Illiteracy (Ignorance) After Education Part II

To those who read Illiteracy After Education Part 1, no introduction is needed to explain the subject of this article. However, let me just say that here I will mention some of my observations of the society we live in. Examples are true though details are mostly fictitious.

Example Six:
A neighbour calls at Mrs. Karim’s place. She finds Mrs. Karim in tears and quickly inquires what the matter is.
Mrs. Karim: “It’s my son…”
Neighbour: “Kamran? What happened to him? Is he okay?”
Mrs. Karim: “He has gone mad…”
Neighbour: “Why? What did he do?”
Mrs. Karim: “He is getting married to this girl I don’t like at all.”
Neighbour: “Why? What is the matter? Who is she?”
Mrs. Karim: “You know my husband’s cousin Mahrukh; her daughter Mahwish.”
Neighbour: “Oh, but doesn’t she meet all your requirements?”
Mrs. Karim: “I wish she did.”
Neighbour: “Why you wanted a Syed, Sunni-Hanfi and an Urdu-Speaking girl? She is all this…”
Mrs. Karim: “Yes, but…but she is ugly.”
Neighbour: “No, I think Mahwish is very attractive.”
Mrs. Karim: “Attractive, really? She is black as coal. Sooo dark…”

Example Seven:
Cambridge examinations are being held in Karachi Grammar School. Today was the Geography (Pakistan Studies) Paper. Students come outside after the exam, chatting.
One student: “Thank God the paper has ended.”
His friend: “Yeah. Now no more Geography…,” saying which, he takes a stack of maps of Pakistan from his bag and flings them on the ground, without any thought.
Well, perhaps, it is not as bad as throwing a nation’s flag away. But so much for the talk about patriotism and the young life-blood of the nation!

Example Eight:
I met a young girl (my neigbour’s guest) some time back and we had a little chat.
The Guest: “Oh, I really love Pakistan.”
I said: “Well, I don’t.”
The Guest: “Well, why not? Life is so good here. I love the restaurants and parties and my friends.”
I thought: “Well, I know why you enjoy it.” (Looking at the black corolla in the background)
I said: “Hmm…restaurants and parties are perhaps not enough for me.”
The Guest: “If you go abroad you will realize the importance of your country. Anyway, I am so patriotic that I got a new, green Cuore.”
I said: “A green what? Green card?”
The Guest: “A green cuore…though I have a green card as well.” And she smiled at that.
I smiled back and thought: “Well, Madam, now I know why you love your country so much. You will be the first to run away if something happens. Jab dono haath mein laddoo hain to aisa hi socho aur bollo gi (When you have the best of both the worlds, then obviously you will think and say so).” - Also considering the fact that nothing apart from socializing and money seems to matter to her.

Example Nine:
A young girl and her seven-year old niece were watching television. They had recently got the cable connection.
Niece: “Who is that, Khala (Aunt)?”
Aunt: “Salman Khan. He is an Indian actor.”
Niece: “Oh, why has he kept a Muslim’s name?”
Aunt: “He is a Muslim.”
Niece: “Really? Then why doesn’t he live in Pakistan?”

Example Ten:
A thirty-five year old, very smart woman gets off her car and enters the office. She is on a very good position there. Several young, female juniors gaze at her attire and style with awe and envy. Then one of them comments,
“She is so beautiful and speaks well also…wonder why she is not married yet.”
Another adds, “Yeah, there is nothing wrong with her I guess. I mean, why wouldn’t any man like her?”

And the real story behind it all was that she simply did not think that marriage was her cup of tea. But who would believe that?

A third one says, “If she doesn’t get married now, she won’t find any match later.”

The first one remarks, “May be there is some sad love-story behind it all.”

Well, who cares? Who has the time to think about anyone’s personal life? But then the gossip did continue…