Democracy cannot Exist without Education
Democracy has become one of those traditions that are recognised world over. The recent events in some of the biggest communist societies have made it crystal clear that the human soul cannot be put in chains for long. The time is coming when the principles and values of democracy will be firmly established everywhere. Yet when we look at the recent history of many Asian countries, our belief in flourishing of democracy starts floundering . We begin to despair that democratic norms and conventions will never take root here. It, therefore, seems quite natural to ask why democracy has not attained strength in Pakistan and other eastern countries. The fact is that democracy is as much an attitude as it is a political system. To be a success, democracy demands tolerance, understanding and spirit of compromise from its votaries. It requires the breadth and depth of vision, which education alone can give. To be able to accommodate the opinions of others one needs to be educated. It is impossible to imagine a society where literacy rate is miserably low and yet democracy may work smoothly there. Then democracy can prosper much more quickly where people are aware of their rights. They must have the strength of character to contend for their legal rights. They must have the wisdom to choose their representatives without any racial or emotional bias. They must have knowledge of the working of different institutions so that they can keep a check on them. They must be aware of the role of opposition and should be able to weigh the arguments of both sides objectively. All these things are impossible to attain without proper education. Similarly democracy cannot succeed where people have no awareness of their duties. It is education which teaches that the rights offered by a society to its citizens are dependent on the sense of responsibility among them. When everyone is performing his duties honestly, only then the society as a whole can enjoy better living conditions; the rights of every individual are then safe and secure. Education enhances this sense of responsibility by drawing upon the love for our homeland. That is why democracy cannot prosper so well among illiterate people. Obviously democracy and education go together. The more educated a society grows, the more democratic it becomes. At the same time, when a society turns more democratic, it becomes more conscious towards educating its people. As such if we want to promote the democratic values in our country and make it a real democracy, we must work hard to educate our people as best as possible. Pollution Pollution has taken such shape in the modern times that it has become one of the greatest problems that man has ever faced. No doubt the world literature and folk lore is full of stories about beasts and dragons that posed great threat to the respective localities; yet this new problem is one too many and is the one whose disastrous impact is felt all over the earth The fact is that pollution is the poisonous gift of modern industry. The more progress we make, the more captive we become to this problem. The dangers and hazards caused by the pollution are manifold and very extensive in their disastrous impacts. It has created the greenhouse effect which is responsible for increase in average temperature of the world. It has very badly damaged the ozone layer that protects our atmosphere and acts as a buffer between radiation and our planet. Then it has damaged and is still badly affecting our lifestyle by entering our body through the air we breathe, through the water we drink and through the food we eat. Besides all these forms of pollution there is another one which looks minor and yet in effect is responsible for a lot many troubles of mankind. This is referred to as noise pollution. It is true that mankind can tolerate and live with a certain amount of noise but the modern industry and vehicles on our roads have increased the noise so much that we cannot bear it. The result is inescapable strains and various mental disorders that make life utterly miserable for those living in cities. What are the major agents responsible for increase in pollution? The factories, motor vehicles, electric appliances like air conditioners, refrigerators and deep freezers, synthetic products like plastic bags- these are most dangerous factors! These along with some others have become the major cause of ever increasing threat of pollution. Mills and factories emit dangerous chemicals into the air through smoke and sometimes also discharge poisonous compounds into the rivers and canals along with the refuse. The motor vehicles like cars, buses and trucks leak carbon-mono-oxide into the air. All this is destroying the atmosphere around us. Similarly the chemical fertilisers used for getting more yield from the crops and the pesticides applied for killing the parasites have their impact on the atmosphere as well as on the food that we eat. Another great factor of pollution is the radiation that somehow escapes into the air from nuclear fusion in reactors and from atomic experiments that have become a normal feature in many developed countries of the world. The potential threat of all the atomic arsenals in the world is another terrifying prospect. All this is adding to the extreme gravity of the problem. What are we supposed to do in such a situation? No one can deny that pollution has already done great damage. I believe that the time has come for us to realise the gravity of the situation. We must take steps, and immediately as well, on both national and inter- national level to check this problem, or else be prepared to become soon a hostage to disaster and universal ruin. Sweet are thy fruits, Liberty! Liberty is the very soul of man, the sweetest blessing that God has bestowed on him. It is the paradise on earth and the fountain of heavenly bliss. Lucky are the people on whom liberty smiles in full glory and really fortunate are those who enjoy its blessing due to their honourable sense of responsibility and gratitude. Throughout the history of man's evolution, both recent and late, liberty has always remained the dearest and the most cherished ideal of mankind. The noblest of men sacrificed for it everything they owned and the wisest of philosophers adored it with all their heart. Still for many the vision and dream remained unrealised. Millions of people perished in the darkness of oppression while greater part of the history of mankind elapsed under oppressive institutions. Very few could taste the bless of liberty for all their struggle and heroic sacrifices for the cause of this most glorious of man's aspirations. Indeed it deserves to be regarded the most sacred and the most precious achievement of modern civilisation. To appreciate the pride and glory that liberty commands, one must have the imagination to contrast it against dictatorship- a philosophy of total order with no place for liberty of any kind. What were the gifts of autocracy but ignorance, destitution and misery. It did nothing except stifling the genius. A difference of opinion, no matter how honest and sincere, earned only the most severe punishment. The kings and the priests conspired together to extinguish the tiniest ray of illumination. Those who tried to educate the masses were considered the bitterest enemies both by the crown and church. Innovation of any sort was deemed as the greatest evil which must be nipped in the bud before it could challenge their unholy and inhuman power over other men. No matter how much they squabbled and quarrelled against each other, for their own petty and selfish ends, the state and religion were hand in glove against the flame of liberty. The priests and rulers indulged in all sorts of atrocities just to preserve the sacred institution of oppression which by its very nature is destructive. In fact, dictatorship is the very mother of all evils. In no other system, corruption takes so deep roots as in auto-cracy. The economy of the country shatters irreparably with the entire national wealth accumulated in the hands of aristocracy. The masses become alienated from the destiny of their own nation. The most valiant of its people turn into soldiers of fortune ready to serve any ruler who can guarantee them their bread and butter. The genius evaporates in thin air as men of superior brains migrate to other safe havens. At last there comes the time when those on the top of hierarchy reap the harvest of their ruthless misdeeds. Such is dictatorship. Indeed liberty is the finest and purest of man's ideals. Yet liberty has its own prerequisites and prerogatives. Too much of liberty with too little order is as or even more harmful than too much order with no liberty is. If the later stifles, the former brutally kills all that is valuable in human experience. The