The difference of approach…

The other day while going through the newspaper I was extremely surprised to read Mauze Tang’s (the great Chinese leader) response when someone asked him, “How do nations progress?” He said, “Nations progress due to recessions, crisis, catastrophes and worries.” After going through the statement my forehead wrinkled at once. He justified his statement by saying, “During normal circumstances a nation is neither well aware of its strength nor is conversant with its negligence, weak points and administrative flaws. But when crisis, catastrophes and worries come to pass, they not only get aware of their potential but also come across their weak spots. And the nation who doesn’t learn from such recessions and doesn’t rectify its flaws, can never progress.” And it was not the word of mouth only. The entire world actually saw the real time example when Tang Shan, a historical city of China, was struck with the biggest earthquake of 20th century in 1976. Costing up to 655 thousands lives, the earthquake demolished the entire city in twinkling of human eye. And astoundingly, even in such dire circumstances Mauze Tang refused to accept any foreign aid. Reconstruction of the entire city and rehabilitation of the sufferers were the giant challenges for him. The very next day of the earthquake he announced that anyone who is willing to undertake the guardianship of some of the suffering families can register himself with government. Following this particular strategy the guardianship he distributed the guardianship of the afflicted families among the well off of the country in two months merely and reconstruction work was completed with the generous support of the nation. And today Tang Shan, once again is recognized as one of the developed cities of China. It is also known as “Brave City of China”.

For me, it was surprising, extremely surprising in fact. Today, we also are going through quite similar circumstances. Individually and nationally we are surrounded by the dark clouds of innumerable difficulties. And commencement of Swat operation has further strengthened them. A mob of internally displaced persons (IDPs) has emerged who is depending on us for our generous support. Previously, we used to be their guests and today there is a time when they are looking for our hospitability. 

Comparing with the strategy of Mauze Tang, in this era where a common man in our country is leading a hand to mouth life; undertaking the responsibility of an entire family is, forsooth, a hard nut to crack. And specially in case of Muslims like us, who (probably) are at the lowest level of “Eman” (faith on Almighty Allah), it further shakes our roots of bigheartedness to sacrifice something in the name of God. Well, of course I’m not supposed to give vent to any lecture out here, so let me come towards the point. Regardless to various financial constraints, everyone is contributing in the noble cause but not at the great extent that is supposed to be. Funds are being raised in schools, colleges, universities, and offices. But the real responsibility lies on well off of the society. Even if, they can’t (or are not willing to) undertake the responsibility of an entire family like Chinese but they surely can visit them on weekends along with their families. If you are a youngster and are dependent on your parents, what you can least do is, enforce your parents to pay a visit to the sufferers on weekends, spend time with them, take gifts for them in form of edibles and attires. During your summer vacation, it can be a superb activity to be pursued. Believe you me, it’ll give you immense pleasure. Spiritually you’ll feel relieved. Besides, you can also contribute small amounts from your cells by sending SMS to the funds specially generated for Swat sufferers.

Well, when I observe the other side of the picture, one may not see eye to eye with me, but despite all this, somewhere there are also germs of “pomposity” in our passion and motivation to assist our suffering brothers. Whether it is any government official or a representative of any NGO, a number of people who support the sufferers seem showing off. It is part and parcel of trucks loaded with edibles (and other necessities of life) to display a large sized picture of the government official sending it. Advertisement, in form of pictures in newspaper, is specially done when any of the big companies or personalities donates something. Some of you may argue against this that such activities are source of awareness and inspiration for others but sorry to say, awareness can also be created without raising portrait sized pictures of the donor. This thing also keeps us far away to earn the real essence of the virtue. Indubitably, everyone can not be ranked in this particular category. But at the same time one can not deny to this bitter fact.

In China from their leaders to common citizens of the country, everyone generously chipped in for the national cause but in our case though we are contributing but not with the “genuine passion”, and for the “national cause”. The leaders of China refused to accept the aid, contributed each penny from their pocket and ours are roving here and there, wistful for the aid of other countries. Forsooth, our target is quite similar like that of China but we are moving ahead with a different mindset that is why facing a lot of difficulties. It’s nothing, nothing but difference of approach…