BA Position Holder- A Tandoor wala?

Ahmed Jameen on 29, Aug 2012 | 51 Comments | in Category: Hyde-Park

Ahmed Jameen

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Every day here in the land of pure we get a new surprise, don’t we? We try to surprise the world by presenting a car that runs on water as a fuel, We bewilder the world by claiming to cure diabetes by white sugar, we try to become self reliant in power by getting old and rotten power plants on rent, we claim to solve IT problems by distributing free laptops, we vow to radicalize the education system by inducting Matric fail Education Minister. The world looks at us in awe and we don’t even give a damn to the ways of modern world.

Have you heard of the latest? Well, it is the talk of the town and everyone seems proud of it. It is the news about a young man from Hafizabad, who while working at a ‘tandoor’ prepared for BA final and got 1^st position in the Punjab University’s BA arts examination. According to him he studied at home for only six months for a two years’ undergraduate program and out smarted all the regular students who studied at various degree colleges affiliated with Punjab university .

The whole nation is celebrating the achievement of a poor genius ; the President, Prime Minister, governors, and the chief ministers all are showering praises along with cheques worth millions, but my heart aches to see this low level of educational standard.

Two questions emerge in my mind: i. What is the need of all the government colleges and the learned faculties ? ii. How credible is a degree that can be obtained after six months of casual studies? I would like to meet the examiners who marked the answer scripts. Punjab University should make his answer scripts public for the benefit of balding professors and young lecturers and of course the students aspiring for the top positions.

May someone ask Mohsin Ali and Maria Anam to sit for SAT1&2 which is the international entrance test for an undergraduate program of any university in the world. I am sure the result will be another surprise!

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Shoock

got jealous….mr Oxford, how mizor you and your mentality is…same for people who show your opinion….. world cannot be rule by English and IT people only…it can be lead like poor Mohsin who is constant gimp in you soul and mind….So sorry to read your poor suggession
Ali

Mr Writer, I can bet that Tandoor wala Graduate has better IQ level than you. For you the suggestion is that do something productive instead write such stupid blogs.

fatima hasan zaidi

i think you are one of the greatest stupid because you are using such a word for the writer who is providing the nation with knowledge.

FAROOQ M.HASHMI

For goodness’s sake steer clear of jealousy because it rankles the jealous person more than it does his target.The truth is that Pakistan’s sizzling hot weather and the burning heat of Mohsin Ali’s tandoor have conspired to make his strenuous job of baking breads,still harder.His situation has strengthen his resolve to extricate himself from the hardships of his life,failing which,in this world of competition,he will have to spend his whole life in bending the upper half his body over his fire-belching tandoor slapping the flattened dough in and pulling out baked breads from it,with his over-worked arms.Naturally,no one else knows the value of time better than Mohsin Ali does.Thus,he had invested,a period of six month,which he had squeezed from his work,in the preparation for the examination.His hard work and struggle to change his lot paid him off in the form his first position in B.A.examination.In view of his circumstances,even merely having passed the examination would have been his great achievement,let alone scoring the first position.Gibberish talk that he cannot go through SAT and GMAT,etc.,is simply an act of picking a hole in another’s coat.Calling a spade a spade,only the parents-supported boys and girls who waste their time in non-academic pursuits,speak disparagingly of the prodigious tandoorwala,Mohsin Ali.

Farah

very nice reply…

Saad

Pakistan is surely a land of surprise. Take Jamshed Dasti for an example; it gets proved that he holds a fake degree,
Deceives the people who elected him. He, then resigns from his seat. Then gets elected again. Amazing!

