Languages

 Published in the Morning News on February 6, 1967

The protagonists of Arabic have advanced a host of reasons in favour of the proposal. One of them has suggested that it will bring the two wings of the country closer to each other. Another argues that as it is the language of the Quran, it will enable us to become better Muslims. A third claims that it will promote friendlier relations with the Arab states. All of them are agreed that it can be done easily and smoothly.

The amazing thing about it all is that in spite of these self-evident facts, there are some who propose the step. These well-meaning souls have underrated the genius of our people. By all means, let us all learn Arabic. 

And while we are at it, I propose that we adopt Chinese as one of our State languages as well. The enormous benefits that will accrue from such a step should be obvious to anyone who reads newspapers. For one thing, our country will make tremendous serides in technology in no time at all. Just think of what happened to all those workers who read Mr. Mao's thoughts. And those students who were so inspired they marched hundreds of miles into Peking!

Of course, a few hardened skeptics will say that Mr. Mao's thoughts have been translated, and will serve the purpose equally well. Nothing could be more fallacious than this misleading argument. Everyone knows that a great deal is lost in translation. All that it caused this writer to do, for instance,  was to sit down at once to compose this letter. And if there are still some incredulous beings who claim  that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to learn such an alien language, we can learn Arabic without any difficulty, why not Chinese?

Indeed, we could go further and learn Russian as well. With our stupendous capacity for mastering foreign language speedily, it should pose no problem. Besides, it would enable us to understand how the Russians managed to become one of the strongest nations in such a short time. 

As a matter of fact, since we have so much time at our disposal, let the masses learn French as well. President de Gaulle will be delighted. And after we have become a truly strong nation, both culturally and technologically, we could turn our attention to a very minor problem -- learning Urdu. 

For it is an awkward philological fact that very few of our citizens speak Urdu as it should be spoken. This is not surprising, since it is the mother tongue of only a small percentage of the population. But our educationists, specially those who advocate the cause of Arabic as a state language cannot be bothered by such trifles. And rightly so. Our masses must first become adept at foreign languages before learning to speak one of the national tongues. 

Shakir Lakhani

Karachi

LPG on car fuel

Published in "Morning News" 1975

This refers to the article "New fuel, old cars" (30th April). Much has been said about the advantages of using LPG in automobiles. But is it as good as it sounds? At first sight, yes. But a closer look reveals that the only people who benefit are the importers of conversion kits. Consider the following facts:

The cheapest conversation kit in the market is priced at Rs 6,000, with a running life of 40,000 miles. For an average motorist, who drives 20 miles daily, the kit will require replacement after 6 years.

The interest on Rs 6,000 compounded annually at 9% over a period of 6 years amounts to approximately Rs 3,500. The total effective investment which the motorist makes over the period of  6 years is therefore Rs 9,500.

The petrol bill for the average car will amount to Rs 13,500 assuming that it gives 35 miles to the gallon. With LPG, the fuel cost will be Rs 3,500 over the same period of 6 years. The motorist therefore saves Rs 8,000 in 6 years, after switching over to LPG. But he initially has to invest Rs 9,500. He therefore loses Rs 1,500 (equivalent to Rs 250 per year).

Shakir Lakhani

A-Won Estates Lilly Rd.,

Frere Town, 

Karachi

The Fate of a Girl

Published in "Morning News" 1962??

The fate of Rosy, as described by Saira Begum in her letter under the caption 'The fate of a Girl.' is an everyday occurrence in Pakistan, many talented girls are married off at early ages by their parents and in my opinion these parents are a menace to our country, which is in dire need of doctors, teachers, nurses etc. 

It is very strange that in this enlightened age of ours there are people who are very much against their sons and daughters receiving good education,  for reasons known only to themselves. They are under the mistaken impression that higher education is very harmful, and against religion. 

In the Bantwa Memon community the bridegroom's parents receive a large amount of cash from the bride's parents, which usually runs into tens of thousands of rupees. It is not surprising therefore, that the girls are married off whenever their parents can arrange a marriage in which the amount demanded by the bridegroom's parents is not large.The result is that the girls do not get any education at all.

The only possible remedy for this is that education should be compulsory for all, and when the girls realize that they can earn their own living, their parents will be reluctant to marry them off at an early age, and perhaps the groom's parents will be equally reluctant to demand such huge amounts of money. 

Shakir Lakhani

Karachi