying and causing a disproportionate level of environmental damage, and an unfair distribution of wealth.

In fact as consumers we need to question the products we buy and challenge the companies who produce them. What are the true risks to the environment and developing countries? We all know recycling is OK for the environment, but consuming less is better and Buy Nothing Day is a great way to start.

There are also people for whom prices do not matter and they buy as the have swollen purses to do so. I remember a surveyor on TV when asked a fashionable woman about the impact of soaring prices of sugar and petrol on people; she simply shrugged her shoulders and remarked, “It doesn’t matter to me.” Well this is pure selfish attitude as it may not have an impact on you doesn’t mean that it is not affecting others. We as consumers have to keep the larger interests of all consumers supreme, rather than caring for our very own.

Although the celebrating of the day is symbolic, as people would be buying the next day, but we have to see its impact on the mindset. The spirit of the day should translate into our buying philosophy for buy only what is required. If we buy more than the requirement, we will be throwing away the surplus in the litter, which has its many adverse effects on life and environment. For one thing, we have squandered our own resources, and likewise we have consumed more natural resources than actually required and thirdly we have littered more, causing more harm to the environment. An apple on a tree adds beauty and life to the environment and nature, but a rotten apple in the garbage makes environment ugly, dirty and polluted.

So let us buy nothing today and make a resolve not buy anything in excess of our requirement to keep our land healthy and free of pollution and environmental sickness.

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Let there be light!!

Despite living in 21st century, we continue to live in darkness, not only on account of load shedding, but also because of our ignorance and lack of vision for the future. We are so engrossed into our daily rituals and day to day living, that we have lost sight of the greater goals and objectives. Ask anyone about tomorrow, and you will get a cynical look and reply too if you insist. Everyone looks dejected, gloomy, uncertain and undefined.

When I view our “leaders”, if at all there are any, my longing for light intensifies. No one has a clear vision as to how one sees Pakistan in a decade from now, that is the minimum one can expect. Every political leader seems to be focused on winning the next elections and ways and means to earn the coveted seat of government. That’s as simple as that. Nothing more, nothing less.

We have a war within and very close without going on. No one seems to be pretty sure as to what is going to be our strategy related to affairs and future developments in Afghanistan. What would happen if the NATO suddenly decides to disengage? How will we tackle the situation on our western borders, and its fallout within us.

Our economy continues to be governed by IMF and the World Bank. Perhaps other than the finance minister, no one really knows what our economic and financial strategy is at present and why, and how really should it be. The debate on financial matters only revolves around the soaring prices of sugar and day to day perishable commodities. No one really understands the many hidden secrets behind the budget speeches made in the parliament and how to counter the bad links. Why electricity tariff is being raised, no one questions the logic or take on the finance minister with detailed homework, except lamenting the imposition of the increased tariff, perhaps only for the satisfaction of their vote bank.

Most of the so called literate continue to avoid any intellectual discussion on any aspect of our strategy, be it military, economic or fiscal. Perhaps many do not know what our national aim and objectives are, from where all subordinate strategies are derived. The discussions on many news channels on TV are inconclusive and have no follow up. And when the discussion reaches to a point where the participants should be spelling out their vision of the future and give out concrete recommendations, time runs out.

Everyone seems to be vying to score a point on the other, without even realizing that such games are for children, naïve and illiterates. The men of letter and substance sit together and instead of defending own party position; they all try to reach at a consensus to solve the issue at hand rather than telling the other to wait till the next elections.

The life of a common man that now includes the poorer, the poor and the middle class, continues to be difficult and harsh. Prices and tariffs continue to soar, poor continue to commit suicides, and unemployed commit robberies as there are no options, while the rich and famous continue to debate and discuss the future course of action for their election campaign and business deals.

While we are continuously being pushed backwards into dark ages like situations, optimists like me continue to pray: Let there be light!! To enlighten the vision of people who rein this country and those waiting for their turn, to give meaning to the thoughts of those who cry for the future of this country. Let there be followers who displease their masters for the sake of the future of this country rather than pleasing for shorter gains. Let the light befall on the people who could stand before a demagogue and damn his treacherous flatteries without winking.

Related Reading:

The Demagogue

God give us men! A time like this demands (JahoJalal)

Photo: Jalalspages

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