People are talking about —

— the news that Babar Azam has resigned as captain of the cricket team, something no one ever does in Pakistan. People say winning or losing is part of the game and the pressure that comes with being captain is incomparable to that faced by regular players as the captain is not only responsible for his own performance but that of others, hence putting all the blame on the captain when the entire team’s performances have not been good, is unfair.

— how unemployment is prevalent in the country and the government should concentrate on strategies that help create jobs, as there is no place for these graduates that may hire their services because business is at a low ebb and qualified engineers are no exception to the prevailing scenario. People say according to an estimate, around 100,000 engineers are currently unemployed and many of them have started looking around for greener pastures and will soon be leaving the country for good.

— how it is evident that our country lags behind in fostering practical learning experiences for our students, as countries that emphasize practical learning methodologies have witnessed a surge in technological advancements and innovative solutions, while we lag behind. Unfortunately, our education system often leans heavily on rote memorization, lacking practical application and critical thinking and to bridge this gap, it is imperative for our education institutions to incorporate more hands-on learning; problem solving scenarios and technology integration into the curriculum.

— the fact that as we grapple with the consequences of climate change, it’s imperative for us to take proactive steps to mitigate its impact and planting trees is an effective way to contribute to the wellbeing of our planet as they play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide, purifying the air and providing a habitat for diverse flora and fauna, which unfortunately, deforestation and urbanization have depleted. Also, while contributing to environmental conservation tree plantation fosters a sense of community engagement.

— how the common trend is a preference by most youngsters for medical or engineering fields of study and those who pursue other careers are not encouraged to do so. People say this perception is flawed as everyone’s inclination is unique and how awful it would be if the country is populated by doctors and engineers, with no artists, professors, singers, fashion designers, scientists, motivational speakers, religious scholars, politicians, journalists, managers, officers, actors, or even shopkeepers constitute the fabric of our society.

— the report that the Punjab government announced banning vehicles on the Mall in Lahore on Sundays to prevent smog and only cyclists will be allowed on the road. People say this is a great idea but it should not be limited to only combat smog but become a regular feature to improve the quality of the air and it should be implemented all over the country, in stages as a start but for the country as a whole in time to come.

— how the emphasis on material wealth can lead to income inequality, as individuals prioritize personal gain over societal welfare, which further limits the ability of the poor to improve their circumstances, as resources that could be used to address poverty are diverted towards personal enrichment. People say to address these challenges, a more balanced approach to development, one that values both material wellbeing and social equity, is essential as it is the human spirit that counts and not material possessions. —