Chaudhrys’ ‘Mitti Pao’ means strength?

Chaudhrys of the House of Gujrat have come out of forced political hibernation to launch a reunion of different factions of Muslim Leagues, using the building blocks of the Chaudhrys’ famous (obviously not infamous) ‘Mitti Pao’ theme.
Apparently, this term ‘Mitti Pao’ is used as a jovial reference by some non-serious people but in fact this theme is a serious reflection of Chaudhrys’ bonhomie with which they are handling politics, society and connections quite smoothly that not even their staunch rivals can criticise them for having malicious characteristics.
Having known the House of Gujrat’s elders and youngsters for quite some time since the days of superior civil services where I even got a number of opportunities to interact with Waday (elder) Chaudhry Saheb, Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi, I can comfortably endorse the point of view of Chaudhrian observers that these figureheads’ ‘Mitti Pao’ policy is sort of an inherited trait descending from their ancestors who knew the art of alternate dispute resolution and amicable disputes settlement. It is no petty a task since it sometimes requires swallowing of bitter and harsh remarks from different people. Those who are adept in this art know how to extinguish the burning sentiments and charged emotions. It is akin to working like a psychologist treating ordinarily incurable mentally challenged persons.
To what avail? Has these perpetual smiles on the Chaudhrys’ faces impacted the political landscape positively? The answer is certainly not in the affirmative but there are reasons well known to understand this phenomenon.
The Chaudhrys too understand these weaknesses very well and it is now being reported from the keen watchers that endeavours are in full swing to make amends and transform these weaknesses into strengths. Let’s see how it all materializes? The sane ones who consider politics as a society writ large, say that humility is a big virtue in any vibrant society. And what bigger virtue is there in the society than the ‘Mitti Pao’ humility factor that virtually means ‘forget the bad, bitter things.’
Certainly this is very much needed in a society whose many segments stand radicalised and polarised as in a war-like state where everything is viewed with a ‘jaundiced eye’ (‘everything appears yellow to a jaundiced eye’). The Chaudhrys may not be having any efficacious antidote to this ‘jaundiced eye view’ but one can borrow their humility to bring about a ‘soft revolution’ that will definitely turn the tide and promote our inner, hidden strengths.
I remember when sometime back I met Richard Barrett, former UN envoy and presently EU Ambassador on Counter Terrorism, he fully agreed with me that our country possesses a number of fundamental strengths. That spells hope but hope needs to be furthered and consolidated through practical steps on the socio-political canvas. It’s about time that we all started working towards ‘Mitti Pao’ so that our fundamental strengths start getting properly projected and promoted.
mianrehman1@gmail.com