I hope they take SAT from this man, then we’ll know if he really is a genius.
khairy

i think he is happy to see mohsin achievments but what aches him why
those poor geniuses are left for only B.As degrees why nt they trumped
up to hy nd more advanced degress lyk many of our rich peoples’ children
getting from both end f the world..well if author doesn’t think that way then its sad on him..

but lesson was in Mohsin that if u are in a cottage painted with odour
then even the hope is nt lost, will, strength, determination is what
that man gave to the nation Bravo lots f best wishes for him
Zunair

Criticizing people will not take you anywhere. Appreciate the hard work and try to give a positive feedback rather than attacking someone who has done nothing to you. Your blog does suggest a bit of jealousy or hatred for some reason. Whatever Mohsin Ali and Maria Anum have achieved should be appreciated as neither one of us were in their shoes.
YASIR

Instead of appreciating the poor guy this disgraced man (writer) is criticizing that self made boy. That poor mentality of upper class cannot think beyond SAT
hasskhan

a lovely article

FAROOQ M. HASHMI

H. asskhan, Grapes are sour!!!

Muhammad Imran

I don’t see anything useful in this blog. You are saying that there was something wrong in checking his papers? and that his papers was checked with favoritism or was given priority? I would say that papers are checked randomly and you never know who check your papers and this method has been used since the creation of pakistan.

You say that he studied only for 6 months. I say that 6 months is way too long for studying something. Because i have taught many B.A students(Both regular and Private) and most of them study in the last few days while few study when there are a month or very rarely 2 months for the exame. So 6 month of study is way too long and this means he deserve it.

You compared him with regular students then you should know how the regular students and our education system is? Our regular students even if they are regular they bunk many classes or sit absent minded in class. I don’t say that this happens for the whole year but if you sum up their Classes taken and present minded period in the class even then i bet it would be no longer than 6 months in 2 years. So Accept the fact that he really deserve that.
Saad

He’s not demoralizing the student. He’s just suggesting that he should take a SAT or make the marked exams public. That’s it!

Bhai_Mian

What is your obsession with SAT? Is it the only test in the whole world that gauges intelligence, IQ and real educational worth of a person.
Go get a life and stop trolling this thread with this SAT mantra.
Millions of successful people around the globe NEVER attempted SAT/CAT/GMAT and went on to change the world.
Wake up and sense the reality.

Sohail

Writer has ignored the emotional aspect of the event, although, I feel that he has raised some very pertinent points with respect to the sagging educational standards and the outcomes resulting therefrom. I wish he had used a few soft words for the poor guy. Who knows that he is a genuine position holder?
Hammad

Please enlighten me with the test results of SAT given by Einstein and Thomas Alva Edison… you just don’t know anything and start a blog!
Ahmed Jameen

Thank you very much for taking interest in my blog. I appreciate
all the comments: for and against. I
just want to make clear that the main purpose
of this blog is to bring into lime light the ridiculous examination and assessment
system prevalent in most of our universities. I did
not talk about any element of ‘sifarish’ or unfair means in his success. The
humble background he comes from or the relentless efforts he put in, is not the
topic.

All over the world the undergraduate program of a university
comprises of 8 semesters or 4 years. It becomes a five year program if you
include the preparatory or freshman year. And you know only gifted students get 3.5 or
above GPA and that too after completing at least 75% credit hours in each
subject.

The thing which is beyond my understanding is how a person
can attain the top position, in a degree program, on the basis of 6 months of
casual studies. Please, do not talk about talent. Talent is absolutely a different thing: a cobbler can be
a great singer, a blacksmith can be a great artist, a farmer can be a great
poet and a baker can be a great actor if he has the talent, but it is quite
impossible to attain the top position on the basis of talent, in a degree
program that consists of at least 5 subjects.

His answer scripts, if made public, will give an insight
into his unique technique and vast knowledge that he used to answer the
questions and this will of course benefit millions of students and teachers.

SAT1&2 has
nothing to do with Mommy & Daddy or Burger, Pizza & ice cream. It is
just an international Scholastic Aptitude Test.
Reader

Mr writer proves the that education cannot help retards .Mr. Writer
belongs to 2% class of Pakistan and left no mercy in making fun of poor guy
efforts. He could have written what govt should do for poor fellow to make
better use of his talent but since he is sick and retard so he has given prove
of his mental illness by writing this blog.

I wish your parents paid attention to
you when you were kid , now you seems to me incurable.

