speak out
Soft image

This picture is an eye-opener for Us. Why are we, as a nation, so indifferent and devoid of civic sense?

Rehanuddin gives Us an insight into our collective psyche

The situation depicted in the photograph is pretty common in Pakistan. However, what struck me at that moment was the fact that how well it describes our national character as individuals at national and international levels. It is said that in order to understand a nation, we should look at its drivers and traffic. This photograph is a glaring example of just how reliable this rule of thumb is.

By looking at the photograph, a couple of things are clearly evident:

u A lot of parking space is available

u The space is enough to manoeuvre even a truck, let alone a small vehicle!

But the BIG question that jumps right out of the picture is:

u WHY did the driver of the white vehicle choose to park at right angles to the lines on the road to demarcate the parking space?

There are multiple answers to this question, depending on how you look at it:

u The driver was in a big hurry and simply rammed his vehicle into the first place he saw. Considering the angle at which it is parked, it can be safely assumed that he entered the parking lot from the wrong side as well.

u The driver, probably suffering from some sort of inferiority complex ( check out the OTHER cars) decided to get over it by breaking the first thing that came to his mind: the law. Breaking the law is considered pretty 'manly' here, and in this pastime women are competing men with admirable zeal and enthusiasm.

u Considering the broader aspect, this photograph describes a nation, which is poorly aligned with its surroundings. As a nation, we don't have direction or purpose. We lack sense of responsibility (note how the wrongly parked vehicle has taken up the space of TWO vehicles). We are an inconsiderate nation; our personal objectives rank higher than national (what's in it for ME?)

u On a STILL larger scale, we are poorly aligned with the world. Instead of thinking ahead we prefer to take refuge in our past glories. We are least concerned about creating a respectable image of ourselves abroad. All we want to convey is a SOFT image. I don't know what this really means, except that a soft image is supposed to have a LOT of women. Somewhat like adding spice to a rather bland dish.  I am sure if this photograph gets published in international magazines, it would REALLY project a soft image of our nation. Not only would the image be soft, but it would also convey how softheaded we are as a nation and just how responsible and mature we are individually and collectively. Of course, it goes without saying that it would also strengthen the already well established concept of Muslims as backward and illiterate people who are devoid of civic sense, have nothing to do with the modern world, nor have the mental capability to meet its ever increasing challenges. Sab sey Pehlay Pakistan!