BBRT

Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project

Peshawar is the capital of the northwestern province of Pakistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and is the sixth-largest city of Pakistan. It is known for its ancient civilization, exemplary hospitality, an endless variety of delicious food, and patriotic zeal. The city is also known as the ‘city of flowers’. Due to its geographical location, Peshawar is the economic hub of the region. Being among the most ancient cities, Peshawar is also the center of trade. It is a city with the most famous tourist spots. But despite all these positive traits, the city had its fair share of challenges like any other growing city in the world.

As Peshawar was listed among the rapidly growing cities, providing accessible, affordable and comfortable public transport emerged as a big task. Dilapidated mass transit vehicles, countless private vehicles, scattered pedestrians all resulting chaotic traffic and terrible pollution were various facets of this challenge. Public transportation options were limited to pickup trucks, poorly maintained buses, and expensive taxis. As Pakistan embarks on economic and industrial development, Peshawar also accepted the challenge to fulfill the need for public transport. In 2013, the Government of KPK introduced the idea of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) for Peshawar. The system was inaugurated on 13th August 2020, by Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan.

In 2017, Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) launched the construction of the project. On 19th October 2017, the former chief minister of KPK, Pervez Khattak, laid the foundation stone of the project. The BRT consists of an east-west corridor that stretches from Chamkani to the Karkhano market. The system consists of elevated, at ground, and underground sections. The corridor is served by 32 Bus Stations designed to be modern and safe. Each station is within 850 meters reach making it convenient for the passengers to access public transport. There are separate waiting rooms, bathrooms, and ticket counters for women.

BRT has planned almost a fleet of 220 air-conditioned and heated, flat-floor buses. Each bus provides free Wifi services, and charging ports for commuters. Buses are supplied by a Chinese company named Xiamen Golden Dragon Bus Co. Ltd.  The new system deploys environmental friendly electric-hybrid system to improve transport conditions. The buses are charged within 20 minutes from their particular stations. Unlike normal public transport, an IT-based traffic control system provides availability of buses at the station after every 5 minutes for the convenience of passengers. Public transports are often overcrowded and risky for public safety when competing aggressively for passengers. BRT is a secure means of travel, especially for women and elders.

BRT is the only project that provides the facility of Park and ride. This allows commuters to avoid congested road traffic. It has provided cheap yet reliable transport to the passengers. It has also provided 4,000 employment opportunities, including the drivers of former public buses. On regular basis, approximately more than 2 lacs passengers are using this advanced service.

The stations are monitored through CCTV cameras, to ensure the security of the commuters. The buses are also equipped with security cameras. These cameras functions as a serious impediment to criminal activities and inappropriate behavior. These surveillance systems provide passengers with an added sense of security. Thus, making transport for independent women safer than ever.

For many disabled and mobility-impaired Pakistanis, transport has been a serious issue. For many handicapped and disabled persons, public transport was a life-and-death challenge. BRT has made accessibility a priority for the disabled. Every bus is wheelchair accessible with either a lift or ramp. Escalators are made for the feasibility of wheelchair users at every station.

The estimated cost of the system is RS 71 billion jointly financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), AFD, and the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The project has expected to reduce greenhouse gas by 31,000 tonnes of carbon per year. These eco-friendly buses are beneficial for reducing vehicle emissions and improving the environment. Recently, Peshawar received an international award, the Gold Standard Service Award, for its clean technology buses and introducing non-motorized transport. Earlier, the BRT had also received the certificate of International Sustainable Award by the International Transport Organization. The UN Women has given privileged to the BRT for providing the best and safe traveling facility to women.

BRT has achieved its aim as the passengers are very satisfied with the facilities provided in this system. Earlier, there were severe challenges for women and elder civilians, but after the inauguration of BRT, females feel safe to travel in buses. Taking public transport for students inevitability means spending hours and changing several buses while commuting. BRT buses have provided a great facility to the student by reducing their travel times.

The CEO of BRT is focused to promote non-motorized transport by providing sidewalks and bicycle lanes for the students of the University of Peshawar. The project is transforming the lives of citizens through sustainable mobility.

SMoggg

A tourist in love with Swat Valley finds Hazy Lahore Choking with Pollution

By Hamna Rehman

After visiting scenic valley of Swat of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa having clear skies and healthy air, landing in Lahore was like stepping into a brick-line. The pollution has made it unbearable to breath which is a painful specially when you just experienced a better air quality and nature in areas like Kumrat in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa.