Bhai_Mian

Good observation Dear

khurram Kaif

You balt man how you can call him tandoor wala? I think you are jealous because he got 1 Million Rupees but you couldn’t get. Mr. Writer I think your parents forgot to teach you manners and this article clear show your image that how wicked you are by nature.
Geo I want to ask you one thing you made some ASOOL please the time has come to implement and start from this balt man.
XenonGuru

Ahmed Jameen, I couldn’t agree with you more. It hurts me to see our country’s educational standards go down the drain. Feats like this are only possible in Pakistan where real intelligence isn’t required to pass examinations. Memorization without proper understanding seems to be the norm in Pakistan and it is considered to be an incredible feat when a feeble minded individual manages to master the outdated backward educational system that exists. No where else in the civilized world can you get a bachelor’s degree that is awarded after 2 years. Education is a joke in a Pakistan.
Passing the BA in English doesn’t qualify anyone to be considered a “learned” individual. And for all of you ignorant commentors, please move on, no one here is jealous of Tandoor boy.

Bhai_Mian

Guru Jee!

You are a true looser . You made a profile only to post this comment. I suggest that you should move on and let people like Mohsin grow and achieve in challenging environments.

Salman

This is wrong. If a writer wants a tandolwala to sit in SAT test then he should have given him the international facilities as well like qualified teachers, libaraies, books and more importantly a college where he will study and then ask for his performance in SAT.
NASAH (USA)

I think the Pakistanis should rightly be celebrating this working class kid to top the list of BA examinees while toiling at a tandoor place.

Whether he did it with a 6 month study or in a year — the kid may be exaggerating — is of no consequence. It is still a marvelous achievement making the young man a worthy role model for Pakistani youth.
Sami

Author is stupid. I have studied both in Pak (High School) and USA(Masters and Phd). I did gave SAT and then GMAT, Those are stupid tests, and should not be considered as benchmark for one’s success. I am currently working towards my Doctorate in Decision Sciences, from Univ of Texas. I bet Higher Education in Pakistan is better than USA. LUMS, GIK, SMC, DMC, GIK, IBA and NED. These schools are far more better than most of the universities in USA.

Technical education is important, like IT and blah blah, but social, political and arts studies are also very important to keep our history crisp and future secure.

I would recommend not to underestimate these position holders. No one knows in future, they might be pioneers in their fields. Don’t forget Helen was blind but she still changed some part of this World.
FAROOQ M. HASHMI

O’ Green-eyed Monster, jealousy is your very fundamental attribute!!!
http://www.facebook.com/umer.azam Umer Azam Tarar

I tend to agree with some of the points of writer but dude no doubt this guy is EXTRA ORDINARY………Jb Einstein ne bulb invent kia tau did anybody said anything about credibility of all the other scientist who worked day and night to get something like that for 30-40 years????
Mohsin Ali has done something special and should be applauded wholeheartedly….

YA

You Moron! Einstein did not invent the light bulb:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_invented_the_light_bulb

The blogger is right in saying that although the efforts of such students (i.e. belonging to less affluent families) are commendable, the level of the education itself is kind of poor and below par as compared to the same degree holder of some other country. He’s suggesting SAT as the international medium to gauge their ‘brilliance’.
Hasa’an

When did Einstein invent electric bulb? Was it before Thomas Edison?

maha

the future doesnot lie in his status its in his courage to stand up and achieve something, this brother has set a good example for all those who are deprived of basic nessacities,if the education system is criticized then give these people circumstances and then dont just ask about SAT instead see how good they perform on GMAT,very simple ‘ WHERE THERE IS A WILL THERE IS A WAY’,DONT U BELIEVE IN THAT OR ARENT U FAMILIAR ABOUT THIS QUOTE?
cybermate

Dear Saad its not about passing SAT exam, Because Sat Exam is not the only measure of struggle.The point we are trying to explain is devotion, self esteem and hardwork by that Tandoor wala. We are not questioning the caliber of Blogger also, although, the point which he has raised is valid but up to some extent only.
Jamshed

The blogger is barking up the wrong tree.Admitted that our education standards are low. That is the failure of the state. However it is stupid to deny credit to the ‘tandoor wallah’. He could only take the exam that was available and did better than all others. He deserves appreciation and admiration.
Taj Ahmad

Hard working is a good habit, being a BA passed and working as tandoor wala for living is considered to be a low income job in Pakistan. I can only pray for this young man to have a better job soon.

