Opinions differ regarding how the country’s 68^th birthday should be observed. One side advocates celebration with patriotic, no-questions asked fervor. The other side counters that the nation is in a deep morass and there is really nothing to celebrate. While one does wish to rejoice on such an occasion, too much blood and tears have flown, and continue to flow, in this country on a daily basis, to allow the soul genuine exuberance. This is the sad reality.

So when did the rot start? By one reckoning, it did so already on the eve of Independence. Consider this: At a few minutes past midnight on the night of August 14 and 15 (technically August 15 already), there is a first announcement on the radio, stating this is Radio Pakistan, the radio station of an independent Pakistan. Then comes the morning of August 15, 1947 and the founder of Pakistan, Mr. Muhammad Ali Jinnah delivers a message to the nation, on the occasion of the inauguration of the Pakistan Broadcasting Service. His speech starts with the sentence, “It is with feelings of greatest happiness and emotion that I send you my greetings. August 15 is the birthday of the independent and sovereign State of Pakistan”. Please read that sentence again. So when, why and under whose authority was the Independence date changed to August 14? Can one dare say this was the very first lie the nation had to accept? Was the change only because India decided on August 15 as its independence date?

Then of course there is the question of the birth date of Mr. Jinnah himself. Of course we all know it is December 25. It’s been that forever, signed, sealed and accepted by all. But what about his old school records which record his birth date as October 20, 1875?

Space limits discourse on several other debatable (euphemistically speaking) matters of some import that have come down to us over the years and decades. But the net result is before us. There are still some things to celebrate. But only the foolhardy will disagree that there are several times more reasons not to celebrate. These reasons, real as they are, should however not be a justification for mourning. My appeal to my countrymen on this Independence Day, is that let’s spend some quiet time in deep introspection. A SWOT analysis of Pakistan still has the Strengths and Opportunities outweighing the Weaknesses and Threats. Our mission should be straightforward. What can we do, each one of us as an individual, and given our individual limitations, to make a real difference?