Saturday, April 15, 2017

Disputes between Sindh and Federal government

A number of issues take birth when we discuss about two different poles. While talking about Federal and Sindh government, there is a Tug-of-War situation between both the governments. There are a lot of issues between Sindh and Federal government from the very start.

More or less, issues has been resolved to some extent including releasing Ayyan Ali for money laundering case and Former Minister of Petroleum Dr Asim Hussain for corruption case. But still, both the governments stand poles apart.

There are still numerous issues like National Finance Commission (NFC) award because there is more than 50 percent share input from Sindh in pool but it is getting 23 percent in share to Sindh and Federation is not delivering powers to provinces especially Sindh according to constitution after 12th amendment in education, health and other departments there is dispute over distribution of water to Sindh as Indus water treaty. Sindh is facing very difficult situation.

The issue of IG Sindh is also a conflict between Sindh and Federal government. Sindh government did not wanted to change IG Sindh but Federal government was in favour of Kaleem Imam due to which AD Khwaja left the charge and it became another dispute between both the poles. Blaming each other is also a common practice of the politicians. As happened in Ghulam Qadir Marri’s kidnapping case.

Government is working on electricity shortage issue and hopefully it will be resolved in coming years. Many of the wind turbines are planted for resolving the issues. Thar coal project will be started in 2018. China is also aiding to produce electricity through dumps of garbage.

Nowadays, the distribution of gas has become serious issue. In Sindh Assembly, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah warned and threatened Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL). He said if gas issues are not considered and resolved on time, then his government will cut off gas supply from Sindh to the rest of the country.

At present, as elections are coming closer, every political party is trying hard to convince the public for voting. In this regard Nawaz Sharif has visited four different cities of Sindh including Karachi, Thatta, Hyderabad and more recently Jacobabad. He has announced development package of 1 billion for these cities. But everyone knows that no development can take place in such a short span of time.


Electoral reforms are essential for our so-called democratic state. Laws that force the politicians to answer public and to unseat them if they do not respond. These politicians has made people come to a position where he is unable to think and is busy in his duties and wish to get the basic needs. They do not work on education as knowledge gives a person power to understand the matters and question. 

Friday, March 31, 2017

Inimitability of Gari Khata Hyderabad

 

It is said that a person is connected emotionally with the place where he lives. I am also linked with the place where I opened my eyes. Gari Khata Qazi Abdul Qayoom Road is my birth place where I spent my childhood teenage and still I am living here.

Places makes memories and stories. The streets, roads and residents have a deep connection with me. There are a lot of my childhood memories. It is special place because I am living here. Well jokes apart, it is special and unique for many things as Hyder Chowk, Naya Pul, tractor parts shops and so on. There are also many other things that can be considered as its inimitabilities.

Temple and Mosque: Before the partition of India, Hyderabad was a place where both religions were living peacefully. In 1947, Pakistan came into being and migration took place. There are still many historical buildings which tell us that no religion teaches extremism but only peace.

At Gari Khata, Qazi Abdul Qayoom Road, there is a street where an old temple lies named Naval Mandir. While in opposite road, there is a mosque namely Allah Di Masjid. No doubt both temple and mosque are different places of prayer of two distinct religions but Muslims and Hindus of the area live with harmony. They say that we all are brothers to one another.

The ancient Naval Temple was built before the partition but was doomed due to some clashes. This temple is named after Guru Naval who migrated from India to Pakistan. He rebuilt the temple in 1956 at the same place. Maharaj of the temple, Haridas told that previously it was just a ground but now we have augmented the space.

Allah Di Mosque is named after a lady named ‘Allah Di’, who lived there. It was her will to make her house a mosque after her death. So, it was constructed as a mosque. Now this mosque has also occupied a large space and has a great importance. 

As sunsets, Muslims offer Maghrib prayer and after that the Hindus start their worshipping their idols. Neither the Hindus do any problematic activity, nor do the Muslims harm them. But they never fight over religious views. Hindus celebrate Holi, Diwali while Muslims celebrate their festivals like Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Azha etc. There is friendly atmosphere and they all live like a family.

In my childhood we all used to gather in the streets and played different games like chuppan chuppai, pakram pakrai and so on. We were never restricted to play with children of other religion.

Edhi Centre: Dates back to the history, it was a building where food, shelter and other aid was given to needy ones. No doubt it was a musty building previously but was providing the necessities and livelihood to the deprived people. 

There was a langar khana which provided food to the starving people, a medical room for the sick ones who were unable to bear the expenses of medication. People used to donate their clothes in this centre which were than given to the beggars. The cradle was also placed at the doorstep of Edhi Centre for the unwanted children. 

But now whenever I cross the street I can see hopelessness. There is just an office for paying bills. Due to high rain fall the building is in a horrible condition. Edhi Centre was a hope for needy people. But in this day and age it seems like humanity is dead. All the hopes of poor people are faded away.

Various ambulances are still ready to rescue but the building is not in a good condition. The centre that has always served the humanity needs the attention of authorities. And should be reconstructed as soon as possible.