licence and restraint must go together or else the liberty itself will turn into anarchy which is the greatest curse. We must remember that liberty does not descend to a people: it is the people who must strive to rise above petty selfish motives and prove themselves worthy of it. Liberty presupposes the spirit of restraint and toleration. If one wants his rights and liberty to be respected, he must respect the liberty of others with equal warmth and enthusiasm. Liberty is so highly esteemed because it encourages honest expression of opinion. It makes us aware of our blunders and honours us with the wisest and most sagacious solutions to our problems. It encourages open debate, and, in the frank discussion of our problems, we are blessed with the grace of all-knowing God. But if liberty is not seasoned with order, it evaporates and slips out of our hands leaving us even more miserable than while in the clutches of oppressive order. So to enjoy the fruits of liberty we must raise ourselves to its glorious standard and then the very earth will become the paradise of heaven. Justice Is the Poetry of Life Indeed life is a blessing of God. It is the most precious gift of Heaven, a jewel that is all the more beautiful for its crudeness. Yet a life of oppression and torture is in no way less than a curse, either. When mankind, the very masterpiece of creation, is subjected to cruelty and violence without his fault, there is no beauty left in life. The tyranny of nature adds to the glory of human existence when man faces its challenges bravely and squarely. Honour and admiration is due to a soul that fights against it, no matter it succeeds or fails in this attempt. But the injustices suffered at the hands of a human being are insult to humanity itself. Nature's violence can be excused because it has no logic. It is like a blind enemy which does not know where it hits. Nature does not understand the laws of justice or sympathy. In fact, it has nothing in common with man to repent its cruelties. The man, on the other hand, is a rational animal. He can understand very well what is just and what is unjust. He man can hear his victims groan and cry, and can see where he strikes. To be unjust is a revolt against the human nature. Then, nature is never angry for itself. It never destroys or hurts to satisfy its anger. Man is selfish. He strikes just to please himself or to satisfy his sense of neglect, an insult or some other personal emotions. Life demands kindness towards others. One must tolerate and accommodate the opinions of his fellow-men. It gives the lesson to help the weaker ones rather than to oppress them. If there were only justice in life, earth would become a heaven below sky. No Pain, No Gain If Wishes Were Horses Beggars Would Ride Mankind has often been described as social, political or economic animal. It however seems much accurate to call him a wishful animal. There will be few people who do not have their minds full of wishes. To imagine someone without ambition or desire is just impossible. And yet if wishes were horses, beggars would ride. One cannot achieve anything by only wishing for it. The proverb rightly says: "No pain, no gain." It is impossible in life to have one's ambitions realised without solid and concrete efforts. Many a people lead a life of frustration and utter disappointment because they have never made a real attempt to achieve their goal. Examples of such people can be drawn from almost all walks of life - the people who are unfit or at least misfit for the jobs they have been doing all their life. One can quote examples of the unsuccessful doctors who wanted to be lawyers, judges and politicians who wanted to be engineers; teachers who wished to be artists, and so on. They are pulling on just because they have no other choice, although they have no talent or interest for their occupation. To what cause, then, can their failure be attributed? Some would suggest that mere bad luck or mischance is responsible for it. Indeed it does not seem fair to put blame on misfortune and to relieve oneself from the responsibility. If we study the life history of the people who succeeded in their ambitions, one fact would become clear. It was not merely chance or sheer good luck that they realised their aim. Their success was a result of untiring efforts in this direction. The Quaid fought all alone against the combined force of Hindu minds. And yet he snatched freedom from the unwilling hands of both the British Government and the Hindus. Besides tireless efforts, the credit for success in one's aim goes to confidence and sheer doggedness. We must have firm belief in the righteousness of our goal. We mustn't be disappointed by temporary setbacks and must persist in our efforts despite failure in the start. If these three attributes do exist in one's temperament, even with a little intelligence one will succeed finally. Though fortune may favour a man occasionally, it is his own efforts, confidence and persistence that will always bring success. If You Wish For Peace, Prepare For War War is always considered to be an unjust business. Poets and philosophers never feel short of matter to enlarge upon its evils and we often hear them raising a hue and cry against war. It is often said that human conscience is disgusted with the cruelties and injustices committed during wars. In fact one cannot help feeling sick and morose to hear of the atrocities perpetrated at the time of wars between different nations. The memories of human sufferings and misery during the first and second World Wars is nauseating to the palate of soft and civilised people of modern world. We Pakistanis, too, are no monsters that we may not feel sharply on this issue. Yet facts of modern life are as unpredictable as they were in old times. Who can forget the sack of glorious civilisations of the past at the hands of a few adventurers. Human history is often no more than the story of exploitation by those whom the philosophers sometimes term as stealers. It is claimed that the ultimate victory is reserved for the labour and sooner or later the robbers discover the futility of their effort. But it is only when they have plundered what the labouring humanity has achieved after decades-long efforts. Should one then put all his trust in these beautiful sounding words and phrases and entirely depend on goodwill and mercy of his powerful neighbours? Every sensible man would answer only by uttering an emphatic negative. Peace neither was nor can ever be achieved by mere wishes. It is the necessary result of certain conditions, and whenever one of these is missing, the ultimate result will be war. One such condition is the balance of power. In fact, military weakness is a crime in the domain of world politics and those who are weak suffer the penalty of complete annihilation. Peace is the bliss and reward of only those who can command and impose it by virtue of their power and capacity to enforce peace. Then we must not forget that human conscience reacts only against unjust wars which aim at conquests and revenge. No one has ever condemned war for just reasons. In fact, man has ever been at war against the very forces of nature for his survival. Similarly those wars which are fought for a just and noble cause are synonymous with the efforts for peace. If the Kashmiris fight today for their civil and natural rights, can we condemn it as an evil business? Similarly the Muslims in Bosnia Herzegovina have been compelled to fight for their existence. By what logic can we condemn their struggle as a disgusting business. Peace at the price of oppression is no good at all. Moreover, such a peace is neither lasting nor much desirable. If we don't wish to face the history of weaker nations in the world, then we have no choice but to ever remain prepared for war. Remember the golden rule of history: Peace is the privilege and right of only those who do not shrink from a war for a noble cause. So we must prepare ourselves for war if we love peace the more. Superstitions Every Age differs widely in its approach to various problems of daily life. Consequently what passes as the most precious and authentic knowledge with one age degrades into mere superstition with the other. The customs, and traditions seem to bear no justification. And often in the same age, a little difference of opinion turns the most rational and logical notion into mere folly and delusion. Superstitions usually stem out of fear. Finding himself no match for forces of nature, the man is terribly frightened. His fears compel him to perform certain rites. He thinks that in this way he may achieve his wishes. Sometimes he performs these ceremonies in order to avoid some unpleasant outcome. Cunning men often take advantage of this human weakness and earn a living for themselves. In some cases, it