Adil Najam
A friend who is very active in the Human Development Foundation (HDF) asked me to carry the fund-raising appeal that we have carried in our side-columns for nearly a month. Although these funds are not being raised directly by ATP, I do believe that this is a good cause and would urge those who can to please contribute, in whatever amount you can.
This was not my intent when we first used this widget, and it certainly was not HDF’s, but events in this last month have highlighted just how important schools and education is. Let us all stand with those who build schools, and against those who destroy them.
There are those who are shaken by the constant focus we have kept over the last few days on what the Taliban elements are doing in Swat to schools, and in killing Pakistanis and Muslims. As proud Pakistanis, we must stand vigilant and speak out against that which brings disrepute to and threatens our country, just as we take joy in that which brings us pride.
The bad news is that this is really bad news and very seriously bad news and it is now consistent and constant. We highlight it because the majority of Pakistan is not like this and because we all must make sure that the majority of Pakistan never becomes like this. The good news is that there are far more people and institutions in Pakistan building education and schools (just a few examples covered in ATP here, here, here, here) than there are destroying schools. Let us all please make sure that it always remains so. In fact, we must make sure that no schools are destroyed ever, anywhere.
To learn more about HDF, please see this wonderful PBS documentary. Note, especially, the introductory lines. Makes you think about what a few good (or bad) deeds can do to how the world views you:
So, to repeat myself, I believe this is a good cause and would urge those who can to please contribute. Obviously there is no dearth of good causes, and I would urge you to contribute and help any and all of them. If not the HDF, help out any other group that you know better and is doing good work, especially in education. But, please, do whatever you can for the education of Pakistan’s young. For the sake of all our futures.
P.S. I actaully know that many of our readers are major contributors to the HDF and to many many other good causes, but also that giving over the internet is a new a mysterious enterprise to some. However, having studied philanthropy, especially by Pakistanis, I also know that the habit of giving, even in small amounts, makes a huge positive difference to causes as well as to those giving themselves.
“There are those who are shaken by the constant focus we have kept over the last few days on what the Taliban elements are doing in Swat to schools, and in killing Pakistanis and Muslims. As proud Pakistanis, we must stand vigilant and speak out against that which brings disrepute to and threatens our country, just as we take joy in that which brings us pride.”
I cannot agree more whole-heartedly that it is for us as citizens to focus on the faults within our respective countries and correct them with relentless pressure.
It is for others, more than for us, to find the finer, more admirable aspects of our countries and laud those, although a little help from us, as for instance, ATP has provided on a number of occasions, is a pointer in the right direction to strangers and guests, and does no harm.
This stranger and guest is grateful for those pointers, for instance, the current thread on Pakpattan and the earlier one on Bulleh Shah, the inspiring piece on Dr. Dani, the piece on Karachi trams (you may imagine my delight in that one, being temporarily resident in a city where trams still run) and oh, so many others.
I hope, soon, to be in a position to contribute to correcting the dismal state of schooling and education in India, and wish you the best in expanding and growing your efforts at schooling our young. The youngsters that you educate belong to the world, not to Pakistan alone, and will, if Providence wills, embellish the world, not Pakistan alone. We need only glance at the author of this piece to underline the point.
Such efforts and projects should be appreciated but we should also ask the basic questions: how long we’ll keep on filling the gaps of a failed and corrupt government? Service delivery is mainly a state responsibility and the state had conspicuously failed in it. Nothing prejudice about these very good non governmental organizations but they are in a way helping the failed and corrupt governance system by lending their support and thus masses really don’t realize the extent of governance failure. How many schools will you build when so many are burnt everyday in Swat and other areas? Let the state do what is supposed to do and struggle for policy reforms instead of so called service delivery which has changed nothing in Pakistan after billion of rupees worth funded projects and spending.
Good Luck. I stand behind these folks and such efforts.
The HDF is a very respected organization, it should not be confused with the government ‘Commssion’ on human development. This is an independent organization originally of US based Pakistani doctors who run education and health and development programs all over Pakistan. I have certainly heard good things about their work. So, yes, a worthy cause.
powerful write up and I agree with your message: “stand with those who build schools”