Pictory IV – Globalizaton: who benefits, what is lost?
by Noor
Ever since the World War II terms like ‘globalization’, ‘free market’, ‘ global integration’ and the need for accepting ‘pluralism’, in the wake of rising international confrontations, have become common. What these terms imply, essentailly, is construction of a ‘global society’ and, a global government. Global government, or single government that rules the planet earth, is not a new concept. Adventurists like Alexandar the Great, Napolean, Hitler and many Muslim rulers have pursued establishment of such a government through coercive methods. But now a days certain corporate leaders, politicians and religious figures are propagating this ideal and pursuing its materialization through construction of a global economic system, controlled by a few firms or a few business houses.
There are very few people who actually think about these ideological frameworks, the inharent philosophies and their impact on our individual and social lives. Today most of us readily want to be part of the ‘globalization’ bandwagon’, compromising on various values that are unique to our way of living and adopting many that are alien to our value paradigms. There are multiple reasons triggering this tendency, at the top being our ability to move towards new societies, in search of material happiness, personal achievements and the some-what Laissez-faire life style.
People like us, the students and modern ‘professionals’ are at the forefront of this ‘globalization’. Are we sure what we are up? What woud be the fate of human dignity? Liberty? Freedom?
Let’s discuss.
well done Noor…………. you are doing great job keep it up
A good topic,and hope, valuable comments should come on this particular subject rather an issu of the time.
the intention of this writer is to go for a lenghty discussion on this, but due to time constraint, it is not possible this time round.
Well, globalization, intoto, is a form of dictatorship, yes, you are absolutly right, it is mismarzation of other cultural values and propagation of an immoral materilistic society… but, i think pluralism, on the other hand, has a diffrent touch.
Your article is indeed insightful to project an image our region and our culture and our value system against your stated “bandwagon” of globalization either we would be able to keep our identity alive or not in such circumstances where our economic system as a whole would get change and may be some or major population may switch to some other country or cities in pursuit of new opportunities. I am endeavoring to project the image of our mountain society and our culture in the long run future. The major ingredient in transforming a community’s culture or value system is the “changing dynamics of Economy” of that specific community and with the passage time our population may face the same fate and it would be a challenge for all of us to keep our identity alive living among other dominant population. on other side if economic opportunities or economic activates get discovered in our region such that these opportunities could keep stick the major populations in their own regions and for this the AKCSP is doing a much better and focused to keep our life style preserved.
Ali Sarwar
M.A(Economics)
KU
Thank you for raising such an interesting notion Noor.
To me Globalization and Pluralism are two different notions. There is no doubt that globalization is having unwanted repercussions on the economic, cultural, social and other aspects of our lives. But in the flux of globalization, pluralism is the only tool which will enable us to survive as individuals and as a global community.
Pluralism to me is about “synchronizing” rather than “synthesizing”. Its all about coming together and harmonizing rather than blending. Let’s look at the recipes of a simple Vegetable Salad and a Cake. Incase of salad, the ingredients are mixed yet they retain their identity, they are still differentiable. However in case of the cake, the ingredients are blended to produce a new thing, the ingredients completely lose their identity. I think Pluralism is to transform the society into a vegetable salad rather than a cake.
Pluralism is a conscious effort which needs to be nurtured rather than imposing and forcing to accept. If we make calculated efforts first to understand the notion of pluralism properly and then inculcate it in the society, we will be in a much stronger position to protect our identities and yet be part of the human society.
I would have loved to give a much more elaborated description on the above but am running short of time.
I hope the discussion continues in a fruitful way.
Best regards,
Safina
Karachi
Noor has taken a right point for discussion and releflection. He is rightly questioning the dignity, liberty and freedon of individual. The trend globilization is for sure getting control of the world and ecomony is key to it
Welldone Noor,
Good attempt to educate our deprived region KARAKORUM (Gilgit-Baltistan)
Globalisation, Free-market, Democracy and Pluralism just appears as words in the books to provide Legitimacy for the ill-theory formulated by Frances Fukuyama “End of History “or “consumer culture” where he has presents UIS as KING to fulfil the disproportionate responsibilities to makes more economical dependents of capitalist system.
Karakorum Students Organisation.
