Remembering the winter holidays of a few years back, with all their festivities, plans, and preparations, seems to be just a dream now. Winter break, albeit a short one, used to bring liveliness, jubilation and a mood of joy and festivities for the parents and the students alike. Students burnt out due to their mid-year or final exams, and parents, tired and stressed after preparing them for the exams, really need a recharge. So, a few years back, this break was used for the purpose of recharging.
The school or university term always ended with the preparation for the Christmas play and its performance for all the students in a joyful mood after a long, hectic term. Also, there were plays on the theme of Quaid-e-Azam’s life and his works because Quaid Day was also approaching.
People planned a visit to Murree to enjoy the snowfall, to relax from the mundane life activities and recharge for the upcoming New Year.
Barbecues were planned. Many weddings to be attended. New Year’s night to be celebrated
Petty activity, yet so energising, of enjoying oranges in the parks and increasing the vitamin D and vitamin C levels while enjoying the bright sunlight. Enjoying movies in the cosy rooms with hot coffee. Reading books and refreshing the mind for the next term ahead. Making New Year’s resolutions. Enjoying long-lasting friendships and togetherness was all part of relaxing and fulfilling activities, all well planned and desperately waited for a few years.
But times have changed now. Now, schools are not shut down with the happy goodbye and Happy New Year card exchange, but due to hazardous AQI levels, the winter break is transformed from a seasonal holiday into a survival tactic.
The ‘toxic air’ or smog that we breathe in, combined with the extreme cold that is increasing day by day due to global warming, poses a ‘dual threat’, especially to patients, children, and the elderly alike. Most of the people are sick all through winter.
The state should take strong action and take a strong initiative to find solutions to eradicate smog. Only shutting down the schools and creating a stressful situation for the teachers to cover the course to end the term early is not the solution. In fact, it creates even more frustration and stress.
This hazardous air is a weapon. It brings influenza, colds, sore throats, lung diseases and a lot of health issues with it. So, all the plans made for the holidays are smashed to the ground. Almost all of the people are sick throughout the winter.
Added to all this is the toxic addiction to social media and mobile phones by children as well as adults of all ages. Not like years back, now youngsters no longer prefer activities like meeting friends, attending marriages, etc.; they preferably want to stay at home snuggled in their warm blankets using social media.
The only popular activities seen all day and night are lying in beds using limitless social media and becoming even more sluggish and drowsy — too low on energy, just snuggling under the blanket with the light of the mobile just brightening their face and affecting their eyesight too. Too sluggish a generation to come out of the spell of social media, video games and warm blankets.
The joys that winter break brought years back have all come to an end. On a human level, we need to inculcate the love of books, friendship and outdoor activities in this generation. On the broader level, the government should take serious actions to fight against smog, eradicate its sources and find solutions to end it. Shutting down schools is not a solution.
To conclude, already there is so much depression, anxiety, frustration and stress around – hoping that winter vacations, once again, with positive efforts done on individual, collective, and government levels, bring joy, jubilation and all positive vibes. This can be accomplished; nothing is impossible.