It said that if you wish
to see the real face of any country, all you need to do is see the condition of
libraries there. And what I saw today I can only say that “I am truly sorry for
Pakistan, especially for all of us”.
I am working on a project
these days, for that I need to visit libraries for my research. The start of my
day was beautiful everything synced perfectly, until I met the Frere Hall
Library.
Since my childhood I
was fascinated by this building, it stood in the best part of Karachi with all
its majesty and grace and one cannot help but marvel on its architecture, a
true classic.
As I entered the
vicinity I saw that the front door of the library was closed and the entry was
from the side. Slowly and cautiously I walked towards the side area because
there was not much human presence. The building reminded me of the moment from
the movie “The Haunting” where all the mysteriously invited characters one by
one entered the old haunted mansion.
Although it was 11 in
morning but most part of the library was empty with only few couples sitting in
the garden of the library.
‘What is this? This
cannot be the library’. Two middle aged men were sitting behind a desk,
apparently looked like the information desk. After initial inquiries, I was
allowed to enter and browse freely in the long, semi-dark hall filled with book
covered in gossamers, cobwebs all over.
It was so dark near the
book shelves that I was hardly able to see my hands, let alone the book titles.
But I comforted myself that I will come tomorrow when there will be light, i.e.
in hours other than load-shedding.
So I merrily asked the
man what are the load-shedding timings. He said “load-shedding Madam! There is
no light in the library for the last two years. Government has started
construction work somewhere upstairs and for the last two years they have disconnected
our electric supply.”
I was shocked to hear
that a library located in front of a 5-star hotel and American
Embassy in Karachi did not have electricity for two years. Even more shocked to hear that the library was completely closed down
for years because of the security reasons.
He continued, “The roof
of the library has several leakages and during the rains entire library gets
filled with water, so we have now packed all the books to protect them from
further destruction”.
But I have to find my
books’, I insisted. The man then asked me to talk to the Madam who is in-charge
of this library, so I can become a member and take all the books I need.
I was then lead into a
nearby room that thankfully had electricity and a lady with sad eyes, managing
a small new stock of books that was probably a donation from somebody.
We chatted only for few
minutes and I felt comfortable in her presence. She informed that the
membership form was Rs. 100 but I don’t need to even pay this amount because if
I want to issue books from library all I need is to submit my original ID card
as security. She informed me that since the library is managed by public sector
and fall under the Government’s Department of Antiquity we offer books at a
very nominal fees.
I said to myself, ‘Department
of Antiquity, why not the Department of Education? But then of course quite
rightly, after all education is also now an antique item in Pakistan.’
During those few
minutes of our interaction, we somehow connected with each other and strangely
our eyes were filled with tears. Our tears were the tears of sorrow and grief
on the death of books and final stage of this ‘Temple of Knowledge’.
The lady with sad eyes
expressed her deepest remorse that she was not able to help me the way I should
be helped or the way she has to return so many other students who want to
study. However, she assured me that whenever I’ll come to library she will
arrange table and chair in the naturally lighted and airy place.
I promised her that I
will return soon. As I was coming out of her office I tried to control the
incessant flow of my tears, but I was failing miserably. In that moment I felt
that something inside me died.
Few kilometers away
from Frere Hall Library, there was an ambitious library called DHA Library. On
entering the venue, I was asked to seek relevant information from the office. This
building was relatively in a good condition as it is run and managed by retired
Army officers.
There was a lady
sitting behind the desk, who mechanically provided me the information and
informed me that until I pay all my fees I am strictly not allowed to even
enter the main library or browse through the books, and if I want to check the
books I should do that from their website.
Anyways being neither
member of DHA residential area nor belonging to Army background, I have to pay
upfront Rs. 4200/- for registration and three months advance and then it would be
Rs. 1000 per month fees.
For someone like me it
is easy to afford this amount; however, there are many students for whom this
amount is rather impossible to pay every month in order to utilize books and
all the latest technology offered at this library.
What is the alternative
for them? Upgrading and maintenance of the haunted house so it can become what it
is meant to be, the Library. If you are in construction business offer them
renovation, if you make furniture or have some at home or office then donate,
if you know someone in electricity department then arrange for electricity, if
you have books then donate them, if you have money buy new books. It could be
Rs. 100, 1000, 10,000 or a million.
If you are unable to
donate then spread the word, tell your friends, friends of friends, share this
story on facebook, write a blog, make noise- lot of noise.
{WORD OF CAUTION: Frere
Hall library is a government property so please, please take all necessary
measures/ cautions that your money, or help goes only to the library rather
than taking accidental detour into the pockets of corrupt personnel.}
Love to all,
Sonya Syed. (Day 521)
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