Mission Educate Pakistan!

'The education crisis in Pakistan is serious, its big and it needs the educated to step up and own it!'
These were the words of Nadia Naviwala who was speaking at the Beaconhouse School of Tomorrow event on the topic of  'Pakistan's Education Crisis'.

Stating alarming facts and figures regarding the state of education in Pakistan, she shared her findings from extensive research from all provinces where the issues ranged from absent teachers and stagnating enrollment to deplorable standard of education. While the general belief is that not enough funds are allocated for the education sector in the country, it was both a relief and a disappointment to know that its not the amount of funds, but the way these funds are managed, that is the real problem! Relief because money can no longer be used as an excuse and disappointment because despite having funds, we are unable to deliver because of our lack of will and honesty.

When education is not a priority but treated as a mere political stunt to win elections, facts and figures become an eyewash, created only to look good on paper!

One of the major areas where the education budget is spent is on the salaries of teachers, which would've been a delight had those teachers been doing their jobs too! Sindh is on the forefront when it comes to rewarding teachers who don't even come to school, showing an absolute lack of political will and leadership!


While the picture may appear bleak, there are some positive steps being taken too as in KPK where the education graph is gradually showing progress, the vision of the education department farsighted and deep. With the emerging trend of private sector stepping up and assisting government in raising the standard of the public schools by either adopting them or partnering with them, there are still officials who are not looking to shy away from their responsibilities. When asked about his opinion of the private sector getting engaged with the public schools, the education minister of KPK said, 'It is 'my' job to fix the private schools and instead of handing it to someone else, I should be doing it. What else am I getting paid for!' and one does hope that this spirit is shared at all levels of the government throughout the country.

There are some very vital questions that we as a nation need to ask ourselves and arrive at a consensus for a shared vision when it comes to education in Pakistan.The future of Pakistan will not just be the elite, but also the neglected, illiterate and lost youth that is overlooked with convenience. Do we have a vision for what kind of citizens we want to become and live with or for us, Pakistan is only one segment of the society? Do we care if we see a child of school-going age out in the street? Are we ready to take responsibility for kids other than our own? Voicing these difficult questions, Nadia stated the example of Sweden where communities took it upon themselves to make sure that every child was going to school, getting quality education and why not,  as citizens it is only fair that we step up, fill gaps and not just identify problems but even become part of the solution!

Strangely, there is a very visible lack of interest of Pakistanis in Pakistan. Everyone feels that they have the option to leave, many have left, many are in the process of doing so and the rest, well, they are trying to get their hands on anything and everything they can, but with causes like TCF, Akhuwat and Nur Foundation, you see hope too, though its light may still be too bleak, needing many more to hold the beacons of unity and enlightenment.

Another aspect that I cannot stop thinking about is what exactly is education teaching us. If even after getting educated, we are dishonest, corrupt, insensitive, irresponsible and selfish, then what good has education brought us! If our teachers,clerks,, lawyers, doctors, ministers, leaders, all come from the same community of the 'educated' then wouldnt it be only fair to expect a certain degree of character and ethics from them. Where is our education system failing to instill these basic seeds of what it means to be truly educated!

If even after spending 7 years in a school, a child is unable to write his own name or read the word Pakistan, then we all, the educated, are guilty of a crime as big as murder for depriving a child from his right to education is like shutting doors of opportunities, growth, vision, empowerment and possibilities for him. Master Ayub may not have a campus to boast of, but he does have passion, sincerity and commitment to his cause and that is something we most essentially need, the rest will follow, I promise!

Minimalism Soon Will Become a Necessity!

With the way things are changing, minimalism will cease to be just a spiritual path or style statement, it will become the need of the times

global warming, climate change, greenhouse gas emmisions, pollution, you name it and im sure you must have heard of it as these are some of the very grave issues the entire world is facing today.Mostly climate change is taken as a government or corporate policy issue where the emphasis is on enviroment friendly production methods and legislation to counter this menace. However, when studying the phenomenam the consumption patterns of the scoeity  also need to be taken into account.

How Many Gallons of Water is in a . . .

Car
It takes an estimated 39,090 gallons of water to make a car. It's unclear if that includes the more 2,000 gallons used to make its tires--each tire takes 518 gallons to make. [1]

Pair of Jeans
It takes around 1,800 gallons of water to grow enough cotton to produce just one pair of regular ol' blue jeans. [2]
Cotton T-Shirt
Not as bad as jeans, it still takes a whopping 400 gallons of water to grow the cotton required for an ordinary cotton shirt.
Single Board of Lumber
5.4 gallons of water are used to grow enough wood for one lumber board. [3]
ndividual Bottled Water
This irony shouldn't be lost on anyone: it takes 1.85 gallons of water to manufacture the plastic for the bottle in the average commercial bottle of wate

What is the Point of Education!!!?

