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Life — deeds not days
Life is, though often related to the number of years one lives, cannot be regarded as life in its real essence. Worth of one’s life is decided through what definition one gives to it. Many a man is there whose view to life is limited merely to breathe and perform certain biological functions to satisfy their needs as all livings do. Whereas, others have contradictory depiction of life. Some consider life synonymous to materialistic success they get, others attribute it to their struggle and striving with a view to get intellectual and spiritual growth, and the few find the meaning of life in the service and happiness of others rather than in their own.
These different viewpoints actually become the bedrock of an individual’s whole life structure, hence, being in the decisive force of actions, attitudes and conduct through and throng. It can be said that this life is, indeed, our acts we perform and their outcomes thereafter. Sometimes people make histories in a brief period of time with their genuine spirit and efforts and be immortal perpetually. On the other hand, a lot of humans get quite long years yet fail to do anything valuable and bring about any difference to this chaotic world or their immediate surroundings. Thus it is never a matter how long we live but what we make of this short life, becomes our reality.
MAIRA MEMON
Khairpur
The stigma
of arts
This piece is particularly based on personal experience. Being the eldest one of the family I was supposed to be a doctor regardless of what I wished to be. But a failed MCAT attempt was a chance by fate for me to opt and explore what I feel is in my best interest and I decided to venture into social science’s territory. To my dismay, nothing has changed. In our society, still, a person who switches from Science to Social Sciences is most probably lost.
In this part of the world, a child is born to be either a doctor or an engineer the other rest are the dropouts from either of the two. One is either less capable or has no concrete plans if they choose Arts as their major – is a taboo that we associate with social sciences students. I wonder did Shakespeare, Aristotle, Quaid-e-Azam or Allama Iqbal – the renowned alumni of Arts – had to face the same, or is this only our generation’s thing.
Brilliant minds and incredible creativity has been burnt in our science labs and still, we complain why we don’t have credibly scientist or researchers without realizing that those brains weren’t meant to be unfolded as Einstein or Stephen but Shakespeare or Karl Marx. So stop stigmatizing arts, its faculty, or its student as they hold equal reputation and potential as does a doctor or an engineer.
SOBIA WASEEM
Karachi
Sanctity of US Constitution
While the USA and its armed forces have been instrumental in supporting dictators, tyrannical regimes and launching military interventions, directly or through their proxies, to control the world’s natural resources, it has ensured rule of law and supremacy of the constitution within their own country. It is this 200 year of uninterrupted and total commitment to the Constitution, by their men in uniform and state institutions that they have been able to overcome the recent crisis which President Trump tried to create.
Trump tried his best to subvert the Constitution and harm democratic process, by refusing to accept the verdict of elections and supporting his ultra-right White Supremacists base to resist. He tried to coerce Secretary Defence to seek intervention of armed forces, which he refused. Gen Mark Willey, the highest ranking general, while addressing the officers and men reaffirmed “unrelenting devotion to the Constitution”, which every soldier has on oath sworn to defend. He referred to the Motto North Starr that they have honoured since 14 June 1775.
Gen Willey stated “This, we will defend and this refers to the Constitution and to protect the liberty of American people”. He further elaborated that “we are unique among armies, unique among militaries; We do not take an oath to a King or Queen, or a tyrant or dictator; We do not take oath to an individual; We do not take an oath to a country, a tribe, or religion; We take an oath to Constitution and every soldier will defend and protect that document, regardless of personal price”. It is this devotion to Founding Fathers that unites America, despite its diversity, which we need to emulate by adopting Quaid’s vision, elaborated on 11 August 1947 and on 14 June 1948 at Quetta.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
COVID curbs not fair
The discovery of a mutated and more virulent COVID-19 virus strain in England has caused turmoil around the world. As a precaution, a night curfew has been imposed in the faraway Maharashtra. This is ridiculous on the part of the State Government because the virus will not stop spreading and we are forced to be content without jobs and eat only stones and mud for another five years because the Chief Minister is not willing to resume local trains so that we can reach office and get our salaries to feed our families.
Uddhav Thackeray does not need Christian votes; that is why he has now started harassing Christians by not allowing us to celebrate Christmas and the New Year Mass even during the daytime. First, he and his policemen demolished Kangana Ranaut’s bungalow. Now they are targeting Christians. Is the virus active only during Christian festivals like Easter and Christmas?
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
