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.
Financial burden
Money is often considered the most important aspect of an individual’s life in today’s world. It plays a pivotal role in enabling us to fulfil our desires, wants and dreams. In this era of rampant inflation, money wields tremendous power, capable of bringing happiness when present and unhappiness when absent. However, a concerning trend among many children is their disregard for the value of money, leading them to squander it at an alarming rate, ultimately increasing the financial burden on their parents.
The reckless waste of money stands out as one of the most detrimental activities, as it paves the way for a host of problems to accumulate in our lives. It is worth noting that Islam, as a faith, strictly forbids wastage of money and other resources. Therefore, it is my earnest request to everyone to save money and refrain from squandering it, as this practice significantly contributes to escalation of our financial problems.
AMINA AMJID
Lahore
What’s in a name?
In an unprecedented twist, the name ‘India’ has been swapped out for ‘Bharat’ on Government of India’s official exclusive dinner invitations. The name ‘India’ evokes a lot of respect globally and has “brand value” in the comity of nations. As far as Indians are concerned, India is Bharat and Bharat is India.
If we start changing names, there will be no end to it. Like the English language, the word ‘India’ has taken deep roots in Indian society and culture. Every Indian identifies with it. If we start cancelling everything with foreign roots, we will have to stop drinking tea and eating potatoes and chillies. Can Indians live without tea, potatoes and chillies? In the same way, Indians can’t live without “India”. We have a 76-year-long history of internalising the word ‘India’ as a free, independent, diverse, multilingual nation. The word ‘India’ is as foreign as the word ‘Hindu’. Both were coined by outsiders. If we had only one name — India — there could even be an argument about changing it. But we already have both names. It is a tribute to our ability to live with multiple identities, even if they are sometimes in conflict.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
PIA on verge of collapse
As per Quarterly Report for FY19, PIA has been in loss since 2000 except for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004. Government is paying huge amounts to compensate for PIA losses. Last year the enterprise reportedly made a loss of 97.23 billion rupees. Last month FBR closed 13 PIA bank accounts against non-payment of eight billion rupees in FED.The enterprise has been in turmoil for more than 20 years but successive governments have failed to bring it on proper track. Now the situation has reached breaking point and the government has started thinking for a way-out. However, continuing with current condition is also not a solution to the problem. It is a matter of grave concern that every successive government failed to decrease burden of losses with each passing year. PIA is one of the top ten most loss bearing enterprises in the country.
JAHANGIR JAMEEL
Turbat, Balochistan
MDCAT scandal
PMDC had conducted MDCAT on 10th of September 2023 for selecting candidates to study medical and health sciences in various medical universities. More than .18 million students appeared in the test with dream of becoming a doctor and to serve country already having a fragile healthcare system.
They relentlessly studied day and night for years, aspiring to become a doctor, but when the day of test eventually came and they attempted a 3.5 hours long, arduous test they were shocked by a startling disclosure that their untiring and diligent efforts are likely to go in vain because of malpractices by students and authorities alike. Many students in the KP were caught red handed as they were using electronic devices during their test, and in Sindh the test paper had allegedly been leaked a day before the test, for which an inquiry by the Sindh Government is still going on!
More ironic and disheartening is the fact that it is not just the issue of this year but such scandals of academic corruption have occurred several times in the past too. This botched practice of repeating the same crime of such high notoriety is symptomatic of the reality that criminals go unpunished which embolden others of their ilk. FIRs have been lodged against those who were caught using unfair means during the test, but all those who were involved behind this corruption must be brought before the law and punished accordingly. If stern actions against the offenders who actually planned this were not taken, this recidivism would not stop. However, it is being anticipated that PMDC might re-conduct the MDCAT free of charge. If it does, then it cannot be termed as free of charge, because mental agony and physical suffering the students, their parents and relatives have gone through during the test period cannot be compensated.
FARAZ AHMED
Mirpurkhas, Sindh
Flour prices
After a high increase in inflation, the price of flour is being increased unbearably. The poor are already crying for deadly price-hike. The survival of poor is getting very tough and they are unable to meet their both ends meet. Government must go after hoarders and corrupt and avoid punishing the poor.
JUNAID KHAN BALOCH
Larkana, Sindh