Bhai_Mian

This guy has already changed the future for his poor family. Did you see the happiness on the old and wrinkled faces of his parents? It was priceless.
He has been awarded a Million rupees by the CM Punjab and has been offered other scholarships too.
I pray for his future success. This guy should be an inspiration to all the young looser mourners and whining kids in Pakistan.

jonaid

I also appeared for BA in 2000 and scored around 70 % marks. If I had taken Punjabi instead of Philosophy I would have topped BA, It is the right combination along with your memory that matters. I had to cram all my notes for History, Philosophy and others. Although some creativity was shown for English
Osama

Well Said Mr Oxford…. Pakistan Studies really sucks, can’t bear it specially sindh’s.

Bhai_Mian

Read the post again. He did his BA from Punjab and IF the educational system of Pakistan sucks then why we export thousands of top notch professionals and brilliant students to the West, Europe and Australia?
They also studied in the same system ( Which sucks in your opinion)

jonaid

My name is Junaid. I am currently Assistant Professor at University of Sargodha. I appeared for BA in year 2000. I scored almost 70 % marks and would have topped BA if I had taken Punjabi instead of Philosophy or History. Our exam system especially BA is mostly about cramming.

Bhai_Mian

Dear Professor Sahib

Forget crying about the past. it is 2012 now. And since you are yourself in an educational institute and AP , what are YOU doing to improve this system?

Aamina

Ur views are quite rude. before criticizing others we should consider our own deeds . Instead of appreciating Marium and Mohsin that despite of lack of facilities they are achievers and there are many elite class kids who experience the luxuries since their birth but are not able to be tagged as an acheiver! And yes while reading your so called views you sounds like a jealous soul and a sadist as well!
Shoaib

Mr. Ahmed Jameen, Give me a break man. Instead of praising the guy, you are after him.. Ridiculous…
Xubair Sheikh

I am sure, the ones criticizing has missed the point. It is not the Guy itself but the education system he has ruled. I cannot agree with you more Ahmad.
Popularist

While appreciating his commendable achievement let him do what he is best at! If tried to be made larger than life then results would be similar to that of Iftkhar Chaudhry, Rehman Malik and many similar people with no family backgrounds but a “Fluke” that rose them to higher positions and they end up pulling the same typos up the ladder and then go around marrying their kids in good families and eventually become respectful but the blood lines are spoilt! SO IN COMPLETE AGREEMENT WITH THE WRITER!!!!!

Bhai_Mian

The Guy studied for this exam while working in a tandoor and you have the heart to call it a “Fluke”. pathetic!

Citizen

I also couldn’t understand what the author wanted to prove here. When I was studying in a technical college I was also working as a room boy in a Pak army guest house.

So the blogger wanted to say if a position holder belongs to a poor family and he supported them by serving as a “tandoori” etc. the board must public his answer sheets ?

This article itself is another “surprise” because it has been published here.

Bhai_Mian

Salute to you brother for you another shining example of self discipline. motivation and dedication in difficult circumstances.
May you achieve much more in life.

shandana

Woww such people are really proud to our nation.Hats off to them .
We all should think about providing necessary help that we can at our our level such as like providing our used curriculum books .
http://goo.gl/cj7Ch
Bhai_Mian

And thats why you are a loser. If you are corrupt and into unethical practices DO NOT label every one as corrupt.
Bhai_Mian

BTW what was your SAT score?
M.Saeed

Tandoor Wala is the owner while he was only a Thapiya at Tandoor.
His feat, if examined in comparison with that of Ali Moeen Nawazish, who secured 21 A’s, a “B” and a “C” in a total of 23 subjects he took in A-Levels just in one year, is not something unimaginable. he got topped BA with a course of 6 subjects after 6 months of study while Ali Moeen took 23 subjects in 12 months.
That makes Ali Moeen stduying a subject for about 15 days and clearing it with highest grades, Tandoor worker cleared a subject in about 30 days each, which is double the time of Ali Moeen.
Rizwan khan

My millions salam to the writer who wrote such a wonderful article………….. We hope the people like him will try to change the fate of this unfortunate country.

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