is often a mere chance that lends dignity to certain superstitions. However, superstitions are not that ugly as the unpleasant associations of this word might suggest. In fact some superstitions are really beautiful and we wish they were true. How wonderful it would be if one's wish was really granted by throwing a coin into that fountain in Rome. How lovely if one could really win his love only by making a small boat flow in to the river Danube with burning candles in it. And yet superstitions have been the worst enemy of mankind. Men have killed thousands of other people on the silly charges of black magic. Nations go on wars and kill thousands of people from the other side just because their set of superstitions is in conflict with that in which they believe. Similarly, thousands of men and women have been sacrificed to idols, with the desire of appeasing the assumed anger of the gods and goddesses which have no real existence. For all their horrors, superstitions have always remained an essential element of human existence. No matter how great a progress is made in science, man's love for supernatural will find pleasure in superstition or one kind or another. Perhaps the man could but he would rather not live without superstitions. Man’s Use of Machines Machines have become an important feature of modern world. Their use is increasing in each and every field of life. Because of their vast capacity for work, machines have become not only desirable but also indispensable. Machines are stronger, harder and untiring. They have almost relieved us of the need for hard and unpleasant labour. In fact, they have replaced human labour. Machines, however, did not acquire this place so easily. They faced strong opposition in the beginning. Many Learned people, like Carlyle, accused machines of being ruthless and destroyer of beauty in nature. Machines won over in the battle because they helped in mass production of cheaper goods and, in consequence, raised the general standard of living. Today we find machines doing most of our work. They are used to cut trees in forests. The farm yields have increased many times due to tractors and other useful agricultural machinery. Similarly we owe them for the great spread of education. Such a progress would have been utterly impossible without printing machines. In fact, There is not a single field in which machines of one kind or another are not playing their important role. We are using them in communication, transport and business. Space exploration, too, would be unimaginable without machines. Machines help women in performing household duties. They are best friends to invalid and disabled persons. For many people life would simply become impossible without the machines. Machines have some disadvantages, as well. The noise and pollution in the air are mainly the outcome of machines. Besides, men' dependence on machines has become almost total. Consequently they are losing their power of judgement. Our dependence on machines has become so immense that it may lead to a complete submission to them. These are the threats which too great a use of machines involves. As such, we need to be both cautious and conscious of these facts. Yet it looks impossible to imagine modern life without machines. Is Life Better for us than for our Forefathers Life in modern times is certainly comfortable as well as more interesting. In almost every field of life, science has done wonders. The advancement is more remarkable in travelling, food, clothing, housing, medicine and working conditions. But is life really better than in the past? This question is very difficult to answer. Much depends on our idea of what is better and what is not. If one thinks in terms of only material betterment, the answer is definitely in the affirmative. There is hardly any walk of life that has not undergone some change for the better. Man can now look to longer and healthier living. Many diseases which were once fatal are cured quite easily and without too much cost. Travelling has become both swift and comfortable. Living conditions have been improved beyond the expectation of anyone. People live in better houses, eat richer diet and wear cheaper and yet lovely dresses. The working conditions have also been improved. Some people may, however, suggest that in terms of spiritual and moral aspect the world has undergone a deterioration. Man has become more materialistic and has forgotten his duties towards relatives and neighbours. Man has also become too busy to give attention to lots of very important things in life. People have turned selfish and money-oriented. In these respects, man has ruined himself. The fact is that man has always been as selfish as he is now. There have been wars all the time in the past. People have always died in famines when rich ones had more than enough to eat. The fault in this regard lies not with one age or other. In fact, modern times are kinder than ever before. The modern state now assumes responsibility towards its citizens while the rulers in the past never bothered about it. Indeed life is much better for us than it was ever before. CINEMA - ITS ADVANTAGES Cinema is one of those modern inventions which has changed our life style considerably. It may be for better or worse but no one can deny its impact on the way we live today. It has made our life more interesting, easier and more varied. It has acquired an important role in various fields of life. Firstly, Cinema has made life interesting. In fact, cinema is a very popular medium of entertainment. For Millions of people, it is the only possible recreation. It is cheaper than any other pastime. For a little sum, the common man might have all the fun of life. He can see places, beautiful scenery and the loveliest women in the world without the need to spend much money and time in travelling. It opens up to us the sensational moments of adventure, rare suspense and a thrill of the highest degree. It gives us the satisfaction of doing wonders and achieving imaginatively what we have failed to do all life. Whatever we have wished and dreamed becomes a reality during the hour or two when we watch a movie. Cinema is a medium of instruction, as well. It teaches us lessons that good literature or life teaches to a man. The colourful scenario in which cinema brings a maxim to our heart makes the lesson all the more welcome, tangible, real and deeply affecting. In the hands of a good film-maker, cinema turns into a powerful tool of society for inculcating the social values. The impact of such counselling is not only pleasant but also as much lasting and penetrating. Cinema educates the masses as teaching educates men of wisdom and learning. Cinema also plays a very important role in the field of formal education. What seems so dull and boring in black and white format of text books, is enlivened by the lifelike colours of a cinema screen. Personalities, events and ancient places suddenly become very alive when we watch them in the movie. In fact, many things that we can't see because of our limitations are made possible for us to see in cinema. It can catch a swift action and show it to us by using slow motion techniques. If the action is rather too slow and lengthy for a human eye to see, camera catches its significant moments by time-lapse technique. So that we can see in an hour or two what spreads over weeks in nature. One can keep counting such significant advantages of cinema and still may miss many. It might have some negative effects, too, but on the whole it can be safely considered as one of the most wonderful inventions. Knowledge Is Power Man is apparently the weakest creature in the universe and yet by virtue of his immense knowledge he is the strongest of all. He has subdued not only the animals but the unruly forces of nature, as well. He travels over the oceans and flies into the skies. He has penetrated to the nucleus of atoms and looks into galaxies billions of light years away. He understands the mysteries of micro organisms and the universal principles governing the motion of distant planets. Indeed, man has compassed such enormous knowledge and, in consequence, exercises such great power over the forces of nature. Knowledge gives power in other domains as well. It alone has made civilised life possible. As long as man was ignorant he lived like animals depending on brutal force to protect himself. Might was right while the weaker were at the mercy of the stronger. Knowledge organised the human society on the basis of justice, equality and benevolence. It introduced the rule of law. Knowledge gives power over emotions too. It helps control our responses and reaction. It helps to make right judgement and to set right out attitudes. In fact man is a tiny cosmos in himself and knowledge helps in understanding and governing this small world. The