Altaf Hussian
Karakorum International University (KIU)
It is good to discuss such issues. we the people of north need to discuss issues like these because i think that we are in a stage of transition. Some times we create problems for ourselves and for others as well just by not understanding the nature f any issue or problem. definitely the issue has its entrance from an external source or it is not a part of our society or we can’t manage ourselves to create harmony with the issue.
People who are from the base level or the dwellers of our area and those who are formulating the systems for our societies(on village,local and regional level) some times can’t do justice with these terms(globalization, pluralism,free market and others). even today most of our population( gents specially of all ages) are still resisting the values which are a part of cultural diffusion. our area and the people are mostly concerned with Cultural pluralism and economic pluralism, i think that it is important to clear these thing in our regoin through different ways and means.
AMJAD ALI (NEWS MONITOR AAJ TV)
Dear Noor ! you are making some very good points so as far as I can tell. (I think, from your description)
Freedom and liberty are synonyms. But since the concept of freedom (or liberty) can be applied to all sorts of relations – not just relations of physical coercion – one can make special meanings out of the word.
I hold that the liberal society, among known and workable present and future societies, best serves Catholic social thought, best uplifts the poor, institutionalizes the dignity of the human person, makes possible the growth and manifold activities of human associations of every sort, and conspires to establish a more voluntary and open and communitarian form of life than any society of the past, present, or foreseeable future.
‘The ideas of the ruling class are in every epoch the ruling ideas’ Karl Marx [The German Ideology]
I would like to say few things on the topic, however let us recognise at the outset that globalisation is a complex phenomenon that involves economy, politics, culture, religion and finally wills of different groups of people to power.
The idea of globalisation has gained alot of momentum at the dawn of the 21st century. In fact globalisation, as we know it today, became a buzzword in the wake of liquidation of the Soviet Union and subsequent rise of the United States as the unchallenged economic giant and military super-power. In this so called age of globalisation we also saw decisive end of the ideological conflict between socialism represented and championed by Soviet Union and capitalism represented by Western Europe and the US. Socialism and capitalism are really the grand ideas that tell us about the best ways societies can be organised so as to create equity, growth, and generate economic progress. The end of an intellectual challenge to the exploitative system of capitalism paved the way for its hegemony in its totality. Hence globalisation as it is defined and understood today is merely a subtext or a subordinate word for the reality of unchained capitalism. As Marx would have said that globalisation is a ruling idea so it must represent the interests of the ruling class. Hence globalisation in many ways provides legitimacy to the interests of the global capitalist class who would rather prefer to erase all national boundaries in search of profits. The whole mantra of globalisation is all about free-market economy, de-regulation, privatisation of all aspects of the economy and even privatisation of religion and faith.
While we recognise the underlying interests and power of the global capitalist class in promoting the idea of globalisation as a condition of network of human-beings across boundaries, we must also take stock of some of the changes that have taken place in the spheres of science and technology. Beyond doubt revolution in information and communication technologies, along with faster and cheaper travel has made it possible to reach out to far flung areas of the world. It was also made possible because of the explorations in space-technologies. When man was able to set foot on the moon then we were able to see for the first time our whole earth as a hanging ball in the space. The picture of a single small ball in the vast space of universe enables us to conceptualise the reality of a possible oneness of human being and other species living on earth. It tells us something about the spiritual notion of a divine reality of life under one God. All great religions, including Islam, have repeatedly exhorted us i.e. human being to see ourselves as a members of a single existence united by our common nature yet divided by our diverse experiences. The whole tension in human beings lies in the very division of human experiences. These experiences have crystallised into cultures and systems of values and at a broader level into civilisations. In order to appreciate globalisation as a desired reality all of us will have to struggle to find a common ground across the globe so as to lead towards a truly global civil society. Now the natural question arises as to what is it that would enbale us towards the desired objective of a humane globalisation? The answer lies in evolving a culture of tolerence and intellectual enquiry coupled with active citizenship and engagement in society. If we remain inquisitve, demand and assert our collective rights, honour our individual and collective responsibilites, then all of us as members of a a common human group would be able to live a dignified, and just lives.
I think Noor has taken up this point very rightly allowing us to look into this matter in its breadth and depth. Kudos Noor and PT! You are doing a great job.
.
