In a World full of Malalas, be your own Chaudhary!

Malala Yousafzai defied the Taliban in Pakistan and demanded that girls be allowed to receive an education. She was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman in 2012, but survived and went on to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. The push of Pakistan towards a western model in education leaves many questioning.  There is a perception that a focus of organizing children and creating a reliable, predictable environment leads to obedient citizens without the ability to use critical thinking.  Compulsory schooling has once been looked upon as a branch of industry and even a tool of governance by a former, award-winning teacher, John Gatto. Furthermore, traditions become abandoned in favor of:

“Limitless resources, and the people yield themselves with perfect docility to our molding hand. The present educational conventions fade from our minds; and, unhampered by tradition, we work our own good will upon a grateful and responsive rural folk. We shall not try to make these people or any of their children into philosophers or men of learning or of science. We are not to raise up among them authors, orators, poets, or men of letters. We shall not search for embryo great artists, painters, musicians. Nor will we cherish even the humbler ambition to raise up from among them lawyers, doctors, preachers, statesmen, of whom we now have ample supply."​ - Rev. Frederick T. Gates, Business Advisor to John D. Rockefeller Sr., 1913 [1]

Luckily for me, I also had the hand of visiting Pakistan and growing up in a Western world with an ability to challenge and question the teachings that I had been taught by way of curriculum or by media.  My Uncle taught me the virtue of being a “Chaudhary,” and how important land ownership was to the fertile lands of Punjab. The prestigious title and/or surname 'Chaudhary' originates from the Middle East in Asia and means the "holder of four" in its literal sense.  It refers to the status and wealth regarding money and land of a certain small percentage of people from countries such as Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan (and others into which its people have migrated to over the years). Vast irrigation water systems, growing crop and raising cattle were all at the front of a life in what have become remote areas and discarded for the pursuit of a city life (for many.) The contrast was stark and apparent.  What I did not then realize was the access to a rural life was empowering.  I do recall in a visit to Pakistan having rice delivered after being harvested, the taste of fresh poultry and of butter that came in daily from the Buffalo that was close enough to the premises, but hidden behind the cement walls.  Breaking free from British India meant being self sufficient enough to rely on one’s own.  This was true independence and the breaking free of a slave cycle.  

After all, the British came to India and Pakistan in pursuit of spices, resources and to learn of In the  agricultural techniques which were practiced from which modern organic techniques are derived; where the fertilizers and pesticides were obtained from plant and animal products. Organic farming was the backbone of the economy at the time.  Marred by modernity, we all are now in favor of time saving mechanisms, more life spent on the cultivation of a “quality life” in favor of less cultivation of an authentic life.  By authentic, I mean less love and effort in clothing items, food grown and cooked and time spent in work and freeing oneself.  Now we are in the trappings of grocery items at stores, clothes that are manufactured and polluting our minds with idle trivialities.  Money and time appear to be in supply but we are not necessarily feeding with our own hands.  Let’s all take a step back and unlearn some of the lessons learned.  Are we truly free and fulfilled? Who’s hands are we serving? To be in touch with your soul, you need to be in touch with nature of better health and content with less. Therein lies the supply that can be filled over and over.  

In a spin about the 'Charkha'

The word charkha which has links with Persian چرخ: charKh, wheel, which is related to the word "circle." In short, it is  hand-cranked spinning wheel used for cotton and other fiber making purposes. Within subcontinental history, Gandhi had hoped that through its implementation the independence movement would able to be established. Self - sufficiency and independence via this means is even depicted on earlier flag versions of India.

From a historical perspective, Indians were working hard to produce cotton which often was shipped to England and made into cloth. It added to insult when the British would send the cloth back to India to be sold at a price that most were unable to afford. For those reasons, Gandhi sought to evade exploitation by developing a spinning wheel that every Indian could afford within a home environment. The shackles of oppression were broken as it helped in the fight for independence. It is still used in India today. It, thereby, became a free movement that reduced competition.

For those reasons the charkha is a symbol of culture; a culture that disappeared after industrialization. Almost an obsession for many; it is a nostalgia that is carried through glorification in books, songs and pop culture that is very alive today within Pakistan. Whilst that may be the case, if one searches deeper the relevance can be applicable to everybody in their daily grind.

In Sufi poetry, it is definitely appreciation of hard work. Its significance lies in the struggle for earning good deeds in this world for the hereafter. When demonstrated often in music made by artists such as Abeda Parveen and Junoon; it often brings a level of romanticism. Whilst it mainly depicts an elderly woman who is spinning a 'charka'; she is taken to another level and is rewarded by nothing too great in this life. She strives alone, continues uneffaced but still very present and required by society. In the scheme of things, her role often gets overlooked and is yet is the very reason for the tight fabric of society being glued and held together. The monotony, simplicity, and, existential being is what connects one and can draw one to celebrate it's being.  A purpose is found in this task and she humbly submits to the role that has been apportioned to her. Within the same,there is a high level of self- reliance as nobody is by her side. She keeps looking forward without complaint and utters nothing but praise for her Lord, coupled with, a high level of optimism it seems.

For those reasons, it is truly a special wheel as it encompasses history that helped force a change in India and Pakistan. It also seeks to remind that life is a perpetual journey of birth, resurrection, and death. So, shall we spin?

Pakistan in Crisis: The Problem with Pakistan lies in its disparate treatment of its women

Marking the Independence of Pakistan today, one cannot help but wonder as to the regression of Pakistan and as to what exactly has led to its downfall.

As Pakistanis, we often fail to acknowledge the powerful presence and role that women played in the building of the country.  The only prominent figure that is made known to a higher level is Lady Fatima Jinnah. What about Begum Shahnawaz, Begum Liaqat Ali Khan and Fatima Sughra with the other large masses of women who dedicated their lives to the movement?

Can we go back in time and be reminded by the Father of the Nation that:

“Half of Pakistan is yours because you have put in no less effort to achieve it than the men.”

As of late the current climate of terror and Talibanization could possibly be linked with a brutal level of gender oppression, inhumanity and violence. Furthermore, if we look across the border towards India we will also see that the level of violence and sexualisation of women has increased despite its Westernization and advancement as a global competitor.

So the question then becomes, where is this oppression occurring and how is it starting? One needs to merely look no further than the home environments in which children and families are being raised. Pakistani dramas that have the highest ratings are the ones which are teaching women that it is OK to live in extremely hostile and abusive conditions; and that family interference is better than leading a more meaningful and purposeful life which could include working outside of the home and giving back to society. Work in Pakistan is also viewed as a burden in a society that is still deeply entrenched in a feudal based system.

“Nations cannot be built on a single foundation – both men and women had to be in unison:”   Tazeen Faridi an early member of the All Pakistan Women’s Association (APWA).

Then why all the murder, honour killing, rape, gang rape, torture, burning, acid throwing, customary practices, custodial violence domestic violence and sexual assault? The position of women needs to be elevated. Core Islamic values and principles re-established and learned. Oppression is not something which our religion teaches. In fact, we are to fight oppression which is the duty of every Muslim. Economic factors, coupled with, the lack of justice has inclined the number female victims.

In summation, when we think of Pakistan and the issues that affect it the most, we begin to think of its stance on blasphemy, terrorism and violence perpetrated by one sect upon another. When we dig deeper, it has to be realized that the issues start from the treatment of its women. Women play a vital role in any society by being an equal hand. It is these women who contribute to teachings of values and how they are to be enacted. The need for a serious overhaul is essential. It doesn’t have to start with just Malala and in schools but at the homes where children are being raised.