Doctor or Engineer?

"The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up." - Paul Valery

Well. It’s been some time since I’ve been posting. Mainly because school’s been hectic and life’s just been super busy. Also, because I’m writing extensively on some ideas I’ve been pondering upon. But most importantly, the thing that’s been keeping me from blogging, is the university stress.

Aah yes. The time in the life of every teenager that immigrates to a country where they have the choice to either become a doctor, or an engineer. The time where the teenager says, “What if I want to be a pilot Dad?” and the dad says, “Beta, Pakistani immigrants don’t become pilots. They become doctors. Save lives. Or engineers. Make equipment that save lives.” And lo and behold the kid is gone, into an unfamiliar territory of numbers and figures that he grows accustomed to.

Now this isn’t necessarily my story. I don’t want to become a pilot. I have a fear of heights. That also crosses out “Batman” from my career goals but that’s a different story. I primarily want to be an author. Story telling is my forte and I think I do it pretty well. But again, its not really a stable cause of income. Unless, you’re John Green or JK Rowling and mind you, they got success in the latter part of their lives too.

Also, a Pakistani father would not give his daughter’s hand in marriage for a guy who “writes.” Oh no. He wants those doctors and engineers too. Oh yeah.

But this, demeaning ideology in our society, that doctors and engineers are the only ones who make money is ridiculous. I mean c’mon. People’s dreams get shattered because someone else makes the decision that photography isn’t a viable source of income and that the kid should put down the camera and pick up a textbook.

Same thing with authors and artists. I’m not saying these professions guarantee a sustainable quality of life, but at least one might feel contented in what they do.

The problem is that middle class families in Pakistan are under the influence of there being a two profession lifestyle. The government board has a pre medical and pre engineering program in the Intermediate studies. Pakistan has around 17 schools for Engineering and only 2 well renowned schools for the Arts. Do we see this polarization of interests or not?

Then we complain that Pakistanis lack creativity.

Strings is a great example for my final point. Anwar Maqsood, a famous writer and television actor from the golden age of Pakistan television has a son named Bilal. He and some friends started a band in College. But swaying away from the orthodox way of pursuing a musical career by dropping out, Maqsood and his posse finished College, acquired their degrees and carried their passion for music. Now they’re one of the biggest bands in Pakistan.

If you have a talent that you think is distinct enough for the world to appreciate, then don’t let 4 years of school define if it’s worth pursuing or not. Get up and paint that picture, or write that story or click that photograph. Because if you don’t do it, then someone else will. And you’ll just be another example of a dream crushed.

I applied to six different universities this year for Electrical Engineering. I'm not really fond of the program but I think I'll do fine in it. But my train doesn't stop there. If I crush my dream of being an author right here, then I never had it in me in the first place. Writing is what I like, and I'll continue to write, even if I'm an engineer or a doctor. Because my dad says, 'Every great thing isn't easy, and every easy thing isn't great.'

Take it easy folks.

Peace.

Twitter: @ItsNazar 

Instagram: @ItsNazar96

Yes We Khan!

"My life's experience tells me that you can never lose in life. You only lose, when you accept defeat." - Imran Khan

They told him he can't be a cricketer. So he did. They told him you can't be a fast bowler. So he did. They told him you can't win the world cup. So he did. They told him you can't build a free and running cancer hospital. So he did. They told him you can't establish a political party. So he did. They told him this nation is in slumber, you cant wake them up. So he did. They tell him now that his time will never come and so it has.

From player to playboy, from retirement to World Cup Glory, from charity to politics and from fame to shame. Today I'm talking about the man, the legend and the beacon of hope, Imran Khan. We're talking about a man who has won the hearts of masses like no other in Pakistan. A man who gave up his whole life for a country that gave him nothing but sorrows. A man who still vows to help this nation stand on its own two feet. Still, we hear critics crtique his actions like nothing else we've seen before. 'Haters gonna hate' we've been told, but it's time someone put ink to paper on the quote, 'lovers gonna love.'

Let's establish who these haters and critics are first. Are they middle classed Pakistanis with mediocre jobs and minimum wage salaries? Or labourers earning their salaries on a daily basis, just enough to feed their family? No. These are upper middle class contemporaries sitting in the comfort of their living rooms, carelessly sliding a pen on a parchment, without a second thought on what or why they're saying what they're saying.

Imran Khan has served his nation well. From the age of 18, he has wore the Pakistani monogram on his shirt. Since his inclusion to the Pakistani Cricket Team, he has only sky rocketed towards the top. Winning a World Cup of a sport in a country where the game is as close to religion to its people. Going on to build a charity cancer hospital for the people of the same country. Then establishing a political party to restabilise the slow and steady decline of the same country. I don't know about you, but I see no form of personal interest in these actions. Sure, maybe contentment of heart, but are you really going to take that away from him too?

Since the age of 18, this man has day in and day out, lived, slept, breathed his country's name. Upon retiring from cricket and establishing his political party, he has patiently waited for the day that the people of this country will harcken for him. He has waited for their plea to save them from this political abyss of corrupt rulers and ministers and pull them back towards the light they once were on. He has waited, not so quietly, but ardently as he saw his people fall further and further into that pit of nothingness, until one day it happened. There was an outcry, a burst of emotions, a cry for help from his people. The same people he won the World Cup for, the same people he built a hospital for, the same people he built a college for and the same people that let him down. He delivered. He gave them what they wanted. He gave them a way out from the pit.

To his humble surprise, they held his hand on this journey. The people of Pakistan, for the first time in many years, stood up on the call of their captain and have revolted against their corrupt leaders. What's wrong with that you may ask. Oh believe me, when it comes to criticizing, Pakistanis do it best. Blogs and articles posted everyday from authors and writers who enjoy the comforts of food and water everyday,suddenly represent those who are declined of those luxaries. Suddenly, its an attack on the already crumbling democracy of Pakistan or a scheme by international parties to rule Pakistan. Trust me, it gets more ridiculous than this.

If I were Imran Khan, I would have long given up on this damned nation, packed my bags and would've lived a happy life in London with my beautiful wife and kids. But thats not what he did. This man jeopardized his marriage, the happiness of his family to pursue the noble job in the least noble profession in the country. He waited 18 years and now, he has finally left a mark on this system. Imran Khan has done the impossible, he has awaken a nation who had long been in a delusional coma. He has given life to the living dead of this country.

Some say its his scheme to become the Prime Minister. Some say its all a hoax. Some say its an illusional trick. I say they're wrong. I am from the masses. The masses that hail Imran their captain, that know what Imran is capable of and that have faith in him. Some say even if he is given the power and the public's approval to run the country, he still can't diminish the years of corruption and unloyalty Pakistan has faced. I say Imran has proved himself from day one of what he's capable of and so I say yes, he Khan.

Imran Khan Tribute (The Crazy Ones): http://youtu.be/vNSQML_tTOg

Peace.

Twitter: itsNazar

Instagram: itsnazar96