Advocacy - Youth EYE citizen journalist

FIRST PRODUCTION BY TRAINEES

LETTER OF FATHER TO HIS SON's TEACHER

    In the prevailing political environment of unbridled lust for power and pelf, and the cancer of corruption so widespread throughout the body politic one can only pray that, against heavy odds, dedicated leaders may yet be born and raised, leaders who, if properly groomed and guided, will rise above the mire and morass that presently threatens us. And how should these messiahs be groomed and taught so that they can lead us out of the dark tunnel? Reproduced below is a letter of a father to his son's teacher on his first day at school, written about 150 years ago, which is so relevant to today's Pakistan. Hopefully, it just may make some one sit up and think if nothing else, it will be good for thought for your reader.

 

    "He will have to learn. I know, that all men are not just, all men are not true. But teach him also that for every scoundrel there is a hero that for every selfish politician, there is a dedicated leader.

 

    "Teach him that for every enemy there is a friend. It will take time, I Know, but teach him, if you can that a dollar earned is of far more value than five found teach him to learn to lose and also to enjoy winning. Steer him away from envy, if you can. Teach him away from envy, if you can. Teach him the secret of quiet laughter. Let him learn early that the bullies are the easiest to lick... teach him, if you can, the wonder of books.....but also give him quiet time to ponder over the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun and flowers on a green hill-side.

    In school teach him it is far more honourable to fail than to cheat....teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him they are wrong....teach him to be gentle with gentle people and tough with the tough. Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when every one is getting on the band wagon. Teach him to listen to all men but teach him also to filter all he hears on a screen of truth and take only the good that comes through.

 

    "Teach him, if you can, how to laugh when he is sad.....teach him there is no shame in tears. Teach him to scoff at cynics and to beware of too much sweetness ...teach him to sell his brawn and brain to the highest bidders, but never to put a price tag on his heart and soul. Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob ...and to stand and fight if he thinks he's right".

 

    "Treat him gently, but do not cuddle him because only the test of fire makes fine steel. Let him have the courage to be impatient...let him have the patience to be brave. teach him always to have sublime faith in mankind".

 

    "This is a big order, but see what you can do, he is such a fine little fellow, my son".

This is what General Salman Ali shared with me

The highest aim in life - To know God and do His will 
The most enriching good habit - Complimenting others 
The most destructive bad habit - Worry 
The greatest joy - Giving 
The greatest loss - Loss of self-respect 
The most satisfying work - Helping others 
The ugliest personality trait - Selfishness 
The most endangered species - Dedicated leaders 
Our greatest natural resource - Our youth 
The ugliest look - A frown 
The greatest "shot in the arm" - Encouragement 
The greatest problem to overcome - Fear 
The most effective sleeping pill - Peace of mind 
The most crippling failure disease - Excuses 
The surest way to displease God - Unbelief 
The most powerful forces in life - Love 
The most dangerous piranha - A gossiper 
The Greatest Life-Giver - The Creator 
The worlds most incredible computer - The brain 
The worst thing to be without - Hope 
The deadliest weapon - The tongue 
The two most power-filled words - "I Can" 
The greatest asset - Faith 
The most worthless emotion - Self-pity 
The most beautiful attire - A SMILE! 
The most prized possession - Self esteem 
The most powerful channel of communication - Prayer 
The most contagious spirit - Enthusiasm 
The most urgent need - SALVATION 
The greatest attribute of the prophets - Obedience 
The GREATEST - GOD

Address to parlimentarians

 Oliver Cromwell 
"It is high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this place, which you have dishonored by your contempt of all virtue, and defiled by your practice of every vice; ye are a factious crew, and enemies to all good government; ye are a pack of mercenary wretches, and would like Esau sell your country for a mess of pottage, and like Judas betray your God for a few pieces of money.
Is there a single virtue now remaining amongst you? Is there one vice you do not possess? Ye have no more religion than my horse; gold is your God; which of you have not barter'd your conscience for bribes? Is there a man amongst you that has the least care for the good of the Commonwealth?
Ye sordid prostitutes have you not defiled this sacred place, and turn'd the Lord's temple into a den of thieves, by your immoral principles and wicked practices? Ye are grown intolerably odious to the whole nation; you were deputed here by the people to get grievances redress' d, are yourselves gone! So! Take away that shining bauble there, and lock up the doors. In the name of God, go!"

Dr. S. Akhtar Ehtisham.