First there has to be peace only then can technology develop and thrive
Those who are yet wed to calling Sir Syed “naturee” and Allama Iqbal opt the guided path and Jinnah Kafir-e-Azam are not faithful to our founding ideology.
The practical applications of science to satisfy the wants of mankind is technology. Though essentially based on R&D particularly on the acquisition of the developmental (change) process it holds much of an art in it. Abdali in the Allama’s Javid Nama recognizes this aspect – it has cultural overtones – which we in the East ignore and find blind imitation ultimately leads up the garden path. Sh Mahmud Ahmad’s versified rendition of one of the concerned verses is given below:
By imitation of the West, the East
Has lost her moorings; she should have processed
A keener sight, have analysed the cause
Of Europe’s dominance, whose might arose
From neither flute nor harp nor from the dance
Of half-nude girls nor from the spell that’s wov’n
By magic of the faces tulip-hued;
Nor ankles hare nor half-cut hair and give
It strength, nor atheism, dor Latin script.
From art and science doth the West derive
Her power which the only kindling flame
That lights the lamp. For learning ne’er arose
From out of dress nor hampered can it be
By turbans huge. O gay and saucy youth!
What knowledge needs is brain, not western dress;
It needs the sight, it doth not need the cap.
A bold imagination should suffice
For it and so should a discerning mind.
The development of knowledge into an over increasing number of specialisms shall continue, it means change is but a continuing process.
Data becomes information, converts itself to knowledge and with applicative lessons learnt provides the basis of wisdom which is forward looking. It helps to combine relevant variables into scenarios which when compared help towards better decision making.
Arberry’s rendition mentions the power base of the West lies in science and technology. There are differences between the two. As a technologist my definition of technology is that it is the know how to solve problems of all sorts in man made systems. Introducing technology is also an art in Pakistan.
Decision making is but a moment in a process. To have a process there must be a framework (more of that later) in that with each iteration we become more productive. This in essence is a training function (post- experience). It helps to tighten up administrative looseness providing maintainability to the man made system i.e. through the technology it is concerned with.
Recording of the same and its archival storage leads to sustainability because it helps define the contradiction in routines, breakdown and pro-active tactics. In practice what does all the jargon mean? Unless these concepts work in the right direction it would amount to hot air!
Look at the development (change) in the minds of the engineers
involved in the upkeep of the old T-59 tank. Technology demands merit, a multidisciplinary approach, strict attention to detail (the devil is in it !), to coordinate is an economic function, accept minor improvement incrementations (not wholesale) as the norm, work towards transparency …. and maybe others.
Above all the marketing aspect which dictates volumes and therefore, both capital and running costs to be part of the gamesmanship . Look at the fate of the Indian Vikrant tank from 1972 onwards and learn from it. Look at the upgrading of the old M-48s and learn from that also and never forget if there are 11 variables there are over 3.7 million ways of putting them together.
The approach has to be focused on the function of the “complete” man -polymath – the philosopher of old – who contained all knowledge in one head. Hardly possible now! It was only after the premier service of
Britain (the Navy) that told the civil government in WW-II that they could not do more.
It was a civil team that set up the ‘convoy’ system and reduced cargo ship sinking and also the same explosive size depth charge sank many more U-Boats which gave the UK sufficient time to survive till the USA entered the war. Many more examples could be given.
Now, what do we do given our present problems, both self-inflicted and also engineered from outside. The best is to look at the Quaid-e-Azam slogan Unity, Faith, Discipline. Discipline brings about Unity and reinforces Faith. Sun Tzu, Chanakya & Machiavelli were intellectuals of civil background as other Chinese ethic leaders and Islamic intellectuals that mattered.
The first and foremost requirement in a country is peace so that one knows what tomorrow will bring. But where is the discipline to motivate this aspect? It is not to be found at present, but chaos aplenty! Priority should be given to:
- Voluntary conscription on graduation from a University to induce discipline for a period of 3-6 months and at the end of the training to give bonus marks to those who apply for government jobs, (remember the push ups of our cricket team!)
- All government departments should have defined SOPs and personnel training in them. It would hardly cost 1/2% -1% of a departmental budget.
- Recognize coordination as an economic function. Without knowing it the military practice it.
There will be a lot of opposition to the above because:
- It will hit at corruption (a symptom).
- It will affect the income of various professional groups.
- It will move in the direction of transparency.
- It will follow the Islamic methodology of incremental change i.e. intoxicants was not a good thing. Then don’t go to a mosque under the influence, the third we all know. However, a ‘phased’ approach is the best way to attack complex problems and it may deflate several ego’s.
Finally the Allama says through Alauddin in Javid Nama:
“Be not enchanted” by the West
Nor on the East those needest dote
For both this ancient and the new
Together are not worth an oat.
Do we have the courage to follow it?
