Lessons Learnt From History of Pakistan

“Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it”

~George Santayana

A nation is judged on the standards of their refinement of present and on the basis of history. Those who tend to have full regard of their history are bound to progress. History is a collection of accounts of the past, though in many occasions what’s written and propagated is somewhat conflictive to what reality holds. 

To envision the students of NED University of Engineering and Technology with the truth, Constructive Students Network (CSN) brought forth the idea of organizing an interactive speaker session in order to highlight the darkest moments of Pakistan’s history, our mistakes then and the consistency of repeating those mistakes in our present lives. The event was conducted on 5th of October 2011 under the supervision of Pakistan Society in collaboration with Controller Students Affairs (CSA). Speakers that attended the session were namely:

• Mr. Muqtida Khan - A columnist since 30 years. Teaches Global Economy in various private universities like SZABIST.  

• Barrister Shahida Jamil- First woman to be appointed as the Law Minister of Sindh province who later became the Minister of Law, Justice and Human Rights and Parliamentary Affairs of Pakistan. She has also served as Minister for Women Development, Social Welfare and Special Education.

• Mr. Amarnath Motumal- Vice President, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.

Having a panel of such esteemed speakers, the aim of the session was to lift the curtain up from subjects that we usually shy off from pointing out in public, aspects that are effectively hidden by our government. The subject being majorly: the debacle of 1971 that resulted in amputation of East Pakistan. Objective was to unveil the timeline facts that most of us haven’t heard of and to relate the continuity of such blunders to the present situation. For instance the language procession of 1952 that is deemed as landmark in revolution for Bangladesh had only 50 leftist Hindu students, what fueled it was that the protesters were fired upon, that event is not much different from the assassination of Baloch leader.70% production of jute from East and only 15% share allocated for it like wise 164 billion rupees budget for under developed Baluchistan and 654 billion rupees budget for flustering Punjab. Each speaker had eye opening realities to share which captivated the audience till the end.



It has dawned to the masses that such steps hold a lot of significance in the environment of universities, where students (as the future leaders of tomorrow) must fully equip themselves with the right knowledge. It’s not always an ideal situation where everything that is procured gains finality, yet what defines success is how determined one is to disclose the facts in a way that it encompasses the whole crowd. Hence to ensure that the statehood of Pakistan is protected, to break the barrier of cast, creed and prejudice in order to allow people to accept mistakes and in turn enforce them to make amends- To click hearts and liberate minds is what created  CSN.

Despite the objections & political limitations due to alarmingly revealing content, it’s pure team work that such a session was pulled off- Giant feature, yet a subtle whisper.

“We are now all Pakistanis--not Baluchis, Pathans, Sindhis, Bengalis, Punjabis and so on--and as Pakistanis we must feet behave and act, and we should be proud to be known as Pakistanis and nothing else.”

~Quaid e azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah

-Arsalaan Ahmed khan

Enchanting Smiles - From the heartland of SOS

Over a decade, SOS Children’s Village has been endeavoring time and again in its services to abandoned children of deprived families, especially orphans. Since 1996 to be exact, the welfare organization reached out to Pakistan to set up a package of miscellaneous assistance in terms of financial aids, the most significant of them being 2005’s Kashmir Earthquake and 2010’s Flood relief package programs. Nonetheless, the organization surpasses excellence in the upbringing of orphans in an unconditional process- promising care until able to escort an independent living.

The notion of contribution for change lies ahead of the incentives of the torch-bearers of today. The very same motive defines Constructive Students Network (CSN)-A network that aims at constructive changes par excellence, which visited SOS Children’s village on the 13^th of August genuinely in order to spend quality time with young toddlers and celebrate the joy of Independence!

Solely arranged to enchant smiles and witness the inner world of welfare organizations like SOS Village, we at CSN gathered together to work out on the theme of spreading mirth by carrying out a variety of activities and conducting a collection of donations that could serve as a speck of contribution from the youth of NEDUET. Team CSN gathered together to work out according to children outreach program by investing creative efforts for the activities to be conducted in compliance with the theme of Independence Day. The fateful day came across a not-so-unusual factor of tribulation by stakeholders of the town, leading to transport strike which in turn seemed to have apparently affected the trip. The team, however, did not hold back from the voyage and ended up moving ahead with the program by settling transport issues diligently - making its way up to Malir Halt as a ride worth an adventure.

