A country that is plagued by extremism and terrorism, where corruption and nepotism is widespread, whose economy is on the edge of collapsing, where the illiteracy, inflation and unemployment rate is staggering, and which is on the brink of being declared a failed state, a terrorist state; Pakistan’s everyday survival is nothing short of a miracle. In my belief, the epitome of all problems faced by the country is the distressing fact that the average Pakistani has simply lost all hope in Pakistan. This country was supposed to be a place where egalitarianism could flourish in all spheres of life.
I am very impressed by our geographical neighbors. India for Indians is sacrosanct. A country of people who are very similar to us, a culture that has been intertwined with ours, resources that do not differ too much, problems that are almost identical and social inequality that transcends geo-political boundaries. Yet what separates us from them is their ideal to see their country supreme. Not all Indians are alike, and not all are patriotic. What matters is that this segment of population is what the world has come to know—they are the dominant class. Indians talk about transfer of technology, they talk about buying Indian products and they believe that a burgeoning population that was once a burden—is now an asset.
Do I want to be like them—no. What I would want to learn from them is their love for their country. Maybe what is different here is that our people have lost hope from this country while they haven’t. I firmly believe I need to stop following others and start thinking for myself.
It is amazing how complex the Pakistani psyche has become—what’s even more amazing is how simple the solution seems to be. All we need to do is step back and think. The emphasis here is on a small amount of introversion. Business schools teach students that change in an organization is most effective when it is driven from the top. If I can take a strand from that thought, change in our society needs to come from within me. Why can I not aim for continuous improvements within myself—social, psychological, emotional and professional? Why do I need to benchmark my actions with that of another? Why can I not be a black speck on a white wall of cognitive dogmas? In my opinion, if I can answer those questions I can be a model individual for society to follow. If I can even think of such questions I’m halfway there!
I believe this topic has the potential of being a harbinger of proactive thought for everyone. It can make us realize that we need to aim for continuous improvement in our lives—to set and break our own benchmarks—and to keep our minds open to new ideas and broader horizons. It will not only allow us to become better citizens but also better people. It will help us in learning rather than just studying. It will help us excel in professional spheres of life later on. I believe this ‘idea’ is a mindset rather than a rule; and we should intend to act upon it. This may make us realize better, the meaning of the saying ‘when people ask why, I ask why not’.