greater the knowledge, the richer is our insight. At the same time knowledge gives us the power to resist all temptations and to face hardship with more confidence. It strengthens our endurance and determination to pursue the path of righteousness. And what is knowledge but exposure to unknown situation and learning from one's own experience besides from that of others. Obviously knowledge has its hazards. One might fear his morals being spoiled by exposure. One might even chose to be a hermit all his life. Yet one becomes all the more vulnerable to vices by denying a chance to knowledge to give us the real power and strength of character. Indeed knowledge is a power and those who pursue it are endowed with real strength. Science and our Life Science has changed the very pattern of our life during the last few decades. Its impact on us is so great that we cannot measure its magnitude. The changes brought by it in our way of living are so many and so pervasive that a right evaluation can never be made. It has changed not only the outward structure of life, but man himself has been completely transformed in the process. In the first place, we can see quite easily that what we wear, eat and live with today has gone through a complete transformation. Our clothes, our food all are different from the past generation. All of these have become superior, healthier and more comfortable. These healthy changes are visible in the style of living, too. The houses that we live in are much stronger and beautiful. Science has made its mark on furniture, decoration and all other things of daily use. The amenities of modern living made possible by science have added to comfort and interest of life. The telephone, television, refrigerator, and hundreds of other things in use have been made possible by science. Advantages listed above are not the only ones. If we observe the style of modern life, we will discover that science has affected us even more deeply than that. Once man lived in fear of the forces of nature. He was so frightened by the natural phenomenon that he worshipped them. Science has helped human beings not only to understand but also to harness the nature. He no longer has to live in fear of natural forces working around him. Instead, he has learnt how to use them for his own advantage. Finally science has brought an important change in our outlook and abstract thought itself. Once men believed that earth was more important of all the planets. Consequently, man was thought to be superior to rest of the creatures. It has been discovered that there are millions and millions of galaxies in this universe, each of which has billions of solar systems. So man has to reconcile himself to this insignificant and unimportant position in the universe. It is obvious that science has a deep and lasting impact on our lives. Democracy in Pakistan Is democracy a nightmare, or is it a vision that will ever remain unrealised? Pakistanis do not understand which to regard as a fact. They have been unlucky both with and without it. At different times of their history, they sometimes had no liberty at all and sometimes too much of it. Elections are an essential part of democracy and yet it is elections that have caused much deeper wounds. Sometimes they are delayed and sometimes rigged by the ruling party. The worst martial law in the history of Pakistan followed elections. More than half the country was also lost in a previous election. One is tempted to believe that Pakistanis were happy when there was no democracy. Alas! It is not the case, either. They suffered so severely under various martial-laws that they don't know which to regard as the worst. In democracy they feared being killed in riots, in martial law they feared flogging and death both. Virtually, they enjoyed almost no civil liberties or rights under either of them. In such a case, one is bound to look to the other countries. But if we expect democracy to be a curse everywhere, we will be disappointed. In Europe and America, it has proved to be the best political system. Democracy, has its shortcomings and limitations. But so do almost all the valuable customs and traditions of man. By and large, these countries have prospered and added much to the felicity of their people under democratic governments. Then, what is the reason for its failure in countries like Pakistan? The answer seems to be very simple. Democracy is not so much a political system as it is a temperament and an attitude of mind. No one can enjoy any rights unless he respects the same rights of other people. This needs understanding and tolerance on the part of people at large. Such habits when not inborn must be acquired and inculcated. This means that we must give time to democracy to be a success in Pakistan Political parties and leaders must show more sense of responsibility. All Differences of opinion should be tolerated and recourse to undemocratic measures avoided. It should be realised that defective and even bad democracy is much better than tyranny or anarchy. The struggle for democratic rights must be kept in line with principles of democracy. To be undemocratic is completely incompatible with demand for democracy. Once this fact is learnt, no adventurer will be able to play with the nation's fortune. Drug Addiction "Wars have not killed so many as has drug addiction." This might appear a sort of exaggeration at first, but the facts of our times speak for it. There are millions and millions in Asian countries who have become the victims of drugs. These habitual intakers of drugs are sons and daughters, husbands and wives, as well as parents. Then quite often a single addict in the family proves himself one too many and quite capable of bringing the whole family to disaster. The addict loses all sense of honour: he steals, he lies, and he will do anything and yet feel no shame. Almost ruthless in his obsession, he ruins the fortune of his own or anyone else's family just to get the drug. How dangerous is the impact when the patient loses all sense of responsibility and is bent on satisfying his drift at any cost. The picture becomes even more lurid and shocking when one realises the cruelty of those involved in this traffic. The problem has not been caused just because of irresponsible behaviour on the part of addict. It is the game played by drug barons and drug Mafia who in their greed for money would not stop at anything. It is these people who are ruthlessly killing the thousands and thousands of our youth every month. The addiction, in fact, is being spread systematically in order to find prospective customers for their drugs. No doubt, there are many factors responsible for addiction. These are not only economical but also social as well as psychological in nature. The ever increasing unemployment is no doubt the major factor but the lack of sympathy and co-operation in society makes the situation worse. The spread of Klashinkove culture and nepotism is another reason for it. When a person with a brilliant academic career finds no job just because he has no strings to pull, his despair drifts him towards addiction. Finding himself helpless against the forces of corruption, he has nothing to do except recourse to heroin. The unjust socio-economic system, hypocrisy of the politicians and the tall promises and claims of the rulers in the face of inexorable facts, only cause more serious fissures in personality. The religious leaders make the situation worse by dichotomy of their lives. He finds himself caught between the opposites. His elders covertly practise something quite different from what they preach openly. The disorientation and break from society is complete. The youth has no choice but to take shelter in gratifying effects of drug even if the spell is too short and purchased at the cost of life and the happiness of his or her family. The situation, however, could have been better if the society on the whole was performing its share of duties. If the youth could depend on the active support of relatives and friends, this might never have happened. But what actually happens is very unfortunate. Instead of helping them out of their troubles, the society keeps pushing them to the wall or ignores them altogether. The obvious result is that the youth have no choice but to look for an escape in opium, hashish or some other tranquillisers of the type like cocaine, heroin or LSD. To some extent, the situation must have existed throughout the past but things have much worsened in modern times both in terms of quality and quantity. The religion, which was always a source of strength amid frustrations and despairs, has almost lost its hold. On the other hand, drugs and tranquillisers of our times are far more devastating in effect than anything in the past. In both these terms we have reached the extreme, and