By Syed Shams Uddin
QUITE INTERESTINGLY,Ubaid Khan's Facebook post dated December 5, 2024, reflecting on the exercise of 'power and authority' by individuals during their tenure and their eventual retirement upon reaching the stage of superannuation, brings forth the following noteworthy conclusions and points for reflection:
1. The Ephemeral Nature of Power: Authority is transient, and no position of power is everlasting. Those who wield it must remember that their tenure is limited, and they will eventually return to the ranks of ordinary citizens.
2. Legacy of Conduct: The behavior and decisions of individuals in authority define their legacy. Acts of fairness, empathy, and service create goodwill and respect, while arrogance and apathy lead to resentment and disapproval.
3. Accountability to Society: Upon retirement, officials find themselves surrounded by the very people they once governed. Their treatment at the hands of society becomes a mirror reflecting their conduct during their tenure.
4. Reaping What is Sown: The principle that "you reap what you sow" applies poignantly here. Seeds of justice and humility yield respect, while those of neglect and arrogance harvest disdain.
5. Moral Stewardship: Authority is not merely a position of privilege but a moral responsibility. Its exercise should be guided by principles of service, integrity, and compassion, recognizing its impact on society and personal legacy.
6. Pondering Personal Legacy: Those in power should constantly introspect on the long-term consequences of their actions. They must ask themselves how they wish to be remembered and whether their deeds align with the principles of justice and humanity.
7. A Lesson for Future Generations: The experiences of retired officials serve as a living lesson for current and future holders of authority. They highlight the importance of wielding power responsibly and remind us that respect cannot be commanded; it must be earned.
Ubaid Khan's reflections invite a deep and necessary introspection, urging individuals in positions of power to prioritize empathy, fairness, and accountability, ensuring that their eventual legacy is one of respect and honor rather than regret and alienation.
The statement offers a sharp critique of the social status of retired government officials who, during their active service, displayed arrogance and apathy toward the genuine concerns of the common people. These officials, once cloaked in the authority that gave them power over others, often used their positions with disdain, neglecting their duty to address the issues faced by the very citizens they were meant to serve. However, upon retirement, they are stripped of their official privileges and must reenter society as ordinary members of the community. This transition frequently exposes them to the judgment and resentment of the people they once mistreated, often resulting in a social reckoning.
For such individuals, retirement can become a period of social alienation and humiliation. The people, who had borne the brunt of their indifference and high-handedness, now view them with disapproval, treating them with the same disregard these officials once meted out. This reality serves as a stark and enduring lesson about the transient nature of power and authority.
The scenario underscores a universal truth: power is never permanent, and its misuse can lead to lasting consequences. Authority, at its core, is a responsibility—a stewardship entrusted to individuals for the betterment of those they serve. How one chooses to wield that power not only defines their tenure but also determines the legacy they leave behind. Officials who act with integrity, compassion, and fairness build goodwill that outlasts their time in power, ensuring respect and acceptance in their later years. Conversely, those who abuse their positions for personal gain or treat others with contempt may find themselves isolated, despised, or even ridiculed after their authority is gone.
This serves as a poignant reminder for all who hold power to introspect and act wisely. Their attitudes and actions today shape the social and moral fabric of their retirement tomorrow. Power, when exercised with empathy and a sense of duty, becomes a tool for creating lasting positive relationships and goodwill. On the other hand, its abuse fosters resentment and alienation, a fate no one in their later years would wish to endure. The aphorism "you reap what you sow" finds its undeniable truth in this scenario. During their time in power, government officials who sow seeds of arrogance, neglect, and apathy toward the people they are meant to serve eventually face the harvest of their actions upon retirement. Stripped of authority, they are left to live among the very community they once disregarded, and the treatment they receive reflects the legacy of their behavior. Those who sowed indifference now reap disapproval; those who planted arrogance now harvest contempt.
This timeless wisdom serves as a powerful reminder that the actions and attitudes we exhibit, especially when in positions of authority, inevitably shape the outcomes we encounter later in life. The seeds of compassion, fairness, and humility yield respect and acceptance, even when one’s power has faded. Conversely, the seeds of arrogance and disregard grow into a crop of resentment and alienation, a bitter harvest that no one desires to face.
A window to Northern Areas-I, The Muslim dated July 4, 1997. By Syed Shamsuddin Most of our people even today seem quite oblivious of the geo-political position of Northern Areas while the exact historical background concerning Gilgit-Baltistan and where these must stand politically remains yet another subject of discussion. Not to speak of a layman, a person of the stature of Chief Executive of the country, once inquired whether the Northern Areas an integral part of the north west frontier province (NWFP). This happened when he rule the country in the aftermath of martial law. Yet another minister on Kashmir and Northern Areas, during the democratic government that followed, was pleased to tell a member of the northern areas council that he owed his minisitership not to them (Northern Areas people) but to the turbaned man of his constituency, standing at the door of his official chambers. There is infact, dearth of substantial historical evidence as to when exactly man ...
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