What’s with all the record setting?
First, at the Punjab Youth Festival and then at the Lahore Expo Centre, with Guinness World Records officials in attendance to rule fair judgments, students and others broke Guinness world records in tasks such as the highest number of people simultaneously singing the national anthem, the most martial arts kicks in three minutes, as well as wiring a plug, setting up a chessboard and making roti in the shortest amount of time. Although one must admit that mixing ingredients, kneading dough and cooking three rotis in three minutes and 14 seconds is quite impressive, one must ask where the funds for all these activities came from and why did setting world records suddenly become a priority. Was the taxpayers’ money used for this, when it could have been used for fighting crime, helping the destitute or going towards the numerous other critical requirements of the country?
The point is not to express disapproval of holding a festival for the youth of Punjab — in fact, this is a positive development — but to say that this, perhaps, should not necessarily be a priority in this hour of need and desperation for the country, given our strained resources and socioeconomic and political situation. Albeit, this reinforces the idea that Pakistani citizens possess talent and still have passion, whether it is patriotism or a competitive nature that is the driving force behind their achievements. Nonetheless, it also reinforces the idea that our country has its priorities mixed up.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 25th, 2012.
COMMENTS (5)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1731454275-0/Martha-(2)1731454275-0-165x106.webp "article")
1731451969-0/Trump-(4)1731451969-0-165x106.webp "article")
Its time that we stopped taking such a negative view all the time. In reference to Sana's comment, you were there at some of these events, why? It can be assumed because you enjoyed the recreational activities provided to you at these events. Therefore it is quite hypocritical of you to present a negatives view of said events. Generally our country provides very few opportunities for people to be creative, have fun and get an opportunity to be in the limelight ( positive manner) and I for one am happy to see its through these events rather than strikes, bombings and corruption related issues. It is essential for our youth to have positive role models in life. Way to go record setters/breakers!
There is finally some thing to be proud of. Oh such joy, celebrate thr great People of Pakistan.
Instead of keeping our human rights record straight nation is bussy on making silly things. Pure inanity.
I agree with the writer.I myself have attended some of the events discussed above. In broad perspective, this is not what we actually need to do right now on such a large scale. I participated in SAC too, but now when i think of it..its a total waste of money and paints in the name of 'healthy activities'..same goes for the free laptops. God! dont we have other problems to solve?
What a needlessly negative write-up. This spree of setting records was a healthy, amusing, and alternative activity in a country mired in too much bad news. I am sure it put a smile on the face of everyone who heard of or read about it. While we are on the topic of using resources optimally, there was also really NO need to waste precious editorial space on complaining unnecessarily.