Pakistani Cultural capital Lahore, also known as Mughal city of Gardens, is assuredly worth a visit. It is a sprawling city with historical gems hidden in it. But in recent years, all these attractions of Lahore have vanished behind the intensifying climate crisis in the city due to pollution. The city famous for its gratifying and wide array of food, spectacular and colorful streets, a variety of cultures, is now suffocating the civilians. Recently, Lahore has been ranked as the world’s most polluted city with a particulate matter (PM) rating of 377, well above the hazardous level of 300, as per Air Quality Index (AQI).

The residents of the cultural city are now struggling to breathe its air. The children and elders are suffering from respiratory and other related illnesses, which are causing damage to their lungs. Civilians are investing in air purifiers. Children are not attending schools regularly. Burning eyes, sore throat, headaches, and eye irritation is common among the Lahoris, especially the children. People have begun to avoid morning strolls and other open-air activities.

The only reason why Lahore pollution is becoming a hot topic is that it is the only city in the country that has air quality monitors operating. There are incredibly high levels of air pollution throughout South Asian cities.

The toxicity in the air is due to numerous reasons and causes. Vehicular and industrial pollution along with crop burning hold their positions among the causes of air pollution. Rapid industrialization has caused the country to face intense air pollution.

Increasing air pollutants and smog have forced authorities to order a partial closure of schools in Lahore. Authorities have closed some factories and plants without scrubbers, while some were penalized for not using technology that helps in controlling pollution.

The Punjab government imposed section 144 to control smog and take action against those causing air and environmental pollution. Punjab Finance Minister, Hashim Jawan Bakht,  warned that only Euro-5 petroleum products will be allowed for sale in Lahore. The officials have decided to prohibit the supply of Euro-2 fuel.

The Environmental experts have been campaigning to create awareness among people about the dangers of unhealthy air by planning workshops and panel discussions. The air-polluting vehicles must be seized right away. Public transport must be preferred instead of using multiple vehicles.

Medical and health professionals have advised citizens to wear facemasks and eye wears in open spaces and avoid an unnecessary visit to open areas to avoid any sort of respiratory disorder. Since the children are most vulnerable to toxic air, limit the amount of time your child spends playing outdoors. Avoid burning wood, tires, plastics, or trash.

child laboi

Child Labour: The Forgotten Problem

Pakistan has an estimated 3.708 million child labourers in the 10-17 years age bracket, according to Labor Force Survey (LFS) 2014-15. Child labour has been in existence since the dawn of human civilisation and has subsisted because it is economic indispensability for many families living in impecuniosity.

There is a plethora of verbalisation exists about this dilemma of child labour in the media and our society. However, we still optically discern children being coerced to work in perilous conditions and at a puerile age in factories, repair shops, agricultural fields, for domestic purposes.

Like any other socioeconomic problem, child labor has many causes. Lack of access to compulsory and free education opportunities, infringed subsisting laws along with weak code of conducts are among the key reasons driving the child labor culture in third world countries like Pakistan. Economic deprivation and poverty however remains the chief contributing factors.

Effects of child labour are disastrous for the country and children both. With continuation of this age old issue, Pakistan has suffered on diplomatically and economically. Child labour issue prevented Pakistan from earning valuable foreign exchange through the exports of carpet. Pakistan’s carpet industry, in the past, used the children as work force, often in poor conditions.

Apart from that, it has been observed that child labor often usher another problem of violence against children. Many such cases has been reported in recent times. Last year in June 2020, eight years old domestic worker Zohra Shah was killed by the couple Hasan Siddiqui & her wife Umm e Kulsoom. Finally, child abuse is also related to child labor.

Though Pakistan has passed the laws in an attempt to curtail the problem of child labour and to indenture servitude, but those laws are completely ignored by many businesses particularly in SME (Small and Medium Enterprises) sector.

Apart from government efforts, there are many NGOs working on this issue. “Save the Children” is one of these. Effort made by Save the Children are aimed at ascertaining to put an end to child labor. It has been working with some of the sports goods manufacturers to ensure that children are not employed at sport goods factories. Some others NGOs are also active for this purpose. Awareness regarding the employment of children in homes, shops, and factories must be spread to discourage such practices.

