Sahil Manzoor Bhatti
Education never means getting employment, handsome salaries, and all that comes with a job. Education simply means gaining control over everything within ourselves our anger, arrogance, dishonesty, jealousy, and other weaknesses. True education develops our character and teaches us how to deal with life.
How beautiful it is whenever I see educated people engaging in different livelihood activities. We know that in our country, almost everyone wants a government job. Yet, those who get into government service often start complaining: “What is so special about a government job?” I have a friend whose earnings are many times higher than mine. I also have a neighbour who earns in a few days what some people earn in an entire month.
My perspective regarding employment is quite clear. People who have zeal, enthusiasm, and a thirst to do something in any field rarely complain about what they have achieved or what they have lost. Different people have different stories when it comes to their choices of employment.
Some people may not be highly qualified, yet they have positive smiles on their faces and live their lives happily. On the other hand, some highly qualified people, such as engineers, teachers, doctors, and lecturers, complain that their earnings are insufficient, that they cannot afford a luxurious lifestyle, or that they cannot live like princes.
How can we be happy?
For me, earnings are not everything. I believe in satisfaction. The person who is satisfied with his or her qualifications, profession, and earnings is a successful person. No one can defeat such a person’s dreams or easily make them unhappy.
Actually, it is our own mindset that often creates problems. We keep looking at what others are doing without knowing their background. Different people have different strengths and different financial circumstances, so it is not possible for everyone to sail in the same boat.
Some people can make something great from very small things, while others have bigger opportunities because of their family background, financial status, education, or other advantages. Yet, they sometimes fail to make good use of those opportunities. This raises an important question: why do some people have great opportunities but fail to use them to achieve their life goals?
Today, this thought came into my mind, and I decided to write about it.
Literally, I have been enjoying delicious masala (a mixture of gram) and lawasa tandoori chapatti for the last couple of decades, along with chutneys of different varieties, such as coriander, chilli powder, green chilli, curd, and pieces of salad.
One of the sellers from Parneva, Khansahib, Budgam, has been selling these items for a long time. I like his behaviour and the way he presents his masala and lawasa with delicious chutney. He keeps the chutney in copper utensils, which adds to the traditional charm. What attracts me most is his behaviour. Even when members of the community call him “Sir,” he remains humble and gentle.
Today, I see similar food items being sold outside colleges, schools, sports stadiums, and other busy places. Such efforts by our educated youth to earn a livelihood should be appreciated. The government should support them by providing financial assistance and suitable permanent spaces so that they can earn with dignity and with proper governmental support.
There are great minds in the government, and I hope such initiatives for employment and self-reliance among our youth will be appreciated and supported.
How can we generate employment with little financial support?
We can start a business from a footpath and gradually build it into a successful enterprise within a few years through honesty, hard work, and enthusiasm.
Anyone can become what he or she wants to become, but proper guidance and a great vision are necessary. Willingness plays a vital role and can uplift a person from any situation. There is no need to start a business with millions. When you start small, you remain calm because you have less fear of bankruptcy and fewer financial pressures.
Always try to learn from zero and then move higher. The higher you go, the calmer and wiser you should become.
Education
We should never claim that we are educated and then ask why we are unemployed.
For your kind consideration, an educated person should never give up simply because employment opportunities are limited. How is it possible that you spend 20 or 30 years learning how to tackle life’s issues and deal with problems, but when it comes to employment, you give up?
Never blindly follow what others say. Come out of your comfort zone and try your best. Success does not come through discussions and lame excuses. It comes through hard work, patience, willingness, and perseverance.
Different people have different stories, different opportunities, and different journeys. What matters most is not how much we earn, but how meaningfully and honestly we live our lives.
(The author is a freelancer and can be reached at [email protected])
