Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space. They are published in good faith with a view to enlightening all the stakeholders. However, the contents of these writings may not necessarily match the views of the newspaper.
Poverty doesn’t matter
While roaming from one area to another, Lord Buddha reached the outskirts of a kingdom and settled under a tree. Hearing the news, the subjects as well as the Royals of the kingdom rushed there. Some gifted him precious clothes, some delicious food items. The wealthy merchants and even King came up with diamonds and golden jewellery. But Buddha remained absolutely unmoved and didn’t even touch or acknowledge gifts.
At the end of the day an old poor woman called out to Buddha by partially hiding from a nearby bush. She expressed her inability to gift any item because of her stark poverty. So she is sacrificing the only thing in her possession — the last piece of cloth to hide shame! Buddha humbly told her that this is the greatest gift anybody could give him. Yes, the worth of a gift is not dependent upon the price or glitter embedded in it, but upon the sincerity love respect emotion and selfless sacrifice attached with it. In this respect, I desire to recollect an incident.
A decade ago, we went to a tourist place with my in-laws. At that time, I used to subscribe a particular daily which was not so popular in the market. One evening, got startled and moved to find my father-in-law handing over that daily to me! He explored the market to get access to this rare daily just for the sake of my fondness to it! The price of it might be Rs.2/- at that time, but that unexpected gift is a lifetime treasure for me because of the undiluted love and emotion embedded in it. Not commercialization of Valentine’s Day based on precious gifts, may love and emotion be judged through warmth of selfless heart throughout the year.
KAJAL CHATTERJEE
Via email
Prostitution
Prostitution is on the rise in several parts of the country. One can see young girls and even women trying to lure customers at many places, even at crowded places and public residential areas.
What is more shocking is that these women operate in connivance with the police who receive their dues (monthlies). Prostitution also takes place inside many apartments and high-rise buildings in connivance with the police who are their regular customers.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Via email
Rights of transgenders
Pakistan is the second largest Islamic State in the world. Islam has given equal rights to everyone and being a part of it, it’s our responsibility to treat them equally. Through electronic media and print media we often get to hear about transgenders being provided with jobs but unfortunately it’s a plan to subterfuge because in reality, despite all the NGOs working for human rights transgenders are still being disregarded.
In Pakistan, the transgenders are ignored in every walk of life including education, government jobs, healthcare and even security for their life. In 2013, the Supreme Court of Pakistan gave rights to transgenders which disconsolately are still not being implemented in this country, not only the society but their families too are not ready to accept them as their family members. I urge our government to acknowledge their rights and serve them with a better lifestyle which they truly deserve and allocate them with jobs.
DUA IRFAN
Via email
Society for human salvation
It is another tragic incident of violation of human rights in India when two innocent women were imprisoned on sedition charges. Their only fault was their relationship with a minor female child who staged a drama in a primary school. It was an irony that a piece of fine arts was taken as a crime against the state. The minor student of the primary school along with her school mates took part in a stage drama in which PM Modi was lightly criticized for his recent brutal and unwarranted actions of passage of citizenship amendment laws and national registration legislation.
A section of Indian population especially Muslim minority has the impression that the legislation will hurt their legitimate and fundamental rights. The RSS-backed BJP regime started cruel attempts to crush peaceful protests against the said laws across India. Similarly, the women and youth protesters in Delhi were also knocked down by Modi govt. The incidents of excessive use of state power are apparent in UP where police tortured peace-loving masses.
Earlier, India revoked provisions of its own constitution related to the status of IoK. The State is in a state of lengthy lockdown and as a result thereof basic human rights of inhabitants have constantly been denied. The situation is alarming and the human conscience world over need to pay heed to such state of affairs. It is gratifying to note that the Indian population has begun to revolt against fascism, extremism and expansionism of Indian rulers. How the Indians, who have been practicing democracy for decades, can tolerate escape from secularism? It is hoped that the international community will use influence on the Indian rulers to refrain from committing atrocities and respect the human rights of their citizens.
MAHFOOZ UN NABI KHAN
Islamabad
Licence to kill
It is incomprehensible that what parameters are followed by concerned authorities to issue driving license to masses and how they able to pass driving test as traffic rules’ violations are frequently seen on roads as well as rash driving causes accidents. It is often seen that people take different tracks to overtake and drive their vehicles in zigzag direction which cause disruption in traffic flow.
People do not have road sense nor bother to use back and side mirrors during driving especially while overtaking and reversing. People seem fearless violating traffic rules and it seems that heavy vehicles’ drivers have got the license to kill instead of drive as they drive fast and furious. Driving license should be confiscated of those who are found violating set traffic rules, over-speeding and rash driving as a penalty for certain time so that people start follow traffic rules and refrain from over-speeding and rash driving.
FAISAL ANSAR
Karachi
Celebrate every single shade
Cosmetics of skin-whitening is a billion dollar industry pushing the idea that beauty equates with white skin and that lightening dark skin is achievable.
The beauty industry has succeeded in convincing the people that they are incomplete without a particular fairness and beauty product. Yet, unlike makeup or fake tan, skin-whitening creams-based beauty on a racial hierarchy, is increasing intolerance and causing serious social harm in the society.
This is one of a major issues of Pakistan and this type of discrimination should be finished by organizing campaigns which will change the people’s minds from “white is beautiful” to “we should celebrate every single shade” because not only white is beautiful.
MARYAM NOOR
Wah Cant
Karachi land mafia
Karachi has been facing the problem of Land Mafia for more than a decade. “China Cutting” is the living example of land mafia. In the map of Karachi most of the areas are having public parks but in reality, the space reserved for parks is used as a personal property and also some mafia groups make it their business hub. Food stalls and Pan Cabins are also set on footpaths which disturbs the citizens and make them helpless to walk on streets which increase the accident ratio.
A couple of days ago, the honourable Chief Justice of Pakistan gave the order to break the unauthorized and illegal buildings and shape the city according to map of Karachi. The question is whether they will be successful in this venture? Issues have regularly been highlighted for the last 50 years but the local citizens didn’t get the dividends. Properties of many widows, orphans and retired senior citizens are seized by the mafia but who cares? We awake when it comes on ourselves and we postulate that we are living a nation. I want to motivate the readers to speak for those who can’t speak for themselves and appreciate the good steps which are taken by the elite. Ronay walon say kaho un ka b rona ro lein, Jin ko majboori-e-halaat ne ronay na diya”.
SYED AREEB A SALAR
Karachi