Pakistan would need a holistic approach to combat this socioeconomic evil. All stakeholders will have to be made part of a public-private drive. Parents, businessmen, NGOs, media and lawmakers will have to work closely to tackle this issue at different levels. At top, lawmakers need to concentrate on providing enough economic opportunities for children and their parents so that they do not have to resort to working illicitly in order to get money. Once that done, a law must be introduced with punishment for parents who still force children to work.

On another level, the social security programs by the govt. including, Bait-ul-Mal and Zakat programs should be reinforced and promoted to give benefits to a maximum number of poor families.

On legal dimension, the government must remove all the lacunas in the legal framework of the country which culprit of child abuse often use to safe their skin. It is high time for government to start penalising the culprits of child labor. Save the invaluable and priceless youth by paying for their education instead.

Finally, providing quality edification to all children must be top priority of government both at federal and provincial level.

NGOs and media must act as watchdogs; keeping eye on patterns of child labor in the country and raising awareness about it and its possible adverse effects for children.

Efforts should be made to forfend the children of our future from child labour which includes child abuse. Let’s stop child labour together. It is a tough issue to tackle, but we require to get the ball rolling as in the recent times, child labor and related issues, once considered as astronomical quandary, has been forgotten as the world has moved on.

Tobaaako

Quit tobacco to be a winner

World No Tobacco Day is observed around the world every year on 31 May to spread awareness regarding the fatal effects of tobacco.
The use of tobacco keeps on growing in Pakistan because of a lack of understanding approximately its dangers. Smoking may be a worldwide hazard considered one of the most vital reasons behind preventable premature death.
Smoking cigarettes, pipe, cigar, hubbly-bubbly, and different use of tobacco like chewing tobacco and sniffing all are dangerous and
addictive.
A vasoconstrictive in tobacco smoke causes addiction by increasing the brain levels of chemicals Dopastat and Endrophine. These chemicals provide sense of satisfaction.
In Pakistan, it is estimated that the prevalence of tobacco smoking in males is 36% and 9% among females. Pakistan is one of 15 countries worldwide with a heavy burden of tobacco-related ill health. Tobacco use is the main preventable cause of death in the country, accounting for one-third of all cancer deaths.
It is the sole most important cause of preventable premature death and disability with the number one killer being lung cancer. As in smoking, it causes various mental disorders: depression, anxiety, anorexia nervosa, self-harm, binge eating disorder, etc. The main symptom on both sides of the cigarette has been its addictive power; although not as bad as that of heroin or morphine but worse than all types of alcohol, which leads us to think addiction rather simply may have replaced morality!
There is a need for Tobacco awareness among teenagers. Some of the contributing factors that lead teenagers towards consumption of tobacco are
 Curiosity
 Peer pressure
 Western lifestyle
 Media and appealing ads
 Toxic environment
 Attitude of family and friends
 Guardian’s negligence
 Stress
 Self-esteem
 To look cool and attractive among friends by drinking flavorful huqas and vapes (E-cigarette)
Besides the tobacco industry has also started a tactic of using flavors in
tobacco products to attract young people and make them addicted. It turns out that menthol makes it easier to start smoking and harder to quit.
To some smoking E-cigarette, may makes you look attractive and cool but do you know that you are gambling with your precious life. E-cigarettes containing nicotine and some salts make it easier to inhale a large amount of nicotine.

Government should take immediate action to control tobacco consumption. It should adopt a range of measures including curtailing tobacco advertisement, restrictions on smoking in public places, increase in tobacco taxation, ban on tobacco smuggling. Government should operate public education and information campaigns to encourage smokers to quit and aware them of the harms of tobacco. Educational Programs and Anti-tobacco campaign must be made obligatory, as it has shown to increase knowledge and prevent use of tobacco among youth. Rehabilitations and Treatment centers must be open in every city with full facilities.
Stop being a slave of tobacco. This year the theme of World No-Tobacco Day is “Quit Tobacco to be a winner”. Quitting tobacco is victory! Quit it to develop a healthy lifestyle!

Fight against water scarcity

Fight against water scarcity

Hamnah Rehman

Water is the most precious resource on earth. About 79% of the Earth’s surface is covered with water and 3% of it is freshwater that is fit for human consumption but more than 2.2 billion people do not have access to an improved water supply. Yet, people who have access to safe and clean water take it as given and don’t use it sensibly.

Water scarcity is the lack of sufficient available water resources to meet the demand for usage within a region. Over the last century, the usage of water has increased twice as fast as the population.

