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impact
MOOD
STREET Town
Talk
Heroes
in emergency RESPONSES TO LAST WEEK'S impact Stakes too high One of the most dangerous outcomes of this senseless violence is its impact on young children who are growing amidst a state of turmoil By Ammar Ali Jan It is clear that we are not living in normal times by any stretch of the phrase. The recent spate of bombings in Lahore, especially on Tuesday that claimed more than 30 lives, has sent a wave of shock around the country. The repeated bombardment of such events by media channels is a further cause of anxiety and depression that many face in this unfortunate land of ours. One of the most
dangerous outcomes of this senseless violence is its impact on young As a teacher in a local school, Tuesday exposed me to the harsh reality teenage children are living under. The news of the blast spread like wild fire around our school. On top of that, an unknown caller issued a false warning about an alleged bomb in the building (bomb hoax is a fast growing practice in schools and must be strictly clamped down upon). We were forced to evacuate the school as bomb disposal squads entered the building. Despite the fact that nothing untoward was found on the school premises, the reaction of students was alarming. "What's the use of studying when we can die any moment?" asked a 13-year-old student in a state of complete shock, as his tender mind could not comprehend the barbarity of these acts. "Sir, are we
getting a holiday? If not, then what was the use of the bombing?"
inquired another student dejected not at the loss of innocent lives, but
at not being able to gain These two questions represent two different streams of thought formed as a reaction to the prevalent turmoil. Needless to say, both are equally disturbing for the future of our society. The first reaction represents fear and depression that is taking its toll on many students around the city. Considering that it is time for board examinations for many students, such incidents are a set-back to their preparation as well as their performance. Many feel depressed at the sense of insecurity prevailing in the country. This level of uncertainty is a major factor in demoralising the students, a fact I have witnessed over the past two weeks when the city has experienced two deadly attacks. One can hardly imagine the mental state of those students injured in the Tuesday bombings as well as that of their class fellows. God alone knows how much time would be enough for them to recover from the unprecedented trauma they had to face! The second response is equally problematic for the future of our society. When I was growing up in Lahore, the city was known for its hospitality and citizens looked out for each other. The violence, as well as the growing crime rate, is fast changing these established norms. The presence of an unknown enemy is leading to a feeling of aloofness from the rest of the city amongst young children. Death is becoming a casual reality for many which seriously undermines the importance of human lives for these children. Many of the children are unable to comprehend that the number of deaths shown on television screens are not mere statistics, but are actual human beings just like them. This aloofness prevents them from understanding the critical situation and facing it with courage and dignity. It can also potentially lead to a generation that is hardly concerned about the fate of their country while looking at things from a completely self-centered view. Another potential problem is that children can get caught in this circle of violence. We have heard about 'child soldiers' in Rwanda, Afghanistan, Congo and other places. The violence in Karachi for over two decades has led to the formation of violent student groups who are ever willing to adopt the path of confrontation. The madrasa system has already created a brigade of youngsters eager to wage war in the name of religion. Plus, the tragic incident of the Lal Masjid shows how adventurism by students can have dire consequences for themselves as well as the society. The last thing our society needs is another group of students becoming pawns in the hands of powerful interest groups and waging a misguided war. Making children overcome fear and anxiety as well as preventing aloofness from the critical situation is indeed a giant task. However, losing hope in our children is equivalent to losing hope in our future. One has to be very balanced in his/her approach so that the children can understand the gravity of the situation and have the courage to overcome it. Teachers, parents, civil society activists, doctors, relatives and all those concerned about our future need to join hands in order to guide our young generation in these testing times. There need to be more brainstorming by the intelligentsia, as well as the media, about handling children in such a delicate situation. Sooner or later, we will have to formulate innovative ideas to provide counselling to the students, an area that we have unfortunately not given much attention to. We should remember that a generation wasted would have terrible consequences for our nation. One must immediately get to the task of analysing this area, as the stakes here are too high for any complacency.
