Sangota school no more there ........

source: A dear friend & a colleague, from Swat shared this poem & video. To reach out to many more, here it is.

This time I visit the shady town,
I see no smiles but faces frowned.

The little girl has asked me too,
where will she go for things to learn.

If they will come
and you will let the schools to burn.

O little girl, your little wish ,
your little prayers
will make amends and do repairs.

your little step to that old school
will make us smile and make us rule.

O God,
the winter snow has covered the mountain's peak.
in our favor, we request you to speak.

O God,
they are evil let them know,
with punishment and a vow.

Video Link: (couldnt embedd it in blog post, for unkown reasons)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5541890376465358826&hl=en

A summarized translation of the Pushto voice over:

"It was the best School in Swat made in 1965 known for its Discipline, quality of teaching and all the traits a good school has. It was a sanctuary to 1000 students and over. People would be proud of admitting their kids in this school. This school produced many doctors, engineers, scholars, ambassadors & politicians. But the most important thing is that it is one of the hundreds of schools burnt down or blown up."

Summarizing what the burqa clad student said: " They haven't destroyed the school, They have destroyed future of over 1,000 students. If you blow up Govt. Schools, who will provide for our education? "

in response to 'Things will get better in Swat' comment.......

Things wont get better unless people in Swaat are empowered themselves. Ever since it's annexation to NWFP, the employment opportunities, state services, educational institutes, industry, communnication, infrastructre, precious stone mining, the standard of living in general and the blood line of the valley, tourism, have been neglected. More and ... Read Moremore locals have to get out to major cities in search of these basic amenities of life.

Now the law and order. It has been bitterly used as a showcase for the western world by the previous military govt. that how big a threat the religious extremist are, not doing anything until the new Gen. took office. Unlike rest of the province, Swaat has no gun culture, no local jirga or civilian vigilantees. The local police was and still is too weak to encounter organised terrorism. Military presence is a temporary solution, which gives the other party a pretext to attack the peace loving people of valley.

Girl schools are nothing but symbolic targets. They are actually attacking the way of life people have adopted there which includes letting there girls get educated and become more contributing members of society.

Swaat used to be the most modern, progressive and peaceful of all states in sub-continent. Untill removal of its statehood, life there thrived. People had embraced a way of life which helped them progress. They left every one in that vicinity far behind both in cultural & economic progress. And, that is the reason for attacking, demolishing Swaat's way of life. The message is clear, 'Remain whatever you are like, Dont let your girls study, dont embrace the hospitals & roads, dont let someone use a computer,if you do like the Swatians did, you'll not be left alone.'