Adil Najam
The flood waters may have receded from media headlines and also from many of the affected areas, but it will be a long while before the impacts of the Great Flood recede from the lives of those who were devastated by it. Lest we forget, here are two pictures, both taken today: Saturday, October 30, 2010, in Jacobabad, Sindh.
Much more ‘juicy’ news may be attracting our attentions, but the needs today as as great as before. and in some ways are even greater as those whose lives were devastated try to rebuild those lives – one brick, one wall, one sapling, one bag of seeds at a time. As the 20 million Pakistanis affected return to their homes, they fight disease, dismay and a total disarray of what used to be their lives. Seeds have to be planted so that the next year is also not a washout. Houses have to be rebuilt. Trauma has to be tackled. Children have to be sent back to schools. The schools themselves have to be rebuilt.
The world had not really paid much attention as the devastation unfolded. It is paying even less attention today. All the more reason that those who are paying attention be thanked and supported. There are important lessons to be learnt and even more important actions to be taken. To those of our friends abroad whose humanity has been moved enough for them to join in this time of need, we must express our gratitude. But let us never forget that the greatest responsibility lies with us ourselves. After all, ghar tou aakhir appna hai:
Only Rs. 20,000 is given to the Flood victims, Is this money enough for them.
Correction:
Our “gitter-mitter” crowd wants to blame feudal, uneducated, population growth, poverty, resources, and now even the nature, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.
The fact is that they have usurped the rights of all Pakistanis and all through the decades. And they have used every means (legal and illegal) possible to keep it that way.
The fact that the lower courts are not being expanded in size and superior courts not realigned in structure. The fact that judiciary gets a regular mocking with the “gitter-mitter” crowd, is exhibits 1, 2 and 3 for the denial of justice and equity.
The fact that since Liaqat and up until now, through power held under every stripe and type possible, this is the single common theme in Pakistani lexicon, is exhibit number 4.
The fact that the “great flooding” is being called the “great flood” is exhibit number 5.
Actually, I think we have seen lots of good work by a lot of ordinary Pakistanis around these floods.
It is no secret that Pakistanis are honest, hardworking, decent good and caring people.
It is no news that the system needs ‘fixin’.
And sooner the the “gitter-mitter” crowd from 3 cities gets around to admitting their (our) own failures, the sooner we will get to the “fixin bijness”.
Our “gitter-mitter” crowd wants to blame feudal, uneducated, population growth, poverty, resources, etcetera, etcetera.
The fact is that they have usurped the rights of all Pakistanis all through the decades. And they have used every means (legal and illegal) possible to keep it that way.
Usurpers evil and enlightened are joined at the hips to deny equity and justice. They both spoke the same language of thuggery and threat. They both actively destroyed judiciary. Just a different choice of words. Same actions. Same results.
And they both represent the “gitter-mitter” crowd.
And so, it is the “gitter-mitter” crowd who needs to take responsibility and get the “fixin rollin”!
The sooner, the better!
(And I cannot thank the one and only “Malka Taranum” for loaning me “gitter-mitter” . I just love it! Can’t you tell?)
Wonderful video. Seeing it again was as powerful as the first time.
Actually, I think we have seen lots of good work by a lot of ordinary Pakistanis around these floods.