14/03/2016
There is no network. I feel it’s
a blessing in disguise. And a wonderful excuse for me to write to myself.
This place is so quiet, soft and
peaceful; I can hear even the slightest of the voice from my surrounding. I am
sitting in a cozy room wrapped in a blanket. The room is attached to a
Victorian style lobby with a frame hanging on the wall of an early 20th
century army general. Outside this villa stands a gorgeous view of the Soon Sarkesar
valley – 360 degrees of lush green lands and tiny hills!!
The Khushab Cadet College hosts
50 students and 10 teachers along with several staff members at this beautiful
location placed at a height of 3000 feet above the sea level, geographically
placed amidst the famous Salt Range. The salt range is a unique place where
though mountains from outside look the same as those in Gilgit Baltistan and
elsewhere, but inside they are gigantic pieces of salt, hiding their identity
behind brown and green camouflage. The pictures you saw were from the Khewra
Salt Mines (British mined it in the 1800’s and since then salt makes its way
from this wilderness to our kitchen and meals).
Lt. Col. Safdar Kazmi is the
Principal here. He is a retired army general who has served as the Principal of
several cadet colleges. The time he enjoyed most was the four years he resided
in Skardu. Over dinner we had many fruitful conversations, flowing from our
personal lives, to role of degrees and contrasting role of education, to how
professional class of Sindhis have migrated leaving behind a great vacuum, to
Zia’s intolerable political rule and the imprints it has left on our society.
For a moment I forgot I was sitting with an army general and if should think
before discussing my views. He is a fine gentleman, very courteous and well
intentioned.
I also befriended the guards and
the chef – interestingly whoever works here is either a retired policemen,
rangers personnel, or soldier.
…………
15/03/2016
Good Morning!! It is a fine
morning now, with the sun shining bright and its light is not being hindered by
any human made structure. Though when I woke up (at 6:15), the morning was not
as pleasant. I was supposed to wake up at 5:30 – the over enthusiastic Ajay had
committed to the Physical Trainer that he will join the students for the
morning exercise. The P.T. teacher is retired army soldier and has trained many
soldiers in his life, some of whom are also serving as brigadiers and generals
today. I WAS LATE so I ran, brushing my teeth in less than a minute and quickly
wearing my tracks. Luckily my watch was 5 minutes ahead of time, hence I did
not disappoint the trainer.
Back to the school days – it was,
with a few differences of course; I never had such a majestic view to see and fresh
air to breathe. The exercise went well in the beginning – a few rounds of
jogging and running, and then the real things started. My daily yoga dose
helped me get through 30% of it :p rest included crawling on the floor,
juggling up and down, and walking across the filed in murga position – hehe. I
came last several times and could here from behind – “Karachi wake up”. Unlike
in Cyprus and India, I today represented Karachi!
The day ahead was also very
productive. The flush did not work, and hands shivered with cold water but thankfully
these were not highlights of the day:P Teachers hailed from different parts of
Punjab and KPK. They were active and had many questions to ask. The Sargodha
Baord, they have been previously affiliated with gave them rote learning but
did give them marks. They feared if marks will become an opportunity cost for
students in return of conceptual learning. There fear was right but so was the
significance of learning – in life. So in short, the session was filled with
discussions, examples from life and the supporting system AKU Examination Board
provides at every step to ensure teachers, students and the school is provided
continuous support. The Principal felt really convinced towards the end of the
day, and wrote a positive email to AKU EB staff in Karachi. I bonded with
teachers and got to know a wonderful Shair who with his philosophical insight
gives a very different perspective to everything!!
………
16/03/2016
I have been playing for two days
very briefly and my hand hurts so much. It is a wonderful game, especially when
played in the mountains!
Yesterday night there was a grand
dinner in the college garden, all students and teachers were invited. There was
a rostrum and I was invited to speak to the students. Students asked me
interesting questions – how did I choose this profession and did I ever fail.
They were surprised to know I had failed several times. It was conversing with
them – I left them with a question. How did we know the Earth is round and not
flat as early as 300 BC? One student brought me an answer to that question
today evening. He searched the library and located a text written about that in
a book .. and that text led us both to a few other questions – it was amazing J
The Principal attended the entire
workshop with teachers as well as with students. He wrote an email to the
Examination Board that he wanted not only 9th grade but also 10, 11
and 12 grade to affiliate with us! It has been a very humbling experience – majority
of the students here wish to join the armed forces of Pakistan but when asked
why, their purpose is vaguely limited to words like courage and love for the
country. It was a tough call to disregard my personal opinions and connect
their desire to join army with the need to develop skills like decision making,
critical thinking and comprehension. Thankfully they seemed motivated and
themselves connected the worth of conceptual learning with their desires :)
The more people I meet across the
country and the world the more this thing hits me, that if only people met each
other in an environment of trust and acceptance, I doubt one would call other
his/her enemy. An the fresh air in these majestic mountains and valleys, make
our mind reflect and get rid of the corruption installed my restraining
thoughts and ideas.
The Physical Trainer has promised
me a serious exercise tomorrow morning before I leave – I am a bit scared what
his ‘serious’ means :p
HOOOOF … This was something Big
and a bit scary too I must say. Some students invited me to their room. Then
the topic of religion was introduced and questions began – who is a Hindu? what
do you believe in? which book do you refer to? And as I started responding to
some of the questions the room filled from 7 students in the beginning to 30
towards the end. Yea it was risky waters and I could see their eyes glued to
what I was saying. Analogies really helped lighten up and introducing Hinduism
as a philosophy made some sense. I know these were the questions they had in
their mind for so long, so I did not want to inhibit those today but seriously had
to beware not to come across as blasphemous as well as an atheist since both
are considered devious crimes here, especially in Punjab! Thankfully the
conversations tilted towards extending our horizons and acknowledging different
perspectives be it history, religion or otherwise. I don’t think the
conversation would have concluded so soon if the dinner bell would not have
rung.
But I must say, I could really
feel the power of education today and also its’ potential to tread risky
waters. Education is a dangerous tool if not handled carefully – I truly hope I
was balanced.
Fingers crossed.
…
I did not know this was not the
end of highlights for this evening. After having dinner with Col. Sb., I was
invited to a teacher’s room for gup shup. This person (Mr. Amjad) is an amazing
personality. He like students started with the question “how Hindus view the
origin of human life on Earth”, and then the conversation went to a completely
different dimension – to the very basis of education, its purpose and how it is
caught up in systems today. He is a shair and introduced me to Iqbal’s shairi
in a completely new light – one that I was totally unaware of. Using Shaitan as
a metaphor for capitalism, Iqbal in his Persian poetry written in early 1900s
narrated significant events in human history along with his analysis of future
with such depth, sarcasm and power. What I loved about Amjad Sb., was his
command over Persian and more than that his ability to translate the couplet in
such simple and clear language that any lay person can understand and
contextualize. It was truly amazing. I have spoken to Col. Sb. and he has
agreed to allow Amjad Sb. to have poetry sessions with students – and Amjad Sb.
has also agreed to send me the written translation of Iqbal’s poetry as well as
in his own voice. There is just so much talent in Pakistan and I am sure around
the world, waiting to be revealed!
