INDEPENDENCE DAY

By: Ahsan Waheed

Every Independence Day the media trots out old timers who regale us with the glories of bygone days and the wonderful people who are no more. Then they proceed to tell us what is wrong with the country but forget to tell us exactly what we need to do to put it right. This year was no different. Almost all the channels ran programs where people shouted at the top of their voices about corruption, the failure of the government, the lack of leadership and how we had failed to create the Quaid e Azam's Pakistan. It is true that the Quaid gave us a wonderful vision but he could not have known what would happen to the world and Pakistan. So if we have failed to achieve what he envisaged it has not been for lack of trying. It is true, however, that we could have done much better than we have.

Not one of the wise men and women who were on the electronic media mentioned the fact that our foremost problem is a population that is growing at an alarming rate. There is no way that development can ever keep pace with this uncontrolled growth. We should get ready to face major water, food, space and social problems. No body is starving-- at least not the way they are starving in some African countries but there is poverty that is increasing. One reason is that there are simply too many mouths to feed. The people crying for government help and handouts have a line up of six to ten children and they are miserable.

Not much was said about our discipline as a nation and the work ethics of our work force. Violating traffic rules, cutting corners, coming late for work, being absent, looking shabby, ignoring physical fitness and not doing anything to acquire a skill or excel at work are common failings. All these are well within our control to manage and yet we ignore these. These are the things that can give us a sense of pride. Why not discuss these and related matters. Any one who employs people or even has domestic help knows the problems they create. This is what should be discussed to tell the people what is wrong with them and what they can do to lift themselves up.

The government comes in for a lot of criticism and blame. This is not something unique to us. This is the norm in every country. That there are shortcomings goes without saying but we have an elected government. This means that people power can force them to deliver and govern and then there is always the opportunity for change through the vote. This is another area where our people need education and guidance. Instead we are serving up all kinds of alternatives.

There is also this urge to run down our institutions especially by dredging up the past. Analysts are going mad telling us how are institutions have failed us. They forget how important these institutions are and how fortunate we are to have them. The discussion should focus on strengthening and improving them. These are our institutions and we should own them not denigrate them just because there have been mishaps and lapses.

We should stop whining, moaning and groaning. We should face reality and get down to work. The past is important to learn from but it is the present and the future that we should focus on.