16-year-old Nargis Gul from the slums of Chakwal has just proved that there is no obstacle that cannot be overcome by sheer hard work and determination. Nargis, born and raised in the slums, decided not to let the odds come in the way of her dream to excel in education. She secured 1,004 marks in Senior Secondary Certificate (SSC) annual examination and also topped her class.

In a video message shared online, she said: “I have obtained 1,004 marks after so much hard work despite the hard conditions as we don’t even have a reasonable residence, whenever it rains, everything inside our hut gets wet along with my books,” further adding “I do not want any laptop from the government, but only education”.

She resides in a gypsy house containing two small rooms with her family and her mother sell the bangles to earn money. Her two cousins Aakash and Aksar are also studying in class eight to follow her.

The chief minister Punjab congratulated Nargis Gull on obtaining 1004 marks in science subjects in Rawalpindi Board matric examination and announced a free house for the talented student. The chief minister said that a free of charge house will be given to the student in Lahore or Chakwal according to her choice. He also gifted  five lakh rupees for day-to-day expenditure of Nargis Gull and her family whereas her educational expenses will also be borne by the provincial government. Shehbaz Sharif said that Nargis Gull has obtained outstanding marks in science subjects due to hard work despite difficult circumstances. He said that talented students like Nargis Gull are bright future of Pakistan and the nation is proud of her. He said that Punjab government will bear educational expenditure of Nargis Gull throughout her educational career.

The chief minister also talked to Gul’s teacher on phone in Chakwal and appreciated her efforts.

I applaud you on opening a silly debate once again my dear Donald Trump. Although I am not a politician and I rarely understand the tactics a politician uses to grab some innocent brains but apparently this time I noticed that many stable people are now after you for your hate speech against the Muslims. I sympathize with you for being so naïve and ignorant and facing the   regrets if you have any.  This is nothing new for me because I have heard many others before you delivering hate speeches and imposing their thoughts on others.

Sweet Dony, being a teacher it’s my moral obligation to teach you. I should bring in your knowledge that USA is not amongst the greatest countries due to such speeches, but due to its progressive nature, being open to criticism and the people of America have fought for freedom and fundamental rights. From George Washington to Clinton, many wise people had been come in power and had accepted other religions as a part of the United States; they had learned from their culture and today it is a wonderful country because it is multi-ethnic and has absorbed all the other religions. It has grown because the people of United States have fought against racism.

My dear Trumpster! You may disagree but you badly lack primary education where fundamental ethics of humanity are taught. Let me suggest you a wonderful school in Massachusetts. You must at least visit it once, provided you are not banned by Massachusetts State which stands at number 1 in the world’s finest education models. This wonderful school is Amherst Regional High School in the heart of a small town Amherst, a two hour drive from Boston.  You must be wondering how I know it being a humble Pakistani. Believe me I don’t intend to kill the people of United states and did not collect this detailed information to plan a massacre; on the other hand, and sorry to disappoint your intellect, got an opportunity to visit that school and meet the common American teachers.

DJT! Don’t wait, but get admission in any class of that school and you will find Mark Jackson who is the principal and you will surely get an inspiration from him. Actually, he can deal with you in a great manner, as he has dealt with his students by writing “zero tolerance for hatred” on the walls of  the school. You should meet Samantha E. Camera as well who is an active Social Studies teacher, and she has seen Muslims closely. I saw her chatting with Pakistani teachers and chanting with Iraqi students and you should know that most of them were Muslims. She has seen Pakistan and Indonesia and have had good time here with common Muslim people. She can be your best mentor because she knows that not every Muslim or Pakistani is an extremist. You should meet Annie Paradis who is a Biology teacher and one of my best friends. Do let me know if you need any assistance? I can talk to her and she will deal with you with all respect and can also explain how harmful a Muslim community is! Being a Biology teacher, she can also explain what happened to your biochemistry when you were delivering that hate speech. Before I forget, I must tell you about an old lady in the same school who is assistant teacher and I found her very kind although she knew that I am from Muslim community. She asked me many questions about my culture and traditions but in a descent way. Never forget meeting her rather request her to your teacher to learn manners.

Trumpy!  You know what? An American lady had tears in her eyes when she was leaving for United States from Pakistan. You might land in a state of shock on this information. She had tears for Muslim friends who love her and she loves them. Do not delay to get trained from the finest people on planet who hate the hatred. I wanted to introduce you to my teacher as well but forget about her for two reasons. (i) She can’t bear your thoughts (ii) she deals in higher education, so once you complete your early year program, then do let me know, you will be bearable.

Donald!  History has seen people like you in every regime. You can’t actually ban peaceful people; in fact, you need to get primary education. You can’t break the bond of love and respect between humans just for those tiny fractions who have nothing to do with humanity and religions. Don! Mind it, you can ban other religions for your country but you can’t ban the friendship and affections that common American keeps for others. You need nothing but a rigorous educational program at primary level by the finest school in Amherst and supervision by empathetic and learned teachers to teach you empathy and love.

I look forward sitting you one of those classes because you dream to become president of ‘United’ states by spluttering separating thoughts

The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of The Times of Youth

With every plodding second, the obscenities that encumber our planet are aggravating. Their rise is inexorable in rate. Amidst these adversities as the inhabitants of this planet, we have some duties to the place that our likes have lived in, since forever!

All these issues have been propagated so frequently that actually, most of us have been desensitized to their criticality. What this planet needs is more of a true acknowledgment of its damage and tangible measures to eradicate it. Declaring that we haven’t done anything for our world, is rather false.Treaties like Kyoto Protocol have been signed by numerous nations to reduce carbon emissions. CFCs that cause global warming and ozone depletion, have been banned worldwide. Countries like Singapore are on the brink of having a complete environment friendly transport system. United Nations has taken initiative in many aspects including saline land reclamation and afforestation through UNEP. Even at institutional level, progress has been made. Environmental societies are now formed in thousands of schools across the world.

Yet! A lot needs to be done! A common stigma is that saving planet has unbearable economic restraint. But this has been proven wrong many times. Scientists say that a shift to renewable energy resources can be incredibly cheaper in the long run. Added to this, most commonly, governments need to bring our planet among the top of their priorities. With budgets re-prioritized, a difference beyond our imagination can be made.

The mayhem that rules our planet isn’t only environmental in nature. It has become a havoc in all fields of activity. Terrorism and ethnic cleansing engulf several lives everyday. Despite international attempts eg air strikes, innocent lives are withering away. Poverty, on the other hand, has broken all records of the past.With no food to eat and no place to live, millions of people, living below the poverty line, look forward to a miracle. Teenagers, who have to burn midnight oil in their struggle to educate themselves, have to watch their dreams wilt away due to no employment opportunities

Globalization has made the world a smaller place, indeed, however, the misuse of this advancement is eroding the peace of earth. History’s most abhorrent crimes are taking place in this world today. And that one constant witness of all these brutalities is out planet. The victim, the witness and the bearer.

What goes around, comes around! Karma is probably quite evident when it comes to us and our planet. All the heinous mistakes that we have committed to Earth have repented to incur heavy damage to our lives. It is high time that we take effective measures to protect the remains of this heaven. Everything attempted in the past is now water under the bridge. A new beginning in the pursuit of a better world is eager to be put into action. Hence, to bequeath a world that is as heavenly as the one we inherited from our ancestors or an even better one, is not just a wish, but a need!