Education – Sagar Samy

Untold Story of Parsi Community in Pakistan

The world is shifting so fast towards digital by adopting all the modern trends and technology along with preserving their historical heritage. Developed countries know well that a nation can never succeed and achieve their goals if they forget their culture.

In Pakistan, things are a bit opposite. The concept of pluralism is almost equal to zero. Everyone knows how much struggle was done to get this homeland. It wasn’t about a person, it was a group of millions of people who sacrificed their lives and struggled till last moment to get this homeland in which we’re living today.

Parsi Community in Pakistan

Among so many groups from different religions and backgrounds, there was a group or community called Parsi. At the time of independence they were almost 7,000 in Pakistan but today they are left less than 1200 in the country.

What’s the reason behind?
What were their contributions?
What did they do?

We’ll be discussing all of the above-mentioned things later on this piece. This community of Pakistan is now being underestimated. Many of the people especially youth don’t even know about them nor their contributions in the city and the country. They mainly contributed to the Karachi. The modern Karachi – city of lights, which we are seeing today was developed in their era. The first mayor of the city was Jamshed Nusserwanjee Mehta. He was from the Parsi community. It was his love, devotion and sincerity with this city that within 12 years of his tenure he brought Karachi from Farsh to Aarsh (Land to the sky).

Paris community has also contributed a lot towards the field of education; Mama Parsi Girls School, BVS Bhai School and NED University are few of the top examples amongst many others. NED University is one of the oldest engineering university of Pakistan and still consider amongst the top engineering universities of the country. Let me share the full form of NED: Nadir Edulgee Dinshaw (University of Engineering and Technology).

Nadir Edulgee Dinshaw was off course from Parsi community, he was a philanthropist and strongly believed in charity and helped to build many schools, colleges and hospitals through charity.

On talking about the education and community; Ms Natasha Mavalvala (Country Manager Saudi Airline) stated,

“First things is that our youngsters are moving abroad. Secondly, the ratio of marriages is low, if it happens then they don’t give birth more than 2 children. If we want to keep our entity then we have to create it by giving birth more children. On the other hand, youth is migrating so fast to the developed countries for higher education.”

She continued,

“This is our country who would leave it? But if circumstances get better, then no one would leave Pakistan. I think our generation will live and win but I don’t think that the youth and our kid would stay here.”

On talking about migration, Ms Yasmeen Kaikobad (Resident Parsi Colony) said,

“The reason for migration is that youth want to move forward they are more career-oriented and achieve their goals, they want to see the world. So, they go abroad for higher studies and do specialization in a specific subject.”

She further said,

“If we see in Pakistan, so this youth don’t want to do study here because in past Karachi law and order situation was worst; extortion, target killing and snatching was common. Therefore, the elders of the community decided to send their children abroad for higher studies, and live freely.”

She continued,

“Though Karachi’s situation is much better than past, in terms of law and order situation, still our younger generation don’t prefer to stay here, because they believe that government of Pakistan had never bothered to resolve our grievances then why should we stay here?”

This is one field that we discussed above, but there are many other fields in which they have contributed. Be it education, parks, hospitals and so on.

Researcher Asad Lashari, who has spent close time with Parsi community. Shared his views and said,

“Parsi community belongs to that minority group of Pakistan who has given so much to the society. They are peace lovers and have never been in news or television. Even after giving so much to society. From Lady Dufferin Hospital to Mama Parsi School to NED University to Jahangir Park. These are there major and highlighted contributions amongst others.”

While talking about education, he said,

“Majority of the Parsi students go abroad for higher education rather than studding here in topnotch universities like IBA, LUMS etc. The motive behind this that their parents feel insecure here in Pakistan. Still, few do study here but their ratio is very low in comparison to those who prefer to study abroad.”

After talking to the above-mentioned people, it clearly shows how their contributions have beautifully been neglected. Their decreasing population, migration, late marriages have been the main reason behind 7000 to less than 1200 today. Another strange thing is that have never been on national media because they avoid. Hence, it’s a government responsibility to preserve their heritages and add their contributions to the syllabus. So, students and youth can know about them. Pakistan only needs to re-examine its founding principles to see that whether its minorities facing shocking discrimination or not. It’s almost impossible to flourish without treating equally to every community, group and an individual who left everything to be here this beloved homeland Pakistan.

