‘Let’s get this going’

By Talha Masud

I still remember those hot afternoons of June in Karachi when I, a fat eight year old kid repetitively tried to learn the mathematics tables on the huge balcony. The reason was that I was taught nothing in my school in interior Balochistan and was forcefully put in the coaching center in winter vacation; I felt that my Karachi tuition mates were far more ahead in giving answers to the tuition aunty.

Problems remained the same until my secondary classes. I discussed it with Mr. Faraz, one of the best teachers I had in my life and his answer was simple and convincing. “Talha! No one will listen to your pleas of not having good teachers or your miss-fortunes; in fact no one has time to listen to the causes of your failures. It’s you who has to run extra miles to grapple your problems in studies”. Since than, his words are tied in my mind and whenever I meet him, I think hard that what I have, to give this great man in return of changing my loser approach and all the times I had no conclusions.

A teacher is beyond an imagination of a simple person and is worth to be respected if he has transmitted any knowledge in you. The rewards teachers get in our society is unique: They get killed because they are teachers. Yes. I have come back to Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, where many teachers having served more than twenty years are shot dead because they are teachers. Because they are the only science teachers and rest are confined to general and linguistic subjects. A teacher who teaches beyond the boundaries of ethnicity and religion deserves no condemnation when he losses his life as a reward of giving the thankless services of illuminating a torch of education. On some occasions, I tend to think that why they serve in a province where there is no dignity for them. Who gave them the right to come and serve in the educationally ignorant province? When in a province where they are not required and where generally, students believe that because the teachers are being paid, so they have the right to assault them. This, sadly, has to do with our culture now.

On a lighter note, when I have heard that students protested to allow ‘cheating’ in a reputable institution nearby my home, I could not believe that the illicit demands are so brazenly asked because there is no responsible authority to keep a check and balance on leftover educational institutions in Balochistan. Coming back to Quota system uproar, suppose there are reserved quota of seats, say, ten (maximum) for a district and there are twenty deserving candidates from the same district, where would they go? Is it a fair order to shove those in an open merit passage?

Watching a Picture of a topper of a department in University of Balochistan, whose eyes looked opened in sheer astonishment in the picture, had a funny comment from someone that “He himself is flabbergasted about his position” provided a good laughing stock but the only remedy I believe is setting us for broader competition. The complacency of belonging from any backward area is not acceptable in the sense of a competitive world. Why don’t we take the easy examples of the student of far flung northern areas, North West Frontier and FATA who in large numbers, establish themselves in Lahore in rental rooms, prepare for CSS and other competitive exams, do part time labor for bearing their study expenses and many of them go through as the record clearly states about the big ratio of village qualifiers in CSS results being there for a long time now. The practical example is seen in the libraries’ which open at 8:00 and I could see a crowd of the students waiting before the opening times and throwing their books on the library chairs to get their seats reserved for the next many hours. Most of them are the education seekers of remote areas all across Pakistan and we the people from Balochistan, are self-righteous enough to stay stagnant on political slogans. The results are self explanatory.

Our prosperity lies on our own build-up. For how long had we been crying of being deprived? We have to travel, migrate and acquire the longing for education if we are to make a difference in our homes, towns and cities. Surpassing from the process of a creditable future and outshining the better-fed and better-educated metropolis contenders would itself make us not believing on the outcries of limited opportunities as I cited my own preoccupation and mental fixation in the initial paragraphs. Being an inspirational figure of one’s family or tribe, one can better be the opinion leader of his youngsters who will not face the hard problems as he did but may be ending much better leading towards a real vision and success as a destination.

U know ! i too am really week in maths.

Dancing in the cliquey world

 

By Talha Masud

 

“Sir when there is no proof of embezzlement, why are those false paragraphs on my Audit report”? Inquired my father; from Mr. Ahmed Khan Lashari, the audit officer. It was August, 2002.”Sir jee! Sirf duaaun se kaam nahi chalta, aap 80,000 arrange karlen sab saaf kardengay”, Wryly smiling on my father’s question and I watched him with a strange eye though the matter was not that strange for him.

 

Soon after my Intermediate, I without in the knowledge of my elders appeared for a post in a paramilitary organization. Despite being on the top slot on the merit list, a referral of a Senator from sindh took my place and the Chairman declared his helplessness in a very defensive way. I only could afford a grin on my face in response.

 

This occurrence is what almost all of our youth goes through in the hot pursuit of their Careers or professional studies. Referral of influential persons or having some good amount in kitty to compete the meritorious individuals and ending up on a step above than them is a pattern, well pronounced. It is not considered a pity thing to pay huge sums of money as per the nature and reach of the employment for almost all of the non-commissioned or departmental exams to fill in the vacant posts from the masses. Sometimes the jobs are advertised just to fill the files’ stomach and the pre-selection is taken after the list goes through the Chief Minister’s table or if the Governor has to annex a letter from his behalf to somebody’s interest. On the lower levels, the telephone calls from high officials would work a great deal and if again someone is unable to approach any biggie, than as a last resort, has to pay a fixed amount for a job to make sure that the selection is made transparent in terms of corruption.

