On August 14 the whole nation and other Pakistani citizens who are based abroad observed the 76th freedom anniversary of Pakistan on Monday. That day, we saw thousands of people deck up in green and white ensembles, paint their faces and cars with sickle-shaped moons and five-pointed stars and some also strapped the flapping “sabz hilali parcham” (Flag of Pakistan) on their roofs and vehicles to show their true patriotism for their beloved homeland.
A national flag is a country’s true identity and when people unite under that flag becomes 'Nation'. Nations struggle hard and devote whatever they have to keep their flag high in the world. But given the incumbent circumstances, our incompetent governments have failed to inject the true spirit of patriotism among the people.
A bulk of jobless youth wants to fly abroad to earn and settle there with the intent to never return to their beloved homeland because of the insentient government whose only concern is what benefits its survival and imperium.
During the last government spearheaded by former PM Shehbaz Sharif nothing worthwhile was achieved. All we saw was empty rhetoric and that was that.
I don't know how long the present caretaker set-up will take to hold transparent elections within the stipulated time frame as per the constitution is a million dollar question to answer. Governments are playing and the masses are paying.
There is a widespread perception among the people that the green stripe in our national flag represents the 'majority of Muslims' and the white stripe represents 'minorities' (people of different religions). Let me clarify that the green colour in our national flag represents all Pakistani citizens including minorities, while the white colour represents peace and prosperity.
The crescent moon indicates progress whilst the star is a symbol of light. The combined meaning of these words is to grow and spread the light of knowledge. Syed Amir-uddin Kedwaii designed our national flag and the government of that time adopted his design on August 11 1947. The name of our country was coined and suggested by Choudhary Rahmat Ali in 1933 which became our recognition to date.
We have indeed celebrated this Independence Day with much fanfare. The point I want to make here is how many of us have thought about those parents who have seen the cavernous eyes of thier children's rumbling stomachs? For them, it was an ordinary day as usual. Do you think they have marked this day of freedom with empty guts? The answer is palpable: No. Instead,they will have imprecated the government for their plight and complain to God in sorrow.
Why are they born in a country like Pakistan where everything is out of the reach of the poor?Why do their children sleep hungry while the children of the rich squander money recklessly, eat variety of food and slumber in palatial residences? But the poor don't know countries have nothing to do with hunger. It is its leaders who make the countries unliveable and difficult to survive .
After much pondering,I have composed these lines:
Hunger befriends the poor,
Sleep eludes the rich,
Poor dies without food,
Rich dies excess of food.
Being a teacher and the principal of a school, I have been conducting a flag hoisting ceremony at school that does not give a holiday to the students (as is usual in Pakistan)for the last two years. Students with the help and instructions of the teachers illuminate building facades with white and green lights and exceedingly enjoy this activity. Their classrooms are festooned with green and white balloons to make this day more special for the students. The purpose of these activities is to inject and refresh patriotism among the students. Seeing them standing under a fluttering shinning flag with their gleaming eyes riveted on the flag is a moment really unmissable.
In the last part of these activities, all the students and teachers gather in the playground and I deliver a short speech to apprise the students about the dismemberment of the subcontinent and our ancestors' sacrifices to get this piece of land called Pakistan and perorate it with Mr.Jinnah's quote:
"My message to you all is of hope, courage, and confidence. Let us mobilize all our resources in a systematic and organised way and tackle the grave issues that confront us with grim determination and discipline worthy of a great nation."
Flags look indeed beautiful when they flutter in the strong wind and especially when I see my country's flag flapping high,my heart swells with pride and hands raised to the forehead to salute it. I thank God for being a citizen of this 'independent' country ridden with myriad problems and unmerited leaders.
On Independence Day,We ought to distribute food and make it a rage to fill at least 3 to 5 children's empty bellies(the more the merrier)so that they consider themselves part of this beautiful country and celebrate this special day with great pleasure,joy love and most important beyond hunger.Long live Pakistan!