Many adults may not grasp this, especially younger people often fail to realize that the lifespan of nations and countries is not as long as that of individuals. You’ve probably heard the phrase from thinkers or intellectuals:
“50 years is nothing in the lives of nations”
This is why we might say about the Soviet Union:
“The Soviet Union perished in its infancy.”
In contrast, Russia has a history spanning over a thousand years. When people claim that “everyone” is advancing while Pakistan lags behind after just seventy years, it reflects a lack of understanding. Often, comparisons are made with America or China.
However, comparing Pakistan, which is seventy years old, with America, which is 250 years old, is flawed. And comparing Pakistan to China—an ancient civilization with over 5,000 years of history—is even more misguided.
Consider that during World War II, China was occupied by eighteen Western countries for more than a century. Yet, despite this, China remains deeply committed to its culture. The Chinese president speaks his native language, despite knowing English, because language is a cornerstone of civilization.
In contrast, when commenting on social media, Pakistanis often use English and believe this is an exceptional achievement. True progress is reflected in nations that refuse to abandon their language and culture, even after enduring centuries of oppression.
The essence of our freedom movement was not just about ousting British rulers, but also about this:
“Sir, we have learned your language and adopted your culture. You no longer need to rule over us. Go home, and you’ll see us as loyal servants from afar.”
Yet, we turn around and demand:
“Excuse me! Give me a cheeseburger and pie. And be careful with the mayonnaise; you ruined my jeans yesterday.”
And these clowns termed it “progress.”
If you’re still unconvinced, you might suggest comparing Pakistan to India. We were once one country, split into two, so how are we falling behind? Have you ever heard of Hindu civilization? Probably not, because we’ve been led to believe that India’s history started when Muslim traders arrived on the shores of Kerala, and before that, it was just a land of tigers, elephants, and monkeys. The Muslim era in India is often portrayed as the end of Hindu civilization.
Take Tagore, for example. At a low point in his own time, he approached Einstein and said:
“Come, let me enlighten you with some wisdom.”
Their conversation is well-documented. Tagore once said:
“Great consciousness is like a giraffe with its head in the clouds and its heart sick below.”
Fyodor Dostoevsky also commented:
“Too much awareness is a disease. Awareness should be just enough to navigate life.”
You might think these views are eccentric because you’re led to believe that greater consciousness means escaping God. Nietzsche famously declared:
“God is dead. Superman has taken his place.”
Historically, there were four major centers of knowledge in Muslim civilization: Hijaz, Andalus, Baghdad, and Samarkand. Indian cities are notably absent from this list. Until the 18th century, scholars prioritized jurisprudence over hadith, and the Mughal rulers focused their intellectual efforts on grand architecture, leaving the public with poetry rather than scientific advancement.
Now, look at Pakistan. If you do, you might see it as a youthful nation that more established countries find challenging. Despite being just seventy years old, Pakistan is doing better than America did at that age. If you don’t believe it, study America’s first century.
