Another Independence Day comes into our lives tomorrow. And I presume we all have our own ways of responding to it. Some may even reflect over it. Some may not. Arguably, both are acceptable, understandable. I do not know why I after a gap of several years I went to the General Post Office (GPO) on the I.I Chundrigar Road on Saturday around noon.
I wanted to post a greetings card to an aunt who resides in Lancaster,(UK), despite technology in our lives, she and I, both believe in the tradition of sending out the conventional birthday card. That explains my visit to the large, depressing, untidy, disorganised, user-unfriendly GPO.
That I have been a regular visitor to this GPO, at a point in time I must mention. It is also relevant to state I have been using the GPO for almost half a century now. And I have some happy treasured memories of the post office here, and elsewhere.
But this is not the subject here, today. I hope to revisit the Post office story sometime later, especially in view of Ramazan next month, which of course brings in the subject of the delivery of Eid cards. Eid cards --- another story, with symbolic value. As Independence Day was on my mind on Saturday as well, I did wonder sadly, about the state of the Pakistan Post Office, and its flagship store on I I Chundrigar Road. In sixty years, surely the country deserves a better post office.
There is no point here in getting into the details of how much can be done to give to that centrally-located post office or a few others in Karachi that I can think of, an urgent face lift atleast. The GPO has the shabby appearance of an inefficient office, and there are few indicators that the Pakistan Post Office is able to compete and fight with its rivals in the communications business.
The staff on duty was relaxed, if not indifferent and some counters were overcrowded with tired looking, weary faced pensioners, making one wonder once again about the nonchalant manner in which pensioners (that is senior citizens) are treated by state and society.
State and our society. There is so much to contemplate on these and related themes as we head for another Independence Day. One central question that many of us are likely to ask is whether Pakistan has become a stronger state since August 1947. We are all familiar with the risks and challenges that we are confronted with, and the threats and the intimidation that Pakistan's sovereignty is faced with.
What will be the outcome of the present scenario in which the ruling coalition has decided to impeach President Pervez Musharraf -- and he has reportedly chosen not to resign, and instead to fight it out. What lies ahead for Pakistan as the impeachment process unfolds --- and heads towards its completion, by 3rd September (according to a member of the ruling coalition).
Another question that has been on my mind since Monday morning is about an article "Happiest countries in the world" which appeared in a national daily that day. It is about two happiness surveys that were conducted, -- in 2007 in the US and in 2006 in UK. In one of them two simple questions, were asked, and it is meaningful to reproduce them here. The questions were:" Taking all things together would you say you are happy, rather happy, not very happy?" and "All things considered how satisfied are with your life as a whole these days?"
In both surveys Denmark topped the list--- - in the US survey, the United States was 16th and in the UK survey the United Kingdom was 9th. The article was engaging and it contended that most of the countries on the top of the happiness lists were welfare states. It has been stated that the University of Cambridge survey "points out that the countries with high levels of happiness also reports high level of trust in their government, the police and justice system. Something, which is clearly lacking in Pakistan".
Atleast I was not expecting to find a favourable mention of not just Pakistan, but even the other South Asian countries. We have our own ways of being happy. I wonder whether it is relevant to mention here that well known quote from Leo Tolstoy, which reads as "All happy families are alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way". Is there such a concept as the unhappiness of the South Asian". Ponder, dear reader.
Anyway, with the 14th of August having arrived amidst all this continuing political uncertainty and an economic crisis (or mess?) and an unhappiness born of the financial frustrations that families are struggling to survive with, to pontificate about such goals as happiness is questionable? I do not know.
In our long journey since Independence and toying with the question of whether we have been able to attain the desired degree of security and safety for the common man, there are two news reports that are thought provoking. One of them says, "Operation planned to cleanse city of weapons" and the other says that "Altaf stresses self defence, karate classes" the MQM chief has also said that "women should learn how to shoot and take karate classes"
In both these news reports there are references to "Talibanisation". In the first report it has also been indicated that "a crackdown has been planned after Independence Day against people possessing illegal lethal weapons and those apprehended would be awarded stern punishments". The Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza in a recent press conference had stated clearly that there was no evidence of "Talibanisation" either in Sindh or in Karachi.
In the second report (Daily Times) the MQM chief Altaf Hussein told residents of Clifton and Defence on Friday (8th August) that they had to defend, themselves against "Talibanisation" and that "after all self defence is the key to survival in today's violent world".
The MQM chief was quoted as saying that there were, many private organisations that offer training in Clifton and Defence, and added that the MQM plans to set up vigilance committees in these areas. We are in the deep midst of change in our lives, in this country.
And it is independence anniversary time. What will the changes bring? I want to end with a four column colour photograph published on Monday, which it showed PPP workers, who had brought out a procession in Karachi on Sunday, displaying weapons. The city, like the country has contrasting conflicting disturbing images. Anyway, congratulations on Independence Day 2008 to fellow citizens with a prayer that we protect our independence. ([email protected])
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