THREE CUPS OF TEA

Greg Mortenson is a real American hero. I should say that after reading "Three Cups of Tea", a story or biography of Greg, co-authored by David Olive Relin.

When i came to the United States my friend Kristen told me about a book which i hadn't heard of. The title of the book grabed my attention at first because in our villages Chai, Tea, is the most favorite beverage due to a variety of reasons such as, convenience to make, availability of milk, quick remedy for triteness, and may be  we can't afford coffee. I googled and the  information from wikipedia fueled my interest because it was a book about the mountainous and unapproacable areas of Northern Pakistan where i come from. I texted Kristen. " Though i will buy it later and read, and comment on the book some time, but i do agree with some info as explained by wikipedia." Kristen had the book in her house and one day she brought me the book to read. I read it, and found out that it is more than a story. It is a philosophy of humanism, strategy of counter terrorism and biography of a legendary.

I am writting about this because i am very passionate about education in remote areas, and also, some of my friends in the US were confused. Some people had criticized Greg and some didn't believe in what has been written in the book.

There can be two possible reasons why some people think of it as an exaggeration or not very factual. 

1- The abject poverty and hardships of life in the Hindukush and Karakorum ranges of the Himalayas is too hard to believe. Unless someone has visited the places and lived in the society like Greg Mortenson did.

2- The book has been written in a novelestic narration. It is not just a dry description of facts and figures. It is thrilling, interesting and seems like one is watching a movie. So, some people might think of it- a movie from Hollywood. 

But, i think it is a composition of real life experiences of a mountain climber who fails his attempt to reach the summit of  K2 in 1993, and stranded, reaches a valley called Korphe. Surviving death, and being loved, respected and protected by the poor people of the remote area, Greg promises to build a school there. The story starts and Greg finds a purpose for his life. A purpose more valuable then reaching the top of K2. A purpose to educate the people of Korphe. This vision leads to a life long struggle, hard sufferings, deep understanding and splendid success. Greg, in 2002-03, fully convinced that  a balanced education is the key to fight terrorism, poverty and hatred, laments over the civilian causalities in Afghanistan and plunges into the war-stricken zone of Afghanistan to builds schools there. Having a sound cultural understanding, or cultural intelligence i would rather say, which he develops during his mission to build schools in the northern Pakistan, he is the most loved person there (northern Pakistan).

Greg also point outs the root causes of terrorism in Pakistan and Afghanistan and provides the best guidelines or long term strategies to pursue, in order to win hearts and minds of the people.

The two things in the book which need clearification is, Greg or Relin, has used the term "Muslim Bomb" when he refers to the atomic bomb Pakistan detonated in 1998 to become a nuclear state. The only reason Pakistan went for atomic bomb was, to balance the supermacy of India in the South Asia as a Nuclear State. The nuclear test was not an attempt to frighten the non muslim world like Russia or the US, millions of miles away. Secondly, Greg has met different people from different sects of Islam. So when one is reading the book he might find some different point of views regarding Islam because we have so many sects, unfortunately.

I am inspired by Greg's work. He has done a great job. I should visit the places and schools he has described in the book. Skardu, where he used to conduct jirga, meetings, with his friends from the villages to carry out his projects, is 840 Kilometers ( 522 miles) from my district Chitral. However, Chitral and Baltistan share the same topography and climate.

I higly recommend Three cups of Tea  for reading. It will broaden one's understanding of terrorism, education, and most importantly, it is a testimony of how one person can make a difference. Greg is co-founder of Central Asia Institute ( CAI), a non profit organisation built to keep his mission alive. Recently, Greg and some of his close friends like Ghulam Parvi have been accused of some financial scandals, however i would say that the great job he has done is unquestionable. Greg has been awarded with Pakistan's highest civil award "Sitara e Pakistan" ( Star of Pakistan).

The importance of learning a second language !

           Any language other than someone’s native language or mother tongue is a second language. Every one of us can speak his native language easily because of being born and brought up in a family and neighborhood where all speak and understand it. It is quite difficult to understand some other language and master it. However, this has certain benefits and one must try to learn at least one language other than the native language.

 Learning a second language enhances your cognitive abilities. The mind is a complex mass. Some people say that we are normally using only ten percent of our brain. With this ten percent, humans have created wonders and achieved so much. What if we use some more of it for learning a second language?

            Learning a second language means interacting with a new group, and new people with different cultures and different ethnicities. This interaction might lead to new friendships and opportunities to learn and engage in a business. Globalization of businesses would help create consumer demand for different products across borders.

            Career opportunities are also enhanced by learning a second language. If someone learns Spanish in the United States, the chances of getting a job increase as Hispanics are the largest minority in the US. This is also the case with countries where there are two or more languages widely spoken. For example, in Pakistan, Urdu is the national language but English is widely spoken and taught in the universities, besides being a secondary national language. If you know how to read, write, and speak English well, the chances finding a good job increase.

            By learning a second language one can have access to a different set of knowledge and information which might strengthen the knowledge base. A scholar looking for some information, data or evidence might find something in a language different from his native language. Although translations are available, like Google Translator, the understanding of something on your own keeps the originality.  Take it the other way, by learning any other language you might be able to translate something into your own native language, which would help people understand things they wouldn’t have understood before.

                                    Some people might argue that learning a second language will lead to losing your culture. I don’t think so. You don’t lose your culture. You learn about a new culture but keep your own traditional culture. I believe that someone’s cultural values would not be that much shaky that just learning a different language would make them lose their culture which is inherited in their genes. Besides culture, it doesn't mean you are not valuing your own language. To learn a second language we don't need to disrespect our own languge.

            I would suggest learning at least one other language in your lifetime. It will improve your mental capabilities, groom your personality and provide access to more information.