Water scarcity is increasing in different corners of the world, particularly in Pakistan, China, India, the Middle East, and many countries and regions of Africa including Ethiopia, Niger, Sahara, and Angola.

Causes

The misuse and overuse of water is a huge issue leading to water scarcity. Inefficient practices use more water than necessary, it may be for recreational activities, domestic use, or industrial purposes. Overuse in agriculture is a major source of water deficiency.

Water pollution, another big cause, has environmental consequences that made the water unfit for use. Fertilizers and pesticides, agricultural runoff, soil depletion, urban sewage conditions are detrimental to large water surfaces.

Owing to medical advancements that have prolonged life and improve mortality rates, the human population has doubled and continues to grow. Due to which the water demand has ascended leading to greater pressure on available water resources.

Climate change is disrupting weather patterns, increasing the frequency and intensity of rainfall. Disasters like flooding or drought are expected to increase with the increase in climate changes. When disasters hit, they can contaminate entire water supplies, increasing the risk of fatal diseases. Every day 700 children die due to insufficient availability of clean and safe water. Climate change and global warming are worsening the water crisis.

Groundwater is being depleted. It is a serious threat to the environment. It is highly valuable for crops, animals, and drinking purposes. It is something we all need. According to WWF-Pakistan, groundwater depletion in Lahore has reached at critical level.

Prevention

Water scarcity is reaching an alarming level. The sign of water stress is seen almost everywhere in Pakistan. We all need water to survive.

Education and awareness are essential to solving the critical crisis of water shortage. Communication through conventional and social media can create an impact to avoid water scarcity. Making people aware of the crisis and making them understand is helpful to restore the crisis.

Improving the sewage system in many regions is another way to prevent water scarcity. Without proper sanitation, water becomes unfit to drink.

We should prevent water pollution where possible, from agricultural runoff and excessive use of chemicals including fertilizers and pesticides to the dumping of waste in water bodies. Taking small steps can create huge results.

Building dams of both large scale and small scale can be helpful in the prevention of water scarcity but efforts must be made to reduce their cost.

Reforestation plays an influential role in maintaining climate change and temperature, bringing rain and pollution. It is also crucial in controlling recurring floods.

Rainwater harvesting and recycled wastewater also allow to reduce scarcity and ease pressures on groundwater. Groundwater recharge, which allows water to move from surface water to groundwater, is a method to limit water scarcity.

In words of W.H Auden

“Thousands Have Lived Without Love, Not One Without Water.”

Water scarcity is pushing many regions to the brink of life. Water is the most fundamental, crucial element of life, and water crisis solutions are desperately needed to ensure peace and prosperity.

Haseena Moin: Nation's Treasure

Haseena Moin: Nation’s Treasure

Pakistan’s veteran scenarist and novelist, Haseena Moin, passed away on 26th March. With her demise, a golden era has gone too.

Haseena Moin was born in Kanpur, India on November 20, 1941. After the independence, her family settled in Karachi, Sindh. Her fame started evoking as she wrote some monumental plays for Radio Pakistan. She also wrote Pakistan’s first original and authentic script ‘Kiran Kahani’ that aired at the beginning of the 1970s, as before this PTV used to rely on a novel-based script.

Due to the encouragement of director Mohsin Ali, Haseena Moin who was hesitant and nervous took the guts to pen down the script. As the play aired, it became a huge accomplishment and made a mark in history. She was the writer of the first coloured drama of Pakistan, called Parchaiyan, which also was directed by Mohsin Ali.

Haseena Moin penned down many outstanding and eminent plays like Shehrozi, Uncle Urfi, Ankahi, Pal do pal, Tanhaiyaan, Tere aa jane se, Mere Dard ko Jo Zuban Milay, Kaisa Yeh Junoon, Dhundle Raaste, Shayad ke Bahar Aaye, and Guriya. Referring to her illness with breast cancer, Haseena Moin had written a web-series on the subject. It is scheduled to release next month.

Haseena Moin, who received love and support from both sides of the border, also wrote dialogues Raj Kapoor’s blockbuster dream project “Henna”. She was the one who introduced our nation’s icon Zeba Bakhtiar to Raj Kapoor for the movie. She also wrote a play for India called Tanha, and Kash-m-kash

Haseena Moin wrote the script of the Lollywood film, Yahan se Wahaan tak, starring the chocolate hero of Pakistani cinema, Waheed Murad. She wrote dialogues for Nazdekiyan and Kahin Pyar Na Ho Jaye.

