Very long ago, between the
meadows and pastures, wandering alone all about, unaware of the terror
sustaining around him, a lion was caught in the trap (although apparently
unnoticeable but big enough to imprison a large creature) of huntsman.
Struggling to set him free, the lion was moving his paws violently but there was
no use. He was gigantic though, but not smart to get him released from
unwelcomed detention. Spending days and nights in solitude and meditation, he
was waiting for a savior to come. Then the day came, a very tiny
creature------to him a useless one----became the source of his emancipation.
A widely narrated story in the books of Pakistan is elucidating the existing
condition of Pakistani masses-minus the conclusion. The inhabitants are detained
in the narrow but skillfully and artistically knitted trap of poverty. In an
attempt to get them free they have left no stone unturned but still all efforts
went fruitless. The trap set contains the characteristic of robotic or
mechanistic instrument –automatically getting larger, wider and stronger as the
population. Here the giant human beings-just like the lion, are waiting for a
miniature or an army of miniatures.
Poverty - the condition of living below the standard of life, being deprived and
destitute of basic provisions of life food, shelter and water - a state in which
millions of people are living today. Devoid of clean water, fresh food,
appropriate shelter, these people are hardly making their both ends meet. In the
decade of development, these underdeveloped people are looking for their fault
with hollow souls, questioning eyes and stunt growth of bodies. According to an
estimate that six million people are living below the poverty line. Proceeding
further you must keep in mind that this unprivileged population doesn’t only
have relationship ties with Pakistan but also many developed countries of south
and North America have equal share of such population.
Narrating the story in the context of Pakistan, the 40% of the population - out
of the total of 20 million- is living below the poverty line. Keeping the $2 as
the standard earning on daily basis, hundreds and thousands of people are
dwelling quite below the poverty line. The diameter of poverty varies from
province to province. From lowest to highest - Punjab to Baluchistan- the entire
population is suffering from one way to another. The deprivation or
under-consumption of poverty is not for the reason that the world has got vacant
of resources; rather it is also the result of the over-consumption of resources
by the developed world or privileged class of society. According to a research,
a child born in Europe consumes 16 times more food than that of consumed by the
child born in underdeveloped town or city. Same as is with other resources or
necessities. Elite ruling class of Pakistan constituting only the 15% of
Pakistan’s population occupy 85% of resources of land and entrepreneurship and
those who belong to the rest of 85%, make their survival possible with that,
what is left behind. Nelson Mandela has said that:
“Poverty is not an act of charity rather it is a matter of Justice. It is not an
accident like slavery and apartheid, it is man-made and can be removed by the
actions of human beings”
The gap between rich and poor is getting wider day by day, making the width
immeasurable. Middle class and Lower middle class are whirling in the vicious
cycle of poverty that is getting unbreakable gradually. This half literate and
poverty stricken class get their children educate with the dream of
transformation of life, with the hope of change in social status, longing that
their heartthrobs might not suffer the same what they have done. When these
cobbler’s sons pass out from their universities and come in the job-market in
order to compete with those aristocrats who are habitual of devouring others.
Here I remember the poem that I once studied in my 9th standard “The Rain” in
which the metaphorically categorize the rich and poor class into upper and lower
leaves. When it rains upper leaves pass out water to lower leaves drop by drop.
Imbibing the large portion itself and feeding others with what, that is left
behind is the attitude of the ruling class. Those who are submissive for them
life has become curse in the disguise of blessing.
I often ponder that when human beings are created equal why they don’t have
equitable supply of resources. When Allah Subhan Tala has not depleted the world
with resources then why the people intend to do that. Rate of suicide because of
starvation and deprivation is increasing by and by. In 21st century, on one side
greed of profits, luxuries, bank balance has touched its peak whereas on other
there are those who are making efforts for the survival of the fittest. Life has
lost its charm and spirit for most of the people of the world.
To the extent of my observation, poverty was not as much as grueling problem as
it has been made. If resources were utilized efficiently and effectively, this
would not have happened. Some authorities claim that increase in poverty is the
aftermath of burgeoning population. For the rulers of the country, it becomes
difficult to ensure the supply of bread and butter to such gigantic population
spreading on a vast area. This reason might be true or may not be. But here let
me remind the meritorious and glorious era of Hazrat Umer (R.A). As
Ameer-ul-Momineen he used to govern a large empire---approximately eight
countries of modern worl including Yemen, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Damascus.
Historians in their books witness a remarked development and prosperity in each
and every aspect of life. Not a single case of death from starvation was
recorded. Old age benefit fund and child allowance that was prevailing in Europe
now a days, were introduced by Hazrat Umer (R.A) making the state responsible to
bear the burden of those who are not in a position to make the arrangements of
their survival. This was an intelligent step to lessen the burden of those who
has entrusted the responsibility to earn livelihood. In modern world we call
this reduction in population dependency ratio. He (R.A) used to be in
interaction and collaboration with the masses with the view to hear complains
and sorrows, involving the masses inn decision making process, unknowingly
implementing the modern day popular management strategies and corporate
governance models. If the power and influence is directly proportional to wealth
then Holy Prophet (S.A.W) and Hazrat Umer (R.A) never regarded as most
influential personalities of the world, Bahadur Shah Zafar, Qaroon, Pharoan
never faced such grueling end.
“Wall of sympathy (Deewar-e-Hamdardi)” a brilliant idea that has been introduced
to feed the hungry, saving them from the embarrassment of begging. Sharing,
distributing, caring and sacrificing which the modern world is adopting now a
days, have been the norms of Muslim Rulers.
Wealth, power, splendous lifestyle, position and status can be regarded as the
emblem of respect and influence but in short term. In long run to be influential
and significant we require a place in the heart of others without the use and
ammunition and armaments.