complete disaster seems imminent unless humanity as a whole realises the gravity of this situation and works together against the menace which on account of its magnitude has left all the past threats far behind it. Transport and Trade Trade has greatly benefited from the rapid progress of transport during the present century. Once communication between one place and another was arduous and very slow. On the one hand, the journey was very uncomfortable due to the condition of roads and slow means of transport; on the other hand, it was very expensive and only very costly goods could bear the carriage expenses. As a result, trade was confined to fewer items. However, modern transport is quite cheap in comparison, and, as such, even much cheaper goods can now be carried from places of plenty to places where these are short. Transport has begun a new era in trade of goods of all types. The quantity of transport has much expanded and improved with the large ships and trains being made available. The cheaper cost of carriage has enabled the traders sell goods at profit at other places. So the producers find it convenient to send their goods to such other places where there is a demand for them. One of the great advantages of modern system of transport is that it is swift and reliable. Goods can reach the market at a short notice. Previously many items had to be stored to ensure their availability. Huge amounts were spent on storage as well as large sums of money had to be invested on the purchase of such goods in large quantity. However, now goods can be carried in a very short time and such there is no need for storage or huge investment. This has also eliminated the middleman who carried a large share of the profit without any effort on his part. Since goods can reach market almost daily, the retailers can purchase them directly from the trader. The obvious result is that the price of goods is reduced which results in increasing the demand for them. The increase of demands for such goods has also helped in reducing the price in another way. Previously, market was limited, so the manufacturer could not avail the advantages of large scale production. If the demand was less than the supply, the prices would fall and result in loss to the producer. Moreover, goods could go waste if they had to wait a long time before these were sold. With the quick transport being available, the market were goods has increased many times. The manufacturer can produce his goods at large scale and as such his cost is much diminished. Both buyer and seller are benefited by it. The quick transport has also added to comforts of life. Previously, perishable goods such as vegetables and fruits could not be carried to long distances. People living in towns and cities being far away from villages could not enjoy certain food items grown or produced in distant villages. However, now they can afford and enjoy a large variety of such goods. Moreover, fruits and vegetables are now available almost the whole year round and the people don't have to wait for the season to eat them. When the season for some fruit is over in one part of the country, it is available in other parts and can be cheaply transported to place of demand. The fact is that the development of quicker as well as much cheaper means of transport has not only helped in the increase of trade but it has also helped in making our lives more comfortable and interesting. Teaching of Agriculture For many reasons, teaching of agriculture is now the need of the day. Firstly the importance of agriculture in our national life is too great to be overlooked. Pakistan is primarily an agriculture country and depends to a large extent on the yields of farms. Obviously by increasing the farm yields, we can improve our people's standard of living to a large extent. This aim can be achieved by teaching agriculture, which will help in many ways. It is well known that our farmers are mostly illiterate. Unless they are well educated, we cannot expect them to use modern methods of farming. Besides they cannot be persuaded to accept new ideas as quickly as is needed now. By teaching agriculture at schools, we can provide educated farmers. They will be more willing and in a better position to make use of the latest developments in the field of agriculture. They will acquire not only the necessary knowledge and skill but will accept the new ideas more readily. Such education is likely to pave the way for introduction of mechanised farming and consequently improved standard of living. Study of agriculture at schools will be useful to our village students in many other ways, as well. If they are taught agriculture during their stay at school, they can easily put their acquired knowledge into practice at their villages. In this way they can enhance their knowledge very considerably by working at farms and fields. One obvious advantage to them will be that their studies will not go waste. They can also increase their knowledge by learning from their parents, which will create respect for them in their hearts. This will develop healthy and integrated relations between such students and their parents. Such an education will help in creating a healthier situation at villages. At present, many of the farmers are illiterate. As such the profession does not enjoy much respect. With the farmer class having educated people among them, the profession will gain respect. In this way, intelligent and widely educated persons will be attracted toward it. Their efforts and their understanding will certainly prove more useful in improving the living standard of farming class. This will solve another problem. We know there has been a great tendency of population shifting to the large cities. After getting education, people have to settle in cities to find themselves suitable jobs. The strain on the cities is constantly increasing and village life is adversely affected. The study of agriculture at schools and colleges can help much in checking this tendency . After getting such education, many people would prefer to stay home at their villages. They would choose farming as a profession. Besides it will help such people to feel at home in village environment. Farming, being considered as something much respectable and important, they will derive satisfaction out of it which will make their stay at villages pleasant and desirable. It has become very important that agriculture be taught at schools and colleges as a subject. Essays in Outlines Polygamy - Advantages and Disadvantages 1. Polygamy is one of the oldest social institutions. 2. It was allowed and practised by primitive as well as civilised communities. 3. Islam allows polygamy within prescribed limits and with safeguards. 4. Polygamy is not inconsistent with morality 5. When a man has several wives to look after him, a wife who has just had a child can devote the whole of her attention to its welfare until it is weaned. 6. In a community where men outnumber men and where they cannot earn their own living, polygamy is a necessity, both economic and social. 7. A single but childless wife often wants her husband to marry another woman who will be able to bear children to inherit the family property and carry on its name. 8. Polygamy often helps to safeguard widows and orphans since the nearest male relative may marry a dead man's widow and must then maintain her and her children. 9. In a polygamous household, there are often bitter rivalries and noisy family quarrels between the wives. 10. The privilege is likely to be misused by men 11. Some times a man marries more wives and has more children than he can afford to support. 12. The numerous children in a polygamous household often have little personal relationship with father. 13. As a society develops economically, polygamy gradually disappears being no longer needed by circumstances. College Education 1. The college is a small community of scholars. 2. It gives opportunities and help for education in quiet and peaceful surroundings. 3. It works for maturity of mind and nobility of character if made proper use of. 4. It brings you in contact with the great and best minds of the past philosophers, poets, scientists, jurists etc. 5. The great men of all ages and climes become your company the thoughts of the great masters await you -- you learn to unlock and open doors to knowledge and wisdom. 6. Here you learn to face the great problems of nature and society - consider them deeply and seriously and learn to work with patience and diligence at their solution. 7. You come into close and long contact with some devoted, selfless and humble men - your teachers - their example will inspire you, though very few of them are the best men in the community - most are sound of heart and mind - will help you to noble ambition. 