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A call to action
I’m writing to you today as someone who cares deeply about Pakistan and its future. Our country is full of potential, but sadly, we’re held back by corruption that’s everywhere you look. It’s like a giant, slimy monster that’s choking the life out of our society. From small bribes to people stealing huge amounts of money, corruption has infected every part of our government and daily lives. It’s unfair, it’s not right, and it has to stop.
Because of this corruption, businesses can’t grow, young people lose hope about their future and many people are poor and struggling. This is not the Pakistan we deserve! We need to choose a different path. We need to demand change. We need to hold our leaders accountable and make sure they’re working for us, not themselves. We need to strengthen our institutions so they can serve everyone, not just the few who have power.
Imagine a Pakistan where people are rewarded for hard work, where everyone has a fair chance to succeed and where our government serves the people honestly. That’s the Pakistan we can have if we work together. Let’s join hands and say no to corruption. Let’s be the change we want to see. Let’s build a better future for ourselves and future generations.
MALAIKA ZAHID
Islamabad
Baloch equality
The underdevelopment of Balochistan is a concerning issue that is usually brushed aside. Perhaps we haven’t learned any lessons from our history. The violence by militants in Baloch areas is condemnable, but it is also a fact that we have let down the people of Balochistan in the past and are partly responsible for this aggression and mishap.
It is never too late to take the initiative and make up for errors or deliberate repression. Baloch are no less Pakistani than us and they ought to be treated with equality compared to other provinces, especially in sectors of health and the economy.
RABIA QADEER
Rawalpindi
International Tea Day
Every year on December 15, tea-producing countries celebrate International Tea Day. The day seeks to draw the attention of governments and citizens around the world to the impact that tea trade has on workers and growers. The tea-producing countries that celebrate International Tea Day are Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Uganda, Tanzania and India. Apart from water, tea is the most popular beverage in the world. The primary types of tea include white, black, green, oolong, herbal, and pu’erh. Tea is believed to have originated in China. There, drinkers used tea for medicinal reasons. In the 17th century, tea made its way to the UK.
Because of the large number of tea drinkers in the world, tea demands a massive production scale. Unfortunately, in many tea-producing countries, production comes with many challenges. Some of the obstacles tea-producing countries face includes low wages for tea workers, lack of medical care for tea workers in rural areas and a lack of clean and potable water on tea plantations. There is also a need for improved sanitation on tea plantations. Additionally, women make up 50 per cent of the workforce on tea plantations. These women usually don’t have access to education.
Tea is the most popular of all drinks. Nowadays, some people can go without food, but they cannot go without a morning cup of tea. For some people, every time is tea time. Whenever a guest drops in, he/she expects to be entertained with a cup of tea. It is also sometimes used as a medicine for cold and fever. But drinking too much of tea is harmful.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
Box letter
Heavy school bags
Alarming reports reveal that a significant number of primary school students are saddled with backpacks that exceed reasonable weight limits, posing potential health risks. The weight of these bags can lead to a variety of issues, including musculoskeletal problems, fatigue and hindered concentration in the classroom. Research has consistently shown that carrying heavy backpacks on a regular basis can have long-term consequences for a child’s physical health. It is crucial that we prioritize the well-being of our students and take immediate action to address this matter. I urge school administrators, educators and policymakers to collaborate on implementing effective solutions. This may include regular monitoring of bag weights, encouraging the use of digital resources and working with parents to streamline the material students need to bring home. Additionally, I propose that our community engage in an open dialogue about this issue to raise awareness and foster collaboration. Parents, teachers and school officials must work together to find practical and sustainable solutions that prioritize the health and academic success of our primary school students.
ZOOHA INDHER
Sukkur