 

In the Public Service Commission, it is a very upright method until the written examinations and without being sarcastic helps the actual merit to propel upfront. On the interviews, the coin of the candidate with good referees sparks doubtlessly with some meritorious students who get selected just because they have cleared the exams with flying colors and are compelled to be baptized as the fittest. This encourages me at least but not those who also deserve to be there in the makings for sure. CSS examinations can be trusted to an extent to be corruption free because of the fool-proof selection procedure.

 

This world of competition requires the fittest for sure to stay survived. In private organizations, the fittest survives without a second thought. The asking time not only requires a person to be skilled, but mentally strong and smart enough to tackle with the fluctuations of the work. The moment you get slackened, many others are ready to take your position. This proficiency can be achieved provided a person loves his work and knows to value it. Still in the induction process, there is much X factor which can be bulls-eye in your interest. But again in my last workplace, if I weren’t the known guy of the Human Resource Development Manager, my quick promotion would not be possible.

 

In Pakistan, one has to bear in mind that in any path of his/her life, he/she would be seriously mistreated. What message I want to get interpreted here that there is always a seat of merit for all of you. Yes, for all of you. If the searching of our scruples about our destination is cleared in our minds, then a ritual failure should never distress us. Corruption has a limit too. Though the “Sifarishis” have very good chances to make that but still they can never meet the standard of a deserving candidate. And being very positive, they (organization) want you to serve them if you are competent and once you make your own place, then you are there to develop and progress in rather quick successions. It is only the matter of believing in you amidst the setbacks and strenuous struggle…

The very basic Islam for Women

 

 By Talha Masud

I was on cloud nine, when I managed to store something in the back of my head against the prevailing tumult I always witness against Islam. I always objected that Islam should not be misapprehended just by its followers whom, by having the best religion as their identity, never even tried to act upon it as an en masse. They are frustrated. Indeed they are, as Islam for them is left only about the things they know superficially. Maltreatment of women is the most important finger pointing posed against Islam with its extreme approach.

Woman’s natural role attributed to her by nature, the role of bearing, raising mankind and building through her ways and traditions, a befitting world-order for man, can never be torn away from her. That is the crucial role which she only can fulfill. Upon that role hangs not only  her very womanhood but the destiny of civilizations. It was destined that she who is wronged so cruelly, who is physically weak yet spiritually strong, should be empowered by the creator to transform man into the desired mould through the influence of her motherhood. 

It is a stigma and a shame for the entire human race if woman is compelled to remind society of her rights. She must no longer look askance to others for her due rights. That is a thing of a past. She must not demand her rightful status. That too is a withering trend. Once again, she must prove that the Pardah or Hejab is no hindrance in a woman’s progress. No job on earth is beyond the reach of a Pardah-observing woman. It is the time for the Muslim woman to stop judging herself by Alien standards. As far as woman is concerned, it cannot be denied that in the present-day society, despite endless women’s liberation organizations and movements, she is the most oppressed, the most suppressed, the most subjugated person on earth in general. Her problems are acute. Every culture has made woman dance, dance to its sub-human’s, humiliating tunes. Ironically, it is men who have always defined women’s problems and their solutions, More often than not, these posers of women which reach public notice only after being censored by males, are often tailored up falsely and seen through biased vision. Sadly enough, the distorted version of Islam which is practiced today by Muslims is thought to be real Islam. People quote examples of contemporary Islamic activists of being so confined when it comes to dealing with their women, if the same is happening under the shadow of the man-defined course of any Nation’s rules, they have complete silence over this, because they are as proud of their culture as any Islamic extremist is, of his frame of mind.

veiled women of afghanistan...its caled shuttle cock hijab in our area

The Muslim community has itself to blame for the abysmal fall of Muslim women. Is it not a fact that even elementary education is denied to Muslim girls whereas the Prophet held the attainment of education to be compulsory for men and women alike? Is it not true that Muslim girls are often not consulted in the matter of their marriage and not even allowed to see the future life-partner whereas the Prophet has permitted that a man intending to marry a girl may see her? Islam grants her the liberty to demand a separate residence for herself if she is not comfortable living combined, which is one of the main problems in that context. Is it not true that even wealthy families expect their wives and girls to play a dumb role whereas Islam grants them total right of freedom of expression?

