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Faking Prosperity

With the country facing severe problems and turmoil due to the unrest in the political hemisphere we should be concentrating more at making amendments towards the social issues that are everyday life’s quandries. Where there are so many national issues - the foreign countries in particular western, have classified Pakistan as a dysfunctional country - we should work towards building our nation so it does not get such remarks from the western powers. However, we are neglecting most of this and doing our best to promote songs, videos, shows and concerts. These are not what will strengthen us as a nation. These are arts and promotion of arts. They may be helpful in giving Pakistan a good soft image and so on but it will by no means help reinforce the structural framework of what a country is based on. Here, there and everywhere are the glamorous shows and celebrations taking place.
Drawing room politics, as it is popularly known has become more of a lethargic past time. Decisions that matter are not even taken, far from executing them.
Just lately I was astounded to hear that the City Nazim has ordered traffic cameras worth millions. Good decision. What about the petrol that has overnight jumped to Rs.75.71 from Rs.69.61. This is just one case. The other that I noticed was the price rise in life saving drugs. First there was a shortage and then the pharmacists were ready with new price tags on the medicines. Middle class people, people who earn a living by working daily salaried - cannot put up with this unplanned progress. Where the basic commodities are being priced out of the middle classes range the government is ambitiously going forward with street cameras, bridges and the likes.
Some one please point out to the devoted and dedicated ones holding the reins of our country what priority is. Or are these just another money making ventures for the lucky ones? Just to show off that we have the biggest bridge, fountain, etc. becomes a mockery of an effort at showing that the country is prosperous.
Nida
Peshawar via email

The present state of hospitals

There is no state worth mentioning of hospitals in Karachi. It is a situation where no one pays any attention to anyone. And that especially goes for the doctors. The doctors who just come around to visit and sign their presence at the hospital attendance but do the big business at their private clinics and residences. Even I visited one at his clinic and not at the hospital.
What about the poor whom I have seen several times lying on every conceivable nook and corner they can find to either visit their sick or worse to get an app ointment. No one has and no one will take any notice of this situation till we help ourselves. And we are not the ones to help ourselves. We just sit and pray for the camel not to walk away and take no care to tie it. This is the psyche that we are. We should become more active and try to help our fellow countrymen in need. But is it possible for our ignorant and self centred souls?
JAVED MEHMOOD FAZAL
on visiting Karachi for 6 months

Casabianca

The boy stood on the burning deck
Whence all but he had fled;
The flame that lit the battle's wreck
Shone round him o'er the dead.
Yet beautiful and bright he stood,
As born to rule the storm;
A creature of heroic blood,
A proud, though childlike form.

The flames roll'd on...he would not go
Without his father's word;
That father, faint in death below,
His voice no longer heard.

He call'd aloud..."Say, father,say
If yet my task is done!"
He knew not that the chieftain lay
Unconscious of his son.

"Speak, father!" once again he cried
"If I may yet be gone!"
And but the booming shots replied,
And fast the flames roll'd on.

Upon his brow he felt their breath,
And in his waving hair,
And looked from that lone post of death,
In still yet brave despair;

And shouted but one more aloud,
"My father, must I stay?"
While o'er him fast, through sail and shroud
The wreathing fires made way,

They wrapt the ship in splendour wild,
They caught the flag on high,
And stream'd above the gallant child,
Like banners in the sky.

There came a burst of thunder sound...
The boy-oh! where was he?
Ask of the winds that far around
With fragments strewed the sea.

With mast, and helm, and pennon fair,
That well had borne their part;
But the noblest thing which perished there
Was that young faithful heart.

Felicia Dorothea Hemans