“It is not enough to acquire wisdom, it is necessary to employ it.” – Cicero

Tractor-trolley mishaps

A few days ago, while skimming through the newspaper, I came across a horrifying news piece about a tractor-trolley accident. Two brothers were crushed to death when a water tanker hit their motorcycle in Korangi. The fatal accident took place near Indus Chowrangi in the Korangi Industrial Area. Deaths and injuries due to road accidents by tractor-trolleys is becoming a serious issue that has caused a great loss to the public. According to a study, the majority of such accidents take place due to their faulty designs of the vehicle. A study found that lack of knowledge of the iron-smiths who use empirical design rules to connect the tractors to the trolleys are leading to their overturning and causing death and injuries to thousands every year. Also, the tractor-trolley drivers driving fast and recklessly just adds to the risk of road accidents. Driving a trolley requires tough driving skills and more control on speed. Also, the incidences of tractor-trolley overturning related accidents can be checked by creating technological awareness in the society.

Zuhaib Raza,
Karachi

The practice of book banning

Literature is powerful. For many, it offers a window into other worlds, an opportunity to be informed and entertained. But, for some, books and the stories they contain could be dangerous. Or at least that is what authorities – political, social or religious – want readers to believe. And thus, they impose a ban on books which they believe are dangerous. But shouldn’t books be accessible to all? After all, reading books can spark conversation among people. It’s an outlet for knowing what another feels about a certain topic no matter how controversial it may be. Books are a way to go to places you’ve never been and to experience different things without ever leaving the comfort of your bed or couch. Books, particularly books that have been banned or challenged, contain themes and passages that make people think. Banning a book deprives people of the narrative to think, question and explore.

Sarah Abid,
Lahore

How to succeed as a working mom?

There's no denying that working moms are masters at multitasking. But, between changing diapers, setting up playdates and juggling conference calls, today's career women are struggling to live up to unrealistic work-life balance expectations. As a working woman myself with two young children, I’m often asked how I maintain a balanced personal and professional life. The answer is simple – I don’t. We expect women to work like they don’t have children, and raise children as if they don’t work. That’s a recipe for mommy guilt – a term used to make moms believe they are committing some wrong by contributing to the economy and the human race at the same time. You simply cannot maintain balance between the two. There will be days that are consumed by a trip to the emergency room with a sick child, or weeks eaten up by a new boss or a big deadline. So, my advice to all the working moms out there is to stop exhausting themselves by proving to the society that they can do it all, at the same time.

Humaira Ahmed,
Karachi

The menace of dowry culture

Even though we are in the 21st century, we are forced to follow certain traditions which we know are not good. Dowry system is one example. Today dowry has become a social menace leading to oppression of women, domestic violence, and a source of emotional stress for the bride’s family and even murder in some cases. Despite a lot being said and done against the custom, it is still prevalent in both subtle and obvious ways. Our government should also announce certain steps in this regard. It should be made illegal for the people to give or accept dowry at the time of marriages. Strict rules should be passed against this imperiled practice.

Aliza Raza,
Islamabad