Adil Najam
On your left is the picture of the flag of the Czech Republic. On your right is a ‘Check’ (or, rather, checkered flag; often used in car racing. The two should never be confused. Except for the fact that ‘Czech’ is pronounced as ‘check.’
Ordinarily, this should not be a problem. But right now the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic is visiting Islamabad, and the Capital’s PR people have adorned flags on flagpoles and a number of (very) large banners to welcome him in the spirit of good hospitality. The only problem is that instead of putting the ‘Czech’ flags on the banners, they have ‘Check’ flags!
I saw these while driving back into Islamabad on the from the Airport. I rushed back to see if I would figure out who was responsible for this little gaffe and maybe alert them to the mistake before the Czech PM arrived. Unfortunately, it turned out that the Czech PM was already here.
I wonder what he and his team thought of this. Did they even mention it to their hosts or did they just keep politely quiet? I also wonder what they thought about the banner that read: “We Pray for the Czech Progress and Prosperity”?I am sure they liked the sentiment, but maybe they also wondered why Pakistanis are praying for Czech progress and prosperity instead of working harder for Pakistani progress or prosperity. On the other hand, maybe they do not think as hard about what is written on banners as I do!
I have no way of knowing this, but my theory of how this might have happened is this – Someone tells someone to find out what a Czech (read ‘check’) flag looks like; they look up ‘check flag’ on Google, and that is the one which makes it way on the banner.
Nice story for a chuckle? But how would you feel if the Pakistan Prime Minister goes to another country and they mess up the flags this way?
Well as a matter of fact, I don’t know what is the literacy rate according to our Govt ( which U can say the QUANTITY of educated people in Pakistan). But this sure is the proof of QUALITY of Education of Pakistan:-) I must admit that I tried to laugh at it, But sombody deep inside my heart started weeping and mourning. May ALlah Bless Pakistan and its inhabitant.
This sounded hilarious but then, the very next moment i felt so embarassed at the ignorance of our rulers, it not the first time they have made a mistake, this one is a very small mistake but the way they are used to making mistakes so very often is morelike playing with the repute and future of our country.
I am really amazed and happy at the reaction of our czech friends for being so open hearted to have taken this as a Good Joke and not making a fuss out of it. your attitude is really examplary :)
Hallo everybody and greetings from Brussels.
I am Czech and I work for the EU here – a friend has just sent me a link to this article and I looked at it with amused interest.
My first reaction was: “Wow, they spelled his name right!” – this does not necessarily happed everywhere. And my second thought was: “Wow, they PRAY for Czech prosperity … at least someone does …” (We are the most atheist country in the world – over two thirds of the people do NOT believe in God). Neither does our PM Topolánek, by the way.
My guess is, that he liked to see his name up and he might have thought that you guys like car racing or something …
Cheers
Pavel
Hi everybody,
I love the story and also the cool and light reactions. Now the true recent story coming from CNN: three days ago, the American president was welcomed in Prague by the Czech Presidend “Vaclav Klaus” and PM “Mirek Topolanek” (you now him already..) CNN reported that “Klaus Topolanek” met Bush… There was also much laugh in the Czech Republic about the professionality of reputable journalists… Peace for you from Prague, Franta
I really enjoyed reading most of the comments about the czech /check flag .If it really happened we could use it as an episode in Pkistani version of Yes ,Prime Minister.