“Bara ho kar truck banoonga”

By Kanwal Naz

Karachi University has many unique features, some of which have been discussed earlier on Sahafionline. I have always felt proud of this fact, seriously, tell me which university has places like P.G., Arts Lobby, and a ‘dhaaba’ where you can enjoy the traditional milk beverage “lassi”?  These are the exclusive features of our beloved K.U. where education along with entertainment is guaranteed. But in today’s post I would like to tell all the non-K.U. students about our system of Rickshaws inside the university.

It sounds funny and shocking at the same time to have rickshaws at your campus. At least to the students from DUHS, SSUET, and Agha Khan and for all the college students who come to visit KU before applying to any department, it is surprising to see rickshaws zooming from one place to another. But the presence of this noisy vehicle confirms the long distances any KU student has to cover everyday. Also, our inefficient shuttles (which are supposed to do the job these rickshaws do) encourage the rickshaw drivers to ask for ‘unfair fares’. They know that at KU, if a student is asking for a ride in a rickshaw, he is helpless and desperate. They take full advantage of the absence of our shuttles.

These rickshaws are running a good business. Especially when there is a clash, they double the fares and drive away if you try to strike a bargain with them. Then you are left at the mercy of lifts, which by the way is not a safe option.

A student of mass communication who has a subsidiary, say psychology, has to walk a long distance of about 1 km everyday…everyday!!! With no shuttles to be sighted and too scared to take a lift, that poor student is forced to stop a rickshaw. The driver gives you a devilish smile and you reluctantly agree to his desired fare.

Sometimes, it so happens, that five or six girls jump into a single rickshaw. This a common practice at KU. Often you would see a rickshaw with seven girls over-loaded inside. This is quite hilarious and dangerous since the vehicle is not designed to carry loads that of a bus. Students, please be careful.

We also have a reservation system of these rickshaws. Students often call some drivers they know, to pick them up at a certain time. No one else, other than the student who has reserved the vehicle, is allowed to use it. If anyone dares to bid a higher amount, a conflict over this tiny vehicle, is likely to emerge. Believe me!

In the end, I would like to mention that these rickshaws prove to be an asset during Ramadan. Seriously, you save a lot of time and energy. I will not say money since these drivers ask for double fares, knowing that the students have no choice but to opt for them only. Some business it is.

Do not force us please. . .

By Sameen Meher

The students of Karachi University come from different countries, provinces and religion. In view of these differences, some like minded people tend to form their political parties in order to support and help their kind. Though it’s not necessary to make these political groups, still it’s alright if this process is carried out peacefully. But peace, is something that is the least concern of these people who set up these students political platforms.

Here I would like to mention some facts about a very famous political group whose female activists are “haunting” the arts girls’ common room. It’s a matter of perspective. Some might think that they are doing a great job, but to me, it’s not a very pleasant sight when I see them criticizing girls, who are not like them, for no reason at all.

It’s good to know that there are some girls who work for a party just because they want to serve their religion. But it certainly doesn’t give them the authority to impose their beliefs on anyone. For instance, you are not allowed to laugh loudly inside the common room, no ipods or mp3 players are allowed. Cell phone chatters are gazed upon with laser eyes. And once you are there and if any spiritual “guftugu” is going on. You must attend it whether you have a class or not, have any interest or not and sometimes, whether you belong to the religion or not. Those laser eyes will slice you into halves if you sit idly and don’t attend their “guftugu”.

I know that this particular political party organizes a grand book fair annually, which is good thing by the way, but why are their activists act so unnaturally when it comes to their principles?

Everybody has a right to their ethics and morals, and no one has the right, I repeat, no one has the right to look down upon the ones who don’t follow your values. It’s not necessary to harass a girl, who wears a ‘hijab’ to join your group. Giving her unlimited calls and persuading her to join your so-called ‘noble cause’ otherwise she is going to suffer in her afterlife.

These spiritual ghosts have made it impossible for any ordinary girl to enter the common room. Same practices are being carried around the Zoology and Chemistry departments. It’s a shame how some people chant “read think learn” and do the exact opposite in their daily lives.

Who let the dogs out???

By Fatimah Mazhar

Dogs are mostly found around the streets, slums, gardens, in front of butcher shops and mostly they are kept as pets. But have you ever heard about dogs residing at a university? If you are a dog lover and you want an admission in the Mass communication department, then Karachi University is the place to be.

The Mass Communication building is situated in a comparatively deserted area as compared to the other departments at the university. Numerous ferns and bushes with tons of grass growing wild make the ideal habitat for stray dogs. When I first had to walk all the way down to my department, I wasn’t aware of the fact that on my way I would have to face three untamed dogs (who looked as if they were hungry for days) and that too on my own. With not a single human being to be spotted on the road, I was almost about to faint when a student van stopped by and the girls inside offered me a lift. They really saved my neck…and I mean it literally. Ever since that day, I never dared to venture out on that road again…at least not alone.

As time passed by, I learnt that those dogs belong here more than I do. It was perfectly natural of them to feel threatened of new “beings” roaming about their territory. I guess they have been living around my department for years. Two years have passed and their population seems to be growing with time.

To all those aspiring students of Mass Communication I have one word of advice: If you hate dogs, you might settle down with time. But if you are afraid of dogs, think twice before you apply. Maybe by the time you arrive, they would become twenty from twelve.

To the authorities, as usual who are numb to everything outside their cozy rooms, it is my desperate plea to take notice of these vicious animals roaming freely about the campus. Dogs don’t like company. It’s better to track them down and move them some place else, before they harm any student. (After all they are four-legged carnivores having fangs not mucus-secreting amphibians). Wake up!

Constant vigilance!!! (Especially for these dogs)