Independence Day memories within all of us in today’s spotlight
Mujhay shikayat hai janab-e-wala
Meri khushyaan, mujhay lota do
14th August (The
Pakistan Independence Day) always remained a shining, brightening and thrilling
day in Shahbaz’s life. He was told right from his initial days that this day
was the climax of struggle and sacrifices from millions of Muslims of Indo-Pak
region that lived during the Pakistan
movement. Pakistan
became lifeline for Shahbaz right from his early childhood. He used to spark, giggle
and jump crazily overflowing with Pakistani passion whenever August started in
his life. BUT…BUT…Until 2014 only…
Before telling you the reasons
behind this big BUT, let’s tell you brief Glimpses of how 14th
August day passion evolved in Shahbaz’s life.
Before 2014
As soon as he was able to realize
the on goings and started making sensible sentences, Shahbaz realized that this
Pakistani Independence day is very special one indeed. He adopted this passion
from his surroundings where everybody was celebrating in one way or the other. Someone
was wearing multiple badges including Pakistani flags and pictures of notable
heroes such as Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam etc while others preparing Jhandiaa’n to decorate streets.
His father told him about the
famous slogan of Pakistan
movement; “Pakistan
ka matlab kiya, La Ilaha IllAllah”. Shabaz was so catched up by this ; he took
his head out of his home’s door and started shouting “Pakistan
ka matlab kiya, La Ilaha IllAllah… Pakistan
ka matlab kiya, La Ilaha IllAllah”…People passing by the door saw this small
kid and passed gentle smiles on his passion.
Then, he started learning how to
make Jhandiaa’n to decorate his
street and home. He reached his uncle and asked him to teach him this art. He
learned making Layee from Aaata and how
to make multiple Jhandiaa’n sticky in
no time. He was so pumped up that he started making in the sun cracked
afternoon with long threads of Pakistan
flag mounted Jhandiaa’n including
Green, Red and blue color. Uncle also told him how to bundle up these long
threads into a bunch and also instructed him to take them back in the same way
after 14th August to avoid wastage. “Beta is jhande ki be-hurmati
kabhee na hone dena”, he listed and noted all this with care. A huge
satisfaction always embraced Shahbaz after he looked upon his hard work; the decorated
piece of home and street.
He used to run from one street of
Muhalla to the other with his close
friends where the competitions of decoration were going on. At times, some
older guys used him for Mukhbari, “Beta jao zara dekh kar aao, saamne gali
waloon ne kaisa decorate kiya hai aur kiya kiya lagaya hai” and poor him
used to convey such useful information from one place to the other in greed of
being closer to the preparations. Flurry of national songs while decorating the
street at night were a special beauty of all these happenings and all Pakistanis
fuelled with genuine national thrill and passion.
On 14th August, he
used to attend Independence Day ceremony in his school which was filled with
colors, excitement and passion. After days of rehearsals, children used to make
this a memorable event. The event was filled with songs, tablos, passionate
debates and an insightful address by the school’s principal. Shahbaz once
participated in this event with a national song “Mai bhee Pakistan Pakistan Pakistan ,
their integrity; their pride and love for Pakistan .
After many bloopers during rehearsal; Shahbaz was able to deliver it perfectly
on the given day with two of his best school friends. All children used to get
a piece of Mithai at the end which
was an important carrot of the day.
After the school, Shahbaz used to
visit a nearby ground having a Tape-ball cricket Azadi tournament and enjoyed every hit with the exciting background
commentary with his friends. While returning from school, the activities keep
on happening one after the other. Be it watching PTV with ceremonies showing
national harmony and integrity or be it participating in events organized in Muhalla. The whole day was such a treat.
Shahbaz’s father used to tell him
impressing things about Pakistan ;
its heroes and little Shahbaz used to listen with amaze and open mouth. “You
notice beta, 14th August’s weather is touch different from any
ordinary day, be it less 14th August always carries drizzle to make
it a classy day” and so was the reality. “Beta you also notice the magic
between 14th August(Independence Day), 25th
December(Quaid-e-Azam’s birthday) and 11th September (Quaid’s death
anniversary); they all always fall on the same day of week be it Monday,
Tuesday or any other day” and this also remains a fact.
So, Shahbaz was brought up with
such childhood events with a sole belief in Pakistan ’s
existence and as he grew; he used to see much more of Independence Day
celebrations. He always went out especially on the 13th August night
be it on the Sea view (Karachi ) or
at the Minar-e-Pakistan (Lahore ).
