Dams, not castles, needed for prosperity

Wise men have rightly pointed out that misfortune never comes alone. That is the end-result of our own mistakes and blunders. “We have to be honest and speak the truth in dealing with others,” teachers used to advise students.

This particularly applies to leaders also, who spend their time and energy to seek political power. The common man asks: what for?

“If we don’t make up our mind to learn from any of our mistakes it’s better to seek help and guidance from Almighty God’s message delivered through Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) for mankind. “That guidance will encourage and enable us to solve problems, including health, education, and economic, and make our homeland healthy and prosperous.

One wonders why people do not feel happy. Why many of them say the democratic governance has not yet been successful to save them from miseries caused by uncontrolled food price hike, unemployment and diseases.

As regards job opportunities, the fact over the years has been nepotism that took over the place of merit, elders allege. Elders say we must meet the dire need for building small dams to surmount the problem of electricity. “Why should we build castles and undertake costly projects for which we seek huge loans from foreign agencies on their terms, and billions paid as interest?”

The fact of the matter is that we today face the problem of food, clothing and housing. The lower class of society cannot easily afford highly inflated prices of wheat flour, sugar, milk, vegetables and cooking oil etc. Why people often talk about China’s struggle for present industrial and agricultural progress? Luckily, our masses have the same potential and quality of working unitedly for national rebuilding after any devastating rains and floods.

Selfless leaders are needed to work manually and mentally along with common people, setting aside the self interest, to produce as much electricity as is necessary to overcome economic and social difficulties and achieve progress and prosperity.

There’s no denying the fact that masses need clean drinking water, fuel and electricity, bumper wheat, rice and sugar-cane crops and edible oil for honourable living at a price they can afford.

Has Nature not given us everything: we have got unlimited resources; we only have to be self-reliant and work together selflessly in the national interest. Why we have forgotten that God helps those who help themselves? -- zasarwar@hotmail.com

Our correspondent adds: The Islamabad Model Postgraduate College, H-8, has launched a tree plantation drive amid calls for students to plant more and more saplings on campus to contribute to nationwide efforts for environmental protection.

Principal Prof Muhammad Ali Siddiqui inaugurated the campaign by planting saplings. Students and teachers are voluntarily participating in the campaign. Around 200 saplings were planted within two days.

On the first day of the campaign, students, teachers, and nonteaching staff members enthusiastically participated in the activity. Staff members and students pledged to look after the planted saplings.

Vice-principal of the college Prof Javaid Iqbal Mughal highlighted the importance of such tree plantation drives. Prof Sarfraz Malik, in charge of plantation drive, said, "We are celebrating plantation drive as a festival. Our students and staff have realised that plantation is an effective way to control pollution and prevent global warming."

flower show: With the mutual collaboration of different departments, massive tree plantation is being carried out in the city under Prime Minister’s Clean and Green Pakistan Campaign. Consolidated steps have been taken to protect and further enhance green cover of the Federal Capital.

These views were expressed by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed while inaugurating the 37th Annual Spring Flowers and Birds Show 2019 at Rose and Jasmine Garden. On this occasion, representatives of Islamabad Horticulture Society (IHS), officers of Environment Wing were also present. This exhibition is being participated by CDA, SUPARCO, PHA, FBR, KRL, Floriculture Rawalpindi, Serena Hotels, PAF Hospitals and NIH laboratories.