5:14 AM
Ubaid
The first time I picked up a Shakespearean play, I did not understand a word. But somewhere between the thee(s), thy(s) and wherefore (s) I fell in love with telling a story with the touch of my keyboard. But when a hobby turned in to an itch for worldly success, I had no choice but to go to a business school. Wait! What!? Yes you read right, a business school, where I learned all about how to take people’s hard earned money without going to jail. The writer dream had to wait, or be transformed into a degree of journalism, where at least I will get to write articles and write I will, ‘news’ is something this country offers in abundance. Lack of enthusiasm or care for the corrupt politics of my soil, made me think otherwise.
Hearing Imran Khan’s rally in Lahore and registering the vote, woke up my sleeping self. I suddenly demanded opportunities youth of other countries had or strived for. I have problems I want solved and I will choose to voice them. Which brings me to my ‘blog’ of the day, Why is there not a single reputable (or ‘non’ reputable) college dedicated to literature and the art of writing? Other than a mere course, why isn’t there a proper degree? On a larger scale, Why is our college curriculum and degree options so limited? And finally, Why do we, the students, refuse to voice our reservations?
Too many questions, all point towards the issue of a diverse curriculum. People around me have said that I should be thankful at the progress the educational institutions have made in Pakistan. Why I ask? We should applaud at the progress we as a diverse curriculum are making because now we are allowed to study to film and media?
EXT. GRAVEYARD- NIGHT
A ‘former army president’ turning over in his grave, mission accomplished liberals!
The higher education institutions are of a world class level, they continue. Yes indeed! Two of them in the whole country, or may be three maximum. Sounds like immense progress to me, Right?
Don’t get me wrong, there isn’t a drop in me that isn’t patriotic (on most days at least), but Imran Khan is trying to wake up the youth, demolish corruption and increase our standard of living, so in my opinion, this is another issue we need to pay attention to.
We are no where near the potential I believe this country and its youth has, so why stop now? Let’s stop being so easily convinced and satisfied. Let’s brainstorm diversity and acceptance, let’s teach our students what they want to learn, at a college level at least, for God’s sake. I don’t want to leave my country and study abroad, that is not the solution. I don’t want to go to Harvard or Yale, I want to have Pakistan’s own version of Harvard and Yale, let people come to us! We don’t want to leave home! We want change! We want all the things this wonderful country and its wonderful people deserve! I want to have the option of being a writer or psychologist, instead of banker or doctor and architect. This is the era of change, of innovation. There are professions and jobs that did not exist ten years ago, let’s catch up people! We have a lot to learn in little time. Stop wasting this time and embrace diverse knowledge.
