Ayesha Fazlur Rahman
‘When you go out in the world as a Harvard graduate, the world will think you have all the answers, but don’t fall into the trap of believing that coz you have only just started to form your own questions. Harvard alums have this desire to ‘make a difference’ and ‘fix the world’, as if the world is waiting for them to come and fix it. Instead, do what interests and satisfies you.’
These are loosely paraphrased words from Ronald Heifetz Senior Lecturer in Public Leadership, at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, spoken at a talk to prepare the students graduating in 2008. I too was just completing my Ed.M then. The words stayed with me long after, as I too often dream the ‘make a difference’ dream.
The Harvard club Pakistan met President Arif Alvi for a heartfelt chat on 25thJuly. Armed with their big ideas squeezed in 1minute pitches, 17 Harvard alums from batches ranging from the 1980s to 2017, entered the Presidency on a cloudy morning. The alums were from a wide array of concentrations including governance, tax reform, space technology, immigrants’ issues, higher education, technology supported primary education, renewable energy and water conservation through rainwater harvesting.
Much like the President himself, the conversation was genuine and informal. Beyond the very ceremonious announcement preceding his entry in the room by a uniformed staff member, it was all like a fireside-chat with a wizened elder.
Among many refreshing things that day was the fact that the President, like several of us, had a pen and notebook in hand and briefly jotted notes every now and then. I had brought along copies of the WWF Pakistan’s Natura magazine, featuring my articles on home composting and rainwater harvesting, my 2 pet projects. Not big on following protocols and fearful of embarrassing the group, I consulted our club president Kamran Kamal on how I should go about handing these to the President (of the country, not the club!). He advised me to play by ear and that most likely one of his staff would take it from my hand when I refer to them while speaking. When the moment came, the good doctor stretched an arm for me to hand the magazines to him, which I gladly did. Of course his staff later picked it, but I was glad to have that welcoming gesture from him.
My big idea was water conservation and rain water harvesting. It is possible to set up rain harvesting units in colleges and universities and engage students in it in an interdisciplinary manner: for example, MBA students can make a business case or a marketing strategy for it, art students can develop an advocacy campaign etc. In my research on the President’s background I did come across information on his interest on the issue of accessibility of water. During this meeting too, he spoke at length on the topic. He spoke about the need for setting up desalination plants in Karachi and not just banking on river water. On the topic of water conservation, he spoke about engaging the religious clergy as our Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had given us the perfect solution to all water woes 1400 years ago: by not wasting water even when at the edge of a river.
Why water conservation, when my professional expertise lies in the field of education? Heeding advice from Professor Heifetz, I did focus on a project that fascinates me. Baraan-e’rehmatwe call it in Urdu: the rain of mercy. Saving this gift from heavens from running off on concrete seems the most obvious thing to do, and I would like to see it go up to scale one day in Pakistan. Yes, I am seeking to make a difference, but always mindful that I am doing it because it satisfies me, not as a favour to anyone. While doing things in a spirit of sacrifice only may drain one’s energy at some point, recognizing our own pleasure in the work helps us make sustained efforts.
Many other topics came under discussion. When the conversation turned to space technology and the need to grow it in Pakistan, the President responded in a very well-informed manner. His concern was to first ensure the proper utilization of the data from existing space technology for not just weather but also to improve farming. I learnt from Alvi Sahib today that Pakistan was the second Asian country (after Russia) to launch a space rocket in 1962. This was Rehbar-I, a two-staged solid fuel rocket, launched by SUPARCO.
There was some discussion around tax reform and FBR institutional reform. Some group members raised some concerns. Like any group of intellectuals, this group too had a dash of cynicism. The President agreed with them but counseled them to not give way to too much pessimism.
On the issue of immigrants President Alvi underlined that the only approach is to consider every human equal. Pakistan, he said, can hold her head high for accommodating 3.5 million refugees whereas the so-called developed nations of the world are talking about building walls.
In the end the group wanted to know how they could access relevant government departments to plug in their talents and efforts, and if the Presidential office could support in liaising for this purpose. The President offered that his office can provide such support if the relevant departments are not responsive to the ideas of this dynamic group, revving to contribute to the Naya Pakistan.
President Alvi accepted the Harvard Pakistan Club President Kamran Kamal’s invitation to attend an event with participation from the wider Harvard community instead of a select group, as was the case this time. President Alvi instructed that the event should have an agenda and a purpose beyond people turning up to just meet him.
It all ended with a memorable group photo.
Some questions that will be answered with the passage of time
What is the panacea to the inertia of the government departments that the President lamented too?
Can this rich human resource of qualified and experienced individuals willing to contribute pro bono be tapped for the larger good of the nation?
Will Divine mercy bless my dream of conserving the Baraan-e-Rehmat?