I had recently been done with rahbar when a friend invited me to talk to some students from low financial backgrounds, residing in a non-posh area. I couldve written less privileged background and saved time and words but that kind of equals privilege with wealth and I dont find that too right. I know its not a big deal, it gets the message across right? that those kids are less privileged meaning they have less assets, less opportunities for fun, lower quality of education but privilege is a wider term than this for me. For me, privilege is having a mind and a heart too, that both of us equally have, despite standing on opposite sides of the financial fence. So, I refuse to use this term to segment society into groups and it might do us good to rethink the words that we casually use in our conversation for the connotation they may carry might be totally out of line than what we intend to communicate.

Coming back to the topic, so my friend asked me to come and talk to those young, grade 2-8 graders about why they should seek education. It appeared that most of them had no interest in studies, thanks to the culture under which they were being taught. Living under a constant fear of ridicule, shame and punishment, the kids had lost their love for learning and found it burdening and boring. I was to reignite their love for education and I was totally clueless how I would do that.

As a brainstorming idea, I asked a group of friends why they sent their kids to school and I was responded to in the most humorous of ways:) 'To get some peace and quiet in our life' 'So that teachers also know what havoc these kids cause' 'So that they make a career for themselves and become independent' or the most outrageous one, my favorite, 'Why do you question everything? It has been the norm and it shall be the norm!'

While this was a fun discourse, it did make me realize one thing; we people dont like to think or question, it is too exhausting, too energy consuming. So we would rather go with the tide, not knowing or caring where the tide takes us, as long as everyone is going there;) for isolation freaks us out! Being left behind is one of our biggest fears!

Anyway, so not really knowing what I would say to the kids, I headed to the school. I could easily tell them that they could get great jobs if they sought education but I didnt want to undervalue education as a mere means of making money alone. While making a career is undoubtedly a great benefit of education, making one equipped enough to be an asset rather than a liability for his country, there had to be more  to it than that!

Saying a secret silent prayer, I entered the house-turned-into-school. Looking at the smiling,excited faces of the children put me at a little ease. Still clueless about what to say, I thought I'd throw the ball in their court and started off with the introductions. They were most keen to chat and talk, something I assumed wasnt too encouraged in their classrooms (same here) and then I got to the real matter,
'So do you like to study?' 'Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo,'came the loud reply.
'Why not?' 'It's boring!' It's tough!' came the replies
'Well, then do you like these volunteer teachers who have come to teach you?'(My friend had organized a 2 week workshop with those kids to encourage them to pursue education)
'Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees' came another loud reply
Do you know what they all have in common? and as they looked at me for an answer, I said, 'They are all educated.'
'Dont you like the way they talk, they smile, they care for you. How they know so much and share it all with you, how they dont use foul language, how courteous and polite they are, how well they carry themselves with grace and poise, well, education teaches you all that! Do you want to learn all this?'
And to my relief, there was a big yes,

As we talked, the children shared their dreams and aspirations, the conversation turning into an inspirational talk where the students shared their challenges and themselves discovered the ways to counter them. Sharing real life stories of legends to a topper in matriculation who used to sell fruits on a cart during his school years, the students and all of us there, realized how the power of dreams can turn the apparently impossible, into possible!

As I left, I said a secret prayer in my heart that may the dreams of those children take them to unimaginable heights and may they become examples of what it means to be 'truly educated' (ameen)

Children-Cinema is coming to Town!

It is not just about watching a movie, it is the entire experience! Coming out with your family or friends, chatting away as you wait for the show to begin, queuing up, observing the people around, being a responsible member of the hall and sharing the highs and lows of the movie, TOGETHER!

Rarely has there been much quality entertainment for the children of Pakistan. Most have to make do with a few parks, playlands but not much has been done for enhancing their creative abilities through the mediums of art and media. Fortunately, things are changing now. With a vision to promote education and positive social values through innovative learning opportunities among children and youth, The Little Art's child-centered programs of high quality aim to improve children's experience of learning, through the arts.

Using mediums as diverse as puppetry, theatre, painting, photography, workshops and film making, The Little Art gives an outlet to children to express themselves freely, exploring the diverse options of expression.

International Children's Film Festival is one of The Little Art's Landmark initiatives that brings to Pakistan, movies from around the world focused primarily on children. This year too, the 8th Lahore International Children’s Film Festival 2016 is celebrating the experience of global cinema for children in Pakistan.

Presenting 80 films from 26 countries, made for, by and about children, this is an event you wouldn't want to miss!!