Food Street: While coming from Hyder chowk to Naya pul, entire road is occupied with numerous food stalls including biryani, haleem, fast foods, sandwiches, faluda and lip smacking halwa poori.  Gari Khata is a market place as there are numerous book shops, tractor parts shops, automobile repairing shops and so on. But it is also famous for its food. 

The whole road gives the look of Food Street. Halwa poori breakfast is so common for the residents of the area. In morning, we can see a crowd of people here for breakfast. They say, our forefathers were also engaged in this business and now we are also doing same. Jalebi, which is one of my favourite sweet is also available here. I used to go to the shop every Thursday with my father to watch how they make jalebi in my childhood. Further, there are three different stalls of biryani out of which Karachi Naseeb biryani is most famous.  

It is true that a person love the place where he has spent most of his/her life time. I also love the area no doubt there are certain issues including traffic but still I love it because I have spent my childhood here and it has a lot pf my childhood memories. 


Saturday, March 18, 2017

Hyder Chowk Gari Khata Hyderabad

Troubles of a bustling place- Hyder Chowk Hyderabad

As all human beings are the social animals, it is mandatory that we all are connected with each other through different bonds. This bond may be a blood relation, kinship, friendship, and neighbourhood and so on. I live in a quite hustling bustling area that is called Hyder Chowk, Gari Khata Qazi Abdul Qayoom Road, Hyderabad. This road is on the name of a famous comrade Hyder Bux Jatoi, who worked for the betterment of peasants.

Traffic jam is a major problem of Hyder Chowk. As it is always a busy road because the automobiles from four different routes including Gol building, Resham bazar, Naya pul and Old Campus gathers here. This condition causes a great rush here. It is also a stop for mini-taxis of Badin stop, suzukis of Latifabad. The buses of Jamshoro also cross this road which also results in a congested and bottle neck condition.

Hyder Chowk is a market place with numerous shops and stalls of books, there are also shops for tractor parts, automobiles and batteries which also tends to increase the crowd on the road. Many drivers do not have the sense to drive on this road. They park their cars and bikes in such an awful manner that no pedestrian can cross the road. The shopkeepers also place their tractors parts and other material on the road that is also causing the blockage for traffic flow. The traffic jam and the fume of the vehicles hence increase the pollution.

The entire road is occupied with four or five storey buildings and flats. In these flats numerous residents of different classes and creed are living. Some of these social animals are also problematic for the area. It is the common practice of the inhabitants of flats to throw trash in street. At night they pack the shoppers with the garbage and when street lights goes off and silence spreads, they throw the shoppers from their windows. It is also diminishing the beauty of the area.


In the morning, we can see the heaps of trash and an unpleasant smell in streets. It gives a look of waste yard. The social animals prove themselves as beasts through such practice. On the Hyder Chowk, praying hands statue is placed. But some people paste the political posters on those hands. Such irresponsible activities are also one of the causes of worsening the beauty of such historical place.

Load shedding is another but most common problem of Hyderabad. But we, the residents of Hyder Chowk are going through the more terrible circumstances. In this market area, all three types of load shedding takes place i.e., of Gas, Water and Electricity. In winters, we face the shortage of gas. While the plaza inhabitants do not get water on daily basis. And talking about electricity is another thing. Load shedding starts from early morning and we get back the light after 5 p.m. and sometimes it takes an entire day.


People are the creator and they are the destroyers. I think that we all are responsible for such creepy condition. Humans are the social animals not the beasts so all of us should realize the sense of humanity and work for the betterment of our city.  It is our duty to create a better environment not to destroy it. 


Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Travelogue

A stranger in Hala- the city of Sindhi culture and heritage




Travelling increases experiences and going out of the comfort zone has its own charm. Talking about myself, I was a lazy girl used to remain at home in her comfort zone. I did not like to talk to anyone or to travel as well. Whenever someone discussed or set in for a picnic, I was the one who always refuse to go out.


Once my paternal aunt came to my place and she was telling my sister about her childhood friends and she said I am missing those memories. I was also there listening her stories. Suddenly, I told her to go there but she said I want our whole family to go. Next week, all of us set out to go Hala. Hala is a city and taluka of Matiari district of Sindh, Pakistan.


We woke up early in the morning. But I was not that much happy to go Hala. We were about 18 family members in a coaster. I sat with my aunt near window pane. Aunt was very much excited and happy as she was meeting her friends after a long time. Driver started the coaster and our journey started. All of my cousins were singing songs and other family members were talking with each other. I was silently watching all of them. And then gazed outside. I saw on the road that there were many people who were road-sick. Shops were opening slowly and gradually.


We reached on Hyderabad bypass in 20 minutes and it took more 25 minutes to reach on national highway. Those 45 minutes were like hell for me. Time was not passing. Our coaster overtook many big automobiles and some of them also overtaken us. It seemed like an interesting race game.


As we crossed Hatri and entered Matiari, I asked why do we call it Matiari? My father told me historians say, there was a woman who used to give water to the thirsty travellers and nomads. That’s why it became famous as Mat wari (woman with a pot). Bit by bit due to language shift it has become Matiari.