By Naila Inayat There are days when you feel like crying and crying. And there are times when you laugh all day long without any obvious reason. Fortunately or unfortunately, it wasn't any 'one' of those days. But, yeah, I was feeling edgy and it was one of those moods when you feel like giving some good 'piece of mind' to each and everyone around you. Why am I relating all
this? Frankly speaking, I don't know myself. But, certainly, this sense of
unease has to do with my stopping over at St Anthony's High School
(opposite the Rohail's queries were practically the same as those of us elders. And I was quite uneasy while answering them, mainly because we have never faced such a situation before. Or, let's put it this way, we are a few blessed lot of people who have never had a brush with a mishap of this magnitude. (But this time around, it was too close!). Trying to get out of this fix, I kept telling my nephew, "Tum khuda ka shukar karo kay tum sahee salamat wahaan say nikal aey!" Perhaps this is how we are made to function. When I was in my graduation, I distinctly remember one of our teachers telling us about the effectiveness of news vis-a-vis its element of proximity to ourselves. Proximity was in terms of physical distance as well as emotional relationship. Back then, we students didn't quite agree with our instructor who went on to explain, for example, that a bomb explosion in NYC would have lesser impact on a person in Lahore as compared to something 'smaller' that happened in our neighbourhood. Well, I must admit, that's how we always reacted to whatever was going on in Wana or elsewhere -- with a lack of emotion. It was easy for us to call all act of terrorism as sheer madness or, perhaps, that was our way of reassuring ourselves that at least this was not related to us or bothering us -- directly, that is. In today's mediated world, it is hard to turn away from the harsh realities of life. Visual after visual wouldn't let us escape that, and sure the routine talk shows on TV can easily drive us to despair or otherwise. More so because the hosts, playing the pesky maasis, have nothing else to talk about; so they end up playing up hearsay. Why don't the media conglomerates condemn such terrorist attacks? And where on earth are our religious leaders? Why did they have such a cold response to such a cowardly act? Why didn't they declare a fatwa? And what about the newly elected members? All that one political leader did was visit a hospital and order the authorities to remove the portrait of the ex CM from the entrance hall. Leave them aside, why haven't we heard anything from the concerned citizens of Pakistan (who weren't that concerned about the affair, were they?) and the elitist clan -- alias the 'civil society'? Perhaps, this wasn't their piece of cake because it didn't carry much media hype. The year 2007 has been called the bloodiest in the history of Pakistan, but I am one of the few optimists who -- in my naivety -- has often turned a deaf ear to such negative notions. For me small things such as wearing shalwar kameez of the colours of the PPP-flag (not that I'm loyal to this party) and getting recognised for it gave a good feel. Whereas few years back no one even associated with it. When was the last time we acted -- or reacted as one nation? As far as I remember, the 2005 earthquake brought us all together. The youngsters went all out and helped their countrymen. So, today, I feel that passion needs to be exhibited again. "We are waiting for Godot to come...We wait. We are bored. He throws up his hand. No, don't protest, we are bored to death, there's no denying it. Good. A diversion comes along and what do we do? We let it go to waste.... In an instant all will vanish and we'll be alone once more, in the midst of nothingness! Let us not waste our time in idle discourse! Waiting for Godot. Town Talk • Exhibition: 'Peshawar in Lahore' at Naqsh Art Gallery. Today is the last day of exhibition. •
Lawn Exhibition at Pearl Continental Hotel. Today is the last day of
exhibition. • Exhibition of Asad Faruki's works at Nairang Gallery till Thursday, March 20. • Exhibition of Ali Abbas's works titled 'Desert Breeze' at Ejaz Art Gallery till March 21. • Exhibition of Qasim Riza Shaheen's works titled 'Only when the moon shines blue' at Rohtas Gallery till March 22 from 11am to 7pm daily. • Seminar on New Directions for Climate Change and Development Policy at the Punjab University on March 18 at 11am. The seminar is being organised by Khwarzmic Science Society Pakistan. • Exhibition of Ali Abbas's works titled 'Desert
Breeze' at Ejaz Art Gallery, 79B1, MM Alam Road, Gulbert III till March
21, Friday. Tel: 5718038, 5756991 Against the spirit of time In a very short-sighted move the Punjab Government is replacing the only physical education college in Punjab with a general education college By Aoun Sahi Sports and physical
education are given special attention in educational institutions Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi-led 'Parha Likha Punjab' government was so 'ambitious' to promote education in Punjab that they have converted the oldest and the only physical education college of Punjab (Government College of Physical Education for men) into general education college. Under a notification of Punjab government education department issued on September 4, 2007 the college was renamed as Government College (B) Gulberg, Lahore. It is really ridiculous that Punjab University opened a new department of sports sciences and physical education some two years back while Punjab government really has in a way closed down the only physical education college of the province. Till 2005, before Punjab University opened a relevant department, it was the only MA physical education degree awarding institution in Punjab. Along with master programme the college was also running an undergraduate diploma in sports and physical education, a pre-requisite for physical training (PT) teacher in schools. The new college administration requested