For more details

https://www.facebook.com/events/1733462413571156/

Their Faces Tell Their Story!

(This is my take from a panel discussion with acid and oil burn victims of Depilex SmileAgain Foundation at the SHE Inspires 2016 event)


You think it doesn't happen, because thank God, it hasn't happened with you or anyone you personally know and also because you don't want to admit that it happens, it isn't a fact you want to own or accept but its true, very true!

Acid burning and kerosene oil burning incidents are a part of our everyday news. Jahaiz na lanay per bahu ko tail chirak k aag laga de! Who hasnt read such news but after twice or thrice, it has lost its novelty, there's nothing new about it. It happens all the time and strangely what happens all the time, becomes a norm of the society, even an act as barbarian as acid burning!

Sit for a while with a kerosene or acid burn victim and your entire perspective will be changed. The pain that a burn victim goes through is so intense and unbearable that many are unable to sustain the wounds and lose their life. Those who pull through, have a long battle ahead that awaits them, which is physical, psychological and social.

'My husband wanted to teach me a lesson. He splashed petrol on me and burned me because I had not brought enough dowry,'one victim said. 'I was in severe, unbearable pain. I wanted to die, wanted to kill myself, the pain was so terrible! My lips had melted in such away that I had no mouth. I had to go through multiple surgeries to get to a near-normal state! My neck is still being treated, if it weren't for Depilex SmileAgain foundation, I could've never afforded this expensive treatment.'

Founded in 2003, Depilex Smileagain Foundation is the brainchild of Musarrat Misbah, working on the treatment and rehabilitation of the victims of intentional acid and kerosene oil burning.

Shedding light on the causes of such incidents, she stated that, 'Mostly the reasons range from dowy issues, girl child birth, anger, frustration or mere means of pressure to convince someone to marry or punish her for refusing to but if you dig deep, it is actually a sick mindset that considers a woman worthless and weak enough to be subjected to all kinds of torture and pain without the slightest of shame or guilt! It is not just blatant ignorance but complete disregard of basic human values as well!'

Sharing her story, another victim said that her husband didnt work and that led to regular disputes between the couple. ' One day, as I was walking my daughter to school, my husband came from behind and threw acid on me. I have lost one eye due to this incident, not to forget the eternal scars on the skin and soul. But today, I stand strong. My Allah is with me and I am empowered enough to support my children myself!'

When one listens to such stories, one cant help thinking the vital role parents, especially mothers have to play in their child's upbringing for these men too, were raised by women, then how could they have such low value and regard for the womankind. 'We are definitely not bringing up our sons right,' Mussarat Misbah said,' We need to amend the flaws in our upbringing and build a pressure group for this cause, making our presence strong on the media, in the papers, on various platforms for mere laws are not enough if their implementation is not ensured. If the culprit is able to get away with his crime, how will rule of law be established and justice reign supreme!'

The treatment for a burn victim is very lengthy and painful, the path to recovery long and trying. She has to accept the face in the mirror as her own, although the marks on her face and body are a constant reminder of the horrendous act she suffered. The physical pain and discomfort continues for months, even years and sometimes, for life. The psychological trauma and social isolation make this a challenge for the victim to pull through and rise again.

Is it then fair to let this issue be buried underground and not be given due voice and attention? As responsible citizens, it is only fair that we raise our voice against this crime on all platforms and ensure that culprits of such heinous acts be punished so severely that they become a symbol of admonition for the rest of the world.

Violence is the Language of Insanity!

In case of a nuclear war between India and Pakistan, there can be only one winner; death and destruction!

It all seems very exciting on the big screen; the explosion, the sound effects, the magnanimity of impact, Booooom!!!!!!!!!! the bomb goes and you get an adrenaline high as there is an outburst of colours, fumes and fire.

That is how a bomb blast is captured in a movie and yes, that is how violence is glamorized and sold, and even unconsciously, encouraged perhaps, nothing to matter more than winning and conquering.

Multiply this with the impact a nuclear bomb can cause and the figures will astound you. Yet the recent tension between India and Pakistan has once again raised the topic of nuclear weapons as a means to threaten and establish dominance of one country over the other. While it may appear to some naive people to be a very courageous or patriotic stance by either party, it is quite the contrary an emotional call, neither wise nor sensible.

In case of a nuclear war between India and Pakistan, there can be only one winner; death and destruction.According to estimates, such a war would result in so much smoke that global temperatures would fall below those of the last Ice Age, One “average” nuke dropped on a major city would vaporize everything within 1.6 km, and kill 12 lakh people in the first 24 hours, with significantly more deaths from radiation exposure and injuries in the following weeks. Why is it that such facts are not taken into considerations before making such statements, or are they conveniently overlooked to play with the sentiments of the naive public, fooling them into falling for their 'brave' leaders?