A memorial day of Graduate Student

A journey that started from Orientation, come to end on Convocation.

In the 4 years journey of the university, many ups and downs came, which made it a roller coaster ride of life. Remembered the first day in university? That face, looking for a classroom, reaching before time, nervous and excited at the same time, and tension of ragging as well. Hope you do, these are few of the things that almost every student face on the first day of their university.

Giving introduction in front of all class, and thinking what impression I left behind, reminds the very first day of university. A room full of students who were Extrovert, Introverts and Ambivert from different backgrounds. They made perception on the basis of dressing, gestures, postures and way of talking, which later appeared to be false. Well, same things continue happening, until and unless they don’t actually interact with each other.

Selfies are the only thing that starts from the one friend and later convert into a group of friends or a couple. A historic fountain of the university was one of the favourite selfie-spot for most of the students. Interacting with seniors was quite difficult but was also exciting at the same time.

So, that’s how this journey officially accelerated. In the journey of four years, three festivals, national and International trips, Ambassador Program, and many high-profile visits amongst many other happenings took place in the university.

After the completion of two years; time ran so fast. Years changed into months, and months changed into weeks and weeks changed into days. And then, finally, a day come which is called “Convocation Day”.

Tears of happiness, smile on faces, aims in hearts, many dreams, and of course phones in hands for selfies. These all things are directly reflected to the student, who spent 4 years of his/her life to an institute from where he/she is officially graduating now. A big day; not only for students but also for parents, guidance and teachers as well. On this day, students wore a gown and cap with an aim to fly it at the end of the ceremony.

On one side, students were happy to receive their degrees. So, on the flip side, parents were also happy to see their offspring receiving the degree. Almost every student introduced friends, colleagues and teachers to their parents.

Students who were awarded gold and silver medals were the ones who scored the highest and second highest CGPA in their academic journey. They made their parents more proud by being the one from their classes.

All the fights, misunderstandings, disappointments, jealousy and ego came to end, after receiving a degree and everyone wished successful career and better future to each other.

Glimpses from the Spring Fling of Gymboree!

Gymboree is development Centre with unique learning environment, and it aims to prepare child for life, not only for academics but also physically, cognitively and socially. In which the first thing comes physical growth, social development, two ways communication, skills enhancement, physical skills enhancement, confidence building, and 360° approach. While in Cognitive skills includes creative mindset, and creative approach.

Recently, Gymboree held an event with the name “Spring Fling” on 15^th of April, at its DHA campus, in Karachi.

The event was attended by not only children but also their parents became part of it, and around 30 families with approximate 120 people joined it.

It was an amazing and fun learning environment. The sweetness and naughtiness was overloaded with the cuteness of little children. Many activities were going on at the same time. If one of the child was busy in taking slides, so other was playing with toys, while a group of children along with their parents were busy in painting pots, and every child was busy in activities. Throughout the event, the beautiful jingle was being played in the background, which was helping children and their parents to enjoy with calm. A small activity was done just before the refreshment, in which few of the staff members came on the floor, then started singing and dancing on the song of Gymboree along with the cute and little children.

On the other hand, the staff members were fully trying to facilitate every children, they were so cooperative and interactive with not only children but also with their parents. It was showing such a positive image of team Gymboree, and the parents present there, were feeling satisfied and proud to send their children here.

While talking about the event, one of parent said,

“This is my 1^st time and I really enjoyed here, and this kind of activities are so beneficial for development of children.”

One other parent commented,

“It was very nice, decoration is good, friendly environment, and everything is well organized.”

There was also a photo booth with beautiful props, and almost every parent along with their children came on photo booth for picture. Because picture is the only thing that help to save memories for a long time, and memories with their beloved children at such kind of event means everything for parents.

Well, overall it was such a wonderful event in well-organized way. And this kind of events are so beneficial for every children, because it helps a lot in the development of children, and this is what the aim of Gymboree.

Here are some pictures from the event,