I (writer) don’t want to present a scholastic philosophy here, neither I am capable of doing it. I myself am ashamed of being a bad Muslim. I do not pray punctually or perform minute liabilities of my religion, which are not a hurdle in my day-to day life. But what I do is to think. Think about those who always have to blame Islam by taking instances of the fake Muslims. It took very long for me to understand that the effectiveness of Islamic law in every detail makes it more practicable and superior and relevant to the problems of every age, because the problems remain the same in every age. Only their texture change. 

I don’t want to dwell into the details of the so-called ostentatious claims of the west or the people amongst us, having solid theories against pathetic (according to them) Islamic restrictions for women to prevent themselves from stepping out of their doors, flying in colors in their studies, ensuing to their aims, dreams, ambitions and aspirations pertaining their career selection and growth with the precautionary measures prescribed by Islam, that never dislodge women from their areas of specialization. On the contrary, not on the executive front, in western freedom, women in clerical, typing and junior jobs are pressured to go to bed to secure jobs. Silent conditions for employment say, ‘No sex no job’ and ‘No sex no promotion’. Is that freedom and equality? It is the worst slavery of women and blackmail and a refined way of playing the same game with women as that in the field of prostitution.

According to a friend who helped me to get a vision before writing this article, “The misunderstandings regarding the women’s status and rights in Islam can only be dispelled by critical and direct study of the rights granted to her in Islam”. The study needs to be observed in full light with an open mind removed from pre-conceived prejudice.

 

I hereby annouce to all my blog readers that i will be publishing many people self written articles, stories and memories that are through someway concerned to Quetta and that they are only being sent to me ,which are than pasted here in my BUITEMS blog. Talha Masud is the new contributor in my blog. He would be having his entries in his own page in my blog .U can just click on “Talha’s words” located at the top of the page with my other blog pages.I am pasting his first article in my page as a “NAZARANA” to all my blog readers…

 

INTRODUCTION:

Talha Masud is from Quetta Balochistan, Pakistan and studying in Karachi University. He is very keen towards serious writing and putting everything the way he perceives, considers and presenting his analysis to deduce a pragmatic approach.

 

It was a usual routine day in my college. The first period normally began late due to the torrents of late comers, habitual of being late in the class on regular basis. Suddenly our 34-students class came to an utter silence. What we saw is a girl entering in the class with our Principal. This sight was little strange for the class because it was an year passed that the class enjoyed no female representation just because of the constrained parent’s attitude sending out their girls for combined education system in our college, famous for it’s slangy students. The Principal gave a brief introduction of our new female peer with some strict orders and warnings of displaying civilized behaviour with the shy class fellow of ours. 

The writer was in the proportion of those students, whom did not like this induction just because the ready_made environment of the class was male_based. It was also in writer’s mind that this girl would encounter a lot of problems being with the fellows, not so kind. 

Ironically, the later period proved this reservation wrong. Surprizingly, the induction brought a drastic variation in our class. The writer with his many peers started to feel the heat of competative environment just because of a girl exhibiting a good class participation. The class, which was not used to have combined students unlike in the institutes of a few urban areas of Pakistan, was almost transformed.

The changes were enormous. Even the dull and sluggish guys started to show the enthusiasm and interest towards studies. The backbenchers were mostly found surrounding the teacher yearning to grasp more and more. All of a sudden, I thought it a new class. The general performance, attitude and discipline were scintillatingly transformed.

In the cities like Quetta and other parts of Balochistan, the main reason of the decline of education criteria in the high schools and colleges is just because of unavailability of positive study environment, which can enhance themselves for the universal competition. It is not only about Co-education that is not appreciated due to the conservative mindset and cultural bondage in which the majority declares the co-education system a mere flop in Balochistan.

Lack of competative environment contains much. Firstly, one has to analyze what are the problems that are considered as ‘minor’,

But in fact makes a great deal of difference.

The educational environment comprising of all the addressable factors is worse. The political made minds of the ‘young chaps’ initiate the first leap in the regard. The political as well as of tribal influence, there can’t maintain the balance amongst the education seekers resulting into frustration and complete stoppage of competition. It does not suffice here but the overall environment only suits to the Business class elite, Bureaucrats and people with political background that is more active in Balochistan than any other province of Pakistan.

Another reason is unavailability of quality coaching centers. In Quetta there are very few coaching centers and most of them are located in the Bazaar(city area) and the students residing in the far flung areas have no or limited access to them. Good coaching institutes include Qartaba College located next to the Kehqabad road, National Coaching Center located on the Hari Krishan road, The Science and Commerce academy situating along with the Moti Ram road and somehow the Oasis institute, doing good with the commerce students. Other than these, no noticeable institute is present in the premises of Quetta city. This is the most annoying factor for the students requiring some educational assistance due to the problems they face with their regular studies, which is quite natural, do not even have a lope hole to counter their struggle. There are many teachers, professors and lecturers doing this on their own but again, this is not sufficient and many students can not pay their high fees as they charge more from individual or small groups of students as compared to the collective classes of the coaching centers.