The breast cancer survivor, Haseena Moin won numerous awards and achievements. She received the Pride of Performance Award in 1987. She also won the Woman of the Year Award. Her play Guriya won an award at the Global TV Plays Festival in Tokyo. Her films also gained many prestigious national awards. She had won many awards at Lux Style Award and PTV awards.

During the late 80s, Moin Akhter gave a tribute to her at the PTV Award ceremony.

Haseena Moin created such female roles that inspired our young generation. Before certainly there was no strong and passionate female character in Pakistani Dramas, but Haseena Moin took the courageous step and depicted the strength of women through her writing. In her own words,

“I decided I will never write about feeble, defenceless women who spend their time self-pitying rather than propelling change through their actions or intellect.”

Through her plays, she delivered a message to the women to break the shackles of gender discrimination. Haseena Moin’s empowering female characters were examples of the intellectual individual. Her writing style had defy gender role stereotypes.

Haseena Moin’s sad demise has left a huge void in this country. There’s hardly anyone who can replace her reality portraying characters, possessing intelligence and a strong personality. She is and will be our nation’s treasure.

 

Pakistan Army Ushered Change in Ex-FATA through Education

Pakistan Army Ushered Change in Ex-FATA through Education

Not so long ago, whenever the TV was turned on, there would have been news of violence and raised militancy in the Ex-FATA region. The post-Soviet war period made this region volatile and dangerous as it became a hub of militant groups including Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, and criminals who had fled there from mainland Pakistan. Since the 9/11 incident in the United States in 2001, FATA was a major field of terrorism and militancy.

These militant groups used religion as a source of radicalization by distorting religious teachings and they used violence and indoctrination of young minds from FATA for the dispersal of their ideology. For this, they also established some Madrassahs in the region. Their main objective was not religious education but the brainwashing of the young minds to exploit to further their goals of spreading violence using these young men as suicide bombers.

Post 9/11, Pakistan Army had started series of military operations against terrorist groups in FATA. Many terrorists belonging to different groups were killed while the rest flee to Afghanistan. From Afghanistan, these militants launch attacks on Pakistan’s Military post near the border.

Pakistan Army launched about 10 large and countless small military operations against the Taliban in Ex-FATA. Operation in North Waziristan, Zarb-e-Azb, completely flushed out all the militants. Zarb-e-Azb was followed by Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, to eliminate the menace of terrorism and its support-base in Pakistani society. So far, security forces have carried out hundreds of intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in every nook and corner of the country.

During the reign of terror under militants, FATA faced immense social and cultural crises. Particularly, militants destroyed educational institutions to create spaces for their twisted and violent narrative of Islam. The children were deprived of their rights to education. 1,195 girls’ schools were destroyed by the militants. Society was pushed far away from modernization.

Later on, the combat on terror had critical repercussions on the population in social, economical, cultural, and psychological spheres of life. This explains the suffering of the people of FATA owing to prevailing blemishes in socio-political structures.

In the aftermath of anti-terror operations, FATA is now a part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, struggled a lot with the effects of the war on terror. Rehabilitation and repatriation of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) was a mammoth task but the most challenging endeavour was to restore education institutions most of which were converted into their bases by the militants while the remaining were simply destroyed.

Pakistan Army once again took action to regulate education being the backbone of social, political, economic, and cultural progress. They took prompt measures to rebuild the destroyed schools in the regions including Bajur, Orkzai, Kurram, South Waziristan, and North Waziristan. It was realized by the Pakistan Army during the initial stages of military operations that only education can usher a lasting socio-economic and political change in the local mindset. Education provided the youth means to overcome the trauma of war and terror and being able to integrate themselves in the mainstream of Pakistani youth with ample opportunities to excel. Now, due to restored schools and newly built educational institutes, youth in tribal districts is confident and socially aware.

Pakistan Army is carrying out a monitoring role in education and health sectors in tribal districts as new civilian departments are in making after the merger of this region with KPK. The involvement of the armed forces had put a positive impact on the education sector as many parents were hesitant due to past conflicts of terror. As the outcome of the efforts made by the armed forces, the tribal area which was once a battlefield is now on its way to improvement. The restoration of schools and educational institutes is a symbol of advancement. The efforts and measures by the armed forces ushering a social reform and development offered hope to the people of tribal areas.

