Adil Najam
From all of us at Pakistaniat.com, and on behalf of all our readers too, we wish the young girl in this photograph a wonderful New Year and a prosperous and peaceful 2010.
Her future is our own.
As she stares at the camera, and indeed at us, her eyes capture a sentiment that is also our own. A sense of fear, but also one of resolve. One cannot know what she was thinking as this photograph was taken. But in looking at this photograph on this new year’s day, 2010, one cannot help think about the future and what it may hold for her, and for all of us. On this new year’s day, let us understand that – for good or for bad – our future will be what we ourselves will make of it.
The grand schemes of history and its attendant forces certainly structure the choices that we confront, but let us never forget that it is we ourselves who have to make the choices, no matter how tough the choices may be. The weaker and more fragmented we are ourselves, the more vulnerable we will be to the forces outside our control. It can be comforting to pass the blame to others, but even when there is much justification in doing so, it is not very useful unless we ourselves are willing to make the right choices.
Making those right choices – often tough choices – is our responsibility and no one else’s. It is our responsibility to history, to ourselves, and to the young girl in this photograph.
Let us make no mistake, our future is our own. And so is this girl’s.
P.S. This year, like in the year before, we have again chosen a photograph by one of our favorite Pakistani photographers, Umair Ghani (here, here, here, here).
The picture is very apt. Pakistanis must realize that extremism is tied up with the victimization of the female.
The enemy has started the year by again attacking Pakistanis and Muslims. Will this be another year of Taliban defenders looking for outside hands and not accepting their own responsibility?
Some comments from the ATP Facebook Page:
– “ameen”
– ” INSHALLAH N AMEEN”
– ” INSHALLAH ND AMEEN”
– “Great photo. The eyes are haunting.
Also, great writeup. Yes, our future has to be our own and we have to stop blaming others and take the right actions ourselves.”
– “It should also be mentioned where and in which circumtstances this picture was takes,”
– “what ever the cicumstances,,,,,the factor which matter is that WE R RESPONSIBLE 4 OUR CONDITIONS<<<<PROGRESS,,,,,OUR PITIABLE CONDITIONS,,,,,,our downfall,,,”
– “Happy new year g…”
– “i agree wid munassam saeed.”
– “happy new year to all pakistanizz … i wish 2010 would be the wonderful year 4 all of us”
– “Happy New Year! “We must be the change we wish to see in the world” M. Gandhi”
That is an amazingly powerful picture.
New Year wishes to everyone.
The Taliban enemy has made its plan clear again with the blast today. We must never let these fundamentalists win.
Woke up to read that suicide bombing killed 32 people.
This year can only be happy year when Pakistanis affirm right to life, liberty, and justice.
When we in clear and unqualified terms condemn violence.
When we condemn those who are supporting terrorism.
May allah protect all of us and shower his blessings (ameen).