Tahira Khan
It has turned out fortunate for me that circumstances realized isolation to be my current designation. I am the master of my own time, now. This may help to analyze the new perils of human life as artistic measures are beyond the limits of possibility. Life is all about obstacles which are required to be surmounted, in one way or the other. But, the perils of life may not only open our eyes but disturb our positive outlook as well. I don’t know which is more nefarious in context: to ignore social distress or to sympathize with people in need. This question is usually ignored by poverty-stricken communities. Can we call it a lack of instinctive understanding? Does social conscience exist at such evolving period? Why is education limited for general ideas with large perspective?
We are social animals, but the purpose of social activities must not be a charitable relief. We must find ways to eliminate deficiencies in economic and cultural pursuit as charity leads to human degradation. Moreover, the prevailed uncertainty has been grounded in guilt where every individual has played role in the tragedy of degradation. This feeling may cause people to be timid or halfhearted regarding proactive measures which are indispensable for self-preservation. Does there exist any inner tranquility? Perhaps, not. When did our authorities resist the moral indignation instead of focusing the national pride? I can’t object that similar conditions exist in other countries as well.
Let’s have a simple picture of general masses:
There is a mud house with lodging and two damp rooms. In these rooms, a family of eight live from hand to mouth. We can easily imagine the narrowness and congestion of these living quarters. Therefore, a family couldn’t conduce pleasant inter-relations under such circumstances. This small space is home to chronic disputes, not family. Let’s suppose one of the children is of three years. This is the age when human conscious start receiving impressions. Children are lucky at this point of life. They quarrel with each other but forget it easily. At the age of six, children don’t ignore practical experiences of such a milieu. These sordid details either bring revolt or rudeness. At the school going age, he/she may find themselves to be infected with moral poison, bodily undernourished, and brain filled with elements of vermin. With this difficulty, little head rarely perceives any respect for human surrounding. In addition, Parents find themselves to discredit teachers/ educational system than to put their offspring across the knee and knock some reason. Whether it is human nature or some institution, from school to government, order is all reviled. When young lad leaves school, the character either carries incredible ignorance towards real education or cynical impudence for religion and moral fabric.
What can be expected with such lowest kind of human existence? Is state capable to receive any kind of patriotic enthusiasm? Do people, in mentioned circumstances, respect without having knowledge of things? Perhaps, my inquisitive nature has been aroused for social questions which can bring new and hitherto unknown world to me.
Indeed, education is not an end but a mean to an end. The purpose is to cultivate the framework of capabilities and talents that everyone possesses. It helps both in earning daily bread and cater higher human aspirations. This may also help to ponder upon the knowledge of world we live in. Here, we concur a dilemma. The material we study is inserted in memory without having any practical application. Theory is not put to test reality and vice versa. This eventually draws us more and more away from real life and end up in some sanatorium. It may also take political turn and the individual can become a parliamentary deputy. The profound phraseology about liberty, human dignity and beauty are glitter of words to mislead and dazzle the reader. Thus, the educated individuals receive pedantic theorization, on one hand, and impression of superficial aspects of reality, on the other.
To conclude; The psyche of general masses accepts what is strong and uncompromising. They rarely acquire idea to make some choice or feel shame at being terrorized, intellectually. They don’t demand introspection of economic and social lacunas. The see only ruthless force behind charity and submit, unconsciously or consciously. These tactics produce successful results with almost mathematical certainty. The overall world view will remain the same until and unless the other side also learns how to fight poison gas with poison gas. They must know that it is a case of to be or not to be. Now, apply the said scenario over Balochistan in the wake of Covid-19? What can the liberal world expect, yet so far? Does the broiled political, social, and economic scenario make sense, now?
The writer belongs to Quetta, Balochistan. Studies MPhil at CSAS (Centre for South Asian Studies), University of Punjab, Lahore. Currently works for Balochistan Voices.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article are those of the author and Balochistan Voices not necessarily agrees with them.
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