Who doesn't know what a bomb blast does to a person, a family, a nation? Unfortunately, we have accounts, witnesses and victims of even an atomic bomb, whose mere photographs are enough to give us the shivers. 

The atomic bombing on Hiroshima directly killed an estimated 70,000 people which, due to injuries and radiation, reached to 90,000-166,000 by the end of the year. In the words of one survivor,' There were people crying out for help, calling after members of their family. I saw a schoolgirl with her eye hanging out of its socket. People looked like ghosts, bleeding and trying to walk before collapsing. Some had lost limbs.'

''There were charred bodies everywhere, including in the river. I looked down and saw a man clutching a hole in his stomach, trying to stop his organs from spilling out. The smell of burning flesh was overpowering.”

Yet, despite these frightful accounts, we so conveniently discuss the possibility of a nuclear attack on another country, maybe because it appears to be the 'easy-way' out instead of acting like grownups, who can talk, negotiate, be fair and resolve their differences through discussion.

In order to highlight the graveness of the present tension between India and Pakistan and to bring a human element to all this atmosphere of hate and accusations, last week, over a hundred and fifty activists in India and Pakistan took part in a photo campaign to call on world leaders to never use nuclear weapons. From New Delhi to Islamabad, Bangalore to Karachi, Amritsar to Lahore, Global Zero volunteers took photos saying “Don’t Nuke Us, PM Sharif and Don’t Nuke Us, PM Modi” with the hashtag #NoRedButton. 

The objective of such a campaign is not only to promote peace, but to attempt to build regional solidarity in the face of war, working to eliminate nuclear weapons forever. As long as we live in an undemocratic system that gives one person absolute control over mass destruction, we can never be safe.We must demand our leaders say 'No to the Red Button' for the world is a safer place without nuclear weapons, not with them.

As I worked on this piece about nuclear weapons, I frightfully realized that there aren't many images left anymore that would shake our souls and brim our eyes with tears, for we have seen too much destruction, pain, death and turmoil in the last few years! It is extremely disturbing and shocking. The photo of a small child covered in blood and crying, alone, helplessly doesnt do much to generate an action, a movement, a call out; you can easily swipe it away to the next image!

How can the image be gripping and engaging enough for viewers to be moved to the core!!!

Pain and agony doesnt grow less by increasing in magnitude, destruction everywhere does not make destruction acceptable!
Every bullet hurts, every life counts, every step matters!

At the end of the day, in our vision to look at the bigger picture, we should never consider overlooking the little details, for in the little details, lie the signs of life, the smile of a child, the joy of a mother, the fragrance of a flower!

source for the quote:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/31/japan-atomic-bomb-survivors-nuclear-weapons-hiroshima-70th-anniversary

The Hype about the Chai Wala

I know I'm late, the topic has been done and over with mostly but just felt like giving my two cents on this. while I'
m loving the photographers wise and graceful stance about all this and how it seems to be doing good for Mr.Arshad too, the entire hype does reflect a few things about common people psyche.

Well, for starters, looks arent the property of a particular class alone. Yes, there are all sorts of treatments and facial and hair care that can only be bought with money but Allah hasn't differentiated His blessings of beauty or intellect based on wealth. Yet, unknowingly, we tend to associate these with the financial status of a person. Yes, grooming makes a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge difference so even if your looks are not that attractive, with proper grooming, confidence and style, you can easily be a stunner at any party.

Maybe its also that we dont really give compliments to people who come from the working class like tailor, waiter, maid or chai wala:) How often do we say to our guard that you look smart today or to our maid, this color suits you. It's as if they neither deserve nor should expect to be given compliments for what are they but mere means of our comfort and for our service. What do they need looks or compliments for and when can they ever look good enough to be noticeable for us. They are the invisibles, the robots that serve us,open our doors, clear our paths, wash our dishes, pave our roads, sweep our floors but pretty, handsome, good looking, smart, intelligent, cute, brave, wise, pious, those are not the terms we commonly use to define them:)

I know its not totally true but this is a general trend we may have developed over the years unconsciously and i'm sure we can very easily change it too, by being more considerate, humble, attentive, kind and most importantly, by developing the sight to see beyond the walls of class segregation.

I have had helpers who had amazing, attractive looks and in my own head, I would give them a complete makeover and grooming and they wouldnt look any less than a princess. So what if they are born in families that do not afford to rejoice their beauty or intellect, a small compliment or encouragement can give their self-esteem a boost, making them feel good about themselves, giving them realization and reasons to be thankful to Allah and take life positively despite the mountain of challenges it may hold.