8. Even in the poorest college there may be just one man whose acquaintance will be your greatest fortune. 9. College intensifies individually - polishes character - develops the best in each as an individual in spite of uniformity of courses and methods of teaching and training. 10. Convictions are formed and strengthened - courage to defend them is developed - evidence is obtained to support them. 11. Training from association with young men of your age moulding each other’s character - friendships formed useful and lasting. Standard of Health 1. There are not enough hospitals for the size of the population. 2. Hospitals and clinics are usually found in towns and cities people living in villages have great difficulties in going to these hospitals and clinics. 3. Most doctors do not want to serve in the rural health centres. Many go abroad after graduation. 4. Specialists practise in big cities: their treatment is expensive and only the rich can benefit. Private clinics much for treatment so that the poor people cannot go there. 5. Many people do not have a well-balanced diet containing those proteins and vitamins necessary for good health. 6. There are still no known cures for many diseases. 7. Some are frightened to go to a hospital when ill. 8. When they are ill, many people go to local 'doctors' and 'hakims', having little knowledge of medicine. 9. Hospitals are frequently short of doctors, trained nurses, medicines and apparatus. An Interesting Person 1. Give a description of the character of the person - mention the good as well as the bad aspects - do not try to idealise mention habits, personal as well as social use concrete language. 2. Emphasise, in any way you can, the qualities, behaviour, etc. which make the person interesting. 3. Give a description of physical appearance of the person: a) general features such as size etc. b) his or her face - general characteristics and then particular features. c) clothes emphasise individuality. Transport and Trade 1. Carrying goods from place where they are plentiful to places where they are hard to get. 2. the smaller the cost of carriage of goods from the producer to the consumer, the better for trade. 3. trade and commerce have expanded because of railways and big ships. 4. In the past very expensive goods such as silk, gold could pay heavy cost of carriage over long distance 5. Advantages of great advances in transport 6. faster and bigger ships with refrigerators made trade in meat, vegetables, fruits etc., possible 7. quicker transport makes it easy to obtain supplies on short notice ... stocking for long periods is not necessary ... quicker circulation of money. 8. Direct trade between maker and retailer developed 9. development of big business and mass production 10. Quick transport prevents waste..... 11. perishable goods reach markets in less time now. 12. a greater variety of foods and goods ... we do not depend now on what is locally produced 13. vegetables and fruits that were available only during part of year are now available all through the years. Description - Family Member 1. Describe in detail, in about six hundred words, a member of your family, a friend, or someone you know well. 2. Describe what the person looks like: features, hair, skin, figure, hands, feet, age, and clothes. 3. Use concrete words to create a visual impression. If this person has one main characteristic, make sure that your description conveys it, even if you never say directly that the person is, for example, nervous, generous, rude or foolish. 4. Try to suggest that one important feature in the details you include. ADVERTISEMENT 1. Advertisements as part of our everyday life .... they are everywhere .... in the newspaper .... on the radio and television .... in the streets and the buses. Develop in concrete and vivid language their presence around us. 2. Kinds of advertisements: 3. Describe some advertisements of different kinds that you have seen or heard- newspaper advertisements. .... radio and television advertisements, etc. 4. Advertising mainly patronised by manufactures ... on a large scale in democratic societies .... free enterprise and competition are two important factors in their growth. 5. Advertisements blamed for increase in prices .... competing manufactures spend huge sums on advertising ... increase in prices to cover the cost ...... if the article is mass produced this increase insignificant. 6. Useful functions of advertisements increase in sales they give us information...though containing exaggeration, half-truths and distorted facts ...... Do we actually believe all we are told? 7. Offer us a wide range to choose from ... examples 8. Advertisements make us buy things we don't want ..... How do advertisements persuade us ........ describe techniques of persuasion used in them. Plants and Man 1. Plants make our surrounding beautiful: many houses, schools, colleges, offices, are beautified by flowers, shrubs, and flowering trees. 2. Some plants have medicinal qualities. 3. The roots of plants help to prevent soil erosion. 4. Many important commodities such as paper and clothing can be made from plants by artificial processes. 5. Some plants are useful in providing material for clothes. 6. The leaves of plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air and give out oxygen. 7. Natural and important food such as fruits and vegetables are got from trees and plants. 8. Since very early times, man has used timber for house - building, furniture etc. 9. Coal is the natural product of decayed trees and plants a very important energy source. Medical Services in Pakistan 1. Most Pakistanis poor, uneducated, ignorant - having harmful and unhygienic habits - poor health _ victims of many diseases. 2. Inadequate medical facilities - no health services or social welfare schemes (as in England) 3. No arrangement for health education of the masses - prevention better than cure. 4. Hospitals and doctors not sufficient. 5. Existing hospitals poorly staffed and equipped - poor patients neglected and ill-treated. 6. Most of the hospitals in large towns and cities - very few in villages - the hardships of villagers - Doctors unwilling to serve in village. 7. Very few clinical laboratories for medical tests - results: wrong diagnosis and treatment. 8. Many doctors greedy and careless. 9. Specialists charge high fees ----- private clinics expensive 10. Medicines & drugs expensive... often substandard 11. People resort to unscientific and medieval systems of e treatment - hakims and homeopaths. 12. Suggest methods of improving medical services Agriculture in Pakistan 1. 75% of the people in Pakistan live in villages; 70% of them are engaged in agriculture. 2. Agriculture includes such related occupations as horticulture, growing fruits, cattle farming, poultry farming, bee-keeping etc. 3. Agriculture provides for basic needs of the people - food; materials for clothing and house-building. 4. Agriculture earns foreign exchanges for the country - export of cotton, rice, fruits, leather etc. 5. Agriculture feeds industries - textile industries (cotton, silk, wool, sugar mills, paper mills, tobacco (cigarette) factories, leather industry etc. 6. Agriculture brings into existence many industries - fertiliser industry: industries producing farm machinery (tractors, threshers, etc.): insecticide factories. 7. Problems that agriculture and agriculturists are facing - water-logging, salinity, shortage of water, frequent droughts ad floods, no proper roads, no electricity, no schools, no medical facilities in villages, no arrangement for agriculture loans, no proper marketing facilities - above all, unjust distribution of land, primitive methods of farming. 8. Modernisation of agriculture- land reform, co-operative farming, tube wells, wider use of farm machinery (mechanised farming), better seeds, wider use of fertilisers, rotative farming, more agricultural banks to provide loans to farmers on easy terms, better marketing facilities, more agricultural colleges, educated and enlightened farmers. Problem of Poverty in Pakistan 1. Pakistan, a poor country - unjust and unequal distribution of wealth -_ 40 per cent lives below the absolute poverty line - 5 per cent on top rolling in wealth - For the poor no food - no proper clothing and shelter - no education for children - no medical care - high rate of unemployment. 2. Pakistan a Third World country - under-developed industrially, technologically, scientifically, economically, educationally - very few industries - primitive methods of agriculture. 3. Dependent on developed countries -_ burden of foreign debt - unfavourable balance of trade. 4. Unjust socio-economic system - exploitation of the poor by the rich -- oppression of the poor by landlords & capitalists 5. Unequal opportunities in life -- the disadvantages faced by the poor. 6. Corruption at all levels - smuggling and profiteering - increase inequalities and prevent the betterment of the lot of the poor. 7. Superstitions - wasteful and harmful customs - also contribute to poverty. 