Impact of COVID-19 on Students

Impact of COVID-19 on Students

The covid-19 quandary is far from over, the third wave has commenced in Pakistan. Cases are rising day by day. As the pandemic is proceeding speedily across the country, the government has begun taking steps to prevent the UK-variant of corona virus to increase. The government has implemented a two-week smart lockdown in many cities including Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sargodha, and Rawalpindi. Due to which Federal Minister for Education announced the closure of educational institutes from March 15.

It is feared that lockdown of educational institutes is going to hinder students’ learning since after lifting of restrictions the students hardly adapted to their schedule. Fresh closure will disrupt the regular class activities yet again and it’s hard to tell if they will be ever able to get their syllabus covered within the year. Government may have to cancel annual summer vacations for making up the wasted time due to lockdown and closures but doing so will be equal to putting students to risk in another way.

Schools’ closures also carry high social and financial damages as following the decision of lockdown many institutes prepare to return to online learning. Online learning can never be a substitute for classroom learning but it is better than no learning at all. But here the major challenge is outreach of electronically delivered class lectures. Video streaming usually requires a high-bandwidth and if hundreds of thousands of students are going to avail it, one can understand how much this requirement will inflate.

Unfortunately, only a fraction of people in Pakistan has access to gadgets and the internet. Online learning has created a gap between those having and those without high speed internet access.

Distance learning programs tend to be disordered and frustrating, even in the best circumstances as the teachers are hesitant how to manage association with students to maintain learning. Direct interaction with teachers and peers is vital for students.

Many educational areas including social interaction are highly affected due to lockdown. There are other adverse effects that impact the students and their ability to learn. For example weak eyesight, behavioral issues, and sleep deprivation among students are found to be higher in this lockdown.

School is not only the source for gaining knowledge but it also teaches emotional learning to students. Students acquire friendships, learn to share and care, and gain self-control and tolerance. Thus due to social isolation, frustration, depression, and loneliness are seen among young students.

Online distractions is another major problem students struggle to cope with. While connecting for online classes or submittal of assignments, students can astray easily by attractive online ads or social media buzz resulting in loss of time and focus.

As the 3rd fatal wave of COVID-19 has hit Pakistan, the health of students must be a priority. But to mitigate the negative impacts of the lockdown, educational institutes need resources to recover the loss of students. Institutes need to learn from past experiences and devise effective plans to revise their methodology. On the other hand, government has a more critical role to play. As distance learning is depended on availability of high speed internet, ensuring its availability across the entire swathe of the country must be top agenda for government. Without high speed internet, there is a clear and present danger that Pakistan will eventually loss a large chunk of its otherwise very intelligent and able youth.

Pakistani Students and Online Learning

Pakistani Students and Online Learning

As the COVID-19 pandemic has become a global challenge, it has affected every aspect of life. Like many other things, the COVID-19 pandemic has radically changed students’ lives. It has led to the closure of all the educational institutions all over the world. Getting an education has become more difficult for young people particularly ones living in rural areas or third world countries.

Pakistan was no exception in this regard, online learning was introduced in Pakistan to overcome the interruption of education. Almost all the institutions of Pakistan have started online learning even those where there was no concept of Distance Learning existed before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Online learning is learning through technology and the internet. For many institutions of Pakistan, online learning was a difficult choice due to the lack of skilled teachers to use technology. Another aspect was the poor quality of the internet in a large swathe of the country. Many students had to go open places in search of internet signals.  Notwithstanding all these issues, online learning also has its advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages:

  • One of the biggest advantages of online learning is the accessibility of time and place. Online learning allows students to log on where they are comfortable. Thus, students can have access to the study material whenever and wherever they want. In Pakistan, the transport was the main issue for students but due to e-learning, they can take classes from their home directly.
  • Online learning offers a study plan that is beyond traditional textbooks. Many online resources are also included to extend the lesson plan. Thus, students can gain knowledge from other resources too. All you need is a computer and all of the study material, assignments, and researches will be with you all the time.
  • As online classes can be taken from the location of students’ own choice, students’ attendance has improved a lot. Some fewer students miss their classes. Students take their online classes from the location they are most comfortable at.
  • In a class, there are a variety of students. Some students are visual learners, while others are audio learners. Some students are introverts and prefer to learn alone, and some students take part in discussions during the lecture. Online learning is bale to suit all types of students.
  • Online learning has provided students a chance to utilize their free time to adopt a hobby, to spend time with their families, ride a bicycle or learn another course.