I was serious in whole journey. Aunt started directing the roads. Then we reached Sekhat, where I started taking interest in the journey. Travelling with mouth shut does not give us pleasure so I started talking with my siblings, cousins and started playing antakshiri. There became a joyfulness and a hustle bustle in the coaster. Soon, we covered the distance of about km. and reached Hala.


Hala is a place famous for the Sindhi culture and heritage. Many people on the road were in simple dresses. My aunt told that previously the common dress of the people of countryside was Parro (long skirt) with bangles all the way up to shoulders for women. We all were listening her. And at last we reached to Talib-ul-Mola Colony that was our destination.


The hosts were waiting for us. They welcomed us open-heartedly and spent quality time with us. Delicious lunch was served. There was chicken karahi, chapattis, pulses and white rice, vegetable rice, pickle of three different types and lip-smacking fritters (Pakoras). We all enjoyed the meal a lot. When asked about the pakoras, they said our brother have made this.


Hala is also famous for its handicrafts. Aunt’s friend told us that they have their own business of Ajrak, Sussi and Khadi. She told s previously when there were not much development, women worked with their hands but nowadays technology advancement has made a difference. We all visited their industry. Where machines were making clothes of different designs. We returned back to their home after two hours.


Time was going like water. I enjoyed there a lot. People of Hala are very hardworking. Even men do house chorus and do not feel shame. Their language was same as ours but the life-style was different. They all were loving and sweet. Now I always say, let’s make a program and set out for Hala. I do not refuseto go on any picnic. I got an experience that travelling gives our conscience new routes. It adds knowledge and help us to discover the true meaning of life.

Thursday, February 16, 2017

Condolences with the departed soul

Another sad incident in University of Sindh
A girl lost her life due to an irresponsible drunken driver’s fault

Today when I stepped out of my house, I was feeling upset without any reason, despite the fact that the morning wind was blowing and there was a cool and refreshing weather.
As I reached my department, I heard the news that a girl is crushed in an accident near Central Library. I went there with my friends, but was unable to know about the reality of the incident and returned back. Afterwards, I came to know that the girl is died. We reached our homes and then I read that the girl was student of Physics department.
It was more depressing and shocking to know that her name was Shaista Memon. She was my school friend and we have spent twelve years with each other in a same school and same class. She was a girl of calm and frank nature. She has celebrated her birthday on February 3rd, being unaware of her death. No one was vigilant that a girl who was cutting a cake few days before will be crushed ruthlessly by a university point in her birthday month.
The driver was driving in a drunken condition. Who gave him the right to kill an innocent in such a ruthless way? Why these drivers are playing with these precious life? Why are they ruining the families of innocents?
I am going through a trembling condition. These drivers do not even bother to think that the students are precious they are just watching them as a flesh. Wherever and whenever they want they snatch anyone’s breathe.
I heard that rangers broke driver’s finger. But they cannot return back the precious life of a beloved daughter to her parents. They cannot assure life of thousands of other students studying in University of Sindh yet.
Nowadays going to university is like playing dice with death. We are not even sure if we return to our homes or not.
May the departed soul rest in peace! Aameen.



Monday, January 23, 2017

CO-EDUCATION SYSTEM AND STUDENTS' BEHAVIOUR

CO-EDUCATION SYSTEM :

Co-education system is a better way to enhance someone’s abilities in curriculum as well as extra-curriculum activities. It helps to become civilized. While spending time with opposite sex, we can understand their problems and can help each other. It is supportive in the process of socialization as well. Co-education also provide a chance to stand, encounter and work side by side with the other gender.
While talking about Pakistan, particularly in Sindh province there are numerous co-education institutions giving opportunities to get education at the same platform to both genders. Schools and colleges are commonly separated for opposite genders here, but mostly universities are providing co-education.
79% of the parents, especially those having daughters, are not in favour of co-education system in Pakistan. Some resist due to their religious values and some for the reason that they do not trust the environment of these institutes. A female teacher of co-education school forbade when asked, if she would like to send her daughter in a co-education institution. Though, she was a teacher there but she was against the co-education system.
These institutions are no doubt enhancing the abilities of both genders but at the same time there are some shy students who do not talk to others. Some introverts, who mostly remain silent and are not comfortable in front of the opposite sex. They cannot even ask a question due to fear that the question will be wrong or they will be insulted. This fear may lead to misconception and confusion remain in their minds.
A student of mixed-sex university, University of Sindh, commented, we can see that male teachers give more priority to girl students whereas girls complaint that in the eyes of a female teacher, boys are given importance. It is true to some extent and I have also experienced it.
Some students also misuse the concept of co-education system. Students fall a victim of their emotion, make friendship that lead to more close relationship with the opposite sex. They even bunk their classes. It is becoming a common fashion that educational institutes are changing into clubs and more plainly, they are transforming into dating-hubs.
These indulges distracts them away from the right path of their studies. The unethical activities of students also lead to destruction. When the youth of a country will be derailed from the right path, how one can make progress or can assure the development of the country.