71-STILL AT CHAOS

Amidst all the festivities and echo of national songs from all around, a sound instantly stopped my heart for a moment . Then it thumped for few seconds and then went slower and slower as if heart was in a state of bewilderment whether to beat or not. The sound was from my living area and it was a beat of very melodious and iconic musical composition “DIL DIL PAKISTAN”. I don’t know why but this song always evoked a feeling of patriotism. But listening to it this time, feelings of anguish and agony surprised me. May be because the singer is no more with us and secondly( I felt for the first time ) we do not actually mean what the lyrics articulate.

14th of August, as Pakistan turned 71, was full of celebrations and excitement as always. It was astonishing to see festivities, reverberation of national songs from every corner, cutting cakes with flag themes, posting selfies in green outfits, cooking green dishes, demonstration of car racing in few provinces and all and all and what not ? …. And this is it ..

I question, where does all this stupefying patriotism evaporate right after the dusk of 14th of August. Most importantly, thousands of flags that were being swayed so passionately, where would they destined to last. Have you seen the garbage and debris thrown in places where celebrations were held. Of course, the passion and sincerity will go to the hibernation mode till next year. Here comes another question; is this just a norm to be jovial and concerned about Pakistan on Independence day just like any other allocated days; mother’s day , father’s day , youth day and so on ? Why there were less educational expos and more rhyming of national songs? why was there an official leave rather than announcement of extra working hours to accredit our founding fathers and to show love and support to the nation?

Most people will answer as; ‘of course it is government responsibility to set the trend and for this leadership matters.’ …and then the story ends.

Yes, leadership does matter and can bring change by making institutions strong, by enforcing laws and regulations, by uplifting human development index, by contemplating reasonable foreign policy, by eliminating corruption, by ensuring justice for all. And by working on many other micro and macroeconomic indicators to increase per capita income and to make county financially strong.

But believe me no leadership can induce a sense of moral obligations and responsibilities, qualities like sincerity, generosity, tolerance and dignity.

Unfortunately, we as an entity lack sincerity to ourselves, our nation, our Quaid. No one is willing to play its part for the country.

For uplifting a nation, some abstract and metaphysical indicators are required. These can be achieved by reconsidering our own psyche.

Let’s hope new leadership in Pakistan can bring any kind of change which they have rhymed a

lot, otherwise nation will going to loose another indicator i.e. trust.