Every minute of our lives is precious and counts the way we utilise our time and resources. Here, in Pakistan the favourite past time of our people is “aaj meray ghar 4 ghantay bijli nahi thee” or “mera visa reject hogaya” “I hate my green passport, it’s such an embarrassment”. But, seldom do we think for even a split second, the problem is not the country but ourselves, the people, the citizens of Pakistan who are disgracing their country in front of the world, and do not want to own up to their own mistakes. We not only sell Masala news and wash our dirty linen in public but we demoralise the rest of us as well who want to do some or any good for this country. A few bad wolves create panic and chaos amongst its own herd as well as the others in the jungle.
Such was the discussion for the bloggers meet up “Netizens” held at the Royal Rodale where the blogosphere community gathered together under one roof to meet with their like minded selves, to network but also for the goodwill of Pakistan. The theme of the day was “Mera Passion Pakistan” an initiative taken by Mr. Irfan Mustafa Managing Director for the Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan & Turkey for Yum! Restaurants International along with his troops who wish to “Brand Pakistan as Positive Pakistan”
He has taken an approach that has proved its worth, time and again over the past year as the one united army and cause of Revolution across Asia, the power and reach of the Digital Media. Mr. Irfan like many others have a lot of belief and faith in the youth of Pakistan. He wants to give the youth a direction to focus their energies, and channelize their knowledge into innovation, creativity and solutions to our basic social, economic and domestic problems.
Mera Passion Pakistan is a platform geared to promote the talent which lies hidden in the far off rural and suburban corners of the country. Pakistan has immense talent, and positive energy being wasted or not being given its due credit, was what we as the Youth of Pakistan took back with us. Pakistan is a great product, but a poor brand. All, we need to do is polish its image, and reposition Pakistan as a powerful brand. The stories highlighted my Mera Passion Pakistan are of determination, passion, compassion of mankind, will power and pure commitment to change things around for the better, for themselves and people around them. These stories are of young and old, from the farthest part of our country, places where we urbanities feel unsafe to travel to. The one commonality factor amongst all was to achieve something more than what life had to offer to them. This is PAKISTAN! Talented, Creative & Positive Pakistan!
One of the few videos shared with the audience were that of 18 year old Asad Mahmood, a BA student from Okara, Punjab whose passion to reach out to the stars and moon, his determination that drove him to make Pakistan’s 6th largest telescope of Pakistan. Struggling between a practical life, and giving up his passion to study Physics, Asad has kept his dream alive, and with limited resources managed to put together the telescope in 2010. He now wishes to make Pakistan’s largest telescope which will be 26inchs in diameter. Watch his video here: http://merapassionpakistan.com/english/reaching-for-the-moon-and-stars/
The next story of two sisters Amna and Ifrah Wali, was an inspiration on a personal front who have broken against all odds and have become Pakistan’s youngest and first Gold and Silver Medallists in Skiing. Sports are one area of activity which I feel personally grooms and mentally develops an individual like none other. Kudos to the two sisters and all the best for the future!
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The next two stories were from Buner, of pure determination and will power. These two great heros of Pakistan not only moved every individual seated in the auditorium, but have won hearts and inspired many more from far far away.
Zahir Shah Malang, has built a small hydroelectric turbine providing electricity to 150 homes in a small mountain village of Buner. Zahir was adamant to change things around in his village, and learnt the ropes of how hydroelectricity could be produced from Gilgit. He then wanted to apply the same to his village, but everyone thought he was a dreamer. Eventually he managed to collect some resources and put the initial turbine together. Later on, he ended up selling his father’s land to gather resources to give life to his project. With a little help from some people from the city he managed to complete the project in 5 years. He now wants to expand and provide electricity to the remaining 250 homes in his village. With determination, and not letting anyone crush his dreams, he was able to bring a positive change in his life as well as those around us. People like Zahir Malang are an inspiration for us city dwellers who have become too comfortable in our surroundings.
The next story just 10 km away from Zahir Malang, is another hero of Pakistan who might not be able to see the world with his eyes, but has a heart that shines brighter than the nebula in the farthest skies. Mohammad Iqbal, blinded by birth, did not break his willingness to learn, educate himself and educate others. Gone against the reasoning of science that a deaf and dumb cannot teach others, but seeing is believing. He makes better use of technology than any of us. He has downloaded the program JAWS and narrates all that he wants to teach. Either someone else writes for him, or he writes in Microsoft Word, translates it through JAWS and sends it to his students. He is completing his Msc in Sociology, and is a social worker inspiring and helping other NGOs to support other individuals suffering from similar problems. Iqbal believes that difficulty and hurdles challenges you to find a way and live a life which is their own, and wants to see Pakistan with his heart.
Stories like of Zahir and Iqbal have left us inspired, moved and left a void in all who were present at the Netizen; a void to be fulfilled consciously as disciplined and tolerant citizens of Pakistan. Therefore, a pledge was taken by all before leaving to:
1) Stop Paki Bashing (disgracing our own country)
2) Look for the positive and good things happening in Pakistan
3) Spread the word out – for Pakistan the Glass is Half full
4) Take charge of things that are under our control like, not breaking traffic signals, wearing seatbelts etc.
Irfan Mustafa concluded by saying once we change our approach to life in general, things around us automatically seems more positive. Countries that are more tolerant and disciplined are the ones that succeed.
A message to all, let’s get our helmets on, take the driving seat and drive Pakistan on a road to Success!