The debate on globalization is getting momentum in a diversified manner loaded with feelings of apprehensions, hopes, fears and the like. In many developing countries it is considered as neo-colonialism. According to one of the renowned experts on globalization Anthony Giddnes, “The colonialism of old has changed from territorial domination (occupation) to the financial domination of markets and resources within developing nations”.
With regard to the schools of thought on globalization, Held et al. distinguish three of them namely: hyperglobalizers, sceptics and transfloramalists. The first group considers it as the end of traditional nation-states. The second group of theorists maintain that globalization is a myth and is only about a heightened level of national economies whereas the transformation theorists argue that globalization is a central driving force behind the rapid social, political and economic changes that are reshaping modern societies and world order (Held et al. as cited in Media and Globalization, Terhi Rantanen 2005).
The theory of globalization came to surface with Marshal Mc Luhan’s ‘medium is the message’ and the term ‘global village’. So far much has been said about this topic and one of the theorists Ulrich Beck suggests the word ‘cosmopolitization’ for this phenomenon. However, the point to be considered is that many changes were taking place on the world scenario gradually but how come these captured the attention of the whole world so quickly. This leads us to the idea of mediated globalization which suggests that it is the advancement in media and communication technology that has made the process of globalization even faster. The scholar who advocates for mediated globalization also introduces a tool called ‘mediagraphy’ which is really very instrumental in determining how media is influencing our lives over generations.
Said that, let us reflect on how can we make pace with this process, though we cannot avoid it. It is flowing river that can not be stopped as such but certain canals, protective walls and links can save us a lot. We realize that media is the major source that brings the world so closer to us and we get fascinated. We have an inferiority complex of looking at any foreign thing as superior. So it is need of the hour to revitalize our own value systems and ideals which in the wake of foreign media seem alien to us. Secondly, we have to see at media as opportunity rather ‘commodity’ as far as opportunities of learning and exposure is concerned. We can use internet as our best friend rather than making it our enemy. The fruitful discussions with breadth and depth on this blog is one example. Same is about the use and misuse of television. A former Information Ministers was asked time and again to ban the foreign channels and his answer was that nobody has forced individuals or groups to see the bad channels. So there are many instances where we need to develop the discernment to be wary of what emerges from the process of globalization and what should be our ‘CHOICES’. That will shape our world in a desired manner otherwise my hunch is that our future generation may be in a topsy-turvy situation.
Sultan Ahmed
Islamabad
With apologies- a typo in my previous thread- the term introduced by Ulrich is cosmopolitanization not cosmopolitization
Sultan Ahmed sahip has cast an academic light on the grand debates surrounding the contested notion of globalisation. It is really funny that most of these globalisation theorists- Ulrich Beck, Anthony Giddens, David Held and Mary Kaldor- are actually based in the London School of Economics. Since Sultan sahip has talked about Ulrich Beck and talked about Giddens so i would like to say few things about the later. Giddens who was a former director of LSE is basically a social theorist and he defines globalisation as ‘intensification of world-wide social relations’ across time and space. He further unashamedly says, in his book ‘The Consequences of modernity’ that globalisation is actually universalisation of the values of modernity that were actually discovered in post-enlightenment Europe. Apparently, the ideas and ideals of modernity penetrated into the contemporary global socio-political fabric because of their inherent superiority. The conception of globalisation in cultural terms tells us and the way it is couched and presented in the garb of modernity tells us something about the contest of values. Surely post-enlightenment Europe paved the way for the rise of rationality in thought, self-interest in economics, and secularism in politics but we should also make ourselves aware of the catastrophes of modernity. A s i had hinted earlier about the ‘wills of people to power’, so i would like to high-light that most of the vicious wars of 20th century are actually products of modernity. From Nazism of Hitler, fascism of Benito Mussoloni to Stalinist repressions in Russia all of these epochal events belong to high-modernity. Based on this historical evidence, and given that violence is something that is built-in the package of modernity then we must really be sacred of Gidden’s thoughts when he says that globalisation is the logical conclusion of Western modernity.
Further i would like to point out to Sultan Ahmed sahip that Ulrich Beck actually uses the term cosmopolitization, not cosmopolitanization, at least as far as I know. Can you please confirm? Can I also add that Beck’s conception of globalisations is a lot similar to Giddens, because he also talks about the ‘second age of modernity’ in which traditional conceptions of nation-state is fast eroding to give way to a new what he calls ‘risk society’. This new risk society is characterised by global terrorism, environmental challenges, and bio-medical and genetic revolutions that actually gives control [manipulative capability] to few people [scientists] over the masses [the public].
