Me, my cousin and a friend went for tea. We were sitting in the tea shop. Just ordered. My cousin had just lighted his cigarette. We had ordered three "doodh patti" (extra milky tea). Suddenly I saw there was someone standing right besides me. I looked up. There was a man standing there. The waiter who was passing by told us he needed money. We were confused.
He suddely started speaking. I usually avoid such encounters because generally people who beg arent worthy of the money and I dont want to say no. But this was no general case. My cousin suddenly something that caught my ears. I cant understand English to him. I looked up. The guy was looking at me and started talking in English. "I am a Mechanical Enigneer. I have been in the Army. I dont have a job. I have to feed a family". Although heavily accented, but, grammatically correct English. I was shocked.
Only educated people know English in Pakistan. A mere 3 % of the most educated people can talk the way he did. I was shocked. Is Pakistan really gone to this level of poverty, destitution and social destruction. Has it come to this that people with a bachelors degree in engineering, not the liberal arts, engineering have to go begging for tea and a biscuit or a little money. I mean what is this coming to.
While he was asking for money he broke down and started sobbing. Every sob hit on my nerves like a hammer. Every sniff was an explosion in my thought. I have no idea how I sat there. I have no idea how i got the audacity to ask my cousin if I should give him money. I have no idea how I could have possibly sat there and been so cold and steely.
Well we gave him some money. Came back home. I was quiet in the tea house and on the way back home. The others didnt even stop for that. But as soon as we were home. There was a lot of merrymaking.
That is how we feel about this. Surrounded by abject poverty and destitution we have become used to it and do not even pay it heed for more than 15 minutes. But one thing is going on. For the last 2 days I have been hearing a poem written by faiz and sung by iqbal bano in my head.
Hum Dekhain Gay
Lazim Hay Keh Hum Bhi Dekhain Gay
...
Sab Taaj Uchalay Jaen Gay
Sab Takht Giraey Jaen Gay
...
Bas Naam Rahey Ga Allah Ka
Aur Raaj Karey Gi Khalq e Khuda
Jo Main Bhi Hoon Aur Tum Bhi Ho
...
We will see
Imperative that we will see
...
All the crowns will fall
All the thornes will fall
...
Only Allahs name will remain
All Allahs beings will rule
That I am and that you are
...
Let up hope and pray for the best.
posted by Jalal @ 00:20
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