Chitral -- Chitralis are very proud of their culture. Peace, coexistence, tolerance, forgivingness, slow lifestyle may indeed be virtues that need to be preserved, but lack of self respect in the form of low capacity for hard work leading to always looking towards aid and alms whether from the government, NGOs or individuals, is a trait which needs to be addressed and changed sooner than later.

It is no hidden fact that all tough jobs and businesses including bread baking (tandurs), butchery, vegetable business, etc in Chitral are either with the Afghan refugees or Pathans from Dir and Bajaur.  People even prefer pathan labourers to local ones, as they are believed to work harder and produce more in comparison. During last winters we saw pictures of pathan Veg vendors sitting under ragged tents in heavy snowfall selling vegetables, and locals barely making it to them to buy the vegetables.

Although the basic traits and instincts of human beings cannot be easily changed, but in this world of possibilities, there is no harm trying. Our leadership, (Social, political and religious) should attempt to incucate self respect amongst the people. If the pathan vegetable seller does not look towards the Govt or any NGO but instead relies on his two arms to earn his living, why do Chitralis always stoop for easy money and free lunches, instead of adopting the positive traits of self respecting people.  -- CN report, 25 July 2011.

Comment 1

Ref the sentence "Our leadership, (Social, political and religious) should attempt to inculcate self respect amongst the people",  I would like to comment with regrets that if our social, political and religious leaders (save rare exceptions), had it in themselves, only then could they be expected to instill it in others. -- Arshad Ali, Chitral, 27 July 2011

Comment 2

Well done Chitral News. Congratulations for highlighting the important issue of the preservation and strengthening of positive aspects of Chitrali culture. Chitralis traveling within the country must have noticed the honour of our culture. It is our duty to preserve our honour by preserving our culture. It is not sufficient to write statements in the news papers. We have to struggle for this purpose at much larger scale. in my opinion it is difficult to preserve our beautiful culture unless we have some sound base for our struggle. Such a base can be a Chitral based political platform.
I hope people who love Chitral and Chitrali culture shall come forward to provide us with such a platform.  -- Saeedullah jan, Kuragh.03 Aug 2011.

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