First let me extend my gratitude to PT for forwarding such crucial and relevant topic for discussion. Such discussions and deliberations, indeed, provide an opportunity to comprehend the terms or concepts which are , usually, used as cliché without comprehending its meaning, background and implications. The discussions (particularly Al-Hakim and Sultan Ahmad) covered various dimensions of the topic from its historical background to philosophical views, economic implication to social impact. I will not go to the historical and philosophical domains. First, I would like to summaries some of the main points of the discussions which may facilitate us to understand more systematically. Then I will try to discuss the various responses towards globalization.
• Globalization is a process in which the dominant nation(s) try to impose or inculcate their socio-economic or religious values to other nations/society
• Globalization is not a new phenomenon for our world as it has subsisted in different shapes in the history.
• Globalization has many factors: such as political, economic, social/cultural, religious etc.
• In Contemporary globalization various factors are involved, making it a complex phenomenon.
• Technology, particularly, information technology is the main vehicle for the contemporary globalization to facilitate its process.
• The process of globalization has both positive and negative aspects.
• Usually it is considered threat for the identity, freedom and culture of the weak societies .
Broadly speaking there are three kinds of attitude towards globalization
Firstly, some are of the opinion that globalization is necessary for developing a uniform global culture which eventually bring unity among the people of the world. They consider globalization a way to reduce poverty in the world through sharing of material and human resources. They see the western culture and values as model for the entire world.
Such thinking leads toward hegemony of some specific concept and values.
Secondly, some are against any version of globalization and reject all its process and products. They are more in favor of localization than globalization. This way of thinking creates tension and conflict among the different cultures.
Thirdly, there are people who analyze critically the process and implications of the globalization. They ponder on how to reduce the negative impact of the globalization and how to utilize its positive implication for the human development. They try to empower the local people through education, social and economic development. The concept of pluralism is forwarded and strengthened to balance the imposition of single dominant culture and value. They talk about respect, tolerance and acceptance for each other.
By summarizing this discussion I will state that we can nor stop neither negate the process of globalization but we can direct the flow of globalization into opportunity through hard work, understanding ourselves as well as others, quality education and through a balanced socio-economic development.
noor i’m glad u brought up this topic…i believe in the era of globalization, counteries and regions like pakistan will be the ultimate losers…i say so because in interactions where power does not reside equally among all the parties, the one with less power is likely to suffer….we as a country have experioenced that already and its sad that the state still does not recognizes this fact..
i dont agree with the idea that pakistan will become a vegetable salad…we already have some valuable values, traditions, norms and cultural practices either as extinct or on the verge of being extinct. i’m not against cultural change as i believe its a constant and inevitable process…however i do believe that it should not be dictated by people other than the locals or inahbitants of a culture themselves. globalization strives on the principle of homogenization and dprives the indeginous people of their inherent right towards their cultural practices and beliefs as declaring them traditional, fundamentalist, obsolete or iefficient. pakistan has already stsrted its journey towards mcdonaldization and the consequences are becoming more and more apparent now in form of depleted resources, bad governance, declining environment, resistance from different groups, and identity crisis among many youth of pakistan.
When Giddens says that ‘globalization is the logical conclusion of western modernity dont we see a point that it has actually happened. If we take it this way that globalization hatched from Western modernity and took the whole world under its wings. As a next step of globalziation, he is of the view that previosuly thinkers would say that we would be able to bring the world in control but with the passage of time, it is getting out of control- a runaway world…
Well the term used by Ulrich is cosmopolitanization for sure..
SA
Thank you all for sharing your views on the topic. However, I think the discussion is far from being over.
Pluralism, or accepting the diversity of wholes and parts, is the corner stone upon which the castle of ‘integration’, is built. Synchronization or synthesizing, in my opinion, are terms too complex and abstract for a vast majority of the world population to grasp and internalize. While on paper these term seem starkingly different, in reality they are overlapping, the later having roots in the former. Synchornization, ultimately, leads to formation of a ‘synthesized’ construct.
