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.
Fuel prices in Zimbabwe
I am astounded that the fuel prices in Zimbabwe are still getting high despite the violent riots in February this year which left 6 people dead. Zimbabweans are struggling daily to feed their families with decent meals let alone travelling from one place to another. It’s shocking that ZANU PF and its proxies are having luxurious life and spending too much money in other countries when majority of people are economically suffering.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his ZANU PF government have clearly failed to revive the economy of Zimbabwe and should respectfully tender their resignation before we witness mass exodus of people going to South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, UK, Canada and Australia.
TAPIWA MUSKWE
London
Education
and women
Education is the best tool and priority which creates understanding between women and men. It enlightens the value and important role of women in society. It is intimately found that both education and women are complementary to each other. Meanwhile, illiteracy is one of the prime causes of gender discrimination as well.
It is a well established fact that the educated women never let evil customs and other malpractices go unchanged. In developed countries all women are always welcome in all walks of life. As a result, the success of those nations is not hidden from anyone. Our government must follow other countries in educating women and providing maximum facilities.
ASIF MURAD UMRANI
Karachi
A halo of charisma
Sadly, I had to wake up to the news of the sudden death of Sushma Swaraj. A former Indian External Affairs Minister, she had played various roles from acting as an ardent mediator to making rapport with all political leaders across the political spectrum. She always wanted to be friendly with neighbouring countries, seriously justifying her job relating to foreign affairs.
Pitted against each other, both India and Pakistan had been in the midst of several deadlocks in the recent past. It is Swaraj who had been then rigorously active, mending the broken tie-ups and even bridging the political gap. Even during the times of crises, she had been mostly kind and friendly towards Pakistan. On this line, I had written many letters to most English newspapers in Pakistan, pointing out her positive gestures. Mostly, all Pakistani English newspapers had liked and welcomed Swaraj’s positive attitude.
She had been in active politics for a long period of time. I had come to know about Sushmaji during my college days in Tuticorin, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu in the years like 1997, 1998. Interestingly enough, I had to hit my left hand accidentally and mildly [a small amount of my blood was oozing then]. With a pause, I said to myself “Why have all the bloodbaths been there unnecessarily in history?” Both India and Pakistan shall follow positive examples left behind by Swaraj. She had been a halo of charisma all the life.
P SENTHIL S DURAI
India
Raksha Bandhan, Indian festival
‘Raksha’ means protection and ‘Bandhan’ means bound. Thus ‘Raksha Bandhan’ means ‘Bond of Protection’. On Raksha Bandhan Day, the sisters tie a ‘rakhi’ (a silken thread) on their brothers’ wrist. This is a symbol of their love and respect for their brothers. Rakhi also signifies that the sisters pray for long life and well-being of their brothers. The brothers, in turn take a vow to always take care and protect their sisters from all evils and dangers. As a token of their love, the brothers either give cash or other gifts to their sisters.
The festival was actually started by our Nobel laureate, Rabindranath Tagore by tying a rakhi on a fellow countryman’s wrist. He did this to promote brotherhood and equality among the citizens of India. Since then, this festival is celebrated with great spirit and emotion by the people of India. Every year all the brothers and sisters look forward to this festival with great zeal and excitement.
Traditionally, this festival is celebrated by our Hindu brothers and sisters. In an era which is marked by movements for women’s liberation and rights, Raksha Bandhan can be celebrated as a festival that promotes brotherly-sisterly concerns and appreciates the complimentary gifts of a man and woman. Raksha Bandhan is known by different names in different parts of the country. But however the essence of the festival remains the same and that is to celebrate the sacred brother-sister bond. This year, Raksha Bandhan is being celebrated on August 15. It coincides with Independence Day.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
Is failure
the end?
It is true to mention that everyone has failed in his life. Even most famous personalities have failed. But there comes a question in our mind: Is failure the end? According to many thinkers failure is also a part of our life. Getting failed is not the problem; the problem is to discard something if you fail in it. Many people had committed suicide due to this. If they got failed in any field they decide they cannot do something after this so that they commit suicide.
If someone follows the words of the thinkers he or she gets failed hundred times but he/she will not be disappointed. Simply, failure makes the way of success. In every famous personality’s life, failure has played a great role. Such as Bill Gates, Thomas Edison and many others. So, failure is not the end of an attempt, it is the beginning to make the attempt stronger. This is for our generation to think about this issue and do not be disappointed if you are failed.
RAHMATULLAH SHAFIQ
Turbat
Decline of humanity
On 06 August 2019, sudden death of Sushma Sawaraj becomes heart wrenched news. However, I dumbfound myself while staring on the comments and laugh emojis of Pakistanis over Sushma’s demise. This is what Sushma get back from Pakistani people. We are ignorant from her untiring efforts that she made for unprivileged Pakistanis. She was the one who provided free visas to Pakistanis for their liver transplant and heart surgery in India.
It was time when we say after Allah you are our last hope. And today we are blessed her with laugh emojis. Beyond any shadow of doubt that we have recently received an unpleaset reaction from India. But that does not mean we involve politics everywhere. We belong to a religion that utmostly emphasizes that no one should harm from our words and acts. So it is our sheer duty to repay Sushma’s kind acts by praying for her soul. Rest in Peace Sushmaji
MIR MANSOOR
Islamabad
New encroachment in Karachi
Currently federal, provincial and local governments are on one page and trying to do something for Karachi. Anti-encroachment is also a drive to clean Karachi. However, we observe these days new encroachment in Karachi. Under the bridge on green lane different business has been started and it may cause hurdles in near future.
With this write-up we want the authorities concerned to intervene and take appropriate action. It is high time we must understand the intensity at environmental pollution and making life difficult for creatures as well as human beings.
SYED AAMIR HUSSAIN
Karachi