2011 is almost over,and one hell of a roller coaster ride it was. The OBL assassination (controversial as it was),the Memogate Scandal (as controversial a document as was its source),terrorism,ethnic violence,bombing of schools,NATO strike,the steep economic downturn:you name it! Amidst all chaos and dissatisfaction we forget that there are people amongst you and me who are trying to,in their own way,make a difference. Be it on an individual level,or a societal scale,we have amongst us those who have made us proud of being Pakistani,even if for just a moment.
PEACE EFFORTS:
2011 has definitely made us brave. Ever wondered how you can have a positive impact on your surroundings? Here are a few examples of people like you and me who actually have.
- Abdul Sattar Edhi's Peace Prize nomination for 2011:
Undoubtedly one of the most active and dedicated philanthropists Pakistan and the World have ever seen,Edhi was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. Edhi foundation,started off as a one man show in Karachi,is today the world's largest ambulance service and welfare oragnization with more than 300 centers operating nationwide. The Edhi foundation has targeted the basic and most crushing problems which plague Pakistani Society. They plan campaigns against narcotics,focus on family planning and basic hygiene. Edhi received 9 international awards (including the Lenin Peace Prize in 1988) and 8 national awards (including Nishan-e-Imtiaz in 1989). The Edhi Foundation was also mentioned in the Guiness World Records (2000).
This year Edhi has been nominated for the 2011 Trippery National Award amongst 6 other renowned personalities worldwide for his contribution to society.
- Deputy Superintendent Shahzadi Gulfam of Pakistan received the 2011 United Nation's award for International Female Police Peacekeeper Award:
The United Nations Police Division in the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI),Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO),and the International Association of Women Police (IAWP) International Scholarship Committee had awarded the 2011 International Female Police Peacekeeper Award to Deputy Superintendent Shahzadi Gulfam from Pakistan.
- Malala Yusafzai wins International Children Peace Award:
It takes guts,bravery and obviously skill to stand against the Taliban,the invincible force that has terrorized the World. Taliban in the Northern area have targeted and destroyed over 4000 schools in Pakistan's Northern Province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Malala Yusafzai started blogging for BBC Urdu under an alias when she was 11,about Taliban's ban on girls schools in Swat. Her writing was personal,courageous and moving while she encouraged girls in her community to stand against oppression.
Yusafzai beat 93 contestants from 42 countries and will be presented the award by Nobel Peace Laureate Desmond Tutu.
- Moin Khan- A Different Agenda:
On 10 June,2011 a 26 year old embarked upon a world tour on a solo motorbike journey with the agenda of promoting the soft nature of the silent majority of Pakistan. The Pakistani citizen,residing in San Francisco,has made headlines worldwide. The 26 year old spontaneously decided to pack all his belongings,quit his job,got a bike,and collected sponsors for his zigzag journey across the globe. He is expected to reach Lahore just before New Years after visiting 22 countries in approximately six months.
When asked by BBC UK as to why,Khan stated he wanted to be an ambassador of peace and spread awareness about his people. "I was sick of all the negative news about Pakistan".
SPORTS:
- Pakistan Cricket:
Pakistani Cricket team has braved a tough year. After the whole match fixing scandal,rather despite the scandal and getting ripped off of some of their best players,under the leadership of Shahid Afridi, Pakistan made it to the World cup semi final. Another major achievement for the Pakistani team is in test cricket where they have beat their own winning streak and outperformed all cricket teams worldwide by winning all 6 test series and 24 out of a total of 32 matches.
This victory,that might not have been possible without the sound leadership of current Captain Misbah-ul-Haq,has given a well needed boost to a team that is striving to improve their image. Taking each hurdle as it comes;Rameez Raja and other first-class critics have applauded the team's current strategy. Rather than looking at the bigger picture,with so much pressure to build their image,looking in the long run will only pressurize rather than prove conducive.
- Aisam-Bopanne duo wins title in Paris:
The exceptionally talented 31 year-old tennis player Aisam-ul-Haq has been participating in international tennis as a Junior at a Junior level spectacular World Ranking of No.7. This year Aisam's partnership with an Indian player Rohan Bopanna won their first ever ATP tournament. The duo also paired up in the name of Indo-Pak peace,as Pakistan's image building has been Aisam's main agenda throughout his career. With the slogan 'Don't make War,play Tennis' the two Tennis champions sent a mass message to the World that Pakistanis and Indians are not looking for tense relationships and received the 'Ather Ashe Humanitarian of the year' award in 2010.
Aisam has even before,in 2002,partnered with Israeli tennis champion Amir Hadad,to send out a similar message of peace and humanity. In November 2010 he was appointed the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) goodwill ambassador. Qureshi is now also a member of the 'Champions for Peace' club,a group of 54 athletes from across the globe. With a booming career,a healthy family life,promoting peace Aisam has in many ways become the ideal an entire generation of Pakistanis aspires towards.
- Pakistan Hockey wins against China:
Even though hockey happens to be Pakistan's national sport,it has much less fanfare and followers than cricket. However as the Hockey board continues to promote the sport on an international level,the quality of the game,the commitment of the players and the media response to updates has taken a very positive trend in recent years. This year Chinese hockey team was visiting Pakistan for a tournament in Karachi and Faisalabad,which the Pakistani team won. More importantly,the Chinese team's visit was a milestone of an achievement as it brings Pakistan one step closer to the International platform. China has also invited the Pakistan Hockey team for a tournament in China next year.
EDUCATION:
- Dr Umar Saif named amongst top innovators:
This year a professor from the Pakistani University LUMS has been named amongst the World's top 35 innovators for his contributions to Information Technology by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His work will make internet available to millions of Pakistanis for much cheaper. Umar Saif will join a group of elite innovators including co-founder of google and Marc Zuckerberg,the founder of facebook. Dr. Saif has won various awards previously for his technology innovation for the developing world. He has received a PhD from the University of Cambridge and is also a fellow of the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust.
He wishes to stay in Pakistan and help,in his own way,his people and the country by making Information Technology more accessible. Dr. Umar Saif sets an example for academics and researchers in Pakistan.
- Ibrahim Shahid sets O Levels world record:
The Beaconhouse Islamabad student set O Levels World Record for maximum number of As by receiving 23 As in a total of 24 subjects. The boy is not a nerd, as his peers and teachers emphasize. Active in extra-curricular,he humble even admits that it isn't a high IQ but smart studying and hard work that achieved him this success. Students previously,like Ali Moeen Nawazish who last year set the World record for maximum A-level A's (22) and Aarifa Karim,the World's youngest MCP at age 11. Such remarkable achievements by Pakistani students encourage higher achievers in the future and enable students to set higher standards for themselves.
To encourage a positive outlook and to inculcate the desire and motivation in our masses to bring a change,we should acknowledge the efforts of these people. The year 2011 has been bittersweet for all of us,but through optimism and by awakening our patriotism we can all make a difference and together make 2012 less bitter and more sweet.
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