Technically speaking, SOS Village is an appropriate place a shelter home (orphanage) could make for. The popularity of SOS is not the sort that implies political leverage and charge. Nonetheless, the organization is remarkable for its services to thousands of deprived children, working modestly to provide a non-compulsive environment according to cultural norms and requirements.

 

The village has been designed in a way that includes all the necessities of life needed to raise children. From academia to domestic life affairs, disciplined rules have been set out for effective learning as well as complete coverage of daily demands. Schooling systems have been affiliated with Beacon House Training Program that caters to student academic planning in terms of teaching. No wonder the team witnessed an impressive level of intellect among children in majority. The team also spent two hours with the kids followed by interactive sessions (quiz about national knowledge etc) and singing sessions. Moreover, just to bring out the essence of our national decorum, badges and bangles added four folds to set smiles on those innocent faces that were once a symbol of sheer deprivation. Considering the impactful training and development program, National Training Centre provides proper trained mothers to the orphanage that are playing a noble role in the upbringing of SOS children. Team CSN paid visit to the village homes to distribute gift packages that were systematically located and well-supervised, hence making its mark to social insight in a practical way. Not to mention, this is just another beginning of CSN’s journey to contribute for the better of the society that WE own.

 Indeed, those toddlers deserve every reason to smile, just like every other child spending time out at liberty. What makes these children privileged is their state of difference from the children deprived of their families-who inhale the air of liberty at large, BUT are either found on roads, as beggars, or as another case of child abuse. Divine as this cause is, dignified rests the status of SOS in our society.

"All you have shall someday be given; 
Therefore give now, that the season of giving
 may be yours and not your inheritors."

~Khalill Gibran

- Munazza Khan

Beyond the Symposium - CSN at NED School's Annual Function.

22^nd February, 2011 was the day when the wave of renaissance and change was swept throughout the NED University of Engineering and Technology via the symposium on “Change and Development through Education” organized by the Constructive Students Network (CSN). The colloquium drew a bead on imparting critical thinking in the young minds and on making the youth cognizant of their social responsibility. Distinguished speakers from renowned social welfare organizations humbled the audience with their thought-provoking speeches and motivated the youngsters to produce a constructive change in the socio-political upheaval existing in Pakistan.

                The sponsors like PSO and Engro granted valuable financial help for the cause. On the basis of mutual agreement of the board members of the team, the idea was put forth to donate the surplus funds to some under-privileged school. The selection of such a school wasn’t a difficult task as the NED School was the most appropriate venue for the contribution. NED School is a school setup for the children of non-teaching staff of NED University and it was founded by the wife of current Vice Chancellor of NEDUET, Ms. Badar Kalam. Hence, the matter regarding the donation of Rs 20000 to the NED School was worked out with the University Vice Chancellor, Ms. Badar kalam (care Taker NED School), Principal of the school and Dr. Khalid Pasha (Convenor School Management Committee). It was decided that Team CSN would personally handover the cheque to the school management in the Annual Function of the school which was held on the 4^th May, 2011.

         

      The 4^th of May came riding along with the serenity of innocence. The line-up of the programs to be displayed at the annual function was managed very efficiently by the teachers which included skit, comedy talk show and the prize distribution to the high achievers of every class. It was indeed a pleasure for the members of CSN to be honored as the Guests of the Event. The euphoric performances exhibited by the students in their plays were absolutely flawless. The talk show performed by the students on the stage depicted the real turmoil which Pakistanis especially Karachiites are going through. It featured the special personifications of the utilities such as electricity and water which are quite frequently, if not always, scarce in the town. The show presented the concept and tips of conservation of these valuable facilities and on the part of students, they executed the message through to the audience very effectively. Secondly, the dance skit staged at the event reflected the hard work both the teachers and the students had gone through to finally present them at the function. The very dance skit had also clinched first prize at the inter-school dramatics competitions. The theatrical episode was based upon the life of honeybee. It made the public aware of the wit and genius of honey bees. The students delineated the daily schedule of a bee’s life upon a very jocund soundtrack. The attires and the performances given out by each and every member of the play were just perfect. It made people marvel at the wonderful creation of the Almighty and how He has made such a well-organized lifestyle for such a tiny insect. After that, prizes were awarded to the position holders of each class. At the end of the event, the cheque was given away to the management of NED School by Ms. Sajida Zaki (In-charge of Literary and Publications Society of NEDUET), Ms. Badar Kalam and the members of CSN hence materializing the theme of Development and Change through Education.

