Yasmeen Aftab Ali
Reasons for state failure are different. In Egypt, it was a select coterie of people who controlled the economy leading to monopoly and stopping new entrants in different fields. In Afghanistan the collapse came upon the hanging of President Mohammad Najibullah and Soviet withdrawal from the country. Somalia failed owing to lack of law and order. Strong central governments following even handed economic policies can put the country on path of progress. A nation must use its soft power like education, culture, values, language as opposed to military might to make global friends and work towards influencing international opinions. A focus towards welfare projects, towards helping society members can evolve into a chain that can yield huge benefits. Imagine if every Pakistani starts a local welfare working project from area of their living- it can spiral into a nationwide effort that can only result in goodness. This is where you and I step in. Though many are involved in charity work, distributing food, helping the needy with education, dowries for the poor girls- these efforts need synchronisation and expansion at base. Not just synchronisation, these can be individual acts of kindness like smiling at people you pass in streets and supermarkets. This may sound corny, but imagine how happy it would make you if a stranger gives you a warm smile that really lifts up your spirit- because it’s a day you were really feeling low. How many know the people who live in their street? Let us assume there are 20 houses in your street. Start a tree plantation campaign. Neem tree plant costs around Rs 60/- Twenty houses mean 20 trees. It needs little or no looking after and grows quickly. Government can support and promote tree plantation in many ways. It can encourage multinationals and local organisations to promote plant a tree campaign in given areas. The government may offer incentives to the organisations involved in tree plantation. The companies can hold a Tree Plantation Day, which can be used as a sales promotion springboard offering excellent publicity opportunity and product(s), service awareness their company offers. Company giveaway kits can be given to participants. The government can start a website as done by the’ Billion Tree Campaign’ by United Nations to growing a billion (1 000 000 000) trees all around the world during 2007. Pictures of people planting trees can be sent and posted on the website. What is needed is for the government not to keep the initiative at the political level alone. But to involve companies, organisations, people at mohalla levels to get involved. Earth Day may be a great time to organise Tree Plantation events around the country. It can be turned into an exciting national activity. I am reminded here of Franklin D. Roosevelt: “A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people. †Drug is a growing menace that has spread its tentacles far and wide horizontally and vertically in our society. Hash, weed (different types of Marijuana) Ecstasy, Cocaine…… drugs are now available more easily and to a younger market. This is an extremely crucial issue- for which there is no check and no strategy. However, there are amazing centers working to counter it as best as they can. Unfortunately, these are few, need volunteers, need support. Can they be helped by taking an addict there? You can be saving a life and not just a life but a family by so doing instead of turning a cold shoulder. The Darul Rehmat Trust Qasur is built on 4 canals of donated land. Fixed days for psychologist/psychiatrist, Heart Specialist/Pulmonologist, Neurologist & Hepatitis specialist with housing for 50 addicts available. Standard of cleanliness is very good. The charges are nominal. Rs 70/token for Sunday visit to see both psychologist & psychiatrist with 1 week medication (all inclusive). Rs 90/token for other specialists with medication for 1 week all inclusive on specific days.
Cases for drug addiction range for addiction to cough syrup, hash, powder, addiction tablets and heroin. Anything else you can name. In case of heroin addiction (injectable) every 4th addict is *HIV POSTIVE*. They use dirty water for mixing. In many cases in group addiction, blood of one or two is drawn to mix in heroin then injected by all. Issues for the high addiction rates vary from lack of awareness, education and fear of timely treatment owing to social stigma. Wrong company, frustration, loss of family member and related issues. Doctors dealing with drug cases ensure family member accompanying the patient. In many cases patients do not return for continued treatment but do so after lapse to get a week supply to sell in market for drug purchase. The Test Zone lab situated opposite the Trust does the drug test for Rs 600 whereas same test is conducted in Lahore ranging from Rs 9300 to Rs 4500.
Police usually gets the flak from public. How many see the policemen standing in scorching heat directing the traffic with sweat rolling off their faces? If all us people distribute water bottles, to them on duty in a specific area- it is not just cold water we offer but a token of our appreciation and love,
We need to offer love. Channelise it ultimately loving our country. We all, are our country.