8. What can be done to eradicate poverty and build a just and egalitarian society? Books and Reading 1. Reading a pleasant and useful habit. Ruskin calls books "King's Treasuries". 2. All books divisible into two classes: books of knowledge (science, history, politics, philosophy, ethics, etc.), and books of power (poetry, drama, novels, etc.) 3. "Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested". (Bacon). Explain with examples. 4. "Books that prepare you for a profession and help you in practical affairs. 5. Books as guides and teachers. 6. Books as friends and companion. 7. Books as source of pleasure. "A book should teach us to enjoy life or endure it". (Dr. Johnson). 8. Importance of literature - Literature is expression of life in words of truth and beauty -_ Apart from giving delight, literary books help us to know man (the soul of man) and preserve for mankind the ideals upon which all civilisation is founded. 9. The wrong use off books --- spending too much time in their company - becoming book-worms --- wasting time in reading useless and inferior quality books. Health Problems in developing countries 1. Poor health and physique: undernourished babies and children; growing old before time and average short life are common things in Africa and Asia. 2. Rapid increase in population with no corresponding increase in food production means starvation for many. Poor health and physique invite diseases and epidemics. 3. Ignorance and prejudice against modern medicine prevent controlling and eradicating epidemics ; for example many parents in our villages do not get their children vaccinated against small-pox. 4. Lack of interest in personal and public hygiene ; unplanned construction; poor drainage ; open drains and heaps of refuse and garbage, breeding flies and mosquitoes inadequate water supply. 5. People in general unmindful of cleanliness ; spitting and throwing rubbish all over ; Open kitchens of roadside eating shops the food uncovered for all the dust and flies to settle on. 6. Hospitals few and far between - not very properly administered: lack of medicines, equipment and trained staff. Doctors in general unwilling to serve in rural areas where they are most needed. Teaching Agriculture 1. Our country primarily agricultural : most of the people living in rural areas work as farmers: majority of these illiterate a change in attitude needed ; farmers who will be able to read and write, can do better farming. 2. Agriculture now being mechanised :only educated people can understand and work machines. 3. Agriculture as an occupation for the educated in the villages an important objective ; this kind of education will help people feel at home in village environments. 4. The parents of most school boys farmers- learning about the occupation of their parents will increase their respect for it, at the same time they can get practical instruction from their fathers closer relations between the two; result happy and integrated families. 5. Many educated people will become farmers -- will benefit the country-farming will become respectable occupation. 6. Educated people accept new ideas easily -----introduction of new methods of farming is a lot easier. 7. The present tendency for rural to be deserted likely to be halted if more people adopt agriculture as a career. 8. The study of agriculture, once begun, can easily be continued on the farm after a pupil's secondary school education. Value of Group Discussion 1. Discussion teaches us to look for evidence that will withstand criticism. 2. Discussion teaches to control emotional reactions. 3. The primary goal of a discussion is to solve immediate problem. 4. Successful discussion requires ability to focus on the subject at hand. 5. In a modern democratic society, more and more decisions are reached as the result of group discussion. 6. Successful discussion requires willingness to consider the viewpoints of others. 7. Comparison of different views enables us to distinguish valid from invalid arguments. 8. Give and take of discussion a humane alternative to one-sided propaganda and the use of force. 9. Discussion teaches us to get along with others. 10. Discussion teaches us to respect people whose knowledge or ability is superior to ours. 11. A successful discussion has educational value. 12. Discussion teaches us to be patient with people whom we think to be wrong. 13. Discussion teaches us how to think. 14. Disagreement forces us to re-examine our views. WHAT PARENTS SHOULD DO 1. Parents should encourage when children do something constructive. 2. Parents should show affection, whether by a pat on the back or a good word. 3. One parent should not overrule the other in matter of discipline. 4. Punishment should be impartial when there are several children. 5. Parents should respect children as individuals, letting develop their own likes and dislikes. 6. Parents should allow children to choose their own friend. 7. Children should be allowed to learn from their own mistakes. 8. Parents should teach good manners by examples. 9. Parents should not shower their children with gifts. 10. Parents should not be overprotective. 11. Parents should refrain from quarrelling in the presence of children. 12. Parents should avoid swearing or vulgarity. 13. Parents should not give vent to their frustrations by punishing their children. WOMEN OUTSIDE HOME 1. The position different for married and unmarried women. 2. The married woman's duty to family (babies, teenagers, husband, housework, cooking, guests). 3. Domestic help --- servants, someone to look after the children - expensive a new problem for working mothers -- neglected homes, neglected children, juvenile delinquency. 4. An educated woman cannot stay at home to be frustrated and lonely - economically necessary today for woman to work (young couples need two incomes to set-up independent home, raise their standard of life, build their own house etc.) 5. Women are successful in positions of responsibility (give names of some women who have held or are holding such positions in your country) careers open to women - cry for equal opportunities and equal pay or wages, the greater dedication, conscientiousness, realism that women bring to and job, a woman must be cleverer than her male counterpart to be appointed to any job. 6. Muslim attitudes to women outside the home this generation's attitude -- your attitude. MAN'S USE OF MACHINES 1. Machines-their great capacity for work ---- stronger, harder and untiring. 2. Traditional and historical opposition to new machines though greater economic justification industrial mass production, cheaper goods, better living standards. 3. Machines in agriculture and forestry -- fewer hedges, fewer labourers for felling, hauling, planting, ditching, cutting firebreaks. 4. Printing machines -- vast spread of literacy impossible without inexpensive printed books in large numbers. 5. Machines as aids to invalids, the old and the disabled, in the house and the garden. 6. Machines in commerce, communications, transport, and space exploration. 7. Machines are time-saving, efficient, accurate, therefore greater leisure. 8. Machines help in specialised tools and precision instruments making, therefore help in scientific research and progress. 9. Machines a threat to civilisation - environmental pollution, noise, excessive production, economic breakdown. 10. Machines may control man. LOVE OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVILS 1. Introduction -- An excessive desire of wealth is the cause of much moral corruption. 2. Money being medium of self - indulgence, leads man to yield to temptations of case and pleasure. 3. The love of money is the cause of many actual sins and crimes, such as theft, murder, cheating, bribery. 4. Money turns the heart away from God; for he who makes money his god can never worship the true God. 5. Money lovers don't regard man as a human being but as a thing to be bought, sold, exploited ----- use man as a means to their ends; have no respect for humanity. 6. Money-lovers are bound to have false values. To them a rich man without character or culture is much more important than God-fearing and intelligent poor man. 7. As no man can gain vast riches by his own honest hard work, the lover of money exploits other men to gain more and more wealth for himself. 8. The money-lover longs to become rich over night, and so resorts to illegal practices, like smuggling. 9. Money-lovers are enemies of social justice. 10. Greed and love of money destroys sympathy -- generosity, pity, kindness, love of the neighbour. 11. The man who loves money can have no place in his heart to love nothing else -- neither his family nor his country -- he can easily turn a traitor for the sake of money. 