              

  Giving birth to another inspiring change, CSN instilled a change in the weather. This initiative was practiced by the students for the students and it is just a drop in the ocean on the way to making a healthier and better homeland. This was not just it; moved by the efforts chipped in by Team CSN during the workshop, the school administration of SMB Fatima Jinnah Girls School invited Team CSN to inspire their young souls at on-campus summer camp afterwards. Team CSN has still got a long way ahead of them but it is these little steps that guarantee the progress of Pakistan. The progress it needs to advance, and perhaps to survive!

- Taha Javaid

Spreading Awareness! Changing Attitudes!

  ‎"Development cannot be achieved if 50% of the population is excluded from the opportunities it brings" 

             - Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator.

Pakistan has been facing the issue of gender discrimination ever since its formation. Though the issue has diminished to significant degrees in the urban towns and cities, it still persists in the rural and the poverty-stricken areas. The major thing that gets affected due to this biasness is the education of women. People find it very easy to engage girls in the household chores and deprive them of education. Even if the girls are allowed basic education, then they are discouraged to chase their dreams of attaining higher education. This kind of social injustice brings forth uncountable problems which nullify the efforts taken for the progress and stability of our beloved homeland.

                To raise voice against such a social evil, the Constructive Students Network (CSN) stepped forward on 23^rd May 2011 to empower the women of Pakistan at SMB Fatima Jinnah School through various easy-to-impart notions and fun-to-learn activities. SMB Fatima Jinnah School is basically a government school for girls set up in Garden East of Karachi and several of the girls who don’t have access to the lavished lifestyle of the urban class are enrolled there. Team CSN held the workshop in the 8^th class whose basic aim was to build up the confidence in the girls, make them realize their social responsibility and to prepare them for the better future ahead of their present. Sessions of Career Counseling and Social Responsibility were carried out for an hour each. Both were diffused with numerous interactive games and activities which could practically impose the importance of both subjects and instill some positive changes in the mindsets of the students.

                The workshop started with the activity “Rain Effect” and its moral was to delineate the importance of teamwork and unity to the girls. It was followed by the “Direction Hands” Activity which put forward the notion that everyone has its own perception of the direction of North which helped us to tell the students that the interests of each and every one of them was different from each other and so should their profession be. Thus, they should follow what they, personally love to do rather than doing what their best friend does and what their parents impose on them. Next up was the lecture on the career counseling. The students were briefed that its their own will to choose their occupation for the future and they were also notified of the importance of higher education. When they were given the charts to write “How do they see themselves in future?” the answers received were very interesting. Apart from the repetitive comments of Doctor and Engineer, some girls commented “chef”, “News Anchor” and even “An atomic scientist”. This activity reflected that despite having low resources in their pockets, the individuals had great outlook of their future. All of the opinions were highly encouraged. “To be or not to be” was thoroughly discussed among them and then we told them that the world isn’t limited to “Doctors and Engineers” by giving them examples of female role models like Namira Saleem-Pakistan’s first woman in space, J.K Rowling-The author of Harry Potter series, Razia Bhatti-the symbol of courage in Pakistani Journalism, Oprah Winfrey-The famous TV host of “Oprah”. All of the role models had weak backgrounds but their passion lead them to become the distinguished of all. This activity provided the students with a noteworthy insight about some new fields and we received highly positive responses. Then, there was an open Question Answer session that we arranged with them in which we answered the questions they raised about different occupations and professions.

As the career counseling session ended, we held an interactive activity right before the start of the session of Social Responsibility. The activity was “First and Third word activity” which lead the students to think spontaneously and instantaneously. Its basic aim was to sharpen their minds. The Social Responsibility session started along with a brief discussion on “How should we fulfill our social responsibilities?” Charts were circulated among the pupils titled “Things around you that irritate you” and very obvious points were highlighted such as Load shedding, pollution, rough driving, garbage thrown on the road etc. Then, the pupils were asked individually that how would they solve these numerous problems and the answers were highly appreciated. The students were also delineated the one-liners such as “Education is the only way out”, “If trees fall, we all fall”, “Verbal abuse is still abuse”, “Save paper, save wildlife” through a Picture Depiction activity. This brought an end to the session of Social Responsibility as well.

                                                At the last, we received some written feedbacks from the students and they bid farewell to us. Truly, this workshop made a positive impact on the young minds and CSN continues its constructive contribution to the Pakistani society.

- Taha Javaid