education department Punjab to close down this programme. Nobody is being admitted this year, so no new PT teachers will be produced for schools in Punjab. The teachers fear that in two-three years the government will also close the master in physical education programme in the college. "This is creating problems not only for students who want to get higher education in the subject but also for the teachers of physical education at the college who can be announced as surplus to college needs. They can either be transferred or sent back homes," says one of the teachers on condition of anonymity. According to history books Government College of Physical Education Lahore was established in 1940 in Walton Lahore. "Before that it was known as school of physical education and was situated near Shimla Hill, Lahore," says Professor Qamar Waheed, a senior teacher of physical education in the same college. According to him it was the first physical education institute set up to cater to the needs of students of united Punjab, Balochistan, NWFP, Sindh and Kashmir. "In 1948 Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah inaugurated this college and also announced to set up an office for Pakistan Scouts in the college building. The office of scouts is still situated in Walton Lahore while the physical education college was shifted in a purpose built building with two big multi-purpose grounds in Nishtar Park area near Forezpur road in 1964." The professor says the college's building was the first sports structure in Nishtar Park area and Qaddafi Stadium, National Stadium and Punjab Stadium were set up after that. According to some teachers changing the college into general cadre was a decision taken purely by the ex-chief minister Punjab to attract votes for his son Moonis Elahi in Gulberg. "After the Forman Christian (FC) College was handed over to mission in 2003, some of the short sighted advisors (including some teachers of FC College) suggested to the chief minister and his son that Physical Education College could be the best alternate of FC College for students belonging to Gulberg and would work to secure vote for Moonis Elahi in the area. The two big grounds, open land in prime area like Gulberg (because previous government was notorious for grabbing open spaces in Lahore), also contributed to this decision -- that of converting a specialised college into a general one," says a teacher. According to him the authorities even did not bother to ponder upon what they were doing. Physical Education College basically is a teachers' training institute and it cannot be converted into a general college "but the previous government was in such a hurry to convert it into general college that it announced to rename it in September 2007 and just after three months it released more than Rs 140 million to build new teaching block in the college. During the last two weeks despite the ban on posting and transfer more than 10 new teachers have been appointed in the college. To add insult to injury on physical education staff in the college the administration has announced to establish new block in one of the multipurpose grounds of the college," adds the teacher. According to him the future of sports and physical education is really bleak so long as we have such short-sighted rulers. Dr Shaukat Ali, chief of Directorate of Public Instructions (Colleges) believes that instead of converting the specialised college into general one some other options should be worked on but he does not say what options there are while education department authorities tell TNS that secretary education is out of country and no other person can talk on this issue. Sports management experts think that sports and physical education are fundamental human need, essential to every Pakistani's psychological, social, physical and spiritual well-being and happiness. "Sports and physical education have the power to enrich the life of every child and youth nurturing their holistic personal development, helping each to grow and reach for their balanced individual and social potential -- nurturing the artist, the athlete and the leadership potential in all of us," says Aamir Bilal, qualified coach of IOC and media advisor to Pakistan Cricket Board. He is also CEO and founding member of Sports Development Foundation, an NGO aiming to revive sports at club, school and college level. According to him in Pakistan both authorities and parents take sports as wastage of time which is a totally wrong perception and research has proved that a group of 7-11 years old children who look part in five hours of physical activity per week performed better in exams than a control group who took part in 40 minutes physical activity per week," he adds. Aamir Bilal says that despite repeated poor performance in International sports, Pakistani sports authorities have failed to understand the depth of the issue. Instead of modernising the national sports according to international standards the authorities have decided to close the Colleges of Physical Education for men and women in Lahore and have converted them into general education colleges. It is really pathetic. "It is an accepted fact that Physical education as a subject needs revision. The subject may be substituted with 'sport management & sciences' and an institute of higher learning may be established to provide up dated sports graduates. However, this need to be done by subject specialists and an abrupt decision in this regard like reducing the physical education college into a general college would prove to be counter productive," he adds. Heroes in emergencyRescue 1122 and the Edhi staff stayed sane in the recent bombings in Lahore and transported patients evenly to the different city hospitals which saved many lives By Ali Sultan and Ammar Ali Jan The main headquarters of