He witnessed great behavior of celebration among his nation on Independence Day;
a relaxing charisma that made everybody happy at 14th August.
Many passionate overseas
Pakistanis used to celebrate their independence day outside the country with
pride and glare. They used to arrange ceremonies and listen to national songs
to ignite and keep the passion keep alive in their hearts. Few crazy people
used to visit Pakistan
to feel the celebration of Independence
within their own people.
August, 2014
Then time passed, and the
situation of Pakistan
became worse every passing day on almost all fronts and we reached 2014. The
day (14th August) was chosen by Tahir-ul-Qadri and Imran Khan for
their Dharnas against corrupt system,
brutality and Election rigging. The air was filled with propaganda with TV
channels showing different views and stances on these protests. Some became pro
government and some took flags of these two revolutionary leaders. Pakistani
nation was standing divided right at the verge of August, 2014. Polarization
is term used for all this; means there is no other way. Whether you are with us
or otherwise you are against us. Insightful debates on Jamhooriyat filled the
TV screens. People called it Jamhooriyat ka Husn in which people
are waking up for their rights. Overseas Pakistanis were irritated and bogged
up to extreme limits and faced mental disturbance of events shown on the TV
channels.
Closer to 14th August,
the most striking scene that Shahbaz saw on his TV screen happened near the
Lahore residence of Imran Khan where there was a canal in between the
supporters of Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif. All of them were carrying Pakistan
flags and throwing stones at each other outrageously. Something broke inside
Shahbaz, Ahhhh…He was crying deep inside his heart and his mind was revolving
as if he was drunk. Two visible scenes emerged in his mind’s screen. One was
showing little innocent Shahbaz shouting “Pakistan
ka matlab kiya, La Ilaha IllAllah…Pakistan ka matlab kiya, La Ilaha IllAllah”
and the other scene showing supporters of two different parties throwing stones
at each other carrying Pakistani flags…above all somebody was continuously
mumbling “Beta is jhande ki be-hurmati kabhee na hone dena”…Shahbaz
somehow controlled his tears in front of people but he still carries invisible
deep wounds of a missed Independence day.
On
14th
August, 2014 ; Shahbaz
searched for laughter, passion and peace. He found tears, anger and disruption.
Shahbaz want to ask Prime
Minister, why he did not addressed this situation seriously well before to save
August becoming dirty? Why can not he get rid of his reputation to Award
relatives, lavish lifestyle, Pro-India attitude (in response to all their
cracking acts against Pakistan )
and a selfish businessman?
Shahbaz want to ask
Tahir-ul-Qadri and Imran khan why they chose 14th August for their
Dharnas and protests. Why you divided the nation on this day? Why you stole my
Independence Day happiness? Why you did not foresee the clash on this precious
day; why did not you apologize afterwards? You could have chosen any other day
if your cause was right!
Shahbaz want to ask media why you
ran in the flurry of breaking news. Why you created such Hype which divided the
whole nation? You could have shown the good things happening in the country.
You could have given more airtime to the celebrations and things which could
relax all of us? Why you became party to all this while beloved Pakistan
was waiting alone for somebody to celebrate its birthday!
Above all, Shahbaz want to ask
the whole nation which was holding different poles and flags. Why you accepted
all this? Why you did not focused on things of same interest? Why you allowed
people to hijack you? Why can not you lead yourself? Why can not you throw
Hypocrisy away from your character? If you really love Pakistan ,
then how can you hate your own brother just because he is holding flag of a
different party? Why???
Shahbaz want to ask all above
parties; why you made me sick instead of happy? Your acts took away long-lasting
happiness of Independence Day away from me. What memories will I recall from
this 14th August, 2014 ?
You inserted an unwanted Gap in my life, a deep invisible wound that will never
heal. I will never forgive you all…
Author’s Ending Note:
Out of severe packed up schedule,
I could not write all this in August but this remained like a huge debt which
is fulfilled today, Alhamdulillah.
Thought of the day is that the
people who are involved in such big/shameless scandals of financial and moral
corruption, how can they take us to our destiny? However, “Momin is never
hopeless despite any circumstances”. We can still keep trying at our levels to
reach unfulfilled dream of Pakistan ’s
creation. As Iqbal rightly said:
Nahi
Hai Mayus Iqbal apni Kisht-e-weeran se
Zara Nam ho to yeh matti bari zarkhaiz hai Saqi