The Global Economics, and how it has been playing havoc with otherwise non – vulnerable parts of the globe, is nothing but a tool of manipulaiton in the hands of a few financial and energy corporations. In my understanding, we are moving towards a global controlled economy, that would be worst than the most abhored ‘closed’ economy of USSR, or its ideological allies. There, of course, is a difference. Here the powers governing the closed economies would be corporations and not governments of states. We might call this the ‘Corporate Economies’ as opposed to the “State Economies”.
The impact of this economic integration can be seen in the realm of governance and legislation in different countries. I am sure most of the readers are aware of the Ambani connection in the recent political turmoil that India faced. What appeared to be a war between the communists and the rest, in relaity, was the war between two brothers controling the largest corporations in India.
The question is, how does all this affect us in Gilgit – Baltistan?
once upon a time, in our region, economics was so simple becuase people were independent, though poor. They had their own production and consumption mechanisms which was quite safer. In summer people would grow different crops resulting in stocks for both human beings as well as animals. In other words, people were self sufficient. Today the scanario has changed and people are at the mercy of market trends. They only grow potato for sale and buy flour for their consumption while the local crops are mainly stocked for consumption of animals in winter. This has created a situation of dependency as well as uncertainity. People never know how much they will earn from potato but they invest as much as they can. Even they get loans to buy fertilizers. The market always fluctuates and there is uncertainity especially during season when potatoes are sold. Resultantly, whenever there is a crisis in the market, people are in panic. I do understand that in the production of crops- from ploughing to harvesting, there are natural factors invovled as well which may affect the overall production. However, in my view so much of dependence on outer world is not safe. I think residents of our area can produce crops locally and they should increase it. Even quality production of different fruits can also bring cash to the area. More importantly, greater focus on livestock and dairy products can also add value to the food in our area.
Let me quote an example of Gilgit where mutton is always rare. The irony is that preserved mutton from down country is being consumed in Gilgit which is really sad. I think this topic is very crucial and there should be further deliberations. This is the simple economics which I understand. Our friends who have specialzied in economics and trades may shed more light on how can we bring an improvement in our economy in the region while decreasing dependency on the outer world.
Sultan
This topic and discussion through many variations,examples and theories has brought many things on surface. good job by Noor Bhai and all the contributers. We all are sharing what ever knowledge we have on the concerned issues. as far as these terms like pluralism ,globalization etc are concerned, as one of my brother sad that the weaker has to suffer,we are to suffer and we are suffering.
If we all will compare the life style some five years before with today’s life, we wll see a very big difference. it is right that we have achieved targets of education,and economy (to some extent).
We have to see that what we have done or are doing for our culture,heritage and the lands which are our original identity. I my self am confused on this issue( you may feel it in my writing).If we are to get education and live in cities amalgamted with the city people,earning and spending it,no savings,house on rent,no social life and just same as the people in cities(no concern with others). our parents are in villages,a few can afford to bring thier whole families to cities. what about the situations after our parents who is going to handle all those things which they are handling and running today. do we have a chance to be there?????This is a problem with 80% of our people, see the ground realities. you people have more experience than me what do you say????
So which Pluralism we are talking about. Some thing needs to be done,other wise we will have to float with the waves like a boat without paddel.
AMJAD ALI
We, being residents of a border area, can find many examples of the impact of cross border trade on the social, economic and cultural lives of the communities.
I have heard that products like Egg, Fruits and Vegetable are being imported from China. Why? Don’t we have the capacity to produce all these products? I am sure our fruits, in terms of their quality and nutritious worth, are among the best in the world. Similarly, with the shrinkage of agricultural land, there is need to focus our attention on cottage industries and other livestock related markets. In turn, what we are seeing, is the emergence of a newer kind of relationship and, obviously, dependency.
The policy makers, if any, are not concerned with the changing economic dynamics of our region. Gone are the times when people believed in self sufficiency of the home grown products. Famine like situations emerge in our region when the flow of flour form Punjab/NWFP stops in the region. While these factors are partially controllable because of government interventions, none can change the dynamics of internaitonal markets.
What can we do to ensure depency on our own products and not on vulnerable international links?