12. The money--lover is the most selfish of all men; he sacrifices the whole world to himself; and himself to money. Fundamental Human Rights 1. All human beings are born free and equal -having reason and conscience - state for the sake of Man and Man not for the sake of State 2. Long struggle for human rights against kings, dictators, and reactionary systems. Still denied in many countries. Declaration of Human Rights adopted by UN in 1948. 3. Freedom of person - right to life, liberty security, honour - no slavery or bonded labour. 4. Freedom of thought, opinion, expression, 5. Freedom to profess, practice, preach one's religion- freedom to change one religion for another. 6. Freedom of the Press - freedom to criticise the government 7. Freedom of movement and residence 8. All equal before law - no arbitrary arrest, no torture; no imprisonment, punishment or fine without fair trial. 9. Equality of men & women - in status, law, marriage, society; equal rights, opportunities (in education, work) 10. Right to form, join political parties 11. Right to vote, contest election, hold political or public office 12. Right to education, medical care, employment (depending on qualification and ability) 13. Rights to form unions, collective bargaining 14. Rights imply duties. Importance of English Language 1. English an international language - first language of many countries - spoken and understood in many more countries 2. Most suitable language for higher education, scientific studies, research 3. Indispensable for travellers, journalists, scholars, diplomats, businessmen etc. 4. Countless books on all subjects published in English. - outstanding books of other languages available in English translation 5. Books to suit people a) of all interests and tastes, b) of different levels - elementary, advanced, research, c) for different age groups 6. Very rich literature - high quality - great variety - some of the greatest poets, novelists, playwrights etc. wrote in English 7. Vast number & variety of magazines, newspapers, research journals etc. 8. Excellent English movies, T.V. programmes, radio broadcasts, entertaining, informative, educative. Traffic Accidents 1. Alarming increase in traffic accidents - loss of life - permanent disability - serious injuries - untold misery 2. Roads dangerous - narrow - in bad condition 3. Manifold increase in vehicles of all kinds - most old in deplorable condition 4. Drivers not trained or qualified - overworked - irresponsible - reckless - drug addicts 5. Overloading - over-speeding - overtaking 6. Owners rich and influential - not held responsible for bringing old, unfit vehicle on the road, employing untrained drivers - forcing them to make many trips 7. Traffic police inadequate - inefficient - not educated or trained - corrupt 8. Traffic laws defective 9. Suggest practical means to deal with the problem. Defects in System of Education in Pakistan 1. In Pakistan education has low priority - only two per cent of the federal and provincial budgets for education - no opportunities or facilities for growing population. 2. Present system of education does not encourage students to think for themselves-told to uncritically accept what they hear and read - Does not develop the mind or personality - or the capability to deal with national and human problems. 3. No opportunities or facilities for research at the higher level. 4. Education aimless and purposeless - no future for students - even medical and engineering students jobless after getting degrees. 5. Condition in most schools deplorable - students learn nothing, receive no education worth the name - Responsibility equally with teachers, methods of teaching, students, lack of facilities. 6. Schools where educational standard somewhat better run on commercial lines - only rich can afford. 7. Conditions in colleges and universities no better. 8. Examination system encourages route learning - students cram or memorise answers to expected questions - without understanding them - and appear in examination - some even pass - students depend on so called ‘guides’ - very high percentage of failures. 9. Cheating in examination halls widespread - students copy from books and notes. 10. Student unions do not demand better education, but agitate for free degrees, without deserving or working for them. 11. Political pressures and interference - students politicised - financed and armed by political parties - frequent armed clashes. 12. Chaos reflected in educational institutions is a reflection of chaos in the country - all those concerned with education should recognise their responsibilities and do something before it is too late. Problems of the Third World 1. Under-developed countries - many former colonies 2. Predominantly agricultural economy - primitive methods farming - low yield. 3. Backward in science and technology - low level of industrialisation - import machines and manufactured goods - unfavourable balance of trade 4. Dependent on First World countries for aid and loan - repayment of loans and interest adversely affects economy 5. Over-populated - rapidly increasing population - agriculture and economic growth cannot keep pace with population growth 6. Poverty - malnutrition - lack of basic necessities of life for the majority 7. Inadequate and unsatisfactory health care services - no medical facilities in villages - diseases and poor health 8. High rate of illiteracy - inadequate education facilities - poor education standards 9. Corruption and nepotism in every field of life at all levels - lack of social justice - helplessness and misery of the common man - especially women 10. Political instability - martial law and military dictators, a common phenomenon - no freedom or fundamental human rights. Problems of pollution 1. The growing problem of pollution 2. Pollution a global phenomenon 3. A serious threat to the biological and ecological life of the planet earth 4. Caused by over industrialisation, indiscriminate use of the world resources 5. Unplanned production and unmindful consumption 6. Deforestation and desertification 7. Soil, water and air pollution 8. The problem merits serious attention and concerted 9. efforts towards remedial measures 10. How to be taken up on individual level 11. On national and international level Pakistan and democracy 1. Pakistan created democratically- by people’s choice- in a free and fair election 2. Creation of Pakistan opposed by anti-democratic elements 3. Quaid-e-Azam, a democrat in theory and practice - in letter and spirit - believed in parliamentary democracy, freedom, socio-economic justice, human rights 4. After the passing away of the Quaid, it did not take the anti-democratic elements long to seize power and destroy democracy - first the civilian bureaucrats - then the military through coups, martial law, military dictatorship, abrogated constitutions, dissolved assemblies, removed elected prime ministers - destroyed all democratic institutions - created sectarian and ethnic conflicts - with disastrous consequences for the country and the people 5. Pakistan can survive and develop only in a democratic set-up -government of the people, by the people, for the people - democratically elected people, responsive to the needs of the people, ready to work for the people’s welfare 6. Every election an education - enables the people to ultimately distinguish their true representatives and know selfish politicians 7. Democracy can succeed only with people’s co-operation and involvement - develops public spirit patriotism - sense of responsibility and account-ability - freedom and dignity of the individual - social welfare and justice - fundamental human rights. Qualities of a True Statesman 1. Truly devoted to his cause and nation. 2. Governs through his conduct, does not believe in nepotism and favouritism. 3. Always rational and logical, bestowed with sharp far-sightedness and intellect. 4. Always have great faith in himself and his nation. 5. Charismatic; making right decision at the right time. 6. Never abuses power; always humane and ready to serve. 7. Believes in equality and justice. 8. Faces all sorts of challenges with acumen; gives new sense of direction to his nation; remembered for his meritorious services. The purpose of Education. 9. nations made by education; progress without it unthinkable; 10. develops and sharpens mental faculties; 11. removes narrow-mindedness and prejudice: 12. enables to distinguish between right and wrong 13. brings refinement in thought and intentions;. 14. removes savagery of heart; develops ethical and spiritual aspects; 15. provides material comfort; 16. combines ethical values with scientific advancements; 17. abhors war; probes into objective nature and leads to realization of God’s glory |