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The life for humans is so lustful that given a free choice and ordained fate one can easily become the member of the “Satan Brigade”. All human are born innocent and free and at early stone ages were devoid of any status or eminence except their mouthy greed like ferocious mammals as they fought for survival. Some authors of social sciences believe that the earth was a “Planet of Apes “and human beings are the reformed monkey race which gradually adapted to the changing environments during the transaction of millennium. We do not subscribe to this murky notation and as a Muslim we owe the creation of entire Universe to “Almighty Creator”.
Ages of development have now brought humanity to indulge in Star trek and explore the Universe. Human values, philosophy and culture have attained new heights and varied eminence as we scuffle for survival of humanity but perish individually, are buried and forgotten. The canvass of human knowledge and development has amplified to an extent where at the furthest end of the universe, scientist have found new emerging Solar Systems, they have even probed the fathomless complexity of the oceans. Contemporary knowledge and high profile professions have filled to brim the coffers of individuals and even aroused professional jealousy and competitiveness. Records are being made to be broken as the top always remain vacant. There is no comprehension about the zenith, may be the “Godly Heaven” which I believe will not be on planet earth.
Goodness and morality has become a rarer commodity as we brace the tsunami of purging humanity on a planet stockpiled with perilous nuclear arsenal in all corner of the globe while the granaries are empty. Proud achievement of science has been a real life dancing robot entertaining and amusing people, but fewer to shoo away the herds of vultures homing on an underfed dying small child somewhere in Ethiopia or other areas of distress.
Living together and for each other has never been so painful in this part of the world as it is today. Professions are chosen and achievements applauded not by providing services to humanity but by attaining fame, power and wealth.
We forget that by doing useful things for the commoners, to talk courageously and righteous and to contemplate the beauty spread around us is Life”, which is too short.
A brief encounter with my memory brings me to the time when I completed my studies and joined Thal Jute Mills in Muzaffargarh as Trainee Officer for transforming Mills record and accounts on Computer. Thal Jute Mill was a partnership enterprise of Habib Family and Ghulam Farooq MNA member of National Awami Party who had also been federal minister in Ayub Khan Cabinet. He recommended my appointment when he met me with my father during NAP meeting in Islamabad. I remained in Muzaffargarh for almost a year residing in Room No.5 of the Officers Mess my portfolio was changed to Personal Officer as computerization was deferred till further time. I left the Mill and joined Muslim Commercial Bank, which I had to leave on my own after receiving a message from my Father Syed Muhammad Kaswar Gardezi from central Jail Hyderabad where he was lodged with Khan Abdul Wali Khan, Attaullah Khan Mengal, Mir Ghous Baksh Bizenjo and many of NAP members under false treason charges framed by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto regime. He advised me to become self-employee and work for the betterment of Family Mango Orchard at better remunerations which He will bear.
It was initially difficult to adopt village life which was mandatory for progressive farming as my farm as many others in the country were having no access roads, electricity and none of the basic facilities. To bring farming activities at par with my ambitions I decided to launch a Mango Growers Association, firstly to enable growers interaction with public sector agencies and stakeholders and secondly to transform growing into a contemporary profitable culture. The beginning of this crusade in a semi-tribal, semi-feudal society commenced in 1993. The photograph shows the convener of MGA Late Malik Basheer Ahmed Awan addressing the premium meeting in Multan. Malik sahib was a very popular social figure amongst agrarian community being the only distributor of Massey Ferguson tractors and allied farm machinery in the region. He later became a progressive farmer after he purchased large chunk of agriculture land near Multan and planted Mango and Citrus orchard. He also helped MGA develop liaison with the business community of Multan as he was many a times elected President of the Multan Chamber of Commerce & Industry and headed a Mango Committee in this Business house. The relations with the agrarians were never so amiable with the Business Chamber after the death of Malik Basheer Ahmed Awan.
Although the mindset of our bureaucracy does not encourage strong ensemble in agriculture, yet we are patiently heard by all.
ZAHID GARDEZI CHRONICLES 