Youth Seen Picking Garbage at Boat Basin! Wow!

| June 12, 2010 | 4 Comments

I happened to stop at Boat Basin today evening for about 10 mins as my driver needed to collect mom’s dresses from the dry cleaner. While I sat in the car waiting for the driver to collect the clothes, I noticed a group of youngsters, aged between 17 to 20, collecting garbage from outside the shops.

These smartly dressed youngsters had black garbage bags in their hands and were wearing green masks to cover their mouths and gloves to cover their hands. I looked around to see how many they were and they were spread out in groups of 5 to 6 and in total, they would probably reach 20. I thought to myself that this was the type of youth we need to progress and handle the minor issues we face, throwing rubbish on the streets being one of them. But as I continued to be impressed by these kids, a thought flashed across my mind.

Have people started following them too? Have the audience/spectators started assisting them too? Have the people of Pakistan changed? Are we finally, all, being the change we want to see in the world? And there I got my answer! Obviously NOT! The most prominent spectators of this garbage picking noble cause were the waiters of the eateries (Chips Fast Food, Mr. Burger, Chick and Chips, Nihari Inn etc etc..).

These waiters, who probably are responsible for doing what these kids were doing on a daily basis, were standing in groups ridiculing these kids and pointing out where all the garbage was. I mean,** hello?**, you could pick it up if you see it, rather than considering this youth activity as Entertainment!

Sigh! We really aren’t going to change so soon. I include myself in this statement as i too did not get out of my car and give them a helping hand.

Thinking out loud, if similar activities start taking place at different parts of the city, outside our houses, on the streets, in public parks, in the regularly visited spots, maybe then we will be able to bring out the change. If there are a  number of people starting a tradition, it is bound to leave some impact. *i think*/*i hope*

Anyways, All in All, I give these youngsters a standing ovation for owning Karachi!

Tags: Boat Basin, car, change, Chick, chips, collecting garbage, daily basis, driver, garbage, garbage bags, karachi, Mr. Burger, pakistan, Social Responsibility, trash, waiters, youngsters, youth

Category: Other Stuff

About the Author (Author Profile)

A public relations executive by profession, I am relatively new to the world of blogging but am soon going to make my space! I am currently exploring my way to this virtual world of engagement!

  • http://waqasathersaeed.wordpress.com/ Waqas Ather Saeed

    They could maybe have recorded this and uploaded the video on YouTube and targeted the youth present on social media. The message behind the activity could have spread virally this way. Just a thought. But nonetheless, a good initiative on the part of those youngsters.

  • Raza Soomro

    You pointed out the need of the hour zahra, this thing which you noticed yesterday is not only the part of that only place which you visited. But rather it is the story of each city of Pakistan. The youth of Pakistan, which is going to represent our nation in next 15-20 years is going towards the direction from which we would not be able to get them back easily. Youth is the pillar of success for any nation, and our youth as you seen picking those garbage on the direction of some elderly persons would really be in a position to help our country grow? this is the question which probably comes always in our minds, because the problems that underpriveleged youth face are not only picking up those garbage but education, health and security. I wish we could do something for them…! Let’s hope for a big change in our minds which not only ignite us but help Pakistan to grow and grow faster..

  • Zahra Baray

    @ Raza: Just a clarification, the activity seemed driven by our educated youth themselves instead of some elder person. Infact, these youngsters seemed to be from educated families probably residing in higher income areas. But you do have a point…
    @ Waqas: Yes you are right! Youtube would have given them immense exposure.

  • nautical gifts

    While we are discussing about topics relevant to Youth Seen Picking Garbage at Boat Basin! Wow! : PakMediaBlog, those that earn their living on the water, like fishermen, report that the instrument assists them attain the weigh scales having a full load of fish.

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