Several weeks ago - an article appeared on several websites - Express Tribune and TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Tom-Cruise-asks-fans-to-donate-for-Pak-flood-victims/articleshow/6456403.cms). The article spoke about the efforts of a blogger - Natasha Jahangir to get celebrities to tweet for the Pakistan cause. Tom Cruise was one of the many people that she tweeted - the news got international attention.
Now this is a commendable effort and good to see celebrities tweeting for Pakistan and helping the helpless flood victims - innocent victims at the hands of a government and establishment which only believes the elites are worth living.
Coming back to the reality check here - a few gifted, educated and upper class Pakistanis tweeting and talking to celebrities with grandiose plans nobleness and goodness.
My cause for complaint is simple - are we left with nothing to do ourselves, depending on others for something which I agree was a major disaster but no response in kind coming from our much vaunted leaders - the scions of democracy in a ravaged country - not by the floods but by a bigger man made evil.
Whether its our president, our prime minister, the people of Pakistan - the privileged, noble and educated - everyone has proved to be disappointingly detached from the reality of everyday life and existence. So while people on twitter ask tom cruise, beyonce, oprah winfrey etc. to donate and tweet they themselves are stuck in a bubble with the other abusers of power - the bhuttos and the elite political figures ranging from fatima bhutto to other notable symbols.
So this is the way we close out then? the final farewell - dying with a begging bowl in our hands, no dignity, no shame and no sense of pride - all because its convenient, easy and doesnt require a personal sacrifice. Sacrifice the greater good for personal accomplishment.
Long live the begging bowl and the holder of that bowl!
Pakistan Zindabad?!? Not long left now....
The Sabz Parcham hangs lower and lower