Noor
Dear Noor,
A very good motion you have raised and the question you have raised about the depency on our own products is indeed of great concern. What I percieve out of the current situation is that the time is not very far from us which would engulf our identity if the practices of ours remain not in accordance with the requirements of the time.No doubt we have variety of fruits and agricultural products but we are far away from the modern technology and modern business practices to give adequate exposure to our products.We acquire education merely for jobs and have never bothered about how could money be generated out of our own products by effective manipulation of the products.
We are in a situation which is really crucial and we need to take strong measures to overcome the on going crisis.
The inception of free trade and removal of trade barriers would endanger our current agricultural products like potato which is the source of income for many and has been a key factor towards the economic normality and economic stability.If the stability is disturbed by the free trade then I think it would be hard for the common man to survive easily and sell out the agricultural products at reasonable prices.
My request from the agriculturists and business related persons would be to think of some means and ways for better future prospects.
Aslam Ghalib
Lahore ,Pakistan
” Where Hope Takes Root: Democracy and Pluralism in an Interdependent World is a collection of speeches given over the past six years by Mawlana Hazar Imam, in which he sets out principles that inform his vision of peaceful, productive societies. He repeatedly returns to the three convictions upon which his many years of work in the developing world are based: democracy, pluralism and civil society. These ideas have gained currency at an especially pertinent moment in history.” Quoted from the Ismaili.org
This book may help us in coming up with relaiable solution to many of the issues and challenges that we are struggling with.
“Where Hope Takes Root” is a collection of speeches that have been made to the Western audience, keeping their contexts and sensitivities in mind.
I m not sure whether that can be a good resource for those living on this part of the great divide.
Dear Ghalib
One important aspect of Globalization, as I have stated earlier, is the global market economy, controlled (read manipulated) by a limited number of powerful global business players.
I agree that to be able to compete in the itnernational arena, we will have to be part of the ‘giving end’ and not the ‘receiving end’. Currently we are at the receiving end because of many factors, one of which you have rightly identified in your post. I agree that most of us study to get jobs in companies, NGOs (mostly off shoots of powerful business lobbies and globalist organizations) and the government (to amass more and more personal power, money and control over state authorities).
What some of us will have to focus on is the area of production and trade. Production, for a certain number of commodities, needs adoption of modern scientific techniques and knowledge. Agricultural business, including livestock, is vtial for the future human societies. I am sure the recent global food crisis can be taken as an example of this trend!!
This offers a lot of opportunities not only at the international arena but also in the domestic markets. Agri Businesses catering to the food needs of the growing population of Gilgit – Baltistan can be highly successful, if maneuvered with expertise, financial backing and vision.
In conclusion, what we need to relocate our attention to is the field of Entrepreneurism. Our educated youth need to prepare their mind for making the vital shift from “Naukri” to “Baewpaar”.
I have heared that a new “chicken” shop has opened in Gulmit, where a company of international fame is selling “Chickens” to a growing number of eager buyers from Gulmit and the surrounding villages!!!.
I appreciate the vision and determination of the company.
However, I also ask a question to myself: Can’t we create such companies, capitalizing on the opportunities that globalization offers to all of us?
Shall we alway remain afraid of “globalization” and lampoon the “evils” that it has brought?
Noor
Noor, that was exactly the point which I referred to in my previous post where I mentioned that mutton from down country is being sold in Gilgit grabbing a hefty amount from those who have their families rearing livestock in the harsh climatic conditions. Why shouldnt people from Shimshal, Chipursan and other places supply their goats to the market. That way money will stay in the area and people will get enough supply. We are very muh fond of buying things from outside. Educated people love to roam around villages but they dont bother to take up such initiatives.
Now my suggestion is that in all these discussions, we are mostly sharing what we observe as individauls or may be our personal experiences. There might be a number of invisible inherent factors that influence this emerging phenomenon. We also understand the issues of access to market and seasonal supplies etc. I think we need to look at organizations or programmes which have worked in the area for decades. For example, if AKRSP has done any study on this issue and I am sure they might have number of studies, we need to refer to that and request concerned institutions/organizations to build further on that. If there is no any study at all, we need to have some ground fact and figures before we discuss on further steps.
I agree with most of the ideas shared by Mr Sultan Ahmad. Systematic studies, initiated by established NGOs or government agencies, are very important.
However, in my point of view students and professionals, alike, need to conduct fresh research work, feasibility studies and develop thereon, because every year is a new year and the dynamics of trade are changing very fast.
