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Chitral University
Dear Editor,
Proposals for Chitral University, I had submitted to the Chief
Executive of Pakistan in July 2000. These proposals were forwarded
by the Chief Executive Secretariat, Islamabad to the Ministry of
Education. Then the case of the establishment of Chitral University
was further forwarded by the Ministry of Education to the
Provincial Government of NWFP, the Provincial Government of NWFP
immediately established Hazara University instead of Chitral
University.
In early 1998, I had requested to our MNA to meet the Prime
Minister of Pakistan regarding ‘to initiate work at Lawari Tunnel’.
He said it’s a long story we have been learnt from our ancestors.
He also said we are planning to build an all weather carpeted road
via Kunnar Province of Afghanistan. According to them this is cheap
and reachable road. Humble submission to the leaders, do something
to the welfare of the people of Chitral.
These are for perusal, to establish of Chitral University, it may
well be the case that, in the desperate search for a new paradigm
to remedy inadequacies in economic rationalism, there are features
of the favoured administrative conceptual language which themselves
inhibit success. Specifically, there may be something in the way
that proposals, programmes and projects are envisaged and
implemented which is incompatible with the kinds of initiatives
which can survive despite economic rationalism. There maybe
something wrong with the ‘pro’ mode or at least something
incompatible with what is to be learnt from cultural reality. In
considering options, it is useful to reflect on the contrast
between top-down implementation of complex projects and means of
growing initiatives in a bottom-up mode.
We may need to envision or dream new ways to allow this concept to
grow and form. It is essential that it be grown from the ground-up
if it is to reflect the aims and objectives of the elders inspired
to share and teach their way of knowing with the wider community.
The big picture can be built from small pieces gradually. The
different learning camps will differ in their infrastructure needs.
Some semi permanent some more permanent. All structures must be
environmentally low impact designs, appropriate to the culture of
the communities of which they are part.
Volunteer groups of people could be coordinated to work on
developing the area. The team of young men and volunteers to build
modern versions of this traditional structure. More experimentation
with mixtures of traditional and new techniques could result in
some interesting new architectural designs. The resources this
project will attract depend on whom it inspires and to what extent
existing funding avenues can be used in various initiatives. A
challenge for the brave who believe that the integration of
indigenous knowledge, the society holds the possibility of
providing a new way of living in relationship with the Land and all
living beings. A deep knowledge that the Land is alive and we must
become active custodians of it. Thank you.
With regards,
Sincerely
Gul Nawaz
Islamabad
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