Rescue 1122 is rather quiet on 13 March at night. Two Things were different on 11 March. "We got the first call at 9:26 am that a bomb had gone off in the FIA building," says Dr Ahmad Raza, District Emergency Officer Lahore, Rescue 1122. "After a minute or two, there was a second call, this time from Model Town and we sent in our ambulances as soon as we got the call." In the worst hit suicide attacks Lahore has ever experienced, where over 200 people were injured and 32 killed, the main building of FIA (Federal Investigation Agency) on Temple road was destroyed and an ad agency office turned to rubble. Emergency teams were there in matter of minutes. "When we reached
there, there was chaos, a lot of fear and tension, but we had to do our
job, we are trained extremely well for situations like these. The first
priority is to save Wahid Mehmood, station manager, Edhi field ambulance service, was alerted at 9:30 am. "My family got scared and concerned when they heard the news; I consoled them and went to work. I was initially a little nervous when I picked up the first body but then my fear went away and I continued. I feel dignified when I can serve humanity and am ever ready to serve in any state of crisis." "The basement of the building was filled with smoke and a gas pipe had broken, there were a few people trapped inside, whom we got out in time," says Mohammad Ahsan, Emergency Officer who also heads the Hazardous Material Unit of Rescue 1122. "When I arrived," says Haji Asif Saeed, a driver with Edhi field ambulance service, "there was an explosion of Sui gas, but I am experienced and went in. We cannot afford to be scared; we are the ones who are supposed to give courage to others." "As soon as we got the news, we alerted all the main hospitals, where our staff is also deployed so everyone was on high alert," says Dr Raza. Edhi Foundation has raised the largest single fleet of ambulances in the country with an unparalleled record of quick response for the affectees of any disaster. Its nationwide network equipped with the latest communication system now covers the remotest areas of Pakistan. A fleet of over 700 ambulances, field mobile units and rescue units are deployed all over the country. Punjab Emergency Service commonly known as Rescue 1122 has rescued over 100,000 emergency victims since it started operating in October 2004. Starting out as an ambulance service in Lahore, it has now turned into a comprehensive emergency system which now includes fire and DERT (Disaster Emergency Response Teams) departments and operates in Faislabad, Rawalpindi, Multan, Bahawalpur, DG Khan, Rahim Yar Khan and Sahiwal. With only six stations in Lahore, 14 emergency ambulances, 2 Rescue vehicles and 200 trained paramedics, Rescue 1122 has a response time of under 7 minutes which is highly commendable. "We used to shift the whole disaster to the hospital," says Dr Rizwan Naseer, Director General Punjab Emergency Service. "Now we shift patients." The main philosophy behind Rescue 1122 is what is known as 'triage' or 'darjabandi' which is the process of prioritising patients based on the severity of their condition so as to treat as many as possible when resources are insufficient for all to be treated immediately. Rescue 1122 paramedics assign colour codes to the severity of the condition e.g. Red for immediate action so that it is quicker to sort out patients and quickly send them to hospitals." The concept of triage is essential. Take the case of the bombings, there were many wounded, but we prioritised them and sent them to different hospitals so there was no major emergency situation at any hospital due to overflow. A lot of people were saved that day," says Dr Raza "who could be saved." RESPONSES TO LAST WEEK'S QUESTION TOP 10 Lawn Exhibitions in Lahore 1.V9 2.Rizwan Beyg 3.Junaid
Jamshed
4.Wardah Lawn 5.Sana and Safinaz 6.Maria B. 7.Mausummery Lawn 8.Nishat Lawn 9.Saleem Fabrics 10.Farooq Lawn To
enlist by popular vote for next week, send in your emails on top ten 'top
ten ideas for security' Please email at shehrtns@gmail.com
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children who are growing amidst a state of turmoil. However, terrorism's
impact on this large and crucial section of the population is almost
totally invisible from the mainstream discourse on this topic. Violence
stricken regions like Ghana, Afghanistan and Guatemala have witnessed
generations losing their direction and becoming tools in the hands of
perpetrators of such acts, a terrifying thought that should send a chill
down the spine of all those who are concerned about the well-being of our
young ones.
anything from the gory incident.
infamous, albeit ill-fated, FIA building) along with my 10-year-old nephew
Rohail who had left his bag and books back in the classroom -- after the
tragic Tuesday incident. It had traumatised the children besides
destroying the altar of the Cathedral church itself. The unfortunate sight
took me back to the Beslan school siege of 2004. The Sister's Shop, famous
for cards, decorations etc., won't be there this time over, for the
purpose of getting Easter Eggs.
everywhere in the world. The government of Pakistan is making all possible
efforts to promote literacy, reduce dropouts in schools and support
universal primary education initiatives beside strengthening IT sector and
reforming university education. Sports and physical education, that act as
a catalyst in making education interesting and a joyful experience for
students of all segments of society, a common ground to interact and
express their latent abilities in a competitive yet friendly environment,
are being totally neglected.
ambulances stand quietly parked. The drivers inside them look calm; one
reads the newspaper, the other busy in tying a shoelace. Inside its
premises in a large room, men sit around a table, wearing green uniforms,
most of them young with crew cuts. Another room is closed. The inscription
says 'Unauthorised people not allowed.' Through the window, one can see
others with headphones strapped to their heads and hear wireless
transmission signals, coming in from all over the city.
lives," says a Rescue 1122 officer who wished not to be named.