At regional and village levels, the youth can organize into study groups/cirlces/clubs, dpending on their own stengths and specializations and work in such important areas, with futuristic ambitions. In the mean time the NGOs and govenrment agencies need to support such community based, youth initiated, serious efforts.
This mode will attach our young students and professionals to their roots, at one hand and on the other would enable future generations to capitalize on their initiatives.
Dear Noor,
I personally feel that it is high time for the young blood to think and rethink about the crucial situation and to move on with more practical approach as to face the challenges of the time.
There are various issues related to the impacts of globalization and one has to be aware of what is happening and what should be the road map and infrastructure for better future prospects.
The time demands intellectuals to ponder over the various emerging issues and to come up with some concrete based strategies so that the risk of being the carriers of problems is minimized which in other words would become inherent from generation to generation if not manipulated on this very moment.
Education for the sake of education is absolutely nothing and one ought to move ahead with the notion to change the fate of the whole area and must use education as a tool to tackle the various issues.
We the young members of the society ought to work hard and in a systematic manner so that the ongoing and upcoming problems could be retarded.
We normally claim of being the members of a pluralistic society but what I perceive is that we are more towards individualism and the real essence of a true pluralistic society is diminishing as the external influences have started dominating the very core of our social circles, our norms, values and morality.
I would like to share a few lines of my poetry in this regard and the lines are in Urdu language
Ay mere ahlay alam kuch to socho hosh may awo
Jahanay rangu bun na tum gawawo hosh may awo
Ki tum qayil jahan suzi pay ho kya ye azayim hay
Jahan bani isi ka nam hay kya,kuch batawo hosh may awo
Tum mahkawo chaman ko apni dil awaiz khushbu say
Dilo may pyaru ulfat ko jagawo hosh may awo
Bano insan pahlay chor dow firqa paristi ko
Ye duya dubti si ayk naw(kashti) hosh may awo
Aslam Ghalib Ibn-e-Ibrahim Khalil
Lahore,Pakistan
Dear Readers
Am very glad that our youth,the proffessionals and the leaders here on PT have pointed out the issues through different angles which can be a huge problem if rermedies are not made today.
I think that at the mean time what we need to do is to make a plateform where we can discuss these issues and start taking some actions at least on small level. as Noor has pointed that if we will sit together then it will become more easier and effective to bring things in practical. it will make us realise that our problems are common and we have to work on them collectively.
I request the elders here on PT and the professionals to suggest some possible framework that how we can manage ourselves to sit together at least once for a month for an hour and make a difference.
AMJAD ALI (AAJ TV)
I agree with your suggestions Noor. Yes youth should come together to form groups and work with futuristic ambitions.
But lets ask ourselves much more difficult questions. Lets probe into ourselves.
Which youth are we talking about? Most of the young members of the jamat including me and yourself, except for few, are away from our own contexts. Most of the educated youth has opted to grab opportunities not in Northern Areas but in other parts of the country and the world. I can see most of the people commenting on this site are away from North. I am not talking about the students but about all those of us who are at least at a stage to serve back our people.
I appreciate your efforts to make us at least think about these things. However, if you think we can make a real difference by taking the approach that you are suggesting, then commenting and debating only on such issues may not take us any where.
Your suggestion requires a lot of sacrifices, dedication on our part to give the practical input. Are we ready for that?
Safina
Dear Safina Aapa
Thank you for the candid remarks on the state of affairs.
I agree that there are troubles and I don’t undermine these difficulties while making my suggestions.
However, looking at the positive sides of the changed contexts that we all live in, I am of the opinion that using the technology – that we consider, in line with Herbert Marcuse, a tool of mass domination, can also be used to create networks that are able to work beyond the limitations of time and space.
I don’t think the region is drained of the ‘youth’. There are highly ambitious young people living in the region who can be organized and trained by those of us who have chosen to live away from home, for one or the other reason. Most of us visit our villages, every year and that time can be utilized for initiating such research projects. I see a very important role for the students of Karakuram International University in the entire process.
I agree with you that sacrfice is needed. I am a firm believer of the notion of sacrifice, if channeled smartly and converted into something really productive. I, personally, am ready to make the ‘sacrifice, if any, and would like to know rest of the commentators’ views in this regard.
Noor