Pakistan’s 71st Independence Day is around the corner. It is hoped that it will be celebrated with the traditional zest and zeal. Markets are already flooded with national flags, badges, and clothes in green and white color of Pakistan. People are decorating their cars, homes, and workplaces with the national colors. National songs are played everywhere. Special programs related to the occasion are telecasted on different TV channels. However, amidst all this excitement, passion, and overflowing emotions for country, there is a hidden insecurity that could be felt among many individuals across the country.
The insecurity is about the future of Pakistan. This feeling of confusion and doubt does not come out of nowhere. Rather, it stems from the current situation of Pakistan. Economy is heavily burdened by massive loans. Pakistan is facing both external and internal threats. Unemployment is on a rise. Pakistan is being painted as an exporter of terrorism. So what should we do in this atmosphere of despair and hopelessness?
The solution of the above mentioned problems might be to leave this country and look for a bright future abroad. Or we could stay here and work for its problems. Every country faces difficult situations in some point of their history; some more, others less. The countries which we call them as ideal countries had their share of hardships but they kept their faith and remained persistent. Now, it’s our turn to do our part. While doing so, it must be remembered the core reasons why this country was made. What were the major causes which made our elders sacrifice so much for this land and why should we celebrate our Independence Day. Let’s look into some of them one by one:
Symbol of a Great Nation:
We should celebrate our Independence Day because that’s what the great nations do. They take pride on who they are. They take pride in their past. We should be proud of our country and own it. There is nothing in this country that is not present.
We have all four weathers here. Three of the greatest mountain ranges pass through this country, providing sources of water. The topic that whether we use them accordingly is a topic for another day. We are blessed with natural resources like gas and oil. We have one of the most fertile land across the world. These lands produce one of the finest grains, fruits, vegetables which we export to world as well. Not just that, we have one of the brightest minds in the whole world which keep on appearing on and off. Some of them include, Physicist Abdus Salam, Dr. Atta ur Rehman, Arfa Karim and many others. We have one of the bravest and well trained army which is ready to defend our country at any cost. There are many things which need to be improved. However, this country has everything which we should take pride of.
Reminiscent of ‘The Cause’:
This day reminds us ‘the cause’ that made our ancestors sacrifice and struggle for a separate homeland. In the case of Pakistan, it reminds us the reasons why our elders choose this path of hardships. It takes us back to the time when Hindus ditched Muslims after war of Independence to join Englishmen and let us suffer alone. It reminds us of time when we were treated as second grade citizens. There were no jobs for us. There were attempts to destroy our culture. Even there were movements which were there to turn Muslims into Hindus. This day should not be taken for granted. Rather, it should be a reminder for us that what would have been the condition of us all had this not happened.
To honor the sacrifices of our Elders:
The sacrifices which were given by our elders for this land is unprecedented. The struggle for a separate homeland was not finished on 14th of August, 1947. Rather, it was the beginning of the suffering which had to be made in order to have an independent country. According to some reports, around 20 million people in total migrated across the subcontinent during independence. People left their homes, agricultural lands, valuables, and even their loved ones for a single purpose; an Independent country. The enemies of the new state were ready to spoil the occasion for the people of Pakistan even more. Around one million people were killed during migrations. Whole families were burnt alive, women were raped, children were abducted and a long list of sufferings which were faced by the migrants. This Independence day is the remembrance of all the sufferings and losses which were incurred by our elders.
It was Indispensable:
George Santayana once said that,” Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”.
Quaid e Azam realized this thing very early. He knew that Muslims and Hindus were not just religiously different, rather they are poles apart socially as well. He was well aware that there have been wars between the two and will keep on happening if we don’t get a separate homeland. That’s the reason he became proponent and stated as well in number of his speeches. Quaid e Azam in his presidential speech in 1940 said that the Islam and Hindus are not just religions but social orders. They belong to two different civilizations which are based on conflicting ideas and conceptions. The dream of united India could never be realized because it would be a destructive path for both of the nations. He also stated that the time will prove that the Pakistan was indispensable for the Muslims of India.
Current Situation of Muslims in India:
Time has proven that the cause of Pakistan was the need of the Muslims. And that Hindus were never going to give their due rights. Recent government of BJP in India is testimony of the concern Quaid shown early in 1900s. Today, mob lynching of Muslims have become a routine in India. They are killed on the basis of a mere suspicion of having eaten beef. Babri Masjid case is another example of the extremist India. Not just Muslims, but other minorities as well are the target of discrimination which Indian government has adopted. Dalets, Christians, Sikhs, all are against the hypocritical attitude of the Indian government. It is this current situation that makes us think that how big of a blessing this land of Pakistan is. This is indeed a great reason to celebrate our Independence.
Conclusion:
Pakistan is no doubt passing through its most difficult times. We are no way close to the country which our forefathers dreamt of having. However, this should not make us hopeless. Rather, we should celebrate this Independence Day in a way that sends a message to our enemies. The message would be that we are not going to lose our hope. Instead, we will celebrate this day as a starting point of what will become the greatest country of the world. On this Independence day, we should make a pledge with ourselves that we will do everything in our capacity to serve this country well. We will start a change from ourselves and make this country great together. Pakistan Zindabad!
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