“We all belong from poor families and staying out of our native areas bearing the boarding and lodging charges as well and we can not afford paying a professor two thousand rupees per subject and thus, we prefer doing combine group preparation of our exams,” told a BCS student earlier. In addition to this, there is no welfare organization which can promote the students in their academic and professional education with or without some monthly payment to them as there are numberless organizations like the said are purely active in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Faislabad. The writer visited one of a leading organization providing academic, professional and financial assistance to it’s hundreds of selected students whom are selected after examining the real background and some entry tests in Karachi. After posing a simple question before the operation director of this very organization that since you are well provided with funds from Governmental and non_Governmental sectors for the noble motive then why are the authorities of your prestigious organizations demur to start this in smaller and unprivileged parts of rural areas and more in Balochistan or Quetta, which is a capital city of a province is well and no way is counted with the rural or unreachable areas of Pakistan? He responded;”It has been six years since our inception and we are not yet allowed by our board of directors but we always advertise relaxed form of tests and minimum required percentage for the students from sort of areas you mentioned and for Balochistan too”.

The answer was offcourse an other question that the students of remote areas of Balochistan whom after all their efforts, manage to reach and stay in the Quetta city for the due course of their higher studies, how come they can travel towards cities, hundreds of miles away from their place and study there with temporary residence leaving their regular studies aside in the city they left? This almost was an answer worth laughing but also states that our students have many problems to face even if they are ready to make a mark in their respective fields.

The general educational environment is a big question mark on those who are always showing ‘ok’ signs and the government which is desperately trying to allay the public fears about the prevailing circumstances when it comes to highlighting the core issues. The politics is at it’s peak that is very different from the past. Even the two biggest Colleges i.e. The Science College at Jinnah Road is claimed to be dominated by a Pashtoon political party and Degree College situated at Saryaab road is considered to be dominated by Baloch parties unanimously.

This is worth mentioning here that most of the students in Pashtoon and Baloch separates themselves with the parties of their respective institutes but still are bound to support them. A minority of settlers always faces serious problems under these circumstances in the educational institutions, almost all of the institutions enjoys political and tribal influence. 

On broader perspective, University of Balochistan is also affected by the political and regional havoc happening in the past and lately. Last year, there was much noise on delaying the MSc exams just because of the three to four months study period entitled to the students but the vice chancellor at that time was not humble enough to concede this to the students. Almost all of the departments are badly shattered and their course is like never ending happening. The most affected are the students from the IMS(Institute of Management Sciences) department. According to them, the MBA that was expected to get accomplished eighteen months before, is still in progress. The students have no other way out but to pay for a course twice just because the first was left incomplete and university remained closed for months. The students are horrified with this and according to a third semester student, “We are almost stuck and trapped with this degree and our fellows in the other cities are already into the practical world”. Now we can not quit nor take our money back or to go and sought admission in other university, so the only resort we have is to continue swallowing this bitter tablet”. Because of the same constraints, the students who can or hardly can afford to migrate to other cities, prefer to seek their last academic or professional degree and certifications from the same city where they wish to start their careers and they do not find the conditions friendly in their birth place. 

The scarcity of opportunities is an other addition to the list. Very few multinational companies are investing in Balochistan due to the uncertain conditions and those too consist in majority of pharmaceutical companies and leaving the province becomes must with this shortcoming and bleak scope and limited professional growth. The leftover are those who somehow manage themselves in these limited opportunities or have well back up provision and support from the family. This indeed is a serious concern for many authorities linking to these mishaps directly or indirectly and they have to determine their future measures with some thoughtful approach for the welfare of the students of Balochistan. 

Cheating and horrible correction policies are also causing solemn fears in the student’s community. Good marks are considered a ‘lottery’ or mercy of the checker and more emphasis is on just passing the exams and getting them through because it is quite clear to the students that the position holders are only from the influential backgrounds which unfortunately tends to get proven sometimes. These slackened them from working hard and jumping into a competition with open and fearless hearts. Girls again have no good chance to step out for good contest and extra_time education in the institutes leaving them behind from their peers and class mates in other cities and hence proving it to be true that small cities or villages always remain behind in every spheres which is disgusting and not bought by the writer. Henceforth, Big universities are reluctant to establish their campuses and the fee structures of contemporary private universities are beyond the reach to common masses.

In the present times, seeking a quality and good education has become a nightmare for the students. And if there are series of problems attached vis-a-vis education concerns, then the need arises to eradicate them all one by one from our society which is not that difficult if the concerns are well versed and aware to it and are in to put their serious efforts for the sake of the future builders of the country. There should not only be inter-provincial competition and when the way clears for the Balochistan students to tie the knots for inter-country competition, then they surely will prove their mettle to the people and the education bar in Pakistan undoubtedly would clamber much higher.