Disadvantages

There are pros and cons to everything. Thus, some of the cons or disadvantages of online learning are

  • One of the biggest challenges of online learning is that some students can be easily distracted by social media. However, some students are not able to focus on the screen for a long period. Moreover, In fully online classes, misbehavior of students has been increasing rapidly. Therefore, the teacher must keep its class attentive and captivated so the class can be focused easily. For online learning, the student must be self-motivated.
  • Wifi-coverage and slowing down of internet speed have become a big issue with the rise in the number of online learners. An unstable internet connection can hinder a teacher’s lecture or a student’s class
  • Online learning has created a gap between students who have access to the internet, technologies, and digital devices at home, and those who do not. In Pakistan’s remote areas, the unavailability of internet connection and technology is making studying impossible for students.
  • Although online learning is beneficial in many other fields but due to it, students are unable to learn practical work. Science classes always demand practical work. Thus, not all fields can be learned online.
  • Online study has diminished social interaction. Many fields in Universities require social interactions. Despite all the advantages, some students still need traditional classrooms to learn. As social interaction for some can be stimulating for their learning experiences.

It is evident from the above comparison between the advantages and disadvantages of online learning, Pakistani students were unable to get any benefit from online learning experiments due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Now as the schools have been reopened, it is being assumed that students will be able to get full advantages of their classroom learning where they will be able to interact with their teachers and peers.

In Pursuit of healthy habits

Healthy habits and a positive mindset are critical elements of individual success. But it’s a known fact that building a new habit is as challenging as breaking the bad one. Good and healthy habits are built in the same way as the unhealthy ones but through practice.

Nowadays the world is in chaos. The pandemic is creating depression, fear, and stress among the people staying at home in quarantine and self-isolation. During such time it is preferred to adopt a healthy habit that will not only benefit your physical but mental health as well.

Such healthy habits, such as writing a journal, reading a chapter of a good book daily, 30 minutes of exercise daily, planning your day ahead, and practicing gratitude daily, can be build during quarantine more easily than ever.

We are all creatures of habits. We tend to follow the same pattern of life daily, waking up at the same time, brushing our teeth, and scrolling our phone while eating breakfast. But it is hard for us to create healthy habits.

Following methods are useful for creating healthy habits

Good reason

Before doing anything you need a good reason. Figure out your “Big WHY”. Think out why do you want to build a healthy habit? Get a clear and positive reason. It’s a significant step for advancing in life. Like everything else, creating a good base is a prerequisite for developing new and healthy habits.

Start smaller

One of the big mistakes we usually make while creating a healthy habit is trying to start with bigger and bold steps right from the onset which eventually tired us down. To make an effective plan, you must start with small but judicious steps. In the words of famous self-trainer Leo Babauta, “Make it so easy that you can’t say no”.

For example, starting with a workout routine of 10 minutes daily and then gradually increasing time can be very effective instead of starting the workout for 1 hour straight for the very first day.

Stay on Track

Sometimes it is difficult to stick to the same plan. Keep a record of your progress through some sort of tracker. During such times when you think that you’re about to fall, find something to keep you motivated. This is very important in developing new habits like Mark Twain said, “a habit cannot be tossed out the window; it must be coaxed down the stairs a step at a time.”

Self-control and discipline is the strength that helps you in  Identifying what’s making you stumble and fixing it eventually.

Reward yourself

Allow yourself to relax for a specific period at the end of the week. It is a way to reward yourself and stay motivated at the same time. Rewarding means to satisfy your craving. To maintain healthy habits there must be some downtime too.

3 R’s method

A 3-Step pattern can be significant while creating a habit.

  1. Reminder, the trigger that initiates the behavior. Your phone vibrated and the vibration acts as the trigger.
  2. Routine, the behavior itself; the action you take. You check your phone which is your routine.
  3. Reward, the benefit you gain from doing the behavior. You find out the reason why your phone vibrated.

This method is discussed in Charles Duhigg’s book, ‘The Power of Habit’.

These steps will fit in every habit. Find the right cue that reminds you to start a habit and then stick to it until you are near your reward.

In the end, one must always remember that motivation is just a starting point, habits are something that keeps us going throughout our lives. So developing new, healthy, and beneficial habits is mandatory to live a meaningful and happy life. In the words of Canadian-American motivational public speaker and self-development author Brain Tracy, “Successful people are simply those with successful habits.”